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Showing posts from September, 2016

De Kock blasts 178 as South Africa thump Australia

South Africa opener Quinton de Kock hit a masterful 178 runs in a comfortable six-wicket victory over top-ranked Australia on Friday in the first one-day international of the five-match series. After Australia posted 294 for nine in their innings, South Africa reached their victory target with more than 13 overs remaining. The 23-year-old De Kock hit 11 sixes and 16 fours in 113 balls to record the second highest ODI score by a South African batsman after Gary Kirsten hit 188 against the United Arab Emirates at the 1996 World Cup in Pakistan. De Kock flayed the visiting bowlers to all corners in the high altitude batting paradise of the Highveld. He featured in an opening stand of 145 before Rilee Rossouw was trapped lbw for 63 to the first ball from leg spinner Adam Zampa. He then put on another 123 runs with captain Faf du Plessis and was the fourth wicket to fall, caught on the boundary by Travis Head off Scott Boland. Australia had begun their innings brightly with David Warner...
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India will avoid playing Pakistan in tournaments: BCCI to ICC

With the relations between the arch rivals deteriorating, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Friday decided that India will avoid playing Pakistan even in the multi-nation tournaments and asked the International Cricket Council (ICC) not to place the teams of the two countries in the same group in the future. Considering the traditional rivalry between India and Pakistan, the ICC generally puts the two teams in the same group in multi-nation tournaments to attract more spectators. The issue was discussed on the sidelines of the Special General Meeting (SGM) in Mumbai against the backdrop of heightened tensions between India and Pakistan in the wake of Uri terror attack and the subsequent cross-LoC surgical strikes carried out by the Indian army. "Keeping in mind that the government has adopted a new strategy to isolate Pakistan and in view of the public sentiment in the country, we request ICC not to put India and Pakistan in the same pool of the multi-nation to...
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Patience key to dismissing 'world class' Kohli: Henry

Describing Virat Kohli as a "world-class player", New Zealand fast bowler Matt Henry on Friday admitted that his side had to be patient enough to dismiss the Indian prolific batsman early in his innings in the second Test at Eden Gardens. The Indian Test skipper, who has had a run of poor scores since his 200 in Antigua, fell prey to Trent Boult's shrewd delivery before reaching double digits (9). Kohli was peppered with a barrage of bouncers by Neil Wagner on a pitch offering seam movement and variable bounce but the batsman displayed patience by either fending or ducking those menacing deliveries. With the batsman on 4 off 22 balls, Kohli eased off the increasing pressure with a delightful boundary off the first ball he faced from Trent Boult. However, his patience had waned quickly as he went for a delivery pitched wide outside off, which was successfully taken by Tom Latham at gully. "He is obviously a world-class player and you have to very patient with thos...
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Did not expect a two-paced Eden Gardens wicket: Rahane

Kolkata: Middle-order batsman Ajinkya Rahane, who scored a 77-run knock to steady India's innings after initial jitters on Friday, said the Eden Gardens wicket for the second Test against New Zealand was "two-paced", contrary to their expectations. "We didn't expect a two-paced wicket. We felt the wicket will be very good for batting. Generally in Kolkata the wicket is very good for batting. New Zealand fast bowlers bowled very well," Rahane said at stumps on Day One. India finished the first day scoring 239/7 after winning the toss and opting to bat. The right-hander, along with Chesteshwar Pujara (87), helped India after a top-order collapse, blamed themselves for failing to carry forward the momentum. "There are no excuses. We played some bad shots and got out. We have to learn quickly and move on again." Rahane and Pujara stitched together a 141-run stand for the fourth wicket. "It's not because of the wicket. We Played too many...
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IND vs NZ: 2nd Test - Pujara, Rahane lift India after poor start

Kolkata: Gutsy fifties from Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane helped India reach 239 for seven in the second test against New Zealand after a see-saw opening day on Friday. The touring side claimed three wickets in the first session and four in the third but the Indian duo forged a 141-run partnership for the fourth wicket to leave the match evenly poised. Wriddhiman Saha was unbeaten on 14 with Ravindra Jadeja yet to score when bad light stopped play at Kolkata's Eden Gardens. Earlier, New Zealand paceman Matt Henry (3-35) celebrated his test return with a two-wicket burst to wreck India's top order and lift the mood in the Kiwi camp. Beaten comprehensively in the series opener in Kanpur, New Zealand's bid to level the three-test series suffered a body blow when skipper Kane Williamson was ruled out due to illness with Ross Taylor taking over captaincy. India captain Virat Kohli's decision to bat in his country's 250th home test gave the Kiwi pacemen an opp...
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Former cricketers spill dressing room secrets

