N Srinivasan to return as BCCI chief

The decks were on Sunday cleared for President-in-exile N Srinivasan's possible return to the BCCI top post after a two-judge probe panel found no evidence against his team Chennai Super Kings in the IPL spot-fixing and betting scandal which rocked the sixth edition of the event.

Srinivasan could stage a comeback as BCCI chief as early as August 2 when the Board's Working Committee and the IPL Governing Council meet in New Delhi to take a final call on the issue.

The two-member panel, comprising former High Court Judges T Jayaram Chouta and R Balasubramanian, submitted its report to the BCCI Working Committee which met here today amid intense speculation that the Tamil Nadu strongman could get back the job.

The panel was mandated to enquire into the roles of Srinivasan's son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan, who was the Team Prinicipal of Chennai Super Kings, Rajasthan Royals and its co-owner Raj Kundra.

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The report will now be forwarded to the IPL Governing Council which will take a final decision when it meets on August 2 in New Delhi," BCCI vice-President Niranjan Shah told reporters.

Since the panel's order is binding on the BCCI which makes it clear that Srinivasan will return as Board chief.

Addressing a brief press conference, BCCI interim chief Jagmohan Dalmiya said that the inquiry report will be forwarded to the IPL Governing Council as per the operational rules of the Board.

"IPL

Asked whether India Cements have been given a clean chit in the report, he said, "The final call will be taken in the IPL Governing Council meeting.

"It will be discussed in the proper forum which is the IPL Governing Council. The Governing Council will examine the report and accordingly will take a decision. The copy of the report will be made public in due course," Dalmiya said.

There was, however, no clarity on Srinivasan's son-in-law Gurunath Meiyappan's role in the scandal and it is learnt that the inquiry commission has not given him a "clean chit".

Shah, when asked whether Meiyappan has been given a clean chit, did not give any answer.

According to a source, Meiyappan has been cleared of spot-fixing in the inquiry report but could be involved in betting though there was no clear evidence.

Dalmiya said that the order of the probe commission was received only this morning and speculation that it had come to the BCCI earlier was not correct.

"The order was received by secretary Sanjay Patel here and it was placed in the afternoon before the Working Committee," he said.

Asked who will chair the August 2 meeting, Dalmiya said, "Let Mr Srinivasan decide. Let Srinivasan take his decision." Dalmiya also said that BCCI Anti-Corruption Unit chief Ravi Sawani's report was discussed but since one player -- Ajit Chandila -- is in police custody, the probe could not be completed.

"We will wait for some time and then proceed accordingly. Sawani is currently on leave because of his son's marriage. Let him come back," Dalmiya said.

On who will chair the IPL GC meeting since chairman Rajiv Shukla has resigned, Dalmiya said, "I have requested him to continue. I have not accepted Shukla's resignation." Dalmiya said the BCCI was in the process of finalising the itineraries for the tours of South Africa and New Zealand.

"It is under process. There are other tours also. We will come to you in due time," he said.

Regarding the controversy over India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni's alleged conflict of interest issue, Dalmiya said nothing will be swept under the carpet.

"I had said nothing will be swept under the carpet, many were asking what happened to that...," he said.

"We have changed our mode of working. We don't believe you to be after any player or anybody. Therefore, the players will have to declare their interest in sports management companies."

Talking about Delhi seamer Pradeep Sangwan, who has failed a random dope test conducted during IPL VI, Dalmiya said, "BCCI will follow the procedures as per anti-doping code."

He also said that the annual contract for coaches and support staff for special academies has been renewed for one year.

The IPL spot-fixing scandal broke out when India pacer S Sreesanth, along with two other Rajasthan Royals players Ajit Chandila and Ankeet Chavan and 11 bookies, was arrested for alleged spot-fixing in the IPL.

The contracts of the tainted players were terminated by their franchise, which also lodged a criminal complaint against them.

It snowballed into a crisis for the BCCI when Board President N Srinivasan's son-in-law and Chennai Super Kings Team Principal Meiyappan was arrested on charges of betting on May 26.

A internal probe panel, originally comprising former judges Chouta, Balasubramanian and the then BCCI Secretary Sanjay Jagdale, was constituted on May 28 to investigate the allegations against Meiyappan, who maintained his innocence after getting bail.

