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

Faded former IPL star gets a contract in the Mumbai T20 League

• Also, this is not the first region-specific T20 tournament in the country as the likes of Tamil Nadu Premier League and Karnataka Premier League have already set the stage on fire for the respective states.
• Similarly, Mumbai T20 League is a great platform for the budding cricketers to display their prowess.
• (Read more about the story)

Sri Lanka tri-series a good opportunity for young players to show their mettle: Sunil Gavaskar

• Pant, who has played just two T20 internationals, and Mohammed Siraj, who also has played only two T20Is, will get a golden chance to deliver.
• It has been argued for long that wicket-keeper batsman Pant should be given a place in the team over an inconsistent MS Dhoni.
• (Read more about the story)

Pakistan women’s team announced for Sri Lanka tour

• At present, the team ranks 7th in ICC’s Women’s Rankings which incorporates results from Tests, ODIs and T20Is.
• Their next major assignment is the tour to Sri Lanka, to participate in the ICC Women’s Championship Round 2. The team for the same was recently announced, which included a 15-member squad.
• (Read more about the story)

CSA revolves to put T20 Global League back on track

• Following weeks of speculation over whether CSA would go ahead with the tournament, which was postponed last November because estimates suggested CSA would lose USD 25 million in the first season.
• There was also the issue regarding the rejection of a proposal for the competition to be wholly owned by the cricket board.
• (Read more about the story)

Virat Kohli receives Anushka Sharma at Mumbai airport

• Currently, in Mumbai, where he has now shifted his base from Gurgaon, he will be satisfied after his previous assignment as a player and a captain.
• It was a record-breaking sojourn where he smashed 871 runs across the three formats. That is the most number of runs scored by an Indian captain on an away tour.
• (Read more about the story)

Reports: Early selection the reason behind Mayank Agarwal’s non-inclusion in Nidahas Trophy

• India’s squad for the Nidahas trophy was expected to have plenty of new places as it was a good opportunity to blood youngsters and test their bench strength.
• The key players like Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar were rested after a long and grueling tour with Rohit Sharma given yet another opportunity to lead the side.
• (Read more about the story)

I did not imagine the season would turn out this way: Mayank Agarwal

• Mayank Agarwal’s domestic campaign began on a poor note back in October when he was dismissed for 31 runs against Assam, followed by a pair against Hyderabad.
• However, he bounced back and made history to become the only Indian to score more than 2000 runs in a domestic season.
• (Read more about the story)

BCCI appoint Ajit Singh Shekhawat as the chief of its Anti-Corruption Unit

• It can be recalled that the 2013 scandal led to the removal of the then board president N Srinivasan, and a lifetime ban on promising S Sreesanth’s career, along with bans on other lesser-known players like Ankit Chavan and Ajit Chandila.
• The entire scam was unearthed by the then head of BCCI’s anti-corruption unit (ACU) Neeraj Kumar, who is now being replaced by retired Director General of Police Ajit Singh Shekhawat in his post.
• (Read more about the story)

PSL 2018: Hussain Talat’s bizarre judgement costs Andre Russell a run-out

• But for those watching the games live on the television, the tournament has already produced some exciting moments, like Darren Sammy’s last over blinder against the Quetta Gladiators, in which the Zalmi captain scored 18 runs from 4 balls.
• However, the mix-up between Hussain Talat and Andre Russell was also the point of discussion on Friday.
• (Read more about the story)

IPL 2018: Dinesh Karthik wants to lead KKR the way Virat Kohli leads India

• Ever since there was quite a lot of buzz surrounding who would succeed Gambhir as the leader of the franchise from the eastern part of the country. Robin Uthappa, due to his long association with the Knights, was being seen by many as the frontrunner for the position.
• But it was Tamil Nadu and India wicket-keeper batsman Dinesh Karthik who was appointed the skipper on Sunday morning, while Uthappa was appointed as his deputy.
• (Read more about the story)

Mumbai T20 League: Franchises back young players to come good

• Rohit Sharma won’t be available for the tournament this year as he will be Sri Lanka leading India in the Nidahas Trophy. Mumbai T20 League will commence on March 11 and the final of the competition will be played on March 21.
• If his team qualifies for the title clash then there is every possibility of the marquee player featuring in that game. Rahane is expected to play the game as he is not involved in any sort of cricketing action during that period.
• (Read more about the story)

Famous singer Mollie King linked with England cricketer

• Mollie King, the famous English singer-songwriter and model, is reportedly dating the most eligible bachelor of England cricketer.
• She was previously in a relationship with model David Gandy and most recently was linked to her “Strictly Come Dancing’ co-star A.J. Pritchard. 
• (Read more about the story)

IPL 2018: Kings XI Punjab announce their support staff

• Even the franchises are busy appointing their respective captains for the upcoming season of the tournament.
• Recently, Kings XI Punjab appointed Ravi Ashwin as the skipper of the team and will work closely with their mentor Virender Sehwag.
• (Read more about the story)

Virat Kohli’s love for tattoos resurfaces, spotted being inked again

• Two days ago, Kohli was making news for being spotted using a Louis Vuitton Zippy XL wallet in black, the pictures of which went viral on the social media.
• Similarly, his two brands, Wrogn and One8 are leaving a mark in the fashion industry with their stylish and comfortable products.
• (Read more about the story)

Nidahas Trophy: Mahela Jayawardena to mentor Sri Lanka ahead of the tournament

• The former captain of Sri Lanka last week accepted an invitation from the coaching staff of the team to spend some time with the players.
• Accordingly, Mahela Jayawardena will meet the Sri Lankan cricketers at the training session in Colombo before the start of the tri-series.
• (Read more about the story)

PSL 2018: Shahid Afridi’s injury leaves Mickey Arthur frustrated

• Though he has failed with the bat, his bowling has come to the fore big time and even his fielding has inspired a lot of youngsters.
• But Karachi Kings were dealt with a severe blow when he was temporarily ruled out of the tournament due to injury. However, the coach of the team Mickey Arthur is left frustrated over the same as it will be very difficult to replace a player like him.
• (Read more about the story)

Indian pacer goes unsold in Mumbai T20 league

• Shardul Thakur has been picked in the Indian team for the upcoming Nidahas Trophy in which the Men in Blue will clash against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
• The tournament will begin on March 6 and will clash the schedule of Mumbai T20 League which seems to be the reason Thakur didn’t find any buyers.
• (Read more about the story)

Hasan Ali backs this 19-year old to play for Pakistan

• Pakistani pacer Hasan Ali is making a big name for himself in the world cricket at the moment. He has had an excellent journey in the national colors thus far.
• Ever since he broke out at the big stage in the PSL, there has been no looking back for the fiery pace bowler. Now, as per the recent reports, the pacer believes that another young 19-year old has a very bright future ahead.
• (Read more about the story)

Why do people call for resting Dhawan and not Rohit to accommodate Mayank Agarwal

• Team India is all set to play in the Nidahas Trophy as their next assignment. With the senior players rested, the onus will be on the youngsters who have got an opportunity on the tour.
• While the young guns like Shreyas Iyer, Deepak Hooda, and Mohammad Siraj have boarded the bus for the tour, the likes of Mayank Agarwal has missed out.
• (Read more about the story)

Abdul Razzaq feels Shane Watson’s inclusion has strengthened the Gladiators’ squad

• Although the tournament, since its inception in 2015, is being played in UAE, the finals of PSL 2 were held at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium last year and the event was a successful one with no reports of any threat to any visiting player.
• This year too, two playoff matches will be played in Lahore and the final match will be played at the National Stadium, Karachi.
• (Read more about the story)