South Africa won the fifth One-Day International against India by 214 runs on Sunday, to win the five-match series 3-1, their first ODI series win on Indian soil. Rajneesh Gupta presents some interesting numbers from the match played in Mumbai.
Although disappointed with Chennai Super Kings' ouster from the Champions League T20, India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni feels that it will be a "blessing in disguise" ahead of his team's important ODI series against England which starts from October 14.
Rishabh Pant scored a face-saving 71 off 69 balls in the opening ODI against West Indies in Chennai, albeit in a losing cause as the visitors won the match by eight wickets.
'It's come down to the people and their belief whether finger spinners could do the job or not. I feel finger spinners have a role to play provided you back them'
'When it comes to technique...you grow up on wickets that are fast and bouncy, when you come to the subcontinent, it is your first series and it is hard to adapt. When you keep coming back, there are no excuses. You should know the conditions'
A humdinger on cards as South Africa chase first series win in India
Following their convincing 105-run victory against West Indies in the second One-Day International on Sunday, the Indian players paid a visit to former West Indies player Dwayne Bravo's house in Trinidad for dinner.
Images from the fifth and final One-day International between India and West Indies, in Chennai, on Sunday.
Kieron Pollard's stunning maiden century went in vain as India beat West Indies by 34 runs to win the fifth and final One-day to record an emphatic 4-1 series triumph in Chennai.
With the series under their belt, India would look to sign off on a winning note before heading off to the gruelling trip to Australia when they take on a spirited but inconsistent West Indies in the fifth and final One-dayer, in Chennai, on Sunday.
Bangladesh pace sensation Taskin Ahmed and left-arm spinner Arafat Sunny were suspended, on Saturday, for bowling with an illegal action by the International Cricket Council (ICC), dealing a massive blow to the team's campaign in the ongoing World Twenty20.
Unmukt Chand has been appointed India A captain for the upcoming ODI tri-series involving Australia A and South Africa A starting in Chennai on August 5.
In David Warner, who is back as captain for this season, the franchise has an inspirational leader and a superb batsman, who would like to lead from the front.
Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, named the player of the series following India's 5-0 whitewash over England in the ODI tournament, jumped two places to reach the third spot in the latest ICC rankings on Wednesday.
Ambati Rayudu said that he has no regrets about his "3d" jibe at chairman of selectors MSK Prasad after being dropped from the World Cup squad.
The off-spinner was the wrecker-in-chief during the home season, where India won 10 of their 13 Tests played against New Zealand, England, Bangladesh and Australia.
# Smith's unbeaten 178 is the third highest by an Australian captain in Tests in Asia -- the top two being 334 not out by Mark Taylor vs Pakistan at Peshawar in October 1998 and 235 by Greg Chappell vs Pakistan at Faisalabad in March 1980.
South Africa will head to India armed with three frontline slow bowlers in their Test squad after recalling leg-spinner Imran Tahir and off-break bowler Dane Piedt for the four-match series starting in November.
More runs from Virat Kohli. India winning the World T20 at home. A controversy-free IPL and more is what Harish Kotian/Rediff.com wants this year.
The team's performance in Saturday's second one-dayer against South Africa in Johannesburg would not be the deciding factor in selecting the players for the upcoming World Cup, India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni said on Friday.
'He just has to keep performing, and mustn't let this go to his head.'
'I just wished I could keep going with that injury and support my team. I knew I might not get a stage like that again. Captain asked me if I could do it. I was in pain but said I would do with whatever I could.'
There were times when MS Dhoni let emotions get the better of him.
Former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting on Wednesday said that the 2001 Test series in India, which was won by the hosts, was one of the most remarkable series that he has ever played in. The 41-year-old right handed batsman walked down the memory lane and talked about the historic 2001 India-Australia series, saying: "2001 series was probably the most remarkable Test series I have played in.
Harbhajan Singh has lavished praise on skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who has drawn criticism owing to India's lacklustre show in the series.
The newly-appointed India coach Duncan Fletcher is likely to attend the selection meeting slated to be held in Chennai on May 13, for the tour of West Indies.
Statistical highlights of the fourth day's play of the first cricket Test between India and England in Rajkot on Saturday.
The move comes after the 33-year-old was snubbed by the Indian team management, who preferred Mayank Agarwal as replacement for an injured Vijay Shankar in the World Cup squad.
Experienced Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez provided a surprise on Tuesday when he bowled his quota of four overs for Lahore Whites in the ongoing national T20 championship in Rawalpindi.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India has finally banned discarded India left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha from bowling in competitive matches due to suspect action.
Pacer Shardul Thakur gave away plenty of runs in the recent One-day Internationals against the Black Caps and faced criticism for his wayward bowling. For now though he has his eyes set on the showpiece event in Australia later this year.
Under-fire India coach Duncan Fletcher's fate is expected to be decided by the Board of Control for Cricket in India after it receives team director Ravi Shastri's report on the England tour.
The Justice Mudgal committee appointed by the Supreme Court to investigate into charges of betting and spot-fixing in the Indian Premier League last year will not be travelling to England to investigate current Indian players as part of their probe, the Board of Control for Cricket in India said on Wednesday.
