Despite a decade in power as a cricket administrator, N Srinivasan’s legal troubles and tussles with various board members meant his fall was ominous and swift

Nagraj Gollapudi and Arun Venugopal09-Nov-20153:45

Ugra: Srinivasan left with no choice but to start again

BCCI president Shashank Manohar is set to replace N Srinivasan for the remainder of the latter’s term as ICC chairman. Manohar will occupy the position till end of June next year. The BCCI also appointed former ICC president Sharad Pawar as the second nominee to attend ICC meetings in case Manohar was unavailable.Srinivasan became the world body’s inaugural chairman in June 2014, immediately after the ICC revamp devised by the Big Three – comprising India, England and Australia – was put in place. Despite becoming an isolated figure within the BCCI circles in the last year – especially since the Supreme Court, investigating the 2013 IPL corruption scandal, barred him from contesting re-election as the board’s president – Srinivasan continued to be the BCCI representative at the ICC board. His nomination was confirmed by the BCCI in June at the ICC AGM, in Barbados.But since his meeting with former BCCI and ICC president Sharad Pawar in Nagpur on September 23, Srinivasan’s fall has been ominous and swift. The meeting between the two heavyweight administrators fueled speculations of an alliance in the wake of the sudden death of Jagmohan Dalimiya. A few days later, though, Manohar emerged as the unanimous choice, trumping Srinivasan.On October 4, while taking over formally as BCCI president, Manohar and BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur, who had a few run-ins with Srinivasan, expressed they had no intention of having a vindictive attitude. Srinivasan and his supporters subsequently withdrew a case of perjury filed against Thakur in the Supreme Court.Still, Manohar’s resolve to clear the cobwebs of conflict of interest was the first signal that the current power structure within the board wanted to erase all signs of Srinivasan and appear as a diametrically opposite administration. The exit of Sundar Raman, a Srinivasan confidante and one of the architects of the Big Three position paper which set into motion the ICC revamp, was another step in that direction, culminating in Srinivasan’s own removal on Monday.Srinivasan said he respected the BCCI’s decision, but refused to comment on Manohar’s candidature. “When you are at the ICC, you are sent by the BCCI. It’s for BCCI to effect the changes in representation. One has to respect that,” Srinivasan told ESPNcricinfo. “All these posts are tenure-bound. So, therefore one has to be conscious of it.”Srinivasan said he was satisfied and “proud” of the work he had put in, and that he was “particularly proud of the contribution I have made for BCCI.” According to Srinivasan, the ICC had evolved into a powerful entity following the sweeping constitutional reforms which were controversially introduced in June 2014. “I think the ICC is much stronger today. ICC is truly a members’ organisation,” he said.”I think we had a very harmonious board, and I have deep respect for all other board members who worked with me, and in particular [thankful for] the co-ordinated efforts taken by chairman (ECB) Giles Clarke and chairman (Cricket Australia) Wally Edwards along with me in delivering excellent value for the media rights tender. It is definitely a high point.”N Srinivasan – “I am proud of the contribution I have made for the BCCI”•AFPThe sequence of events that led to Srinivasan losing his stranglehold as a cricket administrator following a decade in power did not surprise BCCI officials. “This had to happen,” an official said. “You can’t have a person who has had this kind of relationship with the BCCI for a long time. He can’t represent the BCCI. It is untenable.”The official said Srinivasan’s stance against Manohar and Thakur was inappropriate. “For the last six-seven months, he has consistently been at odds against the people running the BCCI. He has had a contrary view. So how can he represent the BCCI?”One example the official provided was the ICC chief executive Dave Richardson sending a letter to Thakur asking him to stay away from suspected bookies after a picture of him in the company of an alleged bookie emerged. Thakur responded vehemently denying any wrongdoing and instead asked Srinivasan to share the details of suspected bookies with his own family members.Nonetheless, a veteran administrator who has worked with both Srinivasan and Manohar felt that India’s clout at the ICC level would remain strong despite Srinivasan’s exit, stating that the BCCI’s power did not revolve around around one individual. “It is the Indian clout, not Srinivasan that allows India to have a bigger say,” the administrator said.When asked if Manohar, who has not been to the ICC by his own admission for half a decade, would adapt easily to the workings and fit into the Big Three’s vision, the administrator said Manohar had been “very effective” in his dealings at the ICC during his first stint as BCCI president.While Srinivasan refrained from speculating on his future in cricket administration, he said his cement business would occupy much of his time hereon. “There is a large business I am involved in, which also demands a lot of attention,” he said. “I have looked at all this [cricket administration] as a job and responsibility. Like I say in lighter fashion, I will try and improve my golf. If I have neglected anything in these last eight years, it’s my golf.”

