South African legend Shaun Pollock feels that the ICC Cricket Committee is working towards giving bowlers a bit more freedom on wides as the current rule is very strict on them. In ODIs and T20Is, batsmen make movements in the crease to disturb bowlers' lines and lengths, following which they end up bowling wides. "I'm working on something. I'm obviously part of the ICC Cricket Committee and we're looking to come up with a bit more leeway for the bowlers on wides. I think it's very strict on them", Shaun Pollock told PTI on the sidelines of SA20. "If a batter jumps across (at the) last minute, it doesn't really work out for me. I think a bowler, at the start of his run-up, needs to know where he can bowl it." "The current rule tends to suggest that if he moves and it's that point of delivery where the batter is, and that's according to where the wide will be called, I want a little bit of a change", added Pollock. Shaun Pollock further stated that bowlers must know where they have to bowl when they're running towards the batsmen. "I want them to know exactly when they're running up why or how. How can a bowler be expected to change his game plan at the last second when he's bowling? He needs to have a clear idea where he can go", he said. "So it's in the pipeline, we're all discussing. We need to give a little bit back to the bowlers", he added. Pollock said the SA20 has gone from strength to strength like IPL has over the years. Also Read: Gautam Gambhir, BCCI officials to meet to review Australia tour, selectors to convene to pick CT squad "It's just gone from strength to strength. Some of the activities at the ground as well, the Catch 2 Million competition this year has been added", he said. "I know the young kids are taught, 'you've got to get to the ground' because we need some money these days with the economy the way it is. But it's definitely gone from strength to strength". "South African cricket needed this injection, there's no doubt about it. They needed something to create a bit of unbelievable interest in the game", he said. Ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025, Shaun Pollock wants South Africa to play on their players' experience in the subcontinent conditions. "You've got basically the similar players that were at that (ODI) World Cup (2023) where we got to the semifinal and lost to Australia", he said. "We've got a lot of IPL stars who play for South Africa. In those situations, everything looks good. The amount of IPL players, people like Klaasens, Millers, even de Kocks, all those guys who spend so much time over there, getting an understanding for conditions, that can only help South Africa." "They (have) got the ICC Test Championship now as well so it's been some good stuff and, hopefully, some younger individuals come up. We've seen it starting to develop in the Test arena", he added. Shaun Pollock said that he understands the T20 leagues around the world are moneymakers, but he wants players not to turn down their national duties for the leagues. "There's always cricketers (available) so you're going to be able to create leagues. It's the moneymaker for a lot of the cricket boards around the world", he said. "You can understand why these leagues are presenting themselves. If you can find windows for them, that's fine. But my biggest concern is where you've got international players who go away and play in these leagues and don't end up playing for their international teams". However, Pollock said he will not grudge players for making that choice. "Ideally, I would prefer that they make themselves available for their own international countries as often as possible. But you do understand it's an earning capacity". "It's a certain time where they can make money for the rest of their lives and you can't begrudge them on that", he signed off. (With PTI Inputs)
11 January,2025 05:08 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe future of stalwarts Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will be discussed in the meeting that head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Garkar are scheduled to hold with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) officials to review the concluded tour of Australia. The two consecutive Test series defeats against New Zealand and Australia and the struggling phase with the willow of Rohit and Kohli, have put them under scanner. The PTI has learned that the powers that be will discuss in detail the future plan whether to activate the transition switch from next month's Champions Trophy or wait for the cycle to end with the ICC marquee event. Champions Trophy 2025 discussions However, it is expected that the senior batsmen will get another chance to redeem