Mahela Jayawardene | Sportzwiki

Mahela Jayawardene

Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma (Image Credit: Twitter)
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Rohit Sharma’s Quest Is To Win The 2023 World Cup

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Rohit Sharma’s three double-hundreds in One-day cricket make him one of the most prominent limited-overs batsmen ever. Five IPL titles for Mumbai Indians make him one of T20’s finest captains. The limited-overs cricket alone has given him more than he could have ever wished for.

The white-ball sorcerer now understands, more than anything else, that red-ball Test magic alone instils cricketing glory.  He knows that despite being the highest scorer at the 50-over 2019 World Cup with 648 runs and five centuries, the Indian team will be remembered for losing to New Zealand in the semifinals.

Rohit Sharma and Mumbai Indians created history as they won the IPL title for the fifth time, with Rohit winning it for the sixth time. , BCCI/IPL Twitter handle
Rohit Sharma and Mumbai Indians created history as they won the IPL title for the fifth time, with Rohit winning it for the sixth time. , BCCI/IPL Twitter handle

Rohit Sharma’s Quest To Win 2023 World Cup Driving Him

A World Cup win, a Test match hundred, earning an opposition’s respect are the few things that count. Rohit Sharma will want to make the most between the present and October 2023 – when India hosts the 50-over World Cup. It’ll be 12 years to the 2011 ODI World Cup which was won by India where the lost opportunity of not making it to the squad pains him no end.

The opener has been working on a blueprint for quite a while now and there’s a larger plan to ensure India comes ahead of everything else over the next 24 months. Rohit Sharma rested in the first game between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Sunday but it wasn’t a last-minute call because of any niggle.

He will time and again keep taking these short breaks when required and it’s part of that larger plan. Rohit Sharma though will play MI’s second game versus the Knight Riders on Thursday because it’s the tournament’s business end and he should make it count.

Kieron Pollard, Hardik Pandya, Instagram
Kieron Pollard, Hardik Pandya, Instagram

Kieron Pollard captained the Mumbai Indians side in the absence of their regular skipper Rohit Sharma, who was given additional time off after returning from the England tour where he was on duty with the Indian team in their Test series against England. The duo of Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya missed out on the match against CSK which was played in Dubai International Stadium on Sunday.

Rohit Sharma Will Play Next Game Against KKR Confirms Coach Mahela Jayawardene

Mahela Jayawardene, Mumbai Indians head coach, after suffering a 20-run defeat against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021, said regular skipper Rohit Sharma will be available for the next game, which will be against Kolkata Knight Riders, who beat RCB in the 2nd game in the IPL 2021 UAE leg.

Mumbai Indians coach Mahela Jayawardene (Photo| Mumbai Indians website)
Mumbai Indians coach Mahela Jayawardene (Photo| Mumbai Indians website)

Rohit Sharma, the MI regular skipper will be on the top of his confidence after his recent success against England in the Test series, where he smacked his first overseas century. In the 1st leg, Rohit Sharma was the team’s highest run-getter with 250 runs in 7 innings averaging 35.71.

He had scored 5480 runs in 207 IPL matches averaging 31.49 with 1 ton and 40 fifties. Rohit Sharma led the Mumbai Indians to a successful campaign in the 2020 season, which was their second consecutive title.

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Rohit Sharma and Mumbai Indians created history as they won the IPL title for the fifth time, with Rohit winning it for the sixth time. , BCCI/IPL Twitter handle
Rohit Sharma and Mumbai Indians created history as they won the IPL title for the fifth time, with Rohit winning it for the sixth time. , BCCI/IPL Twitter handle
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Rohit Sharma Should Be Fine To Play The Next IPL 2021 Game Vs KKR: Mahela Jayawardene:

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Mahela Jayawardene, Mumbai Indians head coach, after suffering a 20-run defeat against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021, said regular skipper Rohit Sharma will be available for the next game, which will be against 7th placed Kolkata Knight Riders.

The duo of Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya missed out on the match against CSK which was played in Dubai International Stadium on Sunday.