Viv Richards has shown a different side of himself in the Quetta Gladiators dugout. He says unlike all the other T20 leagues where he has played similar roles, for the first time he felt he was part of a closely-knit family

Nagraj Gollapudi in Dubai22-Feb-2016The evening after they won the opening night’s clash against Islamabad United, Quetta Gladiators’ owner Nadeem Omar hired a yacht in the Dubai Yacht Club. He hosted a strictly team-only party and as the evening rolled on, Omar asked Viv Richards, mentor of Quetta, to have a word with a few players.Two days before the PSL had started, Richards had put the players at ease by giving a short opening statement in Quetta’s first team huddle. He asked them for one particular thing: to not refer to him as “sir”. Call him plain “Viv”.At the yacht party, Richards sat down Ahmed Shehzad. He told the outspoken batsman that he was lacking in confidence. According to Omar, Shehzad had told Richards that he was insecure about his spot in the Pakistan team after having been dropped a few times. Richards asked him to stop worrying. “That was what Viv told him. He said stop being insecure,” Omar recollects of that evening.The main thing, Richards reminded Shehzad, was to keep performing. “He told him (Shehzad), ‘Man, after I retired maybe 40% people recognised me, 10% know who I am today. But if you don’t make your bat talk, not even 1% will remember who you are. Man, you need to make your bat talk,'” Omar says.Omar recites another incident fondly. When Richards met Quetta allrounder Mohammad Nawaz he was blunt. Nawaz, who had taken 4 for 13 and scored 22 runs to bag the Man-of-the-Match award in the first match, might have been surprised a wee bit. “Richards just told Nawaz to change his body language,” Omar says. “He told him: ‘You need to have the swagger. The oomph is missing. You need to back your performances with confidence and walk as if you rule the world.’ From then on Nawaz has shown much more positive body language,” Omar says.On Monday afternoon, while Quetta were training on the eve of the final, Richards explained the message he delivered to Shehzad. “There are times when you are not doing well and no one wants to be associated [with you],” Richards says. “It is highly important for you to maintain consistency. This is one of the things that helps to keep you going as an individual. If you love the game and appreciate it whether you do well or not, you should be thinking about these things. The best thing for you to do is put in the effort and when you come back you will be immediately noticed.”Richards has attended every training session, every team-bonding evening and every dressing room meeting. He has played the ball boy during the fielding drills, put arms around the players in the nets and played the cheerleader in the dugout.Richards has shown a different side of himself in the Quetta dugout. He says unlike all the other T20 leagues where he has played similar roles, for the first time he felt he was part of a closely-knit family at Quetta.”When I first came here to the Quetta Gladiators we were like a family. This is why I think we have done so well and the reason where they have reached today,” he says. “The very first day it was of utmost importance because we are coming from all walks of life and for the period of time that we were going to be together it is important that we understand one another as quickly as possible. That to me is half way to success.”Richards explains why he has been so animated and emotional in the PSL. “It is because of the good people around. I’ve been in the CPL before. I’ve been in the Big Bash before. But I’ve never felt such happiness. The trust that they put in you for advice etc, this whole unit has been receptive. They have embraced me with open arms. That is why you see me as animated.”Richards knows his role. He is not here to coach or strategise. That job is handled by head coach Moin Khan, the former Pakistan wicketkeeper, along with senior foreign imports – Kevin Pietersen, Kumar Sangakkara, Luke Wright and the captain Sarfraz Ahmed. “My job isn’t about telling the guy how technically sound he may be. It is about making that guy as comfortable as possible in order for him to take the chances.”Viv Richards on Moin Khan: “He is one of the more relaxed coaches around. He is not boring”•PCBMoin, both Richards and Omar acknowledge, has played a huge role in Quetta’s attitude to play with freedom and confidence. “He is one of the more relaxed coaches around,” Richards says. “He gets over his programme as easily as it should be. He is not boring. Sometimes you can talk forever. The most important things Moin would say, just takes a few minutes. And that’s it. Everyone’s on board and then we take off.”It is a rare and surprising sight to see Richards jumping out of his seat in any dugout, both in jubilation and anxiety. Never since his playing days has Richards been seen charging onto the field as he did immediately after Quetta and Pakistan fast bowler Aijaz Cheema valiantly denied Peshawar Zalmi the ticket to the final when the latter needed just eight runs off the final over in the 1st Qualifying Final. Quetta won by only one run.Richards was tense and it showed. With three runs required from three deliveries, Quetta were on the edge. Cheema first had Hasan Ali top edge a short ball and held on to the return catch. When Wahab Riaz, too, fell prey to a similar strategy, Richards stood up, faced the dugout and said Quetta were going to the final.”I stood up and said ‘Come on, guys, we are in now. Let’s continue to believe.'” Minutes later, everyone including Richards, Moin, the management and coaching staff rushed to the ground to celebrate the victory along with the players. “This is what I am talking about. It is a family. We believe in one another. This is one of the more important things and lessons I have learned despite my experience of playing at the highest level just seeing how relaxed people are. When you are relaxed it is amazing how many things you can accomplish.”Omar points out that not just Richards, but even Pietersen has helped the Quetta dressing room stay positive and humble. “I was totally shocked when both Sangakkara and Pietersen voluntarily apologised to the dressing room saying they had let the team down by playing the wrong shots at the wrong time. Although the pair had built the momentum with a strong partnership, they felt they had faltered the team,” Omar says.According to Omar, Quetta are not tense on the eve of their first final. “Pietersen has reminded the players that no matter what happens one has to stay grounded. He even pointed out the examples of [Sachin] Tendulkar who in his 20-plus years always maintained the same consistency on and off the field. He never reacted to anything or anyone. Pietersen told the players that is the key element in performance and success.”The PSL comes to an end on Tuesday. The story of the Quetta family is a good indicator that the league has been a success. For the likes of Shehzad, Nawaz, Sarfraz and other Pakistan players, interacting with, partying with, living and playing with the legends will always remain an important part of their lives and careers.

