Rahmanullah Gurbaz becomes first Afghanistan batsman to hit century on ODI debut

Siraj praises skipper Rahane in racism row, says he was adamant at not leaving the pitch

Indian pace bowler Mohammed Siraj has praised the interim captain of the Indian team Ajinkya Rahane for firmly standing beside his players in the racism row which occurred in the third Test at Sydney. Talking to the Press on his comeback to India after a successful tour of Australia, Siraj said, “Rahane was adamant that we (Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah and the entire Indian team) would not leave the ground no matters what.” “He said we respect cricket and just for a few people’s misbehaviour we can’t leave the ground, He then asked the umpires to get those creating the ruckus, out of the ground,” Siraj added detailing the sequence of events. Siraj, 26, took 13 wickets including a five-wicket haul in the three games on this tour, and was one of the leading stars that emerged out of the tournament. His five-wicket haul came in the record-breaking win for Team India at Gabba in the second innings of Australia. India won the Gabba Test by three wickets and won the series 2-1 to retain the Border Gavaskar Trophy second time in a row.

IPL 2021: Alex Carey smacks century day after DC release him

Australia limited-overs wicket-keeper and an integral part of the Adelaide Strikers franchise in the Big Bash League, Alex Carey has been quite sensational in the tournament so far holding fort when his fellow batsmen have fallen around him. He is currently the third highest run-getter in the tournament so far with 381 runs and has been integral behind their successful tenure in the tourney so far. Carey struck a magical century against Brisbane Heat on Thursday, 21 January, and his knock of 101 of a mere 62 deliveries, with 10 fours and 3 sixes led the Strikers to a comfortable win by 82 runs. With the sort of form he has been in with both bat and the gloves, Carey was expected to be retained by his IPL franchise, Delhi Capitals. It must be noted here that the DC squad has a very settled unit and Carey didn’t get enough opportunities in the previous season. He scored 32 runs in just 3 matches and it is understandable that the Capitals didn't want to retain him for Rs 2.4 crores. Having said that the southpaw has been in good touch since the IPL and hence it was a surprise to many that he was let go by the Capitals. However, former Aussie skipper and Delhi Capitals head coach, Ricky Ponting is of the opinion that DC might buy him back in the auctions.

Sri Lanka vs England: James Anderson replaces Stuart Broad for 2nd Test

The most successful pacer in the history of Test cricket, James Anderson has been included in England playing XI for the second Test against Sri Lanka in place of Stuart Broad who has been rested. This is England’s only change from the opening clash which they won convincingly by 7 wickets. Meanwhile Broad was effective in the first Test bagging 3/20 in the first innings which helped the visitors to skittle the hosts out for just 135. However with this being a relatively low key series, the England team management has decided to rotate the frontline pacers and in comes, Anderson in place of a long time bowling partner especially to manage the workload of the players ahead of a highly intense four-match Test series against India. This will be Anderson’s first Test match ever since taking the 600th Test scalp against Pakistan last August. Anderson who has been England’s spearhead for nearly two decades will look to guide England to their fifth successive win abroad. Jack Leach and Dom Bess will remain the two spinners for England as Moeen Ali isn’t available for selection yet having only completed his coronavirus quarantine on Saturday. Test skipper Joe Root expressed his disappointment at Moeen Ali missing out as he lends a good balanced for England in all conditions. "Unfortunately Mo is not going to be selectable for this game, which is a real shame. It's been a really tough tour for him so far. "It is great to see him back around the group, training again and easing his way back into his workload and getting ready for Test cricket again. We are all looking forward to having him back at full tilt. "The great thing for me is that the spinners had success but also have great attitudes where they want to keep getting better. They don't want to be happy with what they have done, they want to improve on the start they have had." The 2nd and the final Test of the series start tomorrow, 22nd January and the hosts will surely be looking to make a grand comeback and level the series. England team for second Test: Dom Sibley, Zak Crawley, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root (captain), Dan Lawrence, Jos Buttler (wicketkeeper), Sam Curran, Dom Bess, Jack Leach, Mark Wood James Anderson

Byju's logo removed from Rahane jersey in welcome party

India’s stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane was given a grand welcome in the society he lives in Mumbai after returning from a historic series win in Australia. India won the series 2-1 after Rahane led the team from the front after putting a splendid century in the Boxing Day Test after their dismal show in the Adelaide Test. However, the development during the ceremony may cause a bit of treble as the members of Rahane’s housing society cropped the logo of the principal sponsor of the Indian team jersey—Byju’s. Rahane was also offered to cut a cake in celebration of his return after a heroic win down under but he showed his class off the field as well as he refused to accept the cake that had a Kangaroo—representation of the Australian team on it.