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The BCCI’s new president, Anurag Thakur, talks about reforming the board, Test cricket in the IPL era, the fan experience in India, and more

Interview by Gaurav Kalra01-Jun-20165:19

Anurag Thakur: “By 2020 India Women should be No. 1”

Did you ever think you would be one of the youngest presidents in the history of the BCCI?
I never thought about positions. All I wanted in life was to play for the country. When that dream ended – especially after I did well in junior cricket, played against England Under-19s, and in the Ranji trophy – I was totally disconnected from the game. Since my re-entry into cricket as the president of the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association, I have given my 100%. Posts never mattered to me. I was offered the position of [BCCI] vice-president way back in 2001, which I did not accept because I wanted to do something for Himachal cricket. Once I felt Himachal could thrive and survive on its own, only then did I switch over to BCCI positions.In some ways this job is an accident. Mr Dalmiya died, unfortunately, and Mr Manohar decided to move on to the ICC. Do you sometimes think that you would have liked a bit more experience before becoming president?
Destiny plays its role. Many people in the BCCI know that things could have happened a year and a half back but, as I said, it was never the position that mattered to me. At the time we thought Mr Dalmiya was the best person, and then Mr Manohar. But then others decided that I should take over and run the board.You have got the job at perhaps the most challenging phase in the history of the BCCI; in a couple of months a court order could come that will fundamentally change the way the board is run. Has that ever entered your thought process?
Life throws us a challenge every day, so we have to accept that [and think] how do we convert this into an opportunity. From my playing days I have believed hard work and sincerity works. Despite limited means in Himachal, what we [in the state association] delivered in the first five years was much more than could be expected.Even today, when many see it is a negative, I feel the courts will also understand what the BCCI has contributed in the last eight decades; they won’t overlook it. I agree one or two mistakes may have been made in the past, but then there are shortcomings in every organisation. We can’t go for an overhaul in everything. Is there an overhaul of the judiciary or the bureaucracy? No.It does appear, though, that the courts aren’t in a very receptive frame of mind to the BCCI’s position on most things these days. We saw what happened with the Bombay High Court, for instance, regarding moving IPL games out of Maharashtra.
I have highest respect for the judiciary. But at times you need to sit back and look at the judgement also. What has Maharashtra gained from that? Or lost? I am nobody to comment, let people judge it.

“The ICC is looking at BCCI for some kind of leadership, to take cricket to the next level. So the ICC is incomplete without the BCCI”

Yes, but that’s one specific instance. On the larger point, it does appear that judges aren’t really in the mood to listen to the BCCI’s point of view. Does that worry you?
I think there are many important issues in this country that are pending for the last several years. You take the Nirbhaya case, for instance, there has been a lot of hue and cry but justice has still not been delivered. Many issues about things like government formation etc are yet to be decided. So it depends what is important for the country and what isn’t.So you think the court is spending too much time on BCCI matters?
That is for the court to decide, I am nobody to. What I am trying to say is, there are many important things in society and the court takes a call from time to time.Let us talk a bit about the Lodha report. If there were three things in the recommendations that you believe cannot work at all, what would they be?
I will not comment on that since the matter is sub judice.But Mr Manohar held a long press conference recently and elaborated on the concerns.
He did that after he quit the position of BCCI president, not before.So is it safe to say that you agree with all the observations Mr Manohar made?
I think most of us were on the same page when we discussed that internally. He is no more BCCI president and he understands, as ICC chief, how the game will suffer, how the ICC and BCCI will suffer, if the recommendations are implemented in their totality. He has been very open, and it’s nice of him to have expressed his point of view.So largely you are on the same page?
It’s not about being on the same page or not. He has been president of the BCCI and he has tried to, during his term, bring in reforms. After his experience of doing that, and being a lawyer himself, it was nice of him to express his point.Since we are talking about Mr Manohar, was there a tinge of disappointment when he informed you that he was going to leave his term midway and go over to the ICC at this challenging time?
You have to look at cricket from a global perspective. The ICC is also looking at the BCCI for some kind of leadership, to take cricket to the next level. So the ICC is incomplete without the BCCI.”If I am somewhere for cricket, then that is my focus. Hardly 1-2% of my time will be dedicated to political activity then”•Hindustan Times via Getty ImagesShould I interpret this as you saying Mr Manohar should have stayed on as BCCI chief?
I was very happy working with him. We had a very good equation, which continues even today. Every decision we took in the last nine months, or even before with Mr Dalmiya, we were on the same page. There were hardly one or two areas where we had a difference of opinion.Let me ask the question another way. Would you rather have Mr Manohar as BCCI chief, or are you fine with him being ICC president?
He is a friend and was a colleague, now he is ICC chairman, and I would love to work with him in any position he takes, because ultimately you have to serve the game of cricket wherever you are: ICC or BCCI.Mr Manohar has led the way in taking steps towards a very significant change. A certain revenue structure was put in place by the so-called “Big Three”, which is now being dismantled. This will lead to losses in the BCCI’s revenue. Were you, as a senior BCCI official, okay with that decision?
Let the time come, we will let you know what our position is.But the position had been taken by the ICC chairman when he was BCCI president…
The house authorised the president and secretary to negotiate and discuss the matter with the ICC.Not decide on it?
No.But it has been decided…
No, not really. The power has been given to the president and secretary.So what you are saying is, the BCCI’s final word hasn’t been spoken on the ICC’s decision to do away with the revenue structure the Big Three came up with.
Yes. It is just at the discussion stage.Returning to the Lodha panel, do you feel that the BCCI should have adopted a different legal strategy, offered less resistance in the courts and shown more acceptance?
We started the reformation process well before the recommendations came in. So you can’t say what reforms have [already] been put in place, we will go through the recommendations again and do that [again]. Many practical things that are required to be a part of the system, that has been done. Every institution goes through reform from time to time. Wherever we find reform practical and in the interest of cricket, we will do that.Have you had any contact with the amicus curiae Gopal Subramaniam, who has also apparently said some of the recommendations are not possible to implement?
I have never met him in my life.It was felt that the BCCI allowed a lot of state associations to go along their merry ways unhindered because of the way the voting structure is.
Like?Like the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA). The proxy system, no one is sure how the votes are secured etc…
Is that as per law? The established law of the land will work.

