Adam Milne

Devon Conway Image courtesy :CSK/Twitter

Cricket/IPL 2022/News

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) Coach Stephen Fleming Happy To Acquire Services Of Devon Conway, Mitchell Santner And Adam Milne At Relatively Bargain Prices In IPL 2022

Published on March 20, 2022March 20, 2022

CSK- Chennai Super Kings stuck to their template and had concentrated on getting back their core team at the mega auction for the 2022 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) that won them the elusive trophy back in 2021.

CSK bought 21 players at the auction last month and of the list, head coach Stephen Fleming picked three players that came “cheap” for them at the mega event in Bengaluru.

Chennai Super Kings (Image Credit: Twitter)

Chennai Super Kings Happy As IPL 2022 Auctions Went According To Plan: Stephen Fleming

Speaking on the auction to the franchise during their training camp in Surat, Stephen Fleming admitted that although they failed in getting back a few players, notably Faf du Plessis and Shardul Thakur, he was happy with the overall auction result.

“We are really happy it went according to plan. We lost a couple of players which we are a bit sad about but we have gained some real talent. We’ve got, this year, some good blend of experience and youth. So we’re really excited about the way the auction went down,” he said.

CSK coach Stephen Fleming Express Photo by Kamleshwar Singh

The franchise had retained four players: Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni, Moeen Ali and Ruturaj Gaikwad ahead of the 2022 edition and they bought back Deepak Chahar, Ambati Rayudu, Robin Uthappa, and Dwayne Bravo in the mega auction. New Zealand’s bowling all-rounder Mitchell Santner was also brought back by the Chennai Super Kings.

Stephen Fleming Happy To Acquire Services Of Devon Conway, Mitchell Santner And Adam Milne At Relatively Low Prices

Stephen Fleming picked three players who he felt came at a relatively lower price for the franchise.

“Well they came cheap so it was good. They are all very skillful players. Devon Conway has had a great couple of years internationally. Mitch has been a stalwart for us. And in Adam Milne we have got a bit of pace. So all three of them have great credentials and a good skill set for us,” he said.

Mitchell Santner with MS Dhoni (file photo) Photo by: Saikat Das / Sportzpics for BCCI

Devon Conway came for INR 1 crore, Adam Milne came for INR 1.9 crore and Mitchell Santner was bought back for INR 1.9 crore. The three players were together picked for INR 4.8 crores at the IPL 2022 mega auction. CSK, the defending champions, will be kicking off the proceedings for IPL 2022 when they take on Kolkata Knight Riders in the season opener. It will be a repeat of the IPL 2021 final.

Devon Conway managed to get his first IPL contract in IPL 2022 auctions and was secured by defending champions Chennai Super Kings for his base price of INR 1 Crores. The left-hander had a bright start to his international career with an average of above 50 in all three formats and is proving to be a sensational batter for the New Zealand side.

The 30-year-old is seventh on the T20I rankings for batters and he can play an excellent role at the top for CSK alongside IPL 2021’s orange cap holder Ruturaj Gaikwad. CSK missed on the services of Faf Du Plessis for this IPL and Devon Conway can be the reliable bank that will suit the CSK setup. It is certainly, one of the remarkable buys considering his consistency, wicket-keeping option and left-handed option.

Cricket/IPL 2022/News

Stephen Fleming Spoke About CSK’s Decision To Train In Surat For IPL 2022

Published on March 20, 2022March 20, 2022

Stephen Fleming, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) head coach joined the team’s training camp in Surat on Friday. The former Kiwi cricketer arrived just a week before the start of the tournament (IPL 2022) and shared his thoughts about the upcoming season.

Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming explained the reason behind the squad’s training in Surat, a city in the Indian state of Gujarat. The IPL 2022 league stage will be held across Mumbai (55 matches) and Pune (15 matches) as the BCCI wants to avoid the risk of air travelling amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Stephen Fleming Image Source: IPLT20.COM

Stephen Fleming Spoke About CSK’s Decision To Train In Surat Instead Of Pune Or Mumbai, Where IPL 2022 Will Be Held

Most of the teams have reached Mumbai and have already started with their training drills at different training facilities. However, the four-time IPL champion CSK has set up their training camp in Surat, which is approximately 278 km away from Mumbai (via road).

CSK head coach Stephen Fleming explained that training facilities in Surat are valuable for them and since all teams opted to train in Mumbai, the Yellow Army decided to train in the textile city of Gujarat.

He said: “It’s good. They’ve been training well for the last week, so it’s nice to join them finally. And it’s good to be out in good facilities. So it’s been good.”

Speaking about CSK’s decision to train in Surat instead of Mumbai or Pune, where the tournament will be held, Fleming replied: “The challenge obviously in Mumbai is that all teams are training there.

