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Showing posts from February, 2017

Rasool defends himself after national anthem row

New Delhi: Jammu and Kashmir cricket all-rounder Parvez Rasool on Tuesday defended himself against criticism for chewing gum when the national anthem was played before a Twenty20 International (T20I) cricket match between India and England, saying sports should not be involved in politics. The 28-year-old, who made his T20I debut in Kanpur last month, was criticised when a video showed Rasool chewing gum when the national anthem was being played. "Let cricketers play cricket and don't involve them into politics unnecessarily. I try to keep my focus on the game and don't let these controversies affect me," Rasool was quoted as saying by ETV. "It is already very difficult for cricketers from our region to make it into the national team and when these things happen, it is very disheartening. One has to remain tough and should not give importance to such controversies," he added. Stay updated on the go with Sify Live Scores App. Click here to download it fo...
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PSL to become first T20 league to use DRS

Pakistan Super League (PSL) Chairman Najam Sethi has revealed that the PSL is all set to use the Decision Review System (DRS) in its playoff matches, thus becoming the first T20 league in the history of cricket to use technology. Announcing the same via his Twitter account, Sethi wrote, "Another first from HBL PSL. DRS to be used in the playoff matches." The development came in the wake of multiple poor on-field judgments made by umpires during the ongoing tournament. As a result, the DRS will allow the teams to question the on-field umpire's decision,the Dawn reported. Under the DRS technology, both teams will be allowed a limited number of unsuccessful challenges before they will be barred from requesting any more referral for the rest of the innings. In play-offs, Quetta will take on Peshawar at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Tuesday while Islamabad United will face Karachi Kings in the second match at the same venue a day after. Stay updated on the go with Sify ...
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ICC rates Pune pitch as 'poor'

Image Courtesy: BCCI The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday announced that Chris Broad of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees, who was the match referee for the opening Test between India and Australia in Pune, has rated the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium pitch as "poor." India vs Australia - Complete Coverage Broad, in accordance with Clause 3 of the ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Process, submitted his report to the ICC in which he expressed concern over the quality of the pitch. The report has been forwarded to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which now has 14 days to provide its response. The BCCI's response will be reviewed by ICC's General Manager - Cricket, Geoff Allardice, and Ranjan Madugalle from the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees. The matter will be decided in accordance with Clause 4 of the process. Earlier, several former cricketers blamed the pitch for India's humiliating 33...
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Why Sehwag and other sportspersons went after Gurmehar

Amidst the nationalism versus anti-nationalism debate that began after the infamous JNU azadi controversy and the current one involving the ABVP, daughter of a martyr Gurmehar Kaur (@mehartweets) Tweeted a photo of herself holding the placard…Pakistan did not kill my dad, war killed him. While anything can trend in any way on Twitter to generate a huge controversy, in the case of this one, people decided to make fun of it. Twitterati started making parodies of this message. While the Internet was flooded with memes, soon the Indian sporting world was also sucked into the controversy. Master Blaster Virender Sehwag has been very active on Twitter ( @virendersehwag ) and you may remember his long Twitter spat with British TV personality Piers Morgan. Read: Vaseline, jelly beans, bare chests & a Twitter war Well Viru released a similar photo of himself saying: I didn't score two triple centuries, my bat did. Bat me hai Dum ! #BharatJaisiJagahNahi http://pic.twitter.com/BNaO1...
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Why all our sportspersons went after Gurmehar

Amidst the nationalism versus anti-nationalism debate that began after the infamous JNU azadi controversy and the current one involving the ABVP, daughter of a martyr Gurmehar Kaur (@mehartweets) Tweeted a photo of herself holding the placard…Pakistan did not kill my dad, war killed him. While anything can trend in any way on Twitter to generate a huge controversy, in the case of this one, people decided to make fun of it. Twitterati started making parodies of this message. While the Internet was flooded with memes, soon the Indian sporting world was also sucked into the controversy. Master Blaster Virender Sehwag has been very active on Twitter ( @virendersehwag ) and you may remember his long Twitter spat with British TV personality Piers Morgan. (Read: Vaseline, jelly beans, bare chests & a Twitter war http://ift.tt/2m2INZs) Well Viru released a similar photo of himself saying: I didn't score two triple centuries, my bat did. Bat me hai Dum ! #BharatJaisiJagahNahi http:...
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O'Keefe akin to reliable Korean car: Panesar

