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Did CSA offer AB de Villiers to lead South Africa? AB de Villiers and Graeme Smith Reveals the Truth

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Did CSA offer AB de Villiers to lead South Africa; AB de Villiers and Graeme Smith clarify
Did CSA offer AB de Villiers to lead South Africa; AB de Villiers and Graeme Smith clarify

Former South Africa captain AB de Villiers’ international comeback has become a much-discussed topic primarily because of the 36-year old’s early retirement, unmatched skill and plentiful fan-following.

De Villiers’ form in the 13th season of the Indian Premier League was bound to be observed closely by Cricket South Africa but the novel COVID-19 pandemic has spoken of the otherwise.

A recent interview doing the rounds in the Indian media claimed that CSA had offered de Villiers to lead South Africa in T20Is with two upcoming ICC T20 World Cups in mind.

“The desire is there from my side to play for South Africa, and have been asked by Cricket South Africa to lead the Proteas again. The most important thing to me is that I have got to be in top form, and I have got to be better than the player next to me.

Also read : “De Villiers has been my idol growing up” : England’s Jos Buttler Revealed Some Interesting Facts on Ab De Villiers

“If I feel I deserve my spot in the side, it becomes much easier for me to feel that I should be part of the playing XI.I have not been part of the Proteas for a while, and I feel that it’s important for myself and for other people to see that I am still good enough to be there,” de Villiers was quoted as saying on Star Sports Cricket Connected according to the reports.

Did CSA offer AB de Villiers to lead South Africa?

Former South Africa captain Graeme Smith, who had recently been named as Director of Cricket at Cricket South Africa, had opined against handing the Test captaincy to newly-elected limited-overs captain Quinton de Kock in a bid to not burden him with three jobs in as many formats.

Going by Smith’s comments, there was a doubt from the starting regarding de Villiers’ reported statement with respect to CSA offering him the captaincy. de Villiers himself took to social media platform to quash all such reports of being offered leadership.

Apart from de Villiers, Smith also took to the same platform to aware the cricket fraternity regarding the “fake news” spreading all over the globe.

Also read: We’ve Taken Abuse, Death Threats For Supporting Black Lives Matter Movement, Says Graeme Smith

Rishabh Pant Reveals Why MS Dhoni is Among his Favourite Batting Partner

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Times of Sports
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Rishabh Pant reveals why MS Dhoni is among his favourite batting partners
Rishabh Pant reveals why MS Dhoni is among his favourite batting partners

It was in January last year that India wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant became only the second wicket-keeper batsman ever to score Test centuries in England and Australia.

In a feat which even the mighty Mahendra Singh Dhoni hadn’t achieved in his playing days, Pant put on display signs of having it in him to fill the boots of the legendary player.

Upon the culmination of the Test series in Australia last year, India coach Ravi Shastri had disclosed how Pant used to be on the phone with Dhoni throughout the Test series.

In a recent Instagram live session with his Indian Premier League franchise Delhi Capitals, Pant claimed the former captain to be his “mentor” and talked about how he can approach him “freely”.

Also read : “In comparison, Dhoni is ahead of Sourav Ganguly” : Former Team India cricketer Atul Wassan Claimed

“He [MS Dhoni] has been like a mentor to me, on and off the field. I can approach him freely with any problem I may be facing, and he will never give me the entire solution for it,” Pant was quoted as saying.

Rishabh Pant reveals why MS Dhoni is among his favourite batting partners

Further speaking about Dhoni, Pant explained why Dhoni never gives him the entire solution to problems and also considered the latter to be among his “favourite batting partners”.

“This is so that I don’t become entirely dependent on him, he gives me hints only that helps me solve the issue myself. He’s also one of my favourite batting partners, though it’s not something that happens too often.

“If Mahi [Dhoni] bhai is at the crease, you know things are sorted. He’s got a plan in his head, and all you need to do is follow it,” Pant said.

Pant, who has played 14 white-ball matches alongside Dhoni, has scored 276 runs a below par average of 25.09 and a strike rate of 106.15 in those matches.

Pant, 22, has been recently seen falling off the radar in limited-over formats especially after the rise of Lokesh Rahul as a wicket-keeper batsman. After facing the axe in home Tests last year, Pant played a couple of Tests in New Zealand earlier this year but registered mediocre scores of 12, 4, 19 and 25.

