India’s premier off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin on Tuesday congratulated the women’s cricket team for pulling off a last-ball thriller against South Africa in the final of the World Cup qualifier at the P. Sara Oval in Colombo.

Chasing a decent 245, all-rounder Harmanpreet Kaur struck a run-a-ball 41 to steer the team over the line by one wicket on the final ball of the match after opener Mona Meshram (59) and Deepti Sharma (71) set the tone with a 124-run second wicket stand.

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Hailing the side for their brilliant performance, Ashwin, who is in Pune for the four-Test series against Australia, starting from Thursday said: “Amazing win by the @BCCIWomen team, they have had a good 12 months now. Special mention to the very talented @ImHarmanpreet.”

The Virat Kohli-led side will aim to extend their 19-match unbeaten streak when they take on the Australians in the four-match Test rubber.

IANS

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Tuesday congratulated the women’s team for for pulling off a last-ball thriller against South Africa in the final of the World Cup qualifier at the P. Sara Oval in Colombo.

Chasing a decent 245, captain Harmanpreet Kaur struck a run-a-ball 41 to steer the team over the line by one wicket on the final ball of the match after opener Mona Meshram (59) and Deepti Sharma (71) set the tone with a 124-run second wicket stand. It was also India’s highest successful run chase in One-day Internationals (ODI).

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“The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) would like to congratulate the women’s cricket team for winning the ICC World Cup Qualifier 2017, in Sri Lanka,” the BCCI said in a statement.

“Having already secured their ICC Women’s World Cup berth courtesy a dominant run in the tournament, India finished on a high, staying unbeaten in the event. It was an all-round show from India as Deepti Sharma topped the run charts while Ekta Bisht finished as the leading wicket-taker in the tournament,” the statement added.

IANS

Talismanic Mahendra Singh Dhoni stumped every cricket fan when he informed the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that he is stepping down as the skipper of India’s One-Day International (ODI) and T20 International sides, ending a trophy-filled era.

The 35-year-old had already retired from Test cricket in December 2014 but continued to lead the national team in the shorter formats of the game.

Dhoni, who had led India to the International Cricket Council (ICC) World T20 title in 2007, to the World Cup victory in 2011 and lifted the Champions Trophy in 2013 also took India to the zenith of the Test rankings during his tenure. He is the only captain in world cricket to win each of the ICC trophies.

The Ranchi wicketkeeper-batsman will, however, be available for selection for the three ODIs and T20Is against England, starting January 15, the BCCI informed.

“Mahendra Singh Dhoni has informed the BCCI, that he wishes to step down as the captain of the Indian Cricket Team from the One Day Internationals and the T20 Internationals formats of the game,” a statement from the board read.

“He will be available for the selection for the One Day and T20I series against England and the same has been conveyed to the Senior Selection Committee.”

The BCCI’s senior selection committee will meet on Friday to select the team for the limited overs series against England.

Commenting on the development, BCCI Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Rahul Johri said: “On behalf of every Indian cricket fan and the BCCI, I would like to thank M.S. Dhoni for his outstanding contribution as the captain of the Indian team across all formats.”

“Under his leadership, Indian team has touched new heights and his achievements will remain etched forever in the annals of Indian cricket,” he added.

Dhoni, who had captained India to 110 wins from 199 ODIs and 41 wins from 72 T20Is, made his international debut in 2004.

He immediately stamped his authority at the international stage when he smashed 148 in only his fifth match, against a Pakistan attack that didn’t know what had hit them.

He quickly rose up the ranks in Indian cricket to take the reins of the national T20I side in 2007, before becoming the ODI captain after Rahul Dravid relinquished the post.

He eventually ascended to full-time Test captaincy once the then Indian captain and current India coach Anil Kumble retired.

Dhoni’s biggest triumph was winning the World Cup in 2011, which India won after 28 years owing to his exemplary batting display in the final and calm and methodical leadership, despite the added pressure of playing at home.

He also led the side to the final of the 2014 World T20 in Bangladesh, in which India lost to Sri Lanka. Dhoni successfully led India to the 2015 World Cup semi-final, where they lost to hosts and eventual champions Australia, effectively ending India’s 11-match winning streak in the World Cups.

During the course of the tournament, he also became the first Indian captain and third overall to win 100 ODI matches.

In 2016, Dhoni led India to the Asia Cup T20 title by beating hosts Bangladesh in the final and also guided the side to the semi-finals of the World T20, where hosts India lost to the eventual champions — the West Indies.

He also holds the record for most matches as captain of an international side, with 331 games across formats.

His last series as captain came against New Zealand at home, where he led the Indian side to a 3-2 series win.

Dhoni also led the now-defunct Chennai Super Kings (CSK) franchise, one of the most successful teams in the history of Indian Premier League (IPL), to win back-to-back titles in the years 2010 and 2011 and also the Champions League T20 in the years 2010 and 2014.

Although the next captain was not announced, Virat Kohli, currently captaining the Test team, is the likely front-runner to replace Dhoni.