“Three areas concern me. One, conditions such as the dew factor. Second, in tier-two cities can we expect crowds to come every day with play ending after 11pm? Three, is this the only way to encourage Test cricket?”On day-night Test cricket in India

But different associations follow different systems, there is no uniformity. Among the Lodha recommendations is to have strong structures in place for local associations. Do you feel that has been a long-standing problem in the BCCI?
Again, I don’t want to go into the recommendations. If you look at the other side of the DDCA story, in a short space of time they hosted two IPL knockout matches, World T20 matches, and an India-South Africa Test. You can’t see only one side of the story.The India-South Africa Test is a case in point. For the first time in 20 years, after Justice Mudgal was appointed to oversee the organisation of the match, the DDCA finally showed a profit from the game. Isn’t that an indication that, if things were run professionally by the associations, they can be better?
We have a federal structure in India. The states have independent powers. From time to time, if any state association has any problems, they can learn.Another thing people wonder about is: does the BCCI really care about the fan? For example, the ticketing situation during the World T20 – till the last minute, it wasn’t clear where tickets were available. Fans want to make plans, they had no idea where to buy tickets. Do you concede that kind of situation creates resentment towards the BCCI?
I understand what you are saying, but many times things were beyond our control. During the IPL, for instance, many people had bought tickets for matches in Mumbai, Pune or Nagpur, but what happened – was it in my hands? The courts jumped in and passed an order. Similarly, in other associations a lot of politics has been brought in. In Himachal itself, a clothing exhibition from Pakistan was held but the [Pakistan] team wasn’t allowed to play. So a Pakistani exhibition can go on but the match can’t be held. It’s a large country, you have to face these situations and live with it.Fans say they feel shortchanged by the BCCI sometimes because of such issues, or because of the way grounds are. People go in and they don’t feel like they have as much fun as in other countries.
The first thing I said on taking over as president is that we want to enhance the fan experience. Whether it is to have a separate area for old or specially abled people, 10% tickets to students especially during Tests, clean stadiums and green stadiums – I have earmarked Rs 100 crore (US$ 14.8m approximately) for green stadiums.So you are giving an assurance that during your tenure you will put the fans at the top of your priority list?
We will do whatever is required for the fan. For example, seat numbering. Anyone can say, what is the big deal in this? But for someone who buys a ticket and goes to the ground and doesn’t find his seat, it is a big deal. This may look small, but I have said, without seat numbers associations won’t get games.”[Manohar] is a friend and was a colleague, now he is ICC chairman, and I would love to work with him in any position he takes”•AFPYou wear various hats. You aren’t just the BCCI president but also a prominent member of parliament from the Bharatiya Janata Party [one of India’s two main national political parties]. How hard is it to compartmentalise? Where does the politician end and the BCCI president begin?
If I am somewhere for cricket, then that is my focus. Hardly 1-2% of my time will be dedicated to political activity then.This question comes up because what you have to say as a politician is not necessarily in the best interests of Indian cricket. Let us assume it is in the best interests of Indian cricket to play a Test series against Pakistan but the BJP’s position is different. Does that create a difficulty for you?
The BCCI represents India, we form a team for India. So whatever decision we take, it is in the interest of the country. As a BJP MP, I will think along the same lines. As I’ve said about this matter, for a multilateral tournament we have never said no [to Pakistan’s participation]. For a bilateral series, though, if there is any commitment, you have to look at the situation between the two countries. If both the governments agree only then can we play, because there are security and diplomatic reasons involved.What is your vision for the BCCI in the world game, especially as a leader of the world game?
I think we have not invested enough in research and development. For example, if you look at our National Cricket Academy (NCA), we still look at Australia for any new technology or new systems that they have put in place. The BCCI has to do that [research and development] for Indian cricket, and that can further help world cricket. I think we can’t be followers, we have to become leaders in that direction. We have appointed professionals in various jobs. I think the next challenge is to bring in more efficiency at the state level.We also have to make the Indian team No. 1 in all formats. To do that we need good coaching staff and a good domestic structure that should help create good cricketers.One of the concerns is that an ecosystem has been created that encourages young players to focus on T20 and not focus on the longest format.
You sell what is liked by your viewer. If the fan wants to see T20s and ODIs, you have to play those formats. But at the same time you have to put in efforts to generate interest in Test cricket.Are you committed to that?
Of course. I have already put systems in place to give me suggestions on how to incentivise Test players. Like Cheteshwar Pujara isn’t picked by a [IPL] franchise, how do we incentivise those good-quality players?

“I agree one or two mistakes may have been made in the past, but then there are shortcomings in every organisation. We can’t go for an overhaul in everything. Is there an overhaul of the judiciary or the bureaucracy? No”