Sharjeel Khan treated quick bowlers and spinners with equal disdain as he hammered the first century of the PSL

Nagraj Gollapudi in Dubai22-Feb-2016″Dwayne Smith batting like he trying to save West Indies Test cricket.”This tweet was posted during the West Indies batsman’s hard-fought battle to make runs as Islamabad United moved to 36 for 0 after the Powerplay overs. Smith had managed 5 runs from 20 deliveries. After ten overs, he was 14 off 29 deliveries.Luckily for Islamabad, at the other end Sharjeel Khan was batting on a different plane. By the halfway mark the left-handed Sharjeel had muscled his way to 58 with 11 boundaries, including three sixes. He had reached his fifty with a superb scoop off the second ball of Shahid Afridi’s over; Darren Sammy at short fine leg could just stare in awe at the batsman’s enterprise. Next ball Sharjeel hit another lusty six over cow corner and even Afridi had to admire the aggressive strokeplay.In the previous over Sharjeel had plundered 16 runs off the emerging Peshwar left-arm spinner Mohammad Asghar to offset the defensive template set by Smith. As Sharjeel revealed later, he had walked into the ground, buoyed by a heavy dose of motivation from Islamabad coach Dean Jones. The former Australian batsman, full of bustling energy still, told Sharjeel that if he could stay strong today and perform, the match would be one-sided.Afridi decided to bowl on a pitch that had already seen the best encounter of the PSL when Quetta Gladiators defeated Qalanders on the last ball in a high-scoring affair. Sharjeel’s only other innings of significance, and impact, in the tournament came against Lahore Qalandars where he had matched Australian allrounder Shane Watson shot for shot as the pair finished the match with more than four overs to spare. On Sunday, no batsman except Sharjeel found the pitch easy to handle.Familiarity with the surface and the conditions were a bonus for Sharjeel, who has played club cricket for years in the UAE. A batsman of stocky build, Sharjeel married his wristwork with power to stun Afridi and his bowlers. No bowler was spared. Having bludgeoned the spinners, Sharjeel set his eyes on the pace bowlers.When Wahab Riaz came on to bowl for the first time in the 11th over, Sharjeel moved forward and unleashed a slash after the fast bowler pitched short on the off stump. On Darren Sammy’s first ball in the 12th, Sharjeel charged the West Indies T20 captain and slapped a stinging four past the empty cover region. Two balls later, when Sammy bowled short, Sharjeel moved inside the line of the ball, raised his right leg and flicked an easy six over deep square leg. Some thought it was Lara-esque. Some Jayasuriya-esque. It was plain Sharjeel. Afridi, who was at mid-off did not move one bit. He stood helpless.Smith’s laborious innings came to an end when he was trapped plumb in front of leg stump by a yorker-length toe crusher from Shaun Tait. Next ball, Tait bowled fellow Australian Brad Haddin and came close to a hat-trick when Khalid Latif gloved a leg-side delivery only for Kamran Akmal to put down a chance. Unperturbed, Sharjeel steered an off-stump yorker for a four and then played an upper cut off an intended bouncer for a six. He was seven short of the three-figure mark. A straight, lofted, effortless six against Afridi brought up the PSL’s maiden century. Sharjeel took off his helmet and excitedly leapt about in an ungainly fashion to celebrate the feat.Sharjeel’s power-hitting pedigree is well-known in Pakistan cricket. This was his second T20 century, his maiden ton in the format came in 2012 for Hyderabad Hawks against Lahore Eagles. He holds the record for the fastest fifty by a Pakistan opener, against Sri Lanka in December 2013, off just 24 balls. His 117 on Sunday was six runs short of the highest T20 score by a Pakistani: Mukhtar Ahmed’s 123 for Rawalpindi, scored last year.How dearly the PSL wanted this kind of innings coming from a promising Pakistan player. One reason the IPL has flourished is that it has allowed India’s domestic-cricket players to showcase their talent and taught them how to deal with various match situations. It has provided them with the exposure and means to set higher goals and, in some cases, go on to achieve them. As Mohammad Akram, the former Pakistan fast bowler who is now Peshawar’s coach, said it was an “exceptional” innings played by Sharjeel and one could only doff his hat in appreciation.In the middle of the tournament Afridi, speaking on the benefits of PSL, said that he had been still waiting for some Pakistani batting talent to put their name forward. “I was hoping to see some new batting talent emerge from this tournament,” Afridi had said.Today, Sharjeel answered that question well. Afridi was left biting his lip.

