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Lasith Malinga announces retirement from all formats of the game

One of the finest fast bowlers of the modern generation and regarded as one of the greats of fast bowling, Lasith Malinga has announced his retirement from all formats of the game bringing curtains down to an exceptional and illustrious career. 

Taking to his Twitter handle, Malinga wrote, “Hanging up my #T20 shoes and #retiring from all forms of cricket! Thankful to all those who supported me in my journey, and looking forward to sharing my experience with young cricketers in the years to come.” 









Malinga also shared a video on his Youtube channel which forms a compilation of his wickets in the shortest format of the game. Malinga has been one of the finest bowlers in this format and remains the highest wicket-taker in the history of IPL. He also holds the unique record of bagging four wickets in four balls twice in international cricket. 

Having made his international debut back in 2004, Malinga went onto become one of the deadliest exponents of the yorker and made a big name for himself with his unique slinging action. In the 2007 fifty overs World Cup and early into his career, Malinga etched his name in the record books when he bagged four wickets in four balls in a group match against South Africa. 

In the coming years, Malinga went onto establish himself as the spearhead of the Sri Lankan pace attack. Constant injuries forced him to retire from Test cricket in 2010 as he decided to concentrate on his white ball career. Malinga was part of the World Cup squads when Sri Lanka lost the 2007 and 2011 World Cup finals.

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Hashim Amla withdraws his name from South African domestic cricket

Former South Africa stalwart Hashim Amla has confirmed that he won’t return to the South African domestic cricket. The veteran batsman conveyed his decision to the Western Province Cricket Association on Tuesday after he was originally named in the 16 member Western Province squad. The team will compete in the first division of the domestic competition in South Africa. "It's obviously hugely disappointing that Hashim will not be donning the Six Gun Grill WP colours this season, he would have been a huge asset to the team on and off the field, especially working with the group of talented young batsmen we have at our disposal," Michael Canterbury, WPCA CEO was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz. "I want to thank Hashim and his representatives for the open interaction over these past couple of weeks. We all know Hashim is one of our greatest ever players in South Africa and we would have loved nothing more than to see him representing WP, but we fully understand his reasoning and wish him luck with whatever comes next for him and his family." Amla announces his international retirement back in 2019 but continues to be an integral part in first-class circuit. He had a wonderful time with the bat for Surrey in the County championship amassing 771 runs in 12 matches at an average of 51.40. It included a double century and a sensational final day knock when he batted the whole day scoring 37 of 278 deliveries to save the match for his county against Hampshire. "I want to thank Western Province for their open communication throughout the entire contracting process. I have made this decision based on where I am currently in my career and with a view to my future endeavours. I want to wish the squad all the best for the coming season," Amla said.

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BCCI might allow two retention & two RTM ahead of mega auction, bidding for new teams likely on October 17

October 17, 2021 can be the day when the bidding for the new IPL teams take place according to a Cricbuzz report. As the bidding date is likely to be after a couple of days, the IPL 2021 ends, which also marks the beginning of the World T20 2021, the event can be held in Dubai or Muscat. According to further reports, the Board of Control for cricket in India (BCC) has informed the potential bidders of three dates September 21, October 5 and October 17. The clarifications can be sought by September 21 while the ITT (Invitation To Tender) document will be available for purchase till October 5 and the auctions are likely to take place on October 17 respectively. Regarding the retention policy, BCCI is likely to allow 2 retention and 2 RTM for teams ahead of the mega auction, which will be confirmed by November. The mega auctions are likely to take place in January 2022. The number of league matches can be 74 or 94 depending upon the schedule available. Each team will get to play either 14 or 18 matches with a minimum of seven home and as many away fixtures. The board will have the option of holding 18 games open in the agreement but will stick for 14 matches. The BCCI has also flared the air regarding the financial requirements. Each bidder should have a net worth of Rs 2500 while the company should have a turnover of Rs 3000 crores. The board can allow only three partners in the case of a consortium and one of them will have to fulfil the mentioned criteria. The base price is Rs 2000 Crore.

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IPL 2021: A glance at RCB's performance in first leg

The Royal Challengers Bangalore fans had a lot to cheer about during the first leg of the IPL 2021 after the side won in five of the seven matches that they featured in. The RCB franchise made some tactical moves during the auctions earlier this year and roped in Australia all-rounder Glenn Maxwell in the team. Maxwell’s inclusion was directed towards strengthening the middle-order and the aggressive right-handed batter has been able to do that quite successfully along with AB de Villiers so far in the competition. The Bangalore-based franchise had a brilliant start to the campaign after they clinched victory in the first four matches that they played. The IPL 2021 has now moved to the UAE after there were Covid-19 cases within the franchises and the competition had to be suspended mid way. Nevertheless, the cricket fans got a sigh of relief when the BCCI eventually announced that the remaining fixtures will be played in UAE. But before we begin the second leg, let’s take a look at Bangalore’s performance in the first half. RCB vs Mumbai Indians The Royal Challengers Bangalore started off the campaign with a win against the defending champions Mumbai Indians in Chennai. Batting first, MI rode on Chris Lynn’s 49 off 35 and managed to put 159/9 in 20 overs on the board. Harshal Patel was the pick of the bowlers for RCB after he scalped a fifer at the cost of just 27 runs in 4 overs. In reply, RCB were off to a decent start as Washington Sundar and captain Virat Kohli put 36 runs for the first wicket but a couple of quick wickets pushed them on the backfoot. Kohli was then joined by Glenn Maxwell in the middle and the two batsmen steadied the ship for the side with a 52-run stand for the third wicket. Kohli was eventually undone by Jasprit Bumrah after getting trapped in front of the stumps for 33 off 29. Maxwell departed soon for 39 off 28 and RCB lost a few wickets in quick succession but it was AB de Villiers who took on the onus on himself and provided the much needed resistance to the team. The right-hander notched up a 27-ball 48 when the team needed two to win in two deliveries. The Bangalore team eventually went over the line by 2 wickets on the last ball of the match. RCB vs Sunrisers Hyderabad RCB locked horns with Sunrisers Hyderabad in their second match of the tournament in Chennai and it was Bangalore's bowling unit that won the game for them. Batting first, the Virat Kohli-led side was restricted to 149/8 in 20 overs. Glenn Maxwell was the pick of the batsman after he compiled 59 runs off 41 deliveries that included three maximums. For SRH, Jason Holder scalped a three-wicket haul that included the important wickets of Virat Kohli and Maxwell while Rashid Khan returned with an economical spell as he had two wickets to his name at the cost of just 18 runs in 4 overs. Later, SRH were in control despite losing an early wicket as captain David Warner and Manish Pandey stitched a stand of 83 runs for the second wicket but Warner’s departure for 54 broke the shackles and the Hyderabad-based franchise saw a fall of wickets at regular intervals to get reduced to 130/7 and eventually end the innings at 143/7 in 20 overs. The RCB bowlers dominated the opposition in the later stage of the game but it was Shahbaz Ahmed who didn’t let the batsmen take an upper hand and scalped three wickets which included the dismissals of Pandey, Jonny Bairstow and Abdul Samad. RCB won the match by 6 runs. RCB vs Kolkata Knight Riders The clash against Kolkata Knight Riders was all about Glenn Maxwell and AB de Villiers’ masterclass with the bat. RCB had lost a couple of early wickets while batting first and had Maxwell and Devdutt Padikkal out in the middle in Chennai. The left-right batting duo steadied the ship for the side with a partnership of 86 runs for the third wicket. Padikkal was then sent back in the hut for 25 when the team score read 95. Maxwell was then joined by ABD and the two then put 53 runs for the fourth wicket before the Australian batsman departed for a 49-ball 78. But what was unveiled next was simply an instance of ABD’s talent and ability. He took on the KKR bowling and hammered around the park to help RCB post 204/4 in 20 overs. De Villiers himself remained unbeaten at 76 off 34 deliveries. Later, the KKR top-order and middle-order did chip in with some runs but none of the batsmen was able to capitalise on the starts that they got and the Kolkata side was restricted to 166/8 and lost the match by 38 runs. Kyle Jamieson though picked up three wickets for RCB but was hit for 41 runs during the course while Harshal Patel and Yuzvendra Chahal scalped a couple of wickets apiece. RCB vs Rajasthan Royals Opener Devdutt Padikkal showed why he is rated so high at such a young age in this encounter against Rajasthan Royals in Mumbai. RCB were handed over a stiff target of 178 runs by the Royals in 20 overs. Padikkal along with captain Virat Kohli stitched an opening and unbeaten stand of 181 