Let us take Pujara, who plays only Tests. In a year he will make only a fraction of what Pawan Negi will make in six weeks of the IPL.
Within a month or so we will be able to bring out something that will incentivise the Test players.You are experimenting this season with the Duleep Trophy being a day-night competition. Are you excited by the idea of Test cricket under lights? Do you believe it can work in India?
I have my doubts. Three areas concern me. One, the conditions such as Indian pitches and the dew factor. Second, in tier-two cities how can we expect crowds to come every day with play ending after 11pm five days in a row? Three, is this the only way to encourage Test cricket or could there be some other way? In the last few years, perhaps through the influence of T20 and ODI cricket, the attitude [of players in Tests] has changed and we are getting more results. How are countries to be incentivised to win more games? But globally, day-night Test cricket is being tried, so we can’t sit back and say we won’t.Over the next 18 months there is a lot of Test cricket to be played in India. Can we expect a day-night Test?
Depends on the Duleep Trophy. If the feedback from there is good, then we will take a call.Since we are talking about Test cricket, it is well known that India travels poorly. Is that one of the big focus areas – to develop a team that wins consistently overseas?
I think you need to expose the India A and Under-19 teams to the conditions where the national team will be playing the following year. For example, the Indian team will be playing in England in 2018, so the India A and Under-19 teams must travel to England in 2017, so the players who are your bench strength get enough exposure to play in those conditions. Since becoming secretary, I have introduced that concept. Over the last 15 months, India A and Under-19 teams have played a fair bit overseas.And you’ve managed to convince Rahul Dravid to coach these teams.
I am glad that both Ravi Shastri [as India team director] and Rahul Dravid accepted the offer and came forward to take on these roles. It is important because after the introduction of the IPL, many ex-players have become coaches [for the franchises] but they don’t see working with a national side as a lucrative option since it is a time-consuming and challenging option. So that’s a new challenge we are facing.Has there been any change in the BCCI’s position on the DRS?
We are waiting for the results of the tests the ICC is conducting at MIT. Once they come out with a report, we will take a call. I personally feel that if the technology isn’t 100% – after spending thousands of dollars per match, you still aren’t sure – then why introduce it?”I think you need to expose the India A and Under-19 teams to the conditions where the national team will be playing the following year”•PTI Ravi Shastri has said that he thinks the time is right for Virat Kohli to replace MS Dhoni as captain across formats. What is your view as the BCCI president?
I think it is for the selectors to decide who will lead the team. None of us told Dhoni to retire when he did from Test cricket.But no one is asking him to retire. The question is if he should stay on as captain.
I think it is not up to you and me to decide, it is up to the selectors. We have given them the responsibility, they are being paid for this job. They have taken the right decisions in the past and they will do justice on this one too.Before we finish, the post of ICC chairman that Mr Manohar now holds is an independent position, not bound to the person’s home board. How do you see that changing the dynamics of the way cricket is governed?
I personally supported that when it was discussed at the ICC meetings. And I insisted that if there is only a single nomination, allow that person to take over as ICC chairman from that day only, otherwise for 15-20 days [more, while the election process played out] the BCCI representative would have been the ICC chairman.In the case of a difference of opinion, like there seems to be between you and Mr Manohar on the ICC’s wealth distribution, do you feel you could be heading for a situation of conflict with him?
I simply said let the situation [play out], the power has been given to president and secretary. As to whether we agree or disagree, Mr Manohar also hadn’t taken a decision at that time, so how do you say we disagree? When your term ends in 2017, what would you like to leave behind?
Every administrator who works with responsibility leaves something behind. Look at the past presidents, they have all given something to the game. We learn from their experiences and we take decisions in the best interests of the game. There is a lot of criticism of Mr Srinivasan but he should also get due credit for the work he did.Do you have clear goals as well?
I want to see the Indian team as No. 1 in all formats. We [the BCCI] want to be more transparent, accountable and bring in more professionalism. Apart from that, we want to look at green initiatives, support deaf and dumb cricket etc. There will be many reforms that will change the people’s perception of the BCCI.The board does a great job, organises 800-plus matches over a year. This is not easy. How many associations can manage to shift matches between venues in the space of seven days? We have created good infrastructure over the years, that is our asset. I have to take all the state units together and strengthen them, so that we can easily handle any situation the BCCI comes across.

Royal Challengers Bangalore put up significantly better performances compared to last year, but still have areas of concern to address come next season

Arun Venugopal23-May-20151:34

Royal Challengers Bangalore couldn’t reach the final but had a much-improved season

Tournament overviewAfter three underachieving seasons, Royal Challengers Bangalore finally had reasons to be happy.Their quick course-corrections after a few defeats revealed a team that was tactically agile. Their bowling continued to be top-notch with Mitchell Starc continuing his fantastic form and the Indian complement of Yuzvendra Chahal, Harshal Patel and S Aravind punching above its weight. There was vital all-round intervention from David Wiese as well.The batting department, on the other hand, was largely a three-man assault system in AB de Villiers (513 runs), Chris Gayle (491) and Virat Kohli (505). While the first two were more about pounding opponents to dust, Kohli was the more composed counterpoint, fortifying one end and finishing games.Their Indian batsmen didn’t do as much consistently enough, but Daniel Vettori, the team’s head coach, thought otherwise. “There’s limited opportunities when those three guys step up. You can’t expect the same amount of runs from the middle order,” he said after the loss to Chennai Super Kings in the second Qualifier. “Mandeep (Singh) won us two games. Everytime he’s asked to perform, he did. Sarfaraz (Khan) similarly. He only had two opportunities to score runs, once against Rajasthan Royals and once today (against Chennai Super Kings), and he did that.”Vettori admitted his team had “battled for balance” last year. “I was really content with the make-up of the side this year. This year we got it right and we are really happy with the improvement.”High PointRoyal Challengers’ 71-run victory against Royals in the Eliminator was a tour de force of everything that had carried them up to that point. One of the Big Three – de Villiers – stepped up with the bat; Mandeep provided a support-act that outshone de Villiers’ effort; and some purposeful fielding and bowling: save for Wiese, none of the bowlers went for more than 5.5 runs an over. More importantly, the performance revealed a willingness to embrace the pressure of the big stage.Low PointThey would be grateful that their lowest point came at the start of the tournament. After winning their opening game, against Kolkata Knight Riders, Royal Challengers lost three games on the trot. This period coincided with injuries to Starc and Adam Milne and the constant shuffling of players to fill up the fourth foreign player’s slot. Milne was eventually replaced by Aravind, who turned out to be an excellent value addition.Top of the classIt would only be fair to say that Starc was the catalysing force behind Royal Challengers’ turnaround. He carried his form from the World Cup to pick up 20 wickets at an average of 14.55 with an economy rate of 6.76 runs an over. His was an intimidating presence both at the start and end of an innings.Under-par performerWith 141 runs from 11 innings at an average of 12.81, Dinesh Karthik was barely the middle-order marshall that Royal Challengers would have wanted when they picked him up for Rs 10.5 crore at the auction. The team resisted the temptation to replace him with another wicketkeeper, Manvinder Bisla, and hoped for that one telling contribution which never came. But Vettori called him “amazing from a wicket-keeping perspective and a leadership perspective”.Tip for 2016 If there would be one criticism of Royal Challengers, it would be their tendency to not go all the way after faltering at crucial junctures. The dropped catches against Super Kings in the second Qualifier potentially dashed their chances of making the final. Also, if the uncapped Indian batsmen could shoulder greater load, it would make them a more rounded unit should the likes of de Villiers, Kohli and Gayle have a bad run.

