Nicholas Pooran, KL Rahul take Lucknow Super Giants to 214/6 against Mumbai Indians in IPL clash
Mumbai, May 17: Nicholas Pooran’s whirlwind 75 covered for skipper KL Rahul’s sedate 55, providing a much-needed impetus to Lucknow Super Giants' impressive total of 214 for 6 against Mumbai Indians in an IPL encounter here on Friday.
Struggling for momentum on what appeared to be a two-paced wicket at the start, LSG could only manage 69 for 3 at the halfway stage but Pooran’s stunning knock made up for another shoddy Powerplay effort by Rahul, who is unable to change his game in the Powerplay.
On their part, Mumbai Indians’ bowling woes persisted with skipper Hardik Pandya using as many as eight different bowling options but none, barring seasoned Piyush Chawla (3/29) and novice Naman Dhir (2/13) could impose themselves.
With Trinidad & Tobago PM Dr Keith Rowley in attendance here at the Wankhede Stadium, Pooran took it upon himself to entertain his country's premier by smashing the MI bowlers to all parts of the ground.
His lofted hits to clear the covers as well as powerful pulls on the leg side were equally compelling until Pooran found Suryakumar Yadav grabbing the ball out of thin air at long on in the 17th over.
By then, the free-flowing West Indian had already notched up his highest score of the season, hammering eight sixes and five fours for 75 off a mere 29 balls.
Pooran’s dismissal followed Rahul’s exit after their 44-ball stand for 109 runs for the fourth wicket, which gave LSG the platform to push for a total exceeding 200.
Pooran’s onslaught also debunked the slowness of the pitch — if there was any as made evident by LSG’s top order — and Rahul’s solidity in tough phases ensured that the visitors did not stumble at any stage in their innings.
The LSG skipper did well to not rush into imposing himself on the game despite his side not able to find their feet for a large part of their innings.
Rahul forged two crucial partnerships, including 48 runs for second wicket with Marcus Stoinis, and put on 55 off 41 balls with three fours and as many sixes.
Ayush Badoni also chipped in with a 10-ball 22, collecting 19 runs off Romario Shepherd in the last over.
LSG were off to a rocky start with Devdutt Padikkal dismissed for a first-ball duck. Nuwan Thushara (3/28) swung the ball back into the left-hander who was pinned in front of the wickets and burned a review.
But there was no such mistake committed by Stoinis, trapped leg-before at the end of the powerplay by Chawla after the Australian stroked his way to 28 off 22 balls with five fours.
Stoinis also used the DRS to perfection when the on-field umpire obliged a passionate appeal for leg-before by Arjun Tendulkar, with the replays confirming that the ball would have passed over the stumps. Tendulkar however was clobbered mercilessly by Pooran and after being hit for back-to-back sixes, the young left-arm seamer was forced to leave the field as he suddenly started suffering from cramps.
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Excavation of 'Mrityu Kup' begins in UP's Sambhal
Sambhal (UP) (PTI): The administration in this Uttar Pradesh district on Thursday commenced the renovation and excavation of the ancient "Mrityu Kup" (well of death) at Kot Purvi, located within the Sambhal Kotwali police station area.
The initiative is part of a broader effort to identify and restore wells that are believed to hold great religious and spiritual significance. According to locals, the well was abandoned several years ago and filled with debris, which will be cleared. The well is not only a historic landmark but also a sacred site where devotees believe they can attain salvation by bathing, the locals claim. The well is deeply-embedded in the region's spiritual fabric, with locals holding it in high regard for its mythological importance.
"Thursday marks the beginning of the excavation of the Mrityu Kup, a very ancient and revered site. The excavation is being carried out with the cooperation of the Nagar Palika. The well is immensely popular and its renovation will further strengthen our faith. The district administration has been highly supportive in ensuring the development of this important cultural and religious landmark," local councillor Gagan Varshney said.
Sambhal's Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Vandana Mishra said accompanied by a team from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), she visited the Bhadrika Ashram Tirtha and Chaturmukh Kup in Hauz Bhadde Sarai. "After further study, the team will determine its age and give recommendations for its preservation," the SDM said.
She also highlighted the team's visit to Alam Sarai's Brahma Kup, commonly known as the Chaturmukh Kup, a well constructed with stones. The ASI team has collected samples for analysis and research. "In addition, the excavation of the Mrityu Kup is currently underway. We are evaluating the best methods to ensure its preservation. So far, we have identified around 15 out of 19 wells that are of great historical significance," Mishra said.
The excavation and renovation of the "Mrityu Kup" is expected to bolster Sambhal's religious tourism prospects, local officials claim. The structure is located close to the Shahi Jama Masjid, a court-ordered survey of which led to violence last month, leaving four people dead. The violence broke out after protesters clashed with security personnel during the survey of the Mughal-era mosque.
The protesters torched vehicles and pelted stones at police, who used tear gas and batons to disperse the mob. Around 20 security personnel had sustained injuries in the clash and the deputy collector had fractured his leg, officials had said. Internet services were suspended in the district in the wake of the violence.
Images shared on social media showed protesters pelting stones at the security personnel from atop buildings and in front of the Shahi Jama Masjid. Later, police personnel were purportedly seen cornering and hitting people as they tried to disperse a large crowd from a narrow alleyway.
Visuals also showed a lane strewn with a large number of slippers, bricks and stones. In another clip, some police personnel in riot gear were purportedly seen firing gunshots towards a lane while flames leapt and smoke billowed into the air in the background.
Several people were detained in connection with the violence. Tension was brewing in Sambhal since the mosque was surveyed on the orders of a local court following a petition that claimed that a Harihar temple stood at the site previously.
