Watch: Labuschagne Left Distraught After Jadeja Rattles His Stumps

Pitch at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore turned out to be a blessing for the spinners on Day 1 of the third Test between India and Australia. The first session saw India losing seven wickets with only 84 runs on the board after Matthew Kuhnemman and Nathan Lyon wrecked a havoc on the hosts' batting line-up. Post-lunch, India were skittled for 109 with Kuhnemann and Lyon returning with five and three wickets respectively. Later, Team India had a saving grace as their star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja removed Australia's top batting order and gave his side a chance to fightback. Out of the four wickets taken by Jadeja, Marnus Labuschagne's dismissal became a major highlight of the match. 

In the 35th over,  Labuschagne completely failed to judge the spinning delivery as ball stayed low and rattled the middle stump. The dismissal left the Aussie batter in disbelief as he was left astonished with the brilliance of Jadeja's spin. A distraught Labuschagne walked back to the dug out and saw the replay of his wicket. 

WATCH - @imjadeja sneaks one through Marnus Labuschagne's defence

Live - https://t.co/t0IGbs2qyj #INDvAUS @mastercardindia pic.twitter.com/H1bijSuLDJ

— BCCI (@BCCI) March 1, 2023

pic.twitter.com/lbGJwBhEHG

— Anna 24GhanteChaukanna (@Anna24GhanteCh2) March 1, 2023

With this, Jadeja broke the 96-run long partnership between Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja. This was the fourth time in the ongoing series that Labuschagne got removed by Jadeja. Earlier, he was dismissed twice in the Nagpur and in the first innings in Delhi. 

Coming to the match, Indian batters' longstanding struggles against spin were thoroughly exposed before Australia applied themselves on a rank turner to take control of the third Test on a frantic opening day of the match in Indore on Wednesday.

Left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemman (5/16) picked up his maiden five-wicket haul as Australia skittled India out for a paltry 109 shortly after lunch on day one. Virat Kohli top-scored for India with 22 off 52 balls.

Trailing 0-2 in the series, Australia came out with a strong resolve and purpose to end the day at 156 for four, taking a 47-run lead.

Ravindra Jadeja (4/63) took all four wickets for India including that of stand-in captain Steve Smith (26 off 38) before close of play.

(With PTI Inputs)

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/XxQAzG2

Stage Set For Counting In Tripura, Meghalaya, Nagaland

Results will be declared today for assembly polls in Tripura, Meghalaya and Nagaland with the keenly-fought battle in the three northeastern states marking the first round of polls in an electorally-crucial year. 

Meghalaya and Nagaland went for the assembly polls on February 27 and voting was held in Tripura on February 16. The three states witnessed high voter turnout. The BJP, which has replaced Congress as the dominant party in the northeast, is optimistic of prospects in the three states.

Apart from the three states, results will also be declared in the bypolls for Erode (East) seat in Tamil Nadu, Sagardighi in West Bengal Ramgarh in Jharkhand where polling was held on February 27. Polling for Kasba Peth and Chinchwad in Maharashtra was held on February 26. 

Apart from the assembly polls, the bypolls have also evoked wide interest due to battle for supremacy between two factions of Shiv Sena. Though the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction is not the contesting the bypolls, it has thrown its weight behind the Maha Vikas Agadhi candidates. The bypolls are the first since the Election Commission recognised the faction led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde as the real Shiv Sena and allotted it party name and symbol.

The bypoll to the Erode East assembly seat in Tamil Nadu is also significant for both the ruling DMK and opposition AIADMK.

The exit polls have predicted a clear victory of NDPP-BJP alliance in Nagaland, a clear edge to BJP in Tripura and a hung verdict in Meghalaya.

While Tripura saw 87.76 per cent polling, it was 85.90 per cent in Nagaland and 85.27 per cent in Meghalaya. 

Meghayala Chief Minister and National People's Party leader Conrad Sangma met Assam Chief Minister Himanat Biswa Sarma on Tuesday night. The parties were partners in the ruling coalition but fought the assembly polls separately.

BJP leader Rituraj Sinha expressed confidence of party's performance in the three northeastern states.

"People in North-East saw good work done by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Our government will be elected in these states. Our vote share will increase," Sinha said on Tuesday.

The BJP had created a record in Tripura in 2018 election, ousting Left parties from their bastion and hopes to continue its winning run. Left parties and Congress joined hands in this election to give a tough fight to BJP. Tipra Motha, a regional party led by Pradyot Debbarma, a member of Tripura's erstwhile royal family, is also expected to make its presence felt. 