Stats highlights from a remarkable Test in Dunedin, which New Zealand failed to win despite dominating for large periods

S Rajesh07-Dec-2013When New Zealand bowled West Indies out on the final day and left themselves with a target of 112, it appeared that a couple of firsts might happen in Test cricket: New Zealand had never won a Test after scoring more than 600, and a team had never lost a Test after one of their players had scored a double-century in a follow-on.As it turned out, both those records stayed intact, thanks to the Dunedin rain. New Zealand have now passed 600 four times in Tests, and each of those matches have been drawn. Darren Bravo, meanwhile, became the seventh batsman to score a double-century in a follow-on; six of those have resulted in draws, while VVS Laxman’s 281 ensured a remarkable turnaround and an Indian win in Kolkata. Bravo’s 218 was the first such effort since Laxman’s innings in 2001.West Indies’ 507 is the tenth-highest by any team after they’ve been asked to follow-on, but for West Indies it’s their best. Their previous highest was 463 against India in Kolkata in 2011, a Test they ended up losing by an innings and 15 runs. They survived 162.1 overs in Dunedin, which is also their best in a follow-on situation, going past the previous record of 148.2 overs against England at Trent Bridge in 1957.Much of the credit for West Indies’ resistance should go to Bravo, whose 218 is the highest by a West Indian in a follow-on; the previous-best was in that Trent Bridge Test of 1957, when Collie Smith scored 168 in 416 minutes to take West Indies to safety. Incidentally, two of the four highest scores by a West Indian in a follow-on are by Bravo – he also scored 136 in Kolkata in 2011. In fact, Bravo has the second-highest aggregate among all West Indians in follow-on innings – only Chris Gayle with 380 runs in nine innings, has scored more than Bravo’s 354 in two innings.

Along with Bravo, Darren Sammy played a key role too, taking up 145 deliveries to score 80 – it was the second-highest number of runs scored and balls faced by him in a Test innings. It was Sammy’s sixth 50-plus score in this format, but only the second time in 59 innings that he faced more than 100 deliveries. He’d faced 156 deliveries to score 106 – his maiden Test hundred – at Trent Bridge last year, but the third-highest number of balls he has faced in an innings is 80.The result was that West Indies’ second innings lasted 162.1 overs, only the 11th time they’ve played more than 900 deliveries (150 six-ball overs) in the second innings of a Test. The last time they achieved this was in 2000, against England at Old Trafford, when they scored 438 for 7 in their second innings and saved the Test after being bowled out for 157 in the first.For New Zealand, this extends their winless run in Tests, and Brendon McCullum has become their only captain to lead in ten or more matches and not win a single one. The last Test New Zealand won was also the last one before he took over, when New Zealand achieved a splendid 167-run win against Sri Lanka in Colombo, under Ross Taylor. Since then, in ten Tests they’ve drawn six and lost four, though they were desperately close to victory against England in Auckland earlier this year: needing 481 to win, England finished on 315 for 9.If New Zealand don’t win one of the next two Tests, it’ll be the first time since 2007 that they haven’t won a single Test in a year. In 2007, though, they played only two Tests; the last time they played at least ten Tests in a year and didn’t win a single one was in 1995. In fact, it’ll be only the third such occurrence in their entire Test history.

Part five of our look at players in focus at the World Twenty20 features a number of cricketers with plenty to play for

Brydon Coverdale, Firdose Moonda, Siddhartha Talya, Ger Siggins, Umar Farooq11-Sep-2012Sunil Narine
West Indies
Such has been Narine’s impact for West Indies and in the IPL in 2012 that it’s hard to believe he had not made his international debut this time last year. But he showed his talents during the Champions League Twenty20 and in February was picked up by the Kolkata Knight Riders at the IPL auction for $700,000, despite having played only three ODIs and no T20 internationals at the time. It was a rare occurrence of a young man with a big IPL price tag paying off immediately. Not only did the Knight Riders win the title, Narine was named Player of the Tournament for his 24 wickets at an average of 13.50 and an economy rate of 5.47. This is his first opportunity at a major international tournament and, especially given the conditions in Sri Lanka should help spinners, few players will enter the World Twenty20 with higher expectations on them.What’s he about?
Narine is tougher to read than James Joyce. He spins the ball both ways and varies his pace and length, giving little discernible indication of the changes in his action. In Test cricket he is yet to really make his mark, but such bowlers are invaluable in T20, where batsmen cannot afford to take a cautious approach. It’s the reason Saeed Ajmal and Ajantha Mendis are not only in the top ten T20 international wicket-takers but have the best bowling averages among the top ten.What the team needs
Wickets and economy. West Indies have the kind of batsmen who can set or chase big targets, but restricting the opposition will make it all the more manageable. Narine is the standout bowler in the squad and has to lead the attack. Baffling and dismissing the best batsmen in the opposition is his major task. West Indies deserve to be one of the favourites in this tournament, and Narine is key to their chances.Big day out
4 for 15 v Mumbai Indians, IPL, Mumbai, 2012
They weren’t his best figures of the IPL, but what made this match special for Narine was one key wicket. Mumbai Indians were chasing 141 and were in a decent position at 60 for 1 when Narine’s battle with Sachin Tendulkar concluded with an outstanding delivery. The ball turned viciously back towards the leg stump and clipped the pads of Tendulkar, who was trying to cut, and the ball ricocheted onto the stumps. Narine picked up three more wickets and closed out the win for the Knight Riders.Trivia and stats
Of bowlers with more than 50 wickets in T20 cricket, Narine has comfortably the best economy rate: 5.28Narine’s father named him after Sunil GavaskarQuotable
“The amount of cricket you play game by game [in the IPL], you get experience, and by playing among the world’s best and just being able to perform with the best it just gives you the confidence and courage that anything’s possible on the cricket field.”du Plessis: can be stormy or stable•AFPFaf du Plessis
South Africa
A product of one of the country’s finest sporting schools, Afrikaans Seuns Hoërskool, du Plessis was always destined for success. He played in a first-team with AB de Villiers, Jacques Rudolph, Heino Kuhn, Neil Wagner and Kruger van Wyk, all of whom are international players, but took a little longer than some of them to find his feet. Years in the domestic game groomed him for higher honours but he made a major breakthrough in the 2008-09 season, when he averaged over 60 in the 40-over competition. He repeated the run-scoring in 2010-11, which earned him a place in the 2011 World Cup squad, and he has not looked back since. Du Plessis has now featured in the national squad in all three formats of the game.What’s he about?
An aggressive, all-round stroke-maker, du Plessis is as confident against pace as against spin. He has a sound temperament and good judgement, and is a player who can provide stability and acceleration, depending on the situation. He is also a handy legspinner who could be a genuine option as an additional bowler on the subcontinent.What the team needs
With Jacques Kallis set to open the batting, South Africa could need a risk-taker to partner him. That will likely be Richard Levi, but du Plessis may be better equipped for the role. With experience and success on the subcontinent, he has the technique and temperament to give Levi competition in the XI. He could also operate as a No. 3 and can perform the role of either an anchor or an enforcer. South Africa have not had someone who can play a pivotal role in their batting line-up in the shortest form of the game, and if du Plessis can fulfil that role, it could prove a key factor in their challenge for a trophy.Big day out
66 v Zimbabwe XI, Harare, 2012

