40 Lakh for match fixing - TNPL star files complaint to Bengaluru police

Hardik Pandya, Rashid Khan, Shubman Gill to join Ahmedabad franchise: Reports

The new Ahmedabad franchise has reportedly roped in all-rounder Hardik Pandya, Afghanistan spinner Rashid Khan and youngster Shubman Gill for the upcoming IPL 2022. "Ahmedabad has decided on its players and accordingly informed the BCCI about their draft picks. Hardik, Rashid and Shubman are the three choices," a senior IPL official told PTI on conditions of anonymity. The source also added that the franchise was interested in picking up Ishan Kishan but the wicket-keeper batsman was keen on going into the mega-auction. "They wanted Ishan Kishan badly but it is understood that Ishan is more interested in going back to the auction and there is a high chance that MI might buy him at a premium price." The IPL mega auction is slated to take place on February 12 & 13, 2022 in Bengaluru. The cash-rich league is now going to be a 10-team competition after RPSG group won the rights for the Lucknow franchise after a Rs 7,090 crore bid while CVC Capital made a successful bid with Rs 5,625 crore for Ahmedabad.

U19 World Cup | Sri Lanka stun Australia to leave group of death wide open

It was an extremely professional showing by the Sri Lankan colts as they defeated the much-fancied Australian Under 19 side by four wickets to leave the group of death at the ICC Under 19 World Cup 2022 wide open. Playing at the Conaree Sports Club in Basseterre, St Kitts, the Lankan spinners were all over Australia and were led by the all-around show of their skipper Dunith Wellalage as they downed Australia to now lead Group D which also includes hosts West Indies. Chasing a target of 176 set up by the Aussies, the Lankan colts lost the first wicket in the fourth over itself. Then they went on to lose the next three wickets within the next 34 runs and at 49-4, the team was struggling big time. It was at this moment that Anjala Bandara joined Wellalage and the dup put up a match-winning stand of 70 runs in just 85 balls to take Sri Lanka closer to victory. Bandara was however removed with the team score at 119 with the islanders still needing 58 from 22 overs, but with only the last recognised batting pair in the form of skipper Wellalage and Ranuda Somarathne at the crease. Thankfully though, the remaining non-recognised batters didn’t have to do much as Wellalage built yet another stand, this time of 52 runs with Somarathne. Those 52 runs came quickly in just 55 balls as Wellalage even crossed his fifty run mark before being dismissed for 52 by Tom Whitney. However, by the time of his dismissal, only five more runs were needed which were completed with much ease at the end of the 37th over and Sri Lanka won their second game of the tournament. Earlier in the day, after having won the toss and deciding to bowl first, Sri Lanka made a brilliant start, removing three Aussie batters for 61 and not giving any room to score freely at all. In fact, by the team the Aussies reached their 100 mark, 27 overs had passed. In an effort to increase the scoring rate, Australia lost wickets at regular intervals and could get to only 175 in their 50 overs, getting all out on the very last delivery of the innings as well. Campbell Kellaway was the top scorer for the Aussies with 54 from 77 balls while Wellalage picked up another five-wicket haul in the tournament, adding to his five wickets from the Scotland game. In another game from this group, West Indies bowlers were all over Scotland, dismissing the European side for only 95 and chasing that down quite easily to win the game by seven wickets. With this win, the group has opened up as now when West Indies face Sri Lanka in the last group match, they would have to win it to qualify for the quarterfinals while Australia would just look to get past Scotland with as much as ease possible to lead in the net run rate scenario. In a Group C clash, Pakistan earned a huge victory of 115 runs against Zimbabwe. Batting first the Pakistanis scored 315-9 on the back of a brilliant century by Haseebullah even as Zimbabwean Alex Falao picked up his maiden five-wicket haul. In reply, Zimbabwe could only reach up to 200 before getting all out in the 43rd over. For Pakistan, Awais Ali picked six wickets while Brian Bennet scored the most runs for Zimbabwe (83 off 88 balls).

Cannot lose Virat, the batsman: Kapil Dev advises Kohli to give up his ego

World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev has advised Kohli that he should give up his ego for Indian cricket to sustain their domination in the world. Dev, who played under the likes of K Srikanth and Mohammad Azharuddin himself said that there is no way that India can afford to lose a batsman like Virat Kohli. "Virat will have to give up his ego and play under a young cricketer. This will help him and Indian cricket. Virat should guide the new captain, new players. We cannot lose Virat, the batsman... no way." NDTV quoted Kapil Dev saying that Kohli appeared to be under a lot of pressure, an idea that seems to be floating around the Indian cricketing circles. Kohli, who was the captain of all the teams that he was playing for till the 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League, first left the IPL captaincy position and then in a rapid turnaround vacated the white-ball and Test captaincy as well. With the first ODI between South Africa and India scheduled to be hosted on 19 January, India would have to shake everything off and prepare under captain KL Rahul, who will be taking over the reins in the absence of Rohit Sharma.

Women’s Ashes | Beth Mooney ruled out after fracturing jaw in the nets

Australia opener Beth Mooney has suffered a fractured jaw, effectively ruling her out for the most part of the multi-format Ashes series. Scheduled to begin on January 20, Thursday, Mooney has little or no chance to make a comeback in the later stages of the tournament, but the Australian camp is hopeful that she can, given the advancements in medical sciences. Mooney is scheduled to have surgery on Tuesday, 18 January. An integral part of the Australian line-up, Mooney will leave a huge hole in the batting order and will be leaving the think tank scratching their heads as to who will replace her. Mooney’s injury occurred in the nets during throwdowns after a ‘rouge’ ball shot up. According to head coach Matthew mott, who was on the other end of the drill, Mooney tried to avoid the ball the best she could, but ended up damaging her jaw. The multiformat series starts from 20th with three T20Is, before moving to a solitary Test match and then three ODIs.