themselves at the Champions Trophy 2025. The mega event will be played with 50 overs, for each side and is the format in which the senior batsmen have always excelled. The fact that Rohit and Kohli have made their appearances in just three ODIs after the ODI World Cup 2023 will also be taken into consideration. Both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma endured different fortunes too in the series against Sri Lanka. While Kohli amassed 24, 14 and 20 in Colombo, Rohit walked away with scores of 58, 64 and 35 against the Lankans. But overall, Kohli has been a champion performer in 50-overs, his staple format and a good outing in the Champions Trophy could bring him, and Rohit too, back into a good frame of mind. Also Read: Rahul Dravid turns 52: Know the records of Team India's "Wall" However, their Test future is different. The next assignment is an away five-match series against England, and the mandarins will certainly assess the drying runs from Kohli and Rohit in the traditional format. In the most recent outing against Australia, Kohli, despite a hundred at Perth, could garner only 190 runs at an average of 23.75 while Rohit, who skipped the first Test and opted out of the fifth match, made 31 runs at 6.2. Those performances will certainly be mooted thoroughly while seeking Gautam Gambhir's views on their desire to continue playing the longest version of the sport. Similarly, it is possible that the performance of the Gautam Gambhir-led coaching staff too could be assayed, and asked about their vision to handle the transition period without any more hiccups. Apart from the review meeting, the selectors, led by Agarkar, will also convene on Saturday evening to pick the Indian squad for the Champions Trophy. India will play all its matches in the UAE and will open the campaign with a match against Bangladesh on February 20. However, it is unlikely that the team will be announced on this day itself, as the selectors have time till January 12 to release the squad. Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami's fitness updates They will also take into consideration the fitness update of lead pacer Jasprit Bumrah and star pacer Mohammed Shami. Shami, who has not played since the ODI World Cup 2023 because of ankle surgery, is likely to get a green signal from BCCI's Centre of Excellence physics. The selectors are also expected to discuss and pick the India squad for the five T20Is and three ODIs against England for the home series, beginning from January 22. There could not be many surprises as the team that did duty in South Africa late last year could be picked up again for the T20Is. Shami could be included in the ODIs depending on the fitness certificate from CoE, which is understood to be positive though it will be assessed deeply before taking a final decision. Bumrah and fellow pacer Akash Deep, who will also be in CoE in Bengaluru for recovery from a back niggle, will miss the white ball series against England. There are high chances of Yashasvi Jaiswal featuring in at least one of the squads for the England series. Along with the left-hander, Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy who impressed in Australia might also receive the call-up. (With PTI Inputs)
11 January,2025 04:10 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentPakistan batsman Saim Ayub has completed his assessments with the surgeons in London for his ankle injury, but it will require a week to know if he can feature in the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025. Saim Ayub was examined by two noted orthopaedic surgeons in London, Dr David Redfern and Dr Lucky Jeyaseelan. A source close to the cricketer said the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) wants Saim Ayub to be fit for the Champions Trophy 2025 match against Team India on February 23 in Dubai. Also Read: Rahul Dravid turns 52: Know the records of Team India's "Wall" "Even if the doctors say he will not have recovered from his injury in time for Pakistan's opening CT game against New Zealand on February 19 in Karachi but he could be fit for the India game, the selectors and PCB are willing to take the risk", the source said. The source said that even after being advised to be on a six-week rest, Saim Ayub travelled to London for consultations with specialists. The official cricket board of Pakistan is very keen to see him play in the mega event, especially against India. The PCB will get final reports and advice from the specialists by next week on Saim's recovery process and time but after initial examination, they have ruled out any invasive or non-invasive surgery to set the ankle right. "Their findings are that Saim can recover from his injury through physiotherapy, medication and rest but how long a rehab period they suggest will be known next week", he said. For the time being, the PCB will include Saim in the preliminary squad for the Champions Trophy as the selectors have until February 12 to make changes in it and finalise their 15-member squad. Saim Ayub will remain in London until next week to find out if he can rehab in Lahore at the PCB's high-performance centre or can get better care in London itself. (With PTI Inputs)
