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Hello and welcome to the roundup of the most important news stories that dominated the world of cricket on 25th February.
First off, the Asia XI and World XI squads were released for the two T20I’s that will be played at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium in Dhaka on the 18th and 20th of March. Both the squads are littered with star-studded names and the two T20’s will be an enthralling watch for fans.
Indian cricket fans were also treated to the news of MS Dhoni’s return to action with the former Indian skipper set to begin training for the upcoming edition of the IPL, whereas Craig McMillan expressed surprise at how easily India were taken apart by New Zealand in the first Test in Wellington.
Virat Kohli spoke about how accepting defeat underlines a team’s strength of character, and Jos Buttler hailed the impact the IPL has had on his career.
#1 Asia and World XI squads announced
A galaxy of cricketing behemoths are set to descend at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium next month as the Asia XI and World XI teams are set to battle with each other in two T20 encounters.
The squads for both the teams were released earlier today, with Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Rishabh Pant, Rashid Khan and Lasith Malinga being the highlights of a star-studded squad.
Also see - India tour of New Zealand schedule 2020
On the other hand, the World XI squad boasts of the likes of Chris Gayle, Faf du Plessis, Sheldon Cottrell, Kieron Pollard and Jonny Bairstow.
Rahul will be available for only one game whereas Kohli’s participation in the tournament is still subject to availability. We’ve got some dream duels lined up in this game and there’s no doubting the fact that cricket fans are in for an absolute treat.
Read the full article here: Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle, Rashid Khan named in Asia and World XI squads for T20 matches
#2 Dhoni to start training for upcoming edition of IPL next month
Chennai Super Kings CEO KS Viswanathan’s declaration about MS Dhoni beginning training at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on 2nd March for the upcoming edition of the IPL was music to the ears of the Indian cricket faithful.
Dhoni hasn’t turned out for India ever since the Men in Blue’s heartbreaking defeat at the hands of New Zealand in the ICC 2019 World Cup, and the rumour mill has been in overdrive since with speculation about the former Indian skipper’s future.
There have been all sorts of debate and deliberation about the next step that Dhoni will take but for now, CSK fans that have been waiting with bated breath to watch their ‘Thala’ back in action have gotten the news they’ve yearned for all this while.
Last year, CSK’s practice session at Chepauk attracted 12,000 fans to the stadium, and the number will soar even higher this year, given the anticipation that has been built up over several months with regards to Dhoni’s future in the game.
Read the full article here: IPL 2020 News: KS Viswanathan confirms MS Dhoni to start training from 2nd March
#3 McMillan stunned by India’s ineptitude in Basin Reserve Test
Former New Zealand all-rounder Craig McMillan delivered a scathing and brutally honest review of India’s horror-show at the Basin Reserve in Wellington, stating that he was bewildered by how easily the Kiwis were able to turn over the number one Test team in the world.
“I haven’t seen India, the number one Test side in the world, dismantled like they were over those four days in Wellington,” McMillan told Radio Sport.
“They didn’t make any adjustments in the way they played, they threw their hands at the ball like they do in India,” he further added.
McMillan was also critical of the Indian batsmen’s shot selection and emphasised that Kohli’s men didn’t take the bounce of the pitch into consideration whilst deciding what shots they should be playing and that eventually cost them.
“When the ball doesn’t bounce above knee-high you can get away with some of those shots - in New Zealand you don’t,” McMillan stated.
Read the full article here: New Zealand vs India 2020: Never seen India dismantled like that, says Craig McMillan
#4 Kohli believes accepting defeat underlines strength of character
Indian skipper Virat Kohli scrambled to find positives amidst the malaise that the crushing defeat in the first Test and stressed that accepting defeat depicts the strength of character his team possesses.
Kohli stated that although India were handed a crushing defeat, they will come out all guns blazing in the second Test and play on the offensive.
Defeat in the first Test won’t alter their mindset or how they approach the game – India will look to play attacking cricket.
“There’s no cakewalk or easy games at the international level. Teams will come out and beat you, you have to accept it and that defines your character as a side.”
Read the full article here: New Zealand vs India 2020: Virat Kohli insists accepting defeat defines the character of his team
#5 Jos Buttler hails impact IPL has had on his career
One of the most devastating entities in T20 cricket right now, England’s Jos Buttler has hailed the impact that the IPL has had on his career, stating that interacting with world-class cricketers during the tournament has helped him develop aspects of his game.
"I think the IPL has had as big an impact as any on my career."
Labelling the IPL the best T20 competition in the world, Buttler spoke about how you get to learn about yourself and your game whilst playing in the IPL and how sharing a dressing room with brilliant minds aids your development as a player.
Buttler believes that with the T20I World Cup on the horizon, the IPL will be a superb platform to prepare for the showpiece event and he’s looking forward to leaving his mark on the upcoming edition of the annual extravaganza.
"It is a place where you can learn so much, learn a lot about yourself and looking ahead to the T20 World Cup in the not-too-distant future, the IPL is a great platform to prepare at the highest level."
Read the full article here: IPL 2020: Jos Buttler hails league's impact on his career; marks it as 'ideal platform for T20 WC preparation'
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