Cricket News Today: Sachin Tendulkar sends heartfelt message to Indian Women's team, Harmanpreet Kaur's captaincy could come under the scanner and more - 9th March 2020

Hello and welcome to the daily roundup of all the major occurrences dominating the world of cricket on the 9th of March 2020.

Several intriguing sub-plots came to the fore with those ranging from Sachin Tendulkar sending out a heartfelt message for the Indian Women’s team to a former Indian Women cricketer stating that Harmanpreet Kaur’s captaincy could come under the scanner.

Elsewhere, Beth Mooney, fresh from her stunning knock in the final of the 2020 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, leapfrogged Shafali Verma at the perch of the T20I batting rankings while South Africa also issued a statement, mentioning that health protocols would remain paramount ahead of their tour to India.

Here is a look at those in further detail.

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#1 Sachin Tendulkar sends heartfelt message to Indian Women’s team

I ndia were outplayed by Australia in the final

On the 8th of March 2020, the Eves In Blue faced their moment of reckoning in front of a humongous crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground as they hoped to end their World Cup hoodoo. However, rather unfortunately for the billions back home, the Indian Women fell short at the final hurdle, meaning that Australia lifted their 5th T20 World Cup crown.

Also see – IPL 2020 squad

Unsurprisingly, the entire squad cut a crestfallen figure post the culmination of the game with the cricketers looking visibly upset at what had transpired. However, on Monday, Sachin Tendulkar came out in support of the Eves In Blue and tweeted an inspirational message as the girls look to establish themselves as a force on the global stage. He commented,

Congratulations to Australia for winning the @T20WorldCup. It was a tough day for #TeamIndia. Our team is young and will grow into a solid unit. You have inspired many across the globe. We are proud of you. Keep working hard and never lose hope. It will happen one day.#INDvsAUS.

Read the full article here: Sachin Tendulkar consoles Indian team after T20 World Cup final defeat in heartfelt tweet

#2 Harmanpreet Kaur’s captaincy could be reviewed

Harmanpreet Kaur

The Indian Women’s outfit gave an extremely good account of themselves throughout the recently concluded ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, although Harmanpreet Kaur endured a sub-standard campaign.

Subsequently, in the aftermath of the competition, questions have been raised regarding the right-hander’s captaincy and whether it actually weighed her down at the event.

In fact, former India Women cricketer, Shantha Rangaswamy even opined that Harmanpreet’s captaincy needed to be reviewed. She quipped,

I am sure she (Harmanpreet) will know when to give up captaincy and it is time for her review her captaincy. She is a mature person because she definitely is needed in the team much more as a batter than captain, especially in T20s.

Additionally, she expressed disappointment at how India’s premier batswomen kept failing consistently failing, something which was laid bare for everyone to fitness in the summit clash too.

I am very disappointed that such high calibre batters like Smriti, Jemimah, Harman did not click at all. It was a consistent failure of Harman, Smriti, Jemimah and Veda.

Read the full article here: Harmanpreet Kaur's captaincy future needs to be reviewed, reckons Shantha Rangaswamy

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#3 Beth Mooney overtakes Shafali Verma in T20I batting rankings

Shafali fell cheaply in the final

In front of a packed Melbourne Cricket Ground, Beth Mooney conjured perhaps her greatest international innings as she blazed her way to a magnificent 78* as Australia Women set their Indian counterparts a monumental 185-run peak to scale.

And, it seems that her efforts haven’t gone unnoticed as the left-hander found herself atop the T20I batting standings a day after the final. In the process, she displaced Shafali Verma, who fell cheaply in the same game.

Elsewhere, Alyssa Healy gained a couple of places to perch herself at 5th spot whereas Meg Lanning and Smriti Mandhana fell a rung each to occupy the 6th and 7th position respectively.

Read the full article here: ICC Women's T20I Rankings: Beth Mooney replaces Shafali Verma at the top

#4 Mark Boucher insists South Africa will stick to health protocols in India

Mark Boucher (L) talked about the precautions his side needed to take

A few days ago, South Africa completed an unprecedented whitewash against Australia, meaning that they generated an enormous head of steam heading into their away assignment against India.

However, away from the cricketing factors, the Proteas have endured a furrowed brow or two, considering the outbreak of Coronavirus in India.

On Monday, the registered number of cases in the country exceeded 40, thereby casting a significant cloud over how South Africa would approach the upcoming tour and how they planned to tackle the threat.

Mark Boucher, the Proteas’ Head Coach, despite acknowledging the dangers, expressed that they were well prepared and intended to take all the necessary precautions to ensure that their 3-match ODI series wouldn’t be plagued by the virus. He stated,

With regards to handshakes and type of stuff that’s a concern, so it will probably be fine if we do the same if it comes to that. I think it’s a way to stop anything from happening to our guys.

He further elaborated,

I think it's out of respect for players around you and not to pass on something that you might have. Covid19 is a concern and we had a nice brief last night from medical staff about the virus. We have taken their recommendations and I am sure they have put stuff in places that's going to help us.

Read the full article here: South Africa to strictly adhere to health protocols, set to avoid customary handshakes in India: Mark Boucher