Srinivasan, who owns the CSK franchise, remained defiant through the turmoil and refused to resign but had to step aside as BCCI President after a stormy emergent Board meeting on June 2 where Dalmiya took charge of an interim arrangement to run the Board's affairs pending the inquiry.

The upheaval led to the resignations of Board Secretary Sanjay Jagdale and Treasurer Ajay Shirke, who asked for Srinivasan's resignation on moral grounds.

Governing Council will meet on August 2 in New Delhi to take a decision on these issues," Dalmiya said.

There is no evidence of any wrongdoing found by the judges against Raj Kundra, India Cements and Rajasthan Royals.

India beat Zimbabwe by 7 wickets to take unassailable 3-0 lead

HARARE: A disciplined India notched up a convincing seven-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in the third one-day international to secure an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series on Sunday.

Amit Mishra scalped four wickets and skipper Virat Kohli scored an unbeaten 88-ball 68 to emerge as star performers for India as they guided the visitors to their third straight victory in the series.

Mishra led a disciplined show by the bowlers as they dismissed Zimbabwe for a paltry 183 in just 46 overs after Kohli won the toss and decided to bowl.

The visitors overhauled the target in 35.3 overs, riding on Kohli's fifty and useful contributions from Shikhar Dhawan (35), Ambati Rayudu (33) and Suresh Raina (28 not out).

Kohli, who had scored a match-winning 115 in the first ODI, once again led from the front as he starred in three useful partnerships.

He added 40 with Dhawan for the second wicket, before forging a 64-run stand with Rayudu for the third wicket, while it was the unbeaten 56-run partnership off 32 balls with Raina which finally took India home.

Chasing 184 to win, openers Rohit Sharma (14) and Shikhar Dhawan (35) made a watchful start as pacers Brian Vitori and Michael Chinouya bowled in tandem.

Sharma's poor run with the bat in this series continued as he was the first batsman to be sent back to the pavilion when he fell to debutante Chinouya.

Sharma chased a widish length delivery from the pacer only to edge it wicketkeeper Brendan Taylor. The Mumbaikar had scored two fours in his 21 balls.

Dhawan, however, didn't allow Sharma's wicket to affect the run flow as he blasted Vitori over square leg for a four and then pulled him for another boundary in the same area in the seventh over.

First down batsman Virat Kohli took one over to get a feel of the wicket and then brought up his first boundary in the ninth over when he whipped Tendai Chatara across the deep backward square leg fence.

Dhawan then cut one across the cover in the same over to pick up easy runs. The left-handed batsman welcomed Prosper Utseya with a four through the leg side in the 12th over.

His stay was cut short by Chatara in the 15th over when trying to hit a length delivery off the front foot, Dhawan ended up hitting it straight to Sibanda at shortish cover.

Runs dried up after that as Kohli and new man Ambati Rayudu (33) tried to steady the ship, picking up ones and twos. In the 22nd over, Rayudu picked up a much-needed boundary when his thick edge off Utseya went flying past slip.

In the next over, Elton Chigumbura was introduced into the attack and Rayudu and Kohli hit him for two fours.

After the end of 29 overs, India took their batting powerplay but Rayudu lost his wicket when he chipped a pitched up delivery from Vitori straight to the bowler. His 54-ball innings had two fours.

In the 32nd over, Kohli sent Chinouya sailing over deep square leg for a boundary, while new man Suresh Raina too cleared the midwicket boundary in the next over.

Kohli brought up his fifty in the 34th over with a brilliant drive off the front foot, which bisected the mid off and extra cover before clearing the fence.

Three balls later, the India skipper danced down the wicket and smashed Chinouya over wide long off for the first six of Indian innings.

In the next over, Kohli and Raina picked up a couple of fours as India inched towards the win. It was Raina, who blasted a four off Chatara to bring up the final runs.

Earlier, Mishra took four for 47 to help India dismiss Zimbabwe for 183. Mohammed Shami (2/25), Jaydev Unadkat (1/24), Ravindra Jadeja (39) and R Vinay Kumar (1/32) were the other successful bowlers for India.

Sean Williams top-scored for Zimbabwe with 45 off 53 balls.

Leading 2-0 in the five-match series, Kohli's decision to bowl was vindicated as his pacers struck twice in the first two overs at the Harare Sports Club.

While R Vinay Kumar accounted for Vusi Sibanda even before the hosts could open their account, Shami sent back the other-wise reliable Sikander Raza when he had the opener caught behind by Dinesh Karthik.

