NEW DELHI: 

Virat Kohli was on fire for Royal Challengers Bangalore on Saturday (May 6) during Match No. 50 of the IPL 2023, which was played at the Arun Jaitely Stadium in Delhi. The Delhi lad, who has represented RCB in the IPL since the start of the league way back in 2008, top-scored for his side by making 55 runs against local team Delhi Capitals. But his effort went in vain, as he couldn’t help the three-time losing finalists secure the full two points.

Thanks to Phil Salt’s 45-ball 87, the hosts chased down the target of 182 runs for the loss of three wickets in just 16.2 overs. With the help of the win over RCB, Delhi kept itself alive in the race to qualify for the IPL 2023 playoffs, and with a total of eight points from 10 matches played so far, they are now in ninth place in the IPL 2023 points table.

But even though his team wasn’t able to win Saturday’s match, it was a memorable outing for Virat, and he created multiple batting records. The right-handed batter became the first cricketer in the history of the competition to score 7,000 or more runs, and in addition to that, he also became the first batter to score 1000 runs in the IPL against the Delhi Capitals.

He has scored a total of 7,043 runs in 233 IPL matches played till date, and out of those 7,043 runs, 1030 have come against Delhi Capitals, which was formerly known as Delhi Daredevils.

Against Delhi, Virat faced a total of 46 deliveries and, with the help of five fours, scored 55 runs. By scoring a fifty against the Delhi Capitals, Virat created history by becoming the first Indian batter to complete a half-century of fifties in the IPL. Before Virat, only David Warner had scored more than fifty 50s in the IPL, and now Virat is part of that unique list.

In his overall IPL career, apart from scoring 50 half-centuries, Virat has also hammered five centuries, which is also the most by any Indian batter.

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The run-rate in the PowerPlay is at an all-time high of 8.57, well clear of the previous peak of 8.39 of the 2018 edition. This is just the fourth time the run-rate has been in excess of eight in the PowerPlay since the 2008 season and the first since 2019.

As many as 152 sixes have been hit in the first six overs in IPL 2023, at a frequency of 3.30 per match, second to only the 2018 edition (3.75 sixes per match). With the added cushion of an extra batter, courtesy the Impact Player rule, in all probability, teams have been less risk-averse from the get-go. As a result, the average runs scored per wicket in 2023 (34.68) is the second lowest in the last five seasons played in the home and away format.

However, despite IPL 2023 being a pacesetter in terms of scoring rates across T20 tournaments, teams have found success in the PowerPlay to varying degrees.  All numbers are up to date till the SRH vs KKR game on May 4.

Mumbai Indians

Rohit Sharma’s travails with the bat belie the fact that Mumbai Indians enjoys the fourth best PowerPlay run-rate (8.85) in the tournament. Ishan Kishan – with 195 runs at a strike rate of 144.44 – has been the chief contributor for Mumbai in the PowerPlay while Rohit’s approach to take the bowlers on from the word go hasn’t reaped dividends. He has been dismissed seven times in nine innings in the first six overs, while averaging 19.71 and striking at 131.42. Against the backdrop of the Rohit-Kishan opening partnership blowing hot and cold, Cameron Green has stepped up in the No. 3 role. The Aussie all-rounder has averaged 52 in the PowerPlay, and his strike rate of 148.57 has ensured Mumbai doesn’t lag too far behind in maximising the field restrictions.

Punjab Kings

Like Mumbai Indians, Punjab has struck at an identical run-rate of 8.85 in the PowerPlay and has been plagued by a similarly inconsistent opening pair. Shikhar Dhawan and Prabhsimran Singh have cruised at a healthy run-rate of 9.50 as an opening pair, have two partnerships of over 50 but average 25.57. With a strike rate of 152.33, Prabhsimran has been the aggressor while Dhawan has been an accumulator at 135.80. In the absence of Dhawan, who missed three games due to injury, Atharva Taide and Matthew Short have lent able support at No. 3. Short has steadied the innings after the fall of an early wicket on three occasions while striking at 137.17 in the PowerPlay while Taide boasts of a strike rate of 171.42 in the limited opportunities he has got at one-drop.