Mumbai Indians coach Mahela Jayawardene (Photo| Mumbai Indians website)
Mumbai Indians coach Mahela Jayawardene (Photo| Mumbai Indians website)

Mahela Jayawardene: Rohit Sharma Should Be Fine To Play The Next Game While Hardik Pandya Had A Niggle In Training Which Isn’t Serious

Kieron Pollard captained the Mumbai Indians side in the absence of their regular skipper Rohit Sharma, who was given additional time off after returning from the England tour where he was on duty with the Indian team in their Test series against England.

“Rohit was batting and doing his running after coming back from the UK; we felt he needed extra few days, so he should be fine to play the next game. Hardik was training, had a niggle, so (just) precaution and giving him extra days, nothing serious,” said Mahela Jayawardene during a virtual post-match conference.

Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma (Image Credit: Twitter)

 

For CSK, Dwayne Bravo scalped three wickets and Deepak Chahar took two to restrict MI to 136/8. Saurabh Tiwary was the top scorer for Mumbai Indians with his knock of 50 runs. With this win, Chennai Super Kings went to the top of the points table while Mumbai is now in danger of falling outside the top four.

“Well, I think the pitch was not doing much, to be honest, in the second innings, the wicket was pretty good. The odd one sat up a little bit. I agree we probably gave a couple of soft dismissals, we probably needed someone to take responsibility and bat through the innings, which we did not do. That was the difference with CSK with Ruturaj Gaikwad doing that for them,” said Mahela Jayawardene.

Chennai Super Kings won the match by 20 runs despite looking at one stage to be losing the match before Ruturaj Gaikwad came to their rescue.

Mahela Jayawardene: Mumbai Indians Disappointed With How They Handled The Situation Despite Reducing CSK To 24/4

Ruturaj Gaikwad scored 88 to bail CSK out of trouble batting first. The MS Dhoni-led outfit posted 156/6 in the allotted twenty overs after being 24 for four inside the powerplay. CSK was 24/4 at one stage and Ambati Rayudu was retired hard but the momentum was shifted after opener Ruturaj Gaikwad scored an unbeaten 88 off 58 balls which included 9 fours and 4 sixes.

Ravindra Jadeja and Dwayne Bravo scored 26 and 23 before being dismissed while Faf du Plessis, Moeen Ali, Suresh Raina, and MS Dhoni couldn’t contribute even 5 runs each.

“Even though they (CSK) lost wickets, there was a set batsman (Gaikwad) who went till the end. We are disappointed with how we handled the situation,” the MI coach Mahela Jayawardene added.

Ruturaj Gaikwad
Ruturaj Gaikwad (Image Credit: Twitter)

Talking about Mumbai Indians’ batting, Mahela Jayawardene said: “We struggled in Chennai in the first half as we did not get used to the conditions. Here also, you know, it was not the easiest wicket, but probably needed some application. I put it down to game awareness and taking responsibility. The application out there is something we need to work on.”

Batting first in Dubai, Chennai was 24 for 4 at the end of the powerplay, with Ambati Rayudu additionally having retired hurt. But Ruturaj Gaikwad struck an unbeaten 88 off 58 balls, laced with nine fours and four sixes, to lift Super Kings to 156 for 6.

With Ravindra Jadeja (26 off 33), Ruturaj Gaikwad added 81 off 64 balls for the fifth wicket. That set the platform for some late-overs hitting, which Ruturaj Gaikwad and Dwayne Bravo (23 off 8) did with aplomb, Super Kings taking 58 off the last four overs. Mumbai Indians will next lock horns against Kolkata Knight Riders on Thursday.

Chennai Super Kings 156 for 6 (Gaikwad 88*, Jadeja 26, Milne 2-21) beat Mumbai Indians 136 for 8 (Tiwary 50*, Bravo 3-25, D Chahar 2-19) by 20 runs

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Aravinda de Silva | Dinuka Liyanawatte/Reuters
Aravinda de Silva | Dinuka Liyanawatte/Reuters
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Aravinda de Silva: No Way Touring Indian Team Be Called A Second String Team

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Aravinda de Silva, former Sri Lanka cricketer who was an integral part of the World Cup-winning squad in 1996 under Arjuna Ranatunga, has disagreed with his former skipper.

Arjuna Ranatunga might have sparked off a controversy with his India ‘B-team’ comment earlier this week, but his former Sri Lanka teammate Aravinda de Silva feels the Sri Lankan side shouldn’t take India lightly.

