India favourites for World Cup, Advice for Dhoni and more - Cricket News Today, 28th September 2018

Former New Zealand captain believes that the presence of Virat Kohli along with a strong bowling line-up makes India favourites for World Cup 2019. He wasn't the only who thought so as Kumar Sangakkara also added that India have a settled squad ahead of next year's tournament in England.

There was also some advice for MS Dhoni and some update about the fitness of Shakib Al Hasan, who was ruled out of the ongoing Asia Cup before Bangladesh's final Super Four clash against Pakistan, which they ended up winning.

Here are all of today's important developments from the cricket world.

Fleming believes India are favourites for World Cup 2019

Former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming believes that India are favourites for next year's World Cup in England. While he admitted that India have plenty of resources, he also added that India needs to closely monitor the fitness of the pace bowling duo of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit Bumrah.

“They look like a strong side and might also be the favourites but it’s a hot English summer next year and it would really be injuries to Bhuvi (Bhuvneshwar Kumar) or (Jasprit) Bumrah that you need to be concerned about. So you need to develop the pace better and replacement players just in case. It will be summer in England and you might need some seam bowling," Fleming told Mail Today.

“I think you will have Virat Kohli back with the openers, MS Dhoni will rise for the big occasion. Kedar Jadhav and Dinesh Karthik are also there, so you have plenty of resources,” he added.

Sunil Gavaskar's advice for MS Dhoni

Dhoni's last appearance for Jharkhand as a player was two years ago

Despite a prolific IPL 2018, MS Dhoni hasn't been in great form for India and former India captain Sunil Gavaskar believes it is time for Dhoni should go back to playing domestic cricket for Jharkhand.

When asked if Dhoni should feature in domestic cricket for Jharkhand, Gavaskar told India Today: "Dhoni should be playing domestic cricket and should be playing the four-day games as well because he will help so many of the emerging players from Jharkhand.

“In the 50-over game you have limited opportunities but if you play a four-day game and play a long innings its great for your stamina, for your legs, for the rhythm that you want in limited-overs cricket."

Shakib undergoes surgery on injured finger

Shakib Al Hasan

Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib al Hasan, who was expected to fly to USA for surgery on his injured finger, went under the knife as soon as he returned home. He was admitted to a hospital as soon as he arrived in Bangladesh as the pain had become unbearable.

Initially, he was supposed to be operated on after the WI series but BCB's insistence on him playing the Asia Cup meant that he delayed it but the things took a turn for the worse ahead of the game against Pakistan, which prompted him to head home and meant he was ruled out of the tournament.

In a Facebook, he cleared the air, as he wrote: "When I left the team and returned home I did not realize that I would face such a terrible experience. After returning, I was having extreme pain and it became unbearable so had to get admitted in the hospital for a surgery. The finger was infected and there were 60-70 mg of pus that needed to be removed."

Wasim Akram calls Pakistan's performances as "embarrassing"

Wasim Akram

Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram isn't a happy camper. Even as Pakistan were dumped out of the Asia Cup 2018 by Bangladesh, he termed their Champions Trophy triumph as a "fluke" and has now lashed out at their performance in the tournament where they meekly surrendered, having come in as the favourites to win the tournament.

“Pakistan’s performances were embarrassing for me being an ex-Pakistani player & captain to see. Winning & losing is part of the game but not like that. It was boring, not good for TV, not good for spectators & the whole country will be disappointed,” the former Pakistan skipper told Pak Passion.