Cricket

England's Test captain Ben Stokes has once again expressed his frustration with the 'umpire's call' rule in the Decision Review System (DRS), which he believes has cost his team wickets during their tour of India. Stokes pointed to the dismissal of opener Zak Crawley in the second innings of the Rajkot Test as an example, arguing that the ball was clearly missing the stumps but was given out due to the 'umpire's call'.Stokes's concerns are shared by former England captain Nasser Hussain, who agrees that the Crawley dismissal was incorrect. However, Hussain believes that the 'umpire's call' is an important part of the DRS system, as it accounts for the margin of error in the technology."Technology can be fallible, but I've always been very strong on the fact I like the DRS and I also like the umpire's call," Hussain wrote in his Daily Mail column. "Look at the shemozzle with VAR in football. It's just not like that in cricket. Stokes and others like Virat Kohli may want to get rid of it, but the umpire's call is not there to protect the officials; it's there because of the margin of error in the technology."Hussain also pointed out that there have been changes to the DRS system in recent years, including increasing the height at which the ball can clip the bails. This means that some LBW decisions that would have previously been given out are now being overturned."Bear in mind, also, there have been a couple of changes in the system and the ball can now clip the top of the bails," Hussain said. "The LBWs for Ollie Pope and Zak Crawley in the third Test did look high, but they have increased the height by 1.3 centimeters. One thing I will agree on with Ben. He said the visual of Crawley's dismissal showed the ball missing the stumps. If that's the case, you can't have that."The debate over the 'umpire's call' is likely to continue, with strong arguments on both sides. However, it is clear that the system is not perfect and there is room for improvement.

Basil Thampi, the Kerala fast bowler, has rediscovered his mojo this season, emerging as a potent force with the new ball and leading his team to several crucial victories. After struggling in the past two seasons following the departure of his long-time bowling partner Sandeep Warrier, Thampi has undergone a remarkable transformation, fueled by improved fitness and a revamped bowling action.During the off-season, Thampi spent three months at the MRF Pace Academy, working with coach Senthilnathan to enhance his strength and refine his bowling technique. The focus was on increasing his release point, transitioning from a side-arm delivery to a straighter trajectory. This adjustment has yielded positive results, as Thampi has found greater accuracy and consistency in his bowling.The results of Thampi's hard work were evident in the recent domestic season, where he finished as the second-highest wicket-taker for Kerala in the Ranji Trophy, claiming 24 wickets at an average of 24.20. He played a pivotal role in Kerala's victory over Bengal, delivering a match-winning spell, and nearly guided his team to victory against Andhra with an incisive spell with the old ball after tea.Thampi's resurgence has been a major boost for Kerala, providing the team with a reliable and effective new-ball bowler. His ability to bowl long spells, maintain a fine rhythm, and create early breakthroughs on flat wickets has been instrumental in Kerala's success this season.Reflecting on his improved performance, Thampi attributed his success to enhanced fitness and a change in his bowling action. He acknowledged the impact of his absence from Warrier, but emphasized that his focus on fitness and technical adjustments have been key to his resurgence.Thampi also expressed satisfaction with his overall performance, highlighting his five-wicket haul against Assam and his impressive spell against Mumbai, where he dismissed Ajinkya Rahane in the opening over. He credited his teammates M.D. Nidheesh, N.P. Basil, and Akhin Sathar for maintaining pressure from the other end.While Kerala narrowly missed out on qualification for the Ranji Trophy quarterfinals, Thampi remained optimistic about the team's progress. He acknowledged that luck was not on their side in certain matches, but expressed confidence that with improved toss luck, the outcome could have been different.

