Virat Kohli's net-worth revealed, Sohail Tanvir's controversial celebration, and more - Cricket News Today, August 10, 2018

Pakistan v Bangladesh - ICC T20 World Cup
Mohammad Ashraful

A lot of initial excitement in the world of cricket has now dampened up as the Lord's Test between India and England has been hampered by the ravages of rain for the second day in a row.

India had just started batting after losing the toss and were staring right into the face of trouble, both openers having returned to the stands as the team's score reached just 10. With the rain coming back, both teams resorted to an early Lunch session, after which they played for a while before rain returned (again). India are currently at 15 for 3, Pujara also accompanying the openers after a silly goof-up with Kohli that led to a run-out.

That's all the news we have from London, but that does not mean that there is a dearth of news from elsewhere, as we bring you the top headlines from today.


#5. Mohammad Ashraful eyes International return with Bangladesh

Ashraful was once a star with the Bangladeshi side, having spearheaded several victories (read upsets) against top teams, such as the 2005 one against Australia, and the 2007 World Cup one against India (that one still hurts, doesn't it).

However, things turned ugly for the player post the 2011 World Cup, as he was caught match-fixing in the Bangladesh Premier League in 2013, which led to an international ban for five years.

The ban ends on August 13, 2018, and Ashraful is now hopeful of a comeback in the national side. He had a three-year domestic ban as well, which was lifted in 2016 after which he delivered a string of good performances within Bangladesh itself.

If luck still shines on him, and if the selectors feel that his recent domestic run is enough leverage, the former star might just make a great return, older and more the wise as well.

#4. Sohail Tanvir sends departing batsman off with obscene gestures

2017 HERO Caribbean Premier League - Barbados Tridents v Guyana Amazon Warriors
Sohail Tanvir

Sixes, Run-outs, Stunning catches - when asked about what the most exciting events are, in a cricket match, there are variable replies. Of late, celebrations have also attracted the eyes of the average viewer, as it is just another way wherein a player can express his creativity on-field.

But even celebrations are to be carried out in a manner that sticks to the spirit of the game, and when it goes out-of-limits, it is often an ugly sight.

Sohail Tanvir definitely has to learn that lesson, as witnessed from the way he sent Ben Cutting off in yesterday's hotly-contested Caribbean Premier League (CPL) match between Guyana Amazon Warriors and St Kitts & Nevis Patriots.

Cutting misjudged a Tanvir yorker which sent the bails crackling, after which the latter gave the former his finger while he was returning to the dugout. Watch the video here:

His actions were completely uncalled for and are likely to land him in serious trouble. The celebration has taken up Twitteratti by storm, as several people including many from the cricketing fraternity itself, raised their voices over the situation.

#3. Wriddhiman Saha returns home after a successful surgery

Saha aboard his flight back home
Saha aboard his flight back home

Saha's injury woes have been creating quite a furore since January 2018, when he returned back midway through the South African series, citing pain in the arm and shoulder. Subsequent therapy sessions and physio interactions at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) did more trouble than benefit, as his condition worsened post-IPL after the NCA physios ruled him fit to play.

Saha did not feature in Afghanistan Test and the England series that followed. Before the squad for the England tour was picked in July, he felt the problem come up again, and scans revealed a grave tear on his shoulder ligament, which also proved the NCA staff wrong.

Saha's entire career could have good up in smoke, had proper diagnosis been delayed even further. He was thus made to undergo an immediate surgery at Manchester itself, and now it looks like he is on the path to recovery.

Take a look at Saha's tweet from yesterday night:

He has been ruled out of the Indian side, with Dinesh Karthik taking his place in the England Test series.

#2. India captain Virat Kohli's net worth revealed

The capital of India's modern-day cricket map
The capital of India's modern-day cricket map

His name is Virat Kohli, and his occupation is cricket. He has a pastime too - breaking records, and setting new ones. Kohli amassed 200 runs in the first Test against England and became the No.1 Test batsman as per latest ICC rankings.

And ahead of the second Test, Virat's name has made headlines again. According to a report made by India Today, Virat Kohli's market value has now touched $35 million (£27 million). Wife and Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma has a net-worth of $60 million (£45 million), which makes "Virushka's" value almost reach $100 million.

Virat is already the most marketable cricketer in the world and is also the eighth most-paid sportsperson in the world. Together, the duo also endorses nearly 30 brands, which in turn brings additional money into the household as well.

The Forbes magazine has also predicted a 140% growth rate in his value in the upcoming financial year.

#1. BCCI clarifies Anushka's presence in the team photo

That picture again
That picture again

Despite Virat Kohli performing so brilliantly over the past several years, his wife Anushka Sharma and the Indian cricket fans have always been a part of a strained relationship. On numerous occasions, she had been on the receiving end of the fans' verbal lashes, for several reasons - some important, some trivial.

The same thing happened the day before yesterday when the Indian team tweeted out a team photo taken post-lunch at the Indian High Command in London - and bang right in the middle was Anushka.

Fans did not take this lightly as they waged a cruel war against her on social media. Some also took the opportunity to lash out at the BCCI for seemingly allowing her to be with her spouse, despite having taken the decision to not allow Indian WAGs for the first three games of the series.

A BCCI official, however, responded and has explained that the High Commission had invited the players along with their relatives, as a result of which Anushka has not broken any mandate.

“This is the norm wherever the team travels. The High Commission invites the players with their relatives and it is eventually the decision of the individuals. Even in London, the players were invited along with their partners. There has been no breach of any protocol,” he was speaking issue to the Hindustan Times. The information was since confirmed, and thus the noise surrounding the issue has halted.

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Edited by Vignesh Ananthasubramanian