RCB’s Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers to Auction their IPL Cricketing Gears to Raise Funds for Battle Against COVID-19

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Times of Sports
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RCB's Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers to Auction their IPL Cricketing Gears to Raise Funds for Battle Against COVID-19
RCB's Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers to Auction their IPL Cricketing Gears to Raise Funds for Battle Against COVID-19

India skipper Virat Kohli and former South Africa batsman AB de Villiers will auction their cricketing gears, including the bats with which they scored hundreds for Royal Challengers Bangalore during an IPL match in 2016, to raise funds for the fight against COVID-19 pandemic.

The items to be auctioned also include their respective gloves and shirts from that particular game where both of them had scored centuries to power RCB to a challenging 248 for three against Gujarat Lions.

RCB had won the match by 144 runs.

“We had a few nice knocks together. There is a particular one in 2016 IPL against Gujarat Lions. I got 129 and you also got 100 right at the end, that doesn’t happen always when two batters get 100s. It is a special memory for me,” De Villiers said during an Instagram live chat.

“I was thinking how we can make a difference, that’s why I told you to get hold of that bat from that game and I still got that shirt from that game, which I got you signed, I also signed my shirt. So I got my shirt and my bat, I gonna get hold of your bat, my bat, your gloves, my gloves. That’s quite a big package.

“The plan is to get it on an online auction platform (bidorbuy.co.za). It could be a nice collector’s item. We both can share a picture of that game. People can go and bid and all the proceeds can go for the COVID-19 cause both in India and South Africa, particularly, for the cause of getting meals on people’s table. we can make it 50-50 and support the cause in memory of that day.”

RCB skipper Kohli, who had scored 109 in that match, said he would give away anything for the cause.

“It sounds amazing. The fact that you want to share a part of it with India where you have a massive fan, I think it is quite special, it is an amazing gesture from you,” he said.

“I don’t think I will be able to score that many runs in a single season. I have kept most of the things from that season. For this cause I will give anything away.”

The Indian captain said it is “surreal” what has been happening around the globe and felt people will be more human once the pandemic-induced crisis is over.

“I never thought I will see this happening in my life time. So many people are trapped, specially migrant and daily wagers are struggling. There is a silver lining, I mean it is good to see the human side coming up, there is no ego, there is no manipulation, so many people are helping out in this crisis situation,” he said.

“We have to grateful that we are comfortable sitting, where so many others are struggling for food. Nothing hurts you more than seeing people struggling to get food on table.

“Whenever people come back, when players comeback, there will be lot more energy … it will drastically change the enjoying part of things, pure love for everything will come up in the surface.”

The coronavirus outbreak has infected over 2.5 million people around the globe, bringing all sporting activities to a standstill.

“De Villiers has been my idol growing up” : England’s Jos Buttler Revealed Some Interesting Facts on Ab De Villiers

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Times of Sports
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Jos Buttler Revealed Some Interesting Facts on Ab De Villiers
Jos Buttler Revealed Some Interesting Facts on Ab De Villiers

Jos Buttler has revealed that his wife had mistaken AB de Villiers to be a New Zealander when they first had a conversation during the Indian Premier League (IPL), the England wicketkeeper batsman has said.

“De Villiers has been my idol growing up. The guy I love watching, he is just awesome,” Buttler, who plays for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, said during The Royals Podcast Episode 3, the full show of which will be aired on their official social media handles on Tuesday.

“Got to know him little bit during the IPL actually when I was at Mumbai (Indians). Just at the start of the game, he said I will catch up with you for a beer at the hotel after the game,” said Buttler, a World Cup winner in 2019 with England and also regarded as one of the most destructive batters of the game today.

Also read : “He is a really good player with the short ball” : England’s Jos Buttler all Praises for this Indian Batsman

“I was like so excited. I was like so cool getting to drink a beer with AB de Villiers. I got back to the hotel told Louise (my fiance at that time, now wife) we are going to go straight to the bar.

“AB de Villiers will be there for a drink, this is going to be awesome.

“We then we probably chatted for 20 minutes, having a great time I am loving it and he has got pretty strong Afrikaans accent. About 20 minutes into the conversation, Louise asks ‘which part of New Zealand are you from’? and that just absolutely killed me,” said the 29-year old, laughing. Buttler was born in Taunton, Somerset and has so far played 41 Tests, 142 ODIs and 69 T20Is for England.

