Faf Du Plessis might not come out for toss in Ranchi. Here’s why?
Ranchi, Oct 18: Having lost nine successive tosses in Asia, an exasperated South Africa captain Faf du Plessis won't mind sending "someone else" in his place for the toss of the coin in the third and final Test against India, beginning here Saturday.
South Africa have struggled in Indian conditions and not winning the toss in the first two Tests has only made things tougher for them. Opting to bat in Visakhapatnam and Pune, India put up 500-plus totals to virtually bat the visitors out of the game.
"We really want to make sure that we compete with this team in their own conditions. We have done it in stages in the first Test. So, hoping that we can start with the toss tomorrow.
"Probably we will change... send someone else to the toss tomorrow. I can give you that... because my records so far has not been great," said du Plessis, in a lighter vein, on the eve of the game.
Du Plesiss said "anything is possible" if his side get to bat first.
"If you put big runs in the first innings, that's where it need to stop. Then anything from there is possible. Hopefully that will unfold in the next couple of days and hopefully we can put some runs on.
"The pitch looks a little bit drier and crustier so first innings runs will be vital and then anything from there is possible in the second innings," the South African skipper added.
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Cong's Wayanad housing project delayed due to lack of timely clearance from Left govt: Priyanka
Wayanad(Kerala) (PTI): Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi on Tuesday claimed that the party's housing project for victims of the Mundakkai-Chooralmala landslides was delayed due to lack of clearances from the ruling Left government in Kerala.
Priyanka, addressing a UDF corner meeting at Kalpetta here, claimed that the clearances were given for the project of Congress only after the township of the LDF was inaugurated.
"I am sure my colleagues in the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) faced the same problems," she contended.
Her remarks come amidst allegations of irregularities against Congress in connection with its collection of funds for the Wayanad housing project and utilisation of the money, putting the party on the back foot.
Priyanka also attacked Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, questioning why there were no cases against him, despite facing several corruption accusations, when those opposing Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP are facing probes by central agencies.
"So, it is clear that they have a secret deal and they are working together for their own political benefit," she alleged.
She further alleged that during the last 10 years of LDF rule in Kerala, there has been widespread corruption, an increase in unemployment, the state has been put under an immense financial debt, and taxes have gone up, making life difficult for the people.
Referring to the increasing man-animal conflict in the hill-regions, the Congress MP from Wayanad said that political will and working together are required for finding a solution to this problem, but the LDF was not up for the task.
She urged voters to cast their ballot in favour of the UDF in the April 9 polls as "the LDF works for the corporates and not the common people".