Arjuna Ranatunga and Aravinda de Silva
Arjuna Ranatunga and Aravinda de Silva. (Photo Source: Getty Images)

Aravinda de Silva: It Will Be A Challenge For Sri Lanka To Beat India And Sri Lanka Can Take Confidence In T20 World Cup If They Beat India

A few days back, Arjuna Ranatunga made a claim that Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) shouldn’t have allowed the Indian tour to take place as they were sending a second-string side. He termed it as an insult to Sri Lankan cricket.

However, since his comments came, many ex-players and experts of the cricket fraternity have pointed out that this team is in no way a second-string unit, considering that it has white-ball specialists, who otherwise would be playing in ODIs and T20Is for India.

“There is no way we can call this a second-string Indian side. India has enormous talent and this side is as good as any. In fact, it will be a challenge for us to beat this Indian team,” Aravinda de Silva, who is also Sri Lanka Cricket’s cricket committee chairman, said during a media session ahead of the limited-overs series to be broadcast on Sony Sports from July 13.

Shikhar Dhawan Image Source : AP
Shikhar Dhawan Image Source: AP

“We can take an enormous amount of confidence going into the T20 World Cup (later this year) if we can beat India.”

India is fielding two sides simultaneously – the Test squad will face England next month while the limited-overs side captained by Shikhar Dhawan will take on Lanka. It is worth noting that, the likes of Shikhar Dhawan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Hardik Pandya, and Kuldeep Yadav are all regulars in the Indian white-ball team for the past few years.

A total of six new players have been added to the squad — Devdutt Padikkal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Krishnappa Gowtham, Chetan Sakariya, Varun Chakravarthy, and Nitish Rana. A total of five net bowlers have also been added — Ishan Porel, Sandeep Warrier, Arshdeep Singh, Sai Kishore, Simranjeeet Singh.

Aravinda de Silva: Fielding Two Teams Could Be International Cricket’s Future

Aravinda de Silva said this ploy could be the future due to the never-ending Covid-19 pandemic.

“Bubble-life is very challenging for the players. It takes a toll mentally. So it is not only India but other countries too are rotating players to give them time to spend with their families. I believe fielding two teams could be the future of international cricket,” the former Sri Lanka captain said.

Mumbai Indians coach Mahela Jayawardene (Photo| Mumbai Indians website)
Mumbai Indians coach Mahela Jayawardene (Photo| Mumbai Indians website)

Aravinda de Silva said Rahul Dravid’s disciplined approach to the game will rub off on the players.

“Dravid has instilled the knowledge and strategy in them. Similarly, we have been trying to convince Mahela Jayawardene to take up the role of SL U-19 coach but couldn’t find any success,” he said.

The former legendary Sri Lankan batsman also praised India’s head coach for the tour, Rahul Dravid. He also hinted that Sri Lanka Cricket is trying to get former veteran batsman Mahela Jayawardene to play a similar role that Rahul Dravid has been doing for India.

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Mumbai Indians coach Mahela Jayawardene (Photo| Mumbai Indians website)
Mumbai Indians coach Mahela Jayawardene (Photo| Mumbai Indians website)
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Mahela Jayawardene Interested To Take Over As Sri Lanka Under-19 Team Consultant

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Mahela Jayawardene, has reportedly shown his interest in principle to take over as consultant of Sri Lanka Under-19 team from October this year.

One of the brightest things to happen for Sri Lanka’s cricket is Mahela Jayawardene, it is ready to take over the position following his Indian Premier League (IPL) commitments this year in October in UAE, will guide the young Lankans to next year’s International Cricket Council (ICC) U-19 World Cup.

Mahela Jayawardene (Image Credit: Twitter)
Mahela Jayawardene (Image Credit: Twitter)

Mahela Jayawardene Reportedly Shown Interest In Coaching The Sri Lankan U-19 Team

Former Sri Lankan captain and the current Mumbai Indians’ head coach, Mahela Jayawardene has reportedly shown his interest in coaching the Sri Lanka U-19 team but Sri Lanka Cricket has denied being aware of such a move.

