Delhi Capitals (DC) have been dealt with a massive blow as veteran pacer Ishant Sharma has reportedly injured himself in the training just ahead of their opening <a href="https://www.wionews.com/ipl">Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020</a> encounter against Kings XI Punjab at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai. And it is likely that Ishant may have to spend a longer time in the sidelines.&nbsp;

According to Cricbuzz report, Ishant has injured his back during a training session ahead of DC’s match against KXIP in Dubai. Ishant had only returned in February to play the Test series against New Zealand after recovering from an ankle injury before ending up hurting the same ankle again.

Delhi Capitals, in Ishant’s absence, would look to use either of Harshal Patel, Mohit Sharma or Avesh Khan to spearhead the pace attack with Kagiso Rabada.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/dhoni-praises-chennai-dads-army-after-ipl-win-over-mumbai-328817">Dhoni praises Chennai 'Dads Army' after IPL win over Mumbai</a>

DC might go ahead with Marcus Stoinis or Keemo Paul along with Rabada and Shimron Hetmyer in the playing XI as the presence of Amit Mishra and Ravichandran Ashwin allow them to tweak their line-up. The presence of Axar Patel is an added advantage.

Nonetheless, Ishant missing the first match of the season will be a huge blow for Delhi Capitals and it would be interesting to see how Shreyas Iyer copes with the pressure.&nbsp;

Talking about the bio-secure bubble and the challenges it brings, Iyer on Saturday said:

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/ipl-trivia-top-5-batsmen-with-highest-individual-scores-327544" hreflang="en">IPL trivia: Top 5 batsmen with highest individual scores!</a>

“It’ unusual for all of us and it is a challenge. Being in the bio-secure bubble is very different. But we are trying hard to follow the rules and do activities keep ourselves entertained. We will be later briefed today on what are the dos and don’ts for celebration on the field. Among all this, we will certainly miss all the excitement and adrenaline that fans bring to the match inside the stadium,” Iyer told reporters in a virtual press conference. 
&nbsp;

Delhi Capitals (DC) have been dealt with a massive blow as veteran pacer Ishant Sharma has reportedly injured himself in the training just ahead of their opening Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 encounter against Kings XI Punjab at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai.

Delhi Capitals (DC) have been dealt with a massive blow as veteran pacer Ishant Sharma has reportedly injured himself in the training just ahead of their opening Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 encounter against Kings XI Punjab at the Dubai International Stadium in Dubai. And it is likely that Ishant may have to spend a longer time in the sidelines. According to Cricbuzz report, Ishant has injured his back during a training session ahead of DC’s match against KXIP in Dubai. Ishant had only returned in February to play the Test series against New Zealand after recovering from an ankle injury before ending up hurting the same ankle again. Delhi Capitals, in Ishant’s absence, would look to use either of Harshal Patel, Mohit Sharma or Avesh Khan to spearhead the pace attack with Kagiso Rabada. ALSO READ: Dhoni praises Chennai 'Dads Army' after IPL win over Mumbai DC might go ahead with Marcus Stoinis or Keemo Paul along with Rabada and Shimron Hetmyer in the playing XI as the presence of Amit Mishra and Ravichandran Ashwin allow them to tweak their line-up. The presence of Axar Patel is an added advantage. Nonetheless, Ishant missing the first match of the season will be a huge blow for Delhi Capitals and it would be interesting to see how Shreyas Iyer copes with the pressure. Talking about the bio-secure bubble and the challenges it brings, Iyer on Saturday said: ALSO READ: IPL trivia: Top 5 batsmen with highest individual scores! “It’ unusual for all of us and it is a challenge. Being in the bio-secure bubble is very different. But we are trying hard to follow the rules and do activities keep ourselves entertained. We will be later briefed today on what are the dos and don’ts for celebration on the field. Among all this, we will certainly miss all the excitement and adrenaline that fans bring to the match inside the stadium,” Iyer told reporters in a virtual press conference.

IPL 2020: Ishant Sharma picks up injury before DC's opener vs KXIP

India will be touring in New Zealand for five T20Is, three ODIs, and two Tests. The matches will commence on January 24.

Also read-&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/india-vs-australia-3rd-odi-rohit-sharma-shami-shine-as-hosts-claim-series-275323">India vs Australia 3rd ODI: Rohit Sharma, Shami shine as hosts claim series</a> 
&nbsp; 
The hosts will be looking forward to bouncing back after they lost home Test series against Australia. The series was a clean sweep. (0-3)

Also read-&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/aus-vs-nz-nathan-lyon-takes-five-as-australia-dominate-in-sydney-272264">Aus vs NZ: Nathan Lyon takes five as Australia dominate in Sydney</a>

India will be confident and pumped up after a recent series win against Australia. India came back from behind to win the three-match ODI series (2-1).&nbsp;

Ishant Sharma might be ruled out of the series post an ankle injury while playing against Vidharbha in the Ranji Trophy, Shikhar Dhawan will also miss out the five T20Is against Kiwis following a shoulder injury he inflicted while fielding in the third ODI against the Aussies.

Shikhar's replacement will be announced soon. Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) will review Ishant's MRI scan again and will look at the extent of the tear.

Despite Rishabh Pant's regaining fitness, it seems like he will be benched during the tour as the Indian Skipper said that KL Rahul's current role is more suitable to the team. Rahul's outstanding form in the previous series as helped him cement his position in the playing XI. He was designated as the keeper after Pant was ruled out for the remainder of the series post-concussion. His stumping against Aaron Finch was decisive in the second ODI.&nbsp;

Virat Kohli compared this formula to that of World Cup 2003, where Rahul Dravid donned the gloves to make a place for an extra batsman.&nbsp;

New Zealand, on the other hand, will aim to win all the formats of the tour as the ICC World Cup finalists would want to establish confidence after the forgettable home series against the Aussies.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Fixtures-

T20I series:

January 24, Friday- 1st T20I New Zealand vs India - Eden Park, Auckland

January 26, Sunday- 2nd T20I New Zealand vs India - Eden Park, Auckland

January 29, Wednesday- 3rd T20I New Zealand vs India - Seddon Park, Hamilton

January 31, Friday- 4th T20I New Zealand vs India - Westpac Stadium, Wellington

February 02, Sunday- 5th T20I New Zealand vs India - Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui

 
ODI series:

February 05, Wednesday- &nbsp;1st ODI New Zealand vs India - Seddon Park, Hamilton

February 08, Saturday- &nbsp;2nd ODI New Zealand vs India - Eden Park, Auckland

February 11, Tuesday- &nbsp;3rd ODI New Zealand vs India - Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui

Test series:

February 21, Fri to February 25, Tue- 1st Test, New Zealand vs India - Basin Reserve, Wellington

February 29, Sat - March 04, Wed- 2nd Test, New Zealand vs India - Hagley Oval, Christchurch 
&nbsp;

India will be touring in New Zealand for five T20Is, three ODIs, and two Tests. The matches will commence on January 24. Also read- India vs Australia 3rd ODI: Rohit Sharma, Shami shine as hosts claim series The hosts will be looking forward to bouncing back after they lost home Test series against Australia.

India will be touring in New Zealand for five T20Is, three ODIs, and two Tests. The matches will commence on January 24. Also read- India vs Australia 3rd ODI: Rohit Sharma, Shami shine as hosts claim series The hosts will be looking forward to bouncing back after they lost home Test series against Australia. The series was a clean sweep. (0-3) Also read- Aus vs NZ: Nathan Lyon takes five as Australia dominate in Sydney India will be confident and pumped up after a recent series win against Australia. India came back from behind to win the three-match ODI series (2-1). Ishant Sharma might be ruled out of the series post an ankle injury while playing against Vidharbha in the Ranji Trophy, Shikhar Dhawan will also miss out the five T20Is against Kiwis following a shoulder injury he inflicted while fielding in the third ODI against the Aussies. Shikhar's replacement will be announced soon. Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) will review Ishant's MRI scan again and will look at the extent of the tear. Despite Rishabh Pant's regaining fitness, it seems like he will be benched during the tour as the Indian Skipper said that KL Rahul's current role is more suitable to the team. Rahul's outstanding form in the previous series as helped him cement his position in the playing XI. He was designated as the keeper after Pant was ruled out for the remainder of the series post-concussion. His stumping against Aaron Finch was decisive in the second ODI. Virat Kohli compared this formula to that of World Cup 2003, where Rahul Dravid donned the gloves to make a place for an extra batsman. New Zealand, on the other hand, will aim to win all the formats of the tour as the ICC World Cup finalists would want to establish confidence after the forgettable home series against the Aussies. Fixtures- T20I series: January 24, Friday- 1st T20I New Zealand vs India - Eden Park, Auckland January 26, Sunday- 2nd T20I New Zealand vs India - Eden Park, Auckland January 29, Wednesday- 3rd T20I New Zealand vs India - Seddon Park, Hamilton January 31, Friday- 4th T20I New Zealand vs India - Westpac Stadium, Wellington February 02, Sunday- 5th T20I New Zealand vs India - Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui ODI series: February 05, Wednesday- 1st ODI New Zealand vs India - Seddon Park, Hamilton February 08, Saturday- 2nd ODI New Zealand vs India - Eden Park, Auckland February 11, Tuesday- 3rd ODI New Zealand vs India - Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui Test series: February 21, Fri to February 25, Tue- 1st Test, New Zealand vs India - Basin Reserve, Wellington February 29, Sat - March 04, Wed- 2nd Test, New Zealand vs India - Hagley Oval, Christchurch

India vs New Zealand: Kiwis eye redemption against Virat's men

Number 1 ranked India did not waste much time on the third day of the second Test to clean sweep two-match series by an innings and 46 runs. This is India's seventh consecutive Test win, best-ever winning streak and 12th successive home series victory.&nbsp;&nbsp;

This was the first <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/skipper-virat-kohli-scores-commanding-ton-as-ishant-co-close-in-on-series-win-against-bangladesh-264126">day-night Test</a>&nbsp;played by either of the teams with the pink ball.&nbsp;

Indian captain Virat Kohli showered praise on his fast bowlers in the post-match presentation ceremony, saying that the way the pacers are bowling, they can take wicket anywhere.&nbsp;

Earlier on day 3 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, the visitors could add only 43 runs in their overnight score to end with 195 runs as Umesh Yadav didn't waste much time to dismiss&nbsp;the remaining batsmen. In doing so, Yadav claimed a five-wicket-haul.

