Cricket News Today: Hardik Pandya smashes highest individual T20 score by an Indian, Sachin sends heartfelt message to Indian Women's team and more - 6th March 2020

Hello and welcome to the daily roundup of all the major narratives dominating the world of cricket on the 6th of March 2020.

There were several interesting sub-plots that came to the fore on Friday as Hardik Pandya notched up the highest individual score by an Indian batsman in a T20.

Additionally, Sachin Tendulkar sent across his wishes to the Indian Women’s team as Harmanpreet Kaur’s charges set themselves up for a titanic summit clash against Australia on the 8th of March.

Elsewhere, Mitchell Starc was accorded the opportunity to return early from South Africa to watch his wife and Australian lynchpin, Alyssa Healy in action in the aforementioned final while Shreyas Iyer opened up on how he felt batting at the crucial No.4 position in the Indian batting line-up.

Without further ado, here is a look at those in detail.

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#1 Hardik Pandya smashes belligerent ton in DY Patil T20 Cup

H ardik Pandya blazed away to another ton

The Indian all-rounder has been out of action since September, courtesy a back injury and the Men In Blue have felt his absence massively. Subsequently, plenty of eyeballs have been trained on Hardik Pandya’s return to competitive cricket during the DY Patil T20 Cup.

A few days earlier, the Mumbai Indians player underlined his credentials with a breathtaking ton and on Friday, he took his game up a notch as he broke several records en route an unprecedented knock.

Facing the Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited side, the all-rounder struck 158* off 55 balls, an innings which was laced with 20 sixes and 6 fours. Furthermore, the all-rounder reached his hundred off 39 balls and in the process, ripped apart bowlers of the ilk of Sandeep Sharma and Shivam Dube.

The form of Hardik would serve as a welcome boost to the Indian side as Virat Kohli and his troops get ready to host South Africa in a three-match ODI series. The Men In Blue arrive having endured a sub-standard tour of New Zealand whereas the Proteas would enter the rubber high on confidence, having dispatched a full-strength Australian outfit.

Read the full article here: Hardik Pandya slams the highest individual score by an Indian batsman in T20s

#2 Sachin Tendulkar sends heartfelt wishes to Indian Women’s team

Sachin Tendulkar

On Thursday, the Indian Women created history when they sealed a place in the final of the ongoing T20 World Cup in Australia. Courtesy the result, the Eves In Blue now have the chance of ending their wait for a global title in the women’s sport.

Consequently, several past and present cricketers have taken the opportunity to send across their best wishes to the side as they gear up to clash swords with Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday.

And, on Friday, Sachin Tendulkar became the latest high-profile cricketer to congratulate the Eves In Blue. He commented,

Just live in the moment and play the finals. I was there next to the trophy when I was in Australia and few members of our women’s team were there with me. I told them that it would be nice to see you with the trophy back in India.

My message to them would be to go out and give your best. I would tell them to not take any pressure. They don’t need to spend time with the outside world. I have watched their performances and they have inspired so many youngsters.

With Australia eliminating South Africa in the second semi-final on the 5th of March, India are the only remaining unbeaten outfit at the competition. However, they would have their tasks cut out trying to outwit the Southern Stars, especially in front of a packed house at the MCG.

Read the full article here: Women's T20 World Cup 2020: Sachin Tendulkar gives heartfelt message to Team India ahead of final

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#3 Mitchell Starc given permission to fly back home early to watch ICC Women’s T20 World Cup final

Alyssa Healy and Mitchell Starc

The Australian men’s team is currently embroiled in a three-match ODI series against South Africa, with the latter leading the rubber 2-0.

Thus, with the Proteas boasting an unassailable lead, the Aussies have accorded Mitchell Starc permission to fly home early in order to watch his wife and Australian Women cricketer, Alyssa Healy as she takes the field against India in the final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.

On the occasion, Justin Langer, the coach of the Australian men’s outfit said,

It's a once-in-a-lifetime chance for Mitch to watch Alyssa in a home World Cup final and so we were happy to allow him to return home to support his wife and be part of a fantastic occasion.

We have plenty of fast-bowling options with us here in South Africa with Josh Hazlewood, Jhye Richardson and Kane Richardson all sitting out our previous match in Bloemfontein, and Mitch's absence will offer one of them an opportunity to impress in Saturday's match.

Furthermore, Langer talked about how the break could help the left-arm pacer recharge his batteries before the Aussies resume their Trans-Tasman rivalry from the 13th of March.

Read the full article here: Women's T20 World Cup 2020: Mitchell Starc to skip 3rd ODI against South Africa to watch Alyssa Healy play in the final

#4 Shreyas Iyer reveals he is comfortable batting at No.4

Shreyas Iyer

For the past couple of years, India have been unable to solve their middle muddle, meaning that several batsmen have perished for that caused. More recently though, the Men In Blue seem to have zeroed in on Shreyas Iyer, a right-hander who has performed admirably whenever called upon.

Subsequently, many have earmarked the Delhi Capitals skipper as a long-term option in the middle order courtesy the solidity and the array of strokes he brings to the fore. And, rather pleasingly for the Indian faithful, Shreyas, in a recent interview opened up on how he felt comfortable batting at No.4. He quipped,

I do feel comfortable now batting at No. 4. I've done that for a while now and it's beginning to feel like it's the space where I belong.

Moreover, he talked about how there weren’t any particular success mantras to be successful in the shortest formats, stating,

In T20, sometimes I feel you've got more time than you think. It's a very short format and everything changes so quickly but if you believe that you have it in you to change the momentum of the game, dictate the pace of the game, you can give yourself as much time as possible.

Read the full article here: Indian batsman Shreyas Iyer reveals he is now comfortable batting at No. 4