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    Play : “A game of ‘Book Cricket’ to celebrate WorldBookDay – Check Your Score

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    Times of Sports
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    ICC's book cricket grabs netizens attention, fans share scores on World Book Day
    ICC's book cricket grabs netizens attention, fans share scores on World Book Day

    World Book Day – a day to celebrate prominent literary figures like William Shakespeare’s whose birth and death anniversary falls on this day, along with Miguel de Cervantes and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega’s death anniversary.

    The day celebrated on April 23, is to remember books as numerous alternate forms of entertainment are available which requires far less concentration and involvement than reading.

    Now giving this day a twist of cricket, the International Cricket Council (ICC) gave the opportunity to netizens to play a game of ‘Book Cricket’.

    Also read : “Hopefully we get to see all three tournaments operate” : Brendon McCullum on IPL 2020, Men’s T20 World cup and Women’s WC

    The ICC taking to Twitter, captioned the video, “A game of ‘Book Cricket’ to celebrate #WorldBookDay! Tap the GIF six times, and tell us your score at the end of the over!’World Book Day’. Click on this image six times and tell us what your score was in the over”.

    The pages of the book keep turning and netizens were asked to pause the video and screengrab the scores like four, six, or bold, caught out. Fans were needed to share the total score by the end of an over.

    As for cricket, due to the coronavirus pandemic, no matches are taking place. The Indian Premier League (IPL) has been postponed indefinitely till further notice due to the coronavirus. Not just the IPL, chances of the Men’s T20 World Cup also being postponed are high.

    WATCH : On This Day AB de Villiers Scored Maiden T20 Century vs CSK in Durban.

    Earlier Indian skipper Virat Kohli opened up saying that his marriage to Bollywood superstar Anushka Sharma has brought out a lot of change in him.

    “Hopefully we get to see all three tournaments operate” : Brendon McCullum on IPL 2020, Men’s T20 World cup and Women’s WC

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    Times of Sports
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    Brendon McCullum hints at T20 World Cup getting postponed
    Brendon McCullum hints at T20 World Cup getting postponed(Image: CNZ)

    Former New Zealand captain and Indian Premier League franchise Kolkata Knight Riders coach Brendon McCullum has spoken against playing the forthcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2020 in Australia behind closed doors.

    McCullum’s opinion matches that of Australia all-rounder Glenn Maxwell, who has also commented against playing the showpiece event without spectators.

    Speaking during a podcast for Sky Cricket alongside former New Zealand batsman Ian Smith and pacer Simon Doull, McCullum said that an ICC event without spectators would call for huge financial loss.

    “The ICC and world cricket need crowds to operate but India can probably sustain things commercially behind closed doors because they are going to get so many eyeballs.

    “For Australia to move 16 international teams plus all of their support staff and then broadcasters, seems a bridge too far. I can’t see them playing the T20 World Cup behind closed doors,” McCullum was quoted as saying.

    Also read : Actual Reason Behind the Decision of “Chris Woakes pull out of IPL 2020”

    Brendon McCullum hints at T20 World Cup getting postponed

    Furthermore, McCullum opined that the T20 World Cup might get postponed to accommodate the 13th season of the Indian Premier League. Originally scheduled to begin on March 29, IPL 2020 has been postponed until further notice.

    McCullum, 38, hoped that the upcoming three major tournaments in the IPL, T20 World Cup and ICC Women’s ODI World Cup (in February 2021) see the daylight. If the IPL manages to find the October-November window, the World Cup might shift to January and the Women’s World Cup might also face slight delay.

    Having talked against playing T20 World Cup behind closed doors, McCullum supported the idea for IPL 2020 as he believes that the BCCI should be able to generate a hefty amount through the broadcaster which might not be the case during the T20 World Cup.

    “I think the IPL will try and target that October window and the T20 World Cup will get pushed back. That may mean the Women’s World Cup gets pushed back but hopefully we get to see all three tournaments operate.

    “There may be a window a bit later in the new year of 2021 [for T20 World Cup] which could then open up a window for the IPL [in October and November]. You’d have to move some overseas players for the IPL but with the broadcasters based in India, it is a lot easier to pull it all together,” McCullum said.