The BJP has allied with IPFT (Indigenous People's Front of Tripura), its partner in the previous assembly polls. The BJP contested 55 seats of 60-member assembly in Tripura in Februart 27 election. The Left Front fielded candidates in 47 seats and Congress on 13. Tipra Motha fought 42 seats and Trinamool Congress put up candidates on 28 seats.

Chief Minister Manik Saha contested from Town Bardowali constituency and Union minister Pratima Bhowmik fought the polls as BJP candidate from Dhanpur.

BJP leaders in their speeches talked about the development picking up pace in the border state and efforts of the "double-engine" government over the past five years. Tipra Motha has raised demand of Greater Tipraland.

The counting of votes of 60 assembly constituencies in Tripura will be held in 21 counting locations across the state. 

Meghalaya went to the polls for 59 of its 60 assembly seats. Polling for the Sohiong Assembly constituency was postponed following the demise of the state's former Home minister and United Democratic Party (UDP) candidate from the seat, HDR Lyngdoh.

The National People's Party (NPP) is leading the ruling alliance which also included the BJP. But the two parties have contested the poll separately. Trinamool Congress and regional parties such as the United Democratic Party and People's Democratic Front have also sought to put up a strong fight and a split verdict could throw open various possibilities in the state.

The BJP and Congress contested 59 seats while the NPP has put up nominees in 56 constituencies. Meghalaya holds significance for pan-India ambitions of Trinamool Congress and the party contested 57 seats.

Conrad K Sangma contested from South Tura constituency while Trinamool Congress leader Mukul Sangma is in the fray from Songsak and Tikrikilla.

In Nagaland, the ruling Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party (NDPP) contested 40 seats while its ally BJP put up candidates 20 seats in the on the 60-member House. Akuluto seat was won uncontested by BJP.

Congress contested 23 seats in the state. The NDPP-BJP alliance in the state is led by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio.

Naga People's Front (NPF) leader Kuzholuzo Nienu has said that the party is open to post-poll arrangements. Interestingly, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) has fielded 16 candidates.

The Election Commission has made adequate arrangements for counting of votes. 

While elections have been held in Nagaland, Tripura and Meghalaya, six more states will go for the assembly polls later this year before the Lok Sabha battle in 2024.

The outcome of the polls in three northeastern states is likely to have a bearing on the prospects of national parties in state polls later this year. BJP is hopeful of the outcome giving it momentum for the poll battles ahead.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

from NDTV News- Topstories https://ift.tt/2obQJvu

Kobe Bryant's Family Gets Rs 240 Crore In Case Over Crash Photos

Late basketball star and NBA legend Kobe Bryant's family is set to receive $29 million (around Rs ₹2,392,011,176) from Los Angeles County to settle a lawsuit over the helicopter crash photos, BBC reported. This also included the $15 million (Rs ₹1,238,060,985) that the jury awarded them last year. 

The lawsuit was filed by his widow Vanessa Bryant over deputies and firefighters sharing graphic photos of the NBA star, his daughter and other victims killed in a 2020 helicopter crash. Notably, Sheriff's deputies and firefighters who rushed to the scene of the January 2020 crash snapped pictures of the carnage, including the mangled remains of the Los Angeles Lakers legend and his 13-year-old daughter.

Vanessa Bryant then sued Los Angeles County arguing that the photos violated her privacy and caused her emotional distress.

Lawyers for LA County called the settlement "fair and reasonable" adding, "We hope Mrs Bryant and her children continue to heal from their loss."

"Today marks the successful culmination of Mrs Bryant's courageous battle to hold accountable those who engaged in this grotesque conduct. She fought for her husband, her daughter, and all those in the community whose deceased families were treated with similar disrespect. We hope her victory at trial and this settlement will put an end to this practice," lawyers for Vanessa Bryant said in a statement on Tuesday. 

The agreement resolves any future claims by Mr Bryant's three surviving daughters, related issues pending in state court, and other costs. Relatives of other victims were also granted $2.5 million in compensation for the photo-taking in 2021.

Kobe Bryant is widely recognized as one of the greatest basketball players ever, a figure who became the face of his sport during a glittering two decades with the Los Angeles Lakers. He was a five-time NBA champion in a career that began in 1996 straight out of high school and lasted until his retirement in 2016.

