Kashmiris accused of sedition for cheering Pak win, CM fumes

Meerut Police have registered a case of sedition against the 67 Kashmiri students of Meerut's Swami Vivekanand Subharti University (SVSU) who allegedly celebrated the victory of Pakistan over India in a cricket match on Saturday.

The case of sedition was registered under section 124 (a) of the Indian Penal Code against unknown students of SVSU on Wednesday.We have registered the case against unknown students and the culprits would be brought into record after investigation," said senior superintendent of police Onkar Singh.

A delegation of Bharatiya Janata Party leaders met the university's vice chancellor Dr Manzoor Ahmad and management officials demanding stern action against the students who praised Pakistan terming their act "anti-national".
A group of students associated with youth wing of the safforn party also burnt the effigy of the vice chancellor while students in CCS University took out Ahmad's symbolic funeral procession inside the premises blaming him for being lenient to the students.

The trouble began on Saturday when a group of local and Kashmiri students were watching the India-Pakistan match in SVSU's Madan Lal Dhingra Hostel.

A group of Kashmiri students allegedly celebrated Pakistan's victory over India and a few of them shouted slogan "Pakistan Zindabad" on the way back to their rooms. Their act triggered tension in the university.
The university management initiated a three-tier inquiry and questioned other Kashmiri students who refused to divulge the identity of those who were involved in the incident. As a result, the management suspended all 67 Kashmiri students residing in the hostel.

The suspended students were asked to vacate the hostel and go back to their homes in Jammu and Kashmir. They were dropped at Ghaziabad and Delhi railway station under police security.

Experts believe that those who are supporting the errant students by concealing their names can also be charged with conspiracy under section 120 (b).
The registration of case under 124(a) would block the possibility of revoking the suspension of students who have been pursuing courses in technology, law and business administration in the university.
Chief minister Omar Abdullah reacted on Twitter saying that the charge was an "unacceptably harsh punishment" and said that the would talk to Uttar Pradesh's chief minister 'ASAP'.

Sedition charge against Kashmiri students is an unacceptably harsh punishment that will ruin their futures & will further alienate them 1/n
— Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) March 6, 2014

I believe the University did what it had to to control the situation but this action by the UP Govt is uncalled for & should be reversed 2/n
— Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) March 6, 2014

I will talk to UP CM ASAP & intervene on behalf of these misguided students to have this charge of sedition removed. 3/n.
— Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) March 6, 2014

I believe what the students did was wrong & misguided but they certainly didn't deserve to have charges of sedition slapped against them 4/n

India win toss, put Afghanistan into bat

DHAKA: India captain Virat Kohli won the toss and elected to bowl first against Afghanistan in their last league match in the 12th Asia Cup here at the Shere Bangla National Stadium on Wednesday.

India are unchanged while Afghanistan have one change as Rahmat Shah has been included in place of Hamza Kotak.

Virat Kohli said the ball might not come on well on this pitch and India would like to chase taking advantage of the expected dew while his compatriot Mohammad Nabi said Afghanistan would have batted.

Nabi said it was a good experience playing Test nations.

Teams:
India: S Dhawan, RG Sharma, Virat Kohli (captain), AM Rahane, AT Rayudu, KD Karthik (wk), RA Jadeja, R Ashwin, A Mishra, B Kumar, Mohammad Shami.

Afghanistan: Noor Ali Zadran, Nawroz Mangal, Rahmat Shah, Asghar Stanikzai, Najibullah Zadran, Mohammad Nabi (captain), Mohammad Shahzad (wk), Samiullah Shenwari, Mirwais Ashraf, Shapoor Zadran, Dawlat Zadran.

 

Asia Cup Live Cricket Score: Bangladesh Tigers look Virat Kohli-led India in the eye

Embarrassed in South Africa and New Zealand, regional powerhouse India would hope for a turnaround under a new captain when they take on a troubled Bangladesh in their Asia Cup opener here on Wednesday. (We'll not take Bangladesh lightly, says Dinesh Karthik)

For the five-time champions India, the build up to the 12th edition of the regional tournament has been quite similar to that of 2012 when they landed here on the back of eight successive Test defeats in England and Australia.