The 17th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to commence on March 22, 2024, with defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) facing Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the opening match. This year's IPL will break the tradition of the opening match featuring the previous season's winners and runners-up.The tournament will kick off with 21 matches scheduled over the first 17 days, taking into account the upcoming Lok Sabha polls in India. The complete IPL schedule will be announced later, once the general election dates are finalized.During the initial 17-day period, 21 matches will be played across 10 cities, with each team playing a minimum of three and a maximum of five matches. The first weekend will feature two doubleheaders, with Punjab Kings hosting Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders taking on Sunrisers Hyderabad.The action will then shift to Jaipur, where Rajasthan Royals will face Lucknow Super Giants, followed by Gujarat Titans, the reigning champions, facing five-time winners Mumbai Indians in Ahmedabad.Delhi Capitals, who have opted to play their first two home matches in Visakhapatnam, will host Chennai Super Kings on March 31 and Kolkata Knight Riders on April 3.The 10 teams are divided into two groups of five, with each team playing 14 games in the group stage. They will face the other four teams in their group twice (home and away), four teams in the other group once, and the remaining team twice.Despite the upcoming general elections, the tournament will be held entirely in India. The BCCI will work closely with government and security agencies to ensure all necessary protocols and advisories related to the elections are followed.The IPL was held entirely overseas only once, in 2009, in South Africa. In 2014, a portion of the tournament was held in the UAE due to elections. However, in 2019, the IPL took place in India despite the elections.Hardik Pandya will make his debut as the captain for Mumbai Indians, taking over from Rohit Sharma. New Zealand's Rachin Ravindra will make his maiden IPL appearance after a notable performance in the ODI World Cup last year.Meanwhile, CSK's iconic figure MS Dhoni, who led the team to five IPL titles, has been out of competitive cricket since their victorious campaign in the previous season.The IPL players' auction for the 2024 season took place in December last year, with Australian pacer Mitchell Starc becoming the most expensive player in IPL history after being bought by Kolkata Knight Riders for Rs 24.75 crore.

Mohammed Shami, India's premier fast bowler, has been dealt a major setback as he is set to miss the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) due to a persistent left ankle injury. The 33-year-old pacer, who has been battling this issue for some time now, will undergo surgery in the United Kingdom to address the problem.Shami's absence from the IPL, which is scheduled to commence on March 22, is a significant blow to his franchise, the Gujarat Titans, who were hoping to retain their title with the services of their star bowler. The right-arm pacer has been a key figure in India's recent success in limited-overs cricket, playing a pivotal role in their run to the final of the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia.The injury concerns surrounding Shami have raised questions about the injury rehabilitation management program planned by the National Cricket Academy (NCA). Some experts believe that a more aggressive approach, such as opting for surgery earlier, could have potentially accelerated his recovery and allowed him to participate in the IPL.Shami's absence from the IPL is not only a setback for his franchise but also for the Indian team, as he is a vital cog in their bowling attack. With a packed schedule of international fixtures in the coming months, including Test series against Bangladesh and New Zealand, as well as the marquee away series against Australia, Shami's availability will be crucial for India's success.The injury to Shami highlights the importance of effective injury management and rehabilitation programs for athletes. With the increasing demands of modern-day cricket, players are often pushed to their limits, making it essential for teams and support staff to prioritize player welfare and ensure that injuries are addressed promptly and appropriately.

Sri Lanka's T20I captain Wanindu Hasaranga has launched a scathing attack on umpire Lyndon Hannibal, accusing him of being unfit for international cricket after a controversial no-ball call in the third T20I against Afghanistan.The incident occurred during a tense final over, with Sri Lanka needing 11 runs off the last three balls. Wafadar Momand delivered a high full toss that passed well above the waist of batter Kamindu Mendis without pitching. Despite Mendis' appeals and a request for a review, square-leg umpire Hannibal deemed the delivery legal, leaving Sri Lanka needing 11 off the last two balls.Hasaranga, who did not name Hannibal directly, expressed his outrage at the decision, stating that such incidents should not occur in international matches. He emphasized that the delivery was clearly above waist height and would have hit the batsman's head if it had gone slightly higher."That kind of thing shouldn't happen in an international match," Hasaranga said. "If it had been close [to waist height], that's not a problem. But a ball that's going so high… it would have hit the batsman's head if it had gone a little higher.""If you can't see that, that umpire isn't suited to international cricket. It would be much better if he did another job."Hasaranga also criticized the ICC's playing conditions, which do not allow player reviews for umpire decisions that do not involve potential dismissals. He argued that the third umpire should be able to review no-balls, regardless of whether a dismissal is at stake."There was a situation where you could review those calls before, but the ICC has got rid of that," Hasaranga said. "Our batsmen tried to review that. If the third umpire is able to check the front-foot no-ball, he should check this kind of no-ball as well. There's no reason why they can't. They didn't do even that, so I'm not sure what was going on in his (the square-leg umpire's) mind at the time."Sri Lanka went on to lose the match by three runs, handing Afghanistan their only victory of the tour. Despite the loss, Sri Lanka won the series 2-1.

