Rishabh Pant completes mandatory 10-day isolation
Rishabh Pant has completed the mandatory self-isolation period of 10 days, after testing positive for the COVID-19 a week ago. Pant, however, will not be joining the Indian contingent for the practice game.
India will be playing a three-day practice match against County Select XI at Durham from 20 July. Wriddhiman Saha, another wicketkeeper in the squad, has also been under self-isolation. Saha was isolated for coming in close contact with net bowler Dayanand Garani, who also tested positive for the virus.
Pant will have to return two negative RT-PCR tests before joining the squad. KL Rahul will be donning the wicket-keeping gloves in the practice match.
Iyer set to miss England's Royal London Cup
Shreyas Iyer has decided to miss the upcoming Royal London Cup after signing a deal with Lancashire for the competition. Iyer decided against participation for his long-term fitness. He endured a shoulder injury while fielding in England series.
Iyer was ruled out the entirety of the Indian Premier League 2021. Rishabh Pant led Delhi Capitals in his absence. However, he is expected to make a comeback for the UAE-leg of the tournament.
'I am gutted to not be able to play for Lancashire this summer, a Club that has such history and ambition. I hope to play at Emirates Old Trafford for Lancashire at some point in the future,' Iyer said.
Shaw talks about his bonding with Dhawan
In his recent interview with Star Sports, Prithvi Shaw revealed how opening together with Shikhar Dhawan for Delhi Capitals helped both of them understand each other better.
Shaw and Dhawan got India off a rollicking start, added 58 runs for the opening wicket in the first ODI. Where Dhawan was watchful and tried to hold the innings, Shaw cut loose, clobbering bowlers all over the park.
Shaw stated that he loves spending time with Dhawan. A recent video where both of them playing a rendition of the old Bollywood song became viral on the internet.
South Africa defeated Ireland by 33 runs to go 1-0 up
Tabraiz Shamsi played a crucial role by picking up four wickets as South Africa defeated Ireland by 33 runs in the first T20I. Ireland could only manage 132/9 in 20 overs after being asked to chase down 166.
Aiden Markram made 39 off 30, and Rassie van der Dussen and David Miller too contributed with 20-odd runs. For Ireland, Mark Adair picked up three wickets, while Simi Singh and Josh Little had two each to their names.
Paul Stirling got out for a duck. Except for Andrew Balbirnie (22) and Harry Tector (36), none of their batters managed anything substantial. Apart from Shamsi, George Linde and Lungi Ngidi picked up two wickets each.