“So, we felt coming to Surat and having conditions similar in terms of the red soil and the climate. It’s not too far away and is similar to what Mumbai would be. But to have this ground to ourselves and to be able to have to be able to have open wickets and long net sessions has been very valuable.”

Indian pacer Deepak Chahar, who was bought by CSK for a whopping sum of INR 14 crores, sustained a hamstring injury during the final T20I match against West Indies. Deepak Chahar was subsequently ruled out of the Sri Lanka series and if reports are likely to believe then the 29-year-old pacer will miss the major part of IPL 2022.

Ruturaj Gaikwad, who was integral in CSK’s title triumph last year (IPL 2021) as he scored 635 runs from 16 matches, sustained a wrist injury. The franchise will wait for an update on the Maharashtra player’s fitness and will take a call accordingly.

Stephen Fleming Happy That IPL 2022 Auctions Went According To Plan

The Chennai Super Kings have got to deal with some injury concerns entering into this season, especially that of Deepak Chahar. While Stephen Fleming said that they are sad about missing out on a couple of players, he added that CSK have done well to cover all the bases at the IPL auction.

Mentioning that they are excited about how the auction went, Stephen Fleming added that their plans surrounded keeping a three to four-year cycle in view.

He noted: “We’re really happy it went according to plan. We lost a couple of players which we are a bit sad about, but we’ve gained some real talent as well. We’ve got, this year, a good blend of experience and youth. So it’s with a view to another three, four year cycle. So we’re really excited about the way the auction went down.”

Stephen Fleming and MS Dhoni (Photo Source: Twitter)

Stephen Fleming also seemed happy about acquiring some talented countrymen New Zealand players in Devon Conway, Mitchell Santner, and Adam Milne at bargain prices. While Devon Conway can be a good replacement for Faf du Plessis in the opening position, Mitchell Santner’s control and accuracy is very useful in the shortest format. Adam Milne has that extra pace which might be needed during the course of the tournament.

This season is likely to be the last for the team’s most iconic player – MS Dhoni. This will serve as extra motivation for CSK players to perform well and give a fitting farewell to the man who has led them to four IPL trophies.

CSK, who are the defending champions of IPL 2021, will take on their fellow finalists Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL 2022 opener on March 26 at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai.

Cricket/IPL 2022/News

Daniel Vettori Feels Adam Milne Or Chris Jordan Will Get A Game As Overseas Pacers May Replace Injured Indian Pacer Deepak Chahar

Published on March 17, 2022March 17, 2022

Daniel Vettori said Deepak Chahar’s absence will be a “huge loss” for the CSK and further believes that the team can only replace the Indian pacer with an overseas bowler. The speculation over Deepak Chahar’s fitness has kept the Chennai Super Kings fans on edge over the past few weeks.

The Indian pacer, who was bought back by the CSK for a whopping amount of INR 14 crore in the IPL mega auction last month, was forced to miss India’s last limited-overs assignment at home against Sri Lanka, where the side registered a 3-0 series win.

It was initially reported that Deepak Chahar is set to miss the first couple of weeks of the tournament; however, there has been no official confirmation for the same. In a discussion, former New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori, Aakash Chopra, and Wasim Jaffer discussed the issue surrounding Deepak Chahar in detail.

Daniel Vettori Feels Adam Milne Or Chris Jordan Will Get A Game As Overseas Pacers May Replace Deepak Chahar

Daniel Vettori believes that the defending champions can only replace the Indian pacer with an overseas bowler, meaning either Chris Jordan or Adam Milne will play resulting in opening batter Devon Conway’s snub.

“If he does (miss the start of the season), it is going to be a huge loss,” said Daniel Vettori. “I think they will have to reconfigure their overseas bowlers. Adam Milne can get a game.. Chris Jordan as well.”

“Those two overseas bowlers could potentially come in. That would mean someone like Conway misses out and they would have to bring Uthappa in. I don’t think they can replace him with a domestic bowler, they will have to replace him with an international bowler.”

When asked to name one bowler who can replace Deepak Chahar, Daniel Vettori named Adam Milne.

“I think it’d be Adam Milne. His performance has been exceptional around the world. I think Milne could be more destructive, can swing the ball,” said Daniel Vettori.

The 25-year-old opener Ruturaj Gaikwad had to undergo rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru and joined the ongoing pre-season camp of CSK in Surat on Wednesday (March 16).

Wasim Jaffer Feels MS Dhoni Will Be Giving Confidence To Youngsters While Aakash Chopra Reckons CSK Would Tinker With The Playing XI

Wasim Jaffer believes that MS Dhoni is likely to place his faith on youngsters to fill in for Deepak Chahar.

“I think MS Dhoni will be giving confidence to younger guys. Whether it be Tushar Deshpande or Simranjeet Singh who bowls for Delhi in Powerplay. Mukesh Choudhary bowls at a decent pace,” said Jaffer.