“We (SLC) are not aware of such a move. The move would have been made by the Technical Committee (headed by Aravinda de Silva),” a senior SLC ex-co official meanwhile disclosed. Our efforts to contact Jayawardene on the possible new appointment were not successful last afternoon.”

Mahela Jayawardene
Mahela Jayawardene (Image Credit: Twitter)

The 2022 ICC U-19 World Cup, which is a limited-overs tournament, is scheduled to be held in the West Indies, reportedly early next year with 16 teams taking part. It will be the 14th edition of the tournament and the first to be held in the West Indies. Bangladesh is the defending champions.

Eleven countries, Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe, have already qualified for the event by virtue of a top-11 finish in the previous (2020) edition.

Sri Lanka finished 10th last year in South Africa. 33 teams, which are to be decided through seven regional events to be held this year, will fight out for the remaining five spots, the ICC announced last year. Sri Lanka has never won the U-19 World Cup. The team is also scheduled to play in the Youth Asia Cup and two bilateral series against strong England and India as well this year.

Mahela Jayawardene May Coach Sri Lanka U-19 Team From October 2021

With the ICC U19 World Cup all set to take place in the West Indies next year in 2022, Mahela Jayawardene’s appointment will be a big thing in Sri Lankan cricket. The 14th edition of the limited-overs tournament will be held for the first time in the Caribbean Islands with Bangladesh entering the competition as the defending champions.

Sri Lankan cricket is in a total mess. After their abject surrender against England in the limited-overs series, the fans, experts and critics have come hard on the players and also on the management. Things got a bit worse when three of the players got suspended after breaching the bubble in England.

Kusal Mendis AFP
Kusal Mendis AFP

Three players — vice-captain Kusal Mendis, opening batsman Danushka Gunathilaka and wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella — were sent home for breaching the team’s coronavirus bubble.

But all is not lost if speculations are to be believed, as the former Sri Lankan skipper Mahela Jayawardene is tipped to take over as consultant for the Under-19 team.

Apparently, the former player and ex-captain has shown keen interest in this role and is tipped to come onboard from October 2021. This news definitely comes as a shot in the arm for the Lankan team, who are in desperate need of revival.

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Sachin Tendulkar carried on the shoulders of his teammates after the 2011 World Cup win | AFP
Sachin Tendulkar carried on the shoulders of his teammates after the 2011 World Cup win | AFP
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Sachin Tendulkar Asked Virat Kohli And Yusuf Pathan To Ensure He Won’t Fall Down During Victory Lap After 2011 World Cup Win Over Sri Lanka

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Sachin Tendulkar retired former legendary Indian batsman has revealed he asked Virat Kohli and Yusuf Pathan to ensure he did not fall down as Team India did the victory lap after winning the 2011 World Cup.

India defeated Sri Lanka by six wickets in the 2011 World Cup final at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Following the famous win, the players thanked the fans with a victory lap, during which Virat Kohli and Yusuf Pathan lifted Sachin Tendulkar on their shoulders.

Sachin Tendulkar being carried by teammates after India won the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup. (File Photo | PTI)
Sachin Tendulkar being carried by teammates after India won the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup. (File Photo | PTI)

Sachin Tendulkar Told Virat Kohli And Yusuf Pathan To Ensure He Won’t Fall Down After India Won 2011 ODI World Cup After A Hiatus Of 28 Years

Sachin Tendulkar, who went to complete a century of centuries in a 24-year-long career, scoring a mountain of runs for India, lifting the 2011 World Cup trophy turned out to be the moment he will cherish the most.

Recalling the iconic moment, Sachin Tendulkar said during an interaction organized by Unacademy: “The victory lap had one incident, when Virat and Yusuf Pathan lifted me, I told them to ensure that I do not fall down. It was not just the Indian team that won the World Cup, it was the entire nation, it is all of us who did it.”

Sachin Tendulkar also admitted that the 2011 World Cup triumph was the “best cricketing day of his life”. Sharing his emotions, the 48-year-old elaborated that the unbelievable moment saw the entire country celebrating.

“When I saw Kapil Dev lifting the World Cup in 1983, it was an unbelievable experience. I enjoyed it with my friends and I wanted to chase my dream. I decided what may come, I have to focus and chase my dream of lifting the World Cup.