Rajasthan Royals

The Sanju Samson-led RR leads the charge when it comes to maximising the field restrictions with the highest run-rate (9.55) in the PowerPlay. What is commendable is that it has managed to keep the tempo up while losing just eight wickets (second least during this phase) in the first six overs. Yashasvi Jaiswal has been the key architect for the Royals during this phase, striking at 165.69, while his opening partner Jos Buttler has played second fiddle at a strike rate of 144.24. Jaiswal and Buttler have been the second most prolific opening pair in IPL 2023.

Chennai Super Kings

The four-time champion can boast of a PowerPlay run-rate of 9.51 and a format-agnostic per wicket average of 85.66 thanks to the consistency of openers Devon Conway and Ruturaj Gaikwad. The duo has struck three fifty-plus and one century partnership

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The remaining Indian Premier League matches will be held in the UAE in September and October, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said on May 29.

This is owing to the precarious spike of COVID-19 in India. IPL tournament was suspended in early May after many players tested positive.

The tournament dates are yet to be finalised. It is expected to be played in a three-week window.

The BCCI said that it was moving the remaining matches to the UAE because of the monsoon season in September-October although the monsoon generally runs from June to mid-September.

The UAE had been the stage for all of last year’s IPL matches.

The World Cup is also due to be held in India from October but it is also at risk owing to the pandemic. The BCCI has asked for more time to decide on the hosting of ICC T20 World Cup 2021. The tournament is likely to be discussed by the ICC next week.

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For England, Mark Wood took three wickets, and Adil Rashid registered two dismissals. Meanwhile, Sam Curran, Reece Topley, Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali and Liam Livingstone registered a wicket each against the hosts.

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Javagal Srinath of the ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees imposed the sanction after Virat Kohli’s side was ruled to be one over short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration.

“In accordance with Article 2.22 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to minimum over-rate offences, players are fined 20 per cent of their match fees for every over their side fails to bowl in the allotted time,” said the ICC in a statement on Monday.

“Kohli pleaded guilty to the offence and accepted the proposed sanction, so there was no need for a formal hearing,” it added.

On-field umpires Anil Chaudhary and K.N. Ananthapadmanabhan, and third umpire Virender Sharma levelled the charge.

India won the game by seven wickets to level the five-match series.

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Harmanpreet blazed away to 54 off 35 balls, hitting seven fours and a six, while skipper Mithali Raj scored a 71-ball 45 to become the first player to complete 7,000 runs in women’s ODIs.

For South Africa, Tumi Sekhukhune (2/63) was the most successful bowler while Shabnim Ismail (1/50), Nondumiso Shangase (1/41) picked a wicket each.

South Africa lead the five-match series 2-1.

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Laura Woolvardt continues to lead the visitors in Sune Luus’ absence at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium.

From the Indian team, Jemimah Rodrigues has been left out of the match after three single-digit scores in her first three outings.

Priya Punia has been included in the playing XI while veteran seamer Jhulan Goswami has been rested.

South Africa lead the five-match series 2-1.

Teams:

South Africa Women: Lizelle Lee, Laura Wolvaardt (capt), Lara Goodall, Mignon du Preez, Marizanne Kapp, Anne Bosch, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Shabnim Ismail, Ayabonga Khaka, Nondumiso Shangase, Tumi Sekhukhune.

India Women: Priya Punia, Smriti Mandhana, Punam Raut, Mithali Raj (capt), Harmanpreet Kaur, Deepti Sharma, Sushma Verma (wk), Radha Yadav, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Mansi Joshi, Poonam Yadav

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After resuming the third day on 294/7, India were guided to a total of 365 by the eighth-wicket partnership between Washington Sundar (96*) and Axar Patel. Trailing by 160 runs, England sent out their openers just before the lunch break. But spinners Ravichandran Ashwin (5/47) and Axar Patel (5/48) dominated the rest of the two sessions. The visitors were bowled out for 135 with Daniel Lawrence top-scoring with a fifty.

