If asked, 100 per cent: Ravi Shastri confirms interest in coaching IPL team

Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri has expressed interest in coaching an Indian Premier League team. In an interview with The Week, Shastri stated that he would ‘100 per cent like to be a franchise coach’, but only if he is asked; hinting that a suitable offer might not have been plated to him yet.

There were several rumours flying around right after his tenure ended with the Indian team, that he would join one of the two new IPL franchises, but that never came to pass.

Shastri, who left the team with an impeccable win/loss ratio is well regarded around the world for his fiery personality and man-management skills. Speaking on the role of a coach in the modern-day game, Shastri stated that there might come a time when the coaches will control the game from the dugout.

“I think there will come a time in white-ball cricket, especially in the shortest format, when coaches will control the game from the dugout. There is just too much happening in the middle for the captain to handle. So, coaches will take on the responsibility.”

Shastri currently is not affiliated with any teams but is the Commissioner of the Legends Cricket League which is scheduled to begin from January 2022.

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Aided by the return of starcast, Melbourne look to shake off humiliating defeat against Sixers

Melbourne Stars will be up against Sydney Thunder for their second game of the season in the Big Bash League 11. Coming off a humiliating defeat in their opener, Stars will be looking to shake off the 152-run drubbing against the Sixers, Thunder’s cross-town rival in the T20 competition. However, for their second game, Stars will be boosted by the inclusion of big names like Australia’s T20 World Cup hero Marcus Stoinis and West Indian powerhouse Andre Russell, Qais Ahmed and Nathan Coulter-Nile, who are set to play their first game in this edition. Speaking of the inclusions in the squad, Stoinis spoke about how they have a great squad and the injection of four players would completely change the look of the team. “It was four days ago, so having five days in between games is probably pretty handy. We’ll move on pretty quickly. We know we’ve got a good squad.” Speaking about last-minute addition Russell’s influence in the team, Stoinis said that the Melbourne boundaries aren’t big enough for a powerhouse like him. “I don’t think the boundaries at the G are big enough to stop him. Hopefully, he’s bowling quick, he’s hitting big bombs and he’s taking good catches in the field.” Stars take on Thunder on Friday, 10 December. The game starts at 1:45 PM IST.

Shahid Afridi traded to Quetta Gladiators for his final PSL season

Pakistan legend Shahid Afridi is set to play for Quetta Gladiators for his final Pakistan Super League (PSL) season. Ahead of the PSL 2022 retentions, former Pakistan all-rounder has been traded from Multan Sultans on his wish that he would like to finish his career at Quetta, made public back in June this year. The Gladiators have also acquired the services of top-order batsman James Vince, who is known around the world cricket for his classy approach to T20 batting. The movement of the players comes during the trade window provided by the PSL right ahead of the retention season, where teams will be allowed to keep eight players out of 16 for the next season. The teams will be allowed to pick the other eight in the PSL draft ahead of the season. The next season of the PSL has been brought forward from its usual window and is scheduled to begin on January 27, 2022. The month-long tournament has been shifted forward due to Pakistan’s tour of Australia in the months of March-April.

Ashwin is a champion bowler & has a lot of hunger to perform across all formats: Rohit Sharma

After being appointed as the T20I captain, Rohit Sharma will now also lead the side in the ODIs. Sharma lavished praise on R Ashwin and said that the spinner has a lot of hunger to perform across all formats. “He is a champion bowler and I have seen his quality for the last decade. I have seen what sort of person he is and how much hunger he has in him not to just play Test but other formats. You see his IPL record for the last 2-3 years. His economy will be 6-7 if I am not wrong. He bowls everywhere – power play, middle overs, end overs. He bowls to right handers, left handers,” Rohit said while talking to Boria Majumdar on ‘Backstage with Boria’ on the Youtube channel Xtra Time. The new captain further added that Ashwin is a sort of a bowler who can bowl at any given situation. “ I thought he would be a great addition with what he does with the ball. He gives you that flexibility. When you have a an allrounder bowler like that – he can bowl anywhere whatever the situation, you don’t want one-dimensional bowler. Someone who can only bowl outside power play, can’t bowl at the death, can’t bowl to left-handers. More options you have with the bowler, the better,” Rohit added. Sharma had a brilliant start to his T20I career after taking up the full-time captaincy as the side completed a 3-0 whitewash win against New Zealand and his first assignment as the ODI skipper will be the series against South Africa away from home.

Women Challenger Trophy 2021: India A women beat India D women in final

India A women’s team clinched the Women Challenger trophy after beating India D in the final on Thursday in Vijayawada. Chasing 220 in 50 overs, the INDWA team went over the line by 3 wickets and with more than four overs to spare. They lost a couple of early wickets and were reduced to 30/2 before Challa Jhansi Lakshmi and Yastika Bhatia joined hands and put up a stand of 95 runs for the third wicket before Lakshmi was out for 64. Bhatia though continued with her good batting. She did lose partners at the other end before getting out herself eventually for 86 leaving her side in a spot of bother at 201/7. But Sushree Dibyadarshini’s unbeaten 17 off 25 helped the side to win the match. Rajeshwari Gayakwad picked up four wickets for her side. Earlier, batting first, the INDWD side too began the proceedings well but lost momentum in the middle overs to get reduced to 140/6 and eventually get restricted to 219/8 in 50 overs. Amanjot Kaur was the pick of the batters after she scored an unbeaten fifty for the side. Disha Kasat returned with three wickets for 39 runs in 8 overs for INDWA.