After a 143-day COVID-19-Induced Break, Cricket Finally Returns

Kagiso Rabada waves goodbye to Shikhar Dhawan after his dismissal

SA series win shows that India are truly No 1 in ODIs

Virat Kohli  team became the first from India to win a series on South African soil, taking the top spot in the ICC ODI Championship from the hosts with commanding wins: by six wickets, nine wickets, 124 runs and 73 runs. In his column for TOI, Srikkanth applauded the team's effort and hoped they rounded out the series on Friday with another commanding win.

"Winning a bilateral series for the first time in South Africa is no easy feat. India is only the second team (Australia, twice) to beat the African nation in a five-match ODI series in their own den. This stat alone should put things in perspective. They are not an easy team to beat at home and full credit to the Indian team for coming back strongly after that rare defeat at the Wanderers," wrote the 58-year-old.

"A good last game and success in the T20 series to follow, will rightly perch the Indian team right at the top in terms of confidence for the tougher assignments in future and the World Cup in particular. This result has proved beyond doubt that India has all the ammunition to be successful in all conditions in this format. I am sure this is the start of many good things to come for this confident, young and fit Indian side.

Ashes captains set for key series

They've both conducted 92 Tests, they are both world-class batsmen and they both acquired a variety of on Evaluate first overall look, in each scenario away to Native indian.

But it's the modifications between Britain head Alastair Get prepared and Modern australia skipper Eileen Clarke that assurance to make their personal Ashes battle particularly awesome when the latest issue between Evaluate cricket's very first competitive nations starts in Nottingham on Wed.

For while both men like to cause by example with the bat, Get prepared is seen as a well-known head, able to deal with 'awkward' numbers such as Kevin Pietersen, but a cautious tactician whereas Clarke is regarded as innovative in the place but has knowledgeable issues over his man-management.

Aged just 28, Get prepared has already acquired more analyze countless numbers -- 25 -- than any other Britain batsman.

He took over as full-time head when Phil Strauss, Cook's old beginning affiliate, obsolete after last times home series decrease to The southern aspect of African-american.

Left-hander Get prepared then hit three countless numbers as Britain acquired a uncommon series win in Native indian.

But during a following drawn series in New Zealand, Cook's place placings seemed far too defending in evaluation to those of home skipper Brendon McCullum.

In the come returning series against New Zealand formerly this year, Britain won both matches for a 2-0 series achievements.

However, in the second Evaluate in Leeds, with rain fall forecast, Get prepared delayed his statement until New Zealand had been set an unlikely 468 to win and then dropped off-spinner Graeme Swann some near military.

In the end, Britain dodged the washrooms and won by 247 functions.

"It is very easy when you are sitting behind the sequence to say, 'I would have presented with 350 on the board'," Get prepared said afterwards. "You are evaluated as a head on results...I think the result vindicates the options."

England's technique in the place under instructor Phil Place has been one of keeping control and creating stress.

But former Britain head Bob Gower, writing in the Few days Periods, said: "Those of my development usually think that more can and should be done to add further stress with more men around the bat -- at the right times -- and that too often opportunities to do so are allowed to efficiently successfully pass.

"The truth Dhoni, McCullum and Clarke are prepared to make those goes shows me..that even in this era vessel boat captains can and will be innovative and powerful -- if they allow themselves to be," involved Gower, an Ashes-winning skipper coming returning in 1985.

Since Jan 1 last year, Clarke has been in amazing kind, with a several variety of against Native indian and three more double 100's of decades, such as two against The southern aspect of African-american, the top Evaluate aspect.

Yet his reaching and battling captaincy could not prevent a series decrease to The southern aspect of African-american or a 4-0 beating away to Native indian, where his assistance for instructor Mickey Arthur proven divisive.

Arthur was progressively sacked just 16 times before the Ashes, following the 'homework' row that saw four players, such as then vice-captain Geebet Watson, reduced for not completing an itemized process.

Clarke also found himself criticised for not making an investment a lot of your power and attempt with his group during the beginning of the journey of Britain when he was going through way to a traditional coming returning harm.