India Wins the Series Against Newzealand.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli scored half-centuries and stitched a century stand for the second wicket to help India outclass New Zealand by seven wickets to take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the three-match One-day International (ODI) series at Bay Oval on Monday. After opting to bat, New Zealand were bowled out for 243 in 49 overs in the third ODI in Mount Maunganui. Ambati Rayudu, who was suspended for bowling by the ICC, was unbeaten on 40 and wicket-keeper Dinesh Karthik on 38 as India chased down the target with seven overs to spare. Skipper Virat Kohli signed off his tour Down Under on a high with a first ODI series win in New Zealand in 10 years. However, it is to be noted that prior to this, India played just one series here since the one in 2009. It was a complete team effort after the bowlers shot New Zealand out for 243 in 49 overs with all-rounder Hardik Pandya (2/45 in 10 overs) making his presence felt with the ball as well as on the field. Pandya was playing his first match after the suspension on him for sexist remarks on a TV show was lifted. The chase was a cakewalk with skipper Kohli (60, 74 balls) and his deputy Rohit Sharma (62, 77 balls) adding 113 runs for the second wicket to set up the victory in only 43 overs. With the pitch on the slower side, the two fluent stroke-players had to keep it slower than usual but even that didn't come in the way of another comprehensive performance. Once Shikhar Dhawan (28, 6x4) was dismissed, caught in the slips off Trent Boult, Rohit, who till then went slow, finally opened up. He signalled his intentions with a straight six off Mitchell Santner. Kohli, at the other end, punched Lockie Ferguson through the point and then hit Ish Sodhi for two boundaries. The first was a top spinner that was pulled in the mid-wicket region while the next was a wrong 'un on the fifth stump which he cut for another boundary. Rohit, who has treated Ferguson with a lot of disdain, then hit a front-foot pull off the bowler for his second six. His skipper also got a six off Ferguson even though he was not in complete control as the ball flew off the top edge. Rohit, who now has 39 half-centuries, was stumped off Santner's bowling, when he tried to go for an ugly hoick. His innings had three boundaries and two sixes. Kohli, who now has 49 half-centuries in ODIs, also hit six fours apart from the six off Ferguson. Just when a 40th ODI ton was looking imminent, Kohli's uppish drive off Boult failed to clear Henry Nicholls at extra cover. However, Dinesh Karthik (38, 38 balls) and Ambati Rayudu (40, 42 balls) did their cause no harm with an unbroken 77-run stand for the fourth wicket to steer the team home.

Hardik Pandya To Join Team India In New Zealand, KL Rahul Included In India A Squad

Hardik Pandya will join the team India squad for the series against New Zealand while KL Rahul has been included in the India A squad that is playing 5 one-day games against England Lions in Thiruvananthapuram, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said in a press release on Thursday. The decision was taken by the Senior selection committee after the CoA decided to lift the bans on Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul. The release also mentioned that Hardik Pandya will be sent to New Zealand to join the team at the earliest and KL Rahul will join the India A squad to play the last 3 one-day games against England Lions. Earlier, the BCCI Committee of Administrators has lifted the bans on Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul with immediate effect. The bans were imposed after the two faced criticism for their comments in the Koffee with Karan TV show. "The Committee of Administrators ("CoA") had, by emails dated 11.01.2019, and in exercise of Rule 41(6) of the Constitution of BCCI, suspended Mr. Hardik Pandya and Mr. K.L. Rahul in view of the allegations of misconduct against them, pending adjudication of the allegations under Rule 46 of the approved BCCI Constitution," the CoA said in a release. "Since the adjudication of all allegations of misconduct against any cricketer registered with, inter alia, the BCCI is required to be undertaken by the BCCI Ombudsman, whose appointment is pending directions of the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India, the CoA is the of the view that the interim suspension orders dated 11.01.2019 should be presently lifted with immediate effect. "The above matter and decision has been taken with the concurrence of the Learned Amicus Curiae, Mr. P.S. Narasimha. In view of the above, the suspension orders dated 11.01.2019 is immediately lifted pending appointment and adjudication of the allegations by the BCCI Ombudsman," the release said. Pandya and Rahul were sent home from the tour of Australia due to their sexist comments on the TV show. The CoA, after consulting new amicus curiae PS Narsimha, decided to lift the suspension pending an inquiry, for which an ombudsman is to be appointed by the Supreme Court. The apex court has listed the matter tentatively for February 5.