runs to seal a win for the side. The left-handed opener struck his first IPL hundred during the course that included six maximums and 11 fours. Kohli also remained unbeaten at 72 off 47. Earlier, RR didn’t really have a good start and lost 4 wickets for just 43 runs in the 8th over before the middle-order made some valuable contribution and helped the side put a good total on the board. Shivam Dube top-scored with a 32-ball 46 while Riyan Parag chipped in with 25 off 16. Rahul Tewatia was also among some runs as he scored 40 in just 23 balls as RR eventually got to 177/9 in 20 overs. Mohammed Siraj and Harshal Patel picked up three wickets each for RCB. RCB vs Chennai Super Kings The Royal Challengers Bangalore’s winning streak in the competition was broken when they met Chennai Super Kings in Mumbai. “One guy completely beat us,” Kohli said about Ravindra Jadeja during the post-match presentation and the RCB skipper was thoroughly correct as Jadeja first chipped in with a brisk 62* off 28 that included five sixes and then dismissed three batsmen at the cost of just 13 runs in 4 overs. The left-hander’s scalps included the priced wickets of Maxwell and ABD. Apart from this, he was also involved in Daniel Christian’s runout. Riding on Jadeja’s onslaught with the bat and Faf du Plessis’ half-century, CSK posted 191/4 in 20 overs first and then restricted RCB to 122/9, courtesy a fine piece of bowling and fielding from Jadeja to win the match by 69 runs. RCB vs Delhi Capitals This encounter between RCB and Delhi Capitals in Ahmedabad will go down as the most fascinating clashes in the history of IPL. DC needed 10 off the last two deliveries while chasing 172 in 20 overs with Pant at the striker’s end and Siraj with the ball in his hands. The left-handed wicket-keeper batsman hit a boundary on the penultimate ball to bring down the equation to 6 required off 1. Siraj then bowled a wide Yorker and Pant couldn’t do much about it and only managed to take it on the full and slice it for a four to the deep point. DC lost the match by just one run and left Pant and his batting partner Shimron Hetmyer totally devastated. Earlier, after batting first, RCB rode on yet another brilliant knock for AB de Villiers to post 171/5 in 20 overs after the right-hander scored 75* off 42. The RCB bowlers then created some problems for the DC batsmen and the Delhi team was 92/4 when Pant was joined by Hetmyer in the middle. The two left-handers put 78 runs for the fifth wicket and also notched up individual fifties but failed to take the team over the line. RCB vs Punjab Kings The Punjab Kings have some former RCB players in their line up which also includes their captain KL Rahul and the aggressive batsman Chris Gayle. But this game in Ahmedabad was all about Harpreet Brar and his spin bowling. The left-handed spinner just rattled the RCB batting line up after he picked up three wickets in the innings. Brar’s three dismissals included the scalps of captain Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell and AB de Villiers. It was probably the finest day at the work for the spinner where he not just picked up wickets but ripped through the strong batting line up of the Bangalore side. Brar not just performed well with the ball but made a valuable contribution with the bat as well earlier in the day. Batting first Punjab Kings started off well despite an early fall of wicket as Rahul and Gayle put 80 runs for the second wicket but Gayle’s departure saw a fall of wickets at regular succession and reduced Punjab to 118/5. The skipper was then joined by Brar and the two batsmen scored a partnership of 61 runs. Rahul remained unbeaten at 91 off 57 while Harpreet scored 25 off 17 to take the total to 179/5 in 20 overs. Later, Punjab restricted Bangalore at 145/8 in 20 overs to win the match by 34 runs. The franchise has made some changes in the line up. While a few players will not be available for the remainder of the season, there have been some new recruitments in the squad. Adam Zampa, Daniel Sams, Finn Allen, Scott Kuggeleijn, Kane Richardson and Washington Sundar are the players unavailable for the second leg of the IPL 2021. “Finn Allen and Scott Kuggeleijn have both been selected for New Zealand tours, and they won’t be part of RCB. Kane Richardson has made himself unavailable, as has Daniel Sams,” Mike Hesson, RCB’s Director of Cricket Operations and now head coach, announced at a press conference earlier. Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Tim David, George Garton and Akash Deep have been included in the squad. “We have replaced Adam Zampa with Wanindu Hasaranga,” Hesson had said. All-rounder Sundar would be missing the UAE leg of the IPL 2021 due to a finger injury. "Royal Challengers Bangalore's all-rounder Washington Sundar has been ruled out of the remainder of the Vivo IPL 2021 due to an impending finger injury," RCB said in a statement. RCB who are sitting at number three position in the points table at the moment will now resume the tournament against KKR in Abu Dhabi on September 20, 2021.