KKR sign Cariappa, Ashwin opens up on his white-ball omission and more - Cricket News Today, 17th March 2019

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South Africa completed a 5-0 drubbing against a hapless Sri Lankan side as they won by 41 runs via Duckworth-Lewis method after a floodlight failure interrupted their chase of 226. Meanwhile, the only Test between Afghanistan and Ireland is very nicely poised but Afghanistan are ahead as they need 118 runs to win their first-ever Test match. Ireland have fought well to make a comeback and have a chance of creating some problems.

Steve Smith and David Warner joined the Australian for a camp in the UAE ahead of their series against Pakistan. Although the duo is not a part of the squad, it was about getting used to the new team culture and atmospheres as their bans are coming to an end. The Bangladesh players also returned home after the tragic incident in Christchurch.

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

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I’m no slouch in white-ball cricket: Ravichandran Ashwin

Ravichandran Ashwin last played a limited-overs fixture for India back in July 2017 in the Caribbean. Since then he hasn’t been considered and has been out of India’s white-ball scheme of things.

The Tamil Nadu off-spinner hit back saying that it’s a perception that he can’t perform in limited-overs cricket and he is ‘no slouch’. “I don't know, it is a perception. I am no slouch. In the white ball format, my records are not bad like what it is perceived to be. It is out of a perception that wrist spinners are required in modern one day cricket that I am sitting out,” Ashwin was quoted saying.

Ashwin will lead the Kings XI Punjab for the second season in a row. The Punjab side kickstart their campaign on 25th March against Rajasthan Royals.

It’s like we didn’t really leave the team – Smith, Warner on return

The one-year bans imposed on former Australian captain and vice-captain, Steve Smith and David Warner have almost coming to an end. Come the 29th of March, they will become eligible to play for Australia once again. However, they haven’t been picked in Australia’s ODI squad for their tour to the UAE.

But they have flown to the UAE and are training with the current Australian ODI side. They will join their respective IPL sides (Warner - SRH, Smith - RR) after this camp. Smith and Warner were both upbeat and ecstatic after reuniting with their Australian teammates.

“It's been awesome. It's like we didn't really leave. The boys were very accepting of us coming in, with open arms and a lot of big hugs and cuddles and no it's been great,” Warner was quoted saying by ESPNCricinfo.

“It's been great to be back around the group, they've been really welcoming again and it's almost like we never left so everything is on the right track,” Smith said.

None of us could sleep properly: Mahmudullah

The tragic and a disgraceful incident in Christchurch where the live shooting took place on the eve of the third Test match between New Zealand and Bangladesh has shaken up the Bangladeshi cricketers who were on their way to the mosque when this incident broke out. The players and the staff have revealed that it was a matter of a mere few minutes else the team would’ve been inside the mosque and things could’ve been very different.

The incident has taken a massive toll on all the Bangladesh players and stand-in captain for the Test series, Mahmudullah said that none of them could sleep properly after the attack.

“The only thing I can say is that we are very lucky. With all of your prayers, our family members' prayers, parents' prayers now we could return here alive. This incident was very unexpected, none had expected this. I could not describe that scene. I, personally, and all of us in the team could not sleep properly,” Mahmudullah was quoted saying after the team returned back to Bangladesh safely.

KKR rope in KC Cariappa as Shivam Mavi’s replacement

The IPL hasn’t even started yet and Kolkata Knight Riders have quite a few injury issues to deal with. Kamlesh Nagarkoti and Shivam Mavi have been ruled out due to injuries. While Kerala pacer Sandeep Warrier was named as Nagarkoti’s replacement, Mavi’s replacement was unknown.

In the latest move, the Kolkata-based franchise has roped in the mystery spinner KC Cariappa. The Karnataka spinner has featured in three IPL seasons so far. He represented Kolkata Knights Riders in his first couple of seasons (2015 and 2016) before moving to Kings XI Punjab. He has played 10 games in the IPL and has picked up 8 wickets thus far at an economy rate of 9.24.

However, Cariappa has been in good form as he played a vital role in Karnataka’s title win in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. He picked up 10 wickets at an average of 20.60 and an economy of 5.02.