    Actual Reason Behind the Decision of “Chris Woakes pull out of IPL 2020”

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    Times of Sports
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    Delhi Capitals Chris Woakes pull out of IPL 2020
    Delhi Capitals Chris Woakes pull out of IPL 2020(Image: IPL)

    Keeping international cricket at the helm, England all-rounder Chris Woakes has kept other options open especially the ones which will see him playing in T20 leagues across the globe.

    “I want to play as much cricket as I can moving forward while looking after my body. My England career is No.1 but if opportunities come up, I’d still like to play in them,” Woakes was recently quoted as saying by The Cricketer.

    Having last played a T20 20 months ago and a T20I almost half-a-decade ago, 31-year old Woakes admits that his chances of playing the ICC T20 World Cup in Australia later this year are grim unless he registers an “unbelievable summer”.

    “At the minute, it doesn’t quite look like I’m going to get a go in T20 [for England] unless something drastic happens in terms of injuries. I’d probably have to have had an unbelievable summer,” Woakes said.

    Why did Delhi Capitals’ Chris Woakes pull out of IPL 2020?

    Woakes, who has picked 25 wickets in 18 IPL matches for Kolkata Knight Riders and Royals Challengers Bangalore in the past, was bought by Delhi Capitals at his base price of INR 1.5 crore for the 13th season of the Indian Premier League.

    While it was earlier reported that Woakes had pulled out of the cash-rich league to extend England career, he has now revealed that the decision was more because of personal reasons.

    “In hindsight, I probably didn’t need to pull out. I didn’t say it at the time but we’re expecting another baby in September and that added to the decision.

    “My wife wasn’t well at home. The idea of being away from home for three months was going to be too much. Family had to come first,” Woakes added after IPL 2020 has been postponed until further notice.

    Supporting the views of veteran India spinner Harbhajan Singh and Australia spearhead Pat Cummins but opposition the views of Australia all-rounder Glenn Maxwell, Woakes agreed to play behind closed doors once situation regarding coronavirus pandemic improves.

    Before concluding, Woakes also mentioned that players will be needing a specified time period to get their act together before returning back to top-level cricket.

    “At least, give the public something to watch and hopefully entertain some who are missing it a lot. We’d want a three-week block (of preparation) to get overs in your legs to be able to back up a 20-over day in a Test. But again that might not be possible either. So I think two weeks would probably be the minimum,” Woakes concluded.

    Muttiah Muralitharan no-ball controversy: What really happened when Ross Emerson had called Muralitharan for throwing?

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    Times of Sports
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    Muttiah Muralitharan no-ball controversy
    Muttiah Muralitharan no-ball controversy

    Back in the day, legendary Sri Lanka spinner Muttiah Muralitharan was accused of “throwing” during two consecutive tours of Australia by the same set of umpires. Happening for the second time, the incident ended up becoming one of the greatest controversies ever witnessed in the sport.

    During the Benson & Hedges Series 1995-96, Australia, West Indies and Sri Lanka were fighting a tough battle. In the seventh match between Sri Lanka and West Indies, Sri Lanka were bundled out for 102 in 45.2 overs after winning the toss.

    Nonetheless, this was not the only setback which the Sri Lankans received. During West Indies’ innings, umpire Tony McQuillan called Muttiah Muralitharan’s off-breaks as no-balls citing “throwing” as the reason. Muralitharan subsequently had to bowl leg-spin deliveries to complete his over.

    A 23-year old Muralitharan had to miss the rest of the tournament. ICC hired officials from the biomechanics sector to look into the matter. Muralitharan had to go through various tests and came back with a re-modelled action.

    Muttiah Muralitharan no-ball controversy

    Sri Lanka toured Australia for the Carlton & United Series involving host Australia and England in 1998-99. January 23, 1999, saw exactly what happened three years ago. The same duo of umpires in McQuillan and Ross Emerson again called Muralitharan for throwing.

    But this time the Sri Lanka captain in Arjuna Ranatunga did not resort with the umpires. The fact that the ICC officials had cleared Muralitharan turned strongly against the umpires. Ranatunga, in the middle of the ground, was seen involving in an animated cum aggressive chat with Emerson. It seemed as if both the parties were adamant to stick to their notions.

    Ranatunga finally led his players off the field in a protest against the umpires. Ranjith Fernando, manager of the Sri Lankan team, intervened in between and convinced Ranatunga to continue with the match. While Muralitharan completed the innings with bowling figures of 7-0-46-0, Emerson wasn’t allowed to officiate in the remaining matches of the tournament.