Kolkata: From Sachin Tendulkar taking a liking to buying good clothes on foreign tours to Navjot Singh Sidhu and Ajay Jadeja staying dishevelled, dressing room secrets of former India cricketers tumbled out in a talk show at the Eden Gardens here on Friday. Former India captain Sourav Ganguly revealed that batting maestro Tendulkar would just "bat and shop" during his playing days. "He (Tendulkar) would only bat and shop. He would get a Test hundred and the next day you would see him shopping in an Armani or Versace store and you will see them hanging in his wardrobe. He was very fond of his clothes and had a great wardrobe," Ganguly revealed. Talking about V.V.S. Laxman, Ganguly said the elegant Hyderabadi batsman was a perennial latecomer. "You would see him taking a shower even as the No.4 and 5 batters were at the crease. He would even be the last to board the team bus," Ganguly said. The show also featured India coach Anil Kumble, Kapil Dev and ...
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Kohli will be disappointed with his shot selection: Shastri

Kolkata: Former India team director and a famed all-rounder of his time Ravi Shastri said captain Virat Kohli would be disappointed with his shot selection in the last few innings. "I think he will be disappointed with his shot selection in the last few innings. He has played shots which he could have avoided," Shastri told during lunch on Day I of the second Test against New Zealand at the Eden Gardens here on Friday. Asked whether India's premier batsman is banking on his batting skills to go all guns blazing for every ball, Shastri said it could be the other way round. "It can also be the other way round. If you're out of form, you tend to get on quickly. You look for boundaries to build your confidence and search for a boundary early on," he added. via Sify.com http://ift.tt/2dwuave
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What cricket fans are saying after watching Dhoni biopic

The much-anticipated first day-first show of M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story is over, take a look at what people are saying.... #Dhoni . Interval. Looks like a winning match. — Sarita A Tanwar (@SaritaTanwar) September 30, 2016 Other Selectors : Votes For Dinesh Karthik Selector Calls Dada : And Asks Dinesh or Dhoni ? Dada : Dhoni ko try karthe GOOSEBUMPSSSS — Fukkard (@Fukkard) September 30, 2016 Outstanding opening for M.S. Dhoni - The Untold Story. That's like Dhoni's sixer! — Komal Nahta (@KomalNahta) September 30, 2016 Now watching #MSDhoniTheUntoldStory at KASI. What a thunderous atmosphere! Roars for Dhoni intro is on par with Thala Thalapathy intros. — Dinesh (@DineshUpdates) September 30, 2016 #MSDhoniTheUntoldStory Such an emotional journey this is. Reliving all the golden matches. I bet, u ll scream " Dhoni Dhoni Dhoni ". 4/5. — Sujith (@iSujith_) September 30, 2016 First meeting between Dhoni and Sakshi will bring a huge smile...
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IND vs NZ: 2nd TEST - Kapil Dev rings bell at Eden Gardens

Kolkata: India's first World Cup winning captain Kapil Dev rung the bell just before the Indian and New Zealand teams walked out for the national anthem on the opening day of the second Test at the Eden Gardens here on Friday. Live Scorecard | Live Commentary Accompanied by Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) President and former India captain Sourav Ganguly, Dev completed the much sought-after ritual in front of a motley crowd. Looking dapper in a suit, the 1983 hero wore a wry smile on his face as all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja was seen witnessing the event keenly from the players' dressing room. The ringing of the five-minute bell, introduced at Lord's, is a ritual started in 2007. An international cricketer or administrator or a well-known enthusiast of the sport is tasked to perform the act. via Sify.com http://ift.tt/2drfQyM
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Dhoni biopic banned in Pakistan?

Karachi: Bollywood biopic "M.S. Dhoni: An Untold Story", on the life of India's ODI skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, has not been banned in Pakistan, according to the spokespersons of the country's censor boards. They claim the Neeraj Pandey directorial was never imported to Pakistan for certification. This has come after media reports indicated that the film has been "banned" and "boycotted" by Pakistan in retaliation to the threats given by India's Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) to Pakistani artistes. "How can we ban a film that's not been submitted for certification? The local distributors have not even applied for the NoC of the film," said Central Board of Film Censors' Chairperson Mobashir Hasan, reported The Express Tribune. "We certify every film keeping Pakistan's integrity, security and sovereignty in mind. As per our rules and regulations, we try our best to take every decision on merit," Hasan add...
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IND vs NZ: 2nd TEST - Dhawan, Bhuvneshwar in as India bat first

Kolkata: Shikhar Dhawan and Bhuvneshwar Kumar replaced KL Rahul and Umesh Yadav as Virat Kohli won the toss and elected to bat first in the second Test at Eden Gardens on Friday. Live Scorecard | Live Commentary While Gautam Gambhir was called into the side as replacement for an injured KL Rahul, the team management gave Dhawan yet another opportunity. New Zealand were dealt with a heavy blow in the morning, the first day of their second Test against India, as captain Kane Williamson was ruled out due to illness. Ross Taylor will be leading the Kiwis in this Test. "Kane out will illness. Ross to captain," team media manager callum Elder said. Squad: India: M Vijay, S Dhawan, C Pujara, V Kohli (C), A Rahane, RG Sharma, R Ashwin, W Saha, R Jadeja, B Kumar, Mohammed Shami New Zealand: T Latham, M Guptill, M Nicholls, R Taylor (C), L Ronchi, M Santner, BJ Watling, J Patel, N Wagner, M Henry, TA Boult via Sify.com http://ift.tt/2dIZh5u
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IND vs NZ: 2nd Test - Williamson out of second test against India

