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Virat Kohli For Delhi, RCB Beats CSK And Coetzee Doubtful – January 17 Cricket Highlights

Aakash Saini

Virat Kohli [Source: @muffadal_vohra/x, @iplt20.com]Virat Kohli [Source: @muffadal_vohra/x, @iplt20.com]

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Virat Kohli is subject to availability for Delhi in their upcoming Ranji Trophy 2024-25 match. RCB became the most popular IPL franchise for the fifth consecutive time on social media. Moreover, the BCCI has imposed several new strict policies on the Indian cricket team.

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 Friday, January 17.

Kohli Subject To Availability, Pant Drops Out

Virat Kohli is reportedly subject to availability for Delhi in their upcoming Ranji Trophy 2024-25 match against Saurashtra in Rajkot between January 23 and January 26. Moreover, Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant opted himself out of captaincy, even though recent reports had indicated that the cricketer would likely be leading the Delhi team.

Both Kohli and Pant recently underwent a string of low scores against Australia in the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test series ‘Down Under’. The two cricketers are expected to resume national duties in the coming weeks for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.

RCB Beats CSK As Most Popular IPL Franchise

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) became the most popular IPL franchise on social media for the fifth consecutive year. As per analytical platforms Social Insider and SEM Rush, the franchise generated over two billion engagements on several social media giants like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

The Virat Kohli-starrer franchise had a 25 percent higher engagement than five-time IPL winners Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Moreover, the RCB also finds itself among the five most popular global sports teams alongside football clubs like Read Madrid and Barcelona.

Gerald Coetzee Doubtful For Champions Trophy 2025

South African fast bowler Gerald Coetzee sustained an injury and was rested from Joburg Super Kings’ recent SA20 2025 match against Pretoria Capitals. The injury might rule Coetzee out of contention from the upcoming 2025 ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan and in the UAE.

Notably, Coetzee himself was considered as an injury replacement for fellow South African quick Anrich Nortje for the tournament. It appears that injuries are mounting the Proteas just before the big-ticket event, with Nandre Burger also going through a niggle. Led by Temba Bavuma, the South African cricket team will launch its Champions Trophy campaign on February 21 against Afghanistan.

Shahid Afridi Drops Saim Ayub’s Recovery Phase Before CT

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has said that he recently spoke with injured Saim Ayub. The legendary all-rounder learned that the youngster will require three weeks of rest before starting his rehabilitation. Afridi further stated that he advised Ayub to take a break in a bid to attain full recovery before the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.

Saim Ayub twisted his ankle during Pakistan’s recently-concluded Test series in South Africa. The attacking batter played a crucial role in Pakistan’s white-ball series wins in Australia and Zimbabwe a couple of months ago, thus making him a first-choice pick for the Champions Trophy for the PCB.

BCCI Imposes New Guidelines For Team India

The BCCI has rolled out a new set of rules to ensure discipline and professionalism among Indian cricket players. One of the rules makes it mandatory for players to attend full practise sessions, and also for participating in domestic matches.

Players will also be tasked to travel together, either for matches or for training sessions. The board also imposed strict guidelines on family travel policy on tours.