<p class="MsoNormal">The Maharashtra government on Monday paved the way for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 to take place in the COVID-19-struck Mumbai while allowing teams to practice after 8pm and travel back to their respective hotels during the night curfew that has been imposed to curb the spread of the dreaded virus. <o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Due to a record surge of COVID-19 cases in Mumbai and Maharashtra, the state government on Sunday announced night curfew&nbsp;from 8pm to 7am on weekdays under their ‘Break the Chain’ initiative. The guidelines are to be implemented from this evening.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">However, the state government has exempted IPL teams from their latest announcement while allowing them to practice beyond 8 pm, provided there is "strict adherence to bio-bubble". The IPL 2021 starts in Chennai on April 9.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">"Considering the match-timings, teams practicing at the CCI and MCA are scheduled to practice in 2 sessions -- from 4pm to 6.30pm and 7.30pm to 10pm," wrote Srirang Gholap, Under Secretary of the Disaster Management, Relief and Rehabilitation department, in a letter issued to the BCCI.</p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/pakistan-super-league-6-bio-secure-bubble-was-compromised-on-several-occasions-pcb-375525" hreflang="en">Pakistan Super League 6 bio-secure bubble was compromised on several occasions: PCB</a></strong></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Mumbai is due to host 10 IPL 2021 matches at the Wankhede Stadium and nine of them are to start at 7:30 pm. The first game at the Wankhede is due on April 10 between Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Mumbai recorded more than 11,000 COVID-19 cases on Sunday.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">"...permission has been requested for teams and the IPL staff (to) be allowed to practice inside the grounds after 8pm and they may be allowed free movement from the ground to their respective hotels after the said time.</p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/im-not-batting-today-ricky-ponting-opens-up-on-prithvi-shaws-refusal-to-train-during-ipl-2020-375517" hreflang="en">'I'm not batting today': Ricky Ponting opens up on Prithvi Shaw's refusal to train during IPL 2020</a></strong></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">"Accordingly, permission is being hereby accorded for the said request subject to scrupulous adherence to the bio-bubble," stated the letter, according to PTI.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">In a related development and a major relief to the Mumbai Cricket Association, it is learnt that most of the Wankhede's 10 ground-staff members, who had earlier tested positive for the virus, have now tested negative.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">(From PTI inputs)<o:p></o:p></p>


The Maharashtra government on Monday paved the way for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 to take place in the COVID-19-struck Mumbai while allowing teams to practice after 8pm and travel back to their respective hotels during the night curfew that has been imposed to curb the spread of the dreaded virus.

The Maharashtra government on Monday paved the way for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 to take place in the COVID-19-struck Mumbai while allowing teams to practice after 8pm and travel back to their respective hotels during the night curfew that has been imposed to curb the spread of the dreaded virus. Due to a record surge of COVID-19 cases in Mumbai and Maharashtra, the state government on Sunday announced night curfew from 8pm to 7am on weekdays under their ‘Break the Chain’ initiative. The guidelines are to be implemented from this evening. However, the state government has exempted IPL teams from their latest announcement while allowing them to practice beyond 8 pm, provided there is "strict adherence to bio-bubble". The IPL 2021 starts in Chennai on April 9. "Considering the match-timings, teams practicing at the CCI and MCA are scheduled to practice in 2 sessions -- from 4pm to 6.30pm and 7.30pm to 10pm," wrote Srirang Gholap, Under Secretary of the Disaster Management, Relief and Rehabilitation department, in a letter issued to the BCCI. ALSO READ: Pakistan Super League 6 bio-secure bubble was compromised on several occasions: PCB Mumbai is due to host 10 IPL 2021 matches at the Wankhede Stadium and nine of them are to start at 7:30 pm. The first game at the Wankhede is due on April 10 between Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals. Mumbai recorded more than 11,000 COVID-19 cases on Sunday. "...permission has been requested for teams and the IPL staff (to) be allowed to practice inside the grounds after 8pm and they may be allowed free movement from the ground to their respective hotels after the said time. ALSO READ: 'I'm not batting today': Ricky Ponting opens up on Prithvi Shaw's refusal to train during IPL 2020 "Accordingly, permission is being hereby accorded for the said request subject to scrupulous adherence to the bio-bubble," stated the letter, according to PTI. In a related development and a major relief to the Mumbai Cricket Association, it is learnt that most of the Wankhede's 10 ground-staff members, who had earlier tested positive for the virus, have now tested negative. (From PTI inputs)

Maharashtra government clears deck for IPL, allows franchises to practice after 8pm at Wankhede Stadium

<p class="MsoNormal">An independent fact-finding committee of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed that the bio-secure bubble for Pakistan Super League (PSL 6) was compromised on several occasions and the protocols were broken during the course of the tournament.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">The two-member committee of COVID-19 experts was established by the PCB to investigate the PSL 6 bio-bubble and what went wrong during the T20 tournament.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">The final report by Dr Syed Faisal Mahmood and Dr Salma Muhammad Abbas was submitted to the PCB chairman Ehsan Mani on March 31 with the report stating that the PSL 6 bubble was compromised several times.</p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/leave-qdk-alone-tabraiz-shamsi-jumps-in-de-kocks-defence-after-controversial-fakhar-zaman-run-out-375500" hreflang="en">'Leave QDK alone': Tabraiz Shamsi jumps in de Kock's defence after controversial Fakhar Zaman run-out</a></strong></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">The PCB chief is now expected to go through the report and share the details with other PCB board members before a final call is taken on the matter.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">However, media reports from Pakistan has said that the findings of the committee didn’t blame any individual but confirmed that the bio-secure bubble was compromised on several occasions in Karachi.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">The report also said that the independent committee made recommendations on how the PCB can ensure a safe bio-secure bubble for PSL 6 when the tournament resumes in June.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">The PSL 6 was postponed mid-way by the PCB in March following rising in COVID-19 cases. Some of the foreigners and local players along with officials had tested positive for the dreaded coronavirus.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/what-does-crickets-law-book-say-on-fakhar-zaman-quinton-de-kock-run-out-incident-375466" hreflang="en">What does cricket’s law book say on Fakhar Zaman-Quinton de Kock run-out incident?</a></strong></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Notably, the report said that the experts had called in PCB officials about breaches during the PSL 6 but the authorities didn’t respond in time.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">The PCB has said it would take action against those found to be responsible for breaching the protocols.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Dr Sohail Saleem, head of the PCB's medical and sports sciences department, had resigned after the PSL was postponed on March 4.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>


An independent fact-finding committee of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed that the bio-secure bubble for Pakistan Super League (PSL 6) was compromised on several occasions and the protocols were broken during the course of the tournament.

An independent fact-finding committee of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed that the bio-secure bubble for Pakistan Super League (PSL 6) was compromised on several occasions and the protocols were broken during the course of the tournament. The two-member committee of COVID-19 experts was established by the PCB to investigate the PSL 6 bio-bubble and what went wrong during the T20 tournament. The final report by Dr Syed Faisal Mahmood and Dr Salma Muhammad Abbas was submitted to the PCB chairman Ehsan Mani on March 31 with the report stating that the PSL 6 bubble was compromised several times. ALSO READ: 'Leave QDK alone': Tabraiz Shamsi jumps in de Kock's defence after controversial Fakhar Zaman run-out The PCB chief is now expected to go through the report and share the details with other PCB board members before a final call is taken on the matter. However, media reports from Pakistan has said that the findings of the committee didn’t blame any individual but confirmed that the bio-secure bubble was compromised on several occasions in Karachi. The report also said that the independent committee made recommendations on how the PCB can ensure a safe bio-secure bubble for PSL 6 when the tournament resumes in June. The PSL 6 was postponed mid-way by the PCB in March following rising in COVID-19 cases. Some of the foreigners and local players along with officials had tested positive for the dreaded coronavirus. ALSO READ: What does cricket’s law book say on Fakhar Zaman-Quinton de Kock run-out incident? Notably, the report said that the experts had called in PCB officials about breaches during the PSL 6 but the authorities didn’t respond in time. The PCB has said it would take action against those found to be responsible for breaching the protocols. Dr Sohail Saleem, head of the PCB's medical and sports sciences department, had resigned after the PSL was postponed on March 4.

Pakistan Super League 6 bio-secure bubble was compromised on several occasions: PCB

<p>The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Sourav Ganguly on Sunday provided an update on the schedule of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 amid a spike in COVID-19 cases in India. The IPL 2021 is scheduled to commence on April 9 but with India registering over 1 lakh coronavirus cases, questions were raised whether IPL 2021 would go ahead as per schedule. Ganguly has now cleared the air regarding the doubts.</p>

<p>Ganguly’s comments come after the Maharashtra government announced weekend lockdown to curb the spread of the dreaded COVID-19.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Everything will go on as per schedule," Ganguly told ANI.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Maharashtra is set to undergo strict weekend lockdown from Friday 8pm to Monday 7 am, said state Cabinet Minister Nawab Malik adding that essential services and basic transportation such as buses, trains and taxis will be allowed.<br />
Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium is to host 10 IPL 2021 matches from April 10-25 with the first match scheduled to be played on April 10 between Delhi Capitals and three-time winners Chennai Super Kings.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/what-does-crickets-law-book-say-on-fakhar-zaman-quinton-de-kock-run-out-incident-375466" hreflang="en">What does cricket’s law book say on Fakhar Zaman-Quinton de Kock run-out incident?</a></strong></p>

<p>Four franchises -- Delhi Capitals, Mumbai Indians, Punjab Kings, and Rajasthan Royals have set up their base in Mumbai as of now. Whereas the fifth Mumbai-based franchise Kolkata Knight Riders will move to Chennai after playing their season opener against SunRisers Hyderabad on April 11.</p>

<p>The BCCI is also mulling players’ vaccination ahead of the showpiece T20 tournament. The BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla has said that the board will get in touch with the Health Ministry for players' vaccination.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ipl-2021-rajeev-shukla-confident-that-tournament-will-go-ahead-without-any-problem-375327" hreflang="en">IPL 2021: Rajeev Shukla confident that tournament will go ahead 'without any problem'</a></strong></p>

<p>"In order to cope with this coronavirus rise, I think the only solution is to get vaccinated. BCCI is also thinking on those lines that players should be vaccinated. Nobody knows when coronavirus is going to end and you can't give a deadline that by this time frame, it will not be there so players can play easily. So, I think now will have to think over that. Vaccination should be done for the players also," Shukla told ANI.&nbsp;</p>

<p>IPL 2021 is set to start from April 9 with RCB taking on MI in the season opener in Chennai.</p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>


The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Sourav Ganguly on Sunday provided an update on the schedule of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 amid a spike in COVID-19 cases in India.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Sourav Ganguly on Sunday provided an update on the schedule of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 amid a spike in COVID-19 cases in India. The IPL 2021 is scheduled to commence on April 9 but with India registering over 1 lakh coronavirus cases, questions were raised whether IPL 2021 would go ahead as per schedule. Ganguly has now cleared the air regarding the doubts. Ganguly’s comments come after the Maharashtra government announced weekend lockdown to curb the spread of the dreaded COVID-19. "Everything will go on as per schedule," Ganguly told ANI. Maharashtra is set to undergo strict weekend lockdown from Friday 8pm to Monday 7 am, said state Cabinet Minister Nawab Malik adding that essential services and basic transportation such as buses, trains and taxis will be allowed. Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium is to host 10 IPL 2021 matches from April 10-25 with the first match scheduled to be played on April 10 between Delhi Capitals and three-time winners Chennai Super Kings. ALSO READ: What does cricket’s law book say on Fakhar Zaman-Quinton de Kock run-out incident? Four franchises -- Delhi Capitals, Mumbai Indians, Punjab Kings, and Rajasthan Royals have set up their base in Mumbai as of now. Whereas the fifth Mumbai-based franchise Kolkata Knight Riders will move to Chennai after playing their season opener against SunRisers Hyderabad on April 11. The BCCI is also mulling players’ vaccination ahead of the showpiece T20 tournament. The BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla has said that the board will get in touch with the Health Ministry for players' vaccination. ALSO READ: IPL 2021: Rajeev Shukla confident that tournament will go ahead 'without any problem' "In order to cope with this coronavirus rise, I think the only solution is to get vaccinated. BCCI is also thinking on those lines that players should be vaccinated. Nobody knows when coronavirus is going to end and you can't give a deadline that by this time frame, it will not be there so players can play easily. So, I think now will have to think over that. Vaccination should be done for the players also," Shukla told ANI. IPL 2021 is set to start from April 9 with RCB taking on MI in the season opener in Chennai.

BCCI president Sourav Ganguly provides update on IPL 2021 scheduling amid spike in COVID-19 cases

<p>Delhi Capitals coach and former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting on Monday revealed that Prithvi Shaw refused to bat at nets when he was going through a torrid run of form during Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 in the UAE while hoping that the youngster has changed his training approach ahead of IPL 2021, scheduled to start from April 9.</p>

<p>While Shaw averaged just 17.53 in 13 matches during IPL 2020, the youngster has roared back to form during the Indian domestic season in 2021.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Ponting has said that he tried to help Shaw out with his technical frailties with the bat but added that the youngster didn’t want to bat at nets when he was completely out of form during IPL 2020 as he said he couldn’t really work that theory out.</p>

<p><strong>TRENDING:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/watch-thala-ms-dhoni-unleashes-monstrous-sixes-at-csk-nets-ahead-of-ipl-2021-375510" hreflang="en">Watch: 'Thala' MS Dhoni unleashes monstrous sixes at CSK nets ahead of IPL 2021</a></strong></p>

<p>"I've tried (taking Shaw under his wing) the last two years and I've really enjoyed working with him," Ponting told cricket.com.au before departing for India. "I've had some really interesting chats with him through last year's IPL, just trying to break him down, trying to find out exactly what was the right way to coach him and how I was going to get the best out of him.</p>

<p>"But he had an interesting theory on his batting last year – when he's not scoring runs, he won't bat, and when he is scoring runs, he wants to keep batting all the time.</p>

<p>"He had four or five games where he made under 10 and I'm telling him, 'We have to go to the nets and work out (what's wrong)', and he looked me in the eye and said, 'No, I'm not batting today'.</p>

<p>"I couldn't really work that out.</p>

<p>"He might have changed. I know he's done a lot of work over the last few months, that theory that he had might have changed, and hopefully it has, because if we can get the best out of him, he could be a superstar player."</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/bcci-president-sourav-ganguly-provides-update-on-ipl-2021-scheduling-amid-spike-in-covid-19-cases-375485" hreflang="en">BCCI president Sourav Ganguly provides update on IPL 2021 scheduling amid spike in COVID-19 cases</a></strong></p>

<p>With Delhi Capitals skipper Shreyas Iyer out of IPL 2021 due to shoulder injury, DC would hope that Shaw fires all cylinders with the willow. In the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Shaw hammered a staggering 827 runs including four centuries in eight innings. The change in form came after the Test tour of Australia, where he was dropped after the opening Test. Shaw had admitted that he felt "worthless" and suffered the "saddest day of my life" when he got the news of losing his spot.</p>

<p>"I was going pretty hard at him," said the former Australia captain. "I was basically telling him, 'Mate you've got to get in the nets. Whatever you think you're working on, is not working for you'."</p>

<p>"It's my job as a coach to challenge someone's preparation if they're not getting results. So I challenged him and he stuck to his word and he didn't practice much at all towards the back-end of the tournament, and didn't get many runs towards the back-end of the tournament either."</p>

<p>Shaw’s batting technique was scrutinized by many including the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and Ponting, who believes Shaw has the ability to become a superstar. Ponting further said that he hasn’t seen many more talented players than Shaw in his entire career.</p>

<p>"Maybe (his training habits) have changed for the better, because (his success) won't just be for the Delhi Capitals, I'm sure you'll see him play a lot of cricket for India as well in the coming years," said Ponting.</p>

<p>"He's diminutive … in the (Sachin) Tendulkar sort of mould but hits the ball incredibly powerfully off front and back foot, and plays spin really well.</p>

<p>"If we can get him to take that form that he's just shown into the IPL, it just makes the balance on our Delhi Capital side so good.</p>

<p>"If (the penny) does drop – I'm not sure I've seen many more talented players than him in my whole time of playing the game."</p>


Delhi Capitals coach and former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting on Monday revealed that Prithvi Shaw refused to bat at nets when he was going through a torrid run of form during Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 in the UAE while hoping that the youngster has changed his training approach ahead of IPL 2021, scheduled to start from April 9.

Delhi Capitals coach and former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting on Monday revealed that Prithvi Shaw refused to bat at nets when he was going through a torrid run of form during Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 in the UAE while hoping that the youngster has changed his training approach ahead of IPL 2021, scheduled to start from April 9. While Shaw averaged just 17.53 in 13 matches during IPL 2020, the youngster has roared back to form during the Indian domestic season in 2021. Ponting has said that he tried to help Shaw out with his technical frailties with the bat but added that the youngster didn’t want to bat at nets when he was completely out of form during IPL 2020 as he said he couldn’t really work that theory out. TRENDING: Watch: 'Thala' MS Dhoni unleashes monstrous sixes at CSK nets ahead of IPL 2021 "I've tried (taking Shaw under his wing) the last two years and I've really enjoyed working with him," Ponting told cricket.com.au before departing for India. "I've had some really interesting chats with him through last year's IPL, just trying to break him down, trying to find out exactly what was the right way to coach him and how I was going to get the best out of him. "But he had an interesting theory on his batting last year – when he's not scoring runs, he won't bat, and when he is scoring runs, he wants to keep batting all the time. "He had four or five games where he made under 10 and I'm telling him, 'We have to go to the nets and work out (what's wrong)', and he looked me in the eye and said, 'No, I'm not batting today'. "I couldn't really work that out. "He might have changed. I know he's done a lot of work over the last few months, that theory that he had might have changed, and hopefully it has, because if we can get the best out of him, he could be a superstar player." ALSO READ: BCCI president Sourav Ganguly provides update on IPL 2021 scheduling amid spike in COVID-19 cases With Delhi Capitals skipper Shreyas Iyer out of IPL 2021 due to shoulder injury, DC would hope that Shaw fires all cylinders with the willow. In the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Shaw hammered a staggering 827 runs including four centuries in eight innings. The change in form came after the Test tour of Australia, where he was dropped after the opening Test. Shaw had admitted that he felt "worthless" and suffered the "saddest day of my life" when he got the news of losing his spot. "I was going pretty hard at him," said the former Australia captain. "I was basically telling him, 'Mate you've got to get in the nets. Whatever you think you're working on, is not working for you'." "It's my job as a coach to challenge someone's preparation if they're not getting results. So I challenged him and he stuck to his word and he didn't practice much at all towards the back-end of the tournament, and didn't get many runs towards the back-end of the tournament either." Shaw’s batting technique was scrutinized by many including the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and Ponting, who believes Shaw has the ability to become a superstar. Ponting further said that he hasn’t seen many more talented players than Shaw in his entire career. "Maybe (his training habits) have changed for the better, because (his success) won't just be for the Delhi Capitals, I'm sure you'll see him play a lot of cricket for India as well in the coming years," said Ponting. "He's diminutive … in the (Sachin) Tendulkar sort of mould but hits the ball incredibly powerfully off front and back foot, and plays spin really well. "If we can get him to take that form that he's just shown into the IPL, it just makes the balance on our Delhi Capital side so good. "If (the penny) does drop – I'm not sure I've seen many more talented players than him in my whole time of playing the game."

'I'm not batting today': Ricky Ponting opens up on Prithvi Shaw's refusal to train during IPL 2020

<p class="MsoNormal">Chennai Super Kings skipper MS Dhoni has been sweating hard ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021. While Dhoni started his preparation for the showpiece T20 tournament in the month of March, the former Indian captain has been looking in brilliant touch with the willow ahead of IPL 2021. On Monday, CSK shared a video of Dhoni where the veteran is seen smashing sixes at will. <o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">CSK on Monday shared a video on Instagram where Dhoni was seen hammering sixes all around the park. CSK captioned the video: “Thala Paraak fully loaded! #WhistlePodu #Yellove” <o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">In the video, there was a compilation of Dhoni’s huge sixes with the CSK captain stealing the thunders by appearing in the second half.</p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/bcci-president-sourav-ganguly-provides-update-on-ipl-2021-scheduling-amid-spike-in-covid-19-cases-375485" hreflang="en">BCCI president Sourav Ganguly provides update on IPL 2021 scheduling amid spike in COVID-19 cases</a></strong></p>

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<p>After a disastrous outing in IPL 2020 in the UAE, Dhoni and co would be itching to put the record straight by once again fighting for the playoffs spot. Even Dhoni had a tough IPL 2020 where he managed just 200 runs in 14 matches. CSK failed to make the playoffs in IPL 2020 – the first time in their history – as they finished second last in the standings with 12 points in 14 matches.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/what-does-crickets-law-book-say-on-fakhar-zaman-quinton-de-kock-run-out-incident-375466" hreflang="en">What does cricket’s law book say on Fakhar Zaman-Quinton de Kock run-out incident?</a></strong></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Ahead of IPL 2021, CSK made changes to their squad and signed up all-rounders Moeen Ali and Krishnappa Gowtham while also roping in experienced campaigners such as Cheteshwar Pujara and Robin Uthappa.<o:p></o:p>&nbsp;CSK will also witness the return of Suresh Raina – who missed the 13<sup>th</sup> edition of IPL due to personal reasons.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">CSK commence their IPL 2021 campaign against Delhi Capitals on April 10 in Mumbai.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>


Chennai Super Kings skipper MS Dhoni has been sweating hard ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021. While Dhoni started his preparation for the showpiece T20 tournament in the month of March, the former Indian captain has been looking in brilliant touch with the willow ahead of IPL 2021.

Chennai Super Kings skipper MS Dhoni has been sweating hard ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021. While Dhoni started his preparation for the showpiece T20 tournament in the month of March, the former Indian captain has been looking in brilliant touch with the willow ahead of IPL 2021. On Monday, CSK shared a video of Dhoni where the veteran is seen smashing sixes at will. CSK on Monday shared a video on Instagram where Dhoni was seen hammering sixes all around the park. CSK captioned the video: “Thala Paraak fully loaded! #WhistlePodu #Yellove” In the video, there was a compilation of Dhoni’s huge sixes with the CSK captain stealing the thunders by appearing in the second half. ALSO READ: BCCI president Sourav Ganguly provides update on IPL 2021 scheduling amid spike in COVID-19 cases View this post on Instagram A post shared by Chennai Super Kings (@chennaiipl) × After a disastrous outing in IPL 2020 in the UAE, Dhoni and co would be itching to put the record straight by once again fighting for the playoffs spot. Even Dhoni had a tough IPL 2020 where he managed just 200 runs in 14 matches. CSK failed to make the playoffs in IPL 2020 – the first time in their history – as they finished second last in the standings with 12 points in 14 matches. ALSO READ: What does cricket’s law book say on Fakhar Zaman-Quinton de Kock run-out incident? Ahead of IPL 2021, CSK made changes to their squad and signed up all-rounders Moeen Ali and Krishnappa Gowtham while also roping in experienced campaigners such as Cheteshwar Pujara and Robin Uthappa. CSK will also witness the return of Suresh Raina – who missed the 13th edition of IPL due to personal reasons. CSK commence their IPL 2021 campaign against Delhi Capitals on April 10 in Mumbai.