Mushfiqur Rahim scored most runs for the visitors in the second innings (74).&nbsp;

Earlier, skipper Kohli's spectacular 137 and fifties by Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara ensured that India declared on 347 runs. In the first innings, Bangladesh could manage only 106 runs as Sharma-led pace attack didn't provide visitors any opportunity to fight back.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Bangladesh lost the first match too with an innings. Acknowledging the team's disappointing performance, Bangladesh captain Mominul Haque said that the gap between the two teams is "concerning".

Ishant Sharma, who claimed nine wickets in the match, was awarded player of the match and series trophy. Sharma, along with Yadav (12) took most wickets in the series.&nbsp;

Rising star Mayank Agarwal was the highest run-getter in the series, scoring 257 runs at an average of 128.5.&nbsp;

With the series win, team India broke a host of records, including becoming the first team to win four successive Tests by an innings. With 33rd win in Tests, Kohli surpassed former Australian captain Alain Border and grabbed the fifth spot in the list of most Test wins.&nbsp;

Indian pacers also registered their best-ever performance at home by hunting 19 out of the 20 wickets.&nbsp;

India won the first Test too within three days before claiming the T20 series 2-1 against Bangladesh.&nbsp;

Number 1 ranked India did not waste much time on the third day of the second Test to clean sweep two-match series by an innings and 46 runs. This is India's seventh consecutive Test win, best-ever winning streak and 12th successive home series victory.

Number 1 ranked India did not waste much time on the third day of the second Test to clean sweep two-match series by an innings and 46 runs. This is India's seventh consecutive Test win, best-ever winning streak and 12th successive home series victory. This was the first day-night Test played by either of the teams with the pink ball. Indian captain Virat Kohli showered praise on his fast bowlers in the post-match presentation ceremony, saying that the way the pacers are bowling, they can take wicket anywhere. Earlier on day 3 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, the visitors could add only 43 runs in their overnight score to end with 195 runs as Umesh Yadav didn't waste much time to dismiss the remaining batsmen. In doing so, Yadav claimed a five-wicket-haul. Mushfiqur Rahim scored most runs for the visitors in the second innings (74). Earlier, skipper Kohli's spectacular 137 and fifties by Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara ensured that India declared on 347 runs. In the first innings, Bangladesh could manage only 106 runs as Sharma-led pace attack didn't provide visitors any opportunity to fight back. Bangladesh lost the first match too with an innings. Acknowledging the team's disappointing performance, Bangladesh captain Mominul Haque said that the gap between the two teams is "concerning". Ishant Sharma, who claimed nine wickets in the match, was awarded player of the match and series trophy. Sharma, along with Yadav (12) took most wickets in the series. Rising star Mayank Agarwal was the highest run-getter in the series, scoring 257 runs at an average of 128.5. With the series win, team India broke a host of records, including becoming the first team to win four successive Tests by an innings. With 33rd win in Tests, Kohli surpassed former Australian captain Alain Border and grabbed the fifth spot in the list of most Test wins. Indian pacers also registered their best-ever performance at home by hunting 19 out of the 20 wickets. India won the first Test too within three days before claiming the T20 series 2-1 against Bangladesh.

India vs Bangladesh: Umesh Yadav takes five as winning-run for Kohli & Co continues

The Indian team is on the verge of 12th consecutive Test series victory at home after skipper scored a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-ban-virat-kohlis-dominating-100-highlight-as-india-declare-on-347-9-264103">commanding ton </a>which was later backed by yet another day of quality fast bowling. &nbsp;

At stumps on Day 2 of first-ever pink-ball Test between both nations, Bangladesh were struggling to avoid defeat by an innings with a score of 152 runs. Bangladesh are still trailing by 89 runs and have only four wickets left with them.

After taking a fifer in the first innings, Ishant Sharma was once again the star of the bowling as he took four wickets and is set for another five-wicket-haul.

At one stage, India looked to end match on the second day itself when Bangladesh lost four wickets in less than seven overs.

However, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah's 120-run partnership delayed of what seems like another humiliating loss for visitors. The partnership looked threatening when Mahmudullah pulled up his hamstring while attempting a sharp single and was retired hurt.&nbsp;

The day ended after Umesh Yadav dismissed Taijul Islam, his second wicket of the innings. Rahim is still batting on 59.&nbsp;

Earlier, India declared on 347-9 after Virat Kohli scored his 27th hundred and ensured that India gained a decisive lead against the visitors. This was the 20th ton of Kohli as skipper and an incredible catch by concussion substitute Taijul Islam ended Indian skipper's innings at 138.

Kohli was ably supported by Ajinkya Rahane, who scored a half-century and the duo put on a crucial partnership of 99 runs. After the loss of Kohli and Rahane, India lost few quick wickets before wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha and Mohammed Shami hit few boundaries to take India a tad under 350.&nbsp;

The highlight of Kohli's innings was when he smashed Abu Jayed for four consecutive boundaries before finishing his innings with 18 fours.&nbsp;

Al-Amin Hossain and Ebadat Hossain claimed three wickets each.&nbsp;

On day 1, Bangladeshi batsmen went down like ninepins against lethal pace bowling led by Sharma who picked up five wickets.&nbsp;

This is the first pink-ball Test played by either of the sides at Eden Garden in Kolkata.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

The Indian team is on the verge of 12th consecutive Test series victory at home after skipper scored a commanding ton which was later backed by yet another day of quality fast bowling.

The Indian team is on the verge of 12th consecutive Test series victory at home after skipper scored a commanding ton which was later backed by yet another day of quality fast bowling. At stumps on Day 2 of first-ever pink-ball Test between both nations, Bangladesh were struggling to avoid defeat by an innings with a score of 152 runs. Bangladesh are still trailing by 89 runs and have only four wickets left with them. After taking a fifer in the first innings, Ishant Sharma was once again the star of the bowling as he took four wickets and is set for another five-wicket-haul. At one stage, India looked to end match on the second day itself when Bangladesh lost four wickets in less than seven overs. However, Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah's 120-run partnership delayed of what seems like another humiliating loss for visitors. The partnership looked threatening when Mahmudullah pulled up his hamstring while attempting a sharp single and was retired hurt. The day ended after Umesh Yadav dismissed Taijul Islam, his second wicket of the innings. Rahim is still batting on 59. Earlier, India declared on 347-9 after Virat Kohli scored his 27th hundred and ensured that India gained a decisive lead against the visitors. This was the 20th ton of Kohli as skipper and an incredible catch by concussion substitute Taijul Islam ended Indian skipper's innings at 138. Kohli was ably supported by Ajinkya Rahane, who scored a half-century and the duo put on a crucial partnership of 99 runs. After the loss of Kohli and Rahane, India lost few quick wickets before wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha and Mohammed Shami hit few boundaries to take India a tad under 350. The highlight of Kohli's innings was when he smashed Abu Jayed for four consecutive boundaries before finishing his innings with 18 fours. Al-Amin Hossain and Ebadat Hossain claimed three wickets each. On day 1, Bangladeshi batsmen went down like ninepins against lethal pace bowling led by Sharma who picked up five wickets. This is the first pink-ball Test played by either of the sides at Eden Garden in Kolkata.

Skipper Virat Kohli scores commanding ton as Ishant & Co close in on series win against Bangladesh

India declared their first innings on 347 for nine on Saturday after skipper <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/daynight-test-virat-kohli-registers-27th-test-century-264062">Virat Kohli's </a>sparkling 136 on day two of the maiden day-night Test for both the teams.

The hosts, leading the two-match series 1-0, managed a crucial lead of 241 in response to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-ban-2nd-test-hosts-finish-day-1-on-strong-note-after-pace-trio-skittles-bangladesh-cheaply-263946">Bangladesh's 106 </a>in India's pink ball debut in Kolkata.

Wriddhiman Saha, on 17, and Mohammed Shami, on 10, were batting in the second session when Kohli called them back to keep India on track for a very early finish in the five-day game.

Kohli played with ease and completed his 27th century before falling to a stunning catch by concussion substitute Taijul Islam.

Taijul, a left-arm spinner, made it count with a wicket of Ajinkya Rahane for 51 and then took a diving catch at fine leg to send back Kohli off paceman Ebadat Hossain.

India lost a few quick wickets, but Saha and Shami got a few boundaries and a six by the last man in pulverised the Bangladesh bowlers.

Pacemen Al-Amin Hossain and Ebadat took three wickets each.

Kohli stood out with his prolific scoring as he put on crucial partnerships including a 99-run stand with overnight partner Rahane.

The star batsman smashed paceman Abu Jayed for four straight boundaries in one over before finishing with 18 fours in his 194-ball stay.

Cheteshwar Pujara also contributed with a useful 55 in a 94-run stand with Kohli after India lost their openers on day one.

Ishant Sharma led India's inspired pace attack and took five wickets to bundle out Bangladesh in the second session on Friday.

India declared their first innings on 347 for nine on Saturday after skipper Virat Kohli's sparkling 136 on day two of the maiden day-night Test for both the teams.

