Indian former cricketer Gautam Gambhir points the reason why Rishabh Pant cannot be compared with MS Dhoni. Cricketer turned politician plays a major role in grabbing the 2007 T20 world cup and 2011 50 over world cup under MSD captaincy.
Replacement for MS Dhoni
After Dhoni’s retirement the race for the next wicket-keeper batsman has been increased. KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, and Wriddhiman Saha are the name that was listed for MSD’s replacement.
India seeks for the replacement player to be as good as Dhoni. Still, MSD is considered as one of the best white-ball finishers in cricket. Though the three names topped the list it’s Pant who has been talked widely for MSD’s replacement.
Pant lags in the race
In limited-overs, it has been KL Rahul, who has fulfilling the duties behind stumps, and in Tests, the management has stuck with Pant and Wriddhiman Saha. Pant’s slackness in form with both bat as well as gloves opens the door for others to join the race.
Rishabh Pant
Indian cricket experts suggest KL Rahul to focus on his batting skills as he seems to have good form in bat rather than standing behind the stump.
Gautam Gambhir advice Pant
In an interview, Gambhir said: “First of all, you have to stop saying that Rishabh Pant is the next MS Dhoni. That is one thing which the media needs to stop doing it. The more media talks about it, the more Rishabh Pant starts thinking about those chances. He can never be MS Dhoni. He has to be Rishabh Pant.”
“MS Dhoni probably had so much of range when he came on to international sixes. With Rishabh Pant, only because he could hit those big sixes and stuff, people started comparing him with someone like MS Dhoni. Rishabh Pant has a lot to improve, especially from the keeping point of view and from the batting point of view as well,” he added.
MS Dhoni is one of the best wicket-keeper India has ever produced. MS Dhoni bags numerous records under his name which makes him stand unique from other wicket-keepers.
IPL 2020 SRH vs RCB Highlights: Sunrisers Hyderabad is set to play the eliminator match of the IPL 2020 against Royal Challengers Bangalore. The winner of the match will move to play qualifier 2 against DC.
RCB qualified for the playoff after losing four last matches while SRH builds their strong comeback by winning the last three matches.
SRH vs RCB face to face in IPL 2020 sofar
Matches played: 02 | SRH won: 01 | RCB: 01
Match: Sunrisers Hyderabad(SRH) vs Royal Challengers Bangalore(RCB)
We will bowl first. Dew could play an effect, the last couple of games say so. But the wicket will not change a lot. We are under no pressure, it already started a couple of games back. Unfortunately, Saha misses out with an injury, Goswami replaces him. The trophy means a lot for us, the owners, and the fans back home.
It could go both ways, we would have bowled first. But runs on the board could prove crucial. The last game opened up completely, when you haven’t qualified, the nerves will come. It’s an exciting time, it’s been a pleasure to play here.
The seniors will have to take up responsibility, let the youngsters play freely. Chris Morris misses out with a quad injury, Joshua Phillipe is out as well. Aaron Finch is back, so is Adam Zampa. Saini replaces Shahbaz Ahmed
Playing XI
Sunrisers Hyderabad(SRH)
David Warner(c), Shreevats Goswami(w), Manish Pandey, Kane Williamson, Priyam Garg, Jason Holder, Abdul Samad, Rashid Khan, Shahbaz Nadeem, Sandeep Sharma, T Natarajan.
Royal Challengers Bangalore(RCB)
Aaron Finch, Devdutt Padikkal, Virat Kohli(c), AB de Villiers(w), Moeen Ali, Washington Sundar, Shivam Dube, Navdeep Saini, Adam Zampa, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal.
SRH vs RCB Highlights
Royal Challengers Bangalore(RCB) Batting
Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal get in to the crease. While Sandeep Sharma opens the attack against RCB. Surprisingly Virat Kohli opens the game in the do or die situation. RCB needs to set a massive target against the in-form SRH.
Holder in the second over makes a massive blow for RCB by dismissing its skipper Kohli for 6 runs. The run machine walks to Pavillion without scoring massive runs. In the fourth over RCB loses its another opener. Devdutt Padikkal was dismissed by Holder while scoring 1 run.
