I’m scared of Kohli’s anger, says Pant

New Delhi, March 23

Wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant says the one thing that scares him is the anger of India skipper Virat Kohli. “I am not scared of anyone but Virat bhaiya ke gusse se dar lagta hai (I’m scared of Virat Kohli’s anger),” Pant said in a video posted by his IPL team, Delhi Capitals, in their official website. “But if you are doing everything correctly, then why he (Kohli) should get angry. But if you make a mistake and someone gets angry with you... its good because you only learn from your mistakes,” he added. Pant’s wicketkeeping skills have sometimes left skipper Kohli disappointed. Recently, Kohli was left fuming when Pant conceded a single while attempting a Dhoni-like stumping during the fourth ODI against Australia. Delhi Capitals will take on Mumbai Indians in their IPL opener at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.

Rahane made to wait outside stadium

Jaipur: Rajasthan Royals captain Ajinkya Rahane was made to wait outside a locked Sawai Man Singh Stadium due to an alleged feud between Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) and the State Sports Council. Rahane and a few Rajatshan Royals players, who had come for training found the stadium gates locked by the sports council employees for close to half an hour before they could enter after the intervention from the franchise officials. The Sawai Man Singh Stadium is under the Rajasthan State Sports Council (RSSC) and normally it is the RCA that has to pay for its upkeep. The officials said it was more about state sports council officials trying to put pressure for freebies like complimentary passes for the matches.

Williamson doubtful

Kolkata: Nursing a shoulder injury, skipper Kane Williamson will be a doubtful starter for Sunrisers Hyderabad’s opening IPL game against Kolkata Knight Riders, coach Tom Moody said. Williamson had suffered the injury during New Zealand’s second Test against Bangladesh but he joined the Hyderabad side along with Martin Guptill on Friday night. “It’s not a long term injury, whether he plays, we will take a call tomorrow,” Moody said. — Agencies

Malinga to retire after 2020 World Cup 

Lasith Malinga will retire from international cricket after next year’s T20I World Cup. Malinga said he would quit ODIs after the World Cup in England and Wales this summer before calling time on his career following the T20 tournament, being played in Australia over October-November 2020. “After the World Cup, my cricketing career is ending,” the 35-year-old said. Malinga, due to his commitment with the Sri Lankan team which is currently engaged in a bilateral T20I series in South Africa, is unlikely to join Mumbai Indians for the first few IPL games.