Cricket

Virat Kohli, the fiery Indian batter, displayed an uncharacteristic restraint during the first Test against New Zealand. Known for his passionate and aggressive on-field demeanor, Kohli's muted reaction to a controversial dismissal raised eyebrows.In the 89th over of New Zealand's innings, Rachin Ravindra was given out caught behind off Mohammed Siraj's bowling. The entire Indian team erupted in celebration, including umpire Michael Gough. However, replays revealed that the ball had not touched Ravindra's bat, but rather a separate noise had occurred.Commentators Harsha Bhogle and Ian Smith noticed that Kohli, positioned at first slip, remained unmoved throughout the proceedings. Replays confirmed that Kohli had indeed not celebrated, despite the initial jubilation from his teammates.Bhogle remarked that Kohli, known for his expressive nature, was at the top of the list of "most expressive people in the world." He suggested that Kohli's muted reaction may have hinted at his belief that the dismissal was not legitimate.Kohli's restraint stood in stark contrast to his usual on-field persona. As India's former captain, he had earned a reputation for wearing his heart on his sleeve and approaching every game with an aggressive, but fair, demeanor.The incident highlights the complexities of the game of cricket and the importance of fair play. While the Indian team initially celebrated the dismissal, Kohli's muted reaction served as a reminder that the spirit of the game should always prevail.Despite India's strong batting performance on Day 3, they suffered a setback when Kohli was dismissed caught behind on the final ball of the day. India ended the day on 231/3, still trailing New Zealand by a significant margin of 125 runs.

No-Balls in Cricket: A Comprehensive GuideIn cricket, a no-ball is an illegal delivery by the bowler, resulting in a free hit for the batsman in limited-overs matches. This rule is enforced by umpires to ensure fair play and safety.Common Reasons for No-Balls* Overstepping the Popping Crease: The bowler's front foot must remain behind the popping crease at the moment of delivery.* Bowling Above Waist Height: The ball must be delivered below the batsman's waist height in their normal stance.* Overextended Bowling Arm: The bowler's bowling arm must not be extended beyond 15 degrees at the elbow.* Illegal Bowling Actions: Certain bowling actions, such as chucking or throwing, are deemed illegal and result in a no-ball.* Dangerous Deliveries: Deliveries that pose a safety risk to the batsman, such as bouncers that are too high or wide, can also be called as no-balls.Consequences of a No-Ball* The batting side is awarded one run.* The next ball is a free hit, during which the batsman cannot be dismissed by any means except run out or stumping.Rare No-Ball Decision in Vitality T20 BlastDuring a 2024 Vitality T20 Blast match between Somerset and Northamptonshire, a rare no-ball decision was made. Upon reviewing a stumping appeal, the third umpire determined that the wicketkeeper's gloves were ahead of the stumps at the time of delivery, rendering the delivery illegal. This no-ball gave the batsman a free hit, which he capitalized on by hitting a six.Somerset's VictorySomerset, led by Lewis Gregory, posted a formidable 215/3 in their 20 overs, thanks to half-centuries from Tom Banton and Tom Kohler-Cadmore. In response, Northamptonshire managed 198/5, giving Somerset a 17-run victory. Somerset will now face Surrey in the semifinals on September 14 in Birmingham.

IPL Reforms: Sunrisers Hyderabad CEO Proposes Overhaul of Retention and Auction ProcessesIn a bid to enhance strategic flexibility, ensure fair market pricing, and maintain the integrity of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Kavya Kalanithi Maran, CEO of Sunrisers Hyderabad, has presented a comprehensive set of proposals to reform the retention and auction processes.Maran's primary suggestion is to allow franchises a minimum of six retentions or Right to Match (RTM) options ahead of the mega auction. This flexibility would enable teams to retain a core group of players while also allowing them to acquire new talent through the auction.To address concerns about player satisfaction with retention amounts, Maran proposes that players be given the option to either be retained or go to auction at a market-discovered price. This would prevent disputes over retention amounts and ensure that players are fairly compensated.Maran also advocates for removing the cap on retaining foreign players. She argues that each team has unique strengths and weaknesses, and the number of foreign players retained should be at the discretion of the franchise.To prevent players from reneging on their commitments, Maran proposes banning players who do not show up after being purchased at the auction, unless due to injury. This would ensure that teams can rely on the players they acquire.Regarding retired players, Maran believes they should be treated fairly in the auction. She suggests that their experience and brand value should be reflected in their auction price, rather than being classified as uncapped.Finally, Maran proposes changes to how money is deducted from the overall salary cap for retained players. She suggests that the money deducted should be an overall pot based on the number of players retained, with franchises having the discretion to decide how to split the amount among retained players.Maran's proposals aim to create a more balanced and competitive IPL, where franchises have greater flexibility in building their squads and players are fairly compensated.