Plays of the day from the match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Delhi Daredevils at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium

Shashank Kishore17-Apr-20162:20

‘De Kock is a top quality player’ – Kohli

The Watson-Wiese tag teamAs far as assisted catches go, this might be hard to top. Shreyas Iyer mistimed a lofted straight drive and Shane Watson hurtled after it from mid-on. He was sprinting full-tilt, even as the ball was descending over his shoulder. He somehow managed to use his reach to catch the ball, but the momentum was carrying him too close to the boundary. It was time for a split-second decision. Aware that David Wiese was running towards him from mid-off, Watson flicked the ball back just as he was about to topple over the advertising skirting. Wiese had to dive full-length to his right to grab the ball, and picked it up inches from the ground and a hair’s breadth from the boundary.Zaheer outsmarts Gayle
Zaheer Khan’s opening over in his first two matches this season had been eventful. Against Kolkata Knight Riders, he was hit for three boundaries by Gautam Gambhir. Against Kings XI Punjab, he bested Manan Vohra with superb away-swingers. On Sunday, against Royal Challengers Bangalore, he set Chris Gayle up with three outswingers. Everything pointed to an inswinger to follow, but Zaheer outfoxed him by moving it away again and inviting the drive. Gayle went after it and nicked to JP Duminy at a wide first slip. It was Gayle’s first duck in 37 T20 innings at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.Superman Shami
Mohammed Shami was playing his first competitive game in over three months, and his athleticism was tested in the 17th over. Sarfaraz Khan looked to pinch a run after bunting a ball into the off side. Shami ran to his left in his follow through, picked the ball up with his left hand, swivelled and transferred it to his right hand, and threw down the stumps at the striker’s end. How he managed all of this in under a couple of seconds was a mystery. Sarfaraz was certainly taken aback. He put in a desperate dive, but was nowhere close to making his ground.The bruising lesson
It was surprising to see Watson, capable of teeing off like a golfer, resort to delicate scoops and dabs early in his innings. But a closer look revealed a plan. Zaheer, back for a second spell, had started with a superb yorker that was carved to cover. Anticipating that the bowler would keep aiming for the blockhole, Watson planted his front leg across, got down low and scooped a six over the short fine leg fielder. That over was filled with full deliveries and cost Daredevils 21 runs.Jadhav’s miscalculationKedar Jadhav had heaved the ball towards deep midwicket. Considering it was one of few deliveries that struck the middle of his bat, he was caught admiring it, even as Wiese raced past him to the striker’s end and began looking for a second run. The fielder, Iyer, sprinted a long way back from midwicket and pulled the ball back on the edge of the boundary. Yet all this while, Jadhav had simply stood where he had made contact with the ball. Eventually, he realised it wouldn’t go for four and trotted across for a single, when it should have been at least two.

