Ganguly surprised at Yuvraj's selection

August 11, 2012
ganguly

New Delhi, August 11: Even as Indian Premier League, commissioner Rajeev Shukla hailed the comeback of Yuvraj Singh into the national side for the upcoming World Twenty20 championship in Sri Lanka, former India captain Sourav Ganguly has expressed surprise at the batsman's inclusion in the team.

Yuvraj has not played competitive cricket since India's World Cup triumph in April last year after he was diagnosed with a rare germ cell cancer.

"I am a bit surprised. I just wish he physically stays well because you know he has come out of a...what can I say, a big disappointment. He has recovered, which is the best thing that can happen, but it has not been a long time and I wish and pray he sustains," an apprehensive Ganguly told reporters during the sidelines of a function.

The former skipper, however, welcomed the decision of selectors to pick offspinner Harbhajan Singh for the T20 competition.

"He is a class act. When you play for a long time you have hiccups. But I am happy that he has made a comeback," Ganguly said. Shukla while welcoming the decision of the selectors to consider Yuvraj for the World T20 said that his inclusion will be a big boost for the Indian players.

"It is a very courageous effort on part of Yuvraj Singh and everybody should welcome it. It would lift the morale of other players in the team," Shukla said. Offspinner Ravichandran Ashwin expressed his happiness over Yuvraj's inclusion into the team and expected the left-hander to announce his comeback with a big bang.

"What I am today is partly because of of Yuvi. The first time I broke into some kind of great cricket it was when yuvi was the captain of Challenger side and he actually encouraged me and motivated me a lot to move ahead in my career.

"I am very pleased that he is back and I will be very very happy if he comes back with a bang getting some runs for the team," Ashwin said. Ganguly, meanwhile, was disappointed with the selection of the Test squad and said the only criterion for making it to the team should be the form and nothing else.

The veteran cricketer in particular was the manner the selectors have retained the same team which received a 0-4 drubbing at the hands of Australia earlier this year.

"Looking at the Test team, I am a bit disappointed. My only point is that it is the same team which lost 4-0 to Australia. There has been no change, the only person missing is Rahul Dravid, who has retired. So you lost that series 4-0 and if you have to believe that everything is fine, I am not sure," the batsman said.


Asked about VVS Laxman's inclusion in the Test team, Ganguly said, "Selection has to on the basis of form, it should not be on the basis of age. And for someone like VVS Laxman what I feel is important is to have a clear picture."

"After playing so much it should not be one series, this series or the next series. It should be very clear with Laxman or any other Indian player like Dravid or (Sachin) Tendulkar, because they have been great players and it should not be like you are picked for this tour and you may not play the next, it should not be like that," Ganguly pointed.

The left-hander was also happy about Lakshmipathy Balaji's return to the national team.

"Balaji has done very well in IPL and he is a very-very good bowler. I am happy to see him. He had injury problems and I am happy to see him get back into the team. He is a quality bowler and I have seen that in Pakistan in 2003. He will be a handy bowler," he said.

Asked about Rohit Sharma's future, particularly in the longer format of the game, the 40-year-old said, "He has got time. If he gets his head right he will get his form back."



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Agencies
June 2,2020

New Delhi, Jun 2: Expressing solidarity with the 'Black Lives Matter' campaign, star West Indies batsman Chris Gayle has alleged that he faced racist remarks during his career and cricket is not free of the menace.

Gayle did not elaborate when he faced racial remarks but hinted it might have been during his stints at global T20 leagues.

"I have travelled the globe and experienced racial remarks towards me because I am black, believe me, the list goes on," he posted on instagram on Monday night.

"Racism is not only in football, it's in cricket too. Even within teams as a black man, I get the end of the stick. Black and powerful. Black and proud," he said.

The big-hitting batsman's comments came in the backdrop of African-American George Floyd's death in the USA after a white police officer, Derek Chauvin, pressed his knee on the handcuffed man's neck as he gasped for breath.

The incident has sparked violent protests across the USA.

"Black lives matter just like any other life. Black people matter, p***k all racist people, stop taking black people for fools, even our own black people wise the p***k up and stop bringing down your own!," Gayle wrote.

