In Case You Missed It: Series wins, the best of the IPL, and a World Cup lookback
Our best content from last week
Deepti Unni
03-Apr-2021
Last action hero: Sam Curran's moxie wasn't enough to carry England over the line in the deciding ODI • BCCI
It's been a tough two months for England, who have come away from their India tour with little to show for it, after being defeated in all three formats. India too have had no time to revel in their victory as players from both teams head directly into the IPL bubble to train and quarantine before the April 9 kick-off. Elsewhere New Zealand continue on their path to world dominance, West Indies duke it out with Sri Lanka, and rain ruined what could have been an exciting T20I decider between Australia and New Zealand women. This week also marks the ten-year anniversary of India's last World Cup win - relive it through the eyes of the tournament's key players in our catch-up of the best stories of the week.
India seal ODI series in cliffhanger despite Sam Curran heroics
Shardul Thakur and Bhuvneshwar Kumar starred with the ball after fifties from Shikhar Dhawan, Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya, as Sam Curran's unbeaten 95 from No. 8 fell short. It's been a season of discoveries for India - Ian Chappell reckons India could match the might of West Indies and Australia of old - but just as sweet was the return of veteran Kumar, ravaged by injury but undiminished in ability. The ODI series also spotlit India's approach to batting first - what they need going forward is some Pant-Pandya humpty, says Sidharth Monga.
Shardul Thakur and Bhuvneshwar Kumar starred with the ball after fifties from Shikhar Dhawan, Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya, as Sam Curran's unbeaten 95 from No. 8 fell short. It's been a season of discoveries for India - Ian Chappell reckons India could match the might of West Indies and Australia of old - but just as sweet was the return of veteran Kumar, ravaged by injury but undiminished in ability. The ODI series also spotlit India's approach to batting first - what they need going forward is some Pant-Pandya humpty, says Sidharth Monga.
Babar century trumps van der Dussen's as Pakistan win thriller
Pakistan won the first ODI against South Africa, in Centurion, off the last ball after Babar Azam set up their chase with a nearly run-a-ball 103. Rassie van der Dussen's unbeaten 123 and Anrich Nortje's 4 for 51 went in vain in a match with a thrilling finale as Pakistan levelled the scores off the penultimate ball and managed a single to win off the final.
Pakistan won the first ODI against South Africa, in Centurion, off the last ball after Babar Azam set up their chase with a nearly run-a-ball 103. Rassie van der Dussen's unbeaten 123 and Anrich Nortje's 4 for 51 went in vain in a match with a thrilling finale as Pakistan levelled the scores off the penultimate ball and managed a single to win off the final.
Finn Allen muscles New Zealand to 3-0 sweep in final T20I
The 21-year-old - who Deivarayan Muthu marked as a player to watch this IPL just a few days before - smashed a 29-ball 71 in the rain-shortened ten-over game before Todd Astle wrapped up victory with 4 for 13. Rain also played spoilsport in the second T20I, but stranger still was the DLS drama, as Bangladesh began their chase without even knowing their target.
The 21-year-old - who Deivarayan Muthu marked as a player to watch this IPL just a few days before - smashed a 29-ball 71 in the rain-shortened ten-over game before Todd Astle wrapped up victory with 4 for 13. Rain also played spoilsport in the second T20I, but stranger still was the DLS drama, as Bangladesh began their chase without even knowing their target.
IPL 2021 does away with soft signal, tightens over-rate stipulations and penalties
The tournament has side-stepped the soft signal debate by doing away with it altogether. Among other changes, multiple Super Overs will now come with a time cap, while short runs will be referred to the third umpire.
The tournament has side-stepped the soft signal debate by doing away with it altogether. Among other changes, multiple Super Overs will now come with a time cap, while short runs will be referred to the third umpire.
Rishabh Pant to lead Delhi Capitals in IPL 2021
Rishabh Pant has capped a dream season with a promotion up at the ranks at Delhi Capitals, where he'll be taking over from the injured Shreyas Iyer as captain - at 23, he's the fifth-youngest captain in the IPL. Here's a timeline of his rise, fall and rise - in his own words and that of others who have followed his journey.