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Virat Kohli is the first India, first Asian, 1st cricketer and only the 4th athlete after footballers Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Neymar to hit the 100 million followers’ mark on the social media platform owned by Facebook.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CL8QKTDg586/?utm_source=ig_embed

Also, Kohli is the only cricketer in the world’s top-10 highest-earning sportspersons through sponsored posts on Instagram. Cristiano Ronaldo the most followed sportsperson on Instagram with 265 million followers. Barcelona captain Lionel Messi is second on the list with 186 million followers, while Brazil star forward Neymar is on third with 147 million followers.

Virat Kohli, who enjoys massive fan across all social media platforms, beat the likes of Priyanka Chopra, Alia Bhat, and Deepika Padukone to become the first Indian to gain as many as 100 million Instagram followers. Kohli also holds the top position as the country’s most valuable celebrity brand with a brand value of $237.7 million, according to a leading brand valuation.

Kohli is presently in Ahmedabad and gearing up to lead Team India in the fourth and final Test against England. After being stunned in the opening Test match, India made a solid comeback and registered two back-to-back wins. Kohli-led India lead the series 2-1 and need at least a draw to ensure their chances of reaching the World Test Championship final.

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Mithali Raj has been named as the captain of the ODI team while Harmanpreet Kaur will lead the T20I team against South Africa at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana International Stadium in Lucknow.’

The ODI and T20I squads have some notable absentees as India women will be without the likes of Shikha Pandey, Veda Krishnamurthy, Ekta Bisht and Taniya Bhatia.

Indian women were not involved in any competitive international action since the final of the Women’s T20 World Cup in Melbourne on March 8. India players featured in the 4-match Women’s T20 Challenge which was held alongside the Indian Premier League 2020 play-offs in the UAE.

Mithali Raj, Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur lead 3 teams as they played their matches in Sharjah.

The resumption of India women’s international cricket in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic comes at a crucial time as the team will be looking to have as much match practice before next year’s 50-over Women’s World Cup in February.

Thiruvananthapuram was initially chosen as the venue for the series but the Kerala Cricket Association had expressed its inability to host the matches. Players from both teams will be in quarantine and a bio-bubble environment will be in place during the limited-overs series.

India Women’s squad for ODI series: Mithali Raj (Captain), Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, Punam Raut, Priya Punia, Yastika Bhatia, Harmanpreet Kaur (vice-captain), D. Hemalatha, Deepti Sharma, Sushma Verma (wicket-keeper), Swetha Verma (wicket-keeper), Radha Yadav, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Jhulan Goswami, Mansi Joshi, Poonam Yadav, C. Prathyusha, Monica Patel.

India Women’s T20I squad: Harmanpreet Kaur (Captain), Smriti Mandhana (vice-captain), Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh, Harleen Deol, Sushma Verma (wicket-keeper), Nuzhat Parveen (wicket-keeper), Ayushi Soni, Arundhati Reddy, Radha Yadav, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Poonam Yadav, Mansi Joshi, Monica Patel, C. Prathyusha, Simran Dil Bahadur.

India women vs South Africa women full schedule
ODI series

1st ODI on March 7
2nd ODI on March 9
3rd ODI on March 12
4th ODI on March 14
5th ODI on March 17

T20I series
1st T20I on March 20
2nd T20I on March 21
3rd T20I on March 23

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“Today “Davangere Express” after running for 25 years and passing so many stations of cricketing life, has finally arrived at a station called “Retirement”. With a lot of mixed emotions, I, Vinay Kumar R, hereby announce my retirement from international and first-class cricket. It is not an easy decision to make, however, there comes a time in every sportsperson’s life where one has to call it a day.,” Vinay Kumar said in an official statement on Twitter.

Thankyou all for your love and support throughout my career. Today I hang up my boots. 🙏🙏❤️ #ProudIndian pic.twitter.com/ht0THqWTdP

— Vinay Kumar R (@Vinay_Kumar_R) February 26, 2021

Vinay Kumar further said that he has been lucky enough to play alongside the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli in his career. “My cricketing experience has been enriched by playing under the great minds of Anil Kumble, Rahul Dravid, MS Dhoni, Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, and Rohit Sharma to name a few. Also, I was blessed to have Sachin Tendulkar as a mentor at Mumbai Indians.

