Cricket Hornet

MS Dhoni had a word of praise for the city's crowd and congratulated them on the franchise's much-awaited return to the IPL © Getty

The Dhoni chants are back at Chepauk after a gap of two years. The iconic former Chennai Super Kings skipper walked out into the middle at the MA Chidambaram Stadium and launched a few into the stands to set the stadium on fire in the opening ceremony of the second edition of the TNPL in Chennai on Saturday (July 22).

It was Mahendra Singh Dhoni's evening all the way. The 36-year-old charismatic leader charmed his way around the stadium hurling goodies to the masses amidst Dhoni chants, took to the role of a ball machine operator for a few former CSK stars, unleashed a few massive hits into the terrace, got himself involved in the toss and pitch report and then touched the hearts of the Chennai crowd with a moving speech.

An emotional Dhoni, who made his Test debut here in 2005 and led CSK for eight consecutive years, congratulated CSK for getting back into the IPL scheme of things again and said the "long wait" is over.

"I don't think it can get any better. The crowd has been fantastic. They have given unconditional love and affection... I always say Chennai is my second home. I think the yellow is pretty special and I think we have done well in the yellow. I would definitely like to congratulate CSK for their return and next year you will be watching them play here. The long wait is over," said Dhoni, who last played at Chepauk against South Africa in an ODI in 2015.

Although CSK were suspended for two years from 2015 following the spot-fixing scandal in 2013, Dhoni mentioned that the fan following "has grown" during the time the team spent out of IPL. "We were not here for two years, but our fan following has grown in the last two years. They have stayed with us and the love and affection was always there. It will get amplified when CSK return to play their first game over here," said Dhoni, who represented Rising Pune Supergiant in the last two IPL seasons.

Dhoni, who has quite a few special memories at Chepauk including his double hundred against Australia in the first Test in 2013, reserved special words for the vociferous Chepauk crowd that had turned out on Saturday.

"Not only as a franchisee player but even when we have come here with the Indian team, the love and affection have been terrific over the years.

"The support has been fantastic even when we were going through a lean patch in a game and needed some outstanding performance from an individual, the support has always been there," he added.

After his speech, Dhoni went about launching three massive hits in a six-hitting contest with ease. Describing his hitting technique, Dhoni mentioned he goes against the orthodox method. "I try to watch the ball and go against orthodox form of cricket which says hold it lightly. I try to hold it a bit firmly and I don't look to hit big sixes. What I look for is a good connection. I hit big sixes in practice but in the matches, it is more flat. I don't get lot of elevation," he added.

Dhoni, CSK and the yellows are well and truly back at Chepauk

"I would like to congratulate the Indian Women's Cricket Team for their exemplary show in the ICC Women's World Cup," Vinod Rai, the Chairman of COA said. © Getty

After a stupendous show at the ICC Women's World Cup 2017, the India team captained by Mithali Raj, has been recognised for their efforts. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), on Saturday (July 22), announced a cash reward of INR 50 Lakhs for each member of the team, while the support staff are set to receive INR 25 Lakhs each.

The Indian Women's team had finished third on the points table after the league round with 10 points, with five wins in seven matches. They then beat Australia convincingly by 36 runs in the semifinal riding on Harmanpreet Kaur's 171. They will now face England in the final at Lord's on Sunday (July 23).

This announcement from the BCCI before the final is sure to lift the spirits of the side even further. "I would like to congratulate the Indian Women's Cricket Team for their exemplary show in the ICC Women's World Cup," Vinod Rai, the Chairman of COA said in a release. "The team has shown tremendous character and the girls have raised the bar with each passing game under the able leadership of Mithali Raj. The Women's World Cup has been widely followed across India and this team's spirit and performance on the field has won admirers all over the world. I am sure this team has inspired the next generation of cricketers and many more girls will take up the sport in the years to come."

CK Khanna, the acting president of the BCCI, congratulated the side for their showing. "The BCCI acknowledges the performance of the Indian Women's Cricket Team that has qualified for the final of the ICC Women's World Cup 2017," he said. "The team has a good blend of young talent and experienced campaigners in Captain Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami. The all-round performance was on display in the semi-final against Australia Women, who have won the World Cup six times. The fearless batting of Harmanpreet Kaur mirrors the team's approach under pressure."

"The BCCI would like to announce a cash prize of INR 50 lakh to each member of the squad and INR 25 lakh to each member of the Support Staff," Amitabh Choudhary, the acting honorary secretary of the BCCI, said. "We wish them the best as they prepare for their biggest match tomorrow at the Lord's Cricket Ground," he added.

With West Indies in a race to qualify for the 2019 World Cup, their cricket board has offered "temporary amnesty" to the players who do not fit their selection criteria in order to have them available to play ODIs. This could pave way for the return of stars such as Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard, Sunil Narine, Samuel Badree as soon as next month when the team is scheduled for a tour of England, as had been earlier reported by ESPNcricinfo.

Cricket West Indies (CWI) has had a stringent policy of picking only those players who are active in the domestic one-day tournament for 50-over internationals. But, with one eye on putting the best XI on the park, the board and the West Indies Players Association have called a truce.

