Cricket News Today: PCB CEO denies Pakistan pulling out of 2021 T20 World Cup, Kapil Dev says MS Dhoni's retirement will be huge loss for cricket, and more - 26th January, 2020

Hello and welcome to the daily roundup of all the major sub-plots dominating the cricketing circuit on the 26th of January.

On Sunday, Indian World Cup-winning captain, Kapil Dev opined on how the game would miss MS Dhoni post his retirement while Wasim Akram and Yuvraj Singh confirmed their participation for the Bushfire Cricket Bash.

Elsewhere, India took a 2-0 lead in the five-match T20I series against New Zealand whereas Indian head coach, provided another unique statement.

Finally, the CEO of the Pakistan Cricket Board denied that Pakistan would pull out of the upcoming T20 World Cup in 2021, after certain reports had suggested that they might do so.

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Here is a look at those narratives in further detail.

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#1 PCB CEO clears air over Pakistan’s participation in 2021 T20 World Cup

Pakistan have confirmed their participation for the 2021 T20 World Cup

Over the past couple of days, there have been murmurs about Pakistan possibly pulling out of next year’s edition of the T20 World Cup, which is slated to be held in India.

However, PCB CEO, Wasim Khan cleared the air, mentioning,

This has been completely taken out of context. Even though we would still want to host the Asia Cup in Pakistan, the Asian Cricket Council needs to decide on what it will do about the matches involving India.

He also added,

It’s absolutely incorrect. What I would like to say is that we are concerned about security issues and also there could be issued in attaining visas. But we are confident that things will ease out over the period of time.

The rumours emerged once it was reported that India were contemplating their participation in the 2020 Asia Cup, which is to be hosted by Pakistan. The past few years has seen political tension among the neighbouring countries, meaning that bilateral series didn't come to fruition, with neither touring the other in recent years.

Read the full article here: PCB CEO dismisses reports of Pakistan pulling out of 2021 T20 World Cup

#2 Kapil Dev says cricket will miss MS Dhoni when he retires

Will Dhoni don Indian colours again?

For the past couple of months, there hasn’t been a single day that hasn’t been dominated by MS Dhoni’s retirement saga. The wicket-keeper, despite having last played an international in July, 2019, is still keeping everyone guessing about his future, meaning that nothing has been made clear on the matter.

Consequently, several experts have offered their two cents on the same, although Kapil Dev opted for a slightly different view, stating that whenever the legendary wicket-keeper’s retirement arrives, the sport would be poorer without the veteran. The former all-rounder quipped

I think he has served the country so well and nobody has done it like him. Everyone has to retire sooner or later. He is not playing matches currently. So I don't know when he will come out one day and say -- I have had enough. I think it will be our loss because he is such a fabulous cricketer.

Furthermore, he elaborated on MS’ situation, with regards to his omission from the BCCI Central Contract List, stating that other cricketers such as Sachin Tendulkar and Sunil Gavaskar also had to go through the same.

Read the full article here: Kapil Dev says MS Dhoni's eventual retirement will be cricket's loss

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#3 Wasim Akram and Yuvraj enrol themselves for Bushfire Cricket Bash

Yuvraj and Wasim are set to feature

Wasim Akram and Yuvraj Singh became the latest in a long line of cricketers to enrol themselves for the Bushfire Cricket Bash, which seeks to raise funds for those affecting across the nations by bushfire incidents.

The initiative, organised by Red Cross, would see two teams battle it out in a T20 game, which is scheduled just before the Big Bash League final on the 8th of February.

So far, a host of stars have made themselves available with Courtney Walsh and Sachin Tendulkar being appointed as coaches for Shane Warne’s XI and Ricky Ponting’s XI, respectively.

Here is the full list of players expected to play a part.

Shane Warne (capt), Ricky Ponting (capt), Adam Gilchrist, Alex Blackwell, Andrew Symonds, Brad Fittler, Brad Haddin, Brett Lee, Elyse Villani, Grace Harris, Justin Langer, Luke Hodge, Matthew Hayden, Michael Clarke, Mike Hussey, Phoebe Litchfield, Shane Watson, Wasim Akram, Yuvraj Singh.

Read the full article here: Yuvraj Singh and Wasim Akram to join Bushfire Cricket Bash

#4 Kohli lavishes praise on his bowlers after match-winning performance

India were brilliant with the ball

Virat Kohli was grinning from ear to ear after a solid bowling display against New Zealand at Eden Park on the 26th of January, 2020. On a slightly tricky track, India managed to restrict the hosts to 132, despite the Black Caps scoring 48 in the Powerplay.

Unsurprisingly, Ravindra Jadeja and Yuzvendra Chahal were at the forefront of a magnificent performance, with the former scalping a couple of important wickets. Kohli, too, echoed similar sentiments, stating,

I think the pitch was good enough for a score of 160 in the first innings. We understood the angles of the field better, how the pitch was playing, how the New Zealand batsmen were approaching. We had to make a few changes and I had to think on my feet as a captain. I think Jadeja was outstanding, once again Chahal was a banker. Bumrah was amazing as well. I think we backed it up in the field. The surface gripped a bit.

Read the full article here: New Zealand vs India: 'Jadeja outstanding, Chahal a banker' - Virat Kohli impressed with bowlers after another dominating win

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#5 Clinical India get the better of New Zealand

Rahul starred with another fifty

India produced another clinical display at Eden Park to establish a 2-0 lead in the ongoing five-match T20I series against New Zealand. While the batsmen stood up to be counted a few days ago, the bowlers shone on Sunday, meaning that they contained the Kiwis superbly.

After electing to bat first, the Black Caps stuttered and stumbled their way to 132, with only Martin Guptill and Tim Seifert coming to grips with the sluggishness of the surface. Bumrah, Chahal and Jadeja were impressive as they weaved undecipherable patterns around the hosts.

In reply, KL Rahul starred with the willow, knitting together another accomplished half-century while the opener found an able ally in Shreyas Iyer, who again shone with an eye-catching knock of 44.

The series now moves to Seddon Park on the 29th of January, 2020 where the Kiwis would hope to keep the series alive and restore a bit of pride.

Read the full article here: New Zealand vs India: Jadeja, Rahul shine as clinical India demolish hosts