Sri Lanka are looking to new captain Upul Tharanga for redemption in the one-day international series starting Sunday against India after enduring a humiliating Test whitewash on home soil.

Tharanga will lead the islanders into the opening match of the ODI series in Dambulla, having been appointed limited-overs captain to revive the ailing team after their shock 3-2 loss to minnows Zimbabwe.

Angelo Mathews stepped aside as captain after that defeat, vacating the top job to Tharanga who takes the helm at a low point for Sri Lankan cricket, with a form slump and injuries dogging the beleaguered side.

Tharanga, 32, has urged fans to be patient, insisting the &quot;rough patch&quot; will pass for the 50-over 1996 World Cup winners.

&quot;Sri Lanka have always been stronger in our white-ball format, and I am confident that we will come out strong and beat India,&quot; Tharanga said in a statement from Sri Lanka Cricket.

&quot;We have the talent, we have the skill. We have been putting in the hard work, we just need the spirit, and for that we need your support too,&quot; added the left-handed batsman. 
Sri Lanka have recalled all-rounders Thisara Perera and Milinda Siriwardana. Left-arm spinner Malinda Pushpakumara and paceman Vishwa Fernando, who were both part of the bowling attack in the Test series against India are expected to make their respective ODI debuts.

But the eighth-ranked ODI side do not have history on their side.

They were swept aside by India 5-0 in their last ODI series in 2014, and more recently bowed out of the Champions Trophy short-format contest in the first round.

India on guard&nbsp;

India, whose last tour of Sri Lanka in 2015 ushered in a new era of supremacy for the top-ranked Test side, are looking to ride their sweep of Test victories into the shorter-format series.

The loss of their Champions Trophy title to arch-rival Pakistan was a bitter pill for India, and the two-time World Champions will be seeking a comeback in Sri Lanka.

Newly-appointed ODI vice-captain Rohit Sharma urged his men against becoming complacent, reminding them of their surprise loss to Sri Lanka in the opening round of the Champions Trophy.

&quot;I have no idea about the squad for this ODI series, but what they had in the Champions Trophy was a very good side. They beat us quite comfortably,&quot; said Sharma.

&quot;So you know in one-day cricket they are a very good team. We just got to do what we have been doing in the past few years.&quot;

The series offers India&#39;s second line of talent a moment in the spotlight with spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin, and pacemen Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav, being rested by selectors.

Young spinners Axar Patel and Yuzvendra Chahal are expected to make the starting lineup in one or more of the five matches. Uncapped quick Shardul Thakur may also get a look in.

India are scheduled to play a lone Twenty20 in Colombo on September 6 after the completion of the ODI series.

Squads

Sri Lanka: Upul Tharanga (captain), Angelo Mathews, Niroshan Dickwella (wicketkeeper), Dhanushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Chamara Kapugedera, Milinda Siriwardana, Malinda Pushpakumara, Akila Dananjaya, Lakshan Sandakan, Thisara Perera, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lasith Malinga, Dushmantha Chameera, Vishwa Fernando.

India: Virat Kohli (Captain), Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma (vice captain), Lokesh Rahul, Manish Pandey, Ajinkya Rahane, Kedar Jadhav, Mahendra Singh Dhoni (wicketkeeper), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Shardul Thakur.

Tharanga will lead the islanders into the opening match of the ODI series in Dambulla, having been appointed limited-overs captain to revive the ailing team after their shock 3-2 loss to minnows Zimbabwe.

Sri Lanka are looking to new captain Upul Tharanga for redemption in the one-day international series starting Sunday against India after enduring a humiliating Test whitewash on home soil. Tharanga will lead the islanders into the opening match of the ODI series in Dambulla, having been appointed limited-overs captain to revive the ailing team after their shock 3-2 loss to minnows Zimbabwe. Angelo Mathews stepped aside as captain after that defeat, vacating the top job to Tharanga who takes the helm at a low point for Sri Lankan cricket, with a form slump and injuries dogging the beleaguered side. Tharanga, 32, has urged fans to be patient, insisting the "rough patch" will pass for the 50-over 1996 World Cup winners. "Sri Lanka have always been stronger in our white-ball format, and I am confident that we will come out strong and beat India," Tharanga said in a statement from Sri Lanka Cricket. "We have the talent, we have the skill. We have been putting in the hard work, we just need the spirit, and for that we need your support too," added the left-handed batsman. Sri Lanka have recalled all-rounders Thisara Perera and Milinda Siriwardana. Left-arm spinner Malinda Pushpakumara and paceman Vishwa Fernando, who were both part of the bowling attack in the Test series against India are expected to make their respective ODI debuts. But the eighth-ranked ODI side do not have history on their side. They were swept aside by India 5-0 in their last ODI series in 2014, and more recently bowed out of the Champions Trophy short-format contest in the first round. India on guard India, whose last tour of Sri Lanka in 2015 ushered in a new era of supremacy for the top-ranked Test side, are looking to ride their sweep of Test victories into the shorter-format series. The loss of their Champions Trophy title to arch-rival Pakistan was a bitter pill for India, and the two-time World Champions will be seeking a comeback in Sri Lanka. Newly-appointed ODI vice-captain Rohit Sharma urged his men against becoming complacent, reminding them of their surprise loss to Sri Lanka in the opening round of the Champions Trophy. "I have no idea about the squad for this ODI series, but what they had in the Champions Trophy was a very good side. They beat us quite comfortably," said Sharma. "So you know in one-day cricket they are a very good team. We just got to do what we have been doing in the past few years." The series offers India's second line of talent a moment in the spotlight with spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin, and pacemen Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav, being rested by selectors. Young spinners Axar Patel and Yuzvendra Chahal are expected to make the starting lineup in one or more of the five matches. Uncapped quick Shardul Thakur may also get a look in. India are scheduled to play a lone Twenty20 in Colombo on September 6 after the completion of the ODI series. Squads Sri Lanka: Upul Tharanga (captain), Angelo Mathews, Niroshan Dickwella (wicketkeeper), Dhanushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Chamara Kapugedera, Milinda Siriwardana, Malinda Pushpakumara, Akila Dananjaya, Lakshan Sandakan, Thisara Perera, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lasith Malinga, Dushmantha Chameera, Vishwa Fernando. India: Virat Kohli (Captain), Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma (vice captain), Lokesh Rahul, Manish Pandey, Ajinkya Rahane, Kedar Jadhav, Mahendra Singh Dhoni (wicketkeeper), Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Shardul Thakur.

ODI series: Tharanga seeks redemption against India

Australian vice-captain David Warner is expected to be fit for the upcoming Bangladesh tour after retiring hurt when he was struck in the neck by a bouncer during a warm-up match.

The opener was hit by a Josh Hazelwood delivery in a chilling blow Tuesday that saw him drop to his knees and let go of his bat, with captain Steve Smith rushing from slips to check on his deputy.

Appearing shaken, Warner removed his helmet and immediately walked off the field leaving his bat behind.

Cricket Australia&#39;s news site cricket.com.au said the fiery left-hander had passed a concussion test and would be available for the tour of Bangladesh, but would sit out the rest of the intra-squad match in Darwin, Australia&#39;s Northern Territory.&nbsp;

&quot;It&#39;s good that Davey&#39;s fine,&quot; Aussie pacemen Pat Cummins said after close of play Tuesday. &quot;He&#39;s a little bit stiff and sore, but just speaking to him then, he&#39;s all fine.&quot;

A focus on player safety has been heightened since the tragic death of Australian batsman Phillip Hughes. &nbsp;

Hughes, who played 26 Tests, died from bleeding on the brain in November 2014 after being hit on the base of the skull by a rising ball at the Sydney Cricket Ground during a domestic match.

The Australian squad flies to Dhaka on Friday for the two-Test tour which begins on August 27.

Appearing shaken, Warner removed his helmet and immediately walked off the field leaving his bat behind

Australian vice-captain David Warner is expected to be fit for the upcoming Bangladesh tour after retiring hurt when he was struck in the neck by a bouncer during a warm-up match. The opener was hit by a Josh Hazelwood delivery in a chilling blow Tuesday that saw him drop to his knees and let go of his bat, with captain Steve Smith rushing from slips to check on his deputy. Appearing shaken, Warner removed his helmet and immediately walked off the field leaving his bat behind. Cricket Australia's news site cricket.com.au said the fiery left-hander had passed a concussion test and would be available for the tour of Bangladesh, but would sit out the rest of the intra-squad match in Darwin, Australia's Northern Territory. "It's good that Davey's fine," Aussie pacemen Pat Cummins said after close of play Tuesday. "He's a little bit stiff and sore, but just speaking to him then, he's all fine." A focus on player safety has been heightened since the tragic death of Australian batsman Phillip Hughes. Hughes, who played 26 Tests, died from bleeding on the brain in November 2014 after being hit on the base of the skull by a rising ball at the Sydney Cricket Ground during a domestic match. The Australian squad flies to Dhaka on Friday for the two-Test tour which begins on August 27.

Cricket: Head knock won't stop Warner's Bangladesh tour

Former Test wicketkeeper Brad Haddin has joined the Australian team support staff as fielding coach until the end of 2019, Cricket Australia said Thursday.

Haddin replaces former Australia batsman Greg Blewett, who has taken up a position with the South Australian Cricket Association.

Haddin, 39, has coached the Australia A side and was an assistant coach during Australia&#39;s tour of New Zealand earlier this year.

He also had a stint with Islamabad in the Pakistan Premier League.

His first assignment will be Australia&#39;s two-Test tour to Bangladesh later this month.

&quot;I grew up in an era of players like Andrew Symonds and Ricky Ponting who gave Australian cricket a real identity in the standards of world-class fielding,&quot; Haddin said in a statement.

&quot;I want to hold this group accountable to that kind of standard and I believe we have the talent to do that and I am looking forward to the challenge.&quot;&nbsp;

Haddin played 66 Tests, taking 262 catches, and playing 126 one-day internationals, and 34 T20 Internationals for Australia before retiring in 2015.

Haddin replaces former Australia batsman Greg Blewett, who has taken up a position with the South Australian Cricket Association

Former Test wicketkeeper Brad Haddin has joined the Australian team support staff as fielding coach until the end of 2019, Cricket Australia said Thursday. Haddin replaces former Australia batsman Greg Blewett, who has taken up a position with the South Australian Cricket Association. Haddin, 39, has coached the Australia A side and was an assistant coach during Australia's tour of New Zealand earlier this year. He also had a stint with Islamabad in the Pakistan Premier League. His first assignment will be Australia's two-Test tour to Bangladesh later this month. "I grew up in an era of players like Andrew Symonds and Ricky Ponting who gave Australian cricket a real identity in the standards of world-class fielding," Haddin said in a statement. "I want to hold this group accountable to that kind of standard and I believe we have the talent to do that and I am looking forward to the challenge." Haddin played 66 Tests, taking 262 catches, and playing 126 one-day internationals, and 34 T20 Internationals for Australia before retiring in 2015.

Brad Haddin joins Australia's coaching staff

India captain Mithali Raj said now was time to &quot;create the base&quot; of a female equivalent to the Indian Premier League after her side&#39;s hopes of Women&#39;s World Cup final glory were snatched away by England at Lord&#39;s.

Raj&#39;s side looked on course to lift the trophy for the first time at 191 for three, chasing 229 for victory, in Sunday&#39;s final at the &quot;home of cricket&quot;. But on the same Lord&#39;s ground where India&#39;s men had won an inaugural World Cup title back in 1983, they lost their last seven wickets for just 28 runs to be bowled out for 219 with eight balls to spare.

Anya Shrubsole did the damage with a late burst of five wickets for 11 runs in 19 deliveries. The pace bowler&#39;s match haul of six for 46 was also the best individual return in any Women&#39;s World Cup final.

Pressure got to India in the end, but the 34-year-old Raj, who later confirmed this has been her last World Cup appearance, said that would be less likely to happen if they had a tournament to match Australia&#39;s Twenty20 Women&#39;s Big Bash League or England&#39;s equivalent Super League.

&quot;Everybody was very nervous and I think that resulted in our defeat,&quot; Raj, the all-time leading run-scorer in women&#39;s one-day internationals told reporters.&nbsp;

England&#39;s women have been full-time professionals for some two years now, with Raj&#39;s side still on their way -- although the squad did receive bonus payments of 50 lakh Indian rupees (&pound;60,000) each for reaching the final from the Board of Control for Cricket in India.

&nbsp;

&#39;Set the platform&#39;

&quot;These girls have really set the platform for the upcoming generations in India,&quot; said Raj. &nbsp;&quot;They&rsquo;ve opened up the channels for women&rsquo;s cricket and they should be really proud of themselves. I have seen the changes the girls have made.&nbsp;

&quot;Unlike 2005 (when Australia hammered India by 98 runs in the final at Centurion, South Africa), this went to the end.&quot;

India&#39;s collapse was sparked by Punam Raut&#39;s exit for 86, the top score of the final. Together with Harmanpreet Kaur, who made 51 after her astounding 171 not out in India&#39;s semi-final win over reigning champions Australia, the opener shared a third-wicket stand of 95.

&quot;We messed it up in the end. It was a very brave innings from Punam,&quot; said Raj. But the skipper said her side had established a solid foundation for women&#39;s cricket in India, the sport&#39;s financial superpower.

&quot;The response from the public is very positive,&quot; said Raj. &nbsp;&quot;I&#39;m sure the BCCI is very proud of the team.&nbsp;

&quot;When we lost to South Africa and Australia (in pool play), no one thought we would get to the final.&nbsp;

&quot;A team like that has come to the finals and given a good fight to the home team.

&quot;The WBBL has given exposure to the two girls who have played (Smriti Mandhana and Kaur).&nbsp;

&quot;If more girls participate in such leagues, it will give them experience and help them to improve their own game.&nbsp;

&quot;If you ask me, they should have (women&#39;s) IPL because now is the right time to create that base.&quot;

England, beaten by India in their opening pool match, also made plenty of mistakes in the error-strewn closing overs on the way to winning a fourth World Cup title and third in as many editions on home soil.

But in a year where former England captain Rachael Heyhoe Flint, the driving force in establishing the inaugural Women&#39;s World Cup in 1973 -- which her side won -- died and on a match day where the bell to signal the start of play was rung by 105-year-old Eileen Ash, the oldest living former England women&#39;s international, the hosts held their nerve.

&quot;Cricket&#39;s a funny game, and pressure&#39;s a funny thing,&quot; said England captain Heather Knight after a win greeted with the sound of thousands of girls cheering in the stands of a capacity crowd rather than the polite applause usually associated with Lord&#39;s.

&quot;It&#39;s a World Cup final, we knew if we held our nerve we would be in with a chance but it did feel like it was slipping away at 190 for three.

&quot;But we fought like hell in this tournament and today was no different.&quot;

Raj hoped this classic finals showdown would 'create the base' of a female equivalent to the Indian Premier League

India captain Mithali Raj said now was time to "create the base" of a female equivalent to the Indian Premier League after her side's hopes of Women's World Cup final glory were snatched away by England at Lord's. Raj's side looked on course to lift the trophy for the first time at 191 for three, chasing 229 for victory, in Sunday's final at the "home of cricket". But on the same Lord's ground where India's men had won an inaugural World Cup title back in 1983, they lost their last seven wickets for just 28 runs to be bowled out for 219 with eight balls to spare. Anya Shrubsole did the damage with a late burst of five wickets for 11 runs in 19 deliveries. The pace bowler's match haul of six for 46 was also the best individual return in any Women's World Cup final. Pressure got to India in the end, but the 34-year-old Raj, who later confirmed this has been her last World Cup appearance, said that would be less likely to happen if they had a tournament to match Australia's Twenty20 Women's Big Bash League or England's equivalent Super League. "Everybody was very nervous and I think that resulted in our defeat," Raj, the all-time leading run-scorer in women's one-day internationals told reporters. England's women have been full-time professionals for some two years now, with Raj's side still on their way -- although the squad did receive bonus payments of 50 lakh Indian rupees (£60,000) each for reaching the final from the Board of Control for Cricket in India. 'Set the platform' "These girls have really set the platform for the upcoming generations in India," said Raj. "They’ve opened up the channels for women’s cricket and they should be really proud of themselves. I have seen the changes the girls have made. "Unlike 2005 (when Australia hammered India by 98 runs in the final at Centurion, South Africa), this went to the end." India's collapse was sparked by Punam Raut's exit for 86, the top score of the final. Together with Harmanpreet Kaur, who made 51 after her astounding 171 not out in India's semi-final win over reigning champions Australia, the opener shared a third-wicket stand of 95. "We messed it up in the end. It was a very brave innings from Punam," said Raj. But the skipper said her side had established a solid foundation for women's cricket in India, the sport's financial superpower. "The response from the public is very positive," said Raj. "I'm sure the BCCI is very proud of the team. "When we lost to South Africa and Australia (in pool play), no one thought we would get to the final. "A team like that has come to the finals and given a good fight to the home team. "The WBBL has given exposure to the two girls who have played (Smriti Mandhana and Kaur). "If more girls participate in such leagues, it will give them experience and help them to improve their own game. "If you ask me, they should have (women's) IPL because now is the right time to create that base." England, beaten by India in their opening pool match, also made plenty of mistakes in the error-strewn closing overs on the way to winning a fourth World Cup title and third in as many editions on home soil. But in a year where former England captain Rachael Heyhoe Flint, the driving force in establishing the inaugural Women's World Cup in 1973 -- which her side won -- died and on a match day where the bell to signal the start of play was rung by 105-year-old Eileen Ash, the oldest living former England women's international, the hosts held their nerve. "Cricket's a funny game, and pressure's a funny thing," said England captain Heather Knight after a win greeted with the sound of thousands of girls cheering in the stands of a capacity crowd rather than the polite applause usually associated with Lord's. "It's a World Cup final, we knew if we held our nerve we would be in with a chance but it did feel like it was slipping away at 190 for three. "But we fought like hell in this tournament and today was no different."

