<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/50876885.cms" style="width: 800px; height: 600px;" /> Australian all-rounder <keyword id="6378477" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Shane-Watson">Shane Watson</keyword> today became the first million-dollar buy of the Indian Premier League players' auction going to <keyword id="12643" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Royal-Challengers">Royal Challengers</keyword> Bangalore for a whopping Rs 9.5 crore ($1.39 million) after an intense bidding war. 
 India's <keyword id="351" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Yuvraj-Singh">Yuvraj Singh</keyword> wasn't third-time lucky in terms of being the biggest buy but <keyword id="1494441" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Sunrisers-Hyderabad">Sunrisers Hyderabad</keyword> entered late into the fray to buy him for Rs 7 crore ($1.03 million). 
 Sunrisers Hyderabad also bought veteran pacer <keyword id="6357606" type="PERSON" weightage="80" keywordseo="Ashish-Nehra">Ashish Nehra</keyword> for Rs 5.50 crore ($810,000) pipping Kings XI Punjab and Gujarat Lions. 
 
Debutants Pune Supergiants got Kevin Pietersen for Rs 3.5 crore ($515,000), the first player to go under the hammer, even though Gujarat Lions also bid intensely for the dashing England batsman. Pune also got Ishant Sharma Rs 3.8 crore (USD 559,000) 
 
Gujarat Lions got South African Dale Steyn and West Indian Dwayne Smith for Rs 2.3 crore ($338,000) each. 
 
However, the player to hit the pay dirt was definitely Watson, who recently hit a smashing century in the third T20 International against India recently. 
 
Image credit: Indiatimes 
 Also, he has been an ever-present player for the now banned <keyword id="13802" type="CITY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Rajasthan-Royals">Rajasthan Royals</keyword> being the 'Player of the Tournament' in the league's first season. 
 
Watson has retired from the longer format but his 130-135 kmph seam-up stuff has also turned out to be handy on Indian pitches. 
 
Australian T20 captain Aaron Finch New Zealand batsman Martin Guptill were the players who went unsold in the first session

IPL Auction: Shane Watson becomes the costliest buy for Royal Challengers Bangalore at Rs 9.5 crore!

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/50867235.cms" /> 
If you've not a Martian you must have felt the tremors of the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=ICC+World+Twenty20">ICC World Twenty20</a> craze hitting India. 
 
The Pakistan team is awaiting last minute clearances to fly to India for the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=ICC+World+Twenty20">ICC World Twenty20</a>. The country has asked for a public assurance that its players and spectators would be safe in India. This also saw the March 19 Indo-Pak match being shifted from Dharamshala to Kolkata. 
 
Hoping everything works out just fine, this edition of the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=ICC+World+Twenty20">​ICC World Twenty20</a> promises a lot of excitement. 
 
<a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Mahendra+Singh+Dhoni">Mahendra Singh Dhoni</a> is set to lead India's 15-member squad for the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=ICC+World+Twenty20">World Twenty20</a> that has some really promising names. Young and promising all-rounder <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Pawan+Negi">Pawan Negi</a> came off as a surprise this time. 23-year-old <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=Pawan+Negi">Negi</a> bowls left-arm spin and can bat if necessary. His consistency in the domestic cricket scene might have offered him this chance. Other youngsters Jasprit Bhumrah and Hardik Pandya earned their place after their brilliant performance in Australia. However, pacers Ishant Sharma and Bhuvneshwar Kumar were ignored. So was batsman Manish Pandey. 
 
BI India offers you the records of the individual players ahead of the much awaited <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=ICC+World+Twenty20">ICC World Twenty20</a>.

Here's India’s Firepower for the ICC World
Twenty20

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/45776720.cms" /> 
The All-India Senior Selection Committee has finally announced the names of the players who would be part of India’s squad for the 2015 World Cup.
 According to a BCCI press release, <keyword id="6354832" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="MS-Dhoni">MS Dhoni</keyword> will lead the 15-member squad in ICC CWC 2015. Other members of the squad are: <keyword id="6354486" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Virat-Kohli">Virat Kohli</keyword> (Vice Captain), Ajinkya Rahane, Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Stuart Binny, Suresh Raina, Ravindra Jadeja, Ambati Rayudu, Axar Patel, R Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Md. Shami, Umesh Yadav, and Ishant Sharma. Sadly, senior players like <keyword id="351" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Yuvraj-Singh">Yuvraj Singh</keyword> couldn’t find any place in the team. Earlier in the day, we read reports speculating Yuvraj Singh’s name in the Final 15. This news would be a disheartening for Yuvi’s fans, who were hoping that Yuvi’s recent performance in the Ranji trophy matches—wherein he scored three consecutive centuries—would help him earn a place in the squad. 

	It’s worth noting that Yuvraj Singh was a star performer in the 2011 World Cup and also the man of the series. However, post recovering from cancer, he hasn’t played much of competitive cricket and not even a single ODI in 2014.

Bad News For Yuvi Fans; No Place For Him In India’s Squad  For World Cup 2015

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/45775218.cms" /> 
With just a few hours left in the final selection of the squad for the <keyword id="22177" type="SPORT" weightage="100" keywordseo="world-cup">World Cup</keyword>, cricket fans across the country are waiting anxiously to know which 15 players will be given the responsibility to represent India in the World Cup 2015. The biggest question in the minds of cricket lovers is: Will Yuvraj Singh make it to the final 15?

	 

	As the World Cup will be played in Australia and New Zealand, the selectors need to choose players who can adjust well to the drastically different playing conditions. Experience will count a lot as players will have to handle totally different situations.<o:p></o:p>

	<o:p> </o:p>

	This might be a blessing in disguise for Yuvraj Singh, who was a star performer in the last World Cup, wherein he also won the man of the series. He had scored 362 runs and taken 15 wickets. However, what could against him is the fact that he did not play even single ODI in 2014. He had last played an ODI in December 2013. <o:p></o:p>

	 

	Mahendra Singh <keyword id="6397" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Dhoni">Dhoni</keyword>, who recently retired from Test cricket, is likely to be retained as the captain. The top order is likely to be chosen among Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, <keyword id="6354486" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Virat-Kohli">Virat Kohli</keyword> and Suresh Raina. <o:p></o:p>

	 

	In the bowling department, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja are likely to get a call, while there would be a tough fight among the pacers: Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav and Varun Aaron. <o:p></o:p>

World Cup Squad To Be Announced Today; Yuvraj Singh’s Selection Keenly Watched

Cuttack: India's poor showing with the white ball, especially in the death overs has been troubling the team as recently as the abandoned series against the West Indies, but their fast bowlers gave a favourable account of themselves during a comprehensive 169-run win over <keyword id="6355572" type="COUNTRY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sri-Lanka">Sri Lanka</keyword> in their first game of the series on Sunday. While the batsmen continued to dominate the performances with <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/shikhar-dhawan/4001/28004">Shikhar Dhawan</a> and <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/ajinkya-madhukar-rahane/4001/32045">Ajinkya Rahane</a> hitting fluent centuries, it was the pace bowling triumvirate of <keyword id="149050" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Umesh-Yadav">Umesh Yadav</keyword>, <keyword id="6370607" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Varun-Aaron">Varun Aaron</keyword> and <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/ishant-sharma/4001/4094">Ishant Sharma</a> that impressed under lights and heavy dew at the Barabati Stadium in Cuttack. 
 
An early start to day/night fixtures on account of the dew prompted Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews to put the hosts in to bat, but an extremely good batting surface, coupled by rapid centuries from Rahane ​(111, 108b, 13x4, 2x6) and Dhawan ​(113, 107b, 14x4, 3x6) took out any advantage the chasing side may have had. The Indian openers added 231 runs in 35 overs, and despite their quick dismissals soon after, the middle order powered them to 363 for 5 in the first game of the five-match contest. 
 
