Markande debuts, Babar aims to be like Kohli and more - Cricket News Today, 24th February 2019

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Debutant leg-spinner Mayank Markande has been inducted into the playing eleven for India's first T20I against Australia at the Dr. YS Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam.

Pakistan batsman Babar Azam has expressed his desire to emulate India captain Virat Kohli and orchestrate victories for his team.

Here are all of today's top news from the cricket world.

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South Africa name squad for first three ODIs against Sri Lanka

Lungi Ngidi is set to return to South Africa colors after three months

South Africa have announced their squad for the first three ODIs against Sri Lanka. Senior batsman Hashim Amla has been rested. Pacer Lungi Ngidi returns to the squad after spending the last three months on the sidelines due to a knee injury.

Read more on South Africa's ODI squad here

Seamer Anrich Nortje has received his maiden call-up to the South African squad. Apart from Ngidi and Nortje, the pace attack also includes the experienced Dale Steyn and the in-form Kagiso Rabada.

The ODI series between South Africa and Sri Lanka gets underway on March 3 at the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg.

South Africa squad for first 3 ODIs: Faf du Plessis (c), Quinton de Kock (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Imran Tahir, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Anrich Nortje, Andile Phehlukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, Kagiso Rabada, Tabraiz Shamsi, Dale Steyn and Rassie van der Dussen

Bancroft dismisses rumours of a rift with Warner

Bancroft had earlier attributed the ball-tampering scandal to Warner's idea

Australia batsman Cameron Bancroft has rubbished murmurs of a rift between him and teammate David Warner. The 26-year-old insists that the suspended trio of himself, Warner and Steve Smith have all stuck together since last year's ball-tampering episode in Cape Town.

"Yeah, I've spoken to Dave (Warner). I think all of us, including Dave, have been really challenged through this period of time. I know that all three of us have really stuck by each other and looked after each other well", Bancroft told ABC.

The right-hander added, "I guess moving forward there will be great lessons for all of us, including Dave. That's something we've all shared with each other and something I've certainly shared with Dave when we've communicated throughout this entire journey."

During December last year, Bancroft stoked a fire by claiming that he had tampered with the ball on the instruction of Warner.

Babar Azam aims to follow in Virat Kohli's footsteps

Babar Azam is currently one of the most dependable batsmen in ODIs and T20Is

Pakistan batsman Babar Azam has expressed his ambition to emulate India captain Virat Kohli. Terming the comparisons between the two of them as 'flattering', the 24-year-old from Lahore wants to follow in the footsteps of the senior batsman in consistently leading the team to victories.

Read more on Babar Azam's views on Virat Kohli here

Babar asserted, "It’s flattering to be compared to Kohli. He is very consistent, and his mindset is very good. He gives 100 percent every time he walks out to bat. I am at the start of my career, so the aim is to be like him, and be the epitome of performance in each of Pakistan's wins."

Babar averages 51.29 after 59 ODIs and 53.72 after 29 T20Is. He currently occupies the number five spot in ICC's ODI rankings and the top rank in T20Is.

Mayank Markande debuts in Vizag T20I against Australia

Mayank Markande came into prominence on the back of a strong IPL season last year

Leg-spinner Mayank Markande has found a place in India's playing eleven for the first T20I against Australia at the Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam.

The T20I against Australia is Markande's maiden appearance for India in the international arena. The 21-year-old from Bathinda will be sharing the spin duties with the likes of Yuzvendra Chahal and Krunal Pandya on what is looking like a reasonable batting track.

Markande rose into prominence during the 2018 edition of the Indian Premier League. Playing for Mumbai Indians, the wrist-spinner picked 15 wickets from 14 matches at an average of 24.53 and economy-rate of 8.36. Since then, he has played for India Emerging team as well as India A side before making his T20I debut.