“In Mumbai at Wankhede, it was just unbelievable, it was the best cricketing day of life. How many times you have the country celebrate, many few things are there which the entire country celebrates.”

That moment, titled ‘Carried On The Shoulders Of A Nation’, is a reference to the Indian historic win and has been shortlisted as one among the five contenders for the greatest Laureus Sporting Moment 2000-2020 Award. Virat Kohli and Yuvraj Singh have urged fans to vote for the cricketing great.

MS Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh PTI
MS Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh PTI

That moment made India the first team to win the World Cup on home soil, 28 years after Kapil Dev’s men had lifted cricket’s biggest trophy at Lord’s in 1983.

In the final, Sri Lanka had set India a target of 275, aided by Mahela Jayawardene’s sublime century. In reply, Lasith Malinga got Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag early, however, Gautam Gambhir (97) and MS Dhoni, who promoted himself up the order scoring an unbeaten 91, led the chase as India won by six wickets.

Sachin Tendulkar Who Recovered After Testing Covid-19 Positive Donated INR 1 Crore To Help Procure Oxygen Concentrators

India is grappling with one of its biggest crisis, as over 3 lakh COVID-19 positive cases are being reported per day, as per official numbers. Sachin Tendulkar himself tested positive for the virus earlier this year and was even admitted to a hospital.

Speaking about his battle with COVID-19, Sachin Tendulkar thanked the medical fraternity as well as his family and friends who kept him in a positive frame of mind.

“I think it is a difficult time for all of us, these are unprecedented times and all I can say is from my first-hand experience, the entire medical fraternity, I cannot thank them enough. How they have stayed committed to saving lives, helping so many people, and nobody has complained. Nobody has said that today we do not feel like working, they are saving lives. A big thank you to all of them.”

Sachin Tendulkar Photograph: Niklas Halle’n/AFP/Getty Images
Sachin Tendulkar
Photograph: Niklas Halle’n/AFP/Getty Images

“To my friends and family, when I was diagnosed with COVID-19, they kept me in that positive frame of mind. It is a challenging time for everyone, but we have to stay positive and help each other. My message for everyone will be to follow the new normal, washing your hands, making sure you maintain a certain level of hygiene and also to maintain social distancing,” Sachin Tendulkar added.

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An increasingly irate Ian Bell (left) and Eoin Morgan are prevented from leaving the field before tea
An increasingly irate Ian Bell (left) and Eoin Morgan are prevented from leaving the field before tea
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Ian Bell Admits Committing A Mistake While Recalling ‘Spirit Of Cricket’ Moment Involving MS Dhoni In 2011

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Ian Bell, the former England batsman, reminisced about a famous ‘Spirit of Cricket’ moment in 2011 involving former India captain MS Dhoni and himself.

The moment arrived on the third day of the second Test match between the two countries in Nottingham. On the stroke of Tea on Day 3, England’s present white-ball captain Eoin Morgan guided the ball to the leg-side boundary with Ian Bell at the non-strikers’ end.

Ian Bell featured in 118 Tests for England. (File Photo/Reuters)
Ian Bell featured in 118 Tests for England. (File Photo/Reuters)

Ian Bell Admits He Committed A Mistake After Being Run Out In 2014 After Bails Were Dislodged When They Were Walking Back To The Pavilion For Tea Break

The batsmen thought the ball had raced away for a boundary but didn’t realize that Praveen Kumar managed to save the ball from hitting the ropes with a diving effort. The two Englishmen thought the ball had crossed the ropes and started to walk back to the pavilion for the short break.

Praveen Kumar then threw the ball to wicketkeeper MS Dhoni, who passed the ball to Abhinav Mukund to dislodge the bails. Ian Bell, who was batting at 137 at the time, was legally declared run out after the Indian team appealed.

“They obviously got Dhoni a ‘Spirit of the Game’ award for the decade or something like that. But yeah [it was] a mistake on my behalf, should never do that,” Bell added.

Praveen Kumar
Praveen Kumar (File Photo)

The incidence prompted immense booing and various expressions of displeasure from the English crowd. Ian Bell, who played his last Test in 2015, scored 7727 runs, including 22 hundred, at an average of 42.69 in 118 Test matches while in the ODIs, he scored 5,416 runs in 161 matches. The stylish Ian Bell, known for his exquisite cover drives, was Man of the Series in one of the five Ashes triumphs and was also part of England’s memorable Test series triumph on Indian soil in 2012.

