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    Reports : Cricket Australia Writes Letter Requesting to Host T20 World Cup in 2021

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    Cricket Australia
    Cricket Australia

    Cricket Australia (CA) chairman Earl Eddings reportedly shot a letter to ICC’s Financial and Commercial Affairs Committee (F&CA) last week requesting that it should be granted rights to host the Men’s T20 World Cup in 2021 instead of 2022 citing financial interests.

    The F&CA is headed by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Ehsan Mani and also includes Eddings among others. BCCI, however, isn’t part of the committee.

    As per The Times of India, Eddings wrote “it would be detrimental for cricket if the cancellation of the “Australian event” (T20 World Cup) is replaced by award of the subsequent T20 World Cup in October/November 2022″.

    Also read : ICC Could Formalise T20 World Cup Postponement Today, October Window Likely For IPL 2020

    “Australia has thankfully managed to ‘flatten the (Covid) curve’, meaning there is greater certainty of being able to play in Australia in 2021 (which is key to maintaining member distributions). This would give India another year to resolve any Covid-related problems,” he wrote.

    CA says they had invested heavily in the women’s T20 WC earlier this year “to make it the success it was” and isn’t sure if it will continue to receive support from the government in light of the financial turmoil due to the coronavirus pandemic.

    The English daily further quoted sources as saying that BCCI may not have much issues in giving up the hosting rights for T20 World Cup next year as for it the commercial stakes aren’t as high as IPL.

    “Revenue from an ICC event is not really much compared to the stakes BCCI has in its T20 league and all other international cricket at home. So, if India really wants to do Australia a favour, why not?” the daily quoted sources as saying.

    ICC is scheduled to hold a meeting on Thursday where it could formalise the decision to postpone this year’s T20 World Cup and thus open up the October window for hosting IPL.

    I Would Have Loved to Play Against Virat Kohli, Right Guy to Lead Indian Cricket Forward: Ian Botham

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    Ian Botham and Virat Kohli
    Ian Botham and Virat Kohli

    Legendary England allrounder Ian Botham reckons that Virat Kohli is the right man to lead Indian cricket forward and that he would have enjoyed playing against him.

    Kohli is widely regarded as one of the finest batsmen of his generation and also known for his on-field aggression.

    “Virat takes the game to the opposition, he takes a stand for his players. I would have loved to play against him. He is the right guy to take Indian cricket forward,” Botham told The Times of India.

    Botham, who was part of the legendary allrounder quartet of the 1980s including Kapil Dev, Imran Khan and Richard Hadlee, says it was a privilege to have played during that era.

    “It was a privilege to play in that era. We spoilt the fans for around 10-15 years. I don’t think world cricket has seen so many allrounders rubbing shoulders at the same time. In every tour I used to see what Richard has done, what Kaps (Kapil) has done, what Immi (Imran) has done. There was a great rivalry,” the former England captain said.

    Also read : “We would have been the best of friends, but on the field” : Shoaib Akhtar Opens on Virat Kohli

    Botham scored over 7,000 runs and took more than 500 wickets during his international career and is considered as one of the greatest allrounders to have played the game.

    Allrounders, especially who are pace bowlers, have double the workload compared to others and Botham feels there isn’t anyone among the current lot who is capable of doing what the likes of Kapil did during his playing career.

    “All-rounders can’t be manufactured, they don’t grow on trees,” the 64-year-old said. “The workload is double and it obviously takes a toll on your body. Just imagine Kapil the amount of bowling he did on those Indian pitches, which had very little to offer, that too in the scorching heat of Chennai and Delhi. I can’t see anyone in the present generation being able to do that.”

    Botham termed England allrounder Ben Stokes as the best cricketer in the world currently and someone who is the closest version of himself.

    “Ben (Stokes) is better than a mile to Freddy (Andrew Flintoff). Ben Stokes is the closest version of me, he plays like me with his heart on his sleeve. Flintoff was good but Stokes is just exceptional. He is the best cricketer in the world now,” he said.

    ICC Could Formalise T20 World Cup Postponement Today, October Window Likely For IPL 2020

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    T20 World Cup Postponement
    T20 World Cup Postponement

    One of the major event of the year Men’s T20 World cup is in verge of postponing to 2022 as it could provide the required window for IPL 2020. The out break of coronavirus made the pre scheduled events to postpone without an option left.

