SPORTS

MS Dhoni has always had impeccable timing, that was never in doubt. And that was also the case when he announced his retirement from international cricket. On 15th August 2020, the day of India`s independence, Dhoni decided to let the nation know that he would not be donning the iconic blue jersey ever again.

Dhoni dropped the shocking revelation in the evening once the celebrations had died down and people were revelling in the last few hours of the national holiday they had left.

The coaching staff for India's tour of Zimbabwe, which consists of three ODIs, has been revealed. India legend and current head of the National Cricket Academy (NCA) VVS Laxman will assume the role of the head coach for the tour of Zimbabwe. Rahul Dravid has been given a break ahead of Asia Cup which commences on August 27. India's campaign begins with the much-anticipated clash against Pakistan on August 28. India's batting coach Vikram Rathour and bowling coach Paras Mhambrey will be on a break, with Hrishikesh Kanitkar and Sairaj Bahutule filling in for them.

Team India departed for the tour of Zimbabwe late on Friday (August 12) night. BCCI posted some pictures from the departure as a happy looking Rahul Tripathi was spotted and so did deepak Chahar who is making a return to international cricket after almost an year. Tripathi was earlier a part of India squad for Ireland T20s but his name did not feature in the squads for England and Windies series. He is yet to play for India. The BCCI selectors have now given him another go against Zimbabwe, where he is expected to make his India debut. India play 3 ODIs vs Zimbabwe on August 18, 20 and 22. All matches will take place in Harare.

Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar’s fast bowling son Arjun has decided to leave Mumbai. Tendulkar Jr will parade his skills for Goa in the upcoming domestic season.  

Rumours of Arjun contemplating leaving Mumbai were doing the rounds for the last few days. However, on Thursday, Arjun applied for No Objection Certificate (NOC) to the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) and it has been granted to him. The NOC is mandatory for a player who wishes to play for another state cricket association. 

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Monday announced a 15-member squad for Asia Cup 2022. While Virat Kohli made a return to the squad, KL Rahul has also been selected as vice-captain. While there was no major shock, former India wicketkeeper-batter Parthiv Patel pointed out the absence of all-rounder Axar Patel as a “surprise exclusion.” Axar had been a part of the Indian T20I squads for the series against England and West Indies earlier this month, but was named as one of the three stand-by members for Asia Cup.

Talking about his exclusion in the continental tournament, Parthiv said that Axar delivered every time he was asked to, adding that he should have been picked as back-up for Jadeja, possibly in the place of off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin.