South Africa's sports minister has joined public calls for the Proteas to boycott the Champions Trophy game against Afghanistan next month and criticised the International Cricket Council (ICC) for not upholding its own rules. Gayton McKenzie said on Thursday he felt 'morally bound to support' a match boycott because the Taliban government has banned women's sport and disbanded the national women's cricket team. "It is not for me as the sports minister to make the final decision on whether South Africa should honour cricketing fixtures against Afghanistan. If it was my decision, then it certainly would not happen," McKenzie said in a statement. "As a man who comes from a race that was not allowed equal access to sporting opportunities during apartheid, it would be hypocritical and immoral to look the other way today when the same is being done towards women anywhere in the world." The Proteas are scheduled to play Afghanistan on Feb. 21 in a group match in Karachi, Pakistan. England was also urged to forfeit its match against Afghanistan on Feb. 26 by more than 160 U.K. politicians on Monday. McKenzie believed the ICC was also being hypocritical for not upholding its own mandates that member nations develop men's and women's cricket. McKenzie noted Sri Lanka Cricket was suspended by the ICC from November 2023 to January 2024 for government interference. "This does not happen in the case of Afghanistan, suggesting that political interference in the administration of sport is being tolerated there," McKenzie said. "Cricket South Africa, the federations of other countries and the ICC will have to think carefully about the message the sport of cricket wishes to send the world,and especially the women in sports. "I hope that the consciences of all those involved in cricket, including the supporters, players and administrators, will take a firm stand in solidarity with the women of Afghanistan." (With agency inputs)
09 January,2025 05:18 PM IST | Pretoria (South Africa) | mid-day online correspondentThe legendary Sunil Gavaskar is in awe of Jasprit Bumrah's leadership qualities and reckons the peerless fast bowler will succeed Rohit Sharma as the next captain of the Indian team following his extraordinary display in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Bumrah recently produced one of the best-ever bowling performances by an overseas pacer in Australia and picked 32 wickets over five Tests. He was also captain during India's only victory in the series, helping the visitors to a convincing win at the Optus Stadium in Perth in the opener. "He could be the next man. I think he will be the next man. Because he leads from the front, he has got a very good air about him, the air of a leader but not somebody who is going to pressure on you," Gavaskar aired his views on Channel 7. The batting great added, "Sometimes, you have captains who put a lot of pressure on you. With Bumrah you can see that, he expects the others to do what their job is, why they are in the national team, but it doesn't seem to pressurise anybody." Bumrah has been spearheading the Indian pace attack for some years now and his guidance has helped the likes of Mohammed Siraj to grow as a fast bowler. "With the fast bowlers, he has been absolutely brilliant, standing at mid-off, mid-on and every time just being at hand to tell them. I think he was absolutely brilliant and I won't be surprised if he takes over very soon." Bumrah took his wickets at an incredible average of 13.06 and an even better strike rate of 28.37 before pulling up injured midway through Australia's first innings at the SCG in the final Test. In Bumrah's absence, the home team chased down 162 on the third day to win the series 3-1. The lead pacer was handed the captaincy in the final Test after the out-of-form Rohit Sharma "opted out" but a back spasm prevented Bumrah from bowling on the crucial third day. Bumrah destroyed Australia in Perth with eight wickets, grabbed six wickets in the first innings at the Gabba, and nearly turned the Boxing Day Test on its head with his exploits on the fourth afternoon at MCG. In the series decider at SCG, Bumrah sent back Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne early in Australia's first innings but could only bowl one over after lunch on the second day when the game was evenly poised. The Indian pacer was named the Player of the Series for his unforgettable performance. (With agency inputs)
09 January,2025 05:01 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentJust-retired Martin Guptill reckons he had a lot more to offer to New Zealand cricket and was 'disappointed' with how his career ended. One of the most accomplished white-ball players to emerge from New Zealand, Guptill, scored 7,346 runs from 198 ODI matches with 18 hundreds and 39 fifties. The 38-year-old also competed in 122 T20I for the Blackcaps, scoring 3,531 runs with two hundreds and 20 fifties. Guptill last played for the Blackcaps in 2022. He gave back his contract to explore opportunities in the various T20 leagues around the world after it became clear that New Zealand Cricket (NZC) wanted to blood younger players. He did not find place in the squad for the 2023 World Cup in India and went without international cricket for two years before announcing his retirement. "It is what it is, and the decisions that have been made around it. Obviously I would have loved to have played a lot more, I feel like I had a lot more to give New Zealand Cricket and the Black Caps," Guptill was quoted as saying by The New Zealand Herald on Thursday. "I'm a little bit disappointed with how it all ended, but I've got to move forward and move on," he added. The first New Zealander to smash a century on his ODI debut, and also the first to hit a double-century in the format during the 2015 World Cup quarterfinal against the West Indies. The cricketer, who ran out Mahendra Singh Dhoni at the 2019 World Cup, ending the Indian super star's international career, said he always prided his black cap. "One of my proudest moments was to get a black cap, and that sits proudly at home." The charismatic cricketer also added he always loved playing as an opener. "I had the opportunity to keep batting at five, but I wanted to go back to the top. I've got no regrets, I gave it a good shot. I had so much fun doing it." (With agency inputs)
