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Hello and welcome to the daily dose of stories making rounds in the world of cricket today.
First up is the hugely debated topic of MS Dhoni's retirement from ODIs and what the head coach of the Indian cricket team had to say about it.
Moving to the next story, Australian Marnus Labuschagne has expressed his desire to emulate Virat Kohli and the rest of the 'Fab Four' members in terms of consistency in all formats over a long period of time.
Pat Cummins revealed that Australia were well aware of the importance of spinners on slow and dry Indian pitches ahead of their three-match ODI tour of India.
And Lastly, BBL came to life when a former Australian player's fiancee embarrassed him on live television.
#1 'Dhoni May end his career soon', says Shastri
#2 Marnus Labuschagne wants to emulate Virat Kohli
#3 Pat Cummins talks about the upcoming India series
#4 Warne's baggy green receives a bid of over 1 million AUD
#5 Erin Holland’s hilarious conversation with fiance Ben Cutting
Now let us look at today's top cricket news in detail.
#1 'Dhoni May end his career soon', says Shastri
The Dhoni-retirement saga is deepening its roots with each passing day. Indian head coach Ravi Shastri came up with staggering claims of the 2011-WC winning captain bidding adieu to ODI cricket very soon.
Shastri claimed that after an honest conversation with the former Indian captain, his ODI career was soon to be over. Dhoni, who hasn't played for India since India's loss to New Zealand in the semi-final of the 2019 World Cup, has been tipped to retire from ODI soon but will continue to play in IPL and T20I cricket for India.
MS Dhoni has played 350 ODIs, 90 Tests and 98 T20Is for India.
Shastri said -
"I have had a conversation with MS and that is between us. He has finished his Test career, he may soon end his ODI career... In all probability, he may soon end his ODI career."
"At his age, probably the only format he'll want to play is T20 cricket which means he'll have to start playing again, get back into the groove because he's going to play in the IPL and see how his body reacts."
Full article: MS Dhoni may end his ODI career soon, reveals Ravi Shastri
#2 Marnus Labuschagne wants to emulate Virat Kohli
Australia's latest batting sensation, Marnus Labuschagne expressed his desire to emulate the consistency of Indian captain Virat Kohli and the rest of the 'Fab Four' of international cricket. Kohli, Joe Root, Kane Williamson, and Steve Smith have been idolized as the 'Big Four' from the current set of international players.
Labuschagne, who has been in sublime touch since coming as a concussion substitute in Tests, wants to follow in the consistent footsteps of all the four batsmen in all formats. He also stated that batting in different positions for the sake of the national team was something he learned from retired cricketer Mike Hussey and was open to doing the same.
He said -
"You look at the guys I look up to and aspire to - Steve Smith, Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson, Joe Root. They've been doing it for a very long time, five, six years they've been consistent, not just in one format, but two or more formats."
"With the opportunities that might come in the next few months, we'll have to see, but definitely Michael Hussey is a great person to learn from."
Full article: Marnus Labuschagne wants to emulate all-format consistency of Virat Kohli and rest of Fab 4
#3 Pat Cummins talks about the upcoming India series
The No.1 ranked Test format bowler, Pat Cummins is very much aware of the tough conditions that await the Australian team ahead of the India tour. Speaking to the reporters before their departure to India, Cummins explained the important role of spinners on slow and dry Indian pitches and how the tourists will have to learn to bowl with the softer ball.
Cummins had a great 2019 ODI series in India, where he took 14 wickets in five matches to help Australia make a comeback from 2-0 down to win 2-3. Adam Zampa and Ashton Agar are the two spinners traveling to India this time around.
Australia are scheduled to play three ODIs on January 14, 17 and 19 in Mumbai, Rajkot, and Bengaluru.
Pat Cummins said -
"I think spinners play a bigger part in India than they do around the world but it’s rare you get a big spinning dust bowl for a one day international. The last series I think we played two spinners, they also played two so they are certainly important, especially in the middle overs.”
“Upfront there’s always a little bit in it with a new ball like anywhere else in the world. But then after that, I actually feel that the ball gets probably a little bit softer and chewed up more over there than it does in other parts of the world, which makes it a little bit easier sometimes bowling with a bit of a softer ball.”
“But it’s just a different challenge, the fields there are a lot smaller and faster than here in Australia, the wickets aren’t as pacy and bouncy. It’s the same format, just a slightly different beast."
Full article: India vs Australia 2020: Pat Cummins talks about the role of spinners and pitches ahead of India tour
#4 Warne's baggy green receives a bid of over 1 million AUD
Shane Warnes' baggy green has fetched more than one million Australian dollars in the recently concluded auctions. The legendary bowler's cap went for a whopping A$1,007,500 (£528,000) to the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA), the proceeds of which will be donated to the Australian Red Cross bushfire appeal.
Warne's baggy green was auctioned for more than twice the price at which Sir Don Bradman's cap was auctioned.
Shane Warne said -
This has not only raised another $1 million for bushfire relief, it will also enable us to raise further funds for the bushfire appeal as the cap commences a fundraising tour across the country before retiring as a permanent exhibit at the Bradman Museum in Bowral to be enjoyed by all Australians and cricket fans.
Full article: Shane Warne's baggy green receives a bid of over 1 million AUD in bushfire fundraiser
#5 Erin Holland’s hilarious conversation with fiance Ben Cutting
Perth Scorchers' prolific opener Liam Livingstone, who has scored 184 runs in seven games in the ongoing BBL, was left in an awkwardly funny situation in a live interview during a match against Melbourne Renegades.
Livingstone was hit right on his groin by a ball delivered by Richard Gleeson and as the world watched him wince in pain, Ben Cutting's fiancee Erin Holland questioned the Englishman on the incident and asked -
“How are the crown jewels feeling?"
To this, Livingstone replied -
"They are alright now. I wouldn’t advise getting hit in the same place twice.”
In a similar incident, Erin Holland also caught up with her soon-to-be husband Ben Cutting and in a hilarious exchange, Erin asked Cutting to take rest and do well in Perth, or not return home. Cutting performed exceptionally well for Brisbane heat, scoring 43 runs off 29 balls to take his side home against the Hobart Hurricanes in the 29th match of the ongoing BBL season.
Full article: [Watch] Erin Holland’s hilarious conversation with fiance Ben Cutting and Liam Livingstone in BBL
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