I'm very excited about playing in IPL 2021: Tabraiz Shamsi

Should bring down run-scoring expectations a little in middle overs in Bangladesh: Rachin Ravindra

New Zealand uncapped cricketer Rachin Ravindra is of the opinion that there needs to be a “mental shift” if the team wants to perform in Bangladesh. He further added that scoring at a run rate of 6 in Bangladesh is a “good result”. ''Yes, definitely (we need to have the mental shift). Maybe getting six runs per over is a good result here whereas in New Zealand facing a spinner if you are taking 8-10 runs then that is a good result,'' Ravindra said after the opening day session. The bilateral tie between Bangladesh and Australia earlier didn’t really witness any high-scoring game and mentioning about the same Ravindra admitted that staying at the crease will fetch runs eventually. “If we consider their series against the Aussies, the par-score was 130, so, I guess we should bring down our expectations a little, and understand, that maybe, if they bowl, a couple of dots, then it's okay as long as you are in the middle you can make it up,'' he said. The Blackcaps will be up against Bangladesh in a five-match T20I series that is scheduled to begin on September 1 in Dhaka. All the fixtures of the series will be played at the same venue.

Cheteshwar Pujara definitely came with an intent to score runs: Rohit Sharma

India Test mainstay Cheteshwar Pujara was among runs and probably at a time when the team needed him the most against England in the third Test in Leeds. The visitors were trailing by 354 runs when they began the proceedings in the second innings and lost opener KL Rahul after a steady start. But Pujara who came in at number three showed a lot of intent and remained unbeaten at 91 at the end of day’s play. Talking about his batting, Rohit Sharma lauded the right-hander for the way he stitched his innings. “Talking about his batting, yes he definitely came with an intent to score runs. This innings of ours was never about survival. We had the intent to score runs and Pujara clearly showed that,” Rohit said during the virtual press conference after the end of Day 3. “The way he got off the mark and then carried on from there, anything loose, he was ready to pounce on it. It shows that he had intent in his batting and that really helps,” he added. While Pujara had faced some criticism in the recent past for not scoring runs, Rohit said that there hasn’t been any discussion about his batting in the dressing room. “The talks are only happening outside. Not a single conversation had happened with Pujara regarding his form inside the team dressing room,” Sharma said. India are still 139 runs behind in the second innings after they ended the proceedings on Day 3 at 215/2 with Pujara (91*) and Kohli (45*) still at the crease. The Indian team is presently leading the five-match series 1-0 after they won the Lord’s Test.

WATCH: 'Jarvo' invades the pitch again during India-England clash; dragged away

The pitch invader, “Jarvo” was back on the field once again during the third day of the third Test between India and England in Leeds and this time he came in the field with batting gears on. He was, though, quickly taken away from the field by the security officials. This was the second instance when he had intruded the field. Earlier, during the Lord’s Test, he entered the ground as a fielder. “Jarvo” in fact tweeted a photo of himself and captioned it, “Yes, it was me again aka Jarvo aka Jarvo69 at England vs India in the Test Cricket Match, in Leeds Full video will be on my youtube channel very soon.” Talking about the game, the visitors had a good outing after Rohit Sharma, captain Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara fought back well. India were 215/2, trailing England by 139 runs in the second innings at the end of the third day’s play. Rohit scored 59 before he was undone by Ollie Robinson while Pujara and Kohli were unbeaten at the crease at the conclusion of the day’s proceedings. Pujara who hasn’t really been among runs in quite some time looked steady in the second innings and remained unbeaten at 91 on Day 3. Kohli on the other hand, was at 45 when stumps were called. England had earlier taken a massive lead of 354 runs in the first innings after skipper Joe Root who has been in some brilliant form struck yet another century in the series. The Virat Kohli-led India presently lead the five-match series 1-0 after they clinched a win at Lord’s.

CPL 2021 | TKR vs BR: Isuru Udana, Kieron Pollard get Trinbago back on track

Trinbago Knight Riders’ captain Kieron Pollard blew a flying kiss after he smacked one out of the park for a maximum off Thisara Perera in the 17th over to complete his fifty against Barbados Royals in St Lucia on Saturday. The right-hander struck a boundary on the very next delivery to complete a comprehensive win for TKR by 6 wickets as they chased down a target of 123 runs with more than three overs to spare. Trinbago needed to get the momentum back after they suffered a defeat in the first match of the competition and Pollard along with Denesh Ramdin showed their skills against the Royals to get the side back on track. The Knight Riders had some early hiccups after they were reduced to 18/3 and were left tottering at 38/4 in 8th over when skipper Pollard and wicket-keeper batsman Ramdin joined hands and steadied the ship for the side. The two batsmen made sure that there were no further dismissals and put up an unbeaten stand of 87 runs for the fifth wicket to see the side home. But the game totally changed in the 15th over when Jason Holder took the ball in his hands. He had only given 8 runs in the first three overs that he had bowled but what unleashed next was simply disappointing for his side and left Holder in disarray. He was hit for three sixes in his final over and ended up giving away 22 runs in total which also included a couple of no-balls to eventually return with figures of 0/30 in 4 overs. Pollard (58*) and Ramdin (29*) then took less than two overs to go over the line and hand the side its first win of the season. Mohammad Amir was the pick of the bowlers for Barbados after he scalped a three-for at the cost of 21 runs in 4 overs while Oshane Thomas too had an impressive day at the office as he returned with figures of 1/14 in 4 overs. Earlier in the day, it was Isuru Udana show who ripped through the Barbados batting line up and bagged a five-wicket haul during the course. The Royals had a decent start to the proceedings as the openers Glenn Philips and Charles put up 29 runs for the first wicket. But Charles’ departure broke the shackles and Barbados kept losing wickets at regular intervals to get bundled out for 122 in the final over. However, Charles' wicket was a controversial one as the replays showed that it came off the shoulder and not the bat while the batter went for a hook on a short delivery from the bowler. But he was eventually given out and had to walk back into the hut. Udana’s fifer included the wickets of Philips, Charles, captain Holder, Azam Khan and Thisara Perera. Azam top-scored for Barbados with a 21-ball 30 that included a couple of sixes and as many boundaries but the middle-order failed to fire and the side was pushed on the backfoot. Apart from Udana, Ravi Rampaul picked up two wickets while Hosein and Narine took one wicket apiece. Barbados captain Holder expressed his disappointment and said that the players need to take up the responsibility. “We didn't give ourself a fair chance (with that kind of a score). Guys need to take responsibility. We have had two tough games so far. It's a tricky situation, trying to defend 120 is difficult,” he said after the match. TKR skipper Pollard admitted that the side didn’t really have a good start to the competition but lauded the efforts made by Ramdin and Udana to eventually give them the first win. “Wasn't a great start for us yesterday. Even today it wasn't a great start, but these things happen,” he said. “We were in a spot of bother today, but Ramdin played well. Shows the experience we have in this TKR line-up. I think Udana's come here to make a statement. He got those early wickets and we were able to support him at the backend,” Pollard added. The Royals will now face Jamaica Tallawahs while TKR will be up against Saint Lucia Kings on Sunday.