In reply Sri Lanka were bowled out for 194 inside 40 overs, with Ishant picking up 4 for 34 - his best bowling figures in ODI cricket - to highlight an eye-catching performance from the Indian seamers, even though India would be sweating over the status of Aaron, who had hobbled off the field while bowling his fifth over with a thigh strain. While India impressed, Sri Lanka were left to rue their poor bowling performance and the batsmen's inability to put pressure on India's bowlers instead, with only <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/denagamage-proboth-mahela-de-silva-jayawardene/9001/9003">Mahela Jayawardene</a> (43, 36b, 6x4, 1x6) looking comfortable in the middle until hitting straight into Virat Kohli's hands off Akshar Patel. 
 The Sri Lankan batsmen would have expected some freebies especially early on with the new ball, but Yadav and Aaron began probingly, repeatedly beating the outside edges of both <keyword id="352871" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Upul-Tharanga">Upul Tharanga</keyword> and Tillakaratne Dilshan. India's pace bowling duo cranked up the pace from the start and the Sri Lankan openers struggled to time the ball. Dilshan fell to Yadav caught behind for 18 in the ninth over and Sri Lanka had failed to get a move on. <keyword id="22772" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Kumar-Sangakkara">Kumar Sangakkara</keyword>'s wicket for 13 made matters worse, and the trend of regular wickets continued right until the last wicket. 
 Dhammika Prasad and debutant Lahiru Gamage, opening the bowling in the absence of the injured <keyword id="64162" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Lasith-Malinga">Lasith Malinga</keyword> and Nuwan Kulasekara - not picked for this game - had earlier kept the Indian openers quiet as Gamage even slipped in a maiden over, but Rahane and Dhawan hit their groove soon after. They were also helped by two rare tough chances put down by Kumar Sangakkara, but aside from that they were seldom troubled on a batting paradise. 
 
Run-fests are common in limited overs contests played in India, but what was encouraging in terms of Virat Kohli's captaincy was India's decision to take the batting Powerplay early, allowing the openers to step up the scoring rate between overs 23 and 28. Dhawan and Rahane took 62 runs in those five overs as they capitalized on the fielding restrictions, as opposed to the usual ploy to take the Powerplay towards the latter stages of the game. 
 Suraj Randiv (3/78) and Ashan Priyanjan managed to pull the hosts back by sending back Rahane and Dhawan respectively, but the damage had already been done. <keyword id="14587" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Suresh-Raina">Suresh Raina</keyword>, playing his 200th one-day international, also completed 5000 ODI runs while scoring a brisk 34-ball 52, before being trapped leg before by Randiv. Quick wickets towards the end didn't allow India to reach that 400-run mark, but Kohli (22), Ambati Rayudu (27) and Akshar Patel (14*) ensured they weren't too far behind. 
 
Brief scores: India 363/7 in 50 overs (Dhawan 113, Rahane 111; Randiv 3/78) beat Sri Lanka 194 in 39.2 overs (Jayawardene 43; Ishant 4/34, Yadav 2/24, Akshar 2/24) by 169 runs

Ishant, Openers Power India To 169-Run Win

If a Test match is gruelling, what would one call a five-match Test series then? Ask the Indians and they would say soul-crushing and this was epitomised on day three of the fifth and the final Test at the Oval where they conceded 101 runs in 11.3 overs and then went on to lose all ten wickets in their second innings on the same track for just 94 runs plunging to an innings and 244-run loss, thus conceding the series 3-1 to England. 
 
For full scorecard and ball-by-ball commentary click here: <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/live-score/eng-vs-ind/enin08152014174399/fullscorecard">Scorecard</a>, <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/live-score/eng-vs-ind/enin08152014174399/commentary">Commentary</a> 
 In the first innings, MS Dhoni had helped his team from 28 for 4 to 152, but in the second there was no such heroics from the skipper as the team were all out in just 29.2 overs. Only four bowlers were used by England and <keyword id="475104" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Chris-Jordan">Chris Jordan</keyword> returned with best figures of 4 for 18. 
 Starting the day with a lead of 237 runs and three wickets in hand, England extended their lead rather quickly courtesy Joe Root (149*) and <keyword id="52757" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Stuart-Broad">Stuart Broad</keyword> (37) with the bowlers spraying the ball as wayward as possible and bowling with zero plan of action. Ishant Sharma’s two wickets though helped India limit the damage to 338, but for a team that had failed to go past the 200-run mark the last four times in the series it was a daunting task. 
 The reply from the Indians was as meek as possible with the openers <keyword id="57265" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Murali-Vijay">Murali Vijay</keyword> (2) and <keyword id="13839" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Gautam-Gambhir">Gautam Gambhir</keyword> (3) departing before lunch. A lengthy rain interruption did not help India at all and after lunch it was a massacre with the hosts falling like nine pins. <keyword id="75027" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Cheteshwar-Pujara">Cheteshwar Pujara</keyword> and <keyword id="6354486" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Virat-Kohli">Virat Kohli</keyword> hung around for 40 balls scoring 21 runs between them - the longest association in the innings. The wicket of Pujara (11), caught behind of an absolute ripper from <keyword id="80896" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="James-Anderson">James Anderson</keyword> that just moved away after pitching, opened the floodgates and the procession started. 
 
England could do nothing wrong in pursuit of their first series victory in over an year and Gary Ballance took a stunning catch at third slip to dismiss Rahane for 4. The four-pronged England pace attack seemed to have smelled blood and they went for the kill. Virat Kohli departed three overs later again edging it to the slip cordon and after that, one bit the dust after another and two more when down in a puff with India getting bowled out for 94 to register the third worst defeat in their Test history.

India Not A Test Cricket Nation Anymore? India 94, England 3-1

In cricketing parlance it's often said that teams should not change winning combinations because more often than not it breaks the momentum. Come to think of it, India's travails began in England only when they made changes to the winning eleven of the second game at Lord's. 
 
After the high of the Lord's win, their first at the hallowed ground in 28 years, <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/ms-dhoni/4001/4057">MS Dhoni</a> and the team management left out <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/stuart-binny/4001/31034">Stuart Binny</a>, whose 78 in the second innings of the first Test at Trent Bridge blew away the clouds of defeat hovering over the team. <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/ishant-sharma/4001/4094">Ishant Sharma</a>, the hero at Lord's for his career-best 7 for 74 in the second innings, also had to miss out the Southampton Test on account of an ankle injury. While leaving Binny out was the team's decision, Ishant's unavailability couldn't be helped. 
 
In hindsight, those two changes changed India's series. The men who replaced Binny and Ishant were batsman <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/rohit-sharma/4001/4095">Rohit Sharma</a> and medium pacer <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/pankaj-singh/4001/4100">Pankaj Singh</a> and both had an outing to forget. Rohit made 28 and 6, while Pankaj returned 0 for 146 and 0 for 33 as India lost the match by 266 runs. 
 At Old Trafford, India this time made three changes, bringing in <keyword id="13839" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Gautam-Gambhir">Gautam Gambhir</keyword>, R Ashwin and <keyword id="6370607" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Varun-Aaron">Varun Aaron</keyword> in places of <keyword id="17805" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Shikhar-Dhawan">Shikhar Dhawan</keyword>, Rohit and Mohammed Shami. Things went from bad to worse and they were thumped by an innings and 54 runs inside three days. Clearly, those five changes didn't prove to be propitious for <keyword id="6397" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Dhoni">Dhoni</keyword>. 
 
Having that in mind, now the question arises whether India should make changes once again for the fifth and final encounter at The Oval starting Friday. Gambhir had a horrible outing at Old Trafford; offspinner Ashwin, even though he did well with the bat, failed to take any wicket. However, Aaron impressed a lot, showing plenty of pace and his wicket of Moeen Ali with a vicious inswinger will stay as one of the moments of the series. 
 
The suspects this time are Gambhir, Ashwin and Pankaj, who despite breaking his wickets drought at Old Tafford, failed to inspire any confidence. Medium-pacer Ishwar Pandey and wicketkeeper-batsman Naman Ojha, who piled on the runs for India A against Australia A recently with scores of 219, 101 and 110 in two matches and was drafted into the squad as a replacement for the injured Wriddhiman Saha, are the only players in the squad not to have got a game yet. Should India hand them Test debuts at The Oval or, having learnt from their experiences in the series, they stick to the team that played at Old Trafford are questions that must be bothering Dhoni a great deal. 
 
By the look of things at present, sadly, India aren't likely to be going into the match unchanged. The cases of Pankaj and Gambhir need to be looked at with a magnifying glass. They looked very poor in the Old Trafford defeat. But then some would argue what's the guarantee that their replacements would revive the team. That the damage has already been done with the tourists trailing 2-1 in the series and bringing back Dhawan, Rohit, Shami or Binny is unlikely to do any good to the team. 
 
But in view of the proverbial fact that losing squads are kept getting tinkered with, a couple of changes look to be on the cards. There is no update on Ishant's fitness but he gets fit in time, Pankaj will have to go. Even if Ishant is not fit, Pandey should be considered on the basis of his accuracy and better swinging skills. Dhawan should be brought back in place of Gambhir for one simple reason that Gambhir looks to be way past his prime, and if the team management has to pick between two uncertainties, it should go for the younger and futuristic option that is Dhawan, who not long ago looked in good touch in New Zealand. The third suspect, Ashwin, should be retained considering he can contribute with the bat and looking at the team's current batting crisis playing him won't be a bad idea. 
 
