Wicketkeeper-batsman K.S. Bharat will be travelling to the UK with the India men’s squad for the upcoming World Test Championship (WTC) final against New Zealand and five-match Test series against England. The wicket-keeper is cover for Wriddhiman Saha who has just recovered from Covid-19. Although Saha has recovered in time to enter the bio-bubble in Mumbai before leaving for the UK on June 2, the selection committee did not take any chances and they decided to add Bharat to the group with an eye on the Covid-19 protocols and guidelines.

Speaking to ANI, sources in the know of developments said it was a precautionary step with an eye on Saha’s recovery from Covid-19.

“He was added as cover for Saha considering he was still recovering from the virus and wicket-keeping is a specialised job. If Saha wasn’t fit in time, we would have needed a second keeper in the squad for the tour which is a three-month long one,” the source said.

The BCCI had made a foolproof plan for the national team before they depart for the UK to play the World Test Championship (WTC) final against New Zealand and the five-match Test series against England.

The roadmap drawn had arrangements made for all the players to undergo three RT-PCR tests before assembling in Mumbai on Wednesday in charter planes. The Indian players will also be administered the second COVID-19 vaccine by the UK health department.

India’s Squad: Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (Captain), Ajinkya Rahane (vice-captain), Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (wicket-keeper), R. Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, Mohd. Shami, Md. Siraj, Shardul Thakur, Umesh Yadav, KL Rahul (subject to fitness clearance), Wriddhiman Saha (wicket-keeper; subject to fitness clearance).

South Africa head coach Mark Boucher believes AB de Villiers’’ has his reasons to decide against coming out of international retirement and represent the national team in the upcoming ICC World T20 despite being in good form.

Cricket South Africa on Tuesday announced that De Villiers has decided not to come out of international retirement, saying that his mind won’’t change “once and for all”.

His former teammate and current national coach, Boucher gave reasons behind De Villiers’’ decision, saying that he doesn’’t want to snatch the place of a player who has been in the mix for a while.

“AB has his reasons, which I respect. Unfortunately he’’s no longer in the mix. I say unfortunately because I think we all agree that he’’s still one of the best – if not the best – T20 players in world cricket,” Boucher was quoted as saying by ‘’The Citizen’’ website

“But he alluded to being concerned about coming in ahead of other players who have been a part of the system. I don’’t think it sat well with him, which I understand.

“But as a coach I needed to try and get our best players, for the team and the environment. AB is an energy-booster in any environment, but I respect his reasoning. It was worth a go, but now let’’s move forward.”

CSA’’s reportedly made the statement on Tuesday while announcing the team for a tour of the West Indies.

In May 2018, De Villiers had announced his retirement from international cricket. He played 114 Tests, 228 ODIs and 78 T20Is before announcing his surprise retirement.

However, last month the 37-year-old versatile cricketer said it would be “fantastic” to make an international comeback ahead of the ICC World T20.

The ICC World T20 is scheduled to be held in India in October-November.

“If I can slot in, it will be fantastic,” De Villiers had said after he playing match-winning innings for his franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore in the now-suspended IPL in April.

Speaking to the reporters in Chennai, De Villiers had then said he will have a chat with South Africa head coach Mark Boucher at the end of IPL 2021 while assessing his form and fitness after RCB’’s campaign in the 14th season of the T20 tournament.

The 2021 Asia Cup, which was shifted from Pakistan to Sri Lanka, was on Wednesday called off due to rising Covid-19 cases in the island nation.

The Asia Cup, which was last held in 2018, was scheduled to be held in June but Sri Lanka Cricket CEO Ashley de Silva announced that it will be difficult for them to conduct the tournament.

“Due to the prevailing situation, it will not be possible to play the tournament in June this year,” De Silva told reporters.

The tournament was supposed to be hosted by Pakistan but since India were unlikely to travel there due to political tension between the two nations, it was shifted to Sri Lanka.

With all the teams planning for their FTPs for the next two years, the continental showpiece might only find a slot after the 2023 ICC 50-over World Cup. The Asian Cricket Council headed by BCCI secretary Jay Shah is yet to make a formal announcement.

Due to multiplying cases of COVID-19, Sri Lankan government has put a 10-day ban on international air travel. Sri Lanka are touring Bangladesh for a limited overs series while they will host a second string India team for a six-match white ball series in July.

June 3: India vs Qatar (IST 10.30pm).

June 7: Bangladesh vs India (IST 7.30pm).

June 15: India vs Afghanistan (IST 7.30pm).

The 28-member squad is as follows:

GOALKEEPERS: Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Amrinder Singh, Dheeraj Singh.

DEFENDERS: Pritam Kotal, Rahul Bheke, Narender Gehlot, Chinglensana Singh, Sandesh Jhingan, Adil Khan, Akash Mishra, Subhashish Bose.

MIDFIELDERS: Udanta Singh, Brandon Fernandes, Liston Colaco, Rowllin Borges, Glan Martins, Anirudh Thapa, Pronoy Halder, Suresh Singh, Lalengmawia Ralte, Abdul Sahal, Yasir Mohammad, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Bipin Singh, Ashique Kuruniyan.

FORWARDS: Ishan Pandita, Sunil Chhetri, Manvir Singh.Indian football team during a practice session.

A 28-member Indian National Team squad left for Doha yesterday evening for India’s three forthcoming matches in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 Qualifiers, slated to be played from June 3 onwards.

As per the health parameters required to travel to Qatar, all the traveling players and staff should carry with them negative test results from the RTPCR tests conducted in the last 48 hours. All of them were also in isolation in the Capital under the bio bubble at the team hotel from May 15 onwards.