In motoring parlance, Australia spinner Steve O'Keefe is more reliable Korean car than prestige vehicle but his "happy" mental state makes him a great addition to the team garage, according to former England bowler Monty Panesar. India vs Australia - Complete Coverage Recalled for just his fifth Test since his 2014 debut against Pakistan, O'Keefe took 12 wickets in the series-opening defeat of India, the biggest haul ever by a visiting spinner. Fellow left-arm spinner Panesar, who hopes to restore his own stalled international career, was hired by Cricket Australia to work with the team's spinners before the tour and he saw enough in 32-year-old O'Keefe to feel he could play a big role. "When I first saw him, he asked me: 'what do you think of my spin bowling?' I said to him, 'you're like a Hyundai i30", Luton-born Panesar told Reuters in an interview on Monday. "'You're very much unassuming. You're reliable. You ...
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Shahid Afridi wants to play farewell match in Lahore

Former Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi, who recently announced his retirement from international cricket, has expressed desire to play his farewell match in Lahore. Afridi is representing Peshawar Zalmi in the ongoing second edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and is looking focused on winning a play-off match against Quetta and securing a place in the final which will be played at the headquarters of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Earlier, Afridi was in constant touch with the PCB for a rousing send-off, but the matter did not materialize. The flamboyant all-rounder also hailed the decision to host the PSL's final in Lahore, saying that it was a well thought out decision of the country's cricket board and the Punjab Government. "Decision to hold PSL final in Lahore is massive and I am really looking forward to it," the Dawn quoted Afridi as saying. Afridi, however, refrained from commenting on the statement by former great and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf c...
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India frugal with praise for Pune tormentor O'Keefe

Steve O'Keefe was instrumental in helping Australia record one of the most famous test victories in recent times but hosts India have been quick to put their heavy defeat down to the pitch in Pune rather than the 32-year-old spinner's performance. Indian batsmen have built a reputation for their prowess against the turning ball over the years but left-armer O'Keefe shattered that aura as Australia bulldozed the world's top ranked test team inside three days. O'Keefe's 12-wicket match haul, the best figures recorded by a visiting spinner on Indian soil, earned him the man-of-the-match award but little else in terms of praise from the vanquished hosts. India captain Virat Kohli blamed his side's twin batting collapses on their recklessness, while others felt the turning track had backfired on them. Out-of-favour off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, who has had several run-ins with Australian players, said he was not convinced by O'Keefe's performance and wo...
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India team management 'hijacked Pune pitch': MCA

Ever since the first ball was bowled in the India-Australia Test match at Pune, one question made rounds time and again. Who turned off the tap on Pune pitch? The question became all the more louder when Australia thrashed India by a massive 333 runs to take a 1-0 lead. Pune's reputation was dented and days after the debacle, local authorities have pointed that there was 'external interference' for laying out a rank turner. A report in the Indian Express stated that the Indian team management and a section of BCCI officials "hijacked the Pune pitch'. The pressure of laying a turner was so much that even veteran curators of the BCCI pitches committee, Daljit Singh and Dhiraj Prasanna couldn't just do anything. Both Prasanna and Daljit were reluctant in giving a nod for a rank turner but the BCCI officials and the Indian team management were hell bent in ensuring that the pitch is bone dry. According to a Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) member, there h...
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Manchester United's Ibrahimovic strikes twice to win League Cup

Manchester United's Zlatan Ibrahimovic proved his hunger for silverware has not diminished with age as the Swede's double earned a 3-2 win over Southampton in an absorbing League Cup final at Wembley on Sunday. After a stirring Saints fightback revived memories of their shock 1976 FA Cup final victory over United and with extra time looming, the 35-year-old Ibrahimovic pounced to head Ander Herrera's cross past goalkeeper Fraser Forster. His 26th goal of the season in all competitions followed a sublime first-half free kick that gave United the lead and enabled manager Jose Mourinho to claim his first silverware since arriving at Old Trafford in the summer. Mourinho's fourth League Cup triumph, three of which came during his two spells with Chelsea, put him alongside former United manager Alex Ferguson and Nottingham Forest great Brian Clough as the most successful managers in the competition. United had taken a rather fortunate 2-0 lead with Ibrahimovic's 19th-m...
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Messi strikes late winner, celebrates 400th win with Barcelona

