PBKS vs CSK: Deepak Chahar produces first wicket-maiden of IPL 2021

Harmanpreet Kaur tests negative for COVID-19

Indian women’s T20 captain Harmanpreet Kaur has recovered from COVID-19. The right-hander batter made the announcement in a tweet. “Happy to inform you all that I have tested -ve & I’m feeling better. My only message to y’all is to take care & be extra careful,” Harmanpreet tweeted. “The virus is real & it’s dangerous. Follow all the protocols set up by the authorities.Wishing strength to the ones who are in the middle of the fight,” she added. Kaur had earlier tested positive for the virus and was experiencing some symptoms. She got herself tested after having mild fever. A source close to the cricketer told PTI that she is got tested herself and the result of the tests came out to be positive then. “She is self-isolating at home. She got tested yesterday and the report came positive today morning. She had mild fever since four days so thought it was best to get tested. She is doing fine otherwise and should recover soon,” a source close to the player told PTI. “She was getting tested regularly during the South Africa series so she must have caught the virus after that only,” the source added. She had missed the T20I series against South Africa at home and has played 114 matches in the shorter format scoring 2186 runs. She has also been an important part of the ODI setup and has represented India in 104 matches where she has notched up 2532 runs.

Umar Akmal needs to pay fine in full to restart his career says PCB source

Rejecting Umar Akmal’s claims of financial crisis, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has rejected Akmal’s proposal of paying his fine of 4.25 million rupees in instalments. If he pays the fine in time, Umar will be eligible for selection in the national team after serving a year ban for breaching several clauses of the Anti-Corruption Code. As per reports in the Times of India, it is learnt that the PCB wanted Umar to submit taxation and other documents which will prove that he is indeed facing some financial struggles. "The PCB was not satisfied with Umar's argument that he was facing financial difficulties at the moment after it had studied his documents. The Pakistan batsman also did not submit all documents asked for by the board," a well-informed source of the PCB was quoted by the Times of India. He further added that Umar has been clearly asked to pay the fine in full and until and unless he clears the fine, the tainted cricketer won’t be able to resume his cricketing ties with Pakistan and the rehabilitation process which is mandatory for any banned players under the Anti-Corruption Code. It must be learnt that the Court of Arbitration for Sport has reduced the ban of Umar Akmal to just 12 months but it’s necessary for him to pay the fine of Rs 4.25 million. He breached PCB’s anti-corruption code on several occasions besides being a controversial character during his playing days. Umar Akmal was suspended in February 202o after he failed to report corrupt approaches which were made to him before the curtain-raiser of the fifth edition of the Pakistan Super League. The disciplinary panel of PCB found him guilty under two separate charges and subsequently handed him a three-year ban. Meanwhile, sources close to Umar Akmal said that he was indeed going through a financial crisis as he had to pay a lot for the lawyers for this ongoing case.

The conversation is still very open: Mark Boucher on AB de Villiers' international return

RCB batsman Ab de Villiers showed some form during the opening match of the IPL 2021 between Bangalore and Mumbai Indians where he played a match-winning knock. Struggling at 106/5 while chasing 160, ABD took charge of the situation in his hands and scored 48 off just 27. RCB eventually won the match by 2 wickets. There have been talks about the right-handed batsman’s return to the South African setup for the upcoming World T20 scheduled to take place in India later this year. Now coach Mark Boucher in an online press conference has talked about the progress of having ABD back in the side. "I chatted to him before he went over to the [Indian Premier League]. The conversation is still very open. AB being the person he is, he wanted to perform very well at the IPL to prove to himself and everyone else that he's still a key figure in world cricket and can dominate at that level. I said to him, 'You go do your thing and I'll give you a shout towards the end of the IPL and see where you are,” Boucher said. AB last played a T20I match for South Africa against Bangladesh in 2017 while hung his boots from the international cricket in 2018. "After 114 Tests, 228 ODIs, 78 T20Is. It is time for others to take over,” he the said.

IPL 2021: Yudhvir Charak recalls the moment when he was picked in the auction

Defending champions of IPL Mumbai Indians have always banked on their young players besides having a core group of Indian and international superstars. Over the years their scouting process has been quite exceptional which have helped them nourish some young names which have benefited Indian cricket in the long run. In the February Auctions, Mumbai Indians picked some young which included the 23-year-old bowling all-rounder Yudhvir Singh Charak. Hailing from Jammu and Kashmir, Yudhvir Charak plies his trade for Hyderabad in the domestic circuit. During a recent video posted by the Mumbai Indians on their official Twitter handle, Yudhvir Charak speaks about how life has changed after the IPL Auctions. He recalled the fact that all his family members saw the auction together and he knew his name would only come towards the latter half. When the Director of Cricket Operations of MI, Zaheer Khan bid for him, tears started rolling down his cheek as it was a huge moment for the youngster to get the opportunity to rub shoulders with some of the greats of the game. “I was watching the auction for a while. I knew if my name would come up it would come last, if not then so be it. I was sitting with all my family members watching…. And then when my name came up and when Zak sir raised the paddle tears started flowing down my eyes. I cannot express how unbelievable that feeling was. Playing for MI is a big deal for me and for my state as well. Lots of hope and aspirations are on my shoulders that I play matches and do well. Take our state Jammu and Kashmir to new heights” Charak said during the video interview. Meanwhile, team manager Rahul Sanghvi stated that MI are known to pick uncapped players in the auctions and it was no different this time around. Both Yudhvir Charak and Arjun Tendulkar was part of MI’s support bowlers in the previous IPL in UAE and for them to get an opportunity in the main team is indeed a big moment. Sanghvi further explained that the coaches felt that both Yudhvir and Arjun Tendulkar were ready to take the roles which they were thinking at and hence they picked both of them in the auction. Speaking on the same Charak said, “Last year also I was with the team. Then I was a support bowler and I got an opportunity to learn so much which eventually helped me in the improvement of my game in the next domestic season. So I am very happy that this time I am picked in the main team. Meanwhile, Director of Cricket Operations, Zaheer Khan also reiterated the fact that MI followed their tradition in picking Yudhvir Charak in the auctions. He further explained that Mumbai Indians has been a breeding ground for any young cricketers who have been part of the franchise and it should be no different with Charak. He wished them luck and also encouraged them to enjoy the atmosphere of the IPL. Speaking about his opportunity at the highest level, Yudhvir Charak expressed his excitement and said that this is just the start of his cricketing career at the highest level. “This is the start of my career, I mean at the high level. There are several great players in this team from whom I can learn a lot from. Coaches are really good here. Most of all I want to do well for my team. They have picked me for a reason so I want to perform the best for my team be it batting, bowling or fielding. So I want to perform to the best of my capabilities and learn from this team as much as possible because this is the best team in the IPL, they have been 5-time champions and so there will be a lot to learn from this experience,” Charak added.