India vs New Zealand: India Crush New Zealand By 8 Wickets

India produced cricket of the calibre that has become synonymous with Virat Kohli's men to crush New Zealand in the first ODI but a bizarre and unprecedented sun-induced interruption overshadowed the on-field action in Napier on Wednesday. Entering the five-match rubber following maiden Test and ODI series triumphs in Australia, India signalled their intent with a clinical display, which saw them chase down a revised target of 156 by eights wickets in 34.5 overs. The Duckworth-Lewis method came into the picture for an interruption which was not caused by rain for the first time. On a near-perfect day, the only thing that didn't go their way was the toss. But India made light of that by bowling out the home team for a paltry 157 in 38 overs. Wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav was the most successful bowler, returning figures of 4/39 in 10 overs, while seamer Mohammed Shami finished with an excellent 3/19 in six overs. There were also two wickets for leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal. Captain Kane Williamson top-scored for the hosts with 64 off 81 balls. In response, Shikhar Dhawan began the innings with a flurry of boundaries, eventually finishing as the top-scorer with 75 off 103 balls. The left-handed opening batsman, battling indifferent form, studded his innings with six boundaries. India were comfortably placed at 44 for one when, in a bizarre turn of events, players walked off the ground after dinner because the setting sun made it difficult for them to spot the ball at McLean park. This led to an interruption that has never been seen in international cricket before. Because of the nearly half-an-hour delay, the target was revised to 156 in 49 overs, which the visitors chased without much ado. While Rohit Sharma may have lost his focus after the dinner break, Kohli and Dhawan didn't let the sun-induced stoppage distract their minds when play resumed. Kohli, though, got out five short of a fifty. The Indian captain hit three boundaries in his 59-ball knock before pacer Lockie Ferguson had him caught behind with a quick delivery that caught the batsman by surprise. In the course of his 26th ODI fifty, Dhawan became the joint fourth fastest batsman to reach 5000 runs. Dhawan needed 118 innings to reach the mark. This knock will bring some relief for Dhawan as he hasn't scored a half century in his last nine innings. Earlier, opting to bat, the New Zealanders were off to an inauspicious start, losing both openers Martin Guptill and Colin Munro within the first five overs with just 18 runs on the board. By sending back Guptill in his 56th match, the 28-year-old Shami became the fastest Indian to reach 100 wickets in ODIs. Coming into the series after a hugely successful 2018, Ross Taylor looked good in his 41-ball 24, but he was brilliantly caught and bowled by Chahal, who lured the batsman to dance down the pitch a tad too early with his change of pace. Till Taylor was there alongside Williamson, things looked good for New Zealand, as the duo played a few delightful shots, especially the skipper whose trademark backfoot punch through the covers stood out. Tom Latham was dismissed in similar fashion, with leg-spinner Chahal being the bowler. Henry Nicholls and Mitchell Santner came, swung their willows for a six and a couple of boundaries, and got out to Jadhav and Shami respectively as New Zealand stuttered at 133 for six in the 30th over. By that time, Williamson too had had enough, and got out while trying to hoick Yadav over long-on.

India Target Is 158 In 1st ODI Against Nuzealand

Nuzealand Allout for 157 in first ODI. Excellent bowling by indian bowlers. Nuzealand couldn't be stand in any position for indian strong bowling length and line. Here is the scoreboard of 1st Innings. Updates Upto Dinner Break is IND--41/0. Rohit And Dhawan are in crease.

India Won the Toss And Choose the Bowl First( 38/2 overs: 12.3)

India won the toss and elected bowl first. As of now Australia scroed 38/2 in 12.3overs. Australia Team:: Alex Carey (wk), Aaron Finch (c), Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Jhye Richardson, Billy Stanlake, Peter Siddle, Adam Zampa Bench :: Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh India Team:: Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli (c), MS Dhoni (wk), Kedar Jadhav, Dinesh Karthik, Vijay Shankar, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal Bench:: K Khaleel Ahmed, Mohammed Siraj, Ambati Rayudu, Kuldeep Yadav

India vs New Zealand: New Zealand Name 14-Man Squad For First Three ODIs Against India