    ICC scheduled Men’s T20 World cup later this year planned to host by Australia. In advance BCCI will host the 13th edition of cash rich Indian Premier League. Due to the out break of coronavirus the dreams of millions scattered.

    BCCI scheduled to host the IPL 2020 from March 29, then suspend till further notice amid lockdown due to coronavirus.

    Read also : “I’ll definitely request BCCI to consider this” : Pragyan Ojha Eyeing to Participate Overseas T20 leagues

    The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2020 in Australia could be formally postponed to 2022 as the board holds a tele-conference on Thursday meaning it will free up the October-November window for the lucrative IPL.

    “There is a good chance that postponement of World T20 will be decided during Thursday’s board meeting. Whether there will be a formal announcement or not is the question,” an unnamed ICC board member told PTI.

    “There is very little chance of World T20 going ahead in this situation. I don’t think either Cricket Australia or the top boards will mind,” he added.

    An ICC spokesperson has denied that the decision has been taken but said that “number of contingency plans are being explored in light of the rapidly changing public health situation caused by the COVID-19 virus.”

    “There are a few questions that need to be asked. The commercial viability of having a T20 World Cup in February-March 2021. Before that, an IPL in October-November window and another IPL in the March-May window,” a BCCI insider privy to the broadcast deals said.

    “So we are looking at three big-ticket tournaments in six months. In this current economic scenario, that will be a very bad call,” he added.

    The member boards are likely to prioritise bilateral engagements to recover the financial loss they have incurred or likely to incur in the absence of international cricket.

    “India is most certainly going to Australia and England is coming for a five-match series in India. As far as South Africa T20 series is concerned, let Cricket South Africa decide where they stand as far as ICC policy matters are concerned,” the source said.

    “With Chris Nenzani, BCCI will only believe when he puts pen to paper,” he added.

    For IPL to be held in October-November, a lot depends on the coronavirus situation in India. The BCCI could ban the entry of fans for the matches apart from using limited venues and increasing the number of double-headers to squeeze the league inside the five-week window.

    WATCH : “I know of another boy who had a similar grip”- Sachin Tendulkar Comment on Brain Lara’s Son Batting Style

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    Brain Lara's son Zende and Sachin Tendulkar childhood photo
    Sachin Tendulkar childhood batting grip and Brain Lara's son Zende batting grip style looks alike

    Former West Indies Cricketer Brain Lara shared a glipse of his son Zende who was learning to bat with a little help and some instructions from his mother. Brain Lara who is considered as one of the greatest batsman of all time holds several cricketing records, including the record for the highest individual score in first-class cricket, with 501 not out for Warwickshire against Durham at Edgbaston in 1994.

    Lara recently posted a video on his Instagram where his con seen learning to bat with some advice from his parents.

    Also read : Gautam Gambhir Picks Sachin Tendulkar Over Virat Kohli As Best ODI Batsman

    Lara was a southpaw but his son is a right-hander. “Look at the way he grips the bat, that tells me he wants to be a left-handed batsman,” the former West Indies cricketer wrote.

    Sachin Tendulkar’s reply to Lara’s post

    The video soon caught the attention of his good friend Sachin Tendulkar. The master blaster shared the pic of Lara’s son with a childhood picture of himself holding the bat in a similar manner.

    Also read : Ex- Australian Speedster Brett Lee Picks Sachin Tendulkar as Best Batsman and Jacques Kallis as most complete cricketer

    “@brianlaraofficial I know of another boy who had a similar grip and didn’t do too badly in international cricket,” Tendulkar wrote.

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    @brianlaraofficial I know of another boy who had a similar grip and didn’t do too badly in international cricket. 😋

    A post shared by Sachin Tendulkar (@sachintendulkar) on

    The West Indies legend then re-shared the picture, and replied, “I can see that @sachintendulkar and some of the best bowlers in the world felt that sword! Well I am not interfering then lol. Thanks for the advice. #rightvsleft #legend #mostruns #recordsmen.”

