QPlay: India Win Practice Game, Warrant Against Dhoni & Suarez Ban

Sran Impresses, Kohli, Dhawan Among Runs vs WA

FIFTY! for Shikhar Dhawan.7 boundaries and 2 sixes in that half century. India move to 95/1 after 12 overs #WAXIvIND pic.twitter.com/ncdec6FGpo

— BCCI (@BCCI) January 8, 2016

India started their limited-overs tour of Australia on a positive note, comprehensively beating a second-string Western Australia XI by 74 runs in a Twenty20 warm-up game, with Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan striking fluent half-centuries.

Batting first, India scored a healthy 192 for four in 20 overs with Dhawan and Kohli contributing 74 runs each. The duo added 149 runs for the second wicket after Rohit Sharma (6) missed out on a run feast on a bouncy WACA wicket.

Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who promoted himself to No. 4, also hit a quickfire 22 off 14 balls.

In reply, Western Australia XI could only manage 118/6 as rookie left-arm speedster Barinder Sran bowled impressively to notch up figures of 2/24 from 4 overs.

Barinder Sran Looks Like a Good Prospect for India: Dhawan

Opener Shikhar Dhawan praised newcomer Barinder Sran for his impressive show in the opening T20 warm-up game, stating that the left-arm speedster looks to be a “good prospect for India”.

It was great boost for Beri, actually I call him by that name. It always nice to get three wickets (2/24). With time, he will get more matured as he gains experience. He is fit and strong. He looks to be a good prospect for India.

Shikhar Dhawan

Dhawan, who looked in good form having scored 74 runs, said that the “team got what it wanted” from the opening tour fixture.

“I am happy that I scored runs in a practise match. It gives me confidence. I got used to the pitch. More time that I spend at the wicket in the coming days, better it will be for me,” the Delhi left-hander said.

Lodha Panel Recommendations Good for Indian Cricket: Kumble

File photo of Anil Kumble after the final Test match of his career. (Photo: Reuters)

Former captain Anil Kumble on Friday spoke in favour of the changes recommended in the Lodha Committee report.

Many of the aspects of Justice Lodha recommendations are really good, especially the proposal to form Steering Committee of Players’ Association. If implemented, it will be good for Indian cricket.

Anil Kumble

Kumble said cricket was no more confined to metro cities and has spread to small cities and towns.

“For example, Mahendra Singh Dhoni is from Jharkhand. We also have Karnataka Ranji captain hailing from a small town like Davanagere,” he said.

Asked why Indian cricket has not produced an all-rounder like Kapil Dev, he said such cricketers are born all-rounders. However, R Ashwin is developing into a good all-rounder, he added.

Court Order Against Dhoni Erroneous, Claims Lawyer

File picture of MS Dhoni (Photo: AP)

Mahendra Singh Dhoni never received summons from a local court in Andhra Pradesh that he has been accused of ignoring, his lawyer Rajneesh Chopra said, insisting that the non-bailable warrant issued against the Indian cricket captain was “erroneous”.

Dhoni has been asked to appear before a court in the Anantpur town of Andhra Pradesh on 25 February in a case filed against him for for allegedly “denigrating” a Hindu god by posing as Lord Vishnu on a magazine cover page.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni has utmost respect for the judiciary but the fact of the matter is that he has personally never received any summons with respect to the present case; therefore the order appears to be erroneous.

Rajneesh Chopra, MS Dhoni’s Lawyer

The complaint, filed by local activists, had alleged that Dhoni was seen on the cover of a business magazine as Lord Vishnu, holding several things, including a shoe in his hands.

Suarez Banned for Two Cup Matches Over ‘Waste of Space’ Jibe

File picture of Luis Suarez at a press conference. (Photo: AP/SNTV)

Barcelona striker Luis Suarez has been banned for two Copa del Rey matches after being cited in the referee’s report for calling Espanyol players “a waste of space” at the end of a heated Catalan derby.

Barcelona said they would appeal the ban, arguing that it was not Suarez who uttered those words.

Barca won the first leg of the Copa de Rey last-16 tie between the sides 4-1 on Wednesday as Espanyol had two players sent off and were lucky to escape further punishment as goalkeeper Pau Lopez’s violent stamp on Lionel Messi went unseen.

Suarez, who was also booked for a clash with Lopez, was punished for sparking a brawl in the tunnel after the game, that security personnel had to break up.

(The Quint is available on Telegram. For handpicked stories every day, subscribe to us on Telegram)