New Zealand have brought together their strongest possible line-up for the one-day international (ODI) series against India starting in Napier on Wednesday. Tom Latham and Colin de Grandhomme, who were rested during the 3-0 sweep against Sri Lanka, were named in a 14-man squad for the first three games of the five-match series. Captain Kane Williamson and bowling spearhead Trent Boult, who sat out the Twenty20 against Sri Lanka last Friday, are back in the squad as is Mitchell Santner who made the T20 after being sidelined by injury for 10 months. India and New Zealand are ranked second and third in the world, and coach Gary Stead said the composition of the squad reflected World Cup planning while also giving themselves the best possible chance of winning the series against Virat Kohli's tourists. "Our two main priorities have been to select and prepare a squad capable of winning what is shaping as a massive series against India, and gathering as much information as possible ahead of the World Cup," Stead said. "Tom and Colin are experienced players in this format and will offer quality in their respective roles." New Zealand squad: Kane Williamson (capt), Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie Ferguson, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Colin Munro, Henry Nicholls, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor India squad for the ODIs against New Zealand: Virat Kohli (capt), Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Ambati Rayudu, Dinesh Karthik, Kedar Jadhav, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Vijay Shankar, Shubman Gill, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Ravindra Jadeja, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Siraj, Khaleel Ahmed, Mohammed Shami. India squad for T20I series against New Zealand: Virat Kohli (capt), Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Rishabh Pant, Dinesh Karthik, Kedar Jadhav, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Vijay Shankar, Shubman Gill, Krunal Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Siddarth Kaul, Khaleel Ahmed.

2nd ODI: Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni Partnership, India To Series-Levelling Win Against Australia

Virat Kohli scored his 39th hundred and MS Dhoni impressed with an unbeaten half-century as India beat Australia by six wickets in the second One Day International of three-match series, in Adelaide on Tuesday. The current and former India captains shared an 82-run stand for the fourth-wicket to keep India on the winning course despite chasing a tough 299-run target. With the thrilling last-over win, India levelled the ODI series 1-1, having lost the opening match in Sydney by 34 runs. The decider of the series will be played in Melbourne on Friday. Virat Kohli top-scored for India with 104 runs, while Dhoni contributed an unbeaten 55 not out to lead India's chase. Dinesh Karthik played a brilliant cameo towards the end of the Indian innings and was unbeaten on 25 as India reached the target with four balls to spare. Dhoni pulled off a tight finish for India just like old times to silence his critics after captain Kohli laid the foundation for a win at the Adelaide Oval. Chase master Kohli could not take his team to the finishing line this time but Dhoni (55 off 54) and Dinesh Karthik (25 off 14) rose to the occasion with an unbeaten 57-run stand off 34 balls, taking India home with four balls to spare. Man of the match Kohli was dismissed in the 44th over after making 104 off 112 balls with five fours and two sixes. Dhoni, who has been coping a lot of criticism for his waning finishing skills, turned back the clock and took India past the finish line with a final over six. India got off to a frantic start with Shikhar Dhawan hitting five boundaries in his 28-ball 32 runs. He put on 47 runs for the opening wicket with Rohit Sharma (43). The latter had another strong outing, adding 54 runs with Kohli for the second wicket as India crossed 100 in the 18th over. But just when things were going smoothly, he mishit a pull off Marcus Stoinis (1/46) and was caught in the deep. Ambati Rayudu (24) then came to the crease, and while he added 59 runs with Kohli for the third wicket, it was plain obvious that the number four batsman struggled for timing. Kohli meanwhile was in cruise mode, rotating strike and picking the odd boundary with ease, as he reached fifty in 66 balls. The star batsman stayed in the same mode as the asking rate climbed. But it was Rayudu who tried attacking the bowling and perished instead, caught in the deep off Glenn Maxwell (1/16) in the 31st over. Dhoni then joined Kohli, and the duo put on 82 runs for the fourth wicket, with clever rotation of strike as India crossed 200 in the 37th over to keep pace with the asking rate. Kohli changed gears as he hit two immaculate sixes through pure timing, and reached his hundred off 108 balls. It was his sixth ODI hundred against Australia. The turning point came in the 44th over though, when Australia masterminded Kohli's dismissal through some clever field placement in the deep. He holed out to Maxwell off Jhye Richardson (1/59). Dhoni then took over and put on match-winning partnership with Karthik. In doing so, he turned back the clocks to lead India to a tense finish, and completed his second consecutive half-century in as many matches, 69th overall, off 53 balls. The veteran's running between the wickets, laced with two sixes as the only boundaries, finished things off in style for India. Earlier, Shaun Marsh scored his seventh ODI hundred to take Australia to a challenging total. Marsh arrived at the crease at 26/2 and scored 131 runs and added 94 runs off 65 balls with Glenn Maxwell (48 off 37 balls). The hosts were unchanged from the previous game, while India brought in debutant Mohammed Siraj in place of Khaleel Ahmed. Bhuvneshwar Kumar (4/45) and Mohammed Shami (3/58) exerted themselves on proceedings with the new ball, and didn't let the Australian openers get away quickly. Kumar bowled Aaron Finch (6) through the gate in the seventh over, in a near-similar replay of his dismissal in the first ODI. At the other end, Alex Carey (18) looked set once again before getting out two overs later, a top-edge off Shami's quick bouncer caught at midwicket as Shikhar Dhawan took a skier. It brought Marsh and Usman Khawaja (21) together, and they put on 56 runs off 65 balls. Their partnership threatened to turn the game away, but Ravindra Jadeja affected a brilliant run-out in the 19th over to dismiss Khawaja with a direct throw from backward point. Marsh was able to manoeuvre the middle overs very well, as Mohammed Siraj (0/76) was proving expensive in every spell. The debutant sprayed the ball all over and was never able to hit a consistent line. India were forced to bowl Kuldeep Yadav (0/66) and Jadeja (1/49) earlier in the innings than planned, and even Shami came back for a spell before the 25th over as the lack of a sixth bowling option started to show.