    Sachin Tendulkar and Brain Lara comparision

    Brain Lara Sachin Tendulkar
    ODI Innings 289 431
    ODI Matches 299 463
    ODI Runs 10405 18,426
    ODI 50s 63 95
    ODI Centuries 19 49
    Highest score (ODI) 169 200 not out
    Test Innings 232 271
    Test Matches 131 200
    Test Runs 11953 15,048
    Test 50s 48 62
    Test Centuries 34 51
    Highest score (Tests) 400 not out 248 not out

     

    “I’ll definitely request BCCI to consider this” : Pragyan Ojha Eyeing to Participate Overseas T20 leagues

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    Pragyan Ojha express his interest to play overseas T20 leagues
    Pragyan Ojha express his interest to play overseas T20 leagues

    Pragyan Ojha express his intention of playing in overseas T20 leagues. Ojha represented Deccan Chargers and Mumbai Indians in his nine-year long Indian Premier League career.

    Most recently, veteran batsmen in Suresh Raina and Robin Uthappa had also opined on the prospect of being granted permission by the BCCI to play in overseas T20 leagues. “I’m trying to go and play in some leagues outside India. Definitely, I’m looking to do that, hopefully, things work out.

    Pragyan Ojha’s interest to play overseas T20 league

    “It totally depends on if we can get permission from BCCI. I will talk to BCCI whenever the time comes. Right now nobody knows what’s happening. But I’ll definitely request BCCI to consider this, because I can go and play and enjoy myself,” Ojha said.

    Veteran spinner Harbhajan Singh had to withdraw his name from ECB’s The Hundred last year for he still is an active player for IPL franchise Chennai Super Kings.

    Former all-rounder Yuvraj Singh and fast bowler Manpreet Gony had represented Toronto Nationals in the second season of the Global T20 Canada last year but both did the same post announcing international retirement. With 33-year old Ojha also announcing his retirement, he should be able to play overseas without any objection.

    Yuvraj, who announced international retirement in June 2019, went on to represent Maratha Arabians in the Abu Dhabi T10 League as well. It was reported that Yuvraj would be joined by Ambati Rayudu and Irfan Pathan during the T10 League but that didn’t happen.

    Ojha Retirement

    The 33 year old Indian left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket with immediate effect. Pyagyan Ojha made his International debut in 2008 in the Asia Cup against Bangladesh.

    His T20I debut was also against the same opponent in the following year during the World T20 where he bagged four wickets which leads him to be named man of the match. He played only 18 ODIs and six T20Is in total and made his debut against Sri Lanka at home in 2009 and went on to pick more than 100 wickets.

    “It Will be Tougher For Bowlers to Find Their Rhythm After Lockdown”: Brett Lee

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    Brett Lee
    Brett Lee

    Australia legend Brett Lee reckons it will be tougher for the bowlers to get back into their groove once they resume training post lockdown.

    All professional cricket has been suspended for over two months now due to the coronavirus pandemic.

    Cricketers have been forced to train indoors unless they have access to areas isolated from general public. With lockdown restrictions being eased across the world, athletes are resuming training in bunches under strict personal hygiene and social distancing rules.

    ICC recently recommended a minimum preparation period of 8-12 weeks for bowlers returning to Test cricket, six weeks for ODIs and five-six weeks for T20I.

    Also read : Ex- Australian Speedster Brett Lee Picks Sachin Tendulkar as Best Batsman and Jacques Kallis as most complete cricketer

    “I think it’s hard on both batsmen and bowlers,” Lee said on Star Sports’ Cricket Connected when asked how the ongoing period of inactivity will impact players.

    But more than batsmen, Lee reckons, it will be the bowlers who are going to work harder and longer period of time to get back into rhythm.

    “Probably takes a bit longer for a bowler to try to find that form, because its normally a 6 to 8 week period where you get upto full pace again. Playing one day cricket or Test cricket, a good 8 weeks of leading and bowling at full pace to get into that match fitness. So, it will be a bit tougher for the bowlers,” said the former pacer who took over 700 wickets across formats during his international career.

    International cricketers in India, England and West Indies have returned to training recently.

    England’s 18 red-ball bowlers have started individual training from last week with West Indies following suit.

    In India, Shardul Thakur became the first cricketer to resume outdoor practice after government allowed sports complexes and stadiums to be reopened without fans. However, it hasn’t gone down well with the BCCI as Shardul reportedly didn’t seep the board’s permission.

