DRS controversy returns, life ban for Delhi attacker and more - Cricket News Today, 13th February 2019

Welcome to another edition of Cricket News Today, a segment that provides a summary of cricketing events and news updates from across the world.

The India-Australia series is next on the platter for famished Team India followers, for whom the New Zealand T20I loss must have left a sour taste after relishing back-to-back ODI series wins.

Elsewhere, T20s are the flavour - while the Australian Big Bash nears its end, the Pakistan Super League gears up for yet another season.

Here are the top stories from the world of cricket.

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DRS controversy returns with rule gaffe in Kingsmead

Aleem Dar in lighter spirits

The Decision Review System has recently been in the news, controversially so, what with the Daryl Mitchell incident as fresh as five days old.

In South Africa, another aspect of the referral system is garnering debates, after a poorly implemented rule robbed the Sri Lankans of a rightly-deserved wicket.

On the opening day of the first Test at Kingsmead, left-arm pacer Vishwa Fernando caught Hashim Amla's on the pads, only for on-field umpire Aleem Dar to turn down the appeal. After deliberating, skipper Dimuth Karunaratne sought help from the third umpire, only to be turned down for apparently breaching the 15-second window.

However, commentators on broadcast noted that the appeal was made in 13.79 seconds. Furthermore, the on-field umpires did not signal the fielders at the 10-second mark, which serves as a prompt according to Rule 3.2 (b) in Appendix 2 of the ICC Rules and Regulations.

Replays showed that Amla was indeed out. One wonders what ramifications would be on Dar, considering Shaun Haig, the third umpire in the NZ T20I, admitting that he is feeling the pressure after the wrong decision.

U-23 cricketer who assaulted Amit Bhandari banned for life

Amit Bhandari

Delhi & District Cricket Association has decided to impose a life ban on U-23 player Anuj Dedha, who, along with a gang of goons, assaulted selector Amit Bhandari after his non-selection.

On Monday, Bhandari, a former India pacer, was beaten up by during Delhi team's training session at the St. Stephen's grounds, by Dedha, his brother, and a dozen of goons, with hockey sticks, rods and bicycle chains.

They later confessed that they were unhappy with Dedha's snub in the U-23 squad and had formulated a plan to assault Bhandari at a local club.

India continues to stay atop Test rankings

Indian team after the series win in Australia

A month after their 2-1 series win over win over Australia, historic in every sense, the Indian team stayed put at the top of the latest ICC Test rankings. India are closely followed by South Africa at number two and New Zealand in third place.

In the batting rankings, Virat Kohli is leading the charts, with England's Joe Root climbing up to the joint fifth slot. In the bowler's list, Kagiso Rabada is still the leader, with Ravindra Jadeja, at 3, being the only Indian in the top five.

IPL is the best thing that has happened to Indian cricket: Dhawan

Dhawan moved from Hyderabad to Delhi for this year's IPL

There's a month and a half to go for the 12th edition of the IPL, but the anticipation for the T20 event across the country, despite the lack of clarity over venues, is already warming up.

Shikhar Dhawan, who is making a switch back to the Delhi franchise this year, told CricketNext that the IPL has helped youngsters grow over the years.

"IPL is the best thing that has happened to Indian cricket. The first year I played for Delhi franchise, we had (Glenn) McGrath, AB de Villiers, Viru bhaiya (Virender Sehwag), Shoaib Malik and Daniel Vettori. I shared the dressing room with them and it was a really big deal for me".

"I feel that our youngsters are so confident because they have got big exposure and it helps a lot. They bring that experience in the Indian team like Kuldeep (Yadav) has done as well as (Yuzvendra) Chahal".

Dhawan was part of the Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2018, before shifting sides and being traded to his first ever franchise. In return, Shahbaz Nadeem, Abhishek Sharma and Vijay Shankar moved to Hyderabad.