The Oval Test seems to Dhoni's last chance at redemption and he can't afford to fail this time. Another loss or probably even a draw will certainly be the end of his captaincy. The selectors can't keep turning a blind eye to the fact that he has lost 12 Tests against one win outside the subcontinent in the last three years. Hopefully, Dhoni manages to assemble an eleven that brings an end to India's predicament.

To Change Or Not To Change, That's The Question For Dhoni

It's just getting worse and worse for India. After the ignominy of Southampton, they have yet again succumbed to a crushing defeat against England at Manchester. They now trail England 1-2 in the five-match series. Gocricket.com takes a look at how each member of the Indian team fared at Old Trafford. 
 
<a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/murali-vijay/4001/4102">Murali Vijay </a> It seems ages ago when <keyword id="57265" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Murali-Vijay">Murali Vijay</keyword> impressed everyone with his defiant knocks in the first two Tests at Trent Bridge and Lord's. At Manchester he scored a total of 18 runs including a duck in the first innings. He was at the receiving end of a peach of a delivery from James Anderson in the first innings and in the second, fell to Chris Woakes. His slump has come at a wrong time. Among all the specialist Indian batsmen on the tour, he has been one of the two brightest spots. With the other openers failing, he needs to get his touch back if India hope to do well in the fourth Test. 
 
<a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/gautam-gambhir/4001/4043">Gautam Gambhir </a> Questions were raised when Gambhir was selected for the England tour as a reserve opener. Those questions were put to rest when the first choice opener in <keyword id="17805" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Shikhar-Dhawan">Shikhar Dhawan</keyword> failed. The reasons, for which he lost his place in the national side, seem to be valid even today. A batsman of his repute, on his return to international cricket after almost two years, should perform but he could muster only 22 runs in two innings. Both the times he fell to short deliveries. In the first innings, his dismissal brought back memories of the 2011 tour of England when he repeatedly was caught in the slip cordon and his second dismissal left everyone frustrated as he needlessly gloved one from Anderson to be caught by the wicketkeeper. 
 
<a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/cheteshwar-pujara/4001/4106">Cheteshwar Pujara</a> He was the second Indian batsmen to be out for a duck in the first dig after <keyword id="52757" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Stuart-Broad">Stuart Broad</keyword> lured him to edge one to Chris Jordan in the slips. In the second innings, he was a bit unlucky to be given out lbw as replays showed the ball from Moeen Ali was missing the leg stump. He managed 17. His technique on seaming, pacy tracks is under intense scrutiny after yet another failure. 
 
<a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/virat-kohli/4001/25007">Virat Kohli</a> 
Seems Kohli is not willing to learn and improve. People have lost count of the number of times his weakness against outside off deliveries has been exploited England bowlers. He is the designated superstar of a star-studded Indian line-up. But where is that performance? In both the innings, Anderson got the better of him. He scored a duck in the first and managed seven in the second before pushing at a delivery that went safely into the hands of Ian Bell at second slip. Someone needs to tell him that he need not go after every delivery, especially those outside off. Let better sense prevail. 
 
<a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/ajinkya-rahane/4001/32045">Ajinkya Rahane </a> 
Smile is infectious. Replace 'smile' with 'failure' for Rahane. When everyone around him seems to be hell bent on playing loose, rash strokes, could he have avoided playing one of his own? Yes. But he couldn't. In the first innings with his team in dire straits, he gifted Chris Jordan his wicket after scoring 24 in a partnership with captain Dhoni that gave a flickering hope of a recovery. In the second, another loose shot put him on the way back to the dressing room after he had managed a single. All we can hope is that his failure at Manchester is just a one-off incident. 
 
<a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/ms-dhoni/4001/4057">MS Dhoni</a> 
Dhoni's knock of 71 runs in the first innings will be counted among his best in Tests. When everything around him crumbled, he was the lone warrior before he pulled one that ended his fight. In the second, he again saved India from the ignominy of being bowled out for double figures. However, his wicketkeeping and captaincy was questionable. Not utilising bowlers effectively apart from his performance behind the stumps is not helping the team. After the low of Southampton, it was expected that he would rejig things. But, under his watch, India slipped further into the abyss. Lord's is a distant memory now for him and the Indian fans. 
 
<a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/ravindra-jadeja/4001/32004">Ravindra Jadeja</a> 
Anderson has gained much out of his spat with India allrounder Jadeja. The Englishman has flourished. On the other hand, Jadeja's only significant contribution was trapping Anderson after being meted out a similar treatment by the pacer in India's first innings. He took one wicket in the entire match and scored four runs including a 14-ball duck in the first innings. His pairing with R Ashwin on Indian tracks is deadly. In England where Moeen Ali has trapped India in a web of spin, he has been nothing short of ordinary. 
 
<a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/bhuvneshwar-kumar/4001/25023">Bhuvneshwar Kumar</a> 
Bhuvneshwar continues to toil hard and he is reaping rewards for his efforts. He seems to be the only member of the Indian team who is aware of his limitations and is taking the most out of his abilities. He took three wickets at Manchester where England batted once. Two of those (Sam Robson and Bell) were a result of some wonderful bowling. He has lost his 'midas touch' with the bat as scores of 0 and 10 would suggest. But he cannot be expected to hide the failures of the batsmen every single time. His job is to bowl, not score runs. Unfortunately he has been forced to do the additional job as well and the effect is the dip in his intensity. 
 
<a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/varun-aaron/4001/30019">Varun Aaron</a> 
Back in the team after a gap of almost three years, Aaron impressed with his lively pace. He bowled consistently above 140 km/hr and occasionally troubled the batsmen with his bounce. The delivery with which he cleaned up Moeen Ali was one of the few moments to cherish for India from the Test. He picked 3/97 in 26 overs and made an impressive return, although straying away on occasions. 
 
<a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/ravichandran-ashwin/4001/26007">R Ashwin</a> 
Include Ashwin and things will get better was the mantra after the loss at Southampton for India. He was selected and bowled well but went wicketless even as his counterpart (Moeen) ended with four scalps. However, it was his batting that was much talked about. He put to shame the Indian top order in both the innings. In the first his 40 runs took the team past 150 runs and he followed it with an unbeaten 46 which was the highest score by any Indian batsman in the second dig. 
 
<a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/pankaj-singh/4001/4100">Pankaj Singh</a> 
His painful wait for a wicket finally ended on the third day when he removed Joe Root for 77. He, again, started well but his workhorse attitude didn't translate into anything significant. On a pitch where England bowlers murdered Indian batting, his efforts at best can be summed up as below par. He bowls well but not good enough that will force the selectors to give him an extended run. Mind you – he is bowling in helpful conditions and not on lifeless subcontinent tracks. If <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/ishant-sharma/4001/4094">Ishant Sharma</a> gets fit, Pankaj, who took two wickets in the Test, will surely sit out at The Oval.

A Report Card Of India's Defeat At Manchester

It is the first time in over two decades that India will tour England without <keyword id="118008" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Sachin-Ramesh-Tendulkar">Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar</keyword>. The last time India were in England for a four-Test series in 2011, they were beaten 0-4 despite <keyword id="2727" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Rahul-Dravid">Rahul Dravid</keyword> scoring three Test centuries. 
 That series, billed around Tendulkar's impending 100th century in international cricket, saw India's pace spearhead <keyword id="12644" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Zaheer-Khan">Zaheer Khan</keyword> pull out with a hamstring injury on the opening day of the first Test at Lord’s. It triggered India's most colossal drubbing since 1959. India returned empty handed as they lost their No. 1 Test rank to England. Andrew Strauss was at the helm of affairs for England then. 
 
A lot of water has flown under the bridge. As India prepare for the first Test starting July 9, England skipper Alastair Cook is under immense scrutiny after his side's 0-1 loss to Sri Lanka. What has made things worse is his own form. He has managed just 601 runs in the last 24 innings, averaging just 25 runs an innings. 
 England have picked a pace-oriented attack for the first Test and may influence the Indian think tank to respond in kind, picking <keyword id="6359948" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Ravindra-Jadeja">Ravindra Jadeja</keyword> as the only spin bowling option at Trent Bridge. India's pace attack will be chosen among Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Varun Aaron, Pankaj Singh and Ishwar Pandey. 
 
