The big news: India dominate on day one

Indian Test skipper Virat Kohli hit the first century of the three-Test series between India and New Zealand as the hosts finished day one of the third Test in Indore at 267/3.

India had a slow and timid start, losing their top three batsmen for 100, before Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane stabilised the team's innings in the first ever Test match being played in Indore. Along with Ajinkya Rahane, who remained unbeaten 79, the pair stitched a partnership of 167 runs at the end of the day’s play.

Kohli's performance was a patient knock and the skipper made sure that he played himself in before taking on the bowling. Kohli had answered his critics brilliantly, who questioned him for not being in form following a double century against the West Indies in July.

Other top stories

  1. Defending champions Mumbai beat Tamil Nadu by two wickets in their Ranji Trophy encounter within three days. After being dismissed for 87 in the first innings, Tamil Nadu scored 185 in their second innings, which left Mumbai requiring 97 runs to win. Mumbai were struggling at 35/5 in their chase, before Abhishek Nayar struck 45 win the match for the 41-time champions.
  2. Pakistan batsman Babar Azam and left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz earned maiden Test call-ups for the first match against the West Indies on October 13 in Dubai. Recently, Azam scored three consecutive centuries in Pakistan's 3-0 ODI whitewash over West Indies and has been in sublime form.
  3. Bangladesh will look to avenge their first ODI loss against England as they take on the Jos Buttler-led side in the second match in Mirpur on Sunday. England won the first ODI by 21 runs after Ben Stokes hit a fine 100, with Butler playing a splendid knock of 63.
  4. South Africa will look to win the fourth ODI against Australia in Port Elizabeth on Sunday. After winning the five-match series 3-0 already, the Proteas will look to dominate the remaining two games to make the victory even sweeter. The hero of the third ODI, David Miller, will miss the game owing to a groin injury.
  5. Pakistan's chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq was disappointed as the team will not be playing India because of the current political tension between the countries. However, Inzamam believes that his country can win back the world No. 1 ranking from India by doing well against other countries. “It is disappointing for me as I have played and captained against India in both countries and I know how much these matches mean to people of both countries and cricket world,” Inzamam said.
  6. The Board of Control for Cricket in India finally cracked the whip on age-concealing attempts by cricketers. The board suspended seven senior women cricketers and 12 Under-19 players of Odisha for one year for cheating. The BCCI has also issued notices to four other Ranji players of the state on similar charges. Odisha Cricket Association secretary Asirbad Behera confirmed the development and said that these players will not participate in any domestic tournament that is organised by the state association.