Lionel Messi added to his impressive scoring run this season with a late winner in Barcelona's 2-1 victory over Atletico Madrid on Sunday, a result that vaulted the Catalan club ahead of Real Madrid in the Spanish league. Messi scored his 35th goal in 35 games with a shot from close range after a pass by Luis Suarez in the 86th minute, giving his team a two-point lead over Madrid, which can return to the top when it plays at sixth-placed Villarreal later Sunday. It was Messi's league-leading 20th goal, and his 11th in the last 10 league games. The result also gave the Argentina star his 400th victory since his official debut with Barcelona in 2004. The late goal, scored off the rebound of a shot that was initially blocked by a defender, was the latest blow dealt by Messi against Atletico — the team he has scored the most goals against in his career. It was Messi's 27th goal against the Madrid club. Barcelona has won five of the last six league games against Atletico, wh...
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HIL: Kalinga Lancers clinch maiden title

Image Courtesy: Hockey India League Chandigarh: Captain Moritz Furste's penalty corner brace powered Kalinga Lancers past Dabang Mumbai 4-1 in the final to clinch their maiden title in the Coal India Hockey India League (HIL) at the Chandigarh Hockey Stadium here on Sunday. Furste also had a big hand in Glenn Turner's deflection field goal in the 18th minute that gave Kalinga the 2-0 lead and the veteran German (30th and 59th minutes) scored either side of Affan Yousuf's goal in the 33rd minute as Kalinga atoned for their poor show in last edition's final loss to Jaypee Punjab Warriors. Earlier in the day, Uttar Pradesh Wizards beat Delhi Waveriders 5-4 in the bronze medal match thanks to Agustin Mazzilli's late strike. Argentine forward Mazzilli struck with a point-blank deflection goal as UP Wizards took the 5-4 lead after Rupinder Pal Singh's twin penalty corner goals put Delhi ahead. Mandeep Singh had given the lead that was cancelled out by Shamsher Si...
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Jayant, Ishant should be dropped for second Test: Azhar

Image Courtesy: BCCI Former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin feels that Virat Kohli's team will be forced to make a couple of changes in the playing XI for the second Test against Australia after its dismal show in the Pune opener. India vs Australia - Complete Coverage "Any batting debacle leaves a team on the back-foot. I am not saying series is lost but one needs to look at the kind of track that you want to play. I reckon Chinnaswamy won't have this kind of turn. So my gut feeling is that Jayant Yadav and Ishant Sharma may be dropped from the playing XI," Azharuddin told news agency PTI . "Going by their batting performance, I expect them to play an extra batsman - that is Karun Nair. He should be replacing Jayant in all likelihood. "Also on the tracks that we are playing, Ishant's back of the length stuff is not going to work. It is better that a swing bowler like Bhuvneshwar is brought into the team by Virat." Azharuddin who played 99 T...
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How Australian media hailed the win that no one saw coming

Image: Grab of The Australian newspaper Australia hailed the extraordinary victory by their cricketers in the first Test against India in Pune on Sunday, the plaudits just about drowning out the expressions of stunned surprise at a triumph almost no one expected. India vs Australia - Complete Coverage The men in baggy green caps took just two-and-a-half days to secure a first Test triumph in India since 2004, a run of 11 matches, and doling out a thumping to a side that had gone 20 tests without tasting defeat on home soil. "A billion plus people didn't see this coming. A good 20 million plus Australians were of the same mind," Peter Lalor wrote from India on The Australian newspaper's website. "Nobody outside the camp gave Steve Smith's men a chance, but they romped it in. Towelled up the home side by 333 runs inside three days." The best part of the win, Lalor wrote, was that they beat the Indians at their own game - devilish spin bowling on a ...
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'I can't really remember India losing in two-and-a-half days'

