It was a quite day for Indian cricket on Thursday (29 August). After the appointment of Jay Shah as ICC Chairman, former players and board members had their say on the election. The auction of the Legends League Cricket (LLC) occupied most of the day, with veteran stars piling up the 6 LLC teams. The league will see some household names like Suresh Raina, Shikhar Dhawan, Dinesh Karthik and Harbhajan Singh. Apart from this, a new development was heard around Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya. On that note, let us take a look at six of the most eyebrow-raising stories from August 29.
Rohit Sharma-Hardik Pandya issue solved by Kohli?
Tensions ran high in the Mumbai Indians (MI) camp after Rohit Sharma was replaced as captain. Fans and players expressed discontent, fearing it would impact the India cricket team ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024. However, a turning point came when Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya initiated a reconciliation. With the guidance of head coach Rahul Dravid and the influence of another senior player Virat Kohli, the two leaders united, easing tensions and restoring team harmony. This news was shared by Vimal Kumar, a journalist who was with the Indian team throughout the campaign, in a recent podcast.
Jadeja replacement who?
Lalit Yadav, who is a Delhi Capitals player, is aiming to be India’s next premier T20 all-rounder, following Ravindra Jadeja’s retirement. He is currently leading Purani Dilli 6 in the DPL. Lalit told PTI on August 29 that playing for India is his biggest motivation. However, competition from Axar Patel and Washington Sundar will be tough. Lalit has time to improve his numbers and secure a spot in the Indian team. While the aspirations for Yadav are on a right track, future looks bleak for the 27-year-old.
Richest cricketer? No Kohli, Dhoni?
While Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, and MS Dhoni are household names in Indian cricket, there’s another player with a staggering net worth who hasn’t even played for the national team. Aryaman Vikram Birla, son of industrialist Kumar Mangalam Birla, boasts a wealth of approximately ₹70,000 crore, surpassing even Kohli’s fortune. Despite his limited cricketing career, Birla’s family’s immense wealth places him in a league of his own.
India to play in Pakistan?
Pakistan’s legendary batter, Younis Khan, believes that India should participate in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan. He called upon newly elected ICC Chairman, Jay Shah, to play a pivotal role in making this happen. While geopolitical tensions have hindered India’s visits to Pakistan, Younis hopes that Jay Shah’s new position will foster a more positive relationship between the two cricketing nations. While Younis may boast highly of Jay Shah, the reality may not turn up in his favour.
No Shaheen Afridi!
Pakistan’s star pacer, Shaheen Afridi, has been dropped from the playing XI for the second Test against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi. Coach Jason Gillespie confirmed the decision at a press conference. The move comes after Afridi’s underwhelming performance in the first Test. Gillespie stated that the decision was made to give Afridi time to work on his bowling and spend time with his newborn child. The coach also acknowledged the team’s mistake of fielding an all-pace attack in the first Test, which played into Bangladesh’s hands on the spin-friendly pitch.
Radha Yadav rescued by NDRF
Heavy rains in Vadodara, Gujarat, have caused severe flooding, affecting thousands. India women cricketer Radha Yadav, who is also in the Indian team for Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, was among those trapped when the Vishwamitri river overflowed. She shared a video on social media showing the devastation, with streets turned into rivers. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) rescued Yadav and others. She expressed her gratitude to the NDRF for their swift action.