India declared their first innings on 347 for nine on Saturday after skipper Virat Kohli's sparkling 136 on day two of the maiden day-night Test for both the teams. The hosts, leading the two-match series 1-0, managed a crucial lead of 241 in response to Bangladesh's 106 in India's pink ball debut in Kolkata. Wriddhiman Saha, on 17, and Mohammed Shami, on 10, were batting in the second session when Kohli called them back to keep India on track for a very early finish in the five-day game. Kohli played with ease and completed his 27th century before falling to a stunning catch by concussion substitute Taijul Islam. Taijul, a left-arm spinner, made it count with a wicket of Ajinkya Rahane for 51 and then took a diving catch at fine leg to send back Kohli off paceman Ebadat Hossain. India lost a few quick wickets, but Saha and Shami got a few boundaries and a six by the last man in pulverised the Bangladesh bowlers. Pacemen Al-Amin Hossain and Ebadat took three wickets each. Kohli stood out with his prolific scoring as he put on crucial partnerships including a 99-run stand with overnight partner Rahane. The star batsman smashed paceman Abu Jayed for four straight boundaries in one over before finishing with 18 fours in his 194-ball stay. Cheteshwar Pujara also contributed with a useful 55 in a 94-run stand with Kohli after India lost their openers on day one. Ishant Sharma led India's inspired pace attack and took five wickets to bundle out Bangladesh in the second session on Friday.

Ind vs Ban: Virat Kohli's dominating 100 shine as India declare on 347-9

The number one ranked Indian side once again dominated proceedings against Bangladesh and ended with a lead of 68 runs before <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/india-vs-bangladesh-2nd-test-lethal-indian-pace-attack-wreck-bangladesh-on-pink-ball-debut-263892">bundling out </a>visitors for a less-than-modest score at the end of day 1 of the second Test.

Captain Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane were not out on 59 and 23 respectively as India finished the day with 174 runs for the loss of three wickets.&nbsp;&nbsp;

This is the first pink-ball Test match played by either of the nations and the inauguration of&nbsp;this iconic match was done by&nbsp;Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina earlier in the day. BCCI President and former Indian cricketer Sourav Ganguly and batting legend Sachin Tendulkar were also present to witness the day's proceedings.&nbsp;&nbsp;

India only need&nbsp;a draw in this match for a 12th consecutive home series win.&nbsp;

Earlier, India's lethal pace-trio ensured that the visitors didn't even manage a modest score after Bangladesh captain Mominul Haque won the toss and decided to bat first.&nbsp;

When India came out to bat, last match's double centurion Mayank Agarwal and his opening partner Rohit Sharma did not trouble scorers much and India were reduced to 43-2. But skipper Kohli and Pujara's partnership of 94 runs ensured that India were on course of a clean sweep.

Pujara got out after scoring a&nbsp;gritting half-century.&nbsp;

Earlier, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ishant-sharma-takes-fives-as-indian-pacers-bundle-out-bangladesh-for-106-in-pink-ball-test-263926">Ishant Sharma </a>took a fifer and played a key role in dismissing the tail-enders. Both Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Shami were equally effective and didn't allow the frontline batsmen to settle. Yadav ended with three wickets, while Shami finished with figures of 2 for 36 runs.&nbsp;

Bangladesh really struggled against the display of quality fast bowling as only three batsmen were able to touch a double-digit score and three dismissed for nought. Shadman Islam was the top-scorer from the Bangladeshi side with 29 runs followed by Liton who was retired hurt on 24.&nbsp;

While batting, the visitors dealt with double blow when Liton Das and Nayeem Islam made an exit from the game following hits on the helmet from Shami. The visitors were forced to use two concussion substitutes, which has happened for the first time in a Test. Mehidy Hasan and Tajul Islam were the replacements of Liton and Nayeem.&nbsp;

From August 2019, the International Cricket Council (ICC) allowed using concussion substitutes.&nbsp;

(with inputs from agencies)

The number one ranked Indian side once again dominated proceedings against Bangladesh and ended with a lead of 68 runs before bundling out visitors for a less-than-modest score at the end of day 1 of the second Test.

The number one ranked Indian side once again dominated proceedings against Bangladesh and ended with a lead of 68 runs before bundling out visitors for a less-than-modest score at the end of day 1 of the second Test. Captain Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane were not out on 59 and 23 respectively as India finished the day with 174 runs for the loss of three wickets. This is the first pink-ball Test match played by either of the nations and the inauguration of this iconic match was done by Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina earlier in the day. BCCI President and former Indian cricketer Sourav Ganguly and batting legend Sachin Tendulkar were also present to witness the day's proceedings. India only need a draw in this match for a 12th consecutive home series win. Earlier, India's lethal pace-trio ensured that the visitors didn't even manage a modest score after Bangladesh captain Mominul Haque won the toss and decided to bat first. When India came out to bat, last match's double centurion Mayank Agarwal and his opening partner Rohit Sharma did not trouble scorers much and India were reduced to 43-2. But skipper Kohli and Pujara's partnership of 94 runs ensured that India were on course of a clean sweep. Pujara got out after scoring a gritting half-century. Earlier, Ishant Sharma took a fifer and played a key role in dismissing the tail-enders. Both Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Shami were equally effective and didn't allow the frontline batsmen to settle. Yadav ended with three wickets, while Shami finished with figures of 2 for 36 runs. Bangladesh really struggled against the display of quality fast bowling as only three batsmen were able to touch a double-digit score and three dismissed for nought. Shadman Islam was the top-scorer from the Bangladeshi side with 29 runs followed by Liton who was retired hurt on 24. While batting, the visitors dealt with double blow when Liton Das and Nayeem Islam made an exit from the game following hits on the helmet from Shami. The visitors were forced to use two concussion substitutes, which has happened for the first time in a Test. Mehidy Hasan and Tajul Islam were the replacements of Liton and Nayeem. From August 2019, the International Cricket Council (ICC) allowed using concussion substitutes. (with inputs from agencies)

Ind vs Ban 2nd Test: Hosts finish Day 1 on strong note after pace trio skittles Bangladesh

Bangladesh were forced to use two concussion substitutes Friday after India's pacemen led by Ishant Sharma bowled them out for 106 in the first day-night Test for both the teams.

Ishant returned figures of 5-22 in India's pink-ball debut to skittle the tourists in the second session after they elected to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/pink-ball-test-bangladesh-win-toss-elect-to-bat-first-263846">bat first </a>in Kolkata.

But the tourists were dealt a double blow after Liton Das and Nayeem Islam were forced out of the game following hits on the helmet from paceman Mohammed Shami.

India were 35 for one at dinner -- the second session break of the day-night Test, trailing the tourists by 71 runs.

Rohit Sharma, on 13, and Cheteshwar Pujara, on seven, were batting after Mayank Agarwal was out for 14 off paceman Al-Amin Hossain.

Mehidy Hasan, who replaced Liton after the wicketkeeper-batsman retired hurt on 24, and Taijul Islam, for Nayeem, are back in the XI.

Mehidy, who made eight while batting, was replacing a batsman, so he can only bat. Taijul is a sub for an off-spinner, so he can bowl.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) approved the use of concussion substitutes for all internationals from August. This is the first time two subs are being used in a Test.

India and Bangladesh have joined the pink-ball party four years after the first day-night Test in Adelaide between Australia and New Zealand.

Ishant struck first to get Imrul Kayes trapped lbw for four, and the left-handed opener wasted a review with replays showing the ball would have hit leg stump.

Umesh Yadav soon got going in his second spell to send back skipper Mominul Haque, caught superbly by Rohit at second slip for nought, before bowling Mohammed Mithun two balls later.

Kolkata-based Shami, part of India's deadly pace trio in the series, received the loudest cheers from a packed house at Eden Gardens after getting Mushfiqur Rahim bowled for nought.

Opener Shadman Islam worked hard for his 29 off 52 balls before becoming Yadav's third victim of the first session, which ended with Bangladesh on 73-6.

Ishant returned to wipe out the tail alongside Shami who took the final wicket of Abu for nought -- the fourth zero in the innings.

India's cricket chief Sourav Ganguly has put on a grand show at Eden Gardens, which is sold out for the first four days of the match.

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was in attendance along with a host of cricketing greats including batting icon Sachin Tendulkar.

Bangladesh were forced to use two concussion substitutes Friday after India's pacemen led by Ishant Sharma bowled them out for 106 in the first day-night Test for both the teams.

Bangladesh were forced to use two concussion substitutes Friday after India's pacemen led by Ishant Sharma bowled them out for 106 in the first day-night Test for both the teams. Ishant returned figures of 5-22 in India's pink-ball debut to skittle the tourists in the second session after they elected to bat first in Kolkata. But the tourists were dealt a double blow after Liton Das and Nayeem Islam were forced out of the game following hits on the helmet from paceman Mohammed Shami. India were 35 for one at dinner -- the second session break of the day-night Test, trailing the tourists by 71 runs. Rohit Sharma, on 13, and Cheteshwar Pujara, on seven, were batting after Mayank Agarwal was out for 14 off paceman Al-Amin Hossain. Mehidy Hasan, who replaced Liton after the wicketkeeper-batsman retired hurt on 24, and Taijul Islam, for Nayeem, are back in the XI. Mehidy, who made eight while batting, was replacing a batsman, so he can only bat. Taijul is a sub for an off-spinner, so he can bowl. The International Cricket Council (ICC) approved the use of concussion substitutes for all internationals from August. This is the first time two subs are being used in a Test. India and Bangladesh have joined the pink-ball party four years after the first day-night Test in Adelaide between Australia and New Zealand. Ishant struck first to get Imrul Kayes trapped lbw for four, and the left-handed opener wasted a review with replays showing the ball would have hit leg stump. Umesh Yadav soon got going in his second spell to send back skipper Mominul Haque, caught superbly by Rohit at second slip for nought, before bowling Mohammed Mithun two balls later. Kolkata-based Shami, part of India's deadly pace trio in the series, received the loudest cheers from a packed house at Eden Gardens after getting Mushfiqur Rahim bowled for nought. Opener Shadman Islam worked hard for his 29 off 52 balls before becoming Yadav's third victim of the first session, which ended with Bangladesh on 73-6. Ishant returned to wipe out the tail alongside Shami who took the final wicket of Abu for nought -- the fourth zero in the innings. India's cricket chief Sourav Ganguly has put on a grand show at Eden Gardens, which is sold out for the first four days of the match. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was in attendance along with a host of cricketing greats including batting icon Sachin Tendulkar.

