PCB to appeal against Ajmal's suspension

"The ban on Ajmal is a big blow to Pakistan cricket and we will appeal against the decision," PCB Chairman Shaharyar Khan said in an instant reaction to the news of the ban.
   
PCB bigwigs and the national team manager and chief selector Moin Khan went into a emergency meeting at the Gaddafi stadium to chalk out a future strategy.
   
"We don't know the exact details but Saeed has the option of also working on his action and taking fresh tests when he is ready," Khan said.
   
"What we know is that the ICC has recently changed its protocol on testing bowlers with suspect actions and other bowlers have also been reported. We could appeal in two weeks time," he noted.
   
Pakistan's former captain, Rashid Latif said he was expecting a suspension on Ajmal, all of whose deliveries were found to be illegal.
   
"The ICC has come down hard on bowlers with even minor issues in their action and it appears things have changed from the past when leniency was shown by match officials and umpires," he said.
   
Latif said Ajmal has no option but to work on modifying his action and going for a fresh test before the World Cup.
   
"The domestic cricket season is also starting soon so he has the platform to work on his action."
   
A senior board official said that the board had already made up its mind to have experts work on Ajmal's action and hope he passes the ICC tests before the World Cup.
   
Ajmal, the top spinner in world cricket for the last three years, is not the first Pakistani bowler to be reported for a suspect bowling action as before him Shoaib Akhtar, Shabbir Ahmed, Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik have all been reported as well.
   
But Ajmal is the first Pakistani bowler under the new ICC protocols to be banned from bowling in  international cricket. He was reported during the first Test against Sri Lanka at Galle last month.
   
Pakistan's former chief selector and coach, Mohsin Khan said he was disappointed by the ban on Saeed Ajmal.
   
"He is a big asset for us and the PCB should now use all its resources to get him back into international cricket. I know no player is indispensable but if he is not available for the World Cup it will badly hit our chances of doing well there," Mohsin said.

Source:Latest News from Sports News

Team India regain top ICC ODI rankings spot

टेस्ट सीरीज में इंग्लैंड के खिलाफ करारी हार के बाद अब शायद धीरे-धीरे टीम इंडिया वापस पटरी में लौटने लगी है। बस फर्क इतना है कि भारत की वापसी का जरिया वनडे क्रिकेट बना है। रविवार का दिन टीम इंडिया के लिए बेहद खास रहा। आखिर कौन सा तोहफा मिला टीम इंडिया को, आइए जानते हैं।

रविवार को हरारे में मेजबान टीम जिंबॉब्वे ने सभी को चौंकाते हुए ऑस्ट्रेलिया जैसी टीम पर 31 साल बाद ऐतिहासिक जीत दर्ज की। इस जीत के साथ ही जिंबॉब्वे की टीम ने ना सिर्फ अपने फैंस को खुशी दी बल्कि भारतीय फैंस के चेहरों पर भी मुस्कान बिखेर दी। जिंबॉब्वे की इस जीत के साथ उसने ऑस्ट्रेलिया को झटका दिया जिस वजह से अब वे आइसीसी वनडे रैंकिंग्स में तीसरे स्थान पर खिसक गया है। इसका फायदा टीम इंडिया को मिला और दूसरे नंबर पर मौजूद भारतीय टीम ने पहले स्थान पर एक बार फिर कब्जा जमा लिया है। इससे पहले दक्षिण अफ्रीका ने भी ऑस्ट्रेलिया को मात दी थी। इंग्लैंड के खिलाफ वनडे सीरीज में लगातार दो मुकाबले जीतने का भी टीम इंडिया को फायदा मिला और अब वे वापस पटरी पर लौटते नजर आने लगे हैं।

- ताजा आइसीसी वनडे रैंकिंगः

1. भारत - 114 रेटिंग अंक

2. दक्षिण अफ्रीका - 113 रेटिंग अंक

3. ऑस्ट्रेलिया - 111 रेटिंग अंक

4, श्रीलंका - 111 रेटिंग

5. इंग्लैंड - 106 रेटिंग अंक

6. पाकिस्तान - 100 रेटिंग अंक

7. न्यूजीलैंड - 98 रेटिंग अंक

8. वेस्टइंडीज - 96 रेटिंग अंक

9. बांग्लादेश - 69 रेटिंग अंक

10. जिंबॉब्वे - 58 रेटिंग अंक

11. अफगानिस्तान - 12 रेटिंग अंक

12. आयरलैंड - 33 रेटिंग अंक

Source: Cricket News Hindi and Newspaper

Paes-Stepanek advance to third round of US Open

The sixth seeded pairing defeated Chinese Taipei's Yen Hsun-Lu and Czech Republic's Jiri Vesley 7-6 (3) 6-3 in a contest which lasted an hour and 23 minutes.
   
