DAVID MILLER SMASHES FASTEST EVER T20I HUNDRED

South Africa middle-order batsman David Miller smashed the record for the fastest century in Twenty20 International cricket as South Africa thumped Bangladesh by 83 runs yesterday for a clean sweep of the two-match series. Miller hammered the fastest century in T20 internationals - he reached 100 off 35 balls to smash the record by 10 balls - to propel South Africa to 224-4 batting first. Five of those sixes came in one over off Bangladesh seamer Mohammad Saifuddin as Miller beat the previous quickest mark to a century of 45 balls by compatriot Richard Levi against New Zealand in 2012. He had only scored 18 runs off 14 balls, then came an assault which yielded 82 runs off 21 balls to get to his century. “Once I hit one or two I decided to keep going,” he said. He just missed out on becoming only the third batsman to hit six sixes in an over in international cricket. The only players to hit six sixes in an over in an international are South Africa's Herschelle Gibbs and India's Yuvraj Singh. “It’s a really special feeling,” Miller told SuperSport. “I tried to watch the ball and back myself. I was scratchy to be honest in the beginning and towards the back end it turned out to be sweet.” Miller was only the fourth South African to hit a century in 100 T20 internationals. South Africa whitewashed the Test, ODI and T20I series against Bangladesh.

Virat Kohli surpasses Lionel Messi in brand value

Virat Kohli Ranked Above Lionel Messi In Forbes’ Top 10 Valuable Brands Among Athletes

Indian cricket team captain, Virat Kohli, has been ranked above the Argentinean and Barcelona football legend Lionel Messi as one of the most valuable brands among sports athletes by Forbes. The calculations revealed Kohli’s brand value at $14.5 million, a million dollars more than Messi, and $22.7m short of Federer. Kohli, however, is neither the first Indian nor the first cricketer in the top 10 of the Forbes list. His predecessor MS Dhoni was the fifth-most valuable sports brand among athletes in 2014, with his brand value calculated at $20m, a million lower than it had been in 2013. At the top of the list though is tennis maestro Roger Federer ($37.2m), whose brand value has gone up by 3.3%, thanks to a late career renaissance that has seen him win two grand slams in 2017. At number two is another famous name in LeBron James, whose value has gone down by 1.8% to $33.4m, probably down to his Cleveland Cavaliers losing to Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals. The IPL, however, failed to make it to the 10 biggest brands among sport and sport-entertainment events. Led by Super Bowl, the list has the two Olympics and the football World Cup featuring at No. 2 and 3.

Top ten most valuable athletes:

1. Roger Federer $37.2m

2. LeBron James $33.4m

3. Usain Bolt $27m

4. Cristiano Ronaldo $21.5m

5. Phil Mickelson $19.6m

6. Tiger Woods $16.6m

7. Virat Kohli $14.5m

8. Rory McIlroy $13.6m

9. Lionel Messi $13.5m

10. Stephen Curry $13.4m

How Steve Smith became captain at bar with Brad Haddin and Mark Taylor

Steve Smith met with two greats of Australian cricket at a bar in Adelaide, A short time later, Smith was Test captain.

Australian skipper Steve Smith in his biography ‘The Journey’ has revealed how a candid discussion with Brad Haddin and Cricket Australia (CA) board member Mark Taylor at a pub led to him becoming Australia’s captain, replacing Michael Clarke. Smith started captaining the side from 2014 after Michael Clarke got injured. The Aussie skipper has revealed that the captaincy came to him in the most unexpected manner, in a bar. It was when Mark Taylor, member of Cricket Australia, Brad Haddin and Smith went out for a drink after the Adelaide Oval Test, and the suggestion was made by Brad Haddin. Smith became Australia’s youngest Test captain since Kim Hughes, in 2014, when he led the side for three games after Michael Clarke’s back injury. Formally, his promotion came after Cricket Australia’s board ratified the recommendation from chairman of selectors Rod Marsh that Smith be given the responsibility ahead of vice-captain Brad Haddin.

Here is how the discussion may have started,

“‘Don’t you want to do it then?’ he (Taylor) said to Brad with a smile, perhaps thinking he was joking,” Smith wrote as per cricket.com.au. “‘Are you serious?’ said Mark, and then he turned to me and said: ‘are you ready?’.

“I had absolutely no doubts that I was and said so, and with that Mark said, ‘I’ll go and make some calls then’.”

Steve Smith added, “I got a call from Rod Marsh the next morning, saying ‘we’ve endorsed you as captain, we’re still waiting on all the board to approve it and stuff but dare say it’ll go through. So congratulations you’re going to be the 45th Test captain’. That was quite amazing to hear those kind of things. Growing up as kid you just want to play cricket for Australia and have that dream, but to captain the side was quite amazing.”

The next week, Smith received his captain's blazer from Mark Taylor and led Australia to victory over India at the Gabba, while also making hundreds in his first three Tests in charge. Smith revisits several key moments in his Test career in the book, both good and bad, while he details four big goals on his cricket bucket list. Smith also expresses his desire to win both the Ashes and one-day World Cup in 2019, with England hosting both major events.