Watch: 'Thala' MS Dhoni unleashes monstrous sixes at CSK nets ahead of IPL 2021

<p class="MsoNormal">South Africa spinner Tabraiz Shamsi on Monday jumped to the defence of wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock following the controversial incident involving Fakhar Zaman during the second ODI between Pakistan and South Africa in Johannesburg. <o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Shamsi took to Twitter to clarify that de Kock was asking a fielder to back-up the non-striker’s end and the Proteas glovesman was not pointing towards Fakhar.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">A direct hit from long-off, by Aiden Markram, ended Zaman’s knock of 193 off 155 deliveries as Pakistan fell 17-run short of South Africa’s 341/6 in 50 overs. While completing the second run, Fakhar reckoned that the throw was directed towards the non-striker’s end and slowed down. <o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">“Just 2 [to] clarify. QDK [Quinton de Kock] was NOT speaking 2 or pointing at the batsman, he was asking a fielder to back up at the non-strikers end,” said Shamsi<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">“Not Quinnys fault the batman turned around 2 see instead of completing the run safely which he should have done. Stop the hate n [and] leave QDK alone,” he added.<span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp;</span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="mso-spacerun:yes">ALSO READ:&nbsp;</span><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/bcci-president-sourav-ganguly-provides-update-on-ipl-2021-scheduling-amid-spike-in-covid-19-cases-375485" hreflang="en">BCCI president Sourav Ganguly provides update on IPL 2021 scheduling amid spike in COVID-19 cases</a></strong></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">So it's not funny that the batsman stopped running instead of completing the run?<br />
<br />
Lets not take the attention away from a great innings that he played and give him credit for that<br />
<br />
The batman's job in that instance was to complete the run that all...<br />
<br />
As simple as that :)</p>
— Tabraiz Shamsi (@shamsi90) <a href="https://twitter.com/shamsi90/status/1378999613462548480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 5, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>Shamsi also stated that Zaman should have completed the run rather than stopping midway through. The chinaman bowler praised Fakhar for his fantastic knock and gave credit to him for playing the blinder.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/what-does-crickets-law-book-say-on-fakhar-zaman-quinton-de-kock-run-out-incident-375466" hreflang="en">What does cricket’s law book say on Fakhar Zaman-Quinton de Kock run-out incident?</a></strong></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">“So it’s not funny that the batsman stopped running instead of completing the run? Let’s not take the attention away from a great innings that he [Fakhar Zaman] played and give him credit for that. The batman's job in that instance was to complete the run that all...As simple as that :),” he concluded.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">With the three-ODI series poised at 1-1, both South Africa and Pakistan would aim to win the series decider on Wednesday in Centurion.<o:p></o:p></p>


South Africa spinner Tabraiz Shamsi on Monday jumped to the defence of wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock following the controversial incident involving Fakhar Zaman during the second ODI between Pakistan and South Africa in Johannesburg.

South Africa spinner Tabraiz Shamsi on Monday jumped to the defence of wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock following the controversial incident involving Fakhar Zaman during the second ODI between Pakistan and South Africa in Johannesburg. Shamsi took to Twitter to clarify that de Kock was asking a fielder to back-up the non-striker’s end and the Proteas glovesman was not pointing towards Fakhar. A direct hit from long-off, by Aiden Markram, ended Zaman’s knock of 193 off 155 deliveries as Pakistan fell 17-run short of South Africa’s 341/6 in 50 overs. While completing the second run, Fakhar reckoned that the throw was directed towards the non-striker’s end and slowed down. “Just 2 [to] clarify. QDK [Quinton de Kock] was NOT speaking 2 or pointing at the batsman, he was asking a fielder to back up at the non-strikers end,” said Shamsi “Not Quinnys fault the batman turned around 2 see instead of completing the run safely which he should have done. Stop the hate n [and] leave QDK alone,” he added. ALSO READ: BCCI president Sourav Ganguly provides update on IPL 2021 scheduling amid spike in COVID-19 cases So it's not funny that the batsman stopped running instead of completing the run? Lets not take the attention away from a great innings that he played and give him credit for that The batman's job in that instance was to complete the run that all... As simple as that :) — Tabraiz Shamsi (@shamsi90) April 5, 2021 × Shamsi also stated that Zaman should have completed the run rather than stopping midway through. The chinaman bowler praised Fakhar for his fantastic knock and gave credit to him for playing the blinder. ALSO READ: What does cricket’s law book say on Fakhar Zaman-Quinton de Kock run-out incident? “So it’s not funny that the batsman stopped running instead of completing the run? Let’s not take the attention away from a great innings that he [Fakhar Zaman] played and give him credit for that. The batman's job in that instance was to complete the run that all...As simple as that :),” he concluded. With the three-ODI series poised at 1-1, both South Africa and Pakistan would aim to win the series decider on Wednesday in Centurion.

'Leave QDK alone': Tabraiz Shamsi jumps in de Kock's defence after controversial Fakhar Zaman run-out

<p class="MsoNormal">Controversy erupted during the second ODI between South Africa and Pakistan as fans and pundits accused Proteas wicket-keeper Quinton de Kock of breaking the 'spirit of the game' following Fakhar Zaman’s run-out at the score of 193 on Sunday.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Fakhar was playing the knock of his life and almost took Pakistan over the winning line with his sensational knock of 193 runs against South Africa. While wickets kept tumbling at one end, Fakhar kept visitors’ hopes alive as he continued to hammer the Proteas bowlers. <o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">However, the southpaw was sent back to the pavilion after Aiden Markram’s direct hit from long-off. <span style="mso-spacerun:yes">&nbsp;</span>Fakhar slowed down and looked back at the striker’s end only to see the stumps at his end disturbed by a direct hit as he was left disappointed for not taking his team home in the thrilling match.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">de kock with the perfect dummy <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SAvPAK?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SAvPAK</a> <a href="https://t.co/wkN8floMMd">pic.twitter.com/wkN8floMMd</a></p>
— kεz (@realkez) <a href="https://twitter.com/realkez/status/1378742812104142848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 4, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>Some of the fans and pundits lashed out at de Kock for breaking the spirit of the game following the run-out. Here's how they reacted:&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/fakhars-193-in-vain-as-south-africa-beat-pakistan-by-17-runs-375457" hreflang="en">Fakhar's 193 in vain as South Africa beat Pakistan by 17 runs</a></strong></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">The more I see this the more I dislike the obvious deception. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SAvPAK?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SAvPAK</a> <a href="https://t.co/Slx7LwsJv6">https://t.co/Slx7LwsJv6</a></p>
— Alan Wilkins (@alanwilkins22) <a href="https://twitter.com/alanwilkins22/status/1378765770998509568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 4, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Question ❓❓❓<br />
is De kock allowed to do cheating As per the the rules of <a href="https://twitter.com/ICC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ICC</a><br />
Seriously i don't know but I shocked Please don't do that with gentleman game cricket🙏🏾👎🏾<a href="https://twitter.com/QuinnyDeKock69?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@QuinnyDeKock69</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/FakharZamanLive?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FakharZamanLive</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PakvRSA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PakvRSA</a> <a href="https://t.co/gPQ2IxGE3a">pic.twitter.com/gPQ2IxGE3a</a></p>
— Sherfane Rutherford (@SRutherford50) <a href="https://twitter.com/SRutherford50/status/1378757675933122562?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 4, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Fully convinced that this is against 41.5.1. Wonder what <a href="https://twitter.com/ICC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ICC</a>’s reaction would have been had this happened in a match involving big three teams.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://t.co/L8EpxfODQh">pic.twitter.com/L8EpxfODQh</a></p>
— Faizan Lakhani (@faizanlakhani) <a href="https://twitter.com/faizanlakhani/status/1378758709308968964?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 4, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>With wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock seemingly gesturing for Aiden Markram to throw to the bowler's end, Fakhar slowed down and was surprised when the ball hit the stumps at the batsman's end when he was a metre or more short, ending his bold counter-attack.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Fakhar admitted he was taken by surprise by his dismissal. "I was looking at Haris Rauf because I thought the run-out would be at his end. It was my own fault," he said at the post-match press conference.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">The on-air commentators after the incident questioned how fair was de Kock’s action during the course of the run-out as they asked whether cricket’s law book allowed the incident.</p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ipl-2021-rajeev-shukla-confident-that-tournament-will-go-ahead-without-any-problem-375327" hreflang="en">IPL 2021: Rajeev Shukla confident that tournament will go ahead 'without any problem'</a></strong></p>

<h2 class="MsoNormal">What does cricket’s law book say on Fakhar Zaman-Quinton de Kock run-out incident?<o:p></o:p></h2>

<p class="MsoNormal"><strong>Law 41.5.1 states that "it is unfair for any fielder wilfully to attempt, by word or action, to distract, deceive or obstruct either batsman after the striker has received the ball", </strong>meaning Pakistan would have been awarded five penalty runs had the umpires deemed de Kock's actions to be deliberate deception.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal">Meanwhile, with the win, South Africa levelled the three-match series and would be looking to clinch the rubber when they take on Pakistan in the decider on Wednesday in Centurion.<o:p></o:p></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p>&nbsp;</o:p></p>


Controversy erupted during the second ODI between South Africa and Pakistan as fans and pundits accused Proteas wicket-keeper Quinton de Kock of breaking the 'spirit of the game' following Fakhar Zaman’s run-out at the score of 193 on Sunday.

Controversy erupted during the second ODI between South Africa and Pakistan as fans and pundits accused Proteas wicket-keeper Quinton de Kock of breaking the 'spirit of the game' following Fakhar Zaman’s run-out at the score of 193 on Sunday. Fakhar was playing the knock of his life and almost took Pakistan over the winning line with his sensational knock of 193 runs against South Africa. While wickets kept tumbling at one end, Fakhar kept visitors’ hopes alive as he continued to hammer the Proteas bowlers. However, the southpaw was sent back to the pavilion after Aiden Markram’s direct hit from long-off. Fakhar slowed down and looked back at the striker’s end only to see the stumps at his end disturbed by a direct hit as he was left disappointed for not taking his team home in the thrilling match. de kock with the perfect dummy #SAvPAK pic.twitter.com/wkN8floMMd — kεz (@realkez) April 4, 2021 × Some of the fans and pundits lashed out at de Kock for breaking the spirit of the game following the run-out. Here's how they reacted: ALSO READ: Fakhar's 193 in vain as South Africa beat Pakistan by 17 runs The more I see this the more I dislike the obvious deception. #SAvPAK https://t.co/Slx7LwsJv6 — Alan Wilkins (@alanwilkins22) April 4, 2021 × Question ❓❓❓ is De kock allowed to do cheating As per the the rules of @ICC Seriously i don't know but I shocked Please don't do that with gentleman game cricket🙏🏾👎🏾@QuinnyDeKock69 @FakharZamanLive#PakvRSA pic.twitter.com/gPQ2IxGE3a — Sherfane Rutherford (@SRutherford50) April 4, 2021 × Fully convinced that this is against 41.5.1. Wonder what @ICC’s reaction would have been had this happened in a match involving big three teams. pic.twitter.com/L8EpxfODQh — Faizan Lakhani (@faizanlakhani) April 4, 2021 × With wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock seemingly gesturing for Aiden Markram to throw to the bowler's end, Fakhar slowed down and was surprised when the ball hit the stumps at the batsman's end when he was a metre or more short, ending his bold counter-attack. Fakhar admitted he was taken by surprise by his dismissal. "I was looking at Haris Rauf because I thought the run-out would be at his end. It was my own fault," he said at the post-match press conference. The on-air commentators after the incident questioned how fair was de Kock’s action during the course of the run-out as they asked whether cricket’s law book allowed the incident. ALSO READ: IPL 2021: Rajeev Shukla confident that tournament will go ahead 'without any problem' What does cricket’s law book say on Fakhar Zaman-Quinton de Kock run-out incident? Law 41.5.1 states that "it is unfair for any fielder wilfully to attempt, by word or action, to distract, deceive or obstruct either batsman after the striker has received the ball", meaning Pakistan would have been awarded five penalty runs had the umpires deemed de Kock's actions to be deliberate deception. Meanwhile, with the win, South Africa levelled the three-match series and would be looking to clinch the rubber when they take on Pakistan in the decider on Wednesday in Centurion.

What does cricket’s law book say on Fakhar Zaman-Quinton de Kock run-out incident?

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{d55da3f5-fafe-4dac-a187-33c76b282359}{73}" paraid="959004822" >Harbhajan Singh is set to be back on the cricket field with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021, scheduled to start on April 9. Harbhajan, who didn't play IPL 2020 due to personal reasons, was signed by KKR during the auction and all eyes will be on the World Cup-winning off-spinner in the lucrative T20 tournament.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{b7508866-11b5-48a5-8e8f-ec8cf71051de}{176}" paraid="1476390132" >Harbhajan, who hasn't played professional cricket since the final of IPL 2019, received backing from KKR captain Eoin Morgan as he said that he adds plenty of experience and value to the team.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{ab1a6ca3-c1b6-486e-9388-21fd2e58f589}{193}" paraid="1421071635" >Now, Harbhajan has said that many have asked why he is still playing at the age of 40 but added he is not here to prove anything to anyone but for his own satisfaction.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{0e9775c4-9b75-48f5-bf13-f39805bf6af2}{91}" paraid="1936228400" >"A lot of people think 'Bhai yeh&nbsp;kyun&nbsp;khel&nbsp;raha&nbsp;hain?' Arrey bhai ye&nbsp;unki&nbsp;soch&nbsp;hai, meri&nbsp;naahi. Meri&nbsp;soch&nbsp;hai&nbsp;ki&nbsp;main&nbsp;abhi&nbsp;khel&nbsp;sakta&nbsp;hoon,&nbsp;toh&nbsp;main&nbsp;khelunga&nbsp;(People think 'why is he playing' but that's your opinion. From where I see myself, I want to play and I will play)," Harbhajan told&nbsp;PTI in an interview.</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{0e9775c4-9b75-48f5-bf13-f39805bf6af2}{91}" paraid="1936228400" ><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ipl-2021-punjab-kings-more-balanced-squad-than-last-season-wasim-jaffer-to-wion-374488" hreflang="en">IPL 2021: Punjab Kings more balanced squad than last season - Wasim Jaffer to WION</a></strong></p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{bf5b5d7b-daa0-4555-9cdc-7909a28a56f4}{162}" paraid="1674166038" >"I have got nothing to prove to anyone. My intention is to play well, enjoy my stint out there in the middle and playing cricket still gives me that satisfaction.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{bf5b5d7b-daa0-4555-9cdc-7909a28a56f4}{194}" paraid="1216927639" >"I have set a standard for myself and if I don't meet that, I don't need anyone else but I will blame myself. I need to ask myself, did I put in the optimum effort that was required," he said just before moving into the team bubble."&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{bf5b5d7b-daa0-4555-9cdc-7909a28a56f4}{226}" paraid="344411054" >Harbhajan will join the likes of Sunil Narine, Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav among others in the spin-heavy KKR outfit. The 40-year-old sounded confident ahead of IPL 2021 as he said with experience under his belt, he knows what to do in what conditions.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{bf5b5d7b-daa0-4555-9cdc-7909a28a56f4}{226}" paraid="344411054" ><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/i-am-lucky-that-i-will-be-playing-under-mahi-bhai-cheteshwar-pujara-ahead-of-ipl-2021-374456" hreflang="en">'I am lucky that I will be playing under Mahi bhai': Cheteshwar Pujara ahead of IPL 2021</a></strong></p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{bf5b5d7b-daa0-4555-9cdc-7909a28a56f4}{250}" paraid="2104921155" >"These questions are asked because I haven't played a lot of cricket of late so teams are a bit defensive at auction and they don't want to bid for me," Harbhajan said.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{afa37fbe-d739-471c-9083-9044283f9ef3}{11}" paraid="711514901" >"But let me remind you all that when I did well for CSK in the 2019 IPL, I hadn't played any domestic cricket. I came to the camp, prepared and went into the match. At my level and experience, I know what needs to be done.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{afa37fbe-d739-471c-9083-9044283f9ef3}{27}" paraid="1660640476" >"I don't need to play domestic cricket for Punjab and stop a young talent from flourishing. That boy needs that chance more than me," he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{afa37fbe-d739-471c-9083-9044283f9ef3}{43}" paraid="1996430960" >Kolkata knight Riders will&nbsp;start&nbsp;their&nbsp;IPL 2021&nbsp;campaign against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Chennai on April 11&nbsp;</p>


Harbhajan Singh is set to be back on the cricket field with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021, scheduled to start on April 9.

Harbhajan Singh is set to be back on the cricket field with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021, scheduled to start on April 9. Harbhajan, who didn't play IPL 2020 due to personal reasons, was signed by KKR during the auction and all eyes will be on the World Cup-winning off-spinner in the lucrative T20 tournament. Harbhajan, who hasn't played professional cricket since the final of IPL 2019, received backing from KKR captain Eoin Morgan as he said that he adds plenty of experience and value to the team. Now, Harbhajan has said that many have asked why he is still playing at the age of 40 but added he is not here to prove anything to anyone but for his own satisfaction. "A lot of people think 'Bhai yeh kyun khel raha hain?' Arrey bhai ye unki soch hai, meri naahi. Meri soch hai ki main abhi khel sakta hoon, toh main khelunga (People think 'why is he playing' but that's your opinion. From where I see myself, I want to play and I will play)," Harbhajan told PTI in an interview. ALSO READ: IPL 2021: Punjab Kings more balanced squad than last season - Wasim Jaffer to WION "I have got nothing to prove to anyone. My intention is to play well, enjoy my stint out there in the middle and playing cricket still gives me that satisfaction. "I have set a standard for myself and if I don't meet that, I don't need anyone else but I will blame myself. I need to ask myself, did I put in the optimum effort that was required," he said just before moving into the team bubble." Harbhajan will join the likes of Sunil Narine, Varun Chakravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav among others in the spin-heavy KKR outfit. The 40-year-old sounded confident ahead of IPL 2021 as he said with experience under his belt, he knows what to do in what conditions. ALSO READ: 'I am lucky that I will be playing under Mahi bhai': Cheteshwar Pujara ahead of IPL 2021 "These questions are asked because I haven't played a lot of cricket of late so teams are a bit defensive at auction and they don't want to bid for me," Harbhajan said. "But let me remind you all that when I did well for CSK in the 2019 IPL, I hadn't played any domestic cricket. I came to the camp, prepared and went into the match. At my level and experience, I know what needs to be done. "I don't need to play domestic cricket for Punjab and stop a young talent from flourishing. That boy needs that chance more than me," he added. Kolkata knight Riders will start their IPL 2021 campaign against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Chennai on April 11

I have set a standard for myself: Harbhajan Singh answers critics ahead of KKR stint in IPL 2021

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{43f5c0eb-05dc-4e16-a53e-4adb58b6e23d}{91}" paraid="215233463" >Former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin has said that Rishabh Pant might become a front-runner for the Team India captaincy role in the future after the youngster was named the Delhi Capitals captain for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{94dc8e94-ffb2-4e35-ab86-befd63f025e4}{179}" paraid="123551352" >Pant will step in as the captain of DC in IPL 2021&nbsp;in the absence of injured Shreyas Iyer, who was ruled out of the tournament due to a left shoulder injury.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{56e8792f-1f4a-4a05-ac1e-650e58f4168b}{43}" paraid="1409286068" >"Rishabh Pant has had such fabulous few months, establishing himself in all formats. It won't come as a surprise if the selectors see him as a front-runner for Indian captaincy in near future. His attacking cricket will stand India in good stead in times to come," Azharuddin, who played 334 ODIs and 99 Tests, for India&nbsp;tweeted.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Rishabh Pant has had such fabulous few months,establishing himself in all formats. It won’t come as a surprise if the selectors see him as a front-runner fr Indian captaincy in near future.His attacking cricket will stand India in good stead in times to come.<a href="https://twitter.com/RishabhPant17?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RishabhPant17</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/BCCI?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BCCI</a></p>
— Mohammed Azharuddin (@azharflicks) <a href="https://twitter.com/azharflicks/status/1377140377119956993?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 31, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>Delhi Capitals coach and former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting also said that captaincy will make Pant a better player.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/kkr-captain-eoin-morgan-provides-update-on-his-split-webbing-injury-ahead-of-ipl-2021-374545" hreflang="en">KKR captain Eoin Morgan provides update on his split webbing injury ahead of IPL 2021</a></strong></p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{43f5c0eb-05dc-4e16-a53e-4adb58b6e23d}{50}" paraid="555900618" >"Unfortunate that Shreyas will miss the tournament, but looking forward to seeing&nbsp;@RishabhPant17&nbsp;grab his opportunity. It's well deserved for his recent performances and he's coming in with a lot of confidence. I'm convinced captaincy will make him an even better player," Ponting tweeted.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Unfortunate that Shreyas will miss the tournament, but looking forward to seeing <a href="https://twitter.com/RishabhPant17?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RishabhPant17</a> grab his opportunity. It's well deserved for his recent performances and he's coming in with a lot of confidence. I'm convinced captaincy will make him an even better player. <a href="https://t.co/tVqMnLt1Er">https://t.co/tVqMnLt1Er</a></p>
— Ricky Ponting AO (@RickyPonting) <a href="https://twitter.com/RickyPonting/status/1377110642922954758?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 31, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/sunrisers-hyderabad-sign-jason-roy-as-mitchell-marsh-pulls-out-of-ipl-2021-374521" hreflang="en">Sunrisers Hyderabad sign Jason Roy as Mitchell Marsh pulls out of IPL 2021</a></strong></p>

<p>On his new role, Pant in a statement said, "Delhi is where I grew up, and where my IPL journey began six years ago. To lead this team one day is a dream I've always&nbsp;harboured. And today, as that dream comes true, I feel humbled. I am truly grateful, especially to our team owners, who considered me capable enough for this role. With an amazing coaching staff, and a plethora of accomplished seniors around me, I can't wait to give my absolute best for Delhi Capitals."&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{43f5c0eb-05dc-4e16-a53e-4adb58b6e23d}{77}" paraid="865005195" >Delhi Capitals will begin their IPL 2021 campaign against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on April 10&nbsp;</p>


Former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin has said that Rishabh Pant might become a front-runner for the Team India captaincy role in the future after the youngster was named the Delhi Capitals captain for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021.

Former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin has said that Rishabh Pant might become a front-runner for the Team India captaincy role in the future after the youngster was named the Delhi Capitals captain for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021. Pant will step in as the captain of DC in IPL 2021 in the absence of injured Shreyas Iyer, who was ruled out of the tournament due to a left shoulder injury. "Rishabh Pant has had such fabulous few months, establishing himself in all formats. It won't come as a surprise if the selectors see him as a front-runner for Indian captaincy in near future. His attacking cricket will stand India in good stead in times to come," Azharuddin, who played 334 ODIs and 99 Tests, for India tweeted. Rishabh Pant has had such fabulous few months,establishing himself in all formats. It won’t come as a surprise if the selectors see him as a front-runner fr Indian captaincy in near future.His attacking cricket will stand India in good stead in times to come.@RishabhPant17 @BCCI — Mohammed Azharuddin (@azharflicks) March 31, 2021 × Delhi Capitals coach and former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting also said that captaincy will make Pant a better player. ALSO READ: KKR captain Eoin Morgan provides update on his split webbing injury ahead of IPL 2021 "Unfortunate that Shreyas will miss the tournament, but looking forward to seeing @RishabhPant17 grab his opportunity. It's well deserved for his recent performances and he's coming in with a lot of confidence. I'm convinced captaincy will make him an even better player," Ponting tweeted. Unfortunate that Shreyas will miss the tournament, but looking forward to seeing @RishabhPant17 grab his opportunity. It's well deserved for his recent performances and he's coming in with a lot of confidence. I'm convinced captaincy will make him an even better player. https://t.co/tVqMnLt1Er — Ricky Ponting AO (@RickyPonting) March 31, 2021 × ALSO READ: Sunrisers Hyderabad sign Jason Roy as Mitchell Marsh pulls out of IPL 2021 On his new role, Pant in a statement said, "Delhi is where I grew up, and where my IPL journey began six years ago. To lead this team one day is a dream I've always harboured. And today, as that dream comes true, I feel humbled. I am truly grateful, especially to our team owners, who considered me capable enough for this role. With an amazing coaching staff, and a plethora of accomplished seniors around me, I can't wait to give my absolute best for Delhi Capitals." Delhi Capitals will begin their IPL 2021 campaign against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on April 10

Won't be surprised if selectors see Rishabh Pant as front-runner for India captaincy: Azharuddin

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{b5cfb01c-c666-41c6-877d-5751ed40defb}{42}" paraid="1836859663" >Ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain&nbsp;Eoin Morgan gave an update on his fitness as he said the gap between the ODI series between India-England and IPL gave him the best time to recover. Morgan, England's limited-overs skipper, missed the final two ODIs against India&nbsp;after sustaining a split webbing between his thumb and index finger in the series opener.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{4fe3f32c-9374-46cc-9044-65b63584c24d}{113}" paraid="186999012" >Morgan's injury required four stitches and KKR fans were in worry whether the talismanic&nbsp;leader will miss a few games early in IPL 2021 due to the injury.&nbsp;However, Morgan has said that he is feeling a lot better now and is looking forward to his progress in the coming days. The southpaw added that doctors would be removing the stitches on Thursday.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{3d1d3ba2-d6f8-4da9-a57a-31c23717fc18}{242}" paraid="1330172938" >"Yeah, I feel a lot better than I did a week ago. The plan moving forward is to remove the stitches tomorrow and progress with my batting in the coming days and fielding on the back of that. Given the time frame I have available, it's looking very good," said Morgan during a virtual press conference on Wednesday.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{3d1d3ba2-d6f8-4da9-a57a-31c23717fc18}{242}" paraid="1330172938" ><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/sunrisers-hyderabad-sign-jason-roy-as-mitchell-marsh-pulls-out-of-ipl-2021-374521" hreflang="en">Sunrisers Hyderabad sign Jason Roy as Mitchell Marsh pulls out of IPL 2021</a></strong></p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{956d1aa5-eabf-4554-bdfe-9be2dbf0038f}{191}" paraid="426105039" >There plenty of debates surrounding KKR's batting order and team composition during IPL 2020 where the Kolkata outfit narrowly missed out on the playoffs. Morgan is of the view that KKR have plenty of versatility that&nbsp;gives them the opportunity to shuffle things around. However, he admitted that they need to make the right call during matches.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{956d1aa5-eabf-4554-bdfe-9be2dbf0038f}{209}" paraid="355715064" >"We are all due to get together quite soon towards the end of the week in which we will discuss our plans and thoughts and actually talk about our strengths as a squad and team. Last year, we saw the versatility within our middle order and the flexibility to promote myself, DK, or Sunil. If we play well, there will be a lot of teams that will not enjoy playing against us. We need to make the right call in when to play the best hand and that is one thing we learnt from the last year."&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{956d1aa5-eabf-4554-bdfe-9be2dbf0038f}{209}" paraid="355715064" ><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ipl-2021-punjab-kings-more-balanced-squad-than-last-season-wasim-jaffer-to-wion-374488" hreflang="en">IPL 2021: Punjab Kings more balanced squad than last season - Wasim Jaffer to WION</a></strong></p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{ab5856bd-8f21-4d62-88d8-73a79e4bcb78}{212}" paraid="1340296565" >"The IPL is the biggest tournament in the world which has the biggest of players. A competitive campaign or successful campaign is the battle with the injuries or illness along the way. Whether you like it or not, it does happen throughout a season. Planning needs to be put across to strengthen your team across all areas. We did that in this auction and we are hoping to best position ourselves to have a versatile team when it comes to selection," he added.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{ab5856bd-8f21-4d62-88d8-73a79e4bcb78}{226}" paraid="426546500" >IPL will begin on April 9 with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Mumbai Indians locking horns&nbsp;in the tournament opener. KKR will play their first game on April 11 against SunRisers Hyderabad.&nbsp;</p>


Ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain Eoin Morgan gave an update on his fitness as he said the gap between the ODI series between India-England and IPL gave him the best time to recover.

Ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain Eoin Morgan gave an update on his fitness as he said the gap between the ODI series between India-England and IPL gave him the best time to recover. Morgan, England's limited-overs skipper, missed the final two ODIs against India after sustaining a split webbing between his thumb and index finger in the series opener. Morgan's injury required four stitches and KKR fans were in worry whether the talismanic leader will miss a few games early in IPL 2021 due to the injury. However, Morgan has said that he is feeling a lot better now and is looking forward to his progress in the coming days. The southpaw added that doctors would be removing the stitches on Thursday. "Yeah, I feel a lot better than I did a week ago. The plan moving forward is to remove the stitches tomorrow and progress with my batting in the coming days and fielding on the back of that. Given the time frame I have available, it's looking very good," said Morgan during a virtual press conference on Wednesday. ALSO READ: Sunrisers Hyderabad sign Jason Roy as Mitchell Marsh pulls out of IPL 2021 There plenty of debates surrounding KKR's batting order and team composition during IPL 2020 where the Kolkata outfit narrowly missed out on the playoffs. Morgan is of the view that KKR have plenty of versatility that gives them the opportunity to shuffle things around. However, he admitted that they need to make the right call during matches. "We are all due to get together quite soon towards the end of the week in which we will discuss our plans and thoughts and actually talk about our strengths as a squad and team. Last year, we saw the versatility within our middle order and the flexibility to promote myself, DK, or Sunil. If we play well, there will be a lot of teams that will not enjoy playing against us. We need to make the right call in when to play the best hand and that is one thing we learnt from the last year." ALSO READ: IPL 2021: Punjab Kings more balanced squad than last season - Wasim Jaffer to WION "The IPL is the biggest tournament in the world which has the biggest of players. A competitive campaign or successful campaign is the battle with the injuries or illness along the way. Whether you like it or not, it does happen throughout a season. Planning needs to be put across to strengthen your team across all areas. We did that in this auction and we are hoping to best position ourselves to have a versatile team when it comes to selection," he added. IPL will begin on April 9 with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Mumbai Indians locking horns in the tournament opener. KKR will play their first game on April 11 against SunRisers Hyderabad.

KKR captain Eoin Morgan provides update on his split webbing injury ahead of IPL 2021

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{fd748f73-fb4c-4db4-95b9-2b124c7bec58}{37}" paraid="1237070690" >Sunrisers Hyderabad all-rounder&nbsp;Mitchell Marsh has pulled out of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021. WION has learned from sources close to the development that Marsh&nbsp;didn't want to spend time inside a strict bio-secure bubble.&nbsp;The Aussie informed the Sunrisers Hyderabad about his decision a few days ago.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{fd748f73-fb4c-4db4-95b9-2b124c7bec58}{37}" paraid="1237070690" >"Yes, Mitchell Marsh has pulled out," confirmed a source close to SRH camp to WION.</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{d780edbb-81b3-4959-8ea8-959d89ce36f9}{226}" paraid="1634968222" >Later on the day, Sunrisers Hyderabad announced England opener Jason Roy as Marsh's replacement.</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{d780edbb-81b3-4959-8ea8-959d89ce36f9}{226}" paraid="1634968222" >Marsh would have had to undergo a seven-day isolation period while being inside the&nbsp;stringent&nbsp;bio-secure environment for the almost two-month-long tournament.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{2781eb43-13d5-46bd-b4a5-93e4d8f247ff}{242}" paraid="872617703" ><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ipl-2021-punjab-kings-more-balanced-squad-than-last-season-wasim-jaffer-to-wion-374488" hreflang="en">IPL 2021: Punjab Kings more balanced squad than last season - Wasim Jaffer to WION</a></strong></p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{18c2af39-2107-4638-8d2a-3e1d6a125b5a}{185}" paraid="1855963453" >The Australian all-rounder missed the IPL 2020 after twisting his angle in SRH's first match of the tournament last season. While Marsh was ruled out of IPL 2020, West Indies all-rounder Jason Holder had replaced him in the SRH squad. Marsh was&nbsp;signed up by SRH for INR 2 crore.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{6efdb0f0-a380-4d20-939f-122de92040c0}{151}" paraid="1997181449" >Marsh was part of the Australian squad in the recently concluded T20I series&nbsp;but couldn’t get a game under his belt. Since then, he has been playing for Victoria in the Sheffield Shield.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Marsh, who made his Indian Premier League debut in 2010 has played a total of 21 IPL games. His replacement, Jason Roy made his IPL debut in 2017 playing for Gujarat Lions and&nbsp;later featured for Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) in the 2018 IPL edition. He has played a total of 8 matches and scored 179 runs with one half-century to his name. &nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{aaa57610-81e1-49cc-b62d-fbe4f44cd184}{93}" paraid="684150460" >The Australian contingent of IPL 2021 players is set to depart for India on April 1 with the likes of Pat Cummins, David Warner&nbsp;among others joining their respective squads on April 2.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{aaa57610-81e1-49cc-b62d-fbe4f44cd184}{93}" paraid="684150460" ><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/i-am-lucky-that-i-will-be-playing-under-mahi-bhai-cheteshwar-pujara-ahead-of-ipl-2021-374456" hreflang="en">'I am lucky that I will be playing under Mahi bhai': Cheteshwar Pujara ahead of IPL 2021</a></strong></p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{aaa57610-81e1-49cc-b62d-fbe4f44cd184}{93}" paraid="684150460" >IPL 2021 is set to begin on April 9 with defending champions Mumbai Indians taking on Royal Challengers Bangalore in Chennai.</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{956d1aa5-eabf-4554-bdfe-9be2dbf0038f}{56}" paraid="289142516" >&nbsp;</p>


Sunrisers Hyderabad all-rounder Mitchell Marsh has pulled out of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021. WION has learned from sources close to the development that Marsh didn't want to spend time inside a strict bio-secure bubble.

Sunrisers Hyderabad all-rounder Mitchell Marsh has pulled out of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021. WION has learned from sources close to the development that Marsh didn't want to spend time inside a strict bio-secure bubble. The Aussie informed the Sunrisers Hyderabad about his decision a few days ago. "Yes, Mitchell Marsh has pulled out," confirmed a source close to SRH camp to WION. Later on the day, Sunrisers Hyderabad announced England opener Jason Roy as Marsh's replacement. Marsh would have had to undergo a seven-day isolation period while being inside the stringent bio-secure environment for the almost two-month-long tournament. ALSO READ: IPL 2021: Punjab Kings more balanced squad than last season - Wasim Jaffer to WION The Australian all-rounder missed the IPL 2020 after twisting his angle in SRH's first match of the tournament last season. While Marsh was ruled out of IPL 2020, West Indies all-rounder Jason Holder had replaced him in the SRH squad. Marsh was signed up by SRH for INR 2 crore. Marsh was part of the Australian squad in the recently concluded T20I series but couldn’t get a game under his belt. Since then, he has been playing for Victoria in the Sheffield Shield. Marsh, who made his Indian Premier League debut in 2010 has played a total of 21 IPL games. His replacement, Jason Roy made his IPL debut in 2017 playing for Gujarat Lions and later featured for Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) in the 2018 IPL edition. He has played a total of 8 matches and scored 179 runs with one half-century to his name. The Australian contingent of IPL 2021 players is set to depart for India on April 1 with the likes of Pat Cummins, David Warner among others joining their respective squads on April 2. ALSO READ: 'I am lucky that I will be playing under Mahi bhai': Cheteshwar Pujara ahead of IPL 2021 IPL 2021 is set to begin on April 9 with defending champions Mumbai Indians taking on Royal Challengers Bangalore in Chennai.

Sunrisers Hyderabad sign Jason Roy as Mitchell Marsh pulls out of IPL 2021

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{3bb9fb28-256c-4594-a9de-77afe19c848e}{254}" paraid="531224356" >England pacer Jofra Archer on Monday underwent successful surgery on his right hand. A fragment of glass was removed from his middle finger on his right hand during the surgery.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{61b5d7fd-cc48-41c3-b7b4-809c35072801}{10}" paraid="855466757" >Archer will not start two weeks of rehabilitation and the consultant will review the England pacer before he gets back to training.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{e85c476d-0964-4623-96f9-1e459572b388}{2}" paraid="1068146512" >A further update on his elbow injury – unrelated to his finger injury – will be provided once he has returned to bowling&nbsp;to access the effectiveness of his recent injection.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{e85c476d-0964-4623-96f9-1e459572b388}{2}" paraid="1068146512" ><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ipl-2021-punjab-kings-more-balanced-squad-than-last-season-wasim-jaffer-to-wion-374488" hreflang="en">IPL 2021: Punjab Kings more balanced squad than last season - Wasim Jaffer to WION</a></strong></p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{cef540ca-3fb6-48ac-99fd-ee2dacbea4fb}{203}" paraid="460296932" >Archer suffered a cut to his hand while cleaning a fish tank at his home in January shortly before flying to India for the Test series. The pacer's injury was managed by ECB's medical team during the tour.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{790784be-9c3c-4480-b169-e28ccfc8d7d0}{198}" paraid="704239662" >However, it is yet unclear whether Archer will be able to take any part in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021. While it is confirmed that Archer will miss a couple of weeks of action due to the surgery, he could be back for the later phase of IPL 2021 given how his recovery&nbsp;goes. A call on his availability will be taken later by the ECB.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{790784be-9c3c-4480-b169-e28ccfc8d7d0}{198}" paraid="704239662" ><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/exclusive-waited-for-this-opportunity-shahrukh-khan-aims-to-make-it-big-for-punjab-kings-in-ipl-2021-374299" hreflang="en">Exclusive: 'Waited for this opportunity' - Shahrukh Khan aims to make it big for Punjab Kings in IPL 2021</a></strong></p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{e51af496-e9d8-4ab6-a609-c5b53cd4b4e5}{248}" paraid="418666551" >Archer is a crucial member of the Rajasthan Royals (RR) squad and his absence comes as a huge blow to the franchise, who would be looking to lift the coveted trophy for the first time since 2008.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{41172a1a-4dad-42d9-9a3c-b731864e76fb}{103}" paraid="1546401243" >With a busy summer approaching England, the team would want to have Archer fully fit for the T20 World Cup and the Ashes.&nbsp;</p>


England pacer Jofra Archer on Monday underwent successful surgery on his right hand. A fragment of glass was removed from his middle finger on his right hand during the surgery.

England pacer Jofra Archer on Monday underwent successful surgery on his right hand. A fragment of glass was removed from his middle finger on his right hand during the surgery. Archer will not start two weeks of rehabilitation and the consultant will review the England pacer before he gets back to training. A further update on his elbow injury – unrelated to his finger injury – will be provided once he has returned to bowling to access the effectiveness of his recent injection. ALSO READ: IPL 2021: Punjab Kings more balanced squad than last season - Wasim Jaffer to WION Archer suffered a cut to his hand while cleaning a fish tank at his home in January shortly before flying to India for the Test series. The pacer's injury was managed by ECB's medical team during the tour. However, it is yet unclear whether Archer will be able to take any part in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021. While it is confirmed that Archer will miss a couple of weeks of action due to the surgery, he could be back for the later phase of IPL 2021 given how his recovery goes. A call on his availability will be taken later by the ECB. ALSO READ: Exclusive: 'Waited for this opportunity' - Shahrukh Khan aims to make it big for Punjab Kings in IPL 2021 Archer is a crucial member of the Rajasthan Royals (RR) squad and his absence comes as a huge blow to the franchise, who would be looking to lift the coveted trophy for the first time since 2008. With a busy summer approaching England, the team would want to have Archer fully fit for the T20 World Cup and the Ashes.

England provide injury update on Jofra Archer ahead of IPL 2021

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{4504a203-793d-422f-95d4-f33ee223a6bb}{178}" paraid="1827885030" >The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 is set to commence from April 9 with eight teams gearing up to battle it out for the coveted trophy. Punjab Kings are one of the outfits&nbsp;who are yet to win IPL but would be raring to go and end the trophy drought.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{917b5556-3d09-4f27-b40d-1bceb7b9bd76}{71}" paraid="1673214427" >A revamped Punjab Kings, with a refreshed brand presence, would be itching to do well in the 14th&nbsp;edition of the IPL after years of disappointments and heartbreaks. Punjab Kings batting coach and one of the legendary names in Indian cricket, Wasim Jaffer, in interaction&nbsp;with WION,&nbsp;talked about the new additions in the squad, the talk around tactics and 'match-ups', and workload management.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{5d6ac5f9-e974-4b6c-9a9b-28ddd17114d6}{141}" paraid="619122145" >Since the introduction of T20 cricket, the term ‘match-up’ has been used far more than it was used before. The shortest format of the game and arguably the most&nbsp;challenging for players when it comes to making instant impact and decisions.&nbsp;While some pundits have, in past, said that teams and players sometimes dwell too much on tactical decisions and match-ups, Jaffer is of the view that it is one of the crucial aspects of the shortest format of the game.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{5d6ac5f9-e974-4b6c-9a9b-28ddd17114d6}{141}" paraid="619122145" ><img alt="Wasim Jaffer Punjab Kings" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c37bd5ea-c005-4277-9b26-afeeda43ae46" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/1P9fjbYEBd.jpg" /></p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{4df0c4ea-cb2b-40c3-9c86-b4d6d3702046}{97}" paraid="402298399" >“It has become important because it is such as short format. If a batsman is facing trouble against one particular type of bowler, then you would want to exploit that weakness. The batsmen don't have too much time to settle down so those match-ups really matter in the shortest format. If it’s the longer format say 50 overs then the batsmen have a little bit of breathing space. So, in T20 format it matters a lot,” Jaffer told WION.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{dee2b170-f753-4e83-937a-3c0b7e74e8f3}{67}" paraid="730897763" >“Don't get me wrong. you need to have variety. If an off-spinner is bowling then it does look like that the right-hand batsman will take him on. The ball going away from you will obviously be difficult to hit. That's why as soon as a left-hander comes you bring a right-arm off-spinner. When two left-handers are batting, you don't see a captain opting for two left-arm spinners. It is something captains fear that he might go for runs. But at the same time, some quality bowlers will bowl in every situation. Bowlers like Harbhajan Singh, Ravichandran Ashwin, Washington Sundar&nbsp;who have got quality and variety will always survive. But as I said, in the shorter format you don't have the breathing space to settle down and that goes for a bowler as well so that is where match-ups become important,” Jaffer, who is also the highest run-scorer&nbsp;in Ranji Trophy history, explained.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{dee2b170-f753-4e83-937a-3c0b7e74e8f3}{67}" paraid="730897763" ><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/exclusive-waited-for-this-opportunity-shahrukh-khan-aims-to-make-it-big-for-punjab-kings-in-ipl-2021-374299" hreflang="en">Exclusive: 'Waited for this opportunity' - Shahrukh Khan aims to make it big for Punjab Kings in IPL 2021</a></strong></p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{d5fe663f-b08e-4454-8752-62d23ffaf72b}{47}" paraid="629444800" >Punjab Kings captain KL Rahul roared back to form for Team India in the recently concluded ODI series against England. However, he faced criticism during the T20I series where he struggled to get it going with the willow with terms such as 'poor form’ and 'rough patch' being thrown around by fans and experts.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{d5fe663f-b08e-4454-8752-62d23ffaf72b}{50}" paraid="456448225" >“I think those terms are bound to come your way in today's world. Such is this sport. But with so many matches being played, the quicker players lose form, the quicker they can get back to the rhythm. Recently, KL Rahul was going through a dry run in the T20I series but he got the ODI series to gain his confidence back. I think it is natural that players won't be able to perform in every match and it is important to not lose focus when you are not scoring big runs or getting wickets,” Jaffer said.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{d5fe663f-b08e-4454-8752-62d23ffaf72b}{50}" paraid="456448225" ><img alt="Jaffer Punjab" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5c41249f-1962-4017-8344-705360a235a1" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/XFxNUPcvQw.jpg" /></p>

<p>In the IPL 2021 auction, Punjab Kings went with the biggest purse and ended up signing some big-name players such as Dawid Malan,&nbsp;Jhye&nbsp;Richardson, Fabian Allen among others. With a static core, Punjab bolstered their squad by adding match-winners and it would be interesting to see how they fare&nbsp;in the tournament. Jaffer is excited by the new additions and looking forward to working with them during the season.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong><em>List of players bought by Punjab Kings: Dawid Malan (INR 1.5 crore),&nbsp;Jhye&nbsp;Richardson (INR 14 crore), Riley Meredith (INR 8 crore), Moises Henriques (INR 4.2 crore), Jalaj Saxena (INR 30 lakh), Shahrukh Khan (INR 5.25 crore), Utkarsh Singh (INR 20 lakh), Saurabh Kumar (INR 20 lakh)&nbsp;</em></strong></p>

