1. FC Goa, FC Pune City Play Out 1-1 Draw
Table toppers FC Pune City rallied to draw Virat Kohli and Varun Dhawan’s co-owned team FC Goa 1-1 to maintain their lead in the Indian Super League.
FC Goa, who dominated the first half but failed to find the net on four occasions, took the lead in the 46th minute through an own goal by defender Roger Johnson. But the visitors fought back and restored parity through Eugeneson Lyngdoh’s equaliser in the 64th minute.
The draw keeps FC Pune City at the top of the table after the end of the first leg with 13 points from seven matches. FC Goa moved to third place with 11 points from as many games.
2. Rahul, Ojha Make Half Tons in Board XI’s Modest 296
Lokesh Rahul enhanced his case for inclusion in India’s first Test XI with a composed half-century, guiding Board President’s XI past a difficult period on day one as they posted a first innings total of 296.
Watched by selector Syed Saba Karim, Rahul made 72 in a stay of 292 minutes at the Brabourne Stadium. Wicketkeeper Naman Ojha too added a 52 in 110 minutes with 7 fours and a six before he was dismissed by Dale Steyn for his third wicket when the fast bowler came back for his third spell after tea.
By the close of play, South Africa were 46/2.
Click here for the full report.
3. Vengsarkar to Enquire Into Shastri-Naik Spat Over Pitch
The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has asked its Vice President and former skipper Dilip Vengsarkar to enquire into the spat between Team India Director Ravi Shastri and Wankhede Stadium pitch curator Sudhir Naik during the 5th India-South Africa ODI on Sunday.
“He will talk to both the parties and submit his report at the next meeting of the committee scheduled on November 5 after which the future course of action would be decided,” said Ashish Shelar, another MCA Vice President, after a meeting.
Naik, also a former Test cricketer, had alleged in a letter written to the MCA that Shastri abused him after South Africa piled on a record-high score of 438 on a perfect batting track in the series-deciding ODI game.
4. Leander Paes’ Newest Partner is Rafael Nadal
Indian tennis ace Leander Paes is set to partner Spanish legend Rafael Nadal in the men’s doubles event at the Paris Masters next week.
The veteran Indian witnessed a great season in the mixed doubles event having won the Australian Open, Wimbledon and US Open titles with Swiss ace Martina Hingis. 14-time Major winner Nadal, on the other hand, has been laid low by injuries of late. He failed to win a single Grand Slam tournament in a year for the first time since 2005.
5. Yuvraj Singh Hints at a Diwali Wedding
Yuvraj Singh has skipped Punjab’s Ranji game against Andhra that starts today to attend Harbhajan Singh’s reception. However, the World Cup winner had a bigger announcement for his fans which he revealed while exchanging some Twitter banter with Harbhajan Singh.
For the entire exchange, click here.
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