Kohli's Khel Ratna questioned, Indian star to make Bollywood debut and more - Cricket News Today, 21st September 2018

Virat Kohli may not be playing in the ongoing Asia Cup 2018 but he continues to dominate the headlines. First out, it was courtesy of a poster he shared on his social media handle, which had many wondering what is going to happen next.

Then it was his selection for the prestigious Rajeev Gandhi Khel Ratna award on September 25 despite getting 0 points. That left quite a few wondering whether that was the right call or not, especially Asian Games and Commonwealth Games gold medalist Bajrang Punia.

Ravindra Jadeja returned to the Indian ODI side after 442 days and former India all-rounder Ajit Agarkar wasn't too happy about him replacing Hardik Pandya.

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

Virat Kohli's Bollywood debut?

Before India began their Asia Cup 2018 Super Four campaign against Bangladesh, Virat Kohli dominated the headlines courtesy of a poster he put out on both his Instagram and Twitter handle.

His not-so-cryptic tweet was a poster of an upcoming movie titles ‘Trailer: The Movie’, along with the captain, “Another debut after 10 years, can’t wait!” It is being produced by Wrogn productions and the poster also had a release date of September 28.

Is this is a superhero movie? Will this be a spoof? When was all of this shot? And is this a full-length feature film? All of those questions remain even as the poster for the movie has been posted.

Another debut after 10 years, can't wait! 😀 #TrailerTheMovie https://t.co/zDgE4JrdDT pic.twitter.com/hvcovMtfAV

— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) September 21, 2018

Ajit Agarkar questions the inclusion of Ravindra Jadeja

After 442 days, Jadeja made his ODI comeback

The injury to Hardik Pandya in the game against Pakistan meant that a change was inevitable. But the Indian team decided to bring back Ravindra Jadeja to the ODI side, 442 days after his last ODI and that decision hasn't gone down well with former Indian all-rounder Ajit Agarkar.

“I can’t quite understand Ravindra Jadeja selection, to be honest. It was a nice opportunity for the selectors to bring someone like Krunal Pandya. He seems to be doing okay in List A cricket and Vijay Hazare Trophy. For Jadeja, is the captain confident enough to bowl him 10 overs on flat conditions? That is the reason he went out of the team for he was no longer effective enough, nor getting wickets,” Agarkar told ESPN Cricinfo.

However, it was Jadeja who had the last laugh, playing in his first ODI since the game against Windies at Sabina Park on July 6, 2017, as he finished with figures of 29/4 from his 10 overs.

Kohli gets Khel Ratna despite getting 0 points

Virat Kohli is among the athletes who will receive the prestigious Khel Ratna Award on Tuesday, September 25, at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi despite getting 0 points. He will receive the award after missing out on 2016 and 2017. However, Bajrang Punia who won wrestling gold for India at the Commonwealth Games 2018 and Asian Games 2018 missed out despite scoring 80 points.

Weightlifter Saikhom Mirabai Chanu earned 44 points and was also on the list whereas Bajrang Punia and Vinesh Phogat, who both got 80 missed out.

Speaking to TOI, Punia said: "I want to ask them (committee members) a simple question: 'what's the use of having a points system in place when you don't adhere to it". If the members want to ignore my credentials despite it being amply visible that Vinesh and I have accumulated the maximum points, then what option do I have other than moving court?"

"I have immense respect for Kohli and Mirabai. They are two champion sportpersons, but if I look at my credentials and that of Mirabai, there is no comparison. You gave her the award, give it to me as well, it's simple," he added.

Karun Nair to lead Board President's XI

Nair will lead the side in the two-day warm-up against Windies

Karun Nair will captain the Board President’s XI squad for the two-day warm-up game against West Indies at Vadodara on September 29. The 13-man squad comprises of the perfect blend of players who have already played for India and domestic stars who are in line for a call-up.

Also in the squad are the in-form duo of Mayank Agarwal and Prithvi Shaw, who will be keen to impress and push for a spot in the Indian Test side.

Board President's XI: Mayank Agarwal, Prithvi Shaw, Hanuma Vihari, Karun Nair (captain), Shreyas Iyer, Ankit Bawne, Ishan Kishan (wicket-keeper), Jalaj Saxena, Saurabh Kumar, Basil Thampi, Avesh Khan, K Vignesh, Ishan Porel