North Sound (Antigua): Pacer Ishant Sharma’s spirited effort and reckless batting from the West Indies helped India take control of the first Test on day two here on Friday.

The West Indies lost five wickets in the final session to be reeling at 189 for eight in their first innings at stumps, trailing India by 108 runs. Ishant Sharma took a five-wicket haul, his ninth in Tests, to put India in a strong position going into day three at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.

India were helped by Roston Chase (48 off 47), John Campbell (23 off 30), Darren Bravo (18 off 27), Shai Hope (24 off 65) and Shimron Hetmyer (35 off 47) who were all guilty of throwing it away after promising starts.

India, who resumed the day at 203 for six, went on to make 297 courtesy a fighting 58 from Ravindra Jadeja who was ably supported by Ishant (19 off 62) during their 60-run stand for the eighth wicket.

The conditions were good for batting but the West Indies batsmen failed to apply themselves. Ishant made life difficult for them both with bat and ball. After frustrating the hosts in the morning session with his dogged stay in the middle, Ishant troubled the opposition with his incisive spells which included highly effective cross seam deliveries.

He was brilliant too with catching off his own bowling as he got two wickets in that fashion. At tea, the West Indies were struggling at 82 for three. After scoring a crucial half-century, Jadeja removed debutant Shamarh Brooks (11) to leave the home team at 50 for three.

The left-arm spinner had Brooks caught at first slip after his attempted cut ricocheted off Rishabh Pant’s thigh to fall into the safe hands of Ajinkya Rahane.

With the pitch flattening out, there was not much movement off the pitch or in the air but Indian bowlers kept things tight to maintain pressure on the batsmen. The other West Indies batsmen to be dismissed were openers Kraigg Brathwaite (14) and Campbell, dismissed by Ishant and Mohammad Shami respectively.

In the morning, Jadeja and Ishant frustrated West Indies with a timely 60 run-stand for the eighth wicket, helping India reach 297 all out at the stroke of lunch.

Jadeja and Ishant were able to negotiate the threat posed by the potent pace duo of Shannon Gabriel (3/71) and Kemar Roach (4/66) after losing Rishabh Pant (24) in the second over of the day.

Jadeja’s innings comprised six fours and a maximum before he became the last man to be dismissed in the Indian innings, leading to lunch. While Jadeja justified his inclusion in the playing XI ahead of Ravichandran Ashwin with a gritty effort, Pant could not deliver for the team.

Roach got his fourth wicket of the innings when he dismissed Pant with a beauty from around the wicket that moved away enough to get the edge of the young wicketkeeper-batsman.

Pant was guilty of playing the ball with hard hands as skipper Jason Holder took a regulation catch at second slip, leaving India at 207 for seven. It seemed India’s brittle tail will not put up much of a fight yet again, but Jadeja and Ishant batted sensibly in their 116-ball stand, defying the West Indian pacers.

While maturity was expected from Jadeja, Ishant impressed with the way he dealt with the express pace of Roach and Gabriel. He was not afraid to come on to the front foot and was equally comfortable at tackling the rising ball.

The lanky India pacer, whose highest score is 31, was finally dismissed in the 90th over, playing on to a full slower ball off Gabriel. Shami joined Jadeja in the middle but his stay lasted only one ball as he offered a return catch to off-spinner Chase.

Running out of partners, Jadeja showed urgency to collect some vital runs and brought up his 11th half-century with a slap to cover for four. The following ball, he swept Chase for a six over deep midwicket, giving the Indian innings a welcome flourish towards the end.

Never to mince his words, former opener Sehwag said BCCI needs to pay more for heading the selectors’ committee.

NEW DELHI: Former skipper Anil Kumble’s ability to boost confidence of the players makes him an ideal candidate for the role of chairman of selectors, said Virender Sehwag, who also advocated a hike in remuneration for the job.

Never to mince his words, former opener Sehwag said BCCI needs to pay more for heading the selectors’ committee.

The current selection panel, led by MSK Prasad, has faced a lot of flak for it being a lightweight with a cumulative experience of 13 Tests.

“I think Anil Kumble could be the right candidate for the chairman of selectors post. He is someone who has interacted with Sachin (Tendulkar), Sourav (Ganguly) and Rahul (Dravid) as a player and with youngsters as a coach,” Sehwag told reporters during launch of a new app ‘The Selector’.

“When I made a comeback (Australia series 2007-08), captain Kumble came to my room and said you will not be dropped for the next two series. That’s the kind of confidence a player needs,” said Sehwag.

