No reserve day for IPL playoffs

New Delhi: The three playoffs of IPL-10 will not have any reserve days. The first Qualifier is scheduled for May 16 in Mumbai while the second Qualifier will be played on May 19 in Bengaluru. Bengaluru will also host the Eliminator on May 19. The final, to be played on May 21 in Hyderabad, has May 22 as the reserve day.
Afghans will be ready for Tests in 2-3 years: Rajput
New Delhi: Ecstatic about two Afghan cricketers bagging IPL contracts, the country’s chief coach Lalchand Rajput believes the team from the war-torn nation will be ready to play Tests in another two-three years.
Spin sensation Rashid Khan and all-rounder Mohammad Nabi were picked up by Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL auction in February, a first for Afghanistan cricket. “Going forward, I think the number will only grow (Afghans in IPL),” Rajput said. “Playing Test cricket has to be the goal. I feel there is still another two or three years before the team is fully ready for the five-day format. A lot depends on the ICC as well.” Afghanistan have come a long way ever since making their World T20 debut in 2010, having qualified for the last 50-over World Cup in Australia.
World Cup loss to India hurt, but it’s past: Mahela
Mumbai: It was six years ago this day that Sri Lanka led by Kumar Sangakkara lost to Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led India in the ICC World Cup final at the Wankhede Stadium and the game’s lone centurion Mahela Jayawardene conceded today the defeat hurt at that time. “I did not even remember it until I opened my Twitter account this morning. To be part of a World Cup final is always brilliant and to walk out at the Wankhede with 50,000 people screaming gives good memories,” said Jayawardene, who is now Mumbai Indians’ coach in IPL10.