Virat Kohli dismissed by Holder for 6 runs
RCB struggles at the stage as they lose two wickets while scoring 32 runs at the end of the powerplay. AB de Villiers and Aaron Finch join hand and in need to build a partnership that could pump the score to a greater extent.
Nadeem in the 11th over of the innings dismissed Finch while scoring 32 runs and breaks the dangerous partnership. In the same over RCB faces another blow as Moeen Ali got run out dismissal in the free hit delivery and shocked RCB.
RCB’s last leg of hope is on strike as ABD is capable of changing the game flow with his massive strikes. Pressure builds on ABD after the team loses the top four batsmen in the early stage of the match.
At the end of the 15th over RCB scored 93 runs for 4 wicket loss. SRH is in pressure to dismiss ABD who seems to lay a strong base to face the death overs. T Natarajan with a perfect yorker dismissed ABD after reaching his half-century.
The final hope of RCB’s scoring massive run scatters after ABD’s dismissal. At the end of the 20th over RCB scored 131 runs for 7 wicket loss.
Ab de Villiers dismissed by Natarajan after scoring 56 runs
Sunrisers Hyderabad(SRH) Batting
Warner and Goswami get in to the crease to chase down the target of 132 runs. SRH need to score an average of 7 runs per over to beat RCB. Siraj opens the attack against SRH. In the first over of the innings, Siraj dismissed Goswami and set pressure over the SRH strikers.
The man in form Warner is still in the crease who can lead the SRH towards victory single-handedly. RCB is in pressure to take early wickets to increase their winning percentage against SRH.
Before the powerplay ends Siraj makes another important wicket by dismissing Warner for 17 runs. The man in form walks to Pavillion without scoring big in the crucial match. Kane Williamson gets in to join hand with Manish Pandey.
Kane and Manish need to build a match-winning partnership as SRH still scored under 50 runs at the end of the powerplay. At the end of the powerplay, SRH scored 48 runs for 2 wicket loss.
Zampa in the ninth over dismissed Manish Pandey and breaks the partnership. Chahal puts pressure on SRH striker and dismissed Priyam Garg while scoring 7 runs. SRH after losing 4 wickets fears over the RCB bowlers.
Kane Williamson and Jason Holder understanding the importance of the partnership makes a steady inning. Williamson with his half-century drags SRH to move to qualifier 2. Sunrisers Hyderabad beat Royal Challengers Bangalore by 6 wickets.
Watch SRH vs RCB highlights
Man of the match
Kane Williamson | SRH
Look it was a tough game. It was never going to be easy against a class side like RCB. The surface was a little tricky and chasing anything on it wasn’t easy. It was a challenge for us to restrict them to that kind of total.
They also had two world-class spinners. We did well to go through their spells without losing too many wickets. Batting at 4 can vary a lot and becomes surface dependent. A few shots from Jason helped. The guys have been fighting hard. He(Holder) is cooler than me. The all-rounder role in the team has been well held by him.
RCB skipper Virat Kohli highlighted that staying in a biosecure bubble will have an impact on the mental status of the players. Players have been restricted to stay in the biosecure bubble to play the cricket matches behind closed doors.
Virat Kohli on Biosecure Bubble
Virat Kohli, who himself is staying in a bio-bubble for the ongoing edition of Indian Premier League, claims that it gets difficult at times to stick in that due to its repetitive nature.
“It’s repetitive, it’s not as tough when the group of guys is amazing, which we have. Everyone part of that bio-bubble is really nice and the vibe has been so good. That’s precisely why we’ve enjoyed playing together, just enjoyed our time in the bubble as well, but it does get difficult at times because it is repetitive,” Kohli said while speaking to RCB TV.
Watch Virat Kohli recent interview on RCB tv
“These things will have to be considered. Like what length of the tournament or series one is going to play and what impact it will have on players mentally to stay in a similar environment for 80 days and not do anything different. Or have space to just go and see family or small things like that. These things have to be thought about seriously,” he added.