Aakash Chopra, meanwhile, added that it isn’t necessary CSK need to replace Deepak Chahar with a similar wicket-taking bowler up-front.

“If there was a replacement, he wouldn’t have gone on ₹14 crore, so that is as simple as it is. Yes, you’re going to be missing a lot of wickets in Powerplay overs, but is that the only way to succeed in a T20 game? It is an important component, you pick up early wickets and you get a fantastic start. But isn’t there a different formula to succeed? That is what the CSK would be thinking about,” said Aakash.

Deepak Chahar had re-joined Chennai Super Kings for a mega sum of Rs 14 crores. He emerged as the 2nd costliest pick of the IPL 2022 mega auction and drew bids from as many as 4 franchises. Apart from CSK, Rajasthan Royals (RR), Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Delhi Capitals (DC) were keen to get his services.

Dwayne Bravo. (AFP)/ AFP PHOTO / PUNIT PARANJPE

Deepak Chahar will be available to play the IPL after all. It was learnt that the pacer won’t have to undergo surgery, as suggested initially, following a quadricep tear that he sustained during the limited-overs series against West Indies. It’s understood that the CSK pacer is likely to be fit to play by the middle of April. He is expected to miss the first half of IPL 2022 due to a right quadriceps injury.

Deepak Chahar suffered a hamstring issue during the 3rd T20I against West Indies on February 20. The right-arm pacer was completing the 2nd over of his spell when he stopped midway. Apart from Deepak Chahar, Ambati Rayudu (₹6.75 crores) and Dwayne Bravo (₹4.4 crores) were CSK’s most prized picks at the auction.

Shivam Dube (₹4 crores) and Chris Jordan (₹3.6 crores) were the only other players that cost them more than two crores. CSK had re-signed the likes of Robin Uthappa, Ambati Rayudu, Dwayne Bravo, and Mitchell Santner.

Ross Taylor in action against India on Day 6 of the WTC final (Twitter/BlackCaps)

Cricket/News

Ross Taylor Will Turn Out For New Zealand XI Before Bidding Farewell In His Final ODI Series

Published on March 11, 2022March 11, 2022

Ross Taylor will turn out for the New Zealand XI against the Netherlands in Napier next week to get some game-time before he bids farewell to international cricket in his final ODI series later this month.

Paul Wiseman will lead the coaching staff and will be supported by Auckland pace bowling coach Azhar Abbas and former New Zealand wicketkeeper BJ Watling.

BJ Watling retired after WTC Final | Photo: Blackcaps

Ross Taylor Will Play The 2nd One Day Warm-Up Match And Solitary T20I Against the Netherlands

BJ Watling has been working in the ND coaching network for the past couple of seasons and was the head coach for ND A this season. Ross Taylor was ruled out of the Plunket Shield match on Friday for the Central Stags for being a COVID-19 ‘household contact’.

The 38-year-old will turn out against the touring Dutch at McLean Park in the second one-day warm-up match on March 19 as well as the one-off T20 on March 21.

“I’m looking forward to getting down to Napier and playing on one of my favourite grounds in McLean Park,” Taylor said.

Ross Taylor:- REUTERS/Ross Setford (image sourced from Otago Daily Times www.odt.co.nz)

“It’s a great opportunity to get some time in the middle after missing the latest round of the Plunket Shield and it will also be useful to have a look at the touring team ahead of the ODI series. I’m looking forward to sharing the dressing room with some new and younger faces who I hope I can help by passing on some knowledge,” he added.

“The Netherlands are an ever-improving side and they’ll be relishing the chance to take on a Test-playing nation,” Taylor said.

“They have a few familiar players from the New Zealand domestic scene who I’m sure will be valuable to them in terms of understanding the conditions We know they’ll play with plenty of pride and expect them to be a good challenge,” he added.

Ross Taylor’s inclusion headlines a strong mix of New Zealand hopefuls and rising stars in the NZ XI squad which will be captained by Michael Bracewell. The two warm-up games against the Netherlands will be played behind closed doors at McLean Park on March 17 and 19, followed by a one-off T20I on March 21. Netherlands will then take on New Zealand in a T20I on March 25, followed by the ODIs on March 29, April 2 and 4.

New Zealand’s 12 Regular Players Will Be Unavailable Against Netherlands For Playing IPL 2022

Michael Bracewell, Dane Cleaver and Ben Sears are very much contenders for the white-ball squads to face the Netherlands later this month, in light of the unavailability of 12 regulars, including skipper Kane Williamson, who will leave for the IPL in the coming weeks.

Kane Williamson, Finn Allen, Trent Boult, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Jimmy Neesham, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Tim Seifert, Tim Southee will play IPL 2022.