Also read : Latest News about IPL 2020: Rajasthan Royals’ Jos Buttler hopes IPL 2020 happens later in the year

Prior to this, Royals spin bowling consultant and New Zealand leg-spinner Ish Sodhi, who is generally the host of the show, spoke to Australian batting ace Steve Smith and Shreyas Gopal.

Sachin Tendulkar Breaks Silence on Hosting Matches Behind Closed Doors Amid Coronavirus Scare

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Times of Sports
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Sachin Tendulkar Breaks Silence on Hosting Matches Behind Closed Doors
Sachin Tendulkar Breaks Silence on Hosting Matches Behind Closed Doors

Legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar expressed his thoughts on how hosting matches behind closed doors will be really demotivating for the players.

Earlier being asked about the prospect of playing in front of empty stands, Pat Cummins readily agreed to do the same much like Chennai Super Kings spinner Harbhajan Singh. Laying emphasis on finding balance between safety and normality, Cummins didn’t express any concern regarding playing behind closed doors.

“Empty stadiums would be so disappointing for players who are competing. There are a lot of times when players respond to spectators,” Sachin told PTI.

“If I play a good shot and the manner in which crowd responds also brings in that energy. Similarly, if a bowler bowls a fiery spell and the crowd is responding to it, it builds a kind of pressure on the batsman and he needs to respond to it.”

“Spectators are integral to any sport. Their encouragement, vociferous chants for or against you is a necessity in sport,” he added.

The former Team India cricketer also explained how the normal gestures of shining the ball, giving high-fives and hugs to your teammates, etc will all change after this pandemic is over.

Also read: Rohit Sharma Express his Hunger for ICC World Cup Success

“I think players will be wary for some time when it comes to using saliva (to shine the ball). It will play on their minds. Social distancing measures will be followed until the deadly virus is around,” Tendulkar said.

“High fives and hugging your teammates will be avoided for some time. This is what I would like to believe. They will be conscious, to begin with and may maintain social distancing.”

“You would want to play in an environment that is safe and secure. I still believe one has to be careful and be aware of what we have been hit with. The importance of good hygiene, something I have promoted as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador,” he added.

“In comparison, Dhoni is ahead of Sourav Ganguly” : Former Team India cricketer Atul Wassan Claimed

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Former Team India cricketer Atul Wassan reveals WHY MS Dhoni is a better skipper than Sourav Ganguly across all formats
Former Team India cricketer Atul Wassan reveals WHY MS Dhoni is a better skipper than Sourav Ganguly across all formats

Former Team India cricketer Atul Wassan  named the better skipper between MS Dhoni Sourav Ganguly across all three formats of the sport.

Atul Satish Wassan (born 23 March 1967) is a former Indian cricketer. After retirement, he became a cricket commentator. He played 4 Tests & 9 ODIs for India at the highest level, however, due to injuries his career was cut short & he shifted towards Television industry hosting many cricket-related shows & also worked as an expert on many renowned sports channels like TenSports.

Wassan picked Dhoni as the better captain over Ganguly

Clarifying his point, the 52-year-old claimed that even though Sourav’s reign started really well but later on he struggled to replicate his form.

“Dhoni..because Dhoni across the formats because Ganguly…. he started it off very well but eventually you have to keep your game also so that you don’t struggle for your spoil,” Atul said.

The former cricketer then went on to add how a captain should not be picked up only for their leadership qualities but based on the side that they build.

“Captain is someone, who is decided after your team is built if you’re selected for captaincy, then in that comparison, Dhoni is ahead,” he claimed.

Also read : Shane Watson reminiscences playing under MS Dhoni at CSK

Dhoni has led India to win the 2011 ODI World Cup, 2007 T20 World Cup and Champions Trophy. No other man has done that.

Dhoni’s cool demeanour and poker face in tough, pressure situations has earned him the nickname ‘captain cool’.

Michael Hussey endorses MS Dhoni fit to play for India

Hussey, who made his IPL debut for Super Kings in 2008, went on to play for them till 2015 except for 2014 where he played for Mumbai Indians. In 50 IPL matches for CSK, the southpaw had scored 1,768 runs at an average of 42.10 and a strike rate of 123.64 including one century and 13 half-centuries.