Pune: After the massive 333-run defeat to Australia within three days of the opening Test here, former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar on Saturday termed the Indian cricket team's approach as "careless". India vs Australia - Complete Coverage Gavaskar also criticised the lack of fight by the Virat Kohli-led side, which could only master 105 and 107 in both their innings against the visitors' 260 and 285 at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium here. "Finishing in half-an-hour just after tea was unbelievable. Indians were a little careless. The Indian batsmen needed to realise that they needed to stay on the wicket," NDTV quoted Gavaskar as saying. "I can't really remember India losing in two-and-a-half days. It was a bit surprising the way India tackled the Australian spinners. It was probably a bad day. I am disappointed with a lack of fight shown by the Indian team. Getting out in 75 overs in two innings is just not done. This was one of t...
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MS Dhoni slams blistering century in Vijay Hazare Trophy

If there were any doubts about MS Dhoni's batting prowess, it's time to put them aside as the Jharkhand skipper slammed a scintillating ton against Chhattisgarh in the ongoing Vijay Hazare Trophy. Dhoni had earlier scored a fifty against Karnataka in the last game that Jharkhand lost. A day after, it was Chhattisgarh's time to face the music as Dhoni went on a rampage. Dhoni smashed a 107-ball 129 and helped Jharkhand post 243 for the loss nine wickets at the Eden Gardens on Sunday. Jharkhand were in all sorts of trouble after being asked to bat as the Dhoni-led side were tottering at 43/5 at the end of 14 overs. The arrival of Dhoni saw Jharkhand further slip as they lost their sixth wicket with just 57 runs on the board. However, the former India skipper brought in all his experience and along with Shahbaz Nadeem revived Jharkhand's hopes. Dhoni and Nadeem added 151 runs for the seventh wicket as Jharkhand recovered well to post a competitive total on board. Dho...
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Smith retains top spot in ICC rankings

Dubai: Australia captain Steve Smith has consolidated his position at the top of the ICC Player Rankings for Test Batsmen following his outstanding batting effort in the opening Test against India. Smith scored 109 during Australia's second innings to help his team win by 333 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the four-match series. The 27-year-old right-hander reached a career-high 939 rating points which is the sixth best ever after Don Bradman (961), Len Hutton (945), Jack Hobbs and Ricky Ponting (both 942) and Peter May (941). Gary Sobers, Viv Richards and Kumar Sangakkara all had career-high ranking points of 938, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced on Sunday. Smith, who scored 27 and 109 in Pune to gain six points, now leads Indian captain Virat Kohli by 66 points while England batsman Joe Root is 91 points behind him at third place with 848 points. Australian opener Matt Renshaw has moved up 18 places to a career-best 34th position scoring 68 and 31 while Indian ...
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Tendulkar defends Kohli & team, says Team India will bounce back

New Delhi: After India slumped to a humiliating 333-run defeat at the hands of Australia in the opening Test in Pune, legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar has shown faith on Virat Kohli and the team, saying that the series is still wide open and that the home side will surely bounce back in the next match to be held in Bengaluru from March 4. Chasing a mammoth target of 441 runs to win, India suffered a second batting collapse in two days and were bowled out for 107 runs in the second innings just on Day Three of the first Test at the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium. Speaking on the sidelines of IDBI Federal New Delhi Marathon at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, the master blaster said that losing is a part and parcel of the game before adding that he is sure his national side would come up with a much better performance in the upcoming matches. "Yes, it was a tough game for us. And it is a part and parcel of the game. That doesn't mean that the series is close....
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News Wrap: 'India's decision to use DRS backfired in first Test loss to Australia'

A dominant Australia broke India's unbeaten streak as Virat Kohli and co. got a reality check in the first Test in Pune. A wrap on who said what after India's shocking defeat. Indians were a little careless, says Gavaskar Sunil Gavaskar, Former India Opener After the massive 333-run defeat to Australia within three days of the opening Test former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar termed the Indian cricket team's approach as "careless". Gavaskar also criticised the lack of fight by the Virat Kohli-led side, which could only master 105 and 107 in both their innings against the visitors' 260 and 285 at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium here. "Finishing in half-an-hour just after tea was unbelievable. Indians were a little careless. The Indian batsmen needed to realise that they needed to stay on the wicket," NDTV quoted Gavaskar as saying. "I can't really remember India losing in two-and-a-half days. It was a bit surprising the way I...
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'India's decision to use DRS backfired in first Test loss to Australia'