In the intensely contested opening set, both the teams exchanged a break of serve and were guilty of committing an equal number of unforced errors.
   
Lu and Vesley, however, gave away easy points by committing as many as four double faults, eventually falling short in the tie-breaker.
    
But Paes and Stepanek dominated the second set, clinching two break points and being distinctly better on their second serve.
   
The sixth seeds will next take on the winners of the match between 11th-seeded Spanish pair of Marcel Granollers and Marc Lopez and the Dutch team of Robin Haase and Igor Sisling.
   
In the junior competition, Ojasvinee Singh entered the second round of qualifiers after beating local favourite Alexandra Sanford 6-3 6-2.

Find more Latest News from Sports News

Suspected bookie showed exit door during second ODI

अंतरराष्ट्रीय क्रिकेट में सट्टेबाजों की लिप्तता का डर एक बार फिर भारत और इंग्लैंड के बीच दूसरे वनडे के दौरान सामने आया। रिपोर्टों के अनुसार पुलिस अधिकारियों ने एक दर्शक को कथित रूप से 'उप महाद्वीपिय' सट्टेबाजों को सूचना देने के कारण बाहर निकाल दिया।

रिपोर्ट के अनुसार इंग्लैंड एवं वेल्स क्रिकेट बोर्ड (ईसीबी) के भ्रष्टाचार रोधी इकाई (एसीएसयू) के प्रमुख क्रिस वाट्स ने पुष्टि की कि पुलिस ने एक दर्शक को 'टिकट की शर्तों का उल्लंघन' करने के लिए स्टेडियम से बाहर कर दिया गया। लाइव फीड में कुछ सेकेंड के लिए देरी हो गई थी (सामान्यत गेंद फेंकने के बाद), सट्टेबाजी बाजार में मैदान पर अंदरूनी सूचना के मुताबिक हेराफेरी की जा सकती है।

रिपोर्ट के अनुसार, 'माना जा रहा था कि कार्डिफ में यह व्यक्ति भारतीय पारी के दौरान दो लैपटॉप और एक मोबाइल फोन का इस्तेमाल कर रहा था, जिसके बाद उसे मैदान से बाहर कर दिया गया। ईसीबी भ्रष्टाचार रोधी इकाई के एक अतिरिक्त अधिकारी के सीरीज के अंतिम तीन वनडे में मौजूद होने की संभावना है।'

Source: Cricket News in Hindi and Newspaper

Van Gaal says ‘record signing’ Di Maria won't provide instant fix to Untied’s woes

The Dutchman was speaking after United's humiliating 4-0 loss at third-tier Milton Keynes Dons in the League Cup second round had compounded their terrible start to the campaign.
              
"I think that he (Di Maria) can contribute and that is very important but we don't have to expect that from tomorrow our world has changed," Van Gaal told a British channel after the Argentina international signed for 59.7 million pounds (USD 98.77 million).
              
"He has to adapt to the culture of England, the culture of the Premier League and the philosophy of Manchester United,” he added.
              
"He shall contribute very much in our way of playing. He is a creative player. I can change the system with Di Maria. He can play as a winger and he can also play in midfield," he said.
              
The experienced Van Gaal has yet to fashion a win during his three competitive matches in charge of United this season.
              
Their thrashing by MK Dons followed a 2-1 defeat against Swansea City, United's first opening day loss at home since 1972, and a 1-1 draw against Sunderland in the Premier League.
              
Van Gaal praised the reaction he got from the Old Trafford faithful during the reverse to Swansea and urged them to remain patient as he looks to reshape his struggling team.
              
