The cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL) is just a day away from the start of its 17th season as defending champions Chennai Super Kings are scheduled to host Virat Kohli's Royal Challengers Bangalore at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Friday. Almost all the franchises have begun their preparations with the star players joining their respective teams.
Here in this article, we’ll look at all the big news that took place on Wednesday, March 20.
Major cricket events that happened on March 20
Mushfiqur Rahim set to miss Test series against Sri Lanka
Bangladesh wicketkeeper-batter Mushfiqur Rahim is the latest to join the long list of injuries in the Bangladesh cricket team's camp. The 36-year-old is set to miss the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka, starting March 22 in Sylhet. This development was communicated by Bangladesh physio Bayjedul Islam Khan after the team’s 2-1 ODI series win.
Javed Miandad makes shocking claims about Dawood Ibrahim
Former Pakistan cricketer Javed Miandad made a shocking statement about underworld don Dawood Ibrahim. Praising Ibrahim, Miandad said that he is not like what others think of him. It is to be noted that Miandad’s son, Junaid Miandad is married to Dawood Ibrahim’s daughter Mahrukh Ibrahim. The former cricketer said that he has known Ibrahim for a long time, and he is not what people think him to be.
Kagiso Rabada hilariously scolds Punjab Kings’ members ahead of IPL 2024
South Africa pacer Kagiso Rabada was seen scolding the Punjab Kings' social media team hilariously in a recent video. Rabada, who is in India to participate in the 17th Indian Premier League with his side Punjab Kings, was seen engaging in a funny conversation with the franchise’s social media team members. Apart from his lethal bowling attack, Rabada is known for his remarkable acting skills, which he recently put on display in the latest video posted by the Punjab Kings.
Rohit Sharma misses Mumbai Indians' team-bonding trip to Alibaug ahead of IPL 2024
Ahead of the 2024 edition of the Indian Premier League, the Mumbai Indians franchise have been a massive point of discussion, especially after Hardik Pandya replaced Rohit Sharma as team captain for the upcoming season. Adding another chapter to this saga, Sharma wasn't spotted in MI's video about the team bonding session in Alibaug.
IPL 2024: GT sign Sandeep Warrier; MI rope in Kwena Maphaka as injury replacements
Gujarat Titans (GT) named Sandeep Warrier as a replacement for Mohd. Shami while Mumbai Indians (MI) added Kwena Maphaka to the squad as a replacement for Dilshan Madushanka for the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Sandeep Warrier has so far played 5 IPL matches and will join GT for his base price of INR 50 Lac. On the other hand, the South African left-arm pacer will join MI for his base price of INR 50 Lac.
Hardik Pandya and Rohit Sharma embrace each other at MI practice session
Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya has been under extreme scrutiny from fans and media alike since he was appointed the Mumbai Indians captain, replacing Indian skipper Rohit Sharma. Since the announcement, several reports about possible rifts between the two surfaced. But putting aside these rumours, Hardik Pandya and Rohit Sharma were spotted embracing each other at an MI training session at the Wankhede stadium.
LSG bowler David Willey to miss start of IPL 2024
Lucknow Super Giants pacer David Willey is set to miss the start of the Indian Premier League 2024. The Lucknow-based franchise roped in the England bowler for his base price of INR 2 crore. However, the left-arm pacer won’t join the team, due to personal reasons. Willey spent the last two seasons of the tournament with Royal Challengers Bangalore.