Kolkata: New Zealand captain Kane Williamson has been ruled out of the second cricket test against India starting later on Friday in Kolkata with a virus, New Zealand Cricket said. Former captain Ross Taylor will lead the side at Eden Gardens instead. New Zealand are 1-0 down in the three-match series. Williamson did not train with the team on Thursday after becoming ill but initial indications were that he might be able to play. New Zealand Cricket tweeted, however, that Williamson would not be available for the match, which begins at 0930 IST. via Sify.com http://ift.tt/2dITj4U
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Will look to probably introduce DRS in future: Kohli

Kolkata: In a sharp departure from the stance taken by the team management and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) earlier, India's Test captain Virat Kohli on Thursday indicated using the Decision Review System (DRS) in the future. "We will certainly look to probably introduce it (DRS) in future," Kohli said on the eve of the second Test against New Zealand at the Eden Gardens here. Kohli divulged there have been "meetings and discussions" about it and DRS is something they "definitely want to think about". "Those are the things I can't say yes or no to sitting here," Kohli said about DRS, which the BCCI has strongly objected to - the only board to take such a position - in the past, arguing it is not "foolproof". Kohli's predecessor as Test captain M.S. Dhoni, who now leads the team in the limited-over formats, has also consistently opposed DRS by extending the same logic. "But these are the things w...
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Kohli backs in-form Jadeja to come good again

Kolkata: India Test captain Virat Kohli put his weight behind Ravindra Jadeja on Thursday saying the all-rounder needs the support of the entire team to realise how good his batting is. Jadeja, who has often been under the lens for his batting style in the longest format of the game, came up trumps in the first Test against New Zealand in Kanpur both with the bat and bowl, scoring 42 and 50 not out and also taking six wickets in the match. "I think he used to think too much about Test cricket before. People have different ways of playing and we feel he should not change his batting style," Kohli said of the left-hander who was promoted in the last game and he excelled. "Where there arises a situation when the team is playing for a draw he has to gain more confidence. But I feel he needs to feel more assured." Jadeja took 5-73 in the first innings to puncture New Zealand's hopes of getting anything from the tie. "He needs the support of the team manage...
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Eden bell finally installed before second Test

The much-awaited bell was finally installed at the Eden Gardens, ahead of India's second cricket Test against New Zealand starting from Friday. India's first World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev will ring the bell, resembling the one at Lords cricket ground in London, on the first day of the Test. India are up 1-0 in the three-match series. The giant bell was in the pipeline for some time now as Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president Sourav Ganguly wanted to copy the revered ritual which takes place before a Test match at the hallowed Lords. The silver-coated bell has been brought from Chandigarh and installed just above the sight screen at the BC Roy club house-end. via Sify.com http://ift.tt/2cDlsFt
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Rankings don't motivate me: Kohli

Kolkata: India may be one win away from regaining the No.1 ICC Test Championships slot, but skipper Virat Kohli says he doesn't care about rankings, as records don't motivate him. "Records don't motivate me. If you look at the Test team two years back and now, the way we are playing, it's easy to get carried away. You forget to focus on the process if you are thinking about rankings all the time," Kohli told reporters on Thursday at the customary media meet on the eve of the second Test against New Zealand at the Eden Gardens. A win would propel the Indian team to the pinnacle of Test rankings. India lead the three-match series 1-0 following a 197-run win in the first Test at Kanpur. "When you start batting, you don't think of records. That shifts your focus from the process. I think me and the team are working on the standard of our cricket. "We don't care about rankings, it is temporary. If we are attached to that it can upset you. Thi...
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Not much batting practice for Gambhir at India net session

Kolkata: Back in the side after a two-year hiatus, opener Gautam Gambhir on Thursday did not get much batting time at the nets on the eve of the second India-New Zealand Test match at the Eden Gardens. India Test captain Virat Kohli said the team generally bats in order of match day batting line-up on the eve of a Test match. Also Read: Gambhir returns to Test squad in place of injured Rahul "We basically do that segregation according to who's had batting practice on the previous day. Generally, on the day before the match, we stick to the batting order," Kohli told reporters at a media meet here. #TeamIndia skipper @imVkohli sharing a laugh with @GautamGambhir & @Wriddhipops during the training session - @Paytm Test Cricket #INDvNZ http://pic.twitter.com/vtUDpgwfaV -BCCI (@BCCI) September 29, 2016 "Sometimes it does happen that a player wants a throw-in and doesn't prefer batting at that point. That doesn't mean he is not going to play,...
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Better fall in line: SC tells BCCI

