BAN vs SL: Shiran Fernando tests negative for Covid-19 ahead of 3rd ODI

England batsmen don't read from the hand, sweep on line: Axar Patel

India’s latest spinning star Axar Patel, who wreaked havoc in the Test series against England has said that the English batsmen don’t read the deliveries from the hand of bowlers (spinners) and hence they are always unsure of the nature and type of delivery a bowler delivers. In an interview with The Indian Express, Axar Patel also opened up on his thought process in the series against England and said that bowling stump to stump line denies the English batsmen opportunities to sweep and reverse sweep as they can’t pick the variation from the hand. Bowling outside the line of stumps allows them a free hand to play their favourite swipe shot. “If they are in doubt whether it’s spinning or not, they just play sweeps and reverse-sweeps. If one bowls stump-to-stump, then it gets tough for them but if the ball is pitched outside off-stump or leg-stump they go for the sweep. They don’t read the ball from my hand, instead, they go by where it’s pitched,” Axar Patel said to The Indian Express. Axar missed the first Test of the series due to a knee injury but was included in the playing XI starting the second Test. He was instrumental in India’s fightback in the series after a big loss in the first Test. He picked up 27 wickets from three Tests at a staggering average of 10.59 runs per wicket.

UAE approves visa for TV crews, South Africa players for PSL

In a major relief to the Pakistan Cricket Board that is desperate to organise the remainder of the Pakistan Super League, the UAE authorities have issued visas for players and broadcasting crews. As per a PTI report, the UAE authorities have approved the visa for 22 Indian nationals working as members of the TV crew and 25 players and associates of South Africa. “All the players, officials and crew which check into their hotels by 2.00.P.M on 27th May would have been considered to have started their isolation period,” the Board said in a statement. Both South Africa and India are on the red-list countries due to a high number of Covid-19 cases and hence the members approved for visa will have to serve a mandatory seven day period of quarantine before starting to work for the PSL. The report further suggested that the PCB has organised a chartered flight to take as many as 233 players across six franchises of the PSL to complete the 2021 edition that was postponed midway through the tournament earlier in March. There are 20 matches remaining in the tournament which will be organised in Abu Dhabi. The revamped edition is likely to commence from June 6 and will end on June 20.

WTC Final | Conditions favourable for Blackcaps but Pat Cummins prefers to 'sit on the fence'

Australia fast bowler Pat Cummins has put his weight behind New Zealand as they take on India in the inaugural WTC final slated to gain on June 18 in Southampton. Cummins has said that the conditions in England might suit the Blackcaps. "It is going to be a good match. I think there has been a lot of rain in England from what I have seen in the news. I think, in terms of conditions, it is probably close to New Zealand conditions," Cummins said in a question-and-answer session with fans on Youtube. "If I say anything, the conditions should probably suit New Zealand more than India," he added. The pacer further suggested that the two teams haven’t played a Test for almost a couple of months now so it is going to be an exciting encounter. "We have seen both teams not having played Test matches for a couple of months. So, it is a one-off. Anything can happen. I will sit on the fence," said the 28-year-old. The Kane Williamson-led New Zealand side was the first team to make a place in the title clash while India first defeated Australia 2-1 in a four-match series away from home and then thrashed England 3-1 on the home soil. India made a fine comeback in the series against Australia after they were bundled out for 36 in the first clash. The side that was without the services of the regular skipper Kohli turned fortunes for themselves to win two of the remaining three games and defend the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. New Zealand will first play England in a two-match Test series ahead of the WTC final while the Virat Kohl-led side will be up against the English team in a five-match Test series after the conclusion of the WTC.

Watch: SKY reveal his love for Biryani, Andaz Apna Apna and his nickname at Mumbai Indians

Mumbai Indians superstar Suryakumar Yadav recently revealed his favourite cuisine to be Biryani, and mind you, he hasn’t heard of the word ‘Veg Biryani’ as according to him it doesn’t exist. The right-hander further disclosed why Andaz Apna Apna is his favourite movie. Answering a question on Instagram Live hosted, where he was talking to a host on the Mumbai Indians’ official page, Surya said that his favourite cuisine is Biryani and when in mood, he could cook it as well. “I love making Biryanis and all kinds of Biryanis. Basically, I love cooking. Whenever it’s a Sunday and I am at home, the kitchen has to be empty and I have to be alone out there, I don’t need anyone’s help,” he said. Revealing the biggest Biryani lover in the Mumbai Indians unit, the 30-year-old said, “I have the biggest appetite for Biryani. When there is a cheat day and you are allowed to order anything, I order Biryani. It hs to be a lamb Biryani or any type of Biryani, not the veg one for sure (smiles).” “I can easily eat two portions (servings) and still be able to save room for dessert,” he added. The host, trying to be cheeky, asked if the master scoop shot player knew the concept of Veg Biryani, to that he replied, laughing heartily, “What is veg Biryani, I have never heard of it.” Surya, who made his India debut in the T20I series against England this year went on to list his favourite movies and even repeated some of the well-known dialogues from them. “I really love comedy movies because that keeps me happy when I come from a game or when I am not doing anything,” he said. “Andaz Apna Apna is one movie then there is Chupke Chupke, Hera Pheri. These are three favourite movies that I love watching when I am not doing anything,” added the Mumbai batsmen and even went on to recreate the famous Amr Khan and Paresh Rawal kidnapping scene from the movie. Suryakumar, who went on to play more than 100 IPL games without ever playing for India, might be known as SKY to outsiders, but recently he has been given a new nickname of ‘Dada’. “I am not that ‘Dada’ by which Sourav Ganguly sir is referred to,” sheepishly said the former Mumbai domestic captain. He then went on to explain how the nickname got stuck to him. “It is more like how we call our elder brother in Mumbai language. So it started when there were a lot of youngsters in our last IPL (2020) in Abu Dhabi (UAE) and then in their hesitation to call senior players directly by name, they starting suffixing ‘Da’ or ‘Dada’ to it. And that’s how I became Surya Da or Dada,” he said. Right now resting at home, Surya would surely be in Team India’s scheme of things when a second team travels to Sri Lanka in July while the first one would still be in England for the Test series.