The cricketing season resumed as we saw the commencement of two thrilling Test series. First it was the much-awaited Pakistan against Bangladesh, where Babar Azam recorded a two-back duck. Then the Sri Lanka tour of England begun, with the host completely ruling the roost. Apart from this, we even saw the 26th edition of CEAT Cricket Rating (CCR) Awards, where the likes of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Rahul Dravid were recognized for their commendable contribution throughout the year. On that note, let us look at the top headline-making stories from August 21.
Rohit Sharma is Men’s Cricketer of the year
CEAT recently conducted the 26th edition of Cricket Rating Awards, where as many as 15 awards were distributed. Rohit Sharma, the Indian ODI and Test captain, was awarded the Men’s Cricketer of the Year for guiding Team India to a historic T20 World Cup 2024 triumph. Virat Kohli and Yashasvi Jaiswal, meanwhile, earned the best ODI and Test batter awards, respectively. Former head coach Rahul Dravid was awarded with the lifetime achievement honour.
Hypocrisy by England cricket!
Dinesh Chandimal’s dismissal in the England-Sri Lanka Test exposed England’s hypocrisy. The ball kept low, and Chandimal was struck near his ankle. This incident highlights England’s habit of complaining about spin-friendly pitches in the subcontinent. It’s time for them to stop whining on their away tours and embrace the challenges of Test cricket on every kind of tracks.
Duck for Babar Azam
After a lengthy 66-day break, Babar Azam’s return to Test cricket was marred by a disappointing duck. The former Pakistani captain was dismissed early in the first Test against Bangladesh, off a delivery by Shoriful Islam. This marked another setback for Babar, who has been struggling to find his form in recent Test matches. His average (38.80) since December 2022 is below his usual high standards.
Jay Shah next ICC Chairman?
Jay Shah, the current BCCI Secretary, is poised to become the next ICC Chairman. He is expected to resign from his BCCI position to take on the international role. Meanwhile, the ICC is negotiating a potential $4.46 billion deal with Star Sports. Greg Barclay, the current ICC Chair, has announced his resignation at the end of November. Shah, having secured support from Australia and England, is a strong contender for the position. The ICC is currently accepting nominations for the new chair, with an election to be held if necessary.
Manchester Super Giants?
The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) is interested in acquiring a stake in the Manchester Originals, a Hundred franchise. As the ECB prepares to sell all eight franchises, LSG joins the Mumbai Indians in showing interest. Lancashire Cricket County (LCC), which owns the Originals, seeks a cricket-savvy partner to boost the franchise’s success. LSG currently only has one sister franchise in Durbans Super Giants (SA20).
Team India spin concern!
Ryan Ten Doeschate, India’s new assistant coach, expressed concern over the team’s declining ability to tackle spin, especially in subcontinental conditions. The Dutch cricketer attributed this decline to India’s increased focus on succeeding in fast-bowling conditions, particularly in Australia and England. While this shift has improved their performance overseas, it has compromised their traditional strength against spin bowling. India recently lost their first ODI series against Sri Lanka after 27 years, courtesy of their flop show against spin.
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