11 January,2025 02:50 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentShortly after former Team India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin's comments on Hindi, which led to a debate, Tamil Nadu's president K Annamalai agreed with the cricketer and called Hindi as a "link language" and a "language of convenience". Agreeing with Ravichandran Ashwin, Annamalai said, "Correct. It is not our national language which Annamalai is also telling you. Not only my dear friend Ashwin has to say that. It is not the national language. It was a link language, it is a language of convenience. Nowhere anyone is saying that Hindi is our national language." Ravichandran Ashwin who recently announced his retirement from international cricket said to students in Chennai during their graduation ceremony. During a speech, the veteran of Indian cricket said that Hindi is not India's national language, instead it is an official language. Also Read: Watch out for Rohit Sharma in Champions Trophy The language debate in Tamil Nadu has been a point of contention, with Chief Minister MK Stalin also writing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi about concerns regarding linguistic diversity and representation. Stalin condemned the distorted rendition of the state anthem, without the reference to the glory of "Dravida" land, at a Doordarshan function in which Governor RN Ravi participated. The Chief Minister also stated that the government has not done enough to develop the Tamil language. In October 2024, Stalin stated that the Tamil language is the race and lifeblood of Dravidians, and said that if racism is the mother tongue of this land, then it is his pride. "What has the Modi government done for the Tamil language that you claim to be praising? From 2013-2014 to 2022-2023, a total of Rs.2435 crore has been spent for the development of the Sanskrit language, Rs 2029 crore for the Central Sanskrit University in Delhi and Rs 406 crore for the National Sanskrit University in Tirupati," Stalin had said in October. "This is two and a half times more than what was spent ten years ago. During the same period, only Rs.167 crore was spent on the development of the Tamil language. In other words, only 7 per cent of the expenditure on Sanskrit was allocated to Tamil," the CM added. (With ANI Inputs)
11 January,2025 12:55 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSkipper Rohit Sharma, one of India's most reliable batters in limited-over cricket, has struggled in Test matches since last September. However, he will look to put that rough patch behind him and redeem himself during the upcoming ICC ODI Champions Trophy in Dubai starting February 20. Rohit has an impressive record in Dubai, having scored 317 runs in five ODIs at an outstanding average of 105.66 during India’s successful 2018 ODI Asia Cup campaign. One of the biggest highlights of that tournament was his performance against arch-rivals Pakistan — 52 off 39 balls and an unbeaten 111 off 119 balls. Coincidentally, India will face Pakistan in their second league match. Rohit also scored 83 not out and top-scored for India with 48 in the final against Bangladesh, India’s first opponent in their Champions Trophy opener. Also Read: Magnanimity ought to have figured in Wankhede golden jubilee celebrations Fans will hope their captain leads by example, especially after his struggles in Test cricket. In his last few Test innings — four against New Zealand at home and five in Australia — Rohit failed to score more than 18 runs. India lost four of those matches, while one ended in a draw. Despite his struggles in Test cricket, Rohit has been in excellent form in limited-overs cricket this year. He was the top-scorer during the ODI series in Sri Lanka last August, scoring 157 runs in three matches at an average of 52.33. Rohit also finished as India’s leading run-scorer during their victorious T20 World Cup campaign in the Caribbean and USA, amassing 257 runs in eight games. Apart from this, he smashed an unbeaten 121 during the T20I series against Afghanistan in Bangalore last January. Rohit will certainly aim to silence his critics during the multi-nation tournament, by drawing inspiration from his past successes in Dubai.