<p>“It has got much more balance as compared to last season. We were lacking bowlers who would back Mohammed Shami. We had Chris Jordan but we needed somebody who can bowl at 145kph&nbsp;in the death overs, where we leaked a lot of runs before. With their additions, it is going to be a bit different this season. Both of them,&nbsp;Jhye&nbsp;and Meredith have got pace. Dawid Malan is the number one T20I batsman. Fabian Allen is another guy who can make a lot of impact down the order and with the ball. So yes, the additions are looking good. ” Jaffer said.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/very-humbling-experience-dawid-malan-sam-billings-on-interaction-with-blind-cricketers-in-india-369777" hreflang="en">Very humbling experience: Dawid Malan, Sam Billings on interaction with blind cricketers in India</a></strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">And the hustle begins... 🏃‍♂️<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SaddaPunjab?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SaddaPunjab</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PunjabKings?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PunjabKings</a> <a href="https://t.co/TV0JcrX8N2">pic.twitter.com/TV0JcrX8N2</a></p>
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) <a href="https://twitter.com/PunjabKingsIPL/status/1375814732037283851?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 27, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>With the ICC World Test Championship final and T20 World Cup around the corner, players would want to keep themselves fresh for the showpiece events. With Punjab Kings having key players from the Indian team in their set-up, all eyes would be on them as to how they manage the workload&nbsp;of vital players. Jaffer said that Punjab Kings looked after workload management of key players last season and are looking to do the same this season in a bid to avoid burnout.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{42895a3f-da2d-44ea-a595-198c5c91a1b0}{12}" paraid="1230016756" >“We have always looked after our players. Anil bhai (Anil Kumble),&nbsp;Andrew (Andrew&nbsp;Leipus)&nbsp;and the medical staff&nbsp;are there to look after the workload management aspect of the game.&nbsp;We don't our players to suffer from burnout. And even last season, we took care of the workload of our players.&nbsp;It is important to keep the players fresh to get the best out of them,” Jaffer&nbsp;concluded.&nbsp;</p>


The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 is set to commence from April 9 with eight teams gearing up to battle it out for the coveted trophy. Punjab Kings are one of the outfits who are yet to win IPL but would be raring to go and end the trophy drought.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 is set to commence from April 9 with eight teams gearing up to battle it out for the coveted trophy. Punjab Kings are one of the outfits who are yet to win IPL but would be raring to go and end the trophy drought. A revamped Punjab Kings, with a refreshed brand presence, would be itching to do well in the 14th edition of the IPL after years of disappointments and heartbreaks. Punjab Kings batting coach and one of the legendary names in Indian cricket, Wasim Jaffer, in interaction with WION, talked about the new additions in the squad, the talk around tactics and 'match-ups', and workload management. Since the introduction of T20 cricket, the term ‘match-up’ has been used far more than it was used before. The shortest format of the game and arguably the most challenging for players when it comes to making instant impact and decisions. While some pundits have, in past, said that teams and players sometimes dwell too much on tactical decisions and match-ups, Jaffer is of the view that it is one of the crucial aspects of the shortest format of the game. “It has become important because it is such as short format. If a batsman is facing trouble against one particular type of bowler, then you would want to exploit that weakness. The batsmen don't have too much time to settle down so those match-ups really matter in the shortest format. If it’s the longer format say 50 overs then the batsmen have a little bit of breathing space. So, in T20 format it matters a lot,” Jaffer told WION. “Don't get me wrong. you need to have variety. If an off-spinner is bowling then it does look like that the right-hand batsman will take him on. The ball going away from you will obviously be difficult to hit. That's why as soon as a left-hander comes you bring a right-arm off-spinner. When two left-handers are batting, you don't see a captain opting for two left-arm spinners. It is something captains fear that he might go for runs. But at the same time, some quality bowlers will bowl in every situation. Bowlers like Harbhajan Singh, Ravichandran Ashwin, Washington Sundar who have got quality and variety will always survive. But as I said, in the shorter format you don't have the breathing space to settle down and that goes for a bowler as well so that is where match-ups become important,” Jaffer, who is also the highest run-scorer in Ranji Trophy history, explained. ALSO READ: Exclusive: 'Waited for this opportunity' - Shahrukh Khan aims to make it big for Punjab Kings in IPL 2021 Punjab Kings captain KL Rahul roared back to form for Team India in the recently concluded ODI series against England. However, he faced criticism during the T20I series where he struggled to get it going with the willow with terms such as 'poor form’ and 'rough patch' being thrown around by fans and experts. “I think those terms are bound to come your way in today's world. Such is this sport. But with so many matches being played, the quicker players lose form, the quicker they can get back to the rhythm. Recently, KL Rahul was going through a dry run in the T20I series but he got the ODI series to gain his confidence back. I think it is natural that players won't be able to perform in every match and it is important to not lose focus when you are not scoring big runs or getting wickets,” Jaffer said. In the IPL 2021 auction, Punjab Kings went with the biggest purse and ended up signing some big-name players such as Dawid Malan, Jhye Richardson, Fabian Allen among others. With a static core, Punjab bolstered their squad by adding match-winners and it would be interesting to see how they fare in the tournament. Jaffer is excited by the new additions and looking forward to working with them during the season. List of players bought by Punjab Kings: Dawid Malan (INR 1.5 crore), Jhye Richardson (INR 14 crore), Riley Meredith (INR 8 crore), Moises Henriques (INR 4.2 crore), Jalaj Saxena (INR 30 lakh), Shahrukh Khan (INR 5.25 crore), Utkarsh Singh (INR 20 lakh), Saurabh Kumar (INR 20 lakh) “It has got much more balance as compared to last season. We were lacking bowlers who would back Mohammed Shami. We had Chris Jordan but we needed somebody who can bowl at 145kph in the death overs, where we leaked a lot of runs before. With their additions, it is going to be a bit different this season. Both of them, Jhye and Meredith have got pace. Dawid Malan is the number one T20I batsman. Fabian Allen is another guy who can make a lot of impact down the order and with the ball. So yes, the additions are looking good. ” Jaffer said. ALSO READ: Very humbling experience: Dawid Malan, Sam Billings on interaction with blind cricketers in India And the hustle begins... 🏃‍♂️#SaddaPunjab #PunjabKings pic.twitter.com/TV0JcrX8N2 — Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) March 27, 2021 × With the ICC World Test Championship final and T20 World Cup around the corner, players would want to keep themselves fresh for the showpiece events. With Punjab Kings having key players from the Indian team in their set-up, all eyes would be on them as to how they manage the workload of vital players. Jaffer said that Punjab Kings looked after workload management of key players last season and are looking to do the same this season in a bid to avoid burnout. “We have always looked after our players. Anil bhai (Anil Kumble), Andrew (Andrew Leipus) and the medical staff are there to look after the workload management aspect of the game. We don't our players to suffer from burnout. And even last season, we took care of the workload of our players. It is important to keep the players fresh to get the best out of them,” Jaffer concluded.

IPL 2021: Punjab Kings more balanced squad than last season - Wasim Jaffer to WION

<p>New Zealand batsman Devon Conway has attained a career-best fourth position in the ICC Men’s T20I Player Rankings, thanks to his match-winning knock in the series opener against Bangladesh in Hamilton on Sunday.</p>

<p>The left-hander, who has been keeping wickets in the series, smashed a superb 92 not out off 52 balls as New Zealand posted a massive 210 for three and won that match by 66 runs. He has advanced five positions and finds himself in the top five after only 13 matches, on the back of consistent performances against the West Indies, Pakistan, and Australia since his debut in November 2020.</p>

<p>Glenn Philips, who has unbeaten knocks of 24 and 58 to show and won the player of the match award in the second T20I in Napier as New Zealand took a winning 2-0 lead in the three-match series, has also attained a career-best status. He has moved up 32 places to 26th in the weekly update to the men’s rankings, carried out on Wednesdays.</p>

<p>Fast bowler Tim Southee has advanced two places to seventh, only one shy of his career-best sixth position attained in February this year, after taking three wickets in the first two matches. Lockie Ferguson has moved up 16 places to 42nd in what is another piece of good news for New Zealand, with the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup to be held later this year in India.</p>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">A sizzling 52-ball 92* in the first T20I against Bangladesh has helped Devon Conway continue his rise up the rankings!<br />
<br />
He's now No.4 in the <a href="https://twitter.com/MRFWorldwide?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MRFWorldwide</a> ICC Rankings for Men's T20I batting! 🌟 <a href="https://t.co/G66FWmuFX0">pic.twitter.com/G66FWmuFX0</a></p>
— ICC (@ICC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ICC/status/1377177618529705984?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 31, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>For Bangladesh, 21-year-old left-handed opener Mohammad Naim has progressed 13 places to reach 28th position after scoring 27 and 38 while Soumya Sarkar has moved up five places to 41st after notching a half-century in Napier.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/i-am-lucky-that-i-will-be-playing-under-mahi-bhai-cheteshwar-pujara-ahead-of-ipl-2021-374456" hreflang="en">'I am lucky that I will be playing under Mahi bhai': Cheteshwar Pujara ahead of IPL 2021</a></strong></p>

<p>There are quite a few changes in the&nbsp;ICC Men’s ODI Player Rankings that considered performances from the last match of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League series between New Zealand and Bangladesh and the last two of the series between India and England.</p>

<p>England all-rounder Ben Stokes has advanced four places to 24th scoring 99 off 52 balls in the second ODI and is up to second among all-rounders, while Jonny Bairstow has retained seventh place after touching a career-high 796 rating points with his player of the match effort of 124 in the same match. Moeen Ali is up nine places to 46th among bowlers.&nbsp;</p>

<p>For India, Lokesh Rahul has moved up from 31st to 27th, all-rounder Hardik Pandya has achieved a career-best 42nd position among batsmen after scores of 35 and 64, and Rishabh Pant has entered the top 100.</p>

<p>Seam bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who took three for 42 in the final match, has gained nine slots to reach the 11th position, which is his best since being 10th in September 2017. Shardul Thakur’s haul of four for 67 in the same match sees him force his way up to 80th from 93rd.</p>

<p>Bangladesh’s Mahmudullah is up seven places to joint-40th among batsmen after an unbeaten 76 while for New Zealand, Matt Henry has moved up five slots to a career-best third position among bowlers after a haul of four for 27. Jimmy Neesham has gained 16 places to reach 62nd among bowlers.</p>

<p>In the ICC Men’s Test Player Rankings, Sri Lanka’s Niroshan Dickwella and West Indies’ Nkrumah Bonner have gained big after the drawn opening match of their two-Test series.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ipl-2021-will-be-a-talismanic-leader-suresh-raina-on-rishabh-pant-leading-delhi-capitals-374423" hreflang="en">IPL 2021- 'Will be a talismanic leader': Suresh Raina on Rishabh Pant leading Delhi Capitals</a></strong></p>

<p>Dickwella, who notched his 17th Test half-century – a record for a player without a century – has gained 10 places to reach a career-best 29th position. Bonner’s maiden Test century, in only his third match, has lifted him into the top 50 for the first time.</p>

<p>Oshada Fernando (up 10 places to 72nd), Joshua da Silva (up four places to 77th), and Lahiru Thirmanne (up 14 places to 78th) are other Sri Lanka players to move up the list for batsmen while Suranga Lakmal (up five places to a career-best 22nd), Lasith Embuldeniya (up three places to 38th), Vishwa Fernando (up five places to 47th) and Dushmantha Chameera (up three places to 86th) have advanced among bowlers.<br />
&nbsp;<br />
For the West Indies, all-rounder Jason Holder has moved up three places to eighth among bowlers after a haul of five for 27 in Sri Lanka’s first innings while Kemar Roach is up from 14th to 12th. Kyle Mayers has moved up 12 places to 53rd among batsmen.</p>


New Zealand batsman Devon Conway has attained a career-best fourth position in the ICC Men’s T20I Player Rankings, thanks to his match-winning knock in the series opener against Bangladesh in Hamilton on Sunday.

New Zealand batsman Devon Conway has attained a career-best fourth position in the ICC Men’s T20I Player Rankings, thanks to his match-winning knock in the series opener against Bangladesh in Hamilton on Sunday. The left-hander, who has been keeping wickets in the series, smashed a superb 92 not out off 52 balls as New Zealand posted a massive 210 for three and won that match by 66 runs. He has advanced five positions and finds himself in the top five after only 13 matches, on the back of consistent performances against the West Indies, Pakistan, and Australia since his debut in November 2020. Glenn Philips, who has unbeaten knocks of 24 and 58 to show and won the player of the match award in the second T20I in Napier as New Zealand took a winning 2-0 lead in the three-match series, has also attained a career-best status. He has moved up 32 places to 26th in the weekly update to the men’s rankings, carried out on Wednesdays. Fast bowler Tim Southee has advanced two places to seventh, only one shy of his career-best sixth position attained in February this year, after taking three wickets in the first two matches. Lockie Ferguson has moved up 16 places to 42nd in what is another piece of good news for New Zealand, with the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup to be held later this year in India. A sizzling 52-ball 92* in the first T20I against Bangladesh has helped Devon Conway continue his rise up the rankings! He's now No.4 in the @MRFWorldwide ICC Rankings for Men's T20I batting! 🌟 pic.twitter.com/G66FWmuFX0 — ICC (@ICC) March 31, 2021 × For Bangladesh, 21-year-old left-handed opener Mohammad Naim has progressed 13 places to reach 28th position after scoring 27 and 38 while Soumya Sarkar has moved up five places to 41st after notching a half-century in Napier. ALSO READ: 'I am lucky that I will be playing under Mahi bhai': Cheteshwar Pujara ahead of IPL 2021 There are quite a few changes in the ICC Men’s ODI Player Rankings that considered performances from the last match of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League series between New Zealand and Bangladesh and the last two of the series between India and England. England all-rounder Ben Stokes has advanced four places to 24th scoring 99 off 52 balls in the second ODI and is up to second among all-rounders, while Jonny Bairstow has retained seventh place after touching a career-high 796 rating points with his player of the match effort of 124 in the same match. Moeen Ali is up nine places to 46th among bowlers. For India, Lokesh Rahul has moved up from 31st to 27th, all-rounder Hardik Pandya has achieved a career-best 42nd position among batsmen after scores of 35 and 64, and Rishabh Pant has entered the top 100. Seam bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who took three for 42 in the final match, has gained nine slots to reach the 11th position, which is his best since being 10th in September 2017. Shardul Thakur’s haul of four for 67 in the same match sees him force his way up to 80th from 93rd. Bangladesh’s Mahmudullah is up seven places to joint-40th among batsmen after an unbeaten 76 while for New Zealand, Matt Henry has moved up five slots to a career-best third position among bowlers after a haul of four for 27. Jimmy Neesham has gained 16 places to reach 62nd among bowlers. In the ICC Men’s Test Player Rankings, Sri Lanka’s Niroshan Dickwella and West Indies’ Nkrumah Bonner have gained big after the drawn opening match of their two-Test series. ALSO READ: IPL 2021- 'Will be a talismanic leader': Suresh Raina on Rishabh Pant leading Delhi Capitals Dickwella, who notched his 17th Test half-century – a record for a player without a century – has gained 10 places to reach a career-best 29th position. Bonner’s maiden Test century, in only his third match, has lifted him into the top 50 for the first time. Oshada Fernando (up 10 places to 72nd), Joshua da Silva (up four places to 77th), and Lahiru Thirmanne (up 14 places to 78th) are other Sri Lanka players to move up the list for batsmen while Suranga Lakmal (up five places to a career-best 22nd), Lasith Embuldeniya (up three places to 38th), Vishwa Fernando (up five places to 47th) and Dushmantha Chameera (up three places to 86th) have advanced among bowlers. For the West Indies, all-rounder Jason Holder has moved up three places to eighth among bowlers after a haul of five for 27 in Sri Lanka’s first innings while Kemar Roach is up from 14th to 12th. Kyle Mayers has moved up 12 places to 53rd among batsmen.

ICC Men's T20I Rankings: Devon Conway attains career-best fourth place as Kohli, Rahul slip

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{e3b0ae87-de5b-4c8b-9504-54cb37db19bb}{157}" paraid="687542785" >Delhi Capitals on Tuesday announced Rishabh Pant as the captain for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 season while ruling out Shreyas Iyer for the entire tournament due to shoulder injury. After being appointed the captain of Delhi Capitals, Rishabh Pant said that&nbsp;he always dreamt about leading Delhi and the dream has now come true.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{26b92ded-f372-48cb-a3b4-77900af91995}{11}" paraid="1874335945" >Pant, who made his IPL debut in 2016, has come a long way. From being a hard-hitting batsman to become a match-winner for DC and Team India, the youngster has exponentially grown as a player over the years. In the 2018 edition of IPL, Pant hammered an impressive&nbsp;684 runs before being named the vice-captain of Delhi Capitals in IPL 2020.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{cdc97e26-3b33-46c7-b934-13de8f876201}{233}" paraid="800930820" >Pant said that with a top coaching staff and a plethora of experienced players around him, he can't wait to give his best for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2021.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{cdc97e26-3b33-46c7-b934-13de8f876201}{233}" paraid="800930820" ><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/delhi-capitals-name-rishabh-pant-as-captain-for-ipl-2021-374326" hreflang="en">Delhi Capitals name Rishabh Pant as captain for IPL 2021</a></strong></p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{cdc97e26-3b33-46c7-b934-13de8f876201}{221}" paraid="1735793906" >"Delhi is where I grew up, and where my IPL journey began six years ago. To lead this team one day is a dream I've always&nbsp;harboured. And today, as that dream comes true, I feel humbled. I am truly grateful, especially to our team owners, who considered me capable enough for this role. With an amazing coaching staff, and a plethora of accomplished seniors around me, I can't wait to give my absolute best for Delhi Capitals,” Pant said after being appointed DC captain for IPL 2021.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{7e0d956d-9d09-4e01-b146-2f1425a27f38}{153}" paraid="283355764" >Whereas Delhi Capitals Head Coach Ricky Ponting said that this is a tremendous opportunity for Pant while adding successful series against Australia and England will give him the confidence to succeed in the new role.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{7e0d956d-9d09-4e01-b146-2f1425a27f38}{153}" paraid="283355764" ><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/exclusive-waited-for-this-opportunity-shahrukh-khan-aims-to-make-it-big-for-punjab-kings-in-ipl-2021-374299" hreflang="en">Exclusive: 'Waited for this opportunity' - Shahrukh Khan aims to make it big for Punjab Kings in IPL 2021</a></strong></p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{7e0d956d-9d09-4e01-b146-2f1425a27f38}{182}" paraid="1519979173" >Ricky Ponting said, “The previous two seasons under Shreyas’ leadership have been incredible, and the results speak for themselves. This is a tremendous opportunity for young Rishabh, who is coming off successful stints against Australia and England which will no doubt give him the confidence needed to take on a new role that comes with a lot more responsibility. The coaching group is excited to work with him, and we can’t wait for the season to get started.”&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{e368abbf-9251-4d49-90e4-f47f103edd51}{166}" paraid="1945842894" >Rishabh&nbsp;Pant's&nbsp;first match as Delhi Capitals captain will be against MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings on April 10.&nbsp;</p>


Delhi Capitals on Tuesday announced Rishabh Pant as the captain for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 season while ruling out Shreyas Iyer for the entire tournament due to shoulder injury.

Delhi Capitals on Tuesday announced Rishabh Pant as the captain for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 season while ruling out Shreyas Iyer for the entire tournament due to shoulder injury. After being appointed the captain of Delhi Capitals, Rishabh Pant said that he always dreamt about leading Delhi and the dream has now come true. Pant, who made his IPL debut in 2016, has come a long way. From being a hard-hitting batsman to become a match-winner for DC and Team India, the youngster has exponentially grown as a player over the years. In the 2018 edition of IPL, Pant hammered an impressive 684 runs before being named the vice-captain of Delhi Capitals in IPL 2020. Pant said that with a top coaching staff and a plethora of experienced players around him, he can't wait to give his best for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2021. ALSO READ: Delhi Capitals name Rishabh Pant as captain for IPL 2021 "Delhi is where I grew up, and where my IPL journey began six years ago. To lead this team one day is a dream I've always harboured. And today, as that dream comes true, I feel humbled. I am truly grateful, especially to our team owners, who considered me capable enough for this role. With an amazing coaching staff, and a plethora of accomplished seniors around me, I can't wait to give my absolute best for Delhi Capitals,” Pant said after being appointed DC captain for IPL 2021. Whereas Delhi Capitals Head Coach Ricky Ponting said that this is a tremendous opportunity for Pant while adding successful series against Australia and England will give him the confidence to succeed in the new role. ALSO READ: Exclusive: 'Waited for this opportunity' - Shahrukh Khan aims to make it big for Punjab Kings in IPL 2021 Ricky Ponting said, “The previous two seasons under Shreyas’ leadership have been incredible, and the results speak for themselves. This is a tremendous opportunity for young Rishabh, who is coming off successful stints against Australia and England which will no doubt give him the confidence needed to take on a new role that comes with a lot more responsibility. The coaching group is excited to work with him, and we can’t wait for the season to get started.” Rishabh Pant's first match as Delhi Capitals captain will be against MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings on April 10.

'To lead this team one day...': Rishabh Pant reacts as Delhi Capitals announce him as captain for IPL 2021

<p>Delhi Capitals on Tuesday announced Rishabh Pant as captain for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021, scheduled to start on April 9. Pant will take the leadership duties from Shreyas Iyer, who will miss the 14th edition of the T20 tournament due to left shoulder injury.</p>

<p>“I would like to wish Shreyas a speedy recovery,” said DC Chairman &amp; Co-owner Mr Kiran Kumar Grandhi on the occasion, “Under Shreyas’ captaincy, our team reached newer heights, and he is going to be missed immensely. In his absence, the franchise has collectively picked Rishabh to lead the team this year. While it has come under unfortunate circumstances, it is a tremendous opportunity for him to grow further. I wish him all the best in his new role.”</p>

<p>“There is no doubt that Shreyas Iyer’s leadership and batting will be missed this year, and we hope to see him back on the field soon,” said team co-owner Mr Parth Jindal, “Delhi Capitals as a team plays a passionate and fearless brand of cricket, and Rishabh Pant embodies that best. The Delhi team has played an important role in his growth as a cricketer, just like he has played an equally important role in the growth of the Delhi team. I wish Rishabh and the team good luck.”</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/exclusive-waited-for-this-opportunity-shahrukh-khan-aims-to-make-it-big-for-punjab-kings-in-ipl-2021-374299" hreflang="en">Exclusive: 'Waited for this opportunity' - Shahrukh Khan aims to make it big for Punjab Kings in IPL 2021</a></strong></p>

<p>Speaking on the latest development, Shreyas Iyer said, “When I sustained the shoulder injury, and Delhi Capitals needed a leader for this edition of the IPL, I had no doubt that Rishabh would be the best man for the job. He has all my good wishes to make amazing things happen with our absolutely incredible team. I’m going to miss the team tremendously, and will be cheering for them throughout.”</p>

<p>On his new role, Rishabh Pant said, "Delhi is where I grew up, and where my IPL journey began six years ago. To lead this team one day is a dream I've always harboured. And today, as that dream comes true, I feel humbled. I am truly grateful, especially to our team owners, who considered me capable enough for this role. With an amazing coaching staff, and a plethora of accomplished seniors around me, I can't wait to give my absolute best for Delhi Capitals."</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Delhi Capitals Head Coach Ricky Ponting said, “The previous two seasons under Shreyas’ leadership have been incredible, and the results speak for themselves. This is a tremendous opportunity for young Rishabh, who is coming off successful stints against Australia and England which will no doubt give him the confidence needed to take on a new role that comes with a lot more responsibility. The coaching group is excited to work with him, and we can’t wait for the season to get started.”</p>

<p>This will be Rishabh Pant’s debut as IPL captain. The 23-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman has captained Delhi’s state team in the past.</p>


Delhi Capitals on Tuesday announced Rishabh Pant as captain for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021, scheduled to start on April 9. Pant will take the leadership duties from Shreyas Iyer, who will miss the 14th edition of the T20 tournament due to left shoulder injury.