Rohit Sharma Breaks Viv Richards' Record With 22nd ODI Hundred

Rohit Sharma scored his 22nd One Day International hundred but India lost the first ODI by 34 runs at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday. This is Rohit Sharma's fourth ODI century in Australia, highest by any batsman from across the globe. Earlier the Windies legend Viv Richards held this record with three centuries. India captain Virat Kohli, who lost his wicket for three on Saturday, has scored two ODI hundreds in Australia and is joint-third on the list along with eight other batsmen from all corners of the world. After opting to bat, Australia rode on impressive fifties by Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh and Peter Handscomb to post 288/5 in their allotted 50 overs. Pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar and spinner Kuldeep Yadav claimed two wickets each, while Ravindra Jadeja dismissed Khawaja, as India managed to restrict the home team to 288. Chasing the competitive target of 289, vice-captain Rohit Sharma displayed tremendous grit and waged a lone battle for India as the rest of the batsmen kept departing soon after their arrival to the crease. Wicketkeeper-batsman MS Dhoni, who missed the T20Is in Australia, started the ODI series on a bright note. He scored 51 runs off 96 balls, with the help of three boundaries and a six. Apart from Rohit and Dhoni, no other batsman managed to survive for long at the crease and India lost four of their batsmen for a single-digit score. Earlier, India managed a 1-1 draw in the three-match T20 International series and won their first-ever Test series Down Under in the long tour of Australia. The three-match ODI series is a stepping stone for the Indian team ahead of the forthcoming ICC World Cup.

India Lost in First Match against Australia.

Rohit Sharma's classy 133 went in vain as India failed to chase down 289 against Australia and lost the first ODI at the Sydney Cricket Ground by 34 runs. Rohit got virtually no support from the other Indian batsmen: MS Dhoni with 51 off 96 balls was the second highest scorer. Shikhar Dhawan was out for a golden duck, Virat Kohli fell for 3 and Ambati Rayudu perished for a two-ball duck as India slipped to 4 for 3 off 3.5 overs against a top-quality Australian pace attack. Jason Behrendorff and Jhye Richardson bowled with a lot of heart to leave the strongest batting line-up in the world shaken and rocked. But India were not willing to give up that easily. Rohit Sharma, the second highest run-scorer in ODIs in 2018, was slow to get off the blocks but when he got off the mark with a six, it was clear he was going to keep India in the hunt and wage a heroic battle. He had in MS Dhoni an able ally but the former captain had not scored an ODI half-century since December 2017. Slowly and steadily, Rohit and Dhoni started fighting back. Rohit and Dhoni both hit Nathan Lyon for sixes and manipulated the field cleverly. But Rohit was still waging a lonely battle. For the most part of his innings, Dhoni struggled to up the ante and the asking rate kept climbing up. India were still hoping for a miracle. Rohit Sharma and MS Dhoni added 137 for the fourth wicket to lay a foundation. From 4 for 3, India were 141 for 3 before Behrendorff removed Dhoni. TV replays showed the ball had pitched outside leg-stump but India had lost both their reviews by the 33rd over. AUSSIES WIN! The hosts take a 1-0 lead in the @GilletteAU ODI series with Jhye Richardson leading the way with the ball! https://t.co/rHhkFrd50M #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/6xrBZMOr6o cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 12, 2019 Rohit was still taking the fight to the Australians. He brought up his 22nd ODI hundred and 7th against Australia soon after Dhoni's dismissal and kept the hosts on their toes. But Rohit needed someone to bat along at the other end. He had begun to tire and when Dinesh Karthik dragged a Richardson delivery on to his stumps, it looked like end-game for India. But there was no way Australia could relax with the likes of Ravindra Jadeja and Bhuvneshwar Kumara - capable bats both - to follow. Jadeja did not last long and fell to Richardson with India slipping to 213 for 6. And when Rohit Sharma was dismissed for 133 in the 46th over, it was only a matter of time before Australia wrapped up the game. Bhuvneshwar Kumar delayed the inevitable and managed to lower the deficit of defeat but at the end of the day, Australia were just too good. After winning the toss, Australia, in retro jerseys, decided to bat. Aaron Finch would have regretted his decision immediately when he fell to Bhuvneshwar in the third over of the innings. Finch's opening partner Alex Carey was the second Australian wicket to fall in the 10th over. But Australia finally managed what they could not during the Test series - a substantial batting effort by the middle-order. Usman Khawaja (59), Shaun Marsh (54) and Marcus Stoinis (47 not out) made significant contributions but the real star for Australia was Peter Handscomb, who endured a poor Test series. Handscomb top-scored with 73 off 61 as Australia finished with 288 for 5. Australia would be particularly pleased with the efforts of all-rounder Marcus Stoinis whose cameo at the end helped Australia plunder 93 runs off the final 10th over of their innings.

