#ThankYouMalinga trends on Twitter as the legend bids gloomy goodbye to franchise cricket

Rajasthan Royals release Steve Smith, starts new chapter with Sanju Samson as skipper

The Rajasthan Royals have let go Steve Smith who was the skipper of the team in the last edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) after a discussion that went down the wire in words of a franchise official. According to an ANI report, the decision to release Smith has been taken today only and that the franchise will appoint a new captain in the IPL 2021. Notably, Smith was handed over the captaincy of the team after Ajinkya Rahane was struggling to lead the side after the comeback from a two-year ban by the BCCI. The Royals had finished last on the points table of the league in IPL 2020 and hence the decision to let go Smith was always on the cards. On the other hand, the franchise which celebrated an early triumph in the inaugural edition of the league is contemplating options of retaining young players such as Kartik Tyagi, Mayank Markane and Mahipal Lomror. Earlier today, Harbhajan Singh was released by the Chennai Super Kings and there many more releases on cards from other teams as well.

Daily Round up | Jan 20: Suresh Raina to stay at CSK

CSK batsman Suresh Raina has been retained by the franchise for the IPL 2021 while Harbhajan Singh has said that his contract is over. Here we take a look at the day’s updates from the cricketing world. Suresh Raina to stay at CSK Former India player Suresh Raina who retired from international cricket on August 15 last year will stay at Chennai Super Kings. According to the official there are few players who are going to be released. Earlier, spinner Harbhajan Singh confirmed that his contract with CSK is over. “As my contract comes to an end with “Yes, we will retain Raina and Dhoni will be the captain. Apart from Harbhajan Singh, we might release a few more players,” the CSK official told The Indian Express. Harbhajan Singh to leave CSK Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh confirmed that his contract with CSK is over. “As my contract comes to an end with @ChennaiIPL, playing for this team was a great experience..beautiful memories made &some great friends which I will remember fondly for years to come..Thank you @ChennaiIPL, management, staff and fans for a wonderful 2years.. All the best..,” Harbhajan tweeted. Rishabh Pant attains highest rank India wicket-keeper batsman played some phenomenal cricket in Australia and the left-hander has been rewarded for the same. He has climbed to 13th spot—the highest by any wicket-keeper batsman in the latest rankings released by ICC. There can be a huge fall out: Shane Warne Former Aussie spinner Shane Warne feels that there cane be a “huge fallout” after the defeat in the Australian team. "I think there'll be a huge fallout from this. There's not too many times that you lose to the second or third (choice) side," Foxsports.com.au quoted Warne as saying. "That's not taking anything away from those Indian guys that played but their first selection side, there's probably only two or three players in that side who would play," he added. Melbourne Renegades beat Melbourne Stars Melbourne Renegades took the perfect revenge of the previous encounter against Melbourne Stars. Chasing 159 in 20 overs, renegades rode on Mackenzie Harvey 47* to go over the line. Harvey who was adjudged man of the match expressed his delight and said, “Can't put it into words, playing a derby at home. It was a good effort from the bowlers, it came off well today. A complete team performance. Like I said before, it's absolutely outstanding playing at home and winning.” Stars are now placed at number three with 24 points from 12 matches while Renegades are bottom placed with 13 points in 12 matches.

BBL10: Renegades make it 1-1 against Stars in Melbourne derby

Melbourne Renegades defeated Melbourne Stars at Docklands stadium by 5 wickets on Wednesday after chasing down 159 in 19.4 overs. Renegades lost some early wickets and were 48/3 when Sam Harper alongwith Jack Prestwidge stitched a stand of 40 runs. But the Renegades then lost a couple of more wickets and were 97/5 when Mackenzie Harvey joined hands with Beau Webster to take the team to victory. Harvey remained unbeaten at 47 while Webster scored 22*. Nathan Coulter-Nile scalped three wickets at the expense of 42 runs in 4 overs. Earlier, riding on Nick Larkin’s 61*, Stars scored 158/6 in 20 overs. Apart from Larkin, Marcus Stoinis with a quick-fire 37 off 27 while Maddinson scored 21 in 18. Zak Evans and Peter Hatzoglou picked up couple of wickets apiece. Evans with a figures of 2/23 in three overs while Hatzoglou gave 34 runs in 4 overs and took 2 wickets. Imad Wasim had a decent outing as he returned with figures of 1/24 in 4 overs. Harvey who was adjudged man of the match expressed his delight and said, “Can't put it into words, playing a derby at home. It was a good effort from the bowlers, it came off well today. A complete team performance. Like I said before, it's absolutely outstanding playing at home and winning.” With the loss, Stars are now placed at number three with 24 points from 12 matches while Renegades are bottom placed with 13 points in 12 matches.

ICC Test Rankings: Rishabh Pant attains highest rank for a wicketkeeper batsman

An unbeaten 89 runs at the Gabba has helped Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant jump to his highest position on the ICC Test Rankings for batsmen. He has climbed to 13th spot—the highest by any wicket-keeper batsman in the latest rankings released by ICC. He is closely followed by the South Africa stand-in captain Quinton de Kock who is at 15th spot. Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne who scored s splendid century in the first innings of the Gabba Test has surpassed Virat Kohli to the third position on the rankings after attaining his career-best rating points at 878. Apart from the Gabba Test between India and Australia, the first Test between Sri Lanka and England too left its effect on the ICC Rankings as the tourists’ captain Joe Root has reclaimed a position in the top five batsmen with his highest rating points—738 in two years. The ICC Rankings for batsmen in Tests is still dominated by Blackcaps skipper Kane Williamson who is significantly ahead than his competitor Steve Smith. Williamson has 919 rating points while Smith stands at 891 points. The duo is followed by Labuschagne, Kohli and Root. The ICC Rankings for bowlers in Tests are topped by Pat Cumins, who is followed by Stuart Broad, Neil Wagner and Josh Hazlewood.