No opening ceremony for IPL, Wriddhiman Saha eager to make a comeback and more - Cricket News Today, 22nd February 2019

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Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar is against the idea of India conceding two points to Pakistan at the World Cup.

Meanwhile, Wriddhiman Saha is keen on making a comeback into the Indian Test side. He fancies the idea of playing second fiddle to Rishabh Pant. On that note, here are all of today's top news from the cricket world.

Sachin Tendulkar urges India to play Pakistan at the World Cup

Legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar said he would hate to see the Indian cricket team concede two points to Pakistan by not facing the neighboring nation at the World Cup. According to him, such a step would only benefit Pakistan as they would have a better chance of qualifying.

The arch-rivals are set to face off on July 16 and Tendulkar has echoed Sunil Gavaskar's views, urging India to face, and beat, Pakistan.

"India has always come up trumps against Pakistan in the World Cup. Time to beat them once again. Would personally hate to give them two points and help them in the tournament," said Tendulkar in a statement to PTI.

He also went on to say that the final call will be taken by the concerned departments and therefore he will go with the decision. However, many of the former Indian cricketers, including the likes of Sourav Ganguly and Mohammed Azharuddin are against the idea of playing against Pakistan.

Wriddhiman Saha eager to make a comeback

Wriddhiman Saha in action.

Indian wicket-keeper batsman Wriddhiman Saha is confident of making a comeback into the national side, but he is very much aware of the challenges ahead. The 34-year-old played his first competitive game since returning from a career-threatening injury in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

He has had forgettable outings so far but feels he is in good touch and a solid knock is just around the corner. "Usually after a long break, when you are batting in the nets, you feel your bat is not coming down well, your feet are not moving properly. But my body was feeling good, I was in good rhythm, and I assimilated quickly and easily with my team-mates," he told ESPNCricinfo.

Saha isn't averse to playing as the back-up wicket-keeper to Rishabh Pant. During India's tour to England last year, Pant scored a blistering hundred to stamp his authority and is likely to be the first choice keeper, but Saha has no qualms about playing second fiddle.

"There are so many Indians that play cricket. If you are picked in the 15, it is a proud moment for any player. I have not been in the Indian dressing room for one year, so if I get another opportunity, I will do anything to make a comeback," he said.

No IPL Ceremony, BCCI to donate the money to martyrs' families

IPL Ceremony

The upcoming edition of the IPL will not have an opening ceremony as the Committee of Administrators (CoA) have decided to contribute the amount to the families of the CRPF personnel killed in the Pulwama terror attack.

Bollywood celebrities and renowned singers grace the opening ceremony, but as a mark of respect to the brave soldiers, the committee has decided to scrap the event this time around.

"We will not have any inaugural function for the IPL and the money budgeted for that goes to the martyrs' families," said Committee of Administrators chairman Vinod Rai. The decision was taken by the CoA at a meeting here on Friday.

BCCI acting president CK Khanna was the one who proposed the idea of donating Rs 5 Crore for the martyrs' families. "I am very happy that COA has taken a good call to donate the money for martyrs' families. Since the entire budget allocated for the IPL opening ceremony is being donated for a noble cause. the amount of is expected to be significantly more than Rs 5 crore," Khanna told PTI.