    It took an audacious Ranatunga to do what he did on that day. His body language was the proof that Sri Lanka would not bow down to unfair umpiring decisions. He couldn’t see anything unfair happening to a bowler who, by then, had 200-odd test wickets under his belt. For all we know, he was the first one to realize that Muralitharan’s career was at stake. Who knows what would have happened had Muralitharan been handed a suspension or a ban at that stage of his career?

    The consequences of the altercation could have been severe on Ranatunga’s personal career. Yet, he fought for his bowler, which brings us to the conclusion that a captain has to step-up for his team on such an occasion to ensure that his players are also given a fair chance.

    WATCH : On This Day AB de Villiers Scored Maiden T20 Century vs CSK in Durban

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    Times of Sports
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    AB de Villiers scored maiden IPL century against Chennai Super Kings in 2008(Image: IPL)
    AB de Villiers scored maiden IPL century against Chennai Super Kings in 2008(Image: IPL)

    On this day in 2009, former Delhi Daredevils (now Capitals) batsman AB de Villiers had struck his maiden T20 century during the ninth match of the second season of the Indian Premier League against Chennai Super Kings in Durban.

    After the then Delhi captain Virender Sehwag won the toss and opted to bat, de Villiers came in to bat at No. 3 in the first over as opening batsman Gautam Gambhir (0) was dismissed on the first ball itself.

    It was on the second delivery of the fourth over when de Villiers opened his arms for the first time in the form of a six off Chennai pacer Manpreet Singh Gony. de Villiers then played second fiddle to Tillakaratne Dilshan (50), who scored his maiden IPL half-century in a brisk 68-run stand for the second wicket.

    Ab de Villiers impressive ton

    De Villiers, then 25, took onus on himself once Delhi lost wicket-keeper batsman Dinesh Karthik (18) in the 18th over. It was on the first delivery of the 16th over that de Villiers ran a couple of runs off Gony to complete his half-century.

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

    When CSK all-rounder Albie Morkel dropped a sitter at long-on on the following delivery, de Villiers made sure that he punished the opposition on the back of an onslaught which saw him converting his half-century into a century in only 15 balls.

    AB de Villiers scored maiden T20 century

    In the 17th and 18th over, de Villiers hit boundaries off Morkel and Gony but it was in the penultimate over that the right-hand batsman scored a couple of fours and sixes off Super Kings all-rounder Andrew Flintoff to reach the three-figure mark for the first time in the tournament.

    Having scored 105* (54) with the help of five fours and six sixes, de Villiers propelled Delhi to 189/5 in 20 overs. While Chennai got off to a quickfire start due to opening batsman Matthew Hayden’s (57) fourth IPL half-century, economical spells from Pradeep Sangwan (4-0-28-3) and Daniel Vettori (4-0-29-2) restricted them to 180/9 in 20 overs.

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

    De Villiers, who has registered three IPL centuries till date, had scored 671 runs in 29 IPL matches for Delhi at an average of 31.95 and a strike rate of 117.31. Apart from his century, he had also scored three half-centuries for DD before joining Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2011.

    In addition to his maiden T20 century at Kingsmead, de Villiers has scored 267 runs in 10 T20s at the venue at an average of 33.38 and a strike rate of 156.14.

    “Have learned bit patience ever since I and Anushka met each other” : Virat Kohli on Wife’s Influence on his Life

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    Times of Sports
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    Virat Kohli reveals that his Wife Anushka Sharma Influence on his Life
    Virat Kohli reveals that his Wife Anushka Sharma Influence on his Life

    The Indian skipper Virat Kohli opened up saying that his marriage to Bollywood superstar Anushka Sharma has brought out a lot of change in him.

    The couple were speaking about their lives and careers in an online session with students. They spoke about how to get motivated where Kohli credited Anushka for improving his temperament.

    “To be honest the patience bit I have learned ever since I and Anushka met each other. I was very impatient before,” said Kohli.

    Met during an shampoo advertisement

    The couple had met in 2013 when they were filming for a shampoo advertisement. “The learnings from one another that we have had, looking at her personality, looking at her composure in situations has really inspired me to fight it out,” Kohli said.

    “Even when things are tough you have to swallow your ego and keep being there in adversity, keep fighting your way out, and eventually you will find a way,” he added. “So that’s what I have seen her do and I have learnt from that.”