India's Mithali Raj wants women's IPL after World Cup heartbreak

South Africa beat England by a massive 340 runs in the second Test to level the series 1-1 at Trent Bridge, Old Trafford.

South Africa had set a mammoth 474-run target but England collapsed on the fourth day to a paltry 133 all out as Philander and Maharaj picked up three wickets apiece to clinch victory for the Proteas.

Captain Alastair Cook was the highest scorer for England with 42 runs(6 boundaries) but none of the other England batsmen could withstand the accurate pace and spin attack of the South Africans.

England lost the last five wickets for just 13 runs with Broad, Wood and Anderson falling in quick succession with the scoreboard stuck at 133 as the hosts capitulated without even a&nbsp;semblance of a fight in the second Test.

Philander was declared the man of the match for his all-round display scoring 54 and 42 runs in South Africa&#39;s innings and picking up 5 wickets.

The next Test starts on July 27 at Kennington, Oval.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

South Africa beat England by a massive 340 runs in the second Test to level the series 1-1

South Africa beat England by a massive 340 runs in the second Test to level the series 1-1 at Trent Bridge, Old Trafford. South Africa had set a mammoth 474-run target but England collapsed on the fourth day to a paltry 133 all out as Philander and Maharaj picked up three wickets apiece to clinch victory for the Proteas. Captain Alastair Cook was the highest scorer for England with 42 runs(6 boundaries) but none of the other England batsmen could withstand the accurate pace and spin attack of the South Africans. England lost the last five wickets for just 13 runs with Broad, Wood and Anderson falling in quick succession with the scoreboard stuck at 133 as the hosts capitulated without even a semblance of a fight in the second Test. Philander was declared the man of the match for his all-round display scoring 54 and 42 runs in South Africa's innings and picking up 5 wickets. The next Test starts on July 27 at Kennington, Oval.

2nd Test: South Africa hammer England by 340 runs

The Australia &quot;A&quot; players have decided to pull out of the South Africa tour over the long-standing pay dispute with the Australian board.

The players union in a statement said,&quot;players were not obliged and were unavailable to tour South Africa as a part of the Australia A team without an agreed pay deal or new Memorandum of Understanding.&quot;

The players union and Cricket Australia have been engaged in talks over several months but have failed to come up with a pay structure.

Around 230 players have been left unemployed&nbsp;after the contract expired on June 30th.

Around 230 players have been left unemployed?after the contract expired on June 30th

The Australia "A" players have decided to pull out of the South Africa tour over the long-standing pay dispute with the Australian board. The players union in a statement said,"players were not obliged and were unavailable to tour South Africa as a part of the Australia A team without an agreed pay deal or new Memorandum of Understanding." The players union and Cricket Australia have been engaged in talks over several months but have failed to come up with a pay structure. Around 230 players have been left unemployed after the contract expired on June 30th.

Australia 'A' to boycott South Africa tour over pay dispute

Former Indian medium pacer and current junior national chief selector&nbsp;Venkatesh Prasad&nbsp;has applied for the post of Indian cricket team&#39;s head coach.

Prasad, who played 33 Tests and 162 ODIs for India, is set to finish his three-year term as the junior India chief selector in September this year.

He had worked in the capacity of the bowling coach in the past as well. Prasad was at the helm for two years following his appointment ahead of the 2007 World Cup.

The 47-year-old is the latest applicant after Ravi Shastri, who applied for the post on June 27.

Shastri had also applied for the job in 2016 but legendary leg-spinner Anil Kumble was chosen over him by Board of Control for Cricket in India&#39;s (BCCI) Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC).

The head coach position has been vacant since Anil Kumble&#39;s resignation following India&#39;s 180-run defeat against arch-rivals Pakistan in the Champions Trophy final at the Oval on June 18.

Former Indian cricketer Lalchand Rajput, Dodda Ganesh, Richard Pybus and Tom Moody and former Indian opener Virender Sehwag have all applied for the post.

The last date for applying for the post of India head coach is July 9.

The BCCI has already stated that Team India will get its new head coach before their tour to Sri Lanka beginning July 26.&nbsp;

Prasad is set to finish his three-year term as the junior India chief selector in September this year

Former Indian medium pacer and current junior national chief selector Venkatesh Prasad has applied for the post of Indian cricket team's head coach. Prasad, who played 33 Tests and 162 ODIs for India, is set to finish his three-year term as the junior India chief selector in September this year. He had worked in the capacity of the bowling coach in the past as well. Prasad was at the helm for two years following his appointment ahead of the 2007 World Cup. The 47-year-old is the latest applicant after Ravi Shastri, who applied for the post on June 27. Shastri had also applied for the job in 2016 but legendary leg-spinner Anil Kumble was chosen over him by Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC). The head coach position has been vacant since Anil Kumble's resignation following India's 180-run defeat against arch-rivals Pakistan in the Champions Trophy final at the Oval on June 18. Former Indian cricketer Lalchand Rajput, Dodda Ganesh, Richard Pybus and Tom Moody and former Indian opener Virender Sehwag have all applied for the post. The last date for applying for the post of India head coach is July 9. The BCCI has already stated that Team India will get its new head coach before their tour to Sri Lanka beginning July 26.

Venkatesh Prasad joins list of applicants for India head coach

The Champions Trophy could be scrapped in favour of staging the World Twenty20 every two years, according to International Cricket Council (ICC) chief executive David Richardson.

Pakistan thrashed India by 180 runs to win this year&#39;s edition of the Champions Trophy at The Oval on Sunday, with a worldwide television audience of millions watching the stunning final.&nbsp;

But some officials believe the eight-team event is now too similar to the World Cup which the ICC, controversially, has decided should be contested by just 10 teams from the 2019 event in England.&nbsp;

India are due to stage the next Champions Trophy in 2021 but Richardson warned Monday it was by no means certain the event would go ahead, with the former South Africa wicketkeeper saying future World Twenty20s could feature up to 20 teams.

&quot;What we want to do is differentiate our global events from each other so that they can be standalone and create maximum interest every time the event happens,&quot; Richardson told reporters via telephone on the eve of the ICC&#39;s annual conference in London.

&quot;At this stage, the next Champions Trophy is still scheduled for India in 2021. Whether that gets changed, the consideration has been given to changing to two T20s in a four-year cycle which would mean swapping the Champions Trophy for a World T20.&quot;

He added: &quot;The fact is that World T20s do attract a lot of interest, they generate significant revenue for the television companies, but most importantly from our point of view they provide us with an opportunity to give more opportunities to more teams.

&quot;A 16-team World T20 -- even a 20-team World T20 -- down the line is something that we would like to look at.

&quot;With a 10-team World Cup we&#39;re hoping to increase the competitiveness of matches and the standard of the tournament as a whole.

&quot;It might not be necessary to continue with two 50-over tournaments going forward.&quot;

This week&#39;s ICC gathering at The Oval is also set to decide whether to grant Test status to Ireland and Afghanistan, with an announcement expected on Thursday.

&quot;It&#39;s never wise to try and make a call too early, but certainly the applications of both are very well founded,&quot; said Richardson.&nbsp;

&quot;They both, on the face of it, meet the majority, if not all, of the full member criteria that has been set.&nbsp;

&quot;I&#39;m optimistic that they&#39;ll be given serious consideration to have every chance of succeeding.&quot; 
&nbsp;

India are due to stage the next Champions Trophy in 2021

The Champions Trophy could be scrapped in favour of staging the World Twenty20 every two years, according to International Cricket Council (ICC) chief executive David Richardson. Pakistan thrashed India by 180 runs to win this year's edition of the Champions Trophy at The Oval on Sunday, with a worldwide television audience of millions watching the stunning final. But some officials believe the eight-team event is now too similar to the World Cup which the ICC, controversially, has decided should be contested by just 10 teams from the 2019 event in England. India are due to stage the next Champions Trophy in 2021 but Richardson warned Monday it was by no means certain the event would go ahead, with the former South Africa wicketkeeper saying future World Twenty20s could feature up to 20 teams. "What we want to do is differentiate our global events from each other so that they can be standalone and create maximum interest every time the event happens," Richardson told reporters via telephone on the eve of the ICC's annual conference in London. "At this stage, the next Champions Trophy is still scheduled for India in 2021. Whether that gets changed, the consideration has been given to changing to two T20s in a four-year cycle which would mean swapping the Champions Trophy for a World T20." He added: "The fact is that World T20s do attract a lot of interest, they generate significant revenue for the television companies, but most importantly from our point of view they provide us with an opportunity to give more opportunities to more teams. "A 16-team World T20 -- even a 20-team World T20 -- down the line is something that we would like to look at. "With a 10-team World Cup we're hoping to increase the competitiveness of matches and the standard of the tournament as a whole. "It might not be necessary to continue with two 50-over tournaments going forward." This week's ICC gathering at The Oval is also set to decide whether to grant Test status to Ireland and Afghanistan, with an announcement expected on Thursday. "It's never wise to try and make a call too early, but certainly the applications of both are very well founded," said Richardson. "They both, on the face of it, meet the majority, if not all, of the full member criteria that has been set. "I'm optimistic that they'll be given serious consideration to have every chance of succeeding."

ICC may axe Champions Trophy, replace with T20 World Cup every two years

Talking to the media in Birmingham today -- ahead of India&#39;s Champions&#39; Trophy semi-final against Bangladesh tomorrow -- India captain Virat Kohli said they would not be &quot;taking anything for granted&quot;. &nbsp;&nbsp;

&quot;There is no guarantee in these sports. A lot of teams have surprised their oppositions in the lower stages too. We are not going according to the past results and we will go into this game the way we treated the last one,&quot; he said.&nbsp;

&quot;Bangladesh has taken huge strides in cricket, in the last few years, they themselves say that. In the world cup 2015, they were really very good. We are not taking anything for granted,&quot; he added.&nbsp;

Watch video below:&nbsp;

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LIVE: Virat Kohli addresses the media at Birmingham ahead of the semi-final match against Bangladesh <a href="https://t.co/v0YkEv2gPC">https://t.co/v0YkEv2gPC</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/874960371299139584">June 14, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Things were a little &quot;lighter&quot;&nbsp;though during an earlier practice session, with some of the Indian stars breaking out into&nbsp;impromptu jigs. Have a look at the video below:

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash">#WATCH</a> Team India players share light moments during practice session in Birmingham <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ChampionsTrophy2017?src=hash">#ChampionsTrophy2017</a> <a href="https://t.co/I2Xhl5tFLx">pic.twitter.com/I2Xhl5tFLx</a>
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India play Bangladesh in the second Champions' Trophy semi-final tomorrow

Talking to the media in Birmingham today -- ahead of India's Champions' Trophy semi-final against Bangladesh tomorrow -- India captain Virat Kohli said they would not be "taking anything for granted". "There is no guarantee in these sports. A lot of teams have surprised their oppositions in the lower stages too. We are not going according to the past results and we will go into this game the way we treated the last one," he said. "Bangladesh has taken huge strides in cricket, in the last few years, they themselves say that. In the world cup 2015, they were really very good. We are not taking anything for granted," he added. Watch video below: LIVE: Virat Kohli addresses the media at Birmingham ahead of the semi-final match against Bangladesh https://t.co/v0YkEv2gPC — ANI (@ANI_news) June 14, 2017 × Things were a little "lighter" though during an earlier practice session, with some of the Indian stars breaking out into impromptu jigs. Have a look at the video below: #WATCH Team India players share light moments during practice session in Birmingham #ChampionsTrophy2017 pic.twitter.com/I2Xhl5tFLx — ANI (@ANI_news) June 14, 2017 ×

Watch: India captain Virat Kohli says 'not taking anything for granted' against Bangladesh

Anil Kumble will remain India&#39;s coach for the tour of West Indies subject to his acceptance, Committee of Administrators (COA) chairman Vinod Rai said today, insisting that only the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) will decide the next head coach.

&quot;Coach selection has been entrusted to the CAC which selected Anil Kumble last year for a one-year contract. Now the process has to be followed. But since the process has been delayed, Kumble, subject to his accepting, will be there for the West Indies tour,&quot; Rai told reporters after a meeting of the COA here.

&quot;The CAC is meeting in London to decide upon the road ahead,&quot; he added.

India will tour the West Indies for a five-ODI series starting June 23 followed by a lone Twenty20 match on July 9.

The COA, now a three-member panel after the controversial exit of historian Ramachandra Guha, had a day long meeting in New Delhi.

Asked whether coach recruitment could have been handled better by the BCCI, Rai said the matter has been blown out of proportion with reports claiming a rift between captain Virat Kohi and Kumble.

&quot;The fact is that it was a one year contract so a process was followed. I don&#39;t know why is this controversy. I have spoken to both of them (Kohli and Kumble)and neither of them have confirmed what has come out,&quot; he said.

The CAC -- comprising Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman and Sourav Ganguly -- is currently in London and is in touch with both the captain and the coach on the sidelines of the ongoing Champions Trophy.

The CAC, which is in favour of retaining Kumble, has sought more time ahead of the BCCI SGM on June 26.

&quot;We have left it to the CAC, they are legends, they know what is best for Indian cricket,&quot; said Rai, who also rubbished a report claiming that CAC has asked to be paid for the honorary job.

Guha, in his scathing resignation letter, had lashed out at the BCCI&#39;s functioning besides alleging conflict of interest in the case of Rahul Dravid who is India A coach and also a mentor of the Delhi Daredevils IPL franchise.

The former batsman had sought more clarity on the subject so that he can take an informed decision.

To address a host of conflict of interest issues, the BCCI will soon have an ethics officer.

&quot;All issues regarding COI will be referred to ethics officer appointed by the BCCI. He will be appointed soon. A lot of complaints regarding COI have been received,&quot; said Rai.

He further said that Guha&#39;s resignation will be forwarded to the Supreme Court.

The COA was formed mainly to carry out reforms recommended by the SC-appointed Lodha Committee. As expected, some of the recommendations, including one state and one vote and tenure of office-bearers, were met with stiff resistance by the state associations.

However, Rai insisted that reforms are on track and will be placed before the state associations at the SGM.

&quot;The reforms are on track. They will be entrusted to the SGM which is meeting on June 26. It is going to be placed before them but in all our conversations with them, they have expressed their willingness to accept the reforms,&quot; he said.&nbsp;

India will tour the West Indies for a five-ODI series starting June 23 followed by a lone Twenty20 match on July 9

Anil Kumble will remain India's coach for the tour of West Indies subject to his acceptance, Committee of Administrators (COA) chairman Vinod Rai said today, insisting that only the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) will decide the next head coach. "Coach selection has been entrusted to the CAC which selected Anil Kumble last year for a one-year contract. Now the process has to be followed. But since the process has been delayed, Kumble, subject to his accepting, will be there for the West Indies tour," Rai told reporters after a meeting of the COA here. "The CAC is meeting in London to decide upon the road ahead," he added. India will tour the West Indies for a five-ODI series starting June 23 followed by a lone Twenty20 match on July 9. The COA, now a three-member panel after the controversial exit of historian Ramachandra Guha, had a day long meeting in New Delhi. Asked whether coach recruitment could have been handled better by the BCCI, Rai said the matter has been blown out of proportion with reports claiming a rift between captain Virat Kohi and Kumble. "The fact is that it was a one year contract so a process was followed. I don't know why is this controversy. I have spoken to both of them (Kohli and Kumble)and neither of them have confirmed what has come out," he said. The CAC -- comprising Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman and Sourav Ganguly -- is currently in London and is in touch with both the captain and the coach on the sidelines of the ongoing Champions Trophy. The CAC, which is in favour of retaining Kumble, has sought more time ahead of the BCCI SGM on June 26. "We have left it to the CAC, they are legends, they know what is best for Indian cricket," said Rai, who also rubbished a report claiming that CAC has asked to be paid for the honorary job. Guha, in his scathing resignation letter, had lashed out at the BCCI's functioning besides alleging conflict of interest in the case of Rahul Dravid who is India A coach and also a mentor of the Delhi Daredevils IPL franchise. The former batsman had sought more clarity on the subject so that he can take an informed decision. To address a host of conflict of interest issues, the BCCI will soon have an ethics officer. "All issues regarding COI will be referred to ethics officer appointed by the BCCI. He will be appointed soon. A lot of complaints regarding COI have been received," said Rai. He further said that Guha's resignation will be forwarded to the Supreme Court. The COA was formed mainly to carry out reforms recommended by the SC-appointed Lodha Committee. As expected, some of the recommendations, including one state and one vote and tenure of office-bearers, were met with stiff resistance by the state associations. However, Rai insisted that reforms are on track and will be placed before the state associations at the SGM. "The reforms are on track. They will be entrusted to the SGM which is meeting on June 26. It is going to be placed before them but in all our conversations with them, they have expressed their willingness to accept the reforms," he said.

