Let us look at some of the most-discussed cricket stories on the news on 15 September.
Fans to return in IPL 2021 in the UAE
Fans will be allowed in the stadiums in the UAE leg of the IPL 2021, the tournament organisers announced in a statement that ran ‘IPL will welcome the fans back to the stadiums after a brief hiatus owing to the Covid-19 situation.’ The tickets will be up for grabs from 16 September, and can be purchased from www.iplt20.com or PlatinumList.net.
This will be the first time since 2019 when an IPL match will be played in front of a crowd. The tournament was played behind closed doors in the UAE last year, while the first half of the ongoing season was held inside bio-bubble.
However, the governing body did not mention the exact number of fans who would be allowed to enter. Though the sources had told PTI it would be fifty percent of stadiums’ capacity.
IPL 2021: Khejroliya replaces injured Siddharth in Delhi squad
Delhi Capitals’ Manimaran Siddharth has been ruled out of the UAE leg of the IPL 2021 after picking up ‘quadriceps strain during the training session in Dubai.’ The franchise has announced Kulwant Khejroliya, their net bowler, as Siddharth's replacement for the remainder of the season.
Khejroliya played for Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2018 and 2019, where he took three wickets in five IPL matches.
Scotland beat Zimbabwe in the 1st T20I
Richie Berrington’s unbeaten 61-ball 82, followed by Safyaan Sharif’s 4-24, helped Scotland register a seven-run win against Zimbabwe in the first of the three-match T20I series at the Grange Cricket Club, Edinburgh.
Batting first, Ireland rode on Berrington’s matured knock to post 141/6. Zimbabwean fast bowlers Tendai Chatara, Richard Ngarava and Luke Jongwe shared five wickets. In reply, Milton Shumba’s 30-ball 46 not out went in vain as Zimbabwe finished on 134/9.
Kusal Perera likely to miss T20 World Cup
As per ESPNCricinfo, Kusal Perera may miss the upcoming T20 World Cup, starting next month in Oman and the UAE, after sustaining a hamstring injury during Sri Lanka's third T20I against South Africa.
Dr Daminda Attanayake, Sri Lanka Men’s physician, stated the injury will not heal quickly, which could force Kusal Perera out of the tournament. ‘The injury is a sprinter's injury, which can be picked up while running between the wickets. Because of the nature of the injury, we can't do a fast rehabilitation.’
The Sri Lanka medical team will team have a clear idea of Perera’s availability on 23 September, when he will have further testing.