Ishant Sharma takes fives as Indian pacers bundle out Bangladesh for 106 in pink-ball test

India's three-pronged pace attack wreaked havoc with the pink ball to reduce Bangladesh to 73 for six in the first session on day one of the second and final test on Friday.

The heavily-lacquered ball dominated the bat after Bangladesh captain Mominul Haque <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/pink-ball-test-bangladesh-win-toss-elect-to-bat-first-263846">elected to bat </a>in the first day-night test for both the teams at Kolkata's Eden Gardens.

Mominul was soon left to rue the decision as the tourists, beaten inside three days in the series opener in Indore, looked clueless against India's quality attack.

To make it worse for them, Liton Das, who made 24, retired hurt after being hit in the helmet by a short Mohammed Shami delivery.

Nayeem Hasan and Abu Jayed, both yet to open their account, will return after the break to try and help the tourists past the 100-mark.

Ishant Sharma dismissed Imrul Kayes for four to earn the breakthrough and Umesh Yadav struck twice immediately after a change of ends to rattle the tourists.

Rohit Sharma took a diving, one-handed catch to send back Mominul, while Mohammad Mithun inside-edged an Umesh delivery onto the stumps.

Mushfiqur Rahim became the third top-order batsman to fall for a duck, bowled out by Shami.

Opener Shadman Islam hit five boundaries in his 29 before becoming Umesh's third victim. Wriddhiman Saha took a stunning low catch to send back Mahmudullah for six.

India need only a draw to record their 12th successive home series victory.

India's three-pronged pace attack wreaked havoc with the pink ball to reduce Bangladesh to 73 for six in the first session on day one of the second and final test on Friday.

India's three-pronged pace attack wreaked havoc with the pink ball to reduce Bangladesh to 73 for six in the first session on day one of the second and final test on Friday. The heavily-lacquered ball dominated the bat after Bangladesh captain Mominul Haque elected to bat in the first day-night test for both the teams at Kolkata's Eden Gardens. Mominul was soon left to rue the decision as the tourists, beaten inside three days in the series opener in Indore, looked clueless against India's quality attack. To make it worse for them, Liton Das, who made 24, retired hurt after being hit in the helmet by a short Mohammed Shami delivery. Nayeem Hasan and Abu Jayed, both yet to open their account, will return after the break to try and help the tourists past the 100-mark. Ishant Sharma dismissed Imrul Kayes for four to earn the breakthrough and Umesh Yadav struck twice immediately after a change of ends to rattle the tourists. Rohit Sharma took a diving, one-handed catch to send back Mominul, while Mohammad Mithun inside-edged an Umesh delivery onto the stumps. Mushfiqur Rahim became the third top-order batsman to fall for a duck, bowled out by Shami. Opener Shadman Islam hit five boundaries in his 29 before becoming Umesh's third victim. Wriddhiman Saha took a stunning low catch to send back Mahmudullah for six. India need only a draw to record their 12th successive home series victory.

India vs Bangladesh 2nd Test: Lethal Indian pace attack wreck Bangladesh on pink-ball debut

Jasprit Bumrah led a devastating fast bowling assault in routing the West Indies for 100 to earn India a crushing 318-run victory in the first Test at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on Sunday.

Set an improbable target of 419 after Virat Kohli declared the tourists' second innings at 343 for seven in mid-afternoon, the hosts were demolished in 26.5 overs for their lowest Test innings total ever against India with Bumrah returning the outstanding figures of five for seven off eight overs.

Four of his victims were comprehensively bowled in an irresistible spell in which he displayed a previously unseen ability by him to swing the ball both ways.

"I've been working a lot on this aspect of my game and I am really happy to see how it worked out today," he said.&nbsp;

"I was a bit stiff in the first innings but it all came out well today. I just have to keep on learning my craft."

Ishant Sharma supported Bumrah brilliantly in sharing the new ball, taking three for 31 to finish with eight wickets in the match.&nbsp;

Mohammed Shami chipped in with two wickets which reduced the West Indies to 50 for nine and it took some big hitting from Kemar Roach, who top-scored with 38, to double his side's total.

It was Sharma who ended Roach's resistance and sealed victory via a top-edged hook to wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant.

After Ajinkya Rahane completed his tenth Test hundred and Hanuma Vihari fell seven runs short of his maiden Test century, prompting the declaration, Bumrah and Sharma were utterly devastating.

Bumrah was first to strike in extending Kraigg Brathwaite's already protracted run of low scores before scattering the stumps of opening partner John Campbell and senior batsman Darren Bravo.

He could have also had the wicket of Shimron Hetmyer but Kohli grassed a straightforward catch at third slip.

Sharma trapped debutant Shamarh Brooks leg-before and then made Hetmyer pay for his continuing loose play outside the off-stump, Rahane atoning for his captain's earlier error in the slip cordon.

Languishing at 15 for five at tea, Bumrah completed his five-wicket haul by targeting the stumps of Shai Hope and beleaguered West Indies captain Jason Holder with heat-seeking accuracy.&nbsp;

'Stop making excuses'

"We really have to stop making excuses and sort this issue out. It just keeps on happening," said a frustrated Holder on his team's latest batting collapse.&nbsp;

"We failed to capitalise on a good position in the first innings and just weren't up for it in the second. We can't go on like this."

Ironically the day started brightly for the hosts when Roston Chase removed Kohli before he had added to his overnight score of 51.&nbsp;

However, Vihari started positively with the entrenched Rahane and not even the introduction of the second new ball could stem the flow of runs as 102 were scored off 29 overs in the morning session.

Rahane's 17-match and near two-year wait for a Test hundred ended shortly after the resumption of play in the afternoon.

But he fell shortly after reaching the landmark, Holder taking the catch at mid-off to dismiss him off Shannon Gabriel.&nbsp;

Rahane's knock of 102, which followed his first innings top score of 81, spanned five hours, 242 deliveries and included five fours.

Kohli delayed the declaration in anticipation of Vihari's hundred but the right-hander, on 93, gloved an attempted hook off Holder to wicketkeeper Shai Hope, leaving the West Indies with a task they never looked capable of challenging.

With 60 World Test Championship points in the bag, India will be seeking to double that tally and sweep the brief series when the second Test begins in Jamaica on Friday.

Jasprit Bumrah led a devastating fast bowling assault in routing the West Indies for 100 to earn India a crushing 318-run victory in the first Test at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on Sunday.

Jasprit Bumrah led a devastating fast bowling assault in routing the West Indies for 100 to earn India a crushing 318-run victory in the first Test at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua on Sunday. Set an improbable target of 419 after Virat Kohli declared the tourists' second innings at 343 for seven in mid-afternoon, the hosts were demolished in 26.5 overs for their lowest Test innings total ever against India with Bumrah returning the outstanding figures of five for seven off eight overs. Four of his victims were comprehensively bowled in an irresistible spell in which he displayed a previously unseen ability by him to swing the ball both ways. "I've been working a lot on this aspect of my game and I am really happy to see how it worked out today," he said. "I was a bit stiff in the first innings but it all came out well today. I just have to keep on learning my craft." Ishant Sharma supported Bumrah brilliantly in sharing the new ball, taking three for 31 to finish with eight wickets in the match. Mohammed Shami chipped in with two wickets which reduced the West Indies to 50 for nine and it took some big hitting from Kemar Roach, who top-scored with 38, to double his side's total. It was Sharma who ended Roach's resistance and sealed victory via a top-edged hook to wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant. After Ajinkya Rahane completed his tenth Test hundred and Hanuma Vihari fell seven runs short of his maiden Test century, prompting the declaration, Bumrah and Sharma were utterly devastating. Bumrah was first to strike in extending Kraigg Brathwaite's already protracted run of low scores before scattering the stumps of opening partner John Campbell and senior batsman Darren Bravo. He could have also had the wicket of Shimron Hetmyer but Kohli grassed a straightforward catch at third slip. Sharma trapped debutant Shamarh Brooks leg-before and then made Hetmyer pay for his continuing loose play outside the off-stump, Rahane atoning for his captain's earlier error in the slip cordon. Languishing at 15 for five at tea, Bumrah completed his five-wicket haul by targeting the stumps of Shai Hope and beleaguered West Indies captain Jason Holder with heat-seeking accuracy. 'Stop making excuses' "We really have to stop making excuses and sort this issue out. It just keeps on happening," said a frustrated Holder on his team's latest batting collapse. "We failed to capitalise on a good position in the first innings and just weren't up for it in the second. We can't go on like this." Ironically the day started brightly for the hosts when Roston Chase removed Kohli before he had added to his overnight score of 51. However, Vihari started positively with the entrenched Rahane and not even the introduction of the second new ball could stem the flow of runs as 102 were scored off 29 overs in the morning session. Rahane's 17-match and near two-year wait for a Test hundred ended shortly after the resumption of play in the afternoon. But he fell shortly after reaching the landmark, Holder taking the catch at mid-off to dismiss him off Shannon Gabriel. Rahane's knock of 102, which followed his first innings top score of 81, spanned five hours, 242 deliveries and included five fours. Kohli delayed the declaration in anticipation of Vihari's hundred but the right-hander, on 93, gloved an attempted hook off Holder to wicketkeeper Shai Hope, leaving the West Indies with a task they never looked capable of challenging. With 60 World Test Championship points in the bag, India will be seeking to double that tally and sweep the brief series when the second Test begins in Jamaica on Friday.

Jasprit Bumrah leads India to 318-run victory against West Indies in first Test

Ishant Sharma took five wickets, including three in seven balls, as India firmly gained the upper hand over West Indies on the second day of the first test in Antigua on Friday.

Sharma (5-42) rattled through West Indies' middle order late in the day, turning the match perhaps decisively in favour of the visitors.