The rest of the NZ XI side is a look into the future with Jesse Tashkoff, Jock McKenzie and Matt Boyle recent graduates of the NZ U19 program.

New Zealand XI squad: Michael Bracewell (c), Matt Bacon, Matt Boyle, Josh Clarkson, Dane Cleaver (wk), James Hartshorn, Mitch Hay, Jayden Lennox, Angus McKenzie, Jock McKenzie, Tim Pringle, Ben Sears, Jesse Tashkoff (game 1), Ross Taylor (games 2 and 3)

In 112 Tests Ross Taylor scored 7683 runs with an average of 44.66 which included 19 hundreds while in 233 ODIs he scored 8581 runs with an average of 48.20. His tally of 21 ODI hundreds is the highest by any Kiwi batter. He also represented New Zealand in 102 T20Is and scored 1909 runs with 7 fifties.

New Zealand cricket team. (Credits: Twitter)

Cricket/IPL 2022/News

Gary Stead Hopes IPL 2022 Bound New Zealand Players Will Be Available For England Test Series

Published on March 4, 2022March 4, 2022

Gary Stead, New Zealand head coach hopes the IPL-bound Kiwi players will be available for the Test series in England in June. The Kiwi coach believes shifting from white-ball cricket would be a significant turnaround; however, he feels it has become the norm.

12 players are set to fly to India for the 15th season of the IPL, commencing from the 26th of March. Hence, most Kiwi players won’t play in the ODI series against the Netherlands, concluding in the summer. With the Test series against England starting on the 2nd of June, New Zealand has a turnaround time of only three days.

New Zealand head cricket coach Gary Stead. (Photo| EPS)

Gary Stead Hopes IPL Bound Players Will Be Available For England Test Series

Nevertheless, Gary Stead says such adjustments are the norm today and believes they should get three or four days to be ready for the Tests.

“It will be a tight crossover. If it is that tight it’s not ideal, but it is what it is, the guys are used to it. They’re used to adjusting to different formats quickly, so it will be the same situation.

“I think there’d still arrive there on the 30th of May, or the day after, and they’ve still got three or four days. I think players will be available coming from the IPL final,” Gary Stead said.

Kane Williamson, Trent Boult, Mitchell Santner, Devon Conway, Daryl Mitchell, Lockie Ferguson, Tim Southee, Adam Milne, Tim Seifert, James Neesham, Finn Allen, and Glenn Phillips have IPL contracts.

“After a 1-1 draw against South Africa at home, the Blackcaps will be wary of England in their three-match series. However, they notably won the series last year in a two-Test tour before lifting the World Test Championship trophy.

Gary Stead Hopes Kane Williamson Will Play From IPL 2022 Start

Gary Stead further claimed that skipper Kane Williamson remains on track for a full recovery and has dealt cautiously with it in the last few months. The 50-year-old expects his availability for the IPL from the start.

He said: “Kane is going really well. He’s hitting balls for about 45 minutes now. The danger we faced through the test series was the worst thing that could have happened for us is he bats for four or five hours and he aggravates it again.

“That’s why it’s been a progressive loading programme for him. T20 cricket is probably the more ideal format for him to start for us. We’re expecting he will be pretty close to playing right from the start of the IPL.”

Kane Williamson has been out of action since the tour of India last year due to an elbow injury. The 31-year-old missed the home series against Bangladesh and New Zealand due to that. Sunrisers Hyderabad retained Kane Williamson (INR 14 crore), Abdul Samad (INR 4 crore), and Umran Malik (INR 4 crore) before IPL 2022 auctions.

New Zealand and Sunrisers Hyderabad captain Kane Williamson is hopeful of being fit for IPL 2022. The 31-year-old has opted against surgery for a long-standing elbow injury and is instead undergoing rehab now.

Kane Williamson had come into IPL 2021 on the back of the elbow injury that had sidelined him from the ODI series at home against Bangladesh. He was not fit enough for selection in the early exchanges of the first leg of IPL 2021 in India.

Cricket/IPL 2022/News

Aakash Chopra Praises ‘Phenomenal’ Chennai Super Kings For Successful IPL 2022 Auction

Published on February 14, 2022February 14, 2022

Aakash Chopra believes the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) were the standout franchise at the IPL 2022 auction.

CSK retained Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni, Moeen Ali and Ruturaj Gaikwad ahead of the mega auction. They bought 21 more players at the auction to complete their full-strength squad of 25.

Aakash Chopra Gives Chennai Super Kings 9/10 After Acing One More Auction

While reviewing the IPL 2022 auction in a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra was particularly delighted with CSK’s picks.

He elaborated: “The Chennai Super Kings is the team I have given the most marks. Chennai Super Kings 9/10. This team has aced one more auction. You see this team’s philosophy clearly, they are phenomenal. They got the complete squad – 25 players, and money was still left.”

