Sports News Highlights: Elaborate security arrangements for India-Bangladesh 2nd Test in Kanpur

An FIR was filed against 20 members of the Akhilesh Bhartiya Hindu Mahasabha on Monday for allegedly organising a 'havan' by obstructing the road before the stadium to protest against atrocities on Hindus in Bangladesh, said ACP Harish Chander.

Police said a "fool-proof" security plan has been chalked out for India and Bangladesh cricket teams which are supposed to arrive in Kanpur by Tuesday evening.

Kanpur's Additional Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Harish Chander told PTI they have sought adequate police force, including senior rank officials, to be deployed for the match.

The officer said they were coordinating with the central and state agencies, including the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and the state Intelligence to share inputs regarding threats, if any, to deal with it deftly.

The Green Park stadium and Hotel Landmark have been divided into sectors, zones and sub-zones, and its reign has been given to DCP, additional DCP and ACP rank officials, respectively, said DCP (East) Shrawan Kumar Singh, who has been made the nodal officer of the entire event.

Traffic diversions have also been imposed ahead of the match.

Those named in the FIR included Rakesh Mishra, Vikas, Atul, Jaydeep, Vikas Gupta, Prashant Dheer, Ajay Rathore, Ashish, Brajesh and about 10 others unidentified.

The FIR has been lodged under BNS sections of 189(2) (unlawful assembly), 191 (2) (rioting), 223 (disobeying an order promulgated by a public servant), and 285 (obstruction or injury to any person in any public way), he said.

Amarnath's famous 'Selectors are a bunch of jokers' statement and his tirade against former BCCI president Raj Singh Dungarpur, after he was dropped for the home Test series against New Zealand in 1988, is the stuff of legend. It was also a reflection of the man's principled nature.

The tension between Amarnath and Dungarpur, a prominent Indian cricket administrator and selector, was a significant episode in Indian cricket during the late 1980s.

Flamboyant keeper-batsman Rishabh Pant marked his much-awaited return to the Test arena with a swashbuckling hundred against Bangladesh in the Chennai Test.

After a stroke-filled 39 in the first innings, the dynamic wicketkeeper-batsman smashed 109 in the team's second essay and also featured in a 167-run partnership with Shubman Gill, setting the ground for India's eventual 280-run victory.

Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif believes that the flamboyant keeper-batsman is the biggest match-winner for India in Test matches and his best is yet to come.

Faced with an 'impossible' imaginary scenario in the Indian Premier League, two former international cricketers were asked: If MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma played for the same team, who would you play, sell, and bench?

This tricky situation was recently tackled by former England captain Michael Vaughan and Australian wicketkeeper-batter Adam Gilchrist on a podcast.

But Michael Vaughan didn't hesitate in his choice.

Steve Smith led Australia in the 2017 Border Gavaskar Trophy series against India. Though Australia lost the four-match series 1-2, Smith ended the series as the highest run-getter on either side with 499 runs including three hundreds.

But the series is still remembered for the 'brain fade' moment that Smith had during the second Test in Bengaluru.

India, fresh off a dominating 280-run win over Bangladesh in the first of the two-match Test series, are now gearing up for the second match in Kanpur. This victory has solidified their top position in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings.

T Dilip, India’s fielding coach, reviewed the top catches from the first Test in Chennai, highlighting the team's commitment and skill in the field.

Ahead of the next match, Dilip praised Virat Kohli's practice habits.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has unveiled the official theme song for the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup. The event kicks off on October 3 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

To drum up excitement, the ICC launched a special song for the occasion. The 'Whatever It Takes' track serves as the tournament's theme song, created by Indian girl band W.i.S.H.

After starting their final stretch of the 'Road to Lord's' campaign for the World Test Championship (WTC) final with an emphatic win over Bangladesh, India will now move to Kanpur for the second and final match of the Test series. The match is scheduled to start on Friday.

India started this stretch needing five wins of the remaining 10 Tests to guarantee themselves a hat-trick of WTC finals next year. Now one win ticked, they need four more with the next nine matches scheduled against Bangladesh, New Zealand and Australia.

India are left with one match vs Bangladesh, followed by a three-match series against the Kiwis at home and a five-match away series against Australia.

The Maharashtra state cabinet on Monday approved allotment of a 2,000 sq m plot at Bandra reclamation to former India and current Mumbai captain Ajinkya Rahane to develop a cricket academy.

The plot was originally allotted to Sunil Gavaskar in 1988 for setting up an indoor training academy, but the cricket legend returned it to the state govt in May 2022.

They are 17 going on 18, and the sound of music in the India camp is getting sweeter by the day.

Barring Virat Kohli, R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, none of the Indian players in the current set-up know what it is to lose a Test series at home.

India have won 17 consecutive series since the loss to England in 2012, a phenomenal record. Even the opposition teams know they are virtually fighting a losing battle.

Former India cricketer Dinesh Karthik has praised young batter Shubman Gill, highlighting his potential for greatness. Karthik mentioned that he would like to see Gill excel in challenging conditions to fully gauge his capabilities.

Speaking on Cricbuzz, Karthik admired Gill's six-hitting ability, noting his unique technique compared to power hitters like Kieron Pollard and Andre Russell.

Australian captain Pat Cummins highlighted the need to contain Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He described Pant as a major game-changer for India. The five-match Test series begins on November 22 in Perth.

Pant has been a crucial player for India, especially noted for his aggressive batting, which has been effective against Australia. Pant made a notable comeback in a Test against Bangladesh, scoring 109 runs in the second innings, helping India to a 280-run victory.

Sachin Tendulkar’s journey to becoming the 'Little Master' is a story of talent, discipline and unyielding passion for cricket.

Born in Mumbai on April 24, 1973, Sachin grew up with a love for cricket inspired by his elder brother, Ajit.

At just eleven, Sachin enrolled in the MRF Pace Foundation with dreams of becoming a fast bowler.

However, it was his mentor, coach Ramakant Achrekar, who recognized Sachin’s true potential as a batsman.

Former Indian cricket captain Kapil Dev, famous for leading India to its first World Cup victory in 1983, believes a cricketer's prime years are between ages 26 and 34. Fitness then determines how long they can stay at the top.

This insight is particularly relevant for celebrated players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Both have exceeded this age range. Kohli, turning 36 in November, and Rohit, who turned 37 in April, have retired from T20Is after their successful T20 World Cup campaign but remain active in other formats.

Kapil shared his views on MyKhel, saying, "In my opinion, the period between 26 and 34 years is your prime and thereafter the fitness of the players will ensure their longevity."