India set to usher in a new phase

August 22, 2012

india

Hyderabad, August 22: Since they came together in November 1996, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman have been two of India’s stronger batting pillars in Test cricket.

Dravid made his debut at the historic Lord’s in June 1996 while Laxman earned his India cap four months later against South Africa in Ahmedabad. The runs they have stacked up together is staggering, the number of matches they have won with or without each other is impressive. More importantly, though, the legacy they have left behind will be hard to match.

A cursory glance at their batting stats reflects the void they have left behind with their departure within the space of five months and the enormous task the youngsters have of stepping into their giant shoes. The two stylish right-handers amassed 22,069 runs between them in 298 Tests combined with 53 centuries in total.

In their first 16 partnerships together, they didn’t have a single century alliance but once Kolkata 2001 happened, they became an irresistible force. Of the 11 century stands between them, they have two triple-ton associations, the only Indian pair to do so. And only on one occasion, the 2008 Sydney Test during which India were at the receiving end of umpiring errors, did India lose when the two produced a partnership of 100 or more.

The duo’s contributions, however, transcend mere numbers. Along with Sachin Tendulkar, and on some occasions Sourav Ganguly, they changed how the rest of the cricketing world perceived India. During their time, India successfully shed their image of flat-track bullies, flattening bowlers of great repute in different venues and varying conditions.

While it’s unfortunate that they had to see the reputation they had built for India suffer a mighty blow in their last two away series, it shouldn’t take any gloss off their careers.

The epochal 376-run stand against Australia at the Eden Gardens in 2001 ought to be the high point of their batting partnership, but this was just the beginning of several more such significant collaborations which heralded India’s ascendancy. Proud cricketers that the two were, they bowed out as gracefully as they batted, setting a perfect example for Gen Next to follow both on and off the field.

On Thursday, when Mahendra Singh Dhoni leads his team against New Zealand in the first Test, it will be the first time when neither batsman will be part of this Indian side in more than 16 years. While Virat Kohli has shown Test credentials with a sparkling century against Australia at Perth, the likes of Cheteshwar Pujara, who is returning after an injury lay-off, and Suresh Raina, back in the fold for the longer version, have the golden opportunity to firm up their claims against a Kiwi attack in familiar conditions.

As it’s unwise to build a temple on the basis of mere promise, it’s equally harsh to run down these youngsters on the basis of a few failures.

If anything, they should be judged over a longer period for neither Dravid nor Laxman became legends overnight. It’s just the beginning of what’s going to be a testing, hectic season for India but the New Zealand series may well offer clues to what the future holds.

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Agencies
August 1,2020

Bengaluru, Aug 1: Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are aiming to set up their preparatory camp for the 13th edition of the tournament from early August.

This year's IPL was slated to commence from March 29 but the tournament was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Recently, the IPL Governing Council chairman Brijesh Patel had confirmed that the 13th edition of the mega event will commence on September 19 in the UAE.

As per a report in ESPNcricinfo, CSK players have been asked to report to Chennai first, following which they will leave for Dubai via a charter flight only after approval from the Indian government.

The IPL Governing Council will meet on August 2 to finalise the schedule and other key arrangements for the tournament. Also, the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) around securing eight teams for 51 days across three venues will be formally established in that meeting.

CSK, who has the oldest squad in the IPL, are looking for a month's preparation before ahead of the tournament.

Before the coronavirus pandemic, the side was the first team to start their training camp in March. Senior players like Suresh Raina and Ambati Rayudu had begun training their training in December 2019.

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News Network
April 2,2020

New Delhi, Apr 2: BJP MP and former cricketer Gautam Gambhir on Thursday said that he will donate his two year's salary to PM-CARES Fund to support the battle against coronavirus pandemic in the country.

"People ask what can their country do for them. The real question is what can you do for your country? I am donating my 2 year's salary to #PMCaresFund. You should come forward too! @narendramodi @JPNadda @BJP4Delhi #IndiaFightsCorona," Gambhir tweeted.

The total number of coronavirus cases in India climbed to 1965 on Thursday after 131 people confirmed positive in the past 12 hours, said the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

At present, there are 1764 COVID-19 active cases in the country and 50 people have died due to the lethal infection.

Interestingly, on this day in 2011, India lifted its second World Cup title after a drought of 28 years. Gambhir played a crucial role in the final and anchored the run-chase.

India won its first World Cup in 1983 under the leadership of former all-rounder Kapil Dev. 

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News Network
January 23,2020

Jan 23: Quinton de Kock has been named as the new captain of the South Africa One-Day International side, taking over from Faf du Plessis, who is dropped altogether from the three-match series against England next month.

Du Plessis led South Africa in their disastrous 2019 World Cup campaign and has hinted at international retirement from all formats following the Twenty20 global finals in Australia later this year.

"We all know the quality of the player that Quinton de Kock has grown to become," CSA director of cricket Graeme Smith said in a statement on Tuesday.

"Over the years we have watched him grow in confidence and become one of the top ODI wicket-keeper batsmen in the world. He has a unique outlook and manner in which he goes about his business and is tactically very street smart."

De Kock leads a 15-man squad with five uncapped players in seamers Lutho Sipamla and Sisanda Magala, left-arm orthodox spinner all-rounder Bjorn Fortuin, opening batsman Janneman Malan and wicketkeeper-batsman Kyle Verreynne.

Magala, leg-spinner Tabraiz Shamsi, seamer Lungi Ngidi and hard-hitting opening batsman Jon Jon Smuts must pass fitness tests before they can join the squad.

Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada will be rested for the series, while allrounders Chris Morris and Dwaine Pretorius have also not been able to force their way in.

"The road towards the 2023 Cricket World Cup starts now and we want players doing well in our domestic structures to see the rewards of the hard work that they have put in," CSA Independent Selector Linda Zondi added.

The first ODI will be staged in Cape Town on Feb.4th, with the second in Durban three days later and the final match of the series to be held in Johannesburg on Feb.9th.

Squad: Quinton de Kock (captain), Reeza Hendricks, Temba Bavuma, Rassie van der Dussen, David Miller, Jon Jon Smuts, Andile Phehlukwayo, Lutho Sipamla, Lungi Ngidi, Tabraiz Shamsi, Sisanda Magala, Bjorn Fortuin, Beuran Hendricks, Janneman Malan, Kyle Verreynne.

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