Despite finding a regular place in the national ODI team, du Plessis was only drafted into the T20 squad as part of a World Twenty20 preparation series in June against Zimbabwe and Bangladesh. The South African side was an experimental one and lost to both minnows once in the group stages but progressed to the final, where they were once again in trouble. Du Plessis arrived at the crease in the second over with the score on 6 for 2 and had to do a repair job. He was dropped on 12 but went on to score 66 and set up a decent total for South Africa.Trivia and stats
After being asked to open the batting for the Chennai Super Kings in the fifth edition of the IPL by Stephen Fleming, du Plessis was the second-highest run-scorer for the team, after Suresh Raina.His only five-wicket hauls have come in T20, both in the 2011-12 season. The first, 5 for 19, came for his amateur provincial union, Northerns, against Easterns and the second, 5 for 28, was in the franchise T20 competition for the Titans against the Lions. Four of them were bowled but the Titans lost the match.Quotable
“If you have to ask me where I would like to bat in the 20-over format, I would say I would like to open. I think my batting is really suited for it. The more I’ve played in that role, the more I have started to understand when is a good time to go and when was a good time to try and sit back.”Harbhajan: everything to play for•Associated PressHarbhajan Singh
India
A call-up for the World Twenty20 could just be the opportunity Harbhajan needs to win back some confidence and remain in contention for a place in the limited-overs side. He was dropped from the national team after a poor tour of England in 2011, and subsequent injuries didn’t help his case. The succeses of R Ashwin and Pragyan Ojha in home conditions means a return to the Test side is a difficult task, though his determination to resurrect his career is apparent from his rewarding stint with Essex.What’s he about?
Once a match-winner for India, and still among their leading wicket-takers, Harbhajan’s decline has coincided with the emergence of a more attacking offspin alternative in Ashwin, who first captured headlines with his success in the IPL. Harbhajan, though, brings with him years of experience, and a proven ability to contain. While many thought his exclusion from the team after the England tour was the end for him, he remains assured of his ability but candid about where things didn’t fall into place with his bowling. In a squad that includes two other specialist spinners and a series of part-timers, Harbhajan finds himself in a situation where his team isn’t short of options. The pressure and scrutiny of this comeback will be of a different order.What the team needs
A strong partnership with an in-form Ashwin, in which Harbhajan may have to a play a complementary role. He is well-placed to do that, given his knowledge of the conditions in Sri Lanka and experience of adapting to different roles.Big day out
1 for 24 v Australia, ICC World Twenty20, Durban, 2007
Harbhajan has an impressive record in T20 internationals, with an economy rate of 6.44. He has had superior figures in other games, some of which were lost by India, but a spell of 1 for 24 against Australia played a significant role in India’s charge to the final, which they ultimately won. He turned in a tight spell as Australia, with wickets in hand, tried to accelerate their chase, yorking Michael Clarke in the 18th over – it began with Australia needing 30 from 18 balls with six wickets intact – and conceding just 3.Trivia and stats
Harbhajan is India’s second-highest wicket-taker in T20 internationals, with 18 wickets to Irfan Pathan’s 20. However, he has the best economy rate in the top six.He’s also India’s most-capped specialist T20 bowler, with 23 matches.Quotable
“I just want to go and enjoy the game, because I felt during the time out I had forgotten to enjoy the game. Even in the IPL I was under pressure, which came out of my own expectations. I was feeling like I need to lead the side well, I need to perform well to come back into the side. So that probably affected my chances.”Paul Stirling: maker of the second-fastest international Twenty20 fifty•AFPPaul Stirling
Ireland
Stirling has just turned 22, but he has already played more than 50 times for his country since 2008, while establishing himself in the Middlesex one-day team. Despite scoring more Friends Life T20 runs than all bar four others, in fewer games, and making his first CB40 century, Stirling’s career path hit a bump in the summer of 2012. The reluctance of Middlesex to use him in their championship team is frustrating for a man who has shown his ability to build an innings in two first-class centuries for Ireland. “He’s the most gifted Irish player I’ve ever seen,” says Niall O’Brien. “He needs to realise that and reach the heights that he can achieve sooner rather than later. The world is his oyster and he can do whatever he wants in the game.”What’s he about?
"Stirling can do things with a cricket bat that I’ve never seen anyone do before,” says team-mate Ed Joyce, "and the last man I said that about was Eoin Morgan.” Stirling’s belligerent stroke-making at the top of the order has the potential to take control of a game from the start. But a tendency to make unforced errors means he hasn’t gone on as often as he would like to. If he gives himself time to bat, he can destroy a team.What the team needs
Stirling’s early aggression will ensure Ireland stay in touch, and if he can stay around for 12-15 overs, another Kevin O’Brien-style shock could be on the cards. His offspin has come on well too: he took 3 for 21 against Bangladesh recently. He needs to be fit too, as a shoulder injury sustained at the end of July kept him out for almost a month, hitting preparations for the World Twenty20.Big day out