With Zaheer Khan out injured, Daredevils stand-in captain JP Duminy’s determination to stick to pre-set bowling plans proved costly in a home loss to the Supergiants

Sidharth Monga in Delhi05-May-2016Twenty20 has introduced set plays to cricket. A lot of analysis and data goes into determining what choices you make for those set pieces, and not without merit. The best captains use that history but don’t overlook what has been happening in the middle on the night.Despite the starts thrown away, despite all the rested players, despite the catches, stumpings and run-outs missed, despite the wide balls, it was two decisions made in set plays that ended up costing Delhi Daredevils a win against one of the struggling sides in this IPL, Rising Pune Supergiants. Both of these moves seemed borne out of history as opposed to what happened on the night.The first one came when Imran Tahir broke the 45-run partnership between Ajinkya Rahane and Saurabh Tiwary in the 14th over. Supergiants now needed 59 off 40 with eight wickets in hand, but with a shaky middle order to follow in a side that has a losing habit, now was the time to get that asking rate rise, not least because MS Dhoni is a notoriously slow starter nowadays. He premeditated a charge to the first ball he faced from Tahir, the first of two dots to start, and it looked like this asking rate could go further up from 9.5 at the end of the 14th.Amit Mishra, who had bowled three overs for just 22 despite a no-ball mishap, had one over left. Now might have been the time to look to drive the screw in, but the thing with Dhoni is, he has a history of struggle against left-arm spin in limited-overs cricket. Sides world over go straight to left-arm spin if they can’t muster a bowler who can bowl into his rib or hip at pace. JP Duminy, standing in for Zaheer Khan, took that conventional route, and bowled Pawan Negi at Dhoni.Not that it was inexplicable, but there were two problems with this decision. The 15th over with the match in the balance was the first time Negi was going to bowl in this match. Also, Dhoni knows Negi’s bowling inside out. Negi has spent a few seasons with Chennai Super Kings for a handful of matches, and has travelled with India to the Asia Cup and World T20 for just one game. For most of the time he has been bowling in the nets, and Dhoni quite fancied him. On the first ball from Negi, Dhoni smashed a huge six after stepping out. The early dot balls that you get from Dhoni were gone.Through Tahir and Mishra in the next two overs, which went for just 10 runs, Daredevils were back again with the Supergiants needing 37 off 18. It was decision time again. Tahir had one over left. Obviously he was not going to bowl the 20th. And if he had to continue from the end he had bowled superbly from, he should have bowled the 18th.For the two other overs, Daredevils stand-in captain Duminy had choices. Carlos Brathwaite and Mohammed Shami had two overs each. Brathwaite had gone for 17 in his two overs, and had bowled only cutters in his second over. Shami, on the other hand, was the only bowler who had provided pace on the ball. On a slow pitch it showed in his figures of 24 runs in two overs.Duminy said at the post-match presentation that they had already spoken about Shami bowling two overs at the death. It wasn’t without statistical backing either: Shami had bowled 24 balls at the death for just 33 runs and five wickets in the matches leading up to this. Once again Daredevils chose to go with their plan, and brought Shami on in the 18th over. Shami went for 20 in that over, and the game was over.”Well we had three overs left at that stage and Imran only had one over left, so [that was] our best option at that point in time,” Duminy said at the press conference. “Shami had two overs left so I couldn’t bowl him from the other end because it wouldn’t have matched up and we would have had to use somebody else. Mishra was done, so that was probably the best option to get Shami to bowl his four overs.”Brathwaite seemed completely forgotten.They had the numbers and the analysis to make the decisions they did, but Daredevils will need to look back as much at these decisions as they will at their fielding. These lapses could end up costing them a place in the play-offs.

Stats highlights from the second women’s ODI between England and Pakistan, where the hosts posted their highest-ever total.