11 January,2025 12:20 PM IST | Mumbai | Rohan KoliThe forthcoming golden jubilee celebrations of the first Test match held at the Wankhede Stadium promise to be a grand affair, replete with novel initiatives. The festivities begin tomorrow with a match between the Association and the Sports Journalists’ Association of Mumbai (SJAM) and shall reach its zenith on January 19 with a performance by the esteemed musical duo of Ajay-Atul. Also Read: Coach Murray ready to face Djokovic ire We First initiatives Under the stewardship of a novel breed of administrators over the past five years, the Association has witnessed the inception of various ideas, all emblazoned with the motto, We First. The inaugural corporate trophy in the aftermath of the pandemic, a special league tournament for MCA clubs to commemorate the birth centenary of Madhav Mantri, cash prizes from quarter-finals to club teams, floodlit local finals and probably the most laudable endeavour of all — acknowledging the tireless efforts of its groundstaff (this generously supported by Cadbury Mondelez), introduction of online registration for players, honouring batting legend Sunil Gavaskar with an air-conditioned box, naming of a stand to honour another cricket legend, Dilip Vengsarkar are some of the noteworthy actions of the MCA. But during the last five years, the MCA somehow missed an opportunity to double the meagre gratis/pension for former Mumbai players (Rs 10,000 up to 70 years of age and Rs 20,000 to 70 and above). Tyson-like scheme needed Whilst the forthcoming performance by Ajay-Atul shall undoubtedly prove melodious to the ears of those in attendance, an announcement of a scheme akin to the BCA-Mafatlal Bowling Scheme helmed by the late Frank Tyson, which nurtured the talents of illustrious cricketers such as Abey Kuruvilla, Paras Mhambrey, and many others, would doubtless sound more melodious to the ears of the Mumbai’s cricket lovers. That scheme not only produced long-serving bowlers, it also opened up opportunities for some of them to turn coaches. While the Association celebrates 50 years of the iconic ground, is there any victory for cricket amidst the festivities, I wonder. Jagdish Achrekar was Hon Treasurer of the MCA before the last elections in 2022
11 January,2025 08:06 AM IST | Mumbai | Jagdish AchrekarPratika Rawal showcased maturity beyond her experience, while Tejal Hasabnis capped a memorable comeback, posting a fifty each, as India outplayed an inexperienced Ireland by six wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match women’s ODI series here on Friday. Rawal anchored the modest run chase of 239 after stand-in skipper Smriti Mandhana’s brisk 41, smashing 10 fours and one six for a career-best 89 (96 balls).Hasabnis, who last played an ODI against New Zealand in October 2024, struck her first fifty after her comeback, remaining unbeaten on 53 off 46 balls with the help of nine boundaries. Crucial 116-run stand Rawal and Hasabnis put together a match-winning 116-run partnership from 84 balls with India winning the match with 93 balls to spare. Smriti Mandhana Also Read: "He hasn’t scored a lot of runs, but he didn’t play like someone without runs": Ashwin's remarks on Rishabh Pant Earlier, butter-fingered India let Ireland off the hook with their pathetic fielding as visiting skipper Gaby Lewis carved out a classy 92 to lift her team to a respectable 238-7. Opting to bat, Ireland were in deep trouble at 56-4 in the 14th over, but Lewis and Leah Paul (59 off 73 balls) added 117 runs for the fifth wicket to steer their team to safety. Mandhana was not pleased that India let Ireland off the hook due to fielding lapses, saying they should have restricted their opponents to under 180. “We need to get better at fielding. We should have restricted them to 180, will be aiming to do that going forward. We have to go out there and execute our plans, that’s going to be important,” Mandhana said during the post-match presentation. The captain, however, praised the bowling unit for performing well on the placid wicket. “To bowl on these sort of wickets, which have nothing in it, the bowlers did a really good job... The way they executed the slower balls and bouncers. Every game here on, we need to execute.” Mandhana provided an explosive start with her 29-ball 41 before Rawal showed immense maturity to anchor the chase. “Really happy for our batters. Tejal finished off well. It was a perfect day for us. Matches are won by the things we do behind the