In a series in which, batsmen have dominated the bowlers with an unprecedented 3159 runs being scored, including 11 centuries hit by batters of both sides in the five one-day internationals. Pacer Jasprit Bumrah seems to have answered captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni's distress call in the fifth and final ODI at Sydney. Conceding only 40 runs for his 2 wickets off his full quota of 10 overs, Bumrah impressed with his pace and discipline especially in the death overs, when Australia posted a mammoth 331-run target. But, was it sheer luck that led to the surprise debut of this 22-year-old fast bowler from Gujarat? As per reports, Bumrah- picked only for the T20I series in Australia was supposed to travel with the rest of players in the squad for shortest format and join rest of the team in Adelaide- the venue for first T20I. But due to unavailability of tickets, the Board of Cricket Control in India had to send Bumrah to Sydney.
The 55-year-old had previously suggested that Twenty20 internationals should be stopped to alleviate players' schedules.
A round-up of Ranji matches played on Friday
Kolkata Knight Riders will begin their title defence against a formidable Mumbai Indians side in the opening match of the eighth edition of Indian Premier League at the Eden Gardens, in Kolkata, on Wednesday.
'He is the biggest match-winner India has ever produced, not only in India, but in world cricket.' 'He has been a great mentor for many players, including me.'
'Before Shastri's induction, things were sketchy and it was not known who was responsible for taking cricketing decisions around the team. The selectors chose a squad of players, the captain ran the show on the field and the coaches helped draft plans, or sort of tried to. There needed to be one man who could coordinate all elements around the squad -- someone who had the backing of the Board, the respect of the players and that of the support staff.'
With the threat of Twenty20 cricket eating into the share of the five-day formats, former India middle order batsman VVS Laxman said that it's high time that they bring in new innovation like introduction of day/night matches to sustain the legacy of Test cricket.
Mumbai Indians rode on Dwayne Smith's quick-fire half-century and his 90-run opening-wicket partnership with Sachin Tendulkar to book a berth in the final of the Champions League Twenty20 after a six-wicket win over Trinidad and Tobago in Delhi on Saturday night. They will play Rajasthan Royals in the title clash on Sunday.
Duncan Fletcher's impending exit prompts Haresh Pandya to suggest 'Indian' options for the job of national coach.
The veteran Sri Lankan batsman, who will retire from One-Day Internationals at the end of the World Cup, is on a record-breaking spree.
'In the merry-go-round of Indian cricket, amid abhorrent match-fixing scandals and incessant politicking, Ravi Shastri is a multifaceted personality who, when called upon, can don any hat with ease.'
'If fame, money and comfort are the only factors that drive us, then we are playing cricket for entirely the wrong reasons.'
'Put cricket, first and foremost, at the centre of every decision you take.' 'The bottom line must always be the sport that we love.' Rahul Dravid as eloquent as always in his M A K Pataudi Memorial Lecture.
Prem Panicker, a keen follower of the game and one of cricket's finest writers, analysed, debated and dissected the four semi-finalists on the Rediff World Cup Chat on Monday.
The full text of the speech delivered by VVS Laxman at the Pataudi Memorial Lecture in Kolkata.
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