Tag: india business

According to David Warner, bats with thick edges were not always an advantage. (Source: AP)

Australia opener David Warner says flat pitches rather than bats with thicker edges are the reason batsmen have the upper hand in test cricket.

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting recently raised concerns about the rising imbalance between bat and ball and called for restrictions to be imposed on the willow sizes in the longest format of the game.

Ponting said he would raise the issue at the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) world cricket committee meeting at Lord’s next week and found support from Australia fast bowler Josh Hazlewood, who wants the advantage for batsmen to be negated.

“If we look around the country, I think the wickets are pretty much dictating the Test cricket arena at the moment,” Warner told reporters in Sydney on Friday.

“A lot of batsmen are scoring a lot of runs, there have been a lot of runs scored in the last 12 to 18 months; you can’t specifically come out and say it is the big bats, because everyone around the country and around the world is scoring a lot of runs.

“It is a credit to the bat maker. He’s told he can use one cleft of wood. If he can use his brains and technology to make a bat light and large, then it’s credit to them.”

Warner, whose bat sports one of the thickest edges in world cricket, said he actually used a smaller bat in Tests unless they were playing in the subcontinent.

A report commissioned by the MCC in 2014 found the thickness of bats had marginally increased in the last century and that edges had broadened by 300 percent, meaning mistimed shots could still find the boundary.

As yet, however, there have been no restrictions imposed.

According to Warner, bats with thick edges were not always an advantage.

“If you go back to the Ashes and have a look at my leading edges, I think it probably didn’t help me,” Warner said, breaking into a laugh. “So there’s pros and cons.”

A photo posted by David Warner (@davidwarner31) on Jan 29, 2016 at 1:50pm PST

The 29-year-old was in fine form before he fractured his left index finger during the ODI tri-series in the Caribbean last month and was subsequently sent back home.

The attacking left-hander is unlikely to be fit for Australia’s first warm-up game but is expected to partner Joe Burns at the top of the innings when the first Test against Sri Lanka starts on July 26 in Pallekele.

“He probably won’t play the two-day game but should play the first-class game – the tour game before we play the first test,” coach Darren Lehmann told Fairfax Media. “Even if he didn’t, I am not too worried about that.

“He is one of these guys who picks up a bat quite quickly. He has had broken fingers and injuries before and we have just plugged him back into test cricket and he is fine.”

India vs West Indies, Full fixtures: Virat Kohli-led unit play the hosts in four Tests. (Source: Facebook/BCCI)

India take on West Indies in the four-match Test series, starting July 21. Virat Kohli-led unit play two warm-up games before the first Test takes place at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, Antigua. India have had success in their last overseas tour of Sri Lanka, and would like to do more of the same when they play the first series under new coach Anil Kumble. Here’s everything you need to know about the fresh challenge for Kohli and Co. (Team Rankings)

India vs West Indies 2016, Full Schedule:

India vs West Indies Cricket Board President’s XI, July 9, Saturday – 19:30 IST, St Kitts

India vs West Indies Cricket Board President’s XI, July 14, Saturday – 19:30 IST, St Kitts

The Indian Cricket Team has reached Gatwick Airport. Next destination St. Kitts. #WIvIND #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/MRoN7lZLm8

— BCCI (@BCCI) 6 July 2016

India vs West Indies, 1st Test, July 21-25 – 19: 30 IST, Antigua

India vs West Indies, 2nd Test, July 30-August 3 – 19: 30 IST, Jamaica

Watch @imVkohli & the boys enjoy the sun and sand while Stuart Binny put on the commentator’s hathttp://t.co/8f9Ke9mA65

— BCCI (@BCCI) 8 July 2016

India vs West Indies, 3rd Test, August 9-13 – 19: 30 IST, Gros Islet

India vs West Indies, 4th Test, August 18-22 – 19: 30 IST, Trinidad

Virat Kohli flaunts chiseled body on the beach.

