More injury trouble for India? No Starc-Cummins in IPL 2019 and more - Cricket News Today, 6th December 2018

With the spectre of the ICC World Cup 2019 looming large, it is looking increasingly likely that IPL 2019 will have quite a few superstars giving the tournament a miss. Already several T20 stars have announced their intention to not put forward their names in the IPL Auction 2019 while some boards have already announced strict guidelines regarding the date until which they can take part in the tournament.

While the IPL Auction 2019 is around the corner, the bigger story is the start of the Test series between India and Australia. While it will be the hosts who will be happy at the end of the first day's play, India might have more reason to worry with a star performer suffering a minor setback in Adelaide on day one.

Here are all of today's important developments from the cricket world.

#4 Yasir Shah breaks an 82-year-old world record

Pakistan had to toil hard on day four of the third Test against New Zealand and picked up just two wickets in the entire day as the visitors strengthened their grip. But one of those two wickets was picked up by Yasir Shah, which helped him break an 82-year-old world record.

The Pakistan leg-spinner broke the record for being the fastest to 200 Test wickets. Australian leg-spinner Clarrie Grimmett previously held the record when he got there in his 36th Test, against South Africa in 1936 but when Yasir dismissed William Somerville on day four, he got there in just 33 Tests, thereby breaking the world record.

His figures of 14/184 in the previous Test not only helped his side level the series but also help him record the second-best figures by a Pakistan bowler in Tests, behind only Imran Khan's 14/116. He now has 27 wickets in the ongoing three-match Test series against New Zealand and will be looking to add to his tally on the final day of the series as Pakistan look to come from 0-1 down to claim a 2-1 win in the series.

However, that will not be so straightforward as Kane Williamson and Henry Nicholls have added an unbeaten 212 runs for the 5th wicket to give them a lead of 198 going into the final day.

#3 More injury trouble for India?

Pujara was India's savior on day 1 at Adelaide

India's only source of solace on day one of the Adelaide Test after winning the toss was the performance of Cheteshwar Pujara, whose maiden Test ton in Australia helped the visitors end the day on 250/9. Not only did he cross 5,000 runs in Tests, he also recorded the third-most runs by a visiting team player on the opening day of a Test series in Australia and gave the Indian bowlers something to bowl at.

News that the right-hander suffered a minor injury and will consult with the physio would be the last thing that Indian fans would want to hear right now. But that is exactly what Pujara said after stumps on day one.

“It was a bit tough. My leg got stuck into the pitch when I was trying to go for a second run. I felt a little bit of a pull in my hamstring. I am going to consult the physio, hopefully, it is not too bad,” the 30-year-old batsman said.

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#2 No Starc, Cummins for IPL 2019

Two more Australians say no to IPL 2019

It looks like IPL 2019 will take place without a whole host of stars as Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins have joined Australian duo of Aaron Finch and Glenn Maxwell in giving IPL 2019 a miss. The fast bowling pair, who are currently taking part in the ongoing Test series between Australia and India, have not registered themselves for the auction according to a report in The Mumbai Mirror.

Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins were both released by their respective sides, Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians despite being bought for Rs.9.4 crore and Rs. 5.4 crore in the auction ahead of IPL 2018. Neither player took part in the tournament due to injury and with both players high on Australia's plans as they look to defend their crown in England, they have decided to not take the risk of playing in IPL 2018.

New Zealand are the only country to have made their players available for the entire tournament while England and Australia have both said that their players have to return before May 1.

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#1 Gambhir clears the air on his relationship with Dhoni

Gambhir also spoke about his 2015 World Cup snub

Gautam Gambhir, who shocked everyone by announcing his retirement from professional cricket, has come out and cleared the air on his relationship with World Cup-winning Indian captain MS Dhoni. The former Indian opener wasn't too pleased about the 2015 World Cup snub but admitted that there is no rift between him and Dhoni.

Speaking to NBT, Gambhir cleared the air about his relationship with Dhoni, admitting that there is no rift between the two. He also added that a "farewell game" shouldn't be held for any cricketer.

“Some players who played with me got the opportunity to play in 2-3 World Cups. While I got to live that feeling only once, I am happy that the experience ended with the team winning the title. When someone plays a key role in helping the team earn the title, he should be given an opportunity to defend it too. It's sad that I couldn't be a part of the 2015 World Cup,” said Gambhir.

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