Ravichandran Ashwin, a staunch advocate of running out non-strikers, recently found himself on the receiving end of a warning for backing up too far. The incident occurred during a Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) match between his team, Dindigul Dragons, and Nellai Royal Kings.In the 15th over, left-arm spinner Mohan Prasath halted his run-up after noticing Ashwin out of his crease. Replays revealed that while Ashwin was prematurely walking down the crease, his bat slipped out of the popping crease when Prasath stopped.This incident sparked debates on social media. Some criticized Ashwin for experiencing the consequences of his own actions, while others argued that the warning was unwarranted as he gained no unfair advantage.Ashwin himself took to Twitter to clarify the situation, posting a screenshot of the relevant law (38.3) which states that a non-striker is only liable to be run out when the ball is in play and the bowler is expected to release it. In this case, Ashwin would not have been out even if Prasath had dislodged the bails."Cos they don't know the rule," Ashwin tweeted in response to criticism that commentators failed to highlight this fact.Meanwhile, Ashwin is currently not part of the Indian team for the ongoing white-ball tour of Sri Lanka. He is expected to return for the upcoming home Test series against Bangladesh.In other news, India secured an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka with a seven-wicket victory in the rain-affected second match. The third and final T20I will be played on Tuesday in Pallekele, followed by a three-match ODI series.

Ravichandran Ashwin's Humorous Mankading Warning in TNPL 2024Ravichandran Ashwin, the renowned Indian off-spinner, found himself in a comical situation during a Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) 2024 match between the Nellai Royal Kings and the Dindigul Dragons. In a moment that left spectators and commentators in stitches, Ashwin received a warning for leaving the non-striker's end too early, despite keeping his bat grounded until the last possible moment.The incident occurred during the 15th over of the Dindigul Dragons' innings. Bowler Mohan Prasath, in a light-hearted gesture, issued the warning to Ashwin, who had been known to be a vocal advocate for the legality of "mankading," a method of dismissal where the bowler runs out the non-striker for backing up too far.The incident sparked laughter among the commentators, who couldn't resist poking fun at Ashwin's strict adherence to the rules. Star Sports shared a video of the moment on social media, with a caption that translated to, "Ash Anna be like: Headmaster of the school you studied in!"Ashwin's stance on mankading has been a topic of debate since he dismissed Jos Buttler in this manner during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2019. While some argue that it is a fair and legal dismissal, others believe it goes against the spirit of the game.Despite the controversy, Ashwin remains a staunch supporter of mankading, arguing that it is within the rules of cricket and helps to prevent non-strikers from taking unfair advantage. His actions and statements continue to highlight the importance of adhering to the laws of the game and the ongoing debate surrounding the ethics of mankading.

Sunil Gavaskar Raises Concerns Over Bowlers' Drink Breaks at Boundary LineLegendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has expressed his dissatisfaction with the modern practice of bowlers taking drink breaks at the boundary line after each over. He believes this habit provides an unfair advantage to bowlers compared to batters, who do not get the same opportunity to hydrate themselves during the game.In a column for Sportstar, Gavaskar pointed out that the current practice goes against the established rule of drinks intervals. He argued that if bowlers are allowed to hydrate themselves after every over, there is no need for the designated drinks interval."Why have the drinks interval then if bowlers are going to get themselves hydrated after going flat out for six deliveries?" Gavaskar questioned. "Mind you, the batter doesn't get the chance to have a drink after an over where they may have taken eight runs or so, which are all runs."Gavaskar believes that the ideal interval for drink breaks should be one hour of play. If there is a necessity for additional breaks, the umpire and the opposing team's captain should be consulted for their approval."Cricket is also a game where stamina and endurance matter no matter what the format is," he added. "So frankly, it should go back to the days when drinks were taken only after every hour of play and before that only with the permission of the opposition captain and umpires."Gavaskar also criticized the practice of reserve players stepping onto the field to offer drinks to their teammates. He believes this should be prohibited and that the reserve player should remain outside the boundary line."The third umpire and match referee should also ensure that the reserve player does not step onto the field to offer a drink to his teammate but stays outside the boundary line," he said.Gavaskar's concerns highlight the need for a fair and consistent approach to hydration breaks in cricket. By addressing this issue, the authorities can ensure that both bowlers and batters have equal opportunities to perform at their best.

