When India played their last time, the two four day games were played at Rustenberg and Pretoria while the tri-series was entirely played in Pretoria. The 'Test' series was drawn 1-1 while List A tri-series was won by India. The current tour has been scheduled after the 10th edition of Indian Premier League where all the top players are expected to play. "The A tours give ideal opportunity to the performers in domestic cricket to showcase their talent. Look at the likes of Priyank Panchal, who has scored over 1000 runs or youngsters like Rishabh Pant and Ishan Kishan who have caught the attention -- the selectors will get a chance to test if they are ready for the next level or not," a top BCCI source said.
'Quiet back channel advice will probably be rendered by Saudi Arabia to India that international perception on both issues does not favour India and that it should be prudent to look inwards and introspect on where the failing has been,' notes Lieutenant General Syed Ata Hasnain (retd).
God bless Ritesh Batra, raves Sukanya Verma.
'We will have a well-designed product, and not a compromise.' 'We will make a completely contemporary vehicle, in keeping with consumers' aspirations, not like the Nano, which disappointed them,' Sajjan Jindal tells Shreekant Sambrani.
'The children of today see Bollywood heroines dancing to item numbers in clingy georgette saris with bright gold machine embroidery.' 'To them, the Sambalpuri saris look and feel like shapeless, dull sacks.' 'The tragedy of the weaver isn't that he doesn't get enough respect and understanding from people like us,' says Geetanjali Krishna.
While it took the Congress nearly a half century to earn the hatred of other political outfits, the BJP appears set to reach there in around six years, says Arun Bhatnagar, former secretary to the GoI.
It helps that Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt look so good together, writes Sukanya Verma.
Reaction after England beat New Zealand on number of boundaries hit in the Cricket World Cup final at Lord's on Sunday.
'May it be the guardian which calls for breaking down narrow walls of the mind.' 'May it continue to invite everyone to celebrate the possibilities of humanity's one-ness.' Claude Arpi salutes 50 years of Auroville, a Grand Experiment in Living.
'In 2019, in Modi we have a leader who has not shied away from showcasing a robust and aggressive response to the Pulwama and Uri attacks,' says Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).
If Jaitley is finalised for the First Citizen's post, Modi will have scored two strategic goals, reports Rajeev Sharma.
While the start may have been rocky, with renewed syllabus and coaching, students and teachers are largely in favour of the exam.
The company's net profit stood at Rs 2,875 crore (Rs 28.7 billion) in the same period last year.
'We've had quite a few offers to work together.' 'But no, I don't think that's a good idea.' 'The comparisons would be unacceptable to me.'
Delivering the 66th convocation address at the Panjab University, the vice president said a university should never seek to silence or influence faculty members or students to adopt or renounce any particular position.
From India's fight against COVID-19 to China face-off, Kovind spoke on several issues during the televised address.
Days of tussles with the local tailor are gone thanks to this online venture!
Varsham carries the stamp of Ranjith Sankar which is enhanced by Mammootty's presence.
Silsila didn't work. But its roaring rang of romance continues to colour every single Holi. Sukanya Verma revisits this classic.
Movies, their motives and time of release make me wonder if we'll ever be able to see India as India and not a reflection of its governments, notes Sukanya Verma.
Lt General Ranbir Singh described the situation in Kashmir as stable but fragile.
The civil services examination will be held as per schedule on August 24, the government declared on Thursday in Parliament, while saying that consultations will be held with various parties and stakeholders on the matter after the current session.
Fernando Alonso hailed the Briton as a Formula One great and said he was happy to see him stand on the brink of a fifth world championship.
Whatever Mr Modi's other shortcomings be, his consistent efforts to motivate have created an aura of positivity, hopefully stable. He has also shown that he is not averse to taking decisions with possibly negative implications for him, says Shreekant Sambrani.
'I have a very strong presence of mind. If someone is planning to target me, I will not give them an opportunity. I didn't know Kriti's weaknesses, so I was disappointed with the pairing.'
Rituparna Chakraborty, co-founder and EVP, TeamLease Services explains which sectors will contribute to India's growth story.
'We need good teachers at the primary, secondary and higher education levels.'
'Since the rise of the Modi-Shah paradigm, the BJP has followed a simple formula.' 'Sweep the Hindi heartland and the two big Western states, and you can rule India with a majority by just adding some little bits on the platter from here and there,' points out Shekhar Gupta.
This is the first time that a Muslim lady has filed a nomination in a Presidential election.
'Tamasha, in my mind, was so close to the idea he had planted in our heads that evening. The idea of embracing the unknown, sans baggage, of oddities adding that spark to our lives, and looking beyond the obvious, the conventional.'
India opener Lokesh Rahul hit back at all those who branded him a player for the longer version, saying he has proved them wrong.
The whole game is about 'who wants who' more desperately?
'I get bored easily. I don't want to do a serious film now but won't mind a biopic, which will be different and have a true story to tell. I want to satisfy my needs, my cravings.' Alia Bhatt tells us what's on her mind.
'We thought 180-190 would we good on this wicket, but credit to Delhi for the way they batted, especially Sanju in the middle overs and Chris Morris in the end'
There is indeed a Bengal Model but it is one which negates generational aspiration, generates animus, thrives on bloodletting and political vendetta, reiterates outdated ideas of vote bank politics, is shorn of any vision or roadmap for reconstruction and is fast depleting the levels of a legitimate tolerance, says Dr Anirban Ganguly.
