Abhishek’s Whirlwind Century, Gaikwad’s 77 Not Out Carry India To Massive 234/4

by Hemanta Pande

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Abhishek Sharma overcame a sluggish start to slam a 47-ball hundred – his first century in international cricket, while Ruturaj Gaikwad smashed 77 not out and Rinku Singh hit an unbeaten 48 as the trio propelled India to a massive 234/2 in the second T20I against Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club on Sunday.

Harare, July 7: Abhishek Sharma overcame a sluggish start to slam a 47-ball hundred – his first century in international cricket, while Ruturaj Gaikwad smashed 77 not out and Rinku Singh hit an unbeaten 48 as the trio propelled India to a massive 234/2 in the second T20I against Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club on Sunday.

Less than 24 hours after being bowled out for 102 in a 13-run defeat in the T20I series opener on Saturday, India made a stunning batting turnaround on a tough pitch, thanks to the efforts of Abhishek, Gaikwad and Rinku.

Abhishek’s first 50 runs came in 33 balls, before amassing his next 50 runs in just 13 balls to smash a whirlwind century, laced with seven fours and eight sixes. He showed patience at the start, before attacking the bowlers – especially Dion Myers and Wellington Masakadza - after power-play to play a memorable knock.

After he fell, Gaikwad seamlessly shifted gears in his knock laced with 11 fours and a six, while Rinku smashed two fours and seven sixes as India amassed 82 runs off the last five overs, with Zimbabwe’s fielding and bowling display looking ordinary.

Electing to bat first, India lost captain Shubman Gill early when he whipped straight to mid-on off Blessing Muzarabani. Abhishek, who opened his account with a pulled six off Brian Bennett in the opening over, thumped the spinner through cover for consecutive boundaries.

In between, Zimbabwe’s bowlers were right on the money to keep Abhishek and Ruturaj Gaikwad in check with seam movement and tight lines. Abhishek wasn’t getting desired timing and was dropped on 27 by Wellington Masakadza off Luke Jongwe.

From there, Abhishek shifted gears by pulling and lofting Sikandar Raza for four and six respectively. After Gaikwad took two boundaries off Jongwe, Abhishek nailed his pulls thrice – one of which got him his fifty in 33 balls – off Dion Myers.

He then thumped and swiped Myers for six and four respectively to take 28 runs off the 11th over. Raza was back in Abhishek’s firing line as he launched him for six and four more, before overturning a caught-behind decision on review.

The carnage continued as Abhishek smoked Masakadza for three sixes – last of which was flicked over fine leg – to get his first T20I century for India. But his blitz came to an end immediately when he threw his hands at an outside off-stump ball and outside edge was caught by backward point.

After that, with Rinku hitting boundaries from the word go, Gaikwad also found boundaries to get his fifty. Gaikwad then teared into Chatara – tonking twice in the ‘V’ for two boundaries, before hitting two fours through the off-side to take 20 runs off the 18th over.

Rinku then slammed Muzarabani for two sixes in the 19th over, before hitting a four and a brace of maximums off Jongwe in the final over, with Gaikwad taking a boundary, to help India cross 230-mark.

Brief Scores: India 234/2 (Abhishek Sharma 100, Ruturaj Gaikwad 77 not out; Wellington Masakadza 1-29, Blessing Muzarabani 1-30) against Zimbabwe

(IANS)

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Seven Of Family Charred To Death In Mumbai Grocery Shop Fire

by Shambhu Datta Mishra

Mumbai, Oct 6: At least seven members of a single-family burned in their sleep when a major fire broke out in a grocery shop-cum-residence in Mumbai's Chembur suburb, the BMC Disaster Control said here Sunday.

The gruesome tragedy occurred around 5.15 am. As per reports, the locals noticed the conflagration and informed the Mumbai Fire Brigade which immediately rushed to the site.

The MFB said the fire was reported from Plot No. 16, at the Sidharth Colony, catching the family unawares in their sleep.

Two others suffered injuries and have been admitted to hospital for treatment.

Locals said that they made frantic efforts to save the Gupta family trapped there but they couldn't succeed.

A senior police official said the probe has begun with a forensic team gathering evidence from there to ascertain the causes of the blaze.

The major blaze, triggered by unknown reasons, engulfed the ground floor grocery shop and spread fast to the electrical wiring and installations, household articles and other stuff.

The flames quickly engulfed the upper floor where the family was living. At least seven members died due to asphyxiation, as per initial reports.

Four fire engines, a water tanker, and senior officials of MFB and BMC were at the site monitoring the firefighting operations.

All the victims were rushed to the BMC Rajawadi Hospital where they were declared dead on admission by the medical authorities.

The deceased include one man, three women and three minors. They are identified as Prem. C. Gupta, 30; Manju Prem Gupta, 30; Presi Prem Gupta, 07; Anita D. Gupta, 39; Narendra D. Gupta, 10; Vidhi C. Gupta, 15; and Gitadevi D. Gupta, 60.

Amid speculation that some inflammable materials may have been stored there, the exact causes of the blaze are being probed and further details are awaited.

It may be recalled that on Saturday, a massive fire burnt to ashes an entire warehouse in adjoining Thane district. The V Logistics warehouse in a village in Bhiwandi taluka, about 40 km from Mumbai, caught fire late on Friday night. A large quantity of hydraulic oil, cloth, plastic items, and chemicals was stored in the Godown. There were no casualties in the fire incident.

(IANS)

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Berhampur University Ragging: 4 Students Ordered To Vacate Hostel Within A Week

by Shambhu Datta Mishra

Berhampur, Oct 6: Four students, who were involved in the ragging case at Berhampur University, have been ordered to vacate the hostel within a week.

The decision came after the investigation carried out by the Disciplinary Committee. After the investigation, action has been taken against 17 students in connection with the ragging case.

Four among the 17 students have been ordered to vacate the hostel, while remaining 13 students have been ordered to submit undertakings besides a fine of Rs 1,000 each.

According to reports, a first year student of the New Hostel was mentally harrassed and ragged by some second year students from a different hostels September 21.

The matter was reported to the Anti Ragging Cell of UGC the very next day. After the complaint, Berhampur University officials had began an investigation in this matter.

Later, following the order of the Vice-Chancellor Prof Gitanjali Dash, a meeting took place among the members of the Disciplinary Committee and the Anti Ragging Committee. The meeting was chaired by the PG Council Chairman Prof Sukanta Kumar Tripathy.

After the meeting, a 12-member team of the Anti Ragging Committee was formed for the investigation having the assistance of the Security Officer and DSP Diptikanta Pradhan.

The investigation team later identified the accused students after going through the CCTV footage. After questioning the involved students, the investigation team had submitted their report Saturday to the Vice-Chancellor.

Following the report, 17 students from three hostels -- Nagavali, Rusikulya and Bansadhara -- were penalised.

Four of them, who were reportedly identified as main accused in the case, were ordered to vacate the hostel within a week. The remaining 13 accused were fined Rs 1,000 each and were ordered to submit undertakings.

Speaking on the development, Vice-Chancellor Prof Gitanjali Dash has said that necessary steps have been taken following the investigation report. She also said that the report has been submitted to UGC, adding that strict action will be taken for such indisciplinary acts.

Abhishek’s Whirlwind Century, Gaikwad’s 77 Not Out Carry India To Massive 234/4

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