Talking about Chennai captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s international career, Hussey expressed no doubt whatsoever regarding the fitness of the 38-year-old player. Furthermore, Hussey also eulogized Dhoni’s “calculative brain” while batting.

“Of course, he [MS Dhoni] is still fit to play international cricket. But Dhoni is the best person to answer what is in his mind. MS is always very calculative. I would want to finish the match as early as possible but MS would say no because there is this bowler who is coming up to bowl or someone else that we need to see out.

“Don’t think I’ve met anyone like MS in that respect. Yes he has got a calculating brain but he has also got that unbelievable power. He knows when he wants to hit a six he can, which is something I didn’t have,” Hussey said.

MSD has represented India in 90 Tests, 349 ODIs and 98 T20Is. He has scored more than 10,000 ODI runs, and 4876 runs in Test cricket.

IPL 2020 : Virat Kohli Reveals Dreams of Winning IPL at RCB Alongside AB de Villier

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RCB's Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers to Auction their IPL Cricketing Gears to Raise Funds for Battle Against COVID-19
RCB's Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers to Auction their IPL Cricketing Gears to Raise Funds for Battle Against COVID-19

India and Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Virat Kohli has expressed optimism regarding things moving in the right direction with respect to the novel COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking during an Instagram live session with former South Africa captain and current RCB batsman AB de Villiers, Kohli opined that things will change after the situation gets back to normal.

“I am quite optimistic that at some stage we will definitely have something because things are moving in the right direction. When things are back to normal, I don’t see things getting back to like they were before everything happened.

“I think there are gonna be a lot of changes. A lot of discipline has to be shown by people everywhere. What I have seen in this phase is there are a lot of times when you get egoistic and you think ‘I’m doing this and I’m doing that’ but in reality, you are controlling nothing,” Kohli was quoted as saying.

Virat Kohli reveals dreams of winning IPL at RCB alongside AB de Villiers

Coming on the back of leading India to victory in the ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup, Kohli found a spot in Royal Challengers’ squad. Having played for the franchise for 12 years now, Kohli has done much of the heavy-lifting in the batting department but he hasn’t been able to lead RCB to a title in seven attempts as captain.

Also read : South Africa’s AB De Villiers Makes an Update on his Return to International Squad If IPL 2020 Fails Amid COVID-19

Remembering the 12-year long “amazing journey”, Kohli revealed that it is his dream to win a season of Indian Premier League alongside de Villiers at RCB. Furthermore, the 31-year old player also asserted that he will never leave the franchise irrespective of how they play.

“It’s been 12 years and it’s such an amazing journey, so surreal. You have been here nine years yourself. For a lot of people, it’s all about obviously we want to achieve the ultimate goal for RCB. We have come close thrice [in 2009, 2011 and 2016] but haven’t made it.

“That’s always gonna be our dream together and I was just thinking there is no way in any scenario that I can ever think of leaving this team. Because of the love and care, the franchise has shown. You can feel emotional about the season going well or not but to have that loyalty with Bangalore, with RCB its quite surreal. Till the time I play IPL, regardless of how we play, I’ll never leave this team,” Kohli said.

Also read : AB De Villiers has Been Selected as the Greatest IPL Batsman of all Time Over Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni

Top 8 Best ODI Innings of Sachin Tendulkar

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Sachin Tendulkar – Top ODI innings
Sachin Tendulkar – Top ODI innings

Best ODI Innings of Sachin Tendulkar: In an international career spanning 24 years, Sachin Tendulkar broke pretty much every major batting record. Of his many spectacular innings in a 463-match long ODI career, the following are shortlisted eight especially remarkable innings.

Best ODI Innings of Sachin Tendulkar

143 v Australia, Sharjah, 1998

A knock nicknamed ‘Desert Storm’, it had all the hallmarks of a great innings. Against an attack featuring Shane Warne, Damien Fleming and Michael Kasprowicz, Tendulkar played with remarkable fluency despite the lack of support from the other batsmen.

In a knock that was ahead of its time, he struck nine fours and five sixes to score 143 off just 131 balls. His efforts weren’t enough to chase down a revised target of 276 in 46 overs, but it ensured India got into the final of the tournament ahead of New Zealand.

The knock gets its nickname from the fact that a sandstorm halted play, but once that subsided, Tendulkar took charge.