India vs Australia: Aaron Finch Announces Australia XI For First ODI Against India

Australia's limited overs skipper Aaron Finch announced his playing XI for the first one-day international (ODI) against India to be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday. Veteran Peter Siddle, who is set to play his first ODI in over eight years, will line up with Jhye Richardson and Jason Behrendorff to make up hosts' pace attack in Sydney. Experienced Nathan Lyon has been preferred over Adam Zampa as the specialist spinner. Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis occupy the all-rounders' slots. "For Sidds to go away and work on the skills that he's brought to the table over the last couple of years in Big Bash cricket is outstanding," Aaron Finch was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au. "He well and truly deserves his spot. Any tour you go on, Sidds is one of the first picked I would think for what he brings to the team and the skill set he brings." Finch said that Zampa was unfortunate to miss out, but added that the management believed Lyon and Maxwell would have big roles to play in the lead up to the World Cup 2019. "Adam's very stiff to miss out on a game tomorrow," Finch said while announcing the squad on Friday. "He's performed reasonably well for us in the last little bit since he's made his comeback. "It's unfortunate for him to miss but we feel those two (Nathan Lyon and Glenn Maxwell) together could play a really big part over the next six to 10 months." At the top of the order, Finch will open with Alex Carey, the wicketkeeper-batsman, with the likes of Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh and Peter Handscomb making up the rest of the batting line-up. Finch was particularly excited about opening with Carey. "It's just an opportunity to see Alex play in a position he's done quite a bit in Big Bash and one-day cricket," said Finch. "It's a position he's performed really well with in the last couple of years. He's been shuffled around the order a bit in the last little while ... and he'll get a good opportunity up there." After the Sydney ODI on Saturday, the teams will travel to Adelaide and Melbourne for matches on 15 and 18 January. Australia XI: Aaron Finch (c), Alex Carey (wk) Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Nathan Lyon, Peter Siddle, Jhye Richardson, Jason Behrendorff.

