Ishan Kishan seals top-order slot as India beat South Africa by 30 runs in T20 WC warm-up
Navi Mumbai (PTI): In-form Ishan Kishan’s minute-a-mile half-century helped him lock his place in the top order as India completed a 30-run victory over South Africa in their only warm-up match ahead of the T20 World Cup here on Wednesday.
Ishan went hammer and tongs to smash seven sixes and two fours as his 20-ball 53 underlined another dominant show from Indian batters, who piled up a massive 241 for five on a placid wicket here at the DY Patil Stadium.
The T20 World Cup defending champions then used as many as nine bowling options including three overs from Abhishek Sharma (2/32), restricting South Africa for 210/7.
However, frontline pacer Harshit Rana (0/16) left the field after sending down his only over of the night, in which he pulled out of his run-up twice and eventually did not return to the action.
South Africa experimented by sending George Linde (0) to open with Aiden Markram (38 retired out), which did not yield any result with the former being dismissed for a four-ball duck in the first over from Arshdeep Singh (1/29).
Ryan Rickelton hit a 21-ball 44 with three sixes and four boundaries while Jason Smith struck 35 off 23 balls with four fours and a six. While Dewald Brevis (2) fell cheaply, Tristan Stubbs smacked four sixes to make a 21-ball 45 not out.
India pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, meanwhile, took no part in the match.
Earlier in the first half, Ishan showed his array of strokes including some powerful flicks on the on-side that went sailing over the ropes to make the only half-century of the game.
Ishan, who struck 103 in the final T20 against New Zealand last week, came out firing on all cylinders to put on an 80-run stand with Abhishek (24 off 17 balls, retired out) inside the powerplay.
With Sanju Samson struggling for runs, Ishan is expected to open the batting alongside Abhishek in the tournament opener against USA at Wankhede on February 7.
Ishan walked away immediately after bringing up his fifty, as India maximised their opportunity to have one final hit before the USA game.
Playing on a familiar turf, wicketkeeper-batter set the tone with a fiery knock. As many as 29 came in the fifth over of the game when Ishan tore into Anrich Nortje, smacking four sixes and a four.
On one occasion, he even tried to move away from a bouncer but Nortje’s delivery hit the blade and sailed over the fine leg fielder for a six.
However, if Ishan was in his top form, Abhishek certainly did not appear in his usual elements but still managed three fours and a six during his stay.
Tilak Varma, who had proved his fitness and preparedness for the ICC event after an injury lay-off in the previous outing for India A here two nights ago, was cleaned up by Marco Jansen after he had raced to 45 off only 19 balls with three sixes and as many fours.
India skipper Suryakumar Yadav (30 off 16 balls; 2 fours, 2 sixes) also looked to maximise his time in the middle even though his trademark leg-side flicks did not always come out well. Suryakumar also enjoyed a lifeline when he was dropped on 18.
Vice-captain Axar hit a few lusty blows for a 23-ball 35 but it was Hardik Pandya who provided late fireworks, clobbering three sixes and two fours to make 30 off 10 balls before falling to Corbin Bosch.
Rinku Singh, who was hit on the helmet off a Bosch delivery, made 16.
Brief scores: India 240/5 in 20 overs (Ishan Kishan 53, Tilak Varma 45; Marco Jansen 1/18) beat South Africa 210/7 in 20 overs (Ryan Rickelton 44, Tristan Stubbs 45 not out; Abhishek Sharma 2/32) by 30 runs.
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Amaravati as capital of Andhra has nationwide support, except YSRCP: CM Naidu
Amaravati (PTI): Despite alleged conspiracies orchestrated by the opposition YSRCP, Amaravati's status as the capital of Andhra Pradesh has received unanimous support from the country, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said on Friday.
Addressing a press conference, Naidu asserted that after receiving the central government's sovereign seal, no one can alter the status of the capital city in the future.
"They (YSRCP) wanted to destroy Amaravati, but we brought a law. Today, the entire country stands behind Amaravati. Overcoming all conspiracies, Amaravati has emerged victorious."
The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation (Amendment) Bill, 2026, making Amaravati the capital of the southern state, was passed by the Parliament.
He claimed that letters were written to the World Bank, opposing Amaravati and false narratives were spread against the project, including claims about its viability and safety.
Alleging that such actions were aimed at "damaging" the capital, he said that similar attempts were continuing.
"The dreams of five crore people have been fulfilled with the help of the Centre's sovereign seal. Nobody will be able to change anything in the future," he said.
Noting that there are 50 parties in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, he said, "Despite ideological and personal differences, and no direct connection to Andhra Pradesh's capital, they all supported the Amaravati Bill to safeguard the interests of the country."
Naidu attacked the opposition party, alleging that it has no sense of national interest and is not concerned about Andhra Pradesh's progress.
He expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for the passage of the Amaravati Bill in Parliament.
The CM said PM Modi had laid the foundation stone for Amaravati in line with the Singapore master plan.
He further said that PM, who had originally laid the foundation stone and later returned to relaunch construction activities, is expected to inaugurate the major projects in Amaravati in 2029.
"Soil from temples and places of worship across the country, along with water from various rivers, was brought for the project, while the prime minister gave soil from Parliament and water from the Yamuna," Naidu said.
The chief minister emphasised that this symbolic act reflected the support of Parliament and the entire nation for Amaravati.
He said the government's vision involves a cluster of nine cities with world-class infrastructure, designed by global architects to ensure long-term development.
To achieve this, the design integrates urban planning concepts such as clean and green infrastructure, underground utilities, and walk-to-work systems.
According to him, an agreement was signed with Singapore for developing the financial district, but it was later cancelled by the previous YSRCP regime, which also damaged the Amaravati brand.
Investments were attracted, with educational institutions establishing campuses, and land allocated to over 100 institutions.
Works progressing at a fast pace were halted, and the three-capital policy created divisions among regions, drawing criticism from the High Court.
Naidu claimed that attempts were made to counter the Amaravati farmers' movement and cases were filed, even as political tensions escalated during that period, and people brought his party back to power.
The chief minister said Andhra Pradesh, formed on a linguistic basis, was left without a capital, and the resolution sent to Parliament was approved, granting legal status.
Naidu said Amaravati would emerge as a hub for education, employment and knowledge, while parallel development was being pursued in Visakhapatnam and Tirupati.
He added that industries were being promoted across regions and major companies were setting up operations, alongside efforts to complete irrigation projects.
Naidu said capital development works worth Rs 56,000 crore were currently underway and would progress in phases, with major milestones expected by 2028.
The CM stated that Amaravati was designed as a self-sustainable project with financial support from institutions such as the World Bank, Housing and Urban Development Corporation Limited (HUDCO) and others.
Naidu said the state aims to achieve a USD 2.4 trillion economy by 2047, with Amaravati playing a key role in driving growth.
He added that the Centre and state were working together to secure funds for key projects, including Polavaram, Amaravati and other infrastructure initiatives.
The chief minister said the government was implementing short-term, medium-term and long-term plans to rebuild the state's economy and restore growth momentum.
