Sri Lankan fast bowler Lahiru Kumara tests positive for Covid-19

Kohli is charged up while batting & fielding but is down-to-earth: Sarandeep Singh

Former India cricketer Sarandeep Singh has praised skipper Virat Kohli and has said that the flamboyant batsman is only aggressive on the field while is pretty “down to earth” when he is off it. "If you see him in the matches, he's always charged up while batting and fielding. So it seems like he's always hot and arrogant, and doesn't listen to anyone. But no, he's as down-to-earth as he seems aggressive on the field,” he said. "In selection meetings, he was so polite. He always used to listen to everyone and then finally come to a decision." Sarandeep also said that Virat has got no servants at his home and it is him or his wife who do all the work when they have guests at their place. "At his home, there are no servants. He and his wife will serve food to everyone. What else do you want? Virat always sits with you, chats with you, and goes out for dinner with you." "All the other players have so much respect for him. He's very down-to-earth and strong-willed," he further said. "On the field, he needs to be that way because he's the captain. He's the one who'll handle the pressure on the ground and make decisions in the heat of the moment,” he added. Kohli is presently with the Indian team for the on-going Test series against England. The four-match Test series is leveled at 1-1 with the last two matches scheduled to take place in Ahmedabad. The third match begins from February 24 which would be a Day-night encounter.

Devon Conway shines bright with bat to lead Blackcaps' attack on Australia

Left-hander Devon Conway finished unbeaten just one run short of a magnificent century but led New Zealand’s comeback in the first T20I of the series against Australia at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch. The hosts were dealt early blows when pacers Jhye Richardson and Daniel Sams routed the Blackcaps’ top order, but Devon Conway stitched valuable partnerships first with Glenn Phillips and James Neesham to power the hosts to 184 runs. Conway was watchful at the start of his innings, but increased his tempo as he got his eye in. He was particularly severe on the eg side and anything that was pitched in his half disappeared over the square leg fence.

David Warner is involved in match-fixing: TRS MLA Danam Nagender

Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) MLA and former minister, Danam Nagender has made a shocking statement about Sunrisers Hyderabad captain and Australia cricketer David Warner. Nagender alleged that the Australian batsman has been involved in match-fixing. "Hyderabad has got a good name and not taking players from here is condemnable. We feel sad and also condemn Warner being captain of Sunrisers Hyderabad who is involved in match-fixing. If Hyderabad doesn’t have representation (if players from here are not selected) then we will protest against IPL from being conducted in Hyderabad Rajiv Gandhi Stadium," said Nagender. Nagender also said that there would be a protest against IPL from being conducted in Hyderabad if players from the city were not selected. "We will protest against IPL from being conducted in Hyderabad if players from here are not selected. In Hyderabad city there are many deserving players, in previous selections many irregularities took place and we are condemning it. There are players from here who played for Ranji trophy, under 19. There are many deserving players who can play for IPL from here, but only Mohammed Siraj has so far made it," Nagender told reporters. Warner has led SRH to IPL triumph in 2016 after beating RCB in the final. The IPL 2021 mini auctions recently took place in Chennai where Chris Morris snapped the highest bid ever in the tournament’s history. He was sold to Rajasthan Royals for an amount of Rs.16.25 Cr while Australia’s Glenn Maxwell was picked up by RCB for Rs. 14.25 Cr.

Sri Lanka Cricket set to rope in Tom Moody as Director of Cricket: Reports

Sri Lanka Cricket is set to rope in former Australian Tom Moody as Director of Cricket, a post created under the guidance of the Cricket Committee that is headed by former great Aravinda de Silva and other prominent cricketers. Moody, if he joins the setup as the Director will oversee all cricketing affairs of the board that includes coaching, overseeing domestic tournaments, development of squads, monitoring fitness standards of players. He will work over the Head Coach Mickey Arthur and Head of Coaching Jerome Jayaratne and will report directly to the cricket Committee headed by de Silva. "I think it will be important for him to come as an independent person with a different view, someone who has been involved in cricket in Australia and understands their structure, who has been involved in the IPL and those structures, a person who has been involved in county cricket with Worcestershire and understands their structure, and also being involved with the Caribbean Premier League," ESPNcricinfo quoted Aravinda de Silva as saying. Although a final decision of roping him lies in the hands of the Executive Committee of the board, it is likely that the Australian who had once served as the head coach of the Sri Lankan side from 2005-07 will come back to the island nation of his second stint. According to various reports in the local media, Moody will be under obligation to serve only 180 days in Sri Lanka and hence his other obligations can also be fulfilled while taking up this opportunity to revamp the cricketing system in the country. Moody had a fairly successful run in his first stint with the Sri Lankan team as the side won Tests away from home in England, New Zealand and Pakistan. In ODI cricket, under his guidance, the team led by Mahela Jayawardane reached the finals of the ICC World Cup in 2007.