79 (38) v Afghanistan, World Twenty20 qualifier final, Dubai, 2012
Having lost William Porterfield first ball, Stirling, his opening partner, might have felt the need for caution, but instead he hit his first three balls for four on the way to a 17-ball fifty. “I think we came out positively,” the understated Stirling said afterwards. Coach Phil Simmons had a different view: “It was a knock to be put up there with the Chris Gayles and Virender Sehwags of this world.”Trivia and stats
Stirling’s 17-ball fifty against Afghanistan is the second fastest in T20I history after Yuvraj Singh’s 12-baller against England in 2007. Stirling’s ball-by-ball: 44431044240642161.His father, Brian, was a leading international rugby referee, officiating in 1994 at South Africa’s first two Tests in New Zealand after their return from isolation.Quotable
"T20 is a form of the game that suits me, but I’d like to prove people wrong about the long stuff too.”Hassan: Full-Member quality•Getty ImagesHamid Hassan
Afghanistan
Hassan has returned to the fold for Afghanistan after missing eight months of cricket due to an ankle injury. Before that, he took the wickets of Andrew Strauss and Jonathan Trott for the ICC Combined Associate and Affiliate XI against England in Dubai. He is one of a few Afghanistan cricketers who have earned an international reputation with standout performances.What’s he about?
Hassan is powerfully built, is quick, bowls a tidy line and length and swings the ball both ways. He is Afghanistan’s best fast bowler at the moment and probably one of the most accomplished among the developing cricketing nations. Former Afghanistan coach Rashid Latif summed Hassan up: "He is a bowler who is good enough to represent even a full nation in a developed team. He is a thinking bowler and has good control over the swing.”What the team needs
Though he has missed most of Afghanistan’s cricket this year, Hassan is still an integral part of the side. His consistency with his line and length can provide the team a fitting start with the ball, and he can pin down opponents with his death bowling.Big day out

3 for 21 and 22 (21) v South Africa, World Twenty20, Barbados, 2010
Though his side lost both group matches in the 2010 World Twenty20, Hassan gave them cause for a little smile when he bagged 1 for 8 from three overs in the match against India. But it was the game against South Africa that gave him a lot more, in the form of the wickets of Jacques Kallis, JP Duminy and Mark Boucher – though his side didn’t captalise in their chase, where too Hassan chipped in, with 22 off 21.Trivia and stats
In the 2009 qualifier tournament for the 2011 World Cup, Hasan signed off as the second-highest wicket-taker, with 18 wickets. Though his side wasn’t able to qualify for the World Cup, Afghanistan did qualify for ODI status.Quotable
“I want to be a future big international cricketer. I want the world to know me, to be famous. ‘Look, it’s Hamid,’ they might say.” Narine by Brydon Coverdale, du Plessis by Firdose Moonda, Harbhajan by Siddhartha Talya, Stirling by Ger Siggins, Hassan by Umar Farooq

Cricinfo presents the Plays fo the Day for the match between Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders in Chennai

Siddarth Ravindran at the MA Chidambaram Stadium13-Apr-2010Halting the wave
The home fans were a happy lot when Suresh Raina provided Chennai Super Kings’ a turbo-charged start to the chase of a tiny target. Not only was their team headed for a big win, the much-desired big hits were also being frequently dished out by Raina. After several false starts, the crowd got a Mexican wave, but just as it began to roll round the stadium, M Vijay mishit a lofted drive off Ashok Dinda. The wave was forgotten as the spectators waited to see where the swirling ball would land. There was a roar when it dropped beyond Sourav Ganguly at mid-on, and soon the Mexican wave was on its way again.The Makhaya Ntini sideshow
He may not have got a game so far this season, but he’s regularly seen laughing it up with his team-mates in the dug-out. Makhaya Ntini’s only job on Tuesday was to carry the drinks around to the outfielders, but he gave the crowd plenty to cheer even in that trivial task. With that ever-present smile on his face, he danced to the music pumping through the stadium, waving to the fans and exchanging jokes with the ball boys as he went around the boundary giving his team-mates some refreshments.Hayden’s gone? Ho-hum
After captain MS Dhoni, Hayden usually gets the loudest cheers from the crowd, and it was no surprise to hear his name being chanted as he strode out to bat. However, he was dismissed off his second ball for a duck, his first in a Twenty20. The fans were silenced by the early blow, but there were no celebrations from the bowler, Chris Gayle. No screaming, no smiling, just a grim stare, and back to the mark for the next delivery.Sure-fingered Chennai
There have been several eye-popping catches in the tournament so far, but much more common have been the spilled chances. Chennai’s fielders, though, were sharp today, backing up their bowlers well to keep Kolkata down. Muttiah Muralitharan held on to Brendon McCullum’s sweep at short fine leg tumbling backwards, Vijay sprinted towards the boundary and to his right from long-on to pouch Manoj Tiwary’s skier, and Hayden safely held an Angelo Mathews hit that ballooned to mid-off.It all evens out in the end?
Kolkata’s top-order wobble continued when Sourav Ganguly was adjudged lbw by umpire Sanjay Hazare in the fourth over though Doug Bollinger’s full delivery struck him outside leg. In the next over, offspinner R Ashwin would have completed a hat-trick when Mathews gloved his first delivery to leg slip. Simon Taufel wasn’t convinced, and Mathews went on to make a fighting 48. Ashwin confirmed that Taufel apologised to him after the game: “Sorry, I missed it.”

Melbourne Renegades clash against Sydney Thunder will be the last of his prolific career

ESPNcricinfo staff14-Jan-2024Shaun Marsh has announced his retirement from professional cricket with Melbourne Renegades’ final game of the BBL season against Sydney Thunder to be the last of his career.Marsh, 40, follows his Renegades’ team-mate Aaron Finch in bring down the curtain on his playing days. He finished in first-class cricket at the end of last season with Western Australia.Related