The Indian skipper further pointed out that it’s important how the players are feeling as they should be in the best state mentally. “At the end of the day, you want the players to be in the best state mentally, based on how they’re feeling,” the Indian skipper said.
Australia’s Callum Ferguson has announced his retirement from first-class cricket. Ferguson, 35, will play his final game in whites when South Australia face Queensland in their next Sheffield Shield match. Coach Jason Gillespie confirmed that he would start that match.
The unsung player has scored 8,210 runs and 19 centuries for South Australia. The most of any active player going into this season.
Callum Ferguson announced retirement
“I’d like to thank my family, my parents Pauline and Jim, and my wife Rhiannon who have supported me through the journey,” Ferguson said. “I also have great gratitude for all my team-mates, coaches, SACA Members and fans who have made my time in the baggy red most enjoyable, and I have always been proud to play for this great State.
“I wish nothing but the best for the team which I believe has the talent and drive to take us to a Shield in the years to come. I’m looking forward to playing in the Marsh Cup later in the season and continuing to help mentor our young exciting players.”
James Pyke on Callum’s retirement
James Pyke, the South Australia chairman of selectors, said: “Callum has been an integral part of the South Australian system for many years and he should be extremely proud of all that he has done for cricket in this State.
“His performances on the ground have been of the highest caliber and most importantly he has been a team member of great character and strength. His leadership has been excellent, and we hope Callum’s impact will be reflected in a new era of players in the future.
“We wish Callum the best and look forward to watching him guide our younger players and to help them build an established career just as he has done.”
Ferguson, who has also represented Australia in limited-overs cricket, plans to play in the Marsh Cup domestic one-day tournament for South Australia and continue as Sydney Thunder captain in the BBL. CA announced the updated BBL 2020 schedule which starts one week later from the date of the previous schedule.
Delhi Capitals skipper Shreyas Iyer speaks on having a strong mindset while playing qualifier 2 of the IPL 2020. After losing the first qualifier played against Mumbai Indians, DC is in pressure to win the second qualifier to enter into the finals of IPL 2020.
Shreyas Iyer fails to lead DC to IPL 2020 finals
In the 1st qualifier, batting first MI scored a mammoth total of 200 runs after their two key players dismissed for duck. While chasing DC loses its top three batsmen in the first two overs and lands in trouble.
Rahane, Dhawan, and Shaw failed to face MI’s star bowlers and return Pavillion without scoring even a single run. Trent Boult in his first over makes the two massive wickets by dismissing Rahane and Shaw.
Boult dismissed Shaw and Rahane for duck in the first over
The perfect lead has been followed by Bumrah where he dismissed Dhawan in the next over. Though Stoinis made a belief by moving DC’s score beyond 100, it’s Bumrah who again with his spell dismissed him after scoring a half-century.
Positive Approach by Shreyas Iyer
“I don’t want to speak negatively about the team, but going forward it’s important to come with a strong mindset. It’s never too late, and we’ll see to it that we come back strongly,” said Iyer after the match.
With this victory, Mumbai Indians paved their way for the finals of the IPL 2020. With a chance left out DC needs to rebuild their team in this crucial moment.
“I think we were on top when we got two quick wickets, and they were 102-4. We could have capitalised more at that time, and gotten two more wickets — maybe we could’ve chased around 170, but it’s part and parcel of the game. Every night can’t be yours,” said Iyer.
“We keep talking about the opportunities that we get and it’s important to have a good mindset. It’s not easy to be in the bubble and follow the same routine, but the practice we have done over the last few days, I’m really happy with the boys and their preparations.”
Watch IPL 2020 post-match interview by Shreyas Iyer
CSK raising superstar Ruturaj Gaikwad has signed a multi-year deal with sports marketing firm Baseline Ventures. The baseline will now be managing all the commercial interests of Gaikwad.
“Baseline represents some of the biggest athletes from our country and therefore I am very excited to be represented by them. They are one of the best sports marketing companies in India and have helped many young talents move forward in the right direction and build their careers. I look forward to a fantastic partnership with them,” Gaikwad said.