Shiva Jayaraman22-Jun-20163 Number of totals in women’s ODIs higher than England’s 378 for 5 against Pakistan in this match. This is England’s highest in ODIs beating the 376 for 2 they made against the same opposition in the World Cup in 1997-98. New Zealand’s 455 for 5 against Pakistan is the highest total in women’s ODIs. Click here for a list of the highest totals.11 Sixes hit by England batsmen in this match – the most in an ODI innings. New Zealand had hit nine sixes against the same opposition in the 2009 World Cup in Sydney, which was the previous record.242.42 Natalie Sciver’s strike rate in her 33-ball 80 – the highest in an innings of 50 or more runs in ODIs. Deandra Dottin’s strike rate of 227.27 in a 22-ball 50 against Sri Lanka in the 2013 World Cup was the previous highest. Sciver’s six sixes in this match equal the second highest by a batsman in a Women’s ODI. Dottin’s seven sixes against Pakistan are the highest. Two other batsmen – Suzie Bates and Sophie Devine – have hit six sixes in an innings in ODIs.5 Number of partnerships bigger than the 235-run opening stand between Lauren Winfield and Tammy Beaumont in women’s ODIs. This stand is also the fourth highest opening stand in ODIs. Sarah Taylor and Caroline Atkins added 268 runs for the first wicket against South Africa at Lord’s in 2008, which is the highest partnership for any wicket in ODIs. The partnership in this match was also England’s third highest for any wicket in ODIs.6 Number of times before England’s innings in this match that both openers of a team had scored a hundred in women’s ODIs. This is the third such instance for England. Their previous instance had come against South Africa at Lord’s in 2008.212 Runs England won this match by – their sixth-biggest margin in ODIs and their second biggest against Pakistan while batting first. Their biggest win against Pakistan came in the 1997 World Cup when they won by 230 runs. Their biggest in any ODI came against Denmark in the 1993 World Cup when they won by 239 runs.88 Runs conceded by Asmavia Iqbal from her ten overs in England’s innings – the second highest conceded in an ODI. Pakistan’s Shazia Khan conceded 111 runs against Australia in an ODI in 1997, which are the most by a bowler in an ODI. Including Asmavia’s spell in this match, seven of the ten most expensive spells in ODIs have been by Pakistan bowlers.11.14 Nida Dar’s bowling economy in this match – the worst for any bowler to have bowled at least five overs in an ODI. Nida bowled seven overs and conceded 78 runs without taking a wicket. Shazia’s economy of 11.1 in the match against Australia in 1997 was the previous worst.31 Winfield’s previous highest from 15 ODI innings before this match. Before her 123 in this match, she had made 167 runs at an average of 12.84 in ODIs. This was only her second fifty-plus score in 35 international innings. Before this she had made 74 against South Africa in a T20I at Edgbaston.10 Number of fifty-plus scores by Bismah Maroof in ODIs – the most by a Pakistan batsmen. Her 61 in this match is the highest individual score by a Pakistan batsman against England beating her own 57 in Loughborough in 2013.2 Fifty-plus scores by Beaumont in this series; before her century in this game, she had made 70 in the first match of this series. In 46 innings in international cricket before this series, Beaumont hadn’t hit a fifty. In ODIs she had made 207 runs in 16 innings at 17.25 before this series, with a highest of 44 against India. She now has 381 runs in ODIs and her average has improved to 27.21.

28-Jul-2016A quicker delivery from Steve O’Keefe had Kaushal Silva lbw for 7; Sri Lanka were reduced to 45 for 3•Associated PressCaptain Angelo Mathews lent a supporting hand in a 41-run fourth-wicket stand with Kusal Mendis before popping a catch to short leg off Nathan Lyon•Associated PressAustralia wasted both their reviews, and didn’t opt for one when Mendis was struck in front after missing a sweep – replays indicated he would have been out. He was on 66 then•Associated PressMendis capitalised and struck 86 of Sri Lanka’s total of 116 for 4 at lunch•Associated PressAfter the break, Mendis got to his maiden ton with a slog-swept six over deep midwicket off Nathan Lyon•Associated PressDinesh Chandimal and Mendis shared a 117-run stand as Sri Lanka dominated the second session•AFPMitchell Marsh ended their partnership by trapping Chandimal lbw with one that jagged back in•AFPDhananjaya de Silva chipped in with 36 before chipping to mid-off as Nathan Lyon claimed his 200th Test wicket•AFPBut Mendis’ knock ensured Sri Lanka secured a 196-run lead before bad light and rain brought a premature end to the third day•Associated Press