"(The fans) have to believe in our philosophy," he said.

"We are building up a team that you cannot make in one month or even one year. It (Tuesday's defeat) is very disappointing but I hope they shall maintain their confidence in the club, and in our philosophy because that philosophy takes time,” he added.
              
"We know exactly what we are doing. We have lost in the Capital One Cup, and so tonight (Tuesday) has cost us the chance of a trophy, and that is disappointing,” he further said.
              
United's next game is a trip to promoted Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday.

Find Latest News from Sports News

A check for linguistic discrimination

The controversy arisen out of UPSC’s CSAT pattern even after 67 years of Independence once again put a stamp on the subject that Hindi and other languages are facing neglect since a long time. The kind of dominance, which existed in the context of English during British Rule, is still prevalent in India. It’s indeed quite disappointing that this very mind-set has not changed that English is synonymous with knowledge. What’s unfortunate is our policy makers often boast of derailment and degradation of Indian languages and though vernacular languages are not seen with ignorance these days, it’s also true that these languages have yet to make a place for themselves in government functioning especially at the top level. If the CSAT paper of preliminary examination, which has been considered mandatory for testing administrative skill since 2011, is being seen as the basis to discriminate between Hindi and other languages, there are some concrete reasons behind that as well. The results of past three years have made it clear that the number of students clearing UPSC exams in Hindi and other Indian languages have come down all of a sudden. It’s the main reason behind thousands of students in the national capital were compelled to take their anger into streets. 

It’s not proper that English language should be at helm in bureaucracy and judiciary and other languages will keep on languishing in the fringes. English has always been given a push and priority not only in public sectors but also in private sectors. Since proper policies are not being implemented, especially when it comes to promotion and development of languages, the nation is witnessing emergence of societies of diverse nature. First, that very section, which is fluent in English and climbing top positions by dint of their command over the language and another section which is still loitering in a clueless manner mainly since they have learnt Indian languages.  This scenario exists at such a time when the percentage of people having command over English across the country stands at just 10 percent. But what’s surprising is that this smaller section of the population has gone on to dominate the remaining 90 percent. It can’t be denied that in the contemporary era, knowledge of English is quite important and at the same time, it needs to be understood that language can’t be the sole yardstick of knowledge. The irony of the matter is that the unnecessary inclination towards English language is confined not only to cities but also to rural areas where proficiency in English is projected as the sure shot measure to success.

The students, who are protesting against CSAT, deserve sympathy. Not only because English language can have an impact on their process of selection in the civil services exams but also because the kind of education they have pursued right from the outset did not make them that much compatible to face stiffer challenges. If the students who studied in Hindi or other Indian languages are finding themselves weaker before those who have been taught in English, our educational system is only to be blamed. Why our educational system could not make them competent enough so that they can crack civil services examinations in the language they have been taught? Why it’s often assumed that there is a little scope of development of a student’s personality and caliber in other languages apart from English? There is also another question – if students’ requests are taken into consideration, will it cover up the flaws in our educational system? The issue is not just confined to CSAT but that very education which is failing to impart knowledge to students in a proper manner and hence, is not becoming a factor in personality development. There is one more reality associated with our society, which is divided on the basis of language. People who are well-versed in English are more prosperous compared to those whose knowledge of the language is not that good. The situation is such that discrimination is seen among the employees on the basis of proficiency over English in the same organization. Those who are well-versed with the language register a faster growth and the others are subjected to indifferent behavior. This is creating a feeling of neglect in them.

Our policymakers need to deliberate on this subject that why Indian languages have been subjected to discrimination of this magnitude? This has happened mainly because the government refrained from replacing English with Hindi as official language and promoting other Indian languages after Independence. A nation develops in a fast paced manner only when there is only one or two language to carry out all government functioning. In the presence of more languages, not only it creates problem in communication but also leaves an impact on administrative capabilities and hampers productivity.  In this context, the situation of India is quite strange as states have been formed on the basis of language and there are several states as well where multiple languages are spoken. In such a scenario, Hindi could have replaced English but due to narrow minded approach of some leaders and mainly because of their opposition, this idea was dropped. Its disastrous consequences are now out in open in front of all. Since government as well as private sectors basically depends on English, its acceptance is also widely growing and this is happening at the expense of Hindi and other Indian languages. What could be more unfortunate then no concrete step coming to the fore to make Hindi the national language especially when the language is reaching out to each and every corner through media, cinema and other forms of entertainment? The politicians need to ask this question themselves that whether they want to see Hindi or English as national language? If their prime aim is to establish English as India’s national language then they will have to get rid of their gammon of promoting and pushing Hindi.

