VIRAT Kohli could find himself in hot water with the threat of missing the next Test hanging over him. The Indian skipper's cantankerous display on the third day in Chennai in which he has two flashpoints with the umpire's could yet see him up before match referee Javagal Srinath for showing dissent at an umpire's decision. Kohli remonstrated with umpire Nitin Menon after being warned for running down the middle of the pitch and he then had a lengthy argument with both umpires after a review for lbw against Joe Root was turned down as 'umpire's call'. With Kohli having also stood his ground on day one when he was bowled by Moeen Ali, the umpire's may yet strike back at the Indian skipper by laying charges for Srinath to act on. A charge of dissent could result in anything up to four demerit points which would result in a ban on its own, but Kohli already has two points on his record so it would only take another two for him to miss the game in Ahmedabad. Kohli has spent a … [Read more...] about India captain Virat Kohli faces ban from third Test against England
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India marching towards victory after England’s batsmen struggle on poor Test pitch
India vs England, second Test: live scoreboard in full Rory Burns: The damning figures that put opener's England place in major doubt N arendra Modi has been in Chennai during this Test and the strongman Indian prime minister might have recognised a little of himself in how Virat Kohli has wielded his power. Kohli’s demands for a turning pitch have been exceeded with India poised for a huge victory to level the series 1-1 . Kohli was so upset with the surface for the first Test that the BCCI’s pitch overseer was shunted aside and the Indian management instead took a greater role in supervising preparations for this match. The result is a poor pitch which made winning the toss so crucial. Kohli would be a terrible poker player but he likes a gamble. India stacked their hopes on him calling correctly and batting first when the pitch was at its most stable and it paid off. Kohli did not like the pitch for the first Test because India always want surfaces to turn … [Read more...] about India marching towards victory after England’s batsmen struggle on poor Test pitch
Virat Kohli explains how India plan to ‘intimidate’ England in third Test
Virat Kohli expects a 50,000 strong crowd at the new Sardar Patel Stadium to 'intimidate' England and cheer his team on to victory. And as the cheerleader in chief who loves nothing more than to stir up the fans and wind up the opposition at the same time, Kohli cannot wait to see home advantage put into action. Asked if he thought the crowd would intimidate England Kohli replied: “Yeah, I think so, the crowd plays a massive role. “The crowds really get behind us and the difference of which we saw in the second Test. The opposition does feel the pressure when you go play in Australia, England, South Africa and anywhere. “I have experienced that as a batsman, we have walked in to the field fans are booing you or clapping when the bowler is running in to bowl. It does play on your mind. “So I prefer that atmosphere to be present, make life more difficult for the opposition and really get behind the team. “That's what playing at home is all about. It's not only about the … [Read more...] about Virat Kohli explains how India plan to ‘intimidate’ England in third Test
Joe Root claims all rounder status as he turns third Test on its head
Joe Root became the first England captain to take five wickets in a Test match since Bob Willis in 1983 and it left him grinning from ear to ear. Not only because it confirmed upon him genuine all rounder status for this game, but more importantly because it dragged England right back into a contest that had seemed dead and buried after the first day. With just 112 on the board, Root's off-spinning efforts with the ball earned him 5-8, the 3rd cheapest five wicket haul by any Englishman, as India were dismissed for just 145 and a lead of 33. Root had come close to achieving the feat on England's tour of South Africa when he found himself with 4-19 in Port Elizabeth and continued bowling only to end up with 4-87. This time though the exploding pitch helped him get to the magical number, while main spinner Jack Leach finished with 4-54. It was Leach who got things moving in the first place by dismissing Ajinkya Rahane and Rohit Sharma early on day two. But the moment Root … [Read more...] about Joe Root claims all rounder status as he turns third Test on its head
Opinion: Myanmar sanctions will not stop the bloodshed
One month ago, Myanmar made international headlines when the military staged a coup d'etat on February 1. De facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi and other political allies from the democratically elected National League for Democracy (NLD) were detained just before the new parliament was about to start. Since then, people all over the country have taken to the streets and many civil servants have joined a strike movement opposing the coup. Nobody wants to go back to dark days of the 1990s and 2000s when Myanmar was under the rule of a military junta. Zeya Thu is editor in chief of Myanmar's Voice Weekly news outlet The police adopted a "wait and see approach" initially, but eventually cracked down violently on the protesters. Myanmar violence increasing Yesterday, February 28, was the bloodiest day so far, with at least 18 people reportedly killed across the country . I witnessed yesterday's violence while covering a mass protest Sunday morning at Hledan, a popular … [Read more...] about Opinion: Myanmar sanctions will not stop the bloodshed