“Ruthless” India Gunning For 3-0 Series Victory
India captain Virat Kohli has said his team would be “ruthless” in the final Test against South Africa that starts today, making it clear that the team will be going to a 3-0 win in Delhi.
Following the victory in Nagpur, India have already won the four match series 2-0 but in the pre-match press conference when Kohli was asked if he is mulling a few changes in the playing eleven and he said it will be on conditions and not for the sake of experimentation.
Changes depend on conditions not on winning or losing. Our mindset is to be ruthless and try to go 3-0 up. Our changes will depend on the conditions and not that we need to give someone a chance for the heck of it. Right now, we are in such a phase where the team we cannot experiment. When solidarity comes, we will think about it.Virat Kohli
Harsha Bhogle Praise Kohli and Ashwin, Slams The Pitches
The Quint caught up with cricket expert Harsha Bhogle on the eve of the fourth Test and asked him to answer a few questions on cricket, not without a little distractions in the beginning though.
Catch the video to find out what he thinks about Kohli’s captaincy, Ashwin’s career graph and the pitches in this series so far.
Steyn’s Series Over, Ruled Out of Fourth Test
South Africa’s premier fast bowler Dale Steyn’s disappointing tour of India ended as he has been ruled out of the fourth and final Test match against India.
Steyn missed out on three out of the fourth Test matches after having suffered a groin strain in the first Test at Mohali. With South Africa set to host England at home, the team management thought that it would be wise to let their premier fast bowler take rest.
“I can confirm that Dale Steyn is not going to play this Test match. He has been such an impact player for us. The selectors have not yet decided on his replacement,” skipper Hashim Amla told the media persons.
BCCI to Felicitate Sehwag Today, DDCA to Stay Away
The BCCI will felicitate the recently-retired Virender Sehwag at his home ground Feroz Shah Kotla today before the start of the fourth Test match between India and South Africa. However, DDCA, Sehwag’s home state association for 17 years has decided to stay away from the celebrations as of now.
We have received an e-mail today from the BCCI stating that Virender Sehwag will be felicitated tomorrow at 9 am before the start of the Test match. I don’t know but may be the president or the secretary will felicitate him on behalf of the board. DDCA is not a part of the felicitation program,Chetan Chauhan, DDCA’s working president
With the Parliament in session, BCCI secretary and BJP MP Anurag Thakur is expected to be present along with treasurer Aniruddh Chaudhary.
Virat Kohli and Co Ignored by ICC in Pick of 2015’s Best Test Team
No Indian cricketer figures in the ICC’s Test team of the Year 2015 but pacer Mohammad Shami is the lone representative from among the ‘Men in Blue’ to find a place in the ODI team of the Year.
Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin though has been named as the 12th man in the Test team.
The teams were chosen by a specially appointed selection panel chaired by the ICC’s Cricket Committee chairman and former India captain, Anil Kumble.
ICC Test Team of the Year 2015 (in batting order): David Warner (Aus), Alastair Cook (Eng) (captain), Kane Williamson (NZ), Younis Khan (Pak), Steven Smith (Aus), Joe Root (Eng), Sarfraz Ahmed (Pak) (wicketkeeper), Stuart Broad (Eng), Trent Boult (NZ), Yasir Shah (Pak), Josh Hazlewood (Aus). 12th: Ravichandran Ashwin (Ind).
ICC ODI Team of the Year 2015 (in batting order): Tillakaratne Dilshan (SL), Hashim Amla (SA), Kumar Sangakkara (SL) (wicketkeeper), AB de Villiers (SA) (captain), Steven Smith (Aus), Ross Taylor (NZ), Trent Boult (NZ), Mohammed Shami (Ind), Mitchell Starc (Aus), Mustafizur Rahman (Bang), Imran Tahir (SA). 12th: Joe Root (Eng).
IPTL Holders Indian Aces Start With a Win
Defending champions Indian Aces eked out a 25-24 win against first-timers Japan Warriors in their opening match of the International Premier Tennis League (IPTL) season two that began on Wednesday.
Singapore Slammers had sailed past UAE Royals 26-20 in the first match of the season two at the Kobe World Hall.
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