    The batsman also spoke about how he applied the learnings when he feels situations are going against him. “Sometimes you have to bat in a Test match for two hours for 20 runs but the team wants you do that. So you should be able to do that,” he said.

    Also read : “Times when you crave attention” : Sakshi Dhoni Shares Photo of Dhoni in Lock down Period

    The cricketer spoke about the time he faced rejections in state selections. “The first time I was rejected in the state selections, I remember it was late at night and I just cried. I howled till about three in the morning and I could not believe it ,” Kohli said.

    “Because I scored well, everything was going perfectly for me. I performed till I reached that stage and I was rejected,” he said.

    Anushka screaming “Aye Kohli, chowka mar na,”

    Earlier Anushka Sharma took to her Instagram handle to show us how she was trying her best to see that her husband does not miss the cricket field, during this lockdown. She is seen screaming at Kholi saying, “Aye Kohli, chowka mar na,” which when translated reads, Kohli hit a 4. This is something we all have heard from one fan or the other while watching a match at a stadium.

    “Maybe the World Cup is postponed but the final decision lies with the ICC” : Pakistan’s Imam-ul-Haq on T20 WC

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    Times of Sports
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    'Playing cricket without crowd would look odd': Pakistan's Imam-ul-Haq on having T20 World Cup behind closed doors
    'Playing cricket without crowd would look odd': Pakistan's Imam-ul-Haq on having T20 World Cup behind closed doors

    The men’s T20 world cup has been planned to host by Australia later this year. Due to the rapid spread of deadly corona virus the scheduled sports event has been called off globally.

    Earlier Australia successfully host the women’s T20 world cup where Australia women’s took the trophy. The out break of corona virus almost cancelled all the scheduled sports event globally.

    The International Cricket Council (ICC) Chief Executive, Manu Sawhney said that the elite body will be consulting the Australian government about the Men’s T20 World Cup 2020.

    Seeing the possibility of cricket matches in empty stadiums, Pakistan’s opening batsman Imam-ul-Haq on Wednesday said that if the upcoming T20 World Cup happens behind closed doors, the tournament would end up losing its charm.

    “Playing cricket without crowds would look odd. If T20 World Cup takes place, then I think it should take place in front of crowds. I think if it happens behind closed doors, then it would lose its charm but the final decision lies with the ICC. Maybe the World Cup is postponed. The safety of players and crowd needs to be looked at as well,” Imam-ul-Haq told reporters in a video conference.

    Also read : List of Players Who Could Lose Their Slot in T20 World Cup if IPL 2020 Cancelled.

    As for International Cricket Council (ICC) Chief Executive Manu Sawhney, he said that the elite body will consult the Australian government regarding the Men’s T20 World Cup 2020.

    “In relation to ICC events, including the ICC Men`s T20 World Cup, we will continue to take advice from experts and authorities, including the Australian government. We will utilise all of the data and information available to us to ensure we can take responsible decisions around all competitions at an appropriate time that are in the best interests of our sport,” Sawhney said in a statement.

    Also read : “MS Dhoni is a big big player” : Harbhajan Singh Passes Verdict on MS Dhoni’s Participation in ICC T20 WC

    Dean Jones Prediction

    Fans are also enjoying this un expected break and chance to interact with their most loved sports personalities. Now, as all cricket lovers look forward to ICC Men’s World Cup 2020 for their entertainment. Recently, an Indian cricket fan took to his Twitter handle to post his query. The fan questioned cricket experts to pick four semi-finalists in the upcoming World T20 in Australia. 

    “I am still waiting for that elusive call from CSK” : Dinesh Karthik Reveals How it Feels When CSK Roped Dhoni in 2008

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    Times of Sports
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    Dinesh Karthik Reveals How it Feels When CSK Roped Dhoni in 2008
    Dinesh Karthik Reveals How it Feels When CSK Roped Dhoni in 2008

    Former Indian skipper MS Dhoni has led Chennai Super Kings to 8 finals out of the 10 seasons they have played in the Indian Premier League.

    MS Dhoni has several IPL records to his name.

    In April 2019, MS Dhoni became the 1st captain to win 100 matches in the Indian Premier League when he led Chennai Super Kings to a 4-wicket victory over Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur. During a thriller against Royal Challengers Bangalore, MS Dhoni became the 1st Indian to hit 200 sixes in the Indian Premier League. He hit 7 sixes in a career-best 84 not out off 48 balls but Chennai Super Kings lost the game by 1 run.

