Rohit Sharma’s heroics go in vain as India ‘A’ go down to Windies A in close finish in T20

India A’s woeful tour of Caribbean continued as they lost the first of the two T20 against West Indies A by three wickets. The match which was reduced to 18-overs per side after a rain delay saw India A post a modest 130 courtesy half century by Rohit Sharma (52). Needing 15 off the last over, senior team reject Suleiman Benn (17 no) clobbered Bhuvenshwar Kumar for couple of huge sixes as the home team chased down the target with two balls to spare. The middle-order collapsed yet again as India who were 106/3 after 14 overs, lost next seven wickets for addition of another 24 runs in four overs. Left-arm spinner Benn (3/24) was certainly the man, who made the difference in the end.

Other news (TOI, HT, DNA, Indian Express)

Yuvraj to start training at NCA today: With an eye on the World T20 in Sri Lanka, Yuvraj Singh is all set to start training at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) from Monday. The Punjab southpaw, who is back in the country after a short vacation, reached Bangalore on Sunday evening and is feeling refreshed.A source close to the cricketer told TOI that Yuvraj was not going to rush things as he tried to get back into shape.

Coach’s grudge led to my ouster, says Anjum: Having been stripped off captaincy and also dumped from the side, a livid Anjum Chopra held current Indian women’s team coach Anju Jain responsible for her unceremonious exit from the side. The veteran batswoman, in no uncertain terms, pointed finger at his one-time teammate Jain who, she said, held a “grudge” against her since 2003. “It seems Anju still has the grudge that I was made the captain ahead of her in 2002-03. Probably, she is taking her revenge now. Or else, how does one justify that only captain is dropped after a failure but all everyone else remain same?” Anjum, who has now been replaced by Mithali Raj, said.

Zimbabwe crush favourites SA in T20 final: Zimbabwe crushed favourites South Africa by nine wickets on Sunday as the non-cap T20 tri-nations tournament at Harare Sports Club. South Africa made 146-6 off 20 overs with Faf du Plessis (66) top scoring and Zimbabwe reached 150-1 with 17 balls to spare thanks to a superb unbeaten partnership between captain Brendan Taylor (59) and Hamilton Masakadza (58). “I am over the moon after beating a quality team and so proud of the boys,” said No 3 batsman-cum-wicketkeeper Taylor. “We don't get days like these very often so we are going to enjoy ourselves tonight. The squad has been working really hard over the past three months and we accept that we must put in more hard yards than some other teams.”

Hales powers England past Windies: England beat the West Indies by seven wickets to win the lone Twenty20 international at Trent Bridge in Nottingham on Saturday. World Twenty20 champions England, set 173 to win, finished on 173 for three with Alex Hales making an England best 99 in this format.

ICC lauds Kaneria ban: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has commended the England and Wales Cricket (ECB) for handing out bans to Danish Kaneria and Mervyn Westfield for their role in spot-fixing and asked all members boards to “recognise and respect” the punishment. “The ICC takes no pleasure from players being found guilty of corrupt behaviour and we hope that this verdict provides further warning to any person who might, for whatever reason, contemplate corrupt activity within our sport,” the Daily Times quoted ICC CEO Haroon Lorgat, as saying.