Sports

India restricted to below par 240

Published

3 years ago

2023/11/20

Australia’s fielding was outstanding and the catch Travis Head took to dismiss Rohit Sharma turned the game on its head as India were made to play catch up after the dismissal of the captain.

Rex Clementine in Ahmedabad

Many had expected a belter for the World Cup final, but Ahmedabad produced a wicket not so easy to score runs and at one stage a total in the range of 260 looked on par. However, India could manage only 240 as Australia’s seamers were on the money and their fielding was superb to keep the competition’s unbeaten team in check.

India had cruised to the World Cup final with ten wins in a row and although Australia had gained some momentum having won their last eight games, on paper India looked to be too strong.Captain Rohit Sharma was India’s key player. Not that he posts big hundreds, but he produces quick starts to his side and yesterday too he raced to 47 off 31 balls with four fours and three sixes.

Having hit Glenn Maxwell for a four and a six, Rohit miscued one in the same over and Travis Head from covers ran backwards and pulled off a stunning diving catch.

Rohit’s dismissal slowed down India’s scoring. They had scored 76 runs inside the first ten overs but there was little momentum once the skipper was dismissed. In the last 40 overs, India managed just four boundaries.

All hope wasn’t lost once Rohit was gone as Virat Kohli was expected to bat deep and post yet another hundred to give his side a competitive total.

But soon after scoring a half-century, Kohli chopped a Cummins delivery onto the stumps and Australia were elated. Kohli ended the competition as the highest run getter with 765 runs with an average of 95.

K.L. Rahul with a half-century pushed India’s total beyond 200, but they needed much more from him. The big hitting Suryakumar Yadav was held back when India lost the fourth wicket and Ravindra Jadeja came in at number six.

The ploy was obviously to let T-20 specialist Suryakumar smash a few in the last ten overs but that didn’t pay off as he struggled with his timing and was dismissed for 18 off 28 balls.

Mitchell Starc was the pick of the bowlers finishing with three wickets while he was well backed up by Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, who took two wickets each.

The venue was packed with 132,000 fans with all tickets sold out. People all across India and overseas flew in to Ahmedabad to witness the team winning their third World Cup, but the batting wasn’t up to scratch.

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BCCI AGM set for September 18 in Mumbai

Published

2 hours ago

2026/08/26

Priyan

The 95th AGM will be held at the BCCI headquarters [Cricbuzz]

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will be held in Mumbai on September 18. This was confirmed by a communication from the BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia’s office to the state association on Tuesday. The BCCI headquarters will be the venue for the AGM, which will be 95th AGM of the board.

“Notice is hereby given that the 95th Annual General Meeting (hereinafter referred to as “AGM”) of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (“BCCI”), which will be held at BCCI Headquarters, Mumbai, on September 18, 2026 at 11:30 AM (IST), to transact the business as per the agenda annexed herewith,” the AGM notice from the secretary’s office read.

The key items on the agenda include the election and induction of two representatives of the General Body to the IPL Governing Council, as well as the induction of one representative of the Indian Cricketer’s Association to the IPL Governing Council. The AGM will also take up the BCCI’s audited accounts for FY 2025-26 and the annual budget for FY 2026-27.

The AGM is also expected to see the confirmation of the appointments to the Junior Cricket Committee. The BCCI has invited applications for five positions on the committee, with the deadline for submissions set for September 5. The appointments will be made after a screening and shortlisting process followed by personal interviews.

The full agenda for the 95th AGM includes:

Confirmation of the minutes of the 94th Annual General Meeting of BCCI held on September 28, 2025, at BCCI Headquarters, Mumbai, Maharashtra.
Election and induction of 2 (two) representatives of the General Body in the Governing Council of the IPL.
Induction of 1 (one) representative of the Indian Cricketer’s Association in the Governing Council of the IPL.
Adoption of the Report of the Secretary for the year 2025-26 under review.
Copies of the audited Statement of Accounts of BCCI for the year FY 2025-2026 including schedule for any tour or tours.
Adoption of the Treasurer’s Report and the audited accounts for the year FY 2025-2026.
Adoption of the Annual Budget for FY 2026-27.
Appointment of the Auditor or Auditors for FY 2026-27 and fix their remuneration.
Appointment of the Ombudsman and Ethics Officer.
Appointment of the Standing Committees, Cricket Committees and Umpire Committee as mentioned in Rules 25, 26 and 27 respectively.
Consideration of:(a) The Report and recommendations of the Apex Council, the CEO and the Committees and to propose policy directions to the Apex Council.(b) The Report and recommendations of the Governing Council and to propose policy directions to the Governing Council.(c) The reports of the Ombudsman and Ethics Officer and any recommendations made therein.
Report of the Internal Committee of BCCI formed under the Prevention of Sexual Harassment Policy.
Grant of Associate Membership to Cricket Association Andaman & Nicobar Island for the Union Territory of Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Consideration of any motion, notice whereof is given by a Full Member to the Secretary, 21 (twenty-one) days before the meeting.
To appoint the BCCI’s Representative or Representatives on the International Cricket Council and/or any similar organization.
Ratification of rules framed by the Apex Council, in terms of Rule 15 of BCCI’s Rules and Regulations.
Consideration of any business, which the President may consider necessary to be included in the agenda.
Transaction of any other business of an informal character as may be permitted by the Chairperson.