The former India cricketer pointed out that MS Dhoni’s side stuck to their philosophy but were willing to spend wholeheartedly on Deepak Chahar. Pacer Deepak Chahar has been part of Chennai Super Kings since they made a return after a two-year suspension. He played a crucial part when CSK won the title twice in 2018 and 2021. In 4 seasons, he played 58 matches for the yellow army and picked 58 wickets with an economy of 7.70.

Aakash Chopra observed: “It is not that they have not spent the big bucks. When they had to spend 14 crores on Deepak Chahar, they did that as well. But despite that, what a squad they have prepared. I am thrilled.”

Apart from Deepak Chahar, Ambati Rayudu (₹6.75 crores) and Dwayne Bravo (₹4.4 crores) were CSK’s most prized picks at the auction. Shivam Dube (₹4 crores) and Chris Jordan (₹3.6 crores) were the only other players that cost them more than two crores.

Out of 14 seasons, the franchise CSK has played 12 as they were banned in 2016 and 2017. The team has won the trophy four times in IPL 2010, IPL 2011, IPL 2018, and IPL 2021. The franchise has also reached the playoffs 11 times out of 12 seasons.

Aakash Chopra: CSK Have Plenty Of Options In Both Batting And Bowling Departments After Another Successful IPL 2022 Auctions

Aakash Chopra highlighted that CSK have plenty of options in the batting department with the inclusion of the likes of New Zealand opener Devon Conway.

He explained: “If you see the team, either Robin Uthappa or Devon Conway can open with Ruturaj Gaikwad. Moeen Ali will come after that, you will have Shivam Dube, Ambati Rayudu. If you want you can play Robin Uthappa down the order, MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja.”

MS Dhoni, Deepak Chahar Photo Credit: IPL/BCCI

The reputed commentator concluded by saying that the defending champions are not short in the bowling department either with the inclusion of Chris Jordan, Mitchell Santner and Adam Milne as backup options.

Aakash Chopra elaborated: “In bowling, you have Deepak Chahar, Dwayne Bravo – they have given themselves the option of Chris Jordan, Mitchell Santner as an option for Jaddu, they have Adam Milne with Chris Jordan as an option. They have Prashant Solanki and more spinners along with him.”

Apart from the aforementioned bowlers, CSK also have Maheesh Theekshana as a mystery spinner. Dwaine Pretorius is an additional all-rounder option in their squad.

Chennai Super Kings bought 21 players during IPL 2022 auction. Dwayne Bravo, Ambati Rayudu, Robin Uthappa, Deepak Chahar, Mitchell Santner, and Shivam Dube were some of the popular players bought by CSK during the auction. CSK’s highest deal was Deepak Chahar for Rs. 14 crores.

Chennai Super Kings had an available salary purse of Rs. 48 crores during IPL 2021 auction. Ahead of the auction, the IPL 2021 champions spent Rs. 42 crores out of their 90 crores to retain 4 players in their squad. The four-time IPL champions retained Ravindra Jadeja for Rs. 16 crores, MS Dhoni for Rs. 12 crores, Moeen Ali for Rs. 8 crores, and Ruturaj Gaikwad for Rs. 6 crores.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) Full Squad After IPL Auction 2022

Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni, Moeen Ali, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Dwayne Bravo, Ambati Rayudu, Robin Uthappa, Deepak Chahar, KM Asif, Tushar Deshpande, Shivam Dube, Maheesh Theekshana, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Samarjeet Singh, Devon Conway, Dwaine Pretorius, Mitchell Santner, Subhranshu Senapati, Adam Milne, Mukesh Choudhary, Prashant Solanki, C Hari Nishaanth, N Jagadeesan, Chris Jordan, K Bhagath Varma.

Cricket/IPL 2022/News

Arjun Tendulkar Picks Pacer Jasprit Bumrah As Favourite Player From IPL Franchise Mumbai Indians

Published on January 29, 2022January 29, 2022

Arjun Tendulkar, who was bought by Mumbai Indians in the previous IPL 2021 auction, has picked his favourite player from the franchise. Arjun Tendulkar picked the player in a Q&A session with fans on Instagram.

Rohit Sharma will go down as a true Indian Premier League (IPL) legend, not just as a player but as a captain too. The Hitman isn’t just one of the most successful players in the league but also the captain with the most IPL trophies to his name. But, there are other players in the Mumbai Indians franchise who have been world-beaters.

