The 31-year old Ishant Sharma had suffered an injury to his right ankle during Delhi’s Ranji Trophy match against Vidarbha last month. while appealing for an LBW decision he had twisted his ankle and had to be helped off the field. Since then, he has been in Bengaluru recuperating with physio Ashish Kaushik at the National Cricket Academy (NCA).
Ishant Sharma injured
Ishant “in” squad
Previously he had been included in the 16 man squad and will be considered in playing squad after clearing the fitness test. He has made sufficient recovery and could even stand a good chance of featuring in the Indian XI for the opening Test against New Zealand.
Ishant sharma
Based on the performance in warm match against New Zealand Umesh Yadav and Navdeep Saini may have their slot in for the replacement of Ishant. In case the team management feels that he might need a little more time to be recover.
It was a roller coaster ride for me after the injury on my ankle on the 20th January but with the help of Ashish Kaushik I managed to pull it off! Scans were a little scary, but today I am happy that I am fit ! 🏏 Thanks Ashish Kaushik! #recoverymode#recovery#postinjurypic.twitter.com/xwNpecc0Iz
Ishant Sharma played 96 matches with 173 innings and took 292 wickets in his test carrier. On his last tour of New Zealand in 2014, he took 15 wickets in two Test matches, even though India lost the series 1-0.
Road to recovery
Meanwhile, other injured players like Hardik Pandya, Rohit Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Deepak Chahar are on the road to recovery, although there isn’t any specific timeframe set for their comeback. Hardik Pandya recently failed to prove his fitness that leads him not to take part in the New Zealand series.
For the upcoming three match T20I series against Australia, Cricket South Africa announced the squad that includes Kagiso Rabada(Right arm fast) and former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis. Anrich Nortje also returns to the squad with Reeza Hendricks, Beuran Hendricks and Sisanda Magala, who were part of the squad for the T20Is against England, making way.
Bavuma ruled out
Temba Bavuma(Right handed batsman) who opens the game and did well in the last T20I series has been ruled out of first T20I against Australia. He sustained a right hamstring injury while fielding in the 3rd T20I against England. Bavuma has been recommended 7 to 10 days of rest, and will travel with the team under the observation of South Africa’s medical staff. No replacement has been named for Bavuma.
Faf du Plessis had ended his term as South African captain and explains that “he need to take a step back from captaincy in order to help facilitate the emergence of the next generation of leaders”. Du Plessis led South Africa in 112 internationals and had 69 wins under his leadership.
“The last few weeks of rest away from the game have given me a lot of perspective on the great privilege and honour I have had in representing and leading my country in the three formats of this wonderful game. It has been a rewarding, sometimes tough and other times a lonely road, but I would not replace the experience for anything, because it has made me the man that I am proud to be today,” he said about his decision.
“When I took over the leadership, I did so with the commitment to lead, perform and most importantly, to serve. As the team heads into a new direction with new leaders and a young crop of players, I feel it will be in the best interests of South African cricket to relinquish the captaincy in all formats. This was one of the toughest decisions to make, but I remain fully committed to supporting Quinton, Mark and my teammates as we continue to rebuild and re-align as a group.”
“South African cricket has entered a new era. New leadership, new faces, new challenges and new strategies. I remain committed to play in all three formats of the game for now as a player and will offer my knowledge and time to the new leaders of the team.” Du Plessis pic.twitter.com/UAZd6OqLmn
Under De Kock captain ship South Africa lost the last T20I series against England in a close fought encounters. Independent Selector Linda Zondi said “The T20 series may not have been won but it was really pleasing to see our batting unit play so well”.
South Africa T20I Squad
Quinton de Kock (c/wk), Temba Bavuma (subject to fitness) Faf du Plessis, Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Pite van Biljon, Dwaine Pretorius, Andile Phehlukwayo, Jon-Jon Smuts, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lungi Ngidi, Bjorn Fortuin, Anrich Nortje, Dale Steyn, Heinrich Klaasen.