England's tour of India has taken an intriguing turn as they prepare for the fourth Test in Ranchi. The tourists were greeted by an unusual-looking pitch at the JSCA International Stadium, raising questions about its potential behavior during the match.Vice-captain Ollie Pope acknowledged that if the pitch starts spinning from the first ball, it would create an even playing field. Ben Stokes, England's captain, is considering reverting to the spin-heavy attack used in the first two Tests, with off-spinner Shoaib Bashir a possible inclusion.Ollie Robinson, who has been on the sidelines for most of the series, is set to replace Mark Wood, who needs a rest after the defeat in the third Test. Robinson has been working hard on his fitness and skills during his time in India, and Stokes praised his dedication and professionalism.Stokes also addressed the criticism that followed England's heavy defeat in Rajkot, saying that it is part of the sport and that the team needs to move on quickly. He emphasized the importance of individual reflection on performances rather than focusing solely on the result.England's ability to turn the tide after setbacks was highlighted by Stokes, who pointed to their comebacks from opening defeats in the South Africa and Australia series. He stressed the team's focus on maintaining a level vibe and playing to the best of their abilities, regardless of the outcome.

In the third Test match between India and England, a mix-up between Sarfaraz Khan and Ravindra Jadeja resulted in a controversial run out, sparking discussions among cricket enthusiasts. Sarfaraz Khan, making his Test debut, was playing an impressive innings, reaching a 48-ball half-century, the joint fastest by an Indian debutant in the post-independence era. However, just as he seemed poised for a substantial score, the unfortunate mix-up led to his dismissal.Former South African cricketer AB de Villiers weighed in on the incident, expressing his disappointment in Jadeja's role in the run out. De Villiers noted that Jadeja's body language and subdued celebration after reaching his century reflected his remorse for the error. He commended Jadeja's maturity in taking responsibility and showing empathy for the young batsman.Sarfaraz Khan, in his post-match conference, acknowledged that miscommunication can occur in the game and that run outs are part of the sport. He expressed gratitude for Jadeja's support throughout his innings, particularly during their conversation at lunchtime. Jadeja's guidance helped Sarfaraz overcome his initial nervousness and settle into a comfortable rhythm.Regarding the run out, Sarfaraz revealed that Jadeja had apologized for the miscommunication, and he assured him that it was alright. The incident highlights the challenges and pressures faced by debutants in international cricket, and the importance of experienced players providing support and guidance to help them navigate these moments.

Indian cricket star Virat Kohli and his wife, actress Anushka Sharma, welcomed their second child, a baby boy named Akaay, on February 15, 2024. The news was met with immense joy and excitement by fans and well-wishers worldwide. However, the couple's happiness was marred by the emergence of fake social media accounts purporting to belong to their newborn son.As soon as Virat and Anushka announced their son's name, social media users rushed to create accounts on Instagram and other platforms using the combination "Akaay Kohli." Some even began posting stories and content on behalf of the infant, leading to confusion and concern among fans.The situation prompted Virat and Anushka to issue a statement requesting privacy and respect for their family's decision to protect their children's identity on social media. They emphasized that they would not be sharing pictures or making public appearances of their son, just as they had done with their first child, Vamika.Kohli, who is currently on paternity leave from the ongoing Test series against England, expressed his gratitude for the blessings and good wishes received from fans and well-wishers. He also urged them to respect the couple's privacy during this special time in their lives.The couple's decision to shield their children from the public eye is understandable, given the intense scrutiny and media attention that often surrounds celebrity families. They want to ensure that their children have a normal and private upbringing, free from the pressures and expectations that come with being in the spotlight.While some fans may be disappointed that they won't be able to follow Akaay's life on social media, it is important to respect the couple's wishes and understand their reasons for wanting to protect their family's privacy.

The Women's Premier League (WPL) is set to kick off its second season with a star-studded opening ceremony featuring Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan. The King Khan will take center stage at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on February 23, 2024, to celebrate "Cricket ka Queendom."Fans can expect a dazzling performance from SRK, known for his electrifying stage presence and captivating charisma. The opening ceremony will also witness performances by other Bollywood heartthrobs, including Shahid Kapoor, Kartik Aaryan, Varun Dhawan, and Tiger Shroff.The second season of the WPL promises to be bigger and better than the inaugural edition. Five teams - UP Warriorz, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Gujarat Giants, Delhi Capitals, and Mumbai Indians - will battle it out for the prestigious trophy.The tournament will kick off with a blockbuster clash between last year's finalists, Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals. The summit clash will take place on March 17 in New Delhi, while the eliminator will be played on March 15.All matches will start at 7:30 pm and will be telecasted live on JioCinema and Sports18. Fans can also catch the action on the Star Sports network.The WPL has quickly become a major attraction in the world of women's cricket. The league provides a platform for talented female cricketers to showcase their skills and compete at the highest level.The upcoming season is expected to be even more competitive, with several world-class players joining the fray. Fans can expect thrilling matches, stunning performances, and unforgettable moments throughout the tournament.