Rishabh Pant has capped a dream season with a promotion up at the ranks at Delhi Capitals, where he'll be taking over from the injured Shreyas Iyer as captain - at 23, he's the fifth-youngest captain in the IPL. Here's a timeline of his rise, fall and rise - in his own words and that of others who have followed his journey.
South Africa's Temba Bavuma era begins with sights on 2023 World Cup
Firdose Moonda speaks to the new limited-overs captain who is focused on defining a style of play in his early days.
Firdose Moonda speaks to the new limited-overs captain who is focused on defining a style of play in his early days.
The greatest IPL performances, No. 10: Andre Russell's 48 not out vs the Royal Challengers Bangalore
With IPL 2021 just around the corner, ESPNcricinfo staff were polled about their picks of the best performances in its 14-year history. After much debate we narrowed it down to the top ten, and kicking it off is Andre Russell's batting blitzkrieg in the 2019 edition.
With IPL 2021 just around the corner, ESPNcricinfo staff were polled about their picks of the best performances in its 14-year history. After much debate we narrowed it down to the top ten, and kicking it off is Andre Russell's batting blitzkrieg in the 2019 edition.
Ishant Sharma: 'I'd never heard fat percentages being discussed in the team before Virat'
In our new Q&A series that's all about food, Ishant Sharma spoke to Nagraj Gollapudi about perplexing his mother by giving up milk, his new-found love of coffee, and how Virat Kohli revolutionised fitness in the Indian team.
In our new Q&A series that's all about food, Ishant Sharma spoke to Nagraj Gollapudi about perplexing his mother by giving up milk, his new-found love of coffee, and how Virat Kohli revolutionised fitness in the Indian team.
Shakib Al Hasan really, really wants to play Test cricket
But what can he do when the damn IPL keeps getting in the way? Andrew Fidel Fernando takes aim at all and sundry, even poor, blameless New Zealand, in this month's Briefing.
But what can he do when the damn IPL keeps getting in the way? Andrew Fidel Fernando takes aim at all and sundry, even poor, blameless New Zealand, in this month's Briefing.
What looking at James Anderson's and Ishant Sharma's careers as collections of spells tells us about them as bowlers
There's a fair bit to be learned, says Kartikeya Date, by looking at these bowlers in terms of the support (or lack of it) at the other end.
There's a fair bit to be learned, says Kartikeya Date, by looking at these bowlers in terms of the support (or lack of it) at the other end.
Dan Christian has unfinished IPL business
His record in the tournament, for four teams, has been middling, but on the back of his recent success as a hitter and finisher, he's looking to change that with RCB, he tells Matt Roller.
His record in the tournament, for four teams, has been middling, but on the back of his recent success as a hitter and finisher, he's looking to change that with RCB, he tells Matt Roller.
Chris Morris: 'Pressure from price tag doesn't affect you on a cricket field'
Morris spoke to Deivarayan Muthu about the moment he heard the price he went for in the IPL auction, playing for South Africa in the future, and disagreeing with Dale Steyn on money talk in the IPL.
Morris spoke to Deivarayan Muthu about the moment he heard the price he went for in the IPL auction, playing for South Africa in the future, and disagreeing with Dale Steyn on money talk in the IPL.
'I wanted to hug him and hit him at the same time till he confirmed we'd won the World Cup'
It's been ten years since India last won a World Cup, and Hemant Brar had some of the key players look back on that journey to the 2011 final. What was it like to be a young player or hopeful and watch India lift that trophy? Prithvi Shaw, Ajinkya Rahane, Vijay Shankar and Rahul Tewatia, among others, shared their memories of that momentous day. How much do you remember of that World Cup? Take our quiz and find out.
It's been ten years since India last won a World Cup, and Hemant Brar had some of the key players look back on that journey to the 2011 final. What was it like to be a young player or hopeful and watch India lift that trophy? Prithvi Shaw, Ajinkya Rahane, Vijay Shankar and Rahul Tewatia, among others, shared their memories of that momentous day. How much do you remember of that World Cup? Take our quiz and find out.
Deepti Unni is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo