India’s captain Rohit Sharma and spinner Kuldeep Yadav celebrate a wicket during the semi-final match against England in the ICC Mens T20 World Cup 2024, at Providence Stadium in Guyana on June 28, 2024
| Photo Credit: ANI

INDIA bloc plans adjournment motions in both Houses of Parliament on NEET issue

Opposition parties belonging to the INDIA bloc will move adjournment motions in both the Houses of Parliament on June 28 over the alleged irregularities in the National Entrance-cum-Eligibility Test (NEET) and paper leaks in other public exams. 

Rohit Sharma, spinners guide India to third T20 World Cup final

Skipper Rohit Sharma’s grace was matched by the might of Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav as India exorcised the ghosts of 2022 by handing defending champions England a 68-run thrashing to enter the final of the T20 World Cup in Georgetown on June 27.

Students protest at Jantar Mantar, want NTA dissolved

While the President addressed the NEET issue in Parliament on Thursday, only a few km away, Jantar Mantar saw back-to-back protests with students and youth leaders demanding the dissolving of the controversy-riddled National Testing Agency (NTA) and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. Simultaneously, Congress-affiliated NSUI members marched to the NTA and demanded its closure, attempting to lock the office from outside.

CBI arrests two in Patna in NEET paper leak case

In its first arrests from Patna in the NEET-UG paper leak case, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) took Manish Prakash and Ashutosh Kumar into custody on Thursday. According to the agency, the accused played a crucial role in arranging to rent the Learn Boys Hostel and Play School in Patna’s Khemnichak locality, where the leaked question papers were allegedly distributed to the 20 to 25 candidates gathered there on the eve of the examination, so that they could memorise the answers overnight.

Plea in Supreme Court to stay implementation of new criminal laws

A petition was moved in the Supreme Court on June 27 seeking a stay on the implementation and operation of three new criminal laws, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita 2023 and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023, scheduled to come into effect from July 1.

Manipur BJP president meets Amit Shah for ‘permanent solution’ to conflict in State

The chief of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Manipur met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Thursday urging “immediate attention to bring permanent solution and tranquillity to the State”. A. Sharda Devi met Mr. Shah for “an extensive discussion on the current situation in Manipur”. Her three-year tenure as party president ended on Thursday.

President Murmu flags NEET, Emergency in address to Parliament, says government fully committed to investigating ‘paper leaks’

In her first address to Parliament since the Lok Sabha election results were announced, President Droupadi Murmu asked MPs to rise above “partisan politics” with regard to the row over “paper leaks” in examinations for medical college admissions and government recruitment. The Union government is “fully committed” to investigating the issues and punishing the guilty, she said.

AAP MP’s suspension revoked, six new members take oath in Rajya Sabha

Six newly-elected members of Parliament from Bihar, Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh took oath as members of the Rajya Sabha on June 27. The Upper House held its first setting after the constitution of the 18th Lok Sabha on Thursday and it was first day of the 264th session of the Rajya Sabha. 

Pro-Israel posters pasted, black ink thrown outside Owaisi’s residence in Delhi

A group of five men pasted posters outside the residence of AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi in New Delhi on Thursday evening, demanding his suspension from the Lok Sabha, officials said. According to a police officer, four-five men reached Mr. Owaisi’s 34 Ashoka Road residence located in Central Delhi and pasted three posters at the entry gate and wall of the house about 9 p.m.

17 people arrested in attempted coup that shook Bolivia, government says

Bolivia’s government on Thursday announced that a total of 17 people have been arrested over their alleged involvement in the attempted coup that shook the economically troubled country the day before.

Prague-to-Budapest train collides with a bus in Slovakia, killing 5 people and injuring 5

A train travelling from the Czech capital of Prague to the Hungarian capital of Budapest collided with a bus in southern Slovakia on Thursday, leaving at least five people dead and five injured, officials said.