Now they have come here after losing to South Africa 0-1 in Tests and 0-2 in ODIs. They suffered similar humiliation at the hands of New Zealand. The world champion side capped their two overseas tours with four successive defeats in ODIs.
However, playing against an opponent, who are struggling with their own set of problems and against whom they enjoy a good record, India would hope to finally notch up their first win in the 2014 calender.

Bangladesh's attacking opener Tamim Iqbal has been ruled out of the event because of a neck strain and their all-rounder Shakib-Al-Hasan will also miss the action against India due to his two-match ban for showing lewd gestures on live TV. (Read more)

Beating India is no longer an upset, says Mashrafe Mortaza

Bangladesh's premier pacer Mashrafe Mortaza on Tuesday said that beating a heavyweight Indian cricket team is no longer considered as an "upset" as the hosts have defeated them on a few occasions in the near past including the last edition of Asia Cup. "I don't count a win against India as an upset. We have done it before. They are a good team in sub-continent. We have that in our mind," the 30-year-old said ahead of their Asia Cup opener against India on Wednesday. (Read more)

Sourav Ganguly's advice to Virat Kohli

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly wants Virat Kohli to win the Asia Cup, which he believes would help regular skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni to come out of his comfort zone and reinvent himself as a captain.

"I want Virat (Kohli) to win this tournament (Asia Cup)," Ganguly told a news channel on Tuesday.

"This would help Dhoni to come out of the comfort zone and help him to reinvent himself as a captain," he explained. Rubbishing suggestions that it would be a test for Kohli as a captain, Ganguly said the Delhi batsman should enjoy captaincy and prove his strengths to the selectors.

"It would be inappropriate to say that Kohli would be under pressure in the Asia Cup because even he knows that Dhoni would be the captain in the Twenty20 World Cup. So I would advice him to enjoy his captaincy and prove his strengths as a captain," Ganguly said

I asked my wife to stop joking when she said Rs 3.75 crore, says Karn Sharma

Karn Sharma had left home for the nearby cricket ground in Meerut much before his name had come up at the IPL auction on Thursday. This was, after all, his first ever experience as an uncapped player of being put up ‘on sale’. With not long to go for his name to prop up at the auction, the 26-year-old Railways man just couldn’t take the anxiety anymore, preferring to face a few local bowlers to keep his mind off proceedings in Bangalore.
While at nets, Sharma received a call from his wife. He was relieved to hear about being retained by Sunrisers Hyderbad, but the leggie couldn’t believe his ears when told that his franchise had spent Rs 3.75 crore to do so.
“I asked her to stop joking around and tell me exactly how much I had been bought for. My base price was just Rs 30 lakh. It was only when I checked the figure on the internet and received a call from Amit Mishra that I believed it,” says Sharma.
Sharma’s astonishment was understandable. He had been an important cog in the Sunrisers wheel during their maiden IPL season last year, picking up 11 wickets at an economy of 6.6. He had also played a couple of vital knocks with the bat to see his team home, while also attracting attention for managing to keep the likes of MS Dhoni and Michael Hussey quiet with his accuracy and guile.
Railman dreams big
But not even in his wildest dreams, he admits, did the Railways fitter, a Grade II post, expect to land up with the fattest pay-cheque among the hundreds of uncapped Indian players who went under the hammer on the second day of the auction.
“The most money I had seen come my way in my life previously was the Rs 20 lakh contract that I got in the IPL from Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2009. I don’t even know what 3.75 crore looks like. The most pleasing aspect for me about the auction was how so many teams were bidding for me,” he adds.
While his family hails from Meerut, Sharma has been posted in Varanasi ever since he joined the Railways back in 2005. Though he was initially roped in as a Grade IV employee, the former junior Uttar Pradesh cricketer was given the leeway of not having to perform the duties entailed at his level, odd jobs like lifting iron rods or working on the tracks.
“It involved some paperwork at the office, which I had to visit regularly. But that happened only during my first year after which I started playing cricket on a full-time basis,” he says.
Ever since, the spinner has seen himself being promoted as a fitter, a position that otherwise necessitates working at the nuts and bolts in the engine along with other responsibilities.