    Recalling the heartbreaking story from 2008, the wicketkeeper-batsman said it’s been 13 years and he is still waiting for a call from Chennai Super Kings (CSK).

    Karthik believed he would be CSK’s first pick as he was a big name already and was playing for the national side.

    “In 2008, I was in Australia and the auction was happening. In the lead up to that, I was convinced that the biggest name from Tamil Nadu who is also playing for the country…I’m sure they (Chennai Super Kings) are going to pick me. The question is whether they are going to make me the captain or not…that was going on in my head. And the first name they picked as Dhoni, for 1.5 million and he was sitting right around the corner with me. And he didn’t even tell me that they are going to pick him.

    “Probably he didn’t know. But that was the biggest dagger to my heart. So I thought that they would pick me later. It’s been 13 years and I am still waiting for that elusive call from CSK,” said Karthik while picking his all-time IPL XI during a conversation with Cricbuzz.

    Dinesh Karthik debuted in ODI and Test before MSD. He played in IPL with the following teams:

    2008–2010 ; 2014 Delhi Daredevils

    2011 Kings XI Punjab

    2012–2013 Mumbai Indians

    2015 Royal Challengers Bangalore

    2016–2017 Gujarat Lions

    2018–present Kolkata Knight Riders

    Average in successful chases

    MS Dhoni

    In successful chases since 2015, Dhoni has played in 52 matches and has scored runs at a splendid average of 91.50.

    Dinesh Karthik

    In successful chases since 2015, Karthik has scored runs at an out-of-the-world average of 272 runs.

    Not out percentage

    MS Dhoni

    Dhoni has a not out percentage of 25.7% in the 70 innings he has played since 2015.

    Dinesh Karthik

    Karthik has a not out percentage of 47% in the 17 innings he has played since 2015

    Stability provided

    MS Dhoni

    Dhoni has scored three half-centuries in 12 innings. He has scored 50-plus scores in 25% of the innings he has batted in at number 4.

    Dinesh Karthik

    Karthik has scored three half-centuries in 9 innings. He has scored 50-plus scores in 33% of the innings he has batted in at number 4.

    Average at number 4

    MS Dhoni

    Dhoni has an average of 40.72 while batting at number 4 since 2015.

    Dinesh Karthik

    Karthik has an average of 52.80 while batting at number 4 since 2015.

    Most dismissals by wicket-keeper in IPL History

    Player Team Span Dis Mat Cat Stumps
    MS Dhoni CSK, RPS 2008-2019 132 190 94 38
    Dinesh Karthik DD, KXIP, MI, GL 2008-2019 131 182 101 30
    Robin Uthappa RCB, PWI, MI, KKR 2008-2019 90 171 58 32
    Parthiv Patel CSK, KTK, DC, SRH, MI,RCB 2008-2019 82 137 66 16
    Naman Ojha RR, DD, SRH 2009-2018 75 113 65 10
    WP Saha CSK, KKR, KXIP, SRH 2008-2018 74 120 55 19
    Adam Gilchrist DC, KXIP 2008-2013 67 80 51 16
    Kumar Sangakkara KXIP, DC, SRH 2008-2013 43 71 34 9
    RR Pant DD, DC 2016-2019 41 54 30 11
    Q de Kock DD, MI, RCB, SRH 2013-2019 36 50 28 8
    SV Samson RR, DD 2013-2019 28 62 24 4
    KL Rahul KXIP, RCB, SRH 2013-2019 27 60 22 5
    MS Bisla KXIP, KKR 2010-2014 24 39 17 7
    KM Jadhav DD, KTK, RCB 2010-2019 23 65 16 7
    SP Goswami KKR, RR, RCB, SRH 2008-2018 22 29 15 7

    “I’ve been playing some PUBG” : Prithvi Shaw Reveals How He Is Spending Time Amid Coronavirus Lockdown

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    Times of Sports
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    Prithvi Shaw Reveals How He Is Spending Time Amid Coronavirus Lockdown
    Prithvi Shaw Reveals How He Is Spending Time Amid Coronavirus Lockdown

    Mumbai batsman Prithvi Shaw is one of the best young talents in the country. The right-hander broke several records on his Test debut. Prithvi Shaw became the youngest player to score a 50-plus score on debut for India. Prithvi Shaw was also the second youngest to score a Test century for India.