09 January,2025 02:56 PM IST | Auckland | mid-day online correspondentThe 2011 Indian Premier League (IPL) auction marked a pivotal moment in the history of the league. Now 14 years later, it is still widely considered the most significant auction in IPL history. The auction saw some of cricket's biggest names, including Gautam Gambhir (Kolkata Knight Riders), AB de Villiers (Royal Challengers Bangalore), and Yuvraj Singh (Pune Warriors), among others, find new homes. However, the most talked-about signing of the day was that of Rohit Sharma. For those who might not recall, the 2011 auction was the first mega auction after the inaugural three-year cycle (2008-2010) had concluded. With two new teams entering the fray, there was a complete overhaul of squads, and many prominent players were not retained by their original franchises. Among the star acquisitions, the signing of Rohit by Mumbai Indians (MI) stood out, not just because of the player’s immense potential, but because of the price tag that came with him. Woah! That's a surprisingly high price! @mipaltan buy Rohit Sharma for 2 million dollars! — KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) January 8, 2011 After a fierce bidding war, MI secured the Indian batter for a staggering 2 million dollars (approximately Rs. 9.2 crore), making him one of the most expensive players of the auction. At the time, the decision raised eyebrows, especially after MI had narrowly missed out on signing Yuvraj, who was snapped up by Pune Warriors for 1.8 million dollars (approximately Rs. 8.28 crore). KKR's playful mockery of MI’s bid Interestingly, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), who were also in the race for Rohit, couldn't help but have a bit of fun with MI's winning bid. On social media, KKR posted a tongue-in-cheek remark: "Woah! That's a surprisingly high price! @mipaltan buy Rohit Sharma for 2 million dollars!" At the 2011 auction, Rohit was the fourth most expensive player, following Gambhir (2.4 million dollars or Rs. 11.4 crore), and Yusuf Pathan/Robin Uthappa (2.1 million dollars or Rs. 9.66 crore). Despite the initial skepticism, Rohit’s acquisition turned out to be a game-changing move for MI and the IPL at large. Rohit Sharma: From bidding war to IPL legend Rohit led MI to five IPL titles (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020), making him the joint-most successful captain in IPL history, alongside MS Dhoni of Chennai Super Kings (CSK), who has also won five IPL titles. Rohit’s achievements with MI go beyond the IPL, as he captained the franchise to victory in the 2013 Champions League Twenty20. His personal contributions have also been invaluable, as of now, he is the highest run-scorer for MI, with 5,731 runs in 221 IPL matches, averaging 29.69 with two centuries to his name. With this year's IPL fast approaching, Rohit continues to be a key figure for Mumbai Indians. He was retained by the five-time champions for a salary of Rs. 16.3 crore.
09 January,2025 02:31 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentFormer Indian cricket captain MS Dhoni, widely recognised for his calm and composed demeanour on the field, continues to win hearts off it as well. A recent video shared on social media beautifully captured a tender moment between Dhoni, his adorable daughter Ziva, and their beloved pet dog, offering fans a rare glimpse into his personal life. In the video, Dhoni, exuding the same calmness that he is famous for during match pressure, is seen lovingly brushing the fur of his dog. Ziva, on the other hand, is seen assisting him in caring for the family pet with endearing enthusiasm, gently petting the dog. The video, posted by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on their official social media account, was captioned, 'Therapawtic!' Therapawtic!💛 📹 : ziva singh dhoni pic.twitter.com/Qs4yoybB60 — Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) January 8, 2025 Beyond these heartwarming moments, Dhoni's relationship with social media has always been one of cautious pragmatism. Despite being one of India’s most celebrated cricketing icons, Dhoni has maintained a distance from social media's often chaotic and attention-seeking world. Reflecting on his views in a recent interview on Eurogrip Tred Talks, Dhoni spoke candidly about his reluctance to engage with the ever-growing demand for digital presence. Having made his debut in 2004, Dhoni was already an established cricketer by the time platforms like Twitter and Instagram became mainstream. “I’ve never been a big fan of social media. All my managers kept pushing me to create a bigger online presence, but I always told them, if you play good cricket, you don’t need additional PR,” he remarked. As he prepares for his 18th season in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Dhoni’s legacy continues to grow. The Chennai Super Kings retained him for INR 4 crore ahead of the mega-auction, even as he nears the twilight of his illustrious career.