A dominant Australia broke India's unbeaten streak as Virat Kohli and co. got a reality check in the first Test in Pune. A wrap on who said what after India's shocking defeat. Indians were a little careless, says Gavaskar Sunil Gavaskar, Former India Opener After the massive 333-run defeat to Australia within three days of the opening Test former India skipper Sunil Gavaskar termed the Indian cricket team's approach as "careless". Gavaskar also criticised the lack of fight by the Virat Kohli-led side, which could only master 105 and 107 in both their innings against the visitors' 260 and 285 at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium here. "Finishing in half-an-hour just after tea was unbelievable. Indians were a little careless. The Indian batsmen needed to realise that they needed to stay on the wicket," NDTV quoted Gavaskar as saying. "I can't really remember India losing in two-and-a-half days. It was a bit surprising the way I...
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India have to lift their game several notches: Gavaskar

Nobody even in their wildest dreams would have expected what happened in the Pune test match. The pitch was surprisingly bereft of grass and was so dry that before a ball was bowled it appeared as if it had been played on for a few days. No wonder nobody was able to settle down and get the big runs that were seen in the earlier test matches played in India. India know that they will have to lift their game several notches in the remaining three test matches. Hopefully the pitches there will be more like what was seen in the series against England where both teams scored over 400 runs in the first innings in all the tests and then India’s spinners in the second innings created problems for the English batsmen. Just before the Australian series the auction of the players for the IPL took place and as always there were surprises at the amounts shelled out for some players. The IPL can turn the lives of those who get picked by franchises at astronomical fees and there are always some he...
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Kohli refuses to blame spin-friendly track for humiliating loss

India's abject first-innings batting against Australia cost them the opening Test in the four-match series, home captain Virat Kohli said after his side's 333-run defeat on Saturday. O'Keefe breaks 57-year-old record as Australia end India's unbeaten run "I think the way we batted in the first innings, I think we put ourselves under a lot of pressure to be honest," Kohli told reporters. World number one side India were previously unbeaten in 19 Tests and few would have fancied a win for Australia, who had lost their last nine Tests in Asia. The hosts' batsmen capitulated twice in the match, however, getting shot out for 105 in the first innings and 107 in the second. "Conceding a 160-run lead on that kind of wicket is criminal actually," Kohli said. "If we were close enough to their first innings total, the bowlers' mindset would be different in the second innings." India conceded a lead of 155 against Australia, who made 260 i...
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Harbhajan takes a jibe at Pune track as Aussies hail victory

Pune: Veteran off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, who predicted a 4-0 verdict in favour of India in the run-up to the four-match Test rubber against Australia, on Saturday blamed the pitch for the home team's 333-run loss in the opening match at the Maharastra Cricket Association Stadium here. O'Keefe breaks 57-year-old record as Australia end India's unbeaten run The Virat Kohli-led home side succumbed to their fourth biggest Test loss after Australian left-arm spinner Steve O'Keefe spun a web to take identical figures of 6/35 in both the innings and break the pre-series favourites India's backbone within just three days. The 36-year-old Harbhajan had earlier predicted India, who had thrashed New Zealand, England and Bangladesh recently, to win the series comfortably against the Australians. Crediting the Kangaroos for pulling off a sensational win, Harbhajan said: "Credit to @CricketAus for playing unbelievable well on that wicket." The Punjab tweaker, ho...
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Smith overwhelmed to end Australia's 13-year wait

Pune: Despite being rated lowly in the run-up to the first cricket Test against India, Australia skipper Steve Smith, whose defiant ton helped the visitors thrash the hosts by 333 runs and end their 19-match unbeaten run, is overwhelmed to register their first win in the sub-continent after a gap of 13 long years. O'Keefe breaks 57-year-old record as Australia end India's unbeaten run Rating his patient 109 off 202 balls in the second innings, on top of his 18 Test hundreds, Smith said getting a 1-0 lead in the four-Test series is something massive. "Thought it was going to be hardwork. I'm proud of the way the guys played. Winning the toss was a bonus, good plans in place. It's been 4502 days since Australia won a Test in India, I know it to the day," Smith said in the post-match presentation ceremony. "A massive lead in this wicket. We've got some good players of spin and good spinners." Hailing his left-arm spinner Steve O'Keefe, who...
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Our batting in Pune Test 'worst in last two years': Kohli

