Ishant hits back at Aussie media, Shubman Gill's message to selectors, and more - Cricket News Today, 15 December 2018

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

The second day of the second Test between India and Australia took place today at the new Perth Stadium. Australia began the day strong with Tim Paine and Pat Cummins troubling the Indian bowlers. However, a flurry of wickets after Australia crossed the 300 run mark led to them being bowled out for 326.

In response, India lost both Murali Vijay and KL Rahul very early. Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli then steadied the ship before Rahane came into the picture after Pujara's dismissal. He put on an unbeaten 90 run partnership with Kohli to put India on top at the end of the day. While Kohli remains unbeaten on 87, Rahane is unbeaten on 51.

Apart from the Test series, there has been a lot going on in the world of cricket.

Let's take a look at the trending news from today:

#1 Ishant Sharma hits back at Australian media over no-ball jibe

A couple of days ago, footage was revealed that Indian pacer Ishant Sharma had overstepped on many occasions during the first Test against Australia in Adelaide. However, the umpires failed to notice these deliveries.

Ishant was asked a few questions regarding this during the press conference after the second day's play of the second Test at Perth. He hit back at the media saying that they should be the ones to answer the question.

"Maybe Australian media should answer the question. Not me. I have been playing cricket for so long. And these things happen. Because you are a human, you are bound to make a mistake. I was not worried about it at all," Ishant said during a press conference.

He finished with 4 wickets in the first innings of the second Test.

#2 Shubman Gill smashes 199* against Tamil Nadu

Shubman Gill

Youngster Shubman Gill sent a message to the national selectors with a magnificent performance against Tamil Nadu in the ongoing Ranji Trophy. After bowling TN out for 215, Gill smashed an unbeaten 199 to help take his side to 308-2 at the end of the day.

He now has the chance to reach his double-century tomorrow. He is currently at the crease along with captain Mandeep Singh, who scored a half-century as well.

Punjab will now look to build a big first innings lead and then bowl TN out to earn their victory.

#3 Yuvraj Singh might not attract much interest in IPL auction

Yuvraj Singh

The IPL auctions are just a few days away and all the teams are plotting their buys for the upcoming season.

There are a few big Indian names in the auction, including the likes of Yuvraj Singh, Ishant Sharma, and Mohammed Shami, to name a few.

However, given Yuvraj's form over the past one year or so and the fact that he has not played too much cricket, he might not attract a lot of interest from buyers in the auction.

"There are no emotions when we go into the auctions looking to build our side. We all know about someone like Yuvraj’s form and fitness so far this season. All franchises will do their homework well,” Delhi Capitals’s co-owner Parth Jindal had told CricketNext.

The auction will take place in Jaipur on December 18.

#4 Mohammed Hafeez heaps praise on Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli

Mohammed Hafeez, who recently announced his retirement from Test cricket, opened up about who he thinks is the best batsman in the world.

It wasn't surprising when he named the Indian captain as the numero uno batsman.

“When I look at all the current batsmen in the international arena, I do not think anyone can even come close to Kohli. He is head and shoulders above the rest others in terms of ability to score runs. He is technically superior and mentally very strong than others right now," Hafeez told FirstPost.

Hafeez had announced his retirement prior to the third Test between Pakistan and New Zealand.

#5 Cricket Australia open to trying out four-day Tests

Australia v India - 2nd Test: Day 2

In order to address the situation of stadium attendance and in order to keep Test cricket alive and running in the long run, Cricket Australia are keen on trying out four-day Tests in the future.

"The average duration of a Test match is just a shade over four days and certainly without jumping to conclusions that that is the right solution, it is one possibility we've got to be open to. There have been timeless Tests over the years, we know there were even three-day Tests, so Test cricket has not been five days in duration forever, and I think the concept of four days going forward is something we need to be open to without jumping to conclusions." CA Chief Executive Kevin Roberts told SEN Radio.

As of now, there has not been a single international four-day Test yet.