Sachin Scored 143 v Australia at Sharjah in 1998(Image: ICC)
Sachin Scored 143 v Australia at Sharjah in 1998(Image: ICC)

140 v Kenya, World Cup, 1999

This knock warrants a place among Tendulkar’s best not only for the quality of it but also for the poignant circumstances that it came under only a few days after he lost his father.

Tendulkar labelled the period as the ‘most difficult stage of my life’, but was still able to showcase remarkable focus and strokeplay on the field. He hit 16 fours and three sixes, powering India to 329/2, which helped them to a 94-run win to keep their tournament hopes alive.

Sachin Tendulkar scored 143 v Australia in Sharjah,1998
Sachin Tendulkar scored 143 v Australia in Sharjah,1998(Image: ICC)

Also read: “It was just hard to get Sachin out”: Monty Panesar Praised Indian Legendary Batsman Sachin Tendulkar

134 v Australia, Sharjah, 1998

Buoyed by the stunning 143 in the previous game, Tendulkar produced another masterclass in the final two days later. He got going with a couple of stunning cover drives off the Australian fast bowlers and there was no looking back.

He hit 12 fours and three sixes in a measured 131-ball knock to help India chase down Australia’s 272/9 with six wickets to spare.

Sachin Tendulkar scored 134 v Australia, Sharjah
Sachin Tendulkar scored 134 v Australia, Sharjah(Image: ICC)

175 v Australia, Hyderabad, 2009

With Australia having set India 351 for victory, Sachin Tendulkar took the task on and single-handedly put his side on the brink of a stunning victory. He smashed 19 fours and four sixes in a 141-ball blitz. Unfortunately for him, the majority of the other batsmen had an off day, and India fell three runs short.

Sachin scored 175 v Australia, Hyderabad, 2009
Sachin scored 175 v Australia, Hyderabad, 2009(Image: ICC)

98 v Pakistan, World Cup, 2003

A Saeed Anwar hundred had led Pakistan’s way to a challenging 273/7, and India would have wanted a strong start. Tendulkar provided them with exactly that and laid the foundation for a comfortable six-wicket victory with a stroke-filled 75-ball knock, which featured 12 fours and a six – an iconic hit over deep backward point fence off Shoaib Akhtar.

Sachin Tendulkar scored 98 v Pakistan, World Cup, 2003
Sachin Tendulkar scored 98 v Pakistan, World Cup, 2003(Image: ICC)

117* v Australia, Sydney, 2008

Against a top-quality Australian attack, featuring the likes of Brett Lee, Mitchell Johnson and Nathan Bracken, in the first final of a best-of-three series, Tendulkar shaped India’s chase of 240 with a brilliant knock, featuring 10 boundaries off 120 deliveries.

Sachin Tendulkar scored 117* v Australia, Sydney, 2008
Sachin Tendulkar scored 117* v Australia, Sydney, 2008(Image: ICC)

200 v South Africa, Gwalior, 2010

Twenty-one years after making his debut, Tendulkar was not only maintaining the exceptionally high levels he set himself but was also breaking new ground.

His constant endeavour to keep getting better was epitomised by his 147-ball, unbeaten double century against South Africa, becoming the first man to reach the milestone in ODI cricket. His knock helped India to a total of 401/3 and a 153-run defeat of South Africa.

Sachin Tendulkar scored 200 v South Africa, Gwalior, 2010
Sachin Tendulkar scored 200 v South Africa, Gwalior, 2010(Image: ICC)

Also read: Why Sachin Tendulkar is Called as God of Cricket?, Check the Reasons

82 v New Zealand, Auckland, 1994

This was the first time Tendulkar was promoted to open the innings, and he proved his calibre straight away, hammering the New Zealand attack to all parts in an aggressive display. With just 143 to chase, he blasted 15 fours and two sixes from his 49-ball stay to help India over the line with 26.4 overs and seven wickets to spare.

Sachin Tendulkar scored 82 v New Zealand, Auckland, 1994
Sachin Tendulkar scored 82 v New Zealand, Auckland, 1994(Image: ICC)

“I want to win World Cups” : Rohit Sharma Express his Hunger for ICC World Cup Success

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One of the most impressive limited-overs openers of all time, India's Rohit Sharma express his hungry for ICC World Cup success.
One of the most impressive limited-overs openers of all time, India's Rohit Sharma express his hungry for ICC World Cup success.