Gaikwad – New opener for CSK?
The 23-year-old made his first-class debut against Jharkhand in 2016. Since then, the top-order batsman has scored six centuries and four half-centuries in his first-class career.
Gaikwad was roped by CSK in IPL 2019 for the price of 20 Lakhs. In the 13th edition of IPL held in UAE after undergoing COVID-19 infection, Gaikwad struggled in the first three matches and makes his comeback in the last three matches.
Though CSK has kicked out of IPL 2020 before entering the playoff they found a new opener for the replacement of Shane Watson. As Watson has announced his IPL retirement Gaikwad will open for CSK in IPL 2021.
Shane Watson
The youngster, who scored 204 runs in six matches at a healthy average of 51.00 this season, became the first uncapped Indian to score three consecutive fifties in the IPL.
Baseline Ventures statement on Ruturaj
“Ruturaj is one of the most promising young batsmen in India, an opinion shared by so many greats of world cricket and Indian cricket legends. His performance in IPL 2020 completely showed his class with a record of three back to back 50+ scores which has never happened in the history of IPL with an uncapped Indian player. It’s an honour for us to manage him going forward and we hope it’s a great association,” said Baseline Ventures Managing Director Tuhin Mishra.
Baseline Ventures sponsored athletes
Female Athletes
Baseline also represents top women athletes like PV Sindhu(Badminton), Nikhat Zareen(woman boxer), Joshna Chinappa(squash), Deepika Kumari(Archery), along with a handful of female cricketers like Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Shafali Verma & Radha Yadav.
Male Athletes
They also represent some of the top male athletes like Pankaj Advani(billiards and snooker), Saurav Ghosal(squash), Sathiyan Gnanasekaran(table tennis), Sardar Singh(former hockey player), Saurabh Chaudhry(Indian sport shooter), Amit Panghal(boxer), cricketers like Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Prithvi Shaw, Sanju Samson, & many more.
IPL 2020 MI vs Dc Highlights: Delhi Capitals is set to play the first qualifier match of IPL 2020 against Mumbai Indians. The top two teams of the points table lock their horns to seal their place in the finals.
The winner of this match will be qualified for the IPL 2020 finals. While the loser will have a chance in qualifier 2 where they will face the winner of the eliminator match. In order to to make it to the finals, DC need to bring back their peak form.
We are going to bowl first. The wicket is dry and with a bit of dew, it could play an important role. The energy inside the dressing room is pretty high. Same team for us.
Looks like a good pitch, it could play a bit slow. We know we are going to bat first now, so just post a good total. We know we have a good bowling line-up to defend any total. Just got to start well and then take it from there.
Three changes, Bumrah, Boult, and Hardik are back for Pattinson, Dhawal, and Tiwary. We are confident, but it’s a fresh game and we got to focus on our strengths.
de Kock and Rohit Sharma get in to the crease to lead MI. Daniel Sams opens the attack against MI. DC is in pressure to take early wickets and also needs to maintain a slow run rate as MI has a strong batting line.
de Kock without any hesitation strikes tiple boundaries of the first over and shows his confidence. Ravichandran Ashwin in the next over dismissed Rohit Sharma off the first ball he faces and builds pressure over MI.
Rohit Sharma again failed to show his consistency and walks to Pavillion without scoring any. Though MI loses its one of the opener de Kock still remains aggressive and ends the over with a boundary. Suryakumar Yadav and de Kock jointly lead MI to score 63 runs for 1 wicket loss at the end of the powerplay.
Ashwin after a lot of struggle dismissed de Kock for 40 runs who poses a great threat for DC. DC still is in need to dismiss in-form Ishan Kishan, Suryakumar Yadav, Pollard, dangerous Pandya brothers.
DC bowlers as expected took two quick wickets by dismissing Suryakumar Yadav(51 by Nortje) and Pollard for a duck. Ashwin’s dismissal of Pollard shows a bit of confidence among DC.
