Samson Injury, WPL Replacement Signings And Bumrah Scans – February 3 Cricket Highlights
Sanju Samson and Jasprit Bumrah [Source: @chinmayshah28, @AkshatOM10/x]
Sanju Samson suffered a finger injury during India’s fifth T20I match against England. UP Warriorz franchise announced its replacement of Alyssa Healy for the upcoming WPL 2025 season. Moreover, Jasprit Bumrah is set to undergo a scan at the NCA for his injury.
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 Monday, February 3.
UP Warriorz, RCB Confirm Replacement Players For WPL 2025
The UP Warriorz and defending champions Royals Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) franchises have confirmed their replacement signings for the upcoming WPL 2025 season. The Warriorz franchise roped in West Indies all-rounder Chinelle Henry to fill in for legendary wicketkeeper-batter Alyssa Healy after the latter opted herself out of the tournament to attain full recovery.
The RCB franchise, on the other hand, confirmed that Australian cricketers Heather Graham and Kim Garth will be replacing New Zealand legend Sophie Devine and English fast bowler Kate Cross respectively. The RCB management also roped in England spinner Charlie Knott last month as an injury replacement of Australian all-rounder Sophie Molineux.
Barishal Reach BPL Finals, Khulna Tigers To Face Kings In Qualifier 2
Khulna Tigers crushed Rangpur Riders by nine wickets in a one-sided Eliminator match of the BPL 2024-25 season at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur. For the Tigers, spinners Mehidy Hasan Miraz (3-10) and Nasum Ahmed (3-16) claimed three wickets each to fold up Riders for just 85, before opening batter Mohammad Naim steered his team into the second qualifier with an unbeaten 48-run knock.
In the first qualifier, Fortune Barishal romped home to victory with nine wickets in just 17.2 overs by chasing down Chittagong Kings’ 149-run total. Barishal opener Towhid Hridoy clubbed 82* from 56 balls after bowlers Kyle Mayers (2-27) and Mohammad Ali (5-24) hogged the limelight in the first half of the match. The Barishal franchise has now qualified for the finals, while Kings will face Khulna Tigers in qualifier number two on February 5.
Sanju Samson Likely To Miss IPL 2025 Due To Injury
Sanju Samson suffered a finger injury after getting hit by a Jofra Archer bouncer in India’s fifth T20I match against England at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium. The opening batter looked in some discomfort and he did not take field during the English run-chase later in the game. As per reports, Samson will likely be sidelined for a period of six weeks to attain full recovery.
The blistering wicketkeeper-batter leads the Rajasthan Royals franchise in IPL, and his latest injury and his estimated recovery period might put his IPL 2025 participation in doubt, especially for the earlier stages of the tournament.
Bus Driver Holds BPL 2025 Players Kits Hostage Over Unpaid Dues
The Durbar Rajshahi franchise seems to be caught in a major and an embarrassing financial crisis amidst the ongoing BPL 2024-25 season. A report indicates that several foreign players as well as staff members have not received their payments, causing unrest within the squad.
International players like Mohammad Haris, Aftab Alam, Mark Deyal, Ryan Burl and Miguel Cummins are still waiting for their dues. Meanwhile, the team’s bus driver, Mohammad Babul, took action over his own unpaid wages by locking the player’s kits inside the team bus. While speaking with the reporters, Babul said that he will only return the items back to the players after he will receive his rightful payment.
Jasprit Bumrah To Undergo Scans Before Champions Trophy 2025
Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah is set to undergo scans at the NCA before the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. The speedster, who sustained a back injury during India’s five-match Test tour of Australia last month, has been out of cricketing action since then.
However, Bumrah has been included in India’s 15-player squad for the tournament. As reported by the Times of India, a call will be taken over his participation following his scan results.