Team News: 

India: India squad reached West Indies a couple of days ago and they have a new coach to accompany them this time around. The young guns are spending time on the beach and keeping themselves fit by playing beach volleyball, and performing yoga in the team hotel.

#TeamIndia bonding session pic.twitter.com/39Nt6kyBlC

— BCCI (@BCCI) 3 July 2016

India squad for West Indies tour: Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, R Ashwin, Stuart Binny, Shikhar Dhawan, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Amit Mishra, Mohammed Shami, Cheteshwar Pujara, Lokesh Rahul, Wriddhiman Saha, Ishant Sharma, Rohit Sharma, Shardul Thakur, Murali Vijay, Umesh Yadav

West Indies: All is not good in the West Indies squad as Denesh Ramdin recently announced his exclusion from the squad on Twitter. While a formal announcement is yet to be made, Ramdin confirmed his axe on the social media.

India had an intense session of beach volleyball in West Indies.

Indian cricket team is enjoying their time in St Kitts where they are scheduled to play two warm-up matches before starting the four-match Test series against West Indies in Antigua, starting July 21. After the yoga session in the team hotel, the players, in their beach attire, headed toward the sand to enjoy a game of volleyball with stunning scenes in the backdrop.

India vs West Indies, Full fixtures: Virat Kohli-led unit play the hosts in four Tests. (Source: Facebook/BCCI)

Virat Kohli, India’s Test captain, was certainly the head turner as he flaunted his chiseled body during the session. Second highlight was Stuart Binny who turned commentator for the game. In a video posted by BCCI, the players can be seen in an intense session.

WATCH:

Watch @imVkohli & the boys enjoy the sun and sand while Stuart Binny put on the commentator’s hathttp://t.co/8f9Ke9mA65

— BCCI (@BCCI) 8 July 2016

Before hitting the beach, the team had an outdoor yoga session. Check out the players try different poses.

Team India took part in an outdoor yoga session in St. Kitts. Take a look at the boys try out different poses pic.twitter.com/K4C5LQpFxj

— BCCI (@BCCI) 8 July 2016

Anil Kumble poses with team members at the St Kitts airport. (Source: Twitter)

Anil Kumble’s first tour with the Indian cricket team didn’t start on an ideal note as the former Test cricketer landed in West Indies with his kit bag left behind at the Gatwick Airport by the British Airways.

The airline company was prompt to acknowledge the mistake and issued an apology to India’s most successful bowler on Twitter.

@anilkumble1074 We’re sorry your bags are ‘not out’ to St Kitts! They have been ‘caught behind’ your flight from Gatwick. We are looking 1/2

— British Airways (@British_Airways) 6 July 2016

@anilkumble1074 to ‘bowl’ you over with our service recovery. 2/2

— British Airways (@British_Airways) 6 July 2016

India reached St Kitts on Thursday for two warm-up games before the Tests begin in Antigua, on July 21.

Reached St. Kitts…long flight..@cheteshwar1 @klrahul11 @y_umesh Tour begins @BCCI pic.twitter.com/l2aEpOFSqp

— Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) 6 July 2016

This, however, is not the first time British Airways has messed luggage. On the receiving end last year was none other than Sachin Tendulkar.

Angry Disappointed and Frustrated.. #BAdserviceBA Family member’s Waitlisted ticket not confirmed despite seats being available (1/2)

— sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) 13 November 2015

And luggage being tagged by @British_Airways to wrong destination and don’t care attitude! #NeveronBA (2/2)

— sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) 13 November 2015

MS Dhoni plants a tree on his birthday. (Source: Twitter)

India’s limited-overs skipper, who turned 35 on Thursday, celebrated his birthday by not partying or cutting fancy cakes but by planting the “first and very special tree” at the farm house “Kailashpati”.

Dhoni is away from national duty as India have a busy Test season ahead. The Virat Kohli-led unit is in West Indies at the moment for the four Tests. After leading Pune in the IPL, Dhoni led the Men in Blue to series wins in T20Is and ODIs over Zimbabwe last month.

