SPORTS

India beat West Indies to wrap up the three-match series 3-0. This was their 13th consecutive ODI series win against the Men in Maroon who were also beaten in India when they came calling earlier this year. Nonetheless, there were some positives for the Windies like their batting came good after a terrible phase against Bangladesh where they failed to play the full fifty overs in all three ODIs.

In the recent series, they pushed India hard in the first two games and then fizzled out as the Duckworth Lewis method brought in a target of 235 runs in 35 overs in the final match. In the end, they again failed to play full quota of overs and were all out for 137 with nine overs still left.

A total of 215 athletes from India will be competing at the Commonwealth Games 2022 starting on Thursday (July 28). Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra, who will be defending his javelin title in Birmingham, is expected to be first-choice to be India's flag-bearer for the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) but his schedule for arrival in CWG village still remains uncertain.

Neeraj Chopra is also the reigning champion in the Commonwealth Games having won the gold in 2018 at Gold Coast. The 24-year old was also the flag-bearer during the 2018 Asian Games at Jakarta and it was expected that the IOA will once again name the athlete as the flag-bearer at Birmingham.

Half-centuries from Shreyas Iyer, Sanju Samson and Axar Patel helped Team India win the second ODI of the three-match series against West Indies by two wickets here at Queens Park Oval stadium in Port of Spain on Sunday. India has now taken a unassailable 2-0 lead in the series. Shikhar Dhawan's side chased down 100 runs in the last 10 overs - the fourth most runs scored to win an ODI.

Struggling at 79/3, a 99-run stand between Iyer (63) and Samson (54) provided stability to their innings. In the end contributions from Deepak Hooda (33) and Axar Patel (64 not out) proved to be extremely vital in taking the visitors to a win. West Indies lost control of the match despite sending back the top order in the early stages of the match and despite posting a huge total on the board themselves.

The BCCI is now considering admitting Indian players in international franchise leagues after facing pressure from Indian Premier League teams. With the IPL's expanding impact in other nations, there is an enormous demand for Indian players.  

The Indian cricket board is reportedly prepared to give the go-ahead after the Indian Premier League franchises completely swept the CSA T20 League, purchasing all six clubs. At its AGM (annual general meeting), which will take place in September, a final choice will be made. 

Only female cricketers and male players who have retired are now permitted to participate in franchise leagues abroad by the BCCI. However, participation in any foreign leagues is prohibited for all currently playing Indian athletes. The BCCI thinks the IPL would lose its distinctiveness if Indian athletes compete in overseas competitions.  

Star India batter Cheteshwar Pujara continued his incredible form and hit a double century on his captaincy debut for Sussex to put his side in a commanding position against Middlesex here on Wednesday.

Pujara, who was overnight 115, ended on 231 off 403 balls (21×4, 3×6), his third double and fourth 150-plus score from 10 innings for Sussex this season.

Pujara was the last wicket to fall for Sussex who notched up a massive total of 523 on day two of their Division Two County Championships at the Lord’s. He became the first Indian team player to score a double ton at the hallowed Lord’s, and the first Sussex player after 118 years to score three double centuries in a single season.