Racism in cricket was drew attention most recently last year when England pacer Jofra Archer was abused by a spectator in New Zealand.

New Zealand's top players and the cricket board had offered apologies for the incident to the Englishman.

Also on Monday night, the England cricket team's official twitter handle posted a message denouncing racism.

"We stand for diversity, We stand against racism," the message read.

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Agencies
June 8,2020

New Delhi, Jun 8: Indian pacer S Sreesanth has slammed England all-rounder Ben Stokes for questioning MS Dhoni's intent during a World Cup match, saying that the former captain will end Stokes' career.

Stokes in his book titled 'On Fire' had questioned Dhoni's intent during India's 31-run defeat at the hands of England in the premier tournament last year.

"For Ben Stokes, I will only say that you should pray that Dhoni does not play against you in the future. Dhoni does not forget things easily," Sreesanth said during a Live session on Helo.

"I wish Stokes all the best for whenever he faces Dhoni again, be it IPL or an England vs India match. You must be earning in millions now, Dhoni Bhai will end your career. Dhoni will strike the ball everywhere and he (Stokes) can never dismiss Dhoni. Before he (Stokes) opens his mouth, he should make sure to wear a helmet," he added.

Former West Indies pacer Michael Holding had also come out in support of Dhoni and said that the wicket-keeper batsman wanted to win the match against England.

"Well, people will write anything in books these days, because people are a lot more free with their opinions and when they are writing books, they need to be making headlines at times," Holding had said on his official YouTube channel.

"...It was not the game that India had to win, but I don't think anyone can say that was a team tactic to lose the game. I watched that game and it appeared to me as if India weren't putting up their 100 percent, but I realised it was not the case when the expression on MS Dhoni's face told me that he desperately wanted to win, so I do not think it was a team decision to not try to win," he had added.

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News Network
April 30,2020

New Delhi, Apr 30: India and Delhi Capitals batsman Ajinkya Rahane won't mind playing the IPL in empty stadiums if it ensures the safety of the fans.

Speaking in an Instagram Live session arranged by Delhi Capitals, Rahane said: "COVID-19 pandemic has taught everyone that unexpected things can happen, therefore we need to be happy about what we are doing, and should value what we have.

"As for IPL or any other sport, I feel it could be played without spectators. All of us have played domestic cricket in almost empty stadiums, so that’s an experience all cricketers are used to."

"Of course we are nothing without our fans, and that’s why their safety is of utmost importance. Even if they get to watch some Live action from home, I am sure that will be an enjoyable experience as well. The safety of fans is key, and if we need to play in empty stadiums for that, we are open to do it,” Rahane said. IPL 2020 has been indefinitely postponed due the COVID-19 pandemic but there is a possibility that it is played behind closed doors in September.

Speaking on how he has been spending time during the nationwide lockdown, India's Test specialist said he is enjoying bonding with his wife and daughter.

"I'm trying to be as positive as possible during this lockdown, and staying at home with my wife and daughter. It's given me an opportunity to bond with them, and I am also able to help my wife in cooking and cleaning.

"I'm also trying to revive my karate skills, something that I pursued as a child. It definitely helps me in maintaining my agility and fitness, and I am enjoying it a lot," said the 31-year-old.

The experienced middle-order batsman was bought by Delhi Capitals last year before the IPL Auction, and says he is really excited about playing for the franchise.

"It is something I've really been eager about, and it has stemmed in because of the things I've heard about the team from the likes of Ishant, Shikhar, and Shreyas. They’ve told me that it's like a huge family where everyone is always backing each other, and enjoying each other's successes," he said.

Talking about his excitement on playing under head coach Ricky Ponting, Rahane said he has always admired the Australian legend.

"My idols growing up were definitely Rahul Sir and Sachin Sir, but I've always admired Ricky Sir also. I used to try to copy his batting and fielding styles. And therefore, I'm really looking forward to working under him. I'm sure he will help me immensely in my batting as well as overall leadership,” said the former captain of Rajasthan Royals.

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