Suryakumar Yadav registered his half-century in 37 deliveries
MI is in pressure to pump the score to a higher level as they score only 122 runs for 4 wickets loss at the end of the 15th over. After Krunal Pandya’s dismissal, MI has to play with a new batsman at the death over.
But it’s Hardik Pandya who gets into bat in the death over. It’s a great threat to DC now. With Ishan and Pandya’s aggressive strike MI score pumps to the 200 marks. With a six of the last delivery, Ishan registered his half-century where Pandya scored 37 runs for just 14 deliveries.
Delhi Capitals(DC) Batting
Prithvi Shaw and Dhawan get in to the crease to lead DC to chase down a mammoth target of 200. DC batsmen should post their peak form in order to withstand Boult and Bumrah’s spell.
Boult opens the attack and makes a massive couple of wickets in the first over. Boult dismissed Shaw and Rahane for a duck and lands DC in pressure. In the followed over Bumrah makes a huge impact by dismissing Dhawan for another golden duck.
Boult dismissed Shaw and Rahane for duck in the first over
DC struggles after losing their top three batsmen for golden ducks. Marcus Stoinis and Shreyas Iyer join hands and in pressure to build a match-winning partnership. With a lot to add in the DC scoreboard Iyer too left the crease after scoring 12 runs.
DC is in need to make lots of massive strikes to lead DC to a winning position. At the end of the powerplay DC scored 32 runs for 4 wicket loss. Krunal Pandya breaks the partnership by dismissing Pant for 3 runs. DC strikers struggle to build a partnership with Stoinis who plays as the only hope for DC.
Stoinis registered his half-century in just 36 balls
Axar Patel and Stoinis show confidence by building a partnership which drags DC score beyond 100 run mark. Bumrah in his third over with an aggressive spell dismissed Stoinis and breaks the 71 run stand partnership. In addition to this Bumrah also dismissed Daniel Sams for a duck and register his fourth wicket.
Bumrah with his four-wicket haul makes MI to register their name in the IPL 2020 finals. DC is in need to score nearly 80 runs in the last four overs. With back to back controlled over MI beat DC by 57 runs and made it to the finals.
Watch MI vs DC highlights – Qualifier 1
Man of the match
Jasprit Bumrah | MI
I am okay with not getting wickets and winning the tournament, I have been given a role so I just want to execute that role. Opening yorker was really important. I decided I will do that early in the game and when it comes off it’s always nice.
I am always ready when the captain wants me to bowl and don’t focus on the end result. When I have done that it’s always gone downhill. I have a great camaraderie with Boult. We discuss fields, situations, so there’s a lot to learn from him.
Batsmen have been taking all the awards, so it’s good to get it as a bowler (laughs). Ah no, I don’t worry about awards. As long as the team is winning I am happy.
Sehwag slams BCCI over Rohit Sharma's injury issue
Former Indian batsman Virender Sehwag backs Rohit Sharma and slams BCCI for not being transparent. Sehwag states he doesn’t believe that head coach Ravi Shastri was unaware of Rohit Sharma’s injury issue. Which resulted in him not being selected for the Australia tour.
“I don’t think that it is possible that Ravi Shastri did not know about Rohit’s situation,” Sehwag said. “Even if he is not a part of the selection committee, the selectors must have spoken to him a day or two days ago regarding what he was thinking, and taken his feedback and inputs.”
“I do not agree with this statement of Ravi Shastri that he is not a part of the selection committee. Even if it is not official, the coach and captain must have spoken unofficially to the selectors regarding who should be in the team for the Australia tour,” he added.
Rohit turning out for his franchise has raised eyebrows with the likes of Dilip Vengsarkar questioning whether BCCI erred in diagnosing his injury correctly or the opener is ready to risk injury to play for MI.
Sehwag questioned BCCI’s management
“I am surprised to see that a player who is ready to play for the franchise has not been selected to play for the country. This is surprising and mismanagement from the BCCI. They should have taken all the information that if he can play for his IPL team then he should be kept in the Indian team,” Sehwag, said.