On January 26, 2020, Mr Bryant, his daughter Gianna and seven other people died in the crash in Calabasas, California. 

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/fQsD0RE

"India's All-Time XI": Shastri's Massive Comment On R Ashwin and Jadeja

Ravichandran Ashwin should be "right up there" among India's all-time greats and his spin twin Ravindra Jadeja also isn'tfar behind, feels former India head coach Ravi Shastri. Ashwin and Jadeja has emerged as one of the deadliest duo in world cricket as they have picked a staggering 462 wickets between them in the 45 Tests that they have played together. The duo collected 16 wickets in the Delhi Test to add to their 15 in the first Test at Nagpur as India took a 2-0 lead in the four-Test series. Ashwin, who has so far taken 463 Test wickets in his illustrious 12-year international career, on Wednesday replaced England's James Anderson as the No. 1 bowler in the ICC Test rankings.

"I never compare eras, but the record that he (Ashwin) has - especially in Indian conditions - would make him a favourite to get into that (all-time XI) squad," Shastri told The ICC Review.

"In Indian conditions he's something else. I mean, you've seen some great spinners in the past. He's right up there. And the fact that he can get you runs at crucial stages makes all the difference.” The 60-year-old Shastri, who had coached India till the 2021 T20 World Cup, is also impressed with Jadeja's oustanding run in the last 18 months and feels the left-arm spin allrounder can join Ashwin in India's all-time XI.

"He (Jadeja) will start to get the credit (he deserves) now. There's no question about it. The last year, year-and-a-half, he's been simply outstanding because he's realised his potential," Shastri said.

Jadeja claimed his career-best bowling figures of seven for 42 in the second innings of Delhi Test to finish with match figures of 10 for 110. It was his second 10-wicket haul in 62 Tests in which he has 250 plus wickets. He has also scored 2619 runs with two of his three Test centuries coming in the last 12 months.

"He gives you nothing and it's a nightmare (for opposition batters). Especially, if you're not in good form, and you are in the opposition as a batsman, you'll have nightmares. You'll have Jadeja in your dreams because the guy gives you nothing.

"If it's a track where the ball is up and down, he can be even more dangerous than Ashwin. Ashwin anyway has the guy (with his) skill. But here, this guy (Jadeja) can have you on edge because one ball will skip through, one ball will turn, and he gives you nothing.

"His accuracy is so good that there are hardly any loose balls on offer." Shastri also remembered a time during his coaching tenure with India when Jadeja was promoted up the order, something which he believes proved to be a turning point for the all-rounder.

"People, and he himself, didn't actually realise how good a player he was until he actually got a couple of big scores in Test matches," Shastri said.

Shastri recollected how during his time, he had encouraged Jadeja to bat up the order in Test cricket.

"I remember we pushed him up the order as well to give him that responsibility and he has not looked back.

"When you see his technique, he plays the ball late, he plays in straight lines and he is just a fabulous cricketer."

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/5Wdr82z

"India's All-Time XI": Shastri's Massive Comment On R Ashwin and Jadeja

Ravichandran Ashwin should be "right up there" among India's all-time greats and his spin twin Ravindra Jadeja also isn'tfar behind, feels former India head coach Ravi Shastri. Ashwin and Jadeja has emerged as one of the deadliest duo in world cricket as they have picked a staggering 462 wickets between them in the 45 Tests that they have played together. The duo collected 16 wickets in the Delhi Test to add to their 15 in the first Test at Nagpur as India took a 2-0 lead in the four-Test series. Ashwin, who has so far taken 463 Test wickets in his illustrious 12-year international career, on Wednesday replaced England's James Anderson as the No. 1 bowler in the ICC Test rankings.

"I never compare eras, but the record that he (Ashwin) has - especially in Indian conditions - would make him a favourite to get into that (all-time XI) squad," Shastri told The ICC Review.

"In Indian conditions he's something else. I mean, you've seen some great spinners in the past. He's right up there. And the fact that he can get you runs at crucial stages makes all the difference.” The 60-year-old Shastri, who had coached India till the 2021 T20 World Cup, is also impressed with Jadeja's oustanding run in the last 18 months and feels the left-arm spin allrounder can join Ashwin in India's all-time XI.

"He (Jadeja) will start to get the credit (he deserves) now. There's no question about it. The last year, year-and-a-half, he's been simply outstanding because he's realised his potential," Shastri said.

