Ishant gets hired by Punjab
In a bid to add experience to a young bowling line-up, Kings XI Punjab today roped in Ishant Sharma on Virender Sehwag’s advice after the senior speedster went unsold at the IPL auction.
It will be a massive boost to his Twenty20 career after the setback at the players’ auction.
Currently, India’s seniormost pacer in the Test squad (77 matches), Ishant went unsold due to his high base price of R2 crore.
“A couple of days back, Viru bhai called up and asked if I am free. That’s how it worked out,” Ishant told PTI after his first training session with the team.
Ishant said that he is fresher than some of the other pacers as he played only 5 of 13 home Tests this season.
In fact after the IPL snub, Ishant was looking for a county contract.
“I was not in a holiday mode. I was planning to play county cricket and was in search of a contract. In fact, when you don’t get a team at IPL auction, you have to play somewhere,” said the Delhi lad.
“For me, it is more important to play as many games I can and
HARD TO REPLACE JADEJA: HODGE
Describing Indian allrounder Ravindra Jadeja as a three-dimensional player, Gujarat Lions’ head coach Brad Hodge said it was very difficult for any cricketing side to replace him.
The ace left arm spinner has been advised rest by a medical team of the BCCI for at least two IPL action. Talking to PTI, Hodge said, “Ravindra was an unbelievable player in the recently concluded Test series (against Australia) and I understand that he needs some time to get cent per cent fit.”
BHUVI AIMS TO EXCEL AGAIN IN DEATH OVERS
Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who played a vital role in Sunrisers Hyderabad’s success last IPL, is determined to contribute in the upcoming edition, particularly in death overs.
“This year is going to be a challenge because we have done so well last year. So, there is going to be expectations from us. If we don’t deliver, it does not mean we are not good at it or that was a fluke. It’s going to be an added responsibility this year to replicate the same thing,” he told reporters here.
Death bowling plays an important role in the success of a team in the T20 format, he said.
“Last year, it was good for us as a bowling unit, as a batting unit as well. If you look particularly at death areas, that was one of the positive things for us.
“If you want to win the matches in T20s, you have to bowl really well in last four to five overs and that thing we did really well ” Bhuvneshwar
LANKA BEAT B’DESH BY SIX WICKETS IN T20
Sri Lanka defeated Bangladesh by six wickets in the first of their two-match Twenty20 International series in Colombo on Tuesday.
Kusal Perera struck 77 off 53 balls as Sri Lanka reached 158-4 in 18.5 overs after restricting Bangladesh to 155-6 at R. Premadasa Stadium.
NZ CRICKETER GETS 2-YR BAN FOR DOPING
New Zealand cricketer, Adam King, has been handed a two-year ban by the sports tribunal of New Zealand for the use of anabolic steroids and hormones. King, who plays as a medium-fast bowler for Paraparaumu, had been charged by Drug Free Sport NZ of using banned substances, following which he was slapped with a ban. The ban has been back dated to