Rohit Gurunath Sharma (born 30 April 1987) is an Indian international cricketer who plays for Mumbai in domestic cricket and captains Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League as a right-handed batsman and an occasional right-arm off break bowler. He is the vice-captain of the Indian national team in limited-overs formats. He is the only cricketer in the history of cricket to score more than one ODI double-hundred, having scored three of them. In January 2020, Sharma was named as the ODI Cricketer of the Year by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Rohit Sharma’s view on ICC World Cup success

Rohit experienced the thrill of being part of a World Cup-winning outfit, when India lifted the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in the inaugural 2007 edition in South Africa.

Also read : What if India had not won the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007 Under MS Dhoni Captaincy?

But having missed out on being a part of the 2011 fifty-over edition, Rohit hasn’t experienced that delight in 13 years and is keen to set that right.

“Winning the World Cup is a dream of all us, together,” he told India Today. “I want to win World Cups. Of course, every time you go out there, you want to win every game. But the World Cup is something that you know is the pinnacle of everything. I want to win World Cups.”

Also read : Gautam Gambhir Picks the Best IPL Captain Between Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni

Rohit has forged a stellar career as a limited-overs batsman at the top of the order. Across ODIs and T20Is, he has scored 11,888 runs, averaging close to 50 in the fifty-over format and striking at an outstanding 138.78 in the shorter form. His record in World Cups is better still, as he’s raked up 1,651 runs at an average of 51.59 across both formats. Most recently, in 2019, he was even the top-scorer, with 648 runs.

But he has matured greatly in Test cricket too. From 32 matches, he has scored 2,141 runs at an average of 46.54. In 2019, he made 556 runs at an average of 92.66 and was instrumental to India’s successes against South Africa and Bangladesh at home.

Five-star Rohit Sharma

His average overseas stands at a modest 26.32 so far, but he is keen to set that right. After having missed the series in New Zealand at the start of the year through injury, he has his eyes set on the Australia tour, which is slated to begin towards the end of 2020.

WATCH : “Big round of applause to Mumbai Police for working round the clock” : Rohit Sharma

“I was quite looking forward to playing in the challenging conditions in New Zealand but unfortunately the injury happened at the wrong time,” he said. “I can’t wait to go in Australia and test myself. “Australia, in their own backyard and with those two guys, it will be a different ball game, I know that,” Rohit said. “As a team, we are also playing our best cricket right now… If it happens, it’ll be a great series to be part of.”

 

WATCH : On This Day Zimbabwe Registered Lowest ODI Score vs Sri Lanka in Harare

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Times of Sports
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Zimbabwe registered lowest ODI score vs Sri Lanka
Zimbabwe registered lowest ODI score vs Sri Lanka

On this day in 2004, a shambolic batting performance saw Zimbabwe registering the lowest-ever ODI total after they were bowled out for 35 in 18 overs during the third ODI of Sri Lanka’s tour of Zimbabwe in Harare.

Zimbabwe collapsed as they loose wicket at earlier

The then Sri Lanka captain Marvan Atapattu’s decision of fielding first after winning the toss yielded optimum results for Sri Lanka as they completed the match in under 28 overs.

The batting collapse had begun in the fourth over when debutant Rangana Herath had found Zimbabwe opening batsman Stuart Matsikenyeri (4) short of his crease at the non-striker’s end.

Dilhara Fernando, who shared the new ball with Chaminda Vaas, sent back Dion Ebrahim (7) in the eighth over after he edged a delivery to the then Sri Lanka wicket-keeper Kumar Sangakkara.

While Fernando found the then Zimbabwe captain Tatenda Taibu (0) wanting in front of the stumps on the following delivery, Vaas dismissed Brendan Taylor (4) and Elton Chigumbura (4) in the next over to reduce the hosts to 19/5.

Another Sri Lankan debutant in Farvez Maharoof also tasted blood as he sent back Vusi Sibanda (4) in the 14th over. With Zimbabwe’s tail-enders in the middle, it had only remained a matter of time until they were bowled out.

Vaas, who reached the 300-wicket mark in this match, was the pick of the visiting bowlers with bowling figures of 9-4-11-4. The remaining damage was done by Maharoof and Fernando, who picked three and two wickets respectively. Sri Lanka, who sealed the chased in the ninth over, gained an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.