    The time spent away from cricket while serving a doping ban was nothing short of “torture” for him but young India batsman Prithvi Shaw said it also made him hungrier or runs. The talented 20-year-old was suspended by the BCCI in July last year until November 15 for “inadvertently” ingesting a prohibited substance, commonly found in cough syrups.

    “It was a mistake. And the period away from cricket was a torture,” Shaw said while interacting with fans during an Instagram Live session on his IPL franchise Delhi Capitals’ official handle.

    “Doubts and questions arise, but I kept the faith and belief. I spent some time in London where I was working on my fitness, as I wasn’t allowed to bat anywhere. When the ban got over, and I returned to domestic cricket, I was hungrier than before.

    “I picked up my bat and realised I hadn’t lost my touch at all. If anything, that time off made me a more determined person,” he said.

    Talking about the importance of mental health during the unprecedented health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Shaw said the key is to stay patient.

    “A lot of us don’t have patience for things in life, so now is a great time to work on it. Everyone should find something to do that they like, and work towards perfecting that. That process in itself will help one grow calmer and become more patient,” he said.

    Asked how he has been spending time during the nationwide lockdown, Shaw said, “I’ve been working out a bit indoors and shadow practicing to maintain my fitness levels.

    “I’ve also been helping my father in the kitchen. I can cook eggs quite well, and I’m trying to learn a few new things. I’ve been playing some PUBG too.”

    Talking about Delhi Capitals’ good run in the last IPL season as the team qualified for the play-offs after a seven-year gap, Shaw said the side was “like a family.”

    “We had Ricky (Ponting) sir, Dada (Sourav Ganguly), (Mohammad) Kaif sir to help us with anything – the environment was perfect.”

    Recalling an incident from the 2019 season, Shaw said Ponting once scared him by ordering him to take 10 rounds of the Feroz Shah Kotla ground after he reported slightly late for a pre-training team meeting.

    “I was looking for some new spikes in the dressing room that day and reached the ground a bit late. I completed the entire training – fielding and batting sessions – and had no energy left to run 10 rounds of the ground.

    “Luckily, I didn’t have to. Turns out Ricky sir just wanted to scare me off for my late attendance that day,” he said.

    WATCH : On This Day Sachin Tendulkar smashed 14th ODI century vs Australia in Sharjah

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    Times of Sports
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    Sachin Tendulkar smashed 14th ODI century vs Australia in Sharjah
    Sachin Tendulkar smashed 14th ODI century vs Australia in Sharjah

    On this day in 1998, Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar had smashed his 14th ODI century against Australia to make sure that India qualify for the final match of the Sharjah Cup played at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

    Irrespective of the time and medium, anyone who has watched Tendulkar’s innings can confirm that it was one of the greatest innings that he played during his international career.

    After the then Australia captain Steve Waugh won the toss and chose to bat, Australia put on board 284/5 in 50 overs on the back of Michael Bevan playing exceedingly well for his 101 (103) with the help of nine fours.

    While India needed 285 runs to win initially, they required 254 runs to pin down New Zealand’s net run rate qualify for the final. There was not an iota of doubt that Tendulkar would have to lead India to the target and what happened is fondly remembered as history.

    Tendulkar’s attacking instincts witnessed him going after the Australian fast bowlers from the word go. In addition to the usual quintessential shots played by the batsman, Tendulkar frequently stepped down the track to hit the opposition bowlers down the ground.

    Sachin Tendulkar smashed 14th ODI century

    Tendulkar, who was a couple of days short of his 25th birthday, completed his half-century in the 22nd over. Apart from India losing wickets at regular intervals, a desert storm affected their chase duly.

    The revised target required India to chase a 276-run target in 46 overs. With Tendulkar and VVS Laxman coming out to bat, India needed to score 237 runs to qualify for the final.

    It was in the 39th over that Tendulkar reached the three-figure mark amidst a sensational applause from the spectators who were watching a batting masterpiece in front of them.

    Before getting out against Australia pacer Damien Fleming in the 43rd over, Tendulkar scored 143 (131) with the help of nine fours and five sixes and ensured that India qualify for the final.

