Rediscovering himself in the twilight of his career, a rejuvenated Mahendra Singh Dhoni would look to continue his regained form and guide India to a series-clinching win when the hosts take on New Zealand in the fourth One-Day International, in Ranchi, on Wednesday.
In opting for an extra spinner, says Harish Kotian/Rediff.com, India have picked a batsman less.
Fast bowler Steven Finn claimed his first five-wicket haul in a One-Day International as England destroyed India's batting at the Gabba in Brisbane. He took five wickets for 33 runs from eight overs while James Anderson claimed four as the pair skittled the reigning World champions for 153 in less than 40 overs. Statistical highlights from the match.
Round-up of the Ranji Trophy games being played across the country
In the third reshuffle since coming to power, Prime Minister Modi raised the strength of his Council of Ministers from 73 to 76.
A summary of Monday's play in the Ranji Trophy matches at various venues across the country.
Led ably by Shardul Thakur, Mumbai bowlers put up a much better display than the previous game and shot out Railways for a paltry 217 on day one of their four-day Group 'B' Ranji Trophy tie at the Wankhede Stadium, in Mumbai, on Sunday.
Siddesh Lad's strokeful 117 and the bowlers' superb showing put Mumbai in the driver's seat against Odisha at the end of the third day in a Ranji Trophy Group C match with the hosts struggling at 93 for four in pursuit of 413 for victory.
A summary of the Ranji Trophy matches being played in different parts of the country.
World champions India suffered a humiliating nine-wicket defeat against England after a flop show by their batsmen in the third One-Day International of the Carlton Mid Tri-Series, in Brisbane.
'Twenty20 cricket can be a lottery at times, but I think we'll definitely reach the semifinals.'
Jiwanjot Singh's brilliant century and captain Mandeep Singh's fluent half-century helped Punjab stage a great comeback to gain the upperhand against Delhi, on the third day of the Ranji Trophy Group A match in New Delhi, on Tuesday.
A summary of Wednesday's play in the Ranji Trophy matches at various venues across the country.
So 52 games have already been played in the Indian Premier League this season. Here are the Most Valuable players and some random observations by Purnendu Maji and Srinivas Bhogle.
MS Dhoni hinted that Ajinkya Rahane may not feature in the playing eleven for the first One-day International against South Africa.
IPL Action VIII: These players went unsold
Srinivas Bhogle and Purnendu Maji analyse IPL performances in Rediff.com's Most Valuable Players ratings.
'When I signed this film, I had no confidence that I could pull off such a role. Akshay tells me that I need to have more confidence in myself. After so many films coming to me, that were rubbish, I am shocked that people were actually making good films.' Ileana D'Cruz opens up about Rustom, and Akshay Kumar.
'We have seen a lot of Hindi films where the men cheat and ask the women for forgiveness. Then we show that she forgives him and they live happily every after. But till date, there has been no film where a woman cheats and asks for forgiveness and then the male has to decide if he wants to forgive her or not.' Akshay Kumar talks Rustom.
The International Cricket Council released the provisional squads of the 12 teams for next year's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand on Friday. However, co-hosts Australia and minnows Ireland decided against releasing the provisional list although they submitted 30 names to the parent body within the stipulated deadline.
Moeen Ali, the England all-rounder, with a batting strike-rate of 82.1 and an economy rate of 4.2, was tops.
'Probably because he was aware that this was his 100th ODI. Or probably because, in the first of its knock-out games, his team had produced the sort of all-round display that induces smiles.'
An injured jawan said around 10-12 Naxalites must have got killed in the 'befitting' retaliation by the CRPF contingent.
The series is out of bounds but Indian cricket is all set to enter a new era under the feisty Virat Kohli, whose leadership would be put through a trial by fire when the visitors seek redemption in the fourth and final Test against Australia starting in Sydney on Tuesday.
Srinivas Bhogle and Purnendu Maji present Rediff.com's Most Valuable Player ratings for the ongoing IPL 8
With a MVPI of 619, David Warner is currently IPL 8's most successful player. A B de Villiers (603), after his recent magic at Wankhede stadium, is just behind, and could still be this IPL's top player if Royal Challengers Bangalore can make it to the semi-finals.
Andre Russell of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) is emerging as the player offering the best performance at the lowest cost.
Featuring Yusuf Pathan, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Marcus Stoinis, Ashish Nehra.
Ramesh says that since the attitude of the Narendra Modi government is deliberately provocative and confrontational, it should not expect cooperation from the Congress.
A look at the squads for the seventh season of the Indian Premier League at the conclusion of the two-day auction in Bangalore.
Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi has said the party cannot afford the spectacle of its ministers and state presidents running away from a tough contest. Anita Katyal reports
India garnered most of the gold medals on offer for the fourth successive day at the 12th South Asian Games, as their swimmers, archers and track-and-field athletes ensured the top position on the medals tally remained unchallenged, in Guwahati, on Tuesday.
In-form Virat Kohli leads the MVP rankings in the IPL with a MVPI of 1062 but David Warner, enjoying a sensational run with the bat and currently at third with a MVPI of 878, has the RCB captain in his sights.
'It remains to be seen how much Prithvi Shaw's warriors go on to accomplish, but letting all the adulation go to their heads is the last thing you can expect.' 'Throughout its dominant streak in New Zealand, the Under-19 team played in the personality of its coach, Rahul Dravid.' 'Now, only if they can kick on and become as good as him.'
A round-up of Ranji matches played across India on Saturday
IPL 8 is past the half-way mark, and Andre Russell of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) is emerging.
A summary of Tuesday's play in the Ranji Trophy matches at various venues across the country.
Their World Cup build-up halted by West Indies team's sudden mid-series pullout, India would resume the preparations for the mega-event when they square off against under-cooked sub-continental rivals Sri Lanka in a hastily-arranged ODI series starting in Cuttack on Sunday.
In an hour-long chat on rediff.com on Friday, A K Prabhakar, senior VP and Head -- Equity Research (Retail), Anand Rathi Financial Services Ltd, discussed the best stocks to put the investors' money in.