 
Yet, it is this attack that is India's biggest concern at the moment. Pankaj Singh and Ishwar Pandey are yet to make their debuts while Shami, Bhuvneshwar and Aaron have never played a Test in England leaving Ishant (55 Tests) to spearhead the Indian attack in the grueling series. 
 
If coach Duncan Fletcher is to be believed, this inexperience brings the unpredictability and excitement. "It is nice sometimes, because being unpredictable they will play some exciting cricket. There are some very exciting cricketers in the squad who would go on to become very good cricketers for India," Fletcher said ahead of the series. 
 
Ishant has shown his mettle in the past – two six-wicket hauls in New Zealand will have boosted his confidence amply. Bhuvneshwar has impressed everyone with his swing and ability to hit the right length. Shami has had a fairly good run in Test cricket and will relish bowling in England. Varun Aaron is the fastest of the Indian pacers and can bring a cutting edge to the attack. 
 
Pandey, from Rewa in Madhya Pradesh, is a promising fast-medium bowler and can carry the burden of the Indian attack. He has been rewarded for claiming 78 wickets in Ranji Trophy over the last two seasons. Similarly, Pankaj Singh has been picked since he had a very good first class season behind him. 
 
Former India captain and former Chairman of selectors, Dilip Vengsarkar highlighted his concern about this attack before the series. "It will be tough for India. We need to have bowlers who can get them out twice but unfortunately I don't see any bowler," Vengsarkar said. The bowlers on tour will have to prove that they were chosen on merit and the belief that they can raise their game.

India Face Pace Conundrum In English Test

Having last won a Test overseas over three years back, expectations are sky high from <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/ms-dhoni/4001/4057">Mahendra Singh Dhoni</a> and Co. to deliver in England. India are playing a five-Test series after a gap of 17 long years and the nearly six-week long Test tour will challenge the mettle of this young Indian side. For the visitors, though, there is a lot to ponder before they take the field next Wednesday at Trent Bridge. 
 
India need not look too far back in time in order to not repeat certain mistakes they have been guilty of committing, especially overseas. It was for the first time in two decades that India were humbled by a 4-0 series loss, when Dhoni and his men came a cropper against Andrew Strauss' Three Lions in 2011 and lost their No. 1 ranking. 
 
In order to move over the horrid past of their last Test tour of England, India will have to come face to face with few of the traditional problems they have been facing on overseas tours. Here, we broadly look at the mistakes that India cannot afford to make this time around. 
 
Defensive batting 
 One of the reasons why the famed Indian middle-order trio of <keyword id="2727" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Rahul-Dravid">Rahul Dravid</keyword>, <keyword id="6354267" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Sachin-Tendulkar">Sachin Tendulkar</keyword> and VVS Laxman were so successful in scoring big runs was due to the explosive batting of <keyword id="7567" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Virender-Sehwag">Virender Sehwag</keyword> at the top. If Sehwag would fail, the scoring-rate invariably dipped and the batsmen tended to go into a shell, giving the opposition bowlers loads of chances to apply the pressure. This tendency among the Indian batsmen continues even today. Plus, against experienced operators like <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/james-anderson/3001/3040">James Anderson</a> and <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/stuart-broad/3001/3067">Stuart Broad</a>, who are well acquainted with the weaknesses of the touring batsmen, the Indians will have to be one step ahead. This is where the Murali Vijays, Gautam Gambhirs and Cheteshwar Pujaras will have to back free-flowing strokemakers like <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/shikhar-dhawan/4001/28004">Shikhar Dhawan</a>, <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/virat-kohli/4001/25007">Virat Kohli</a> and, later on, Dhoni. 
 
On the 2011 tour, the Indians managed to reach a score of 300 or more only once in eight innings. That never really made matters easy for their bowlers. This time around, the top and middle-order batsmen will have to ensure that one of the top four bats till the time the second new-ball is taken so that there isn't undue pressure on Nos. 5, 6 and 7. 
 
Where are the wicket-takers? 
 
Indian bowlers have been guilty of not being able to take 20 wickets to win a Test match. In the last 12 overseas Tests, oppositions have been bowled out just 10 times out of the 20 innings by India. This is primarily due to the absence of a strike bowler that can run through the opposition. Barring an odd spell, either by Zaheer Khan or Ishant Sharma, the Indian bowlers do not pose a stiff challenge for any batting opponent. This fact got further strengthened when the Indians were unable to bowl out oppositions in the two warm-up matches at Leicester and Derby. There will be extra pressure on the Indian seamers to get the best out of the surfaces. Spin bowlers too will have to be handled as wicket-taking options as over-reliance on pace has never been India's strength. 
 
Take your catches 
 One of the areas that the Indian Test side has struggled with off late is their close-in catching. The retirements of VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid in the last couple of years have made India's slip catching poorer. <keyword id="6354486" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Virat-Kohli">Virat Kohli</keyword> does not seem like a natural slip fielder but yet he is persisted with in the cordon. Recent overseas series losses in New Zealand and <keyword id="6355117" type="COUNTRY" weightage="40" keywordseo="South-Africa">South Africa</keyword> were testimony to the fact that dropped catches headlined India's woes on the field. For example, a couple of chances not taken by Indian fieldsmen saw <keyword id="55681" type="PERSON" weightage="40" keywordseo="Brendon-McCullum">Brendon McCullum</keyword> post a record 302 that knocked India out of the last Test they played in February. Fielding coach Trevor Penney knows this and would be working overtime with the players to improve their overall catching technique. 
 
Getting the selection right 
 
A gap of almost four months since India last played a Test match and a host of limited-overs games, especially Twenty20s (World T20 and IPL) gives Dhoni extra options of making cosmetic changes to the side. One such change should be the choice of lone spin bowler. <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/ravindra-jadeja/4001/32004">Ravindra Jadeja</a> has been chosen over leading spinner <a href="http://www.gocricket.com/player/ravichandran-ashwin/4001/26007">R Ashwin</a> for the last three Tests that India have played. For a bowler of Ashwin's capabilities and repertoire, it is quite unfortunate that he hasn't featured in the Test XI. Jadeja had two poor outings against the Kiwis earlier this year, when he just took three wickets at an average of 85.66. Jadeja does contribute with the bat lower down the order but so does India's highest-ranked Test bowler, Ashwin. Dhoni must include Ashwin in the playing XI for the Nottingham Test, especially after the spinner voiced that he was making an effort to be aggressive in England. However, Dhoni's reluctance to give Ashwin an extended run in the two warm-up ties may yet again prove a deterrent for the tall offspinner. 
 
Regarding his own captaincy, Dhoni has shown tendency to be less proactive at times, even lacking ruthlessness that is required to close out games after reaching positions of strength. Needless to say, he will have to be at his best or else it would give his detractors more material to sharpen their knives with.

Mistakes India Cannot Afford To Make In England

Punjab Kings skipper <keyword id="19953204" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="shikhar-dhawan" source="keywords">Shikhar Dhawan</keyword> won the toss and opted to field against <keyword id="19907060" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="delhi-capitals" source="keywords">Delhi Capitals</keyword> in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 on Saturday at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium. <keyword id="19907058" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="rishabh-pant" source="keywords">Rishabh Pant</keyword> is finally making his much-awaited return ending the 14-month wait. Both teams have enough firepower to push each other to their limits. Pant would be looking to make his return and begin it on a positive note. Punjab Kings skipper Shikhar Dhawan said after winning the toss, "We are gonna field first. It is a new pitch. We will look to come up with new strategies. We have made some changes. We are used to this ground now. We had a practice match. We will look for some luck on this venue. Our four foreign players are Bairstow, Livingstone, Curran and Rabada." Delhi Capitals skipper Rishabh Pant during the toss said, "We would have batted first. The wicket looks a little on the slower side. Really emotional time for me. Just want to enjoy the moment. Not thinking much. I think not worried about last season. Really exciting times. We have been preparing well. Four overseas batters for us. Hope, Marsh, Warner, Stubbs." Punjab Kings (Playing XI): Shikhar Dhawan(c), Jonny Bairstow, Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma(w), Harpreet Brar, Harshal Patel, Kagiso Rabada, Rahul Chahar, Arshdeep Singh, Shashank Singh Delhi Capitals (Playing XI): <keyword id="19948689" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="david-warner" source="keywords">David Warner</keyword>, Mitchell Marsh, Shai Hope, Rishabh Pant(w/c), Ricky Bhui, <keyword id="20057448" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="tristan-stubbs" source="keywords">Tristan Stubbs</keyword>, Axar Patel, <keyword id="20040314" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sumit-kumar" source="keywords">Sumit Kumar</keyword>, Kuldeep Yadav, Khaleel Ahmed, Ishant Sharma. SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/oneplus-12-review/articleshow/108723955.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/oneplus-12-review/articleshow/108723955.cms" target="_blank">OnePlus 12 review: A feature-packed device with promising battery back-up</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/jsw-group-and-saic-motors-jv-jsw-mg-motor-india-set-to-up-production-to-3-lakh-vehicles-a-year-with-a-new-car-every-3-6-months/articleshow/108647799.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/jsw-group-and-saic-motors-jv-jsw-mg-motor-india-set-to-up-production-to-3-lakh-vehicles-a-year-with-a-new-car-every-3-6-months/articleshow/108647799.cms" target="_blank">JSW Group and SAIC Motor’s JV ‘JSW MG Motor India’ set to up production to 3 lakh vehicles a year with a new car every 3-6 months</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/asus-rog-strix-scar-16-review/articleshow/108514221.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/asus-rog-strix-scar-16-review/articleshow/108514221.cms" target="_blank">Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 review – powerful gaming laptop with a cool design</a>