However, Sehwag also said that he doesn’t think that Kumble will agree to do the job right now since the chairman gets Rs 1 crore per annum.

“BCCI needs to raise bar as far as pay is concerned. Then a lot of players will be interested,” said Sehwag.

Asked if he would also be interested in this post, Sehwag said that he doesn’t like too many restrictions.

“I write columns, appear on TV and being selector will mean a lot of restrictions. I don’t know whether I would like so many restrictions,” the Nawab of Najafgarh said.

Sehwag, who had lost the race to be India’s coach in 2017 to Ravi Shastri, said that he did not apply this time.

“In 2017, the BCCI secretary and (late) Dr MV Sridhar (GM Cricket Operations) asked me to apply so I applied. This time no one asked me, so I didnt apply,” said Sehwag when asked if he was amused in the manner Shastri was re-appointed the coach.

Sehwag also said he finds it difficult to comprehend the conflict of interest rules.

“I can understand that I can’t run an academy if I am a selector but if I am the national coach I don’t understand why I can’t run an academy,” he said.

As the talk veered towards playing XI for the first Test against West Indies, Sehwag’s vote went to Ajinkya Rahane if India played five bowlers.

“Ajinkya Rahane has been batting at No 4 (No 5) so if it is a case of five bowlers then he should play. Rohit Sharma comes in only if you go with four bowlers,” Sehwag reasoned.

He also felt that “Mahendra Singh Dhoni should have batted at number five” in the World Cup semi-final against New Zealand.

“Players like Hardik Pandya, who can play big shots should have come in at number seven towards the end,” said the former India captain.

He also expressed his happiness at S Sreesanth’s life ban being reduced to seven years.

“I am very happy for him. He now needs to play domestic cricket,” he said.

Sehwag was amused when he was asked about suggestions on wearing neck guards in the wake of Steve Smith recent injury.

Smith took a blow from England pacer Jofra Archer in the first Ashes Test and has ruled out of the third Ashes Test due to concussion.

“Why do you need to show your neck to the bowler? You have a bat and you are wearing a helmet. In my entire career, I never used chest pads,” Sehwag said.

A member of NADA’s anti-doping appeals panel (ADAP), Sehwag said filling the whereabouts clause was a real problem that bothered the Indian cricketers.

BCCI recently agreed to be NADA-compliant after years of resistance.

“I have appeared for many dope tests. Even in domestic cricket when I was out of the team, during IPL. The problem with whereabouts is I can’t pinpoint where I will be at a specific hour of the day on a specific date. I may mention it initially and then I might have a change in plan,” he said.

The photo had the likes of Test specialists Ajinkya Rahane, Ishant Sharma and Mayank Agarwal alongside wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah.

Indian skipper Virat Kohli and Team India were in a relaxing mood ahead of the first Test match against the West Indies at Antigua. Kohli shared an image of him enjoying a beach party with teammates and support staff at Jolly Beach, Antigua. 

“Stunning day at the beach with the boys” the caption read in his Instagram post. The photo had the likes of Test specialists Ajinkya Rahane, Ishant Sharma and Mayank Agarwal alongside wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah.

Excited about playing in the inaugural World Test Championship, Indian captain Virat Kohli says the competition in the traditional format has “gone up two-fold” in recent years.

“The games are going to be much more competitive and it brings a lot of purpose to the Test matches you play. It’s the right move and at the absolute right time,” he said during the West Indies Players Association awards night on Monday.

“I don’t think us batsmen have lived up to the standard,” he said, stressing on the importance of the batting coming together as a team, rather than individuals doing well.

“Batsmanship will always be hard at the Test level, but even harder now with the Championship where every decision you make counts in the larger scheme of things,” added Kohli.

India will sport the Test whites along with players’ names and numbers for the first time when they take on West Indies on Thursday. Having already won the T20I and ODI series, India will look to wrap up a successful tour of the Caribbean with a victory in the Test series.

The senior selection committee, led by MSK Prasad, interviewed more than 10 candidates for the posts of batting and bowling coach.

CHENNAI: Tuesday is going to be a big day for Sanjay Bangar. Part of the Indian team’s support staff since 2014 in his role as batting coach and then as assistant coach, his future with the national side continues to be under big suspense. The senior selection committee, led by MSK Prasad, interviewed more than 10 candidates for the posts of batting and bowling coach. And it is understood that much of the focus has been on replacing the former Railways stalwart.