The controversy on CSAT has not only kicked-off a debate over language but also raised questions over issues related to social justice. The issue of reservation, which was seen as a medium to bringing in social equality has been reduced to a prime ammo of vote-bank politics. If the questions related to language are solved and Hindi, along with other languages get their well-deserved weightage, the subject of reservation can be rendered ineffective to a considerable extent. It needs to be mentioned here that the section that are not well versed with English is languishing in backwaters and their lack of command over the language is acting as a major impediment in moving towards the path of development. The nation can’t progress by deviating away from its cultures and traditions and social equality can’t be brought as well.  In such a scenario, we need to take such measures to ensure that Indian languages don’t fall victim to discrimination and receive all the glory and respect it deserves. By making Hindi the official language, we can restore and rekindle the lost confidence among people. This will eventually lead to the materialization of the concept of one India – best India.

(An original copy of the article published in Hindi on July 27, 2014 translated by the English editorial. The author is the Group Editor of Dainik Jagran)

Source: Latest News & Latest India News

View more: Latest Political News India & Business News & Technology News & Auto News and Gold Price Today

Rajnath Singh launches Web application of Delhi Police

Motivating the Delhi Police to work effectively and efficiently Rajnath said, “Delhi Police should ensure the honour of uniform with their high quality of conduct.”

“Officers should earn greater faith and confidence of the people through delivery of work,” he added.

Rajnath also ensured Delhi Police officials of all the support to mordanise their system.

“Government will provide all assistance and guidance to make the Delhi Police as the most modern police of the country,” said Rajnath.

The Home Minister mentioned that the difficulties experienced by the people to obtain PCC will be addressed with the issuing of this certificate electronically.

He further mentioned that annually about one lakh people are expected to benefit with this scheme.

Expressing full confidence in Delhi Police Rajnath congratulated the force for adopting high technology in policing.

Earlier, Commissioner of Delhi Police B S Bassi also explained different e-applications adopted by the Delhi Police in the sectors of lodging of reports of lost items and a cell phone based application by the traffic unit of Delhi Police.

Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, Najeeb Jung, Home Secretary, Anil Goswami, Director, Intelligence Bureau (DIB), Syed Asif Ibrahim, Chief Secretary of Delhi, S K Shrivastava and other senior officials of MHA and Delhi Police were also present on this occasion.

Source: Latest News & Latest India News

View more: Latest Political News India & Business News & Technology News & Auto News and Gold Price Today

3rd Test: Anderson strikes again to scalps Dhoni, India six-down against England

Chasing an improbable target of 445, India were tottering at 112 for four at stumps with Ajinkya Rahane and Rohit Sharma batting on 18 and 6 respectively.

India still require 333 on the final day but more realistically have little chance of preventing England from
equalizing the series with only six wickets in hand.

With Murali Vijay (12), Shikhar Dhawan (37), Cheteshwar Pujara (2) and Virat Kohli (28) back in the confines of the dressing room , the remaining batsmen need to bat out of their skin in order to save the match.

After being all-out for 330 in their first innings, India conceded a huge first innings lead of 269 runs but Alastair Cook decided against enforcing the follow-on in order to give his tired bowlers some recovery time.

England scored at a quick clip to score 205 for four in 40.4 overs before declaring with a lead of 444 runs.

Teams:

India: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt/wk), M Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Panjak Singh, Mohammed Shami.

England: Alastair Cook (capt), Sam Robson, Gary Ballance, Ian Bell, Joe Root, Moeen Ali, Jos Buttler (wk), Chris Jordan, Stuart Broad, Chris Woakes, James Anderson.

Source: Cricket News Today

Social groups condemn police role in Badaun gang-rape

The groups lashed out at the lackadaisical approach of police and insensitive comments of Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, after the two girls were found hanging from a tree.

The Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI) condemned the role of police officers in shielding the accused.

"There can be no hope of preventing or minimizing rape if our law enforcers are apathetic to it. A message must be sent that this kind of criminality will not be tolerated, particularly against minors, by ensuring that all the penal provisions on gang rape and murder are invoked, including the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012," a statement said.

As per reports, when the parents of the girls approached police to file a complaint, the officials refused to do so and sent them away, asking them not to worry.

Ruchira Gupta, founder and president of NGO Apne Aap Women Worldwide, echoed similar sentiments and stressed the need to hold police accountable.

"To stop rape, we need police to be held accountable. As long as police are part of the problem, poor, low caste women have nowhere to turn to for justice from men who rape them, buy and sell them," Gupta said in a statement.

"Even police believe that poor low caste women should be sexually available. There is an urgent need for police reforms and urgent need for section 166 A to challenge India's rape culture," she said, referring to the section in the Indian Penal Code that deals with a public official disobeying the law.

The groups feel police revamping is necessary.

"Unless there is a full examination of the chain of command and police is not revamped from top to toe, these tragedies will continue to occur," said CHRI director Maja Daruwala in a statement.

NGO ActionAid hailed Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi's quick response seeking a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation and setting up of a rape crisis cell.

"We welcome the speedy and sensitive response from Maneka Gandhi who has promised that a 'rape crisis cell' will be set up which has been a long standing demand of women's rights groups," Sehjo Singh, ActionAid India's programme and policy director, said in a statement.

Expressing concern on the low rate of conviction, Singh said, "The extremely low conviction rates send out a signal to perpetrators that they are free to act with impunity and can deter women from reporting rape and other crimes of sexual violence."..

Source: Latest News

Badal to meet Narendra Modi with development plan for Punjab

Interacting with mediapersons on the sidelines of 'Sangat Darshan' programme in Talwandi Sabo Assembly segment here, Badal said he would soon meet Modi and Union Ministers in New Delhi to apprise them about the special needs of Punjab, which had "suffered" adversely due to the "step-motherly" treatment of the

Congress-led UPA government.

The Chief Minister alleged that the state government's plan to develop Punjab was "deliberately sabotaged" by the previous Union government.

"But now, with the formation of the NDA government at the Centre, the development of the state would get a major boost," he said.

Punjab government officials have already been asked to prepare a detailed plan regarding the development of the state and the problems faced by it so that maximum benefit could be taken from the grants under the various Central schemes, the Chief Minister said.

"The country in general and Punjab in particular has a lot of hopes from Modi," Badal said.
"Modi is a decisive and visionary Prime Minister of India and he will certainly work hard to realise the cherished dreams of every man of the country," added Badal.

Source: Latest News 

Smriti appeals to DU to reinstate officials suspended for leaking her documents

“In public life one should be open to scrutiny and criticism. So am I,” Irani said on Twitter.

“Since DU is an autonomous institution I have put forth my personal appeal to the VC to reinstate the officials,” she added.
Meanwhile, Congress general secretary Digvijay Singh welcomed the HRD Minister’s decision.

“Thanks Smriti for appealing to VC DU for reinstating DU officials. Now let people of this Country know your actual Educational Qualification,” Singh said on Twitter.

The senior Congress leader had earlier in the day condemned the move to suspend the five officials of Delhi University.

“ 5 officials of Delhi University suspended for leaking HRD Minster's educational qualification details! Does this Govt believe in transparency,” he tweeted.

Five non-teaching staff members of Delhi University were suspended for allegedly leaking purported documents relating to undergraduate course admission and admit card of Irani whose educational qualification is caught up in a row.

"DU's School of Open Learning has suspended five people on the suspicion that they entered a confidential domain and accessed documents which were leaked," University sources had said earlier...

Source: Latest News

Mumbai still optimistic of hosting IPL final

It is to be noted that the IPL Governing Council on May 10 decided to shift the final of the IPL from Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai to M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore. The final will be played on June 1.

An emergency meeting of the MCA was held on Monday during which it was decided that the association will write a letter to the IPL GC asking for reasons for the shift. "We have not received anything in writing about shifting the final away from Mumbai," MCA joint secretary PV Shetty told dna.

