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

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.

Rishabh Pant wants to make a name for himself, doesn't want to be compared

Receiving a hero’s welcome on his return to New Delhi, Team India stumper, Rishabh Pant stated that he feels ‘amazing’ when people draw comparisons with legend MS Dhoni but he reiterated the fact that he wants to make a name for himself in Indian cricket. Pant was one of the pivotal members of the Indian squad which went onto win the historic Border Gavaskar Trophy after breaching the Gabba fortress in the final Test of the series. This was India’s 2nd Test series win in Australia on a trot. "You feel amazing when you are compared to someone like MS Dhoni and you compare me with him," Pant told reporters after his arrival in Delhi from Australia. Pant scored a match-winning 87 in the 2nd innings of the final Test and stayed there till the end as India won the Test by 3 wickets with 3 overs still left in the day’s play. Pant finished as India’s leading run-scorer in the Test series and in the process also became the fastest to 1000 Test runs by any Indian keeper breaking MSD’s record. However, he doesn’t want to be compared with anyone. "It's amazing but I don't want to be compared with anyone, I want to make myself as a name in Indian cricket because it's not good to compare some legend with some youngster," Pant said. Pant played quite a few breezy knocks during the course of the series which also included a magical 97 in the 3rd Test in Sydney which gave India a realistic chance of chasing down the target of 407. However, injuries to Ashwin and Vihari didn’t allow them to go after the target but the duo played some terrific cricket in the last session to draw the Test. Pant who scored 274 runs in just 5 innings just wants to savour the moment for years to come. "I think the whole team is very happy with the way we played the series in Australia," he said. The feat of India is quite staggering especially given the fact that was bowled out for 36 in Australia and didn’t field even their 2nd XI in the final Test.