Meanwhile, former BCCI president Anurag Thakur hailed Dhoni as “one of the finest leaders”. “Hey @msdhoni yuv been one of the finest leaders of Indian Cricket @BCCI, led the team to great heights & inspired so many across countries!,” Thakur wrote on Twitter.

Thakur was joined by noted cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle and 2012 Olympic bronze medal-winning shooter Gagan Narang in highlighting Dhoni’s achievements as India captain.

Bhogle said: “World T20, World Cup, Champions Trophy, Test No 1, IPL titles, Champions League titles. Everything in the game. #Dhoni.”

Bhogle also commented that this was a selfless move. “Clearly Dhoni thinks the moment has come. Thought he would quit after the Champions Trophy, but this is a selfless move.

“Trying to think like #Dhoni. Kohli most likely 2019 World Cup captain, so best that he leads in the Champions Trophy so best he starts now.”

–IANS

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Anurag Thakur removed as BCCI President, Ajay Shirke as secretary

After being shown the door by the Supreme Court for not complying with the Justice R.M. Lodha panel’s recommendations, dismissed Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Secretary Ajay Shirke hoped the board does not lose its face globally.

In a landmark verdict, the apex court on Monday removed the board’s President Anurag Thakur along with Shirke for defying the Lodha panel’s recommendations to bring in structural reforms in the running of the board.

A bench comprising Chief Justice T.S. Thakur, Justice A.M. Khanwilkar and Justice D.Y. Chandrachud said that as an interim arrangement, the senior-most Vice President of the BCCI will act as the President and the Joint Secretary will act as the Secretary.

Reacting to the decision, Shirke said he is “absolutely fine” with the court’s order but hoped that the world’s richest cricket board does not lose its face globally for all the administrative mess.

“I have nothing to say. My role in BCCI is over. If SC has asked me to leave, that’s fine. I hope the new administration runs BCCI well,” he was quoted as saying by a news channel from the UK.

“I hope the new dispensation continues the good work done by the BCCI. Hope the board doesn’t lose more face globally. I also hope the Indian team is able to maintain its supremacy in all three formats of the game,” he added.

“At the end of the day, the BCCI comprises of members. It is not about me or the president. It is about the members.”

“I have no personal attachment to the post. In the past also I have resigned and I have lots of other things to do. I came back to the board as there was a vacancy and I was elected unopposed. Now it has come to this (the Supreme Court). I am completely fine with it and I have no regrets,” he added.

The court asked amicus curiae Gopal Subramanium and eminent lawyer Fali Nariman to suggest the names that will be in the committee to be headed by an administrator to oversee the functioning of the BCCI.

The apex court said it will pass a separate order on January 19 for appointing the administrator.

The bench also said that all the office-bearers of the BCCI and its affiliate state units, who are in conflict with the recommendation of the Lodha committee, will demit office.

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IANS

The Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) long-standing dispute with the Lodha Committee reached fever pitch on Monday, with the Supreme Court ordering the removal of board president Anurag Thakur and Secretary Ajay Shirke for being defiant and stalling on the reforms recommended by the panel. The Court also issued a contempt notice to Anurag Thakur for perjury.

“The Supreme Court passes an order directing the BCCI president and secretary to desist from any board functions from hereon,” said the ruling.

The order comes after judges also slapped restrictions on the BCCI’s accounts last year over its failure to implement a series of reforms recommended by a panel headed by a former top judge, Rajendra Mal Lodha.

Responding to the latest judgement, Lodha said that it was an inevitable consequence of the board’s foot-dragging.

“One should understand that when the order of the Supreme Court, which is the highest court of the land, has come, it has to be obeyed by all. It is the law of the land. Nobody can escape it,” Lodha told reporters. “There were obstructions. There were impediments. We fixed the timeline that was not adhered to. We submitted three reports before the Supreme Court, even then it was not implemented.”

Earlier, the apex court had told the BCCI to “fall in line or we will make you fall in line”, after its continued reluctance over implementing the Lodha recommendations. The main points of discord between the two parties have been the age cap of 70 years on administrators, cooling off period of three years between terms, and the one state one vote policy, which were recommended by the SC-appointed panel. The BCCI had said that it had accepted most of the recommendations of the Lodha panel, but put the rejection of the few recommendations down to the disagreement of the state associations over it.

Plan B in place

Knowing well the fate of BCCI and state associations, all senior office-bearers have already met several times over the last two months to ensure that a Plan B is firmly in place in almost all the associations.

The basic objections of BCCI against some Lodha panel recommendations include “age cap of 70, cooling off period of three years between terms and one state one vote policy”.

As many as six state associations have confirmed to DNA that it is ready to have new bosses of its own choice as and when it are forced to implement orders.

“Lodha panel can only force us to amend constitution and install new office-bearers. But it cannot remove our district units and voting members who are firmly behind us,” said a senior official from Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association.

The situation in Haryana – where the family of Anirudh Chaudhry has been ruling for around four decades – or Punjab where MP Pandove is at the helm since 1976, are the same.