2nd Test: Shikhar Dhawan becomes 2nd Indian opener to score fifty-plus score in Wellington

Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan scored a half-century on Day 1 of the second Test at Wellington and became the second Indian after Gautam Gambhir to do so. (Day 1 Report | Highlights | Scorecard)

# Shikhar Dhawan is the first Indian opener to register a fifty in the first innings of the Wellington Test. Overall, he is the second Indian opener to record an innings of fifty-plus score at Wellington. Gautam Gambhir had registered 167 in the second innings of the 2008-09 Test.

# Shikhar Dhawan, for the first time, has posted successive innings of fifty-plus in Tests - 115 at Auckland and 71 not out at Wellington.

# During the course of his superb Wellington knock, Dhawan has completed his 500 runs in seven Tests - his tally being 505 in ten innings at an average of 56.11, including two hundreds and a fifty.

# Dhawan has managed 186 runs at an average of 93.00 in three innings - the highest by an Indian batsman in the present series.

ndian Premier League auction: Glenn Maxwell strikes gold again, windfall for Nathan Coulter-Nile

Last year's million-dollar boy Glenn Maxwell struck gold once again in the 2014 Indian Premier League auctions underway in Bangalore on Wednesday. The Australian all-rounder was bought by Kings XI Punjab for six times his base price of Rs 1 crore. There was a three-way fight for Maxwell with Punjab making a late dash after Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Daredevils were locked in a tense tussle. Interestingly, Mumbai Indians, Maxwell's team last season, showed little interest in the limited overs specialist. (Full player list)

New Zealand all-rounder Corey Anderson was Mumbai's latest big buy. The Ambani-sponsored franchise loves to test fresh talent and it didn't come as a surprise when Neeta Ambani was quickly off the blocks after Rajasthan made the first bid. Anderson is the latest craze in limited overs cricket after striking a world record 36-ball ODI century against the West Indies on January 1, 2014. Anderson, who bowls medium-pace, has been in great form against India at home and was one of the top attractions of the IPL auctions. Delhi and Sunrisers Hyderabad also showed great interest in the Kiwi star-in-the making but in the final stretch, Mumbai won the battle by offering to pay Rs 4.5 crore. Hyderabad were next best at 4.25 Crore. (RCB buy Yuvraj for record 14 crore, Dinesh Karthik second costliest at 12.5 crore)

Delhi Daredevils, coached by former South African batsman Gary Kirsten and mentored by former pacer T.A. Sekar, fought a fierce battle with Rajasthan royals for Aussie pacer Nathan Coulter-Nile. Nile was snapped up the Daredevils for 4.25 crore. Interestingly, teams reposed their faith on Indian pacers too. Experienced customers like Laxmipathy Balaji and Ashish Nehra were still good enough to get more than their base price. Balaji, base price 50 lakhs, went to Kings XI for 1.8 crore while Nehra was bought by Chennai at his base cost of Rs 2 crore.

Jaydev Unadkat, the left-arm quickie, who has been in and out of the Indian team was quite in demand. Delhi, Rajasthan and Punjab were engaged in a grim bidding war. Delhi got him for Rs 2.8 crore, 20 lakh more than the more experience Ishant Sharma, who was retained by Hyderabad. Mohit Sharma was retained by CSK for twice his base price of Rs 1 crore while Varun Aaron was taken by RCB for 2 crore after Delhi did not use their right-to-match option.

KKR CEO says IPL fixing scandal is not a new story

Describing the IPL betting and spot-fixing scandal as an old story, Kolkata Knight Riders CEO and Managing Director Venky Mysore today said everything was on track as far as his franchise was concerned.

"This is not a new story, is it? Still it is a process and let it continue and we are eagerly awaiting the completion of the process. So, once it is all sorted out, we will know what is the outcome of all this but at the moment that there is nothing that tells me that anything has changed as far as the next two days are concerned," Venky told reporters at a promotional event here ahead of the players' auction here.

Asked whether the auction should take place after the Supreme Court-instituted Justice Mudgal committee indicted Meiyappan, Venky said there are higher authorities to take a call on it.

"It is not for me to decide. There are much higher authorities and more qualified people, who will take the call. We have not heard anything to the contrary. So, everything is on track," he said.

On Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Suresh Raina's names cropping up in the controversy, Venky said he has not seen the report and he is not a competent authority to speak on it.

"It will be unfair of you to ask me this question and for me to answer that," he said.

Asked is it fair for Chennai Super Kings to continue in IPL after these revelations, Venky said, "I have no standing at all to answer that question."

Asked if the presence of CSK owner and BCCI President N Srinivasan during IPL auction would affect him in any way, Venky said the franchise's focus is on the auction.

"I don't want to take my eyes off the ball," he added.

Venky said KKR always takes precautionary measures to prevent malpractices and has standard operating procedures in place.

"We have that as part of code of conduct as well," he added.

On KKR's IPL auction preparation, Venky said "It is something like going and taking an examination. Until you are prepared and until we go and take it we don't know."

Srinivasan's son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan, the former Team Principal of the Chennai Super Kings, was indicted for betting by Former Punjab and Haryana Chief Justice Mukul Mudgal committee, which was appointed by the Supreme Court to investigate the IPL spot-fixing scandal.

Respect for India's Test ranking makes winning more special: Brendon McCullum

Auckland:  New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum was a relieved man after his decision not to enforce follow-on did not lead to his team's defeat against India in the first cricket Test, which the hosts won by 40 runs to go 1-0 up in the two-match series, here on Sunday.
(Scorecard | Match report | Day 4 highlights | Day 5 in pics)

"We thought we have a big total and if we bowl well, that would be enough runs. We know the quality of their batsmen and how they are capable of putting together big scores and big partnerships. At one stage, when they were sitting 220 for 2, we were starting to get ourselves behind the eight-ball and it took something special to get us out of that. We respect the Indian team a lot for what they have done and where they sit in the world rankings and that's what makes this victory so special," McCullum said at the post-match press conference. (Also read: Stats - New Zealand defeat India in a Test after 14 years)
The Black Caps scored 503 runs in their first innings and then were shot out for just 105 after not enforcing the follow-on when they had bowled India out for just 202 runs. It was a decision that nearly came back to haunt them. India came really close to pull off a sensational victory before falling short of the target.

"You cannot regret any decision and when you make that decision, you put some thought into it. Ultimately someone has got to make that decision and I guess that comes down to me. I made the decision and I never regretted it for a moment. There's no guarantee we would have bowled out India for 100 in their second innings and I said right at the outset that we have got the bowlers to take 20 wickets. I would hate to see us chase 150-200 on the last day on that wicket with Ravindra Jadeja coming in to play," McCullum said.

The skipper said he still thought 407-run target was a big enough total for the Indians.

"After we decided not to enforce the follow on, we hoped to get a little more than a 100 in our second innings. But that's what we got and I still thought 400 was a very good target. There are only three teams in the history of the game that have chased over 400. It was still a lot of runs on the board but the wicket was starting to play pretty well as well, so it was always going to be a tough ask and we knew that it was going to be a close contest towards the end," he said

Congress' Biswal pips BJD's sculptor to RS finish line

BHUBANESWAR: Congress on Friday got cricketer and IPL chairman Ranjib Biswal elected to the Rajya Sabha defeating his BJD-backed rival in a fierce battle that had for the past few days kept the state's political atmosphere fraught with anxiety and nervousness.

Though three official BJD candidates - Kalpataru Das, Sarojini Hembrum (both ministers), A U Singhdeo - were elected to the Upper House, Biswal's victory all but took away the smile from the ruling party. He polled 29 first preference votes against 20 by noted sculptor Raghunath Mohapatra, a novice in politics, who had joined the fray as an independent candidate backed by BJD.

"It is sad," chief minister and BJD president Naveen Patnaik said on Mohapatra's defeat. The strongest reaction came from Ranjib himself. "I did not win. The Congress party won. The outcome of the election has exposed the corrupt and unethical practices of chief minister Naveen Patnaik. He gained over an independent MLA, who has a vigilance case against him, and another who was my proposer. But the truth finally triumphed," Biswal said. Party president Jayadev Jena described Ranjib's win as "victory over black money and horse trading".

The BJD had made elaborate preparations for Mohapatra's victory. Party MLA Ramesh Chandra Chyau Patnaik was brought from hospital in an ambulance with saline and oxygen apparatus fitted to the Assembly. He was carried to the first floor on a stretcher to cast his vote. The BJD also managed to woo BJP despite the latter describing it along with Congress as 'enemy No 1'. After marathon meetings, five MLAs from the saffron brigade turned up to cast their votes. Suspended BJP MLA Bhimsen Choudhury, however, refused to go by the party diktat and voted for Ranjib, while Manoj Pradhan (G Udayagiri) did not vote.

Even all this, curiously, did not ensure Mohapatra's victory. Enquiries revealed that many BJD legislators, reportedly apprehensive of cross voting, cast more votes for their official candidates. The BJD has 108 MLAs in the 147-member Assembly and the party had distributed 30 votes for each of its three candidates, leaving 18 for Mohapatra. But counting showed Kalpataru Das and A U Singhdeo got 33 votes each and Hembrum 31. "The BJD ditched Mohapatra. The chief minister is responsible as he had personally chosen him. He (Naveen) backstabbed him (Mohapatra) as he did to us before the 2009 elections," BJP president K V Singhdeo said.

nd vs NZ, 1st Test, as it happend: India need 320 to win

1105 IST: close on day 3: India 87/1 with Dhawan on 49 and Pujara on 22 Dhawan played an absolutely delightful straight drive off Sodhi to move to 48. Took a couple of steps and met the ball with the absolute middle of the bat. Was the shot of the session so far. Dhawan and Pujara have added 51 together now, which is the largest partnership on day three. They have reduced the target India need to 320, which does not sound as daunting as 407. In all 17 wickets fell today for 274 runs after 329 runs were scored on day one for the loss of just four wickets. Both sides have everything to play for on day four. Thanks for riding along with us today and join us then for what could be the exciting conclusion to this match. 1045 IST: India 69/1 after 20 overs, with Dhawan on 42 and Pujara on 12 Sodhi has been introduced and he is getting turn already. McCullum has two men in catching positions on the legside for Dhawan, who is disdainful of their presence, and clips the legspinner through midwicket for three. Takes him into the 40s for the first time since his Test debut. India have whittled their target down to 338. They are slowly stealing the upper hand from New Zealand, who will not doubt be desperate to get it back. 1035 IST: India 46/1 after 16 overs, with Dhawan on 32 and Pujara on 10 Dhawan brought up India's 50 by cutting Wagner through the vacant point region. The shot would have pleased Dhawan even more than normal because Wagner hit him on the helmet earlier in the over. Pujara also cracks Anderson down the ground for his first boundary. India looking comfortable at this point and whittling away at that target. This game still tilts towards NZ - 407 is a big target - but the emotion surrounding this game is different now. After the panic first two sessions, India have surprising brought some stability to proceedings. 1015 IST: India 46/1 after 12 overs, with Dhawan on 26 and Pujara on 6 Scoring has slowed down since Vijay's exit. Pujara has been watching in making 6 from 19 deliveries, no doubt wanting to make sure he doesn't make the same sort of mistake he made in the first innings. This is also a big knock for Dhawan, who doesn't lack confidence but has lacked Test runs since his debut. India have also seen off Southee and Boult and Wagner and Anderson have just been brought on. 0955 IST: OUT! Southee gets the breakthrough It was down legside and Vijay shapes to play the flick. He perhaps leans over too much and there is a sound as it goes past him. The Kiwis appeal loudly when Watling pouches the ball and the umpire rules in their favour. Vijay looks unhappy. Replays and Snicko are inconclusive. Doesn't matter. Pujara is the new batsmen. India are 36/1 after 8 overs. They need another 371 to win.

