Cricket News Today: IPL All-Star game likely to be held on 25th March, Dhoni to begin training with CSK soon and more - 16th February 2020

Hello and welcome to the roundup of all the major narratives dominating the world of cricket on the 16th of February 2020.

Numerous interesting news came to the fore, ranging from a probable date for the All-Star game preceding the IPL, to MS Dhoni’s possible return to training ahead of him representing the Chennai Super Kings.

Elsewhere, Ishant Sharma expressed his relief at passing his fitness test, days before India’s Test series against New Zealand while a BCCI source also hinted at India participating in a day-night pink-ball fixture Down Under, later in the year.

Finally, Eoin Morgan opened up on the embarrassment of riches existing in the English white-ball machinery, wherein he termed Jos Buttler as one of the finest white-ball cricketers the nation had produced.

Here is a look at those in further detail.

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#1 IPL All-Star game likely to take place on the 25th of March at Mumbai

The IPL All-Star game is likely to take place at the Wankhede Stadium

According to The Telegraph, the BCCI-proposed All-Star match is set to take place at the Wankhede Stadium on the 25th of March 2020. Though there had been concerns regarding the nature of the fixture earlier, it now seems that the apex body has gone through with the game.

Unsurprisingly, franchisees were a tad concerned regarding the proximity of the aforementioned encounter to the commencement of the IPL, which begins on the 29th of March.

It had been reported that they were apprehensive of letting their players leave for the contest, with injuries and sponsorship clashes being primary issues. Additionally, the foreign stars’ tight schedule posed a considerable impediment to the charity match.

Also see – IPL 2020 time table

However, all those fears seem to have been alleviated, with the official confirmation expected to arrive post the IPL Governing Council Meeting.

As things stand, a team would be formed by combining the south and western franchises, namely Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Sunrisers Hyderabad, and they would pit their wits against an outfit that would comprise players from the Delhi Capitals, Kings XI Punjab, Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals.

Read the full article here: IPL 2020 All-Star game likely to take place on 25th March in Mumbai

#2 MS Dhoni set to return to CSK training on the 1st of March

M S Dhoni

MS Dhoni’s retirement saga has dominated the back pages for much of the past few months and there have been no signs of it slowing down. However, in a refreshing development on Sunday, it came to light that the veteran would arrive in Chennai on the 1st of March 2020 as he looks to get back into his groove. A source was quoted as saying by the Times of India,

He (Dhoni) is expected to arrive on March 1. He will probably train for a couple of weeks before going back for 4-5 days and then coming back.

Dhoni is expected to train alongside the likes of Ambati Rayudu and Suresh Raina, who have also not played competitive cricket recently. While Rayudu appeared for Hyderabad in the domestic List A competition in 2019, the left-hander has been nursing a knee injury and underwent surgery, a few weeks ago.

Read the full article here: IPL 2020 – MS Dhoni to start training in Chennai from March 1

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#3 Ishant Sharma expresses relief at passing fitness test

Ishant Sharma is set to join the Indian squad ahead of the 1st Test at Wellington

In January 2020, Ishant Sharma suffered a Grade 3 tear during Delhi’s Ranji Trophy encounter against Vidarbha at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, meaning that his participation in India’s Test series in New Zealand was cast under a significant cloud. In fact, DDCA Director, Sanjay Bhardwaj had quipped,

He has been advised complete rest for six weeks, so there is little chance of him playing the Test series against New Zealand next month. When he goes to the National Cricket Academy will depend on his getting into a position where he can walk properly.

However, a couple of days ago, the pacer underwent a fitness test and he passed it with flying colours, thereby sparing the Men In Blue the hassle of frantically searching for a replacement.

It was a roller coaster ride for me after the injury on my ankle on 20th January but with the help of Ashish Kaushik I managed to pull it off! Scans were a little scary, but today I am happy that I am fit! Thanks Ashish Kaushik!

The fast bowler’s return to fitness would serve as a welcome boost for the Indians, especially after their New Zealand tour ventured into troubled waters, courtesy a 3-0 ODI series defeat.

Read the full article here: New Zealand vs India 2020: Ishant Sharma relieved after passing fitness test

#4 India set to play day-night Test in Australia

India look set to take on Australia in a day-night Test later in the year

According to a BCCI source, India seem primed to play their maiden away day-night Test, when they tour Australia for a Test series later in the year. A few months ago, the Men In Blue, post Sourav Ganguly’s ascent to the BCCI throne, took part in their first pink-ball fixture when they clashed swords with Bangladesh at Eden Gardens.

On the condition of remaining anonymous, a source told PTI,

India are most likely to play a day/night Test during the Australia tour.

Earlier, Virat Kohli had echoed similar sentiments when he talked about the prospect of a day-night Test when the Australians had toured the country in January for a three-match ODI series.

We're ready and up for the challenge - whether it's Gabba, Perth... it doesn't matter to us. It's become a very exciting feature of any Test series and we're open to playing day-night Tests.

Read the full article here: India set to play Day-Night Test in Australia later this year: BCCI sources

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#5 Eoin Morgan terms Jos Buttler one of England’s greatest white-ball cricketers

M organ termed Buttler as one of the greatest white-ball cricketers England has produced

Ahead of England’s 3rd T20I against South Africa, Eoin Morgan lauded Jos Buttler for his abilities as a white-ball cricketer and labelled him as one of the greatest the Three Lions had ever produced.

Furthermore, the English skipper talked about how the side intended to not dislodge Buttler, Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow as the top three. Morgan stated,

Jos is one of our greatest white-ball cricketers, as a batsman, never mind with the gloves. We believe him, Jason (Roy) and Jonny (Bairstow) are our top three at the moment, moving forward.

Over the past few matches, there has been some debate about the wicket-keeper’s batting position in the current T20I setup, with several opining that he retained much more value lower down the order.

However, if Morgan’s comments are any indicator, Buttler could be set for a long rope at the top, despite not bagging any substantial scores in the ongoing series against the Proteas.

Read the full article here: Jos Buttler one of our greatest white-ball cricketers: Eoin Morgan