Pak invite Afghans for first official tour after PM Imran's Kabul visit

New Zealand’s new T20I kit is a mixture of nostalgia and modernity

The New Zealand team revealed the new T20I kit for their upcoming limited-overs series against West Indies at home. The new dress’ look was unveiled by the Blackcaps team on their official website by posting photos of the well-known Kiwi players. The photos were shared by the International Cricket Council’s official Twitter handle with the caption, “New Zealand’s new T20I playing kit for the West Indies series. Rate this jersey on a scale of 'Smiling face with open mouth' to 'Star-struck' @BLACKCAPS| #NZvWI.“ The theme of the new dress is based on touching the nostalgic spot of the cricket fans with a small imprint of the Kiwi wings and a huge shade of grey from the retro days of the early 90s. While the Blackcaps theme of wearing pure black has also been mixed with that grey, it all together looks like the combination to keep those older fans nostalgic and yet engage with the new generation cricket-loving fraternity of New Zealand. Earlier their opponents, West Indies too had launched a totally different-looking range of kits for this t20 series and they were unveiled on Twitter as well. The series between the Kiwis and the Windies begin on 27th November with the first T20I taking place in Eden Park Auckland. The New Zealand team would be without the services of their regular captain Kane Williamson and strike bowler Trent Boult and Tim Southee will captain the side against Keiron Pollard led Windies team.

Kagiso Rabada likens bio-bubbles to luxury prisons

South African speedster, Kagiso Rabada compared the bio-bubble, which has been the new normal in the pandemic ridden sports world as a luxury prison where one is provided with all amenities except the fact that one can’t move out. Speaking on the eve of the series beginner at Boland Par, Paarl, between his team South Africa and England, where the 25-year-old would be joining yet another bubble, his second after the IPL one, said, "It can be quite tough. You can't interact. You've basically lost your freedom. It's almost like luxury prisons we are in. But we have to remind ourselves that we are fortunate.” At the same time he said that one must also be grateful for the fact that in times when people are losing jobs, international cricketers could still do what they love and get paid for it. "People have lost their jobs, people are struggling at the moment, so we must be grateful for the opportunity we have been given to make some money and to do what we love," said the Johannesburg born. Addressing the pressing issue of the Black Lives Matter, Rabada much like Chris Jordan of England said that he definably supports the movement, but not kneeling down was a team decision conveyed by coach Mark Boucher and he readily agreed to that. "It was a team decision not to kneel and to look at gender-based violence and devote ourselves to another cause. However, BLM is one-hundred percent something I will always stand for and I speak for myself. But, Mark has stated that the team will not be kneeling and that's how it's going to be," he said. The Proteas play England in two limited-overs series of three-match each (one T20I and one ODI).

Sourav Ganguly confirms England's full tour of India early next year

The President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Sourav Ganguly has said that the England team will tour India for a full series comprising T20s, ODIs and as well as Test matches. However, the Test series which was a five-match affair has now been reduced to a four-match series. Ganguly also urged caution on the second wave of COVID-19 in the country but suggested that managing a bilateral series is an easier prospect to deal with amid these uncertain times. "England is touring India for four Test matches, three ODIs, and five T20Is, it is easy to have bilaterals as there are just two teams, we have to keep assessing the situation, a lot of people are talking about the second COVID wave, we have to be careful," Sourav Ganguly said in a remotely organised press conference organized by Livingguard AG. Ganguly also had his eyes in Australia where a large contingent of players is touring for a full-fledged series scheduled to start on November 27. He said that players’ quarantine period will be over today and they will be ready to take the field and take on Australia in an all-important series. "Team is in Australia, they reached on November 11 (13), they will finish quarantine today, the team is in Australia, they will be starting cricket, Australia does not have a high number of COVID cases, boys are ready to get on to the field," Ganguly revealed his outlook of the Indian team in Australia. Commenting on the value and richness that the Indian Premier League brings on to the table for the Indian Cricket, Ganguly said people should come to the country to witness the euphoria and impact of the league on the people. Notably, he exalted confidence when he said that efforts are being made to host the next edition of the IPL in India after hosting this year’s event in the United Arab Emirates.

Flashback: The ODI that turned around India's fortunes in Australia

The period of Sourav Ganguly's captaincy was one where the Indian team progressively broke long-established barriers to their performance. Famous test victories in Zimbabwe, West Indies, England, Australia and Pakistan were ample proof that the Indian side was well over the dreadful 1990s when winning away from home was a distant dream. But among the string of overseas Test triumphs that Ganguly's side registered, there were also highly notable ODI triumphs. One of them came at Brisbane in January 2004 and broke a near 13-year drought for the Indian side. On January 18, India played Australia at the famous Gabba stadium having lost their previous 11 matches to the then reigning world champions on their home soil. In the tri-series, also involving a spirited Zimbabwe, that this match was a part of, they had lost the first match to Australia after putting up a tough fight. This time, the Indians benefitted from a reassuring innings by Sachin Tendulkar, the type he used to play in those days, and a hundred from VVS Laxman who was having the greatest one week of his ODI career - he scored three hundreds in four matches in this period. With Sachin's 86 and Laxman's 103*, India posted a challenging total of 303. However, this was Australia at the peak of their powers and no score looked safe against them. With Matthew Hayden deciding to play a majestic knock of 109, Indian were in danger of losing their grip on the match. But what made the difference was the resolute performance by the young and upcoming pace duo of Irfan Pathan and Lakshmipathy Balaji. It would be the tour of Pakistan, following this series where these two became proper stars. But in the colosseum-like arena of Gabba, they held their nerve against the imposing batting line-up of Aussies to keep the target safe. The veteran Anil Kumble also played a key part in India's victory. Though he didn't pick up a wicket, Kumble managed to turn the screws on Australia with tight bowling. But the surprise package of the match was debutante Rohan Gavaskar, that too, with the ball. At a very crucial stage in the match, when Hayden and Andrew Symonds seemed to put Australia in cruise control, Ganguly brought junior Gavaskar into the attack to bowl left-arm wrist spin, otherwise known as 'Chinaman.' Lo and behold, Symonds popped a return catch back to Rohan and he dived to his right for a brilliant take. When the match finally ended with the home team getting bowled out for 284 in 49.4 overs, India had broken another barrier - an ODI win over Australia in Australia. Sadly, they couldn't follow it up and by the end of the tri-series, the Indian side was out of steam and crumbled helplessly against the might of Australians. But for a whole generation of millenials, it was another sweet memory to lighten up their childhood.