1105 IST: close on day 3: India 87/1 with Dhawan on 49 and Pujara on 22 Dhawan played an absolutely delightful straight drive off Sodhi to move to 48. Took a couple of steps and met the ball with the absolute middle of the bat. Was the shot of the session so far. Dhawan and Pujara have added 51 together now, which is the largest partnership on day three. They have reduced the target India need to 320, which does not sound as daunting as 407. In all 17 wickets fell today for 274 runs after 329 runs were scored on day one for the loss of just four wickets. Both sides have everything to play for on day four. Thanks for riding along with us today and join us then for what could be the exciting conclusion to this match. 1045 IST: India 69/1 after 20 overs, with Dhawan on 42 and Pujara on 12 Sodhi has been introduced and he is getting turn already. McCullum has two men in catching positions on the legside for Dhawan, who is disdainful of their presence, and clips the legspinner through midwicket for three. Takes him into the 40s for the first time since his Test debut. India have whittled their target down to 338. They are slowly stealing the upper hand from New Zealand, who will not doubt be desperate to get it back. 1035 IST: India 46/1 after 16 overs, with Dhawan on 32 and Pujara on 10 Dhawan brought up India's 50 by cutting Wagner through the vacant point region. The shot would have pleased Dhawan even more than normal because Wagner hit him on the helmet earlier in the over. Pujara also cracks Anderson down the ground for his first boundary. India looking comfortable at this point and whittling away at that target. This game still tilts towards NZ - 407 is a big target - but the emotion surrounding this game is different now. After the panic first two sessions, India have surprising brought some stability to proceedings. 1015 IST: India 46/1 after 12 overs, with Dhawan on 26 and Pujara on 6 Scoring has slowed down since Vijay's exit. Pujara has been watching in making 6 from 19 deliveries, no doubt wanting to make sure he doesn't make the same sort of mistake he made in the first innings. This is also a big knock for Dhawan, who doesn't lack confidence but has lacked Test runs since his debut. India have also seen off Southee and Boult and Wagner and Anderson have just been brought on. 0955 IST: OUT! Southee gets the breakthrough It was down legside and Vijay shapes to play the flick. He perhaps leans over too much and there is a sound as it goes past him. The Kiwis appeal loudly when Watling pouches the ball and the umpire rules in their favour. Vijay looks unhappy. Replays and Snicko are inconclusive. Doesn't matter. Pujara is the new batsmen. India are 36/1 after 8 overs. They need another 371 to win.

Read more at: http://www.firstpost.com/sports/ind-vs-nz-1st-test-live-rahane-falls-early-on-day-three-1376297.html?utm_source=ref_article

1105 IST: close on day 3: India 87/1 with Dhawan on 49 and Pujara on 22 Dhawan played an absolutely delightful straight drive off Sodhi to move to 48. Took a couple of steps and met the ball with the absolute middle of the bat. Was the shot of the session so far. Dhawan and Pujara have added 51 together now, which is the largest partnership on day three. They have reduced the target India need to 320, which does not sound as daunting as 407. In all 17 wickets fell today for 274 runs after 329 runs were scored on day one for the loss of just four wickets. Both sides have everything to play for on day four. Thanks for riding along with us today and join us then for what could be the exciting conclusion to this match. 1045 IST: India 69/1 after 20 overs, with Dhawan on 42 and Pujara on 12 Sodhi has been introduced and he is getting turn already. McCullum has two men in catching positions on the legside for Dhawan, who is disdainful of their presence, and clips the legspinner through midwicket for three. Takes him into the 40s for the first time since his Test debut. India have whittled their target down to 338. They are slowly stealing the upper hand from New Zealand, who will not doubt be desperate to get it back. 1035 IST: India 46/1 after 16 overs, with Dhawan on 32 and Pujara on 10 Dhawan brought up India's 50 by cutting Wagner through the vacant point region. The shot would have pleased Dhawan even more than normal because Wagner hit him on the helmet earlier in the over. Pujara also cracks Anderson down the ground for his first boundary. India looking comfortable at this point and whittling away at that target. This game still tilts towards NZ - 407 is a big target - but the emotion surrounding this game is different now. After the panic first two sessions, India have surprising brought some stability to proceedings. 1015 IST: India 46/1 after 12 overs, with Dhawan on 26 and Pujara on 6 Scoring has slowed down since Vijay's exit. Pujara has been watching in making 6 from 19 deliveries, no doubt wanting to make sure he doesn't make the same sort of mistake he made in the first innings. This is also a big knock for Dhawan, who doesn't lack confidence but has lacked Test runs since his debut. India have also seen off Southee and Boult and Wagner and Anderson have just been brought on. 0955 IST: OUT! Southee gets the breakthrough It was down legside and Vijay shapes to play the flick. He perhaps leans over too much and there is a sound as it goes past him. The Kiwis appeal loudly when Watling pouches the ball and the umpire rules in their favour. Vijay looks unhappy. Replays and Snicko are inconclusive. Doesn't matter. Pujara is the new batsmen. India are 36/1 after 8 overs. They need another 371 to win.

