Shreyas Iyer suffers shoulder subluxation; Rohit Sharma out of field due to elbow injury

India ka Apna Mantra: IPL launches the anthem of 2021 season

The official anthem of the Indian Premier League’s 2021 edition was launched today through the official Twitter handle of the tournament. The new anthem is dedicated to the new India and the mantra of its success. Sharing the anthem of the 14th edition of the big money league, IPL’s official Twitter handle captioned the video as, “#VIVOIPL 2021 Anthem salutes the new, bold and confident spirit of India. Let’s all believe in #IndiaKaApnaMantra.” The handle further asked, “Tell us what you think will be your team's Success Mantra this season?” The IPL 2021 begins on 9th April with the first game being played at the MA Chidambaram stadium between Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore. Mumbai Indians are the winner of the 2020 edition and would be looking to get to their fifth title this year. The BCCI, owing to the Covid-19 had made this edition a neutral venue affair with all teams playing their matches at neutral venues. A total of six venues have been selected for the tournament.

Krunal Pandya brings up fastest fifty by an ODI debutant

All-rounder Krunal Pandya stamped authority with the bat on his debut after he notched up a half-century during the first ODI against England in Pune. Krunal hit the fastest half-century scored by a batsman on his debut after he reached the 50-run mark in 26 balls. The left-handed batsman came out to bat when India were in a spot of bother and were struggling at 205/5 with the likes of Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma back in the hut. Krunal along with KL Rahul put an unbeaten stand of 112 runs for the sixth wicket to help the hosts post 317/5 in 50 overs. The left-hander remained not out at 58 off 31 that included seven boundaries and a couple of maximums while Rahul scored 62* off 43. Rahul smashed four boundaries and as many sixes during the course of his innings.

Nottingham Outlaws sign Dan Christian as skipper for T20 Blast title defence

Australian veteran all-rounder Daniel Christian has been signed by Nottingham Outlaws as the skipper for the upcoming season of the T20 Blast. Outlaws are the defending champions of England’s premier domestic T20 tournament. Christian, 37, has captained the Outlaws to two T20 Blast triumphs in 2017 and 2020. Along with two wins, he has also taken the Notts to four Finals Day appearances, in the last five seasons as well. In Christian’s last completed series, the Big Bash, he helped secure the title for Sydney Sixers, once again establishing his success as a player in the shortest format of the game. He has won nine competitions in global T20 competitions since his debut. “I’ve made some great friends during my time at Trent Bridge and feel really at home playing for Notts, which has definitely helped me to perform in the style that I want to,” said Christian on renewing his deal with the club. “As captain, it’s a pleasure to lead a team which covers so many bases, and a squad with such a strong depth of talent,” he added. Christian in his 347 T20s has scored 5171 runs at a strike rate of 140 and has also taken 259 wickets. Notts open their T20 Blast 2021 campaign on 9th June with a game against Worcestershire.

IND vs ENG: Shikhar Dhawan falls two short of a century

India opener Shikhar Dhawan fell two short of what could have been his 18th ODI hundred against England in Pune on Tuesday. Dhawan was dismissed for 98 off 106 balls by Ben Stokes after getting caught at short mid-wicket by England captain Eoin Morgan while trying a short-arm jab on short delivery. The left-handed batsman’s knock included 11 boundaries and a couple of maximums. This would have been Dhawan’s first hundred since World Cup 2019. He last scored a ton against Australia at The Oval. Though he scored a century during the recently-concluded Vijay Hazare Trophy where he notched up 153 against Maharashtra in Jaipur. India who were put in to bat by Morgan had a struggling start but vice-captain Rohit Sharma and his opening partner Dhawan soon got into the groove and stitched a stand of 64 runs before Sharma departed for 28. Skipper Virat Kohli who came in at number three then steadied the ship with Dhawan as the duo compiled a partnership of 105 runs for the second wicket. Kohli notched up yet another half-century in ODI format before flicking one from Mark Wood in the air to deposit it in Moeen Ali’s hands in the deep mid-wicket region. He was undone for 56 off 60. India then lost a couple of wickets in quick succession that included Dhawan’s dismissal and were reduced to 197/4. The home side earlier, etched wins in the Test and ODI series earlier. The Virat Kohl-led side thumped England 3-1 in the Test series and then beat the visitors 3-2 in the ODIs.