Ian Bell Returned To The Field After MS Dhoni Withdrew His Appeal And Was Awarded ICC Spirit Of Cricket Award Of The Decade

When the teams returned to the field for the final session, Ian Bell walked out, much to the delight of the spectators. It was later learned that MS Dhoni withdrew his appeal after discussions between the two sides.

Speaking to the Grade Cricketer’s YouTube channel, Ian Bell admitted that he ran back too soon without confirming with the umpires.

“Yes, it’s interesting. When I look back to that, I mean, I must have been hungry or something because I literally just belted for the pavilion when I thought it was four if it was either way around, I would have been safe and we would have been fine.

“But yeah, they obviously got Dhoni a ‘Spirit of the Game’ award for the decade or something like that. But yeah [it was] a mistake on my behalf, should never do that,” Ian Bell told The Grade Cricketer’s YouTube channel.

MS Dhoni won the award for retracting his appeal against Ian Bell during a Test match in 2011.(Getty Images)
MS Dhoni won the award for retracting his appeal against Ian Bell during a Test match in 2011. (Getty Images)

MS Dhoni was awarded the ICC Spirit of Cricket Award of the decade for his gesture. Ian Bell went on to score 156 runs and India lost the Test by 319 runs. Eventually, the visitors were white-washed 4-0 in the series.

One of the most successful captains in the history of Indian cricket, MS Dhoni was picked as the winner of the ICC Spirit of Cricket Award of the decade.

MS Dhoni pipped the likes of Kane Williamson, Mahela Jayawardene, Brendon McCullum, and others to bag the award for his decision to recall former England batsman Ian Bell following a controversial run out during the India-England Test series in 2011. Ian Bell admitted that he was naive and ‘a bit stupid’ in the whole incident.

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Suryakumar Yadav
Suryakumar Yadav (Instagram)
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Mahela Jayawardene Is Proud Of MI’s Valuable Asset Suryakumar Yadav

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Mahela Jayawardene, Mumbai Indians head coach said he is happy and proud for the Mumbai batsman Suryakumar Yadav as he was effusive in praising him after he made his debut for the Indian cricket team.

In the last three years, Suryakumar Yadav has stamped his authority in the Indian Premier League (IPL) as one of the most dominating batsmen. The Mumbai batsman has played a key role in defending IPL champions Mumbai Indians (MI) in the last three seasons where he scored over 400 runs every time. His wait for his international debut ended recently when the Indian selectors named him for the limited-overs series against England.

Suryakumar Yadav
Suryakumar Yadav (BCCI)

Mahela Jayawardene Praised Dynamic Right Hander Suryakumar Yadav As His Hard Work Was Rewarded

Mumbai Indians head coach Mahela Jayawardene heaped praise on the dynamic right-hander saying his hard work was finally rewarded with an international cap and it’s a big achievement to get into the Indian squad given the talent the country has at the moment.

“Very happy and proud that he made the India debut, well deserved for all the hard work that he has put in because it’s not an easier set up to get in because of the amount of talent that Indian cricket has at the moment. He definitely showed that he is in top form,” Mahela Jayawardene said in response to a query from timesnownews.com during a virtual press conference.

Mumbai Indians coach Mahela Jayawardene
Mumbai Indians coach Mahela Jayawardene (Photo| Mumbai Indians website)

Despite scoring a heap of runs in the IPL as well as India’s domestic circuit, Suryakumar Yadav was left disappointed as he was left out of India’s tour of Australia in 2020. However, he made his debut in the T20I series against England which followed the Australia tour, and kicked off his international career with a magnificent six against English speedster Jofra Archer.

When asked about the role played by MI management to keep Suryakumar motivated as he waited for his international debut, Mahela Jayawardene added, “We didn’t have to do much. SKY was quite motivated, he had the ambition to play for India and he worked towards that. Not just on the field, but off the field as well, he worked on his fitness. In the last three years, we have challenged Surya in different positions up the order. Before that, he was mostly used as a finisher. We saw potential in him to bat up the order.”