09 January,2025 01:01 PM IST | Ranchi | mid-day online correspondentFour out of five pitches used in the recent Border-Gavaskar Test series between India and Australia have been rated ‘very good’ by the ICC, which found the track for the fifth and final game in Sydney to be ‘satisfactory, Cricket Australia announced on Wednesday. The five-match series ended 3-1 in favour of the hosts, who regained the trophy after a decade while also qualifying for the World Test Championship final in June against South Africa. The tracks at the Optus Stadium in Perth, the Adelaide Oval, the Gabba in Brisbane and the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground received the highest rating, Cricket Australia stated in a press release. The traditionally batting-friendly pitch at Sydney Cricket Ground, which ended up a notch below in the ratings, favoured bowlers this time. Batters from both the teams struggled for the majority of the Test which ended in two and half days. “We encourage pitches that bring out the unique characteristics of that venue and this has long been a feature of Australian cricket,” Cricket Australia’s Head of Cricket Operations Peter Roach said. “We don’t look to prepare wickets that favour the home side or suit our situation. What we seek is a good contest between bat and ball and pitches that produce a result,” Roach added. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
09 January,2025 06:45 AM IST | Sydney | AgenciesFormer England captain Michael Atherton has expressed his perspective on the ongoing debate regarding the two-tier system in Tests and said that any proposed structure should facilitate movement between the tiers. “Tiers and divisions are two different things. Divisions imply a chance of promotion and relegation. I’d be fine with that. “But I’d be anti-tiers where there is no chance for the bottom tier to get into the top tier, and it becomes an entrenched elite,” Atherton said on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
09 January,2025 06:44 AM IST | New Delhi | IANSKL Rahul, who played all the five Test matches against Australia, has requested for a break and will skip the Vijay Hazare knockouts. Rahul’s availability for the second phase of the Ranji Trophy, beginning on January 23, will be decided later. India head coach Gautam Gambhir had recently expressed his desire to see frontline Indian players making themselves available for the remainder of the premier domestic red-ball tournament. Meanwhile, Prasidh Krishna, Devdutt Padikkal and Washington Sundar, who all featured in the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar trophy, will be available for their respective sides in the 50-over tournament’s knockout phase. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
09 January,2025 06:43 AM IST | Bangalore | PTILegendary India batter Sunil Gavaskar said he won’t be surprised if fast-bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah takes over as the side’s Test captain in near future, citing that he doesn’t pressurise players much when he’s been at the helm of the team. In India’s recent 3-1 defeat to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Bumrah captained the visitors’ in two games, one of which was a 295-run win series opening match in Perth. “He will be the next man, because he leads from the front. He’s got a very good air about him, the air of a leader, but he’s not somebody who’s going to put pressure on you. Sometimes you have captains who put a lot of pressure on you. Sunil Gavaskar “With Bumrah you can see that he expects the others to do what their job is, why they are in the national team, but he doesn’t seem to pressurise anybody. With the fast bowlers, he’s been absolutely brilliant, standing at mid-off, mid-on, and every time just being at hand to tell them. I think he was absolutely brilliant, and I won’t be surprised if he takes over very soon,” said Gavaskar on Channel Seven on Wednesday. Performance wise, Bumrah was the star of India’s tour, picking 32 wickets in five matches at an average of 13.06 and a strike rate 28.37 to clinch player of the series award. Gavaskar felt things could have been slightly different in Sydney for India if Bumrah had bowled in the fourth innings of the match. Bumrah best all-format pacer: Clarke Michael Clarke Former Australian captain Michael Clarke has termed the incomparable Jasprit Bumrah the greatest all-format fast bowler after his player of the series performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. “The thing I’ve thought about Bumrah, after the series finished and I was sitting and thinking about his performances, I actually think he’s the best fast bowler ever across all three formats,” Clarke told ESPN.
