August 31 Evening Brief: Today's Top news and headlines from cricket world

1. Virat Kohli will be India’s key player along with Rohit Sharma for Asia Cup and ODI World Cup: Sourav Ganguly

Former India skipper Sourav Ganguly has emphasises the importance of Virat Kohli and skipper Rohit Sharma ahead of the Asia Cup and the eagerly-anticipated 2023 ODI World Cup. Notably, team India will kickstart their Asia Cup campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, in Kandy, on September 2. (READ MORE)

2. Told Iftikhar Ahmed to play his natural game: Babar Azam

While skipper Babar scored 151 off 131 balls, Iftikhar played a swashbuckling innings of 109* off just 71 deliveries against Nepal in the Asia Cup opener. After the match, Babar talked about his partnership with Rizwan and revealed that he had asked Iftikhar to play his natural game. (READ MORE)

3. Ravichandran Ashwin decodes Mohammad Rizwan's 'bizarre' run-out in Asia Cup opener

India veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was left stunned with Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan's peculiar run-out during the Asia Cup opener against Nepal. Ashwin later took to his social media handle and provided his take, stating that the choice of not putting on the helmet eventually led to Rizwan’s dismissal. (READ MORE)

4. Viacom 18 wins the race for TV and digital rights of India's home games

Disney Star, Sony Sports and Viacom18 were locked in a three-way tussle to earn the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) media rights during the auction on Thursday, August 31. As per latest updates, Viacom 18 has won the TV and digital rights of team India’s home matches. (READ MORE)

5. 'We didn't chop and change ahead of 2003 World Cup' - Sourav Ganguly on importance of having settled combination

Ganguly noted that nowadays, India tend to chop and change more than they should. He explained how important it is to stick to a settled combination ahead of major events by mentioning the team that played the 2003 World Cup under him and also Australia, who dominated world cricket in the early  2000s, backing a set team. (READ MORE)

6. ‘Deleted Instagram for a week’ – Alex Carey reveals how he tackled backlash following controversial Jonny Bairstow run-out

Australia wicket-keeper Alex Carey revealed how he and his family faced severe backlash from online trolls following the controversial Jonny Bairstow run-out during the Ashes series. Considering the online abuse from the English fans, an investigation was made by Cricket Australia's cyber police to assess the situation. (READ MORE)

7.  Tim David added to Australia squad for South Africa ODIs

The three players in Steve Smith, Pat Cummins, and Glenn Maxwell won't be available when Australia face the Proteas in a five-match ODI series. Now, after an impeccable outing in the first T20I against South Africa, Tim David has earned a call-up for the ODIs. (READ MORE)

8. ENG vs NZ: Jos Buttler's bizarre review grabs all the limelight in Chester-le-Street

In the first T20I between England and New Zealand, the home team took a strange review as the ball hit the middle of Glenn Phillips' bat. Skipper and wicket-keeper Jos Buttler appealed to the umpire, but bowler Liam Livingstone didn’t look too interested. (READ MORE)

9. Danielle McGahey to become first-ever transgender cricketer to feature in women's T20I for Canada

Australia-born Danielle McGahey is set to become the first-ever transgender cricketer to feature in a women’s T20I for Canada. Notably, Danielle has been included in Canada's squad for a qualifying tournament in their road to the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup in Bangladesh. (READ MORE)

10. UPT20 2023: Sensational Samarth Singh guides Noida Super Kings to victory in tournament opener

In a historic day for cricket in Uttar Pradesh, the Noida Super Kings clinched victory in the inaugural match of the UPT20 league. This momentous win was orchestrated by a dazzling knock from Samarth Singh (91) and an economical display of bowling prowess by veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2/16). (READ MORE)