scene. Need to stick to our routine and do all the right things,” she added. ‘Wasn’t thinking about ton’ Rawal, who made her debut in the preceding series against the West Indies, missed a maiden century by just 11 runs. The 24-year-old, however, said she never had the century in mind. “I am not thinking about the results, not thinking about the big numbers, just taking it one match at a time. Whenever the ball is in my slot, I try to hit boundaries. Otherwise, I just try to push it down the ground,” she said. Brief scoresIreland 238-7 in 50 overs (G Lewis 92, L Paul 59; P Mishra 2-56) lost to India 241-4 in 34.3 overs (P Rawal 89, T Hasabnis 53*, S Mandhana 41; A Maguire 3-57) by six wickets This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
11 January,2025 07:53 AM IST | Rajkot | PTIIndian spin legend R Ashwin feels Rishabh Pant will score a century in every game if the maverick India wicketkeeper-batter is able to curb his extravagance and impetuosity as he has got “one of the best defences” in world cricket. Hailing Pant’s ability to singlehandedly turn a match on its head, Ashwin said a lot of his shots are high-risk, something that is not allowing him to realise his full potential. Also Read: Osaka to play Australian Open after ‘devastating’ injury pullout Pant scored the second-fastest Test fifty by an Indian during the fifth Test against Australia in Sydney recently. “We have to tell him properly what he has to do if he has to bat solid or bat with intent. He hasn’t scored a lot of runs, but he didn’t play like someone without runs. He has a lot of time on his hands. Pant is yet to realise his fullest potential,” said Ashwin on his YouTube channel. “He has all the shots — reverse sweep, slog sweep, everything — but the problem is that all these shots are high-risk shots. With his defence, he will surely score runs every game if he faces 200 balls. “The point is finding that middle game. If he combines all of it, he will score 100 runs every game. He has to find that middle game,” the recently-retired cricketer added. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
11 January,2025 07:47 AM IST | New Delhi | PTIIndia's all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has sparked widespread speculation with an intriguing post on his Instagram story, leaving the internet abuzz. Jadeja shared an image of his Test jersey, which has since gone viral on X (formerly Twitter). The cryptic post has left many fans wondering about its significance, with some even speculating that the spin-bowling all-rounder may be announcing his retirement from Test cricket. One comment on X read, 'Any hint?', while another fan posted, 'Happy Retirement Jaddu'. Ravindra Jadeja's Instagram story. 🌟🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/vacB7do0HB — Tanuj Singh (@ImTanujSingh) January 10, 2025 Jadeja's post comes at a time when he has already retired from T20I cricket after India's World Cup title victory in June last year. Despite this, he remains an active member of India's Test and ODI squads. However, his recent performances have come under scrutiny, particularly following India's disappointing 1-3 loss in the Test series against Australia. The 34-year-old failed to make an impact as an all-rounder in the series, picking up just four wickets across three matches and contributing only 135 runs at an average of 27 with the bat. His lackluster performance has led to growing speculation about his future in the national team. According to reports, Jadeja's form is under review, and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) selection committee may soon make a decision regarding his future in the longer format. Some reports suggest that the selectors are looking to move beyond the veteran all-rounder. India's head coach, Gautam Gambhir, is reportedly focused on building a 'strong base' for the 2027 ODI World Cup and is keen to expose emerging talent to international cricket, as reported by a source close to the BCCI. The focus seems to be on giving more opportunities to younger, identified players as the team looks ahead to future global events. India is set to return to international action with a five-match T20I series and three ODIs against England, starting January 22 in Kolkata. Following this, the team will travel to Dubai to kick off its Champions Trophy campaign. The squads for these upcoming assignments have yet to be announced, and Jadeja's participation remains uncertain amid ongoing speculations about his career.