Delhi Capitals on Tuesday announced Rishabh Pant as captain for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021, scheduled to start on April 9. Pant will take the leadership duties from Shreyas Iyer, who will miss the 14th edition of the T20 tournament due to left shoulder injury. “I would like to wish Shreyas a speedy recovery,” said DC Chairman & Co-owner Mr Kiran Kumar Grandhi on the occasion, “Under Shreyas’ captaincy, our team reached newer heights, and he is going to be missed immensely. In his absence, the franchise has collectively picked Rishabh to lead the team this year. While it has come under unfortunate circumstances, it is a tremendous opportunity for him to grow further. I wish him all the best in his new role.” “There is no doubt that Shreyas Iyer’s leadership and batting will be missed this year, and we hope to see him back on the field soon,” said team co-owner Mr Parth Jindal, “Delhi Capitals as a team plays a passionate and fearless brand of cricket, and Rishabh Pant embodies that best. The Delhi team has played an important role in his growth as a cricketer, just like he has played an equally important role in the growth of the Delhi team. I wish Rishabh and the team good luck.” ALSO READ: Exclusive: 'Waited for this opportunity' - Shahrukh Khan aims to make it big for Punjab Kings in IPL 2021 Speaking on the latest development, Shreyas Iyer said, “When I sustained the shoulder injury, and Delhi Capitals needed a leader for this edition of the IPL, I had no doubt that Rishabh would be the best man for the job. He has all my good wishes to make amazing things happen with our absolutely incredible team. I’m going to miss the team tremendously, and will be cheering for them throughout.” On his new role, Rishabh Pant said, "Delhi is where I grew up, and where my IPL journey began six years ago. To lead this team one day is a dream I've always harboured. And today, as that dream comes true, I feel humbled. I am truly grateful, especially to our team owners, who considered me capable enough for this role. With an amazing coaching staff, and a plethora of accomplished seniors around me, I can't wait to give my absolute best for Delhi Capitals." Meanwhile, Delhi Capitals Head Coach Ricky Ponting said, “The previous two seasons under Shreyas’ leadership have been incredible, and the results speak for themselves. This is a tremendous opportunity for young Rishabh, who is coming off successful stints against Australia and England which will no doubt give him the confidence needed to take on a new role that comes with a lot more responsibility. The coaching group is excited to work with him, and we can’t wait for the season to get started.” This will be Rishabh Pant’s debut as IPL captain. The 23-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman has captained Delhi’s state team in the past.

Delhi Capitals name Rishabh Pant as captain for IPL 2021

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{5e0cd972-e0dc-4b9c-897a-fe78f4af5533}{60}" paraid="8230030" >With cases rising in the India Legends team, who participated in the recently concluded Road Safety World Series, all the players from the Sri Lanka Legends team have been directed to undergo self-quarantine till next Saturday.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{74118a0e-b866-4d26-8689-bf8266669aa1}{210}" paraid="1618318211" >The likes of Sanath Jayasuriya, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Rangana Herath among other prominent names from Sri Lankan cricket had participated in the Road Safety World Series which was played in front of a packed crowd in Raipur.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{5e0cd972-e0dc-4b9c-897a-fe78f4af5533}{69}" paraid="816118643" >While other tournaments and series are mostly being played behind closed doors, Road Safety World Series persisted with having fans inside the stadiums. The move has backfired as four India Legends players have returned positive for COVID-19.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{5e0cd972-e0dc-4b9c-897a-fe78f4af5533}{69}" paraid="816118643" ><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/exclusive-waited-for-this-opportunity-shahrukh-khan-aims-to-make-it-big-for-punjab-kings-in-ipl-2021-374299" hreflang="en">Exclusive: 'Waited for this opportunity' - Shahrukh Khan aims to make it big for Punjab Kings in IPL 2021</a></strong></p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{0d3f1a4b-4537-48ee-8439-09d8e19748e3}{17}" paraid="40250681" >India Legends captain&nbsp;Sachin&nbsp;Tendulkar, Irfan Pathan, Yusuf Pathan, S Badrinath have so far tested positive for coronavirus after participating in the Road Safety World Series.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{0e63671c-8103-4fe3-818e-1663a9adb919}{243}" paraid="428162050" >Given the rise in cases within the India Legends team, Sri Lanka Legends have been instructed by the health officials to self-quarantine till next Saturday.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{0e63671c-8103-4fe3-818e-1663a9adb919}{243}" paraid="428162050" ><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/baffling-bangladesh-witness-dls-target-blunder-in-2nd-t20i-vs-new-zealand-374279" hreflang="en">Baffling! Bangladesh witness DLS target blunder in 2nd T20I vs New Zealand</a></strong></p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{b25828ac-6b3f-4754-b6a2-c9fce11a5172}{75}" paraid="1660546589" >Sri Lanka Legends had locked horns with India Legends in the final of the Road Safety World Series in which the Tendulkar-led outfit ended up being victorious.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{7aa5199d-6279-4058-8119-9fcaa2d71cc8}{242}" paraid="1319278200" >At the end of the Sri Lanka Legends’ quarantine phase, the players will be subject to RT-PCR tests again.&nbsp;</p>


With cases rising in the India Legends team, who participated in the recently concluded Road Safety World Series, all the players from the Sri Lanka Legends team have been directed to undergo self-quarantine till next Saturday.

With cases rising in the India Legends team, who participated in the recently concluded Road Safety World Series, all the players from the Sri Lanka Legends team have been directed to undergo self-quarantine till next Saturday. The likes of Sanath Jayasuriya, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Rangana Herath among other prominent names from Sri Lankan cricket had participated in the Road Safety World Series which was played in front of a packed crowd in Raipur. While other tournaments and series are mostly being played behind closed doors, Road Safety World Series persisted with having fans inside the stadiums. The move has backfired as four India Legends players have returned positive for COVID-19. ALSO READ: Exclusive: 'Waited for this opportunity' - Shahrukh Khan aims to make it big for Punjab Kings in IPL 2021 India Legends captain Sachin Tendulkar, Irfan Pathan, Yusuf Pathan, S Badrinath have so far tested positive for coronavirus after participating in the Road Safety World Series. Given the rise in cases within the India Legends team, Sri Lanka Legends have been instructed by the health officials to self-quarantine till next Saturday. ALSO READ: Baffling! Bangladesh witness DLS target blunder in 2nd T20I vs New Zealand Sri Lanka Legends had locked horns with India Legends in the final of the Road Safety World Series in which the Tendulkar-led outfit ended up being victorious. At the end of the Sri Lanka Legends’ quarantine phase, the players will be subject to RT-PCR tests again.

Sri Lanka Legends under self-quarantine after 4 India Legends players test positive for COVID-19

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{efa45564-8ff6-4a95-8f32-407217160390}{73}" paraid="752250074" >The long wait to be part of the Indian Premier League (IPL) ended for Tamil Nadu's Shahrukh Khan in the auction ahead of the 14th&nbsp;edition of the tournament when&nbsp;Punjab Kings signed the all-rounder for a whopping INR 5.25 crore. After missing out from the lucrative tournament in the previous season, Shahrukh, standing at 6’ 4'',&nbsp;took his game a&nbsp;notch&nbsp;higher and&nbsp;made a mark as one of the meanest finishers in the Indian domestic set-up.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{bee05ae2-b36e-4b8d-a820-ce12048f65cb}{204}" paraid="1681986467" >After impressing in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy, Shahrukh Khan has set his on the Indian Premier League (IPL) where he will be seen donning the Punjab Kings jersey.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{ff721774-fd07-4c11-ab35-68889204f754}{191}" paraid="1551660341" >“Really excited and looking forward to IPL. I have waited for this opportunity to come and now it is time to work hard and help Punjab Kings win matches. I can't wait to share the dressing room and the field with some of the biggest names in world cricket and I am sure I will learn a lot from everyone involved in the team,” Shahrukh Khan told WION in an exclusive interview.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">How can a video featuring Shahrukh Khan not be a HIT⁉️ 😍<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IPL2020?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IPL2020</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SaddaPunjab?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SaddaPunjab</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PunjabKings?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PunjabKings</a> <a href="https://t.co/ApRKAFRyiw">pic.twitter.com/ApRKAFRyiw</a></p>
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) <a href="https://twitter.com/PunjabKingsIPL/status/1376493149158182912?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 29, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>The auction table was set abuzz when Shahrukh's name popped up in the domestic all-rounder's list. The name, resembling Bollywood megastar and Kolkata Knight Riders owner Shah Rukh Khan was one of the factors&nbsp;to garner eyeballs. But those who kept a close eye on the matches in the Indian domestic circuit knew a storm was about to hit the auction in Chennai.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{1605ada7-8a55-4192-9003-c73f1b45a231}{25}" paraid="1267320231" >When Shahrukh's name was up in the auction, he was with his Tamil Nadu teammates on the bus for Vijay Hazare Trophy training.&nbsp;Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bangalore were relentless in putting up their paddle up to INR 3.40 crore. After that, enter Punjab Kings who got the hard-hitting all-rounder in their squad after outbidding RCB.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">When you get a certain "Shahrukh Khan" in your side 😉😉 <a href="https://twitter.com/PunjabKingsIPL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PunjabKingsIPL</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Vivo_India?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Vivo_India</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IPLAuction?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IPLAuction</a> <a href="https://t.co/z4te9w2EIZ">pic.twitter.com/z4te9w2EIZ</a></p>
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) <a href="https://twitter.com/IPL/status/1362371926514049027?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 18, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>“We were in the team bus and everyone there was very excited when my name popped up in the auction. But honestly, I couldn't enjoy it much as my phone was ringing without a break. We were preparing for the Vijay Hazare Trophy as well so the focus was mainly on it. But yes, it was a very happy and proud moment for me,” Shahrukh recalled.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Turn up the volume and listen to the team's happiness for our bright ⭐<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IPLAuction?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IPLAuction</a> <a href="https://t.co/wkDfFbqGGP">pic.twitter.com/wkDfFbqGGP</a></p>
— DK (@DineshKarthik) <a href="https://twitter.com/DineshKarthik/status/1362405593491804161?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 18, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>In the 2019-20 domestic season, Shahrukh Khan was given the role of a finisher by Tamil Nadu. The hunky all-rounder feels it is a role that changed his career graph. But how tough was it to get into the finisher mode?&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/to-officiate-in-t20-world-cup-and-ashes-is-my-next-target-nitin-menon-to-wion-369471" hreflang="en">To officiate in T20 World Cup and Ashes is my next target: Nitin Menon to WION</a></strong></p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{38d9977d-c9f5-4784-9efd-71d5c032bf05}{177}" paraid="693539799" >“I had opened the innings in Tamil Nadu Premier League and for Tamil Nadu as well because we didn't have an opener in our team and I did well. But I feel my physique, power and&nbsp;strength suit the role of a finisher more.&nbsp;I have worked hard to get into the finisher mode and still learning to master the craft. My game has developed more from&nbsp;the time I was given the role of a finisher. I enjoy the role and to win matches for my team thrills me,” the 25-year-old said.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{b3d2224d-c056-4f9d-9071-2e74b97a8298}{244}" paraid="533953324" >“I have worked hard to get new strokes in my book. To play wide&nbsp;yorkers, hitting length deliveries, to play out of your skin. These are something you need to have as a modern-day batsman. It is not easy at all and requires plenty of hard work and patience,” he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{d5b01e72-dd86-4fae-8c24-4167a6933667}{196}" paraid="1448131824" >Before the cricketing world could witness what Shahrukh Khan – the finisher – could do down the order with the willow, there were blood, sweat and tears to reach the place. While Tamil Nadu captain Dinesh Karthik and assistant coach&nbsp;R Prasanna ensured Shahrukh leaves no stone unturned to learn his new role in the team, it was&nbsp;Azhariah&nbsp;Prabhakar who&nbsp;kept the youngster on track since he was 15 years old.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{d5b01e72-dd86-4fae-8c24-4167a6933667}{196}" paraid="1448131824" ><img alt="Shahrukh Khan" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="19b8bb1c-48e4-4ec5-9e09-cb1961b30667" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/1612420944_shahrukh-khan.jpg" /></p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{d5b01e72-dd86-4fae-8c24-4167a6933667}{176}" paraid="698362329" >"I have been training under&nbsp;Azhariah&nbsp;Prabhakar since I was 15. I can talk to him about anything, he is like a guardian to me. He has been with me in every failure and success, and I can say I wouldn't have been here without him. He made sure I never diverted from my target.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{a62beefa-785a-4999-bb7b-d93a30f4bc47}{59}" paraid="40929943" >“R Prasanna and I have had hours of discussions around my game. He made me the fearless cricketer I am at the moment.&nbsp;And Dinesh Karthik is like a father-figure to everyone in the Tamil Nadu squad. He has guided me in every situation and turned me into a finisher.&nbsp;One of the most important aspects he taught me was how to use the crease when you are in that hitting-mode. He gave me the confidence and trust to finish matches. I can't thank Dinesh enough for what he has done for me,” the all-rounder explained.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{a62beefa-785a-4999-bb7b-d93a30f4bc47}{59}" paraid="40929943" ><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/exclusive-punjab-kings-squad-built-keeping-every-challenge-in-mind-ceo-satish-menon-to-wion-367171" hreflang="en">Exclusive: Punjab Kings squad built keeping every challenge in mind: CEO Satish Menon to WION</a></strong></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Congratulations to Tamil Nadu boys Shahrukh Khan, Hari Nishanth &amp; Siddharth Manimaran!<br />
<br />
Will be great to see these young guns setting the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IPL2021?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IPL2021</a> on 🔥... hopefully not against KKR 😜<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IPLAuction?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IPLAuction</a> <a href="https://t.co/hbbQIkXa1G">pic.twitter.com/hbbQIkXa1G</a></p>
— DK (@DineshKarthik) <a href="https://twitter.com/DineshKarthik/status/1362439213518516225?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 18, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>Shahrukh's off-spin has also caught the eyes of many cricket fans and pundits. In the world of T20 cricket, it is a bonus to have a player with multiple skill-sets.&nbsp;While he is not a polished bowler yet, Sharukh is keen to learn more about bowling from Punjab Kings’&nbsp;Director&nbsp;of Cricket Operations Anil Kumble.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{3951186d-3b38-4324-b55d-27530a9720a2}{186}" paraid="986200084" >“I was bowling medium pace when at Red Bull Campus Cricket but then switched to off-spin. Bowling is something I really want to improve as I gain experience at the top level. I feel it is important to have good skills in all three departments of the game. Anil sir (Anil Kumble) has told me that we will work on my bowling and I am looking forward to picking his brain and learn as much as I can,” Shahrukh said.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{7352737e-1cce-41fd-89ee-df2b913a7930}{245}" paraid="1166954099" >With quarantine over and Punjab Kings taking the field for practice and preparations for IPL 2021, Shahrukh Khan is excited about playing under the leadership of KL Rahul as he said the calm&nbsp;demeanour of the Punjab Kings skipper impresses him the most. He is also looking forward to sharing the dressing room and field with some of the biggest names in world cricket.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{7352737e-1cce-41fd-89ee-df2b913a7930}{245}" paraid="1166954099" >“The squad looks great. KL Rahul comes across as a very calm and composed guy and that is something I really like about him when I watch him play. He was superb as a captain last season in how he handled different situations. Punjab Kings have some big-name players and I am looking forward to learning from them. Being with them will definitely help me to improve my game,” Shahrukh said.</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{7352737e-1cce-41fd-89ee-df2b913a7930}{245}" paraid="1166954099" ><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/exclusive-england-favourites-to-win-t20-world-cup-but-dont-rule-out-india-ryan-sidebottom-370657" hreflang="en">Exclusive: England favourites to win T20 World Cup but don't rule out India - Ryan Sidebottom</a></strong></p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{7352737e-1cce-41fd-89ee-df2b913a7930}{226}" paraid="219440218" >When asked what is his favourite format of the game, Shahrukh quipped: "Currently, I am enjoying T20 cricket but Test cricket has always been my favourite."</p>

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<p>IPL 20201 commences from April 9 with Punjab Kings playing their season opener against Rajasthan Royals on April 12 in Chennai.&nbsp;</p>


The long wait to be part of the Indian Premier League (IPL) ended for Tamil Nadu's Shahrukh Khan in the auction ahead of the 14th edition of the tournament when Punjab Kings signed the all-rounder for a whopping INR 5.

The long wait to be part of the Indian Premier League (IPL) ended for Tamil Nadu's Shahrukh Khan in the auction ahead of the 14th edition of the tournament when Punjab Kings signed the all-rounder for a whopping INR 5.25 crore. After missing out from the lucrative tournament in the previous season, Shahrukh, standing at 6’ 4'', took his game a notch higher and made a mark as one of the meanest finishers in the Indian domestic set-up. After impressing in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy, Shahrukh Khan has set his on the Indian Premier League (IPL) where he will be seen donning the Punjab Kings jersey. “Really excited and looking forward to IPL. I have waited for this opportunity to come and now it is time to work hard and help Punjab Kings win matches. I can't wait to share the dressing room and the field with some of the biggest names in world cricket and I am sure I will learn a lot from everyone involved in the team,” Shahrukh Khan told WION in an exclusive interview. How can a video featuring Shahrukh Khan not be a HIT⁉️ 😍#IPL2020 #SaddaPunjab #PunjabKings pic.twitter.com/ApRKAFRyiw — Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) March 29, 2021 × The auction table was set abuzz when Shahrukh's name popped up in the domestic all-rounder's list. The name, resembling Bollywood megastar and Kolkata Knight Riders owner Shah Rukh Khan was one of the factors to garner eyeballs. But those who kept a close eye on the matches in the Indian domestic circuit knew a storm was about to hit the auction in Chennai. When Shahrukh's name was up in the auction, he was with his Tamil Nadu teammates on the bus for Vijay Hazare Trophy training. Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bangalore were relentless in putting up their paddle up to INR 3.40 crore. After that, enter Punjab Kings who got the hard-hitting all-rounder in their squad after outbidding RCB. When you get a certain "Shahrukh Khan" in your side 😉😉 @PunjabKingsIPL @Vivo_India #IPLAuction pic.twitter.com/z4te9w2EIZ — IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) February 18, 2021 × “We were in the team bus and everyone there was very excited when my name popped up in the auction. But honestly, I couldn't enjoy it much as my phone was ringing without a break. We were preparing for the Vijay Hazare Trophy as well so the focus was mainly on it. But yes, it was a very happy and proud moment for me,” Shahrukh recalled. Turn up the volume and listen to the team's happiness for our bright ⭐#IPLAuction pic.twitter.com/wkDfFbqGGP — DK (@DineshKarthik) February 18, 2021 × In the 2019-20 domestic season, Shahrukh Khan was given the role of a finisher by Tamil Nadu. The hunky all-rounder feels it is a role that changed his career graph. But how tough was it to get into the finisher mode? ALSO READ: To officiate in T20 World Cup and Ashes is my next target: Nitin Menon to WION “I had opened the innings in Tamil Nadu Premier League and for Tamil Nadu as well because we didn't have an opener in our team and I did well. But I feel my physique, power and strength suit the role of a finisher more. I have worked hard to get into the finisher mode and still learning to master the craft. My game has developed more from the time I was given the role of a finisher. I enjoy the role and to win matches for my team thrills me,” the 25-year-old said. “I have worked hard to get new strokes in my book. To play wide yorkers, hitting length deliveries, to play out of your skin. These are something you need to have as a modern-day batsman. It is not easy at all and requires plenty of hard work and patience,” he added. Before the cricketing world could witness what Shahrukh Khan – the finisher – could do down the order with the willow, there were blood, sweat and tears to reach the place. While Tamil Nadu captain Dinesh Karthik and assistant coach R Prasanna ensured Shahrukh leaves no stone unturned to learn his new role in the team, it was Azhariah Prabhakar who kept the youngster on track since he was 15 years old. "I have been training under Azhariah Prabhakar since I was 15. I can talk to him about anything, he is like a guardian to me. He has been with me in every failure and success, and I can say I wouldn't have been here without him. He made sure I never diverted from my target. “R Prasanna and I have had hours of discussions around my game. He made me the fearless cricketer I am at the moment. And Dinesh Karthik is like a father-figure to everyone in the Tamil Nadu squad. He has guided me in every situation and turned me into a finisher. One of the most important aspects he taught me was how to use the crease when you are in that hitting-mode. He gave me the confidence and trust to finish matches. I can't thank Dinesh enough for what he has done for me,” the all-rounder explained. ALSO READ: Exclusive: Punjab Kings squad built keeping every challenge in mind: CEO Satish Menon to WION Congratulations to Tamil Nadu boys Shahrukh Khan, Hari Nishanth & Siddharth Manimaran! Will be great to see these young guns setting the #IPL2021 on 🔥... hopefully not against KKR 😜#IPLAuction pic.twitter.com/hbbQIkXa1G — DK (@DineshKarthik) February 18, 2021 × Shahrukh's off-spin has also caught the eyes of many cricket fans and pundits. In the world of T20 cricket, it is a bonus to have a player with multiple skill-sets. While he is not a polished bowler yet, Sharukh is keen to learn more about bowling from Punjab Kings’ Director of Cricket Operations Anil Kumble. “I was bowling medium pace when at Red Bull Campus Cricket but then switched to off-spin. Bowling is something I really want to improve as I gain experience at the top level. I feel it is important to have good skills in all three departments of the game. Anil sir (Anil Kumble) has told me that we will work on my bowling and I am looking forward to picking his brain and learn as much as I can,” Shahrukh said. With quarantine over and Punjab Kings taking the field for practice and preparations for IPL 2021, Shahrukh Khan is excited about playing under the leadership of KL Rahul as he said the calm demeanour of the Punjab Kings skipper impresses him the most. He is also looking forward to sharing the dressing room and field with some of the biggest names in world cricket. “The squad looks great. KL Rahul comes across as a very calm and composed guy and that is something I really like about him when I watch him play. He was superb as a captain last season in how he handled different situations. Punjab Kings have some big-name players and I am looking forward to learning from them. Being with them will definitely help me to improve my game,” Shahrukh said. ALSO READ: Exclusive: England favourites to win T20 World Cup but don't rule out India - Ryan Sidebottom When asked what is his favourite format of the game, Shahrukh quipped: "Currently, I am enjoying T20 cricket but Test cricket has always been my favourite." View this post on Instagram A post shared by sharukhKhan🏏 (@shahrukhkhan.35) × IPL 20201 commences from April 9 with Punjab Kings playing their season opener against Rajasthan Royals on April 12 in Chennai.

