Arjun Tendulkar's day out with Danielle Wyatt, Flintoff turns singer and more - Cricket News Today, August 7, 2018

Followers of the game have easy access to cricketers, thanks to the heavy involvement of social media in the daily lives of both players and fans. Even without an international game going on, there's always something happening in the world of cricket, even off the field.

In another part of our daily series of articles, we take a sneak-peek into the happenings of the cricketing world, both on the field and away from it.

Here's what was trending in the world of cricket today:

Badani hits out at racist comments

Badani (left) - Image credits: The Hindu

Former Indian cricketer Hemang Badani took to Twitter to hit out at the racism he has been subjected to for long. He revealed that he had been called 'Setu' all his life, and he found the term to be 'very racist' and 'extremely disrespectful'.

'Setu/Settu/Sedu refers to a Tamil slang, used to refer to 'Marwari' community, or in a broader sense, people from North India.

Have been called "Setu" all my life and I find it very racist.i dont remember calling anyone by their caste or religion. So why me. I find it extremely disrespectful. My parents have given me a beautiful name and it's only fair that I be called by that name and nothing else.

— Hemang Badani (@hemangkbadani) August 7, 2018

Badani isn't the only one - cricketers in the past have come out in the open and spoken out about the racial taunts they have been subjected to, increasing awareness on discrimination and garnering support from various quarters for the same.

Recently, Abhinav Mukund had taken to Twitter to speak about discrimination based on skin colour: "Fair isn't the only lovely or handsome. Ever since I was young, people's obsession with my skin colour has always been a mystery to me. Anyone who follows cricket would understand the obvious. I have played and trained day in and day out in the sun and not once have I regretted the fact that I have tanned or lost a couple of shades", he had said.

Flintoff turns singer for ICC World Cup 2019

Flintoff in the commentary box

It's still some time away, but the World Cup 2019 already seems to be catching up with fans. Inviting fans for the carnival in England, former all-rounder Andrew Flintoff is featuring in a new video, singing Imagine Dragons’ ‘On Top of the World’ through the streets of London.

The @cricketworldcup carnival is coming to England & Wales, and @flintoff11's on top of the world! 🎉 SOUND ON! 🔊 pic.twitter.com/sq4NKkZU2w

— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) August 7, 2018

Matt Campbell, its executive creative director, said: “The challenge in the brief was to sell cricket as more than just the game on the field. It’s the whole colourful experience, the national costumes, fancy dress, musical instruments in the crowd and the infectious passion, particularly of South Asian supporters, that create a unique atmosphere and experience that British sport’s fans will love.”

“This is something we are uniquely able to create in multi-cultural Britain," he said. "Seeing Freddie sing and dance is not what you would expect from cricket, and that’s the point – we hope to show cricket in a new light and engage new fans", said Adrian Wells, marketing director of the World Cup.

Arjun Tendulkar's day out with Danielle Wyatt

It might take some time to carve out his own identity, but Arjun Tendulkar is slowly finding his way into the limelight on his own. The huge void left by his father in Indian cricket is too big to fill, but Arjun is taking baby steps towards realising his own dreams of being a cricketer.

On the way, he's garnering praise for his bowling abilities, especially after his India U-19 debut recently. He played the four-day games but wasn't picked for the ODI series that followed against Sri Lanka.

He seemed to be utilising his time off the game to unwind and was seen post a picture with English cricketer Danielle Wyatt at a famous South Africa-based restaurant chain.

Jasprit Bumrah ruled out of second Test

Jasprit Bumrah (left)

On a more serious note, pacer Jasprit Bumrah will be out of contention for the second Test between India and England. The fast bowler hasn't taken part in the tour yet because of a finger injury but has been travelling with the team and bowling in the nets.

Speaking to the media in a press conference, bowling coach Bharat Arun said: ”Jasprit Bumrah is bowling fit right now but I think it’s too early to put him into a game-like situation because, I think, he needs to come out of the band-aid/plaster on his hand. For the second Test, he is out of contention".

The 24-year-old Bumrah is part of the squad that is taking Joe Root's team in the five-match series with the aim of winning their first Test series in England since 2007. They currently trail 1-0.