“If he got injured, they could have called in a replacement for him. But he was not kept in India’s squad, this I don’t understand. This is a strange year. Now, what you will do? He played this game against SRH and will play the playoffs games. He is saying I am fit. Then why didn’t you pick him,” he added.
Cricket Australia (CA) announced the Big Bash League (BBL) schedule for the upcoming 2020-21 season. The BBL announced that there will be 21 BBL matches held throughout the month of December, with Tasmania, ACT, Queensland, and South Australia hosting those fixtures.
BBL 2020-21 schedule venue
News in Australia suggests that movement restrictions across borders will be eased by December 10, meaning officials will wait and watch before announcing fixtures for the rest of the season.
“We are working through scenarios for the 35 regular season matches and finals series to be played in the new year with our partners and government bodies,” Alistair Dobson, Cricket Australia’s Head of Big Bash Leagues, said in a statement.
“An announcement on these venues will be made in the coming weeks. This is, without doubt, the most complex fixturing task ever undertaken by the League and we are excited with where it has landed.
“It has been a difficult year for so many people around Australia and we look forward to bringing the BBL to every state, should border conditions allow us to.”
Check out the revised dates, start times, and matchups for all 56 regular-season games was announced. Venues were confirmed only for the first 21 matches up until December 31.
Big Bash League 2020-21 Schedule
Match No
Date
Match
Venue
Time(AEDT)
1
10-Dec-20
Hobart Hurricanes vs Sydney Sixers
Bellerive Oval
7:15 PM
2
11-Dec-20
Melbourne Stars vs Brisbane Heat
Manuka Oval
7:15pm
3
12-Dec-20
Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Thunder
Manuka Oval*
4:05pm
4
Melbourne Renegades vs Perth Scorchers
Bellerive Oval
7:15pm
5
13-Dec-20
Adelaide Strikers vs Hobart Hurricanes
Bellerive Oval
2:15pm
6
Sydney Sixers vs Melbourne Renegades
Bellerive Oval
7:15pm
7
14-Dec-20
Sydney Thunder vs Brisbane Heat
Manuka Oval
7:15pm
8
15-Dec-20
Hobart Hurricanes vs Adelaide Strikers
University of Tasmania Stadium
7:15pm
9
16-Dec-20
Perth Scorchers vs Melbourne Stars
University of Tasmania Stadium
7:15pm
10
19-Dec-20
Hobart Hurricanes vs Melbourne Renegades
Bellerive Oval
11:10am
11
20-Dec-20
Sydney Sixers vs Adelaide Strikers
Bellerive Oval
11:10am
12
22-Dec-20
Sydney Thunder vs Perth Scorchers
Manuka Oval*
7:15pm
13
23-Dec-20
Brisbane Heat vs Adelaide Strikers
Gabba*
7:15pm
14
26-Dec-20
Sydney Thunder vs Melbourne Renegades
Manuka Oval
6:10pm
15
Sydney Sixers at Melbourne Stars
Carrara Stadium
9:20pm
16
27-Dec-20
Brisbane Heat vs Hobart Hurricanes
Gabba
7:15pm
17
28-Dec-20
Perth Scorchers vs Adelaide Strikers
Adelaide Oval
7:15pm
18
29-Dec-20
Melbourne Renegades vs Sydney Sixers
Carrara Stadium*
6:10pm
19
Sydney Thunder vs Melbourne Stars
Manuka Oval
7:15pm
20