Exclusive: 'Waited for this opportunity' - Shahrukh Khan aims to make it big for Punjab Kings in IPL 2021

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{9bf5c853-d469-4f81-a3ff-de7f5c530bd9}{228}" paraid="895086527" >The second T20I between New Zealand and Bangladesh at the Napier Park in Napier became the talk of the town for a bizarre incident on Tuesday.&nbsp;New Zealand, batting first, posted 173 runs on board in17.5 overs in what has been a rain-affected match between the two sides. However, in what can be called a strange incident, Bangladesh started their chase without knowing the official target.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{b759119b-bd9b-4c98-a3b3-d4f6446d3e34}{234}" paraid="1639851693" >The cricketing world was left baffled as Bangladesh openers Liton Das and Mohammad Naim started the second innings without an official target announced by the match referee. It was only during the second over of the Bangladesh chase when the visiting dressing room saw some movement.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{5b7355ee-bcef-4055-8a36-0295b1683c8c}{99}" paraid="68924410" >Before the start of the second over, Bangladesh&nbsp;were&nbsp;of the view that they were chasing 148 runs from 16 overs after the target was revised in accordance with the DLS method. However, Bangladesh coach Russell Domingo was seen&nbsp;rushing to the match referee's room to check what the confusion was all about.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{5b7355ee-bcef-4055-8a36-0295b1683c8c}{99}" paraid="68924410" ><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/no-position-available-justin-langer-reacts-to-steve-smiths-captaincy-comments-374268" hreflang="en">'No position available': Justin Langer reacts to Steve Smith's 'captaincy' comments</a></strong></p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{ee673445-f9cc-4359-8371-f5e1e68bf7ce}{89}" paraid="1578968615" >After 1.3 overs, the match witnessed a delay after the confusion was conveyed to the on-field umpires. The players were seen having drinks during the break while officials including match referee Jeff Crowe in the box were involved in a discussion.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{9bf5c853-d469-4f81-a3ff-de7f5c530bd9}{244}" paraid="305778463" >Bangladesh&nbsp;were&nbsp;then handed a revised target of 170 but many on social media said that: according to DLS 4.0 version, the revised target should have been 171.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{9bf5c853-d469-4f81-a3ff-de7f5c530bd9}{244}" paraid="305778463" ><strong>New Zealand all-rounder James Neesham was also taken aback by the incident:&nbsp;</strong><em>How is it possible to start a run chase without knowing what you’re chasing? Crazy stuff. #NZvBAN</em></p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">How is it possible to start a run chase without knowing what you’re chasing? Crazy stuff. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NZvBAN?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NZvBAN</a></p>
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<p>The play continued as Bangladesh batsmen got on with their chase.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{49551ece-aad4-4b66-8e12-689670a866e3}{141}" paraid="712197166" >However, during the 14th&nbsp;over of the chase, the target was again revised back to 171, bringing more confusion into the scene.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{49551ece-aad4-4b66-8e12-689670a866e3}{141}" paraid="712197166" ><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/braithwaite-defies-sri-lanka-bowling-in-second-test-374239" hreflang="en">Braithwaite defies Sri Lanka bowling in second Test</a></strong></p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{d4b57beb-1f25-45d9-bbdb-ac092080a06d}{123}" paraid="717608640" >New Zealand went on to win the match by 28 runs (DLS) method after Bangladesh could manage just 142/7 in 16 overs.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{28f82efc-7e0e-4afa-bfe2-b394b42f4c21}{62}" paraid="952768513" >“There was some confusion, and the DLS kept changing, but that can happen in the game. First ten overs we were on track but we didn't finish well enough. I think Naim and Soumya gave us momentum, but Phillips and Sodhi were extremely good and we couldn't capitalize on their overs, and if we capitalize on those chances, we can go on to win. Taskin took a brilliant catch, and that gave us a lot of confidence, but it's important to finish well in the T20 format. Our top order has been great, and hopefully we take that positive into the next game,” said Bangladesh captain&nbsp;Mahmudullah&nbsp;after the end of the match.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Umpires: </strong>Chris Brown (NZL), Chris Gaffaney (NZL)&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>TV Umpire</strong>: Wayne Knights (NZL)</p>

<p><strong>Match Referee:</strong> Jeff Crowe (NZL)</p>


The second T20I between New Zealand and Bangladesh at the Napier Park in Napier became the talk of the town for a bizarre incident on Tuesday. New Zealand, batting first, posted 173 runs on board in17.

The second T20I between New Zealand and Bangladesh at the Napier Park in Napier became the talk of the town for a bizarre incident on Tuesday. New Zealand, batting first, posted 173 runs on board in17.5 overs in what has been a rain-affected match between the two sides. However, in what can be called a strange incident, Bangladesh started their chase without knowing the official target. The cricketing world was left baffled as Bangladesh openers Liton Das and Mohammad Naim started the second innings without an official target announced by the match referee. It was only during the second over of the Bangladesh chase when the visiting dressing room saw some movement. Before the start of the second over, Bangladesh were of the view that they were chasing 148 runs from 16 overs after the target was revised in accordance with the DLS method. However, Bangladesh coach Russell Domingo was seen rushing to the match referee's room to check what the confusion was all about. ALSO READ: 'No position available': Justin Langer reacts to Steve Smith's 'captaincy' comments After 1.3 overs, the match witnessed a delay after the confusion was conveyed to the on-field umpires. The players were seen having drinks during the break while officials including match referee Jeff Crowe in the box were involved in a discussion. Bangladesh were then handed a revised target of 170 but many on social media said that: according to DLS 4.0 version, the revised target should have been 171. New Zealand all-rounder James Neesham was also taken aback by the incident: How is it possible to start a run chase without knowing what you’re chasing? Crazy stuff. #NZvBAN How is it possible to start a run chase without knowing what you’re chasing? Crazy stuff. #NZvBAN — Jimmy Neesham (@JimmyNeesh) March 30, 2021 × The play continued as Bangladesh batsmen got on with their chase. However, during the 14th over of the chase, the target was again revised back to 171, bringing more confusion into the scene. ALSO READ: Braithwaite defies Sri Lanka bowling in second Test New Zealand went on to win the match by 28 runs (DLS) method after Bangladesh could manage just 142/7 in 16 overs. “There was some confusion, and the DLS kept changing, but that can happen in the game. First ten overs we were on track but we didn't finish well enough. I think Naim and Soumya gave us momentum, but Phillips and Sodhi were extremely good and we couldn't capitalize on their overs, and if we capitalize on those chances, we can go on to win. Taskin took a brilliant catch, and that gave us a lot of confidence, but it's important to finish well in the T20 format. Our top order has been great, and hopefully we take that positive into the next game,” said Bangladesh captain Mahmudullah after the end of the match. Umpires: Chris Brown (NZL), Chris Gaffaney (NZL) TV Umpire: Wayne Knights (NZL) Match Referee: Jeff Crowe (NZL)

Baffling! Bangladesh witness DLS target blunder in 2nd T20I vs New Zealand

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{1cbdf596-734a-49cf-8d53-08c121e1acb2}{140}" paraid="1944183900" >Head coach Justin Langer has reacted to Steve Smith's statement on being open to captaining the Australia cricket team if the opportunity arises in the future. Hours after Smith said he would be keen to lead Australia again, Langer has said that&nbsp;the team has two very good captains in Tim Pain (Tests) and Aaron Finch (limited-overs).&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{1cbdf596-734a-49cf-8d53-08c121e1acb2}{149}" paraid="1458435437" >"We have two very good captains and two important competitions coming up -- an Ashes and a T20 World Cup. Our future looks good," Langer told the ABC, as reported by Fox Sports.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{1cbdf596-734a-49cf-8d53-08c121e1acb2}{67}" paraid="352047587" >"Despite the media chatter there is no captaincy position available," he added.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{b37ad00f-e1fc-4ee6-8008-ba21f3871077}{91}" paraid="2083083939" >On Monday, Smith opened up about his willingness to lead Australia. He was removed from the captaincy role following the&nbsp;infamous&nbsp;Sandpaper Gate saga in the Cape Town Test against South Africa in March 2018.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{b37ad00f-e1fc-4ee6-8008-ba21f3871077}{91}" paraid="2083083939" ><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/watch-thisara-perera-smashes-6-sixes-becomes-first-sri-lankan-to-achieve-the-iconic-feat-374099" hreflang="en">Watch: Thisara Perera smashes 6 sixes, becomes first Sri Lankan to achieve the iconic feat</a></strong></p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{1cbdf596-734a-49cf-8d53-08c121e1acb2}{79}" paraid="2140308141" >"I've certainly had a lot of time to think about it and I guess now I've got to a point where if the opportunity did come up again, I would be keen," Smith had told News Corp.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{1cbdf596-734a-49cf-8d53-08c121e1acb2}{43}" paraid="284424769" >"If it was what Cricket Australia wanted and it was what was best for the team at the time, it's certainly something I would be interested in now, that's for sure," he added.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{1cbdf596-734a-49cf-8d53-08c121e1acb2}{91}" paraid="1873587529" >Smith along with David Warner was banned from international cricket by Cricket Australia for a year while Cameron Bancroft was given a nine-month suspension.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{955d53eb-ee67-4a16-bcf9-f1e4dbc03269}{210}" paraid="1439628368" >"Time keeps moving forward, and I've learnt so much the last few years about myself and grown as a human being. I feel as though I'd be in a better place if the opportunity did come up. If it doesn't, that's fine as well and I'd support whoever is in charge the same way I've supported Tim and&nbsp;Finchy. I haven't always felt like I wanted to do it again. That's only come in the last little bit," said Smith.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{955d53eb-ee67-4a16-bcf9-f1e4dbc03269}{210}" paraid="1439628368" ><strong>IN PICS |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/ipl-2021-who-will-captain-delhi-capitals-in-absence-of-shreyas-iyer-check-the-list-of-options-372866" hreflang="en">IPL 2021: Who will captain Delhi Capitals in absence of Shreyas Iyer? Check the list of options</a></strong></p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{955d53eb-ee67-4a16-bcf9-f1e4dbc03269}{222}" paraid="1796972660" >However, there has been pressure on Paine since Australia's home series defeat against India and there have been calls to replace the Test captain.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{d17b235a-1d2a-4a94-a2c4-c3fed14c8ff6}{248}" paraid="847035939" >Smith will be seen playing in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 starting April 9 for Delhi Capitals.&nbsp;</p>


Head coach Justin Langer has reacted to Steve Smith's statement on being open to captaining the Australia cricket team if the opportunity arises in the future. Hours after Smith said he would be keen to lead Australia again, Langer has said that the team has two very good captains in Tim Pain (Tests) and Aaron Finch (limited-overs).

Head coach Justin Langer has reacted to Steve Smith's statement on being open to captaining the Australia cricket team if the opportunity arises in the future. Hours after Smith said he would be keen to lead Australia again, Langer has said that the team has two very good captains in Tim Pain (Tests) and Aaron Finch (limited-overs). "We have two very good captains and two important competitions coming up -- an Ashes and a T20 World Cup. Our future looks good," Langer told the ABC, as reported by Fox Sports. "Despite the media chatter there is no captaincy position available," he added. On Monday, Smith opened up about his willingness to lead Australia. He was removed from the captaincy role following the infamous Sandpaper Gate saga in the Cape Town Test against South Africa in March 2018. ALSO READ: Watch: Thisara Perera smashes 6 sixes, becomes first Sri Lankan to achieve the iconic feat "I've certainly had a lot of time to think about it and I guess now I've got to a point where if the opportunity did come up again, I would be keen," Smith had told News Corp. "If it was what Cricket Australia wanted and it was what was best for the team at the time, it's certainly something I would be interested in now, that's for sure," he added. Smith along with David Warner was banned from international cricket by Cricket Australia for a year while Cameron Bancroft was given a nine-month suspension. "Time keeps moving forward, and I've learnt so much the last few years about myself and grown as a human being. I feel as though I'd be in a better place if the opportunity did come up. If it doesn't, that's fine as well and I'd support whoever is in charge the same way I've supported Tim and Finchy. I haven't always felt like I wanted to do it again. That's only come in the last little bit," said Smith. IN PICS | IPL 2021: Who will captain Delhi Capitals in absence of Shreyas Iyer? Check the list of options However, there has been pressure on Paine since Australia's home series defeat against India and there have been calls to replace the Test captain. Smith will be seen playing in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 starting April 9 for Delhi Capitals.

'No position available': Justin Langer reacts to Steve Smith's 'captaincy' comments

<p>India opener Shafali Verma’s blistering 30-ball 60 in the final match of the home series against South Africa has helped garner 26 rating points and consolidate her position at the top of the ICC Women’s T20I Player Rankings.</p>

<p>Verma, who had regained the top position among batters last week, is now on 776 rating points and enjoys a 35-point lead over Australia’s Beth Mooney. Verma’s opening partner Smriti Mandhana, with whom she was associated in a decisive 96-run stand, has gained one spot and is sixth after her unbeaten 48 off 28 deliveries.</p>

<p>Left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad’s match-winning haul of three for nine has lifted her 12 places to a career-best 13th position among bowlers and seam bowler Arundhati Reddy has gained 15 places to reach 56th position in the latest weekly update to the women’s rankings, carried out on Tuesdays and based on performances in matches completed till Monday.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/mumbai-indians-will-be-hard-to-beat-in-ipl-2021-says-sunil-gavaskar-374248" hreflang="en">Mumbai Indians will be hard to beat in IPL 2021, says Sunil Gavaskar</a></strong></p>

<p>For South Africa, who won the series 2-1, captain Sune Luus has gained one slot to reach 37th among batters after her knock of 28 while fast bowler Tumi Sekhukhune is in 42nd position after gaining seven slots. All-rounder Nadine de Klerk has advanced two slots to catch up with compatriot Moseline Daniels at joint-66th place.</p>

<p>In Tuesday’s update, which also considered performances in the first match between New Zealand and Australia in Hamilton on Sunday, Australia all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner’s unbeaten 73 has helped her gain five places to reach a career-best 11th position.</p>

<p>Leg-spinner Georgia Wareham has risen back to a career best-matching 10th position after gaining two slots while Nicola Carey has moved up from 60th to 57th in what is another notable gain for Australia’s bowlers after their six-wicket victory.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/watch-thisara-perera-smashes-6-sixes-becomes-first-sri-lankan-to-achieve-the-iconic-feat-374099" hreflang="en">Watch: Thisara Perera smashes 6 sixes, becomes first Sri Lankan to achieve the iconic feat</a></strong></p>

<p>For New Zealand, former captain Amy Satterthwaite’s knock of 40 has helped her gain one slot and reach 27th position. All-rounder Amelia Kerr has moved up 10 slots to 71st among batters and Maddy Green is up three places to 87th. Rosemary Mair (up seven places to 46th) and Jess Kerr (up 38 places to 92nd) have advanced among bowlers.</p>


India opener Shafali Verma’s blistering 30-ball 60 in the final match of the home series against South Africa has helped garner 26 rating points and consolidate her position at the top of the ICC Women’s T20I Player Rankings.

India opener Shafali Verma’s blistering 30-ball 60 in the final match of the home series against South Africa has helped garner 26 rating points and consolidate her position at the top of the ICC Women’s T20I Player Rankings. Verma, who had regained the top position among batters last week, is now on 776 rating points and enjoys a 35-point lead over Australia’s Beth Mooney. Verma’s opening partner Smriti Mandhana, with whom she was associated in a decisive 96-run stand, has gained one spot and is sixth after her unbeaten 48 off 28 deliveries. Left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad’s match-winning haul of three for nine has lifted her 12 places to a career-best 13th position among bowlers and seam bowler Arundhati Reddy has gained 15 places to reach 56th position in the latest weekly update to the women’s rankings, carried out on Tuesdays and based on performances in matches completed till Monday. ALSO READ: Mumbai Indians will be hard to beat in IPL 2021, says Sunil Gavaskar For South Africa, who won the series 2-1, captain Sune Luus has gained one slot to reach 37th among batters after her knock of 28 while fast bowler Tumi Sekhukhune is in 42nd position after gaining seven slots. All-rounder Nadine de Klerk has advanced two slots to catch up with compatriot Moseline Daniels at joint-66th place. In Tuesday’s update, which also considered performances in the first match between New Zealand and Australia in Hamilton on Sunday, Australia all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner’s unbeaten 73 has helped her gain five places to reach a career-best 11th position. Leg-spinner Georgia Wareham has risen back to a career best-matching 10th position after gaining two slots while Nicola Carey has moved up from 60th to 57th in what is another notable gain for Australia’s bowlers after their six-wicket victory. ALSO READ: Watch: Thisara Perera smashes 6 sixes, becomes first Sri Lankan to achieve the iconic feat For New Zealand, former captain Amy Satterthwaite’s knock of 40 has helped her gain one slot and reach 27th position. All-rounder Amelia Kerr has moved up 10 slots to 71st among batters and Maddy Green is up three places to 87th. Rosemary Mair (up seven places to 46th) and Jess Kerr (up 38 places to 92nd) have advanced among bowlers.

Shafali Verma consolidates position at top in ICC Women's T20I Player Rankings

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{4b52504e-209b-40b5-a75a-095a0d971a9a}{22}" paraid="1027595890" >Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar has backed Mumbai Indians to make a hat-trick of Indian Premier League (IPL) title wins in the upcoming 14th&nbsp;edition of the T20 tournament, scheduled to start from April 9. Gavaskar&nbsp;pointed out that the Mumbai Indians players have been in a rich run of form in the build-up to the IPL 2021 while adding the five-time champions would be a hard team to beat.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{47bf357e-6161-45bb-941c-0aabe326885b}{61}" paraid="2128725256" >Rohit Sharma will look to become the first skipper in IPL history to pull off a hat-trick of IPL trophy wins after lifting the coveted trophy in 2019 and 2020.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{67e3a1e6-393b-4c7a-941c-19f66262dda7}{152}" paraid="685955672" >The likes of Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan and Pandya brothers were in their element during the recently concluded T20I and ODI series against England.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{a204f6b1-3e9d-4e7b-b8f5-f93d425a5ad8}{7}" paraid="1327157311" >"I think Mumbai Indians will be hard to beat. We have seen their players coming to form. Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav, the way they batted. Mumbai Indian players who took part in this T20I series and ODI series have shown they are in good form," Gavaskar told Star Sports.</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{a204f6b1-3e9d-4e7b-b8f5-f93d425a5ad8}{7}" paraid="1327157311" ><strong>TRENDING:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/watch-thisara-perera-smashes-6-sixes-becomes-first-sri-lankan-to-achieve-the-iconic-feat-374099" hreflang="en">Watch: Thisara Perera smashes 6 sixes, becomes first Sri Lankan to achieve the iconic feat</a></strong></p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{0e63fef2-070b-453d-b1b9-e2c4db318291}{87}" paraid="888780643" >"The way Hardik Pandya has come to the party not just for Mumbai Indians, it was important for Indian cricket to see him bowl 9 overs. It means he is ready to play 9 overs. It (the World Test Championship final) is going to be in June, there is still time for that but the way he has come back is very good for Mumbai and Indian cricket," Gavaskar added.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{a204f6b1-3e9d-4e7b-b8f5-f93d425a5ad8}{59}" paraid="1640955092" >Meanwhile, all of the Mumbai Indians players who were involved in the India-England series have joined the franchise and have started gearing up for the lucrative T20 tournament.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{a204f6b1-3e9d-4e7b-b8f5-f93d425a5ad8}{59}" paraid="1640955092" ><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ipl-2021-virat-kohli-to-join-royal-challengers-bangalore-squad-in-chennai-on-april-1-374120" hreflang="en">IPL 2021: Virat Kohli to join Royal Challengers Bangalore squad in Chennai on April 1</a></strong></p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{c2d2bbba-b774-4341-959e-ac88fab2bca2}{20}" paraid="1475517163" >The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 commences from April 9 with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) locking horns with Mumbai Indians (MI) in the season opener.&nbsp;</p>


Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar has backed Mumbai Indians to make a hat-trick of Indian Premier League (IPL) title wins in the upcoming 14th edition of the T20 tournament, scheduled to start from April 9.

Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar has backed Mumbai Indians to make a hat-trick of Indian Premier League (IPL) title wins in the upcoming 14th edition of the T20 tournament, scheduled to start from April 9. Gavaskar pointed out that the Mumbai Indians players have been in a rich run of form in the build-up to the IPL 2021 while adding the five-time champions would be a hard team to beat. Rohit Sharma will look to become the first skipper in IPL history to pull off a hat-trick of IPL trophy wins after lifting the coveted trophy in 2019 and 2020. The likes of Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan and Pandya brothers were in their element during the recently concluded T20I and ODI series against England. "I think Mumbai Indians will be hard to beat. We have seen their players coming to form. Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav, the way they batted. Mumbai Indian players who took part in this T20I series and ODI series have shown they are in good form," Gavaskar told Star Sports. TRENDING: Watch: Thisara Perera smashes 6 sixes, becomes first Sri Lankan to achieve the iconic feat "The way Hardik Pandya has come to the party not just for Mumbai Indians, it was important for Indian cricket to see him bowl 9 overs. It means he is ready to play 9 overs. It (the World Test Championship final) is going to be in June, there is still time for that but the way he has come back is very good for Mumbai and Indian cricket," Gavaskar added. Meanwhile, all of the Mumbai Indians players who were involved in the India-England series have joined the franchise and have started gearing up for the lucrative T20 tournament. ALSO READ: IPL 2021: Virat Kohli to join Royal Challengers Bangalore squad in Chennai on April 1 The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 commences from April 9 with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) locking horns with Mumbai Indians (MI) in the season opener.