"We did not know the actual reasons as to why it was shifted. Our vice-president Ravi Savant has spoken with BCCI interim president for the duration of the IPL, Sunil Gavaskar about the issue. Gavaskar will talk to the members of the IPL GC and get back to us on Tuesday. We are very optimistic of the IPL final coming back to Mumbai," he said.

Nitin Dalal, joint secretary, MCA, said: "We have asked them for the reasons. We are waiting for their reply. We can get the required permissions from the authorities. As a special case, the Mumbai police will help us with the necessary permissions including the late night noise."..

Source: Cricket News in Hindi

From delhidailynews News

Maria Sharapova joins Li Na to move into third round of Madrid Open

Johannesburg: Russian ace Maria Sharapova has joined Chinese star Li Na in moving into the third round of the women's Madrid Open following their respective second round wins on Tuesday.

Sharapova, who won her first tournament of the season on her return to clay in Stuttgart two weeks ago, reeled off five straight games to beat world number 57 Christina McHale from USA 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 in fine form.

According to Sport24, Sharapova has set up a meeting with either Spain's Garbine Muguruza or 2011 US Open champion Sam Stosur in the last 16...

Source: Sports News in Hindi

From dna News

Rajasthan hold edge against Hyderabad

 Up against an outfit that is struggling to stay afloat, fancied Rajasthan Royals will look to consolidate their position in the pecking order when they lock horns with Sunrisers Hyderabad in the ongoing seventh Indian Premier League (IPL) in Ahmedabad on Wednesday.

Rajasthan Royals staged a dramatic fight back to down Kolkata Knight Riders by 10 runs in their last match, while Sunrisers Hyderabad were overshadowed by Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Led by inspiring Australian all-rounder Shane Watson, Rajasthan are placed third in the points table with five wins and two reverses, while the Southern team is struggling to keep their chances alive in the competition having already suffered four defeats in six games to be placed seventh in the eight-team cash-rich tournament.

Watson has always been the key man in the RR set-up and it will be no different this time around. The Aussie, who struck a 20-ball 31 to go with his 3/21 with the ball, will look to do better with the willow at the Sardar Patel Stadium in Motera. ..

Source: Cricket News in Hindi

From TH News

Groin Injury Rules Out Wayne Rooney Against Hull City

Wayne Rooney will miss Manchester United's final home game of the season against Hull City on Tuesday after being ruled out with a groin injury. Rooney was sidelined for Saturday's 1-0 loss to Sunderland due to a combination of the groin problem and a stomach bug.

It was initially believed the England forward would be fit for United's Old Trafford finale, but interim manager Ryan Giggs revealed on Monday that the 28-year-old has still not recovered. "Wayne is probably struggling for the game. He's not quite recovered. We'll continue to monitor him," Giggs told MUTV.

Reports last week claimed Rooney was confident his fitness problems would not affect his chances of being ready to shine at the World Cup. England manager Roy Hodgson is due to announce his squad next week for the tournament in Brazil.

Rooney's absence for the Hull game means Dutch striker Robin van Persie could make his first start in seven weeks as he has now fully recovered from a knee injury...

Source: Sports News in Hindi

From ndtv News

Virat Kohli Retains Top Spot in ODI Rankings

Virat Kohli has retained his top spot in the ICC rankings of ODI batsmen while his compatriot Ravindra Jadeja is among the top-five in the rankings for both bowlers and all-rounders.

India remained second in the list of teams with 112 points as Australia maintained their top rank with 115 points.

Kohli, with 881 points, topped the list of the batsmen, followed by South African A.B. de Villiers with 872 points.

Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni was sixth with 783 points while Shikhar Dhawan was ranked eighth with 723 points.

In bowling, Jadeja remained at fifth position with 676 points while Ravichandran Ashwin was 14th. Among all-rounders, Jadeja is ranked fourth.

Source: Cricket News in Hindi 

From indiawest News

IPL 2014: Mumbai Indians vs Kings XI Punjab – Live Score

As expected, Kings XI Punjab are fielding an unchanged XI, while Mumbai Indians have left out left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha for talented seamer Jasprit Bumrah.