09 January,2025 06:43 AM IST | New Delhi | IANSMohd Siraj’s hot-Head The Indian bowlers threw everything at Travis Head, but couldn’t stop him from scoring a sparkling 140 in Adelaide. Finally, when Mohammed Siraj got him out, he gave the Australian an aggressive send-off, to which Head replied back fiercely before walking off. Head later told reporters that he just said ‘well bowled’ to Siraj, but the Indian said there was much more to it. Sketchy Snicko call hurts Rahul in Perth India’s KL Rahul is caught by wicketkeeper Alex Carey off pacer Mitchell Starc at Perth in November On a green Perth pitch, the only batter who seemed assured was KL Rahul. But just as he looked set to get to his half-century, he was adjudged caught behind. While there was no deflection visible from the front-on angle, the Snickometer showed a spike despite there being a clear gap between bat and ball. With no other angle available, the third umpire overturned the on-field umpire’s not out call. A visibly upset Rahul, while walking gestured that the Snicko was because the bat hit his pad. Kohli’s shoulder push leaves a bad taste Virat Kohli chats with Sam Konstas (centre) at MCG Australia’s 19-year-old debutant opener Sam Konstas went after India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah from the get-go with some audacious shots at the MCG, including a couple of scoops. Consequently, Bumrah conceded 38 runs in his first six overs. During one of the over changes Virat Kohli walked up to Konstas and shoulder charged him. Kohli got away for his ugly act with a mere 20 per cent match fee penalty. No glove lost here as Washington sent back A dejected Washington Sundar walks back after being dismissed by Pat Cummins in Sydney Washington Sundar was at the receiving end of a Snicko error this time at Sydney. He tried to heave away a delivery from Pat Cummins down the leg side and missed, but wicketkeeper Alex Carey claimed there was an edge. DRS was taken and though the front-on vision showed no deflection, the Snicko showed a spike when the ball was next to the glove. The third umpire felt it was enough evidence to overturn the on-field umpire’s decision. Sundar was livid as he walked back almost grudgingly. Nothing on Snicko, yet Jaiswal given out A screengrab of Yashasvi Jaiswal’s dismissal shows no spike on the Snickometer as the ball passes his bat during the fourth Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground India were batting on the final day to save the MCG Test and while they kept losing wickets at regular intervals, Yashasvi Jaiswal was defiant at one end, bravely carrying on the fight. However, he ran out of patience on one of the deliveries from Pat Cummins in the third session and tried to a short-pitched one. The Australians were convinced Jaiswal had edged it behind to Alex Carey but the on-field umpire thought otherwise. A DRS call showed nothing on the Snicko, but third umpire felt there was enough evidence of a deflection in the front-on view and adjudged Jaiswal out. Jaiswal was not happy as he walked back to the pavilion and former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar expressed his displeasure at the decision. Upset Bumrah lets Konstas have it Umpire Sharfuddoula Saikat intervenes after Jasprit Bumrah (left) and Sam Konstas get involved in a heated argument at the SCG Konstas, who had already gotten under the skin of the Indians with his aggressive Test debut at MCG, crossed a line when he got into an altercation with Bumrah at Sydney. Bumrah, who was rushing in to bowl his over with just two minutes remaining for the end of play on Day One, was upset that Australia Open Usman Khawaja was taking his time to get ready. Bumrah had some words for Khawaja to which Konstas replied from the non-striker’s end, leading to a heated exchange between the duo that required the umpire’s intervention. Bumrah had the last laugh as he dismissed Khawaja off the final ball of the day as the Indian fielders almost swarmed Konstas in celebration.
09 January,2025 06:39 AM IST | Melbourne | Anuj PrabhuFormer India head coach Ravi Shastri wants the struggling Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to get back to playing Ranji Trophy in order to improve their game against spin, while also helping youngsters in the domestic game develop. The repeated failures of the star Indian duo in the Border-Gavaskar trophy contributed to the visitors’ series loss. India head coach Gautam Gambhir underlined the importance of domestic cricket following the loss and Shastri echoed that sentiment. “They should go back and play some domestic cricket. It’s important to play domestic cricket for two reasons,” Shastri said during a conversation alongside Australian great Ricky Ponting on ICC Review. “One you are abreast with the current generation, you can contribute to that younger generation with your experience. And more importantly, you get to play spin more than you will ever play. “ If you see, India’s record on turning tracks is not the greatest. If you have quality spinners in the opposition, they can trouble you. And they have troubled India,” Shastri added. Meanwhile, former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting feels Kohli needs a sabbatical in order to rediscover his groove. “If he wants to continue playing Test match cricket, he might just need to have a little spell off for a while, find the love for the game again,” he opined. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
09 January,2025 06:33 AM IST | New Delhi | PTIADVERTISEMENT