IPL 2024: Rishabh Pant returns as Punjab Kings put Delhi Capitals to bat

<keyword id="1009526" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Punjab-Kings" source="Orion">Punjab Kings</keyword> will be eager to register a big win to keep their <keyword id="6354312" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="IPL" source="Orion">IPL</keyword> play-off hopes alive against wooden spooners <keyword id="3251768" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Delhi-Capitals" source="Orion">Delhi Capitals</keyword>, who will play for pride when the two teams face off here on Wednesday. It has been a roller-coaster ride for PBKS, with six losses and as many wins. They are placed at eighth spot with 12 points and are still in contention to make the qualifiers. However, they need to improve their net run rate (NRR), which stands at -0.268. A 31-run win against the Capitals last week boosted their NRR and morale and the Shikhar Dhawan-led side will hope for an encore and then hope that other results go their way. Punjab will have to put up a much improved effort with the bat. Against Delhi, opener Prabhsimran Singh waged a lone battle. Barring Dhawan, who has been their best batter, and to an extent Prabhsimran Singh, very few PBKS batters have contributed enough to their overall totals. Their bowlers also need to pull up their socks. Boasting of a sound bowling attack with Nathan Ellis, Sam Curran and <keyword id="1381827" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="arshdeep-singh" source="Orion">Arshdeep Singh</keyword>, PBKS have often failed to defend runs. On the other hand, Delhi Capitals have had a nightmare of a season and have already been knocked out of the play-off contention. The batting unit has disappointed all season. Delhi's Indian batters, barring <keyword id="2583887" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="axar-patel" source="Orion">Axar Patel</keyword>, have flattered to deceive, putting up a dismal show. The abject failure of <keyword id="548423" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="prithvi-shaw" source="Orion">Prithvi Shaw</keyword> and Sarfaraz Khan has contributed significantly to Delhi Capitals' travails this season, forcing the think-tank to pack all their overseas players at the top. Skipper <keyword id="60604" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="david-warner" source="Orion">David Warner</keyword>, wicketkeeper-batter Phil Salt and all-rounder Mitchell Marsh have given the team some momentum with the willow. But once they are gone, the middle order just crumbles. In their previous game against Punjab, the Capitals looked on course for a comfortable win but then lost eight wickets for 67 runs. The Indian bowlers in the side are not faring as badly as the batters. Three of DC's four wins have come on the back of dominant bowling displays. Old warhorse Ishant Sharma has done his job while the return of Khaleel Ahmed has also helped. Anrich Nortje, who had returned home for personal reasons, is back but it is to be seen if Delhi continue with the four overseas batters at the top or bring the South African pacer to tighten their bowling attack. The spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel have bowled economically. The squads: Punjab Kings: Shikhar Dhawan (c), Shahrukh Khan, Matthew Short, Prabhsimran Singh, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Jitesh Sharma, Gurnoor Singh Brar, Rishi Dhawan, Liam Livingstone, Atharva Taide, Arshdeep Singh, Baltej Singh, Nathan Ellis, Kagiso Rabada, Rahul Chahar, Harpreet Brar, Sam Curran, Sikandar Raza, Harpreet Bhatia, Vidwath Kaverappa, Mohit Rathee, Shivam Singh. Delhi Capitals: David Warner (c), Prithvi Shaw, Mitchell Marsh, Sarfaraz Khan, Aman Hakim Khan, Abhishek Porel (wk), Axar Patel, Khaleel Ahmed, Kuldeep Yadav, Rovman Powell, Rilee Rossouw, Anrich Nortje, Mustafizur Rahaman, Chetan Sakariya, Mukesh Kumar, Phil Salt, Lungi Ngidi, Praveen Dubey, Lalit Yadav, Ripal Patel, Vicky Ostwal, Ishant Sharma, Manish Pandey, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Yash Dhull. Match starts at 7:30 pm IST. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/tata-motors-in-top-gear-jlr-to-drive-growth-in-fy24/articleshow/100252339.cms">Tata Motors in top gear, JLR to drive growth in FY24</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/tata-motors-posts-net-profit-of-5408-crore-in-q4-beats-estimates/articleshow/100189259.cms">Tata Motors posts net profit of ₹5,408 crore in Q4, beats estimates</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/telecom/news/vis-loss-is-jio-and-airtels-gain-jio-and-airtel-add-nearly-1-million-subscribers-each-in-feb/articleshow/100182782.cms">Vi's loss is Jio and Airtel's gain: Jio and Airtel add nearly 1 million subscribers each in Feb</a>

Punjab Kings eye big win to keep play-off hopes alive against Delhi Capitals

With less than a day to go for the World Test Championship final between India and New Zealand to begin here on Friday, here are some of the key players’ match-ups to look forward to: Rohit Sharma vs Trent Boult: Sharma has played only one Test in England and experts say he has a weakness against the moving ball, especially one that comes in from a left-arm seamer. Former Pakistan pace bowler Mohammed Amir exploited it during the 2017 Champions Trophy final and even before too. Former India batsman has asked the India opener to be careful against Boult. <keyword id="6354486" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="virat-kohli">Virat Kohli</keyword> vs Kyle Jamieson: The tall New Zealand pace bowler turned down his Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper Kohli's request of bowling to him at nets with a Dukes ball that he was carrying with him during the 2020 Indian Premier League (<keyword id="6354312" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="IPL">IPL</keyword>). But Kohli would have faced him in the IPL nets with a white and got some idea. The steep bounce could be hot to handle. <keyword id="12642" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ross-Taylor">Ross Taylor</keyword> vs R Ashwin/ R Jadeja: Taylor, who average of 33.83 against India is almost 12 runs below his career average of 45.76, has been dismissed 54 times by a spinner out of 164 times. But his average of 44.55 against the slow bowlers is higher than his average of 33.28 against pace bowlers. Part of the reason is that on wickets outside India, the spinners don't get much purchase. How Ashwin and Jadeja bowl to the New Zealand No. 4 will be key. Taylor, 37, has fallen to right-arm spin 30 times and left-arm spin 24 times. Devon Conway vs Jasprit Bumrah: New Zealand's South African import became only the sixth batsman to score a debut ton at Lord's and the first to score a double on Test debut at Lord's was the Man-of-the-Series in the recent two-Test series against England. He is known to play the ball late. But how he reads pace bowler Jasprit Bumrah's quick-arm action will be interesting. Bumrah's natural delivery goes away from him and he may have to be watchful. <keyword id="269650" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Kane-Williamson">Kane Williamson</keyword> vs Ishant Sharma/Mohammed Shami: New Zealand captain Williamson has a poor record in England (an average of 26.1 as against a career average of 53.6) and Ishant Sharma, on his fourth tour of England and having experience of county cricket with Sussex which gave his career a fresh lease, will be targeting his knee roll to get the leg-before wicket decision. The Kiwi, however, has a tight defence and a battle of attrition may ensue. Williamson could also face the challenge of deliveries of landing on seam from <keyword id="967087" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mohammed-Shami">Mohammed Shami</keyword>. SEE ALSO <a target="_blank" class="c-link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/adani-group-under-sebi-scanner-on-market-manipulation/articleshow/83501698.cms">Gautam Adani loses over $7 billion in net worth after questions over the meteoric rise in group stocks</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/adani-group-pnb-coal-india-tcs-and-other-stocks-to-watch-out-for-on-june-14/slidelist/83499937.cms">Adani group, PNB, Coal India, TCS and other stocks to watch out for on June 14</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/cryptocurrency/news/weekly-crypto-roundup-wazirx-under-scrutiny-el-salvador-makes-bitcoin-legal-tender-and-more/slidelist/83478577.cms">Weekly crypto roundup: WazirX under scrutiny, El Salvador makes Bitcoin legal tender and more</a>

