Virat Kohli has kept cricket statisticians around the world busy. Now the Indian captain has broken into the top 10 of One-day International run-scorers and with that, he has gone past West Indian batting legend Brian Lara. Virat Kohli achieved the feat during the first ODI between India and New Zealand in Napier, where he played a 45-run knock to help India chase a revised 156-run target. Virat Kohli has now crossed Brian Lara's 10405 runs to reach 10430 ODI runs. Kohli is currently No.10 on the list.
Shami becomes fastest Indian to take 100 ODI wickets
Mohammed Shami became the fastest Indian bowler to take 100 wickets in One-day Internationals during the first match against New Zealand in Napier. Shami removed New Zealand opener Martin Guptill in his first over to overtake the record previously held by left-arm swing bowler Irfan Pathan. Shami set the landmark in his 56th ODI while Pathan had done it in 59 matches. Zaheer Khan (65 ODIs), Ajit Agarkar (67) and Javagal Srinath (68 ODIs) complete the list of top five fastest bowlers from India to take 100 ODI wickets. On the international level, Shami is now tied with New Zealand pacer Trent Boult as the sixth fastest to the landmark in terms of matches played. Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan leads the list, having set the record in 44 ODIs followed by Mitchell Starc (52 ODIs), Saqlain Mushtaq (53 ODIs), Shane Bond (54 ODIs) and Brett Lee (55 ODIs).
Ban on weightlifter Sanjita Chanu lifted
The ban imposed on India’s Commonwealth Games gold medallist Khumukcham Sanjita Chanu has been lifted. The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) informed the India Weightlifting Federation (IWLF) and Sanjita of the development. “On the basis of the information at its disposal the IWF has decided that the provisional suspension of the athlete (Khumukcham Sanjita) shall be lifted as of today (22 January 2019),” the IWF legal Counsel Eva Nyirfa said in a letter. “The IWF Hearing Panel will render its decision on the athlete’s case in due course,” it added. Sanjita, who had won a gold in the women’s 53kg category at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, had tested positive for anabolic steroid testosterone as her urine sample was taken prior to the World Championships in November 17. The 25-year-old Indian lifter was then put under provisional suspension in May last year.
Rayudu banned from bowling in international cricket
India's Ambati Rayudu has been suspended from bowling in international cricket after the part-timer's suspected action was reported during the first ODI against Australia earlier this month, the ICC announced. "The player elected not to submit to a test of his bowling action within the stipulated period of 14 days of being reported for a suspect action, and therefore he has been suspended with immediate effect in accordance with clause 4.2 of the ICC regulations,” the statement said." "The suspension will remain in place until he is tested, and can demonstrate he is able to bowl with a legal action," it added. The 33-year-old India player was reported on January 13 for a suspect action during the first ODI against Australia in Sydney. The ICC said that Rayudu may, however, continue bowling in domestic cricket without being tested.
New Zealand police's ‘funny warning’
The Easter district police of New Zealand have issued a 'funny warning' to its citizens following Indian cricket teams domination over the hosts. India’s win in the second ODI prompted the police to praise the visitors on social media. “Police would like to issue a warning to members of the public about the exploits of a group touring the country at the moment,” the post, accompanied by a group picture of the Indian team, on their facebook account read. “Witnesses report seeing this group badly assault an innocent looking bunch of New Zealanders in both Napier and Mt. Maunganui in the last week. Extra care should be taken if you are carrying anything that looks like a cricket bat or ball.” The post found a chord with the fans with former New Zealand all-rounder Scott Styris also sharing a screenshot of the funny warning in his twitter accounts, saying: ‘very clever.'
FIH suspends Pakistan from Pro League Hockey
Pakistan were thrown out of the inaugural FIH Pro League Hockey after it pulled out of the first three matches of the tournament, the international federation said. The International Hockey Federation (FIH) said Pakistan informed the world body that it was no longer able to play the first three games planned against Argentina, Australia and New Zealand, citing "inevitable circumstances." Therefore, the FIH has taken the decision to suspend Pakistan from the 2019 FIH Pro League in order not to jeopardize the regularity and the smooth delivery of the event, which kicked-off successfully last Saturday in Valencia, Spain. Pakistan was on the verge of pulling out of the recent World Cup in Bhubaneswar before a cricket franchise decided to sponsor the hockey team for the mega event in India last December.