New Zealand welcome back Trent Boult, who has been out of action since injuring his right hand in the Boxing Day Test in Australia. As a result he missed the final Test of that series as well as the limited-overs match against India in home. After his recovery from the injury he has been named in the 13-man squad for the Test series against India.
Trent Boult
Pacer’s attack
The most experienced pacers Tim Southee and Neil Wagner join with Boult made the New Zealand’s pace position stronger. Pacer Kyle Jamieson, who recently made his ODI debut for the home side, could also play his maiden test game if Kiwis decide to attack with four pacer.
The spin department sees quite a shake-up as Mitchell Santner has lost his spot. Ajaz Patel earn calls up,who left an indelible mark on his debut series against Pakistan in UAE in which New Zealand famously won 2-1.
Boult along with patel
Daeeyl Mitchel dragged in
Darryl Mitchell(all-rounder) who played his maiden test match against England is dragged into squad for his second test carrier. Tom Latham who scored an impressive 121 in his last test match is set to open the match.
Daeeyl Mitchel
New Zealand coach John Stead said in a press release : “It’s terrific to have Trent back with us and we’re looking forward to the energy and experience he adds to the group alongside his obvious class with the ball in hand,” .
“Kyle will offer us a point of difference with the bounce he could extract on what is traditionally a good surface in Wellington,” he said of the lanky pacer
“We’re excited to welcome back Ajaz who has done a great job for us overseas and has a proven domestic record in New Zealand conditions,” Stead said.
The New Zealand squad will arrive in Wellington on Tuesday, the release added.
The first match of the series will be played at the Basin Reserve in Wellington starting Friday.
New Zealand squad:Kane Williamson (captain), Tom Latham, Tom Blundell, Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, BJ Watling, Colin de Grandhomme, Tim Southee, Neil Wagner, Trent Boult, Ajaz Patel, Kyle Jamieson, Daryl Mitchell.
In the third and final T20I against South Africa, England were fined 20 percent of their match fees for slow over-rate offence. The visitors won the trophy by sealing their victory in three match series as 2-1.
Eoin Morgan accepted the sanction laid out by the match officials Adrian Holdstock and Allahudien Paleker, third umpire Bongani Jele and fourth umpire Brad White.
England fined in 3rd T20I
An ICC release said, “In accordance with Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to minimum over-rate offences, players are fined 20 per cent of their match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time”.
England have been fined for a slow over-rate offence during the third T20I against South Africa.
With the captain Morgan’s impressive strikes of 57 from 22 balls England made their day at Centurion. Though England lost their 1st T20I in a slip of one run they made a come back with a trilling last over win in second match. In third T20I, England chased down a massive target of 223 With five balls left. Eoin Morgan’s aggressive strike with 7 sixes made a huge change in game which paved the way for the trophy.
This is second fine by ICC to different team in this year. Previously India fined in three successive match in the New Zealand tour. India fined twenty percent of the match fee in second T20I, Forty percent in third T20I. When it comes to ODI India fined 80 percent of the match fee in 1st ODI for the same reason of slow over rate as such England.
The 35 year old South African International cricketer Faf du Plessis ended his “term” as an International captain for South Africa. Du Plessis led South Africa in 112 internationals and had 69 wins under his leadership. A release said Du Plessis “cited a need to take a step back from captaincy in order to help facilitate the emergence of the next generation of leaders within the team under the new stewardship of Quinton de Kock”.
Du Plessis and de Kock
While Du Plessis was set in rest, De Kock was appointed as captain for the ODI and T20I series against England. For the upcoming T20I’s against Australia starting at the Wanderers on Friday it is expected that Du Plessis will keep his place in the squad.
“The last few weeks of rest away from the game have given me a lot of perspective on the great privilege and honour I have had in representing and leading my country in the three formats of this wonderful game. It has been a rewarding, sometimes tough and other times a lonely road, but I would not replace the experience for anything, because it has made me the man that I am proud to be today,” he said about his decision.
