Temba Bavuma to lead Proteas in Limited Overs; Elgar appointed Test captain

Ben Stokes abused me: Mohammed Siraj

India skipper Virat Kohli and England all-rounder Ben Stokes were seen indulging in a heated exchange of words during the first day of the fourth Test in Ahmedabad. Fast bowler Mohammed Siraj later revealed the reason behind the argument between the two after the end of day’s proceedings. Siraj told that Stokes had abused him during the match and he subsequently told it to Kohli who then had a chat with the England all-rounder about the same. "Ben Stokes gave me gali (abused me) so I told Virat bhai about that. Virat bhai handled it thereafter," Siraj said. The right-arm fast bowler picked some crucial wickets that included the dismissal of England captain Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow. Talking about the plan, Siraj said that though it is a batting track but being patient helped him scalp a couple of wickets. "It was a batting wicket, and it was coming onto the bat nicely, so we planned to bowl patiently and keep bowling at the same spot. Virat bhai told me that we have only two fast bowlers so we will keep rotating, and we will be well-rested," Siraj said at Stumps Day 1. "When I started bowling from the Reliance end, there was a little extra bounce and good movement from that end after I switched. When I played in Australia or when I play here, I will put my effort every ball otherwise it'll affect the team, and it'll release the pressure," Siraj added. India bowled out England for 205 in the first innings on Thursday and ended the day’s play at 24/1. Axar Patel bagged a four-wicket haul while R Ashwin picked up three wickets. India lead the four-match Test series 2-1. If the home side manages to win or draw this final Test then they will find a place for themselves in the final of the WTC to be played against New Zealand at Lord’s. But if India suffer a defeat in this Test then Australia will march into the final.

Jofra Archer misses out fourth Test

England fast bowler Jofra Archer missed the fourth and final Test against India in Ahmedabad. Archer missed the clash due to a persisting elbow injury, the ECB said on Thursday. The right-arm bowler had missed the Chennai Test due to the same reason. “Jofra Archer is not playing in this Test match due to his ongoing right elbow issue. The ECB medical team will provide an update in due course,” read an update from the England cricket board. “Ben Stokes has had an upset stomach, the same issue that has affected other members the touring party. It is not expected to keep him off the field,” it said. England and India are presently up against each other in a four-match Test series. India lead the series 2-1 after winning the third Test by 10 wickets at the Narendra Modi Stadium. The home side lost the first clash but made a fine comeback to win the second and third game. Joe Root won the toss in the fourth Test and opted to bat first. But the English team had a dismal run in the first innings after getting bundled out for 205 after Axar Patel scalped a four-for while R Ashwin got three wickets during the course. For England it was Ben Stokes and Daniel Lawrence who were among some runs. Stokes scored 55 while Lawrence was undone for 46. India ended the first day's proceedings at 24/1 with Rohit Sharma and Cheteshwar Pujara s The Indian team needs to win or draw this final encounter to march into the WTC final to be played against New Zealand at Lord’s. But if the side suffers a defeat then Australia will lock horns with the Blackcaps. England have been knocked out of the WTC after losing the third Test against India in Ahmedabad.

Kapil Dev takes first dose of Covid-19 vaccine

India’s world cup winning captain Kapil Dev has taken the Covid-19 vaccine in New Delhi on Wednesday. Kapil took the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine at the Fortis Hospital Heart Institute in the capital city. Earlier late last year, Kapil who had played 131 Tests for India, was admitted to a hospital for the complaint of chest pain. He was prescribed angioplasty and was discharged just two days after he underwent the procedure. There are other former players who have taken the Covid-19 jab as well. Current Indian head coach and former Indian all-rounder Ravi Shastri and Madan Lal took their first shot of vaccine on Tuesday. Shastri took the jab in Ahmedabad, while Madan Lal took the shot at the Jeewan hospital and nursing home in New Delhi.

Seat broken by Glenn Maxwell's six to be auctioned for charity

Australia all-rounder Glenn Maxwell was back in form with the bat after he scored a 31-ball 70 during the third T20I against New Zealand in Wellington. Maxwell’s brisk knock included 8 fours and five maximums. One of these sixes ended up breaking a seat in the stands. The seat that was destroyed by Maxwell is now up for auction for charity. After losing the first two encounters of the five-match series, the visiting team showed some mettle in the third clash. Batting first, the Aussies posted 208/4 in 20 overs, courtesy Finch and Maxwell’s batting performance. While Maxwell scored 70, skipper Finch notched up 69 in 44 deliveries. Josh Philippe too chipped in with a 27-ball 43. Later, Ashton Agar rattled the New Zealand batting line up with his spin web after scalped 6 wickets in 4 overs after giving away just 30 runs. For New Zealand, it was just Martin Guptill who scored 43 runs while Devoy Conway got 38 in 27, The Blackcaps still lead the series 2-1. “It is always nice to pick wickets especially when you go wicketless in the first two games. But I was lucky, we had 200 on the board and it makes my job a lot easier, the boys also bowled well upfront. I think in the past it (going wicketless) would have got to me but now I have played enough to move on, take it as a new game and a new chance to do something good here. Once I started tossing the ball up I got something out of it. They (the batsmen) have been amazing. Maxwell was incredible, Finchy is back among the runs and really good signs going ahead in the series,” Agar who adjudged Man of the match said.