Harbhajan Singh Confident About His Own Skills

Veteran India spinner Harbhajan Singh backs himself to return in the squad even at 40. He is considered one of the best spinners in the country as well. He thinks age at one level is over-rated who has played103 Tests and 236 ODIs for India as well.

"If you still want to test me by pitting me for a battle of skills against those youngsters you consider best in the business, please bring it on," Harbhajan, who has taken 235 wickets, said. "You can talk about age if the ball while fielding goes between your legs or your knees are gone or you have done in shoulder which is the reason you can't give that force.”

"But yes, I have been on the field wearing those India colours for at least 800 days (playing time). I have been an achiever who doesn't need anyone's sympathy. But yes, if it's about skills, bring the best in India and I am still ready," he said.

Despite last playing for India way back in 2016, he is a regular face in the cash-rich league Indian Premier League where he used to play for one of the best teams - Mumbai Indians earlier and later went to play for another best team – Chennai Super Kings. However, the experienced spinner also thinks that he can be at his best even after not playing domestic cricket as he has played enough amount of top-level cricket.

While talking about his 22-year-long journey, he said that he used to treat every day like an exam where a lot of papers went well and he got marks at one end, while on the other, he didn’t do well how he liked to do. However, the spinner with 711 international wickets across formats is ready to take part in the 13th edition of Indian Premier League. It was earlier scheduled to take place in March but eventually got postponed owing to the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak and it will take place later this year.

For more updates visit Cricadium

Kane Williamson Calls IPL the Biggest Domestic Competition

New Zealand captain and Sunrisers Hyderabad batsman Kane Williamson has referred to the Indian Premier League as the 'biggest domestic competition'. He also said that he wanted to take part in the tournament to gain knowledge and learn new things also.

Williamson told Ravichandran Ashwin on his YouTube show titled 'DRS with Ash', "For us, to see the passion for cricket in India is an amazing thing, it is a brilliant competition and there is a high standard, a lot of other countries have followed suit to start their leagues."

Kane Williamson is one of those players who might not look as destructive as others but they can do wonders if they are in form. As an example, he led his side Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2018 in the absence of regular captain David Warner due to his ban for the spot-fixing scandal in South Africa and did it pretty well. However, he also said that leading the IPL team was totally different compared to leading his national New Zealand.

"It is quite different to lead New Zealand and an IPL franchise, initially I did not know what to expect, but like I mentioned it is an Indian competition so you are coming into quite a different culture, I was trying to keep an open mind, there is a lot of experience in all of the groups, it was an enjoyable season to lead the Sunrisers Hyderabad," Williamson said. "The support staff have been there at Hyderabad for a long time and they have enjoyed success, it was about maintaining the style of play that we are known for."

Kane Williamson has so far played 41 matches in the IPL where he has scored 1,302 runs which came at an average of 38.29. However, this year’s IPL has been postponed for the indefinite time period owing to the global pandemic novel coronavirus outbreak. The COVID-19 outbreak has so far claimed several lives across the globe and cancelled or postponed all the sporting events as well.

However, the situation is slowly getting better in some places and England are all set to play their first series against West Indies soon at their own backyard.

Aakash Chopra Names MS Dhoni His Captain of All-time IPL XI Team

Indian Premier League has gained immense popularity ever since it first played 13 years ago. It not only gave quality Indian players but foreign players also. Former India opener Aakash Chopra, who had been a part of the league himself, named an all-time IPL XI.

He chose his openers in the form of David Warner and Rohit Sharma. Both of them are considered as formidable players for their respective countries and has stunning records at the top of the order as well. And, it’s not at all a surprise that they have been chosen for the opening slot. For the next slots, Chopra named India captain Virat Kohli and experienced Suresh Raina.

While Virat Kohli has amassed six tons in the tournament, Suresh Raina is considered as one of the most destructive batsmen in the history of the cash-rich league. Former South Africa player AB de Villiers who is known for his swashbuckling batting, placed after the Indian duo of Aakash Chopra. However, former captain MS Dhoni named the skipper and keeper of this team.

However, the former India opener has named a few renowned pace bowlers including Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah and Lasith Malinga who are the top bowlers in the tournament. For spin department, his choice is veteran India spinner Harbhajan Singh and West Indies spinner Sunil Naraine. While Singh was a key player for Mumbai Indian and later started playing for Chennai Super Kings under the leadership of MS Dhoni, Narine is one of the vital cogs in the Kolkata Knight Riders’ camp.

Surprisingly, the flamboyant West Indies opener Chris Gayle, who is known for his explosive batting and has great record best in the tournament didn't make it to the all-time IPL XI team.

Aakash Chopra’s all-time IPL XI: David Warner, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, AB de Villiers, MS Dhoni (C & WK), Harbhajan Singh, Sunil Narine, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Lasith Malinga, Jasprit Bumrah.

12th and 13th Man – Gautam Gambhir, Andre Russell