Virat Kohli reacts to Hardik Pandya's TV show controversy

India captain Virat Kohli on Friday slammed all-rounder Hardik Pandya and opener KL Rahul for the sexist and misogynistic comments they made on a TV show. "We as the Indian cricket team and responsible cricketers don't align with those views, those were individual opinions. We are still waiting for a decision to be made," Kohli said at a press conference ahead of the first ODI against Australia in Sydney. The 30-year-old further added that the team management will have to wait on the Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) decision on Pandya and Rahul before arriving at a conclusion on their final playing XI for the first match of the three-ODI series. "From the Indian cricket team's point of view, this changes nothing in our beliefs in the change room, it does nothing to the spirit we have have been able to create. Combinations will have to be thought of once the decision comes out," Kohli said. Virat Kohli on KL Rahul & Hardik Pandya, in Australia: We as the Indian cricket team and responsible cricketers don't align with those views, those were individual opinions. We are still waiting for a decision to be made. pic.twitter.com/ECSnmyOegC ANI (@ANI) January 11, 2019 Virat Kohli on KL Rahul & Hardik Pandya: From the Indian cricket team's point of view, this changes nothing in our beliefs in the change room, it does nothing to the spirit we have have been able to create. Combinations will have to be thought of once the decision comes out. pic.twitter.com/TDL3FNA4Ta ANI (@ANI) January 11, 2019 "Definitely it has to hit anyone hard, they will definitely understand the things that have not gone right. From the combination and team balance point of view, yes, you'll have to think about the combination you'll need now," Kohli said. "You don't have control over these things so you have to address it the way it unfolds. That's how we are looking at it, the combinations will have to be looked at when the decision comes out and from there on we'll see what needs to be done about the whole situation," he added. Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul are facing strict action from the Indian cricket board and the Committee of Administrators after their appearance on Karan Johar's celebrity talk show, Koffee with Karan, created a massive stir. Hardik Pandya along with his good friend and India teammate, KL Rahul made a few borderline racist and sexist comments on the show, hosted by popular filmmaker Karan Johar. Pandya boasted about his dates and hookups with multiple women and also narrated how he informed his parents about losing his virginity. "When I lost my virginity, I came home and said, 'Mein karke aaya hai aaj (I had sex today)'." Pandya had said on the show. He added: "At a party, my parents asked me acha tera wala [your women] kaun sa hai, so I said yeh, yeh, yeh [pointing out to some women] and they were like 'waah proud of u beta'. When asked by Karan Johar why he doesn't ask women for their names at nightclubs, Pandya replied: "I like to watch and observe how they (women) move. I'm little from the black side so I need to see how they move." HARDIK'S FATHER COMES TO HIS DEFENCE Reacting to the criticism, Pandya's father Himanshu told mid-day: "I don't think people should read too much into his comments. It was an entertainment show and his comments were made in a light-hearted manner. "He was only looking to entertain the audience. So, it [his comments] should not be viewed very seriously or negatively. He is an innocent boy with a very fun-loving nature." Pandya conceded that he had gotten carried away by the "nature of the show", which is notorious for making celebrities open up on their personal lives. Nonetheless, the BCCI is mulling a two-match ban for both Pandya and Rahul after issuing a show cause notice to both players following the apology issued by Pandya on Twitter and to the board. The episode stirred up such a massive controversy in the country that Hotstar, the streaming website, seems to have deleted the particular episode with Pandya and Rahul from its site. The episode was aired this Sunday on Star World and was available on Star’s OTT platform Hotstar. However, currently all the other episodes of Koffee with Karan are available except for one that featured Hardik Pandya and KL Rahul.