“When I took over the leadership, I did so with the commitment to lead, perform and most importantly, to serve. As the team heads into a new direction with new leaders and a young crop of players, I feel it will be in the best interests of South African cricket to relinquish the captaincy in all formats. This was one of the toughest decisions to make, but I remain fully committed to supporting Quinton, Mark and my teammates as we continue to rebuild and re-align as a group.”
Time for new era
He also states that he’s available for selection in all three formats. “South African cricket has entered a new era. New leadership, new faces, new challenges and new strategies. I remain committed to play in all three formats of the game for now as a player and will offer my knowledge and time to the new leaders of the team,” he said.
“After the 2019 ICC World Cup, I made the decision to continue in my role as captain while the team went through a rebuilding phase following the retirement of some key senior players and a complete overhaul of the coaching staff that we had worked with until then. It was important to me that I stayed to help the team find its feet and plot a new way forward while assisting in identifying the next generation of leaders within the players’ group during a time of turbulence in SA cricket. The last season of my captaincy has been the most challenging to date as I had a lot of off-field issues that I devoted my energy towards.
Du plessis step down as captain
“I have strived to lead the team with dignity and authenticity during exhilarating highs and devastating lows. I have given my everything during my tenure. I have never been one to throw in the towel and do believe I am putting the team first and believe we have to stick through the tough times to get to the good times. In a perfect world, I would have loved to lead the team in the Tests for the rest of the season as well as the T20 World Cup, but sometimes the most important attribute of a leader is to be selfless. I am healthy, fit, energised and motivated and certainly see myself playing an important role in the squad for as long as I continue putting in winning performances for the team.”
The most expected Indian Premier League(IPL) 2020 is set to begin from March 29. The fixture-list is released by the committee that makes fans to celebrate. The IPL starts with a huge excitement where the defending champion Mumbai Indians takes Chennai Super Kings in the first day of the league match.
Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings 1st match in IPL 2020
Mumbai and Chennai will clash on March 29 at the Wankhede Stadium.
Changes in IPL 2020
The league match days has been extended from 44 days to 50 days as the schedule confirms that there will be no doubleheader matches in the Saturdays. Instead there will be only six double-headers matches all for the Sundays. The league phase ends on May 17 where Royal Challengers Bangalore face Mumbai Indians in RCB’s home ground. However, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) are yet to confirm the full schedule and fixture list for the knockouts for IPL 2020. The final of the IPL scheduled for May 24 will also be played in Mumbai, BCCI president Sourav Ganguly had confirmed.
IPL fever
Already the IPL fever sets in, when RCB set heat in social media by changing their logo and released their new jersey without any prior announcement. On the other hand India’s former skipper MS Dhoni return to the ground after World cup semi finals lost. This makes MSD fans to go crazy on him where everyone expects a come back performance from him. The performance in this IPL is very much important for his return to T20I world cup squad that scheduled later this year.
