No reserve day for IPL playoffs

New Delhi, April 2

The three playoffs of IPL-10 will not have any reserve days. The first Qualifier is scheduled for May 16 in Mumbai while the second Qualifier will be played on May 19 in Bengaluru. Bengaluru will also host the Eliminator on May 19. The final, to be played on May 21 in Hyderabad, has May 22 as the reserve day.

Afghans will be ready for Tests in 2-3 years: Rajput

New Delhi: Ecstatic about two Afghan cricketers bagging IPL contracts, the country’s chief coach Lalchand Rajput believes the team from the war-torn nation will be ready to play Tests in another two-three years. 

Spin sensation Rashid Khan and all-rounder Mohammad Nabi were picked up by Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL auction in February, a first for Afghanistan cricket. “Going forward, I think the number will only grow (Afghans in IPL),” Rajput said. “Playing Test cricket has to be the goal. I feel there is still another two or three years before the team is fully ready for the five-day format. A lot depends on the ICC as well.” 

Afghanistan have come a long way ever since making their World T20 debut in 2010, having qualified for the last 50-over World Cup in Australia.

World Cup loss to India hurt, but it’s past: Mahela

Mumbai: It was six years ago this day that Sri Lanka led by Kumar Sangakkara lost to Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led India in the ICC World Cup final at the Wankhede Stadium and the game’s lone centurion Mahela Jayawardene conceded today the defeat hurt at that time. “I did not even remember it until I opened my Twitter account this morning. To be part of a World Cup final is always brilliant and to walk out at the Wankhede with 50,000 people screaming gives good memories,” said Jayawardene, who is now Mumbai Indians’ coach in IPL10.

“India was the better team on that day but it was six years ago and it’s in the past. A lot of things hurts in life. I have lost four (ICC tournament) finals out of five. We learn from every mishap that happens and move on with life. It hurt at that point, but after that it’s just another game,” said the stylish batsman who scored a magnificent 103 not out for a losing cause in that memorable summit clash. — PTI

Bangla, SL may not be with BCCI if Srini comes to ICC  

BCCI’s move to stall the proposed constitutional and financial reforms in the ICC may suffer a roadblock if the Indian cricket Board tries to send N Srinivasan as its representative at the world body’s board meeting. It was also learnt that the Committee of Administrators (CoA) may just spring into action if Srinivasan, who is 72 years old, becomes BCCI’s representative at the global body’s forum. There are rumours that Srinivasan will have the backing of majority of state units at the BCCI Special General Meeting, tentatively scheduled for April 9, but this move can mean that Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will no longer support India. “The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is very wary of Srinivasan. They have not forgotten the insult the then ICC president Mustafa Kamal faced at the 2015 World Cup in Australia. Bangladesh, for certain, will not be with India if Srinivasan is BCCI’s choice at ICC board meet,” a source said. — PTI