Launching a scathing attack on the Board of Control for Cricket in India for defying its orders on reforms in the cricketing body, the Supreme Court said that the BCCI are 'behaving like lords' in stalling its proposed reforms. The apex court made scathing observations after the Justice Lodha committee said in its status report that the BCCI was not implementing its recommendations aimed at reforming the country's cricket governing body. Heading a special bench that had appointed the Justice Lodha panel, Chief Justice of India T.S Thakur said, "You (BCCI) are behaving like lords. You better fall in line or we will make you fall in line." The Lodha panel also pleaded to the CJI for an early hearing to which Thakur replied, "We will hear the matter". The move comes after the BCCI appointed a five-member selection committee during its Annual General Meeting on September 21, which was in violation to the Lodha panel's guidelines. Tearing into the BC...
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No pressure on Pujara, he is a vital cog: Kumble

Kolkata: India coach and former captain Anil Kumble on Wednesday raised Cheteshwar Pujaras stock by stating that the top order batsman is a vital cog in the team's wheel. "I don't think Pujara has ever breathed easily. But from team management perspective there is no pressure on Pujara. He is a very important cog for our team." India Test captain Virat Kohli had said recently that he has had a conversation with the Saurashtra batsman about improving his strike rate during the recent West Indies tour. However Kumble said a batsman has to play based on the situation. "Based on situation you need to bat. Virat was right. But both his innings in the West Indies was relevant. (Murali) Vijay got out cheaply. Then he and Shikhar (Dhawan) had a good partnership. We all know the importance of the first session in a Test match." via Sify.com http://ift.tt/2cAU4I2
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'Better fall in line, or else we will make you fall in line', SC tells BCCI

Launching a scathing attack on the Board of Control for Cricket in India for defying its orders on reforms in the cricketing body, the Supreme Court on Wednesday said that the BCCI are 'behaving like lords' in stalling its proposed reforms. The apex court made scathing observations after the Justice Lodha committee said in its status report that the BCCI was not implementing its recommendations aimed at reforming the country's cricket governing body. Heading a special bench that had appointed the Justice Lodha panel, Chief Justice of India T.S Thakur said, "You (BCCI) are behaving like lords. You better fall in line or we will make you fall in line." The Lodha panel also pleaded to the CJI for an early hearing to which Thakur replied, "We will hear the matter". The move comes after the BCCI appointed a five-member selection committee during its Annual General Meeting on September 21, which was in violation to the Lodha panel's guidelines. Tearin...
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Raina shares heart-warming picture with daughter Gracia

Image Source: Suresh Raina's Instagram photo India's ace batsman Suresh Raina, who is usually seen indulging in some serious real-life sports drama, has recently shared with his fans, the soft side of him. The 29-year-old cricketer, on his official Instagram account posted an adorable picture of him playing with his four-month-old daughter, Gracia. While the little one seemed extremely elated in the arms of her daddy dearest, Raina too is seen enjoying fatherhood to the core. For the unversed, Suresh Raina tied the knot with Priyanka Chaudhary in April 2015 and the couple welcomed their first child on May 2016. via Sify.com http://ift.tt/2dqCjRU
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Kohli confirms management had a chat with Pujara

Of all the things that went right in the Test series opener against New Zealand, Cheteshwar Pujara's transformation from an obdurate accumulator of runs to a free-scoring batsman when needed must be the most pleasing for India captain Virat Kohli. India vs New Zealand - Full Coverage In a team teeming with flamboyant strokemakers, Pujara's batting, built on a watertight defence and an unflappable temperament, is almost an anachronism. India's Test number three feels he has no obligation to quench the boundary-thirst of the home fans, shuns the aerial route like a man inflicted with the fear of flying and believes defence is the best offence. Rather unsurprisingly, the 29-year-old went unsold in the players' auction for the Indian Premier League (IPL), and his strike rate, currently under 49 in Tests, led to his exclusion from the third Test against West Indies last month. First in the domestic Duleep Trophy and now in the first Test against New Zealand, Pujara's...
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After 2011 there were only controversies: Dhoni not keen on a sequel

New Delhi: India's ODI skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who keenly awaits the release of "M. S. Dhoni: An Untold Story" -- a biopic by filmmaker Neeraj Pandey -- says at first he was hesitant to give a nod to the project as he thought what kind of a film can be made on him as he doesn't have any villains in his life. The film, which stars Sushant Singh Rajput in the title role, has been co-produced by Dhoni's longtime friend Arun Pandey. Dhoni, who was in the capital on Tuesday to promote the film along with Sushant, Pandey and Fox Star CEO Vijay Singh, said when Pandey came to him with idea of a biopic, he first took him lightly and felt a bit hesitant. "I didn't pay any attention to Arun when he came up with this idea first. But problem took place when he quickly came back and said that we have finalised the deal. So then I couldn't back off. I thought that making the film will take a lot of time," Dhoni said in a chat with actor and host Gaur...
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No villain in my life, says Dhoni