Anil Kumble to continue as India coach till West Indies Series: COA

India must tighten up their fielding and be &quot;ruthless&quot; when they face Sri Lanka in the Champions Trophy at the Oval on Thursday, skipper Virat Kohli said.

The defending champions opened their Group B account with an emphatic 124-run victory over arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday, but drew criticism for their lacklustre fielding performance.

&quot;Sometimes, starting with the tournament, creating momentum as a team, you can misfield, you can get overexcited,&quot; Kohli told a news conference on Wednesday.

&quot;There can be lapses as well, especially when the team is seven or eight down and you know that the game is going to end soon. We have addressed the guys and have asked them to be ruthless and finish games off.&quot;

Kohli also told his teammates not to get carried away by the praise that has come their way since they beat Pakistan. Despite the occasional fielding error, India dominated the rain-shortened match.

&quot;I don&#39;t think when you are playing good cricket, you should look too much into the praise factor,&quot; he added.

&quot;As a team, we really don&#39;t focus on these things and we try to maintain the same kind of intensity and momentum regardless of how we are playing.

&quot;At this moment we are playing some good cricket but that doesn&#39;t mean that we play with arrogance... In this sport, anyone can upset anyone on their given day... you certainly cannot even think of taking anyone lightly.&quot;

Both India and South Africa have two points apiece having won their opening encounters, but India top the group thanks to their superior run rate.

(Reuters)

Kohli also told his teammates not to get carried away by the praise that has come their way since they beat Pakistan

India must tighten up their fielding and be "ruthless" when they face Sri Lanka in the Champions Trophy at the Oval on Thursday, skipper Virat Kohli said. The defending champions opened their Group B account with an emphatic 124-run victory over arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday, but drew criticism for their lacklustre fielding performance. "Sometimes, starting with the tournament, creating momentum as a team, you can misfield, you can get overexcited," Kohli told a news conference on Wednesday. "There can be lapses as well, especially when the team is seven or eight down and you know that the game is going to end soon. We have addressed the guys and have asked them to be ruthless and finish games off." Kohli also told his teammates not to get carried away by the praise that has come their way since they beat Pakistan. Despite the occasional fielding error, India dominated the rain-shortened match. "I don't think when you are playing good cricket, you should look too much into the praise factor," he added. "As a team, we really don't focus on these things and we try to maintain the same kind of intensity and momentum regardless of how we are playing. "At this moment we are playing some good cricket but that doesn't mean that we play with arrogance... In this sport, anyone can upset anyone on their given day... you certainly cannot even think of taking anyone lightly." Both India and South Africa have two points apiece having won their opening encounters, but India top the group thanks to their superior run rate. (Reuters)

Virat Kohli: India must be ruthless in finishing games off

The Indian cricket board has sent a security officer to England amid concerns over team safety in the Champions Trophy following the Manchester bomb attack.

Acting president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) CK Khanna confirmed to AFP that Neeraj Kumar, security in charge and consultant of its anti-corruption unit, left for England on Tuesday.

&quot;Neeraj Kumarji was anyhow supposed to travel with the team but had to go early after the attack,&quot; a senior BCCI official told AFP. &quot;He will definitely go to the venues where India is scheduled to play and assess the security,&quot; the official added.

Kumar, a former Delhi Police Commissioner, was the head of security when the ICC World T20 Championship was hosted by India last year.

A suicide bomb attack rocked Manchester on Monday, killing 22 people at the end of a concert by US pop star Ariana Grande at Manchester Arena.

All teams are now wary ahead of the 50-over tournament that begins June 1. Holders India start their campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan in Birmingham on June 4.

The BCCI are in touch with the International Cricket Council regarding security in England as Virat Kohli and his side leave for the eight-team event late Wednesday.

&quot;We sent out a message (to ICC) raising our concerns about security of the Indian team&#39;s travel, accommodation and the playing (area),&quot; BCCI acting secretary Amitabh Chaudhary told reporters.

Chaudhary said the ICC &quot;responded to it within two hours. They have been sensitised about our concern&quot;.

The ICC released a statement Tuesday regarding security measures taken with the England and Wales Cricket Board.

&quot;The security situation has been very much front and centre of our preparations and we constantly review our procedures to guarantee they are as effective as possible to keep everyone safe,&quot; said an ICC statement.

(AFP)

Neeraj Kumar, a former Delhi Police Commissioner who did security when India hosted the T20 last year, will accompany India's cricket team

The Indian cricket board has sent a security officer to England amid concerns over team safety in the Champions Trophy following the Manchester bomb attack. Acting president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) CK Khanna confirmed to AFP that Neeraj Kumar, security in charge and consultant of its anti-corruption unit, left for England on Tuesday. "Neeraj Kumarji was anyhow supposed to travel with the team but had to go early after the attack," a senior BCCI official told AFP. "He will definitely go to the venues where India is scheduled to play and assess the security," the official added. Kumar, a former Delhi Police Commissioner, was the head of security when the ICC World T20 Championship was hosted by India last year. A suicide bomb attack rocked Manchester on Monday, killing 22 people at the end of a concert by US pop star Ariana Grande at Manchester Arena. All teams are now wary ahead of the 50-over tournament that begins June 1. Holders India start their campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan in Birmingham on June 4. The BCCI are in touch with the International Cricket Council regarding security in England as Virat Kohli and his side leave for the eight-team event late Wednesday. "We sent out a message (to ICC) raising our concerns about security of the Indian team's travel, accommodation and the playing (area)," BCCI acting secretary Amitabh Chaudhary told reporters. Chaudhary said the ICC "responded to it within two hours. They have been sensitised about our concern". The ICC released a statement Tuesday regarding security measures taken with the England and Wales Cricket Board. "The security situation has been very much front and centre of our preparations and we constantly review our procedures to guarantee they are as effective as possible to keep everyone safe," said an ICC statement. (AFP)

Cricket: BCCI raises concerns after Manchester attack

WION chronicles lesser known but controversial matches between India and Pakistan as the two Asian giants get ready to battle it out in the Champions Trophy at &nbsp;Edgbaston, Birmingham in the Group B encounter on June 4.

Match - 1

India and Pakistan have played many memorable matches at Sharjah, however, India has been at the receiving end&nbsp;on most occasions. Pakistan has always treated Sharjah as a &#39;home&#39; venue. However, this match(684th ODI) on 23rd October 1991 in the tri-nation Wills Cup featuring India, Pakistan and West Indies has become infamous for all the wrong reasons.

Pakistan won the match narrowly by 4 runs but the match was not known for centuries, great catches or even twists and turns - it was a match played in &#39;virtual darkness&#39;. In this match&nbsp;the Umpires forgot to enforce&nbsp;the rules as the Asian giants played out a cricket match in conditions which is unthinkable in the era of high-tech day/night roller-costers.

It was the last league match with the two Asian cricket giants&nbsp;having already earned their place in the Wills Cup final, so it was a match being played purely to gain &#39;psychological&#39;&nbsp;edge over the opponent.

As the day approached, overnight rains meant the match started late but both teams decided to pay the stipulated 50-over ODI. Pakistan set India a competitive target of 258 to win.

Shastri and Kambli gave India a rollicking start putting on 124 runs for the first wicket. As the match reached the half way stage, the light began to fade and in the slog over&nbsp;India began to lose wickets - Shastri(77 runs), Azhar(0), Kapil (0) fell as India began to lose momentum. Sanjay Manjrekar &#39;The Wall&#39; of India in the 90s and the indomitable Sachin Tendulkar kept India in the hunt as the street lights at Sharjah were switched on after 45 overs. &nbsp;Manjrekar fell after a defiant 49(1 four, 67 balls) and Tendulkar after hitting a quickfire 49 runs in just 38 balls(3 fours, 2 sixes) too fell as India stumbled needing just 18 runs to win.

However, by this time the light had become so bad that Indian batsmen Prabhakar and More were playing on sheer instinct. Sri Lankan umpires &nbsp;BC Cooray and Wickramasinghe let the game carry on as skipper Imran asked his pace bowlers Waqar and Wasim to go flat out. India fought valiantly till the end and amazingly lost by just 4 runs with Prabhakar unbeaten on 19(18 balls, 1 boundary) and wicketkeeper More giving him company at the other end&nbsp;(1 not out).

It led to a lot of bad blood between the two teams even as Pakistan celebrated yet another victory at Sharjah but for Azhar&#39;s India, it was little consolation as India went on to lose the Wills Cup final two days later with Aaquib Javed getting a hat-trick as India lost by&nbsp;72 runs. Pakistan, as usual, were victors in their &#39;home&#39; venue.

WATCH VIDEO OF THE MATCH

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iCZUfgV66jc" width="854"></iframe>

(WION)

WION chronicles lesser known but controversial matches between India and Pakistan

WION chronicles lesser known but controversial matches between India and Pakistan as the two Asian giants get ready to battle it out in the Champions Trophy at Edgbaston, Birmingham in the Group B encounter on June 4. Match - 1 India and Pakistan have played many memorable matches at Sharjah, however, India has been at the receiving end on most occasions. Pakistan has always treated Sharjah as a 'home' venue. However, this match(684th ODI) on 23rd October 1991 in the tri-nation Wills Cup featuring India, Pakistan and West Indies has become infamous for all the wrong reasons. Pakistan won the match narrowly by 4 runs but the match was not known for centuries, great catches or even twists and turns - it was a match played in 'virtual darkness'. In this match the Umpires forgot to enforce the rules as the Asian giants played out a cricket match in conditions which is unthinkable in the era of high-tech day/night roller-costers. It was the last league match with the two Asian cricket giants having already earned their place in the Wills Cup final, so it was a match being played purely to gain 'psychological' edge over the opponent. As the day approached, overnight rains meant the match started late but both teams decided to pay the stipulated 50-over ODI. Pakistan set India a competitive target of 258 to win. Shastri and Kambli gave India a rollicking start putting on 124 runs for the first wicket. As the match reached the half way stage, the light began to fade and in the slog over India began to lose wickets - Shastri(77 runs), Azhar(0), Kapil (0) fell as India began to lose momentum. Sanjay Manjrekar 'The Wall' of India in the 90s and the indomitable Sachin Tendulkar kept India in the hunt as the street lights at Sharjah were switched on after 45 overs. Manjrekar fell after a defiant 49(1 four, 67 balls) and Tendulkar after hitting a quickfire 49 runs in just 38 balls(3 fours, 2 sixes) too fell as India stumbled needing just 18 runs to win. However, by this time the light had become so bad that Indian batsmen Prabhakar and More were playing on sheer instinct. Sri Lankan umpires BC Cooray and Wickramasinghe let the game carry on as skipper Imran asked his pace bowlers Waqar and Wasim to go flat out. India fought valiantly till the end and amazingly lost by just 4 runs with Prabhakar unbeaten on 19(18 balls, 1 boundary) and wicketkeeper More giving him company at the other end (1 not out). It led to a lot of bad blood between the two teams even as Pakistan celebrated yet another victory at Sharjah but for Azhar's India, it was little consolation as India went on to lose the Wills Cup final two days later with Aaquib Javed getting a hat-trick as India lost by 72 runs. Pakistan, as usual, were victors in their 'home' venue. WATCH VIDEO OF THE MATCH (WION)

Infamous cricket matches between India and Pakistan: India plays in virtual darkness at Sharjah

Delhi Daredevils defeated fancied Rising Pune Supergiant by seven runs here today, making the play-off race tougher for the visiting side in the Indian Premier League.

Pune, who came into the match winning seven out of their last eight matches, could only reach 161 for seven in reply to Delhi Daredevils&#39; 168 for eight after the hosts surprisingly decided to bat first at the Feroz Shah Kotla.

Karun Nair starred with the bat for Delhi with 64 off 45 balls while a fighting 60 off 45 balls from Manoj Tiwary did not prove to be enough for Pune.

Needing an improbable 25 off the last over, Tiwary made things interesting with sixes off the first two balls before being bowled by Pat Cummins.

With the loss, Pune remain third in the points table and will have a must win tie against Kings XI Punjab on Sunday.

Pune made a decent start to the chase despite losing their openers Ajnkya Rahane (0) and Rahul Tripathi (7) cheaply. Both were dismissed by Zaheer Khan, who turned back the clock with a delightful spell of swing bowling.

He bowled a beautiful inswinger the first ball of the innings, ripping through the defense of Rahane. A little later Tripathi could not execute a cut properly to be caught behind.

Pune captain Steven Smith (38 off 32)) then took charge of the proceedings with Tiwary at the other end. Smith punished Shahbaz Nadeem from the word go, smashing him for couple of fours and a six.

The duo was scoring at a brisk pace, taking Pune to 74 for two in nine overs. However, Smith was trapped in front of the stumps by Nadeem on the first ball after the break to spice up the contest.

Pune were left to score 77 runs off the last 48 balls with Ben Stokes and Tiwary in the middle. It did not turn out to be a straightforward chase despite Delhi&#39;s sloppiness on the field. Tiwary was dropped twice but still was not able to take his side home.

Earlier, Karun Nair struck his first half century of the season to help Daredevils set up a competitive total.

Nair (64 off 45) and Rishabh Pant (36 off 22) set the platform for Delhi before regular fall of wickets pushed them back.

Delhi, going against the trend, chose to bat after picking a side comprising eight Indians and three foreigners, becoming the second team to do so this season after Gujarat Lions.

However, it was another wobbly start for Delhi, who lost Sanju Samson and last match&#39;s hero Shreyas Iyer to be two for nine in the third over. Samson was out to a brilliant direct hit by Ben Stokes while Iyer tried to slash a back of length ball off Jaydev Unadkat only to edge it back to M S Dhoni.

Nair and Pant then got together and took the attack to the opposition. No boundaries were scored in the first three overs but they made up for that by smashing five fours and six in the next three.

Offie Washington Sundar was taken to the cleaners in his first over with Nair collecting two fours on the leg side before Pant hit a flat six over mid-wicket to get going.

Similar treatment was meted out to Pune&#39;s star all- rounder Stokes, who went for 13 in his opening over, courtesy three crisp hits from Nair.

Pant was not to be kept quiet at the other end and his stand out shot was the massive six over mid-wicket that almost landed on the dressing room balcony. Trying for another big one, Pant departed the next ball after being caught at long on off Adam Zampa, leaving Delhi at 83 for three in nine overs.

Marlon Samuels (27 of 21) supported Nair for a while with the highlight of his innings being the two consecutive sixes off pacer Shardul Thakur, who ended up leaking 35 runs in three overs.

Just when Delhi seemed set for a big score, Dhoni swung the momentum in Pune&#39;s favour with some outstanding glove work. Showing he was still one of the best in the business, Dhoni sent back Samuels with a one-hand catch on the jump before dismantling the stumps in a jiffy to remove Corey Anderson.

Nair had gone quiet while wickets well at the other end.

He got to first half century of the IPL with a single.

Pune bowlers did well to contain Delhi towards the end and were complemented well by the fielders. One such example was when Stokes showed great presence of mind at the deep midwicket boundary to complete the catch on his second attempt to dismiss Mohammed Shami.

(PTI)

Karun Nair starred with the bat for Delhi with 64 off 45 balls while a fighting 60 off 45 balls from Manoj Tiwary did not prove to be enough for Pune.

