2019 IPL venue decided, latest ICC Test rankings out and more - Cricket News Today, 7th January 2018 

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Welcome to Sportskeeda's Cricket News Today. This is a section that covers a summary of the trending news topics of the day in the world of cricket.

A lot of other things happened in the world of cricket over the last 24 hours. Let's take a look at all the top news from today.


Jasprit Bumrah rested for the ODI series and the tour of NZ

The Indian selectors have decided to rest fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia and the subsequent tour of New Zealands (five ODIs and three T20Is) in a bid to manage his workload and keep him fresh for the upcoming assignments, especially the World Cup.

Hyderabad pacer Mohammed Siraj has been named as his replacement in these series while Punjab fast bowler Siddarth Kaul has been drafted into the Indian T20I side for the three-match series against New Zealand. Siraj has been doing well in the domestic circuit of late and has played a handful of T20Is for India. Kaul, on the other hand, made his international debut during the tour of England last year.

"Keeping in mind the workload of the bowler, it was best felt to give him adequate rest ahead of the home series against Australia," the BCCI release said.

India's ODI squad to face Australia and New Zealand: Virat Kohli(c), Rohit Sharma, Lokesh Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Ambati Rayudu, Dinesh Karthik, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni, Hardik Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Siraj, K Khaleel Ahmed, Mohammed Shami.

India's T20I squad to face New Zealand: Virat Kohli(c), Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Lokesh Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Dinesh Karthik, Kedar Jadhav, MS Dhoni, Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Md. Siraj, Siddarth Kaul, K Khaleel Ahmed.

Also read: Jasprit Bumrah rested for ODI series against Australia and NZ tour

BCCI announce cash rewards for players and support staffs

Australia v India - 4th Test: Day 5

After the draw at Sydney in the final Test, India ended a 71-year wait of winning a Test series in Australia. A day after creating history on Australian soil, BCCI have announced a cash reward for all the players and the members of the support staff.

The amount the players will be receiving is equal to the actual match fee they receive. Hence, the first-team players will be receiving ₹ 15 lakhs while the reserve players will be receiving ₹ 7.5 lakhs each. Meanwhile, the coaches will receive ₹ 25 lakhs each and the support staff will receive bonuses equivalent to their pro-rata salary/professional fee.

It is a well-deserved reward for all the Indian players, as a majority of them played out of their skin, gave their 100% and ensured that India won the Test series without any hiccup.

Also read: BCCI announce huge cash rewards for Indian players and support staff

Latest ICC rankings announced

Australia v India - 4th Test: Day 2

Indian players have been the biggest gainers in the latest ICC Test rankings. Cheteshwar Pujara, who was named the Man of the Series in the recently-concluded Test series between India and Australia, gained a spot to third and in the process, he overtook the banned Australian captain Steve Smith.

Rishabh Pant has accumulated an Indian-record 673 rating points in the latest ICC Test rankings to become the joint-highest rated wicketkeeper from India along with Farokh Engineer, who got these many points way back in January 1973. Pant has jumped 21 places and is currently ranked 17 in the world.

Virat Kohli continues to be the number 1 Test batsman followed by Kane Williamson and Cheteshwar Pujara. In the team rankings, India continue to be at the top and are the favourites to win the ICC Test mace yet again.

Also read: Rishabh Pant breaks Indian wicketkeeper record, Cheteshwar Pujara overtakes Steven Smith

IPL 2019 to be held in India

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With a lot of speculation over the venue that will host the twelfth edition of the IPL over the last few weeks, CoA has confirmed that the 2019 edition will be held entirely in India in spite of the general elections. CoA also revealed that the 2019 season will get underway on March 23.

Owing to the general elections and its logistical ramifications, the 2019 IPL was rumoured to be held outside India, preferably in South Africa or the United Arab Emirates. However, according to new reports, the tournament is scheduled to start six days ahead of the originally reported date, with the date of the finals yet to be confirmed.

“Based on the preliminary discussions with the appropriate central and state agencies/authorities, it was decided that the 12th edition of the world's most popular and competitive T20 tournament will be scheduled to be played in India. It is proposed that the VIVO IPL 2019 will commence on March 23, 2019. The detailed schedule will be finalised in consultation with the appropriate authorities,” a CoA statement said.

It is also understood that this year's edition will not have the usual home-away format and instead, it might take place in a 'caravan format'. This will have an entire set of games taking place in one city and the next set will be moved to a different venue when election dates clash.

Also read: IPL 2019 set to be held entirely in India

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Edited by Amar Anand