Schedules list
March 29, Sunday: Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings – 8:00 PM in Mumbai
March 30, Monday: Delhi Capitals vs Kings XI Punjab – 8:00 PM in Delhi
March 31, Tuesday: Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Kolkata Knight Riders – 8:00 PM in Bengaluru
April 1, Wednesday: Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Mumbai Indians – 8:00 PM in Hyderabad
April 2, Thursday: Chennai Super Kings vs Rajasthan Royals – 8:00 PM in Chennai
April 3, Friday: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Delhi Capitals – 8:00 PM in Kolkata
April 4, Saturday: Kings XI Punjab vs Sunrisers Hyderabad – 8:00 PM in Mohali
April 5, Sunday: Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bangalore – 4:00 PM in Mumbai
April 5, Sunday: Rajasthan Royals vs Delhi Capitals – 8:00 PM in Jaipur/Guwahati
April 6, Monday: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Chennai Super Kings – 8:00 PM in Kolkata
April 7, Tuesday: Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Sunrisers Hyderabad – 8:00 PM in Bengaluru
April 8, Wednesday: Kings XI Punjab vs Mumbai Indians – 8:00 PM in Mohali
April 9, Thursday: Rajasthan Royals vs Kolkata Knight Riders – 8:00 PM in Jaipur/Guwahati
April 10, Friday: Delhi Capitals vs Royal Challengers Bangalore – 8:00 PM in Delhi
April 11, Saturday: Chennai Super Kings vs Kings XI Punjab – 8:00 PM in Chennai
April 12, Sunday: Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals – 4:00 PM in Hyderabad
April 12, Sunday: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Mumbai Indians – 8:00 PM in Kolkata
April 13, Monday: Delhi Capitals vs Chennai Super Kings – 8:00 PM in Delhi
April 14, Tuesday: Kings XI Punjab vs Royal Challengers Bangalore – 8:00 PM in Mohali
April 15, Wednesday: Mumbai Indians vs Rajasthan Royals – 8:00 PM in Mumbai
April 16, Thursday: Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Kolkata Knight Riders – 8:00 PM in Hyderabad
April 17, Friday: Kings XI Punjab vs Chennai Super Kings – 8:00 PM in Mohali
April 18, Saturday: Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Rajasthan Royals – 8:00 PM in Bengaluru
April 19, Sunday: Delhi Capitals vs Kolkata Knight Riders – 4:00 PM in Delhi
April 19, Sunday: Chennai Super Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad – 8:00 PM in Chennai
April 20, Monday: Mumbai Indians vs Kings XI Punjab – 8:00 PM in Mumbai
April 21, Tuesday: Rajasthan Royals vs Sunrisers Hyderabad – 8:00 PM in Jaipur
April 22, Wednesday: Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Delhi Capitals – 8:00 PM in Bengaluru
April 23, Thursday: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Kings XI Punjab – 8:00 PM in Kolkata
April 24, Friday: Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians – 8:00 PM in Chennai
April 25, Saturday: Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bangalore – 8:00 PM in Jaipur
April 26, Sunday: Kings XI Punjab vs Kolkata Knight Riders – 4:00 PM in Mohali
April 26, Sunday: Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Delhi Capitals – 8:00 PM in Hyderabad
April 27, Monday: Chennai Super Kings vs Royal Challengers Bangalore – 8:00 PM in Chennai
April 28, Tuesday: Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders – 8:00 PM in Mumbai
April 29, Wednesday: Rajasthan Royals vs Kings XI Punjab – 8:00 PM in Jaipur
April 30, Thursday: Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Chennai Super Kings – 8:00 PM in Hyderabad
May 1, Friday: Mumbai Indians vs Delhi Capitals – 8:00 PM in Mumbai
May 2, Saturday: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Rajasthan Royals – 8:00 PM in Kolkata
May 3, Sunday: Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Kings XI Punjab – 4:00 PM in Bengaluru
May 3, Sunday: Delhi Capitals vs Sunrisers Hyderabad – 8:00 PM in Delhi
MAY 4, Monday: Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings – 8:00 PM in Jaipur
May 5, Tuesday: Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Royal Challengers Bangalore – 8:00 PM in Hyderabad
May 6, Wednesday: Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians – 8:00 PM in Delhi
May 7, Thursday: Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders – 8:00 PM in Chennai
MAY 8, Friday: Kings XI Punjab vs Rajasthan Royals – 8:00 PM in Mohali
May 9, Saturday: Mumbai Indians vs Sunrisers Hyderabad – 8:00 PM in Mumbai
May 10, Sunday: Chennai Super Kings vs Delhi Capitals – 4:00 PM in Chennai
May 10, Sunday: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bangalore – 8:00 PM in Kolkata
May 11, Monday: Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians – 8:00 PM in Jaipur
May 12, Tuesday: Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Kings XI Punjab – 8:00 PM in Hyderabad
May 13, Wednesday: Delhi Capitals vs Rajasthan Royals – 8:00 PM in Delhi
MAY 14, Thursday: Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Chennai Super Kings – 8:00 PM in Bengaluru
May 15, Friday: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Sunrisers Hyderabad – 8:00 PM in Kolkata
May 16, Saturday: Kings XI Punjab vs Delhi Capitals – 8:00 PM in Mohali
May 17, Sunday: Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Mumbai Indians – 8:00 PM in Bengaluru
South Africa vs England 3rd T20I which decides the series winning match takes place at Supersport Park, Centurion. After the failure in 2nd T20I South Africa is in keen to win this series.
