ICC bans Heath Streak for eight years for breaching anti-corruption codes

IPL 2021 | SRH vs RCB: AB de Villiers quite bullish about Bangalore's chances against Sunrisers

Royal Challengers Bangalore made a wining start in the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League on the back of na impressive innings from AB de Villiers against the Mumbai Indians. Now they are slated to come against the Sunrisers Hyderabad, who are coming on the back of a big loss against the Kolkata Knight Riders. De Villiers is upbeat about RCB’s chances against the Sunrisers and said he has cherished playing against them on the past occasions in the league. He also said that the men in red and gold can dominate the orange army if they can stitch partnerships together. "It is a nice attack to face, it is a great challenge. I always enjoy playing against SunRisers Hyderabad. They can challenge you with their skill and they are always smart. It is a matter of us making sure that we get some partnerships and once we get on top of them, they are a kind of a team we can really dominate," de Villiers said in the video posted on the official Twitter handle of RCB. De Villiers outlined the ‘lack of depth’ in the Sunrisers side as compared to other teams and hence if the Royal Challengers can get the top of them, the comeback will be tougher and almost impossible for the David Warner’s men in the contest scheduled to be played on the night of April 13. "They do not have as much depth as some of the other teams in the IPL. If we get hold of them, we have to make sure that we do not allow them to make a comeback because that's where they are really dangerous," de Villiers added. AB de Villiers provided a late surge in the RCB batting department to help the team clinch the inaugural game of the season, but he would hope other batsmen will find their groove soon to get the winning momentum going.

IPL 2021: Curfew in Maharashtra will help in smooth conduct of IPL matches at Wankhede

The second wave of COVID-19 in India has again put a sense of panic and the Indian Premier League is no different. With a huge rise in COVID cases in the last two weeks, stringent measures have been taken to cope with this deadly virus. Maharashtra who has been the worst-affected state in the country has been forced to announce a curfew till 1st May. With 10 of the IPL matches slated to be played at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, questions have been raised on what sort of impact the curfew will have on the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). According to reports in the Insidesport, a BCCI official confirmed that the curfew won’t affect the schedule of the ongoing IPL especially in Mumbai and the situation would actually help them ease the operations in the cash-rich league. “We are keeping a close eye on the developments. We are totally committed to Covid-19 guidelines. There is no possibility to shift the matches from the five venues, including Mumbai. In fact, operations have been smooth in the two matches played so far in Wankhede without any hiccups. Night curfews and weekend curfews seem to be a blessing in disguise as far as IPL operation is concerned given the huge spur in Covid 19 cases in Maharashtra and Mumbai,” a top BCCI official was quoted as saying to Insidesport on the condition of anonymity Even before the start of the IPL, there has been a quite a few cases reported among players, support staffs and groundsmen. The likes of Devdutt Padikkal and Daniel Sams of RCB, Axar Patel from DC, Nitish Rana from Kolkata Knight Riders and some of the gr0undstaff and members of the broadcast team had reported positive for COVID-19. The latest on the list is Anrich Nortje who contracted the virus while serving quarantine. However, neither of the issues went out of hand. The BCCI’s medical team have made sure that there is no possibility of spreading of the virus among players who are already in the bio-secure bubble. “A few players got infected during their travels. they have been quarantined and isolated. The groundsmen and others came from different parts of the city and they have been replaced. Everything is under control. Nothing to worry as far as players, coaches and support staff are concerned,” the official further added. Mumbai has thus far hosted two matches and both the matches have been conducted without any problem. Unless the players don’t follow the bio-bubble rules and regulations, the tournament is unlikely to follow the pathway of PSL.

Anrich Nortje tests Covid-19 positive in fresh setback for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2021

In what could well be a huge setback for the Delhi Capitals, pacer Anrich Nortje has tested positive for the novel Coronavirus infection while in quarantine, as per an ANI report. Nortje, along with another South African pacer playing for the Delhi Capitals were to come out of quarantine today on April 13, however, his isolation is set to be extended. Reportedly, Nortje had tested negative upon arrival in India, however, found to be infected with the virus in a later round of testing. Thankfully for the Capitals, Nortje is asymptomatic and should come out of isolation as soon as he tests negative in the latest round of testing scheduled for later today. Nortje’s prolonged absence will hurt the Delhi Capitals’ chances in the ongoing edition of the IPL as he along with Rabad had formed a fearsome combination of pace bowling in the last edition of the league. Nortje was brought in by the Capitals as a replacement for Chris Woakes who had opted out of the tournament and went on to become one of the chief architects of the Capital’s long run in the tournament to as far as the finals. He picked up 22 wickets at an average of 23.23 runs per wicket, and at an economy rate of 8.39 runs and strike rate of 16.63 balls per wicket.

Rishabh Pant has grown in last four months & will do a good job as DC skipper: Brian Lara

India and Delhi Capital wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant was handed over the franchise’s captaincy after regular skipper Shreyas Iyer got injured ahead of the IPL 2021 and was ruled out of the tournament. Former West Indies batsman Brian Lara feels that the left-handed batsman has improved in the last three-four months and would do a good job in leading DC. “Around 6 months of international cricket for him (Pant) one against Australia and here against England. Now he (Pant) is responsible for the captaincy because of injury,” Lara, who holds the record for highest individual score in Test cricket, said on Star Sports’ Select Dugout show. DC were without the services of Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje and Axar Patel in their last outing. “Plus, he doesn’t have the services of (Anrich) Nortje, (Kagiso) Rabada, and Axar Patel. So, they are asking a lot of him,” Lara said. “I think he has got a team that will support him which is most important. He has grown in the last 4 months and I think he will do a good job,” he added. The Capitals side had a good start to the tournament after they defeated Chennai Super Kings in the first match by 7 wickets while chasing 189 in 20 overs in Mumbai. Openers Prithvi Shaw and Shikhar Dhawan continued form and struck individual fifties. Earlier, CSK rode on Suresh Raina’s 36-ball 54 and a late surge from Sam Curran who notched up 34* off 15 deliveries to post 188/7 in 20 overs. DC will now play Rajasthan Royals on April 15 in Mumbai.