West Indies were 189-8 at stumps in their first innings, still, 108 runs behind in reply to India's 297 total.

Sharma's first five-wicket haul in more than a year began when he caught-and-bowled obdurate opener Kraigg Brathwaite for 14.

He later dismissed Roston Chase (48) and then sent Shai Hope (24), Shimron Hetymer (35) and Kemar Roach (0) packing in a devastating seven-ball purple patch.

West Indies will be frustrated that all of their recognised batsmen got starts, but nobody managed a half-century.

Earlier, India resumed on 203-6, before Sharma contributed 19 runs of a 60-run eighth-wicket partnership with Ravindra Jadeja that helped the visitors to what looked like a pretty good total by the end of the day.

Jadeja was the last man out, for 58, the second-highest scorer behind number five Ajinkya Rahane's 81.

Opening bowlers Roach (4-66) and Shannon Gabriel (3-71) combined for seven wickets.

The match is the first of a two-test series between the teams that is part of the new World Test Championship.

Ishant Sharma took five wickets, including three in seven balls, as India firmly gained the upper hand over West Indies on the second day of the first test in Antigua on Friday.

Ishant Sharma took five wickets, including three in seven balls, as India firmly gained the upper hand over West Indies on the second day of the first test in Antigua on Friday. Sharma (5-42) rattled through West Indies' middle order late in the day, turning the match perhaps decisively in favour of the visitors. West Indies were 189-8 at stumps in their first innings, still, 108 runs behind in reply to India's 297 total. Sharma's first five-wicket haul in more than a year began when he caught-and-bowled obdurate opener Kraigg Brathwaite for 14. He later dismissed Roston Chase (48) and then sent Shai Hope (24), Shimron Hetymer (35) and Kemar Roach (0) packing in a devastating seven-ball purple patch. West Indies will be frustrated that all of their recognised batsmen got starts, but nobody managed a half-century. Earlier, India resumed on 203-6, before Sharma contributed 19 runs of a 60-run eighth-wicket partnership with Ravindra Jadeja that helped the visitors to what looked like a pretty good total by the end of the day. Jadeja was the last man out, for 58, the second-highest scorer behind number five Ajinkya Rahane's 81. Opening bowlers Roach (4-66) and Shannon Gabriel (3-71) combined for seven wickets. The match is the first of a two-test series between the teams that is part of the new World Test Championship.

Ishant Sharma takes five wickets, India on top against West Indies

India's unwavering pursuit of history hit a minor glitch in 11th hour injury concerns but Virat Kohli's men will still walk in as overwhelming favourites against a faltering Australia in the fourth and final Test starting Thursday.

Leading 2-1 in the four-match series, India remain firm favourites to make it 3-1 at the Sydney Cricket Ground despite the injury-forced omission of premier spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and senior pacer Ishant Sharma, who has not been named in the 13-member list.

Australia have hosted India since 1947-48, and barring three occasions in 1980-81, 1985-86 and 2003-04 which were drawn the visitors have lost the Test series on seven occasions -- 1967-68, 1977-78, 1991-92, 1999-2000, 2007-08, 2011-12, 2014-15.

Virat Kohli, thus, is in a unique position as the only Indian captain to go into the final Test on the Australian soil with the cushion of a series lead.&nbsp;

A series win in Australia will certainly put Kohli on a different pedestal even though the quality of the home team's batting line-up suffered due to the ball-tampering bans on former skipper Steve Smith and his deputy David Warner.

Kohli will also need to fret over his team combination as the skipper revealed that senior off-spinner hasn't adequately recovered from his injury despite being named in the preliminary 13-member squad.

With spin considered a traditional factor in any Sydney Test, India were left fretting over the fitness of off-spinner R Ashwin, who is yet to recover from left abdominal strain that laid him low after the first Test in Adelaide.&nbsp;

Ishant is out after experiencing discomfort in his left rib cage and the team management didn't want to risk him by playing him in the decider.

While Ashwin had played on in Nottingham and Southampton (despite a groin injury as revealed by the team management only at the Oval), he has already missed two Tests - in Perth and Melbourne - in the on-going series.&nbsp;

"It's unfortunate that he's had two niggles that are quite similar in the last two away tours," said skipper Kohli.

"He's very important for sure. In Test cricket, he's a vital part of this team and we wanted him to be 100 per cent fit for a longer period to that he can come back to us in the Test format. He is very disappointed that he's not able to recover in time," Kohli elaborated.

In a strange u-turn, after he was ruled out at the time of Kohli's pre-match press conference, Ashwin was named in the 13-man shortlist for this fourth Test.&nbsp;

A final decision on his fitness and availability for the match will be taken at toss-time.&nbsp;

Additionally, India have included left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav as cover, in case the skipper decides to go in with two spinners.

Umesh Yadav has been included in place of Ishant, along with Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah.&nbsp;

In Rohit Sharma's absence, out-of-favour opener KL Rahul could be slated for a comeback after missing out in Melbourne, with Hanuma Vihari slotting down to his number six spot.

This is on assumption that regardless of Ashwin's fitness, India will opt to play four bowlers, whether in two-pacer-two spinners or three-pacers-one-spinner combination.&nbsp;

There is no option of playing an all-rounder as Hardik Pandya continues to be ignored, despite a hectic pre-match workout in the nets with both bat and ball. 
Kohli has described Vihari as an "exciting" spinner and he will be the second spin option, if India retain their bowling combination from the MCG Test.

Additionally, this 13-man shortlist can also be seen as a ploy to keep Australia guessing, for the hosts made a departure from norm and decided not to name their playing eleven for the first time in this series.&nbsp;

Skipper Tim Paine said that they would wait to announce the team until the toss, taking into consideration if India opt to play two full-time spinners.

While they need at least a draw in Sydney to win the series outright, India will retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy irrespective of the result. Kohli will join Ganguly as the only Indian captain to have achieved this feat in Australia.&nbsp;

Additionally, one more win will take Kohli ahead of Ganguly, who led India to 11 wins in 28 overseas Tests. Kohli has matched that record in 24 away Tests.

For Australia, batsman Peter Handscomb is expected to make a comeback for Mitchell Marsh, who has come under severe criticism after his poor shot selection in Melbourne.&nbsp;

The other toss-up is between opener Aaron Finch and leg-spin all-rounder Marnus Labuschagne. If Finch is left out, Usman Khawaja will open with Marcus Harris, and Labuschagne slotting in the middle-order.

It remains to be seen if this would solve any of Australia's batting problems, with not a single batsman scoring a century so far in this Test series.&nbsp; 
Teams:

India (Final 13): Virat Kohli (capt), Mayank Agarwal, Hanuma Vihari, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Kuldeep Yadav, R Ashwin.

Australia: Tim Paine (capt &amp; wk), Marcus Harris, Aaron Finch, Usman Khawaja, Travis Head, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Marnus Labuschagne, Peter Handscomb, Peter Siddle.

India's unwavering pursuit of history hit a minor glitch in 11th hour injury concerns but Virat Kohli's men will still walk in as overwhelming favourites against a faltering Australia in the fourth and final Test starting Thursday.

India's unwavering pursuit of history hit a minor glitch in 11th hour injury concerns but Virat Kohli's men will still walk in as overwhelming favourites against a faltering Australia in the fourth and final Test starting Thursday. Leading 2-1 in the four-match series, India remain firm favourites to make it 3-1 at the Sydney Cricket Ground despite the injury-forced omission of premier spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and senior pacer Ishant Sharma, who has not been named in the 13-member list. Australia have hosted India since 1947-48, and barring three occasions in 1980-81, 1985-86 and 2003-04 which were drawn the visitors have lost the Test series on seven occasions -- 1967-68, 1977-78, 1991-92, 1999-2000, 2007-08, 2011-12, 2014-15. Virat Kohli, thus, is in a unique position as the only Indian captain to go into the final Test on the Australian soil with the cushion of a series lead. A series win in Australia will certainly put Kohli on a different pedestal even though the quality of the home team's batting line-up suffered due to the ball-tampering bans on former skipper Steve Smith and his deputy David Warner. Kohli will also need to fret over his team combination as the skipper revealed that senior off-spinner hasn't adequately recovered from his injury despite being named in the preliminary 13-member squad. With spin considered a traditional factor in any Sydney Test, India were left fretting over the fitness of off-spinner R Ashwin, who is yet to recover from left abdominal strain that laid him low after the first Test in Adelaide. Ishant is out after experiencing discomfort in his left rib cage and the team management didn't want to risk him by playing him in the decider. While Ashwin had played on in Nottingham and Southampton (despite a groin injury as revealed by the team management only at the Oval), he has already missed two Tests - in Perth and Melbourne - in the on-going series. "It's unfortunate that he's had two niggles that are quite similar in the last two away tours," said skipper Kohli. "He's very important for sure. In Test cricket, he's a vital part of this team and we wanted him to be 100 per cent fit for a longer period to that he can come back to us in the Test format. He is very disappointed that he's not able to recover in time," Kohli elaborated. In a strange u-turn, after he was ruled out at the time of Kohli's pre-match press conference, Ashwin was named in the 13-man shortlist for this fourth Test. A final decision on his fitness and availability for the match will be taken at toss-time. Additionally, India have included left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav as cover, in case the skipper decides to go in with two spinners. Umesh Yadav has been included in place of Ishant, along with Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah. In Rohit Sharma's absence, out-of-favour opener KL Rahul could be slated for a comeback after missing out in Melbourne, with Hanuma Vihari slotting down to his number six spot. This is on assumption that regardless of Ashwin's fitness, India will opt to play four bowlers, whether in two-pacer-two spinners or three-pacers-one-spinner combination. There is no option of playing an all-rounder as Hardik Pandya continues to be ignored, despite a hectic pre-match workout in the nets with both bat and ball. Kohli has described Vihari as an "exciting" spinner and he will be the second spin option, if India retain their bowling combination from the MCG Test. Additionally, this 13-man shortlist can also be seen as a ploy to keep Australia guessing, for the hosts made a departure from norm and decided not to name their playing eleven for the first time in this series. Skipper Tim Paine said that they would wait to announce the team until the toss, taking into consideration if India opt to play two full-time spinners. While they need at least a draw in Sydney to win the series outright, India will retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy irrespective of the result. Kohli will join Ganguly as the only Indian captain to have achieved this feat in Australia. Additionally, one more win will take Kohli ahead of Ganguly, who led India to 11 wins in 28 overseas Tests. Kohli has matched that record in 24 away Tests. For Australia, batsman Peter Handscomb is expected to make a comeback for Mitchell Marsh, who has come under severe criticism after his poor shot selection in Melbourne. The other toss-up is between opener Aaron Finch and leg-spin all-rounder Marnus Labuschagne. If Finch is left out, Usman Khawaja will open with Marcus Harris, and Labuschagne slotting in the middle-order. It remains to be seen if this would solve any of Australia's batting problems, with not a single batsman scoring a century so far in this Test series. Teams: India (Final 13): Virat Kohli (capt), Mayank Agarwal, Hanuma Vihari, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, Kuldeep Yadav, R Ashwin. Australia: Tim Paine (capt & wk), Marcus Harris, Aaron Finch, Usman Khawaja, Travis Head, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Marnus Labuschagne, Peter Handscomb, Peter Siddle.