10 January,2025 10:38 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentRavichandran Ashwin, whose recent retirement sent shockwaves through the cricket world and left his fans in disbelief, made a comment that could spark widespread debate. During a speech at the graduation ceremony of a private engineering college in Tamil Nadu, where the use of Hindi has long been a sensitive and contentious issue, Ashwin remarked that Hindi is 'not our national language, but an official language'. Tamil Nadu: Former off spinner Ravichandran Ashwin says, "...I thought I'd say it all. It's (Hindi) not our national language; It's an official language. Okay, anyway"(09/01/2025) pic.twitter.com/bR47icWZEU — IANS (@ians_india) January 10, 2025 Speaking to the students, Ashwin asked if they would be willing to pose questions in Hindi if they were not comfortable with English or Tamil. “English students in the house – give me a yay,” he said, receiving a loud cheer. “Tamil?” The response was a resounding roar from the students. “Okay, Hindi?” At this point, the audience fell silent. “I thought I should say this. Hindi is not our national language; it is an official language,” Ashwin continued, speaking in Tamil. This comment has the potential to reignite a long-standing debate, especially as several opposition parties, including Tamil Nadu's ruling DMK, have accused the central government of attempting to impose Hindi in southern states. At the same event, Ashwin also touched upon the topic of Team India's captaincy, offering a measured and diplomatic response. "When someone says I can't do it, I wake up to accomplish it, but if they say I can, I lose interest," Ashwin explained. Reflecting on his own journey, Ashwin shared insights from his background, having completed his engineering studies. He encouraged the students to persevere and remain focused on their goals, even when faced with challenges. "Had any engineering staff told me I couldn’t become captain, I would have worked harder," he said, urging the graduates to stay determined and not let doubt deter them. “If you are a student, you will never stop. If you aren’t, learning will cease, and excellence will just be a word in your cupboard,” he added, emphasizing the importance of lifelong learning and perseverance.
10 January,2025 07:44 PM IST | Chennai | mid-day online correspondentIndia pacer Varun Aaron, who was once regarded as the country's fastest bowler before injuries hampered his promising career, announced retirement from 'representative cricket' on Friday after his home state Jharkhand's campaign ended in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy. The 35-year-old Aaron made the announcement on social media after Jharkhand failed to go beyond the preliminary stage of the marquee domestic one-day event. After a dazzling start, Aaron struggled with erratic form, which was made worse by injury breakdowns, and he had not represented India since 2015. And that’s a wrap!! Thanks for all the love. pic.twitter.com/Yze3JReX06 — Varun Aaron (@VarunAaron) January 10, 2025 "For the past 20 years, I have lived, breathed, and thrived on the rush of bowling fast. Today, with immense gratitude, I officially announce my retirement from representative cricket," Aaron posted on his Instagram account At just 21, Aaron burst onto the scene during the 2010-11 Vijay Hazare Trophy, showcasing his raw pace and making a mark with a blistering 153kph delivery against Gujarat in the final. His ability to consistently bowl at speeds exceeding 150kph quickly caught the attention of the Indian cricketing fraternity and he soon made his international debut in an ODI against England in Mumbai in 2011. This was followed by a Test debut at the same venue against the West Indies, again in 2011. However, the relentless demands of bowling at high speed took a significant toll on his body. He played nine ODIs and as many Tests, taking 29 wickets across the two formats for India. Over the course of his career, he endured as many as eight back stress fractures and three foot fractures, which severely hampered his progress. Injuries had forced him to give up red-ball cricket last year. "Over the years, I've had to push both my physical and mental limits to recover from numerous career-threatening injuries, having to come back time and again, this was only possible thanks to the relentless dedication of the physios, trainers, and coaches at the National Cricket Academy. "I'd also like to thank the BCCI, JSCA (Jharkhand State Cricket Association) , Red Bull, SG Cricket, and MRF Tyres for their invaluable support during critical junctures in my career. "As I bid farewell to a pursuit that has consumed me completely, I now look forward to savouring the smaller joys in life while staying deeply connected to the game that has given me everything. "Fast Bowling has been my first love, and though I step off the field, it will always be a part of who I am," he added. Among his memorable moments in the game, he had grabbed headlines by breaking Stuart Broad's nose with a bouncer during a Test match in 2014. Broad had tried to pull the delivery but the ball took the edge and sneaked inside the grill of his helmet to hit him on the nose. Despite not making the Indian team since 2015, Aaron continued to bowl in domestic cricket. He picked 141 wickets at an average of 26.47 and an economy rate of 5.44 in 88 List A matches. He also snared 93 wickets at an economy rate of 8.53 in the 95 T20s he played. Aaron also played nine seasons of the IPL between 2011 and 2022, turning out for with Delhi Daredevils, Kings XI Punjab, Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Gujarat Titans. In his final season, he won the title with Gujarat Titans in 2022. (With agency inputs)
10 January,2025 07:19 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
