ICC refuses to interfere in resumption of Indo-Pak Cricket ties

Dave Richardson, the Chief Executive of International Cricket Council has said that the ICC cannot interfere in the resumption of bilateral cricket series between India and Pakistan. 

“The world body wants resumption of Indo-Pak bilateral series but cannot interfere in matter concerning boards from both countries”, said Richardson according to PTI.

This has come after Sushma Swaraj, the Union Foreign Miniser had said that no decision has been taken regarding this last Sunday.

“No decision has been taken. Where has this information come that this (Indo-Pak cricket series) has been decided and that I was not consulted. No decision has been taken,” Swaraj said when asked about the reports that India will be playing bilateral cricket series with Pakistan.

Pakistan is trying to revive cricket ties with India and BCCI had agreed to play Pakistan in UAE during Pakistan Cricket Board’s chairman Shaharyar Khan recent visit to India to push for resumption of cricket ties. 

In a joint press statement with Jagmohan Dalmiya, the BCCI Chief, Khan had proposed a series comprising three Tests, five ODIs and two T20s in UAE in December this year. The BCCI has however, not given any categorical statement yet on the proposed serirs and the venue.

ICC favours strong stance against player behaviour

The International Cricket Council Cricket Committee has recommended strong action against inappropriate player behaviour during its two-day meeting in Mumbai, an ICC release said on Monday.

The ICC looked concerned over the increasing numbers of send offs and has asked match officials to use suspension rather than fine. “The committee supported the stronger stance being taken against inappropriate player behaviour, and was concerned at the increasing number of send-offs. It also encouraged referees to apply suspensions rather than fines, more specifically for repeat offenders and for the more serious offences, such as physical contact,” said the release after the meeting concluded on Saturday.

The committee has also recommended staging of Test matches that extend into evening hours. “Day-Night Test matches were discussed at length. The Cricket Committee also received a report from the MCC on the four-day First Class match played with pink balls in Abu Dhabi in March, and viewed the condition of the balls used in that match,” said the  release. The committee has also asked the member countries to look for opportunities to stage day-night test matches.

“As a result of these discussions, there will be a strong recommendation from the Cricket Committee to member countries that they should identify opportunities to play Test matches that extend into the evening hours,” the release said.

IPL Chairman Rajiv Shukla warns Kohli for talking to Anushka

As per media reports Rajiv Shukla, the Chairman of Indian Premier League has warned Virat Kohli though unofficially for his talking to Anushka during the match. Shukla said that he had informally warned Virat and asked him not do it again.

"We shouldn't blow the thing out of proportion but I have spoken to him and told him he shouldn't speak to anyone when technically the match is still on. At the Chinnaswamy [stadium], there is only a partition between the VIP enclosure and the players area and hence he may have spoken. If the ACSU officials inform us we will definitely warn him but I have already informally spoken to him and told him not to do this," IPL chairman Rajiv Shukla was quoted as saying in an India Today report.

Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma his fiancée were found taking to each other when players left the field during an obstruction due to rain at the Chinnaswamy stadium — and this is not permitted by the Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) of the International Cricket Council (ICC).

According to rules, if not cleared officialy, the person could not talk to players and it is the same rule due to which team owners are not allowed to sit with the players in the dug outs. Preity Zinta and Shahrukh khan too were found watching matches from gallery and are not allowed to interact with players during the match.

Gagan Narang secures Rio Olympic berth

Gagan Narang, the London Olympic bronze medallist booked his birth for Rio Olympic in 2016 with winning bronze in the 50m Rifle Prone event at ISSF World cup at Fort Benning in USA on Friday.

Narang is the third Indian Shooter to make cut for the global event after Apurvi  Chandela and Jitu Rai. Chandela had it by winning bronze in the 10m Rifle at the World Cup in Korea last month. Jitu Rai had reserved his birth with a Silver medal at the World Championship in Granada, Spain last year.

Along with Gagan Narang, India’s only individual Olympic gold medallist had failed to qualify for the event in 10m Rifle final in the competition.

T 20 Cricket league for former greats

Former batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar and greatest spinner Shane Warne would recruit 28 players who would play 15 matches across the globe for next three and half years starting late this year.

According to reports, these matches are planed under a new T20 league particularly for retired greats like Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist, Glen McGrath, Brett Lee and Jacques Kallis. Players have already been approached with offers of 25000 dollars per match.

Envisioned by Tendulkar and Warne, the league will commence with matches in three cities in the United States in September. 

Bell backs Pietersen for Ashes

Ian Bell, England's middle order batsman one who played with Kevin Pietersen for a decade or so has backed him saying everyone deserves an opportunity to play this summer. Bell said that Pietersen was bestbatsman he had played with and he has right to feel aggrieved with the treatment he has been meted out this week over test squad. Kevin is a quality player, probably the best I've ever played with. 

"He does make any team stronger. I played 10 years with Kevin and we both went through highs and lows and won a lot of cricket together. I enjoyed my time with him. It's very difficult to say anything, purely because this has been going on for long time now. Obviously there were certain things going on. I didn't see it. I don't think the players saw it in the dressing room. This has been dragging on for a long time. It's a pretty packed middle order right now. But if he keeps scoring runs may be there's a position in time. Everyone deserves that opportunity now with a long summer ahead", said Bell

Kerala Athletes suicide: "Othalanga" the suicide fruit killed Athlete, three still critical

What seems to be agony with the state of sports in India other than cricket, has come out as sharp reminder for a nation that aspire for excellence in sport to become a world guru. Information regarding the mode of suicide says that these athletes used othalanga a locally grown plant in coastal Kerala.

Known as the Suicide tree, Pong-pong, and Othalanga, the plant is a species of tree native to India and other parts of Southern Asia. It grows preferentially in coastal salt swamps and in marshy areas. It grows wild along the coast in many parts of Kerala, India and has been grown as a hedge between home compounds. It yields a potent poison, often used for suicide or murder.

Athletes were found unconscious at their hostel late on Wednesday and rushed to hospital where one girl was pronounced dead and the other three remain in a critical condition. Before attempting suicide, all four were believed to have signed a suicide note, said officials, but no details have been given about the contents of the letter.

Gayle storm devastates Kings XI Punjab

Chris Gayle hits his second century in this IPL

Kings XI Punjab found it in the eye of storm filled with huge sixes and fours conceded possibly biggest defeat in the history of the Indian Premier league on Wednesday. After winning the toss RCB opted to bat first and scored 226 in 20 overs. Punjab facing an uphill task of chasing the total lost its way after regular fall of wicket. RCB surged in the table at three behind Rajasthan Royals and Superkings.