Kohli, Agarwal fifties prop up India despite Holder's burst
Kingston: Virat Kohli's fighting 76 and opener Mayank Agarwal's half century guided India to 264 for five on the first day of their second World Championships Test against the West Indies here. Put into bat on a tricky Sabina Park pitch, India were reduced to 46 for two in the opening session, but Kohli and Agarwal (55) worked hard to rebuild the innings with a 69-run stand for the third wicket.
Kohli had another 49-run partnership, with first Test centurion Ajinkya Rahane (24), for the fourth wicket as India picked up the scoring rate in the second session, which saw 85 runs being added from 29 overs. But the two big wickets -- of Kohli and Rahane -- in the final session put the brakes on India just when the visiting team was beginning to consolidate. Captain Kohli faced 163 deliveries, hitting 10 boundaries.
At the draw of stumps, Rishabh Pant and Hanuma Vihari were batting on 27 and 42 respectively, having stitched 62 runs from 17.5 overs for the unfinished sixth wicket. A lot will depend on the duo for India to post a good total on the second day. Pant, who has a tendency of throwing away wickets, was batting sensibly during his 64-ball unbeaten knock, hitting two fours and a six while Vihari was going strong in an 80-ball unbeaten innings, which had eight boundaries in it.
Kohli, who worked hard in the first and second sessions, was beginning to impose himself on the West Indian bowlers and looked set for a bigger innings. But he fell to a peach of a delivery bowled by his West Indian counterpart Jason Holder. The delivery, on a perfect length, pitched around the off and jagged away enough to take the outside edge of Kohli's bat and go through to the keeper.
The Indian captain was a bit lucky when on 55, as replays suggested he could have been out in the 62nd over bowled by Kemar Roach (1/47), but the West Indies had exhausted their quota of two reviews by then. Rahane was out in the first over after tea as he dangled his bat outside the off-stump for Jahmar Hamilton to take the catch. The India vice-captain was quite at ease during his stay at the middle but could not convert the start this time.
For the West Indies, Holder produced a brilliant spell and took three wickets for 39 runs. Agarwal laid the foundation of the Indian fightback with a solid batting display. Playing in his fourth Test, the 28-year-old reached his fifty as he edged a Roach delivery to the boundary ropes.
Agarwal fell inside the first hour of the post-lunch session after scoring his third career half century. His cut shot in the 41st over went straight to first slip fielder Rakheem Cornwall. His 55 came from 127 balls, and it included seven boundaries. Kohli took time to settle down, opening his account after facing 16 balls during the morning session. He was tested by the tight bowling from the West Indians, especially by debutant off-spinner Cornwall (1/41).
The Indian captain gained in confidence as the day wore on, hitting two exquisite cover drives towards the end of the second session. He reached his 22nd career half century off a single in the 55th over bowled by Shannon Gabriel.
Earlier, India laboured their way to 72 for two from 30 overs after opener K L Rahul (13) and Cheteshwar Pujara (6) were dismissed cheaply in the opening session on a pitch, which had some grass on it.
Holder introduced himself in the seventh over and immediately got the breakthrough by dismissing Rahul. Pujara struggled again as he took 15 deliveries to open his account and was finally out for 6 (off 25 deliveries), giving Cornwall his first Test wicket.
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Parliament passes Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025
New Delhi (PTI): Parliament early Friday passed the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, after it was approved by the Rajya Sabha.
The Lok Sabha had on Thursday approved the Bill after over a 12-hour debate.
In Rajya Sabha, the Bill got 128 votes in its favour and 95 against after all the amendments moved by the opposition were rejected.
In the lower house, the bill was supported by 288 MPs while 232 voted against it.
Participating in a debate in the Rajya Sabha, Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the Bill was brought with a number of amendments based on suggestions given by various stakeholders.
"The Waqf Board is a statutory body. All government bodies should be secular," the minister said, explaining the inclusion of non-Muslims on the board.
He, however, said the number of non-Muslims has been restricted to only four out of 22.
Rijiju also alleged that the Congress and other opposition parties, and not the BJP, were trying to scare Muslims with the Waqf Bill.
"You (opposition) are pushing Muslims out of the mainstream," he added.
He said for 60 years, the Congress and others ruled the country, but did not do much for Muslims and the community continues to live in poverty.
"Muslims are poor, who is responsible? You (Congress) are. Modi is now leading the government to uplift them," the minister said.
According to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, Waqf tribunals will be strengthened, a structured selection process will be maintained, and a tenure will be fixed to ensure efficient dispute resolution.
As per the Bill, while Waqf institutions' mandatory contribution to Waqf boards is reduced from 7 per cent to 5 per cent, Waqf institutions earning over Rs 1 lakh will undergo audits by state-sponsored auditors.
A centralised portal will automate Waqf property management, improving efficiency and transparency.
The Bill proposes that practising Muslims (for at least five years) can dedicate their property to the Waqf, restoring pre-2013 rules.
It stipulates that women must receive their inheritance before the Waqf declaration, with special provisions for widows, divorced women and orphans.
The Bill proposes that an officer above the rank of collector investigate government properties claimed as Waqf.
It also proposes that non-Muslim members be included in the central and state Waqf boards for inclusivity.