“Nevertheless, though this station of “Retirement” has arrived for me bringing back all fond memories of my career. However “Davangere Express” has just stopped for a while and not derailed. It will keep running and my journey will continue to give it back to this wonderful game of cricket. And miles to go before I sleep and miles to go before I sleep,” Vinay’s statement further read.

Vinay made his Ranji Trophy debut for Karnataka in the 2004-05 season and quickly rose through the ranks to become their lead seamer. The 2007-08 season marked his arrival as he finished as the second leading wicket-taker in the Ranji Trophy season – a performance that ensured a call-up to the IPL where he represented Royal Challengers Bangalore. It soon got better as the 2009-10 Ranji Trophy season saw him take 46 wickets and lead his Karnataka side to the final.

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The Narendra Modi stadium — the largest cricket ground in the world with a capacity of 1,10,000 — will host its first international match on Wednesday, when India will take on England in the Day-Night Test.

The stadium will be a part of the planned Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave in the city.

“Coupled with Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave & Narendra Modi Stadium in Motera, a sports complex will also be built in Naranpura. These 3 will be equipped to host any international sports event,” Home Minister Amit Shah said at the event.

“Ahmedabad will be known as the ‘sports city’ of India,” he added.

“Not just for cricket but it’s a proud moment for India. Besides being the largest cricket stadium, it’s also one of the most modern stadiums in the world,” Mr. Rijiju said.

“As children, we used to dream about the world’s largest stadium in India. And now as sports minister, my happiness knows no bounds that this has finally happened,” he had said.

The stadium held the knockout stages of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy earlier this year.

The stadium is now set to host seven international matches in quick succession.

The Narendra Modi Stadium will host the third and fourth Tests between India and England as well as the entirety of the five-match T20I series between the two sides.

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India were all out for 286 in their second innings on the third day of the match.

Enjoying a brilliant all-round outing on a surface that has tested the skill and temperament of the best of batsmen from both sides, seasoned off-spinner Ashwin showed how to do it with his excellent knock of 106 off 148 balls.

A moment to cherish forever! @ashwinravi99 gets his Test💯 in Chennai and Md. Siraj erupts in joy. The dressing room stands up to applaud.🙌🏾 #TeamIndia #INDvENG @paytm pic.twitter.com/ykrBhsiTbl

— BCCI (@BCCI) February 15, 2021

Captain Virat Kohli struck 62 off 149 balls and added 96 runs for the seventh wicket with Ashwin, helping India extend their overall lead after they were reduced to 106 for six at one stage.

Brief Scores: England 1st Innings: 134 all out India: 329 and 286 all out in 86.5 overs (Virat Kohli 62, Ravichandran Ashwin 106; Moeen Ali 4/98, Jack Leach 4/100).

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Besides Ashwin and Pant, two other Indians — Mohammed Siraj and T Natarajan — are also in the fray. All of them played a stellar role in India’s recent historic Test series win against Australia.

The world body said the awards will recognise the best performances of both men and women cricketers across all forms of international cricket throughout the year.

Other players named for the awards for January are England captain Joe Root, star Australia batsman Steve Smith, Rahmanullah Gurbaz of Afghanistan, Marizanne Kapp and Nadine de Klerk of South Africa and Nida Dar of Pakistan.

ICC announces ‘Player of the Month’ awards 🎉

Fans can have their say, alongside an expert panel!

Register on the ICC website to vote on the first of each month 🗳️

More 👇https://t.co/npYRT102dd

— ICC (@ICC) January 27, 2021

Fans are invited to vote online every month to award their favourite male and female cricketers across all formats of international cricket played in that month, the ICC said in a release.

An independent ICC Voting Academy comprising former players, broadcasters and journalists from around the world will team up with fans to vote for the winners.