IND vs AUS, 4th Test: Injured Ashwin, Ishant to miss out as India chase history

Mohammed Shami&#39;s four-wicket haul had South Africa all out for 258 runs in their second innings during the final session of the fourth day of the second Test match.

With 28 runs lead, the Proteas managed to set India a mammoth target of 287 at the Centurion.

The main highlight of South Africa&rsquo;s second innings was of AB de Villiers and Dean Elgar, scoring 80 and 61 respectively.&nbsp;

For India, apart from Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah took three wickets and Ishant Sharma also managed to get two.&nbsp;

Shami had struck three times for his team to dismiss two set batsman AB de Villiers and Dean Elgar and one new batsman Quinton de Kock in quick succession.&nbsp;

Skipper Faf du Plessis and Vernon Philander were the two batsmen on the crease who generated a partnership to take South Africa&#39;s score to 173/5 at lunch.&nbsp;

Earlier on Day 3, Kohli hit a masterly 153 in India`s first innings of 307 to stay in touch in Centurion, even though South Africa stretched 28-run first innings lead to 118 by scoring 90 for two in their second spell at-bat on a storm-shortened afternoon.

The main highlight of South Africa’s second innings was of de Villiers and Elgar, scoring 80 and 61 respectively

Mohammed Shami's four-wicket haul had South Africa all out for 258 runs in their second innings during the final session of the fourth day of the second Test match. With 28 runs lead, the Proteas managed to set India a mammoth target of 287 at the Centurion. The main highlight of South Africa’s second innings was of AB de Villiers and Dean Elgar, scoring 80 and 61 respectively. For India, apart from Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah took three wickets and Ishant Sharma also managed to get two. Shami had struck three times for his team to dismiss two set batsman AB de Villiers and Dean Elgar and one new batsman Quinton de Kock in quick succession. Skipper Faf du Plessis and Vernon Philander were the two batsmen on the crease who generated a partnership to take South Africa's score to 173/5 at lunch. Earlier on Day 3, Kohli hit a masterly 153 in India`s first innings of 307 to stay in touch in Centurion, even though South Africa stretched 28-run first innings lead to 118 by scoring 90 for two in their second spell at-bat on a storm-shortened afternoon.

2nd Test: South Africa all out for 258 in 2nd innings

South Africa vs India day 2 of the second test match at Centurion favoured Indian bowlers. The Proteas were dismissed for 335 runs in their first innings.

Virat Kohli faced so much criticism for his strange selections and even Sunil Gavaskar had put up a question over replacing Ishant Sharma with Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

But Ishant Sharma proved his worth by taking 3 wickets in the first innings of the second Test.

Faf du Plessis scored 63 runs for his team but Ishant Sharma struck twice and brought the team back in the game by seeing off Rabada and Faf du Plessis.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Innings Break! South Africa all out for 335 (Markram 94, Amla 82; Ashwin 4/113) <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SAvIND?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SAvIND</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FreedomSeries?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FreedomSeries</a> <a href="https://t.co/EGkzljOSBv">pic.twitter.com/EGkzljOSBv</a>
&mdash; BCCI (@BCCI) <a href="https://twitter.com/BCCI/status/952478596810997760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

Though, the first hour of day 2&nbsp;was full of madness when Rabada got two lifelines, one when captain Kohli dropped his catch and second when Hardik and Shami let another opportunity after the two got confused of who what take the catch.&nbsp;

The first wicket of the day was of Keshav Maharaj who scored 18 runs&nbsp;for the team and was taken by Shami. It was his 100th Test wicket.

On day 1, Ravichandran Ashwin got two wickets&nbsp;to get rid of both the openers&nbsp;Dean Elgar and&nbsp;Aiden Markram, though&nbsp;Markram missed the century&nbsp;as he got out after scoring 94 runs.

For India, the team management replaced wicket-keeper batsman Wriddhiman Saha and opener Shikhar Dhawan with Parthiv Patel and KL Rahul, after they failed to play along with the bouncers and seaming conditions.

South Africa

Scorecard:

Dean Elgar 31, Aiden Markram 94, Hashim Amla 82, AB de Villiers 20, Faf du Plessis 63, Quinton de Kock 0, Vernon Philander 0, Keshav Maharaj 18, Kagiso Rabada 11, Morne Morkel 6 and Lungisani Ngidi not out 1.

Fall of wickets: (First Innings)

85-1 (Dean Elgar, 29.3 over), 148-2 (Aiden Markram, 47.3 over), 199-3 (AB de Villiers, 62.4 over), 246-4 (Hashim Amla, 80.5over), 250-5 (Quinton de Kock, 81.1 over), 251-6 (Vernon Philander, 83), 282-7 (Keshav Maharaj, 98.5 over), 324-8 (Kagiso Rabada, 110.3 over), 333-9 (Faf du Plessis, 112.4 over) and 335-10 (Morne Morkel, 113.5 over).

&nbsp;

The Proteas has set a total of 335 in the first innings of second Test match

South Africa vs India day 2 of the second test match at Centurion favoured Indian bowlers. The Proteas were dismissed for 335 runs in their first innings. Virat Kohli faced so much criticism for his strange selections and even Sunil Gavaskar had put up a question over replacing Ishant Sharma with Bhuvneshwar Kumar. But Ishant Sharma proved his worth by taking 3 wickets in the first innings of the second Test. Faf du Plessis scored 63 runs for his team but Ishant Sharma struck twice and brought the team back in the game by seeing off Rabada and Faf du Plessis. Innings Break! South Africa all out for 335 (Markram 94, Amla 82; Ashwin 4/113) #SAvIND #FreedomSeries pic.twitter.com/EGkzljOSBv — BCCI (@BCCI) January 14, 2018 × Though, the first hour of day 2 was full of madness when Rabada got two lifelines, one when captain Kohli dropped his catch and second when Hardik and Shami let another opportunity after the two got confused of who what take the catch. The first wicket of the day was of Keshav Maharaj who scored 18 runs for the team and was taken by Shami. It was his 100th Test wicket. On day 1, Ravichandran Ashwin got two wickets to get rid of both the openers Dean Elgar and Aiden Markram, though Markram missed the century as he got out after scoring 94 runs. For India, the team management replaced wicket-keeper batsman Wriddhiman Saha and opener Shikhar Dhawan with Parthiv Patel and KL Rahul, after they failed to play along with the bouncers and seaming conditions. South Africa Scorecard: Dean Elgar 31, Aiden Markram 94, Hashim Amla 82, AB de Villiers 20, Faf du Plessis 63, Quinton de Kock 0, Vernon Philander 0, Keshav Maharaj 18, Kagiso Rabada 11, Morne Morkel 6 and Lungisani Ngidi not out 1. Fall of wickets: (First Innings) 85-1 (Dean Elgar, 29.3 over), 148-2 (Aiden Markram, 47.3 over), 199-3 (AB de Villiers, 62.4 over), 246-4 (Hashim Amla, 80.5over), 250-5 (Quinton de Kock, 81.1 over), 251-6 (Vernon Philander, 83), 282-7 (Keshav Maharaj, 98.5 over), 324-8 (Kagiso Rabada, 110.3 over), 333-9 (Faf du Plessis, 112.4 over) and 335-10 (Morne Morkel, 113.5 over).

Day 2: Ishant Sharma strikes twice to restrict South Africa to 335

Former captain Sunil Gavaskar today questioned India&#39;s team selection for the second cricket Test against South Africa, saying opener Shikhar Dhawan&#39;s &quot;head is always on the chopping board&quot;.

India made three changes to their playing XI, with KL Rahul replacing Shikhar Dhawan and Ishant Sharma coming in for Bhuvneshwar Kumar, whose three-wicket burst in the first morning of the opening Test rocked the hosts. 
Wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha was ruled out due to a strain and Parthiv Patel was included is his place.

Gavaskar said: &quot;I think Shikhar Dhawan is the &#39;Bali ka Bakra&#39; (scapegoat). His head is always on the chopping board. He just needs one bad innings and he is out of the team.

&quot;I also don&#39;t understand why Ishant came in for Bhuvneshwar when he had taken three wickets on the opening day at Cape Town. Ishant could have replaced Shami or Bumrah but leaving him out, I don&#39;t understand.&quot; 
India were thrashed by 72 runs in the first Test against South Africa at Cape Town.

Virat Kohli&#39;s men had folded for 135 in their second innings while chasing 208 to win the Test.&nbsp;

Wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha was ruled out due to a strain and Parthiv Patel was included is his place.

