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India beat Australia in thriller to enter World T20 semis

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Virat Kohli

Mohali: Virat Kohli led the way with a sublime half-century as India defeated Australia by six wickets at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium here on Sunday to enter the World Twenty20 semi-finals.

The in-form Delhi lad remained unbeaten on 82 runs off 51 balls as the Indians survived a few early setbacks to overhaul a difficult target of 161 with five deliveries to spare.

Sunday’s match, the last in Group 2, was a virtual quarter-final as the winners qualified the semi-finals. India finished their group engagements with three wins in four matches. Australia will go home with two wins and an equal number of defeats.

New Zealand had earlier qualified for the semi-finals from Group 2, while England and West Indies have gone through to the last-four stage from Group 1.

Shane Watson put in a superb all-round effort for Australia, finishing with figures of 2/23 in his four overs. Nathan Coulter-Nile (1/33) and James Faulkner (1/35) bagged a wicket each.

The Indians were off to a shaky start with openers Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma going back to the dugout without too many runs on the board. Watson snared Suresh Raina with a well-directed short-pitched delivery in the eighth over to leave the hosts in trouble at 49/3.

Kohli and Yuvraj Singh tried to script an Indian comeback, adding 45 runs between them in 38 balls. Yuvraj picked up a niggle in his left leg while attempting to glance a Coulter-Nile delivery to fine leg.

The experienced left-hander was clearly in some discomfort as he was hobbling while running between the wickets. But he battled bravely to post 21 runs off 18 balls with one boundary and a powerfully six off Adam Zampa.

But just as it seemed that Kohli and Yuvraj could take India to a safe position, the latter was undone by an excellent piece of fielding from Watson when he mistimed a slower one from Faulkner.

Yuvraj’s dismissal seemed to prod Kohli into action as he unleashed the big shots. The 27-year-old right-hander hit the hapless Faulkner for two boundaries and a six off successive balls in the 18th over to bring the target within India’s reach.

He then smashed four consecutive boundaries off Coulter-Nile in the next over to virtually wrap up the issue. With four runs needed in the final over, India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni dispatched Faulkner’s low full toss to the long-on fence to complete a thrilling win for India.

Earlier, Australia posted a competitive total of 160/6 in their 20 overs.

Opener Aaron Finch was the highest scorer for Australia with 43 runs off 34 deliveries, hitting three boundaries and a couple sixes during his innings. Glenn Maxwell contributed 31 off 28 balls.

For India, all-rounder Hardik Pandya (2/36) copped some initial punishment before bagging a couple of crucial wickets while Yuvraj Singh (1/19), Ashish Nehra (1/20), Ravichandran Ashwin (1/31) and Jasprit Bumrah (1/32) also bagged a wicket each.

The Indians did not help their cause by conceeding as many as 14 extras.

Electing to bat first, Australia were off to an explosive start with openers Usman Khawaja and Aaron Finch producing a 54-run partnership in just 26 balls. Bumrah copped a lot of punishment in his first over with Khawaja hitting him for four boundaries.

But Nehra gave India the breakthrough when Khawaja went after an outgoing delivery only to see the ball nick the top edge on the way to Dhoni behind the stumps.

The dangerous David Warner perished when he came down the track to Ashwin. The left-hander could not connect as the ball spun away from him and Dhoni pulled off an easy stumping.

Australia captain Steven Smith lasted for just six balls before Yuvraj had him caught behind with his very first ball. That saw the Australian run rate fall slightly with Finch and Maxwell struggled on a pitch which was offering a fair bit of turn.

Finch was deprived of what would have been a well-deserved half-century when he perished while trying to prop up the run rate. He tried to pull a slightly short-pitched delivery from Pandya into the stands, but did not connect properly as the ball looped up for a fairly simple catch to Shikhar Dhawan at deep midwicket.

Maxwell was looking set for a big score. But he virtually gifted away his wicket to Bumrah when he went for a cross-batted heave only to be out-foxed by a slower delivery.

Peter Nevill and Watson hit a couple of fours and a six off Pandya in the last over to give Australia a strong finish.

(IANS)

India to build Vietnam satellite data centre

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Move likely to heighten tensions with China as India gives Vietnam access to image data from its observation satellites.

Vietnam

by Al Jazeera

Indian officials say their country will set up a satellite tracking and imaging centre in southern Vietnam that will give Hanoi access to pictures from Indian earth observation satellites that cover the region –  including China and the South China Sea.

The move could heighten tensions between the two countries and Beijing. Both states have long-running territorial disputes with China.

