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Bumrah And Shami Return, Karnataka Win And PAK Vs WI Test – January 18 Cricket Highlights

Aakash Saini∙ Updated: Jan 19 2025, 6:00 AM

Jasprit Bumrah and Karnataka team [Source: @CricCrazyJohns, @BCCIdomestic/x]Jasprit Bumrah and Karnataka team [Source: @CricCrazyJohns, @BCCIdomestic/x]

Team India announced its squad for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. The 2024-25 Vijay Hazare Trophy culminated with an exciting finale at Vadodara’s Kotambi Stadium. Moreover, hosts Pakistan seized firm control over West Indies at the Multan Cricket Stadium after a topsy-turvy opening day.

Capping an eventful day in the world of cricket, here we take a look at five of the biggest cricketing news that emerged out of Saturday, January 18.

Siraj Dropped As India Announce CT 2025 Squad

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced India’s 15-player squad for the upcoming 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. Jasprit Bumrah, who recently missed the second half of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy decider at the SCG owing to an injury, has been included in the travelling setup. Mohammed Shami will also be making his return to the Indian team for the first time since the 2023 World Cup after recovering from injury.

In a surprising move, Mohammed Siraj has been dropped from the national setup. Rohit Sharma is set to continue as skipper, and he will be joined by fellow senior pros like Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja and Shreyas Iyer.

Jasprit Bumrah To Undergo Scans On February 2

While Jasprit Bumrah has been included in India’s squad for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, the speedster will reportedly be undergoing scans on February 2. Bumrah recently sustained a back injury during India’s tour of Australia, where he opted himself out of the second half of the series-deciding fifth Test match at the SCG.

In spite of his absence from the decisive innings of the match, the legendary Indian fast bowler finished the series as its highest wicket-taker with 32 scalps at an average of just 13.06. Notably, Bumrah has not played a single ODI match since the conclusion of the 2023 World Cup.

Karnataka Win Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25

Karnataka team clinched its fifth Vijay Hazare Trophy title by defeating Vidarbha in a one-sided finale of the 2024-25 edition on January 18 in Vadodara. Batting first, Karnataka accrued 348-6 from 50 overs courtesy of a splendid century from young Ravichandran Smaran. Krishnan Shrijith (78 off 74) and Abhinav Manohar (79 off 42) also bludgeoned attacking half-centuries to fuel Karnataka’s monumental total.

In response, Vidarbha folded up for 312 to fall 36 runs short of their target. Opening batter Dhruv Shorey punched out an attacking 110 in the chase, but three-wicket hauls from Abhilash Shetty (3-58), Prasidh Krishna (3-84) and Vasuki Koushik (3-47) snapped Karnataka’s five-year title drought.

Noman Ali, Sajid Khan Steamroll WI On Day 2

Pakistan folded up for 230 in their first innings after resuming Day 2 at 143-4. Overnight batters and half-centurions Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan were both dismissed by Kevin Sinclair, while Jomel Warrican mopped up the Pakistani tail with three quick wickets.

In response, Pakistan spinners (4-65) and Noman Ali (5-39) wrapped up West Indies for just 137 to secure a huge 93-run lead at the halfway stage of the match. The hosts extended the lead past the 200-run mark by stumps courtesy of a sublime 52 from captain Shan Masood late in the day.

Ishan Kishan Opens Cricket Academy

Indian wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan has opened up a cricket academy in Bihar in a bid to groom emerging young talents from the region. The cricketer confirmed the same through a social media post from his Instagram account.

Kishan represented the Jharkhand cricket team in the recently-concluded Vijay Hazare Trophy 2024-25 season, where he finished with 316 runs from just seven innings at a dynamic strike rate of 127.93. Currently out of contention for national selection, the 26-year-old last played an international match for India back in November 2023.