Kohli's brilliant gesture, BCCI in talks with IPL franchises and more - Cricket News Today, 16th February 2019 

Welcome to another edition of our Cricket News Today - a segment which offers a succinct compilation of all interesting news of the day.

Indian skipper Virat Kohli has won the hearts of many with his brilliant gesture of showing solidarity with the CRPF personnel who were martyred in the gruesome Pulwama terror attack.

Meanwhile, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have begun talks with the competing franchises regarding the workloads of top Indian players in the 2019 edition of the Indian Premier League.

Here are all of today's top news from the cricket world.

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Moeen Ali backs 'amazing' England team to lift the World Cup trophy

Moeen Ali believes that the current lineup is England's best ever ODI team

All-rounder Moeen Ali believes the time has come for England to finally end their 50-over tournament drought. Terming the current team as the best ever to represent the Three Lions, the off-spinner hopes that they can back the general consensus with a triumphant World Cup campaign.

Read more on Moeen Ali's views regarding England's chances in the 2019 World Cup

Moeen affirmed, "We can say we were the best ODI side to play for England but without a trophy, it will be difficult to say that. We have come close and we feel now is the time. We don't feel we have to win it, it's more 'this is the time to win it'. We are an amazing side but we know this year is massive for us."

England's only success in ICC tournaments came in 2010 when Paul Collingwood's team won the World T20 in the Caribbean. They finished runners-up in the 1979, 1987 and 1992 editions of the World Cup.

Gavaskar sheds light on Kohli's batting position in the World Cup

Gavaskar wants Kohli to continue batting at three unless India are chasing a huge target

Legendary opener Sunil Gavaskar has urged skipper Virat Kohli to keep batting at number three as India enter their final stretch of preparation for the 2019 World Cup.

Recently, head coach Ravi Shastri raised the possibility of shifting Kohli to the number four slot in order to shore up the middle-order and avert a potential collapse. However, Gavaskar has reckoned that the star right-hander does not need protection from the new ball and must hold on to his usual number three position in the batting lineup.

Read more on Gavaskar's views regarding Kohli's batting position in the World Cup

"The best batsman in the world needs no protection in the batting order. But sometimes you have to assess the conditions. There could be a lot of swing and movement in the air in England and if the opposition makes over 350 and India lose the first wicket early, then Kohli could be protected and sent at number four," Gavaskar told India Today.

The technically accomplished batsman added, "This is the very reason why it is really important for India to select its third opener who is technically sound. Because the ball swings and seams around in England. But if the conditions are not very different then Kohli should bat at number three."

BCCI in talks with IPL franchises regarding workloads of Indian players

Bumrah's workload needs to be monitored carefully as he is India's lead pacer across formats

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) have started talks with all IPL franchises in order to monitor the workloads of leading Indian players. With the World Cup set to begin shortly after the 2019 IPL season, they want their main players to be given adequate rest right throughout the tournament.

Although the intricacies of the details such as the number of matches in which the top Indian players are rested remain unclear, the BCCI are keen to engage with the franchises and arrive at a consensus on the matter.

BCCI Acting Secretary Amitabh Choudhary revealed, "We have been in conversations with the franchises on all issues, concerning the game of cricket as well as the interests of this country and there seems to be (conversable) views, if I may put it, in a larger kind of sense, without putting out the specifics."

When asked if the IPL teams will accept the BCCI's proposal and rotate their marquee players, he added, "If your question suggests that the franchises will be wary of resting players, it is an issue we will deal with, considering it's a World Cup year."

Virat Kohli postpones Indian Sports Honours ceremony

Virat Kohli's decision is in line with his growing stature on and off the field

Indian skipper Virat Kohli has cancelled the Indian Sports Honours ceremony which was supposed to take place today. In order to express solidarity with the CRPF personnel who were ambushed in the ghastly Pulwama terror attack, the 30-year-old has ensured that the awards ceremony is postponed until further notice.

Indian Sports Honours is a by-product of the Virat Kohli Foundation and RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group. The annual ceremony, which began in 2017, honours the leading athletes and sportspersons in India under various categories.

A statement from the foundation read, "The RP-SG Indian Sports Honours that was supposed to happen tomorrow night has been postponed by Virat as a mark of respect to the CRPF jawans who were martyred at Pulwama by a tragic terror attack."

I'm shocked after hearing about the attack in Pulwama, heartfelt condolences to the martyred soldiers & prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured jawaans.

— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) February 15, 2019

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