Former captain Sunil Gavaskar today questioned India's team selection for the second cricket Test against South Africa, saying opener Shikhar Dhawan's "head is always on the chopping board". India made three changes to their playing XI, with KL Rahul replacing Shikhar Dhawan and Ishant Sharma coming in for Bhuvneshwar Kumar, whose three-wicket burst in the first morning of the opening Test rocked the hosts. Wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha was ruled out due to a strain and Parthiv Patel was included is his place. Gavaskar said: "I think Shikhar Dhawan is the 'Bali ka Bakra' (scapegoat). His head is always on the chopping board. He just needs one bad innings and he is out of the team. "I also don't understand why Ishant came in for Bhuvneshwar when he had taken three wickets on the opening day at Cape Town. Ishant could have replaced Shami or Bumrah but leaving him out, I don't understand." India were thrashed by 72 runs in the first Test against South Africa at Cape Town. Virat Kohli's men had folded for 135 in their second innings while chasing 208 to win the Test.

Gavaskar questions India's team selection for 2nd Test

Cricketer Bhuvaneshwar Kumar and his bride Nupur Nagar hosted a lavish reception party on Tuesday in New Delhi. The glittering event saw cricketer&#39;s team mates in attendance.&nbsp; 
 
The reception took place at the Taj Hotel in Delhi and Indian skipper Virat Kohli and his teammates came to wish the newlyweds. While Virat Kohli made a solo appearance, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Mohammad Shami and Shikhar Dhawan came in with their better halves. Rohit Sharma, Ravinder Jadeja, Chiteshwar Pujara were also seen at the party.&nbsp; 
 
Here are some of the photos from the star-studded reception.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="7" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding:8px;">
<div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;">
<div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BcVOQIaF3nW/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Some more????????@virat.kohli @imbhuvi @nupurnagar #bhuvikishadi #bhuvilover #lovenuvi #love #togetherforever</a>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by bhuvneshwar kumar lovers (@bhuvi_lover_) on <time datetime="2017-12-05T19:03:52+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Dec 5, 2017 at 11:03am PST</time>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async defer src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="7" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding:8px;">
<div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:37.548828125% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;">
<div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BcU3phGhzdP/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Selfie time with the newly wed @imbhuvi and Nupur. #Reception</a>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by Cheteshwar Pujara (@cheteshwar_pujara) on <time datetime="2017-12-05T15:46:21+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Dec 5, 2017 at 7:46am PST</time>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async defer src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="7" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding:8px;">
<div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;">
<div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BcVP5bglIBw/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Our boys at bhuvi&#39;s reception???@imbhuvi @nupurnagar @ishant.sharma29 @umeshyaadav @tanya_wadhwa @kuldeep_18 @rohitsharma45 @royalnavghan @shikhardofficial @aesha.dhawan5 #love</a>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by bhuvneshwar kumar lovers (@bhuvi_lover_) on <time datetime="2017-12-05T19:18:15+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Dec 5, 2017 at 11:18am PST</time>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async defer src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

Incidentally, Tuesday was Shikhar Dhawan&#39;s birthday and the cricketer spent it with his teammates at Bhuvi&#39;s reception. His wife shared a photograph of the two of them from the venue.&nbsp;

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="7" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding:8px;">
<div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50.0% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;">
<div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BcUyvo8BMdE/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Happy birthday to my life!!! May God bless you always!! ?????????? @shikhardofficial</a>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by Aesha Dhawan (@aesha.dhawan5) on <time datetime="2017-12-05T15:03:30+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Dec 5, 2017 at 7:03am PST</time>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async defer src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="7" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding:8px;">
<div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;">
<div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BcU-AqFA4TP/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">#bhuvi and nupur#reception#dressedup#indianwear#outfit @sabyasachiofficial hubby#couple#loveofmylifeforever#happylife ????</a>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by Tanya Umesh Yaadav (@tanya_wadhwa) on <time datetime="2017-12-05T16:41:57+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Dec 5, 2017 at 8:41am PST</time>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async defer src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="7" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding:8px;">
<div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;">
<div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BcVLlK2lkPx/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Congratulations Bhuvi and Nupur ?? @imbhuvi</a>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by Rajal Arora (@rajal_arora) on <time datetime="2017-12-05T18:40:32+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Dec 5, 2017 at 10:40am PST</time>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async defer src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="7" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding:8px;">
<div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50.0% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;">
<div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BcVOH7iFF0C/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">And this one is the best ???????? @imbhuvi @nupurnagar @umeshyaadav @tanya_wadhwa @mdshami.11 @ishant.sharma29</a>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by bhuvneshwar kumar lovers (@bhuvi_lover_) on <time datetime="2017-12-05T19:02:45+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Dec 5, 2017 at 11:02am PST</time>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async defer src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-version="7" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding:8px;">
<div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:37.5% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;">
<div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BcV_svzgIth/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Beautiful group picture in bhuvi reception</a>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by Mohammad Shami (@mdshami.11) on <time datetime="2017-12-06T02:15:57+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Dec 5, 2017 at 6:15pm PST</time>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async defer src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">&times;</a></div>

Bhuvaneshwar Kumar and Nupur Nagar got married on November 23 in Meerut in a private ceremony.&nbsp;

The reception took place at the Taj Hotel in Delhi and Indian skipper Virat Kohli and his teammates came to wish the newlyweds.

Cricketer Bhuvaneshwar Kumar and his bride Nupur Nagar hosted a lavish reception party on Tuesday in New Delhi. The glittering event saw cricketer's team mates in attendance. The reception took place at the Taj Hotel in Delhi and Indian skipper Virat Kohli and his teammates came to wish the newlyweds. While Virat Kohli made a solo appearance, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Mohammad Shami and Shikhar Dhawan came in with their better halves. Rohit Sharma, Ravinder Jadeja, Chiteshwar Pujara were also seen at the party. Here are some of the photos from the star-studded reception. Some more????????@virat.kohli @imbhuvi @nupurnagar #bhuvikishadi #bhuvilover #lovenuvi #love #togetherforever A post shared by bhuvneshwar kumar lovers (@bhuvi_lover_) on Dec 5, 2017 at 11:03am PST × Selfie time with the newly wed @imbhuvi and Nupur. #Reception A post shared by Cheteshwar Pujara (@cheteshwar_pujara) on Dec 5, 2017 at 7:46am PST × Our boys at bhuvi's reception???@imbhuvi @nupurnagar @ishant.sharma29 @umeshyaadav @tanya_wadhwa @kuldeep_18 @rohitsharma45 @royalnavghan @shikhardofficial @aesha.dhawan5 #love A post shared by bhuvneshwar kumar lovers (@bhuvi_lover_) on Dec 5, 2017 at 11:18am PST × Incidentally, Tuesday was Shikhar Dhawan's birthday and the cricketer spent it with his teammates at Bhuvi's reception. His wife shared a photograph of the two of them from the venue. Happy birthday to my life!!! May God bless you always!! ?????????? @shikhardofficial A post shared by Aesha Dhawan (@aesha.dhawan5) on Dec 5, 2017 at 7:03am PST × #bhuvi and nupur#reception#dressedup#indianwear#outfit @sabyasachiofficial hubby#couple#loveofmylifeforever#happylife ???? A post shared by Tanya Umesh Yaadav (@tanya_wadhwa) on Dec 5, 2017 at 8:41am PST × Congratulations Bhuvi and Nupur ?? @imbhuvi A post shared by Rajal Arora (@rajal_arora) on Dec 5, 2017 at 10:40am PST × And this one is the best ???????? @imbhuvi @nupurnagar @umeshyaadav @tanya_wadhwa @mdshami.11 @ishant.sharma29 A post shared by bhuvneshwar kumar lovers (@bhuvi_lover_) on Dec 5, 2017 at 11:02am PST × Beautiful group picture in bhuvi reception A post shared by Mohammad Shami (@mdshami.11) on Dec 5, 2017 at 6:15pm PST × Bhuvaneshwar Kumar and Nupur Nagar got married on November 23 in Meerut in a private ceremony.

In pics: Bhuvaneshwar Kumar's wedding reception had Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan and others in attendance

Dinesh Chandimal scored 164 as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 373 in their first innings against India on day four of the pollution-hit third Test in New Delhi on Tuesday.

The visitors, who started the day on 356-9, conceded a 163-run lead after Ishant got skipper Chandimal caught on another hazy morning at the Feroz Shah Kotla stadium.

The final Test had been marred by Sri Lanka protests over bad air on Sunday.

New Delhi suffered another bad day of pollution on Tuesday, but the play was not disrupted.

Dinesh Chandimal scored 164 as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 373 in their first innings against India on day four of the pollution-hit third Test in New Delhi on Tuesday. The visitors, who started the day on 356-9, conceded a 163-run lead after Ishant got skipper Chandimal caught on another hazy morning at the Feroz Shah Kotla stadium. The final Test had been marred by Sri Lanka protests over bad air on Sunday. New Delhi suffered another bad day of pollution on Tuesday, but the play was not disrupted.

3rd Test, Day 4: Sri Lanka all out for 373, concede 163-run lead to India

India`s national selectors on Monday handed a maiden Test spot to promising fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah in a 17-member squad for the upcoming tour of South Africa.

Bumrah, 23, was rewarded with a place in the Indian Test squad, ranked number one in the world, after taking 52 wickets from 28 one-day internationals.

The bowler would boost India`s pace quartet of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav on seamer-friendly tracks in South Africa.&nbsp;

Dashing all-rounder Hardik Pandya returned to the squad after opting out of the ongoing three-Test series against Sri Lanka over workload worries.&nbsp;

Pandya, 24, has become a key member of the Virat Kohli-led side since making his limited-overs debut last year. He has played in 30 of India`s last 33 matches.

Wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel also earned a recall, having last played against England in December last year.

India will play three Tests, six one-dayers and three T20 matches during the tour of South Africa which will kick off with a warm-up game in Paarl on December 30.