India also extended a $100m credit line for Hanoi to buy patrol boats and is training Vietnamese submariners in India, while Hanoi has granted oil exploration blocks to India in waters off Vietnam that are disputed with China.

The facility will be equipped to receive images from India’s Earth observation satellites that Vietnam can use in return for granting India the tracking site, said an Indian government official connected with the space programme.

“This is a sort of quid pro quo which will enable Vietnam to receive IRS [Indian remote sensing] pictures directly – that is, without asking India,” said the official, who declined to be identified because he was not authorised to speak to the media.

“Obviously it will include parts of China of interest to Vietnam.”

Earth observation satellites have agricultural, scientific and environmental applications, but can also provide military intelligence. Indian media put the cost of the station at about $23m.

India – whose 54-year-old space programme is accelerating with one satellite launch scheduled every month – has ground stations in the Andaman and Nicobar islands, Brunei, Biak in eastern Indonesia and Mauritius that track its satellites in the initial stages of flight.

The Vietnam facility will bolster those capabilities, said Deviprasad Karnik, an Indian Space Research Organisation spokesman, according to Reuters news agency.

Long-running disputes

India has 11 earth observation satellites in orbit, offering pictures with differing resolutions and areas, the ISRO said.

Vietnam is one of several Southeast Asian nations involved in a territorial dispute with China over the South China Sea.

Beijing has accelerated its construction of man-made islands in the disputed waters to assert its claim to the sea, which is believed to hold vast oil and natural gas reserves.

Earlier in January, Vietnam accused China of violating its sovereignty when it landed a plane on an airstrip built on an artificial island in the Spratly archipelago.

China’s foreign ministry rejected the complaint, arguing that the flight was a matter “completely within China’s sovereignty”.

 

India collapse to defeat despite Kohli, Dhawan tons

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Aaron Finch and David Warner stitched together a 187-run opening partnership for Australia. (Source: AP)

Aaron Finch and David Warner stitched together a 187-run opening partnership for Australia. (Source: AP)

Canberra: India capitulated shamelessly losing the last 9 wickets for 46 runs to give Australia a 25-run victory in the fourth ODI, here today after outstanding centuries by Shikhar Dhawan (126) and Virat Kohli (106).

Chasing a substantial 349 for their first win in the series, the visitors were given a great start by Rohit Sharma, who hit a breezy 41 off 25 balls before Dhawan and Kohli set up a rollicking partnership of 212 runs for the second wicket off 177 balls to take the team to 277 without any further loss when Dhawan fell to mark a long procession of Indian batsman returning to the pavilion.

Kohli hit 106 off only 92 balls for his second successive century in the series before a soft dismissal and then Dhoni (0) lasted only three balls to dash India’s hopes with another frontline batsman Ajinkya Rahane injured although he did come into bat making only 2 runs.

India’s fourth successive defeat in the five-match series came a day after Team Director Ravi Shastri had said that “there is absolutely no shame in the way they have played despite recent results,” but after the match Dhoni took responsibility of the loss.

(Agencies)

PCB gets clearance from PM for Indo-Pak series in Sri Lanka

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indo-pak

Karachi: Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has granted permission to the PCB for a bilateral cricket series against arch-rivals India in Sri Lanka.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and Indian Cricket Board (BCC) had proposed the series and approached their respective governments for clearance.

Official sources in the ministry of inter provincial coordination said that the Prime Minister gave the clearance before leaving for an official tour to Malta.

“The PM has responded to the letter sent to him by the PCB Chairman Shaharyar Khan and he has said that Pakistan should play India in Sri Lanka for a short series given the current security situation,” a source told PTI.

“The PM made the point that while foreign teams are not playing in Pakistan, the security situation for Pakistanis in India is also not clear, so Sri Lanka is a good option,” the source said.

A PM house statement was also quoted in the ‘Express Tribune’ which said, “Given the current security situation, PCB should hold short series with India at a third location.”

It also said the PM House had sent a letter to the PCB granting them permission for the series and directing them to carefully view the security situation as well.

BCCI are yet to hear from the Indian government on the series.

On Tuesday, Sri Lanka emerged as a neutral venue for the planned series which is likely to have three ODIs and two T20s, tentatively scheduled between December 15 and first week of January.

Both countries have not played Test cricket since 2007 but Pakistan toured India in winter of 2012-13 for a short limited-over series.

(PTI)

Sri Lanka likely venue for Indo-Pak series

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The series is likely to be confined to three ODIs and two T20 Internationals instead of the original two Tests, five ODIs and two T20 Internationals, according to top BCCI sources.