Delhi Daredevils defeated fancied Rising Pune Supergiant by seven runs here today, making the play-off race tougher for the visiting side in the Indian Premier League. Pune, who came into the match winning seven out of their last eight matches, could only reach 161 for seven in reply to Delhi Daredevils' 168 for eight after the hosts surprisingly decided to bat first at the Feroz Shah Kotla. Karun Nair starred with the bat for Delhi with 64 off 45 balls while a fighting 60 off 45 balls from Manoj Tiwary did not prove to be enough for Pune. Needing an improbable 25 off the last over, Tiwary made things interesting with sixes off the first two balls before being bowled by Pat Cummins. With the loss, Pune remain third in the points table and will have a must win tie against Kings XI Punjab on Sunday. Pune made a decent start to the chase despite losing their openers Ajnkya Rahane (0) and Rahul Tripathi (7) cheaply. Both were dismissed by Zaheer Khan, who turned back the clock with a delightful spell of swing bowling. He bowled a beautiful inswinger the first ball of the innings, ripping through the defense of Rahane. A little later Tripathi could not execute a cut properly to be caught behind. Pune captain Steven Smith (38 off 32)) then took charge of the proceedings with Tiwary at the other end. Smith punished Shahbaz Nadeem from the word go, smashing him for couple of fours and a six. The duo was scoring at a brisk pace, taking Pune to 74 for two in nine overs. However, Smith was trapped in front of the stumps by Nadeem on the first ball after the break to spice up the contest. Pune were left to score 77 runs off the last 48 balls with Ben Stokes and Tiwary in the middle. It did not turn out to be a straightforward chase despite Delhi's sloppiness on the field. Tiwary was dropped twice but still was not able to take his side home. Earlier, Karun Nair struck his first half century of the season to help Daredevils set up a competitive total. Nair (64 off 45) and Rishabh Pant (36 off 22) set the platform for Delhi before regular fall of wickets pushed them back. Delhi, going against the trend, chose to bat after picking a side comprising eight Indians and three foreigners, becoming the second team to do so this season after Gujarat Lions. However, it was another wobbly start for Delhi, who lost Sanju Samson and last match's hero Shreyas Iyer to be two for nine in the third over. Samson was out to a brilliant direct hit by Ben Stokes while Iyer tried to slash a back of length ball off Jaydev Unadkat only to edge it back to M S Dhoni. Nair and Pant then got together and took the attack to the opposition. No boundaries were scored in the first three overs but they made up for that by smashing five fours and six in the next three. Offie Washington Sundar was taken to the cleaners in his first over with Nair collecting two fours on the leg side before Pant hit a flat six over mid-wicket to get going. Similar treatment was meted out to Pune's star all- rounder Stokes, who went for 13 in his opening over, courtesy three crisp hits from Nair. Pant was not to be kept quiet at the other end and his stand out shot was the massive six over mid-wicket that almost landed on the dressing room balcony. Trying for another big one, Pant departed the next ball after being caught at long on off Adam Zampa, leaving Delhi at 83 for three in nine overs. Marlon Samuels (27 of 21) supported Nair for a while with the highlight of his innings being the two consecutive sixes off pacer Shardul Thakur, who ended up leaking 35 runs in three overs. Just when Delhi seemed set for a big score, Dhoni swung the momentum in Pune's favour with some outstanding glove work. Showing he was still one of the best in the business, Dhoni sent back Samuels with a one-hand catch on the jump before dismantling the stumps in a jiffy to remove Corey Anderson. Nair had gone quiet while wickets well at the other end. He got to first half century of the IPL with a single. Pune bowlers did well to contain Delhi towards the end and were complemented well by the fielders. One such example was when Stokes showed great presence of mind at the deep midwicket boundary to complete the catch on his second attempt to dismiss Mohammed Shami. (PTI)

Delhi Daredevils beat Rising Pune Supergiant by 7 runs

India confirmed their participation in next month&#39;s Champions Trophy in England and Wales on Sunday after initially delaying the announcement of their squad over a revenue sharing disagreement with cricket&#39;s governing body.

The dispute intensified when India did not submit a squad for the one-day international tournament by an April 25 deadline after the Board Of Control For Cricket In India (BCCI) failed to stall a new income model being adopted by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

&quot;The Board unanimously authorised the acting honorary secretary of the BCCI to continue negotiations with the ICC in the best interest of the BCCI while keeping its legal options open,&quot; the BCCI said after a special general meeting.

&quot;The BCCI... unanimously decided that the Indian cricket team will participate in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy.

&quot;The all-India senior selection meeting will be held tomorrow, May 8, in New Delhi to pick the team.&quot;

At last month&#39;s ICC meetings, the BCCI was outvoted 13-1 in its bid to halt the revised deal which considerably slashes India&#39;s share from global events in the 2015-2023 cycle.

Unimpressed by the $293 million forecast, down from the $570 million it would have received under a 2014 arrangement, the BCCI responded by refusing to name a squad for the June 1-18 eight-team competition.

The option to boycott the event by revoking the Members Participation Agreement (MPA) between the ICC and the BCCI had been gaining traction within the board prior to Sunday&#39;s meeting despite a number of former players opposing any withdrawal.

Acting BCCI secretary Amitabh Choudhary will now continue to negotiate with the world governing body to get a bigger share of ICC revenues during the next eight-year cycle.

The four court-appointed administrators, who currently supervise BCCI operations, however, instructed the board to ensure that the team continued their preparations to defend their title.

The top eight sides in the world rankings compete in the Champions Trophy with India winning the last edition in 2013.

(Reuters)

The decision came after a special general meeting on Sunday.

India confirmed their participation in next month's Champions Trophy in England and Wales on Sunday after initially delaying the announcement of their squad over a revenue sharing disagreement with cricket's governing body. The dispute intensified when India did not submit a squad for the one-day international tournament by an April 25 deadline after the Board Of Control For Cricket In India (BCCI) failed to stall a new income model being adopted by the International Cricket Council (ICC). "The Board unanimously authorised the acting honorary secretary of the BCCI to continue negotiations with the ICC in the best interest of the BCCI while keeping its legal options open," the BCCI said after a special general meeting. "The BCCI... unanimously decided that the Indian cricket team will participate in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy. "The all-India senior selection meeting will be held tomorrow, May 8, in New Delhi to pick the team." At last month's ICC meetings, the BCCI was outvoted 13-1 in its bid to halt the revised deal which considerably slashes India's share from global events in the 2015-2023 cycle. Unimpressed by the $293 million forecast, down from the $570 million it would have received under a 2014 arrangement, the BCCI responded by refusing to name a squad for the June 1-18 eight-team competition. The option to boycott the event by revoking the Members Participation Agreement (MPA) between the ICC and the BCCI had been gaining traction within the board prior to Sunday's meeting despite a number of former players opposing any withdrawal. Acting BCCI secretary Amitabh Choudhary will now continue to negotiate with the world governing body to get a bigger share of ICC revenues during the next eight-year cycle. The four court-appointed administrators, who currently supervise BCCI operations, however, instructed the board to ensure that the team continued their preparations to defend their title. The top eight sides in the world rankings compete in the Champions Trophy with India winning the last edition in 2013. (Reuters)

India to participate in Champions Trophy: BCCI

India might not play in the upcoming Champions Trophy due to differences between the International Cricket Council and the Board of Control for Cricket in India, Sportskeeda said in a <a href="https://www.sportskeeda.com/cricket/india-could-pull-out-champions-trophy-2017-bcci-icc">report</a>.

&ldquo;BCCI reserves its rights to take all necessary decisions to exercise the rights under the Members Participation Agreement (MPA),&rdquo; a source close to the BCCI told Sportskeeda.&nbsp;

The differences are over a new ICC constitution that looks to limit India&rsquo;s share of revenue and power under The Big Three proposal, which involves the BCCI along with the cricket boards of Australia and England. The proposal guarantees the three boards a major share of the global revenues and gives them a larger say in administrative actions.&nbsp;

(WION) 
&nbsp;

The differences are over a new ICC constitution that looks to limit India?s share of revenue and power under The Big Three proposal

India might not play in the upcoming Champions Trophy due to differences between the International Cricket Council and the Board of Control for Cricket in India, Sportskeeda said in a report. “BCCI reserves its rights to take all necessary decisions to exercise the rights under the Members Participation Agreement (MPA),” a source close to the BCCI told Sportskeeda. The differences are over a new ICC constitution that looks to limit India’s share of revenue and power under The Big Three proposal, which involves the BCCI along with the cricket boards of Australia and England. The proposal guarantees the three boards a major share of the global revenues and gives them a larger say in administrative actions. (WION)

Tiff between ICC and BCCI could force India to pull out of Champion's Trophy: Report

The dust hasn&#39;t settled yet on India&#39;s 2-1 T<a href="http://www.wionews.com/cricket/india-beat-australia-by-8-wickets-in-fourth-test-clinch-series-2-1-13884">est series win</a> over Australia, but&nbsp;the country&#39;s cricketers are already busy preparing themselves for another season of the Indian Premier League. With the huge number of Twenty20 (T20)&nbsp;matches being played nowadays, is it influencing the way cricketers play the longer format of Test cricket? We look at 25 years of Test cricket data to find out.

Fewer runs totals over 600

One way to see if there has been any effect is to look at the kind of runs totals teams are putting up in Test cricket now. Given how frenetic T20 matches are, are teams losing the capability and patience&nbsp;to put up huge totals in Tests?&nbsp;

<img alt="" src="http://i.imgur.com/7dx2gls.png" style="width: 346px; height: 546px;" />

See data <a href="https://github.com/shijithpk/2017_04_03_t20_effect/blob/master/combined.csv">here</a>.&nbsp;Source: <a href="http://www.cricketarchive.com">Cricketarchive.com</a>

Looking at the kind of runs totals Test-playing nations have been amassing in their first innings over the past 20 years, we see that the past five years, ie. 2012-2016, have seen only 15 runs totals over 600. This is a decline from the 24 runs totals over 600 in the previous five-year periods of 2002-2006 and 2007-2011.&nbsp;

There is no way to be certain that this decline is down to T20 cricket but it&#39;s&nbsp;worth asking the question.

Batsmen still putting up double-&nbsp;and triple centuries

Teams as a whole may be putting up lower runs totals, but that doesn&#39;t seem to have affected individual batsmen.&nbsp;

<img alt="" src="http://i.imgur.com/lQeUGNl.png" style="width: 345px; height: 545px;" />

See data <a href="https://github.com/shijithpk/2017_04_03_t20_effect/blob/master/again_indiv_scores_v2.csv">here</a>.&nbsp;Source: <a href="http://www.cricketarchive.com">Cricketarchive.com</a>

Looking at how many times batsmen have scored a double-or triple century over the past 20 years, we see that the number has gone up over the past five years. It went up from 40 in 2007-2011 to 49 in 2012-2016.

The run rate has gone up

Let&#39;s look at this further by looking at the rate at which runs are being scored in Test matches. The assumption being that if the frenzy of T20 is creeping into Test cricket, than the run-rate would be higher than it was in the past.

<img alt="" src="http://i.imgur.com/WQXstRa.png" style="width: 350px; height: 549px;" />

See data <a href="https://github.com/shijithpk/2017_04_03_t20_effect/blob/master/again_run_rate.csv">here</a>.&nbsp;Source: <a href="http://www.cricketarchive.com">Cricketarchive.com</a>

If we see how many runs are scored for every 90 overs, a team would score 293 runs in 2016, compared to 268 in 1991. The runs scored per 90 overs&nbsp;has gone up to around the 300-run mark&nbsp;but it&#39;s been that way since&nbsp;2002, a few years before T20 cricket started becoming popular.&nbsp;So this upward trend may not have much to do with the shorter format.

There are sixes more often now

Again, the logic is that if the T20 format is affecting batsmanship, we should see people more willing to take risks, be less conservative&nbsp;and go for sixes in Test matches.

<img alt="" src="http://i.imgur.com/OTLJRu8.png" style="width: 346px; height: 545px;" />

See data <a href="https://github.com/shijithpk/2017_04_03_t20_effect/blob/master/again_sixes_rate.csv">here</a>. Source: <a href="http://www.cricketarchive.com">Cricketarchive.com</a>

So if we look at the frequency with which sixes are being scored, the data shows that in 2016, there was an average of one six every 44 overs. This is down significantly from 1992 when it was a six every 105 overs.

But the number of overs to see a six first went under 50 overs back in 2004, before T20 matches were&nbsp;being played internationally. So, again, the growth of T20 may not have much to do with how often we&#39;re seeing sixes now.

Wickets are falling more often

The idea is that if the T20 format is speeding up the pace of Test cricket, we should be seeing wickets fall more frequently now.

<img alt="" src="http://i.imgur.com/gngqKuC.png" style="width: 347px; height: 545px;" />

See data <a href="https://github.com/shijithpk/2017_04_03_t20_effect/blob/master/again_wicket_freq.csv">here</a>.&nbsp;Source: <a href="http://www.cricketarchive.com">Cricketarchive.com</a>

In 2016, you would have to wait an average of around 10 overs to see a batsman getting out. This is down from the average of 12 overs back in 1993. But this figure&nbsp;for the number of overs between dismissals has been around&nbsp;10 since the mid-1990s. So again, this trend may have little to do with T20 cricket.

Fewer batsmen are getting run out

So if Test cricket is getting more frenetic because of the impact of T20 cricket, we should be seeing more mix-ups between batsmen, more confusion and more run outs right?

<img alt="" src="http://i.imgur.com/Qa5c6Fp.png" style="width: 345px; height: 544px;" />

See data <a href="https://github.com/shijithpk/2017_04_03_t20_effect/blob/master/again_run_out.csv">here</a>.&nbsp;Source: <a href="http://www.cricketarchive.com">Cricketarchive.com</a>

Not really, according to the data. The percent of dismissals that are run outs has actually gone down over the years. 4.4 % or around one in 25 dismissals was a run out back in 1999. In 2016, 2.6%, or around one in 40 dismissals was a run out.&nbsp;

Not as many maiden overs

Again the assumption is that if we&#39;re seeing more runs because of the influence of T20, we should be seeing fewer maiden overs being bowled.

<img alt="" src="http://i.imgur.com/giKAdPI.png" style="width: 347px; height: 547px;" />

See data <a href="https://github.com/shijithpk/2017_04_03_t20_effect/blob/master/again_maide.csv">here</a>. Source: <a href="http://www.cricketarchive.com">Cricketarchive.com</a>

We are definitely seeing fewer maiden overs being bowled compared to the late 1990s. In 2016, 18.7% of overs bowled in test matches were maiden overs, compared to 25.5% in 2000. But here too, the downward trend started in 2004, when it first went under the 20% mark and came before the growth in T20 cricket.

Fewer test matches are being drawn

Another way to check if test cricket has been affected, is to look at whether Test matches have&nbsp;sped up so much that we are&nbsp;seeing fewer draws than&nbsp;we used to.

<img alt="" src="http://i.imgur.com/Aky17ba.png" style="width: 348px; height: 548px;" />

See data <a href="https://github.com/shijithpk/2017_04_03_t20_effect/blob/master/again_draw_percent.csv">here</a>.&nbsp;Source: <a href="http://www.cricketarchive.com">Cricketarchive.com</a>

That is certainly borne out by the evidence&nbsp;as last year saw 15% of Test matches being drawn, the lowest percentage since 2002.

Conclusion

After looking at the data from these different angles, we can definitely say that test cricket has changed from 25 years ago. But whether these changes&nbsp;are&nbsp;down to the growth in T20 cricket is open to debate.

(WION)

With the Indian Premier League starting this week, we find out whether Twenty20 matches are changing the way cricketers play Test matches

The dust hasn't settled yet on India's 2-1 Test series win over Australia, but the country's cricketers are already busy preparing themselves for another season of the Indian Premier League. With the huge number of Twenty20 (T20) matches being played nowadays, is it influencing the way cricketers play the longer format of Test cricket? We look at 25 years of Test cricket data to find out. Fewer runs totals over 600 One way to see if there has been any effect is to look at the kind of runs totals teams are putting up in Test cricket now. Given how frenetic T20 matches are, are teams losing the capability and patience to put up huge totals in Tests? See data here. Source: Cricketarchive.com Looking at the kind of runs totals Test-playing nations have been amassing in their first innings over the past 20 years, we see that the past five years, ie. 2012-2016, have seen only 15 runs totals over 600. This is a decline from the 24 runs totals over 600 in the previous five-year periods of 2002-2006 and 2007-2011. There is no way to be certain that this decline is down to T20 cricket but it's worth asking the question. Batsmen still putting up double- and triple centuries Teams as a whole may be putting up lower runs totals, but that doesn't seem to have affected individual batsmen. See data here. Source: Cricketarchive.com Looking at how many times batsmen have scored a double-or triple century over the past 20 years, we see that the number has gone up over the past five years. It went up from 40 in 2007-2011 to 49 in 2012-2016. The run rate has gone up Let's look at this further by looking at the rate at which runs are being scored in Test matches. The assumption being that if the frenzy of T20 is creeping into Test cricket, than the run-rate would be higher than it was in the past. See data here. Source: Cricketarchive.com If we see how many runs are scored for every 90 overs, a team would score 293 runs in 2016, compared to 268 in 1991. The runs scored per 90 overs has gone up to around the 300-run mark but it's been that way since 2002, a few years before T20 cricket started becoming popular. So this upward trend may not have much to do with the shorter format. There are sixes more often now Again, the logic is that if the T20 format is affecting batsmanship, we should see people more willing to take risks, be less conservative and go for sixes in Test matches. See data here. Source: Cricketarchive.com So if we look at the frequency with which sixes are being scored, the data shows that in 2016, there was an average of one six every 44 overs. This is down significantly from 1992 when it was a six every 105 overs. But the number of overs to see a six first went under 50 overs back in 2004, before T20 matches were being played internationally. So, again, the growth of T20 may not have much to do with how often we're seeing sixes now. Wickets are falling more often The idea is that if the T20 format is speeding up the pace of Test cricket, we should be seeing wickets fall more frequently now. See data here. Source: Cricketarchive.com In 2016, you would have to wait an average of around 10 overs to see a batsman getting out. This is down from the average of 12 overs back in 1993. But this figure for the number of overs between dismissals has been around 10 since the mid-1990s. So again, this trend may have little to do with T20 cricket. Fewer batsmen are getting run out So if Test cricket is getting more frenetic because of the impact of T20 cricket, we should be seeing more mix-ups between batsmen, more confusion and more run outs right? See data here. Source: Cricketarchive.com Not really, according to the data. The percent of dismissals that are run outs has actually gone down over the years. 4.4 % or around one in 25 dismissals was a run out back in 1999. In 2016, 2.6%, or around one in 40 dismissals was a run out. Not as many maiden overs Again the assumption is that if we're seeing more runs because of the influence of T20, we should be seeing fewer maiden overs being bowled. See data here. Source: Cricketarchive.com We are definitely seeing fewer maiden overs being bowled compared to the late 1990s. In 2016, 18.7% of overs bowled in test matches were maiden overs, compared to 25.5% in 2000. But here too, the downward trend started in 2004, when it first went under the 20% mark and came before the growth in T20 cricket. Fewer test matches are being drawn Another way to check if test cricket has been affected, is to look at whether Test matches have sped up so much that we are seeing fewer draws than we used to. See data here. Source: Cricketarchive.com That is certainly borne out by the evidence as last year saw 15% of Test matches being drawn, the lowest percentage since 2002. Conclusion After looking at the data from these different angles, we can definitely say that test cricket has changed from 25 years ago. But whether these changes are down to the growth in T20 cricket is open to debate. (WION)

Analysis: Is T20 format ruining Test cricket?