MS Dhoni close to Chennai Super Kings return

MS Dhoni Can Return to Chennai Super Kings if IPL GC's Proposal is Approved

MS Dhoni close to Chennai Super Kings return

Set to make a comeback next season, tainted teams Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals might be allowed to retain players who played for Rising Pune Supergiants and Gujarat Lions in the last two years, going by a proposal floated by the IPL Governing Council. This could mean that the much-anticipated return of Mahendra Singh Dhoni to the Chennai Super Kings can be on the cards. "We are going to propose minimum three retentions - one Indian and two foreigners. The players who played for Pune and Gujarat in last two years can be retained by Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals. We will place it in front of owners during a workshop next month," an IPL GC official told PTI after the meeting. When IPL chairman Rajiv Shukla was contacted, he said that total retentions including Right To Match (RTM) could be anything between three to five, depending upon what majority of the franchises agree. It has also been reported that the franchises had requested the board to increase the salary purse to Rs. 75 Crore. “Most of the franchises want the salary purse to Rs 75 crore. I guess it would be done,” the official confirmed. The proposal if accepted will mean that Dhoni, who played for Pune Supergiant in the last two editions, could be automatically retained by CSK. Ditto for Suresh Raina or Ravindra Jadeja, who played for Gujarat Lions in the last two seasons.

BCCI announce squad for first two test matches against Sri Lanka; Murali Vijay makes a comeback

Axar Patel, Abhinav Mukund out, Murali Vijay, Ravindra Jadeja in

After thrashing Sri Lanka on their home turf and clean sweeping them in all three formats, Team india ready to welcome the Islanders for a three-match Test, ODI and T20I series. There were reports of Indian captain Virat Kohli likely to be rested but selectors named have named him in the squad. Middle-order batsman Ajinkya Rahane will be his deputy. The Indian spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja been recalled in the 16-member national squad for the three-match Test series against Sri Lanka, beginning November 16 at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Ashwin and Jadeja have been named in the Test squad after being overlooked, as per the BCCI’s rotation policy, for three consecutive limited overs series against Sri Lanka, Australia and now New Zealand. Murali Vijay has been recalled to India's squad for the first two Test matches against Sri Lanka, having recovered from the wrist injury that sent him home from Sri Lanka two months ago. He is the only change to India's previous Test squad, with his Tamil Nadu captain and opening partner Abhinav Mukund making way. Rohit Sharma, India's limited-overs vice captain, retains his place in the Test squad despite not being part of the playing eleven for any of the Tests during the Sri Lanka tour. The other Sharma, Ishant, played his last Test during the 2016 Border-Gavaskar series. His performance remained disappointing as the veteran pacer picked up only 3 wickets playing three Tests in the series. Apart from Ishant, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav and Bhuvneshwar Kumar have been picked along with Hardik Pandya. Below is the squad for the first two Tests. The national selection committee also announced the 13-member Board XI Presidential team who will play two-day practice match against Sri Lanka team. Naman Ojha has been handed the responsibility of leading the side as well as wicket keeping. The opening Test will be played at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, followed by the second Test from November 24-28 at the VCA stadium in Nagpur. The final Test will be played at Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi from December 2-6 followed by three ODIs and three T20Is.

India squad for the first two Test matches against Sri Lanka:

Virat Kohli (c), KL Rahul, Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara, Rohit Sharma, Wriddhiman Saha, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ishant Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Umesh Yadav.

Board President's XI

Naman Ojha (captain and wk), Jiwanjot Singh, Sanju Samson, B Sandeep, Tanmay Aggarwal, Abhishek Gupta, Rohan Prem, Aakash Bhandhari, Jagat Saxena, CV Milind, Avesh Khan, Sandeep warrier , Ravi Kiran.

Mitchell Marsh picks county cricket over IPL

Surrey have signed Australia all-rounder Mitchell Marsh as their overseas player for 2018.

Australia allrounder Mitchell Marsh has chosen a full season of county cricket ahead of chasing an IPL deal, signing on as Surrey's overseas player for 2018. Mitchell Marsh, the son of former Australia opener Geoff, has played 21 Tests, 48 one-day internationals and nine T20s since making his debut in 2011.

Marsh asserted, "I am extremely excited to join Surrey for the 2018 season. The opportunity to challenge myself in English conditions is something I can't wait for. I have followed the team closely this year and hopefully, I'll be able to contribute to some silverware, along with helping a young squad grow and improve. The opportunity to work with Michael di Venuto (Coach) and Alec Stewart (Team Director) is also very exciting. Bring on 2018!"

Surrey director of cricket Alec Stewart described Marsh as a "highly talented, exciting and motivated" all-rounder.

"His all-round abilities and experience will add great balance and depth to our squad," he added.

