Virat Kohli's rampant India overwhelm Sri Lanka, take 4-0 lead with 168-run win

Agencies
September 1, 2017

New Delhi, Sept 1: On Mahendra Singh Dhoni's landmark 300th ODI match, a rampant Indian team overwhelmed hosts Sri Lanka to extend the lead in the five-match series to 4-0 on Thursday. Batting first at the Colombo's historic R. Premadasa Stadium, India rode on Kohli and Rohit Sharma's hundreds to post a record 375 for 5. Then dismissed Lanka for a paltry 207 to inflict Lasith Malinga's side a humiliating 168-run defeat.

Chasing an improbable target, Lanka lost seventh successive match against India in the tour. They have already suffered a series whitewash in the three-match Test series, which was once again a first for India in overseas tour in a series of three or more matches. Then came those three ODI matches, which India, more or less, convincingly won leading up to today's irrelevant match.

But Dhoni, considered as one of India's greatest cricketers and probably the greatest ever captain, playing his 300th match, the focus was entirely on the 36-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman from Ranchi. And his team-mates didn't disappoint him.

As he promised in the run up to the match, skipper Kohli made three changes, bringing in Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, and Manish Pandey, with the pacer making his international debut. And it was a dream debut for the 25-year-old as he got the first Lanka wicket, that of a dangerous looking Niroshan Dickwella in the third over itself.

Yes, it was one moment Dhoni fans will talk about for some time. Thakur managed to get faintest of nicks from Lankan opener's glove, but umpire turned down India's appeal. Then, came Dhoni's famous 'DRS' act. The former India captain convinced Kohli to go for the review, and it returned positive. It was just the beginning of yet another procession of Lankan wickets.

For Lanka, former skipper Angelo Mathews played a gem of an innings amid the ruin. His 70 off 80 balls was laced with ten hits to the boundary For the record, he did managed to post fighting but fleeting partnerships with Milinda Siriwardana (39 off 43) and Wanidu Hasaranga (run-a-ball 22).

India's total was the highest posted by any visiting team in an ODI match in Sri Lanka, bettering their own record of 363 for 5 at the same ground in 2009.

Earlier in the day, Kohli won the toss and elected to bat first. But in-form Shikhar Dhawan departed in the second over itself, thus bringing the skipper in the centre.

Kohli (131 off 96 balls) then hit his 29th ODI hundred and his 219-run second-wicket stand with Rohit Sharma (104 off 88 balls), helped India post an imposing total. In the process, Kohli also became the first player to post 10 double-hundred stands in ODI cricket. He now stand third in the all-time list of most ODI hundreds, only behind Sachin Tendulkar and Ricky Ponting.

Kohli then became Malinga's 300th ODI wicket. It was indeed one moment worthy of celebration for the the Lankan legend, who was standing as the captain of a bettered team. The series has seen the ageing star fading, but Slinger whoed exmplary gumption in leading a side, which he called a young one.

For Sharma, who hit back-to-back hundreds, it was his 13th ODI hundred. While Kolhi was on song, Rohit complemented his skipper. After a worrying mid-innings crisis, the arrival of Manish Pandey and Dhoni helped India end the innings on a strong footing. Both returned undefeated, with Pandey scorign his second ODI half-century, while Dhoni was happy to compliment his partner reach the mini-landmark in the last ball of the innings.

Indian bowlers joined tha party later in the day, with chinaman Kuldeep Yadav leading the hunt with two wickets. In a disciplined bolwing display, the spinner conceded only 31 runs while accounting  the wickets of last two wickets to wrap up the match.

Pacers Japrit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya also contributed with two wickets each, while Thakur and Axar Patel returned with a wicket each.

The fifth and final match will be played at the same venue, on Sunday (September 3). Then, the two teams will engage in a lone T20I match before winding up the long series, which witnessed India thumping the hosts.

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News Network
May 28,2020

New Delhi, May 28: India is not at risk of losing hosting rights for next year's Twenty20 World Cup despite its cricket board's failure to secure a tax exemption for the event, a key BCCI official has told Reuters.

Tax exemptions for International Cricket Council (ICC) events are listed as a requirement in host agreements and the BCCI was supposed to confirm they had secured one by May 18.

ESPNcricinfo, citing correspondence between the two bodies, has reported that the ICC has threatened to shift the tournament away from India over the issue.

However, BCCI treasurer Arun Singh Dhumal told Reuters that would not happen and that negotiations were continuing.

"There is no risk to the tournament," he said by telephone.

"That is a work in progress. We are discussing it with the ICC and we'll resolve it."

The BCCI encountered a similar problem when it hosted the event in 2016 when the government refused to provide a tax exemption, and there has been no change in New Delhi's stance despite the board's appeals.

Failure to secure that exemption in 2016 saw the ICC withhold an equivalent sum from India's share of revenue from the governing body's grants and it appears to be taking an even harder line this time around.

"There are certain timelines within the agreements that we collectively work towards to ensure we can deliver successful world class events and continue to invest in the sport of cricket," an ICC spokesperson told Reuters.