A day after the Australian tabloid the Daily Telegraph called Virat Kohli the &quot;Donald Trump of world sport&quot;, Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan came to the cricketer&#39;s defence. .

&quot;... thank you Aussi media for accepting that he is a winner and the PRESIDENT,&quot; Bachchan tweeted.&nbsp;

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T 2471 - Aussi media calls Virat, Donald Trump of sports !! ... thank you Aussi media for accepting that he is a winner and the PRESIDENT !! <a href="https://t.co/ZOoNtuhtC2">pic.twitter.com/ZOoNtuhtC2</a>
&mdash; Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) <a href="https://twitter.com/SrBachchan/status/844266813961596929">March 21, 2017</a></blockquote>
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&quot;Virat Kohli has become the Donald Trump of world sport,&quot;&nbsp;the Australian newspaper the Daily Telegraph had said on Tuesday.

&quot;The Indian captain is a law unto himself with no one &ndash; not even the ICC or his own board &ndash; holding him accountable for his continual perpetuation of fake news,&quot; it added.&nbsp;

The newspaper had taken umbrage to Kohli accusing the Australian captain Steve Smith of mocking him after he was given out.&nbsp;

Kohli said Smith clutched his shoulder when he (Kohli) was given out.

Kohli had hurt his shoulder earlier.

The Telegraph went on to say &quot;television footage clearly showed it was a teammate&rsquo;s hand on Smith&rsquo;s shoulder as players embraced to celebrate the fall of Kohli&rsquo;s wicket.&quot;

There often tends to be bad blood between Australia and India but thankfully, cooler heads prevail too.&nbsp;

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Friends in Australia tell me they are perturbed by the toxicity this series has generated. Cricket lovers in India saying so too.
&mdash; Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) <a href="https://twitter.com/bhogleharsha/status/844055451247427584">March 21, 2017</a></blockquote>
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If we have to use toxicity and divisiveness to spread our game, we are using a short-term approach that can only be harmful.
&mdash; Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) <a href="https://twitter.com/bhogleharsha/status/844055698929467392">March 21, 2017</a></blockquote>
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I am particularly perturbed by the fact that some of us in the media are promoting this divisiveness and taking sides to spread ill-will.
&mdash; Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) <a href="https://twitter.com/bhogleharsha/status/844056018292105216">March 21, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle had this to say: &quot;If we have to use toxicity and divisiveness to spread our game, we are using a short-term approach that can only be harmful.&quot; &nbsp;

Plus, it might also help to remember the Daily Telegraph is a tabloid.&nbsp;

(WION)

'... thank you Aussi media for accepting that he is a winner and the PRESIDENT,' Bachchan tweeted

A day after the Australian tabloid the Daily Telegraph called Virat Kohli the "Donald Trump of world sport", Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan came to the cricketer's defence. . "... thank you Aussi media for accepting that he is a winner and the PRESIDENT," Bachchan tweeted. T 2471 - Aussi media calls Virat, Donald Trump of sports !! ... thank you Aussi media for accepting that he is a winner and the PRESIDENT !! pic.twitter.com/ZOoNtuhtC2 — Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) March 21, 2017 × "Virat Kohli has become the Donald Trump of world sport," the Australian newspaper the Daily Telegraph had said on Tuesday. "The Indian captain is a law unto himself with no one – not even the ICC or his own board – holding him accountable for his continual perpetuation of fake news," it added. The newspaper had taken umbrage to Kohli accusing the Australian captain Steve Smith of mocking him after he was given out. Kohli said Smith clutched his shoulder when he (Kohli) was given out. Kohli had hurt his shoulder earlier. The Telegraph went on to say "television footage clearly showed it was a teammate’s hand on Smith’s shoulder as players embraced to celebrate the fall of Kohli’s wicket." There often tends to be bad blood between Australia and India but thankfully, cooler heads prevail too. Friends in Australia tell me they are perturbed by the toxicity this series has generated. Cricket lovers in India saying so too. — Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 21, 2017 × If we have to use toxicity and divisiveness to spread our game, we are using a short-term approach that can only be harmful. — Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 21, 2017 × I am particularly perturbed by the fact that some of us in the media are promoting this divisiveness and taking sides to spread ill-will. — Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 21, 2017 × Cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle had this to say: "If we have to use toxicity and divisiveness to spread our game, we are using a short-term approach that can only be harmful." Plus, it might also help to remember the Daily Telegraph is a tabloid. (WION)

Bachchan to rescue after Oz tabloid calls Virat 'Trump of world sport'

Off-spinner Nathan Lyon Saturday said he studied India&#39;s Ravichandran Ashwin to excel in Indian conditions after his career-best haul of eight wickets helped Australia take opening day honours in the second Test in Bangalore.

Lyon, whose figures of 8-50 became the best by a visiting bowler on Indian soil, wreaked havoc in the final session of play as India were bowled out for a paltry 189.

Australia were 40 for no loss at stumps with openers David Warner (23) and Matt Renshaw (15) at the crease. The visitors trail India by 149 runs in the first innings.

Lyon, who got the key wickets of India&#39;s Virat Kohli (12) and top run-getter Lokesh Rahul (90), eclipsed former South African pacer Lance Klusener&#39;s show of 8-64 at Kolkata in 1996.

&quot;Obviously I have studied a lot of what (Indian off-spinner) Ashwin does very well over here. He is the best spinner of the world and if I can learn off him then so good,&quot; Lyon told reporters.

&quot;It&#39;s finally very satisfying to get some rewards for the hard work that you put in,&quot; said Lyon, also giving credit to former Victoria wicketkeeper Darren Berry and Australia spin consultant John Davison, with whom he has worked at different phases during his career.

This was the third successive time in the four-match series that the world&#39;s number one Test side failed as a batting unit after they scored 105 and 107 during their opening loss.

But the pitch in Bangalore, which has an average first innings score of 451 in the last seven Tests, seemed to have no demons like the turning track in Pune that was rated poor by the match referee.

Lyon struck shortly after lunch to get Kohli trapped lbw for 12, as the batsman once again offered no shot to an Australian spinner. He was bowled by left-arm spinner Steve O&#39;Keefe in the first Test.

&quot;Interesting wicket. It&#39;s what we expected over here. We knew we weren&#39;t going to have much grass on the wicket,&quot; said Lyon, who bettered his previous best of 7-94 at Delhi in 2013.

&quot;I didn&#39;t expect so many cracks on day one but they&#39;re there. I&#39;ll reassess the wicket after both teams bat on it,&quot; he added.

Kohli&#39;s prized scalp

Kohli, who had a rare flop in Pune with scores of 0 and 13, faltered again after choosing to pad up Lyon&#39;s off-spin that headed straight onto the stumps and was adjudged lbw.

Kohli, who was bowled by left-arm spinner Steve O&#39;Keefe in the second innings of the first Test, wasted a review as the replays agreed with the umpires call and the star batsman walked back with pin drop silence at the ground.

&quot;He is one of the best players of the world. To take his wicket today was exceptional but we know it&#39;s a long series. We expect him to bounce back,&quot; said Lyon.

Earlier pacemen Mitchell Starc, who got opener Abhinav Mukund for nought, and Josh Hazlewood bowled probing spells to rattle the Indian batting early in the first session.

Rahul, who has survived two dropped catches on 30 and 61 at his home venue, did grind his way against the Aussie attack but got little support from the other end.

Rahul, who recorded his third Test fifty in his 15th match, finally got out to Lyon. The batsman injured his shoulder during an ugly slog against Steve O&#39;Keefe in the latter part of his innings.

Rahul&#39;s 61-run second wicket stand with Cheteshwar Pujara (17) seemed to be the only bit of resistance in the Indian batting. Karun Nair also contributed with 26.

&quot;Like I said, the cracks are opening up and it&#39;s only getting harder to bat on this wicket,&quot; said Rahul of the Bangalore track.

Rahul also backed Ashwin, the world&#39;s top Test bowler, to come back hard against the Australian batsmen on the second day.

&quot;We know Ash (Ashwin) is a top class bowler and once he gets a couple of wickets and gets into that rhythm then he is going to run through the Australian batting line-up, which we are very confident of,&quot; he said.

(AFP)

Lyon, whose figures of 8-50 became the best by a visiting bowler on Indian soil, wreaked havoc as India were bowled out for a paltry 189

Off-spinner Nathan Lyon Saturday said he studied India's Ravichandran Ashwin to excel in Indian conditions after his career-best haul of eight wickets helped Australia take opening day honours in the second Test in Bangalore. Lyon, whose figures of 8-50 became the best by a visiting bowler on Indian soil, wreaked havoc in the final session of play as India were bowled out for a paltry 189. Australia were 40 for no loss at stumps with openers David Warner (23) and Matt Renshaw (15) at the crease. The visitors trail India by 149 runs in the first innings. Lyon, who got the key wickets of India's Virat Kohli (12) and top run-getter Lokesh Rahul (90), eclipsed former South African pacer Lance Klusener's show of 8-64 at Kolkata in 1996. "Obviously I have studied a lot of what (Indian off-spinner) Ashwin does very well over here. He is the best spinner of the world and if I can learn off him then so good," Lyon told reporters. "It's finally very satisfying to get some rewards for the hard work that you put in," said Lyon, also giving credit to former Victoria wicketkeeper Darren Berry and Australia spin consultant John Davison, with whom he has worked at different phases during his career. This was the third successive time in the four-match series that the world's number one Test side failed as a batting unit after they scored 105 and 107 during their opening loss. But the pitch in Bangalore, which has an average first innings score of 451 in the last seven Tests, seemed to have no demons like the turning track in Pune that was rated poor by the match referee. Lyon struck shortly after lunch to get Kohli trapped lbw for 12, as the batsman once again offered no shot to an Australian spinner. He was bowled by left-arm spinner Steve O'Keefe in the first Test. "Interesting wicket. It's what we expected over here. We knew we weren't going to have much grass on the wicket," said Lyon, who bettered his previous best of 7-94 at Delhi in 2013. "I didn't expect so many cracks on day one but they're there. I'll reassess the wicket after both teams bat on it," he added. Kohli's prized scalp Kohli, who had a rare flop in Pune with scores of 0 and 13, faltered again after choosing to pad up Lyon's off-spin that headed straight onto the stumps and was adjudged lbw. Kohli, who was bowled by left-arm spinner Steve O'Keefe in the second innings of the first Test, wasted a review as the replays agreed with the umpires call and the star batsman walked back with pin drop silence at the ground. "He is one of the best players of the world. To take his wicket today was exceptional but we know it's a long series. We expect him to bounce back," said Lyon. Earlier pacemen Mitchell Starc, who got opener Abhinav Mukund for nought, and Josh Hazlewood bowled probing spells to rattle the Indian batting early in the first session. Rahul, who has survived two dropped catches on 30 and 61 at his home venue, did grind his way against the Aussie attack but got little support from the other end. Rahul, who recorded his third Test fifty in his 15th match, finally got out to Lyon. The batsman injured his shoulder during an ugly slog against Steve O'Keefe in the latter part of his innings. Rahul's 61-run second wicket stand with Cheteshwar Pujara (17) seemed to be the only bit of resistance in the Indian batting. Karun Nair also contributed with 26. "Like I said, the cracks are opening up and it's only getting harder to bat on this wicket," said Rahul of the Bangalore track. Rahul also backed Ashwin, the world's top Test bowler, to come back hard against the Australian batsmen on the second day. "We know Ash (Ashwin) is a top class bowler and once he gets a couple of wickets and gets into that rhythm then he is going to run through the Australian batting line-up, which we are very confident of," he said. (AFP)

Nathan Lyon's eight-for floors India in 2nd Test

Legendary Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi on Sunday announced his retirement from international cricket, ending an illustrious and sometimes controversial 21-year career.

The 36-year-old star had already quit Tests in 2010 and ODI cricket after the 2015 World Cup but still skippered the Pakistan Twenty20 team at the 2016 world championships in India.

He stepped down as captain after the tournament although he retained slender hopes of continuing his career in the sport&#39;s shortest format as a player.

&quot;I have said goodbye to international cricket,&quot; said Afridi after smashing a 28-ball 54 in a Pakistan Super League match for Peshawar Zalmi in Sharjah.

&quot;I am playing for my fans and will continue to play this league for another two years but it&#39;s goodbye from international cricket.

&quot;Now my foundation is important for me. I have played with seriousness and in a professional way for my country.&quot;

Nicknamed &#39;Boom Boom&#39;, Afridi had been a fan favourite since he burst onto the scene in 1996, striking a 37-ball one-day century against Sri Lanka in only his second match to set a world record that was unbeaten for 18 years.

He became known as a leg-spin bowling all-rounder in the second half of his career and was instrumental in Pakistan&#39;s early successes in Twenty20, including their 2009 victory.

After stopping short of retirement following Pakistan&#39;s first round exit at the 2016 World Twenty20, Afridi had wanted to play a farewell Twenty20 match against West Indies in United Arab Emirates in September.

But selectors, with one eye on the future, did not pick him in the squad.

His blistering breakthrough century in Nairobi in 1996 was only surpassed by New Zealand&#39;s Corey Anderson&#39;s 36-ball hundred against West Indies at Queenstown in 2014.

South African AB de Villiers then bettered the record further with a 31-ball century, also against the West Indies, at Johannesburg in 2015.

Afridi&#39;s rapid-fire century in Kenya made him an instant hit with the crowds who expected fireworks every time he strolled to the crease.

Sometimes he delivered but too often for some, his death or glory approach brought his downfall.

Afridi&#39;s maverick style also brought him a one-Test and two-match ODI ban after he was charged with using his foot to tamper with the pitch during a Test against England in Faisalabad in 2005.

He was also banned for two Twenty20 internationals after he was shown on television biting the ball during a one-day international against Australia at Perth in 2010.

Afridi finishes his international career having played just 27 Test matches which yielded 1,176 runs with a highest score of 156 and 48 wickets.

He played 398 one-day internationals with 8,064 runs, a highest score of 124 while taking 395 wickets with his leg spin.

His Twenty20 international CV saw him play 98 matches with 1,405 runs and a career-leading 97 wickets.

(AFP)

&nbsp;

The 36-year-old had already quit Tests in 2010 and ODI cricket after the 2015 World Cup but still skippered the Pakistan Twenty20 team

Legendary Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi on Sunday announced his retirement from international cricket, ending an illustrious and sometimes controversial 21-year career. The 36-year-old star had already quit Tests in 2010 and ODI cricket after the 2015 World Cup but still skippered the Pakistan Twenty20 team at the 2016 world championships in India. He stepped down as captain after the tournament although he retained slender hopes of continuing his career in the sport's shortest format as a player. "I have said goodbye to international cricket," said Afridi after smashing a 28-ball 54 in a Pakistan Super League match for Peshawar Zalmi in Sharjah. "I am playing for my fans and will continue to play this league for another two years but it's goodbye from international cricket. "Now my foundation is important for me. I have played with seriousness and in a professional way for my country." Nicknamed 'Boom Boom', Afridi had been a fan favourite since he burst onto the scene in 1996, striking a 37-ball one-day century against Sri Lanka in only his second match to set a world record that was unbeaten for 18 years. He became known as a leg-spin bowling all-rounder in the second half of his career and was instrumental in Pakistan's early successes in Twenty20, including their 2009 victory. After stopping short of retirement following Pakistan's first round exit at the 2016 World Twenty20, Afridi had wanted to play a farewell Twenty20 match against West Indies in United Arab Emirates in September. But selectors, with one eye on the future, did not pick him in the squad. His blistering breakthrough century in Nairobi in 1996 was only surpassed by New Zealand's Corey Anderson's 36-ball hundred against West Indies at Queenstown in 2014. South African AB de Villiers then bettered the record further with a 31-ball century, also against the West Indies, at Johannesburg in 2015. Afridi's rapid-fire century in Kenya made him an instant hit with the crowds who expected fireworks every time he strolled to the crease. Sometimes he delivered but too often for some, his death or glory approach brought his downfall. Afridi's maverick style also brought him a one-Test and two-match ODI ban after he was charged with using his foot to tamper with the pitch during a Test against England in Faisalabad in 2005. He was also banned for two Twenty20 internationals after he was shown on television biting the ball during a one-day international against Australia at Perth in 2010. Afridi finishes his international career having played just 27 Test matches which yielded 1,176 runs with a highest score of 156 and 48 wickets. He played 398 one-day internationals with 8,064 runs, a highest score of 124 while taking 395 wickets with his leg spin. His Twenty20 international CV saw him play 98 matches with 1,405 runs and a career-leading 97 wickets. (AFP)

Cricket: Pakistan's 'boom boom' Afridi bows out of international cricket

Cheteshwar Pujara hit a brisk half-century to lead India&#39;s quest for quick runs as the hosts set Bangladesh an improbable 459 for victory with four sessions remaining in the one-off test at Hyderabad on Sunday.

