1. Ashwin, Bhajji Shine But India Forced To Settle For A Draw
Ravichandran Ashwin cast his web with a five-wicket haul and was duly complemented by Harbhajan Singh before India settled for a draw against an edgy Bangladesh in the rain-marred one-off cricket Test which was interrupted by downpours on all five days.
In reply to India’s first innings score of 462 for six, Bangladesh, resuming at 111 for three after the opening session was washed out, faced the ignominy of being shot out for 256 in 65.5 overs -- seven runs short of the follow-on. Ashwin returned with figured of 5/87 from 25 overs and Harbhajan managed 3/64 in 17.5 overs.
In fact, Kohli went on to ask the hosts to follow-on and when play was finally called off, Bangladesh were 23 for no loss in the 15 overs that were bowled in their second innings.
2. Can Give Reserve Day in Tests a Thought: Kohli
More than 250 overs were lost owing to frequent rain during the one-off Test match which ended in a draw on Sunday and Kohli said like in the case of ODIs, the concept of reserve days can be given a try in Tests.
“That is a very debatable question but there can be a thought given to that. You might add another day seeing the situation of the game,” Kohli said in the post-match press conference. “If there is a possible result, there is no harm in giving the team, which is dominating, a chance to compete in three sessions and go for a win or earn a draw so that the deserving team can get a result. But I am not sure how the discussions would go on this,” he added.
3. India Slip One Place to Fourth Spot in ICC Test Rankings
India have dropped two points and one place to be at fourth position in the ICC Test team rankings after the drawn match against Bangladesh in Fatullah.
The Virat Kohli-led side went into the one-off Test against Bangladesh level with New Zealand on 99 points but with the match ending in a draw, India have fallen to fourth spot with 97 points.
It is now a three-way tie for fourth spot with India, England and Pakistan on 97 points apiece. However, when the ratings are calculated beyond the decimal point, India are 97.47, England 97.33 and Pakistan 96.75.
4. Indian Coach To Be Decided in Next Meeting: Ganguly
Former captain Sourav Ganguly, who is now a part of the Indian Cricket Board’s advisory committee, on Sunday said that the BCCI is yet to formally decide on Ravi Shastri’s tenure as the Team Director.
Ganguly said Shastri’s fate will be decided in the next meeting of the BCCI. “We don’t have any news on this now. During next meeting of the Board, it will definitely be known who will be India’s coach,” Ganguly told reporters here. Asked whether Shastri had the support of all in the board, Ganguly was curt in his reply. “The Board will decide,” he simply said.
5. Surrey’s Rory Burns and Moises Henriques Hospitalised After On-Field Collision
Surrey duo Moises Henriques and Rory Burns were injured while going for a catch during a Twenty20 match against Sussex on Sunday. Henriques suffered a suspected broken jaw after he was struck by Burns’ knee as both players were rushed to the hospital. The match was later abandoned.
“Both were unconscious after the collision,” Sussex physiotherapist John Marrale said. “Henriques was caught by Burns’ knee and Burns had lacerations on the top of his head and below his eye.
“They were given oxygen and pain relief was administered by an intravenous drip before they went to hospital. Fortunately they were sitting up when they left the ground but it was a sickening incident.”
Umpire Alex Wharf described the clash as a “horrific situation.”
6. Bopanna and Mergea Win Doubles Title at Stuttgart ATP
Rohan Bopanna and Florin Mergea won their second title of the season together as they rallied to beat Alexander Peya and Bruno Soares in the final of the Mercedes Cup on Sunday.
The fourth-seeded Indo-Romanian pair eked out a 5-7 6-2 10-7 win over the third seeded Austrian-Brazilian team in one hour and 11 minutes.
Bopanna and Mergea had the Madrid Masters last month. Individually, it was fourth title of the season for Bopanna, having won trophies in Dubai and Sydeny with Canadian partner Daniel Nestor.