Sports News: India Squad News, Ganesan's Family Moments, Patil's Academy & Cricket Controversies

The India men's senior selection committee added Sai Sudharsan, Harshit Rana, and Jitesh Sharma to the squad for the first two T20Is against Zimbabwe due to a hurricane in Barbados that is delaying the pair of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shivam Dube, Sanju Samson, Khaleel Ahmed, and Rinku Singh. The delayed Indian team will travel back to India before heading to Harare. While the first two T20Is will be played back-to-back, the series is going to start on July 6 in Harare. Shubman Gill will join the team directly from some commercial commitments.

The triumphant journey of India at the T20 World Cup 2024 concluded in Barbados and finally won an ICC title for the country after 11 years. Sports presenter Sanjana Ganesan, wife of Jasprit Bumrah, shared pictures on her Instagram handle from the USA and West Indies—all of it like beach moments with their son Angad. It was Jasprit Bumrah's outstanding performance with the ball that really took the team forward—15 wickets in 8 games at an economy rate of 4.17. He was brilliant in the final as well, finishing with the figures of 2/18, in his unplayable avatar.

With Sandeep Patil at the helm for a five-year contract, a new cricket academy on the lines of Bengaluru's National Cricket Academy has been launched in Kolkata today. The former NCA director has roped in his old team comprising Dinesh Nanavati, Gautam Shome, and Ashish Kaushik in the academy that will cater to cricketers from the eastern region and north-east. It would also provide rehab and fitness facilities. That would be at the Athlead International School, and in a matter of time, will grow to other sporting disciplines like tennis and football. Patil now has plans to relocate to Kolkata to oversee the development of the academy.

After India's victory in the T20 World Cup 2024 over South Africa, the reaction of Sanjay Manjrekar, congratulating Rohit Sharma, Rahul Dravid, and Ajit Agarkar, gradually became controversy by leaving out Virat Kohli, top-scoring with an innings of 76, who claimed Player of the Match. Since Kohli's contribution at that juncture has been considered important, fans jumped on him and called Manjrekar 'biased', a hypocrite for not mentioning his name. He praised the bowlers as well, looking for performances by Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Axar Patel, and Hardik Pandya. This move by excluding Kohli's name evoked a backlash on social networks.

Only a week before the final Test, James Anderson took 7 for 35 for Lancashire against Nottinghamshire in his first County Championship match in over a year. In what was an outstanding 10-over spell that again showcased class and skill, Nottinghamshire was bowled out for 126. It will be Anderson's 188th and last Test appearance against the West Indies at Lord's on July 10, although he first becomes the maiden seamer to take 700 Test wickets. He is going to engage as an England fast-bowling mentor but has, until now, not confirmed his county cricket plans.

The BCCI is firming up the policy on retention of players for the mega IPL auction. Franchises are divided over whether to extend retentions beyond the current limit of 4 players per team. Options being discussed also involve a return of the Right-to-Match cards, which were absent in 2021, this allows players to match bids made by other teams. While most teams want 5 to 7 retentions, some others want RTM cards only. The Impact Player rule thus stays a contest between franchises, even after its approval by media rights holders.

Turkey booked a place in the Euro 2024 quarterfinals against the Netherlands with a pulsating 2-1 victory over Austria. Merih Demiral scored twice, with the winner coming as a header deep into the final seconds of the game, and Michael Gregoritsch got one for Austria. Austria was in command in that second half; however, Turkey—through goalkeeper Mert Gunok's critical saves to fend off Christoph Baumgartner—dug deep. The Netherlands cruised to a 3–0 victory over Romania, with Cody Gakpo and Donyell Malen staking their claim, and will now face off against Turkey in the quarterfinals. The winner will draw either England or Switzerland in the semis.

Netherlands reached the Euro quarter-finals for the first time in 16 years with a 3-0 win over Romania. Cody Gakpo opened the scoring in the 20th minute before late goals from Donyell Malen. The Dutch did miss opportunities through Virgil van Dijk, hitting the woodwork. It was an improved performance from their earlier group stage defeat at the hands of Austria. Should Austria win against Turkey, they shall play hosts to Willem II in Berlin.