The series is likely to be confined to three ODIs and two T20 Internationals instead of the original two Tests, five ODIs and two T20 Internationals, according to top BCCI sources.

Dubai: Sri Lanka has emerged as the likely venue for the much-awaited Indo-Pak bilateral cricket series and an official announcement may be made on November 27.

While the Board of Cricket Control of India (BCCI) made it clear that they will not play in the United Arab Emirates and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) refusing to play in India, the only feasible option left was the island nation, which will act as the neutral venue.

With only a month’s window available after India finish their Test Series against South Africa on December 7, the series is likely to be confined to three ODIs and two T20 Internationals instead of the original two Tests, five ODIs and two T20 Internationals, according to top BCCI sources.

The proceedings had been fast-tracked once BCCI president and current ICC chairman Shashank Manohar met PCB chairman Shaharyar Khan and senior official Najam Sethi here in presence of ECB supremo and chairman of ‘Pakistan Task Force’Giles Clarke.

Without divulging any details, both Sethi and Khan had said on Sunday that the meeting with Manohar was “fruitful” giving an indication that the deadlock on the marquee series was broken.

“Since PCB will need the permission of Nawaz Sharif before going official, Shaharyar Khan will need to go back to Islamabad and seek the Prime Minister’s permission. Once he gets the green light from the PM, he will again come back to Dubai and intimate his decision to Clarke. Clarke is likely to officially announce the series on November 27,” said the source.

It has been learnt that Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has been approached by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and they seem to be keen to host the series.

The two stadiums earmarked for the series are Khettarama (R Premadasa Stadium) and Pallekele (Kandy). While the receding monsoon has hit the island nation badly, the weather forecast for the last part of December looks good.

While some T20 matches are scheduled at the Khettarama, the SLC will reschedule them at the first notice, once the official announcement is made.

This will be the first time that a Test playing nation has rejected playing a series in the UAE since it became Pakistan’s adopted home after the 2009 Lahore attacks.

(PTI)

Second Test called off after four days of washouts

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India South Africa

Bengaluru: Four days of washouts owing to persistent rain and wet ground conditions led to the second cricket Test being officially called off here today, with hosts India leading the four-match series against South Africa 1-0.

The on-field umpires called off the match after an inspection at 11.30 local time.

It is the first time in the history of Test cricket in India that four days have been completely washed out.

The last time a major part of a Test in India was washed out was almost a decade ago when play was held up for three days in a Test in Chennai between India and Sri Lanka.

Both teams will now travel to Nagpur for the penultimate and third game.

Though it only drizzled briefly on the fifth and final morning, overnight rain meant there could be no play.

Puddles had formed in a few uncovered areas near the edges of the ground at the Chinnaswami Stadium.

It is likely the umpires felt that patches of damp spots in some of the areas, caused by sweating under the covers, might not be safe for fielders.

Besides the super soppers, the groundstaffs also had in their disposal a machine called the Pro Core, but none could ensure resumption of play in South African batting mainstay A B de Villiers;’ 100th Test.

India were 80 for no loss in reply to South Africa’s first innings score of 214 on the opening day. Shikhar Dhawan (45) and Murali Vijay (28) were at the crease.

India skipper Virat Kohli said after the match, “The bowlers did a commendable job, bowling South Africa out in less than three sessions is something that’s very rare. A lot of people were surprised when we decided to field first. All credit to the bowlers, Bangalore is known for its runs, but our bowlers showed their character.

“It’s a pity that we lost four days when we were in such a strong position.

“Shikhar (Dhawan) is an impact player and he’s done the job in the past and it is great to have him back in form.

Nothing has changed in the series, we took the confidence from Mohali to Bangalore and we had a good day’s play. The team is in great mood and hopefully we don’t have any interruptions anymore and execute their skills in Nagpur.”

Rival captain Hashim Amla said, “We’ve had about seven days of Tests in 20 in the last four Test matches. Very surprised we have lost four days of cricket here. I really didn’t think four days would be washed out.

“AB getting 80-odd in his 100th Test was a highlight and we are glad to share the moment with him. Unfortunately we didn’t bat very well, but it was still in the balance with the time left.

(Agencies)

Fourth day’s play also called off in Bengaluru Test

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India South Africa

Bengaluru: The fourth day’s play in the India-South Africa second Test match was called off without a ball being bowled due to rain at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium here on Tuesday.

“The play has been officially called off. Another day lost to rain. If weather permits, tomorrow the play will start at 9:15 A.M. #IndvsSA,” Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) wrote on Twitter.

