In Case You Missed It: Retirements, rain and the run-up to the IPL
Our best content from last week
ESPNcricinfo staff
23-Aug-2020
Suresh Raina and MS Dhoni rode off into the international sunset together • Getty Images
It's been a solemn few days for Indian cricket, with the passing of former opener Chetan Chauhan and with MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina announcing their retirements from the international arena. Elsewhere the CPL kicked off a quiet party, rain made sure the second England-Pakistan Test was an inevitable soggy draw, and teams have begun arriving in the UAE for the IPL, even as the tournament struggles with sponsorship challenges in the Covid-hit economy. Here's your rundown of a very busy week.
MS Dhoni announces international retirement
The former captain called curtains on one of the most incredible careers in Indian cricket, and in the most Dhoni way possible - with an instagram post. Tributes poured in on social media, from team-mates and opponents alike, and his state team-mates had stories about what he was like away from the national spotlight. Sidharth Monga says he will always be remembered as a bona fide legend, but with shades of grey.
The former captain called curtains on one of the most incredible careers in Indian cricket, and in the most Dhoni way possible - with an instagram post. Tributes poured in on social media, from team-mates and opponents alike, and his state team-mates had stories about what he was like away from the national spotlight. Sidharth Monga says he will always be remembered as a bona fide legend, but with shades of grey.
Suresh Raina joins MS Dhoni in international retirement
Raina, one of the lead performers in limited-overs cricket under Dhoni, announced his own retirement when Dhoni put out news about his: "With my heart full of pride, I choose to join you [Dhoni] in this journey". Monga has a little note of appreciation for the player who always seemed to have more to give for the success of his team, and who was always selfless and full of joy.
Former India opener Chetan Chauhan dies at 73
He was diagnosed with Covid-19 in early July but was said to have recovered before his health worsened again. Sharda Ugra remembers a stalwart batting partner to India's only star, Sunil Gavaskar, in an age of modest achievements for Indian cricket.
He was diagnosed with Covid-19 in early July but was said to have recovered before his health worsened again. Sharda Ugra remembers a stalwart batting partner to India's only star, Sunil Gavaskar, in an age of modest achievements for Indian cricket.
How issues of race have cast South African cricket into turbulence this winter
Firdose Moonda maps how the Black Lives Matter movement has deeply polarised the game and set a fire raging in the country, bringing renewed focus to the inequities of sport.
Firdose Moonda maps how the Black Lives Matter movement has deeply polarised the game and set a fire raging in the country, bringing renewed focus to the inequities of sport.
Come to Think of it: Is county cricket unfairly maligned?
Is it the creaking institution that sits somewhere between punchline and punching bag? Look, says Alan Gardner, it may get some things wrong, but that shouldn't mean we overlook its real virtues.
Is it the creaking institution that sits somewhere between punchline and punching bag? Look, says Alan Gardner, it may get some things wrong, but that shouldn't mean we overlook its real virtues.
Cricket's leaders must make sure players in T20 leagues get their salaries
According to the Federation of International Cricketers' Associations' latest men's global employment report, over a third of men's cricketers have faced problems getting paid on time, or at all. What's the point of sanctioning these leagues if players' rights aren't protected, asks Jarrod Kimber.
According to the Federation of International Cricketers' Associations' latest men's global employment report, over a third of men's cricketers have faced problems getting paid on time, or at all. What's the point of sanctioning these leagues if players' rights aren't protected, asks Jarrod Kimber.
KL Rahul: 'Aggression for us will be to adapt, not go kaboom from ball one'
The Kings XI Punjab captain spoke to Nagaraj Gollapudi about leadership, his batting and why he won't ask Chris Gayle to take singles
The Kings XI Punjab captain spoke to Nagaraj Gollapudi about leadership, his batting and why he won't ask Chris Gayle to take singles
Corey Anderson: 'It's natural for me to be aggressive and try and take on the boundaries'
The big-hitting New Zealand allrounder is looking to get his blade flashing after a hiatus, at the CPL 2020
The big-hitting New Zealand allrounder is looking to get his blade flashing after a hiatus, at the CPL 2020
The lords of Sri Lanka's golden age
Thilan Samaraweera picks a Test XI for his country from among the cricketers he played alongside
Thilan Samaraweera picks a Test XI for his country from among the cricketers he played alongside
The balls of the century, No. 17: Mitchell Starc to James Vince
If this list were ranked by unplayability, Karthik Krishnaswamy says this ball would probably take the No. 1 spot. But the way it angled in to a hapless James Vince had much to do with the ball finding the right crack
If this list were ranked by unplayability, Karthik Krishnaswamy says this ball would probably take the No. 1 spot. But the way it angled in to a hapless James Vince had much to do with the ball finding the right crack
Hate to Love: When Abey Kuruvilla reached for the sky
Deepti Unni remembers watching a tall boy with big dreams who came to be a beacon of home for a neighbourhood in suburban Mumbai
Deepti Unni remembers watching a tall boy with big dreams who came to be a beacon of home for a neighbourhood in suburban Mumbai