De Kock’s hat-trick six
Bavuma and de Kock are at the crease Bavuma is on strike. Bavuma hit the very fast ball to the boundary and starts in an aggressive way. De Kock and Bavuma made England’s bowler to confused when De kock hit hat-trick sixes in Jordan’s over. This powerful strike move South Africa’s score to 60 in just 5 overs with an over left in the power play. When South Africa maintains run rate of 11 per over, Ben Strokes comes into attack in search of a breakthrough. Without any dis-appointment Strokes uproot the South African skipper De Kock’s wickets.
Buvama and dekock’s steady start
Heinrich Klaasen’s impressive 66
Soon in the next over Bavuma lose his wicket when he is one run away from his half century and return to pavilion. South Africa lost its openers who done their job in an excellent manner. Rassie van der Dussenc and Heinrich Klaasen paired up but Strokes with his slow ball chipped up van der Dussenc(11 off 9). South Africa lost three wickets for 113 at 11.2 overs. Klaasen and Miller paired up and with their steady batting work they added up 64 runs for the next wicket. when Heinrich Klaasen scored a magnificent 66 from 33 balls with 4×4 and 4×6 kept South Africa alive in the match. Miller stand undefeated in ground with a score of 35 from 20 balls and leads South Africa to score 222. Tom Curran and Ben Strokes pick two wickets each for England.
Heinrich Klaasen performance
Jos and Jonny makes a good start
With a tremendous score to chase down England set into batting. South Africa gets into joy when Ngidi pick the England’s dangerous player Jason Roy for just 7 runs. Jos Buttler and Jonny Bairstow join hands and starts in steady and fired up the score. At the end of power play England scored 62 for 1 wicket,in the next over bowled by Shamsi England gained 19 runs. Buttler with a boundary claims his half century in just 23 balls.
Jos Buttler and Jonny Bairstow impressive performance
Captain’s brillant knock
England’s brilliant chase down comes to an end when Buttler lose his wicket to Pretorius. Dawid Malan left handed batsman, comes to the crease and paired up with Bairstow. England continued their aggressive strike where Bairstow scored fifty with a boundary from 27 balls. Pretorius cannot believe when Bavuma one of the South Africa’s best fielder drops a catch of Malan. Andile Phehlukwayo comes in attack and cleaned up Bairstow’s wicket for 64 off 34 balls includes 4×7, 3×6. Captain Eoin Morgan and Strokes set in and leads, Strokes left the field when he lose his wicket for 22 runs from 12 balls. Moeen Ali with his boundary leads England towards their victory where Morgan stands undefeated in ground with an impressive 57 off 22 balls. With a back to back six in Ngidi’s over Morgan reach 50 that includes 7×6 with no boundaries and equals his own record of the fastest T20I fifty for England. England successfully chased down huge target with 5 balls to spare and leads the series.
Captain Eoin Morgan scored a brilliant unbeaten 57 from 22 balls as England chased down a massive victory target of 223 to win the final T20I against South Africa and secure a 2-1 series triumph.#SAvENG#SAvsENGpic.twitter.com/KM9tgAL2KP
Fastest fifty for England in T20Is:
21 Eoin Morgan v NZ, Napier 2019
21 Eoin Morgan v SA, Centurion 2020*
22 Jos Buttler v AUS, Birmingham 2018
22 Jason Roy v SA, East London 2020*
Highest successful chase by England in T20Is:
230 v SA Mumbai 2016
223 v SA Centurion 2020*
190 v SL Chattogram 2014
178 v IND Mumbai 2012
Captain’s view
Quinton de Kock | South Africa captain: Coming into this third T20 game, we knew it was going to be a good game. Looking at the surface we knew it was going to be a high scoring game. Obviously a great game but disappointed that we didn’t get over the line. I think it was mixed emotions (at the halfway mark). We were confident but we knew we had a job in hand, it was a great wicket. We felt it was just above par and a defendable total. They (the bowlers) tried their hearts out but it was unfortunate. I haven’t seen him yet, I am not too sure (Bavuma injured himself while fielding). There is only so much I can do about it, I am pretty calm and everybody is human, guys do tend to get it wrong. It is about going back and working hard and correcting those mistakes. As we get closer to the World Cup we have to be a lot clearer about our plans. For now, we are giving opportunities to one or two guys who deserve their chance.
