I back Kohli’s comments on Rohit injury: CAC chief Madan Lal

Chief of Cricket Advisory Committee, an independent agency set up by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for appointing selectors and coaches of the Indian teams, Madan Lal has backed Indian captain Virat Kohli on the matter of Rohit Sharma’s injury. 

Lal, a former World Cup-winning team member from the 1983 World Cup believes that skipper and coach must be kept in the loop regarding any players’ injury. 

“Whatever Virat Kohli said in his press conference that is absolutely correct, I back him for the same because clarity with the captain is a must as the leader runs the team. Both coach and captain should be aware of what is happening with their players,” Lal was quoted as saying in TOI. 

Speaking about Rohit’s injury, the 69-year-old said that the current levels of communication is not ideal.

“Only Rohit or his franchise (Mumbai Indians) can answer why he played for the franchise when he was just 70 percent fit. I think that communication in the team should be on a good level. The kind of communication which is required is not happening, there should be clarity regarding what is happening,” Lal said.

Saying that last time around, India was benefitted because of David Warner and Steve Smith not playing, which have been exposed with its bowling lineup. He also suggested what can be done to avoid the hammering that the Indian bowlers have been receiving. 

“Wicket-to-wicket bowling should be done in my point of view but at this time, the problem is that Indian bowlers are struggling to take wickets early on. We are also not fielding well and that is not ideal as the bowlers always need the support of their fielders,” he added.

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Son, I Was Scoring 100s Before You Were Born: Afridi Lashes Out in LPL

A very ugly exchange of words took place in the ongoing Lanka Premier League (LPL). The players involved in the spat, or the spats, since their were two such instances, were Pakistani legend Shahid Afridi, the same country's pacer Mohammed Amir, and young Afghan seamer Naveen ul Haq. During the sixth match of the league, featuring Kandy Tuskers and Galle Gladiators. The first altercation happened during the 18th over of the second innings of the match. In an over where a boundary was hit by Amir off Naveen, the latter seemed to use some salty language against the former. Then, just after the end of the match when Naveen, representing Tuskers, got into a heated exchange of words with Amir, playing for the other side. Even the teammates of the 21-year old Afghan, including former Indian pacer Munaf Patel, tried to desist him from continuing his barrage, but the youngster didn't heed the advice. The second part of the drama happened immediately after that when the players of the two teams were shaking hands. When Afridi, playing in the same team as his compatriot Amir, came face-to-face with Naveen, he seemingly asked the youngster what happened. The reply of Naveen was, apparently, so disrespectful that Afridi had to remind the Afghan player how senior he is. "Son, I was scoring 100s in international cricket before you were born," the man known as Boom Boom Afridi reportedly told the younger man. The video and pictures of the incident are circulating on Twitter. People on the social media site seem to be unimpressed by the actions of Naveen and are telling him to be more respectful. As far as the match is concerned, Tuskers came out on top, beating Gladiators by 25 runs. Danushka Gunathilkaka scored 82 off 53 balls to take his team to a total of 197. In reply Gladiators could only get to 172.

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Shahrukh Khan, Knight Riders bet big on USA-based Major Cricket League

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I thrive under pressure: Iyer rings warning bells for Australia

India middle-order batsman, Shreyas Iyer said that he likes pressure and rather thrives in it. He further said that although the first two games have not gone according to the plan, he is sure to bounce back in the third one. “I thrive under pressure and it motivates me to go against them,” Iyer said on the eve of the third and final ODI in Manuka Oval, Canberra. The Mumbai-born was overwhelmed by the Aussie plan of getting him out on the short ball. “I am really happy that they are coming up with a plan (against me). I feel it (a short leg and leg gully) helps to take advantage and score more runs and make the best use of it,” said India’s number four batsman,” Iyer said. “I feel overwhelmed and take it as a challenge,” he added. “It’s all about the mindset that you need to adjust. How you need to place yourself on the wicket. Rather than bending down too much (during stance), you stand upright. It easier to pick up the short one.” Talking about his skyward dismissal in the first game, when Josh Hazlewood bowled a well-directed bouncer to him, the 26-year-old said, “I knew that the short ball was going to come. I got in two frames of mind, thinking of pulling, and at the same time, I had this uppercut shot. I got stuck in between two thoughts and couldn’t play the shot.” Indian bowlers have been at the receiving end of some blazing innings from the Kangaroos, the Delhi Capitals captain in IPL defended them saying that the bowlers have had quite a workload in the IPL, hence it was difficult for them to adjust to Australian conditions and the change in the Kookaburra too affected their game. “The amount of workload, staying in quarantine, it plays on your mind. They are world-class bowlers and they will come back strong. I really believe in them and I am happy with the kind of work (effort) they are doing (at nets).” he said.

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Mashrafe Mortaza apologises for violating bio-bubble rules

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