It would be interesting to see whether the SC-appointed administrators will try and address these issues.

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The Supreme Court has rejected the plea of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to review its verdict regarding the implementation of the Justice R.M. Lodha Committee’s recommendations.

The Lodha Committee — appointed by the Supreme Court following a match-fixing and corruption scandal in the Indian Premier League (IPL) — had come up with a host of recommendations that could change the way cricket administration is conducted in India.

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The apex court on July 18 ordered a revamp of the BCCI over the next four to six months which was to be overseen by the Lodha Committee.

The BCCI had asked the apex court for a review which was rejected on November 11. The order was, however, uploaded on Tuesday.

The board had also pleaded that its plea for a review should be heard in open court.

“We have examined the grounds urged in support of the prayer for review. We find no error apparent on the face of the record to warrant recall of our order dated July 18,” the apex court said on Tuesday.

“The review petitions are, accordingly, dismissed,” a bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) T.S. Thakur and Justice S.A. Bobde said.

The final hearing of the Lodha Committe’s status report will now take place on December 15.

The Lodha panel had come up with several far-reaching recommendations which could alter the way cricket is administered in the country.

They include barring ministers and officials from the BCCI and its state affiliates, setting an age limit of 70 years for office-bearers, one state one vote, ceiling on the number of terms a person could be an office bearer and legalising betting.

IANS

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Tuesday moved the Supreme Court seeking the release of funds for the first India-England Test at Rajkot from Wednesday.

The BCCI was barred from releasing any funds till it gave an undertaking to the apex court that it would comply with the recommendations of the Lodha Committee.

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Appearing before a bench of Justice Anil R. Dave and Justice A.M. Khanwilkar, senior counsel Kapil Sibal said that unless the BCCI was allowed to release the funds the Rajkot match on Wednesday between India and England would be cancelled.

IANS

The BCCI on Sunday rescheduled the two smog-hit Ranji Trophy cricket matches to a yet undeclared date recognising the “extraordinary circumstances” prevailing in the national capital.

The thick smog that has shrouded the city for the past week affected two Ranji trophy cricket matches for the second consecutive day on Sunday.

The Gujarat vs Bengal and Hyderabad vs Tripura matches at two separate venues in the national capital were abandoned for the day without a ball being bowled.

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Placed on top of the table with 15 points each, Gujarat and Bengal chose to call off the second day play of the Group A match at the Ferozeshah Kotla grounds due to poor visibility.

In the same manner, the Group C encounter between Hyderabad and Tripura at the Karnail Singh Stadium was also a non-starter due to the thick smog.

“The Technical Committee of the BCCI recognised the extraordinary circumstances prevailing in New Delhi and decided to reschedule the Paytm Ranji Trophy 2016-17 fifth round matches between Hyderabad-Tripura and Gujarat-Bengal after the first two days of play were lost due to smog conditions in New Delhi,” Ajay Shirke, Board of Control for Cricket in India Honorary Secretary, said on Sunday in a statement.

“The Hyderabad-Tripura match was to be played at the Karnail Singh Stadium while the Ferozeshah Kotla ground was scheduled to host the Gujarat-Bengal match from November 5, 2016 onwards.”

The revised venues and dates for the two matches will be announced later and these will be played after the league phase of Ranji trophy, the statement added.

IANS

The junior selection committee of the Board of Control for Cricket in India on Tuesday announced the squads for the Under-19 Challenger Trophy which will be held at Bilaspur in Himachal Pradesh from October 26 to 29.

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A total of 39 names have been announced with each of the squads — India Blue, India Green and India Red — comprising 13 players, according to a statement from the board.

Squads:

India Blue: Prithvi Shaw, Digvijay Rangi, Daryl S Ferrario, Harvik Desai, S.Lokeshwar, Suyash Prabhudessai, Ninad Ratwa, S.Ajith Ram, Akul Pratap Pandove, R S Jaganath Sinivas, Kamlesh Nagarkothi, Arzan Nagwaswalla, Vivekanand Tiwari.

India Green: Rohan SK, Jyotsnil Singh, Chandan Sahani, Priyam Kumar Garg, Sandeep Kumar Tomar, Adeeb Usmani, Anukul Roy, Shiva Singh, Abhishek Shrivastav, P Girinath Reddy, Izan Sayed, Diprajsinh Chudasama, Shubham Arora.

India Red: Shubman Gill, Ankush Wakode, Salman Khan, Abhishek Sharma, Hardik Tamore, Sudip Kumar Gharami, Ankur Paul, Ayush Jamwal, Rahul Chahar, Rishabh Bhagat, Vishvash Malik, Yash Thakur, Simarjeet Singh.

IANS

India will play a four-match home Test series against Australia beginning on February 23 next year, a Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) statement said on Friday.

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The series to decide the Border-Gavaskar Trophy will stretch till March 29, BCCI secretary Ajay Shirke said. The first Test, starting February 23, will be played in Pune, followed by Bengaluru from March 4-8.

The third match will be played at Ranchi from March 16 and the final match will be at Dharamsala from March 25.

IANS