Eoin Morgan | England captain : It was a hell of a game. We have to commend both sides. It was not the easiest grounds to bowl at. Our guys found it extremely tough at the start, Quinny came in and got them off to a flier, we didn’t really hold momentum from there. When any sides post 220 it is a tough ask. Going back to 2016 World T20 with this group of players, we chased down 230 against the South African side, there is always the belief going in at the halfway stage. If we can get a partnership going, we can be quite destructive and the guys up top really laid the platform. Extremely satisfying whenever I contribute to a win. It is a nice note to leave this tour on, leaving with silverware having drawn the ODI series. We have loved every minute of this tour. Everybody in South Africa has been so hospitable. The cricket that we have played has been so close and there has been nothing between the two sides. It has definitely been a hugely productive series.
Player of the match and Player of the series
Eoin Morgan(England)
Series : 136 runs (3 T20I) includes two half century.
3rd T20I : 57 not out off just 22 balls
“It creates belief that you can chase down anything and it reinforces what our method is in chasing big totals down,It’s a reference point to what we can do, there’s no limit on restricting yourself to certain things”.
Eoin Morgan player of the match and player of the series
The Indian Premier League is going to start in March last week and social media already begins to celebrate it. As an opening, Royal Challengers Bangalore’s post missing news set heat in social media.
On February 14 RCB release their new logo and new jersey which makes fans to get excite. The new logo is bolder with a red backdrop, golden lion and team’s name in black.
Speaking on the new RCB’s new logo, skipper Virat Kohli said: “LOGO ka kaam hai kehna. Thrilled to see our new @rcbtweets logo. It embodies the Bold pride and challenger spirit that our players bring to the field. Can’t wait for IPL 2020.”
RCB’s chairman, Sanjeev Churiwala, while addressing the media said: “The elements in the logo is a commitment to continuously entertain and engage with fans who are the force behind Royal Challengers Bangalore.”
“We believe a change in identity for the club was necessary to effectively live and breathe this vision and celebrate the passion for cricket and playing bold,” he added.
After the logo release from RCB officials Bumrah trolled their logo by commenting “their new logo looks like his bowling action”.
After an “eye for eye” whitewash series against New Zealand, India set to play two test matches. India whitewashed New Zealand in T20I(0-5) for which New Zealand whitewashed India in ODI(3-0) format.
Ravi Shastri on speaking to TOI from Hamilton,”We need 100 points to be in contention to play at Lord’s (in the World Test Championship final). Two overseas wins out of six Tests will keep us in good stead. We play six Tests overseas this year (two in NZ and four in Australia). So, that’s one objective. The other is to play like the world’s No. 1 Test team – because that’s what this team believes in more than anything else. On the Test front, that’s what we’re looking at.”
The objective is to play like the No. 1 Test team: @RaviShastriOfc 🏏#RaviShastri takes stock of #TeamIndia‘s New Zealand tour ahead of the red-ball leg
Ravi Shastri(Head coach of India) is excited to drag in some new faces and makes themselves count. Prithvi Shaw who returned to test match is expected to perform better to lock his position in the squad. Shubman Gill is expected to debut in the first test match at Hamilton. He also added “Both are supremely exciting talents. Regardless of who gets into the XI in Wellington, the fact of the matter is they’re here, part of India’s national squad, and from here on they should know that the sky remains the limit”.