Pujara was unbeaten on 54 off 58 balls with the world&#39;s top-ranked side declaring their second innings on 159 for four at tea with an overall lead of 458.

In the morning session, Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim registered his fifth test hundred before his side were bundled out for 388 as the hosts took a first-innings lead of 299.

The 29-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman was the last man out for his side on 127 with Bangladesh&#39;s innings ending shortly before lunch.

India captain Virat Kohli opted against enforcing the follow-on after his bowlers needed almost an entire session to pick up Bangladesh&#39;s last four wickets.

Resuming on 322-6, the visitors got off to a bad start as seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar breached the defence of half-centurion Mehedi Hasan with the fourth ball of the morning without a run being added to their overnight total.

Paceman Umesh Yadav, the most impressive of India&#39;s bowlers, got Taijul Islam to glove one back to wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha, raising fears for Mushfiqur that he could run out of partners before getting to three figures.

However, Taskin Ahmed stayed with his captain for a 39-run ninth-wicket stand, during which Mushfiqur started scoring more freely.

The diminutive right-hander top-edged Ishant Sharma for a six and then reached his century when the lanky bowler misfielded near the boundary to allow the ball through for a four.

He was finally out, caught down the leg side to off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who became the fastest bowler to pick up 250 test wickets with the dismissal.

Umesh finished with three wickets, while Ashwin and his spin partner Ravindra Jadeja picked up two wickets apiece.

The hosts then batted for 29 overs and scored at a rate of more than five runs per over with useful contributions from Kohli (38) and Ajinkya Rahane (28).

Paceman Taskin and spinner Shakib Al Hasan shared the four Indian wickets to fall.

(Reuters)

Kohli opted against enforcing the follow-on after his bowlers needed almost an entire session to pick up Bangladesh's last four wickets

Cheteshwar Pujara hit a brisk half-century to lead India's quest for quick runs as the hosts set Bangladesh an improbable 459 for victory with four sessions remaining in the one-off test at Hyderabad on Sunday. Pujara was unbeaten on 54 off 58 balls with the world's top-ranked side declaring their second innings on 159 for four at tea with an overall lead of 458. In the morning session, Bangladesh captain Mushfiqur Rahim registered his fifth test hundred before his side were bundled out for 388 as the hosts took a first-innings lead of 299. The 29-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman was the last man out for his side on 127 with Bangladesh's innings ending shortly before lunch. India captain Virat Kohli opted against enforcing the follow-on after his bowlers needed almost an entire session to pick up Bangladesh's last four wickets. Resuming on 322-6, the visitors got off to a bad start as seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar breached the defence of half-centurion Mehedi Hasan with the fourth ball of the morning without a run being added to their overnight total. Paceman Umesh Yadav, the most impressive of India's bowlers, got Taijul Islam to glove one back to wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha, raising fears for Mushfiqur that he could run out of partners before getting to three figures. However, Taskin Ahmed stayed with his captain for a 39-run ninth-wicket stand, during which Mushfiqur started scoring more freely. The diminutive right-hander top-edged Ishant Sharma for a six and then reached his century when the lanky bowler misfielded near the boundary to allow the ball through for a four. He was finally out, caught down the leg side to off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who became the fastest bowler to pick up 250 test wickets with the dismissal. Umesh finished with three wickets, while Ashwin and his spin partner Ravindra Jadeja picked up two wickets apiece. The hosts then batted for 29 overs and scored at a rate of more than five runs per over with useful contributions from Kohli (38) and Ajinkya Rahane (28). Paceman Taskin and spinner Shakib Al Hasan shared the four Indian wickets to fall. (Reuters)

India set Bangladesh 459 for victory in Hyderabad

The tug-of-war between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Supreme Court has left India&#39;s Under-19 team and their support staff without any money. Result? Players have gone half-a-month without their entitled allowance of Rs 6,800 (101 USD) per day and have to pay out of their own pockets for their post-match dinner or rely on parents for money.

According to a report in the Indian Express, U-19 coach Rahul Dravid, the players, and support staff have not been paid for a fortnight now. This is because there is no official signatory to release the funds after the apex court removed BCCI secretary Ajay Shirke. The cash withdrawal limit of Rs 24,000 (356 USD) a week after the Centre&#39;s demonetisation policy has only added to the misery of the U-19 team.

After BCCI president Anurag Thakur and secretary Shirke were kicked out, the board is left with joint-secretary Amitabh Choudhary and treasurer Anirudh Chaudhary. But a resolution has to be passed by the board members to make one of them the new signatory to release the funds.

The report says that the Committee of Administrators (COA) has allowed BCCI CEO Rahul Johri to dispense funds for the senior team, currently in Hyderabad for one-off Test against Bangladesh, for their daily allowances but the junior team seems to have been forgotten.

The daily quotes a player on condition of anonymity saying that the team is getting by because the breakfast is complimentary at the posh hotel they have been put up in. One meal is provided by the host state association. But dinner becomes a big problem for them as one sandwich costs over Rs 1500 (22 USD) if they order in-house. This forces the players to go out for supper after a tiring day on the field.

The saddest part is that the players cannot even complain to anyone as there is no authority to complain to. According to the report, the players are now relying on monetary support from their families.

The junior team is currently on their home tour against the Under-19 team of England.

(This report first appeared in DNA)

This is because there is no official signatory to release the funds after the apex court removed BCCI secretary Ajay Shirke

The tug-of-war between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Supreme Court has left India's Under-19 team and their support staff without any money. Result? Players have gone half-a-month without their entitled allowance of Rs 6,800 (101 USD) per day and have to pay out of their own pockets for their post-match dinner or rely on parents for money. According to a report in the Indian Express, U-19 coach Rahul Dravid, the players, and support staff have not been paid for a fortnight now. This is because there is no official signatory to release the funds after the apex court removed BCCI secretary Ajay Shirke. The cash withdrawal limit of Rs 24,000 (356 USD) a week after the Centre's demonetisation policy has only added to the misery of the U-19 team. After BCCI president Anurag Thakur and secretary Shirke were kicked out, the board is left with joint-secretary Amitabh Choudhary and treasurer Anirudh Chaudhary. But a resolution has to be passed by the board members to make one of them the new signatory to release the funds. The report says that the Committee of Administrators (COA) has allowed BCCI CEO Rahul Johri to dispense funds for the senior team, currently in Hyderabad for one-off Test against Bangladesh, for their daily allowances but the junior team seems to have been forgotten. The daily quotes a player on condition of anonymity saying that the team is getting by because the breakfast is complimentary at the posh hotel they have been put up in. One meal is provided by the host state association. But dinner becomes a big problem for them as one sandwich costs over Rs 1500 (22 USD) if they order in-house. This forces the players to go out for supper after a tiring day on the field. The saddest part is that the players cannot even complain to anyone as there is no authority to complain to. According to the report, the players are now relying on monetary support from their families. The junior team is currently on their home tour against the Under-19 team of England. (This report first appeared in DNA)

Cricket: Supreme Court's strict measures against BCCI have left U-19 team without any money for dinner

A little-known batsman made headlines across India on Wednesday after scoring an unbeaten triple century in a Twenty20 match, a knock which included a staggering 39 sixes.

Mohit Ahlawat also smashed 14 fours in his 72-ball 300 -- thought to be the first T20 triple century -- which has earned him a trial with the Delhi Daredevils for next month&#39;s glitzy Indian Premier League (IPL).

Ahlawat, who hails from a family of farmers, hammered the hapless bowlers from a team called Friends XI to all corners of the ground in east Delhi on Tuesday.

The 21-year-old was playing for the Maavi XI, a semi-professional team which had invited him to join them for a league match at the last moment.

&quot;They invited me to play and I simply went. It&#39;s good that something like that has happened,&quot; Ahlawat told The Times of India newspaper.&nbsp;

&quot;When I reached 150, I told myself 250 was there for the taking. So I told my partner at the other end that I was going to take most of the strike.&quot;

His last 50 runs came off the final two overs, leaving him unbeaten on exactly 300 as his team finished on 416 for two. Friends XI only managed 200 in reply.

Sanjay Bhardwaj, Ahlawat&#39;s coach at the LB Shastri Cricket Academy in Delhi, said he was not surprised by his protege&#39;s heroics.

&quot;This doesn&#39;t surprise me. He is an aggressive batsman who hits it long but also has a clear sense of the game,&quot; Bhardwaj told AFP.&nbsp;

Bhardwaj, who has coached several Indian players including the opener Gautam Gambhir, said news of Ahlawat&#39;s barnstorming knock had spread so quickly that he had already been tapped up by the Delhi Daredevils.&nbsp;

&quot;You won&#39;t be able to reach him on the phone today as the Daredevils called him for a trial after they heard of his knock,&quot; Bhardwaj said.

It is the first time that anyone is believed to have hit a triple century in a T20 game, although it was not classified as a first class match.

The highest score recorded in a first-class T20 was the West Indian batsman Chris Gayle&#39;s 175 while playing for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 2013 IPL.

Australia&#39;s Aaron Finch holds the record for the highest score in a T20 international after hitting 156 against England in 2013.

(AFP)

Mohit Ahlawat smashed 39 sixes and 14 fours in his 72-ball 300. This has earned him a trial with the Delhi Daredevils for next month's IPL

A little-known batsman made headlines across India on Wednesday after scoring an unbeaten triple century in a Twenty20 match, a knock which included a staggering 39 sixes. Mohit Ahlawat also smashed 14 fours in his 72-ball 300 -- thought to be the first T20 triple century -- which has earned him a trial with the Delhi Daredevils for next month's glitzy Indian Premier League (IPL). Ahlawat, who hails from a family of farmers, hammered the hapless bowlers from a team called Friends XI to all corners of the ground in east Delhi on Tuesday. The 21-year-old was playing for the Maavi XI, a semi-professional team which had invited him to join them for a league match at the last moment. "They invited me to play and I simply went. It's good that something like that has happened," Ahlawat told The Times of India newspaper. "When I reached 150, I told myself 250 was there for the taking. So I told my partner at the other end that I was going to take most of the strike." His last 50 runs came off the final two overs, leaving him unbeaten on exactly 300 as his team finished on 416 for two. Friends XI only managed 200 in reply. Sanjay Bhardwaj, Ahlawat's coach at the LB Shastri Cricket Academy in Delhi, said he was not surprised by his protege's heroics. "This doesn't surprise me. He is an aggressive batsman who hits it long but also has a clear sense of the game," Bhardwaj told AFP. Bhardwaj, who has coached several Indian players including the opener Gautam Gambhir, said news of Ahlawat's barnstorming knock had spread so quickly that he had already been tapped up by the Delhi Daredevils. "You won't be able to reach him on the phone today as the Daredevils called him for a trial after they heard of his knock," Bhardwaj said. It is the first time that anyone is believed to have hit a triple century in a T20 game, although it was not classified as a first class match. The highest score recorded in a first-class T20 was the West Indian batsman Chris Gayle's 175 while playing for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 2013 IPL. Australia's Aaron Finch holds the record for the highest score in a T20 international after hitting 156 against England in 2013. (AFP)

Cricket: Indian batsman becomes first to score 300 in T20 match

Chasing 203, England collapsed from 119 for two to 127 all out, mainly thanks to leg-spinner Chahal's career-best performance

