Sports News, March 7: Padikkal makes Test debut, Patidar injured, Ashwin's 100th Test and more; a look at today's top 10 trending sports stories

England won the coin flip in the 5th Test match in Dharamsala against India. Ravichandran Ashwin and Jonny Bairstow became the fourth duo to mark their 100th Test in the same match. Meanwhile, the Gujarat Giants opened their account in Women's Premier League (WPL) season 2. 

Let's have a look at the top 10 trending sports news on March 7's sports roundup:

England opt to bat in 5th Test

England captain Ben Stokes won the all-important toss and elected to bat in the 5th Test against India at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala on March 7 (Thursday).

England 100/2 at lunch on Day 1

Zak Crawley registered yet another half-century as England raced to 100/2 at lunch on Day 2. Crawley was unbeaten on 61 runs off 71 balls. Meanwhile, Kuldeep Yadav bagged both the wickets for India as he first dismissed Ben Duckett and then Ollie Pope.

India make 3 changes, England make 1 change

Rohit Sharma made two changes to the playing XI as Jasprit Bumrah and Devdutt Padikkal made their way into the team in place of Akash Deep and Rajat Patidar. The Three Lions made one change to their playing XI with Ollie Robinson making way for Mark Wood.

Devdutt Padikkal becomes 314th Test cricketer for India

Karnataka batter Devdutt Padikkal was handed his maiden Test cap ahead of the 5th Test between India and England. Padikkal became the 314th player to represent India in Test cricket. The left-handed batter replaced Rajat Patidar.

Rajat Patidar injured on the eve of Dharamsala Test

The BCCI revealed that Rajat Patidar was ruled out of the Dharamshala Test match due to an ankle injury sustained during a net session. On the morning of the match, Patidar experienced swelling in his left ankle, which ultimately led to his exclusion from the playing eleven. At the toss, skipper Rohit Sharma also confirmed that Patidar suffered an injury on the eve of the Dharamsala Test.

Ashwin, Bairstow join elite list of cricketers to play 100 Tests

India's Ravichandran Ashwin and England's Jonny Bairstow featured in their 100 Test match when the duo stepped out on the field in Dharamsala. It was the fourth instance in cricket history that two players will mark their 100th Test in the same match.

Dinesh Karthik to retire from IPL

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik is set to feature in his last Indian Premier League (IPL) campaign during the upcoming season which is scheduled to begin on March 22. According to a report in ESPNcricinfo, Karthik has decided to hang up his boots after the culmination of IPL 2024. One of the veterans of the cash-rich tournament, Karthik has featured in every edition of the cash-rich tournament which began back in 2008.

Gujarat Giants open their account in WPL 2024

After four consecutive losses, the Gujarat Giants registered their first win in Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2024. Skipper Beth Mooney and Laura Wolvaardt's 140-run opening partnership helped Gujarat Giants post 199/5 and beat Smriti Mandhana-led Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi on March 6.

Sindhu, Srikanth storm into second round of French Open; Prannoy loses

Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu progressed to the second round of the women's singles event at the French Open Super 750 badminton tournament. The world no. 24 Srikanth is striving to qualify for the Paris Olympics as he defeated world no. 14 Chen 21-15, 20-22, 21-8 in a thrilling first-round match that lasted 66 minutes. Guang Zu ended Prannoy's campaign with a convincing 21-17, 21-17 victory on the adjacent court at the Arena Porte de la Chapelle.

Indian men's hockey team to begin Paris Olympics campaign against NZ

The Indian men's hockey team is set to kick off their Paris Olympics 2024 campaign against New Zealand on July 27. India are placed in Pool B, alongside New Zealand, Belgium, Australia, and Ireland. Pool A consists of the Netherlands, Germany, Great Britain, Spain, France, and South Africa.

MORE ON SPORTS TAK: 

IND vs ENG: Was Rajat Patidar dropped from India's playing XI for 5th Test against England? Rohit Sharma and BCCI clarifies
IPL 2024: Star India cricketer set to retire from Indian Premier League after upcoming season, to take final decision on international future soon