Mayank Agarwal reveals how he neutralised the Nathan Lyon threat

When Mayank Agarwal arrived in Melbourne last month when Virat Kohli's Team India was in dire straits. Opener Prithvi Shaw was ruled out, the 146-run win in Perth had just given a new lease of life to Australia and spinner Nathan Lyon, not the Aussie pace battery, was giving sleepless nights to the Indians with 16 wickets from the first two games. More importantly, the regular Indian opening pair wasn't even lasting first hour of the first innings. Agarwal had a huge task at hand at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), in front of a packed house, in a Boxing Day Test, on Australian cricket's biggest day of the year. This was the moment he had waited for years, scoring thousands of runs in domestic cricket - to get that Test cap number 295. Back home in Bangalore now, remembering the occasion still gives Agarwal the chills. "Ravi Shastri Sir had told me during the practice session at MCG that I will be making my debut. I had imagined the scene at MCG but the reality hit me really hard. I was very nervous when I was about to enter the ground to bat. I looked around the ground, a huge stadium packed to the maximum, and realized that I am in the middle of something big. I felt like I am in a colosseum, with the noise and everything. It was a great feeling. I had waited for this moment, to play Test cricket for India. It was such an overwhelming experience. When I was getting my Test cap, Virat told me that it was a big occasion and I had a chance to make a big impact. So he was very encouraging," Agarwal told Mail Today in an exclusive chat less than 24 hours after returning from Australia. The Mayank Agarwal story From fascination for aeroplanes to playing for India, @mayankcricket on his journey to earn the Test whites https://t.co/EsPUUK0dCs #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/5tYP4G9xIP BCCI (@BCCI) January 4, 2019 With both regular openers KL Rahul and Murali Vijay dropped from the team, Mayank had No.6 batsman Hanuma Vihari as his opening partner at the other end. So bad had been the Indian openers' showing in 2018 that skipper Virat Kohli had to come in to bat anytime after the 10th over in South Africa, England and even the first two Tests in Adelaide and Perth. Agarwal and Vihari's opening stand lasted 18.5 overs and made sure that only the Indian fans rejoice in the MCG stands on the opening day. "After playing the first couple of overs, I felt a bit relaxed. I had a plan in my mind and kept telling myself that I have to stick to it. It was my first game so all the talk of openers not doing well wasn't playing on in my head. We wanted to give a good solid start to the team. So (Hanuma) Vihari and I were focusing on just that. We told each other that it won't be a problem even if we bat slow on that MCG wicket. We wanted to play maximum balls, spend as much time in the middle as possible and build a good partnership. And, we did that by playing together for 19 overs," says Agarwal. Vihari fell for 8 but the Bangalore batsman made 76, the highest score by an Indian bastman on Test debut in Australia. Bringing up a fifty on debut in style!#AUSvIND | @Domaincomau pic.twitter.com/GRNIQ1vlO4 cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 26, 2018 "Yeah, I was disappointed on missing a century on debut. That ball (delivery from Cummins) kicked a bit too. Yes, I would have liked to score big but 76 on debut, I will definitely take that." Agarwal made 42 in the second innings and followed it up with 77 in the only innings Indian batsmen got in the fourth and final Test match in Sydney. Mayank Agarwal played some classy shots in his debut knock in Test cricket!#AUSvIND | @MastercardAU pic.twitter.com/G9RRHBICTW cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 26, 2018 "I was a bit disappointed with the way I got out (in Sydney) because I felt that I threw my wicket. I could have got a big score there definitely. The plan against Nathan Lyon didn't work there. I have taken a learning out of it and will use it in future." That was perhaps the only blip in executing the plan that the 27-year-old had made up against Lyon. Otherwise, the spinner who was threatening the Indian batters - so good against spin generally - in the first two Tests was neutralised by Agarwal who had spent countless hours tackling quality spinners in domestic cricket. Of all the Aussie bowlers, Lyon was the one Agarwal faced maximum in Melbourne and Sydney (104 balls) and he milked him for runs (69 runs, 5 fours, 5 sixes). Along with Cheteshwar Pujara, he had made the deadly Lyon look pedestrian. Agarwal on the attack against Lyon! Watch live via Kayo here: https://t.co/0glOblMnaq #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/M7KJpXu5XI cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 26, 2018 "When I arrived in Australia, I had lengthy discussions with (Sanjay) Bangar Sir and also Rahul on tackling the spin of Nathan Lyon. We analyzed what Lyon is trying to do. So, we worked on it in detail during the practice sessions, on how to keep him in check. I wanted to execute those plans against him in the middle and am happy that I succeeded to some extent." He also believes that 'best friend' Rahul and also Murali Vijay will bounce back soon. "As a player I understand that there will be many ups and downs in the career. Both Murali Vijay and KL Rahul are quality players. They have excelled not just at home but also abroad. I think it is just a phase and they will be out of it soon. Rahul especially is a very good friend so I felt good that he was there when I made my India debut. We played Under-13 together and he was at the other end when I made my Ranji debut for Karnataka too. He made me feel comfortable. In fact, the entire team gave a very warm welcome to me when I arrived in Australia. They helped me prepare well for the match. 'Open'ing up with @klrahul11 & @mayankcricket Openers, teammates, best buddies on & off the field - KL Rahul interviews Mayank Agarwal to reveal some unknown gems about the debutant - by @28anand https://t.co/OMtBq9NzQ5 #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/crvqzoVwbK BCCI (@BCCI) December 26, 2018 "It was a very challenging experience. It is such a good feeling that we triumphed. Beating Australia in Australia in a series, never done by an sub-continental team was huge. I am just happy that we have created history. For me that is the biggest thing that I was part of that team. Virat as a captain is very passionate. He wears his heart on sleeves. He plays aggressive cricket and it rubs onto the entire team. We are playing just to win. We don't have anything at all in our minds." India won't play Test cricket until July but Agarwal will don his whites again shortly - to turn up for Karnataka in domestic cricket and also get ready for the forthcoming India 'A' series. "I am relieved that I have made most of the opportunity in Australia and now want to keep on doing my best," he says.

