Ranatunga feels test cricket existent only until Mumbai Indians star Sachin in it

Sachin Tendulkar has been the face of Cricket for millions all over the globe for last two decades. There is hardly any record of prominence in Cricket, irrespective of it being in 50 over format or test cricket, which Sachin has not put under his name. Such is his enchantment on cricket admirers that now they feel that the game which gave Sachin this Godly recognition now needs Sachin. This conviction has come from none other than Arjuna Ranatunga, World Cup winning captain for Sri Lanka. Sachin who scored an unbeaten half century in his first innings in first test match against Australia has been going through a relatively rough form in last couple of years.

This has given wings to his critics, handful numbers who exist, to talk about his exit from the game. Sachin, on the other hand, chose to reply through his batting like he has always done in his career. Supporting for Sachin’s presence in test cricket, Arjuna Ranatunga said that test cricket is on the verge of existence and absence of prominent faces like Sachin would see test cricket die almost immediately. The only World Cup winning captain from the island country of Sri Lanka said that he was happy to hear that Sachin retired from One Day International matches in December last year.

However, if he did so with test cricket then test cricket might soon see the dusk of its existence. Ranatunga, who believes test cricket as competition and T20 cricket as entertainment, also criticised Cricket Bodies for not giving enough importance to test cricket. At times when many top test playing nations including India, Australia are going through transition period, Sachin’s exit might spell doom for this format. After the test series, Sachin would be seen in IPL 2013 sporting Mumbai Indians jersey.

Mushtaq Ahmed to be Daredevils bowling consultant

Delhi Daredevils have been one of the promising sides in the Indian Premier League, though they have failed to reach even in one of the last five finals which the tournament has seen since 2008. Batting of Delhi Daredevils has always been formidable with Virender Sehwag being the face of Delhi based franchise team. However, the bowling has lacked the same sharpness. Until now, Delhi Daredevils have depended on a fast bowling attack which does not seemed to have bear fruits given the indigenous spinning conditions of the Indian pitches. It is probably for this reason that Delhi Daredevils are looking to strengthen their spin bowling department.

Former Pakistani spinner Mushtaq Ahmed will be seen as the bowling consultant for the Delhi Daredevils in the forthcoming season of IPL. Ahmed has been bowling coach for the England team and has been credited for spectacular bowling performances by English spinners like Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar. Mushtaq Ahmed even toured India during the recently concluded test series between India and England. England spinners made living difficult for Indian batsman in the series wherein England got their first test series win on Indian soil after decades and that too in a comprehensive manner.

Considering all these, Delhi Daredevils have decided to harness the spinning connoisseur’s help to sharpen their bowling department. Mushtaq Ahmed will be second Pakistani cricketer to coach an IPL side after Wasim Akram, who has been coaching the bowlers of Kolkata Knight Riders. Even though former Pakistani players have found a place in IPL, the current crop of Pakistani cricketers are yet to benefit from the money spinning tournament; since after 26/11, Pakistani players have been shunned by IPL teams. IPL chairman Rajiv Shukla said that the scope of existence for Pakistani players in IPL will be mulled over in 2014.

The IPL Schedule begins April 3, 2013.