Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur and Axar Patel were nominated for ICC 'Player of the Month' award in the women and men's categories for September. Skipper Harmanpreet and vice-captain Mandhana have been shortlisted for the very first time and if one of them goes on to win will then become the first-ever Indian player to win the Women's Player of the Month award. Axar, on the other hand, has been nominated for the men's Player of the Month following a series of impressive and restrictive bowling displays against Australia and South Africa. Despite a disappointing T20I series in England at the start of the month, Harmanpreet was in imperious form during the subsequent ODI series which followed.
Menon among 16 umpires named for T20 World Cup
India’s Nitin Menon will be among the 16 umpires who will officiate in the ICC T20 World Cup in Australia. Menon, the only Indian on the ICC Elite Panel, has already reached Australia. The ICC has announced 20 match officials for the first round and Super 12 stage of the tournament. “In total, 16 umpires will officiate across the tournament with Richard Kettleborough, Nitin Menon, Kumara Dharmasena and Marais Erasmus having been the umpires in charge of the 2021 final,” the ICC said. “It is an experienced group of umpires, with the same 16 selected as last year’s tournament which was held in the UAE and Oman. ” Chief referee of the Elite Panel Ranjan Madugalle is part of a quartet of ex-international cricketers who make up the match referees.
Chahar sustains twisted ankle, doubtful for ODIs
Indian ODI team has been dealt a blow as senior seamer Deepak Chahar is likely to miss the remaining two games due to a twisted ankle sustained during a training session before the first match against South Africa in Lucknow. Chahar wasn’t a part of the Indian playing XI. Meanwhile, left-arm seamers – Mukesh Choudhary and Chetan Sakariya – have gone with the squad as net bowlers for the T20 World Cup. It is understood that since most teams have a left-arm seamer in its ranks and Arshdeep Singh will need rest between the games, Mukesh and Chetan have accompanied the team.
Harbhajan alleges illegal activities
Former India cricketer Harabhajan Singh, who is Punjab Cricket Association’s chief advisor, has alleged that “illegal activities” are being carried out by certain office-bearers in the state body. Harbhajan, though, didn’t mention the name of the office-bearers, which was sent to PCA members and district units of the body. Harbhajan, also a Rajya Sabha MP, also sent a detailed letter about “malpractices” by the current regime to CM Bhagwant Mann and Aam Aadmi Party’s national convenor and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal.
NZ all-rounder Mitchell in doubt for WC
New Zealand all-rounder Daryl Mitchell is a doubt for the Twenty20 World Cup in Australia starting this month after fracturing a finger in training. Mitchell was ruled out of a tri-series also involving Pakistan and Bangladesh in New Zealand this week as a warm-up for the global tournament. The 31-year-old suffered the injury while batting in the nets in Christchurch. He will remain in a cast for at least two weeks, meaning it may not come off before the Black Caps’ opening World T20 match against Australia on October 22. Medical staff will monitor the progress of Mitchell, who has enjoyed a productive 18 months in all three international formats. Coach Gary Stead said it would be a blow if the all-rounder was ruled out of the tournament.
