• Match: India vs Afghanistan, 1st T20I Match, Afghanistan tour of India 2024
• Date and Time: January 11, 01:30 pm GMT / 07:00 pm IST / 07:30 pm BD
• Venue: Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali

India: India aims to set their sights on the upcoming T20 World Cup, assembling a robust roster of players whom they intend to groom through extensive match practice in the ensuing months. With this confidence, the hosts are poised to claim a 1-0 lead in the series.

Afghanistan: Afghanistan exhibits an unyielding brand of cricket across formats, showcasing their fearlessness on the field. Their commendable performance during the 2023 Cricket World Cup in India left a lasting impression. Despite the absence of their world-class spinner Rashid Khan in this match, they remain steadfast in their approach to take the game head-on against India.

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India: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gilll, Virat Kohli, Sanju Samson (Wicket-Keeper), Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Mukesh Kumar, Avesh Khan.

Afghanistan: Ibrahim Zadran (Captain), Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (Wicket-Keeper), Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Najibullah Zadran, Karim Janat, Qais Ahmad, Noor Ahmad, Naveen-ul-Haq, Fazalhaq Farooqi.

Both teams carry commendable T20I form into this match, but Afghanistan understands the immense challenge of overcoming India in their home conditions. While Afghanistan may seek to capitalize on India’s depleted pace attack, missing some key players, India otherwise presents a nearly full-strength team. Our prediction favors India to claim victory in this match against Afghanistan.

Prediction: India to defeat Afghanistan in the 1st T20.

In four out of the last six and the preceding three T20Is at Mohali, the team batting second emerged victorious. Considering this trend, our prediction suggests that both teams might opt to field first in this upcoming game.

The IS Bindra Stadium pitch is likely to offer turn, providing an advantage to the spinners. Despite this, it remains a favorable batting track where a competitive score is expected to exceed 190.

Thursday evening’s game in Mohali is expected to have clear skies throughout. Despite high humidity, the temperature is anticipated to drop to under 14 degrees during the latter part of the match.

• Venue: Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium
• City: Mohali
• Capacity: 30000
• Ends: Pavilion End, City End
• Hosts to: Punjab, Punjab Kings

• Match: Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe, 2nd ODI Match, Zimbabwe tour of Sri Lanka 2024
• Date and Time: January 11, 09:00 am GMT / 02:30 pm IST / 03:00 pm BD
• Venue: R.Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka celebrated their victory on Monday but were overly dependent on their lower-order batsmen. They aim for an improved performance from the top half in this upcoming ODI, seeking overall improvements across the team before the series’ final match.

Zimbabwe: Zimbabwe showcased marked improvement in the second ODI, hinting at their potential to elevate their game further in this encounter. Stepping up could potentially lead them to a victory, leveling the series at 1-1. It’s crucial for them to utilize their entire overs after being bowled out in 44.4 overs during the previous match.

Sri Lanka: Kusal Mendis (C & WK), Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, Dunith Wellalage, Dilshan Madushanka.

Zimbabwe: Craig Ervine (Captain), Joylord Gumbie (Wicket-Keeper), Milton Shumba, Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Sikandar Raza, Ryan Burl, Luke Jongwe, Faraz Akram, Blessing Muzarabani, Richard Ngarava, Wellington Masakadza.

Due to weather conditions in the first ODI, the series retains a level of competitiveness leading into the final game. Zimbabwe showcased strong moments in the second match, appearing poised to secure a victory and a 1-0 series lead at one stage. Nonetheless, Sri Lanka’s seasoned side holds considerable experience, and we anticipate their quality will enable them to clinch another win, sealing the series 2-0.

Prediction: Sri Lanka to defeat Zimbabwe in the 3rd ODI.

In the series to date, each team has won one toss and elected to bat first. With the final ODI on the horizon, our prediction leans towards both captains opting to bat first again should they win the toss.

Similar to previous instances, the R Premadasa Stadium exhibited favorable conditions for spinners, along with a decent pace conducive for the fast bowlers early in the innings during Monday’s match. A competitive score is anticipated to range no higher than 250 in this upcoming game.