By making himself available for the full English season, Marsh will in all likelihood miss out on a lucrative IPL contract at next year's auction. The Western Australian had two forgettable years with Rising Pune Supergiant. In 2016, he returned home after three games due to a side strain. The following year, he picked up a shoulder injury while playing Tests in India and was replaced by Imran Tahir. Marsh is playing in the JLT Cup as a batsman only and is targeting a return to bowling in time for the Perth Scorchers' KFC Big Bash League campaign.

"It obviously gives me a chance to work on my batting, which has been great," Marsh said earlier this month. "As soon as I'm right to go I'll always be an allrounder as long as I play cricket.

"But at the end of the day if I'm going to play cricket for Australia I have to be the sixth best batsman for Australia batting at No 6. So I understand that."

Marsh is still recovering from shoulder surgery having been flown home from Australia's Tour of India in March.

AB de Villiers dethrones Virat Kohli from top position in ICC ODI Rankings

India lose top ODI spot to South Africa in latest ICC rankings

Ab De Villiers back as the No. 1 ODI batsman

Indian skipper Virat Kohli has been displaced as the number 1 ODI batsman by South Africa's AB de Villiers in the latest ICC ODI player rankings. An astonishing knock of 176 by Ab De Villiers in the second ODI against Bangladesh in paarl on wednesday - consisting of 15 fours and 7 sixes and off only 104 balls - saw the proteas take a 2-0 lead in 3 match series

Kohli, who had a mediocre series by his standards against Australia, has 877 points in the latest rankings while AB de Villiers, who leapfrogged both Kohli and David Warner to the top spot, has 879 points, two more than Kohli. The 33-year-old De Villiers, who has leapfrogged Australian David Warner and Kohli, had first attained top position on 30 May 2010 and the number of days he has spent at the top is second most after retired Windies great Vivian Richards. De Villiers has now been at the top for 2,124 days while Richards was number one for 2,306 days, ICC said. A surprise inclusion in the top five is of Pakistan’s Babar Azam after he achieved career-best ratings to get to the fourth spot. Rohit Sharma lost two positions as well moving to the 5th position as Quinton de Kock and Azam climbed up the list and on the flip side, MS Dhoni and Shikhar Dhawan retained the 12th and 14th position. There was one major change in the rankings as Mushfiqur Rahim took a giant leap forward jumping 5 spots after becoming the first Bangladesh batsman to score a century in South Africa.

ICC ODI BATSMEN:

1. AB de Villiers (RSA) - 879

2. Virat Kohli (IND) - 877

3. David Warner (AUS) - 865

4. Babar Azam (PAK) - 833

5. Quinton de Kock (RSA) - 802

6. Joe Root (ENG) - 802

7. Rohit Sharma (IND) - 790

8. Kane Williamson (NZ) - 779

9. Hashim Amla (RSA) - 770

10. Faf du Plessis (RSA) - 754

South Africa are the new number 1 side in the World after beating Bangladesh in the first two ODIs and are ahead of India on decimal points. If South Africa beat Bangladesh 3-0, then they will move to 121 points, who are right now tied with India on 120 points, just decimals ahead. However, if India beat New Zealand in the opening ODI of the three-match series in Mumbai, then they will reclaim the top spot.

On His 39th B'day, 'Twitter King' Virender Sehwag Gets A Taste Of His Own Medicine

Sachin Tendulkar trolls Virender Sehwag with 'ulta' birthday wish

Many cricket buffs also shared footage of Virender Sehwag's memorable tons and iconic innings. Remembering the star who became the first batsman to reach 300 with a six, that also earned him the title, 'Sultan of Multan' -- fans can't have enough of this legend.

Sehwag who has retired from the sport of cricket is enjoying his second innings on the microblogging site and like always, Viru is pretty much hitting everything out of the park.

The former India opener has made it a habit to tweet birthday wishes to his former teammates and friends in a rather unique manner. As Sehwag turned 39 on he was given a taste of his own medicine by some of his Twitter 'victims'. Check out some of these tweets below.

Cricket mein 1st innings ke baadshah aur zindagi mein 2nd innings ke shahenshah, @virendersehwag ko janamdin mubarak. Entertain karte rahiye

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha)

Many Happy returns of the day @virendersehwag . Have a great year ahead!

— Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074)

Happy bday @virendersehwag Thanks for teaching us the meaning of the word Fearless!Wish I could have seen one 300 from the non strikers end!

- Ajinkya Rahane (@ajinkyarahane88)

.ǝɯ ɯoɹɟ ǝuo s,ǝɹǝɥ os ˙😜pןǝıɟ uo noʎ pןoʇ ǝʌɐɥ ı ʇɐɥʍ ɟo ɐʇןn ǝuop sʎɐʍןɐ ǝʌ,noʎ ˙ɹɐǝʎ ʍǝu ǝɥʇ oʇ ʇɹɐʇs ʇɐǝɹƃ ɐ ǝʌɐɥ ¡nɹıʌ 'ʎɐpɥʇɹıq ʎddɐɥ

- Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt)