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

Virat Kohli explains the reason behind exclusion of Kuldeep

• For the second T20I series in a row, the selectors have not considered star spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal.
• The decision is really surprising considering the fact that the T20 World Cup is just one year away and these two are likely to lead the attack.
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Team India jersey with new sponsor logo unveiled ahead of first T20I against South Africa

• The upcoming series against South Africa will not only kickstart India’s home season but will also see the players don a new-look jersey.
• Team India will take on South Africa in the first of three T20 Internationals in Dharamsala on Sunday.
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PCB calls back Mohammad Hasnain for Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, cancels his NOC for CPL 2019

• Mohammad Hasnain the teenage pace sensation from Pakistan has made quite a name for himself in his short career.
• He rose through the ranks thanks to his performance for Quetta Gladiators in Pakistan Super League.
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Gautam Gambhir fires Sanju Samson warning at Rishabh Pant

• The way things have panned out in recent times, it is more or less clear that Rishabh Pant will get an extended rope from Team India.
• The youngster is widely seen as the heir of legendary wicketkeeper-batsman MS Dhoni. Pant is one of the most sought-after youngsters in the country.
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Gautam Gambhir compares Quinton de Kock with Kumar Sangakkara and Brian Lara

• Ahead of the T20I series between India and South Africa, former India opener had lavished praise on the Proteas skipper Quinton de Kock.
• De Kock is making his captaincy debut with the upcoming series and is likely to be persisted with the same in the coming days.
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Australia Women and West Indies Women: Incorrect dimensions of playing field delays the 1st T20I

• The first T20I of the series was played in Barbados which was won by Australia women.
• West Indies batting collapsed as Megan Schutt continued her good work, picking 3/31 in her four overs.
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Sanjay Bangar tips Rohit Sharma to chase down improbable targets as an opener in Tests

• This meant that Rohit Sharma, who has batted in the lower middle order ever since his debut for India, might have to be dropped for the South Africa series.
• But KL Rahul’s poor run of form now means that he will take up the mantle of opening the innings, something he has not done in Tests so far.
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Ashes 2019: Jonny Bairstow hilariously fools Steve Smith; this time with the bat

• 2-0 – This is the score in favour of Jonny Bairstow in his interesting and hilarious duel against Steve Smith in the ongoing fifth Ashes Test at the Oval.
• The contest has been about Bairstow fooling Smith and the latter has fallen in the pit on both the occasions.
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