'Modi swept the 2014 elections for two main reasons: First, the disgust with the Congress government with a non-functional prime minister, and second, more importantly, his promise of performance and hope.' 'He cannot expect to win 2019 on these planks again. His own success in finishing the Congress will take away one plank, and with five years of reign on his CV, he will need to flaunt performance more than promise.'
Fitness clouds and selection dilemmas could hamper South Africa's chances ahead of next month's series against Australia.
The full text of the speech delivered by VVS Laxman at the Pataudi Memorial Lecture in Kolkata.
Aiming at the stumps should be the way forward for Australia's quicks against India to take advantage of the uneven bounce on the M Chinnaswamy Stadium pitch, fast bowler Josh Hazlewood said on Monday.
Tactical genius, uplifting leader, altruistic individual, a man with unwavering certitude. Dhruv Munjal recounts what made Mahendra Singh Dhoni a great captain.
The 22-year-old Kuldeep, from Kanpur, grabbed nine wickets in the ODI series against Australia while Haryana-born Chahal picked up seven wickets in the same series.
'If the leadership goes back to Rahul Gandhi, then there will be a perception problem about the drama about his exit a year-and-a-half ago.'
India is in the midst of its biggest crisis since Independence. It is a national emergency and begs to be dealt with. Politics can wait. Lives need to be saved. We need to vaccinate India at a pace faster than any country in the world, asserts Ramesh Menon.
In an escalation of their confrontation, the ICC on Monday disclosed that it has refused to bail out the BCCI in its tussle with the Supreme Court-appointed Lodha Committee over implementing the reforms. ICC Chief Executive Dave Richardson said the BCCI had sought a letter from the world body, stating that it will disaffiliate the Indian Board if there is governmental interference as a shield against the implementation of Lodha Committee reforms.
The second day's play in the third Test between Australia and the West Indies at the WACA on Thursday was marred by an ugly confrontation between Australia wicketkeeper Brad Haddin and Windies bowler Sulieman Benn.
Don't be surprised if Imran invites Modi and other South Asian leaders for his swearing-in ceremony, says Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).
With Joji, Dileesh Pothan has found a way, once more, to use everything he has learnt to further push the boundaries of his art, observes Sreehari Nair.
Australian all-rounder Shane Watson has played down his reported tiff with fellow pace bowler Brett Lee over his comments about Lee's fitness ahead of last month's Headingly Ashes Test.
Dhoni mysteriously held back a final assault on the distant victory target.'
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Virat Kohli, who turns 28 next month, is already one of India's most accomplished Test captains. Kohli's young Indian team thrashed New Zealand by 178 runs in the second Test on Monday, to dislodge arch-rivals Pakistan from the top spot in Tests rankings. The victory at Eden Gardens was also special for captain Kohli as he joined former legends Sunil Gavaskar and Tiger Pataudi with the number (9) of Test victories for India. Currently placed at 4th spot, Kohli is still some distance away from the 27 wins registered by MS Dhoni or the 21 victories achieved under Sourav Ganguly's leadership, but the 27-year old is slowly catching up with Mohammad Azharuddin (14 Tests wins) to get into the top 3 list. Catch India's Test captain Kohli in conversation with BCCI.tv about his journey as the leader of a young side.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday said the inquiry commission ordered by his government will probe alleged irregularities in DDCA even if it is struck down by the Centre.
Paul Collingwood, who stepped down as England one-day captain last year, was on Friday named to lead the Twenty20 side in next month's World Cup. Collingwood resigned the captaincy at the same time as Test skipper Michael Vaughan because he felt it was affecting his Test form. The tournament starts on June 5 and ends with the final at Lord's on July 21.
Royal Challengers Bangalore will have to pull out all stops to prevent the Mumbai Indians juggernaut.
Ricky Ponting has lashed out at legendary Indian Sunil Gavaskar and other former players for often blaming the Australian team for on-field confrontations, saying the Indian opener was not an angel during his playing days.
Australia all rounder Simon Katich does not repent his angry exchanges with Gautam Gambhir during third Test in New Delhi, saying the India opener had initiated the "confrontation" with his unpleasant words.
Mike Hussey has asked Australian selectors to choose a specialist spinner for the first Test against India starting December 26 and hoped leg-spinner Stuart MacGill will be able to make the cut.
'Our drains are not filled with bodies, our hospitals not run out of beds.' 'That good news, or absence of expected bad news, is the truth that so many in the international community, and also within India, seem unable to handle,' notes Shekhar Gupta.
"Since he (Dhoni) had played against me in several matches, the captain had the confidence that I would produce the results. I am glad I lived upto his expectations," said Joginder on reaching Rohtak.
A clash of contrasting styles, the ICC World T20 final in Kolkata on Sunday gives both England and the West Indies a chance to create history.
'Nimble humour, shuddh desi zingers, refreshing flippancy and a lively blend of small-town quirk and orthodoxy.' Sukanya Verma applauds Bala.
India's fast bowler Mohammed Shami's family is in 'danger' according to his father Tauseef Ahmad, who has reportedly alleged that 'cow slaughter' is being used to target them. Tauseef reacted a day after Shami's brother Haseeb was arrested for allegedly assaulting a police officer and trying to pressure police to drop charges of cow slaughter against certain individuals on Friday. Haseeb was later released on bail. However, Tauseeb Ahmad (Shami and Hasseb's father) says that his family is in danger and that the 'sensitive' issue of cow slaughter is being used to target them. Speaking to Times of India about the incident, Ahmad said: "My son was not even present there at the time of the incident and had reached the site only much later.
Former captain Javed Miandad has been credited with giving Pakistan their recent cricket dominance over bitter rivals India.
From Captain Cool losing his, well, cool to Rabada's super over, and Malinga's unbelievable bowling for the cup, IPL 2019 was not short of magical moments. Here are a few.
'It may be just coincidence but my first release after marriage is Soorma and it has brought me recognition that I've never experienced before.'
Graeme Smith and his men, says Allan Donald, were secure in the presumption that the first Test would be a one-sided affair.
New Delhi has repeatedly missed opportunities for political engagement in Kashmir in the past. It must seize the next one, says Ajai Shukla.
'The Indian version is that the two top diplomats merely exchanged pleasantries, while the Pakistani side characterised the encounter as an 'informal dialogue'.' 'The truth, as always in such piquant situations, is somewhere in between.' 'It stands to reason that ice has been broken,' says Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.
Against a quality side like Australia, the performers at the domestic level will get a chance to test themselves against the likes of Josh Hazlewood or Mitchell Starc if Steve Smith and Darren Lehmann decide to give them a few overs.
The LG is also believed to have cited that the inquiry into the CNG fitness kit scam set up by the Kejriwal government earlier was set aside by the Centre on the same ground.
The Chinese have just one commander for all the forces confronting India. Commanders of all these forces answer to one man, and one headquarter. India, on the other hand, offers a diversity of options that is a military embarrassment in the 21st century. In Arunachal and Sikkim-Bhutan, the Eastern Army Commander is in charge. In the Uttarakhand (central) sector, it will be the Central Army Commander. The Himachal-Tibet border is the domain of the Western Army Commander. And all of Kashmir and Ladakh further on, the Northern Army's. Effectively, an array of at least eight 'three-star' commanders will be arrayed against one Chinese, says Shekhar Gupta.