Mumbai Indians will be hard to beat in IPL 2021, says Sunil Gavaskar

<p>Kraigg Brathwaite has been at his most obdurate in compiling an unbeaten 61 with the West Indies struggling to cope with the wiles of Suranga Lakmal and the rest of the Sri Lankan bowling attack in reaching 171 for five at tea on the opening day of the second and final Test against Sri Lanka at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on Monday.</p>

<p>Brathwaite's gritty defiance over four hours at the crease has contrasted sharply with the attacking play of Kyle Mayers, who counter-attacked in the morning session but fell in the first over after lunch to Vishwa Fernando for 49.</p>

<p>Lakmal had claimed the early honours for Sri Lanka with two early wickets and added the scalp of the struggling Jermaine Blackwood in the afternoon session to have figures of three for 53 at the interval.</p>

<p>Dhananjaya de Silva then dismissed Jason Holder for 30 just before tea, the former captain taken at slip driving at the first delivery from the spinner to terminate a 51-run fifth wicket partnership with his skipper.</p>

<p>Fresh from career-best Test innings figures of five for 47 a week earlier at the same venue, Lakmal wasted no time in justifying the decision by his captain, Dimuth Karunaratne, to put the West Indies in when he removed John Campbell and Nkrumah Bonner in quick succession.</p>

<p>Campbell fell to a straightforward catch by wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella while Bonner, who held out against the visitors for seven hours in compiling an unbeaten century to ensure a draw in the first Test, fell without scoring, playing on to the cunning fast-medium bowler.</p>

<p>Mayers responded in his usual attacking style, dominating a third-wicket partnership of 71 with Brathwaite.&nbsp;</p>

<p>His penchant for attack brought him eight boundaries off 58 deliveries but he continued to live dangerously, edging through or just short of the slip cordon as the Sri Lankan pacers continued to offer the left-hander the opportunity to exercise his expansive off-drives in the hope of eventually offering a catch to the waiting fielders.</p>

<p>His luck ran out in the third ball after lunch with Dickwella coming up with the catch behind the stumps.</p>

<p>Both teams are unchanged from the first Test where the tourists rallied from a 102-run first innings deficit to seize the initiative, only for the home side to bat through the final day to comfortably ensure the stalemate.</p>

<p>Sri Lanka are seeking a first-ever Test series triumph in the Caribbean while the West Indies are keen to follow up their series success in Bangladesh in February with a home triumph ahead of a lengthy international break to accommodate the Indian Premier League.</p>


Kraigg Brathwaite has been at his most obdurate in compiling an unbeaten 61 with the West Indies struggling to cope with the wiles of Suranga Lakmal and the rest of the Sri Lankan bowling attack in reaching 171 for five at tea on the opening day of the second and final Test against Sri Lanka at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on Monday.

Kraigg Brathwaite has been at his most obdurate in compiling an unbeaten 61 with the West Indies struggling to cope with the wiles of Suranga Lakmal and the rest of the Sri Lankan bowling attack in reaching 171 for five at tea on the opening day of the second and final Test against Sri Lanka at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on Monday. Brathwaite's gritty defiance over four hours at the crease has contrasted sharply with the attacking play of Kyle Mayers, who counter-attacked in the morning session but fell in the first over after lunch to Vishwa Fernando for 49. Lakmal had claimed the early honours for Sri Lanka with two early wickets and added the scalp of the struggling Jermaine Blackwood in the afternoon session to have figures of three for 53 at the interval. Dhananjaya de Silva then dismissed Jason Holder for 30 just before tea, the former captain taken at slip driving at the first delivery from the spinner to terminate a 51-run fifth wicket partnership with his skipper. Fresh from career-best Test innings figures of five for 47 a week earlier at the same venue, Lakmal wasted no time in justifying the decision by his captain, Dimuth Karunaratne, to put the West Indies in when he removed John Campbell and Nkrumah Bonner in quick succession. Campbell fell to a straightforward catch by wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella while Bonner, who held out against the visitors for seven hours in compiling an unbeaten century to ensure a draw in the first Test, fell without scoring, playing on to the cunning fast-medium bowler. Mayers responded in his usual attacking style, dominating a third-wicket partnership of 71 with Brathwaite. His penchant for attack brought him eight boundaries off 58 deliveries but he continued to live dangerously, edging through or just short of the slip cordon as the Sri Lankan pacers continued to offer the left-hander the opportunity to exercise his expansive off-drives in the hope of eventually offering a catch to the waiting fielders. His luck ran out in the third ball after lunch with Dickwella coming up with the catch behind the stumps. Both teams are unchanged from the first Test where the tourists rallied from a 102-run first innings deficit to seize the initiative, only for the home side to bat through the final day to comfortably ensure the stalemate. Sri Lanka are seeking a first-ever Test series triumph in the Caribbean while the West Indies are keen to follow up their series success in Bangladesh in February with a home triumph ahead of a lengthy international break to accommodate the Indian Premier League.

Braithwaite defies Sri Lanka bowling in second Test

<p>Consecutive Test, Twenty20 and One-Day series defeats would be enough for most cricket nations to ring the changes, but not England, according to team stalwart Jos Buttler.</p>

<p>India captain Virat Kohli said after claiming the ODIs with a seven-run win in a tense decider on Sunday that it had been "sweet" to beat old rivals England in every contest on the three-month tour.</p>

<p>Kohli predicted "exciting times" ahead for his side who are now expected to depose England as the world's top one-day side in the ICC rankings before they host the Twenty20 World Cup this year.</p>

<p>The Tests, won 3-1, saw India showcase a devastating new spinner in Axar Patel, while Prasidh Krishna was unleashed as a new pace threat in the ODIs.</p>

<p>Buttler, who stood in for injured captain Eoin Morgan, said however that England's rivals should not read too much into the defeats.</p>

<p>"We have been a brilliant side for a long period of time now."</p>

<p>Buttler and Morgan believe that exposing new players to India's bedevilling sun-baked pitches will benefit England at the T20 tournament in October and again in 2023 when they defend their 50-over World Cup title in India.</p>

<p>The unbeaten 95 by number eight Sam Curran and two aggressive innings by one-day debutant Liam Livingstone caught the eye of England's management.</p>

<p>"Any time we expand the player pool, that creates competition, that creates better performances and that creates the upward trajectory we are always after," said Buttler.</p>

<p>The England wicketkeeper-batsman said Curran had been put in a unique position coming in so low in the order and nearly securing an unlikely win.</p>

<p>"Many guys are never really exposed to that situation in their whole career so he will take great learning from that," said Buttler.</p>

<p>"He is still only 22 and the scope of where he can take his game to is massive so we are all very excited for him."</p>

<p>Livingstone also impressed with his unbeaten 27 in England's emphatic six-wicket win on Thursday followed by his 36 on Sunday.</p>

<p>"Liam coming in and playing in those two games the way he has, it shows that we are doing things right," said Buttler.</p>

<p>"Liam is obviously a very attacking, aggressive batsman and we want him to play in exactly that fashion when he comes in," he added.</p>

<p>"It is brilliant to see someone like Liam come in and play straight away in the fashion that we would like people to play in.</p>

<p>"That shows that we are doing things right, the message is getting through to people and we will continue to play in that way."</p>

<p>England may not have won a series in India but Buttler said: "We are in a really good place as a side."</p>


Consecutive Test, Twenty20 and One-Day series defeats would be enough for most cricket nations to ring the changes, but not England, according to team stalwart Jos Buttler.

Consecutive Test, Twenty20 and One-Day series defeats would be enough for most cricket nations to ring the changes, but not England, according to team stalwart Jos Buttler. India captain Virat Kohli said after claiming the ODIs with a seven-run win in a tense decider on Sunday that it had been "sweet" to beat old rivals England in every contest on the three-month tour. Kohli predicted "exciting times" ahead for his side who are now expected to depose England as the world's top one-day side in the ICC rankings before they host the Twenty20 World Cup this year. The Tests, won 3-1, saw India showcase a devastating new spinner in Axar Patel, while Prasidh Krishna was unleashed as a new pace threat in the ODIs. Buttler, who stood in for injured captain Eoin Morgan, said however that England's rivals should not read too much into the defeats. "We have been a brilliant side for a long period of time now." Buttler and Morgan believe that exposing new players to India's bedevilling sun-baked pitches will benefit England at the T20 tournament in October and again in 2023 when they defend their 50-over World Cup title in India. The unbeaten 95 by number eight Sam Curran and two aggressive innings by one-day debutant Liam Livingstone caught the eye of England's management. "Any time we expand the player pool, that creates competition, that creates better performances and that creates the upward trajectory we are always after," said Buttler. The England wicketkeeper-batsman said Curran had been put in a unique position coming in so low in the order and nearly securing an unlikely win. "Many guys are never really exposed to that situation in their whole career so he will take great learning from that," said Buttler. "He is still only 22 and the scope of where he can take his game to is massive so we are all very excited for him." Livingstone also impressed with his unbeaten 27 in England's emphatic six-wicket win on Thursday followed by his 36 on Sunday. "Liam coming in and playing in those two games the way he has, it shows that we are doing things right," said Buttler. "Liam is obviously a very attacking, aggressive batsman and we want him to play in exactly that fashion when he comes in," he added. "It is brilliant to see someone like Liam come in and play straight away in the fashion that we would like people to play in. "That shows that we are doing things right, the message is getting through to people and we will continue to play in that way." England may not have won a series in India but Buttler said: "We are in a really good place as a side."

England will not panic despite India tour defeats: Buttler

<p>India beat England by seven runs on Sunday to clinch the one-day international series 2-1 despite a courageous unbeaten 95 from Sam Curran.</p>

<p>England, who had already lost the Test and Twenty20 series, bowled out India for 329 with 10 balls to spare in Pune.</p>

<p>England looked on the ropes at 200 for seven, but Curran equalled the highest ODI score by a batsman coming in at number eight or lower.</p>

<p>England sent out the order that Curran was to be given the strike as much as possible for the closing overs as they hoped for an unlikely win.</p>

<p>But, needing 14 to win off the final six balls, Curran came up against a disciplined effort from T. Natarajan who gave away just one boundary.</p>

<p>Stand-in skipper Jos Buttler said England, who were without injured captain Eoin Morgan, were indebted to Curran's "unbelievable" innings.</p>

<p>Indian seamers Shardul Thakur&nbsp;and Bhuvneshwar Kumar shared seven wickets between them as England finished on 322 for nine.</p>

<p>England's top order failed to build partnerships. Kumar sent back openers Jason Roy, for 14, and Jonny Bairstow, for one, in the first three overs.</p>

<p>Ben Stokes, who survived a dropped catch by Hardik Pandya on 15, fell to Natarajan for 35 and Thakur trapped Buttler lbw for 15.</p>

<p>Dawid Malan and Liam Livingstone put on 50 for the fifth wicket but Thakur had Livingstone caught and bowled for 36.</p>

<p>"We're disappointed, we came here and we wanted to win, but there have been great learnings throughout the whole process," said Buttler, who praised Curran as one of the new generation making their mark in the England side.</p>

<p>"Sam keeps showing what a match-winner he is. He is still only 22 and the scope of where he can take his game to is massive so we are all very excited for him."</p>

<p>Curran put on 57 for the eighth wicket with Adil Rashid, who was superbly caught by Virat Kohli in the covers, and then 60 for the ninth wicket with Mark Wood, who made 14 before being run out in the final over.</p>

<p>The left-hander, who was dropped on 22 and 87, hit nine fours and three sixes in his 83-ball knock.</p>

<h2>- Positive India attack with bat -</h2>

<p>India started strongly with a 103-run opening stand between Rohit Sharma, who scored 37, and Shikhar Dhawan, who hit 67, before Rashid's leg-spin removed both.</p>

<p>Moeen Ali rattled the stumps of Kohli, playing his 200th international as captain, but who has struggled against spin at times during England's tour of India.</p>

<p>The home side were then indebted to Rishabh Pant (78) and Hardik Pandya (64) who put on 99 for the fifth wicket.</p>

<p>Left-hander Pant swatted a six off Rashid to bring up his second successive half-century.</p>

<p>Thakur hit 30 off 21 balls but India lost their final four wickets for eight runs as Wood claimed three wickets, including two in one over.</p>

<p>Kohli said he was "surprised" that Thakur was not named man-of-the-match instead of Curran after his four wickets and 30 runs.</p>

<p>"And Bhuvi (Kumar) another contender for man-of-the-series. These guys were the difference in the middle overs and powerplay."</p>

<p>England's Jonny Bairstow was named man-of-the-series for his 219 runs in three matches including a match-winning 124 in England's chase of 337 in the second ODI.</p>

<p>Kohli's India outplayed England in the four Tests 3-1 and then edged out the tourists 3-2 in the Twenty20 series.</p>


India beat England by seven runs on Sunday to clinch the one-day international series 2-1 despite a courageous unbeaten 95 from Sam Curran. England, who had already lost the Test and Twenty20 series, bowled out India for 329 with 10 balls to spare in Pune.

India beat England by seven runs on Sunday to clinch the one-day international series 2-1 despite a courageous unbeaten 95 from Sam Curran. England, who had already lost the Test and Twenty20 series, bowled out India for 329 with 10 balls to spare in Pune. England looked on the ropes at 200 for seven, but Curran equalled the highest ODI score by a batsman coming in at number eight or lower. England sent out the order that Curran was to be given the strike as much as possible for the closing overs as they hoped for an unlikely win. But, needing 14 to win off the final six balls, Curran came up against a disciplined effort from T. Natarajan who gave away just one boundary. Stand-in skipper Jos Buttler said England, who were without injured captain Eoin Morgan, were indebted to Curran's "unbelievable" innings. Indian seamers Shardul Thakur and Bhuvneshwar Kumar shared seven wickets between them as England finished on 322 for nine. England's top order failed to build partnerships. Kumar sent back openers Jason Roy, for 14, and Jonny Bairstow, for one, in the first three overs. Ben Stokes, who survived a dropped catch by Hardik Pandya on 15, fell to Natarajan for 35 and Thakur trapped Buttler lbw for 15. Dawid Malan and Liam Livingstone put on 50 for the fifth wicket but Thakur had Livingstone caught and bowled for 36. "We're disappointed, we came here and we wanted to win, but there have been great learnings throughout the whole process," said Buttler, who praised Curran as one of the new generation making their mark in the England side. "Sam keeps showing what a match-winner he is. He is still only 22 and the scope of where he can take his game to is massive so we are all very excited for him." Curran put on 57 for the eighth wicket with Adil Rashid, who was superbly caught by Virat Kohli in the covers, and then 60 for the ninth wicket with Mark Wood, who made 14 before being run out in the final over. The left-hander, who was dropped on 22 and 87, hit nine fours and three sixes in his 83-ball knock. - Positive India attack with bat - India started strongly with a 103-run opening stand between Rohit Sharma, who scored 37, and Shikhar Dhawan, who hit 67, before Rashid's leg-spin removed both. Moeen Ali rattled the stumps of Kohli, playing his 200th international as captain, but who has struggled against spin at times during England's tour of India. The home side were then indebted to Rishabh Pant (78) and Hardik Pandya (64) who put on 99 for the fifth wicket. Left-hander Pant swatted a six off Rashid to bring up his second successive half-century. Thakur hit 30 off 21 balls but India lost their final four wickets for eight runs as Wood claimed three wickets, including two in one over. Kohli said he was "surprised" that Thakur was not named man-of-the-match instead of Curran after his four wickets and 30 runs. "And Bhuvi (Kumar) another contender for man-of-the-series. These guys were the difference in the middle overs and powerplay." England's Jonny Bairstow was named man-of-the-series for his 219 runs in three matches including a match-winning 124 in England's chase of 337 in the second ODI. Kohli's India outplayed England in the four Tests 3-1 and then edged out the tourists 3-2 in the Twenty20 series.

India edge England in ODI decider despite Curran heroics

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{904fb45d-2766-484f-9a84-f9a7ac1116ff}{252}" paraid="1907106012" >Virat Kohli is set to join the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) squad for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 on April 1, two days after the team commences their camp in Chennai. Kohli would need to undergo the mandatory one-week-long quarantine put in place as part of IPL SOPs&nbsp;after the Indian skipper exited the bio-secure bubble in Pune following India’s ODI series against England.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{9d061b00-e982-42cc-8d79-0bb5d52515fb}{6}" paraid="156822893" >RCB will play their first phase of IPL 2021 matches, including the season opener on April 9 against defending champions Mumbai Indians, in Chennai.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{1da2a7e8-0d76-470b-80d7-f2c3c5f359db}{219}" paraid="237232423" >Kohli has been part of bio-secure bubbles since the last IPL. While he exited it during India’s Test series against Australia to be with his wife Anushka Sharma for the birth of their first child, Kohli was back in the bubble for the entire home tour against England.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{1da2a7e8-0d76-470b-80d7-f2c3c5f359db}{219}" paraid="237232423" ><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/watch-thisara-perera-smashes-6-sixes-becomes-first-sri-lankan-to-achieve-the-iconic-feat-374099" hreflang="en">Watch: Thisara Perera smashes 6 sixes, becomes first Sri Lankan to achieve the iconic feat</a></strong></p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{2eefc545-4507-46ab-a617-4bc003f127bf}{149}" paraid="830608502" >The hectic schedule comes into question again as India will enter another bio-bubble soon after IPL 2021 for the final of the ICC World Test Championship in England in June. The WTC final will be followed by a five-Test series in England. The Men in Blue would then engage for the T20 World Cup, scheduled to be played in October-November in India.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{a27881f8-5d6d-4ea4-aa2d-3e24abdfe7c5}{9}" paraid="1580787790" >Kohli, on Sunday, highlighted the hectic scheduling while citing players mental health as they are moving from one bubble to another amid the COVID-19 pandemic.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{4f58b3a7-44eb-4cc7-bc63-1165a0d0a71e}{180}" paraid="1025386658" >"Scheduling needs to be looked at in future, because playing in bubbles for so long, two to three months, is going to be very, very difficult going forward," Kohli said at the post-match presentation. "You can't expect everyone to be at the same level of mental strength”&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{4f58b3a7-44eb-4cc7-bc63-1165a0d0a71e}{180}" paraid="1025386658" ><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/shreyas-iyer-to-undergo-shoulder-surgery-on-april-8-374083" hreflang="en">Shreyas Iyer to undergo shoulder surgery on April 8</a></strong></p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{904fb45d-2766-484f-9a84-f9a7ac1116ff}{41}" paraid="293675436" >"Sometimes you do get cooked and you do feel like a bit of a change. I am sure things will be discussed and things will change in the future as well. But a different tournament, it brings fresh challenges heading into the IPL."&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{904fb45d-2766-484f-9a84-f9a7ac1116ff}{49}" paraid="1356080061" >The likes of&nbsp;Yuzvendra&nbsp;Chahal and Mohammed Siraj would be available to train for RCB from Tuesday. The majority of the RCB squad had reached Chennai last week including team director Mike Hesson, Sanjay Bangar. AB de Villiers also arrived in Chennai at the weekend.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{fb61829a-bf03-4802-ad76-7b31640e1a05}{180}" paraid="1379440228" >IPL 2021 commences from April 9.&nbsp;</p>


Virat Kohli is set to join the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) squad for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 on April 1, two days after the team commences their camp in Chennai.

Virat Kohli is set to join the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) squad for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 on April 1, two days after the team commences their camp in Chennai. Kohli would need to undergo the mandatory one-week-long quarantine put in place as part of IPL SOPs after the Indian skipper exited the bio-secure bubble in Pune following India’s ODI series against England. RCB will play their first phase of IPL 2021 matches, including the season opener on April 9 against defending champions Mumbai Indians, in Chennai. Kohli has been part of bio-secure bubbles since the last IPL. While he exited it during India’s Test series against Australia to be with his wife Anushka Sharma for the birth of their first child, Kohli was back in the bubble for the entire home tour against England. ALSO READ: Watch: Thisara Perera smashes 6 sixes, becomes first Sri Lankan to achieve the iconic feat The hectic schedule comes into question again as India will enter another bio-bubble soon after IPL 2021 for the final of the ICC World Test Championship in England in June. The WTC final will be followed by a five-Test series in England. The Men in Blue would then engage for the T20 World Cup, scheduled to be played in October-November in India. Kohli, on Sunday, highlighted the hectic scheduling while citing players mental health as they are moving from one bubble to another amid the COVID-19 pandemic. "Scheduling needs to be looked at in future, because playing in bubbles for so long, two to three months, is going to be very, very difficult going forward," Kohli said at the post-match presentation. "You can't expect everyone to be at the same level of mental strength” ALSO READ: Shreyas Iyer to undergo shoulder surgery on April 8 "Sometimes you do get cooked and you do feel like a bit of a change. I am sure things will be discussed and things will change in the future as well. But a different tournament, it brings fresh challenges heading into the IPL." The likes of Yuzvendra Chahal and Mohammed Siraj would be available to train for RCB from Tuesday. The majority of the RCB squad had reached Chennai last week including team director Mike Hesson, Sanjay Bangar. AB de Villiers also arrived in Chennai at the weekend. IPL 2021 commences from April 9.

IPL 2021: Virat Kohli to join Royal Challengers Bangalore squad in Chennai on April 1

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{65fe14ec-1c7b-40be-bb56-cab5dc77e31f}{249}" paraid="530134764" >Thisara Perera on Sunday carved his name into the history books as he became the first Sri Lankan cricketer to hit six sixes in an over in any form of professional cricket during Major Clubs Limiter Over List-A tournament at the Army Ground in&nbsp;Panagoda&nbsp;town.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{800f8c2d-675f-44c1-b657-a403d15e5428}{143}" paraid="1232758949" >The 31-year-old joined the likes of Garfield Sobers, Ravi Shastri, Herschelle Gibbs, Yuvraj Singh, Ross Whiteley,&nbsp;Hazratullah&nbsp;Zazai, Leo Carter and Kieron Pollard to have smashed six sixes in professional cricket.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<h2 lang="EN-US" paraeid="{4dedb401-bf0e-4348-a492-23e3996ae7d1}{159}" paraid="632068331" >6 sixes in an over in a professional game:&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{4dedb401-bf0e-4348-a492-23e3996ae7d1}{194}" paraid="828646237" >Garfield Sobers (FC) 1968&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{4dedb401-bf0e-4348-a492-23e3996ae7d1}{202}" paraid="138479594" >Ravi Shastri (FC) 1985&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{4dedb401-bf0e-4348-a492-23e3996ae7d1}{210}" paraid="1321794279" >HH Gibbs (ODI) 2007&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{4dedb401-bf0e-4348-a492-23e3996ae7d1}{218}" paraid="106358090" >Yuvraj Singh (T20I) 2007&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{4dedb401-bf0e-4348-a492-23e3996ae7d1}{226}" paraid="1310634171" >Ross Whiteley (T20) 2017&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{4dedb401-bf0e-4348-a492-23e3996ae7d1}{234}" paraid="603939614" >Haztratullah&nbsp;Zazai (T20) 2018&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{4dedb401-bf0e-4348-a492-23e3996ae7d1}{242}" paraid="1105303811" >Leo Carter (T20) 2020&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{4dedb401-bf0e-4348-a492-23e3996ae7d1}{250}" paraid="598113341" >Kieron Pollard (T20I) 2021&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{ecaa04b8-401a-43cd-9305-557de890031f}{3}" paraid="1792749604" ><strong><em>THISARA PERERA (List A) 2021&nbsp;</em></strong></p>

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<p>Perera achieved the feat during his unbeaten 13-ball 52 knock while captaining Sri Lanka Army Group against Bloomfield Cricket and Athletic Club in the Major Clubs Limited Over List-A tournament.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{4f6906ca-f37f-4e1f-93db-74d318dce219}{126}" paraid="1050886897" >Perera’s knock also was the second-fastest half-century by a Sri Lankan in List-A cricket with former Sri Lanka all-rounder Kaushalya Weeraratne’s 12-bal half-century in 2005 leading the standings.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{c9893611-4fd6-4aac-b892-c003c9cbcba3}{211}" paraid="493274595" >The Sri Lanan all-rounder came to bat at number five with 20 balls remaining in what was a shortened 41-over-a-side match. As Perera got it going from the word go, off-spinner&nbsp;Dilhan&nbsp;Cooray was at the receiving end as he was smashed six sixes on the bounce.&nbsp;</p>


Thisara Perera on Sunday carved his name into the history books as he became the first Sri Lankan cricketer to hit six sixes in an over in any form of professional cricket during Major Clubs Limiter Over List-A tournament at the Army Ground in Panagoda town.

