Dhoni's record, blow to Australia and more - Cricket News Today, 27th February 2019

Welcome to Cricket News Today - a one-stop destination for all the significant developments from the world of cricket in each day.

There's a lot of cricketing action going around the world. India and Australia are involved in what has already turned out to be an exciting T20I series which will be followed by the five-match ODI series. Windies and England are also batting it out in an exhilarating ODI series where the series is evenly poised at 1-1 with two games to go. New Zealand and Bangladesh will lock horns in a three-match Test series, starting tomorrow.

But there's a lot more going around. A former Sri Lanka star has been banned while an upcoming star from South Africa has decided to quit international cricket very early in his career.

Here are all the top news that made headlines in the cricketing world today.

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Dhoni first Indian to 350 international sixes

Mahendra Singh Dhoni is arguably one of the best limited-overs players India have ever produced. He has been one of the best finisher’s in the modern era and has broken multiple records in the last 15 years.

Dhoni might not be at his prime anymore but in the second T20I against Australia in Bengaluru, he rolled back the clock somewhat as he scored a quick-fire 40, sharing a century partnership with skipper Virat Kohli.

He struck three fours and three sixes in his 23-ball knock. His knock and the partnership with Virat Kohli helped India recover from a middle-order wobble and post a strong total of 190 after being put into bat.

When he struck his first six of the night, he created another big record. The former skipper became the first Indian to hit 350 international sixes. He has hit 78 sixes in Test cricket while 222 in ODIs and 52 in T20Is.

Ajinkya Rahane hopes for a fair run in limited-overs cricket

Ajinkya Rahane has been a vital part of India’s Test team and is also the vice-captain in the longest format. However, he has constantly been in and out of the Indian limited-overs sides. The last time he donned the Indian blue was in South Africa in February last year.

Rahane batted at No. 4 in that six-match ODI series and scored 140 runs at an average of 35.00. He had a good 2017 as well as he amassed 586 runs at an average of 48.83 but all those came as an opener. Also, Rahane’s last T20I came in August 2016.

He has been out of the radar in limited-overs cricket for the last 12 months. He feels that despite coming across as an introvert, he is an aggressive batsman and wants to let his bat do all the talking. Also, he feels he deserves a consistent run in limited-overs.

“But in the end, it is important that the effort that I am putting in is acknowledged. As a player, I feel everyone needs consistent chances to do well for the team,” Rahane was quoted saying by TOI.

Kane Richardson ruled out of India tour; Andrew Tye named replacement

Kane Richardson has been ruled out of the ongoing India tour due to an injury to his left side. The 28-year-old South Australian fast bowler was not a part of the first T20I. He picked up some pain in his left side ahead of the first T20I in Vizag.

“Kane reported some left side pain at training prior to the opening T20I in Vizag. Unfortunately, he has not recovered well enough in order to play a further part in the tour,” Australia's physio David Beakley was quoted saying ahead of the second T20I in Bengaluru.

Richardson has been in excellent form. He finished the Big Bash League (BBL) this season as the highest wicket-taker as he picked up 24 wickets at a strike-rate of 13.70. Andrew Tye has been named his replacement and will join the Australian side ahead of the ODI series in Hyderabad. The Western Australian quick picked up 17 wickets in the BBL this season.

Anybody can beat anybody, says Kane Williamson ahead of Bangladesh Test series

Bangladesh have been whitewashed 3-0 in the ODI series as the Kiwis dominated the Asian side. However, despite going into the three-Test match series as overwhelming favorites, Kane Williamson downplayed the favorites tag. The newly crowned No. 2 Test side have won their last four Test series but Williamson wants his team to stay in the present.

He was happy that New Zealand have a settled side but stressed on the fact that rankings are something that they don’t focus a lot on. Also, he felt that Sri Lanka’s win over South Africa in the latter’s backyard was a wonderful achievement and you cannot take anything lightly as anybody could beat anybody in international cricket.

“Sri Lanka over in South Africa was a fantastic effort. It’s so hard to beat a side like South Africa anywhere, let alone in their backyard, but anybody can beat anybody,” Williamson said on the eve of the first Test match in Hamilton.