Chennai Super Kings to keep practicing in Mumbai in lead up to IPL 2021

Eoin Morgan ruled out of ODI series; Livingstone to make his ODI debut

England skipper Eoin Morgan has been ruled out of the remaining two games of the ODI series against India after suffering from split webbing between his thumb and index finger. The decision was taken by morgan himself as he feels that he would not be able to give his hundred per cent in the field. England vice-captain and wicket-keeper batsman Jos Buttler would take Morgan’s place as the kipper of the side. “I had the hand re-dressed before the start of training today but it quickly became apparent that I found myself protecting the injury and getting into the wrong positions to catch the ball,” Morgan was quoted as saying by ECB’s official website. “There’s nowhere to hide on the field in international cricket these days, especially in limited-over formats so it didn’t require any great thought to make myself unavailable,” the 34-year-old Ireland born added, saying that instead of pushing himself and aggravating the ‘freak injury’, it was better to rest. “I have every confidence in Jos and the rest of the squad coping without me,” he further said. Sam Billings who suffered a bruised left collar bone while fielding in the first ODI and came to at later in the batting order than his usual position has also been ruled out of the second ODI and a decision on his availability for the 3rd ODI on Sunday would be taken later on. While Liam Livingstone, the 27-year-old Lancashire man is sure to make his ODI debut tomorrow, Dawid Malan who is with the England team has been drafted into the squad and might replace Billings in the second ODI.

Sandeep Lamichhane joins Worcestershire for T20 Blast 2021

Nepalese leg spinner Sandeep Lamchhane who has plied his trade in most of the world’s top T20 leagues would be seen in the English league, the T20 Blast for the first time. The 20-year-old will join the Worcestershire Rapids for the 2021 season of the Blast. Confirming the news, Lamichhane himself tweeted, “Absolutely happy to be the part of @WorcsCCC family for @VitalityBlast. Always heard that county cricket is more than cricket because of it's culture, decorum and amazing crowd. I look forward to the day where more & more talented players from Nepal will feature in county. #2FIVE.” Lamichhane who was spotted for the first time by Indian Premier League franchise Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) in 2018 has now played in leagues all sound the world. The Aruchour born has represented Melbourne Stars and Hobart Hurricanes in the BBL, Sylhet Sixers in the Bangladesh Premier League, Nangarhar Leopards in Afghanistan Premier League and Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League. In the Caribbean Premier League, he has so far played for three sides including St. Kitts and Nevis Patriot, Jamaica Tallawahs and Barbados Tridents. Reacting to the signing of a leggie, a key component in every T20I set up these days, Rapids Head Coach Alex Gidman said, “Sandeep has played in many tournaments and gained a lot of experience in franchise cricket. He’s a leg spinner, which is a bit of mystery spin we believe we need in our squad in terms of balance, so we are ecstatic with the signing.” “This is his first taste of playing in England, and I’m sure he will do well and have an enjoyable summer with us,” he added. Having made his professional debut way back in 2016 at an impressionable age of 15 years, Lamichhane has so far played 96 T20s and in them, he has taken 125 wickets with an economy of 6.79 and the best figure of 4/10.

Shreyas Iyer ruled out of IPL 2021, DC to announce new skipper next week

Delhi Capitals skipper Shreyas Iyer has been ruled out of the entirety of IPL 2021 as per a report in a cricket website, ESPNCricinfo. The Capitals will announce the new skipper by the next week. Iyer suffered a subluxation in his left shoulder in the first ODI between India and England at Pune. Iyer, 26, thanked his fans for their prayers for his speedy recovery. The India middle-order batsmen tweeted, “I’ve been reading your messages and have been overwhelmed by all the outpouring of love and support. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone. You know what they say, the greater the setback, the stronger the comeback. I shall be back soon.” The Mumbai born had recently announced his tie-up with English county Lancashire for the Royal One Day Cup, but that also seems doubtful now that Iyer would be out of action for at least three months. Earlier today, Parth Jindal, the co-owner of Delhi Capitals also wished his skipper a speedy recovery, calling him an important part of Team India’s 2021 T20 World Cup campaign. “Absolutely devastated and gutted for our skipper @ShreyasIyer15- stay strong captain - hope for a very quick recovery. Have full faith that you will come back even stronger from this. India needs you in the T20 World Cup. @DelhiCapitals @BCCI,” Jindal had tweeted. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has only confirmed that Iyer has been ruled out of the remaining two games of the ODI series.

I was in a good space despite getting dropped from T20I series: Shikhar Dhawan

Shikhar Dhawan roared back to form with a magnificent knock of 98 against England in the opening ODI. He was dropped from the T20I XI after the first match. Dhawan who looked in fine touch during the opening ODI and stated that it’s in the mind of a person. If one feels it’s difficult it will be difficult. "If you feel it is difficult, it will be difficult. I knew the ball was swinging and I couldn't play my shots. But we also knew that it would become a better pitch to bat as the game went on. The track in Pune has often come under the scanner quite often, nothing more than the surface it produced for the opening of the first match Test series against Australia which the visitors went onto win in just three days. The pitch during the opening ODI was one of those rare occasions that the bowlers always had something to play with but if the batsmen got their eyes in, run making became easier. "I am absolutely happy because it was a great comeback by the team," Dhawan said, while commenting on a sensational come from behind victory in the opening ODI. England were coasting to victory with the score reading 135/0 in 14 overs but from there it was the Indian bowlers who came back strongly and skittled out the visitors for just 251 runs. "I put in pretty much all my efforts and eventually the smart work paid off," Dhawan further added. Dhawan took his time initially but never looked like he was out of touch and even had to be the 12th man in the majority of the T20I series. The southpaw looked at complete ease against the likes of Mark Wood, Adil Rashid, Moeen Ali and the Curran brothers but eventually missed out on a well-deserved century. "I kept myself positive during the T20 series, focussing on my fitness. I was in a good mental space and kept working on my batting. I knew that if I get a chance I will take it. The pressure is always there, I am experienced enough to handle pressure," he further added. “I knew what shots to play and we have a knack to read the wicket correctly and communicate as a batting unit. Once I got set, I played my shots." Dhawan slowed down considerably when he reached 90 but went smashed a boundary and tried for one more but was holed out at midwicket. However Dhawan said he has no regrets in missing the century though he is a tad disappointed at missing out on his 18th ODI century. "I do feel a bit disappointed but I am not a person who feels too sad or too happy. I played that shot in a rhythm, unfortunately it went into the hands. There is always next time."