• Melbourne Renegades set to part ways with coach David Saker

• Cooper Connolly gives off Shaun Marsh vibes during dream debut

• In numbers – Finch signs off as one of the greats of the T20 game

• Finch signs off with a duck but Renegades give their hero a winning farewell

After a late start to this BBL due to injury, Marsh’s form has been impressive with 181 runs at 45.25 and a strike-rate of 138.16. Despite playing only five games so far, he was made three of Renegades’ six half-centuries, including an unbeaten 64 off 49 to guide them to victory in Finch’s farewell game on Saturday night.”I have loved playing for the Renegades, I’ve met some great people over the last five years and the friendships I’ve made will last a lifetime,” Marsh said. “This playing group is special. They’ve been amazing to me, amazing team-mates and even better friends.”Our members and fans are some of the most passionate out there and I’m so thankful for their support over the journey. Stick with us, there’s a huge amount of talent in this group and I have no doubt they’ll lead this group back to the top.”To the Renegades’ coaches and staff and everyone behind the scenes – thank you for backing me in from the start and over my final years. It’s made my job a little easier out in the middle.”Marsh moved to Renegades for the 2019-2020 season after a prolific spell with Perth Scorchers where he was a key part of their success, averaging 47.46 in 40 games for them.”I owe a lot to the Scorchers, I’ve got some fond memories of playing in Perth and really enjoyed my time there,” he said. “The back-to-back titles are up there for me as the most enjoyable moments I’ve experienced on a cricket field.”David Saker, Renegades’ head coach, lauded Marsh as still being among the best in the game even as he retires.”SOS is one of those blokes who is universally liked and admired by anyone who ever played with or against him, domestically and internationally,” he said. “If I could have any batter in Australia to help plot and chase down a total, it’d be SOS. He has raw power and he has the experience to wait for the right shot at the right time which is critical in T20 cricket.”To be putting in man of the match performances at the age of 40 is testament to Shaun’s preparation and commitment to this club.”With one T20 game to go, Marsh has 7050 runs at 37.90 and a strike-rate of 128.53 with 2477 of them coming for Kings XI in the IPL. In the BBL he stands at No. 6 in the all-time run-scorers.

Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso is reluctant to alter his starting XI, even after Vinicius Jr’s match-winning cameo against Real Oviedo.

• Alonso hints Vinicius Jr may continue as a substitute
• Praised attacker's 'big impact' as a substitute
• Madrid face Mallorca next in La Liga match

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Alonso has hinted that Vinicius could continue in an impact substitute role after being dropped from the starting lineup. Speaking ahead of Saturday's clash with Mallorca, Alonso praised the Brazilian's performance from the bench against Real Oviedo and suggested his status as an automatic starter is not guaranteed.

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• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Vinicius was a surprise omission from the starting XI for last weekend's 3-0 victory over Oviedo, with compatriot Rodrygo preferred on the left wing. The 25-year-old responded emphatically, coming on as a substitute to score one goal and provide an assist. The decision to bench him comes amid a standoff in contract talks between the Brazil star and Madrid, while club legend Pedja Mijatovic recently said the club should sell him.

• WHAT ALONSO SAID

  During his pre-match press conference, Alonso said: "I'm very happy with Vini. Against Oviedo, he showed he can have a big impact off the bench," the manager stated. He stressed the importance of squad unity, adding: "In a locker room, the key is that everyone is willing to contribute, whether on the pitch or off… and he's going to be crucial.

  "In a locker room, the key is that everyone is willing to contribute, whether on the pitch or off. Truly believing in this is fundamental. And everyone here does. Vinicius is important in this, [Federico] Valverde, [Thibaut] Courtois… they're all very important."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR VINICIUS JR?

  It remains to be seen whether Vinicius will be restored to the starting XI for Madrid's home fixture against Mallorca on Saturday evening. Alonso has kept his cards close to his chest, but his comments suggest he is considering using the Brazilian as a high-impact player from the bench as Los Blancos look to secure a third straight win before the international break.

In the stands for England’s 2010 triumph, the opener is now integral to their World Cup defence 14 years on

Andrew Miller03-Jun-2024

Fourteen years ago, in May 2010, Phil Salt was a kid in the stands at the Kensington Oval in Barbados, watching England’s cricketers parading their first piece of global silverware, after victory over Australia in the final of that year’s World T20. Now he’s back as an England star in his own right, seeking to launch his team’s defence of the same trophy at the same venue, when they take on Scotland in Bridgetown on Tuesday morning.By his own admission, Salt’s is not a homecoming to rival that of Jofra Archer or Chris Jordan, the two born-and-bred Bajans in England’s anticipated starting XI. Even so, having spent six formative years in Barbados – honing his love of cricket from the age of nine to 15, while his father Chris was working as a property developer – he acknowledges it’s an extraordinary turn of events.”To be back here and have the opportunity to play for England in a World Cup isn’t something I ever thought I’d be doing, but it’s certainly very special,” Salt said. “Everything about the place suits me. Pretty laid-back, a lot of cricket, a lot of sport, still got a lot of friends on the island. I don’t think there’s too many people that disagree that living in Barbados is a touch. But yeah, I loved it.”Salt played a small part in England’s T20 World Cup victory in Australia two years ago. After coming into the starting XI as a replacement for the injured Dawid Malan, he did not bat in the semi-final against India as Jos Buttler and Alex Hales romped to a ten-wicket victory, then made 10 from 9 balls at No.3 in a low-scoring final against Pakistan.Now, however, is very much his moment. Six months ago, he nailed his audition to be Buttler’s regular opening partner with back-to-back centuries against West Indies in Grenada and Trinidad, then ran hot at a crucial juncture of Kolkata Knight Riders’ recent IPL triumph, with a run of 290 runs from 144 balls in five innings, including 89 not out from 47 balls against Lucknow Super Giants.Salt had always had the ability to start an innings strongly – two years ago, he marked his T20I debut (coincidentally, also at Bridgetown) with 57 from 24 balls. And yet, he recognises his game has gone to a new level in recent months, to the extent that he enters this tournament as one of the most dangerous batters on display.”It’s been a combination of things,” he said. “The opportunity to gain more experience in international cricket has definitely been the biggest part of it in my own head. I’ve also had a look at where I’m strong, where I’m not, used the analysis, learnt from the coaches, to make those movements in my game.”I can’t put my finger on any one thing, but it’s maybe a mindset shift, that I want to be the person winning more games for England. You like to think [that people fear you] as an opening batter, but the moment you recognise that and you start thinking, ‘I’m the big guy I am’, the game’s always going to bite you. I try not to think about anything like that and keep it one ball at a time.”Salt’s form was integral to KKR’s third IPL title•BCCI