Geoff Allardice, ICC General Manager of Cricket said: “The ICC Player of the Month is a great way to connect with fans of the sport and celebrate performances of their favourite players through the year.

“It gives us all an opportunity to acknowledge world-class performances on the field by male and female cricketers and they have been in abundance throughout January.”

The three nominees for each of the categories will be determined by the ICC Awards Nominations Committee based on on-field performances and overall achievements during the period of that month (the first to the last day of each calendar month.)

The Voting Academy will submit its votes by email and will retain a 90 percent share of the vote. Subsequently, on the first day of each month, fans registered with the ICC will be able to submit votes via the ICC website and will have a 10 percent share of the vote.

Winners will be announced every second Monday of the month on the ICC’s digital channels.

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Several news reports that Ganguly felt uneasiness last evening and felt mild chest pain this morning. He is taken to Apollo Hospital and his condition is stable.

BCCI Chief Sourav Ganguly being taken to Apollo Hospital in Kolkata after he complained of chest pain. More details awaited.

(File photo) pic.twitter.com/e72Iai7eVz

— ANI (@ANI) January 27, 2021

Ganguly underwent angioplasty on his right coronary artery at Woodlands Hospital earlier this month after he suffered a mild heart attack.

Ganguly underwent angioplasty on his right coronary artery at Woodlands Hospital earlier this month after he suffered mild heart attack. He was discharged a few days later but attending doctors advised him of angioplasty on other coronary arteries as well.

According to PTI, the Kolkata Police created a green corridor for smooth travel from his Behala residence to the hospital of the E M Bypass, authorities at the medical establishment said.

Earlier this month, the former India captain had complained of chest pain while exercising at his Behala residence.

A nine-member medical team was formed and opinions were sought from renowned experts and cardiac surgeons including Devi Shetty, R K Panda, Samuel Mathew and Aswin Mehta from India and Shamin K Sharma from New York before a stent was implanted.

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“Cricket Australia has submitted its report into crowd behaviour at the SCG during the third Test against India to the International Cricket Council,” a statement from Cricket Australia read.

“CA confirms that members of the Indian cricket team were subjected to racial abuse. CA’s own investigation into the matter remains open, with CCTV footage, ticketing data and interviews with spectators still being analysed in an attempt to locate those responsible. Spectators who are found to have breached CA’s Anti-Harassment Code face lengthy bans, further sanctions and referral to NSW Police.

“CA’s investigation concluded that the spectators filmed and/or photographed by media in the Brewongle Stand concourse at the conclusion of the 86th over on day three of the Test did not engage in racist behaviour.”

“As stated at the time of the incident, CA has a zero tolerance policy towards discriminatory behaviour in all forms and, as hosts of the Border-Gavaskar series, apologises to the Indian men’s cricket team,” the statement further read.

CA is awaiting confirmation from NSW Police that it has completed its investigation into the matter and will not offer further comment until it is received, it added.

After arriving in India, Siraj revealed that the umpires at the SCG told India skipper Ajinkya Rahane that the team can walk off the park, but the side did not wish to do that.

“Australian crowd started abusing me, it made me mentally strong. Not letting it hamper my performance was my prime concern. My job was to inform that I was being abused, I told the entire matter to captain Rahane. Umpires told us that you can walk off the field and leave the game but Ajju bhai told the umpire that we will not leave, we respect the game,” Siraj told reporters at a press conference in Hyderabad on January 21.

Hanuma Vihari and Ravichandran Ashwin showed grit and determination on the fifth day of the third Test to deny Australia a win at SCG.

India then defeated Australia by three wickets against all odds in the final Test of the series at The Gabba last week to take the series 2-1.
In November 1988 Windies under the leadership of Viv Richards thrashed Allan Border’s team by 9 wickets.

India’s historic win has also ensured they toppled Australia in the ICC Test Team Rankings to claim the second spot.

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“A century would have been good for his confidence. He was batting so well, and I don’t know why all of a sudden, he played away from his body,” senior Gill told TOI.