Rohit Sharma and Mumbai Indians created history as they won the IPL title for the fifth time-- BCCI/IPL Twitter handle — Rohit Sharma and Mumbai Indians created history as they won the IPL title for the fifth time– BCCI/IPL Twitter handle

Arjun Tendulkar Picks Favourite Player From Mumbai Indians Franchise- Pacer Jasprit Bumrah

The likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Kieron Pollard, Trent Boult, and Suryakumar Yadav have been phenomenal over the years. When Arjun Tendulkar, the son of Indian cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar and a former Mumbai Indians player himself, was asked about his favourite player from the Mumbai Indians franchise, his pick wasn’t the skipper.

Arjun Tendulkar, who is an all-rounder, decided to go with marquee pacer Jasprit Bumrah as his favourite pick. The southpaw had answered the question during a Q&A session with fans on Instagram. Arjun Tendulkar was bought at his base price of Rs 20 lakh by IPL 2020 champions Mumbai Indians in the IPL Auction 2021 in Chennai.

Mumbai Indians bought the likes of Adam Milne, Nathan Counter-Nile, Piyush Chawla, James Neesham, Yudhvir Singh, Marco Jansen, and Arjun Tendulkar in the IPL 2021 Auction but they failed to progress beyond the group stage due to inferior Net Run Rate.

Jasprit Bumrah has been the key member behind Mumbai Indians’ success in the Indian Premier League and the speedster has played 106 matches and has bagged 130 IPL wickets at an average of 23.05, an economy rate of 7.42 and a strike rate of 18.63.

Ahead of the IPL 2022 the franchise have decided to retain 4 players, including skipper Rohit Sharma (16 cr), Jasprit Bumrah (12 cr), Suryakumar Yadav (8 cr) and West Indies all-rounder Kieron Pollard (6 cr).

Arjun Tendulkar Didn’t Get To Play A Game In IPL 2021 Despite Being In the Mumbai Indians Team

Arjun Tendulkar was bought by Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2021 auction but he didn’t feature in a single game for the franchise. The all-rounder is expected to be part of the franchise this term too. But, the question mark over his game time in the team will remain.

Mumbai Indians was the only team that bid on Arjun Tendulkar, who was the last player to be sold in the IPL 2021 auction. Arjun Tendulkar, 21, has been earlier seen in the net sessions of the team. He was in the UAE with the squad during the 13th edition of the IPL 2020 as well. The 21-year-old left-handed batsman and left-arm medium-pacer have played 2 T20s for Mumbai where he scored 3 runs and took 2 wickets.

As far as Mumbai Indians go, the franchise retained the likes of Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav and Kieron Pollard ahead of the IPL 2022 auction. MI, who have been a dominant force in the T20 league over the years, will be eager to get the most of its core team back from the auction.

Hardik Pandya, who has been a key player for the franchise over the years, however, wouldn’t be available as he has been drafted in by the Ahmedabad franchise as the skipper. Quinton de Kock, Ishan Kishan, Trent Boult, and Krunal Pandya are some of the players MI would be keen to reunite with using the IPL 2022 mega auction.

Mumbai Indians have spent Rs. 42 crore to retain these players and they have Rs. 48 crore available for the IPL 2022 auction. Rohit Sharma is the first player that Mumbai Indians have retained for IPL 2022. The franchise has offered him a deal of Rs. 16 crore for the next season. Mumbai Indians is the most successful team in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL) as they have won the title 5 times (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2020).

Cricket/New Zealand tour of India 2021/News

Sourav Ganguly To Ring The Eden Bell To Commence The 3rd T20I In Kolkata

Published on November 20, 2021

Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President Sourav Ganguly will be ringing the Eden Bell at the Eden Garden stadium in Kolkata to commence the third T20I game between India and New Zealand on Sunday.

India and New Zealand will be squaring off with each other in the second T20I of the three-match series in Ranchi on Friday and in Kolkata for the third clash on Sunday.

Sourav Ganguly To Ring The Eden Bell To Commence The 3rd T20I; Suryakumar Yadav’s 62 See India Win 1st T20I By 5 Wickets

Suryakumar Yadav (62) and Rohit Sharma (48) starred with the bat as India chased down 165 to defeat New Zealand by five wickets in the first T20I of the three-match series here at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium on Wednesday.

Coming to the first match, Martin Guptill and Mark Chapman played knocks of 70 and 63 respectively as New Zealand posted a total of 164/6. For India, Ravichandran Ashwin and Bhuvneshwar Kumar returned with two wickets each. With this win, India gained a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, with the second game set to be played on Friday.

New Zealand Off To A Great Start In The 2nd T20I

In the 2nd T20I, New Zealand has gone off to a flier, managing 80/2 in only 9 overs after being inducted to bat first. Martin Guptill scored 31 off only 15 balls, and Mark Chapman, who scored 21 off 17 balls, were dismissed by Deepak Chahar and Axar Patel, respectively.