When Shastri speak about Shubman Gill he says that Gill has been watching closely for the past two years by him along with the Indian captain Kohli and other senior members. “He’s phenomenally talented. His approach to batting is very clear and he exhibits a very positive mindset. That’s very exciting for a boy who’s just 20 going on 21,” says Shastri.
Either Shubman or Prithvi one will get into crease as opener along with Mayank Agarwal, he added “They’re all from the same school, you know. They love facing the new ball, enjoy a challenge. Rohit is unfortunately out (with a calf muscle injury) so that puts Shubman and Prithvi in contention to open with Mayank. That competition is necessary and that’s what makes a bunch of 15 look strong and stable”.
Prithvi Shaw and Agarwal
Team lose its core
When the topic move towards the ruled out players as Rohit Sharma is out of New Zealand tour due to his calf muscle injury. Also the absent of Shikhar Dhawan, Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Ishant Sharma cause a heavy levy as his team lose its core players. “Around four to five of our core are missing. Bhuvi could’ve been extremely useful in the conditions here, but never mind. That’s why I said, having options available are always in the best interests of the team,” says the head coach.
The responsibility has been loaded upon Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami as Ishant Sharma is not back with full fitness meanwhile Bhuvneshwar has not been fully recovered from injury. “That’s precisely how they’ve been managing their workload right now. The T20s were important because that’s the format that’s important this year and the next (because of the T20 World Cups). Test cricket is always paramount. We can only hope the rest of the boys return fully fit at the earliest,” he added.
According to Shastri “That 5-0 win could’ve been 3-2, 4-1. As we might acknowledge, the eventual result is what counts. The series was ours no doubt but the 5-0 sweep was like an icing. Now, the thing is how convincingly we can pull off matches like that. Bilaterals are the perfect space to try new things, mix things up, get in some new faces. That’s what we’ve been doing. Around four to five guys in the team right now are less than 22 years of age. It’s up to them how they take advantage of these opportunities coming their way.”
Shastri on KL Rahul
He also mentioned about KL Rahul who execute a glorious performance in the 3rd ODI against New Zealand.“It’s almost like he finds himself all the more involved because of the added responsibility. He’s in a great space and some rest will do him a world of good,” said Shastri.
Vihari saved India in practice test match against New Zealand
India’s top order failed
In the ongoing 1st practice test match between New Zealand and India at Hamilton, India started batting in first innings. Where the opener Prithvi Shaw and Mayank Agarwal return to pavilion without performing as expected. As India is in the number one position in test matches the performance from this duo scatters everyone belief. Prithvi Shaw lose his wicket when India not even scored a single run, followed by Agarwal(1) and the most expected Shubman Gill also lost his wicket in the very first ball.
Ajinkya Rahane return to pavilion when he scored just 18 off 30 balls, India now lose 4 wickets from scoring 38 runs in total. India now need a quick comeback from losing the wicket which is provided by the Vihari and Cheteshwar Pujara. This duo involved in 195 run stand off and provoked India from sinking. Pujara gone for 93 and Vihari who made a ton in the practice match return pavilion(retd out) for 101. After his wicket India got cleaned for 263 runs.
100+ run partnership comes up between Cheteshwar Pujara & Hanuma Vihari Keep going 💪
Vihari made an impressive performance and proved his presence that guides India towards a descent score. He comes up with an idea of opening the innings in the upcoming Tests against New Zealand, although he’s “not been informed anything” by the team management.
Vihari states : “You have to understand what shots to avoid on these pitches – initially at least,” Vihari said. “Then if you can control it in your mind then I feel it’s not so difficult to adjust. But once you have a certain gameplan and if you can stick to it, then I feel it’s easy enough to adjust.
“In international level, you have to be thinking on your feet. And I was quick enough to adjust my games according to the conditions so whenever I bat next, New Zealand or Australia, wherever it is, it is up to me what I want to do with my game and how quickly I adjust and I’m happy that I could do it.”