India-New Zealand WTC final: Watch out for Virat Kohli vs Kyle Jamieson showdown

<ul><li><keyword id="8153065" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="matheesha-pathirana" source="Orion">Matheesha Pathirana</keyword> made his IPL debut by taking a wicket on his first ball.</li><li>The Sri Lankan medium pacer had replaced New Zealand’s Adam Milne in CSK’s playing 11.</li><li>Currently, he is the eighth player to embark on their IPL journey with a first-ball wicket haul.</li></ul>Matheesha <keyword id="4149745" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="pathirana" source="Orion">Pathirana</keyword>, currently playing for Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022, had a match to remember against Gujarat Titans on Sunday, May 15, at Wankhede Stadium. The Sri Lankan medium pacer had replaced New Zealand’s Adam Milne and made his IPL debut on May 15. Gujarat Titans had posted par at 134 runs and raced to 59/0 at the end of seven overs with Wriddhiman Saha on 40 along with Shubman Gill at 18 runs off 16 balls. Chennai Super Kings skipper MS Dhoni asked to bowl Pathirana for the eighth over. The Sri Lankan pacer has bowling skills quite similar to bowling legend Lasith Malinga. He took the Shubman Gill’s wicket immediately after bowling the first ball of his first-ever IPL match. He pinned Gill with leg before wicket, which seemed to be heading the middle stump. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Pathirana joins the list of bowlers who made first ball wicket debut" comment="subhead" text="Pathirana joins the list of bowlers who made first ball wicket debut">Pathirana joins the list of bowlers who made first ball wicket debut</cmsannotation> The 19-year-old pacer is reportedly not the first one to take a wicket on his first ball of the IPL debut match. Ishant Sharma, Wilkin Mota, and Shane Harwood were the first ones to make history in IPL. Pathirana, on Sunday, added his name to the list and currently, he is the eighth player to embark on their IPL journey with a first-ball wicket haul. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Twitter is exploding with the new nickname ‘Baby Malinga’" comment="subhead" text="Twitter is exploding with the new nickname ‘Baby Malinga’">Twitter is exploding with the new nickname ‘Baby Malinga’</cmsannotation> CSK fans are going crazy after the debutant pacer after he made his appearance with a smooth leg-before wicket delivery. Having similar skills as Lasith Malinga, fans are now calling him ‘Baby Malinga’ or ‘Junior Malinga’. <div type="twitter" handle="giri_leo10" handlename="Giri" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1516330446618910720/7umhUaY1_normal.jpg" favoritecount="3" retweetcount="0" status="First ball of his over in IPL debut. We really have got a junior Malinga at our ranks. Pathirana 🔥🔥" createdat="1652618393000" id="1525818249836802050"></div> <div type="twitter" handle="02Beinghuman" handlename="H3ārt♥️Hâ¢kè® - ᏗᏒ" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1525803913277911040/joV1zfCD_normal.jpg" favoritecount="0" retweetcount="0" status="Baby malinga for a reason 🔥 Welcome pathirana 🔥 Csk's future 🔥" createdat="1652618397000" id="1525818266429468672"></div> <div type="twitter" handle="AdilHameen" handlename="Adil Hameen" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1516717956335505409/irg0kAal_normal.jpg" favoritecount="10" retweetcount="0" status="What A Debut!🤩 @matheesha_99 Lasith Malinga's last ball in IPL - WICKETMatheesha Pathirana's first ball in IPL -… https://t.co/pbq9V0A9cN" createdat="1652620872000" id="1525828644819521539"></div> <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="He is an ‘excellent death bowler’" comment="subhead" text="He is an ‘excellent death bowler’">He is an ‘excellent death bowler’</cmsannotation> Impressed with his bowling skills, CSK skipper MS Dhoni, <a href="https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/ipl-2022-csk-vs-gt-ms-dhoni-matheesha-pathirana-is-an-excellent-death-bowler-1315140">told </a>Star Sports, “He is an excellent death bowler. Also, with his action, it is slightly difficult to pick. He has got that slower one also. So you have to watch him very carefully. Which means when you spend those extra seconds watching the ball and he is bowling at a decent pace, it becomes quite difficult to consistently hit him.” CSK signed Pathirana as a replacement for injured Adam Milne, and reportedly, he is on contract for this season. Super Kings coach Stephen Fleming may retain him if he consistently performs well. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="An impressive cricket journey so far" comment="subhead" text="An impressive cricket journey so far">An impressive cricket journey so far</cmsannotation> Pathirana will be the second Sri Lankan player in the CSK line-up after spinner Mahesh Theekshana. He played exceptionally well for Sri Lanka under-19 in the ICC Under-19 World Cup this year by taking 7 wickets in 4 matches at an average of 27.28. Just like Malinga, who was the second-highest wicket-taker in the IPL with 170 wickets, Pathirana too can serve up fast, toe-crushing yorkers. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/environment/news/what-happens-to-the-human-body-when-the-temperature-reaches-50-degree-celsius/articleshow/91589906.cms">What happens to the human body when the temperature reaches 50 degree celsius?</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/enterprise/news/google-and-samsung-join-forces-to-help-android-developers-sync-fitness-data-between-apps-seamlessly/articleshow/91589325.cms">Google and Samsung join forces to help Android developers sync fitness data between apps seamlessly</a>

