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Rahane Puajara Need To Bat Out Of Their Skins In Kohlis Absence Gavaskar

Rahane-Puajara need to bat out of their skins in Kohli’s absence: Gavaskar

Indian squad for the Australian Test series would remain without the services of skipper Virat Kohli for the last three Tests and this has been the focal point of all discussions relating to the Test series so far. Giving his expert comments on this, former India captain and member of a World Cup-winning team Sunil Gavaskar said that it would rather give others an opportunity to shine in the leader’s absence and prove their mettle.

“Indian players do tend to raise their game when he is not around. They understand they have to make up for his absence,” the septuagenarian legend told Times of India.

He further outlined the importance of senior statesmen of the Indian team Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara batting out of their skins to establish themselves as the pillars of Indian strength in Tests.

“It’s going to be tough for Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara. Both these players have to bat out of their skin. Rahane has occasionally led India and would enjoy the responsibility,” said Gavaskar

The little master further said that Pujara who was the leading run-scorer in the last tour of India to Australia along with hitting three match-winning and saving hundreds should be allowed to go in his natural flow instead of disturbing him in any way.

“That’s what got him here. You don’t tamper with a player’s natural aptitude or temperament. If he is let alone and no pressure is put on him, that’s going to work in India’s favour. He is so rock steady; the others can score around him and play shots,” said Gavaskar.

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BCCI supports Mohammed Siraj's decision to stay back after father’s death

The Board of Control for Cricket in India has said that it would provide full support to Mohammed Siraj who recently lost his father due to lung cancer. The BCCI had provided the Hyderabad bowler an option to fly back to India and be with his family, but the player decided against it saying that it would be apt if he stayed and represented the country, which has always been his father’s wish. In a statement, Jay Shah, Honorary Secretary, BCCI said, “Team India fast bowler Mohammed Siraj lost his father on Friday after a brief illness. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had a discussion with Siraj and he was offered the option of flying back and be with his family in this hour of grief.” The BCCI further informed that Siraj, who has till now represented India in four games including one ODI and three T20Is would stay back to perform his national duties. “The fast bowler has decided to stay with the Indian contingent and continue performing his national duties. The BCCI shares his grief and will be supportive of Siraj in this extremely challenging phase,” the letter further read. Safeguarding it's player’s and his family's privacy in a matter of grief, BCCI also requested the media person to not bother the 26-year-old RCB player’s family with untoward questions or unnecessary visits. “The BCCI requests the media to accord Siraj and his bereaved family members their space and privacy,” the letter said.

Mohammed Shami targets Australian Tests after satisfactory IPL performances

Indian speedster Mohammed Shami feels that he has given a good enough performance in the recently concluded Indian Premier League to focus on red-ball cricket directly, instead of whiling away with the white ball. “I have done well with the white-ball and now spending time in the nets bowling with the red ball. My performances for KXIP in IPL has given me a lot of confidence and put me in the right zone,” Shami said in an interview with BCCI.TV on Saturday. The UP born who restricted a team of the stature of Mumbai Indians under five runs that too while defending it in a super over, said that the IPL has given a huge boost to his confidence at the same time relieving him of any tension whatsoever. “The biggest advantage is that I can now prepare for the upcoming series without any pressure. There is no burden on me. I am very comfortable at the moment. I had worked hard on my bowling and my fitness in the lockdown. I knew that IPL would take place sooner or later and I was preparing myself for it,” said the 30-year-old. Acknowledging the fact that the team is going to have a long tour starting with the white ball followed by pink and red ball Tests, Shami said that he is focusing totally on the red ball. “My focus area has been the red ball and I am working on my lengths and seam movement. I have always felt that once you start pitching the ball at the lengths you desire, you can succeed in different formats,” he said. “What you need is control. You don’t bowl in the same area since both formats are different but your basics don’t change much,” added Shami who in his almost eight year-long India career has taken 336 international wickets in 137 matches across all formats.

Sony, PTV and Sky buy broadcasting rights for inaugural LPL

The much talked about and troubled (because of various issues) Lankan Premier League finally has some good news to offer to fans as broadcasting giants such as SONY Pictures, Sky Network, and Pakistan Television (PTV) have bought rights for its global broadcast in various cricket-loving regions of the world. While Sony Pictures would broadcast the league in much of the Indian subcontinent apart from Pakistan where PTV has the rights for it, Sky would broadcast the league in the United Kingdom. The Sri Lankan channel ITN has got the local terrestrial rights. It is good news in the sense that the owners and players in the league are also from the same nations for which the broadcasting rights have been bought, meaning that the chances of more visibility of the league increases. Apart from the Indian owners of Dambulla Vikings and Kandy Tuskers, the Galle Gladiators franchise is headed by Pakistani owners; and Jaffna Stallions have owners based in the UK. "LPL's broadcasting partners - Sky, Sony, Geo, and PTV - global reach will help the League grow in stature and will help the league connect with millions of fans across the globe," tournament director Ravin Wickramasinghe said. The LPL 2020, which is set to begin on November 26 and runs until December 16 has had quite a roller coaster ride till now with two reschedulings, several stars pulling out and two foreign players testing positive for covid-19 on landing in the country. Each day would have doubleheaders and all the matches would be played in Hambantota.

Aus vs Ind: Rohit Sharma says he always wanted to be part of only the Tests

Star Indian batsman and a record five times IPL winning captain Rohit Sharma has cleared the air around his selection for the Australia tour. He has said that he injured his hamstring during the IPL and therefore decided against participating in the limited-overs format as too many matches were to be played in too little a time. “I didn't go to Australia for the white-ball leg as there are back-to-back games. Around 6 games in 11 days," he said, on the upcoming ODI and Twenty20 series. So I thought if I get to work on my body for 25 days, I can probably go and play the Test matches,” he said. Further, he said that that it was an easy decision for him, but really didn’t know why it became so complicated for others. The 33-year-old informed that his ‘Hamstring is feeling absolutely fine’ but some work was still needed to be done. “Of course, there is still some work that needs to be done on it,” he said. Admitting that he remained in constant communication with the BCCI throughout his injury in the IPL, Rohit said, “I don't know what was going on, to be honest, and what all were people talking about. But let me put this on record, I was constantly communicating with BCCI and Mumbai Indians.” Soon after being not named in any team for the Australian tour citing his medical conditions, Rohit was seen practicing in a video released by Mumbai Indians. That created uproar and a sea of rumors flooded the social media on how the Indian selection panel wasn’t transparent in its approach. Reacting to this, Rohit who scored a match-winning 68 in the finals of the IPL said, "I told them (Mumbai Indians) that I can take the field (during the Playoffs) since it is the shortest format and I will be able to manage the situation quite nicely. Once I made my mind clear, it was all about focusing on what I needed to do.”