New Delhi: India's ODI skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who keenly awaits the release of "M. S. Dhoni: An Untold Story" -- a biopic by filmmaker Neeraj Pandey -- says at first he was hesitant to give a nod to the project as he thought what kind of a film can be made on him as he doesn't have any villains in his life. The film, which stars Sushant Singh Rajput in the title role, has been co-produced by Dhoni's longtime friend Arun Pandey. Dhoni, who was in the capital on Tuesday to promote the film along with Sushant, Pandey and Fox Star CEO Vijay Singh, said when Pandey came to him with idea of a biopic, he first took him lightly and felt a bit hesitant. "I didn't pay any attention to Arun when he came up with this idea first. But problem took place when he quickly came back and said that we have finalised the deal. So then I couldn't back off. I thought that making the film will take a lot of time," Dhoni said in a chat with actor and host Gaur...
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Eden track will not turn much: Ganguly

Kolkata: The pitch at the Eden Gardens is not going to turn much during the second Test match between India and New Zealand beginning on September 30, Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president Sourav Ganguly said here on Tuesday. India vs New Zealand - Full Coverage "The pitch is not going to turn ... there is too much moisture and this is the first match of the season," said Ganguly. "So unless something happens in the last two days, I don't see a lot of turn in the pitch," added the former national captain. Meanwhile, the pitch was covered all day on Tuesday and so it is expected to be on the damper side. The India and New Zealand cricket teams arrived in the city on Tuesday evening,Both the outfits reached the eastern metropolis from Kanpur via Lucknow. The Kiwis will miss spinner Mark Craig as he is injured. He has been replaced with Jeetan Patel. Meanwhile, India will practice in the afternoon on Wednesday. India lead the three-Test series 1-0, c...
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Rain could play spoilsport in India-NZ Eden Test

Kolkata: The threat of rain looms over the second Test between India and New Zealand at the Eden Gardens here with the Indian Meterological Department forecasting thundershowers and thunderstorm on the first four days of the match that begins on September 30. India vs New Zealand - Full Coverage However, cricket lovers would take heart from the much-improved drainage facilities at the iconic ground after Sourav Ganguly took charge as Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president. According to IMD data, there would be thunderstorm with rain on the two days preceding the game. "Party cloudy sky with possibility of moderate rain or thunderstorm," reads the forecast for the first two days of the match on September 30 and October 1. Rain or thundershowers are predicted on the third and fourth days of the game, where an Indian win will catapult the hosts to the numero uno position in ICC Test match standings, besides bagging the three-Test series. India are already 1-0 up fo...
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Gambhir returns to Test squad in place of injured Rahul

Kolkata: Seasoned opening bat Gautam Gambhir was on Tuesday included in the Indian squad for the remaining two matches against New Zealand as a replacement for the injured Lokesh Rahul, the Indian cricket board said. Gambhir has returned to the Indian team after two years, having last turned out in the Oval Test in August 2014. With pacer Ishant Sharma, who missed the first Test at Kanpur due to chikungunya, yet to regain full fitness, Haryana off-spinner Jayant Yadav was named as his replacement for the second Test slated to begin at the Eden Gardens on September 30, Board of Control for Cricket in India secretary Ajay Shirke said in a release. "BCCI medical team has confirmed that team India opener, K.L. Rahul has an injury in his right hamstring and he is ruled out for the remainder of the Test series against New Zealand. "The All-IndiaASenior Selection Committee has named Gautam Gambhir as Rahul's replacement for the next two Test matches," Shirke said. The ...
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Different joy in bowling reverse swing: Shami

Underlining the significance of reverse-swing, India pace spearhead Mohammed Shami has admitted that the unique art is one of his primary weapons in his bowling arsenal and insisted that he constantly strives to execute it to perfection. "There is a different joy in bowling reverse swing," Shami told bcci.tv. "The old ball is one of my main weapons and I am comfortable bowling with the old ball. I know if I can get a hint of reverse swing, I can use it to good effect." Considered as one of the best exponents of reverse swing bowling, the 26-year-old admitted that getting the bowl to reverse proved vital in removing New Zealand batsmen BJ Watling and Mark Craig in quick succession in the opening Test match in Kanpur, which India won by 197 runs. "The moment I start getting the ball to reverse, I get back to one of my bowling strong points. I love bowling reverse swing. When the ball is reversing I try to get the batsman out bowled or get him LBW. These two ar...
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UPDATE 2-Soccer-Asian elections for FIFA council postponed over Qatari ban

* Delegates overwhelmingly reject agenda of meeting in protest * Congress closed less than 30 minutes after opening * Asian body to set new date for election (Adds comments, details) By Sudipto Ganguly PANAJI, India, Sept 27 (Reuters) - Asia's top soccer officials delivered a major snub to FIFA on Tuesday, forcing the postponement of an election for three spots on the world body's new governing Council in a row over the disqualification of a Qatari candidate. With FIFA President Gianni Infantino watching on, delegates to an Asian Football Confederation extraordinary congress, which had been called to conduct the election, voted down the agenda. Forty two of the 44 members who had voting rights at Tuesday's meeting raised a "No" card when AFC President Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa called for the agenda of the meeting to be passed. "This has been an eventful morning - and an eventful few weeks," Shaikh Salman told the gathering. "But th...
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UPDATE 1-Soccer-Asian elections for FIFA council postponed