RBI unveils revised Currency Swap Arrangement for SAARC countries

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on June 27 said it with the concurrence of the Government of India has decided to put in place a revised Framework on Currency Swap Arrangement for SAARC countries for the period 2024 to 2027. Under this Framework, the Reserve Bank would enter into bilateral swap agreements with SAARC central banks, who want to avail of the swap facility. 

UltraTech Cement acquires 23% stake in India Cements

Aditya Birla Group’s UltraTech Cement Ltd. announced it was making a non-controlling financial investment to pick up 23% equity stake in India Cements Ltd (ICL). Block deal data showed UltraTech initially bought 6.02 crore ICL shares, or 19.4% stake. Earlier in the day, UltraTech’s Board approved the purchase of up to 7.06 crore equity shares of ICL at up to ₹267 apiece.

India’s approach with the bat now is drastically different to what it was in the 2022 T20 World Cup, England head coach Matthew Mott. File
| Photo Credit: PETER CZIBORRA

India’s approach with the bat now is drastically different to what it was in the 2022 T20 World Cup semi-final and both teams will start Thursday’s contest on an even keel, England head coach Matthew Mott said on Wednesday.

England had annihilated India by 10 wickets in the semi-final at Adelaide two years ago before winning the trophy. India were criticised for their conservative approach back then but now they are playing as per the demands of the shortest format.

“Probably the only thing that we’ve discussed is that we feel that they’re a very different team to that semi-final. The way that they’ve approached it in the last couple of years is certainly taking the game on extremely hard in the power play,” said Mott on the eve of the match.

“Rohit (Sharma) with the bat has led the way extremely well and shown leadership in that department, as has Jos Buttler for us. But I think it presents a really unique challenge for us. It’s a venue we don’t know well.

“We’ve obviously been armed with a lot of information and we think we’ve got a squad to cover it, but there’s a little bit of unknown about what we’re going to get,” he said.

Following the disastrous run in the ODI World Cup in India last year, England have a point to prove despite being defending champions in the current edition.

Asked more about India’s changed approach, Mott said, “When we go back to that semi-final, obviously on a good pitch in Adelaide, we put India in and that was a risk. But I thought we felt that they weren’t sure what a good score was.

“I think the approach now is they would come at us hard and try and maximise that, maybe try and put it out of our reach. You’ve got two great batting line-ups. The bowlers are all class as well. So, it’s going to come down to on the day.” India, however, have not been able to win an ICC trophy in more than 10 years and they are very keen to end that title drought here. Mott highlighted India’s remarkable consistency in reaching the knockout games.

“What India has done incredibly well over the last few years is put themselves in semi-finals contention and the flip side to that is when you don’t win people look at that as a negative.

“But I think the consistency that they’ve shown over a length of time shows what a great group of players they are.

“And like anyone, when you get to the semi-final stage, every team, and the four teams out here, all think they’re in with a chance to win it. And there’s small margins. So, if you take those key moments at the right time, you get over the line, if you don’t, you go home.

“So, our tournament really starts tomorrow, we’re excited by – we know their players well, they know us well,” said Mott.

England have not had the smoothest of runs in the competition but Mott said that is all in the past.

“There’s a general feeling that our best cricket is in front of us. I think we’ve been pretty good in patches, we’ve done some really good stuff over here, but we haven’t put together that perfect game.

“So, with a bit of luck that happens against India. It’s certainly going to be a great occasion,” added the head coach.

Virat Kohli celebrates after winning the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 match against England at Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on October 29, 2023.
| Photo Credit: PTI

India surpassed New Zealand (58) with its 59th win to become the second-most successful team in the ODI World Cups, only behind Australia (73 wins).

England equalled Australia (from 1992) for the most defeats by a defending champion in a World Cup edition with its fourth loss in six games.

Virat Kohli (32nd innings), Joe Root (22nd innings) and Ben Stokes (14th innings) recorded their first World Cup ducks in the match. Kohli and Root marked the first instance of both no. 3 batters being dismissed for nought in a World Cup game.

Rohit Sharma’s 66-ball fifty is his slowest since December 2019. He has struck 14 fifty-plus scores since then.