When the Committee of Administrators reappointed Ravi Shastri as head coach till 2021, the rest of the support staff were also expected to continue unchanged along with him. But it has been reliably learnt that there will be change of personnel, at least with regards to the batting coach.

On Monday, Pravin Amre, Hrishikesh Kanitkar, Amol Muzumdar, Lalchand Rajput, Vikram Rathour and Sitanshu Kotak appeared before the selectors — entrusted with the job of naming the support staff — in person for the batting coach role. Jonathan Trott, another candidate who had expressed his interest in taking up the batting coach role — joined them via Skype.

Bangar, who is currently in Antigua, will appear on Tuesday, alongside bowling coach Bharathi Arun and fielding coach R Sridhar.While Bangar continues to have the backing of captain Virat Kohli, he doesn’t seem to enjoy the same kind of support from Shastri. In fact, reliable sources have indicated that the former India captain wants a new coach. Though he hasn’t recommended anyone for the post, he has apparently shown his preference for an Indian taking up the particular role.

There is a strong feeling that except for Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara, the rest of the batsmen have become stagnated beyond a point and struggled to score runs in overseas conditions. It is one area that Shastri now wants to concentrate on, because the ICC Test Championship is now underway. That, and the possible inclusion of youngsters in the limited-over scheme of things.

While domestic stalwart Muzumdar is expected to be a strong contender, Rathour will give him a tough competition for the batting coach role. But, interestingly, most of these candidates were rejected for the batting coach position that is currently lying vacant at National Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. Questions will be raised as  to how those who were considered misfit for NCA can be deemed eligible for the national side.

While Arun is expected to continue in his role of bowling coach, Venkatesh Prasad, Amit Bhandari, Subroto Banerjee and Paras Mhambrey appeared for the interview.

Battle plan
Pravin Amre, Hrishikesh Kanitkar, Amol Muzumdar, Lalchand Rajput, Vikram Rathour, Sitanshu Kotak and Jonathan Trott are some who were interviewed for batting coach. Sources say Ravi Shastri is keen to have an Indian in this role.

The source further added that while there were parameters in place, one of the major areas where Shastri beat Hesson to the job was the team’s performance under him on foreign soil.

NEW DELHI: The three-member Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC) comprising of Kapil Dev, Anshuman Gaekwad and Shantha Rangaswamy made no bones about the fact that it was a close contest between Ravi Shastri and Mike Hesson for the head coach’s role, but what seems to have helped Shastri clinch the deal is his urge to erase the bitter memory of losing in the semi-final of the 2019 World Cup in England.

Source in the know of developments during the presentation said that Shastri made it clear that he has unfinished business and this team is headed for greatness with a brilliant leader in Virat Kohli.

“There were some pointed questions and one of them to Shastri was what went wrong in the semi-final against New Zealand. He made it clear that one bad day doesn’t make this team bad. In fact, he emphasized on how he has unfinished business as the team now looks to gear up for not one, but two World T20s — 2020 and 2021. The confidence with which he said this made the committee believe that Shastri is the man who needs to guide this team forward,” the source said.

The source further added that while there were parameters in place, one of the major areas where Shastri beat Hesson to the job was the team’s performance under him on foreign soil.

“The CAC was clear about the fact that champion teams do well on foreign soil. Every team does well at home and India has done the same over the years. But the team’s rise on foreign soil has been exemplary under Shastri. There is no denying the fact that the combination that Shastri and Kohli form is unparalleled in the current scenario and with Shastri acting as the guiding force, this team will only perform better in the times to comes,” the source revealed.

Interestingly, Shastri also supposedly credit Virat Kohli for the transition the team has made in recent times when it comes to being extremely professional as well as consistent with their performances.

“Shastri told the CAC that this team has a leader who believes in leading from the front and there is no way that the youngsters wouldn’t want to imbibe from someone like Kohli. He also told them how Kohli has set new benchmarks when it comes to the fitness standards and that has rubbed off on all the players who now believe that fitness is as crucial a part of being an international cricket as is batting and bowling well,” the source said.

While the general feeling was that the Indian would be re-appointed, the source said that it was a close call with Hesson impressing all the three members. “Hesson was really good. The committee had gone in with a clean mind and what the former Kiwi coach presented to them really had them impressed. But in the end, it was a case of Shastri knowing the boys inside out that clinched the deal for the former all-rounder,” the source explained.

Allen had also effected the run out of Rohit Sharma for the first wicket of the innings but was unable to complete his seven-over allotment due to an injury sustained attempting to save a boundary.