     

    WATCH : On This Day Shane Watson scored maiden T20 century vs CSK in Chennai

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    Times of Sports
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    Shane Watson scored maiden T20 century vs CSK in Chennai
    Shane Watson scored maiden T20 century vs CSK in Chennai

    On this day in 2013, the then Rajasthan Royals all-rounder Shane Watson had scored his maiden T20 century against Chennai Super Kings during the 30th match of the sixth season of the tournament in Chennai.

    After the then Rajasthan captain Rahul Dravid won the toss and chose to bat, Watson hit the first ball of the innings for a four through midwicket after CSK all-rounder Dwayne Bravo let the ball pass through his legs.

    On the first delivery of Mohit Sharma’s second over, Watson stood his ground to elegantly hit the bowler over his had for a six. Having hit a four in the same over, Watson then targeted Chennai all-rounder Chris Morris by hitting him for a six and a four in the fifth over.

    Watson, then 31, played a dominant role in a 71-run opening partnership alongside Ajinkya Rahane (16). Super Kings captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni another all-rounder in Ravindra Jadeja in the seventh over brought no respite as Watson hit him for a four and a six to welcome him.

    While Watson crossed the 50-run mark in this over, it was also a period when RR started to lose wickets. All-rounder Stuart Binny coming out to bat eased the pressure off Watson as he hit Jadeja for two more sixes in the 17th over.

    Shane Watson scored maiden T20 century

    It was on the second delivery of the 18th over that Watson ran a couple of runs off Bravo to complete his maiden century in the tournament. It is worth mentioning that it was also the first century of IPL 2013.

    While Watson would have loved to get going till the end, he was dismissed on the next delivery as he hit a Bravo delivery straight to Michael Hussey at extra cover. Watson scoring 101 (61) with the help of six fours and six sixes played a titular role in Royals scoring 185/4 in 20 overs.

    Watson’s first century in the format ended up in a losing cause as a 90-run partnership for the second wicket between Chennai opening batsman Hussey (88) and vice-captain Suresh Raina (51) laid the foundation of a 5-wicket victory.

    WATCH : Steve Smith Enhances Hand-Eye Coordination With Isolation Batting

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    Times of Sports
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    Steve Smith Enhances Hand-Eye Coordination With Isolation Batting
    Steve Smith Enhances Hand-Eye Coordination With Isolation Batting

    Australia batsman Steve Smith is making sure he keeps honing his skills even though no cricketing activities are currently taking place due to coronavirus pandemic. Steve Smith, much like every other cricketer, is spending time at home as the coronavirus wreaks havoc worldwide. Cricketers are using social media as a medium to interact with their fans during the ongoing health crisis.

    Recently, Steve Smith welcomed the forced break by the coronavirus pandemic but remained optimistic about going back on the field. At home with his family during the isolation period, Smith is working on improving his hand-eye coordination through isolation batting.

    Steve Smith’s hand-eye coordination

    “Nice little exercise that we can do at home to improve our skills, particularly the hand-eye coordination,” said Smith in the 50-second long video on Instagram on Wednesday.

    He then takes a tennis ball and hits it against a wall numerous times while focussing on the bat face and his feet movement.

    “Just a little bit of #isobatting to keep up the hand-eye coordination #cricketdrill #stayhome #stayactive,” he captioned the video.

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    Just a little bit of #isobatting to keep up the hand-eye coordination #cricketdrill #stayhome #stayactive

    A post shared by Steve Smith (@steve_smith49) on

    Smith opens about his “toughest” bowler

    The number one Test batsman, Smith, who recently dethroned Indian skipper Virat Kohli from No.1 position from ICC test ranking also named Ravindra Jadeja as the toughest bowler he has faced in the subcontinent.

    “Jadeja in the sub-continent… why he is so good because, he hits that good length and one ball skids on and one spins, and it just all looks same out of the hand. I think consistency in length is key and then having at least one variation,” he said.

    Under normal circumstances, Smith would have been currently playing for the Rajasthan Royals in the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) which currently stands “indefinitely suspended” because of COVID-19.

    As a result of the coronavirus pandemic which has so far claimed more than 1.7 lakh lives across the world, a spate of series and tournaments, including the IPL 2020, Australia’s tour of Bangladesh, South Africa’s tour of Sri Lanka and Bangladesh’s tour of Ireland have been postponed indefinitely.

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