Rohit is now joint-second on the list for most ODI World Cup fifty-plus scores – 12. Sachin Tendulkar leads with 21 such scores.

Kohli also equalled Tendulkar (34) for most ducks while batting in the top seven in international cricket.

Rohit Sharma became the fifth Indian to complete 18000 international runs behind Tendulkar, Kohli, Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly.

Rohit Sharma completed 1000 ODI runs in 2023, the third player to reach the mark behind Shubman Gill and Pathum Nissanka.

India reached its fifty in 14.2 overs, the slowest among all teams batting first in this World Cup.

India emerged victorious against England in a thrilling match in the ongoing 2023 World Cup. India beat England by 100 runs in a low-scoring thriller. Mohammed Shami (4 for 22) shone with a four-wicket haul in Lucknow as India successfully defended a total of 229 for 9 against the title holders England.  

Shami (4/22) and Bumrah (3/32) stole the show with the ball for the unstoppable hosts as England batters once against cut a sorry figure as they slumped to 129 all out in 34.5 overs for their fifth loss in six games.

Cricket fans were elated with the outcome and took to X, formerly Twitter to celebrate the win. 

A user wrote, “Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop! Rohit Sharma’s Team India is on a roll – 6/6.”

‘ , ‘ ! Rohit Sharma’s Team India is on a roll – 6/6.

Getty • #RohitSharma#INDvENG#INDvsENG#CricketComesHome#CWC23#TeamIndia#BharatArmy#COTI pic.twitter.com/VRSXhY88X8

— The Bharat Army (@thebharatarmy) October 29, 2023

Another user wrote, “Rohit Sharma… India’s best batter in challenging conditions…”

rohit sharma…. india’s best batter in challenging conditions… #INDvENG

— parthiv patel (@parthiv9) October 29, 2023

Many social media users shared videos of fireworks after defeating England in Ekana Stadium. 

“The DESERVING player of the match goes to ROHIT SHARMA.!!! The Hitman,” the third user wrote. 

The DESERVING player of the match goes to ROHIT SHARMA.!!!

The Hitman.!#INDvENGpic.twitter.com/BirvuSQXuU

— ᴘʀᴀᴛʜᴍᴇsʜ⁴⁵ (@45Fan_Prathmesh) October 29, 2023

“Bumrah and Shami destroying England batting lineup in Lucknow,” the fourth user wrote. 

Bumrah and Shami destroying England batting lineup in Lucknow #INDvENGpic.twitter.com/qy9uJIJf0V

— Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket) October 29, 2023

“An Incredible Innings by Rohit Sharma,” the fifth user commented.

It was Rohit Sharma’s 87 and Suryakumar Yadav’s 49 that helped India post a fighting total after England skipper Jos Buttler won the toss and opted to bowl.

England are virtually out of semifinal contention while India, the only unbeaten side in the tournament, are almost there.

New Delhi:

British High Commissioner to India, Alex Ellis, is currently in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, to witness this India vs England face-off. Prior to the match, Mr Ellis engaged in a friendly cricket session with students from the Prerna Girls School.

In the video, Mr Ellis is seen wearing and England cricket jersey while gearing up to face the ball. The next attached to the clip, shared by ANI on X (formerly Twitter), read, “Alex Ellis, British High Commissioner to India plays cricket with the students of Prerna Girls School in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.”

#WATCH | Alex Ellis, British High Commissioner to India plays cricket with the students of Prerna Girls School in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh pic.twitter.com/HNwMdJQJVh

— ANI (@ANI) October 29, 2023

In another video, Mr Ellis is seen engaging with the students. He greets the girls with “namaste” and wishes them a “good morning.” In addition to the students, he also interacts with the coach, organisers, and the scorekeeper.