Meet Matheesha Pathirana a.k.a junior Malinga — the Sri Lankan medium pacer

The riveting IPL 2023 season saw a fitting finale, giving fans a lot of exciting moments as they cheered for their favourite teams. The 2023 season saw plenty of incredible performances by domestic as well as international players. Here's a look at the top three players from each team this season. Chennai Super Kings: Devon Conway became the second-highest scorer for Chennai Super Kings after Michal Hussey. Conway scored a total of 672 runs this season with 92 being his highest score at an average of 51.69 and a strike rate of 139.71. The Kiwi had six half-centuries to his name. Shivam Dube, the powerful middle-order batter, scored 418 runs with an average of 38.00 and a strike rate of 158.33. Dube had three fifties to his name in this IPL season, with 52 being his highest score. His teammate <keyword id="4238575" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="ruturaj-gaikwad" source="Orion">Ruturaj Gaikwad</keyword> scored a total of 590 runs with 92 being his highest score an average of 42.14 and a strike rate of 147.50. Gaikwad has scored four fifties in the 2023 season. Tushar Deshpande took 21 wickets with an average of 26.86, an economy of 9.92 and a strike rate of 16.24. Deshpande's best bowling effort this season is 3/45. Gujarat Titans: Shubman Gill, the outstanding player from Gujarat Titans became a sensation as he amassed 890 runs with an average of 59.33 and a strike rate of 157.80 in the 2023 season and has been the highest run scorer with three centuries and four half-centuries this season. His highest score this season was 129. One of the best seam bowlers that India has produced, Mohammad Shami took the most wickets for his team with 28 scalps at an average of 18.64, economy of 8.03 and strike rate of 13.93. Shami's best this season is 4/11. Rashid Khans' performance has been on another level with him racking up 27 wickets at an average of 20.44, an economy of 8.24 and a strike rate of 14.89, the second highest after his GT teammate Mohammed Shami and his best bowling effort was 4/30. He also racked up 130 runs at an average of 32.50. Mumbai Indians: <keyword id="496245" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="suryakumar-yadav" source="Orion">Suryakumar Yadav</keyword> emerged as the top batter for five-time champions Mumbai Indians. Yadav scored a total of 605 runs at an average of 32.17 and a strike rate of 181.14. Despite a slow start in the beginning he scored runs in the latter half of the season with a single century and five half-centuries and 103* being his highest score. Elegant left-hand batsman <keyword id="7915352" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="tilak-verma" source="Orion">Tilak Verma</keyword> scored a total of 343 runs at an average of 42.88 and a strike rate of 164.11. In his last IPL match of the current season against Gujarat at the Narendra Modi Stadium, he blazed 43 runs off just 14 balls. His best score this season was an unbeaten 84. Cameron Green, who debuted this season for MI, scored 452 runs at an average of 50.22 and a strike rate of 160.28. With 100* being his highest score, he had a century and two half-centuries to his name. Green also picked up 6 wickets at an average of 60.17, an economy of 9.50 and a strike rate of 38.00. Royal Challengers Banglore: RCB's ace and former skipper Virat Kohli regained his form and produced astonishing performances this season, scoring 639 runs at an average of 53.25 and a strike rate of 139.82. Kohli's best score this season is 101*. He had two centuries and six half-centuries against his name. RCB's skipper Faf du Plessis was the second-highest run-scorer this season with a total of 730 runs this season at an average of 56.15 and a strike rate of 153.68. His best score was 84. He had a total of eight half-centuries this season. One of Team India's premier fast bowlers, Mohammed Siraj was the highest wicket-taker for his franchise this season, picking up 19 wickets at an average of 19.79 and an economy of 7.52 and a strike rate of 15.79. Siraj's best effort this season was 4/21. Rajasthan Royals: <keyword id="1999303" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="yashasvi-jaiswal" source="Orion">Yashasvi Jaiswal</keyword> has impressed in his three IPL seasons. However, 2023 was similar he came of ag, as the youngster amassed a total of 625 runs at an average of 48.08 and a strike rate of 148.73. Jaiswal had one century and five half-centuries and his highest score was 124. RR's wicketkeeper, Dhruv Jurel, who debuted in the IPL this year, scored 152 runs at an average of 21.71 and a strike rate of 172.73. Senior leggie <keyword id="798176" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="yuzvendra-chahal" source="Orion">Yuzvendra Chahal</keyword> picked up a total of 21 wickets at an average of 20.57, an economy of 8.18 and a strike rate of 15.10. His best effort was 4/17. His teammate Sanju Samson scored 362 runs with an average of 30.17 and a strike rate of 153.39 and has three half-centuries to his name with 66* being his highest score. Lucknow Super Giants: Marcus Stoinis makes this list as Lucknow Super Giants' best performer. He was the highest run scorer for the LSG this season with a total of 408 runs with an average of 31.38 and a strike rate of 150.00. He had three half-centuries to his name with 89* being his highest score. His teammate and the third-highest scorer in the 2023 season for LSG, Nicholas Pooran, scored 358 at an average of 29.83 and a strike rate of 172.95. Pooran had two half-centuries to his name with 62 being his highest score. Leggie Ravi Bishnoi scalped 16 wickets at an average of 24.44, an economy of 7.74 and a strike rate of 18.94. Bishnoi's best this year was 3/28. Delhi Capitals: David Warner the former captain of the Australian team was the highest run scorer for the Delhi Capitals this season. He scored a total of 516 runs averaging 36.86 and a strike rate of 131.63. With 86 being his highest score, he had six fifties to his name. Bowling all-rounder Axar Patel scored 283 runs at an average of 28.30 and a strike rate of 139.41. He is the second-highest scorer this season for the Delhi Capitals with a single half-century and his highest score being 54. Patel had 11 wickets to his name at an average of 30.73, an economy of 7.19 and a strike rate of 25.64. His BBM stands at 2/13. Ishant Sharma has taken 10 wickets at an average of 20.60, with an economy of 8.24 and a strike rate of 15.00. His BBM this season is 2/19. Punjab Kings: PBKS captain Shikhar Dhawan was the highest scorer for his team amassing 373 runs with an average of 41.44 at a strike rate of 142.91. Dhawan has three fifties to his name with 99* being his highest score. Punjab's wicket-keeper Jitesh Sharma scored a total of 309 runs at an average of 23.77 with a strike rate of 156.06. His highest score this season was 49*. One of the finest left-arm pacers in India at the moment, Arshdeep Singh was Punjab's bowling spearhead as he took 17 wickets with an average of 29.00, an economy of 9.70 and a strike rate of 17.94. His best this season is 4/29. Kolkata Knight Riders: The standout player from KKR, <keyword id="160354" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="rinku-singh" source="Orion">Rinku Singh</keyword>, scored a total of 474 with an average of 59.25, at a strike rate of 149.53 and is the highest run scorer of this season for his team. His highest score was 67* and he had four half-centuries to his name. <keyword id="1825832" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="nitish-rana" source="Orion">Nitish Rana</keyword>, who led the Knights this season, emerged as the second-highest run scorer in the 2023 season with a total of 413 runs at an average of 31.77, a strike rate of 140.96. Rana's highest score this season is 75 with three fifties to his name. While his teammate and leg-spinner Varun Chakaravarthy took the highest number of wickets for his team this season with 20 wickets with an average of 21.45, an economy of 8.15 and a strike rate of 15.80. His best this season is 4/15. Sunrises Hyderabad: India medium-pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar stood out as the highest wicket-taker for his team this year with 16 wickets at an average of 26.56, an economy of 8.33 and a strike rate of 19.13. Kumar's BBM this season is 5/30. Heinrich Klaasen scored the most runs for the franchise this season with 448 runs at an average of 49.77 and a strike rate of 177.08. His highest score this season was 104. He had two half-centuries and a single century to his name. Mayank Markande took 29 wickets this season at an average of 27.93, an economy of 8.27 and a strike rate of 20.28. Markande's best effort this season was 4/15. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/india-dominates-smartwatch-market-accounts-for-over-a-quarter-of-global-sales-in-q1-2023/articleshow/100522354.cms">India dominates smartwatch market, accounts for over a quarter of global sales in Q1 2023</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/entertainment/news/jiocinemas-first-direct-to-ott-film-bloody-daddy-starring-shahid-kapoor-to-stream-on-june-9/articleshow/100476061.cms">JioCinema’s first direct-to-OTT film Bloody Daddy, starring Shahid Kapoor, to stream on June 9</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/news/2000-note-withdrawal-how-to-exchange-notes-is-it-a-legal-tender-and-other-questions-answered/articleshow/100412941.cms">₹2,000 note withdrawal – How to exchange them, is it a legal tender and other questions answered</a>

IPL 2023: A look at top players from each franchise

Saturday night will see a clash between the master and the apprentice. MS Dhoni, who is on the last bend of his career and has been turning up only for <keyword id="13886" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Chennai-Super-Kings">Chennai Super Kings</keyword> (CSK) since his retirement from international cricket last year, will lead the three-time champions against Delhi Capitals (DC), who will be captained by Rishabh Pant, his long-term successor as India's first choice wicketkeeper. Pant has said in the past that he wants to emulate Dhoni but seems to be carving his own niche. While his power-hitting has already been well-known, his batting went a notch higher since the last Indian Premier League (IPL) as he helped India win the Test series in Australia and against England at home. His wicketkeeping skills came as a pleasant surprise during both series and now it will be his captaincy skills that will be put to test. Pant replaced the injured Shreyas Iyer, who is nursing a shoulder injury. The last year's runners-up have also added Steve Smith to their squad. Their pace bowling attack, comprising Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, <keyword id="149050" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Umesh-Yadav">Umesh Yadav</keyword> and Ishant Sharma along with all-rounders Chris Woakes, Tom Curran and Marcus Stoinis, is among the best in the league. Experienced and acclaimed spinners like off-spinner R Ashwin and leg-spinner Amit Mishra make up a very strong bowling line-up that will test the CSK batting line-up that performed very poorly in the last edition. The CSK batting will rely a lot on Faf du Plessis but the return of Suresh Raina, who missed the last season, will be a boost for the three-time champions as they look to do better this time than the seventh place finish they got last season. India's Test batting stalwart Cheteshwar Pujara too has been included in the CSK line-up for his first IPL in seven years. The India No. 3 batsman was seen using a higher back-lift and hitting sixes in one of the net sessions. CSK blundered last year by not reading the pitches well and not playing their spinners early enough. They realised their mistake and started to give Mitchell Santner and Imran Tahir matches. But it was too late by then. One man who could make a difference is Shardul Thakur, who has done exceedingly well for India since the last IPL. He would be leading their pace bowling along with Deepak Chahar or Aussie Jason Behrendorff, who has come in for Josh Hazlewood. But essentially, CSK's fate on Saturday will depend on how their batting stands up to DC's bowling. DC squad: Rishabh Pant (captain/wicketkeeper), Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw, Ajinkya Rahane, Steve Smith, Sam Billings, Shimron Hetmyer, Ishant Sharma, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Umesh Yadav, Tom Curran, Avesh Khan, Lalit Yadav, Pravin Dubey, Ripal Patel, Lukman Hussain Meriwala, M Siddharth, Marcus Stoinis, Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Chris Woakes, <keyword id="3788898" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Vishnu-Vinod">Vishnu Vinod</keyword> (wicketkeeper), <keyword id="128070" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Aditya-Tare">Aditya Tare</keyword> (wicketkeeper) CSK squad: MS Dhoni (captain/wicketkeeper), Suresh Raina, Narayan Jagadeesan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, KM Asif, Karn Sharma, Ambati Rayudu, Deepak Chahar, Faf du Plessis, Shardul Thakur, Mitchell Santner, Dwayne Bravo, Lungi Ngidi, Sam Curran, Ravindra Jadeja, Imran Tahir, Robin Uthappa, Moeen Ali, <keyword id="2102949" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="K-Gowtham">K Gowtham</keyword>, Cheteshwar Pujara, M.Harisankar Reddy, K.Bhagath Varma, C Hari Nishaanth, R Sai Kishore <h4 style="color: rgb(44, 44, 45);">SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/nokia-x20-specifications-nokia-new-phones-price-in-india/articleshow/81981039.cms">Six new Nokia smartphones announced – price, specifications and availability details you should know</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/founders-take-note-heres-why-most-startups-fail/articleshow/81981138.cms">Founders, take note: here’s why most startups fail</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/google-phone-app-now-lets-you-record-calls-automatically-from-unknown-numbers/articleshow/81982791.cms">Google Phone app now lets you record calls automatically from unknown numbers</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/adar-poonawalla-serum-institute-of-india-has-bought-stake-policybazaar/articleshow/81985425.cms">Serum Institute of India buys into IPO-bound insurance unicorn PolicyBazaar, as True North sells part stake in secondary sale</a> </h4><h4 style="color: rgb(44, 44, 45);"></h4>