There was no sign of rain till 1.40 p.m as the umpires announced the delayed start because of a wet outfield by inspecting the ground twice at 11.30 a.m. and 1 p.m. After the second inspection, they took the decision that the game can be resumed at 2 p.m.

But a light drizzle forced the ground to be covered, and the umpires to call off play.

Play was also called off on Sunday and Monday and with Tuesday too washed away, as many as nine sessions have been wasted because of rain.

India, at 80 for no loss, were trailing South Africa by 134 runs at the end of Day One with openers Murali Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan batting on 28 and 45 respectively.

Earlier, India bowled out South Africa for 214 runs in the first innings.

(Agencies)

India reach 125/2, swell lead to 142 runs against South Africa

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ind-sa

Mohali: India reached 125/2 in their second innings at stumps to take a vital 142-run overall lead after bowling out South Africa for 184 runs in the first innings on the second day of the first Test here on Friday.

For the hosts, Cheteshwar Pujara (63 not out) and Virat Kohli (11 batting) were at the crease at the end of Day 2. Openers Murali Vijay (47) and Shikhar Dhawan (0) were the dismissed batsmen.

Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin earlier picked up five wickets to hand India the initiative. He (5-51) was assisted by fellow tweakers Ravindra Jadeja (3-55) and Amit Mishra (2-55).

AB de Villiers (63) was the top scorer for the visitors in the first innings, in reply to India’s 201.

(IANS)

India win 4th ODI against S Africa by 35 runs, level series

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Harbhajan Singh celebrating the wicket of South Africa's Quinton de Kock during the fourth ODI at M A Chidambaram Stadium. Photo: PTI

Harbhajan Singh celebrating the wicket of South Africa’s Quinton de Kock during the fourth ODI at M A Chidambaram Stadium. Photo: PTI

Chennai: Powered by a superb ton from Virat Kohli, India defeated South Africa by 35 runs in their fourth and penultimate ODI at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium on Thursday.

Coming in at the fall of Rohit Sharma, Kohli was part of a couple of crucial 100-plus partnerships with Ajinkya Rahane and Suresh Raina to help the hosts amass a total of 299/8 in 50 overs.

In reply, South Africa could only manage to score 264/9 despite a defiant century from AB de Villiers who scored 112 off 107 deliveries.

With this win, India levelled the five-match series 2-2.

(IANS)

Jadeja recalled to Test squad, replaces Harbhajan

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Harbhajan Singh

New Delhi: India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who had fallen out of favour with the national selectors, has been recalled to the squad after a gap of around 14 months for the first two Tests against South Africa, starting on November 5.

What prompted his inclusion was that Jadeja scored 149 runs and picked up 24 wickets in the two Ranji Trophy games he has played for Saurashtra so far this season. However, veteran off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has been left out of the Test outfit.

Harbhajan is getting married to his long-time girlfriend, actress Geeta Basra, reportedly on October 29.

Harbhajan, who was sidelined from the Test squad since March 2013, made a comeback against Bangladesh earlier this year in June.

He played the one Test there and then featured in the first Test against Sri Lanka in the island country but he did not help his cause as he grabbed only one wicket from the 25 overs he bowled. He was out of the team for the second and third games of the three-match Test series.

Though offie Ravichandran Ashwin is still recovering from a side strain, he has been selected in the 16-member Test squad.

Fast bowler Ishant Sharma has been included too for the Tests but he will have to sit out the first contest as the International Cricket Council (ICC) has suspended him for a Test owing to his bad behaviour during India’s tour to Sri Lanka.

The selectors have made only one change for the remaining two One-Day Internationals (ODI) against South Africa, replacing Umesh Yadav with Sreenath Arvind, who played in the three-match Twenty20 International series which India lost 0-2.

India currently trail the ODI series 1-2 with the fourth match to be played on Thursday in Chennai.

The squads:

India ODI squad for last two matches: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain, wicketkeeper), Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Axar Patel, Harbhajan Singh, Amit Mishra, Mohit Sharma, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Sreenath Arvind, Stuart Binny, Ambati Rayudu, Gurkeerat Mann.

India Test squad for first two games: Virat Kohli (captain), Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Wriddhiman Saha (wicketkeeper), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Amit Mishra, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav, Lokesh Rahul, Stuart Binny, Varun Aaron, Ishant Sharma.

Board President XI: Cheteshwar Pujara, Lokesh Rahul, Unmukt Chand, Karun Nair, Shreyas Iyer, Naman Ojha, Hardik Pandya, Jayant Yadav, Kuldeep Yadav, Shardul Thakur, Nathu Singh, Karn Sharma, Sheldon Jackson.

(IANS)

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