* Delegates overwhelmingly reject agenda of meeting in protest * Congress closed less than 30 minutes after opening * Asian body to set new date for election (Writes through with detail, quotes) By Sudipto Ganguly PANAJI, India, Sept 27 (Reuters) - Asia's top soccer officials delivered a major snub to FIFA on Tuesday, forcing the postponement of an election for three spots on the world body's new governing Council in a row over the disqualification of a Qatari candidate. With FIFA President Gianni Infantino watching on, delegates to an Asian Football Confederation extraordinary congress in Goa, called to conduct the election, voted down the agenda. World governing body FIFA banned Qatari Saoud Al-Mohannadi from the election on Sunday because of an ongoing ethics investigation, leaving insufficient time for new candidates to join the six remaining in the field. "There were a lot of people who hoped to file their own nominations," Praful Patel, AFC vice president...
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Soccer-Asian elections for FIFA council called off

By Sudipto Ganguly PANAJI, India, Sept 27 (Reuters) - Asian elections for three seats on the new FIFA Council were called off on Tuesday after delegates to the Asian Football Confederation's extraordinary congress in Goa voted down the agenda of the meeting. Forty two of the 44 members who had voting rights at the meeting raised a "No" card when AFC president Shaikh Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa called for the agenda of the meeting to be passed. World governing body FIFA banned Saoud Al-Mohannadi, vice-president of the Qatar Football Association, from the election on Sunday because of an ongoing corruption investigation, leaving six candidates. Al-Mohannadi, who denies any wrongdoing, was one of the favourites to win a seat on the new body and had cleared the necessary FIFA integrity check. (Editing by Nick Mulvenney) via Sify.com http://ift.tt/2d5Mpnq
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Kapil Dev to ring the bell during Eden Test

Image courtesy: BCCI Kolkata: India's first World Cup winning captain Kapil Dev will ring the bell, to be installed at the Eden Gardens, on the first day of India's second Test against New Zealand, Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president Sourav Ganguly said on Monday. India vs New Zealand - Full Coverage This match will be India's 250th on home ground. "Kapil Dev will ring the bell," the former India captain told reporters here. The bell, resembling the one at Lord's, is likely to be installed on Tuesday. Made of brass with a top coating of silver, it has been brought from Chandigarh. A gold coin will be used for toss, and Ganguly informed the coin will be used for every match played at the Eden henceforth. "The same coin will be used for the toss every time a match is played at the Eden Gardens," he said. Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Anurag Thakur is expected to arrive in the city on October 1, the second day...
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Kohli hails 'priceless' Ashwin after Kanpur heroics

India captain Virat Kohli lavished praise on spinner Ravichandran Ashwin on Monday after his 10-wicket match haul vindicated the hosts' decision to go into the series opener against New Zealand with an extra batsman. India vs New Zealand - Full Coverage Normally a steadfast advocate of a five-bowler attack in Tests, Kohli laid himself open to criticism when the team sacrificed leg-spinner Amit Mishra to make room for an extra batsman in Rohit Sharma. Many questioned the wisdom of the move but with Ashwin claiming half the 20 Kiwi wickets that tumbled at Kanpur's Green Park Stadium, Kohli was a relieved man. "He's been outstanding for the Indian team. If you see all the impact players in the world, I think he comes in the top three or four easily," Kohli told reporters after his team clinched India's 500th Test by 197 runs to go 1-0 up in the three-match series. "The rankings, of which I'm not a big fan, suggest Ashwin is the best at the moment and...
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Kumble's cap, glasses stolen at Kanpur stadium

Anil Kumble might be a happy coach after India defeated New Zealand by a massive 197 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the three match Test series. However, in a bizarre incident, Kumble's glasses and cap was stolen at the Green Park stadium in Kanpur where the first Test was played. According to a report published in SonyESPN , the incident took place during the felicitation ceremony on Day one. The head coach was invited by the BCCI for the felicitation ceremony organised by BCCI to honour former India captains on the occasion of 500th Test. When Kumble's turn came, the head coach left his glasses and cap behind and went to the stage to receive a memento and a shawl. To Kumble's surprise, his cap and glasses were missing by the time he came back to his seat. Despite the presence of strong police force, the theft happened and has left the BCCI in a bit of embarrassment. After taking over as the head coach, this is the second time something like this has happened to Kumble. E...
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Ganguly omitted from India's Best Test XI