India captain Virat Kohli raises his bats to celebrate reaching a century during the third One-Day International cricket match West Indies in Port of Spain, Trinidad.

Classy Virat Kohli upstaged rampant Chris Gayle as India defeated the West Indies by six wickets in the rain-affected third and final One-Day International of their series at the Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad on Wednesday.

Set a revised target of 255 based on the DLS scoring method after Gayle blazed 72 in pacing the home side to 240 for seven off 35 overs, Kohli was at his most imperious in compiling an unbeaten 114 — his second consecutive ODI hundred –- to pilot his team to 256 for four with 15 balls to spare.

His 43rd ODI hundred off 99 balls with 14 fours and overall impact on the series ensured him the double accolade of ‘Man of the Match’ and ‘Man of the Series’.

This successful chase under leaden skies and with the floodlights switched on gave India the series 2-0 following the abandoned first match in Guyana last week.

Kohli’s masterminding of another successful pursuit will leave Jason Holder and his West Indies team wary of what the Indian captain will have to offer with the bat in the upcoming two Tests in Antigua and Jamaica.

“It was important for me to convert the big innings in this series but I must acknowledge the role of Shreyas (Iyer) in these two matches here. He has presented a great case for himself,” the Indian captain said after victory was achieved. “We also did really well to keep the West Indies total to a manageable level. Credit to the bowlers for sticking to the task.”

As commanding as his innings was though, the hosts were left to rue a straightforward opportunity missed by wicketkeeper Shai Hope off all-rounder Keemo Paul when the champion batsman was just on 11.

He received excellent support, as in the previous match, from Shreyas Iyer with an innings of 65 off 41 balls in a 120-run third-wicket partnership that tilted the match decisively India’s way following a brief wobble when left-arm spinner Fabian Allen had dismissed both Shikhar Dhawan and Rishabh Pant in the same over.

Allen had also effected the run out of Rohit Sharma for the first wicket of the innings but was unable to complete his seven-over allotment due to an injury sustained attempting to save a boundary.

While Kohli illuminated the gathering gloom in at the end of the match, it was Gayle who stole the show at the start.

Playing what is likely his final ODI in a 20-year-international career in which he hopes to still represent the Caribbean in defence of the World T20 title in 14 months’ time in Australia, Gayle savaged the Indian bowlers after Holder chose to bat first, occupying only 41 balls with five sixes and eight fours distinguishing his typically bludgeoning innings.

Opening partner Evin Lewis made a bold attempt to match arguably the most destructive power-hitter in the international game, his innings of 43 coming off 29 deliveries and embellished with three sixes and five fours.

Their rampage had taken the West Indies to 114 after ten overs, the most productive ten-over start to an ODI since the 2015 World Cup.

However, Lewis departed in the next over, the first bowled by leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal while Gayle was well caught by Kohli at mid-off striking out at Khaleel Ahmed.

As he left the field, the manner of the Indian players’ appreciation of the 39-year-old’s innings, and his acknowledgement of the applause as he departed the field, left the distinct impression that he had played his final ODI innings.

‘Heavy price’ paid

There followed a lengthy rain stoppage and the West Indies lost wickets in the mad scramble for runs on the resumption.

Ahmed picked up two more wickets to be the most successful bowler, although he was also the most expensive, conceding 68 runs off seven overs.

Mohammed Shami picked up two wickets but the spinners –- Chahal, Kedar Jadhav and Yuzvendra Chahal -– were the most economical for India during the frenetic innings.

“We paid a heavy price for letting Kohli off the hook today, but I also felt we didn’t execute as well as we should as a bowling unit,” Holder said in assessing his team’s effort.

“There’s still a lot of work to be done at all levels of our cricket and we have to turn things around quickly with the Test series starting next week.”

Rohit Sharma will also be looking to overtake Yuvraj Singh in the third ODI between India and West Indies.

NEW DELHI: When India and West Indies step out on the field to play the final ODI of the three-match series, captain Virat Kohli and vice-captain Rohit Sharma would look to create another record for the Men in Blue.

The duo is just 27 runs away from completing 1,000 partnership runs against the Windies and if they manage to do so, they will become the first pair to achieve the feat against the Caribbean team in ODIs.

The 32-year-old Sharma will also eye another record as he needs 26 runs to go past Yuvraj Singh to become the seventh-highest Indian scorer in ODI cricket.

The left-handed Yuvraj ended his ODI career with 8,701 runs whereas Sharma currently has 8,676 runs.

Kohli played a knock of 120 runs in the second ODI to become the highest run-getter against Windies in the ODI format. He also went past Sourav Ganguly to become the second-highest run-scorer for India in ODIs.

