Top Stories: Things that made news in the cricket world today

T Natarajan replaces Umesh Yadav in India squad for last two Tests against Australia

• BCCI has announced that T Natarajan will be replacing injured Umesh Yadav who hobbled off the field during the second innings of Melbourne Test.
• This tour has definitely turned out to be a dream come true for Natarajan who was not even in the original squad announced.
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Umesh Yadav and his wife blessed with a baby girl

• The New Year could not have started in a better manner for Umesh Yadav. The Indian pacer and his wife were blessed with a baby girl on the first day of 2021.
• The Indian pacer was ruled out of the ongoing Test series against Australia due to a calf injury that he sustained at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
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SMAT20 2021: Yusuf Pathan not included in Baroda squad for the first time in more than a decade

• The Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy will take place from 10th January to 31st January across 7 venues in India.
• The 38 teams participating in the tournament have been divided into 6 groups.
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‘I still have five more years’ – Chris Gayle announces his availability for the upcoming two T20 World Cups

• Fondly known as Universe Boss, West Indies power-hitter Chris Gayle is defying all odds as even at the age of 41, the batsman looks well settled and is capable of giving nightmares to the opposition by smashing the ball all over the park.
• Gayle is one of those rarest batsmen who can proudly say that age is just a number for him.
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‘Australians had told me to get lost’ – Sunil Gavaskar opens up on the infamous walkout incident in 1981

• The infamous walkout incident at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) had caused a huge controversy back in 1981 during the India tour of Australia.
• It was believed that the captain Sunil Gavaskar had decided to walk-out as he wasn’t satisfied with the decision made by the umpire.
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Backing Mohammed Siraj shows the faith India has on their players, regardless of the caste, race and creed: Shoaib Akhtar

• Pakistan’s veteran speedster Shoiab Akhtar lauded the Indian team management and dressing room for supporting Mohammed Siraj during his tough phase and reckoned that it shows that India backs their players regardless of their caste, creed and color.
• Akhtar also hailed the stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane for beautifully leading the Indian side to victory at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
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Government to allow 50% spectators in stadium for sporting events in India

• The COVID-19 outbreak in 2020 witnessed all cricket matches being played behind the closed doors with no fans in the stadium.
• By the end of the year, countries like Australia and New Zealand welcomed the fans back but India didn’t witness much cricket in the country itself due to the ever-rising Coronavirus cases.
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‘I disagree with Virat Kohli getting trolled’ – Farokh Engineer after Indian skipper receives backlash for paternity leave from Australia tour

• Former Indian cricketer Farokh Engineer has lashed out at the ones, who are trolling national skipper Virat Kohli for taking paternity leave from the tour of Australia.
• A number of people, including pundits and commoners, criticized Kohli for leaving behind national duties for personal commitments.
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Virat Kohli and Steve Smith are the best batsmen for me, says Kane Williamson

• New Zealand captain Kane Williamson considers Virat Kohli and Steve Smith as the two best batsmen in the modern era.
• The spot for the ICC’s number-one ranked Test batsman has mostly belonged to Kohli and Smith over the last couple of years or so.
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PSL 2021: Lahore Qalandars release Fakhar Zaman ahead of the next edition

• Fakhar Zaman will no longer be a part of the Lahore Qalandars‘ side as he has been released by the franchise after the fifth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
• The 30-year-old will now go back to the draft pool for the next edition. Zaman was the second-highest run-scorer in the 2020 edition of the PSL, aggregating 325 runs at the top of the order at an average of 27.08.
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