Jadeja claimed his career-best bowling figures of seven for 42 in the second innings of Delhi Test to finish with match figures of 10 for 110. It was his second 10-wicket haul in 62 Tests in which he has 250 plus wickets. He has also scored 2619 runs with two of his three Test centuries coming in the last 12 months.

"He gives you nothing and it's a nightmare (for opposition batters). Especially, if you're not in good form, and you are in the opposition as a batsman, you'll have nightmares. You'll have Jadeja in your dreams because the guy gives you nothing.

"If it's a track where the ball is up and down, he can be even more dangerous than Ashwin. Ashwin anyway has the guy (with his) skill. But here, this guy (Jadeja) can have you on edge because one ball will skip through, one ball will turn, and he gives you nothing.

"His accuracy is so good that there are hardly any loose balls on offer." Shastri also remembered a time during his coaching tenure with India when Jadeja was promoted up the order, something which he believes proved to be a turning point for the all-rounder.

"People, and he himself, didn't actually realise how good a player he was until he actually got a couple of big scores in Test matches," Shastri said.

Shastri recollected how during his time, he had encouraged Jadeja to bat up the order in Test cricket.

"I remember we pushed him up the order as well to give him that responsibility and he has not looked back.

"When you see his technique, he plays the ball late, he plays in straight lines and he is just a fabulous cricketer."

from NDTV News- Topstories https://ift.tt/5Wdr82z

Think Tank CPR's Foreign Funding Licence Halted: "Will Explore Recourse"

Prominent public think-tank Centre for Policy Research has said it would "explore all avenues of recourse" after its Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) licence was suspended earlier today by the Union Home ministry over alleged violations of Income Tax laws. The suspension means the think tank will not be able to receive foreign funding.

The non-profit, a recognised institution of the Department of Science and Technology, receives grants from the Indian Council for Social Science Research. Its donors include the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the University of Pennsylvania, the World Resources Institute and the Duke University.

In a statement, the CPR said the IT department a survey on its premises in September last year. "As part of the survey follow-up process, CPR received several notices from the department.

Following the process, detailed and exhaustive responses have been submitted to the department. CPR has and continues to cooperate fully with the authorities beyond our objects of association and compliance mandated by law," the statement read.

"In the light of the current MHA order, we will explore all avenues of recourse available to us. Our work and institutional purpose is to advance our constitutional goals and protect constitutional guarantees. We ae absolutely confident that the matter will be resolved speedily, in fairness and in the spirit of our constitutional values," the statement added.

The CPR has been asked to provide documents for the FCRA funds it receives. Its license was due for renewal in 2021.

In its statement, the CPR said it conducts advanced and in-depth research on a wide range of policy-relevant issues, with a focus on India's 21st-century challenges.

Over the last five decades, the CPOR said it has worked with several government departments, including the ministries of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Rural Development and Jal Shakti. The state governments it had partnered on various projects include that of Rajasthan, Punjab, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Meghalaya nd others.

"Through their research and writing, CPR scholars have made pioneering contributions to public policy in India," the statement read.

In January last year, the FCRA licence of non-profit Oxfam was suspended, after which it filed a revision petition with the home ministry.

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/sa6A4GE

Who Is Zafar Ahmed? UP Murder Was Plotted At His Home, Now Demolished

The daylight killing of a murder witness in Uttar Pradesh was planned in the house in Prayagraj that faced bulldozer action this morning. The house belonging to Zafar Ahmed, a close relative of gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed, also hosted the killers.

The case pertains to the killing of lawyer Umesh Pal, who had witnessed the 2005 murder of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MLA Raju Pal, a rival of former Samajwadi Party leader Atiq Ahmed.

Atiq Ahmed, who is in jail in Ahmedabad, allegedly plotted Umesh Pal's murder before he could record a police statement.

Umesh Pal's murder was plotted at the Prayagraj house of Zafar Ahmed, which was also close to Atiq Ahmed's house. It was here that the killers met Atiq Ahmed's wife and BSP leader Shaista Parveen.

Shaista Parveen, who has been named in Umesh Pal's killing along with her son Asad Ahmed, was staying at the house with her children in 2021.

The house belonging to Zafar Ahmed, who faces half a dozen cases, did not have adequate clearances, sources said.

Arms and ammunitions were also recovered during a search of the bungalow, sources said today.

Bulldozer action is expected on the houses of Atiq Ahmed's other aides - Guddu Muslim, Nafeez, Arman, Sadakat, and Ghulam.

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/k5Nm6D4