Former skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni became the fifth Indian to reach the elusive 10,000-run mark in One-Day Internationals (ODIs) for the country. Dhoni, who was missing the feat by just a run, entered the 10,000th club with a single in the ongoing first ODI between India and Australia. The Ranchi stumper had earlier accumulated a total of 10,173 runs in the 50-over format during a home series against West Indies in October 2018. Before Dhoni, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid and Virat Kohli had scored 10,000 ODI runs for India. Overall, Dhoni is the 12th player in history of ODI cricket to reach the 10,000-run club.
Kohli, Shastri get honorary membership of SCG
Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri received the honorary life membership of the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). They were given the membership for their contribution to cricket and the ground's history. Apart from Kohli and Shastri, the only other international cricketers who have been granted the honorary membership of the SCG are Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara. An elated Shastri, after receiving the honour, took to Twitter and posted a picture alongside the Indian skipper. The team under the leadership of Kohli and mentorship of Shastri became the first ever Indian team to win a Test series on Australian soil. India clinched the four-match series 2-1 with the final Test in Sydney ending in a draw. “The SCG congratulates Team India for securing its first Test series win on Australian soil,” SCG Chairman Tony Shepherd was quoted as saying.
Sawhney to be next ICC CEO
The International Cricket Council has appointed media professional Manu Sawhney as its new chief executive officer, replacing incumbent David Richardson, who will step down after the World Cup. Sawhney, the former CEO of Singapore Sports Hub and Managing Director of ESPN Star Sports, will join the organisation next month before formally taking over the reins from Richardson in July, the ICC said in a statement. The appointment was ratified by the ICC Board following a global search and appointment process led by the apex body's chairman Shashank Manohar and the Nominations Committee.
Kolkata cricketer dies on the field
Promising all-rounder Aniket Sharma collapsed on a cricket field and died moments later owing to a possible cardiac arrest, hospital officials said. Aniket, 21, from Paikpara Club (Kolkata), was brought dead to RG Kar Medical Hospital. He is survived by his parents.
Pakistan recall Amir for SA ODI series
Pakistan selectors recalled fast bowler Mohammad Amir in a 16-man squad for the five-match series against South Africa starting later this month. The 26-year-old fast bowler failed to get a wicket in his last five One-Day Internationals, including three Asia Cup matches in September last year. He was left out of Pakistan's last series against New Zealand, but was redrafted for the one-day side on the back of good form in the ongoing Test series in South Africa. The five-match series starts in Port Elizabeth on January 19, followed by matches in Durban (January 22), Centurion (January 25), Johannesburg (January 27), and Cape Town (January 30).