Stimac stated that although it is not the “ideal situation” ahead of the June Qualifiers, the Blue Tigers will be putting in “intense” sessions before their matches get underway.

“It’s not an ideal situation as we move ahead to the Qualifiers in June. Due to the pandemic, our National Camp which was slated to begin in Kolkata at the beginning of May got canceled. The pandemic also robbed us of a friendly match in Dubai,” the Head Coach maintained.

“However, we understand the magnitude of the situation, and it will have intense sessions in Doha to raise the tempo and try to get ready for the matches which starts with the one against the Asian Champions Qatar in Doha,” Stimac averred.

India are scheduled to play Asian Champions Qatar on June 3, Bangladesh on June 7, and Afghanistan on June 15 with all three matches to be played at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium, Doha. Among the 28 named for the camp, Glan Martins remains the sole player to have made it to a National team camp for the first-time ever.

Meanwhile, National Team Captain Sunil Chhetri expressed his relief to get back into the National team set-up. “It’s such a relief to be back in the National team squad — after all, home is where the heart is. Personally, I am eagerly looking forward to being in Doha. The last time I was in Doha, I couldn’t be a part of the match against Qatar owing to illness,” Sunil, who has 72 International goals to his name, opined.

“The matches in June are extremely tough and we need to take them one at a time. Given the fact that we don’t have much time, the preparatory camp will add immense value helping all to get together, and strike that chord ahead of the first match,” he added.

“Doha has always had an emotional connection with me. It was there that I played in the 2011 Asian Cup, and also the AFC Cup final for my club Bengaluru FC.”

The round of matches is being played in Doha in view of the COVID pandemic situation which doesn’t allow the original format of home and away matches. India are currently on 3 points from 3 matches in Group E.

The Senior National Team already had a camp earlier this year in Dubai, after the completion of the domestic season, following which, they participated in two FIFA International Friendlies against Oman and UAE.

With the second wave of Covid-19 rampant in India, wrestler Labhanshu Sharma has turned his car into an ambulance with oxygen facility in Rishikesh. The second wave of coronavirus pandemic has ravaged the country with India recording more than 2.60 lakhs cases daily. In times of acute shortage of oxygen and ambulances, Labhanshu has started the free service for those in need. The service can be availed by calling the wrestler on his mobile.

“I have converted my car into a free temporary ambulance for the people in need. I have also written a helpline number on the car and have pasted stickers of ‘Free Ambulance’ on all four sides of the vehicle. The service can be availed by anyone just by contacting me on 9997170782,” Labhanshu told ANI.

“I got the idea of converting my car into an ambulance after I heard that people in my city weren’t able to get the emergency vehicle and if they were getting one its price was on the higher side,” he added.

Not only Covid-19 patients but pregnant women, old age persons looking to get vaccinated can contact the Indian wrestler if they urgently need an ambulance.

The 24-year-old wrestler took up the noble cause to help people fight against the deadly virus which has taken the lives of more than 4,800 people in the state.

“Pregnant women, citizens who want to get the Covid-19 vaccine, old patients who might be in dire need of medicines can also contact me as my services are open to all,” said Labhanshu.

“I would drive the car for needy and anyone can contact on my number at any time as the free ambulance service is for 24 hours. I have also purchased an Oxygen cylinder and it has been fitted in the car,” he added.

In April, Labhanshu had offered his residence to be utilised as a Covid care centre with all amenities however after receiving no communication from the authorities, he had to drop the plan.

ANI

JOHANNESBURG: Cricket South Africa (CSA) on Tuesday announced that former Proteas cricketer AB de Villiers will not be coming out of retirement as the batsman has decided “once and for all” that his decision to retire remains final.

“Discussions with AB de Villiers have concluded with the batsman deciding once and for all, that his retirement will remain final,” CSA said in an official statement. CSA on Tuesday also announced a 19-man Test squad that will be led by Dean Elgar in his first outing as captain since his permanent appointment in early March and the Temba Bavuma-led 20-man white-ball squad to take on West Indies and Ireland.

Off-spinner Prenelan Subrayen will join the Proteas Test squad for the two-match Test series against the West Indies in the Caribbean Island of St. Lucia in June. The 27-year-old from Durban is joined by his former South Africa under-19 teammate, Lizaad Williams, who has also received his first call-up to the national Test team.

According to CSA, the National Selection Panel has put an emphasis on firming up the spin-bowling department in preparation for the slow nature of the wickets in the Caribbean.

Subrayen will be accompanied by Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi and George Linde for the team’s first bilateral tour to the region in 11 years, plus the part-time spin options of the skipper himself as well as Aiden Markram.

Other uncapped selections include Kyle Verreynne, Keegan Petersen, Sarel Erwee and Marco Jansen. The Proteas are scheduled to arrive in St. Lucia on June 1.

“This is a massive outing for the Proteas. We have a fully fit team with an exciting balance of youth and experience. The Selection Panel is confident that it has put together an exciting and excited, young group of cricketers that will be well led by Dean (Elgar) and Temba (Bavuma),” said Victor Mpitsang, CSA Convenor of Selectors.

“The Caribbean is well-known for its low and slow wickets and we have ensured that we have chosen the personnel needed for every eventuality on this very important excursion. While there aren’t any (ICC World Test Championship) points to play for, it is still of vital importance for South Africa to produce winning results through a steadily growing and high-performing cricket pipeline,” he further said.

“The historic tour to Ireland is crucial for points towards our qualification for the 2023 Cricket World Cup and preparation for the T20 World Cup later this year. This is the start of our road to these trophies and every tour will see us field our absolute best sides,” Mpitsang added.