'Ashwin, Jadeja out of 2019 WC race'
new delhi: Former India pacer Atul Wassan on Wednesday dismissed any chances of India's experienced spin pair of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja being in the scheme of things for the 2019 Cricket World Cup in England. The debate over Ashwin and Jadeja's comeback in coloured clothing arose after the impressive show by the wrist spin twins -- chinaman Kuldeep Yadav and leggie Yuzvendra Chahal -- in the ongoing ODI series against South Africa. "Well people might say diplomatically they have a chance, but I don't see any chance unless one of Kuldeep or Chahal gets injured," Wassan said. While many cricket experts wanted the team management to give a long rope to Kuldeep and Chahal for their fearless approach and wicket-taking abilities, India's bowling coach Bharat Arun recently said that the "race is not over yet" for Ashwin and Jadeja. Skipper Virat Kohli has also been a vocal supporter of the two wrist spinners in limited overs cricket and wants them in the scheme of things for the quadrennial event in England in 2019. Impressed by the performance of the wrist spin duo, Wassan wants the management to let the duo play around 50 matches in different conditions before the World Cup.
DY Patil T20 Cup from Feb 19
mumbai: The 14th edition of the DY Patil T20 Cup will be held at the DY Patil stadium and the university ground in the neighbouring Navi Mumbai from February 19 to March 1. Altogether, 16 teams, which have been drawn into four groups, will take part in the coveted tournament. The top two teams from each of the four groups will qualify for the quarter-finals to be held on February 27, and the final will be played on March 1. Top players like Cheteshwar Pujara, Yuzvendra Chahal, wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant, among others, participated in the past editions of the tournament.
BCCI red flags ‘Sudama Premier league'
new delhi: The BCCI has warned all its affiliated units against allowing their players to participate in the unsanctioned 'Sudama Premier league'. The tournament was launched in the presence of former India captain Kapil Dev and current DDCA senior selection committee chairman Atul Wassan. Former India players Sanjeev Sharma and former international umpire K Hariharan are also associated with the event. The matches were supposed to be held at the Feroz Shah Kotla but with BCCI sanctions, Kotla will not be allowed to be the host. It is worth mentioning here that the stadium in Greater Noida was banned after it hosted a tournament named Noida Premier league T20. The BCCI had recently sanctioned its registered players from competing in the dubious ventures like Indian Junior Premier league (IJPl) and Rajwada Premier league.
Shiffrin, German skaters claim tearful Olympic golds
pyeongchang: Skier Mikaela Shiffrin opened her delayed Olympics with victory and figure skaters Aljona Savchenko and Bruno Massot smashed a world record to grab gold as full competition resumed Thursday after days of wind disruption. Shiffrin kicked off her bid for multiple titles at the Pyeongchang Winter Games with a storming second run in the giant slalom, ending a nervous wait after it was postponed because of high winds on Monday. The Sochi 2014 slalom champion from America sank to her knees and dissolved in tears after her powerful descent brought her gold from Norways Ragnhild Mowinckel by 0.39 seconds.