    On This Day : Shane Watson Stars as CSK Clinch IPL 2018 Title After 2 Years Ban

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    Shane Watson helps CSK to win IPL 2018
    Shane Watson helps CSK to win IPL 2018

    On this day in 2018, Chennai Super Kings lift the IPL trophy for the 3rd time with the help of Shane Watson’s stunning performance. MS Dhoni led Chennai Super Kings plays after a couple of years ban for betting activities of their key official Gurunath Meiyappan during the 2013 season.

    Shane Watson dragged by CSK

    After an intense battle between DD, CSK and RCB, all-rounder Shane Watson finally joined the ranks of Chennai Super Kings for Rs 4 Cr. With an experience of over 100 games in the league, Watson is all set to strengthen the middle-order of Dhoni’s team.

    Watson was a part of the Rajasthan Royals since the inaugural season, in 2008. That IPL season also helped him make an improbable comeback to international cricket.

    With a new team CSK makes their way in 2018 Indian Premier League. Eyes were on the yellow team with sky high expectations to win the trophy for the third time. In the finals Chennai Super Kings lock their horns with Kane Williamsons led SunRisers Hyderabad for the fourth time ibn 2018 IPL.

    Also Read : Indian Former Cricketer Ajay Ratra Verdicts on MS Dhoni’s Return if IPL 2020 Cancelled

    Playing in front of a packed Wankhede Stadium, CSK won the toss and opted to field first. In 20 overs, SRH mustered 178 for six and it did not look to be a winning total. Skipper Kane Williamson top-scored with 47 off 36 balls, but it was a 25-ball 45 blitz from Yusuf Pathan that helped SRH get to a defendable total.

    Chasing 179 to win, experienced Shane Watson rose to the occasion and scored a brilliant 117* off 57 balls to take his side gun down the target with nine balls to spare. Watson’s innings comprised off eight sixes and 11 fours as his belligerence turned the contest into a one-man show. CSK won the match by eight wickets. It was a comprehensive win for the yellow brigade.

    Shane Watson scored a total of 555 runs in 15 matches he played in 2018 IPL with couple of century and half century.

    See the Chennai Super Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad Finals here :

     

    Ex- Australian Speedster Brett Lee Picks Sachin Tendulkar as Best Batsman and Jacques Kallis as most complete cricketer

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    Brett Lee's best batsman and most complete cricketer
    Brett Lee's best batsman and most complete cricketer

    Former Australian speedster Brett Lee on comparing Sachin Tendulkar and South Africa’s Jacques Kallis picks Tendulkar as greatest batsman and Jacques Kallis as most complete cricketer.

    Lee, a contemporary of Tendulkar, said he found that the Indian batsman always had extra time to negotiate his deliveries.

    “You think of Sachin Tendulkar, it just looked like he had more time,” Lee told former cricketer turned commentator Pommie Mbangwa.

    Also read : “It’s going to be very hard to implement I think” : Former Australian Speedster Brett Lee on Saliva Ban

    Lee, one of the fastest bowlers of his era, touched the 160 kmph mark and regularly clocked in excess of 140 kmph.

    “The best way to explain the meaning of time in cricket is that it felt like Sachin was batting on the return crease, batting next to the stumps, it just felt like he had more time to play against me, in my opinion he was the best batsman in the world,” he said of Tendulkar who is the most prolific run-getter in Test and ODI cricket histury.

    Tendulkar and Lara polarise opinions when it comes to debating the greatest batsman and for Lee the choice is clear.

    And the Australian, who took over 700 wickets during his international career, feels that former South Africa allrounder Jacques Kallis is the greatest complete cricketer.

    “Then you go on to Brian Lara, he was so flamboyant, it did not matter how quick you bowled against him, he could smash you in six different areas on the ground,” he said.

    “Lara and Sachin are neck to neck when you talk about greatest batsmen. In my opinion, Sachin is the greatest batsman, but the greatest complete cricketer in my opinion has to be Jacques Kallis,” he added.

    Brett Lee vs Tendulkar 

    Matches played: 42 (12 Tests, 30 ODIs).

    Times Lee dismissed Tendulkar: 14.

