India-New Zealand World Test Championship final in Southampton: BCCI president Sourav Ganguly
New Delhi, Mar 8: India will play their inaugural World Test Championship final against New Zealand at Southampton's Ageas Bowl Stadium from June 18-22, BCCI president Sourav Ganguly confirmed on Monday.
Initially, the final was supposed to be held at the Lord's but Southampton, with a five-star facility inside the stadium, will make it easier for both the ICC and the England and Wales Cricket Board to create a bio-bubble for the two teams.
"Yes, the final will be held at Ageas Bowl," Ganguly replied to a query from PTI.
India qualified for the marquee clash after beating England 3-1 in a just-concluded Test series.
The BCCI president, who has been on a medical break after undergoing a bypass surgery, is expected to travel to UK to watch the final match.
Southampton, with its slowish track, puts India on even keel with New Zealand as spinners will come into the game at the venue.
"I will go for the World Test Championship and hopefully we can get past New Zealand in the final. New Zealand will be there before us and they will play a couple of Test matches (against England)," Ganguly told 'India Today' channel.
He lavished praise on the team for its stupendous performance in both the away series against Australia and home games against England.
Massive achievement?
"Oh yes, specially after what players have gone through to be in those bubbles and play cricket day in and day out. It was remarkable. Right from IPL till now. What they have achieved is fantastic," he told the channel.
"I think we must congratulate Ajinkya Rahane, first in Australia and Virat Kohli in England, the head coach, support staff, everybody. (Rahul) Dravid who does a lot of work behind the scenes with these boys. To see that day in Brisbane was outstanding," he said.
Ganguly believes that Rishabh Pant is a match winner in the mould of Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh and Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
"I have seen him for past two years and I have belief in match-winners. A player, who on his day will win you games. Pant is one such guy.
"Sydney Test, if he had been there for six more overs, he would have won us that game too. He is like Dhoni, Sehwag and Yuvraj, who can win matches alone," said the former India captain.
He was mighty impressed with Pant's game sense during his under pressure hundred at Motera.
"...and look at how he played in Ahmedabad. His game sense while facing the second new ball against James Anderson, who has bowled well in the series. He counter-attacked and changed it."
He also lauded National Cricket Academy head Rahul Dravid, whose behind the scenes work has helped in creating a solid bench strength.
"That's why I say Dravid has done a great job. Mohammed Siraj and Shardul Thakur did so well in Australia and we won the final Test without Jasprit Bumrah."
On his health, he said that it was a "small blemish" but he is back to work now. He will be in Ahmedabad to watch the second and third T20 Internationals.
"I am fit and absolutely fine. God's been kind and it's been a small blemish. There's some adjustment. Back to work for a while now."
About his minor heart attack, he said: "I really don't see it as a scare. You know as you grow older, adjustments happen in the body and it was a very small one.
"As they say, you need to address it immediately, cut, stitch or break and that's the best part of it."
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Goa nightclub fire: 'I am only a partner,' says co-owner Ajay Gupta
New Delhi (PTI): Ajay Gupta, one of the co-owners of Goa's 'Birch by Romeo Lane' nightclub, said that he is "only a partner" as he was brought to Delhi's Anti Extortion and Kidnapping Cell of the Crime Branch on Wednesday in connection with the blaze that killed 25 people.
Gupta, wearing a mask and covering most of his face, made the brief remark while entering the Crime Branch office at Sunlight Colony.
Sources said he was questioned by Goa Police and it initiated formal procedures to apprehend him and seek a transit remand. The sources said that Gupta had been evading from investigators since the December 6 blaze in north Goa's Arpora area.
"A Look Out Circular (LOC) had been issued against him after Goa Police failed to find him in Delhi during their first search. He was later located at a private hospital in Lajpat Nagar, where he had reportedly admitted himself citing spine-related medical issues. After medical clearance, he was detained and brought to the Crime Branch office for further procedures," the source added.
ALSO READ: Goa nightclub fire: Owner Saurabh Luthra expresses grief, assures management support
He said that Gupta is likely to be placed under arrest once Goa Police completes the formalities for transit remand.
Goa Police has already arrested five staff members of the nightclub -- chief general manager Rajiv Modak, general manager Vivek Singh, bar manager Rajiv Singhania, gate manager Riyanshu Thakur and employee Bharat Kohli -- in connection with the tragedy.
Meanwhile, two owners of the nightclub, brothers Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, left India shortly after the incident. An Interpol Blue Corner Notice has been issued against them.
The source said that Gupta will face detailed questioning in Goa about the club's management, operational responsibilities and fire-safety compliance.