India opener hopes to make the most of Anil Kumble’s presence and feels his wealth of experience and knowledge of handling pressure situations would come in handy for the batting unit too

Deivarayan Muthu in Bangalore30-Jun-20161:24

M Vijay seeks consistency ahead of WI tour

Former India wicketkeeper Kiran More, who was present at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore on the second day of India’s training camp on Thursday, had called Anil Kumble the Muhammad Ali of cricket, after the legspinner ended his 18-year Test career in November 2008. Kumble was the ultimate fighter, as exemplified during his uninterrupted 14-over spell, which included the wicket of Brian Lara, with a broken jaw in Antigua in 2002. In his final Test, against Australia, Kumble probed away, despite an injury to his left hand.Throughout his career, Kumble was always at the batsmen, his face mirroring a cocktail of focus and intensity. He brought the same focus and intensity as an administrator, and it was intact during his first net session as India’s head coach.Kumble was among the first to step onto the ground, ahead of training, and ensured the nets were in good shape after rain had forced the players indoors on Wednesday. Kumble stood at the centre and supervised the bowling of Ravindra Jadeja and Amit Mishra to Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma. Jayant Yadav, Shahbaz Nadeem, Shreyas Gopal, and Karun Nair, who are not part of the squad for the Caribbean tour, also rolled their arms over, but there was a prominent absentee – R Ashwin. The offspinner, who regards Kumble as his idol, missed practice on Thursday because of personal reasons. He is set to the join the preparatory camp on Friday, according to the BCCI.Virat Kohli faced throwdowns from Sanjay Bangar, the batting coach, and Raghavendra, the team’s throwdown specialist, before easing into drives against the spinners. He took regular trips down the pitch and drilled the ball straight. Ishant Sharma, sporting a samurai bun, then arrived and tested the batsmen in the channel outside off. When the seamer had issues with his landing area, Kumble himself applied sawdust and evened things up.The clock ticked to 10.45 am, and Kumble unzipped his winter jacket. He windmilled his arms as Cheteshwar Pujara took guard. He jogged and floated seam-ups, which Pujara blunted with a straight bat. Next up to face the coach was M Vijay. The opener was given a quick leg-stump ball, which he whipped firmly. Kumble couldn’t hide his excitement and exclaimed: “shot”.Kumble largely bowled seam-ups, for about 45 minutes, and Vijay couldn’t hide his awe for the former India captain though they haven’t spent enough time with each other, at the press conference. Vijay was handed his Test debut in the fourth Test against Australia in Nagpur, a few days after Kumble had retired.”He’s [Kumble’s] been an unbelievable cricketer for the Indian team,” Vijay said. “We are really looking forward to sharing some quality time with him… I couldn’t spend a lot of time with him then. But I’ve been a great fan of him as a youngster, who isn’t?! It is a great opportunity for us to talk to him about cricket, his thought processes and learn from that and move forward. I think it is going to be a great time for us.”When asked about Kumble’s impact, Vijay said it was “too soon” and pulled off a classic leave outside off. Vijay, though, believed that the head coach’s vast experience as a player would serve the young side well.”Over a period of time, it’s going to be good for us, because he has 900 [956] international wickets under his belt,” Vijay said. “It’s going to be great for us to know what kind of things we can expect in a high-pressure game. It’s going to be good for us as a batting unit, as well. It’s going to be a great 12 months for us. That much I can guarantee as a team.”Kumble worked more closely with the spinners in the afternoon session, having lengthy chats with Jadeja, Nadeem and Jayant. Even when one of the younger net bowlers strayed down the leg side, Kumble gesticulated to keep it tight and straight.If Kumble can inject his focus and intensity into the young side, India have a chance to be the best in all three formats, as he had said in his first press conference as the head coach.

Key numbers from the second day’s play in Antigua, where Virat Kohli continued setting records

