What is happening around the cricketing world? Ofcourse, the World T20 is going on which has thrown up quite a few surprises. Something happened with one of the IPL franchise as well. Cricketing news around the world.
Dhawan replaces Mayank as the captain
First up is the news that Shikhar Dhawan has been named as the captain of Punjab Kings for next year’s IPL. He has replaced Mayank Agarwal. This must have happened last year when Dhawan captained the Indian team but was subordinate to Mayank at IPL. Things have been restored for the next year. In 16 seasons, Punjab has changed the captain 14 times. That is way too many. Yet, they are unable to crack the code to winning the championship itself. Another change that the franchise have effected is that they have not renewed Kumble’s contract as the head coach. Trevor Bayliss has come in in his place. Bayliss was the one who transformed the English white-ball cricket to unprecedented proportions. Will he be able to recreate that magic with an IPL franchise team remains to be seen.
Cricket World T20 news
Australia have taken the extreme step of dropping Steve Smith from every single game they have played so far in the World Cup. Yes, Smith hasn’t really been a huge success at T20. He even went unsold in last year’s IPL auction but it is hard to imagine that there are better options for Australia than Smith. Could he have replaced Finch? Easily but being the captain and the current World Cup holder, it is hard to imagine that. Glenn Maxwell is just playing from memory. Nonetheless, Smith knew the Australian grounds pretty well and he just may have ensured that the Australians are not in a precarious position as they find themselves in to qualify for the semi-finals.
Aaron Finch may have played his last game for Australia. Having retired from ODI a few months ago, he will not be part of the final league game against Afghanistan because of an injury. His form is also a concern and probably this injury may have come as a blessing for Australia. Cameroon Green who impressed in India may come in for Finch.
“If I feel like one per cent (doubt) would be compromising the side‘s performance, I won’t play.
“If I don‘t feel confident in my hamstring … if I feel any pain or anything like that, I won’t play.”
Ponting on Cummins
Staying with Australia, Ponting has called for Pat Cummins to be dropped from the T20 side. Just like Smith, Cummins hasn’t really lived upto his reputation. He is a fabulous bowler in Test cricket but in T20, he has been found wanting. Unable to recreate the same magic. It probably is that he is not suited to this format. He does not possess the mean yorker which is important in this format for a frontline bowler.
Kohli’s stupid act
In the game against Bangladesh, Kohli has been accused for fake fielding. It is an offense that invites a penalty of 5 runs to the opposing team. Towards the final moments, During the seventh over of Bangladesh’s run chase in the South Australian capital, Tigers opener Litton Das slapped a delivery from spinner Axar Patel towards deep point before scampering between the wickets for two runs.
But as Indian seamer Arshdeep Singh retrieved the ball and flung it towards the wicketkeeper’s end, Kohli feigned a throw at the non-striker’s end.
Kohli, who was fielding at backward point, motioned the relay throw as Singh’s throw passed him from the deep.
Law 41.5, which was introduced in 2017, states: “It is unfair for any fielder wilfully to attempt, by word or action, to distract, deceive or obstruct either batter after the striker has received the ball.”
Kohli’s idiotic act could have well cost India not only the game but the crucial 2 points. Luckily for India, the umpires didn’t see. For such an experienced player, to resort to such cheap tactics is certainly beneath him. This is low even by Kohli’s standards. Now that it is out in the open and the pictures to support it, the BCCI must act. They will have to fine and ban Kohli for a few games.