Pune: India skipper Virat Kohli on Saturday criticised his team 'worst batting performance' following the humiliating 333-run loss in the opening Test of the four-match series against Australia here at the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium on Saturday. O'Keefe breaks 57-year-old record as Australia end India's unbeaten run Chasing a mammoth target of 441, India suffered a second batting collapse in two days and were bowled out for 107 runs in the second innings just on Day Three. "We got outplayed in this game. No two ways about it. Australia were much better. We've got to take it on the chin. We never took them for granted," Kohli said at the post-match presentation. "That's probably our worst batting display in the last two years. It was a case of not applying ourselves. Have to sit down and think what we did wrong. Batting was more disappointing than the bowling. We know that Pune is generally low and slow. They exploited it bet...
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Australia hammer India by 333 runs, take 1-0 lead

Pune: Left-arm spinner Steve O'Keefe wrecked havoc on the Indian batters as Australia emphatically defeated India by 333 runs on the third day of the first Test here at the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium here on Saturday. Chasing a mammoth target of 441, the Virat Kohli-led side suffered a second batting collapse in two days and were bowled out for 107 runs in the second innings. The loss ended India's winning streak of 19 matches on the trot and also the 17 match home-winning streak. This was also Kohli's first defeat as captain in Test cricket at home. India last tasted a home defeat in Tests in 2012 against England. On a dry, turning pitch that should have suited India's spinners, Smith scored the only hundred of the match and Steve O'Keefe took as many wickets as Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja combined. Keefe was declared Man of the Match. The hosts began their chase on a disastrous note as openers KL Rahul and Murali Vijay were dis...
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Live: Smith ton helps Australia set India 441 target

Pune: Australia captain Steve Smith capitalised on India's sloppy fielding with a brilliant hundred to help set the hosts a formidable target of 441 runs to win the opening Test of the four-match series on Saturday. Live Scorecard: IND vs AUS, 1st Test Australia were dismissed for 285 in their second innings to conclude an extended morning session after the visitors had resumed the third day on 143 for four. Smith, the world's top-ranked test batsman, was out leg before to left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja for 109 after completing his first century in India, who will need a monumental effort to extend their 19-test unbeaten run. The 27-year-old right-handed batsman, who was unbeaten on 59 overnight, was dropped three times on Friday and was handed another lifeline on 67 but maintained his concentration on a tricky surface to bring up his 18th test hundred. India vs Australia - Complete Coverage He also enjoyed another slice of fortune on 73 when a strong appeal for leg bef...
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Live: Smith ton helps Australia set India 441 for win

Pune: Australia captain Steve Smith capitalised on India's sloppy fielding with a brilliant hundred to help set the hosts a formidable target of 441 runs to win the opening Test of the four-match series on Saturday. Live Scorecard: IND vs AUS, 1st Test Australia were dismissed for 285 in their second innings to conclude an extended morning session after the visitors had resumed the third day on 143 for four. Smith, the world's top-ranked test batsman, was out leg before to left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja for 109 after completing his first century in India, who will need a monumental effort to extend their 19-test unbeaten run. The 27-year-old right-handed batsman, who was unbeaten on 59 overnight, was dropped three times on Friday and was handed another lifeline on 67 but maintained his concentration on a tricky surface to bring up his 18th test hundred. India vs Australia - Complete Coverage He also enjoyed another slice of fortune on 73 when a strong appeal for leg bef...
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India vs Australia, Pune Test: Wonder spell from Steve O'Keefe hits hosts for six

India Left-arm spinner Steve O'Keefe picked up a career-best six for 35 to help Australia take command of the first test against India after 15 wickets fell on a bowler-dominated second day of the contest. Here's a wrap on O'Keefe's sensational spell and India's dramatic collapse. ------------------------------------ Smith supreme as lead nudges 300 Andrew Ramsey, Cricket Australia The sporting nature of India pitches, the speed with which the balls fizzes off the surface and skates across the outfield, the enervating heat and the energy of the crowds can often leave players, commentators and spectators clutching for breath. But in the fabled and often frenetic 84-year history of Test cricket in India it’s doubtful there have been many more sessions of pure pandemonium than that played out between lunch and tea on a bakingly clear afternoon in Pune on day two. When India folded in a manner not seen on their own turf for almost 50 years, since an infamous 1969 T...
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