“Sometimes you have to understand the team combination as well,” Vihari explained. “You can’t get disheartened by it. I understood as well when you are playing at home, we play 5 bowlers. It’s obvious that one batter has to miss out. So I took it in my stride. And I thought when I bat next for my team, I’ll just go out there and follow my process and not try too much or not try to prove anyone but do my basics right and stick to my processes.”
He also opened for India before, at the MCG in 2018 after their regular openers went into a rut. In the last year’s West Indies tour he scored one hundred and two fifties in four innings. So Vihari can play in his own game or as per the team’s needs.
“We experienced that against New Zealand A as well. When the wicket flattens out, they try to experiment with the short balls and I’m sure even Neil Wagner will come up with the same ploy., We’ve seen it before in the Australian series and the home series for them. We are prepared for it. We’ve got that good experience in India A as well. They did come up with short balls when we played against New Zealand A. Today as well they bowled quite a number of short balls. It’s good exposure for us,” Vihari said.
Earlier this week post from Royal Challengers Bangalore’s social media accounts were removed by the officials. This made the fans to get confused and also make excite for the updates from RCB. Not only fans even players starts to tweet about their excitement towards the surprise updates. This event increase the hype over the RCB even before the IPL 2020 starts.
Earlier today Bangalore-franchise also had launched its new logo. Having Muthoot India as title sponsor and also in their front jersey RCB tweeted as #PlayBold #NewDecadeNewRCB”.The new logo is bolder with a golden lion,a red backdropand team’s name in black.
They also mentioned there’s more updates on behalf of the team which excites the fans even more. May be they have a name change as mentioned in tweet as “Bengaluru”.
RCB’s chairman, Sanjeev Churiwala, while addressing the media said: “The elements in the logo is a commitment to continuously entertain and engage with fans who are the force behind Royal Challengers Bangalore.”
“We believe a change in identity for the club was necessary to effectively live and breathe this vision and celebrate the passion for cricket and playing bold,” he added.
Speaking on the new RCB’s new logo, skipper Virat Kohli said: “LOGO ka kaam hai kehna. Thrilled to see our new @rcbtweets logo. It embodies the Bold pride and challenger spirit that our players bring to the field. Can’t wait for IPL 2020.”
Healy had a stellar 2019 and won the top awards for both ODIs and T20Is in the Australian Cricket Awards earlier this week. Australia captain Meg Lanning has backed star opener Alyssa Healy to put behind poor form and come good at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020.
Healy’s poor form
In the Australia women’s tri-series Healy failed to show off her performance. Though Australia won the trophy by beating India in finals Healy just scored 15 runs in five matches. In the tri-series against India and England, she returns pavilion with a sequence of 9, 1, 0, 1 and 4.
With single-digit scores in all the games, it has been a poor T20I tri-series for Alyssa Healy so far.pic.twitter.com/OOiCuHuKZz#AUSvEng
Despite of her poor performance Lanning believes that Healy would come back to World cup in perfect form. Lanning states “It hasn’t been ideal for Midge [Healy], but I along with the rest of the team are half expecting her to come out and whack it around in the first World Cup game”.
“I’m sure every bowler in the world is nervous about bowling to her because she’s definitely due. She’s fine, you go through patches in your career where you don’t make runs, and she takes the game on for us, so she’s going to take risks and sometimes that doesn’t come off.
“I’ve got full confidence she’ll play a big role for us in the World Cup and if it’s not her day, then it’s got to be someone else’s, we can’t rely on one player to win it for us. Midge’ll come around really quickly, she’s got a good attitude and she’s ‘keeping really well, which is great for the side, so we’re not too worried.”
— Australian Women’s Cricket Team 🏏 (@AusWomenCricket) February 13, 2020
Chance to shake off the rust
Before the initial match against India on 21st February in World cup Australia plays two warm-up games against West Indies in Brisbane and South Africa in Adelaide. Which have a chance to Healy to show her performance and make a come back in perfect form in World cup.