    Runs scored by Tendulkar: 2329 (six centuries, 11 fifties).

    Notable record created by Jacques Kallis

    Kallis is the only player in world to have scored over 10,000 runs and claimed more than 250 wickets in both ODI and Test cricket. He was also a useful slip fielder with 200 Test catches.

    Gautam Gambhir Picks Sachin Tendulkar Over Virat Kohli As Best ODI Batsman

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    best ODI batsman
    best ODI batsman

    Virat Kohli, who has scored 43 One-day International hundreds, often gets compared to Sachin Tendulkar and the debate has been going around for quite some time now. Gautam Gambhir, former India batsman, voiced his opinion on the discussion and said that he would pick Sachin Tendulkar over Virat Kohli as the best ODI batsman. While Kohli is closing in on Tendulkar’s record of most centuries in ODIs, Gambhir feels that the modern rules of using two new balls and five fielders inside the 30-yard circle makes batting easy for new batters.

    WATCH : Sachin Tendulkar Surprise His Family with Homemade Mango Kulfi on his 25th Wedding Anniversary

    Gambhir said that if longevity and flow of the ODI format is the benchmark, he will go with Sachin Tendulkar.

    “Sachin Tendulkar, because probably with one white ball and four fielders inside the circle, not five fielders outside, it will be Sachin Tendulkar for me,” said Gambhir on Star Sports’ show ‘Cricket Connected’.

    Gambhir lavished praise on Kohli for doing “phenomenally well” in the 50-over format.

    “It’s difficult because Virat Kohli has done phenomenally well but I think the rules have changed as well, which has helped a lot of new batters. The new generation, with 2 new balls, no reverse swing, nothing for the finger spin, five fielders inside for the 50 overs, probably that makes batting much easier,” Gambhir added.

    Also read : Reason To Call Sachin Tendulkar as GOD of Cricket : “The Man Who Stops the Time ” – Check Out the Incident

    Gambhir also mentioned that earlier, 230 to 240 used to be a winning total while now teams easily chase down targets in excess of 300.

    “Look at how Sachin Tendulkar has played, different rules, that time 230 to 240, was a winning total. Probably I’ll go with Sachin Tendulkar if we see the longevity and flow of the one-day cricket format,” Gambhir concluded.

     

     

    Yuvraj Singh Shares Throwback Photo from Pre-mobile Era with VVS Laxman, Virender Sehwag, Ashish Nehra

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    Yuvraj Singh with Ashish Nehra VVS Laxman and Virender Sehwag

    Former Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh has shared a throwback picture with his former teammates including Ashish Nehra, VVS Laxman and Virender Sehwag. The snap, which was clicked in a pre-mobile phone era, shows all the four people standing at a telephone booth.

    Captioning the photo, on a rather witty note, he wrote, “When your parents don’t pay your mobile phone bill after a bad performance! #throwback to days without (mobile)”.

    The post, till now, has got more than four lakh likes. Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh has also commented on the post, saying, “Free call?”. Replying to Bhajji, Yuvraj said, “@harbhajan3 calling card Sri Lanka to India! Hanji mata I’ve reached and Ashu probably saying Abbey Sunn @rd.nehra I’ve reached. An main match ke baad phone karunga chase bye”.

    Also read : “U can tag me and mahi also”: Yuvraj Singh Replied to Ravi Shastri’s Tweet on 9th year anniversary of India’s WC triumph

    Actress Neha Dhupia too has commented on the much viral photo, saying “This is one of the coolest images I have seen in a long time”.

    Yuvraj Singh reveals the relationship with IPL franchise KXIP

    Yuvraj Singh has opened up on his time with the IPL franchise Kings XI Punjab saying he didn’t have a good experience of playing for them and wanted to leave them.

    Yuvraj, fresh from his exploits at the 2007 ICC World T20 in South Africa, was one of the five cricketers to be given the status of ‘icon players’ for the inaugural season of IPL. After a superb first season where he led KXIP to the semi-finals as captain, he left the franchise in 2011 for the newly introduced Pune Warriors India.

    “One place I wanted to run away was KXIP,” Yuvraj said on YouTube channel Sportscreen. “Every time I wanted a player, they did not give me. It was amazing when I left they had bought the same players. I was just like captain for the sake of it. I loved playing for Punjab but wanted to get away from that franchise.”

    Yuvraj went on to play for PWI, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Delhi Daredevils, Sunrisers Hyderabad and finally Mumbai Indians. He won IPL titles with SRH and MI before announcing his international retirement in 2018.

     

    KL Rahul Reveals the Toughest Bowler to Keep Wickets in Twitter Q&A Session

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    KL Rahul reveals the toughest bowler to keep wickets

    The raising star KL Rahul who hit the Indian cricket squad list for the replacement of former captain MS Dhoni reveals the toughest bowler to keep wickets. KL Rahul points out his own team mate Jasprit Bumrah as the toughest bowler to keep wickets to in the international cricket.

    The 28-year-old recently took to his official Twitter handle and engaged in a Question and Answers sessions with his fans.

    “Hey guys it’s time for a Q&A session.So hit me up with your questions using #askkl.Looking forward to your questions,” Rahul tweeted.

    Also read : Bollywood Actresses React To KL Rahul’s “Mind Gone, Hair Gone” Instagram Post

    During the session one of his follower in twitter asks him to reveal the name of the toughest bowler to keep and also ask him whether he is enjoying wicketkeeping.

    Replying to the same, Rahul said that he is absolutely enjoying his new role of wicketkeeping while adding that Bumrah is the toughest bowler to keep to.

    “Absolutely enjoying wicketkeeping. The toughest bowler to keep to is @Jaspritbumrah93,”he wrote.

    Meanwhile, another user asked Rahul to reveal the name of his all-time favourite batsman.

    The wicketkeeper-batsman said that it is got to be former South African skipper AB de Villiers.

    When asked about his favourite tennis player, Rahul said it is 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer.

    KL Rahul vs Rishabh Pant

    On comparing KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant one of the Indian wicket keeper Parthiv Patel picks KL Rahul as best. As MS Dhoni’s name is in oscillation and not yet confirmed for T20 world cup squad many suggest KL Rahul’s name for MSD’s replacement as wicket keeper batsman.

     

    WATCH : Sachin Tendulkar Surprise His Family with Homemade Mango Kulfi on his 25th Wedding Anniversary

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    Sachin Tendulkar's homemade mango kulfi

    The batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar celebrated his 25th wedding anniversary on Monday and decided to make this occasion even more special for his family members by preparing a sweet dish for them.

    The cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar bags a numerous records under his name which still stands a dream for many leading cricketers. On 14 November 1987, the 14-year-old Tendulkar was selected to represent Bombay in the Ranji Trophy, India’s premier domestic First-class cricket tournament, for the 1987–88 season.

    In 1992, at the age of 19, Tendulkar became the first overseas-born player to represent Yorkshire, which prior to Tendulkar joining the team, never selected players even from other English counties.

    Also read : Reason To Call Sachin Tendulkar as GOD of Cricket : “The Man Who Stops the Time ” – Check Out the Incident

    Sachin Tendulkar plays cricket along with three generation players and also been a part of team where India scripts history.

    The 47 year old decided to surprise his family members by preparing “Mango Kulfi”. “A Surprise for our Wedding Anniversary. Made this Mango Kulfi as a surprise for everyone at home on our 25th wedding anniversary,” Tendulkar wrote on Instagram.

     

    View this post on Instagram

     

    Made this Mango Kulfi as a surprise for everyone at home on our 25th wedding anniversary. 🥭 ☺️

    A post shared by Sachin Tendulkar (@sachintendulkar) on

    Sachin Tendulkar’s move towards coronavirus relief fund

    Former India cricketer Sachin Tendulkar made a generous donation in the fight against coronavirus pandemic by financially aiding 4000 underprivileged people, including children. Hi5 Youth Foundation hailed Tendulkar for the contribution.

    Also read : Sachin Tendulkar’s List of 100 Centuries with Full Details Across All Formats

    Sachin Tendulkar has donated Rs 50 lack to the corona virus relief fund on March 27. “Sachin Tendulkar decided to contribute Rs 25 lakh each to Prime Minister’s Relief Fund and Chief Minister’s Relief Fund in his bid to join the fight against COVID-19. It was his decision that he wanted to contribute to both funds,” PTI quoted a source closed to the development.