SMAT 2021: Vijay Shankar to captain Tamil Nadu in absence of injured Dinesh Karthik

Virat Kohli relinquishes opening position, to bat at number three throughout World T20 2021

Indian skipper Virat Kohli has confirmed that he will now be batting at number three to accommodate KL Rahul at the opening position as it is ‘really hard’ to look beyond him considering his current form in the recently concluded Indian Premier League. Kohli had decided to open the innings in T20Is at the start of the year against England and it was taught that he would continue to do so. But during the toss in India’s first warm-up match of the T20 World Cup against England, Kohli said, “Things were different when IPL started. It's very hard to look beyond KL Rahul now with the form he is in. I will be batting at number three in the World Cup is the news I can give you.” Talking about the goals that India would want to achieve in the warm-up matches, Kohli added, “Look everyone is trying to get something out of the game. The idea is to get together as a team and get the momentum. We want to create that energy on the field when eleven guys are together. Look this is paramount and everyone knows that.” In the warm-up game, taking place at the ICC Academy Ground in Dubai, India won the toss and chose to bowl first.

How Krunal is for me, Kieron Pollard is the same: Hardik Pandya

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has created a pretty friendly environment among the players from all around the globe. The friendships between cricketers from different nations have become prominent and an instance of this was given by India and Mumbai Indians all-rounder Hardik Pandya. The right-handed all-rounder while talking to ESPNCricinfo said that he shares the same bond with Kieron Pollard as he does with Krunal. "How Krunal is for me, Pollard is the same. He has been part of the international circuit for a long time. I don't sometimes understand how it functions, but he has taught me to let it be. I am very upfront if I don't like something. There are lots of times when he has calmed me down, lots of times when he has given me life lessons," he said. Pandya further said that Pollard is a “Gujrati” by heart and is someone who believes in investments and buying properties. "We call him grandpa. He is from West Indies but he is actually a Gujarati at heart. He literally functions like an Indian: a guy who believes in property, a guy who believes in investments, a guy who believes: instead of buying a car, I'll buy property because it will grow, Ek rupiah Nahin waste karoonga [I won't waste a rupee]," said Pandya. While Hardik is with the Indian team now for the World T20 2021, Pollard would be leading the West Indies team in the tournament. The Caribbean side will be playing the competition to defend their title.

World T20 2021 | On the back of Campher charisma, Ireland cruise past the Netherlands

Ireland notched up a famous first win over the Netherlands in a T20 World Cup game as they chased down 107 in just 15.1 overs to give a big boost to their net run rate as well, which might come in handy in the group of death if three teams end of two wins. Curtis Campher was the hero of the game for his record-breaking feat, in which he picked up four wickets in four balls, becoming only the third bowler in the entire world after Lasith Malinga and Rashid Khan to achieve that. Camphor removed Colin Ackermann, Ryan Ten Doeschate and Scott Edwards to complete his hattrick and then removed Roelof van der Merwe to complete four in four. His one over was instrumental in restricting the Dutch to only 106 in their quota of 20 overs. Campher’s hattrick was also the first for any Irish bowler in a World Cup. Mark Adair was the other Irish bowler who bowled brilliantly and finished with the figures 3-9 in his four overs. This was the most economical spell for an Irish bowler in a World Cup game. Courtesy of brilliant last over from him, in which only four runs were given and three Dutch wickets were taken. Chasing the target, the men in green got off to a good start with Kevin O’Brien and Paul Stirling giving a 27 run partnership in only four overs to start the chase. But then the Netherlands struck twice in two consecutive overs to try and change the course of the game. Stirling, who is usually a quick run-scorer stuck to the crease and had a match-winning 59 run stand with Gareth Delany. Even as Delany got out eventually on 44 of 29 balls, Stirling made sure that he saw the team through with a patient 30 off 39 balls. While Ireland would be playing their toughest game in the tournament when they face Sri Lanka next, the Netherlands and coach Ryan Cambell would go back to the drawing board to try and get a win against Namibia to keep their qualification hopes alive till their last league game against Sri Lanka.

Don't know how many people will play cricket if money is not there: Hardik Pandya

India all-rounder Hardik Pandya is one of the most important members of the Indian team as far as white-ball cricket is concerned. Coming from a humble background, Hardik made a place for himself in the Indian team on the basis of his talent. The right-handed cricketer emphasised that money does make a lot of difference in a player’s life. “In 2019 I had a conversation with someone who was saying, money should not be there for “you all young guys”. I disagreed. When a guy from a village or a small town gets a big contract, he does not keep it for himself, he is looking after his parents, he is looking after his relatives,” Hardik said while talking to ‘ESPNcricinfo’s Cricket Monthly’. Hardik further added that there is a misconception that people should not talk about money. “Money makes the difference. And it gives motivation as well. There is a misconception that people should not talk about money. I don’t believe in that, because you are passionate about sport and money matters as well. I do not know how many people will play cricket if money is not there,” he added. The all-rounder is presently with the Indian team in the UAE for the World T20 2021. The Men in Blue will begin the campaign against Pakistan on Sunday in Dubai.