...and Dhoni finishes off in style: Twitter celebrates 10th anniversary of India’s 2011 WC win

Shakib Al Hasan adamant on winning World Cup for Bangladesh; open to play till 2027 edition

Bangladesh star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has said that his playing days can be extended up to the ICC World Cup in 2027 in case Bangladesh don’t go on to win the next edition of the tournament in 2023. He said that there is no option of retirement as of now as he is enjoying the game. “In the year 2023, it will be my last World Cup. However, if Bangladesh doesn’t win, I will continue until 2027. I have no plans of retirement as of now. The prospects are open for the time being. When I will feel I’m not enjoying the sport anymore, then I will retire. And until the time I feel I am enjoying, I will continue,” Shakib said in an interview with Daraz. Shakib got into a tiff with the BCB Cricket Operations Head Akram Khan on the issue of prioritising IPL over the Test series against Sri Lanka. Shakib advocated that the need to play in IPL emerged keeping in mind the T20 World Cup scheduled for later this year, and not because he is looking to move away from the tournament. He had alleged that his letter to the BCB was misinterpreted by Akram Khan that led to a chaotic situation. Shakib will represent the Kolkata Knight Riders in the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League starting April 09.

Indian cricketers relish competition, looking forward for 'The Hundred': Eoin Morgan

England and Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Eoin Morgan has said that Indian players cherish travelling and relishes new opportunities across the world and hence they will love to be part of ECB’s ambitious tournament ‘The Hundred.’ However, he did not reveal the names of players he conversed it and hence it can’t be said that who are looking forward to playing in the newest format of the game. “Just having conversations out here about ‘The Hundred’, I know that there are Indian cricketers out here who would love to play in The Hundred and other competitions around the world. They love travelling and experiencing new conditions and cultures, and they would add huge value to a tournament like that,” Morgan told Sky Sports Cricket. Morgan highlighted the growing disparity of wealth between leagues such as the IPL and international cricket that is fuelling many players to opt for lives outside of the international arena. He said that international cricket is not growing at a pace equal to leagues and hence teams are not being able to field their best playing XI as players are competing in T20 leagues. “My biggest worry is that the game isn’t changing and accommodating the pace at which it is growing. It is definitely an area of concern and one that needs improvement going forward because you play against countries and some aren’t able to play their best XIs because they are competing against big leagues around the world,” Morgan added. Morgan opined that the issue will not be resolved on its own, and rather will only deepen with each passing year. He asked leaders and administrators of the game to envision the game going forward to avoid the situation of leagues dominating the preceding at the world level. “Whoever is in charge needs to think about what that looks like in 10 years’ time because if they don’t manage it, franchise leagues around the world will become more dominant,” Morgan added. Morgan also highlighted the missteps taken by administrations of the past that have overlapped the role of different formats of the game and hence cricket is not unlocking its full potential as a global sport. He said administrators have not been able to identify the roles of T20Is, ODIs and Test cricket on the overall development of sport for the next generation and hence there is an issue developing over scheduling and prioritisation of one format over other. “One of the biggest mistakes we make as a sport is having all three formats overlap or not recognising the roles that they play within the game. T20 cricket is an avenue for a young kid who has never seen the game and sees this big shiny thing on TV with stars and the ball being blasted everywhere. “50-over cricket has a different dynamic, it gives you a little bit of everything all in one day. Test match cricket is our most prestigious game for our elite players. It will always be like that and for very few countries around the world, it is prioritised,” Morgan weighed in. Eoin Morgan led England to their maiden World Cup title in 2019 and will be leading them again in the two T20I World Cup scheduled to be played later this year and next year.

Boucher considers IPL departure of top SA players as win-win situation

South Africa head coach Mark Boucher feels that top players of his side departing for the Indian Premier League midway of the Pakistan tour is a win-win situation. Reasoning why the Proteas players had to go for the IPL even as a series was going on, Boucher, 44 said, “We have known this for some time because the BCCI and CSA have a long-standing agreement to release players for IPL and the scheduling didn’t quite work out because of the Covid-19 situation,”. The former wicket-keeper batsman further went on to explain why the key players missing is a win-win situation for the Rainbow nation’s cricketing prospect with regard to the T20 wORLD cup. “I think their appearances in the IPL going into the World T20 will help us,” Boucher told Media personnel during a Press Conference. “Playing in a good strong competition against top strong opposition who they are likely to face in the World T20 they are going to get first-hand information about the different venues, the opposition we expect to meet up in the World event,” he added. The coach also feels that it is going to present younger players and domestic stars with an opportunity to prove themselves. “Look at it positively they are not going on holidays and it also gives us an opportunity to have a lookout over other guys in the fray.” South Africa plays Pakistan in three ODIs and four T20Is over the next 12 days and the first game begins today, 2nd April at the Supersport Park, Centurion. Key players such as Quinton de Kock, David Miller, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje and Lungi Ngidi would depart for IPL after playing just the first two ODIs.

Shreyas Iyer to be operated on 8 April

India middle-order batsman Shreyas Iyer will be going under the knife for his shoulder operation on April 8th. The former Delhi Capitals skipper will be operated for Subluxation on his left shoulder. “He will have to go under the knife. So, it looks not just the first part of IPL but Iyer will miss the entire IPL. It might take a minimum of four months before he can hit the nets again. He has been under severe pain for many days now,” a source close to BCCI was quoted as saying by PTI. “Shreyas will get operated on April 8 for his shoulder injury," the source added. Reacting to this news, DC Fielding coach Mohammad Kaif wished Shreays all the best and also egged on Rishabh Pant to gear up for the added responsibility as a skipper of the side. Iyer, 26, who had signed up with English County side Lancashire for the upcoming edition of the Royal London Cup would now miss that tournament as well as it starts from 23rd July. Owing to his four-month ouster and further rehab, Iyer would most probably not be a part of that tournament.