What could be the best way to celebrate my birthday,planted the 1st and very spl tree at the farm house KAILASHPATI pic.twitter.com/QQ3DpDCCk1

— Mahendra Singh Dhoni (@msdhoni) 7 July 2016

Dhoni thanked everyone for the wishes and was “blessed” to celebrate his birthday along with Eid.

Thanks to all for ur lovely birthday wishes,it really means a lot.with god’s blessing I could celebrate my birthday along with EID.

— Mahendra Singh Dhoni (@msdhoni) 7 July 2016

Ajay Jayaram overcame Pedro Martins 21-11, 21-15 in the third round and will play Anand Pawar next. (Source: File)

Ace Indian shuttlers Ajay Jayaram and Anand Pawar progressed through to the quarterfinals of the US Open men’s singles event while Rio-bound Manu Attri and B Sumeeth Reddy also reached the last-eight round in their doubles event on Thursday.

Fourth-seeded Jayaram overcame Portuguese opponent Pedro Martins 21-11, 21-15 in the third round, while Pawar claimed a 21-10, 21-13 win over compatriot Pratul Joshi to reach the top eight of the USD 120,000 Grand Prix Gold tournament.

Both will next face each other for a spot in the semifinals.

On the other hand, sixth-seeded B Sai Praneeth, who recently clinched the Canada Open, failed to sustain momentum after winning the opening game as he was beaten 13-21, 21-17, 22-20 by Japan’s Kazumasa Sakai in third round of men’s singles event.

Fifth-seeded H.S. Prannoy also bowed out of the tournament, losing 25-23, 23-21 to Korea’s Lee Hyun.

In the men’s doubles event, Attri and Reddy defeated Japanese pair of Kenya Mitsuhashi and Yuta Watanabe 23-21, 21-13 while Meghana Jakkampudi and Poorvisha Ram advanced to the final eight after local favourites defeating Ariel and Sydney Lee 21-16, 21-6 in the women’s doubles event.

Meanwhile, Tanvi Lad crashed out of the women’s singles event after suffering a 21-17, 21-15 defeat against fifth-seeded Beiwen Zhang from USA.

Ravichandran Ashwin has taken 176 wickets in 32 Test matches he has played so far. (Source: PTI)

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly on Friday said off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin would be key to India’s success in the Test tour of the West Indies, their first series under new head coach Anil Kumble.

“I think Ashwin will be the key in West Indies,” Ganguly, who turned 44 on Friday, said at his residence.

Fresh from winning their second World Twenty20 title, the West Indies finished runners-up to Australia in a triangular ODI series also involving South Africa to continue a glorious year that has seen them also win the women’s WT20, and Under-19 World Cup.

“They are looking stronger and in the middle of a fine form. But I think India have the side to beat them. I wish luck to (Virat) Kohli and (Anil) Kumble,” Ganguly added.

Kumble will begin his stint as head coach with two practice matches against WICB President’s XI from July 9-16 followed by the four Tests from July 21-August 22.

WBC Asian champion Neeraj Goyat (69kg) failed to secure an Olympic ticket as he went down 0-3 in the box-off of the International Boxing Association’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament for professional boxers in Vargas, Venezuela.

The 24-year-old Neeraj, who had lost 0-3 to second-seeded German Arajik Marutjan in the semifinal yesterday, was beaten by Spaniard Sissokho Ndiaye Youba in today’s box-off to determine the third Olympic qualifier in the category as the finalists have taken the top two slots. He settled for a bronze medal.

Neeraj’s loss ended India’s hopes of securing a quota berth at the final Olympic qualifying tournament for boxing as Gaurav Bidhuri (52kg) and Dilbag Singh (81kg) had already bowed out after first-round losses.

