Let us look at some of the most-discussed cricket stories on the news on 29 July.
Vinay Kumar joins Mumbai Indians
Vinay Kumar has been appointed talent scout of the five-time IPL champions Mumbai Indians. He was a part of Mumbai’s two title-winning campaigns, in 2015 and 2017.
Since making his IPL debut in 2008, Vinay took 105 wickets in the tournament before announcing retirement from all forms of cricket in February this year.
Vinay will join Parthiv Patel in his new role. Parthiv was appointed for the same position by Mumbai last December.
TNCA pay to ex-cricketers, match officials, ground staff
The Tamil Nadu Cricket Association has announced a one-time payment of INR 5 lakhs each for former cricketers, match officials and ground staff for their services, particularly in the state division. Out of the surplus earned from the Tamil Nadu Premier League, they will provide this benefit to those who have not got enough support from the BCCI.
This year, four former cricketers – K.R. Rajagopal, Najam Hussain, V.S. Mani and R. Prabhakar – will be rewarded with this move, while groundsman K. Parthasarathy will get the same during the course of TNPL. N. Srinivasan, former President of TNCA and BCCI, will hand over this one-time benefit to each one of them.
Saini likely to undergo scans for his shoulder injury
The BCCI said Navdeep Saini might have to undergo scans to ‘ascertain the extent of his injury’. Saini's progress is being monitored by the medical staff.
Saini hurt his left shoulder while fielding during India’s second T20I against Sri Lanka, on 28 July. For that, he was not able to feature in the third T20I 24 hours later.
However, Saini was not used as a bowler in the last game. He did not get a chance to bat either.
Gunathilaka, Mendis, Dickwella likely to face long suspensions
Sri Lankan cricketers Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis and Niroshan Dickwella can face long suspensions for breaking bio bubble protocols in Durham last month, reported ESPNCricinfo.
A five-member committee, led by a former Supreme Court judge, has suggested that Gunathilaka and Mendis be suspended from the international circuit for two years, and Dickwella for 18 months. The SLC executive committee will have a meeting on 30 July to finalise their punishment.
Gunathilaka and Mendis are expected to get harsher punishment due to their previous disciplinary incidents.