Suryakumar Yadav has so far played two T20I innings. He has scored 89 runs at an average of 44.50 and a strike rate of 185.41. In IPL 2020, the likes of keepers Ishan Kishan (516), Quinton De Kock (503), and batsman Suryakumar Yadav (480) were consistent with the bat to help the Mumbai Indians side clinch their 2nd successive IPL title. Jasprit Bumrah claimed 27 wickets at 14.96 to finish as 2nd leading wicket-taker in IPL 2020.

Mahela Jayawardene: Suryakumar Yadav Has Been A Valuable Asset For Mumbai Indians Lineup

Suryakumar Yadav has scored 512, 424, and 484 runs respectively in the last three seasons for Mumbai Indians and has played a key role in them winning two titles.

Highlighting how Suryakumar has scaled new heights with Mumbai in the last three years, Mahela Jayawardene said, “The main challenge for him is to have that game plan and execute it out there in the middle. What he has done in the last three years is to evolve on that thought process against different oppositions, on different surfaces because he certainly has the skillset to do that. And that’s something we have seen in the last three years and he has been a valuable asset for this lineup with what he brings to the table. For us, Surya batting at three or while opening, he had same impact for us.”

Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan were given their debut caps ahead of India's second T20I against England in Ahmedabad on Sunday. - SPORTZPICS
Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan were given their debut caps ahead of India’s second T20I against England in Ahmedabad on Sunday. – SPORTZPICS

Ishan Kishan, another Mumbai Indians batsman scored 56 runs off just 32 balls while Suryakumar Yadav did not get a chance to bat in the 2nd T20I match. Suryakumar Yadav got the chance to bat in the fourth T20I and went on to score 57 runs from 31 deliveries before scoring a rapid 32 off 17 balls in the series decider T20I and was inducted in the ODI squad.

In IPL 2021, MI is once again off to a good start having won two out of their three matches. Rohit Sharma and his men will now take on Delhi Capitals in their next match, to be played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on April 20.

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Sachin Tendulkar (C) with daughter Sara (L) and son Arjun (R). (Photo: Instagram/@sachintendulkar)
Sachin Tendulkar (C) with daughter Sara (L) and son Arjun (R). (Photo: Instagram/@sachintendulkar)
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None Can Take Away Arjun Tendulkar’s Achievement Of Selection In MI In IPL 2021: Sara Tendulkar

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Sara Tendulkar, Sachin Tendulkar’s daughter has a message for younger brother Arjun Tendulkar, who was bought by Mumbai Indians for his base price of Rs 20 lakhs.

Mumbai’s 21-year-old cricketer Arjun Tendulkar was bagged by the Mumbai Indians franchise in the IPL 2021 Auction, held on Thursday, for his base price of Rs 20 lakhs. The left-arm pacer will represent the defending champions of the Indian Premier League in the upcoming 14th edition of the cash-rich event hosted by the BCCI.

Arjun Tendulkar. (Photo Source: Twitter)
Arjun Tendulkar. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Sara Tendulkar: Nobody Can Take Achievement Of Selection In Mumbai Indians Away From Arjun Tendulkar

The fact that Arjun Tendulkar who played the last two group stage matches in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy is the son of India’s legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar has put him under scrutiny even before the youngster gets to prove himself on the cricket field.

His sister Sara Tendulkar, 23, had a message for her younger brother after his recruitment by the Mumbai Indians franchise.

“Nobody can take this achievement away from you. It is yours:” Sara Tendulkar wrote on her Instagram story.

Sara Tendulkar, Sachin Tendulkar, Arjun Tendulkar, Anjali Tendulkar
Sara Tendulkar, Sachin Tendulkar, Arjun Tendulkar, Anjali Tendulkar (Photo: PTI)

After getting roped in by MI on auction day, the franchise’s official Twitter handle had posted a video of Sara Tendulkar’s younger brother Arjun Tendulkar expressing himself.

“Since childhood, I have been a die-hard fan of Mumbai Indians. I would like to thank the coaches, owners and support staff for showing faith in me. I can’t wait to put on the blue and gold (jersey),” Arjun Tendulkar said in a video message after the IPL 2021 auction.

Mumbai Indians head coach Mahela Jayawardene, in a video conference, has also backed the selection of Arjun based purely on skills.