Selectors meanwhile rested star batsman Kohli for the three-match Twenty20 series against Sri Lanka starting on December 20, keeping in mind the gruelling tour of South Africa.

India`s Test squad for South Africa: Virat Kohli (captain), Murali Vijay, K. L. Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Wriddhiman Saha, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Parthiv Patel, Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammad Shami, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah.

India`s squad for T20 series against Sri Lanka: Rohit Sharma (captain), K. L. Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, Dinesh Karthik, MS Dhoni, Hardik Pandya, Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Jasprit Bumrah, M. Siraj, Basil Thampi, Jaydev Unadkat.

Dashing all-rounder Hardik Pandya returned to the squad after opting out of the ongoing three-Test series against Sri Lanka over workload worries.

India`s national selectors on Monday handed a maiden Test spot to promising fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah in a 17-member squad for the upcoming tour of South Africa. Bumrah, 23, was rewarded with a place in the Indian Test squad, ranked number one in the world, after taking 52 wickets from 28 one-day internationals. The bowler would boost India`s pace quartet of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav on seamer-friendly tracks in South Africa. Dashing all-rounder Hardik Pandya returned to the squad after opting out of the ongoing three-Test series against Sri Lanka over workload worries. Pandya, 24, has become a key member of the Virat Kohli-led side since making his limited-overs debut last year. He has played in 30 of India`s last 33 matches. Wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel also earned a recall, having last played against England in December last year. India will play three Tests, six one-dayers and three T20 matches during the tour of South Africa which will kick off with a warm-up game in Paarl on December 30. Selectors meanwhile rested star batsman Kohli for the three-match Twenty20 series against Sri Lanka starting on December 20, keeping in mind the gruelling tour of South Africa. India`s Test squad for South Africa: Virat Kohli (captain), Murali Vijay, K. L. Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Wriddhiman Saha, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Parthiv Patel, Hardik Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammad Shami, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah. India`s squad for T20 series against Sri Lanka: Rohit Sharma (captain), K. L. Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Manish Pandey, Dinesh Karthik, MS Dhoni, Hardik Pandya, Washington Sundar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Jasprit Bumrah, M. Siraj, Basil Thampi, Jaydev Unadkat.

Cricket: Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah earns maiden Test call-up against South Africa

Fighting half-centuries from Shaun Marsh and Matt Renshaw helped Australia secure a crucial first-innings lead over world number one India in the second Test in Bangalore on Sunday.

The visitors were 237 for six at stumps on the second day, leading India by 48 runs at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Matthew Wade on 25 and Mitchell Starc on 14 were at the crease.

Marsh top-scored with a 197-ball 66 before Indian seamer Umesh Yadav lured him into a tired-looking shot that was caught at short midwicket just before close of play.

Left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja claimed three wickets, including the key scalps of Australia skipper Steve Smith (8) and Renshaw (60) on a pitch that offered variable bounce.

Fast bowlers Ishant Sharma and Yadav, with a wicket each, unsettled the visiting batsmen but regular partnerships helped Australia surpass India&#39;s first-innings score of 189.

The visitors were faltering at the tea break on 163-5, but Marsh returned to score his sixth Test fifty while he and Wade put on 57 for the sixth wicket.

Marsh had his share of luck, surviving a few close calls against the Indian bowlers including nicking a Yadav delivery on 14 off the glove.

Earlier Renshaw, who started the day on 15, put on 52 runs with Marsh to keep the Indian attack temporarily at bay as runs came at a miserly rate of roughly two an over.

The left-handed opener, who had scored 68 in the first innings in Pune, looked ready to accelerate after hitting Jadeja for the first six of the match, but the bowler got his revenge two balls later.

Jadeja saw Renshaw emerge from his crease and fired the ball down the leg side as wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha completed the stumping in quick time.

Runs came at a trickle in the morning session, with the visitors scoring just 47 in 29 overs as two of their top batsmen Warner (33) and Smith were sent back to the pavilion.

Ashwin bowled Warner to get the opener for an eighth time in 12 Tests, while Smith battled hard for 52 deliveries before being caught by Saha off a wily Jadeja.

The morning was enlivened by banter between the lanky Sharma and Smith, who traded barbs as the day progressed.

The visitors lead the four-match series 1-0 after beating India in the first Test in Pune inside three days.

(AFP) 
&nbsp;

The visitors were 237 for six at stumps on the second day, leading India by 48 runs

Fighting half-centuries from Shaun Marsh and Matt Renshaw helped Australia secure a crucial first-innings lead over world number one India in the second Test in Bangalore on Sunday. The visitors were 237 for six at stumps on the second day, leading India by 48 runs at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Matthew Wade on 25 and Mitchell Starc on 14 were at the crease. Marsh top-scored with a 197-ball 66 before Indian seamer Umesh Yadav lured him into a tired-looking shot that was caught at short midwicket just before close of play. Left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja claimed three wickets, including the key scalps of Australia skipper Steve Smith (8) and Renshaw (60) on a pitch that offered variable bounce. Fast bowlers Ishant Sharma and Yadav, with a wicket each, unsettled the visiting batsmen but regular partnerships helped Australia surpass India's first-innings score of 189. The visitors were faltering at the tea break on 163-5, but Marsh returned to score his sixth Test fifty while he and Wade put on 57 for the sixth wicket. Marsh had his share of luck, surviving a few close calls against the Indian bowlers including nicking a Yadav delivery on 14 off the glove. Earlier Renshaw, who started the day on 15, put on 52 runs with Marsh to keep the Indian attack temporarily at bay as runs came at a miserly rate of roughly two an over. The left-handed opener, who had scored 68 in the first innings in Pune, looked ready to accelerate after hitting Jadeja for the first six of the match, but the bowler got his revenge two balls later. Jadeja saw Renshaw emerge from his crease and fired the ball down the leg side as wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha completed the stumping in quick time. Runs came at a trickle in the morning session, with the visitors scoring just 47 in 29 overs as two of their top batsmen Warner (33) and Smith were sent back to the pavilion. Ashwin bowled Warner to get the opener for an eighth time in 12 Tests, while Smith battled hard for 52 deliveries before being caught by Saha off a wily Jadeja. The morning was enlivened by banter between the lanky Sharma and Smith, who traded barbs as the day progressed. The visitors lead the four-match series 1-0 after beating India in the first Test in Pune inside three days. (AFP)

Marsh, Renshaw give Australia edge in 2nd Test

Indian cricketer Ishant Sharma is all set to tie the knot with basketball player Pratima Singh on December 9.

Their engagement ceremony was held on June 19 and the marriage is expected to be on December 9, said sources.

Pratima is a cager hailing from Varanasi and had represented the Indian basketball team at various international events, including Asian Games, and is also the former captain of the Indian women&rsquo;s basketball team.

Famous as &lsquo;Singh sisters&rsquo; in the country&rsquo;s basketball fraternity, Pratima is the youngest among five sisters.

All her sisters are basketball players and they had also played basketball at national and international levels. The duo were spotted at the Dashashwamedh ghat here on Tuesday attending the Ganga Aarti event.&nbsp;

(PTI)

Former captain of the Indian women's basketball team, Pratima is expected to tie the knot with Ishant Sharma on December 9

Indian cricketer Ishant Sharma is all set to tie the knot with basketball player Pratima Singh on December 9. Their engagement ceremony was held on June 19 and the marriage is expected to be on December 9, said sources. Pratima is a cager hailing from Varanasi and had represented the Indian basketball team at various international events, including Asian Games, and is also the former captain of the Indian women’s basketball team. Famous as ‘Singh sisters’ in the country’s basketball fraternity, Pratima is the youngest among five sisters. All her sisters are basketball players and they had also played basketball at national and international levels. The duo were spotted at the Dashashwamedh ghat here on Tuesday attending the Ganga Aarti event. (PTI)

Indian cricketer Ishant Sharma to marry basketball player Pratima Singh

India fast bowler Ishant Sharma will not play the&nbsp;first Test against New Zealand as he is down with chikungunya. 
 
&quot;Ishant Sharma is recovering from chikungunya and will not be available for the first Test match. We have not asked for any replacement and will choose our first XI from the available 14,&quot; India coach Anil Kumble said. 
 
Sharma is a&nbsp;resident of Delhi, a city that has been reeling under the chikungunya outbreak. The chikungunya death toll has gone up to 15 in India&#39;s national capital. As of September 17, around 2,600 chikungunya cases have been reported in Delhi alone. 
 
Sharma&#39;s unavailability for the first Test against New Zealand starting on September 22 is likely to hit India&#39;s preparations as he is the senior-most pace bowler for India.&nbsp; 
 
His withdrawal means India has just three fast bowlers to choose from for the first match&nbsp;&mdash; Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Umesh Yadav, though there is a strong possibility of the Indian team management picking just two of the three speedsters. 
 
(WION)

Chief coach Anil Kumble said they have not asked for any replacement

India fast bowler Ishant Sharma will not play the first Test against New Zealand as he is down with chikungunya. "Ishant Sharma is recovering from chikungunya and will not be available for the first Test match. We have not asked for any replacement and will choose our first XI from the available 14," India coach Anil Kumble said. Sharma is a resident of Delhi, a city that has been reeling under the chikungunya outbreak. The chikungunya death toll has gone up to 15 in India's national capital. As of September 17, around 2,600 chikungunya cases have been reported in Delhi alone. Sharma's unavailability for the first Test against New Zealand starting on September 22 is likely to hit India's preparations as he is the senior-most pace bowler for India. His withdrawal means India has just three fast bowlers to choose from for the first match — Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Umesh Yadav, though there is a strong possibility of the Indian team management picking just two of the three speedsters. (WION)

Ishant Sharma contracts chikungunya, to miss first Test against New Zealand

ishant-sharma

Ishant Sharma, News on Ishant Sharma, stories on Ishant Sharma, articles on Ishant Sharma, Ishant Sharma stories at Wion, Ishant Sharma news, Ishant Sharma latest news

ishant sharma