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

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    Sachin Tendulkar Breaks Silence on Hosting Matches Behind Closed Doors
    Sachin Tendulkar Breaks Silence on Hosting Matches Behind Closed Doors

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Wassan picked Dhoni as the better captain over Ganguly

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Michael Hussey endorses MS Dhoni fit to play for India

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Top 8 Best ODI Innings of Sachin Tendulkar

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

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

    Best ODI Innings of Sachin Tendulkar

    143 v Australia, Sharjah, 1998

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

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

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

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

    140 v Kenya, World Cup, 1999

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

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

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

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

    134 v Australia, Sharjah, 1998

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

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

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

    175 v Australia, Hyderabad, 2009

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

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

    98 v Pakistan, World Cup, 2003

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

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

    117* v Australia, Sydney, 2008

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

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

    200 v South Africa, Gwalior, 2010

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

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

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

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

    82 v New Zealand, Auckland, 1994

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

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

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

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

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

    Rohit Sharma’s view on ICC World Cup success

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Five-star Rohit Sharma

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

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

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

     

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

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    Zimbabwe registered lowest ODI score vs Sri Lanka
    Zimbabwe registered lowest ODI score vs Sri Lanka

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

    Zimbabwe collapsed as they loose wicket at earlier

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Zimbabwe- Holds record for lowest run

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

    Zimbabwe registered lowest ODI score vs Sri Lanka

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

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

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

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

    Chennai Super Kings batting

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

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

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

    Mumbai Indian’s batting

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

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

    Raina – bags “Man of the Match”

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

    CSK beat Mumbai Indians to lift maiden IPL trophy

     

    IPL : Shane Watson reminiscences playing under MS Dhoni at CSK

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    Shane Watson reminiscences playing under MS Dhoni at CSK
    Shane Watson reminiscences playing under MS Dhoni at CSK

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

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

    Also read : “MS Dhoni is still fit to play international cricket” : CSK Batting Coach Michael Hussey

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

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

    Shane Watson reminiscences playing under MS Dhoni at CSK

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

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

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

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

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

     

     

    “Will PCB delay Asia Cup to fit in IPL 2020?” : CEO Wasim Khan Clarifies

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    Asia Cup
    Rohit Sharma and Sarfaraz Ahmed with Asia Cup Trophy(Image: ACC)

    Pakistan Cricket Board CEO Wasim Khan has lent support to the notion of playing this year’s ICC T20 World Cup in Australia behind closed doors in the wake of the novel COVID-19 pandemic.

    “The T20 World Cup might be played behind closed doors because if we don’t play T20 World Cup each board potentially stands to lose between 15 and 20 million dollars,” Khan was quoted as saying by GTV News Channel.

    While there have been many speculations regarding the future of the World Cup, no official statement has been passed with respect to whether it will be delayed or conducted sans spectators.

    It is worth mentioning that Australia all-rounder Glenn Maxwell and Pakistan batsman Imam-ul-Haq have voiced against playing a World Cup without spectators.

    Will PCB delay Asia Cup to fit in IPL 2020?

    Speaking in this interview after representing Pakistan in yesterday’s ICC Chief Executives virtual meeting, Khan mentioned that the Indian representative didn’t highlight the issue regarding IPL 2020 getting a new slot in the international calendar.

    Addressing reports that the Asia Cup might be delayed to fit in the 13th season of the Indian Premier League, Khan cleared his stance that the PCB won’t support that decision.

    “Our stance is absolutely clear, the Asia Cup is set for September and the only reason it should not take place is continued health safety issues. We will not accept that the Asia Cup is moved to accommodate the IPL.

    “I have heard that there is talk to move the Asia Cup to November-December but for us that is not possible. If you move the Asia Cup you are making way for one member nation and that is not right and it will not have our support,” Khan said.

    This year’s Asia Cup was slated to be a predecessor for the T20 World Cup. With Pakistan slated to host Zimbabwe and tour New Zealand in November-December, it will become difficult for them to play Asia Cup in this window.

    It is worth mentioning that the Asia Cup 2020 was originally scheduled to be played in Pakistan but was subsequently moved to the UAE as political tension between Pakistan and India won’t allow the latter to travel to Pakistan.

    “MS Dhoni is still fit to play international cricket” : CSK Batting Coach Michael Hussey

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    CSK Batting Coach Michael Hussey endorses MS Dhoni fit to play for India
    CSK Batting Coach Michael Hussey endorses MS Dhoni fit to play for India(Image: CSK)

    Had it not been for the novel COVID-19 pandemic, former Australia batsman Michael Hussey would have been performing his duty of a batting coach of Indian Premier League franchise Chennai Super Kings.

