Sam Curran ruled out of T20 World Cup

Want to become a finisher like MS Dhoni: Ripal Patel

Delhi Capitals’ new recruit Ripal Patel who made his IPL debut against Chennai Super Kings in Dubai on Monday aspires to become a “finisher” like former India captain MS Dhoni. The wicket-keeper batsman has taken the team over the line on a number of occasions and Ripal strives to replicate the same. “I started playing cricket watching Mahi bhai and I am looking to become a finisher like him,” Patel was quoted as saying in a release issued by his franchise DC. The youngsters get the opportunity to interact with the senior players after the match and Patel was lucky enough to have a chat with MS. “After the game, I asked him how he finishes every match, how he thinks on the field and what goes on in his mind while chasing a score. We had a good chat and he gave me a lot of confidence,” he added. Ripal scored 18 off 20 in his debut innings for DC as the Rishabh Pant-led side etched a win against CSK by 3 wickets in the last over in a close encounter while chasing a target of 137 in 20 overs. Both Chennai and Delhi have qualified for the playoffs in this edition of the IPL. The Super Kings will now take on Punjab Kings on Thursday while the Capitals will lock horns with RCB on Friday in Dubai.

Virat Kohli is obsessive, wants to be the best: David Wiese

India skipper Virat Kohli’s century drought isn’t coming to an end. Though, the right-handed batsman has been among some runs but the fans are still waiting for his 71st international ton. Former South Africa player David Wiese who has shared the dressing room with Kohli during his time with the Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL has put his weight behind the batsman and said that Virat is someone who strives to be the best and that is the best quality that a sports person can have. "Virat is just obsessive, he wants to be the best and he would not stop until he is the best and that for me, is his biggest quality. He is probably one of the best in the world but he still wants to improve. He is already a legend of the game but that is not good enough for him. He wants to become better, he has got a passion for the game. In training, he would spend hours and hours, working on different things. He has never been content, he is always looking to improve,” Wiese told ANI in an interaction organised by the International Cricket Council. Kohli is presently leading the RCB in the on-going IPL and has been in decent touch in the UAE leg so far. In the five matches that he has played, the RCB skipper has notched up a couple of fifties in the second phase of the competition. Virat is one of the most successful batsmen in the world and holds numerous records to his name. Kohli is the first Indian batsmen to score seven double tons in Test cricket. Apart from this, he also holds the record for scoring the fastest ODI century by an Indian batsman. He will now lead the Indian team in the forthcoming World T20 in UAE and Oman which will be his last assignment as a skipper in the T20Is as he would be stepping down from the post after the conclusion of the tournament.

WATCH | SRH sensation Umran Malik gets emotional after receiving family’s special message

Umran Malik, the 21-year old Sunrisers Hyderabad sensation, who left the world cricket thunderstruck by his sheer pace in his debut match against Kolkata Knight Riders, got emotional after watching a video message from his family. The young talent from Jammu and Kashmir who consistently bowled above 145 kmph and also broke the 150 barrier, received a special message from his family members including his parents, sister and friends. A part of that video was first released by his teammate Rashid Khan on his Twitter. Later, on 5 October, the entire video was shared by the official Twitter handle of Sunrisers Hyderabad. In the video, his proud parents can be seen sending prayers and best wishes for him. Umran Malik is the fourth player from Jammu and Kashmir to play in the Indian Premier League. Before him, Parvez Rasool, Rasikh Salam and Abdul Samad have played in the IPL. Umran Malik made his debut when his franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad had little to lose as they were already out of the tournament. While defending 116, they left no stone unturned in making it difficult for KKR to chase the modest target. Umran returned with 0-27 as KKR took the game home by six wickets.

Umran Malik impresses Jammu & Kashmir legend Parvez Rasool

Umran Malik, who hails from Jammu and Kashmir made his debut against Kolkata Knight Riders and drew the attention of the audience when the speedometer clocked 150 kmph. The 21-year old bowler, who made his debut in a match where his team had little to lose, left everyone thunderstruck by his pace. Parvez Rasool, the only cricketer from Jammu & Kashmir to play an international match for India, was impressed to see the growth and improvement in Umran. In a conversation with PTI he said, “He is a very talented boy. When I played him in the nets, he was quick. Woh bahot teekha thaa (he was pretty fast) but this was at a different level”. “He was literally hurrying the batters with sheer pace. I was very proud to see him hold his own at such a big stage,” added Rasool. Rasool said that the pace that Umran generates comes from the tennis ball cricket that Umran used to play before taking formal coaching. “The lightweight of the tennis ball means that to generate pace, you need that extra effort. This kid developed strength and pace by playing tennis ball games that he would play in and around Jammu”, reckoned Rasool. Umran is the fourth player from J&K to play in the Indian Premier League. Before him, Parvez Rasool, Rasikh Salam and Abdul Samad have played in the league.