Another key facet of his growth, he says, has been the opportunity to bat alongside his England captain in the Hundred – an alliance that has been instrumental in Manchester Originals reaching the final for two years running. In 2022, Salt’s tally of 353 runs in ten innings was second only to Malan (377), while his 232 the following year may have been dwarfed by Buttler’s haul of 391, but they came at a blistering strike-rate of 194.95.The pair reprised their antics in an opening stand of 82 in 6.2 overs against Pakistan at The Oval on Thursday – England’s final warm-up ahead of the Scotland encounter. Though Salt admitted their partnership had taken a while to click, he felt the dynamic was now similar to the one he had enjoyed in the Vitality Blast with his former Sussex captain, and now England selector, Luke Wright.”[Luke] liked to take a few balls. So, my role at the time was just to get us off to a flyer,” Salt said. “That probably stood me in good stead for batting with someone like Jos.”We do have different styles. In my career I’ve always been the aggressor and I suppose I am the aggressor early on in this partnership. I feel like we both showcased it pretty well at The Oval the other night. I didn’t get a flyer, but we sort of hung in and then Jos went and then we dovetailed nicely.”It’s good because we both communicate a lot out there and we realise that when one goes, we feed the strike to the other person, so there’s no ego about it. It’s whoever goes first. We just communicate and it sounds really simple, but I’ve batted with a lot of people and it’s not always the case. So, it’s nice when you have that connection with your partner.”It remains to be seen whether it’s a partnership that can carry England all the way to their third T20 World Cup title. But, auspiciously for Salt, when they won the first of those back in 2010, it was once again the opening partnership that laid the foundations for everything that followed. As the impressionable youngster in the stands remembers well.Related

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England have 'no preconceived ideas' about used Barbados pitch

“Craig Kieswetter was definitely one [role-model],” Salt said, recalling the Somerset opener who burst to prominence alongside Michael Lumb, after the pair were hastily thrown together on the eve of the tournament, and contributed a match-winning half-century in the final.”He was a bit of an unknown at the time and then he came out, and I was in awe of him. I thought he was brilliant, he took some incredible catches and the way he played, he was certainly someone I tried to model myself on at the time. I watched a lot of good cricket here. People like Chris Gayle … when I was a kid, anybody who hit the ball hard or kept, I’d watch them on YouTube and just try and try and emulate them.”And though he played down any similarities between the class of 2010 and the team he’s fronting up for now, Salt did recall the highlight of his day out at that original final. If he gets to emulate it this time around, he really will have fulfilled his childhood dream.”Colly [Paul Collingwood] came past up this stand here – the Hall and Griffith where I was sat upstairs watching the final – with the trophy and said, ‘here, touch it while you can’. So, I got a touch of the trophy that day. That’s the thing that always sticks with me when I think about that day.”

تحدث الإسباني لويس إنريكي، المدير الفني لفريق باريس سان جيرمان عن أزمة الصراع السياسي بين روسيا وأوكرانيا على لاعبيه ودوناروما.

ويريد الإيطالي دوناروما الرحيل عن صفوف باريس سان جيرمان نظرًا لعدم قناعته بالمقابل المادي الحالي، مع عدم اتخاذ الإدارة أي قرار يخص تعديل عقده وفقًا للأداء الذي قدمه الموسم الماضي باعتباره عاملًا مؤثرًا في تتويج الفريق الفرنسي ببطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا لأول مرة في تاريخهم.

وقال لويس إنريكي في مؤتمر صحفي قبل مباراة الجولة الثانية من الدوري الفرنسي في تصريحات نقلتها “موندو ديبورتيفو”: “نحن منفتحون، صحيح أننا سعداء بما وقعناه ولكن كما هو الحال دائمًا، نحن مستعدون لأي مواقف قد تنشأ”.

اقرأ أيضًا | جوارديولا يكشف موقفه من تعاقد مانشستر سيتي مع دوناروما

وعن دوناروما: “إنها قرارات صعبة دائمًا، لا مشكلة لدي في اتخاذها، لكنني لن أشرح أي شيء عن لاعبي باريس سان جيرمان، لست مهتمًا بذلك، أتفهم الانتقادات الموجهة لقرارنا وقراري”.

وبسؤاله عن التوترات المحتملة التي يمكن أن تنشأ بين الأوكراني زابارني وحارس المرمى الروسي ماتفي سافانوف، أتم: “الرياضة وخاصة كرة القدم، هي أفضل وسيلة لجمع الناس لا لتفريقهم، الرياضة واللاعبون يتفوقون على المصالح السياسية والاقتصادية للسياسيين”.

Inter are unwilling to drag Hakan Calhanoglu’s case and want to end it soon as they have now issued an ultimatum to his agent.

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Calhanoglu issued transfer ultimatum by InterGalatasaray yet to make offer for midfielderMight be forced to stay after deadline issuedFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

According to a report by Gazzetta, Inter sporting director Piero Ausilio contacted Calhanoglu's agent Gordon Stipic and informed him that if there is no offer for the player by July 13, he will have to stay at the Nerazzuri. Inter are set to commence their pre-season on August 1, and Ausilio wants new manager Christian Chivu to have a full squad at his disposal when he arrives at training, and no conflicts once the preparations begin.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE

The Nerazzuri have witnessed a conflict inside the dressing room, and skipper Lautaro Martinez had publicly criticised Calhanoglu after the Fluminense game, without naming him, and stated that if someone wants to leave, they are free to do so. Club president Beppe Marotta later revealed that the dig was aimed at the Turkish international, with the midfielder trying to switch to Galatasaray. As of now, the Super Lig outfit's representatives are in Milan but have neither met the Nerazzuri officials nor placed any bid for Calhanoglu; however, his agent Stipic is said to be working on the deal. Moreover, the Turkish midfielder's shift to Galatasaray also depends on whether they are able to sell Victor Osimhen is a favourable price and offer Inter a satisfactory amount for Calhanoglu; something which is believed to have stalled the developments.

DID YOU KNOW?

Brazilian midfielder Ederson, who won the Europa League with Atlanta in the 2023-24 season, is interested in joining Inter. He has two years left on his contract and is believed to be a like-for-like replacement for Calhanoglu.

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AFPWHAT NEXT FOR CALHANOGLU?

Calhanoglu will have to rely on Galatasaray and how they go about accumulating the sum asked by Inter, which has now dropped to €32m ($37m/£28m) from the initial €40m ($47m/£34m). He had previously made his intentions clear of heading to TurkiyeTurkey, however, in case the deal doesn't go through, he would be forced to joined the pre-season scheduled.