India beat England by 75 runs to clinch the T20 series 2-1, handing Virat Kohli his first series win as a captain in this format of the sport. Put in to bat first at Bengaluru's Chinnaswamy Stadium, India posted a healthy 202, powered by Yuvraj Singh and Mahendra Singh Dhoni. England started the chase strongly but the spin duo of Yuzvendra Chahal and Amit Mishra bamboozled the batsmen to put the match in the bag for India. From a healthy 119 for two, England collapsed like ninepins to end up getting all out for 127. Chahal, the man of the match, took the best-ever figure for an Indian bowler in a T20I, bettering the previous record held by Ravichandran Ashwin. India started the match slowly, losing their skipper Kohli in the second over of the match. KL Rahul and Raina flickered for a while before Dhoni joined the latter at the crease. But the fireworks started when Yuvraj Singh and Dhoni turned back the clock to score heaps of runs in the slog overs. India, in the end, managed to plunder 89 runs in the last six overs to post 202, what seemed at the time a par score. The English batsmen started strongly, racing away to 55 with the loss of one wicket in the first six overs. But Mishra pulled the game back for India while Chahal spun a web around the opponents. Captain Eoin Morgan and Root fought valiantly but once they fell, the English batsmen had no answer to the guiles of the spinners. Bumrah joined the party as well, scalping quick wickets to wrap up the English innings. Chahal was declared the man of the match and the man of the series. He thanked Virat Kohli for backing him and said he had never thought he'd take six wickets in the match. "I've bowled in the Powerplay before in the IPL. In the start, I plan that batsmen will want to go for their shots because it's a small ground, so I have a chance for wickets. I bowl a fuller length, so I have a chance for lbws if they miss the sweep and reverse-sweep. Never dreamed I'd get six wickets," Chahl said in the post-match talks. Virat Kohli was effusive in his praise for the old warhorses Dhoni and Yuvraj. He also credited his spinners for wresting the match away from England. "Mishra's two overs, and that one over from Jordan to Yuvi, that changed the momentum," he said, adding that he has had a "brilliant couple of months with the Indian team", referring to the fact that India beat England in all formats of the game in the last two months. A dejected Eoin Morgan said the wicket was perfect for batsmen but cited that this was England's "worst batting performance in the last two years." Following is the over-by-over commentary of the series-decider. England Innings: 1st Over: Nehra to begin proceedings. Roy and Billings to open the innings for England. Just 1 off the first over. India makes a strong start. 2nd Over: Chahal to bowl, SIX. Roy whacks him, reverse stroke. All the way over the boundary. Billings OUT, India get their first breakthrough. Bat, pad by Billings and Raina lunges forward at slips to give India their first breakthrough. Joe Root walks in. England: 12/1 3rd Over: Nehra to bowl. Roy guides that through leg-side for a boundary. England is determined to keep the momentum, Root thumps that one for a boundary through cover. England making it count here..last ball another boundary by Root. England: 25/1 4th Over: Chahal to bowl, Roy hits him for a boundary off the first ball. England have made a strong start here in reply to India's target of 203, can India get another breakthrough? No luck, England squeeze a single off the last ball. England: 33/1 5th Over: Change in the bowling, Bumrah introduced into the attack. Boundary, straight drive by Roy. England playing intelligent cricket here in the final T20, India seems to be out of ideas at the moment but hanging in there, the crowd is quite. Cut short, another boundary, Roy taking a toll on India. India is just not able to stop the flow of boundaries here. England: 43/1 6th Over: Nehra to bowl again, India isn't making any bowling changes unlike England who kept chopping and changing. Virat it seems is out of ideas at the moment. Roy hits another boundary, this is good batting by England. England raise their half-century with just one wicket down. Roy is burning bright. This time it is Root - another boundary. England is firing on all cylinders! England: 55/1 7th Over: Roy OUT, Mishra strikes! That was a vital wicket, Roy scored a quickfire 32 in 23 balls (4 boundaries and 1 Six), just 3 runs off the over and a wicket. England: 56/2 8th Over: Pandya to bowl, double bowling change. Will this work? Root hits a SIX, so Pandya gets a taste of some Root magic early on. Root is the man India wants! Morgan on strike now. Dot ball. Single of the last ball. England: 64/2 9th Over: Mishra to bowl, boundary by Morgan off the first ball. Another boundary, England is scoring at brisk rate, India needs a wicket quickly. England: 77/2 10th Over: Pandya to start a fresh over. Pandya keeping it tight, Root trying to cut loose and a SIX by Root. Last ball coming up,dot ball. England: 86/2 England need 117 runs off just 60 balls, India need to hold their nerves, England looking to Joe Root to take them home, can he? 11th Over: Mishra to bowl.He is keeping it tight, just 5 runs off the over. Last ball just a single, good over. England: 92/2 12th Over: India operating with spinners at both ends, Raina to bowl. SIX, SIX, Captain counterattacking, another one SIX. This over 1,6,6,0(wide), 6, 1. This over has changed things, England is set to charge at India now. England: 114/2 Virat Kohli has a quick chat with Dhoni... 13th Over: Mishra to bowl, catch dropped by Yuvraj...Big miss for India. Mishra keeps it tight to end the over. England: 117/2 14th Over: Chahal to bowl now. England looking to cut loose, pressure on spinners now. Chahal strikes, Pant takes the catch, Morgan OUT. The England captain scored 40 off 21 balls( 2 fours, 3 sixes). Joe Root, Double strike by India. This is the turning of the match. Root lbw for 42 off 37 balls(4 boundaries, 2 sixes) England: 119/4 15th Over: Bumrah strikes! Butler OUT. England 119/5. India is on a victory charge. Moeen Ali and Ben Stokes at the crease. England: 123/5 16th Over: India stikes again, Chahal gets another one! Double stike by India - Ali & Stokes gone! India on a victory march here.. Make that Triple Strike - Jordan OUT. The first five-wicket haul by an Indian spinner, well done Chahal! England: 127/8 India set to wrap up the match 17th Over: Bumrah to bowl the next over. All out, Bumrah strikes twice, Plunkett gone and Mills gone. England 127 all out England win the Toss and elect to bowl first India: RR Pant, KL Rahul, V Kohli(Captain), SK Raina, Yuvraj Singh, MS Dhoni(Wicket-keeper), HH Pandya, A Mishra, JJ Bumrah, A Nehra, YS Chahal England: JJ Roy, SW Billings, JE Root, EJG Morgan(Captain), BA Stokes, JC Buttler(Wicket-keeper), MM Ali, CJ Jordan, LE Plunkett, TS Mills, AU Rashid Wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant makes his debut for India, it will be interesting to see if he keeps wickets for India in the second session. Both teams coming out on the field for the national anthem. Now the national anthem of England is playing as the crowd rises.. Indian supporters at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore (AFP) × 1st Over: Kohli and KL Rahul to open.Mills to bowl the first over. Kohli on strike, just 2 runs off the first 2 balls. Now, Rahul on strike, India looking to make a cautious start. 2 dot balls by Rahul. Rahul opens his account with a single. Good bowling, Kohli didn't know where that ball went, he scraps a single. India: 4/0 2nd Over: Kohli run-out off the first ball bowled by Jordan. India 4/1. Raina walks in and takes a quick single. Leg-bye as Rahul scapes another single. England keeping it tight here. Raina to take strike now. Raina plays it third-man and takes a single. India: 8/1 3rd Over: Mills to continue, Wide ball. India getting runs in singles and wides at the moment. No boundary so far, Raina comes out of the crease to whack the ball but misses it completely. Another single, it is probably sensible batting as the wicket looks slow. India 10/1. Rahul on strike now. Another single as Rahul guides it to third man. Raina to face the last ball. Raina gives it a big thump- SIX, FINALLY! India: 17/1 4th Over: Liam Plunkett to bowl now. Rahul joins in on the act, two consecutive boundaries by Rahul. India on the way now..Raina tries to go for another one but manages a single only. Another single by Rahul. India: 29/1 5th Over: Ben Stokes to bowl. India opening up now, Raina lashes at that one but manages just 2 runs. Wide ball. India looking to fire. Raina scores - boundary ball. Wide ball. Stokes looks a bit nervous after that boundary. Dot ball. India: 39/1 6th Over: Jordan to bowl. Another SIX, Raina this time. India in a good position now to post a 150+ score, if they keep wickets in hand. India: 53/1 7th Over: Moeen Ali introduced into the attack. Rahul hits the third ball for a big SIX, India motoring now. Single and twos, India being sensible here. India: 64/1 8th Over: Ben Stokes comes in, so Morgan continues to chop and change his bowlers looking for a breakthrough. And he gets it, Rahul OUT, BOLD. Misses that one completely. Rahul scores 22 off 18 balls with 2 boundaries and a six. Big breakthrough for India. Dhoni walks in and quickly takes a single. Raina takes another single. Last ball stays low and Dhoni fails to connect. India: 67/2 9th Over: Moeen Ali to continue. India being a bit cautious against him, just 2 runs off the first 5 balls. India steal a single off the last ball. India: 70/2 10th Over: Leg-spinner Rashid introduced, England decide to attack with spin. Great shot, Raina plays that effortlessly through point - Boundary. Raina playing it cooly and rotating strike, India looking at atleast 160+..Dot of the last ball. India: 78/2 11th Over: Mooen Ali to continue. Raina takes a single. Dhoni comes out of the crease but manages just a single. India hungry for a few boundaries to keep the momentum, Moeen keeping it very tight. He has been England's stand out bowler in this T20 series. Last ball, no run India: 84/2 12th Over: Rashid to bowl. Raina takes a single off the second ball. Dhoni hits a big one - SIX, India doing the right thing. They are clearly attacking Rashid and keeping Moeen at bay - good tactics! Another SIX, Raina this time and a single to finish off the over. India: 99/2 13th Over: Moeen to bowl, SIX. India talking in sixes at the moment and Raina(63 off 43 balls - 5 sixes, 2 fours) leading from the front. Another boundary to finish it off, slipping down through vacant slips by Raina. India: 113/2 14th Over: Plunkett gets Raina with a slow ball, CAUGHT OUT! Raina 63 off 45 balls(2 fours, 5 sixes). Caught in the deep by captain Morgan. Next man in is Yuvraj. This will be a crucial partnership for India if India keep the momentum they could be looking at 180+ here.. India: 124/3 15th Over: Ben Stokes to bowl. Yuvraj off the mark with a single. Dhoni is the key here, if he gets going he can really help India get a big total in the last 5 overs. Both batsmen talking in singles at the moment. This is sensible batting from India, trying to save their ammunition for the final push. Class shot, Dhoni plays that one through the middle of point for a boundary bisecting two players and takes another single off the last ball. India: 132/3 16th Over: Mills to bowl. Dhoni slips that one through the leg side for a boundary, single off the next ball. Dhoni seems to have taken it on himself to take India to a competitive score. India looking at a 180+ score, Dhoni can push it beyond 190 if he stays around till the end. Wide ball, that helps India. Dhoni takes a single off the last ball. India: 142/3 17th Over: Ben Stokes to bowl this over. Straight hit, Dhoni hits a smart boundary to start the over. Dhoni has rocketed to 44 off 27 balls(3 fours, 2 sixes). Dhoni hits a flat boundary, that was nearly a sixer but fell short. India could touch 200 at this rate, single to finish the over. India: 153/3 18th Over: Dhoni raises his half-century with a single, his 50 comes off just 32 balls. Yuvraj hits SIX, big one this! Another SIX, Yuvraj joins the party, another one - boundary this time. Yuvraj on a roll. 6,6,4, 6. Another SIX, Yuvraj is hammering Jordan. He takes a single to finish off the over. India score 28 runs off the over. India: 177/1 19th Over: Yuvraj OUT, Mills gets him. Yuvi just plays it at the last moment, slow ball taken by the Keeper. Well played Yuvi, 27 runs off 10 balls( 1 boundary, 3 sixes). Mills is proving to be a great death bowler once again. Debutant Rishabh Pant walks in, left-hand batsman. Another slower ball, Wide. Pant scores a boundary off the last ball, that was a good one! India: 186/4 20th Over: Jordan to bowl. Dhoni hits this one for a boundary, power shot! Dhoni OUT, tries a big heave, caught by Rashid. Dhoni scores a brilliant 56 off 36 ball(5 fours, 2 sixes). Pandya first ball - SIX. India's 200 comes up, great going! Last ball Pandya tries a double, run out Pandya. India: 202/6

India beat England by 75 runs, clinch T20I series

India&#39;s premier spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja have been rested for the three-match Twenty20 series against England starting this week.

The selectors have recalled veteran leg-spinner Amit Mishra and off-spinner Parvez Rasool in the 15-man squad, according to the&nbsp;Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

The Virat Kohli-led side, which won the three-match one-day international series 2-1, moves into the shortest format with the first game scheduled in Kanpur on January 26.

Ashwin and Jadeja shared seven wickets between them in the three 50-over matches, bowling tighter lines than the fast bowlers on run-filled pitches.

The 34-year-old Mishra was in the ODI squad against England but failed to make it to the starting lineup. He finished with figures of 5-18 in his last outing for his country, an ODI against New Zealand in October.

Meanwhile, Rasool, 27, who represented India in just one ODI in 2014, joins the squad riding on his excellent domestic showing in the Ranji Trophy competition.

India squad: Virat Kohli (capt), Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Lokesh Rahul, Suresh Raina, Rishabh Pant, Manish Pandey, Yuvraj Singh, Hardik Pandya, Amit Mishra, Parvez Rasool, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ashish Nehra, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mandeep Singh.

(AFP)

The selectors have recalled veteran leg-spinner Amit Mishra and off-spinner Parvez Rasool in the 15-man squad, according to BCCI

India's premier spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja have been rested for the three-match Twenty20 series against England starting this week. The selectors have recalled veteran leg-spinner Amit Mishra and off-spinner Parvez Rasool in the 15-man squad, according to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The Virat Kohli-led side, which won the three-match one-day international series 2-1, moves into the shortest format with the first game scheduled in Kanpur on January 26. Ashwin and Jadeja shared seven wickets between them in the three 50-over matches, bowling tighter lines than the fast bowlers on run-filled pitches. The 34-year-old Mishra was in the ODI squad against England but failed to make it to the starting lineup. He finished with figures of 5-18 in his last outing for his country, an ODI against New Zealand in October. Meanwhile, Rasool, 27, who represented India in just one ODI in 2014, joins the squad riding on his excellent domestic showing in the Ranji Trophy competition. India squad: Virat Kohli (capt), Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Lokesh Rahul, Suresh Raina, Rishabh Pant, Manish Pandey, Yuvraj Singh, Hardik Pandya, Amit Mishra, Parvez Rasool, Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ashish Nehra, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mandeep Singh. (AFP)

India rest spinners Ashwin, Jadeja for England T20s

Former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin&#39;s nomination paper for the post of Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) president has been rejected by the returning officer.

A source in the HCA said that Azharuddin&#39;s application was rejected by returning officer K Rajiv Reddy who was not sure whether the BCCI has lifted the ban on him for alleged match-fixing and whether he is a HCA voter or not.

&quot;Azharuddin&#39;s nomination paper was rejected by the returning officer on scrutiny. The returning officer wrote to the BCCI whether his ban for match-fixing has been lifted or not. The BCCI did not reply,&quot; a source in the HCA said.

Another source, however, said that the returning officer should have written to the Lodha Committee instead of the BCCI.

There was also the issue of whether Azharuddin is enrolled as a HCA voter or not. &quot;I am sad and disappointed. I have been cleared by the court of&nbsp;all charges,&quot; Azharuddin said when asked about the rejection of his nomination. 
Azharuddin had filed his nomination for the top post in HCA earlier this week.

Azharuddin, who led India in three successive World Cups (1992, 1996, 1999), has been banned for life by the BCCI for his alleged involvement in the match-fixing scandal that rocked Indian cricket in 2000. After a long legal battle, Azharuddin received a favourable order from the Andhra High Court in 2011, but the BCCI is yet to officially lift his ban. &nbsp;

Azhar's application was rejected as the returning officer was not sure whether the BCCI had lifted the match-fixing ban on him

Former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin's nomination paper for the post of Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) president has been rejected by the returning officer. A source in the HCA said that Azharuddin's application was rejected by returning officer K Rajiv Reddy who was not sure whether the BCCI has lifted the ban on him for alleged match-fixing and whether he is a HCA voter or not. "Azharuddin's nomination paper was rejected by the returning officer on scrutiny. The returning officer wrote to the BCCI whether his ban for match-fixing has been lifted or not. The BCCI did not reply," a source in the HCA said. Another source, however, said that the returning officer should have written to the Lodha Committee instead of the BCCI. There was also the issue of whether Azharuddin is enrolled as a HCA voter or not. "I am sad and disappointed. I have been cleared by the court of all charges," Azharuddin said when asked about the rejection of his nomination. Azharuddin had filed his nomination for the top post in HCA earlier this week. Azharuddin, who led India in three successive World Cups (1992, 1996, 1999), has been banned for life by the BCCI for his alleged involvement in the match-fixing scandal that rocked Indian cricket in 2000. After a long legal battle, Azharuddin received a favourable order from the Andhra High Court in 2011, but the BCCI is yet to officially lift his ban.

Hyderabad Cricket Association rejects Azhar's prez nomination

By Chander Shekhar Luthra

According to a trail of emails in possession of DNA, after being sacked by the Supreme court, Board of Control for Cricket in India&#39;s (BCCI) secretary Ajay Shirke made several calls to England and Wales Cricket Board&#39;s (ECB) president Giles Clarke trying to convince him to call off India tour.

In the emails, Giles writes that Shirke told him the England team may face security issues in India because of funds crunch in state cricket associations.

In the email sent on January 6, a copy of which is in possession of DNA, Giles asks BCCI chief executive officer Rahul Johri to clarify the ground situation following SC orders.

&quot;I have received calls from Mr Shirke who I understand is no longer the Honorary Secretary of BCCI. Can you please confirm to me that the England team will continue to be looked after by the BCCI in the usual fashion, with proper security, player daily allowance payments, hotel bills covered and the like, with transport organised at all times.

&quot;Obviously, it is entirely a matter for BCCI where matches are played, but please advise soonest that the schedule will be adhered to, or any changes,&quot; Giles wrote to Johri.

ECB was concerned about the security of its team for the One-Day International and T20I series as the English team returned to India on the same day.

With sacked BCCI president Anurag Thakur facing perjury and contempt of court charges, this issue might land Shirke in trouble.

Having received the mail from Giles, Johri replied apprising the ECB chief about the factual situation.

&quot;As you must have followed, the Supreme Court has delivered their verdict early this week, and we are expected to work with the court-appointed administrators, who will be appointed by the 19th of this month and till such time, we are making every effort to ensure that the matches live up to the expectations of all our stakeholders, including ECB.

&quot;We have been in touch with all the hosting centres and they have expressed confidence that the games will be managed successfully, just like always, and as on date, we do not anticipate any form of disruption to the series,&quot; Johri wrote in his reply.

Giles wrote again the following day (January 7) first by thanking Johri for the assurance, but he once again confirmed that Shirke had discussed team&#39;s security and safety of English players apart from other issues.

&quot;His (Shirke) concern was the BCCI and relevant association having funds and expertise to manage security and safety of our players, and transport, allowances, all usual issues for a tour,&quot; Giles sent a brief mail.

According to a source, the Lodha panel is aware of the entire conversation and will produce the email trail before the apex court on January 19, the day when set of administrators would take over BCCI functioning.

DNA has been reporting how BCCI&#39;s sacked and ineligible officials have been trying to derail reforms suggested by Justice Lodha Commission, following SC&#39;s January 2 interim orders.

In one such instance last week, former joint secretary Amitabh Chaudhary attempted to create a hurdle when the selection committee had gathered to pick the team for the ODI and the T20I series.

After the January 2 verdict, as many as 22 state associations adopted the Lodha panel recommendations.

MCA appoints Shirke

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Cricket Association&#39;s (MCA) managing committee last Friday appointed Shirke as its representative at the BCCI meetings.

This has been done despite knowing that Shirke has been sacked as board secretary by the SC and barred from holding any post in BCCI as well MCA after the January 2 order. Lodha panel, in all likelihood, is going to move the Court over his nomination as MCA representative for the BCCI meetings.

&nbsp;

(This report first appeared in DNA)

E-mail trail shows Ajay Shirke made several calls to England and Wales Cricket Board's president Giles Clarke

By Chander Shekhar Luthra According to a trail of emails in possession of DNA, after being sacked by the Supreme court, Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) secretary Ajay Shirke made several calls to England and Wales Cricket Board's (ECB) president Giles Clarke trying to convince him to call off India tour. In the emails, Giles writes that Shirke told him the England team may face security issues in India because of funds crunch in state cricket associations. In the email sent on January 6, a copy of which is in possession of DNA, Giles asks BCCI chief executive officer Rahul Johri to clarify the ground situation following SC orders. "I have received calls from Mr Shirke who I understand is no longer the Honorary Secretary of BCCI. Can you please confirm to me that the England team will continue to be looked after by the BCCI in the usual fashion, with proper security, player daily allowance payments, hotel bills covered and the like, with transport organised at all times. "Obviously, it is entirely a matter for BCCI where matches are played, but please advise soonest that the schedule will be adhered to, or any changes," Giles wrote to Johri. ECB was concerned about the security of its team for the One-Day International and T20I series as the English team returned to India on the same day. With sacked BCCI president Anurag Thakur facing perjury and contempt of court charges, this issue might land Shirke in trouble. Having received the mail from Giles, Johri replied apprising the ECB chief about the factual situation. "As you must have followed, the Supreme Court has delivered their verdict early this week, and we are expected to work with the court-appointed administrators, who will be appointed by the 19th of this month and till such time, we are making every effort to ensure that the matches live up to the expectations of all our stakeholders, including ECB. "We have been in touch with all the hosting centres and they have expressed confidence that the games will be managed successfully, just like always, and as on date, we do not anticipate any form of disruption to the series," Johri wrote in his reply. Giles wrote again the following day (January 7) first by thanking Johri for the assurance, but he once again confirmed that Shirke had discussed team's security and safety of English players apart from other issues. "His (Shirke) concern was the BCCI and relevant association having funds and expertise to manage security and safety of our players, and transport, allowances, all usual issues for a tour," Giles sent a brief mail. According to a source, the Lodha panel is aware of the entire conversation and will produce the email trail before the apex court on January 19, the day when set of administrators would take over BCCI functioning. DNA has been reporting how BCCI's sacked and ineligible officials have been trying to derail reforms suggested by Justice Lodha Commission, following SC's January 2 interim orders. In one such instance last week, former joint secretary Amitabh Chaudhary attempted to create a hurdle when the selection committee had gathered to pick the team for the ODI and the T20I series. After the January 2 verdict, as many as 22 state associations adopted the Lodha panel recommendations. MCA appoints Shirke Meanwhile, Maharashtra Cricket Association's (MCA) managing committee last Friday appointed Shirke as its representative at the BCCI meetings. This has been done despite knowing that Shirke has been sacked as board secretary by the SC and barred from holding any post in BCCI as well MCA after the January 2 order. Lodha panel, in all likelihood, is going to move the Court over his nomination as MCA representative for the BCCI meetings. (This report first appeared in DNA)

Cricket: Sacked BCCI secretary advised ECB to call off India tour

&nbsp;

Mahendra Singh Dhoni has offered words of comfort to his die-hard fans, still coming to terms with his decision to sign off as India captain, with an assurance that he would continue to play the aggressive brand of cricket.

