Dravid's World Cup favourites, 'difficulty' for BCCI and more - Cricket News Today, 1st February 2019

Welcome to Sportskeeda's Cricket News Today, a section that summarizes trending news topics of the day from the world of cricket.

There seems to be no dearth of cricketing action across the globe - New Zealand managed to pull one back in the series, and bagged a consolation win in the fourth ODI of the ongoing five-match series against India. Elsewhere, T20s are in full flow in Australia, Bangladesh and South Africa.

At Sportskeeda, fans will always be in touch with the sport. Be it match day or even a boring, non-match day, there's loads to catch up on the cricketing front.

Here are some of the headlines from the world of cricket:

#1 India definitely World Cup favourites, says Rahul Dravid

Rahul Dravid has backed India as favourites for the World Cup

India's U-19 and A team coach Rahul Dravid is of the opinion that the national side is one of the favourites to lift the upcoming 2019 World Cup.

The tournament will be held in England, where Dravid represented the Indian side in the 50-over tournament two decades ago for the 1999 World Cup.

"The wickets will be very different compared to 1999, they’ve become very flat. I expect it to be a very high-scoring World Cup. We went with India-A last year, and 300 was regularly scored, so it’ll be a lot more high-scoring than 1999. We used the Duke’s ball then, now it’s Kookaburra… plus two new balls and field restrictions are there, so we can’t compare the World Cups".

‘But India are playing very good cricket and definitely go in as one of the favourites. Hopefully, the boys can peak over the next few months.’

# BCCI terms handling of travelling players' families 'difficult'

Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli during a visit to the 2019 Australian Open

The BCCI seems to be in a fix while handling extended contingent of families along with the touring team during India's series abroad. According to a report in The Times of India, the BCCI has said that managing arrangements could be a 'logistical nightmare' if families travel along with team members for the entire 2019 World Cup.

"If the team is travelling with less number of members, it is easier to manage. It's easy for BCCI staff to make off-field arrangements. Right from booking tickets to rooms, the entire management of handling the arrangement is with BCCI,” an official told ToI.

“It would be a logistical nightmare if this arrangement - of families travelling with the players - continues to be there in England for the entire duration of the World Cup,” the official said.

The report comes at a time when Virat Kohli has been accompanied by wife Anushka Sharma for the Australia and New Zealand tours.

# Selectors backed Bumrah before Test debut, says MSK Prasad

Bumrah during the 4th Test against Australia

BCCI's Chairman of Selectors MSK Prasad has said that the selection committee and the team management backed Jasprit Bumrah before his Test debut, even though the general public opinion was against exposing the pacer's unconventional action to red-ball cricket.

According to Cricbuzz, MSK Prasad admitted that Bumrah's 'peculiar action' made the selection panel back his abilities before his debut against South Africa in January 2018.

“There were many theories that this kid shouldn’t be exposed to the longer format. Since he has a peculiar action, which can lead him to injuries".

"In fact, the selection committee and team management thought the other way round, If this kid can get stronger without making any changes to his action, he can prove to be effective in the longer format, especially while playing abroad,” he said.

Bumrah eventually ended with 14 wickets in 3 Tests, and since then has become a fixture in all three formats.

# 200 is just a number, says Mithali Raj after breaking world record

Mithali Raj during the 2017 ICC Women's World Cup

Mithali Raj, who became the first female cricketer to play 200 ODIs, has said that it 'feels nice to come so far' but believes that '200 is just a number'.

The 36-year-old made her international debut two decades back and has been at the centre of women cricket's evolution over the years.

“I have seen different stages of (transformation) in women’s cricket across the globe since I made my debut way back in 1999 under IWCC (International Women’s Cricket Council). Coming under ICC, we could see the difference".

"I am just happy to represent the country for so long,” she said after reaching the milestone during her side's series win against the White Ferns.