Martin Guptill - AP — Martin Guptill – AP

Harshal Patel replaced injured Mohammed Siraj for India, while New Zealand’s Lockie Ferguson, Todd Astle, and Rachin Ravindra weren’t included. However, Adam Milne, James Neesham, and Ish Sodhi were back in starting XI.

The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) had made a lot of plans as Eden Gardens will be hosting an international match after two years. But a recent directive from the Board has advised against any other program or function before the game.

That means the Jagmohan Dalmiya Memorial Conclave will have to be deferred till the association stages its next international game, which could be an ODI in February when India hosts the West Indies. The CAB had also planned a short felicitation for new India head coach Rahul Dravid and T20I captain Rohit Sharma, but that too seems unlikely at present.

BCCI President Sourav Ganguly has been appointed as the Chairman of ICC’s Cricket Committee, the governing body confirmed on Wednesday (November 17). Sourav Ganguly will be replacing his former India teammate Anil Kumble, who has served a maximum of three-year terms after being appointed in 2012.

WTC final: Pleasing to dismiss Virat Kohli, he's 'world-class' batter, says Kyle Jamieson | Photo Credit: AP

Cricket/New Zealand tour of India 2021/News

Kyle Jamieson And Kane Williamson Won’t Play In 3 Match T20I Series Against India To Focus In Tests

Published on November 18, 2021

Kyle Jamieson, the NZ pacer, will join Black Caps captain Kane Williamson in sitting out their three Twenty20s against India to focus on the World Test Championship Test match clashes that follow.

The Black Caps may have only played in the final of the T20I World Cup on Sunday [Monday NZ time], but they have more T20s in Jaipur on 17th November[the first ball Thursday 2.30 am NZ time], Ranchi, and Kolkata, ahead of the first Test in Kanpur, which starts next Thursday, and the second in Mumbai, which starts the following Friday.

Kyle Jamieson And Kane Williamson Won’t Play In T20I Series To Focus In Tests

Kane Williamson’s absence was confirmed when pacer Tim Southee took part in the pre-match press conference the day before the first game, but Kyle Jamieson’s news of his absence was only announced on Wednesday.

“We decided through talking with Kane and Kyle that they won’t play in this T20 series,” coach Gary Stead said in an interview supplied by New Zealand Cricket.

“They’re both going to get ready for the test matches and I think you’ll find there will be other guys involved in the test matches that won’t play the entire series either. It’s a bit of a balancing act at the moment and with three T20 games in five days plus travel to three different cities it’s a very, very busy time.”

Kane Williamson has been managing his training workload while nursing an elbow injury that has troubled him since last summer, and his absence from the T20Is was expected. Pacer Kyle Jamieson’s absence could be a hint that he will play in the first Test, which would likely leave fellow seamers Tim Southee and Neil Wagner competing for one spot if the Black Caps go with two-seamers, two spinners, and an all-rounder.

The tall seam bowler didn’t play at the T20 World Cup, while Trent Boult will head home after the completion of the Indian T20Is due to the time he has spent in Covid-19 bubbles and managed isolation already this year. Adam Milne, Trent Boult, and Tim Southee are the Black Caps’ preferred pace trio for T20Is.

Tim Southee, spin-bowling all-rounders Glenn Phillips and Mitchell Santner, and seam-bowling all-rounder Daryl Mitchell are the four other test players in the T20 squad, which now stands at only 13 players altogether.

Tim Southee has only been named as the T20 captain for the first match at this stage. He and Mitchell Santner are the most likely to feature in the first Test, with Glenn Phillips and Daryl Mitchell – called in at the weekend once Devon Conway was ruled out with a broken hand – in line for backup roles.

Gary Stead: Lockie Ferguson Set To Feature In The 1st T20I

Gary Stead said pacer Lockie Ferguson was set to feature in the first T20 after recovering from the calf injury that ruled him out of the World Cup.

“You’ll definitely see that the whole squad will get match time over here and that’s about us managing the workload of the players, especially with the test matches coming up for us, which will be a real key priority for us as we work through the next week.”

Former Northern Districts coach James Pamment has joined the Black Caps setup, which includes more than 40 people at present, including 25 players across both the Test and T20 squads, a swelling that has made for some logistical challenges arising due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“How our day works at the moment is that the test players will go and train from 10 to 1 on the morning of the matches, we then go back and play the match in the evening, we travel the next day, then we repeat that for three games in a row,” Stead said.

“There’s [25] players and 16 or 17 support staff. Some guys will leave after a week, there will be a number that will head back home, staff and players, from the T20 group that we had, but it’s probably the biggest support team and player group that we’ve had together in one place in my time, and it makes it a little bit more challenging to get around everyone and support them and their needs.”

The Black Caps’ tests in India are their first in the new cycle of the World Test Championship. They won the inaugural WTC final in June by beating India by eight wickets in Southampton in England.