30-Dec-20
Hobart Hurricanes vs Brisbane Heat
Gabba
7:15pm
21
31-Dec-20
Adelaide Strikers vs Perth Scorchers
Adelaide Oval
7:15pm
22
01-Jan-21
Melbourne Renegades vs Sydney Thunder
TBC(to be confirmed)
7:15pm*
23
02-Jan-21
Hobart Hurricanes vs Melbourne Stars
TBC
5:05pm*
24
Brisbane Heat vs Sydney Sixers
TBC
8:15pm*
25
03-Jan-21
Perth Scorchers vs Melbourne Renegades
TBC
4:05pm*
26
Adelaide Strikers vs Sydney Sixers
TBC
7:15pm
27
04-Jan-21
Brisbane Heat vs Sydney Thunder
TBC
7:15pm
28
05-Jan-21
Melbourne Stars vs Hobart Hurricanes
TBC
4:05pm*
29
Melbourne Renegades vs Adelaide Strikers
TBC
7:15pm
30
06-Jan-21
Perth Scorchers vs Sydney Sixers
TBC
7:15pm
31
07-Jan-21
Hobart Hurricanes vs Sydney Thunder
TBC
6:10pm
32
Brisbane Heat vs Melbourne Stars
TBC
9:20pm
33
08-Jan-21
Adelaide Strikers vs Melbourne Renegades
TBC
6:10pm*
34
09-Jan-21
Perth Scorchers vs Sydney Thunder
TBC
7:15pm
35
10-Jan-21
Sydney Sixers vs Brisbane Heat
TBC
7:15pm
36
11-Jan-21
Adelaide Strikers vs Melbourne Stars
TBC
7:15pm
37
12-Jan-21
Perth Scorchers vs Hobart Hurricanes
TBC
7:15pm
38
13-Jan-21
Sydney Thunder vs Sydney Sixers
TBC
7:15pm
39
14-Jan-21
Brisbane Heat vs Melbourne Renegades
TBC
7:15pm
40
15-Jan-21
Melbourne Stars vs Adelaide Strikers
TBC
7:15pm
41
16-Jan-21
Sydney Sixers vs Perth Scorchers
TBC
6:40pm*
42
17-Jan-21
Melbourne Stars vs Melbourne Renegades
TBC
7:15pm
43
18-Jan-21
Sydney Thunder vs Hobart Hurricanes
TBC
7:15pm
44
19-Jan-21
Perth Scorchers vs Brisbane Heat
TBC
7:15pm
45
20-Jan-21
Melbourne Renegades vs Melbourne Stars
TBC
7:15pm
46
21-Jan-21
Adelaide Strikers vs Brisbane Heat
TBC
7:15pm
47
22-Jan-21
Hobart Hurricanes vs Perth Scorchers
TBC
4:05pm*
48
Sydney Sixers vs Sydney Thunders
TBC
7:15pm*
49
23-Jan-21
Melbourne Renegades vs Brisbane Heat
TBC
4:05pm*
50
Melbourne Stars vs Perth Scorchers
TBC
7:15pm
51
24-Jan-21
Sydney Thunder vs Adelaide Strikers
TBC
4:05pm*
52
Sydney Sixers vs Hobart Hurricanes
TBC
7:15pm
53
25-Jan-21
Adelaide Strikers vs Sydney Thunder
TBC
7:15pm
54
26-Jan-21
Brisbane Heat vs Perth Scorchers
TBC
1:05pm*
55
Melbourne Renegades vs Hobart Hurricanes
TBC
4:15pm
56
Melbourne Stars vs Sydney Sixers
TBC
7:50pm
57
29-Jan-21
Eliminator
58
30-Jan-21
Qualifier
59
31-Jan-21
Knockout
60
04-Feb-21
Challenger
61
06-Feb-21
The Final
*Exclusively broadcast on Fox Cricket, Foxtel, and Kayo Sports
Controversial West Indies allrounder Marlon Samuels has retired from all forms of professional cricket.
Marlon Samuels – 2 times T20WC Winner
Marlon Samuels is most famously remembered for top-scoring in the two T20 World Cup finals in 2012 and 2016 that guided West Indies to title wins. Samuels made his international debut in October 2000 and went on to play 71 Tests, 207 ODIs, and 67 T20Is. He scored over 11,000 runs and took 152 wickets as well.
Cricket West Indies chief executive Johnny Grave said Samuels had informed him about his decision in June. The 39-year-old twice engineered a West Indies comeback in two T20 World Cup finals.