On September 30, the top-eight ranked teams as per the ICC will gain automatic qualification to the next World Cup. CWI chief executive Johnny Grave admitted to the possibility that West Indies - ranked ninth, 10 points below their closest rival - might not make the cut. Should that be the case, West Indies will then have to go through a 10-team qualifying tournament and unless they end up in the top two, they won't make the showpiece event in England in 2019.

"We recognise that it is highly unlikely that we will now automatically qualify for the 2019 World Cup, so whilst the qualifying tournament has yet to be confirmed by ICC, we may only have eight ODIs against England and New Zealand in the next six months to prepare," Grave said. "It is crucial that we can have our best performing Windies players available for selection in these important games."

Grave also indicated that the CWI's cricket committee was due to present their findings on player eligibility criteria by the end of July. These recommendations will then be put forward at the board of directors meeting in September. But in the meantime, "all CWI registered players will be available for selection" the press release said.

Additionally, CWI is compiling a list of all male and female and age-group players in the system. "This will show commitment on the part of the players to be available for the format/s of the game they wish to play; a commitment to participate in the regional set-up and to honour the system to be in place by then," board president Dave Cameron said. "We must be able to identify the full slate and categories of players we have in the West Indies."

Chris Lynn to Khulna Titans - One of Australia's biggest T20 names, he will head to the BPL for the first time this season. He had a strike rate of 180.98 in IPL 2017, to go with his Big Bash League exploits from earlier in the year.

Seekkuge Prasanna to Khulna Titans - The Sri Lankan legspinner played for Dhaka Dynamites in last season's Bangladesh Premier League. He had one six-filled innings though his bowling didn't come off too well. Prasanna played for Barisal Bulls in BPL 2015.

Kyle Abbott to Khulna Titans - The South African fast bowler will strengthen the Titans' pace attack, which already has Junaid Khan. He hasn't, however, had a lot of success in the format since the World T20 in 2016. This will be his first BPL campaign as well.

Sarfraz Ahmed to Khulna Titans - Pakistan's new Test captain was roped in by the Titans soon after he led his side to their maiden Champions Trophy triumph in England in June. He will certainly be a step-up after they experimented with Nicholas Pooran last season.

Shadab Khan to Khulna Titans - The Pakistan spin sensation's 16 wickets in four T20Is against West Indies got ahim on the map before he was involved in his side's Champions Trophy winning campaign. He was signed alongside Sarfraz last month.

Rilee Rossouw to Khulna Titans - The T20 veteran batted well for Quetta Gladiators in this year's Pakistan Super League and will be an important addition to the Titans' batting line-up

West Indies T20 squad

Carlos Brathwaite (capt), Samuel Badree, Ronsford Beaton, Chris Gayle, Evin Lewis, Jason Mohammed, Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard, Rovman Powell, Marlon Samuels, Jerome Taylor, Chadwick Walton (wk), Kesrick Williams

In: Chris Gayle

Out: Lendl Simmons

West Indies have recalled Chris Gayle to their 13-man squad for the one-off T20I against India. The match is set to take place in Gayle's home ground of Sabina Park in Jamaica. Gayle came in at the expense of Lendl Simmons, who scored 6, 17* and 15 in the series against Afghanistan, West Indies' last T20 assignment. Jason Holder, the Test and ODI captain, who did not feature in that series, has been rested again.

Gayle last turned out in West Indies colours in the 2016 World T20 final against England at Eden Gardens. He is West Indies' highest scorer in the shortest format with 1519 runs at 35.32, including two centuries and a strike rate of 145.49. He has never played a T20I at Sabina Park.

"We welcome Chris back to the T20 squad. He is the most prolific batsman in this format and will add value to our team at the top of the order," Courtney Browne, Cricket West Indies' chairman of selectors, said. "He will get the chance to play on his home ground and against a top-quality Indian team."

West Indies are currently engaged in a five-match ODI series that India are leading 2-1. They will chase a series-levelling win in the fifth and final match in Jamaica before the two teams clash in the one-off T20Ion Sunday.

Shahid Afridi had more success with the bat than ball in the PSL © PCB/PSL

Junaid Khan is returning to Old Trafford for a third spell

The Pakistan fast bowler, Junaid Khan, will be rejoining Lancashire for this summer's NatWest T20 Blast.

Junaid, 27, took 12 wickets in eight T20 matches in his first spell at the club in 2011, then returned three years later to take 19 in 10 at an average of 14. On both occasions he helped Lancashire reach Finals Day.

"I thoroughly enjoyed both my spells at Emirates Old Trafford and I'm looking forward to linking up with the squad later this summer," Junaid told Lancashire's official website.

"The whole club made me feel incredibly welcome when I played for Lancashire in 2011 and 2014. The experiences I gained in those years has enhanced my performance in my ability to swing and seam when bowling.

"The different climate conditions have also strengthened me as player and hopefully this year I can give something back, both on the field and off the field.

"In both 2011 and 2014 the team reached Finals Day so it would great to get back there again this year and win some more silverware for this great club, following 2015's triumph."