Kyle Jamieson has had a terrific start to his Test career so far. In just 8 Tests, he has picked up 46 wickets at a scary average of 14.17 with the ball and boasts an impressive average of 42.66 with the bat.

Black Caps Tour Of India

Squads

Test: Kane Williamson (c), Tom Blundell, Henry Nicholls, Kyle Jamieson, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Will Somerville, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, Will Young

T20: Todd Astle, Trent Boult, Mark Chapman, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee

Fixtures (NZ time)

Thursday, November 18, 2.30 am: First T20 international; Jaipur

Saturday, November 20, 2.30 am: Second T20 international; Ranchi

Monday, November 22, 2.30 am: Third T20 international; Kolkata

Thursday, November 25 – Monday, November 29, 5 pm daily: First test; Kanpur

Friday, December 3 – Tuesday, December 7, 5 pm daily: Second test; Mumbai

Cricket/News

Gary Stead Criticizes ICC After They Barred Adam Milne From Playing Against Pakistan

Published on October 28, 2021

Gary Stead, Black Caps head coach, has criticized the International Cricket Council after they barred Adam Milne from playing in New Zealand’s opening match of the Twenty20 World Cup against Pakistan. The Black Caps put in a request with the ICC’s technical committee for travelling reserve standby pacer Adam Milne to join their 15-man squad on the morning of their opener against Pakistan in Sharjah, after star seamer Lockie Ferguson was ruled out of the tournament with a calf tear.

MRI scans taken just hours before their first game revealed the extent of Lockie Ferguson’s injury, but with Adam Milne having trained with the squad as injury cover, and presenting as a like-for-like replacement for Lockie Ferguson, the Black Caps were hopeful he would get clearance in time to be selected in the starting XI to face Pakistan, the game which they eventually lost.

The Black Caps tried to bring in Adam Milne as an injury replacement for Lockie Ferguson, but couldn’t get it approved in time for their T20 World Cup opener. ANDREW CORNAGA/PHOTOSPORT

Gary Stead Tried Hard To Get Adam Milne Against Pakistan Which Didn’t Happen As It May Have Made A Difference To The Game Against Pakistan

The Black Caps applied with an independent doctor’s report to the technical committee, but after initially thinking they had received clearance, word came through 90 minutes before the match that Adam Milne would not be available. Gary Stead was disappointed by the process and felt Adam Milne could have made a difference in his side’s five-wicket defeat to Pakistan.

“We tried pretty hard to get across the line with the ICC our replacement player, but it wasn’t to be. That was really disappointing for us because Adam Milne is someone waiting in the wings as a like-for-like replacement,” said Gary Stead.

“You can’t say you know for sure if it would have made a difference in the game, but for us, on that wicket, pace bowling and hitting the pitch as hard as what Adam does or Lockie does would have been a difference, we think. I think Haris Rauf showed for Pakistan the difference that it can make,” said Gary Stead.

Gary Stead - Getty Images — Gary Stead – Getty Images

“What we were told is they don’t give clearance on the same day, so we’ll question that reason and continue to seek clarification on that.”

Pakistan were in control of the game ever since they won the toss and chose to bowl. Eleven of the 20 overs they bowled went for six runs or fewer. Haris Rauf began the game with a 149 kph yorker that literally took Martin Guptill out of the game. Three of his four wickets came through slower deliveries. It was a sign of his evolution and an understanding of the conditions in Sharjah.

Gary Stead: New Zealand Weren’t Going To Play Ish Sodhi For Pitch Assisting Seamers More

The lack of clarity had an impact on team selection, with the Black Caps initially planning to play Mitchell Santner as their only spinner, leaving out leg spinner Ish Sodhi in favour of a seam-heavy attack.

“You always plan to have the changes like this, the most unsettling thing for us is we probably changed the team three times today on that decision. Originally we thought we’d got the clearance for Adam to play, but then it’s been turned down. So we were questioning it with the ICC as much as an hour and a half out from the game and arriving there.”

Adding to Gary Stead’s frustration, the clearance for Adam Milne to play came through 40 minutes after the match concluded, and he indicated that Adam Milne would come right into the starting XI for what is looming as a crucial clash against India on Monday morning.

“When you look at how we structure our side, we always try to have that pace dominance where we can, and we certainly lacked that.”

The Black Caps training staff will also be keeping a close eye on Martin Guptill over the next few days, with the opener suffering a toe injury when batting, and later having to come off the field in the second innings. Gary Stead noted the 35-year-old was in discomfort after the game but was hopeful he’d improve overnight.

Pakistan 135 for 5 (Rizwan 33, Asif 27*, Sodhi 2-29) beat New Zealand 134 for 8 (Mitchell 27, Rauf 4-22) by five wickets

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Black Caps Tour Of India

Squads

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