Mumbai XI:

Ben Dunk, Rohit Sharma (capt.), Corey Anderson, Ambati Rayudu, Keiron Pollard, Aditya Tare, Harbhajan Singh, Chidhambaram Gautam (wk), Jasprit Bumrah, Zaheer Khan, Lasith Malinga

Punjab XI:

Cheteshwar Pujara, V Sehwag, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Glenn Maxwell, David Miller, George Bailey (capt.), Rishi Dhawan, Mitchell Johnson, Akshar Patel, Lakshmipathy Balaji, Sandeep Sharma

Toss:

Punjab skipper, George Bailey won the toss and have opted to bat first. Rohit Sharma also said, they would have also like to bat first as the pitch is dry.

===================================================

Mumbai: On paper, they are all tigers and lions. It`s altogether another story that only a few live up to their colours, rather stripes. The match-up between Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab will pit two such teams with names and claims galore, albeit with some historical difference.

What has happened so far this season has once again underlined the fact that, past is not present. Mumbai Indians won the tournament last time around. But in 2014, they have found themselves wanting in almost every field. Whereas, Kings XI Punjab – historically one of the under-performing teams in the Indian Premier League, have won all there five matches so far and have truly blossomed as a perfect team.

But, what happened during the UAE-leg can no longer be considered the basis to out-rightly dismiss the Rohit Sharma-led squad from the reckoning. Now onwards, the tournament will be played in India, at home, with fans, noise and new zeal. In fact, the Mumbai franchise have won all their eight matches at Wankhede Stadium in 2013. And today, they welcome the pace-setters in their lair. And what spurred them to such a perfect record was the combination of these factors. So, the question is: Will Wankhede help Mumbai regain their lost touch?....

Source: Cricket News in Hindi

From Znews

Sania-Cara pair reach Portugal Open final

 Sania Mirza alongwith her doubles partner Cara Black stormed into the finals of the Portugal Open with a straight-set victory over third seeded American pair of Liezel Huber and Lisa Raymond in Oeiras.

Continuing their fabulous run, the top seeded combo of Sania and Cara took an hour and 14 minutes to get the better of their American rivals, 6-4 6-3 at the $250,000 clay court event.

First set saw the Indo-Zimbabwean pair struggle a bit, as they could convert only three of the eight breakpoints they got but they managed to held their nerves to finally win it.

In the second set, two decisive breaks of serve enabled Sania and Cara to wrap up the match comfortably in their favour...

Source: Sports News in Hindi

From TH News

South African fans upset over Proteas Test squad losing number one ranking

The Proteas losing their No 1 status in Test cricket to Australia has caused somewhat of an uproar among South African cricket fans.

According to Sport 24, prior to South Africa's home Test series against Australia earlier this year, it was widely reported that the hosts would not lose their No 1 status even if they came unstuck in the three-Test series.

Australia duly won the series 2-1 to move past India into second spot, but still trailed South Africa (127 points) by 12 ratings points.

Now, South Africa finds itself ranked second, because as of May 1, a new two-year cycle in the ICC rankings has started, which saw results from the 2010/11 season dropped from the calculation. Also, results from the 2012/13 season are now reduced to a weighting of 50 percent.

This has enabled Australia to gain eight ratings points to move up from 115 to 123, while South Africa dropped from 127 to be level on 123, but Australia are ahead by a fraction of a point...

Source: Cricket News in Hindi

From BS News

Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova set for Miami WTA final rematch

Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams will have a rematch of their 2013 final in the Miami WTA semi-finals on Thursday after both advanced in formidable style on Tuesday.

Sharapova, who has not beaten the world number one American since 2004 and has lost 14 consecutive matches in the rivalry, regained her big-match confidence after twice being pushed to three sets by defeating Petra Kvitova 7-5, 6-1.

Top seed Williams pounded German fifth seed Angelique Kerber 6-2, 6-2, taking 62 minutes and ending with seven aces and four breaks of serve in windy conditions.

"When the wind picked up I just had to concentrate," said Williams, who holds six Miami titles. "I felt better today than in any of my other matches.

"When you're facing a top-10 player, you have to lift your game, That's what I was able to do."..

Source: Sports News in Hindi

From ndtv News