“The six innings he has batted in this Test series, he was always looking comfortable at the crease. But for me, the worrying sign is his mode of dismissals. He is chasing the ball way outside the off stump, and I am sure other teams would have noticed it. Hopefully, he will learn from it and will not repeat this mistake,” he said.

Former Indian cricketer Virendra Sehwag has reacted to the comments and said: “Aakhir Maa baap toh Maa baap hi hain #parents #india #100sebadhkarthacontribution [After all, parents will be parents #parents #india #contributionwasbiggerthana100].”

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Incidentally, Washington Sundar’s father, too made similar comments after his son scored a valiant 62 off 144 on Day 3 of the Gabba Test. The 7th wicket partnership between Shardul Thakur and Washington Sundar had added 123 runs, taking India’s 1st innings total to 336.

“I am disappointed he did not get a 100. When Siraj came, he should have hit fours and sixes. He is capable of that. He should have gone for sixes. He could have gone for pulls and big hits. Perhaps, he thought of trying to come close to Australia’s total as the lead was very less,” M Sundar said as quoted by Times Now.

“I speak to him in Australia every day. I told him last evening whenever you get a chance, get a big score. He said, ‘sure I will’. Washington is a natural opening batsman, and has scored a lot of runs against the new ball. In Chennai League, he is the youngest player to score a hundred in the first division league. At the age of 14, he got a century while opening,” he added.

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Rishabh Pant and Washington Sundar went all guns blazing in the final session to help India chase down the mammoth 326-run target set by Australia. Wicketkeeper-batsmen Rishabh Pant kept the momentum going for India after Pujara’s dismissal and held his nerve to get the visitors across the line. With the win at Brisbane, the Indian team now finds themselves within visible distance of reaching the World Test Championships finals scheduled to be held at Lords, England.

Pant showed why he is one of the most dangerous batsmen, never leaving the focus and keeping the pressure on Australia who needed nothing less than a win to stop India from retaining the Border Gavaskar Trophy.

Pant smashed 89 not out, stitching a crucial 61-run stand with Cheteshwar Pujara. Washington Sundar, on debut, played a blinder hitting 22 before Pant gave the finishing touches.

In the absence of Virat Kohli and their first-choice bowling attack, India has pulled off what will be remembered as one of their greatest game in Test history.

It was the young guns, who led the show. Mohammed Siraj, playing his 3rd Test, picked up a 5-wicket haul. Washington Sundar, on debut, hit a fifty and came up with an all-round performance. Shardul Thakur picked up 7 wickets and hit a first-innings fifty as India cut down Australia’s lead to 33 after being 186 for 6. T Natarajan picked up 3 crucial first-innings wicket as youngsters stepped up in the absence of the old guards.

“It means a lot to us. I don’t know how to describe this, but our boys showed a lot of character and determination after the Adelaide Test. I’m really proud if each individual. The conversation between Pujara and me was that he would bat normal, and I would take it on. Credit to Pujara, the way he handled the pressure was magnificent. Rishabh and Washington were very good at the end. Taking 20 wickets was the key, so we opted for 5 bowlers. Sundar brought the balance in place of Jadeja. The intention was clear to play five bowlers. Siraj played two Tests, Saini just one, so it was inexperienced but the character shown by the bowlers and everyone else was incredible”, Indian skipper Ajinkya Rahane said in the post-match presentation.

After the historic win at Gabba, PM Modi tweeted, “We are all overjoyed at the success of the Indian Cricket Team in Australia. Their remarkable energy and passion was visible throughout. So was their stellar intent, remarkable grit and determination. Congratulations to the team! Best wishes for your future endeavours.”

We are all overjoyed at the success of the Indian Cricket Team in Australia. Their remarkable energy and passion was visible throughout. So was their stellar intent, remarkable grit and determination. Congratulations to the team! Best wishes for your future endeavours.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 19, 2021

Dubbing India’s Gabba win as the greatest ever, Google CEO Sundar Pichai also congratulated Team India.