Hamilton Masakadza (38) and skipper Brendan Taylor (23) added 65 runs for the third wicket to stabilise the innings before Jaydev Unadkat struck with the scoreboard reading 67 for three in the 16th over.

The Zimbabwean captain, who stood his ground after Shami leapt to his left from mid-off to pull off a catch, walked back after the third umpire upheld the on-field umpires' decision. Taylor hit three fours during his 44-ball knock.

Taylor's dismissal was the beginning of slide as Zimbabwe lost three more wickets quickly, with leg-spinner Mishra taking two of them off successive balls.

Coming in to bowl his first over of the match, Mishra tasted success immediately as Masakadza, trying to cut a short of length delivery, edged it to the keeper as the hosts lost their top four batsmen within the first 20 overs. The batsman struck five fours off 53 balls.

Malcolm Waller was out next ball as Mishra had the batsman trapped in front for a golden duck with a googly, leaving the Zimbabweans reeling at 80 for five in the 20th over.

Ravindra Jadeja made it 89 for six as the slow left-arm spinner hit Elton Chigumbura on the pads with one that might have missed the leg stump because of the angle.

Williams then added 36 runs for the seventh wicket with Prosper Utseya (10), before the latter was snared by Shami.

Jadeja's flat throw from the square leg did Williams in as the batsman fell short of the crease at the striker's end after battling it out for 79 minutes. Williams hit two fours and a six during his fighting knock.

The Zimbabwe tail wagged before the innings came to an end.
FULL HIGHLIGHTS  AT ;https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kogJQgiwCA

India push England to third spot in ICC Test rankings

July 8 : South Africa have strengthened their position as the number-one ranked Test side while India move into second position pushing down England to the third spot in the latest rankings released Monday by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
South Africa have gained seven ratings points, lifting them to 135 ratings points - 19 ratings points clear of second-ranked India. Third-ranked England can regain No. 2 spot if they win the Ashes 3-0 or better.
South Africa extended their lead at the top of the table due to their outstanding form in the Test arena, where they have not lost a Test match for 18 months and have not lost a Test series during the entire rankings period.
In 2012-2013 (the period in which results are weighted at 100 per cent), South Africa remained unbeaten, defeating England 2-0, Australia 1-0, New Zealand 2-0 and Pakistan 3-0.
Despite England having won their last two Test series against India, they now find themselves below Mahendra Singh Dhoni's side on account of their less consistent performances in other recent series, in particular against Pakistan (0-3), South Africa (0-2) and away to eighth-ranked New Zealand (0-0).
Also, India's two 0-4 defeats in England and Australia in 2011-12 are now only weighted at 50 per cent, reducing their impact on India's overall rating.
Although England have dropped behind India into third spot, Alastair Cook's team can reclaim the number two spot by winning the upcoming Ashes series, starting July 10 at Trent Bridge, Nottingham.
England need to win by a margin of 3-0 or better to move into second place. On the other hand, if Australia regain the Ashes, they will move up a place to third, bumping England down one place to fourth.
Rankings:
1. South Africa 135 rating points
2. India 116
3. England 112
4. Australia 105
5. Pakistan 102
6. West Indies 99
7. Sri Lanka 88
8. New Zealand 79
9. Bangladesh 10 .