In what comes as a huge surprise, Indian cricket fans have given former skipper Sourav Ganguly a cold shoulder as Dada couldn't find a place in the dream team. On the occasion of India's 500th Test match that India won comfortably against New Zealand, the BCCI conducted a poll run where India's Best Test XI was selected based on fan votes. When the official broadcasters revealed the final Dream Team on the final day, Ganguly's absence came as a shocker. The former India skipper has scored 7,212 Test runs and has played over 100 Tests. His personal best of 239 against Pakistan still remains the highest score by an Indian southpaw. However, Yuvraj Singh's name has been included in the team as the team's 12th man. Yuvraj who has long disappeared from the Test scene having played 40 Tests has found some support from the fans. The team is captained by MS Dhoni with the likes of Sunil Gavaskar, Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman and Kapil ...
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Dhoni biopic won't reveal players he wanted ousted from team

Image courtesy: BCCI New Delhi: The audience won't get to know the names of three cricketers whom M.S. Dhoni wanted to oust from the Indian cricket team at one point, as the makers of "MS Dhoni: The Untold Story" have decided to do away with their mention from the movie. Director Neeraj Pandey says it was a mutual decision between him and the cricketer as they felt revealing the names would do more damage than good. In a scene in the trailer of the movie, actor Sushant Singh Rajput, who essays Dhoni in the movie, is seen saying: "These three don't fit in the ODI team anymore." In response, one of the selectors says, "Dhoni wants to oust a person who promoted him." And another says, "He won't stop at these three." At that, Sushant says, "We are all servants, and we are all doing national duty". While this scene will still be a part of the movie, Pandey said they have decided to edit out the names of the three cricketers...
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India thump New Zealand to celebrate 500th test in style

India celebrated their 500th test in style on Monday when they overcame New Zealand's final dogged resistance to win the series opener by 197 runs and go 1-0 up in the three-match series. New Zealand were always going to do well to manage anything more than delaying the Indian celebrations when they resumed on 93 for four in their pursuit of an improbable 434-run victory target on a track offering generous spin and bounce. To their credit, they kept the home bowlers at bay for 50 overs, a little more than one session, on a turning day-five track before collapsing for 236 to give the hosts a comprehensive victory in the milestone test. Ravichandran Ashwin claimed 6-132 to complete his 10-wicket match haul and prove why he is considered India's premier spinner. When final day's play began under an overcast sky, overnight batsmen Luke Ronchi (80) and Mitchell Santner (71) continued their resistance against the in-form Indian spinners at Kanpur's Green Park Stadium. Hom...
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Injured Craig out of India series, NZ recall Patel

New Zealand's Mark Craig has been ruled out of the rest of the test series against India because of a side strain and will be replaced in the squad by fellow off-spinner Jeetan Patel, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) said on Monday. Craig claimed two wickets in the first test in Kanpur but left the field after sustaining an injury to his left side while bowling in the second innings. "We're really disappointed for Mark, knowing the work he’s put in to prepare for this series," coach Mike Hesson said in a statement. The 29-year-old will fly home for rehabilitation and is likely to take four weeks to fully recover. In a like-for-like replacement, 36-year-old Patel returns to the squad having played his last test against South Africa in 2013. "Jeetan is up to speed from a bowling load perspective having recently completed a successful county season - so he will be ready for the rigours of test cricket," Hesson said. "He'll also add invaluable experience ...
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'R Ashwin is galloping towards legendary status'

India are well on their way to winning the first Test in Kanpur. They were delayed a bit by some stubborn batting from Luke Ronchi and Mitchell Santner but they have the whole of day five to deliver the knockout punch. Their batsmen especially Murali Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara put them in that position with some fine batting and then Ravichandran Ashwin who is galloping towards legendary status got three big wickets to push the Kiwis on the backfoot. He also became the second fastest to get to 200 Test wickets and but for the washout in Trinidad could have been the joint fastest to the mark along with Clarrie Grimmet. KL Rahul has shown a pleasing streak where he is prepared to play shots freely. However he will be disappointed that having got starts in both the innings he has not converted them into hundreds as has been his wont. Vijay and Pujara batted well in the first innings and they carried that form in the second innings too where they batted as superbly as Tom Latham and Kane...
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Kiwis on the ropes, India close in on big win

India set New Zealand an improbable 434-run victory target and then blew away the visitors' top order in Sunday's final session to close in on a resounding win in the first test. Resuming day four on 159 for one, India's positive batting over two sessions yielded 218 runs before home captain Virat Kohli declared on 377 for five at Kanpur's Green Park Stadium. Needing to pull off the biggest successful chase in the history of test cricket for an unlikely win, New Zealand wobbled early and were reeling at 93 for four at stumps, still trailing the massive target by 341. Luke Ronchi (38) and Mitchell Santner (eight) will return on Monday hoping to resist or at least delay India's victory march in the first match of the three-test series. Ravichandran Ashwin (3-68), who dismissed four frontline Kiwi batsmen in the first innings, proved once again why he is considered India's premier spinner. The off-spinner had Martin Guptill caught at silly point for a duck with...
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The loss of interest in Test cricket is worrying: Gavaskar

