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

South Africa head coach Mark Boucher feels that top SA players departing in the middle of the tour to play the Indian Premier League 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. “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.

Discover more

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.

Paddy Upton recalls MS Dhoni - Gary Kirsten partnership that won India World Cup in 2011

Today is the 10th anniversary of India’s memorable World Cup win in 2011 and the team’s then strength and conditioning coach Paddy Upton still has fond memories of how things unfolded on the night of April 2, at the Wankhede Stadium. Upton recalls that Dhoni, who has had the habit of sitting inside the well-glassed dressing room and not in front of the dressing room, knocked the glass separating him and the coach Gary Kirsten. It was a sign language conversion between the ‘leaders of the team who were on the same page’ as Kirtsne nodded in his agreement for Dhoni’s decision to bat ahead of Yuvraj Singh. Upton recalls his own feeling and intuitions when Dhoni was walking downstairs to bat at the number four position. In a column written for The Indian Express, Upton revealed how he had asked Gary Kirsten if he has any sense of what was to come at the end of the game. “Gary didn’t have to stand up and have a conversation with Dhoni to discuss the merits and demerits of the move. It was just the two leaders of the team being on the same page. The knock on the glass, him pointing to himself, Gary’s nod… and it was done. I do remember very clearly when Dhoni walked down the stairs, I turned to Gary and said “Do you realise Dhoni is going there to fetch us the World Cup?” I had absolute conviction that Dhoni would come back with the trophy,” Upton wrote in his column.

Sachin Tendulkar hospitalised due to Covid-19; wishes fans on anniversary of World Cup triumph

Indian batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar has been hospitalized after testing positive for the novel Coronavirus infection a few days back. Tendulkar tweeted the development expressing hope of his return from the hospital very soon. He also extended congratulations to his countrymen and fans on the 10th anniversary of India’s second World Cup win in 2011. Notably, Tendulkar has returned from the Road Safety World Series where he was the skipper of the champion Indian Legends team. He was the first player to have tested positive for the virus and then others players such as Yusuf Pathan, S Badrinath, Irfan Pathan have also returned positive for the contagious virus. On the other hand, today marks a complete decade of India’s World Cup win in 2011 under the leadership of MS Dhoni. Winning the world cup was the only big elusive thing for Tendulkar for a long time. He had featured in five world cups before the 2011 edition which was always supposed to be the last one in his career. Thankfully for him and the whole of India, the team rose to the occasion and won the glittering trophy to give a perfectly fitting tribute to Tendulkar on April 2, 2011.

Anand Mahindra fulfils promise; gifts T Natarajan 'Thar' commemorating historic triumph

Indian pacer T Natarajan has received the Mahindra Thar that the industrialist and the chairman of Mahindra Motors Anand Mahindra had promised after India’s win over Australia by 2-1 in Brisbane. A gratuitous Natarajan has given back his signed maiden Test jersey from the Gabba Test. Natarajan thanked Mahindra for recognising his journey and said that the love and affection he has received from people in the past few months have been overwhelming. Mahindra had commended six Indian players such as Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur, Shubhman Gill, T Natarajan, Navdeep Saini & Washington Sundar for their immense grit in the final game of the series and beating all daunting odds in pursuit of their excellence in a Tweet. All six players commended and chose to be honoured by Mahindra made his debut at the Test level in the series against Australia. He had also called Indian young players inspirational figures in all arena of life and hence he expressed pleasure to gift all of them a Mahindra Thar. India were down and out in the first innings of the fourth Test against Australia at the Gabba before a magnificent partnership between Shardul Thakur and Washington Sundar resurrected them towards respectability. Then, just when Australia were going away with the runs at a brisk pace to force a declaration and a result to win the series, Mohammed Siraj and Shardul Thakur shared nine wickets between them to peg back the Aussies.