Sri Lanka topple West Indies in 41 over match

Port of Spain, July 9 - Kumar Sangakkara played a stellar knock and contributed to Sri Lanka’s victory over the West Indies in a rain curtailed match that lasted over two days.
Sangakkara smashed 90 off 95 balls, single-handedly taking Sri Lanka to 219 for eight after they resumed from an overnight 60 for three in the fifth match of the tri-series. Rain continued to lash the Queen’s Park Oval on Monday, reducing the contest to 41 overs a side.
The West Indies were set a revised target of 230 runs and they ended up with 190 for nine. A spirited 123-run partnership between Lendl Simmons (67) and Darren Bravo (70) went in vain.
The West Indies ended the league stage of the competition with two wins from four games, garnering nine points.
Sri Lanka too have nine points but have a better run rate and game in hand. They play India here Tuesday ahead of the final July 11. India have five points from three games and find themselves in a must win situation.
The West Indies had an awful start to their chase. Shaminda Eranga and captain Angelo Mathews wrecked the home team’s top order, reducing it to 31 for four in the ninth over and seeing the back of the explosive Chris Gayle (14).
Simmons and Bravo had a task at hand but they found it difficult up the scoring rate. The West Indies were crawling 60 for four in 20 overs, needing another 171 off 126 balls.
As their partnerships progressed, the runs started coming. Simmons was the aggressor, smashing five fours and four big ones during the fifth wicket stand. The target seemed gettable now.
With the rain expected anytime and West Indies behind the Duckword-Lewis score, Simmons attempted another six only to be holed out at deep cover.
Stand-in captain Kieron Pollard came in next and his innings lasted just four balls, continuing his dry run in the tournament. The West Indies were left with too much to score towards the end.
Earlier, Sangakkara helped Sri Lanka post a fighting total after two spells of rain shortened the game.
Sangakkara got support from Matthews (30) in a match being played over two days due to rain.
A passing shower delayed the match start. The game was reduced to 45 overs a side before the teams got on the field.
The play could only last for 12 overs as rain hit the ground again, leaving Sri Lanka at 122 for four in 23 overs. Sangakkara was on 40 and Mathews 17.
The match was further curtailed to 41 overs when Sri Lanka came out to bat again.
The disruption did not help the visiting side which found it tough to settle against West Indies speedsters.
Kemar Roach (4/27), who struck twice in his lethal spell Sunday, continued to trouble the batsmen removing Mathews and Jeevan Mendis in the same over. Sri Lanka now were 147 for six in 35 overs.
Sangakkara was still in the middle and he gave some much needed impetus to the innings.
While Roach was out of the attack, the southpaw punished Tino Best for bowling loose balls, smacking him for a six and four. In all, he collected six boundaries and a maximum. (IANS)

Tri-series: India beat Windies to stay alive in tournament

Put into bat, stand-in skipper Virat Kohli blasted India to 311/7 in 50 overs with a terrific 102 off 83 balls against which the hosts could only manage 171 in 34 overs after the target was revised to 274 from 39 overs due to a long rain delay during the West Indies innings.

The hosts still lead the standings with nine points while Sri Lanka and India are both tied on five each, with India bagging four points for winning and one bonus point Friday. However, Sri Lanka have a better net run rate which keeps them second in the table.

Rohit Sharma (46) and Shikhar Dhawan (69) provided India with a solid start as they struck a 123-run opening wicket partnership. The duo laid the foundation hitting the Windies bowlers for 13 boundaries and two sixes together before the left-handed Dhawan was caught at deep square leg, which started a middle-order batting collapse.

Sharma also got out soon and was followed by Suresh Raina (10), Dinesh Karthik (6), Murali Vijay (27) and Ravindra Jadeja (2), none of whom could capitalise on the start.

The West Indies bowlers, smelling blood, also capitalised on the chance by bringing down the run rate.

However, leading his country for the second time, Kohli stuck to his ground and kept the scoreboard ticking.

After Jadeja got out with the score 221/6 in the 42nd over, in came Ravichandran Ashwin who provided excellent support to his captain and the pair took India out from a spot of bother to a 300-par score.

Kohli and Ashwin struck a 90-run seventh wicket partnership off just 50 balls to power India to 311. In the process, Delhi boy Kohli scored his 14th One-Day International (ODI) ton which included 13 boundaries and two sixes.

Tino Best scalped two wickets while Kemar Roach, Dwayne Bravo, Marlon Samuels and Kieron Pollard chipped in with a wicket each.

In reply, the hosts never took off as their explosive opener Chris Gayle was caught behind cheaply for 10 runs.

Left hand bat Darren Bravo (1) also got caught in first slip before rain stopped play with the score at 56/2 in 10 overs.

After the delay and with a revised target, opener Johnson Charles (45) looked to lead the chase but, first lost partners and then got out himself.

The rain had also changed the dynamics of the pitch and the Indian bowlers chanced upon it to regularly clinch Windies wickets, so much so that the hosts were six down before they even reached 100.

The middle-order completely collapsed with only skipper Dywane Bravo (14) getting double figures.

However from 113/8, Kemar Roach (34) and Sunil Narine (21) knocked a few lusty blows to try and deny India the bonus point, scoring 58 runs for the eighth wicket before Jadeja took the last two scalps to seal the deal for India.

Indian pacers Bhuvneshwar Kumar (3/29), Umesh Yadav (3/32) and Ishant Sharma (2/30) were in their elements as they not only took wickets frequently, they were also quite economical.