Thisara Perera on Sunday carved his name into the history books as he became the first Sri Lankan cricketer to hit six sixes in an over in any form of professional cricket during Major Clubs Limiter Over List-A tournament at the Army Ground in Panagoda town. The 31-year-old joined the likes of Garfield Sobers, Ravi Shastri, Herschelle Gibbs, Yuvraj Singh, Ross Whiteley, Hazratullah Zazai, Leo Carter and Kieron Pollard to have smashed six sixes in professional cricket. 6 sixes in an over in a professional game: Garfield Sobers (FC) 1968 Ravi Shastri (FC) 1985 HH Gibbs (ODI) 2007 Yuvraj Singh (T20I) 2007 Ross Whiteley (T20) 2017 Haztratullah Zazai (T20) 2018 Leo Carter (T20) 2020 Kieron Pollard (T20I) 2021 THISARA PERERA (List A) 2021 × Perera achieved the feat during his unbeaten 13-ball 52 knock while captaining Sri Lanka Army Group against Bloomfield Cricket and Athletic Club in the Major Clubs Limited Over List-A tournament. Perera’s knock also was the second-fastest half-century by a Sri Lankan in List-A cricket with former Sri Lanka all-rounder Kaushalya Weeraratne’s 12-bal half-century in 2005 leading the standings. The Sri Lanan all-rounder came to bat at number five with 20 balls remaining in what was a shortened 41-over-a-side match. As Perera got it going from the word go, off-spinner Dilhan Cooray was at the receiving end as he was smashed six sixes on the bounce.

Watch: Thisara Perera smashes 6 sixes, becomes first Sri Lankan to achieve the iconic feat

<p>Indian batsman Shreyas Iyer is all set to undergo surgery on his left shoulder on April 8 and will need another five months to recover. Iyer had hurt his left shoulder while fielding during England’s run-chase in the eighth over of the second ODI at the Maharashtra Cricket Association in Pune.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Iyer was treated on the field by the Indian medical staff under a physiotherapist before being rushed off the field after the Indian cricket couldn’t tolerate the pain anymore. Iyer didn’t take the field and was taken for scans before being ruled out of the ODI series against England.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Iyer left Team India’s bio-bubble and will miss the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021, scheduled to start from April 9. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Delhi Capitals are also set to announce a captain in Iyer’s absence of the 14th edition of IPL. &nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/he-is-just-a-freak-michael-vaughan-praises-unique-rishabh-pant-after-team-india-heroics-374070" hreflang="en">'He is just a freak': Michael Vaughan praises 'unique' Rishabh Pant after Team India heroics</a></strong></p>

<p>"Not just the IPL (2021), I think Shreyas will take about 4-5 months for recovery. So a realistic assessment will be the home T20 series against New Zealand and South Africa in September.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"He will undergo surgery so he will miss the IPL and England tour (August). I am also told by sources that the surgery will take place in end of the first week of April," Boria Majumdar, India Today's Consulting Editor Sports, said on Sports Today.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Shikhar Dhawan had led DC when Iyer was briefly out during IPL 2020 group stages. However, Rishabh Pant along with Steve Smith and Ravichandran Ashwin have emerged as potential candidates to take over DC's captaincy. Ajinkya Rahane also remains an option for the role.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/cricketing-world-beware-ian-chappell-predicts-era-of-dominance-for-team-india-374020" hreflang="en">'Cricketing world, beware': Ian Chappell predicts era of dominance for Team India</a></strong></p>

<p>Delhi Capita,s runners-up of IPL 2020, will open their IPL 2021 campaign against Chennai Super Kings at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on April 10.&nbsp;</p>


Indian batsman Shreyas Iyer is all set to undergo surgery on his left shoulder on April 8 and will need another five months to recover. Iyer had hurt his left shoulder while fielding during England’s run-chase in the eighth over of the second ODI at the Maharashtra Cricket Association in Pune.

Indian batsman Shreyas Iyer is all set to undergo surgery on his left shoulder on April 8 and will need another five months to recover. Iyer had hurt his left shoulder while fielding during England’s run-chase in the eighth over of the second ODI at the Maharashtra Cricket Association in Pune. Iyer was treated on the field by the Indian medical staff under a physiotherapist before being rushed off the field after the Indian cricket couldn’t tolerate the pain anymore. Iyer didn’t take the field and was taken for scans before being ruled out of the ODI series against England. Iyer left Team India’s bio-bubble and will miss the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021, scheduled to start from April 9. Delhi Capitals are also set to announce a captain in Iyer’s absence of the 14th edition of IPL. ALSO READ: 'He is just a freak': Michael Vaughan praises 'unique' Rishabh Pant after Team India heroics "Not just the IPL (2021), I think Shreyas will take about 4-5 months for recovery. So a realistic assessment will be the home T20 series against New Zealand and South Africa in September. "He will undergo surgery so he will miss the IPL and England tour (August). I am also told by sources that the surgery will take place in end of the first week of April," Boria Majumdar, India Today's Consulting Editor Sports, said on Sports Today. Shikhar Dhawan had led DC when Iyer was briefly out during IPL 2020 group stages. However, Rishabh Pant along with Steve Smith and Ravichandran Ashwin have emerged as potential candidates to take over DC's captaincy. Ajinkya Rahane also remains an option for the role. ALSO READ: 'Cricketing world, beware': Ian Chappell predicts era of dominance for Team India Delhi Capita,s runners-up of IPL 2020, will open their IPL 2021 campaign against Chennai Super Kings at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on April 10.

Shreyas Iyer to undergo shoulder surgery on April 8

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{6870908b-71a6-49d1-b5e4-297b68374cfe}{124}" paraid="88889639" >Steve Smith has said that he would be happy to return as Australia captain given the national selectors want him for the role. Smith, while giving his complete support to current Australian captains Tim Paine and Aaron Finch, said he would have no problems if the cricket board looks for a new captain while adding he is now better equipped to lead the side again.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{ef1f4224-521c-4510-8e21-ceefd518c3ff}{63}" paraid="2119812741" >However, Smith admitted he hasn’t always been sure about taking back the leadership role following the intense trauma of the infamous Cape Town ball-tampering scandal.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{ac120c34-8d14-4013-bcd0-f87e8f9a8fc3}{180}" paraid="1951101409" >Speculations surrounding Australia captaincy have constantly popped up since Smith’s return to international cricket after completing his one-year ban. While many have said that Smith should get the captaincy back, others have the opinion that the ace Australian batsman should never lead the side again.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{ac120c34-8d14-4013-bcd0-f87e8f9a8fc3}{180}" paraid="1951101409" ><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/you-cant-expect-everyone-virat-kohli-warns-players-cooked-in-bubble-life-ahead-of-ipl-2021-374036" hreflang="en">'You can't expect everyone...': Virat Kohli warns players 'cooked' in bubble life ahead of IPL 2021</a></strong></p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{ac120c34-8d14-4013-bcd0-f87e8f9a8fc3}{33}" paraid="1596869105" >“I’ve certainly had a lot of time to think about it and I guess now I’ve got to a point where if the opportunity did come up&nbsp;again&nbsp;I would be keen,” Smith told News Corp.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{76079ab9-5ea5-45eb-9f23-2fcdcdc867ea}{82}" paraid="340320306" >“If it was what Cricket Australia wanted and it was what was best for the team at the time, it’s certainly something I would be interested in now, that’s for sure.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{76079ab9-5ea5-45eb-9f23-2fcdcdc867ea}{100}" paraid="501105002" >“I’m always going to have to live with Cape Town regardless of whether I lead again or not. It’s always there.&nbsp;I’ve been through all that now. Time keeps moving forward, and I’ve learnt so much the last few years about myself and grown as a human being.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{76079ab9-5ea5-45eb-9f23-2fcdcdc867ea}{100}" paraid="501105002" ><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/cricketing-world-beware-ian-chappell-predicts-era-of-dominance-for-team-india-374020" hreflang="en">'Cricketing world, beware': Ian Chappell predicts era of dominance for Team India</a></strong></p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{76079ab9-5ea5-45eb-9f23-2fcdcdc867ea}{136}" paraid="606258648" >“I feel as though I’d be in a better place if the opportunity did come up. If it doesn’t, that’s fine as well and I’d support whoever is in charge the same way I’ve supported Tim and&nbsp;Finchy.”&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{76079ab9-5ea5-45eb-9f23-2fcdcdc867ea}{145}" paraid="1947088454" >Pain is set to lead Australia in the home Ashes while Finch will take the charge in T20 World Cup in October. However, Cricket Australia has been looking for a succession plan with national selector Trevor Hohns already saying that his panel must start considering the list of next Australia captain.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{71690c5e-8106-4069-a5e7-c58dd0cc0161}{68}" paraid="1978162021" >Pat Cummins is another name in contention to lead the side along with Smith.&nbsp;</p>


Steve Smith has said that he would be happy to return as Australia captain given the national selectors want him for the role. Smith, while giving his complete support to current Australian captains Tim Paine and Aaron Finch, said he would have no problems if the cricket board looks for a new captain while adding he is now better equipped to lead the side again.

Steve Smith has said that he would be happy to return as Australia captain given the national selectors want him for the role. Smith, while giving his complete support to current Australian captains Tim Paine and Aaron Finch, said he would have no problems if the cricket board looks for a new captain while adding he is now better equipped to lead the side again. However, Smith admitted he hasn’t always been sure about taking back the leadership role following the intense trauma of the infamous Cape Town ball-tampering scandal. Speculations surrounding Australia captaincy have constantly popped up since Smith’s return to international cricket after completing his one-year ban. While many have said that Smith should get the captaincy back, others have the opinion that the ace Australian batsman should never lead the side again. ALSO READ: 'You can't expect everyone...': Virat Kohli warns players 'cooked' in bubble life ahead of IPL 2021 “I’ve certainly had a lot of time to think about it and I guess now I’ve got to a point where if the opportunity did come up again I would be keen,” Smith told News Corp. “If it was what Cricket Australia wanted and it was what was best for the team at the time, it’s certainly something I would be interested in now, that’s for sure. “I’m always going to have to live with Cape Town regardless of whether I lead again or not. It’s always there. I’ve been through all that now. Time keeps moving forward, and I’ve learnt so much the last few years about myself and grown as a human being. ALSO READ: 'Cricketing world, beware': Ian Chappell predicts era of dominance for Team India “I feel as though I’d be in a better place if the opportunity did come up. If it doesn’t, that’s fine as well and I’d support whoever is in charge the same way I’ve supported Tim and Finchy.” Pain is set to lead Australia in the home Ashes while Finch will take the charge in T20 World Cup in October. However, Cricket Australia has been looking for a succession plan with national selector Trevor Hohns already saying that his panel must start considering the list of next Australia captain. Pat Cummins is another name in contention to lead the side along with Smith.

'I would be keen': Steve Smith interested in taking charge as next Australia captain

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{566fae07-dbfd-4fd8-b7e4-aa31ea4b3d81}{60}" paraid="1940027549" >Indian captain Virat Kohli has warned&nbsp;that players are suffering after staying months inside bio-secure bubbles amid the COVID-19 pandemic as&nbsp;they head into the highly competitive Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{b16f55d4-09ee-439f-90dc-456a32d32d6b}{93}" paraid="1531155990" >Kohli, who has been vocal about hectic scheduling amid stringent restrictions due to the virus, again raised&nbsp;concerns&nbsp;following the completion of the three-match ODI series which India won 2-1 in Pune on Sunday.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{3296f55a-6dad-4769-bba0-a0f1f00493df}{41}" paraid="938421628" >Players from both India and England moved on immediately to join their respective IPL 2021 squads and will again have to stay within the limits of the IPL “bubble”.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{92df88d7-888a-4213-95c5-24ec5e3ef47b}{225}" paraid="1804595978" >"Scheduling needs to be looked at in future, because playing in 'bubbles' for so long, two to three months, is going to be very, very difficult going forward," Kohli said.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{92df88d7-888a-4213-95c5-24ec5e3ef47b}{239}" paraid="519619529" >"You can't expect everyone to be at the same level of mental strength.&nbsp;Some times&nbsp;you do get cooked and you do feel like a bit of a change.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{92df88d7-888a-4213-95c5-24ec5e3ef47b}{253}" paraid="1781812295" >"I am sure things will be discussed and things will change in the future as well.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{6288b036-e573-4a53-abc7-8c2937bc81c6}{12}" paraid="1302314398" >"But a different tournament, it brings fresh challenges heading into the IPL."&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{6288b036-e573-4a53-abc7-8c2937bc81c6}{19}" paraid="1671682468" >Since the restart of cricket in August 2020, international players have been restricted to staying inside bio-secure bubbles since August with small breaks.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{430117b6-78ba-4c0c-ac6c-f58979626470}{87}" paraid="1896430715" >From September to January, Indian players went through the strictest quarantine and bio-bubble rules in the delayed IPL 2020 in UAE followed by India’s tour of Australia. The Indian players had a short break between the end of Australia&nbsp;seres&nbsp;and the start of England series, which comprised of four Tests, five T20Is and three ODIs.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{d6e8f6a9-21f3-4438-8793-d109ff04a448}{232}" paraid="1580872079" >England’s much-talked-about rest and rotate policy made sure players got rest during their three months touring Sri Lanka, where they played two Tests, and India.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{16cb10f8-6367-4d21-83b8-08f2614dd3e3}{71}" paraid="1004628821" >England players including Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler (both Rajasthan Royals), Jonny Bairstow (Sunrisers Hyderabad) and Sunday's batting hero Sam Curran (Chennai Super Kings) are staying on to join the IPL.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{16cb10f8-6367-4d21-83b8-08f2614dd3e3}{108}" paraid="669381401" >Both Buttler and Bairstow have said that they have “enough” left in their batteries to play the IPL 2021 before going back to the international calendar and gear up for T20 World Cup, scheduled to be hosted by India later this year.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"It's been great that everyone's health has been really looked after and whenever it's possible to get out of the 'bubble' and back in," said Buttler, who stood in as captain for injured Eoin Morgan in the last two one-day internationals.</p>

<p>"So we are all very thankful for that to help with those situations and also it's about how we plan moving forward. That's going to be part of player welfare."</p>


Indian captain Virat Kohli has warned that players are suffering after staying months inside bio-secure bubbles amid the COVID-19 pandemic as they head into the highly competitive Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021.

Indian captain Virat Kohli has warned that players are suffering after staying months inside bio-secure bubbles amid the COVID-19 pandemic as they head into the highly competitive Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021. Kohli, who has been vocal about hectic scheduling amid stringent restrictions due to the virus, again raised concerns following the completion of the three-match ODI series which India won 2-1 in Pune on Sunday. Players from both India and England moved on immediately to join their respective IPL 2021 squads and will again have to stay within the limits of the IPL “bubble”. "Scheduling needs to be looked at in future, because playing in 'bubbles' for so long, two to three months, is going to be very, very difficult going forward," Kohli said. "You can't expect everyone to be at the same level of mental strength. Some times you do get cooked and you do feel like a bit of a change. "I am sure things will be discussed and things will change in the future as well. "But a different tournament, it brings fresh challenges heading into the IPL." Since the restart of cricket in August 2020, international players have been restricted to staying inside bio-secure bubbles since August with small breaks. From September to January, Indian players went through the strictest quarantine and bio-bubble rules in the delayed IPL 2020 in UAE followed by India’s tour of Australia. The Indian players had a short break between the end of Australia seres and the start of England series, which comprised of four Tests, five T20Is and three ODIs. England’s much-talked-about rest and rotate policy made sure players got rest during their three months touring Sri Lanka, where they played two Tests, and India. England players including Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler (both Rajasthan Royals), Jonny Bairstow (Sunrisers Hyderabad) and Sunday's batting hero Sam Curran (Chennai Super Kings) are staying on to join the IPL. Both Buttler and Bairstow have said that they have “enough” left in their batteries to play the IPL 2021 before going back to the international calendar and gear up for T20 World Cup, scheduled to be hosted by India later this year. "It's been great that everyone's health has been really looked after and whenever it's possible to get out of the 'bubble' and back in," said Buttler, who stood in as captain for injured Eoin Morgan in the last two one-day internationals. "So we are all very thankful for that to help with those situations and also it's about how we plan moving forward. That's going to be part of player welfare."

'You can't expect everyone...': Virat Kohli warns players 'cooked' in bubble life ahead of IPL 2021

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{fe45a031-53f4-4cfa-a50d-0dec96a56949}{1}" paraid="53450462" >Following India’s stunning clean-sweep of the England tour where the Virat Kohli-led outfit won the Test, T20I and ODI series, former Australia captain Ian Chappell has sounded a warning to other teams&nbsp;saying India are on their way to dominance.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{80a950c6-3c31-44e1-8314-fe6893d8d8a0}{47}" paraid="1800231271" >Chappell is of the view that the emergence of young talents well equipped to take on the world’s best strikes a note of&nbsp;fear. The former Aussie skipper heaped praise on the Indian team while lauding their ability and confidence to fight in overseas conditions as well.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{8b38b904-08e6-442b-9db6-57a5c0f234a2}{48}" paraid="199940354" >“India’s recent successes in Australia – particularly the latest one – have only reinforced the players’ belief in their ability to win under any circumstance. In an era where teams struggle overseas, India now has the depth of talent to alter that pattern. No longer can opponents afford to say, when India&nbsp;are&nbsp;on their doorstep, ‘Just pick a string of fast bowlers with long run-ups and the series will be ours’,” Chappell wrote in his column at&nbsp;ESPNcricinfo.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{8b38b904-08e6-442b-9db6-57a5c0f234a2}{48}" paraid="199940354" ><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/england-will-not-panic-despite-india-tour-defeats-buttler-374012" hreflang="en">England will not panic despite India tour defeats: Buttler</a></strong></p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{14c5f1cf-9f2b-47b2-b978-d09ac2c91dab}{113}" paraid="1956806120" >Chappell then answered one of the most asked questions, can India carry on with their dominance for&nbsp;years?:&nbsp;&nbsp;“‘Can India replicate the dominant periods of West Indies and Australia?’: “India have finally got the equation right and as long as they avoid the pitfalls often associated with continuing success, they are better equipped than any team to produce an era of dominance. The rest of the cricketing world beware. The emergence of such talents as Shubman Gill, Mohammed Siraj, Navdeep Saini, Washington Sundar, T Natarajan, and&nbsp;Axar&nbsp;Patel would have been monumental if it had happened in the space of three years, let alone just three months as it did.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{14c5f1cf-9f2b-47b2-b978-d09ac2c91dab}{162}" paraid="738692707" >“And when you consider that Shardul Thakur excelled in just his second game and the ebullient Rishabh Pant was an international match-winner before his 20th appearance, it really is a rosy picture. A rosy picture, that is, if you’re an Indian fan; for the rest of the cricket world, it strikes a note of fear,” Chappell concluded.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{14c5f1cf-9f2b-47b2-b978-d09ac2c91dab}{162}" paraid="738692707" ><strong>ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/india-edge-england-in-odi-decider-despite-curran-heroics-374002" hreflang="en">India edge England in ODI decider despite Curran heroics</a></strong></p>

<p lang="EN-US" paraeid="{c97a09b5-d13c-4036-89fa-f836d0cd644e}{208}" paraid="1746743763" >India defeated England 2-1 in the three-match ODI series to wrap up the season on a high. The focus will now shift on the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021, scheduled to start from April 9.&nbsp;</p>


Following India’s stunning clean-sweep of the England tour where the Virat Kohli-led outfit won the Test, T20I and ODI series, former Australia captain Ian Chappell has sounded a warning to other teams saying India are on their way to dominance.

Following India’s stunning clean-sweep of the England tour where the Virat Kohli-led outfit won the Test, T20I and ODI series, former Australia captain Ian Chappell has sounded a warning to other teams saying India are on their way to dominance. Chappell is of the view that the emergence of young talents well equipped to take on the world’s best strikes a note of fear. The former Aussie skipper heaped praise on the Indian team while lauding their ability and confidence to fight in overseas conditions as well. “India’s recent successes in Australia – particularly the latest one – have only reinforced the players’ belief in their ability to win under any circumstance. In an era where teams struggle overseas, India now has the depth of talent to alter that pattern. No longer can opponents afford to say, when India are on their doorstep, ‘Just pick a string of fast bowlers with long run-ups and the series will be ours’,” Chappell wrote in his column at ESPNcricinfo. ALSO READ: England will not panic despite India tour defeats: Buttler Chappell then answered one of the most asked questions, can India carry on with their dominance for years?: “‘Can India replicate the dominant periods of West Indies and Australia?’: “India have finally got the equation right and as long as they avoid the pitfalls often associated with continuing success, they are better equipped than any team to produce an era of dominance. The rest of the cricketing world beware. The emergence of such talents as Shubman Gill, Mohammed Siraj, Navdeep Saini, Washington Sundar, T Natarajan, and Axar Patel would have been monumental if it had happened in the space of three years, let alone just three months as it did. “And when you consider that Shardul Thakur excelled in just his second game and the ebullient Rishabh Pant was an international match-winner before his 20th appearance, it really is a rosy picture. A rosy picture, that is, if you’re an Indian fan; for the rest of the cricket world, it strikes a note of fear,” Chappell concluded. ALSO READ: India edge England in ODI decider despite Curran heroics India defeated England 2-1 in the three-match ODI series to wrap up the season on a high. The focus will now shift on the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021, scheduled to start from April 9.

'Cricketing world, beware': Ian Chappell predicts era of dominance for Team India

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