Read more at: http://www.firstpost.com/sports/ind-vs-nz-1st-test-live-rahane-falls-early-on-day-three-1376297.html?utm_source=ref_article

1105 IST: close on day 3: India 87/1 with Dhawan on 49 and Pujara on 22 Dhawan played an absolutely delightful straight drive off Sodhi to move to 48. Took a couple of steps and met the ball with the absolute middle of the bat. Was the shot of the session so far. Dhawan and Pujara have added 51 together now, which is the largest partnership on day three. They have reduced the target India need to 320, which does not sound as daunting as 407. In all 17 wickets fell today for 274 runs after 329 runs were scored on day one for the loss of just four wickets. Both sides have everything to play for on day four. Thanks for riding along with us today and join us then for what could be the exciting conclusion to this match. 1045 IST: India 69/1 after 20 overs, with Dhawan on 42 and Pujara on 12 Sodhi has been introduced and he is getting turn already. McCullum has two men in catching positions on the legside for Dhawan, who is disdainful of their presence, and clips the legspinner through midwicket for three. Takes him into the 40s for the first time since his Test debut. India have whittled their target down to 338. They are slowly stealing the upper hand from New Zealand, who will not doubt be desperate to get it back. 1035 IST: India 46/1 after 16 overs, with Dhawan on 32 and Pujara on 10 Dhawan brought up India's 50 by cutting Wagner through the vacant point region. The shot would have pleased Dhawan even more than normal because Wagner hit him on the helmet earlier in the over. Pujara also cracks Anderson down the ground for his first boundary. India looking comfortable at this point and whittling away at that target. This game still tilts towards NZ - 407 is a big target - but the emotion surrounding this game is different now. After the panic first two sessions, India have surprising brought some stability to proceedings. 1015 IST: India 46/1 after 12 overs, with Dhawan on 26 and Pujara on 6 Scoring has slowed down since Vijay's exit. Pujara has been watching in making 6 from 19 deliveries, no doubt wanting to make sure he doesn't make the same sort of mistake he made in the first innings. This is also a big knock for Dhawan, who doesn't lack confidence but has lacked Test runs since his debut. India have also seen off Southee and Boult and Wagner and Anderson have just been brought on. 0955 IST: OUT! Southee gets the breakthrough It was down legside and Vijay shapes to play the flick. He perhaps leans over too much and there is a sound as it goes past him. The Kiwis appeal loudly when Watling pouches the ball and the umpire rules in their favour. Vijay looks unhappy. Replays and Snicko are inconclusive. Doesn't matter. Pujara is the new batsmen. India are 36/1 after 8 overs. They need another 371 to win.

Read more at: http://www.firstpost.com/sports/ind-vs-nz-1st-test-live-rahane-falls-early-on-day-three-1376297.html?utm_source=ref_article

1st Test, Day 2: India vs New Zealand - As it happened...

Second day of the first Test also belonged to the home side, as first their skipper Brendon McCullum went on to score a double ton to take their team's score past 500 in the first innings. And when the Kiwi bowlers came to bowl, they kept India reeling at ten for three at one stage. And as the day's play called off a bit early due to bad light, India were struggling at 130 for four. For India Rohit and Rahane are at the crease.

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India 1st innings

The play has been called off due to bad light.

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Over 39 || Score 130/4

A bit of relief for India as in the last ten overs they haven't lost a wicket as both the batsmen – Rohit and Ajinkya – are playing sensibly. Now along with Rohit, Rahane is also settling down. Rohit is playing on 67, whereas Rahane is on 23. Meanwhile, due to bad light, the match has been stopped.