“We’ve looked at it purely on a skill basis. There’s going to be a big tag on his head because of Sachin. But luckily he’s a bowler, not a batsman. I think Sachin will be very proud if he could bowl like Arjun,” Mahela said.

MI was the only team that bid on Arjun Tendulkar, who was the last player to be sold in the 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.

Arjun Tendulkar’s Achievements In T20s

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. Arjun Tendulkar made his senior debut for Mumbai in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2021 during the recently-concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

File image of Arjun Tendulkar.(BCCI)
File image of Arjun Tendulkar.(BCCI)

On February 14, Arjun Tendulkar has drawn the attention of IPL franchises by slamming an unbeaten 77 off just 31 balls for the MIG Cricket Club in the 73rd Police Invitation Shield tournament on Sunday. The 21-year-old’s blazing innings was studded with 8 sixes and he also hit 5 fours during his innings. He shone with the ball as well and took 3 wickets for 41 runs as MIG won the match by a massive 194-run margin.

He debuted against Hariyana and played against Puducherry picking 1 scalp each in both games.

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Top 6 Batsmen With Most International Centuries Against India

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Century is one of happiest moments for a batsman. The top-class batsmen always try to play big three-digit knocks and this insistence gets higher against the challenging side in challenging conditions.

The Indian national cricket team has evolved as a challenging side with the time progress. Every batsman feels great after scoring a century against India. There are six cricketers who have recorded at least 10 international centuries against the Indian team.

Top six batsmen with most international centuries against India

Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka) – 10 centuries

Top 6 Batsmen With Most International Centuries Against India 1

Former Sri Lankan cricketer Mahela Jayawardene hit a total of 10 international centuries against India during his career. After playing 110 international matches against India (1997-2014), Jayawardene scored 4563 runs in 117 innings with an average 42.25. Apart from his 10 international centuries against the Indian team, the right-handed batsman also hit 25 half-centuries against this team.

Against India, Jayawardene hit 6 Test centuries and 4 ODI centuries. However, as a captain, the right-handed batsman hit only one Test century against this team. His highest score against the Indian team was 275 runs during Ahmedabad Test in November 2009, which is still the only Test double-century for Sri Lanka in India.

Format Number of centuries against India
Test 6
ODI 4
Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6

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Hardik Pandya, Mumbai Indians, Mahela Jayawardhene
Hardik Pandya. Photo Credit: Getty Images.
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IPL 2020: Mumbai Indians “Need To Be Mindful” Of Hardik Pandya’s Workload – Mahela Jayawardene

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Mumbai Indians head coach Mahela Jayawardene said that Hardik Pandya looked good in the nets but the team management would have to be mindful in managing his workload because he was coming back after an injury.

Hardik Pandya sustained a back injury ahead of the Test series against South Africa last year in August. Subsequently, he went under back surgery which led his ouster from the game for around four months.

During which, he also served the rehabilitation period in National Cricket Academy (NCA). Further, the outbreak of coronavirus delayed his plan of a comeback. But finally, he will feature in the IPL 2020. 

Rohit Sharma Hardik Pandya
(Photo Credit: Getty Images)

In MI’s virtual media conference, Mahela Jayawardene opined that the two Pandya brothers – Hardik Pandya and Krunal Pandya- have been fantastic over three-four years for the franchise. He said that they bring energy to the group to the group.

“Hardik is coming back from an injury. So we will have to be mindful of that but he is looking very good in the nets. Both the players (Pandya brothers) have been fantastic for MI over the last three or four years.

“It brings a lot of energy to the group,” Jayawardene said during MI’s virtual media conference on Thursday.

Hardik Pandya
Hardik Pandya. Credit: BCCI

The former Sri Lankan cricketer said that they used Hardik in different roles last season. For the upcoming season, MI is planning to develop more players like Hardik who are versatile and can also be the back up of Indian allrounder.

“We have used him (Hardik) in different roles in the past and we will look into that. We will have quite a number of other players who can fix into that role as well, so whenever the opportunity is there we ask anyone to finish the game off,” said the former Sri Lanka captain.

Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians will play the first match against Chennai Super Kings on 19 September, the inauguration day of the league.

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