Having relinquished limited overs captaincy after leading India to two World Cup triumphs during an eventful tenure that spanned nearly a decade, Dhoni captained the Men in Blue for one last time in a warm-up game against England.

The perfect finish may have eluded him, as his team lost by three wickets, but Dhoni, in a video chat with Yuvraj Singh, assured that he would continue to hit those trademark sixes, if they are to be hit.

&quot;If they bowl in my areas, the right areas and the situation permits I would look to hit sixes,&quot; Dhoni said in the video chat with teammate Yuvraj.&nbsp;Dhoni&#39;s stint at the helm had more ups than downs, and he called it amazing.

&quot;The journey has been good, fantastic.&nbsp;It&#39;s good to have players like you (looking at Yuvraj), the job becomes much more easier. And enjoyed my 10 years, hopefully I will enjoy more whatever I have.&quot;

Referring to Yuvraj&#39;s six consecutive sixes in the inaugural World T20, Dhoni said, &quot;Thanks to you I witnessed the six sixes from the best seat.&quot;&nbsp;Dhoni was at the non-striker&#39;s end while Yuvraj bludgeoned Stuart Broad.

Yuvraj posted the video on social media after the match got over in which he asked a couple of very interesting questions to Dhoni, who answered each question in his typical manner.

Paying a tribute to his former skipper, Yuvraj said, &quot;You have been one of the best captains ever. It&#39;s been amazing playing under you, winning three big championships, the World Cup and being the number one Test team in the world under you.&nbsp;Thanks for giving me the opportunity to go and slog as always.&quot;

Mahendra Singh Dhoni has assured fans that he would continue to play aggressive brand of cricket.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni has offered words of comfort to his die-hard fans, still coming to terms with his decision to sign off as India captain, with an assurance that he would continue to play the aggressive brand of cricket. Having relinquished limited overs captaincy after leading India to two World Cup triumphs during an eventful tenure that spanned nearly a decade, Dhoni captained the Men in Blue for one last time in a warm-up game against England. The perfect finish may have eluded him, as his team lost by three wickets, but Dhoni, in a video chat with Yuvraj Singh, assured that he would continue to hit those trademark sixes, if they are to be hit. "If they bowl in my areas, the right areas and the situation permits I would look to hit sixes," Dhoni said in the video chat with teammate Yuvraj. Dhoni's stint at the helm had more ups than downs, and he called it amazing. "The journey has been good, fantastic. It's good to have players like you (looking at Yuvraj), the job becomes much more easier. And enjoyed my 10 years, hopefully I will enjoy more whatever I have." Referring to Yuvraj's six consecutive sixes in the inaugural World T20, Dhoni said, "Thanks to you I witnessed the six sixes from the best seat." Dhoni was at the non-striker's end while Yuvraj bludgeoned Stuart Broad. Yuvraj posted the video on social media after the match got over in which he asked a couple of very interesting questions to Dhoni, who answered each question in his typical manner. Paying a tribute to his former skipper, Yuvraj said, "You have been one of the best captains ever. It's been amazing playing under you, winning three big championships, the World Cup and being the number one Test team in the world under you. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to go and slog as always."

I will always look to hit sixes: Dhoni

Rattled after the Supreme Court removed both BCCI president Anurag Thakur and secretary Ajay Shirke, the Board&#39;s senior vice-president Gokaraju Ganga Raju made it clear that his association, Andhra CA, would implement the Lodha reforms with immediate effect.

&quot;There is no confusion as Supreme Court has passed its verdict. As the president of Andhra Cricket Association we would implement Lodha reforms in totality with immediate effect. If it means that we have to go into cooling off period, so be it. Indian cricket should move forward,&quot; Ganga Raju told news agency PTI.

When he was asked why&nbsp;Andhra CA did not adhere to the Lodha reforms earlier, Ganga Raju said: &quot;It was because everyone was together. But now when the verdict is out there is no question of defiance. We have been in BCCI long enough to know how to run administration.

&quot;Andhra has 19 cricket grounds owned by association and a second international stadium is coming up. We would do a good job,&quot; he concluded.

Earlier on Monday, in a blow for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the Supreme Court removed Anurag Thakur and Ajay Shirke from the post of BCCI President and Secretary respectively.

The court gave the decision while hearing perjury charges levelled against Thakur by amicus curiae Gopal Subramaniam.

Issuing a contempt notice to Thakur, the top court said that the committee of the administrator will look after the affairs of BCCI. &quot;Senior-most Vice President of BCCI will act as President and Joint Secretary will act as Secretary,&quot; the Supreme Court said.

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The apex court also requested senior advocate Fali Nariman and Gopal Subramaniam to assist in nominating persons of impeccable integrity as members of the committee of administrators.

The court further added that all office bearers of BCCI and state associations must give an undertaking to abide by recommendations of Lodha Committee. &quot;All office bearers of BCCI and state associations who refuse to abide by recommendations of Lodha panel shall demit office forthwith,&quot; court said.

On December 15, the top court had observed that prima facie Thakur appeared to have committed matter of perjury in relation to demanding an intervention via a letter from the International Cricket Council (ICC) in order to sidestep the implementation of the Lodha committee recommendations.

The apex court, which was hearing the Lodha panel&#39;s third status report which asked for the removal of the top brass of the BCCI, also asked the Amicus Curiae whether Thakur committed perjury or not in the case.

In reply, the Amicus Curiae revealed that the BCCI chief, in his affidavit submitted to the top court, had said that he sought Shashank Manohar&#39;s opinion as the BCCI chairman, which was denied by the latter saying that it was asked in the ICC meeting.

On October 1, the board had accepted many of the &quot;significant recommendations&quot; of the Lodha Committee, but excluded the important ones which have been a bone of contention between the cricket body and the Lodha Panel.

&nbsp;

(With inputs from PTI and DNA)

Supreme Court today removed Anurag Thakur from post of BCCI president and Ajay Shirke from the secretary's post

Rattled after the Supreme Court removed both BCCI president Anurag Thakur and secretary Ajay Shirke, the Board's senior vice-president Gokaraju Ganga Raju made it clear that his association, Andhra CA, would implement the Lodha reforms with immediate effect. "There is no confusion as Supreme Court has passed its verdict. As the president of Andhra Cricket Association we would implement Lodha reforms in totality with immediate effect. If it means that we have to go into cooling off period, so be it. Indian cricket should move forward," Ganga Raju told news agency PTI. When he was asked why Andhra CA did not adhere to the Lodha reforms earlier, Ganga Raju said: "It was because everyone was together. But now when the verdict is out there is no question of defiance. We have been in BCCI long enough to know how to run administration. "Andhra has 19 cricket grounds owned by association and a second international stadium is coming up. We would do a good job," he concluded. Earlier on Monday, in a blow for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the Supreme Court removed Anurag Thakur and Ajay Shirke from the post of BCCI President and Secretary respectively. The court gave the decision while hearing perjury charges levelled against Thakur by amicus curiae Gopal Subramaniam. Issuing a contempt notice to Thakur, the top court said that the committee of the administrator will look after the affairs of BCCI. "Senior-most Vice President of BCCI will act as President and Joint Secretary will act as Secretary," the Supreme Court said. × The apex court also requested senior advocate Fali Nariman and Gopal Subramaniam to assist in nominating persons of impeccable integrity as members of the committee of administrators. The court further added that all office bearers of BCCI and state associations must give an undertaking to abide by recommendations of Lodha Committee. "All office bearers of BCCI and state associations who refuse to abide by recommendations of Lodha panel shall demit office forthwith," court said. On December 15, the top court had observed that prima facie Thakur appeared to have committed matter of perjury in relation to demanding an intervention via a letter from the International Cricket Council (ICC) in order to sidestep the implementation of the Lodha committee recommendations. The apex court, which was hearing the Lodha panel's third status report which asked for the removal of the top brass of the BCCI, also asked the Amicus Curiae whether Thakur committed perjury or not in the case. In reply, the Amicus Curiae revealed that the BCCI chief, in his affidavit submitted to the top court, had said that he sought Shashank Manohar's opinion as the BCCI chairman, which was denied by the latter saying that it was asked in the ICC meeting. On October 1, the board had accepted many of the "significant recommendations" of the Lodha Committee, but excluded the important ones which have been a bone of contention between the cricket body and the Lodha Panel. (With inputs from PTI and DNA)

India: Will implement Lodha Reforms right away, says BCCI senior vice president

Indian cricketer Mohammed Shami and his wife Hasin Jahan are the new vicitims of internet moral police after he posted a photo album on Facebook. The album captioned &quot;Beautiful Moments&quot;&nbsp;were highly criticised by a certain community of users. In the family pictures, Shami poses with his wife, who is seen wearing a sleeveless gown.&nbsp;

The original Tweet:&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Beautiful moments <a href="https://t.co/IHzOek43hG">pic.twitter.com/IHzOek43hG</a>
&mdash; Mohammed Shami (@MdShami11) <a href="https://twitter.com/MdShami11/status/813070224152875008">December 25, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

&nbsp;

This attracted&nbsp;a flood of trolls&nbsp;on both Facebook and Twitter:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
<a href="https://twitter.com/MdShami11">@MdShami11</a> ?????? ?? ???? ??? ?? ???? ????? ??????? ?? ???? ????..<a href="https://twitter.com/BDUTT">@BDUTT</a> <a href="https://t.co/joCD7bbvfq">pic.twitter.com/joCD7bbvfq</a>
&mdash; ??????- ?? ???? (@Ram_Burdak) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ram_Burdak/status/813257197731708932">December 26, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="181" scrolling="no" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/comment_embed.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FCircleofCricket.MDShami%2Fposts%2F1241242579302162%3Fcomment_id%3D1241571302602623&amp;include_parent=false" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" width="560"></iframe>

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The only silver lining during this episode was that many also came out in support of the cricketer and his family. Some high profile names as well as social media users supported the family&#39;s right to wear anything in a democracy.&nbsp;

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
The comments are really really Shameful. 
Support Mohammed Shami fully. 
There are much bigger issues in this country. Hope sense prevails. <a href="https://t.co/dRJO5WfOgU">pic.twitter.com/dRJO5WfOgU</a>
&mdash; Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) <a href="https://twitter.com/MohammadKaif/status/813055964433752064">December 25, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="201" scrolling="no" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/comment_embed.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FCircleofCricket.MDShami%2Fposts%2F1241242579302162%3Fcomment_id%3D1241245245968562&amp;include_parent=false" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" width="560"></iframe>

Shami has now taken to the internet to hit back at the trollers with another post which says: &quot;Those who are jealous of my accomplishments are speaking ill of me and my family. My wife and daughter are the two most important people in my life.&nbsp;Before commenting on others, we must look within ourselves and try to improve.&quot;

(WION)

The cricketer posted pictures of his family on social media, then people freaked out

Indian cricketer Mohammed Shami and his wife Hasin Jahan are the new vicitims of internet moral police after he posted a photo album on Facebook. The album captioned "Beautiful Moments" were highly criticised by a certain community of users. In the family pictures, Shami poses with his wife, who is seen wearing a sleeveless gown. The original Tweet: Beautiful moments pic.twitter.com/IHzOek43hG — Mohammed Shami (@MdShami11) December 25, 2016 This attracted a flood of trolls on both Facebook and Twitter: @MdShami11 ?????? ?? ???? ??? ?? ???? ????? ??????? ?? ???? ????..@BDUTT pic.twitter.com/joCD7bbvfq — ??????- ?? ???? (@Ram_Burdak) December 26, 2016 The only silver lining during this episode was that many also came out in support of the cricketer and his family. Some high profile names as well as social media users supported the family's right to wear anything in a democracy. The comments are really really Shameful. Support Mohammed Shami fully. There are much bigger issues in this country. Hope sense prevails. pic.twitter.com/dRJO5WfOgU — Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) December 25, 2016 Shami has now taken to the internet to hit back at the trollers with another post which says: "Those who are jealous of my accomplishments are speaking ill of me and my family. My wife and daughter are the two most important people in my life. Before commenting on others, we must look within ourselves and try to improve." (WION)

Indian cricketer Mohammed Shami trolled on internet by moral brigade over his wife's dress

The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced its Test and ODI teams of the year 2016 on Thursday.

But for some reason, Virat Kohli, India&rsquo;s Test captain, who is on an 18-match unbeaten streak was omitted from the list of ICC Test team of the year.

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Here is the ICC Test Team of the Year 2016! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ICCAwards?src=hash">#ICCAwards</a> <a href="https://t.co/TjqFeMn4MY">pic.twitter.com/TjqFeMn4MY</a>
&mdash; ICC (@ICC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ICC/status/811813662801399809">December 22, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Kohli recently led India to a 4-0 series win over England in a five-Test home series.

He was the man of the series by scoring 655 runs in the five Tests, at a whopping average of 109.16 with the&nbsp;highest score of 235.

He scored 1215 runs in 2016 in 12 Test at an average of 75.93, with four centuries and two half-centuries.

The only Indian in the line-up of the Test team is the off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, with two of Kohli&rsquo;s closest competitors, Kane Williamson of New Zealand and Joe Root of England make it to the team.

However, Kohli makes it into the ODI team of the year, along with Ravindra Jadeja and Rohit Sharma.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Presenting the ICC ODI Team of the Year 2016! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ICCAwards?src=hash">#ICCAwards</a> <a href="https://t.co/5rH3XozNIj">pic.twitter.com/5rH3XozNIj</a>
&mdash; ICC (@ICC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ICC/status/811816048534126593">December 22, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Warner and Starc are two cricketers who found a place in both the teams.

The Test team is selected on the basis of records between September 14, 2015, and September 20, 2016. Williamson had a great 2015, coming up with an average of 90.15 from 16 innings. While Kohli averages 42.66 off 15 innings in 2015, reports NDTV Sports.

ICC ODI team of the year 2016: Virat Kohli (captain), David Warner, Quinton de Kock (wk), Rohit Sharma, AB de Villiers, Jos Buttler, Mitchell Marsh, Ravindra Jadeja, Mitchell Starc, Kagiso Rabada, Sunil Narine, Imran Tahir.

ICC Test team of the year 2016: Alastair Cook (captain), David Warner, Kane Williamson, Joe Root, Adam Voges, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes, Ravichandran Ashwin, Rangana Herath, Mitchell Starc, Dale Steyn, Steve Smith.

(WION) 
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Kohli was omitted from the ICC Test team of the year but however, makes it into the ODI team of the year

The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced its Test and ODI teams of the year 2016 on Thursday. But for some reason, Virat Kohli, India’s Test captain, who is on an 18-match unbeaten streak was omitted from the list of ICC Test team of the year. Here is the ICC Test Team of the Year 2016! #ICCAwards pic.twitter.com/TjqFeMn4MY — ICC (@ICC) December 22, 2016 × Kohli recently led India to a 4-0 series win over England in a five-Test home series. He was the man of the series by scoring 655 runs in the five Tests, at a whopping average of 109.16 with the highest score of 235. He scored 1215 runs in 2016 in 12 Test at an average of 75.93, with four centuries and two half-centuries. The only Indian in the line-up of the Test team is the off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, with two of Kohli’s closest competitors, Kane Williamson of New Zealand and Joe Root of England make it to the team. However, Kohli makes it into the ODI team of the year, along with Ravindra Jadeja and Rohit Sharma. Presenting the ICC ODI Team of the Year 2016! #ICCAwards pic.twitter.com/5rH3XozNIj — ICC (@ICC) December 22, 2016 × Warner and Starc are two cricketers who found a place in both the teams. The Test team is selected on the basis of records between September 14, 2015, and September 20, 2016. Williamson had a great 2015, coming up with an average of 90.15 from 16 innings. While Kohli averages 42.66 off 15 innings in 2015, reports NDTV Sports. ICC ODI team of the year 2016: Virat Kohli (captain), David Warner, Quinton de Kock (wk), Rohit Sharma, AB de Villiers, Jos Buttler, Mitchell Marsh, Ravindra Jadeja, Mitchell Starc, Kagiso Rabada, Sunil Narine, Imran Tahir. ICC Test team of the year 2016: Alastair Cook (captain), David Warner, Kane Williamson, Joe Root, Adam Voges, Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes, Ravichandran Ashwin, Rangana Herath, Mitchell Starc, Dale Steyn, Steve Smith. (WION)

No place for Virat Kohli in the ICC Test team of the year 2016

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