#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh: Alex Ellis, British High Commissioner to India played cricket with the students of Prerna Girls School in Lucknow. He also interacted with the students. pic.twitter.com/FKHlxi1mse

— ANI (@ANI) October 29, 2023

Speaking about his visit to Lucknow and the India vs England match, Mr. Ellis told the news agency, “I’m very excited to be in Lucknow. It’s the most beautiful city. I am a little anxious about the game because India are playing very well and England are not playing so well. But I hope that we’re going to see a really tight game. There are some great players on both sides and it’s just a pleasure to be here in Lucknow.”

“I think India looks the best at the moment. Australia are coming through nicely. I think they look strong as well. South Africa’s batting is superb, probably India would be the favourite, I would think… I’m very excited for today’s match. I’ve seen England and India play many times before. It’s usually a good game, so I hope we’ll have the same today,” he added.

#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh: On the India vs England match in Lucknow today, Alex Ellis, British High Commissioner to India says, “I’m very excited to be in Lucknow. It’s the most beautiful city. I am a little anxious about the game because India are playing very well and England are… pic.twitter.com/Dst2nV7OCI

— ANI (@ANI) October 29, 2023

India vs England is hosted by the Ekana International Cricket Stadium, Lucknow.

Two to tango: Gill and Rohit have set it up for India during its run chases.  Photo K.R Deepak/The Hindu
| Photo Credit: K.R. Deepak

The essence of an emerging contest is often sensed during the opening act in ODIs. Remember Sachin Tendulkar’s upper-cut six off Shoaib Akhtar in a 2003 World Cup game at Centurion in South Africa? It set the tone for India’s successful chase and it was the bullet that set fire to the African skies. After two decades, that shot continues to have immense recall value.

Cricketing tradition, even in ODIs, often expected openers to wear down fast bowlers before the middle-order stars swaggered in. But that dour garb atop the batting tree was then slightly altered. Teams mixed it up with one classic player walking out alongside an aggressive partner. Closer home, we had Sunil Gavaskar and K. Srikkanth.

Later, it became Ravi Shastri and Srikkanth. Even with the West Indies, Desmond Haynes was more ice to Gordon Greenidge’s raging fire. The late Martin Crowe then unleashed the pinch-hitter with Mark Greatbatch being the battering ram up the order for co-host New Zealand during the 1992 World Cup.

In the 1996 edition hosted in the Indian subcontinent, Sri Lanka did a ‘buy one get one free’ offer as two aggressive willow-wielders — Sanath Jayasuriya and Romesh Kaluwitharana — caused havoc. This double-trouble template was also reflected through Indian pairs such as Tendulkar-Sourav Ganguly or later Tendulkar-Virender Sehwag.

Cut to the latest World Cup, India has been served well by its openers except during that shock two for three phase against Australia at Chennai on Oct. 8. Skipper Rohit Sharma and Ishan Kishan or Rohit with Shubman Gill have plundered runs, especially during the compulsory first 10-over PowerPlay stage with field restrictions.

Against Afghanistan in Delhi, Rohit, and Kishan shared 156 runs. In the big fight involving Pakistan at Ahmedabad, even though Gill fell early, by then India had struck 23 runs in a mere 2.5 overs. When the action shifted to Pune, Rohit and Gill shared an alliance worth 88. Later, once the Himalayas were scaled, the duo added 71 against New Zealand at Dharamshala. In all these key bonding exercises, Rohit was the constant star.

If Kishan was all about left-handed aggression, the aesthetics were often the sole preserve of the right-handers — Rohit and Gill. Usually in cricket, it is the other way round where left always got it right when it came to tapping our artistic biases. An elegant left-hander was an expected norm even if for every David Gower poem, there was a counter through Allan Border’s hard prose.

Killing them softly could be the joint theme of the Rohit-Gill combine and their fiery tango has drilled holes through the opposition’s field settings besides scraping the skies. These partnerships have been crucial as India mounted excellent chases all through this premier championship and also laid the foundation for Virat Kohli to build his strong edifices. As the Men in Blue prepare for their Sunday’s clash against England at Lucknow, the Rohit-Gill chemistry will continue to be the first hurdle that rival skippers will always be wary about.