India's Historic T20 World Cup Triumph: Gavaskar Slams Accusations Against Suryakumar Yadav's CatchIndia's emphatic victory in the T20 World Cup 2024 has been marred by allegations surrounding Suryakumar Yadav's crucial catch in the final over against South Africa. However, legendary Indian batter Sunil Gavaskar has vehemently defended Yadav, slamming an Australian newspaper for questioning the legitimacy of the catch.Yadav's acrobatic effort to dismiss David Miller in the final over was initially hailed as a brilliant piece of fielding. However, videos emerged on social media suggesting that Yadav may have touched the boundary line with his leg while completing the catch. These claims were amplified by some foreign media outlets, prompting Gavaskar to voice his disapproval.In a column for Sportstar, Gavaskar wrote, "There was also a question raised in an Australian paper about the fairness of the catch that Suryakumar Yadav took to dismiss David Miller in the final. All the replays were quite clear that SKY had done a marvellous balancing act as he took the catch and flicked the ball up in the air before he crossed the boundary rope and then jumped in the air and caught the ball within the boundary to complete a fabulous catch."Gavaskar went on to criticize Australian journalists for their hypocrisy, stating, "Nobody questioned the catch, but the writer of the article did. He may be interested to see the video floating around of the 10 most blatant cheating acts done by the Aussies before trying to point a finger at SKY. Pot calling the kettle black indeed."Gavaskar's comments highlight the importance of fair play and the need to respect the decisions made by umpires. India's T20 World Cup triumph was a testament to their skill and determination, and it should not be overshadowed by unfounded accusations.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has conducted search operations at 19 locations in Mumbai and Pune as part of an ongoing investigation into the illegal broadcasting of cricket matches and online betting activities by "Fairplay" (thefairplay.io).During the searches, movable assets worth approximately ₹8 crore were seized, including cash, bank funds, demat account holdings, and luxury watches. Various incriminating documents and digital devices were also confiscated.The investigation revealed that Fairplay made agreements with Indian agencies representing celebrities through foreign-based entities in Dubai and Curacao. However, no due diligence was performed by the Indian agencies before executing the promotion agreements.Further investigation uncovered that Fairplay collected funds through bogus and shell bank accounts, which were then layered through a complex web of bank accounts of shell entities. These funds were eventually accumulated in pharma companies involved in bogus billing.The ED also found that funds from these companies were siphoned off to overseas shell entities in Hong Kong SAR, China, and Dubai. Over 400 bank accounts of shell entities were used for these purposes, and the trailing and utilization of funds collected from the public by Fairplay are under examination.The ED initiated the investigation based on an FIR registered by Nodal Cyber Police, Mumbai, on the complaint of M/s. Viacom18 Media Pvt Limited. Fairplay is accused of causing a loss of revenue of more than ₹100 crore (Proceeds of Crime).The investigation is ongoing, and further details are expected to emerge in the coming days.

Chris Wood's Sportsmanship Shines in Vitality Blast MatchIn a heartwarming display of sportsmanship, Hampshire Hawks bowler Chris Wood exemplified the true spirit of fair play during the Vitality Blast match against Kent on Sunday.Wood's compassionate decision not to attempt a run-out of Kent's Matt Parkinson, who had been struck by a powerful straight drive, earned him a heartfelt round of applause from the crowd.The incident occurred in the final over of the first innings at the Rose Bowl. Wood, who had bowled with precision throughout the innings, had already claimed a wicket and was looking to wrap up the innings.As Parkinson took to the crease, he opened his account with a single. However, disaster struck when all-rounder Joey Evison attempted a powerful drive down the ground. The ball struck Parkinson on the body, causing him to collapse in pain and drop his bat.As Wood retrieved the ball, he could have easily dislodged the bails and ended the innings. Instead, he chose to walk past the stumps, showing compassion for the injured tailender.The crowd responded to Wood's gesture with a warm round of applause, recognizing the true spirit of sportsmanship. Wood's decision not to take advantage of Parkinson's misfortune demonstrated the importance of fair play and respect in the game of cricket.Wood's act of kindness not only earned him praise from the crowd but also from his teammates and opponents. It served as a reminder that even in the heat of competition, sportsmanship and compassion should always prevail.