India will thus have only three boxers — Shiva Thapa (56kg), Manoj Kumar (64kg) and Vikas Krishan (75kg) — in the Games scheduled next month. The trio had made the cut through the qualifiers for amateurs.

The competition in Venezuela had 26 Rio quota places on offer — three in every weight category except heavyweight (91kg) and super heavyweight (91+kg), from which only the winners will earn an Olympic spot.

The tournament featured boxers from AIBA’s own professional events — the World Series of Boxing (WSB) and AIBA Pro Boxing (APB) — besides pro boxers from all over the world.

However, none of the big names in the pro circuit made themselves available for the event citing reasons ranging from fitness, lack of time for preparation and the threat of sanctions by their promoters and licensing bodies like the WBO and the IBA.

Bengaluru Bulls failed to deliver the goods in the second half.

Trailing by six points at the half-way mark, U Mumba fight back to beat Bengaluru Bulls 24-23 in the Pro Kabaddi League contest.

Live Bengaluru Bulls vs U Mumba updates: 

# U Mumba play a brilliant second half to beat Bengaluru Bulls 24-23 in the Pro Kabaddi League contest in Patna on Saturday

# Bengaluru Bulls, leading 22-21, take a timeout as we approach the last three minutes of the first match of the night

# We are about to enter the last five minutes and both Bengaluru and U Mumba are locked 20-20

# Rakesh Kumar twists his knee, he’s flat on the mat and receiving attention

# U Mumba are now in the lead, thanks to some clinical raids and strong defence play. Pace of the game has changed in the last five minutes

# In the last five minutes, Bengaluru have scored 2 points while U Mumba have managed to add four points to their kitty

# Anup Kumar with a strong ankle hold, and the covers do a neat defending job to deny Bengaluru points

# Pawan escapes without any problem to add another point to Bengaluru Bulls kitty

# Bengaluru’s lead has been reduced to four points. It’s still 15-11 in their favour

# Anup Kumar gets his hand over the line, and collects two points for his side. He also takes out both the corners of Bengaluru in one go

# We are almost ready for the second half. Bulls have taken a decisive lead, important they maintain it in second half

# At the half-way mark Bengaluru Bulls lead 14-8 against U Mumba

# Bengaluru Bulls take the lead to 6 point. Bengaluru Bulls 14-8 U Mumba

# TV review asked by U Mumba

# Combined efforts by Bengaluru Bulls, BLR 8-6 MUM

# Bengaluru defender shows his back, concedes a point. Poor technique. Can’t just turn away and keep running away from the raider

# Almost 10 minutes done in the first half and Bengaluru and U Mumba are locked at 4-4

# U Mumba take lead for the first team after the review confirms a touch by the defenders during Gurvinder Singh’s do-or-die raid

# Ashish Kumar fails to make the do-or-die raid count. Bengaluru continue to be locked at 3-3

# Chillar with another brave defence to pin down Anup Kumar, and deny U Mumba any point

# Anup Kumar makes a succesful raid to open U Mumba’s account in the fourth minute

# Mohit Chillar with a quick defence to ground Devadiga, and deny U Mumba any point

# Pawan Kumar has the first points of the match as he opens Bengaluru’s account with a successful raid

# Almost two into the game and no points as Rohit Kumar too returns without making any additions to the board

# Anup Kumar tries the toe-touch on a couple of occasions but returns empty handed

# U Mumba win toss, choose court. Bengaluru Bulls to make the first raid

# Bengaluru Bulls have beaten U Mumba only once in their eight meetings so far

# U Mumba and Bengaluru take position for the national anthem. We are moments away before teams start exchanging points

# U Mumba are second in the table with 77 points and are just seven short of Jaipur Pink Panthers’ 85

# The two teams make their way out on the mat. Exciting contest on the cards in Patna

BUILD UP:

Patna Pirates began their home leg in style as they beat Bengaluru Bulls 31-25 in the fourth season of Star Sports Pro Kabaddi League in Patna on Thursday.