Samuels
In 2012, against Sri Lanka, he scored 78 off 56 to lift his team from 14/2 to a match-winning 137/2. Then at the T20WC 2016 final, against England in Kolkata, he remaining unbeaten on 85 off 66 in a chase of 156.
That match is also remembered for Carlos Brathwaite‘s final over fireworks as he blasted four straight sixes to take his team over the line.
Controversies faced by Marlon Samuels
As much as he made waves on the field, Samuels also gained notoriety for his off-field issues as well. He almost sent home from the tour of India in 2002 for defying team curfew.
In 2008, he was banned by the ICC after being found guilty for “receiving money, or benefit or other rewards that could bring him or the game of cricket into disrepute.” He was the only one who took a public stance against ODI captain Dwayne Bravo during the 2014 tour of India as they left the series midway citing pay dispute with their cricket board.
Samuels said he wanted to complete the series. More recently, he made unsavory remarks on Stokes and his wife after the England allrounder mentioned his name during an interview.
Inferable from his injury in the ongoing IPL 2020, Rohit Sharma was excluded from the Indian tour of Australia. But presently the Indian star opener has recuperated from his injury and played the last league match against the SRH.
Rohit Sharma last chance to include in Australia Tour
However, he was excluded from the team chosen for the Australia tour, Ganguly gave an update on his possible return. The selection board will consider him for the Australia tour if Rohit backs in fit and form. Presently his return to MI has additionally begun the buzz of his inclusion in the Indian team for Australia tour.
Rohit Sharma
In the interim, the MI have time and now noticed that Rohit Sharma’s physical issue was not extreme and he ought to be included in the crew for Australia tour. Ganguly, during a meeting, had on Tuesday said that if Rohit returns to the field as expected, he will be considered for the team.
“If we talk about Rohit, we all want him to be fit for the tour of Australia. If he is fit at the moment, I am sure that the selectors will definitely reconsider his place,” Ganguly said.
The selectors will look at Rohit’s performance and his health in the upcoming matches in the IPL 2020. Which will confirm his place in the squad selected for the Australia tour.
India travel to Australia from UAE
Indian team is set to leave for Australia directly from the UAE after the completion of the IPL. The national team coaching staff, as well as Test specialists Pujara & Vihari, have already arrived in Dubai to travel with the team to Sydney.
South Africa vs England schedule updates: England announces the squad while schedule for the South Africa tour has been released.
England tour of SA confirmed
England will play three Twenty20s and three one-day internationals from 27 November, all behind closed doors.
Stokes, seamer Jofra Archer, and all-rounder Sam Curran are in the T20 squad but will be rested for the one-day series.
“There are several players who play every format for England, we are just very mindful of the amount of cricket we’ve got coming,” national selector Ed Smith said.
“We want them to be at their best when they’re playing for England and that will mean taking some opportunities to rest from cricket.”
England’s future tour
England are scheduled to play Sri Lanka and India early in 2021 but neither tour has been confirmed. Pakistan have also invited England to take part in a short limited-overs tour early next year(2021).
Ben Stokes Backs to England Squad
Stokes returned to cricket to play for the Rajasthan Royals in October and averaged 40.71 in this season’s IPL.
“Ben is an exceptional competitor, a winner, and someone who gives to the team,” Smith added.
The all-rounder missed the second half of the international summer to be with his father, Ged, who has brain cancer.
Captain Eoin Morgan, who is also playing in the IPL with Kolkata Knight Riders, will lead England in both formats.
The team will travel to South Africa on 16 November, with games played at Cape Town’s Newlands and in nearby Paarl. They will be based in Cape Town and will train at Western Province Cricket Club, playing three intra-squad matches before the first T20.
Eoin Morgan (captain), Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Jonathan Bairstow, Sam Billings, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Tom Curran, Chris Jordan, Dawid Malan, Adil Rashid, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, Reece Topley, Mark Wood.
One-day squad
Eoin Morgan(captain), Moeen Ali, Jonathan Bairstow, Sam Billings, Jos Buttler, Tom Curran, Lewis Gregory, Liam Livingstone, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Olly Stone, Reece Topley, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.