Zimbabwe- Holds record for lowest run

While Zimbabwe’s unwanted record remains intact till date, it is worth mentioning that USA joined them at the top after Nepal bundled them for 35 in 12 overs earlier this year in Kirtipur.

Zimbabwe registered lowest ODI score vs Sri Lanka

WATCH : On This Day CSK beat Mumbai Indians to Lift Maiden IPL Trophy in 2010

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CSK beat Mumbai Indians to lift maiden IPL trophy in 2010(Image: IPL)
CSK beat Mumbai Indians to lift maiden IPL trophy in 2010(Image: IPL)

On this day in 2010, Chennai Super Kings defeated Mumbai Indians by 22 runs to lift their maiden Indian Premier League trophy at the Dr. D.Y. Patil Sports Academy in Mumbai.

Second most-successful IPL franchise with three titles to their name, Super Kings registered triumph on the back of vice-captain Suresh Raina’s attacking half-century followed by a disciplined bowling performance.

Chennai Super Kings batting

After Chennai captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss and opted to bat, his team scored 168/5 in their allotted quota of 20 overs. Coming in to bat at No. 3 in the eighth over, Raina scored his ninth IPL half-century, 57* (35), with the help of three fours and three sixes to aid Chennai’s case.

With bowling figures of 4-0-23-2, Mumbai Indians pacer Dilhara Fernando was the pick of their bowlers. Other than him, Zaheer Khan and Kieron Pollard picked a wicket apiece.

Also read : Shane Watson reminiscences playing under MS Dhoni at CSK

Mumbai Indian’s batting

Super Kings seamer Doug Bollinger made early inroads into Mumbai’s batting lineup by dismissing opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan (0) in the second over. MI captain Sachin Tendulkar (48) and all-rounder Abhishek Nayar (27) did stitch a 66-run partnership for the second wicket but their scoring rate made things tougher for the others.

Chasing in excess of 10 runs per over in the second half of their innings saw Indians lose wickets at regular intervals. Having scored 27 (10) with the help of three fours and two sixes after coming in to bat at No. 8, MI all-rounder Kieron Pollard did provide some hope but it didn’t last long as his CSK counterpart in Albie Morkel dismissed him in the penultimate over.

Raina – bags “Man of the Match”

Contribution from each of the six bowlers restricted Mumbai to 146/9 in 20 overs. Raina, who picked a wicket and grabbed an outstanding catch in addition to his half-century, was declared the ‘Man of the Match’.

CSK beat Mumbai Indians to lift maiden IPL trophy

 

IPL : Shane Watson reminiscences playing under MS Dhoni at CSK

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Times of Sports
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Shane Watson reminiscences playing under MS Dhoni at CSK
Shane Watson reminiscences playing under MS Dhoni at CSK

Indian Premier League franchise Chennai Super Kings opening batsman Shane Watson considers his century in the final match of IPL 2018 as “special”. Chasing a 179-run target, Watson had scored 117* (57) with the help of 11 fours and eight sixes to seal the chase in the penultimate over.

Speaking during a podcast with cricket.com.au, Watson also hailed CSK coach Stephen Fleming terming him the “best coach” that he has worked with.

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“That century in the final was very special – especially working with Stephen Fleming at the time. He is the best coach I have worked with. Fleming has a great cricket understanding – his mental skills and man-management skills are phenomenal,” Watson was quoted as saying.

Watson, who retired from international cricket post the ICC World Twenty20 in 2016, has been playing various T20 leagues around the world. Watson’s most recent stint was with Quetta Gladiators in PSL 2020 where he scored 247 runs in nine matches at an average of 27.44 and a strike rate of 157.32 including two half-centuries.

Shane Watson reminiscences playing under MS Dhoni at CSK

Having played for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL for a long time, Watson had a brief stint with Royal Challengers Bangalore before he was bought by Chennai ahead of IPL 2018.

In 32 matches for Super Kings, Watson has scored 953 runs at an average of 30.74 and a strike rate of 142.03 including two centuries and five half-centuries. Watson taking charge in the knockout matches has been his biggest positive for Chennai in the last two seasons.

Speaking about captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, whom he has credited for his batting performance in the past as well, Watson differentiated between playing against him and playing with him.

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“When you play against him, he gives away nothing. He is an ice-man on the field. But to work with him and to get to know him, was a great experience. I am so fortunate to meet so many people on the top of the game,” Watson said.

 

 

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