Sports Bulletin of February 6: From Nitish Rana Roaring Debut in IND vs ENG 1st ODI to Neymar First Game in his Santos FC Return

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From Nitish Rana's roaring debut taking 3 wickets in the IND vs ENG 1st ODI to Neymar appearing in his first game in his return to Santos FC this Thursday, many things have unfolded in the sports world.

Harshit Rana, Ravindra Jadeja, Virat Kohli, and Neymar are dominating the proceedings on a busy Thursday (February 6) in the World of Sports. Here are the ten unmissable stories of the day -

1. Harshit Rana Takes 3 Wickets on Debut in IND vs ENG 1st ODI

In his ODI debut against England in Nagpur, Harshit Rana showcased resilience after a challenging start, conceding 26 runs in an over to Phil Salt. He made a remarkable comeback, claiming three crucial wickets: Ben Duckett, Harry Brook, and Liam Livingstone, finishing with figures of 3/53.

2. Ravindra Jadeja Takes 600th International Wicket

In the first ODI against England in Nagpur, Ravindra Jadeja achieved his 600th international wicket, becoming the fifth Indian to reach this milestone. He dismissed Joe Root, Jacob Bethell, and Adil Rashid, surpassing James Anderson's record for most wickets in India-England ODIs.

3. Virat Kohli Misses The IND vs ENG Series Opener

In the first ODI against England in Nagpur, Virat Kohli was absent due to a sore right knee. Captain Rohit Sharma confirmed at the toss that Kohli "sustained the problem last night." In his absence, Yashasvi Jaiswal made his ODI debut, with Shreyas Iyer batting at No. 3 and vice-captain Shubman Gill at No. 4.

4. Mohammed Shami Returns While Jaiswal-Rana Make Debut in IND vs ENG 1st ODI

In the first ODI against England in Nagpur, Mohammed Shami returned to the Indian lineup after a prolonged absence, while Yashasvi Jaiswal and Harshit Rana made their ODI debuts. Captain Rohit Sharma presented the ODI cap to Jaiswal, and senior pacer Shami did the honors for Rana.

5. Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 Becomes Most-watched Away Test Series on TV in India

The 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia became the most-watched away Test series on Indian television. The first Test in Perth attracted a record 70.8 million viewers, marking a 70% increase in reach, and generated 8.6 billion minutes of watch-time on Star Sports, a 160% rise from the previous tour. Star Sports attributed this success to "innovative programming and immersive storytelling," enhancing the viewing experience.

6. Marcus Stoinis Ditches Champions Trophy, Announces Immediate Retirement from ODI Cricket

Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis has announced his immediate retirement from One Day International (ODI) cricket at the age of 35, opting to focus on T20 formats. He expressed gratitude for his ODI career, stating, "Playing ODI cricket for Australia has been an incredible journey, and I'm grateful for every moment I've had in the green and gold." Coach Andrew McDonald praised Stoinis as "a natural leader, an exceptionally popular player and a great person."

7. Big Blow For Australia Ahead of Champions Trophy 2025 as Pat Cummins & Josh Hazlewood Get Ruled Out

Australia's preparations for the 2025 Champions Trophy have been significantly impacted by the withdrawal of key players. Captain Pat Cummins and pacer Josh Hazlewood have been ruled out due to injuries. Cummins is managing an ankle issue, while Hazlewood is dealing with a hip problem. Coach Andrew McDonald acknowledged the setback, stating, "While disappointing, it does present a great opportunity for other players to perform for Australia in a world event."

8. South Africa Pacer Gerald Coetzee Ruled Out of Tri-Series in Pakistan And Champions Trophy 2025

South Africa's pacer Gerald Coetzee has been ruled out of the upcoming Tri-Series in Pakistan and the Champions Trophy 2025 due to a groin injury. The 24-year-old experienced tightness in his groin during a training session, leading to his exclusion from both tournaments. This setback follows his earlier recovery from a left hamstring strain, which had previously sidelined him.

9. Real Madrid Seal Copa del Semi-final Spot With Late Win Against Leganes

Real Madrid secured a 3-2 victory over Leganés in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals, advancing to the semi-finals. The match was intense, with goals from Luka Modrić and Endrick giving Madrid an early lead. Leganés equalized through Juan Cruz, who scored two goals, including a penalty. In the final moments, academy player Gonzalo García netted a header, clinching the win for Madrid.

10. Neymar Makes Plays First Match in his Return to Santos FC

Neymar Jr. made a highly anticipated return to Santos FC, playing his first match since rejoining the club. Entering as a second-half substitute, he showcased his skill despite recovering from an injury. The match ended in a 1-1 draw against Botafogo-SP.