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Over 32 || Score 107/4

In the 32nd over Rohit Sharma took a single off Southee to complete his fifty. It's certainly a gutsy half-century by the talented lad. He used 74 delivers to reach the mark, studded with seven handsome boundaries. India require a big knock form the Mumbai batsman. Ajinkya Rahane is playing along with him as India lost their top order batsmen in quick successions. Meanwhile, India also crossed the mark of 100 runs in 31st over.

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Over 22 || Score 71/4

Murali Vijay Out. It's so far the best delivery of the day. Vijay looked clueless, as his bail flew in the air. What a delivery by Wanger. Murali Vijay got the start but once again failed to capitalise on it to score a big knock. He scored 26 runs in 60 balls before getting out. India is in deep trouble. Ajinkya Rahane is the new man in after the fall of fourth Indian wicket.

M Vijay b Wagner 26 (60b)

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Over 18 || Score 45/3

After losing three quick wickets, Murali Vijay and Rohit Sharma are playing sensible cricket. They are shouldering the balls pitching outside off, but at the same time leaving no opportunity to score on loose deliveries. At the moment Rohit is batting on 16, whereas opener Vijay is on 22.

Indian squad for T20 World Cup, Asia Cup to be picked in Bangalore

The squad for World T20 championship and the Asia Cup are to be picked during the Irani Cup match in Bangalore (from February 9-13 between Ranji champions Karnataka and Rest of India) where all five selectors would be present. The deadline to choose the World T20 team is February 15," BCCI sources said.
   
The preliminary probables' list for the March 16-April 6 World T20 Championship has already been announced by BCCI.
   
India, who won the inaugural World T20 Championship in 2007-08, will open their campaign against arch rivals and 2009 champions Pakistan in a Group 2 fixture on March 21 at the Sher-E-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.
   
They will play their remaining second stage league fixtures on March 23 (v West Indies in Mipur), March 28 (v first stage qualifier in Mirpur) and March 30 (v Australia in Mirpur).
   
The two semifinals are scheduled on April 3 and 4 at the Sher-E-Bangla National Stadium followed by the summit clash at the same venue on April 6.
  
The five-team Asia Cup limited over (50 overs) tournament is to be held from February 25-March 8 in two venues (Fatullah and Mirpur).

Giant Olympic Rings in River Thames London

A barge carrying a magnificent set of giant Olympic rings was launched on the London river to mark 150 days until the start of the Games.Measuring 11 metres (36ft) high and 25 metres (82ft) wide, the glowing display sailed regally through the city centre on a barge pulled along by a tugboat.

Mr Boris Johnson the Mayor of London, said "2012 is one of the most thrilling years in our city’s history and as we welcome the world, we have an unprecedented opportunity to showcase and strengthen London’s outstanding culture and creativity, which are a hugely important part of our economy.From museums to theatre, and music to design, we have a reputation that is second to none and London’s finest artists and organisations are producing an exceptional range of brand new cultural events that will add to the excitement of hosting the Games".

London Olympic Games 2012 venues

Olympic Stadium
An aerial view of the Olympic Stadium. During the 2012 Games in London, the stadium – which seats 80,000 spectators – will host athletic events.

Tennis

An aerial view of Wimbledon, which will host the tennis events during the 2012 Olympic Games.

Manmade whitewater

An aerial view of the Lee Valley White Water Centre, which will host the canoe slalom events during the London Olympics.

Football

An aerial view of Wembley Stadium, which will host soccer events during the 2012 Games.

Lords Cricket Ground

 An aerial view of Cricket Ground, which will host archery events during the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Courtside seats

An interior view of the Handball Arena at London’s Olympic Park. The Handball Arena became the third venue at the Olympic Park to be completed.

Basketball Arena

An interior view of the London 2012 Basketball Arena. Construction on the 12,000-seat basketball arena for 2012 Olympics in London has been completed, just 15 months after building began. The stadium became the fourth venue at Olympic Park to be finished, on budget and in time for the first test event to be held at the site in August.

The Dome

An aerial view of the North Greenwich Arena, also known as The Dome, which will host artistic gymnastics, trampoline, basketball and wheelchair basketball events during the 2012 Olympics in London.