The loss of interest in Test cricket is worrying authorities all over the world and there are a lot of suggestions coming forward to ensure that Test cricket survives. The experiment with day and night Test cricket with the use of the pink ball has been tried and while it was successful in terms of the crowd response, which was phenomenal to say the least, the fact that the pink ball swung like a yo yo throughout the game and especially under lights has made the authorities think about that aspect. Clearly you want to have a game where the conditions remain the same for both teams. Sure there will be sessions when the sun may not be around or when rains interrupt the game and leave the outfield a bit wet which makes it harder for the bowlers to get a proper grip on the ball. The contrast swing which occurs when one side of the ball is kept dry thus goes out of the window when there is a wet outfield. This is also the problem when there is the dew factor in the evenings and that's...
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Jadeja says lbws could be a result of NZ's dilemma

With six lbw dismissals cluttering up their scorecard, New Zealand clearly did not put their best foot forward in the first Test against India on Saturday. India vs New Zealand - Full Coverage India spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja frequently beat the bats and hit the pads of the New Zealand batsmen, the hosts coming close to equalling the record of seven lbw dismissals in a Test innings. "They were trying to play the sweep shot and we knew if an odd ball keeps low or an odd ball spins, there were always changes of an edge or an lbw," Jadeja, whose five-wicket haul included four leg befores, told reporters. "Ashwin and I stuck to the stump line. So if you play shots against those deliveries, you expose yourself to being leg-before or bowled." Jadeja said the lbws could be a result of New Zealand's dilemma on a pitch where the odd ball spun viciously while others went straight. "Batsmen who are not familiar with Indian or Asian condition...
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Former Pakistan skipper ridicules BCCI president's statement

Enraged with Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Anurag Thakur's statement, former Pakistan skipper Mohammad Yousuf said that he has urged the International Cricket Council (ICC) to take notice of the former's 'political' statement, asking him to speak like a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader or as a cricket board head. As per the Express Tribune, Yousuf said the ICC keeps on saying that it would not tolerate politics or government interference in member boards and the even then the BCCI president was making political statements. In the backdrop of the Uri terror attack, Thakur on Friday ruled out the possibility of reviving bilateral cricket ties with Pakistan in near future, saying even considering such a thought is not appropriate. The former Pakistan veteran, who holds the Test record for most runs in a calendar year, also said that India, for some reason, avoided playing Pakistan even when the two countries had good relations. The 42-year-ol...
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India take charge after Kiwi meltdown in Kanpur

Spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin made the most of a turning pitch in Kanpur to rip through New Zealand as India racked up a commanding 215-run lead on day three of the first test on Saturday. Jadeja claimed his fifth five-wicket haul in tests and Ashwin dismissed four frontline batsmen as New Zealand squandered a strong start, losing their last five wickets for seven runs to be all out for 262 and concede a 56-run first- innings lead. India scored freely to consolidate their position in the first match of the three-test series, reaching 159 for one at stumps with Murali Vijay (64) and Cheteshwar Pujara (50) at the crease. Opener Lokesh Rahul (38) fell to Ish Sodhi just before tea, but Vijay and Pujara registered their second individual fifties of the match. The pair added 107 runs for the second wicket and never looked in trouble against New Zealand's three-pronged spin attack, cutting with control and pulling with panache. Home captain Virat Kohli opted for spi...
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New Zealand collapse for 262 to concede lead to India

India claimed a 56-run first innings lead against New Zealand after the hosts bowled out the visitors for 262 on the third afternoon of the first test at Kanpur's Green Park Stadium on Saturday. Ravindra Jadeja (5-73) claimed three wickets in an over and five overall, while his spin partner Ravichandran Ashwin grabbed four as New Zealand folded 11 overs after the lunch break having resumed the day on 152 for one. Starting with slow bowlers at both ends, off-spinner Ashwin made the breakthrough when he trapped Tom Latham (58) leg before, ending the left-hander's 124-run partnership with captain Kane Williamson (75). Wickets fell at regular intervals before Jadeja dismissed Mark Craig and Ish Sodhi off successive deliveries and even though he could not complete a hat-trick, the left-armer claimed a third wicket of the over when he dismissed Trent Boult. Mitchell Santner, who had taken three wickets with his left-arm spin, contributed 32 runs. via Sify.com http://ift.tt/2cKD...
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'Day 3: A new day can mean a new beginning'

If Indian cricket supporters thought that the New Zealand team will be an easy opponent for the start of the long season, they would have been in for a surprise after seeing the manner in which firstly their bowlers stuck to their task and restricted the Indian batting line-up to 318 runs and then their batsmen Tom Latham and Kane Williamson batted against the Indian attack and not only thwarted them but also played some sparkling shots against them. Sure the game is only two days old and the pitch has begun to show some signs of deterioration which won't make batting easier as the game goes into the fourth and fifth day. Having got the opportunity to bat first after the New Zealand skipper got the fall of the coin wrong, India would have been hoping to get close to 500 in the 500th Test match that they were playing and when Murali Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara were batting it did look possible. Pujara certainly seemed a lot more positive in his approach than he was in the West Ind...
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