Herschelle Gibbs slams BCCI for 'preventing' him from playing Kashmir Premier League

Former South Africa batsman Herschelle Gibbs has alleged that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is trying all possible ways to prevent him from playing in the Kashmir Premier League. Gibbs has taken a dig at the Indian board and said that it is unnecessary of the BCCI to bring in the political agenda.

“Completely unnecessary of the @BCCI to bring their political agenda with Pakistan into the equation and trying to prevent me playing in the @kpl_20. Also threatening me saying they won’t allow me entry into India for any cricket related work. Ludicrous.”

Former Pakistan player Rashid Latif had earlier made some similar allegations. “The @BCCI warning cricket boards that if their former players took part in Kashmir Premier League, they won’t be allowed entry in India or allowed to work in Indian cricket at any level or in any capacity. Gibbs, Dilshan, @MontyPanesar & several others have been selected in KPL.”

The Kashmir Premier League will feature six teams, Overseas Warriors, Muzaffarabad Tigers, Rawalakot Hawks, Bagh Stallions, Mirpur Royals and Kotli Lions. Imad Wasim, Mohammad Hafeez, Shahid Afridi, Shadab Khan, Shoaib Malik and Kamran Akmal have been named as the captains of their respective teams.

Apart from this, Matt Prior, Dilshan, Monty Panesar are some of the prominent players who would feature in the tournament. The sides will also have at least five players in the lineup from Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK) and the competition will be played in Muzaffarabad Cricket Stadium.

Discover more

Isuru Udana retires from international cricket

Sri Lanka pacer Isuru Udana has announced his retirement from international cricket with immediate effect. “I believe the time has come for me to make way for the next generation of players,’’ said Udana whilst notifying his decision to Sri Lanka Cricket. ‘’It is with immense pride and passion, and unfathomable commitment that I have represented and served my country,’’ he further added. Udana first donned the Sri Lankan jersey back in 2009 in a T20I game against Australia in Nottingham while playing his first ODI against India in 2012. The fast bowler has played 21 ODIs for Sri Lanka and has scalped 18 wickets during the course and has been capped 35 times in the T20Is where he has picked a total of 27 wickets. The 33-year-old has been a handy batsman in the lower order as well. He has notched up 237 runs in ODIs and 256 runs in T20Is and also has a half-century in both the formats to his name. Sri Lanka Cricket wished Udana the very best in his future endeavours. “Sri Lanka Cricket wishes Udana, who was a valuable player in Sri Lanka’s White-Ball teams, the very best in his future endeavours,” a statement from SLC said.

Ben Stokes takes "indefinite break" from Cricket to improve mental well-being

In a huge setback and development for England cricket, all-rounder Ben Stokes has withdrawn his name from the squad to face India in the series starting August 04. Ben Stokes were to return to the England Test side after missing out in the last home series against New Zealand. As per the ECB statement, Stokes has withdrawn his name to “prioritise his mental wellbeing and to rest his left index finger”. He was included in the 17-man squad for the first two Tests of the series. The Managing Director of England Men's Cricket, Ashley Giles, lauded Stokes’ “courage” to open up about his feelings and state of mind while reiterating the ECB has always emphasized the need to help players in maintaining mental well being. "Ben has shown tremendous courage to open up about his feelings and wellbeing,” Giles said. Ben Stokes had returned to lead England ODI side against Pakistan and later he admitted the “ridiculous" pain” he endured while playing the ODI series. Stokes had injured his hand in the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League earlier this year and the injury is yet to heal after he went through an operation. Stokes’ withdrawal from the big series against India will reignite the debate surrounding the mental health of players amid the Covid-19 pandemic and will complicate ECB’s planning and management for the Ashes series scheduled for the end of this year.

Prithvi Shaw, Suryakumar Yadav to fly to UK from Sri Lanka on special provision: Report

The duo of Prithvi Shaw and Suryakumar Yadav, who has been left in Sri Lanka after coming in close contact with Krunal Pandya, who tested Covid-19 positive, will fly to the United Kingdom on July 31, Cricbuzz reported. They will be allowed to enter the country depaite not being a British or Irish citizen and Sri Lanka still being on th red list by the UK government as the BCCI and the ECB have made use of the special provisions for elite sportspersons that allowed footballers and tennis players to enter the counrty for the Wimbledon grand slam. India have travelled back to India leaving all the nine players including Krunal Pandya and players deeemed in closed contacts. Both Shaw and Yadav were selcted as reinforcements for the Indian team in the aftermath of multiple injury concerns in the camp. India were already marred by the injury to Shubman Gill and the injuries to Avesh Khan and Washington Sundar in the practice game against Selected County XI, and injury clouds over the skipper Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane compounded the concerns. The first Test against England is scheduled to start on August 04 at Trent Bridge in Nottingham, and keeping in mind the quarantine restrictions both Shaw and Yadav have to face, they would be eligible to play only by the third Test.

TNPL 2021 | Panthers vs Kings: When & where to watch match LIVE, Probable XI, Fantasy XI

Both the Madurai Panthers and the Royal Kings will seek a fresh and turnaround in fortunes when they will come off against each other in the 17th game of the ongoing edition of the Tamil Nadu Premier League. Both the sides have tasted just one success in this edition of the tournament out of the three games each played this season. The Panthers will be reliant on Arun Karthik and Jagatheesan Kousik while the Royal Kings will be banking on Baba Aparajith and Sanjay Yadav. The sides have not enjoyed prolonged domination over each other with the Royals Kings having won three of the last five games between the sides while the Panthers have won two. Match Details Match: SMP vs NRK, 17th Match, Tamil Nadu Premier League 2021 Date: Friday, July 31, 2021 Time: 7:30 PM Venue: MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai Pitch report The surface at the MA Chidambaram Stadium is conducive for spinners but the onset of due in the latter part of the game can spoil the party. The team winning the toss should bowl first and reap all the advantages of the pitch before dew sets in should be the go-to mantra for the sides. Probable XI Madurai Panthers Arun Karthik (wk), K Rajkumar, B Anirudh Sita Ram, NS Chaturved (c), Jagatheesan Kousik, M Shajahan, R Mithun, Ramalingam Rohit, R Silambarasan, Kiran Akash, Aushik Srinivas Royal Kings Baba Aparajith (c), Laxmesha Suryaprakash, Pradosh Ranjan Paul, Baba Indrajith (wk), Sanjay Yadav, NS Harish, Mohan Abhinav, Arjun Murthy, Sharun Kumar, T Ajith Kumar, V Athisayaraj Davidson Fantasy XI Baba Aparajith(C), Pradosh Ranjan Paul, Baba Indrajith, Arun Karthik(VC), Sanjay Yadav, Ramalingam Rohit, Jagatheesan Kousik, Athisayaraj Davidson, NS Harish, Aushik Srinivas, Kiran Akash