Thursday afternoon and evening in Colombo are expected to be humid and warm, with potential rain interruptions forecasted intermittently throughout the match.

• Venue: R.Premadasa Stadium
• City: Colombo
• Capacity: 35,000
• Ends: Khettarama End, Scoreboard End
• Hosts to: Sri Lanka

• Match: Hobart Hurricanes vs Adelaide Strikers, 33rd Match, Big Bash League 2023-24
• Date and Time: January 11, 08:15 am GMT / 01:45 pm IST / 07:15 pm local time
• Venue: Bellerive Oval, Hobart

Hobart Hurricanes: Hobart Hurricanes faced defeats against Adelaide Strikers and Brisbane Heat recently, both games teetering on the edge of a different outcome with a few altered events. As the group stage nears its end, the Hurricanes are compelled to give their all for a crucial victory.

Adelaide Strikers:Adelaide Strikers secured two consecutive wins in their previous outings, positioning themselves a mere point away from the playoff spots after Tuesday’s game. Despite differing conditions and the venue from the Adelaide Oval, the Strikers remain optimistic about their prospects in the upcoming match.

Adelaide Strikers: Matthew Short (Captain), D’Arcy Short, Chris Lynn, Adam Hose, arry Nielsen (Wicket-Keeper), Thomas Kelly, Jamie Overton, James Bazley, HHenry Thornton, David Payne, Cameron Boyce.

Hobart Hurricanes: Nathan Ellis (Captain), Caleb Jewell, Ben McDermott (Wicket-Keeper), Matthew Wade, Macalister Wright, Sam Hain, Corey Anderson, Tim Anderson, Chris Jordan, Patrick Dooley, Riley Meredith.

Both teams will meet again on Thursday, and the Hurricanes are eager for an improved batting performance after a challenging start on Tuesday, falling to 66/6. Adelaide Strikers have showcased excellence with the bat throughout the campaign and are currently displaying impressive form in their bowling unit as well. Considering the fine form of Jamie Overton and Cameron Boyce, alongside their formidable top-order batters, our prediction leans towards Adelaide Strikers securing the win.

Prediction: Adelaide Strikers to defeat Hobart Hurricanes

In this year’s BBL at the Bellerive Oval, all three games thus far have been won by the team opting to field first. Based on this trend, our prediction leans toward both teams opting to field first should they win the toss in the upcoming match.

The wicket in Hobart isn’t expected to be excessively fast, yet it will offer movement off the straight for the pace bowlers. Additionally, there’ll be slight turn on the pitch, and a competitive score is anticipated to hover around 160, considering the conditions.

The weather forecast for the Bellerive Oval indicates a pleasant evening with no anticipated rainfall. Temperatures are expected to hover around 20 degrees at the beginning of the match, remaining relatively consistent throughout the duration of the game with minimal fluctuations.

• Stadium: Bellerive Oval
• City: Hobart
• Capacity: 20,000
• Ends: Church Street End, River End
• Hosts to: Tasmania, Hobart Hurricanes

• Match: Canterbury Kings vs Wellington Firebirds, 20th Match, Super Smash 2023-24
• Date and Time: January 11, 01:00 am GMT/ 06:30 am IST / 02:00 pm local time
• Venue: Hagley Oval, Christchurch

Canterbury Kings: Canterbury Kings have shown a strong resurgence after a slow start, securing victories in three out of their last four completed games. In their recent match against Northern Brave, they triumphed by 33 runs, posting a challenging 202-3 and then limiting Brave to 169-9, positioning themselves at the third spot on the points table.

Wellington Firebirds : Meanwhile, Wellington stands firmly atop the points table, winning four out of five completed games, with one match affected by rain. In their recent fixture against Central Stags, Wellington successfully chased down a target of 159 within the 20th over, showcasing their consistent form.

Canterbury Kings: Cole McConchie (Captain), Matthew Hay, Mitchell Hay (Wicket-Keeper), Chad Bowes, Ken McClure, Henry Nicholls, Michael Rippon, Zakary Foulkes, Angus McKenzie, Michael Rae, William ORourke.