"In addition to this the ICC Board agreed clear timelines for the resolution of the tax issues which we are guided by."

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News Network
July 16,2020

Bhubaneswar: Jul 16: The Department of Sports and Youth Services, Government of Odisha on Thursday revealed that ace sprinter Dutee Chand has been given Rs 4.09 crore since 2015 and also appointed as Group-A officer in the Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) currently drawing a gross salary of Rs 84,604 per month.

On Wednesday, Dutee clarified that she wants to sell her luxury car because she is unable to bear its maintenance cost and it will also aid her training for Tokyo Olympics.

The 24-year-old believes after selling her car she can use that money for training amid the shortage of money due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

"Rs 3 crore as financial incentive for medals won at Asian Games 2018. Rs 30 Lakhs for training and financial support during 2015-19. Rs 50 Lakhs for training support for Tokyo Olympics (Released In two instalments on 02/08/2019 and 27/12/2019," the statement read.

"The State government appointed Dutee Chand as Group-A level officer in Odisha Mining Corporation (A Gold Category PSU). She is currently drawing Gross salary of Rs 84,604 (June 2020 Salary) per month. She is not required to come to office so that she is able to concentrate full-time on training. Accordingly, since her appointment in OMC, no official work has been allotted to Chand," it added.

The state government further provided details of the financial support provided by the OMC for her training.

"OMC provided Rs 29 Lakhs to Dutee Chand for Training and financial incentives. The total financial support provided to Dutee Chand from State government/OMC is 4.09 crores(after 2015)," the statement read.

"The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) and Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS), Government of India may also be providing adequate support for the athlete based on performance," it added.

Earlier, Dutee said she is facing a shortage of funds due to the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics to the next year and is planning to sell her car to meet the expense of her training.

"Training is going quite good so far, I have been training here in Bhuvneshwar. Earlier, there was no problem related to funds for training as Tokyo Olympics were coming up and our state government conferred me, but because of coronavirus the Olympics were postponed and I had spent the money which was given to me by the sponsors. Now, I need money for training, I need new sponsors but because of coronavirus I am finding it difficult to find them. Now I have decided to sell my car to arrange funds," Dutee had said.

Dutee, who has been recently nominated for the Arjuna Award 2020, said COVID-19 had impacted heavily on sports and sponsors are not willing to support her at this time.

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News Network
February 11,2020

Dubai, Feb 11: Two Indian players-- Akash Singh and Ravi Bishnoi -- and three Bangladeshis have been charged by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for involvement in the quarrel just after the U-19 cricket World Cup summit clash in Potchefstroom, South Africa on Sunday.

Akash and Bishnoi and three Bangladeshi players -- Md. Towhid Hridoy, Shamim Hossain and Rakibul Hasan -- were found guilty of breaching the ICC Code of Conduct after a few players from both sides nearly came to blows after Bangladesh beat India by three wickets to win their maiden U-19 World Cup title.

"Five players have been found guilty of a Level 3 breach of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Support Personnel ... (they) were charged with violating Article 2.21 of the code, whilst Bishnoi received a further charge of breaching Article 2.5," the ICC said in a statement.

"All five players have accepted the sanctions proposed by ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup Match Referee Graeme Labrooy," it added.

A near brawl broke out after Bangladesh’s historic win over India in the final. The Bangladesh players were aggressive during the Indian innings with lead pacer Shoriful Islam frequently sledging the Indian batsmen.

As soon as the match ended, Bangladeshi players rushed into the playing area.

"India's Akash accepted the charge of breaching Article 2.21 and has received a sanction of eight suspension points, which equates to six demerit points, which will remain on his record for two years," the ICC said.

Compatriot Bishnoi accepted the charge of breaching Article 2.21 and has received a sanction of five suspension points, which equates to five demerit points.

"Bishnoi also accepted a level 1 charge of breaching Article 2.5 for a separate incident during the match, where he used language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter following the dismissal of Avishek Das in the 23rd over," said the ICC.

"For this he received a further two demerit points meaning seven demerit points will remain on his record for the next two years."

Bangladesh's Towhid Hridoy accepted the charge of breaching Article 2.21 and has received a sanction of ten suspension points, which equates to six demerit points, which will remain on his record for two years.

Shamim Hossain accepted the charge of breaching Article 2.21 and has received a sanction of eight suspension points, which equates to six demerit points, which will remain on his record for two years.

Rakibul Hasan accepted the charge of breaching Article 2.21 and has received a sanction of four suspension points, which equates to five demerit points, which will remain on his record for two years.

All charges were levelled by on-field umpires Sam Nogajski and Adrian Holdstock, third umpire Ravindra Wimalasiri as well as fourth umpire Patrick Bongni Jele. Level 3 breaches carry a minimum penalty of four suspension points and a maximum penalty of 12 suspension points.

The suspension points will be applied to the forthcoming international matches the players are most likely to participate in at either senior or U-19 level. One suspension point equals a player being ineligible for one ODI or T20I, U-19 or A team international match.

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