Top Stories: Things that made new in cricket world today

West Indies to host India for a four-Test series

• Reports suggest that the West Indies will play host to India for a series of four Test matches scheduled to be played in July later this year. This move has reportedly cleared up the issues between the WICB and the BCCI following the abandonment of the Indian tour mid-way in 2014.
• Although the tour dates and venues are yet to be revealed, WICB president Dave Cameron has confirmed that the Indians will indeed make the trip to the Caribbean in July.
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Harbhajan Singh shuts up a Twitter user with a classy reply

• In a recent incident, Harbhajan gave an example of his calm and witty brain. This happened on the same day star batsman Virat Kohli too hit back at online trolls for attacking ex-girlfriend Anushka Sharma non-stop.
• A twitter handle with an anonymous user, mocked Harbhajan saying “@harbhajan_singh Bhai, tera India tour kaisa chal raha hai? Mazaa aa raha hoga? Free ke hotels, lunch, dinner, sab kuch. Mast life hai”
• Harbhajan, did not lose his cool, and fired back at him but in a rather thoughtful style. He replied “Hathi chala bazar kutte bhokke hazar… U r one of them”
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South Africa skipper Faf du Plessis fined for showing dissent

• South Africa captain Faf du Plessis has been fined 50 per cent of his match fee for showing dissent after his dismissal during the last league game of the Super 10 stage against Sri Lanka on Monday.
• The incident happened in the 13th over of South Africa’s innings when du Plessis was given LBW off Suranga Lakmal’s bowling. The South African skipper did not walk back immediately after being given out and showed dissent at the decision by occupying the crease for a some time before leaving the field while looking at his bat and shaking his head.
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England and New Zealand top contenders for Women’s World T20 title

• As the business end of the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 India 2016  approaches, the tournament has thrown up a few surprises, and the biggest one being Australia is no longer the clear favourite to win its fourth straight title.
• New Zealand and England have announced themselves as strong contenders as both the sides enter the semi-finals unbeaten after winning all their four league matches.
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Virat Kohli and Samuel Badree to enter World T20 knockouts as no. 1 batsman and bowler

• In the latest T20I rankings released by the International Cricket Council (ICC) the Indian cricket team continues to hold the top spot among teams while their batting mainstay Virat Kohli has toppled Australia’s Aaron Finch to take the number 1 rank among batsmen.
• Four of the top five sides on the ICC T20I Rankings will feature in the semi-finals of the ICC World Twenty20 India 2016, which will be played in Delhi and Mumbai on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively.
• Number-one ranked India will go head to head with third-ranked West Indies in Mumbai on Thursday, while in the first semi-final in Delhi on Wednesday, second-ranked New Zealand will square-off against fifth-ranked England.
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Darren Lehmann tips India to win World T20

• A wonderfully compiled 82 off 51 balls from Virat Kohli ensured that the Indians did indeed make it to the subsequent stages of the World T20. However, they did so at the expense of a resolute Australian unit led by the irresistible Steve Smith. While the Indians clawed their way into the semifinals of the tournament, they brought an end to the dream and the career of one Shane Watson.
• The impressive result for the Indians prompted Aussie coach Darren Lehmann to underline the fact that India will be the ones to lift the title. No one was more disappointed when Australia was knocked out of the World T20 2016 than Darren Lehmann. The latter also added that he couldn’t see them losing, after all, they have been through in the tournament.
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Sheffield Shield final clouded by ball-tampering scandal

• The Sheffield Shield, one of Australia’s most prestigious tournament is at the receiving end of a horrific scandal. The tournament, in all its 124 year history is witnessing a ball-tampering scandal for the first time in its history.
• Coach of the Victoria Bushrangers, Mick Lewis has been fined over $ 2000 for allegedly tampering with the ball. Having made the accusation that Lewis allegedly tampered with the ball, video evidence and replays have gone on to suggest that Lewis may well have tinkered the condition of the ball.
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I think you’re going to see a hungry Dale Steyn: Faf du Plessis

• South Africa once again under performed to their promise. While the Proteas are trying to figure out about what went wrong with them in the mega event, question marks also hang over Dale Steyn’s form and future in the 20 over format.
• Dale Steyn hasn’t been the same player he used to be once. Although he hasn’t faded away completely, the lethality factor has certainly come down. Batsmen don’t see him as a threat anymore. However, Proteas skipper Faf Du Plessis feels that he’s still got the hunger to play cricket.
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Virat Kohli reveals why he became emotional after Australia win

• Virat Kohli batted his way into the history with an impressive 82 of 51 balls. The knock ensured that the Indians made their way to the semifinal of the tournament. At the end of it all was Virat Kohli with his knees on the ground. The knock was as emotional as it could get. For Virat however, it was a win from the jaws of defeat.
• “It virtually felt like you are out of the tournament at the end of 10 overs. To pull the game back after that along with MS Dhoni – I don’t know how we did it. Even out there in the middle, I didn’t know how this was happening. I am just grateful that I was able to do it for the team,” Kohli told BCCI.TV
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Chris Gayle meets Amitabh Bachchan at his residence

• He made his way to the house of perhaps India’s legendary actor, and perhaps the most successful Indian actor of yesteryear – Amitabh Bachchan. Chris Gayle, who is considered to be the most destructive batsman in World cricket, shared what many called ‘A fan moment’ with Bachchan.
• Both celebrities took to social media to announce the meeting. First, it was Chris Gayle who shared his favorite moment on his Instagram account.
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Waqar Younis submits damning report on Pakistan players to PCB

• Pakistan and their coach Waqar Younis boarded the early flight back home following a horrendous debacle in the 2016 edition of the World T20 in India.
• While venue controversies and security issues played their roles, the Pakistanis put up a substandard and amateurish performance. The PCB summoned skipper Shahid Afridi and coach Waqar Younis to explain what happened.
• According to the sources, Waqar has given a “damning report on the team players”. Waqar Younis’s report includes his entire two-year stint with the Pakistan cricket team.
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Virat Kohli overtakes MS Dhoni in brand endorsements

• Virat Kohli slammed 82 off 51 balls to hand India a victory that took them into the semifinal of the World T20 2016.
• A recent report suggested that the Indian vice-captain has overtaken skipper MS Dhoni to become the most marketable person in Indian cricket.
• The 27-year olds brand manager has said that Kohli signs contracts for a longer period as compared to the likes of Sachin Tendulkar.
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