It's master vs disciple: Dhoni takes on Pant in today's second IPL match as CSK clashes with DC

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/51617768.cms" /> Wasn’t everyone dying to know the hushed conversations between MS Dhoni, <keyword id="6357606" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ashish-Nehra">Ashish Nehra</keyword> and Hardik Pandya, during the last over of the crucial India vs Bangladesh match, in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup? Wasn’t everyone itching to know the conversation that led to the stellar last over that ensured India would still remain a crucial contender for the semis? Of course, we all were. In fact, now we bring to you 14 of the most interesting <keyword id="3304544" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Stump-mike-conversations">stump mike conversations</keyword> ever recorded, with help from Quora. Have fun! 
	 
	
		1. <keyword id="6354267" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Sachin-Tendulkar">Sachin Tendulkar</keyword> Vs <keyword id="67923" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Abdul-Qadir">Abdul Qadir</keyword>
	 
	
		In 1989, young Sachin was facing the best bowlers in cricket. As the Pakistani crowds jeered and mocked Sachin holding out the placards saying ""Dudh Pita Bhachcha ...ghar jaake dhoodh pee", (hey kid, go home and drink milk), Sachin hit two sixes in Mustaq Ahmed's over. The frustrated mentor of Mustaq Ahmed the legendary Abdul Qadir challenged Sachin saying "Bachchon ko kyon mar rahe ho? Hamein bhi maar dikhao` (`why are you hitting kids? Try and hit me! `).
	
		 
		Sachin obliged. Sachin hit 4 sixes in the over. The over read 6, 0, 4, 6 6 6. 
		 
	
		2. Healy &amp; Atherton
	 
	
		Michael Atherton, on his first Tour to Australia was adjudged not out on a caught behind appeal.
	 
	
		At the end of the over Ian Healey walked by and announced "You're a F****** cheat".
	 
	
		Athers replied very politely "When in Rome dear boy....." 
	 
	
		3. <keyword id="115134" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Rodney-Marsh">Rodney Marsh</keyword> (Australia) and <keyword id="72978" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ian-Botham">Ian Botham</keyword> (England)
	 
	
		Rodney Marsh to Ian Botham in an Ashes match: “So how’s your wife and my kids?” Ian Botham’s reply – “The wife’s fine. The kids are retarded !”
	 
	
		4. <keyword id="85255" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Javed-Miandad">Javed Miandad</keyword> (Pakistan) and <keyword id="232737" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Merv-Hughes">Merv Hughes</keyword> (Australia)
	 
	
		Javed Miandad called Hughes a fat bus conductor during a match. A few balls later, Hughes dismissed Miandad. “Tickets please,” said Huges, as he ran past the departing batsman.
	 
	
		5. <keyword id="13825" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Glenn-McGrath">Glenn McGrath</keyword> (Ausrtralia) and <keyword id="59049" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ramnaresh-Sarwan">Ramnaresh Sarwan</keyword> (West Indies)
	 
	
		McGrath to Ramnaresh Sarwan: “So what does Brian Lara’s di*k taste like?”Sarwan: “I don’t know. Ask your wife.
	 
	
		McGrath (lost his cool): “If you ever F****** mention my wife again, I’ll F****** rip your F**ing throat out.”
	 
	
		6. Douglas Jardine (England) and Bill Woodfull (Australia)
	 
	
		England player Jardine complained that one of the Australian players called him a bastard. Australian captain Bill Woodfull turns to his team, points to Jardine and asked “Which one of you bastards called this bastard a bastard?”
	 
	
		7. <keyword id="105073" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Mark-Waugh">Mark Waugh</keyword> (Australia) and Adam Parore (New Zealand)
	 
	
		Mark Waugh standing at second slip, Adam Parore played &amp; missed the first ball. Mark – “Ohh, I remember you from a couple years ago in Australia. You were shit then, you’re ••••••• useless now”. Parore- (Turning around) “Yeah, that’s me &amp; when I was there you were going out with that old, ugly slut &amp; now I hear you’ve married her. You dumb ••••”.
	 
	
		8. <keyword id="13561" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Steve-Waugh">Steve Waugh</keyword> (Australia) and <keyword id="17246" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Parthiv-Patel">Parthiv Patel</keyword> (India)
	 
	
		When Steve came (Steve’s last test match) to bat, Parthiv said, “Come on, just one more of the famous slog-sweeps before you finish” Steve-”Respect Me…for when i made my test debut You were still in your nappies”.
	 
	
		9. Glen McGrath (Australia) and Eddo Brandes (Zimbabwe)
	 
	
		Aussie paceman Glenn McGrath was bowling to Zimbabwe number 11 Eddo Brandes – who was just missing each ball. McGrath, frustrated, went to him and inquired: “Why are you so fat?”Quick as a flash, Brandes replied, “Because every time I make love to your wife, she gives me a biscuit.”
	 
	
		10. <keyword id="19692" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Ravi-Shastri">Ravi Shastri</keyword> (India) and <keyword id="480225" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Mike-Whitney">Mike Whitney</keyword> (Australia)
	 
	
		Shastri hits the ball towards Mike Whitney (the 12th man in the game) and looked for a single. Whitney said, “If you leave the crease i’ll break your f***ing head”. Without battling an eyelid, Shastri retorted, “If you could bat as well as you can talk you wouldn’t be the f***ing 12th man”.
	 
	
		11. <keyword id="51546" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Viv-Richards">Viv Richards</keyword> (West Indies) and Merv Hughes (Australia)
	 
	
		Viv Richards hit Merv Hughes for four consecutive boundaries in one over. Merv stops halfway down the pitch, farted loudly, and said to Viv: “let’s see you hit that to the boundary!” Viv was dumb-founded.
	 
	
		12. Ind Vs Eng Test match, 2014 Lord's
	 
	
		Dhoni directed Ishant Sharma- Agar choaka gaya to mera risk ha, tu bindaas bouncer daal, tujhe fielder or chahiye to ma bula lunga. Mujhe koi problem nahi hai.(Boundaries are my risk you just bowl bouncers and if you want fielders,I'll provide you without minding anything)
	 
	
		Finally Sharma took seven wickets in that inning and India won the match.
	 
	
		13. Sunil Gavaskar and Viv Richards during Ind Vs WI Test match, 1983 Chennai
	 
	
		Afer almost day long fielding finally India comes to bat but openers are changed.Since Sunil Gavasker was not well prepared because of tiredness so he choose to bat at no.4. Surprisingly India lost two wickets without minding to score.And the Gavasker comes to bat- Viv Richards: "Man, it don't matter where you come in to bat, the score is still zero."
	 
	
		14. Kohli and Faulknar during Ind Vs Aus 2016 tour
	 
	
		Faulknar : You tried to smash me there but you failed.
	 
	
		Kohli : I’ve smashed you enough in my life. Don’t waste your time, go bowl.’
	 
	
		After that kohli smashed the ball out of ground.
	 


	(Image credits: indiatimes)

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