All-rounder Parvez Rasool,becomes first cricketer from Jammu & Kashmir to be selected for India

Parvez Rasool, 24, walked into the local school ground for practice on a sweltering Friday afternoon not knowing it would one be the happiest days of his life. When his friend broke the news of his selection in the Indian team for the upcoming tour of Zimbabwe, Rasool knelt down to thank the Almighty.

“It is a big moment for Bijbehara and J&K at large. I had good season this year having scored 594 runs and taken 33 wickets. My hard work has paid off.

Thanks to Almighty Allah,” a jubilant Rasool, told dna after becoming the first cricketer from Jammu & Kashmir to be selected for India and for the ‘A’ tour of South Africa.

The Valley is ecstatic at the rise of its new hero. Rasool had a torrid time when he was detained by the Bangalore police on suspected terror charges in 2009, days before an under-22 match in the CK Nayudu tournament. The police had suspected him of carrying explosives, an allegation which was proved wrong.

“It was a nightmare, but we have left it behind. We are looking at the future,” said Abdul Qayoom, Rasool’s coach.

On Friday, hundreds of Rasool’s friends and supporters gathered around him, congratulating him on his achievement. Some lifted him on his shoulders and took a lap of the ground; others cheered lustily when Rasool was later taken to his residence in what was nothing short of a procession. 

“My parents are very excited that I have been selected for Team India. It is a big day for them because they have backed me all along. My father is a cricketer himself and did everything so that I could play my game,” an emotional Rasool said.


“Parvez Rasool has made it to the team on the back of a very strong
performance in recent months; his being a Kashmiri is incidental,” he tweeted.
Rasool’s mentor Bishen Singh Bedi said his real test begins now.

Rasool represented the Pune Warriors in IPL-6 and earned the respect of his clan when he refused to promote a liquor brand. He used a duct tape to cover the firm’s logo on his jersey during the matches.

Jammu & Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah too showered praise on the youngster.

Ashok Dinda to wed cricket-loving fiancee on July 22

Indian cricketer Ashok Dinda is set to marry his sweetheart, Sreyasi Rudra. The wedding is on July 22 at Chinsurah, a Kolkata suburb. Dinda's reception will be at a Kolkata club on July 24.

Dinda met Sreyasi at a friend's residence four years ago and it was not love at first sight.

"We met again after a few years at a party and I liked her, but we did not exchange numbers. After our third meeting, I took her number from a friend and we kept in touch. She is the most sober girl I've ever met. I made her meet my mom one and half years ago. I gave her hints about my feelings then, but she brushed me off. I kept pursuing her till she gave in," Dinda told a newspaper.

Sreyasi, a software engineer, and Dinda decided to wed during this year's IPL. A July date was fixed since that's a lean season for cricket. "Later, I would get busy with matches, so this was the best time," said the fast bowler from Bengal.

Unlike many wives of cricket stars, Sreyasi comes from a family of cricket enthusiasts. "So, I had no option but to love cricket. Even my 86-year-old grandmother is mad about cricket," says Sreyasi.

Dinda has played 13 ODIs and nine T20 internationals for India. He is yet to play a Test match and the 29-year old currently represents Pune Warriors in the Indian Premier League, having earlier played for Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Daredevils.

'Drunk' Sri Lankan player misbehaves on flight

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has ordered an inquiry into reports that an unnamed member of the country's A team player misbehaved on a British Airways flight while being drunk.
"...Sri Lanka Cricket wishes to announce that it is disappointed to hear of such an incident and SLC will discuss with the Manager of Sri Lanka 'A' Team. An inquiry will be conducted based on the Manager's report and disciplinary action will be taken on the player concerned if found guilty," a SLC statement said.

Media reports said a drunken Sri Lankan cricketer caused panic on a packed British Airways flight when he tried to open the cabin door at 35,000ft.
The Sri Lanka A team was on a tour of the West Indies playing two four-day 'Tests' and 50-over and Twenty20 internationals.
Later Sri Lanka cricket issued a fresh statement in which they provided details of the incident.
"The team has boarded the flight BA 2158 from Grenada. The incident took place around midnight during the flight. The player concerned namely Ramith Rambukwella had tried to use the toilet. Due to the dim lights in the cabin the player has mistakenly tried to open one of cabin doors thinking it was the toilet door," a SLC statement said

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhhy5E_yocY