In the same match, spinner Kuldeep Yadav would also look to create a record. The left-arm spinner currently has 96 wickets in 53 ODIs and if he manages to take a four-wicket haul, he will become the fastest Indian bowler to scalp 100 ODI wickets.

Mohammad Shami is currently the fastest Indian bowler to take 100 wickets as he achieved the feat from just 56 matches.

Before the start of India-West Indies series, there were reports suggesting a rift between Kohli and Sharma.

However, at the pre-departure press conference, Kohli denied the reports saying, “If I do not like a person or if I am insecure of a person, you will see that on my face or in my behaviour towards that person and that is how simple it is. I have always praised Rohit whenever I have had an opportunity because I believe he is that good. We have had no issues.”

“If the team environment is not good, then the kind of game we are playing for the last two-three years, it would have not been possible. I know how important the dressing room atmosphere, the trust factor is to succeed in international cricket. Our journey from number seven to number one and such consistent performance in the ODI cricket, it cannot happen without camaraderie, respect, and understanding,” he had said.

India currently holds a 1-0 lead in the three-match series after winning the second ODI by 59 runs.

The first ODI between India and West Indies was abandoned due to rain. The Men in Blue had come out triumphant in the T20I series as they white-washed the hosts 3-0 in the three-match T20I series.

India takes on West Indies in the final ODI of the series in Trinidad and Tobago later today.

Both former cricketers took to Twitter after the Indian government scrapped Article 370 of the Constitution that gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

NEW DELHI: Cricketer-turned-politician Gautam Gambhir took a swipe at former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi who called for the UN’s intervention, as well as that of the US’, after the Indian government scrapped Article 370 of the Constitution that gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

Hours after the Rajya Sabha passed the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill that sought to scrap Article 370 and Article 35A in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday, Afridi tweeted: “Kashmiris must be given their due rights as per UN resolution. The rights of Freedom like all of us.

“Why was UN created and why is it sleeping? The unprovoked aggression and crimes being committed in Kashmir against humanity must be noted. US President Donald Trump must play his role to mediate.”

Kashmiris must be given their due rights as per UN resolution. The rights of Freedom like all of us. Why was UN created & why is it sleeping? The unprovoked aggression & crimes being committed in Kashmir against #Humanity must be noted. The @POTUS must play his role to mediate

Replying to Afridi, Gambhir on Tuesday said: “Afridi is spot on guys. There is ‘unprovoked aggression’, there are ‘crimes against humanity’. He should be lauded for bringing this up.

“Only thing is he forgot to mention that all this is happening in ‘Pakistan Occupied Kashmir’. Don’t worry, will sort it out son!!!”

India are playing an unchanged side while West Indies have brought in left-arm spinner Khary Pierre in place of John Campbell.

LAUDERHILL: Krunal Pandya’s all-round exploits and Rohit Sharma’s characteristically sublime half-century powered India to a series-clinching 22-run win over West Indies in the rain-affected second T20 International here on Sunday.

Batting first, India scored a challenging 167 for five and then had West Indies in all sorts of trouble at 98 for four in the 16th over when lightening and thundershowers struck.

The Duckworth-Lewis par score at that point was 120, and West Indies were 22 runs behind.

Rohit Sharma top-scored with 67 off 51 balls, setting India up for a challenging total, before Krunal (20 off 13 balls) and Ravindra Jadeja propped up the innings by smashing 20 runs in the final over, which was bowled by Keemo Paul.

If Rahul manages to score 121 in Saturday’s clash, he will achieve this feat in 25 innings and will break Pakistan’s Babar Azam’s record of 26 innings.

NEW DELHI: India opener KL Rahul is on the edge of a world record when his team face West Indies in the first match of the three-game rubber in Lauderhill, Florida on Saturday.

Considered as one of the finest batsman in the shortest format of the game, Rahul is 121 runs short of becoming the seventh Indian to complete 1,000 runs in T20 internationals.

If Rahul manages to score 121 in Saturday’s clash, he will achieve this feat in 25 innings and will break Pakistan’s Babar Azam’s record of 26 innings.

India skipper Virat Kohli had completed the feat in 27 innings.

It is considered that touching the three-digit mark in T20 cricket is quite difficult but the India opener has shown in the past he can go past the three-figure mark in the shortest format of the game as he scored two tons in T20I beside hitting a century in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Meanwhile, Rahul had also slammed a ton against the Windies at the same venue.