Top Stories: Things that made news in the cricket world today

BCCI sends an acceptance letter to Emirates Cricket Board for hosting IPL 2020 from September 19

• The Board of Control for Cricket in India – BCCI has sent an acceptance letter to the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) for hosting the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2020).
• Emirates board had shown willingness to host the 2020 edition of IPL by writing an official letter to the Indian board.
• BCCI has now responded to that letter and has confirmed the commencement of the cash-rich league in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
• (Read more about the story)

Virender Sehwag probably the most successful Indian opener after Sunil Gavaskar: Gautam Gambhir

• Gautam Gambhir, the former Indian cricketer, reckons that Virender Sehwag was probably the most successful opening batsman India produced after Sunil Gavaskar.
• The Nawab of Najafgarh started his international career in the middle-order, but gradually he moved to the top order.
• Once he started opening the batting, there was no looking back for the talented Delhi batsman.
• (Read more about the story)

England name 14-man squad for Ireland ODIs; Reece Topley, David Willey earn recalls

• England have named a 14-man squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Ireland.
• As expected, the players involved in the ongoing Test series against the West Indies aren’t considered for selection.
• Reece Topley has been recalled to the ODI team after more than four years while David Willey, who was dropped for Jofra Archer just before the World Cup last year, has also returned.
• (Read more about the story)

‘He is just a normal batsman’ – Junaid Khan’s first impression on Virat Kohli

• Pakistan fast bowler Junaid Khan spoke about how he dismissed Virat Kohli, arguably, the best batsman of world cricket, thrice in as many innings when the last time India and Pakistan played a bilateral series together in 2012-13.
• As Sachin Tendulkar announced his ODI retirement right before the series and senior batsmen failed to perform, a lot was expected from young Delhi lad.
• However, Kohli failed to deliver as he scored just 13 runs in three innings he played.
• (Read more about the story)

Franchises pose many questions ahead of the start of IPL 2020

• As the Indian Premier League is heading to UAE, as informed by BCCI officials and it is set to start from September 19th to November 8th, it is high time for BCCI to announce further details.
• As there are less than 45 days for the showpiece event to start, the lack of clarity is creating a lot of noise.
• The Indian board should at least start sharing what it has in mind with the franchises.
• (Read more about the story)

Rishabh Pant got too much backing from Virat Kohli, needed a kick on the back: Irfan Pathan

• Irfan Pathan, the former Indian cricketer, reckons that Rishabh Pant has gotten a lot of backing from Virat Kohli and the rest of the national team management.
• The southpaw made his debut in the early 2017, but started playing regularly from India’s Test series against England in 2018.
• Even as in Test cricket, he has a couple of big centuries, he hasn’t quite delivered in ODIs and T20Is.
• (Read more about the story)

India probably didn’t have a team to win the 2019 World Cup, feels Aakash Chopra

• India were one of the favourites to win the World Cup held in England last year. They also topped the points table in the league stage losing only one game out of nine.
• But all their hopes came down crashing in the semi-final against New Zealand.
• The Kiwis defended 240 runs despite Ravindra Jadeja’s late heroics with the bat as India fell 18 runs short.
• (Read more about the story)

Wanted to have a career in tennis: Yuvraj Singh

• Yuvraj Singh’s prowess on the cricket field entertained one and all. However, playing cricket wasn’t his first choice when he was trying to shape his career.
• The Punjab-born tried his hand at tennis and even wished to have a career in the sport.
• The now 38-year-old southpaw made his first-class debut in the 1996-97 season and from there on, he kept on garnering one laurel after the other.
• (Read more about the story)

KKR is the best when it comes to handling of players: Dinesh Karthik

• Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) skipper Dinesh Karthik has showered praises over the franchise for its handling of the players.
• KKR is one of the franchises with a considerable fan base in the IPL thanks to its co-owner and Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan.
• Moreover, the team has also won the title twice, in 2012 and 2014, which makes it the third most successful team in the T20 extravaganza.
• (Read more about the story)

I don’t think there is a role for Suresh Raina in Indian Cricket: Brad Hogg

• India cricketer Suresh Raina has been away from the national team for quite some time now.
• He last donned the Blue jersey in 2018 during the ODI series between India and England. But a poor show in that series led to him being dropped and has been on the sidelines since then.
• Rather it was also his comeback series in the 50-over format and failed to impress in the two matches he batted.
• (Read more about the story)