Natarajan thanks people for support, wants to help Salem Cricket Association

It will be a blessing for me if I open for India in Tests: Sundar

India all-rounder Washington Sundar played a massive role in India’s series win against Australia. The all-rounder made his Test debut during the tour and notched up his maiden fifty during the course. Sundar in an interview with PTI said it would be a blessing for him if he is asked to open the batting in Test cricket. “I think it will be a blessing for me if I ever get an opportunity to open the batting for India in Tests. I think I will accept the challenge just like our coach Ravi sir did during his playing days,” Washington told PTI during an interaction from his Chennai residence. Sundar scored a fine half-century in his first innings while played a responsible knock of 22 runs in the second. Talking about head coach Ravi Shastri, Sundar mentioned that the former cricketer’s stories have been “inspiring”. “Ravi sir tells us very inspiring stories from his playing days. Like how he made his debut as a specialist spinner, got four wickets and batted at number 10 against New Zealand on debut. “And how from there, he became a Test opener and played all those great fast bowlers. I would love to open batting in Tests like him,” said Washington, who enjoys a decent first-class batting average of 32 plus, which can only improve from hereon as he gets to play more games for India.” “And how from there, he became a Test opener and played all those great fast bowlers. I would love to open batting in Tests like him,” said Washington. The right-arm spin bowler revealed the players he looks up to in the Indian team. “As a youngster, when I look up for inspiration and motivation, I find so many role models in that dressing room. There is Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, R Ashwin who have been such great performers. “You look up to these players and they are always ready to guide you,” said the tall off-spinner. Sundar’s heroics in Australia have been rewarded as he has been picked in the Test squad for the England series at home. The first match begins on February 5 in Chennai.

Natarajan credits teammates for great performance

Indian pace bowler T Natarajan credited his fellow teammates for motivating him to achieve greater things on the Australia tour. “Other players supported me in the dressing room. Their motivation and support helped me. I was under pressure to perform when the opportunity was offered,” Natarajan, 29, told the Press during a conference in his home town of Salem in Tamil Nadu. The left-arm pacer further said that being a left-hander did prove to be advantageous to him in getting the chances that he got. “My only thought was to take wickets. The only reason for me playing all the formats was because coaches saw something in me. And I being a left-arm also worked as an advantage for me,” said the Sunrisers Hyderabad pacer. Natarajan, who was first picked as a net bowler in the squad, got an opportunity after Varun Chakravarthy got injured and then from one opportunity to the other he kept on going, making his India debuts in all three formats on the same tour. Reflecting on the surreal experience he said, “It was like a dream to take Australian wickets.” Natarajan also missed the birth of his child while in Australia, but he says that he and his wife were happy that he was able to make his India debut, even as he missed an important occasion. “More than the newborn, my wife and I were proud that I could play for my country. Hard work will never go to waste. It is always rewarding," said the Tamil Nadu born.

Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali make it to Pakistan’s squad for 1st Test vs SA

Pakistan Cricket Board announced the 17 man squad for the first Test against South Africa which will be played in National Stadium, Karachi from 26th January. Fast bowlers Haris Rauf, who is yet to play his first Test, and Hasan Ali, who is making a comeback after an injury forced hiatus. Along with these, usual names like that of skipper Babar Azam, Fawad Alam, and former skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed are also part of the squad. Four uncapped players in Nouman Ali, Sajid Khan, Tabish Khan, and Saud Shakeel have also found a place in the squad. While Nouman, 34, is a left-arm orthodox bowler who could handle a bat, Tabish, 36, is a right-arm medium-fast bowler who has experience of 137 first-class games in which he has picked up 598 wickets. Sajid Khan, 27, is a right-arm off-spin bowler. Shakeel, 25, is a left-hand batsman with an average of 48 in the first class and can bowl orthodox spin as well. Apart from these inclusions, Mohammad Nawaz, who played his first and last Test in 2016, has also been included in the team, while Zafar Gohar, who played two Tests in New Zealand has been left out of the team. Squad: Abid Ali, Imran Butt, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam, Fawad Alam, Saud Shakeel, Faheem Ashraf, M Nawaz, M Rizwan, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Yasir Shah, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Tabish Khan

IND vs ENG: BCCI keen on getting spectators in stands for T20Is, says report

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is pretty keen on getting the crowd in the stands for the T20Is between India and England. "We are trying to open the stadium for fans to witness what awaits to be a thrilling T20I series between India and England. While we are yet to decide on the numbers, the idea is to get close to 50 per cent of the seats filled. But the final decision lies with the government. Safety is a priority even as we adapt to the new normal," the official said, while speaking to ANI. The first two Test matches that scheduled to take place in Chennai will not see any spectators in the stands. "In view of the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic, the BCCI has decided not to take any kind of risk with the safety of the players during the forthcoming India-England Test series. The players, officials will be undergoing strict quarantine and several rounds of COVID-19 tests before entering the bio-bubble," TNCA secretary Ramasaamy wrote in the circular. "As per BCCI directive, the first two Tests between February 5-17 being held at MA Chidambaram Stadium will take place behind closed doors. "TNCA will not be issuing tickets or sub-committee badges." The Test series begins from February 5 in Chennai. The first two Tests are slated to take place in Chennai and the teams will then move to Ahmedabad for the next two encounters. Captain Virat Kohli who missed the last three Tests against Australia as he had returned home for the birth of his first child is back to lead the team while all-rounder Hardik Pandya and fast bowler Ishant Sharma have also returned to the squad. In absence of Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel has been called up to strengthen the spin bowling attack alongside R Ashwin, Washington Sundar and Kuldeep Yadav. Out of Prithvi Shaw and left-arm seamer T. Natarajan have been dropped.