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Kohli made the announcement on his official Twitter handle. “We are thrilled to share with you that we have been blessed with a baby girl this afternoon. We thank you all for your love, prayers and good wishes,” Kohli tweeted. “Anushka and the baby are both healthy and we are feeling beyond blessed to start this new chapter of our lives. We hope that you can respect our privacy at this time,” added the star batsman who returned from Australia on paternity leave after leading India in the first Test.

♥️ pic.twitter.com/js3SkZJTsH

— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) January 11, 2021

The news came on a day when India snatched a remarkable draw in the third Test against Australia in Sydney to keep the series alive at 1-1.

The fourth and final Test will be played at Brisbane from Friday.

Kohli and Sharma got married in 2017.

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No team had ever bettered 288 to clinch victory in the fourth innings at the Sydney Cricket Ground, with Australia achieving that mark against South Africa in 2006.

But India gave it a massive go, passing 288 in the final session to fray the nerves of Australian team throwing everything they had at them.

The visitors abandoned any hope of victory but they bravely clung on for the draw with Hanuma Vihari, nursing a hamstring injury, surviving 161 balls for just 23 runs and Ravichandran Ashwin, who had treatment on his ribs, making 39.

They steered India to 334 for five at the close, 73 runs adrift.

Their resistance was built on the back of an explosive 97 from Rishabh Pant and a typically gritty 77 from Cheteshwar Pujara, who passed 6,000 Test runs, but also helped by wicketkeeper Tim Paine dropping three catches.

It culminated an absorbing Test marked by some high quality batting, led by Steve Smith’s 131 and Pant’s 97, and razor-sharp fielding.

But it will also be remembered for allegations that India were racially abused by sections of the Sydney Cricket Ground crowd, with investigations underway and tough action promised against anyone at fault.

After Australia won the first Test in Adelaide by eight wickets then India bounced back in Melbourne by the same margin, the series now heads to Brisbane later this week for the final chapter.

It will be a depleted India again at the Gabba, with fast bowlers Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav and batsmen KL Rahul out injured and question marks over all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who dislocated his thumb in Sydney.

Australia removed openers Shubman Gill for 31 and Rohit Sharma for 52 before stumps on day four, and when Nathan Lyon accounted for captain Ajinkya Rahane without adding to his overnight four in Monday’s second over the end appeared nigh.

But Pant, who took a nasty blow to his elbow while batting in the first innings and didn’t keep wicket on Sunday, surprisingly came in at number five ahead of Vihari and produced some fireworks.

He came to the wicket with no strapping on his hurt elbow and, after settling in and surviving a missed catch by Tim Paine on three, began to hit out, smacking a four and a six off Lyon on consecutive balls.

Batting in Twenty20-style, he then clobbered two more sixes in a row off Lyon before bringing up his third Test 50 off just 64 balls.

Paine dropped him again on 56, both times off Lyon.

He kept the scoreboard ticking over after lunch and a third Test century looked imminent only for the 23-year-old to throw his bat one time too many, caught by Pat Cummins off Lyon.

His wicket shattered a 148-run partnership with Pujara, who resumed the day on nine and slowly reached a second consecutive 50.

In the process he brought up 6,000 career runs, the 11th Indian to achieve the feat, before being bowled by Josh Hazlewood.
That left Vihari and Ashwin to weather the storm and pull off an unlikely draw, so exhausted that they gave up running between the wicket at the end.

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According to hospital sources, the 48-year-old felt dizzy while exercising in his personal gymnasium in the morning. Soon after, he was shifted to the nearest private hospital.

“He was not feeling well last night. However, he decided to continue his morning routine on Saturday and suddenly felt dizzy. The preliminary doctors are trying to identify the cause of this sudden blackout… it might be because of a cardiac problem or any other problem,” the hospital said, according to newspaper reports.

The hospital has already formed a board of specialised doctors and a cardiology specialist from SSKM Hospital has also been called for Ganguly’s treatment.

In July 2020, Ganguly had gone into home quarantine after his elder brother and Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) joint secretary Snehasish Ganguly had tested positive for COVID-19. In November last year, he had revealed that he had undergone as many as 22 COVID-19 tests while trying to navigate his professional commitments amid the raging pandemic.

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