Bharath Seervi23-Jul-20161 Number of double-centuries by India captains away from home when Virat Kohli reached 200 on the second day in Antigua. The previous highest score by an India captain overseas was 192 by Mohammad Azharuddin against New Zealand in Auckland in 1989-90.2006 The last time an Indian batsman made a double-century in Tests outside Asia – Wasim Jaffer’s 212 at St John’s.566 for 8 India’s total was their second highest in West Indies. Their highest is 588 for 8 in Gros Islet in 2006. India’s total is also the highest by any team in North Sound.27 Kohli’s age, making him the youngest captain to score a double-century in West Indies. Denis Atkinson was the youngest when he made 219 at age of 28 in 1955. Kohli is only the third visiting captain to score a double-hundred in West Indies and first in more than 50 years.197 Kohli previous highest first-class score before the 200 in Antigua. He had scored those runs for Delhi against Pakistan’s Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited at the Feroz Shah Kotla in 2008-09. His previous highest Test score was 169 at the MCG in 2014.ESPNcricinfo Ltd152 The average of Kohli’s last five Test centuries – 141, 169, 147, 103 and 200. The highest of his first seven centuries was only 119. (Click here for the list of his 12 Test centuries.)2 Number of instances of a team having 50-plus partnerships for each wicket from second to seventh in an innings. The only team to do this before India in Antigua was Sri Lanka against India in Colombo (SSC) in 2008.2 Number of players with three Test centuries at No. 6 or lower against West Indies – Kapil Dev and R Ashwin. Ashwin’s first two centuries had come at No. 8 and this one was his maiden innings at No. 6. He averages 64.66 against West Indies, second only to Sunil Gavaskar among India players who have played five or more innings against them.163 Runs conceded by legspinner Devendra Bishoo, the most by a West Indies bowler against India at home. Their other spinner, part-timer Roston Chase, was the fourth West Indies bowler to concede 100 runs or more on debut without a wicket.22 Number of consecutive innings without a 50-plus opening stand for West Indies. Their last such partnership was against South Africa in Port Elizabeth in December 2014. Since 2015 their average for the first wicket is only 17, their highest has been 35 and longest 15.1 overs. Their figures are the worst among all teams.

Gundappa Viswanath recalls memories of his first Ranji match in Vijayawada, where he encountered RP Gupta and Venkata Rao, the Hall and Griffith of Andhra, and made 230 as an 18-year-old

Gundappa Viswanath07-Oct-2016Mysore v Andhra, Vijayawada, 1967-68I was 18 and not really expecting a call-up that season, but it just happened. In the state junior’s tournament, just like the Under-19s, I scored 60s and 70s, but couldn’t convert any of them into a century for two years. So, I was there in the reckoning but I never expected to get into the team so early.None of our top players, like V Subramanya, the captain, EAS Prasanna, BS Chandrasekhar and Budhi Kunderan played because that was the last game of the season. The selectors must have thought of giving youngsters an opportunity. We had at least five debutants as far as I can remember. Apart from me, there was Nagbhushan, S Natraj, Vijayakumar and Subramanya’s brother, Ramadas. YB Patel captained the side in this game and Kiri [Syed Kirmani] had made his debut one match earlier. He was the keeper. Since we were all youngsters, and since we had played together, we felt at ease, but there were the usual butterflies in the tummy when we went out to bat.We played on a matting wicket in Vijayawada. After we lost early wickets, I went in to bat at No. 4. This match took place right after West Indies’ tour to India in 1967, where Wesley Hall and Charlie Griffith played. Here similarly, there were two fast bowlers – big guys – Pratap [Rana Pratap Gupta] and Venkata Rao. The local press and crowd called them Hall and Griffith.They were genuinely quick and since we played on a matting wicket, there was some sort of help for them. I survived initially and then played all the shots, including my trademark square-cut, to score a double-century. When I went in to bat, the first new ball was being used. When I walked back at the end of the day, I was unbeaten on 209; I eventually got out leg before off the third new ball. After a few years, when I went to the same ground, I realised how small it was. No wonder I scored 200 in one day.Later on, after Venkat Rao became a promiment BCCI official he told me: ‘When Pratap and I saw you, we thought yeh bachcha hai, usko de dega bees run [he is a kid, let’s give him 20 runs].’ I was quite slim and had no physique then. After that Venkat said, ‘okay, he’s crossed thirty. Let him score a fifty.’ Fifty became a hundred and finally I ended up making 200.After I was out for 230, our manager C Nagaraj, who for many years was KSCA secretary and board secretary, got a new ‘Chakravarti’ bat and took signatures from both sides who played in that match and presented it to me. I was told later that it was a record for the highest first-class score by an Indian on debut. After I scored 200, I felt I had managed to settle into the state team. Playing for India, however, didn’t cross my mind at all.That knock may have fast-tracked my selection to the national team. More so, it was a good thing that MAK Pataudi started playing for Hyderabad, so he had an opportunity to watch me bat from close quarters.