Hardik Pandya Expresses Sincere Regret After BCCI's Showcause Notice

Indian cricketer Hardik Pandya on Wednesday responded to the BCCI show-cause notice by saying that he was "sincerely regretful" for the comments he made on a TV show, which were slammed as sexist and misogynistic. In his response to the notice, which gave him 24 hours to explain himself, Pandya said he did not realise that his comments would be found offensive. "I made an appearance on the chat show where I have made certain statements without realising that these could be disrespectful and offend sensitivities of viewers for which I am sincerely regretful," he wrote in his response, which is in PTI's possession. "I would like to assure you that there was no malice or any sort of ill-intent on my part to offend anyone or portray any section of the society in bad light. I made these statements in the flow of the show and had not comprehended the extent to which my statements would be found offensive," he added. The 25-year-old, who is in Sydney for the ongoing series against Australia, vowed never to repeat the behaviour. "Rest assured I hold the BCCI in highest regard and will exercise complete discretion and prudence to ensure that such incidents are never repeated in future," he said. Pandya appeared on the show with teammate K L Rahul, who was a lot more restrained in his responses to questions on women and relationships. It is learnt that Pandya has unreservedly apologised to the Indian team management and his teammates here. Although seen in high spirits in celebratory videos circulating on social media after India's 2-1 series' win over Australia, Pandya has since laid low. He wasn't part of the optional practice session at the SCG on Wednesday. He is said to have spoken with coach Ravi Shastri and other senior members of the Indian ODI team, expressing his regret over those remarks made on "Koffee with Karan", a chat show hosted by film-maker Karan Johar. A source, close to the player, told PTI that Pandya was "drawn into making those comments as the show producers coaxed a carefree attitude" from him and Rahul.

Kohli Leads First Ever Captain To Win Series In Australia

A dominant India won a historic first-ever series in Australia with a 2-1 victory after play in the fourth and final Test in Sydney was abandoned due to rain on Monday. Australia were still trailing by 316 runs when the match was called off as a draw, leaving India with a series triumph after wins in Adelaide and Melbourne. It is the first time they have managed the feat since they began touring Australia in 1947-48. Consequently, Virat Kohli became the first Indian as well as the first Asian captain to win a Test series in Australia. Light rain prevented any play with Australia needing to bat out the last day to salvage a draw. The hosts were six without loss at stumps on a weather-affected fourth day on Sunday after being forced to follow on by India. Australia were dismissed in their first innings for 300 in reply to India's 622 for seven. India retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with a historic 2-1 series win.

Rishabh Pant 1st Indian wicketkeeper to score Test hundred in Australia

ishabh Pant scored his maiden hundred in Australia and his second in Test cricket on Friday in the fourth and final Test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). With the three-figure mark, Pant is now the only Indian wicketkeeper to have scored a century in Australia and he did it in style. Pant, who is touring Australia for the first time with the senior squad, scored a boundary off Marnus Labuschagne to reached the hundred in in 137 deliveries. Before Pant's century, Farokh Engineer had the highest scorer of 89 for an Indian wicketkeeper in Australia, which he scored in Adelaide in 1967. With the hundred, Pant is now also the second highest scorer in the ongoing series in Australia. He overtook Virat Kohli's 282 runs and trails Cheteshwar Pujara now, who leads with 521 runs. India vs Australia 4th Test Day 2 in Sydney: Live Cricket Score Out of the top 10 scorers in the series so far, Pant has the second-best average and the best strike rate. A moment to remember for Rishabh Pant!#AUSvIND | @Domaincomau pic.twitter.com/J8uK3gQPJh cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 4, 2019 Pant is also only the second visiting wicketkeeper to register hundreds in both England and Australia. Jeffery Dujon was the first when he scored centuries in Manchester and Perth in 1984. Pant is also the first wicketkeeper from Asia to score over 200 runs and affect more than 20 dismissals in a Test series. Pant has had a very colourful series in Australia so far - from incessant banter with Paine to eventually scoring a hundred, it's been a good tour for Pant. Pant, who was sledged by Paine for losing his place to MS Dhoni in the ODI and T20I team, went on to call Paine a "temporary captain" and one who "only knows how to talk". Paine had even asked Pant if he would babysit for him so he could take his wife for movie. In an extremely funny move, Pant actually posed with his kids during both team's visit to the Australian Prime Minister's official residence. Paine's wife Bonnie posted a picture of the same, calling him "best babysitter". So far in the Sydney Test, there has been no banter between Paine and Pant.