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West Indies legends return in T20 squad to face Sri Lanka
Chris Gayle made his way back into the West Indies national side for the first time in two years as the 41-years-old cricketer has been named in the T20 squad for series against Sri Lanka. Apart from Gayle, 39-year-old Fidel Edwards has also been added in the squad, thus ending a nine-year long international break.
West Indies are all set to host Sri Lanka for a three-match T20I series, starting from March 3 at the Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua.
Gayle, who was recently seen in the Pakistan Cricket League, arrived in Antigua this week and his previous outing with Windies side was in their home series against India.
“Chris Gayle has performed very well in recent tournaments and the selection panel thinks that he can still add great value to our team,” Roger Harper, CWI’s lead selector, said in a media release.
As for Edwards, Harper stated that his recall was to “give the bowling the potent firepower needed”.
The T20 series will conclude on March 7 and it will be followed by 50-over format, which will be played between March 10-14 at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua.
Meanwhile, West Indies Test captain Jason Holder has also been roped in for the limited-over contest against Sri Lanka after his impressive outing with Sunrisers Hyderabad in the previous edition of IPL.
Andre Russell won’t be taking part in the competition as he is still recovering from Covid-19. CWI said Russell had “contracted” the coronavirus “earlier” in February. “Despite testing negative over a week ago [Russell] was ruled out of the T20Is by the CWI Medical Panel whilst he completes his “return to play” protocols,” the statement read.
T20I SQUAD: Kieron Pollard (captain), Nicholas Pooran (vice-captain), Fabien Allen, Dwayne Bravo, Fidel Edwards, Andre Fletcher, Chris Gayle, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Evin Lewis, Obed McCoy, Rovman Powell, Lendl Simmons, Kevin Sinclair.
ODI SQUAD: Kieron Pollard (captain), Shai Hope (vice-captain), Fabian Allen, Darren Bravo, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Evin Lewis, Kyle Mayers, Jason Mohammed, Nicholas Pooran, Romario Shepherd, Kevin Sinclair.
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Sunil Gavaskar gives his opinion of GT allrounder Rahul Tewatia
The left-handed batsman from Haryana is garnering praise from all quarters for the way he’s finishing games regularly in the most exciting IPL season.
Gavaskar reckons Tewatia’s whirlwind knock in Sharjah (in IPL 2020) where he smashed West Indies pacer Sheldon Cottrell for five sixes in an over, gave him the confidence that he belongs to the big stage.
Speaking on Cricket Live on Star Sports, Gavaskar said, “That assault on Sheldon Cottrell in Sharjah gave him the belief to do the impossible and the confidence that he belongs here. We saw the impossible (he did with the bat) the other day as well. There’s no twitching or touching the pads (which shows a batter’s nervousness) when he bats in the death overs. He just waits for the ball to be delivered and plays his shots. He’s got all the shots in the book, but most importantly his temperament to stay cool in a crisis is brilliant.”
Gavaskar has also nicknamed the 28-year-old cricketer the ‘ice-man’ and lauded Tewatia’s ability to remain unruffled during the tense moments.