Wellington Firebirds : Nick Kelly (Captain), Tom Blundell (Wicket-Keeper), Tim Robinson, Muhammad Abbas, Jesse Tashkoff, Callum McLachlan, Nathan Smith, Logan van Beek, Peter Younghusband, Ben Sears, Ian McPeake.

Backing Canterbury seems prudent. They appear to hold a better position, carrying both form and momentum. Their stable batting lineup comprising players like Henry Nicholls, Tom Latham, and Cole McConchie instills confidence, while the bowling prowess of Michael Rae, William O’Rourke, and Zakary Foulkes adds strength. Although Wellington currently tops the table, their batting seems worrisome with a lack of recent form from their batters. While their bowlers have been exceptional, over-reliance on them might pose challenges. In our view, Canterbury emerges as the favorites.

Prediction: Canterbury Kings to defeat Wellington Firebirds

Certainly, captains are now inclined to opt for batting first as the conditions have shown improvement. The pitches have somewhat diminished in their challenging nature, prompting teams to prioritize setting a substantial score on the board.

The upcoming pitch is anticipated to be ideal for batting, having lost much of its previous bite. Expect consistent pace and bounce without significant lateral movement. Anticipate a high-scoring game given these favorable batting conditions.

The weather conditions are expected to be predominantly sunny with scattered clouds. Temperatures are likely to fluctuate between 16 and 30 degrees, offering a pleasant range throughout the day.

• Stadium: Hagley Oval
• City: Christchurch
• Capacity: 20,000
• Hosts to: Canterbury

• Match: Brisbane Heat vs Perth Scorchers, 32nd Match, Big Bash League 2023-24
• Date and Time: January 10, 08:40 am GMT/ 02:10 pm IST / 07:10 pm local time
• Venue: The Gabba, Brisbane

Brisbane Heat: Despite setting a modest total of 132/7 in their recent match, Brisbane Heat secured victory, largely owing to their bowling prowess. Yet, to preserve their undefeated streak, they must generate more runs in the upcoming game.

Perth Scorchers: Perth Scorchers faced an unexpected defeat against Adelaide Strikers in Match 27, surprising many pundits. However, Aaron Hardie’s squad swiftly returned to form against Sydney Thunder on Monday. As they prepare to face the league-leading team, they approach the challenge without apprehension, drawing confidence from their recent performance.

Brisbane Heat: Usman Khawaja (Captain), Marnus Labuschagne, Sam Billings (Wicket-Keeper), Josh Brown, Colin Munro, Paul Walter, Michael Neser, Xavier Bartlett, Spencer Johnson, Mitchell Swepson, Matthew Kuhnemann.

Perth Scorchers: Aaron Hardie (Captain), Josh Inglis (Wicket-Keeper), Zak Crawley, Sam Whiteman, Laurie Evans, Cooper Connolly, Ashton Agar, Jhye Richardson, Andrew Tye, Jason Behrendorff, Lance Morris.

This matchup promises to be a classic encounter, pitting the table-toppers against the reigning champions, with the added tension of potential early rain. Brisbane Heat’s unbeaten run has been formidable, yet Perth Scorchers pose as their most formidable challengers. The Scorchers displayed an impressive all-round performance against Sydney Thunder recently, and we predict their momentum to continue with another victory in this fixture.

Prediction: Perth Scorchers to triumph over Brisbane Heat.

In the previous game at the Gabba, Brisbane Heat batted first and secured victory. Despite that, our prediction suggests that both teams might prefer fielding first in this upcoming fixture.

As the tournament has unfolded, the pitch at the Gabba seems to have become more challenging for batting. Anticipate a surface displaying two different paces, resulting in a competitive score likely not exceeding 155.

In the previous game at this venue, wet weather necessitated the use of the DLS method, while the one before that didn’t witness any play. There’s a possibility of early rain in this match, followed by forecasts indicating dry and humid conditions for the remainder of the game.

• Stadium: The Gabba
• City: Brisbane
• Capacity: 42000
• Ends: Stanley Street End, Vulture Street End
• Hosts to: Queensland, Brisbane Heat

• Match: Central Stage vs Otago Volts, 19th Match, Super Smash 2023-24
• Date and Time: January 10, 04:30 am GMT/ 10:00 am IST / 05:30 pm local time
• Venue: McLean Park, Napier

Central Stags: The Stags have faced struggles throughout the tournament, having played six games and securing just one win. They suffered three losses, while two matches were affected by rain. Their recent loss against Wellington Firebirds saw them posting 158/7 in 20 overs, failing to defend the target as they succumbed by 4 wickets.

Otago Volts: Otago’s journey hasn’t been exceptional either, with two wins and three losses in the five completed games. However, they’ve displayed improved form in their recent outings, clinching victory in two of their last three matches. Despite their loss to Canterbury, it was a closely contested game that could have swung in either direction.

Central Stags: Tom Bruce (Captain), Will Young, Dane Cleaver (Wicket-Keeper), William Clark, Josh Clarkson, Doug Bracewell, Bayley Wiggins, Bevan Small, Ajaz Patel, Blair Tickner, Jayden Lennox.

Otago Volts: Dale Phillips (Captain), Hamish Rutherford, Max Chu (Wicket-Keeper), Jake Gibson, Dean Foxcroft, Glenn Phillips, Llew Johnson, Ben Lockrose, Andrew Hazeldine, Jacob Duffy, Travis Muller.

Otago is confident in their ability to secure a victory against Central Stags. Key players like Dean Foxcroft have demonstrated impressive performances, and the team boasts quality individuals such as Hamish Rutherford, Jake Gibson, and Tom Bruce, who can be match-winners on any given day. The bowling lineup, featuring Muller, Gibson, Duffy, and Andrew Hazledine, has also shown proficiency. Supporting Otago to emerge victorious against the Stags.

Prediction: Otago Volts to defeat Central Stags.

The prevailing trend suggests that captains are leaning towards opting to bat first, although chasing has been marginally more favorable in the tournament. If the captain winning the toss adheres to this trend, they might choose to field first.

The cloudy conditions will offer support to the pacers initially, aiding surface movement. However, the pitch is expected to be flat, and after a few overs, any early ball movement is likely to diminish, providing batters with favorable conditions for scoring runs.

The day is expected to be cloudy, but the forecast indicates that rain should steer clear of the game. Temperatures are anticipated to fluctuate between 22 and 17 degrees throughout the event.

• Stadium: McLean Park
• City: Napier
• Capacity: 22,500
• Hosts to: Central Districts

• Match: India Women vs Australia Women, 3rd T20I Match, Australia Women tour of India 2023-24
• Date and Time: January 09, 01:30 pm GMT / 07:00 pm IST / 07:30 pm BD
• Venue: Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai

India Women: Harmanpreet Kaur (Captain), Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh (Wicket-Keeper), Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Amanjot Kaur, Pooja Vastrakar, Shreyanka Patil, Renuka Thakur Singh, Titas Sadhu.

Australia Women: Alyssa Healy (C & WK), Beth Mooney, Tahlia McGrath, Ellyse Perry, Ashleigh Gardner, Phoebe Litchfield, Grace Harris, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Wareham, Megan Schutt, Darcie Brown.

The series is poised for a decisive conclusion on Sunday, with both teams aware that a victory will secure the series for them. Australia Women displayed remarkable character, recovering from a substantial defeat in the series opener. Their commendable performance on Sunday, showcasing proficiency with both bat and ball, has garnered support. Our prediction leans towards Australia Women to triumph in a closely contested match and clinch the series with a 2-1 scoreline.

Prediction: Australia Women to defeat India Women in the 3rd T20 and secure a 2-1 series win.

At the DY Patil Sports Academy on Tuesday, spinners can expect some assistance from the pitch, although it won’t offer substantial pace. A competitive score is anticipated to hover around, or potentially below, 145.

• Venue: Dr DY Patil Sports Academy
• City: Navi Mumbai
• Capacity: 60,000
• Ends: Media End, Pavilion End