[Cricbuzz]

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Three franchises sold in Afghanistan Premier League T20

Published

2 hours ago

2026/08/26

Priyan

[pic Cricbuzz]

The Afghanistan Premier League T20 has unveiled its three inaugural franchises and the competition’s trophy ahead of its first season, which is scheduled to begin on December 27, 2026. The three announced teams are Axcel United Kabul, Balkh Zwanan and Kandahar Warriors.

The franchises and their team identities, were unveiled at a ceremony in Dubai attended by franchise owners, league partners and Afghanistan Cricket Board officials. The league also revealed its trophy, named the ‘Koh-E-Zafar’. The design draws inspiration from Afghanistan’s mountain ranges, intending to represent strength, resilience and the pinnacle of achievement in cricket.

The APL T20 player registration portal for the inaugural draft will open on August 30, with the draft itself scheduled for September 27. The league has yet to announce the complete tournament schedule and venues. ACB chairman Mirwais Ashraf said the launch represented an important step for Afghan cricket and highlighted the league’s potential to create a pathway for young players.

“Today is a landmark occasion for Afghan cricket. The unveiling of our inaugural franchises and the Koh-E-Zafar trophy reflects our shared vision of building a league that inspires future generations,” Ashraf said. The three franchises have also outlined ambitions centred around developing local talent and building strong connections with their respective regions.

Sports

Sri Lanka facing follow on at SSC

Published

10 hours ago

2026/08/26

Sahan Weerasooriya

by Rex Clementine

Sri Lanka were fighting hard to avoid the follow on when rain brought an early end to play on day three of the second Test against India, with the hosts on 265 for eight at SSC yesterday.

Sri Lanka still need a further 39 runs to avoid being asked to bat again, while India remain comfortably placed with a first innings lead of 238 runs.

Of the 98 overs scheduled for the day, only 80.4 were possible due to rain.

Sri Lanka were staring down the barrel at 173 for seven when wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella was dismissed for a third ball duck, leaving India eyeing the prospect of enforcing the follow on.

However, Sonal Dinusha added 57 runs for the eighth wicket with Keshara Nuwantha (18) to frustrate the tourists. India made the breakthrough after tea, but Dinusha found another able ally in fast bowler Lahiru Kumara, who batted for over an hour as the pair added an unbroken 35 runs for the ninth wicket.

The pitch was still good for batting, as Sri Lanka’s lower order showed with their stubborn resistance, and a little more application from the top order could have left the hosts in a far healthier position.

Dinusha, Sri Lanka’s standout performer in the first Test, continued to impress. The all-rounder had scored 100 and 84 last week in Galle and was rarely troubled yesterday, top scoring with an unbeaten 85 after coming in with the team in trouble.

Dinusha faced 137 balls during his knock and hit six fours and two sixes.

Sri Lanka, who resumed on their overnight score of eight for two, lost two wickets in the morning session before India made further inroads after lunch, picking up three more wickets.

Pasindu Sooriyabandara, who had replaced Dinesh Chandimal as a concussion substitute in the second innings of the Galle Test, was handed his Test cap in the lead up to the second Test in Colombo and marked the occasion with a fine 80.

Sooriyabandara looked organized and used nimble footwork to take on India’s spinners, striking nine fours during an impressive knock.

Prasidh Krishna was the pick of India’s bowlers, claiming three wickets. The fast bowler generated decent pace and troubled the batters with extra bounce.

India lead the two match series 1-0, having won the opening Test in Galle by 165 runs.