IPL can't be selection criteria for Dhoni: Nehra
New Delhi: Mahendra Singh Dhoni at this year's IPL can be a talking point but the tournament cannot be a selection trial for the enigmatic former India captain, reckons former pacer Ashish Nehra.
Dhoni has retired from Test cricket and has not played for India in the limited-overs format since last year's World Cup, where India ended semifinalists.
His comeback and retirement has been a matter of intense speculation. His much-awaited comeback is expected to be with Chennai Super Kings at the upcoming IPL, set to be held in the UAE from September 19.
"For me, MS Dhoni's game never came down," Nehra said on Star Sports' show 'Cricket Connected'. "He knows how to run the team, he knows how to push youngsters forward and all these things I don't need to repeat again and again but I don't think this IPL makes any difference in MS Dhoni's stature or his aura as a player," added the 41-year-old Nehra, who played 17 Tests and 120 ODIs.
"I don't think a tournament like the IPL should be MS Dhoni's selection criteria, it's probably just a talking point," Nehra said Dhoni would remain the first choice of any captain, if he is available.
"As far as MS Dhoni's international career I don't think this IPL has anything to do with it. If you're a selector, you're a captain, you're a coach and MS Dhoni...if he is ready to play, he will be my number one name on the list," he said.
The former left-arm pacer said players will have to behave responsibly during the IPL to avoid protocol breaches like that by England's Jofra Archer during the recently concluded England-West Indies series. Archer had breached the bio-secure protocols and was dropped from the side for the second Test. Nehra said such a breach during an eight-team IPL would be a bigger problem to tackle.
"We have seen one incident of Jofra Archer on what happened, so we are hoping that those kinds of the incidents don't happen. That was a bilateral series where the teams are staying at the ground.
"Either you talk about Southampton or Old Trafford, there are hotels at the ground. But in the IPL that's not the case, so all the players should support BCCI should support IPL in organising things better.
"It's not going to be easy, it's going to be a hell of a job just to organise the tournament (IPL) because you're talking about eight teams. Yes, the good thing is that one won't be required to take flights and everything will be by road, so everything will be close so everybody should really help the authorities.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Airlines to operate 48 flights per hour, says UAE Min.; Here’s what you need to know ?
Abu Dhabi: UAE’s Minister for Economy and Tourism Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri has announced that the UAE has opened safe air corridors in coordination with gulf countries, Gulf News reported.
During a media briefing on Tuesday, Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri also stated that at present the handling capacity is 48 flights per hour.
“The capacity as of today, based on the emergency routes available, is 48 flights per hour with a possibility of increasing this figure at a later stage, according to the latest development and security ratings and measures,” the UAE based English daily quoted the Minister as saying.
The Minister furthermore stated that from March 1 to March 3, a total of 17,498 passengers travelled on 60 flights. In the next phase, 80 flights are scheduled with national carriers, totalling 27,000 passengers. He said the following phases would be launched based on how the security situation evolves and when conditions are deemed safe.
However, regular commercial operations of Emirates, Etihad Airways, and Air Arabia are yet to resume. flydubai has begun limited operations.
Speaking on the reopening of airspace, the Minister clarified that the General Civil Aviation Authority is conducting ongoing coordination and monitoring with partners to assess developments and enable a gradual and safe return of air navigation in the country’s airspace.
As part of the response, limited operational flights have begun to facilitate the return of citizens and residents.
He said, “Airspace safety and human safety will always remain our first priority.”
The Minister urged affected passengers not to proceed to airports unless contacted directly by their airlines, in order to avoid congestion and ensure the smooth flow of travellers during this phase.
UAE airports and national carriers, including Etihad, Emirates, flydubai, and Air Arabia, have instructed passengers not to travel to the airport unless they have received a call from the airline asking them to do so.
According to the newspaper, all airlines have resumed limited operations, with priority being given to stranded passengers. In the meantime, the Minister said the government has agreed to cover expenses for stranded tourists' stay and food.
He said, “the UAE economy has proven its resilience in absorbing pressures generated by geopolitical and regional challenges,” and reaffirmed that economic stability remains firmly intact.
On the safe air corridors, the Minister said they were established in coordination with neighbouring countries and Gulf Cooperation Council states, as well as with the International Civil Aviation Organization, activating approved regional emergency aviation plans.
He explained that the current emergency routing capacity allows for 48 flights per hour, with the possibility of gradually increasing that number in line with developments and safety assessments.
The Minister also said that the UAE economy has demonstrated strong resilience and maintained stability with high efficiency despite geopolitical and regional pressures.
He said the country adopted proactive and flexible strategies that strengthened the economy and enhanced its ability to absorb external shocks, including previous crises such as the Covid-19 pandemic and other regional and international challenges.