    With the 13th season of the IPL getting postponed until further notice, Hussey remains in Australia with no certainty of returning back to India for the cash-rich league.

    Speaking during a live session on social media platform Instagram alongside Super Kings, Hussey opined that the sport will undergo several changes due to global crisis.

    “I believe it won’t be the same. The amount of money spent on programmes and people will reduce. It all depends on how much cricket is lost around the world,” Hussey was quoted as saying on Instagram.

    Also read : Dinesh Karthik Reveals How it Feels When CSK Roped Dhoni in 2008 instead of him.

    Michael Hussey endorses MS Dhoni fit to play for India

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

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

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

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

     

    Best Birthday Wishes for Sachin Tendulkar: Virat Kohli, IPL teams and others post heartening wishes on Tendulkar’s 47th Birthday

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    Virat Kohli, IPL teams and others post heartening wishes on Sachin Tendulkar’s 47th Birthday
    Virat Kohli, IPL teams and others post heartening wishes on Sachin Tendulkar’s 47th Birthday

    Born in 1973, Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar has turned 47 today. Having made his international debut at the age of 16 in 1989, Tendulkar went on to achieve unprecedented paradigms during his 24-year old international career.

    Considering the massive fan-following of the legendary batsman, wishes are expected to come from all corners of the world.

    While there is no hiding to the certitude that the right-hand batsman has plentiful batting records to his name, one must not ignore the fact that he has 201 international wickets across formats under his belt.

    In 664 international matches across formats, Tendulkar has scored 34,357 runs at an average of 48.52 including 100 centuries and 164 half-centuries.

    Tendulkar, who won the Arjuna Award for his outstanding achievements in cricket in 1994, went on to receive Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award in 2014.

    Tendulkar, who retired from international cricket in 2013, was seen rewinding the clock twice this year. While a shoulder injury didn’t allow Tendulkar to take part in the Bushfire Relief Match, the coach of Ponting XI batted for an over against Australian all-rounder Ellyse Perry during the innings break.

    Named the captain of India Legends in the World Road Safety Series, Tendulkar registered scores of 36 and 0 before the novel COVID-19 pandemic postponed the tournament. Had it not been the global crisis, Tendulkar would have continued his mentor role at Indian Premier League franchise Mumbai Indians.

    Best Birthday Wishes for Sachin Tendulkar

    ICC to review FTP program till 2023, discussions regarding future of Men’s T20 World Cup to be held at later date

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    T20 World Cup Postponement
    T20 World Cup Postponement

    The International Cricket Council (ICC) held the Chief Executives’ Committee (CEC) meeting via conference call and all agreed that the disrupted FTP program would need to be collectively reviewed till 2023.

    This is in view to reschedule as much of the cricket matches that have been postponed due to COVID-19 as possible.

    As for the World Test Championship and the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League, the discussion for the same will take place later.

    Members came together to consider the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the sport.

    During the call, the CEOs of the 12 Full Members and three Associate representatives confirmed their full commitment to work in partnership and address the challenges. The CEC was updated on the continuing contingency planning for all ICC global events, including the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2020 and the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2021.

    Planning for both events as currently scheduled is ongoing. Discussions and decisions on this and the future of both the World Test Championship and the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League will be held at a later date when there is a greater understanding of the impact of the cricket that has been lost on the competitions.

    ICC Chief Executive Manu Sawhney said: “I am grateful to my fellow CEOs for their clear commitment to a unified approach to steering cricket through this pandemic. We will work in partnership for the best outcomes for the sport in relation to both ICC events and bilateral cricket.”

    “We agreed on the importance of making well informed, responsible decisions in relation to the resumption of international cricket. The complexities involved in being able to stage ICC global events are extensive to ensure we protect the health and safety of everyone involved and they will be carefully considered before any decisions are arrived at in the best interests of the game,” he added.

    Chair of the ICC Medical Committee, Dr. Peter Harcourt provided a general medical update to the meeting.

    “The situation is rapidly evolving and full of significant risk as there is still a lot to learn about COVID-19 which can make decision making difficult. The ICC Medical Committee is working with Member medical representatives to build a comprehensive picture of the issues cricket is facing,” he said.

    “Our next step is to create a roadmap for the resumption of international cricket which will include criteria for decision making and a checklist for what needs to happen. This will consider everything from player preparation to government restrictions and advisories and bio-bubbles,” he added.