Yo-Yo test for RCB players, NZ star ruled out of India T20Is and more - Cricket News Today, 4th February 2019

We're back with another edition of Cricket News Today, your daily dose of trending news from the cricketing world.

The India-New Zealand ODI series ended with a comprehensive win for the hosts, with a three-match T20I series awaiting the two teams right after. Elsewhere, the Bangladesh Premier League is at the fag end of its 2019 season.

At Sportskeeda, fans will always be in touch with the sport. Be it match day or even a boring, non-match day, there's loads to catch up on the cricketing front.

Here are some of the headlines from the world of cricket:

RCB domestic players to undergo Yo-Yo test

The Royal Challengers Bangalore have started their pre-season preparation with a five-day conditioning camp, which is set to test the skills of its domestic players. According to IANS, eight domestic players, under the guidance of Gary Kirsten and Ashish Nehra, will undergo Yo-Yo tests, in a bid to prove their fitness levels.

As many as eight players, including domestic performers Milind Kumar and Shivam Dube, will be part of the conditioning camp that also includes Himmat Singh, Devdutt Padikkal, and IPL players Akshdeep Nath, Kulwant Khejroliya and Washington Sundar.

16-year-old Prayas Ray Burman, who garnered interest during the IPL auctions, is also part of the camp.

Martin Guptill ruled out of India T20Is

Guptill walks back after being dismissed in the second ODI against India

Owing to back injury, Martin Guptill has been ruled out of the three-T20I series against India starting Wednesday (6th February).

"Unfortunately Martin hasn't recovered in time for this T20 series - which is very condensed with three games over five days. It's a shame as he's obviously a big part of our white-ball sides, but we've got to look at the big picture and ensure he gets the injury right," New Zealand coach Gary Stead said in a statement.

Martin Guptill will be replaced by James Neesham in the squad. Neesham was part of the ODI squad for the last two games, after recovering from a hamstring injury.

Dhoni gains in latest ICC ODI rankings

Dhoni during the ODI series against New Zealand

Indian wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, on the back of a Man of the Series performance against Australia, rose in the ICC ODI batting rankings, reaching the 17th spot. Released after the India-New Zealand ODI series, the rankings also saw spinner Yuzvendra Chahal enter the top-5.

Trent Boult, who picked up 12 wickets in the series, catapulted seven spots to reach third in the rankings. India's Bhuvneshwar Kumar also jumped six places to 17th.

In the batting rankings, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma still occupy the top slots.

You can check the top-10 batting and bowling rankings here.

Brendon McCullum announces end of BBL career

Brendon McCullum

Former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum announced that he will take retirement from the Big Bash League after the end of this season, revealing that he plans to transition from playing to coaching after 2019.

In a statement, McCullum said: "I've had a great time playing with my teammates, and it was a privilege to captain them. Coming into Brisbane each year before the start of the competition was always a highlight".

"I will continue to play T20 cricket in 2019 in various competitions around the world and will then look to transition into a coaching career".

"The prospect of being able to transfer the skills, experience and leadership I have been lucky enough to bank over my long T20 and also international career into coaching is very exciting," he added.

Part of the Royal Challengers Bangalore for IPL 2018, McCullum went unsold in the IPL 2019 auctions.