1st Test: Sarfaraz’s 150, Pant’s 99 Take India Past 400, Extend Lead To 82 Runs

by Shambhu Datta Mishra

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

With Sarfaraz, Pant and Rahul falling in quick succession, India are effectively 82/6 and New Zealand have fought back their way into the match

It was a session in which persistent rain disrupted proceedings in the morning, before clearing the way for play to begin at 1:50 pm

Bengaluru, Oct 19: A fantastic 150 from Sarfaraz Khan and an exhilarating 99 from Rishabh Pant helped India to 438/6 in 90.2 overs and extend their lead to 82 runs at tea on Day Four of the first Test against New Zealand at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium here on Saturday.

But with the duo and KL Rahul falling in quick succession, India are effectively 82/6 and New Zealand have fought back their way into the match.

It was a session in which persistent rain disrupted proceedings in the morning, before clearing the way for play to begin at 1:50 pm. From there on, a 177-run partnership between Sarfaraz and Pant for the fourth wicket put India into the lead.

Pant began by smacking, flat-batting and reverse-sweeping to get his early rush of boundaries. After Sarfaraz ramped William O’Rourke for four, Pant cut through the gap and went inside-out to collect more boundaries. Sarfaraz drilled Glenn Phillips for a boundary before getting the single taking him to 150 for the first time in Tests.

But in the very next over, Sarfaraz went for a lofted cover drive, but extra bounce from Tim Southee meant the ball lobbed to cover, bringing an end to his wonderful knock, which was laced with 18 fours and three sixes. Pant astonished everyone when he slog-swept Southee for a staggering 107-m six going on the roof at the square-leg boundary.

There was anticipation and nervousness in the crowd eager to see Pant get his hundred, but the wicketkeeper-batsman's attempt to punch off O’Rourke didn’t account for the extra bounce and rattled the leg-stump, as he got out for 99, his seventh score in the 90s in Tests. O’Rourke again struck at the stroke of tea when Rahul poked at a short-of-length delivery and took an edge behind for New Zealand, who found their mojo back thanks to the second new ball.

Brief scores:

India 46 and 438/6 in 90.2 overs (Sarfaraz Khan 150, Rishabh Pant 99; William O’Rourke 2-75, Ajaz Patel 2-100) lead New Zealand 402 in 91.3 overs by 82 runs

(IANS)

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Odisha's Vision For Industrial Growth Shines At Mumbai, Sparks Global Investor Interest

by Hemanta Pande

Mumbai, Oct 19: Odisha's plans for industrial growth and investment took center stage during a roadshow in Mumbai, the second stop of its global investment initiative following a successful event in Delhi.

Led by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, this gathering set the stage for the upcoming Utkarsh Odisha - Make in Odisha Conclave 2025, scheduled for January 28-29, 2025, in Bhubaneswar.

Building on the momentum generated in Delhi, the Mumbai event attracted top industry leaders and influential business figures, who engaged in strategic discussions focusing on Odisha's burgeoning investment landscape.

Chief Minister Majhi, in his keynote address, showcased Odisha's rapid transformation into a hub for skill-driven industries, highlighting key sectors such as IT, textiles, renewable energy, plastics, chemicals, and petrochemicals.

The Chief Minister held one-on-one meetings with leading industrialists, exploring potential collaborations in these sectors, thereby solidifying Odisha's position as a preferred investment destination for both national and international investors.

He said, "Odisha offers immense opportunities with its business-friendly environment, demonstrated through recognition in the BRAP 2022. With initiatives like the Single Window Clearance System and GO-SWIFT, the state ensures streamlined investment processes."

He added, "Its strategic location on India's eastern coast, robust infrastructure, and access to global markets make it a hub for industrial growth. Odisha's skilled workforce, combined with strong governance, invites investors to join a vibrant ecosystem and participate in the Utkarsh Odisha Conclave 2025."

Sampad Chandra Swain, Minister of Industries, emphasized Odisha's strategic advantages stating that Odisha, with its rich heritage and strategic location on India's eastern coast, is poised for transformation into a modern industrial hub.

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and aligned with the 'Purvodaya Yojana,' Odisha is central to India's growth.

The state provides a seamless business environment through initiatives like garment manufacturing clusters, food processing parks, and logistics hubs.

The event also highlighted ongoing initiatives, including food processing parks, garment manufacturing clusters, and the expansion of multimodal logistics hubs. Odisha's alignment with national growth strategies, such as the Purvodaya Yojana, ensures that it plays a pivotal role in India's overall economic development.

The roadshow concluded with an interactive session on the second day of Chief Minister Majhi's visit to Mumbai, where he shared insights into Odisha's transformative vision for industrial growth.

He reiterated the state's investor-friendly policies and laid out the roadmap for the Make in Odisha Conclave 2025, inviting global investors to explore the unique opportunities that Odisha offers. (ANI)

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5000 Cr Drug Case: Delhi Court Issues NBW Against Drug Syndicate Kingpin Virender

by Hemanta Pande

New Delhi, Oct 19: Delhi's Patiala House Court on Saturday issued a Non-Bailable Warrant (NBW) against the alleged drug syndicate Kingpin Virender in Rs 5000 crore drug case.

NBW has been issued against Virender Singh Baisoya Biru who is an alleged Kingpin of a drug Syndicate investigated by Delhi police special cell.

Special Judge (NDPS) Sudhir Kumar Sirohi issued NBW against Virender Singh Baisoya Biru after hearing the application moved by the Investigation Officer (IO).

Ravindra Kumar, Additional PP alongwith IO appeared for Delhi police. It was submitted by the State that accused Virender Singh Baisoya Biru is the main kingpin of the whole syndicate and a vehicle was provided to co-accused Jatinder Singh Gill alias Jassi by accused Virender Singh Baisoya Biru to travel to Amritsar from where contra-band has been recovered.

Police said that despite visits to the house of the accused, the accused could not be found there, therefore, a notice was affixed at the house of the accused Virender Singh Baisoya Biru. After hearing the submissions, the court allowed the application.

The court said that the accused Virender Singh Baisoya Biru is the main kingpin of the whole syndicate. The above said vehicle was provided to co-accused Jatinder Singh Gill aliasJassi by accused Virender Singh Baisoya Biru for supply of contra-band, therefore, NBWs be issued against accused Virender Singh Baisoya Biru for November 25, 2024.

An application for judicial custody remand of five accused persons for two days was moved by the IO. Thereafter they were remanded in judicial custody till October 21.

Five accused persons namely Vijay Bhesania, Mayur Desale, Ashwin Ramani, Brijesh Kothia and Amit Kumar have been remanded to two-day judicial custody till Monday. They were produced from Police custody. All these accused persons are from Gujarat.

The case pertains to the recovery of 518 Kilograms of cocaine worth Rs 5000 crores in a joint operation of Delhi and Gujarat police. Delhi Police Special Cell and Gujarat police on October 13 seized 518 drugs from a drugs company in Ankleshwar, Gujarat. Its value is Rs 5000 crores in the international market.

Earlier, on October 1, the Delhi police special cell had recovered and seized 562 Kilogram cocaine and 40 Kilograms of hydroponic marijuana from a godown in Mahipal Delhi.