Mayank Agarwal falls after hitting 55, India 118/3 halfway second session on Day 1 of 2nd Test
Kingston, Aug 30: Opener Mayank Agarwal fell after scoring his third career half century while captain Virat Kohli was batting solid on 31 as India reached 118 for 3 midway the second session on the opening day of World Test Championships second match against the West Indies here today.
Agarwal departed at 55 after steadying the Indian innings with a solid batting display in his 127-ball knock from which he hit seven boundaries. His cut shot in the 41st over of the India innings went straight to first slip fielder Rahkeem Cornwall.
Kohli, on his part, was gaining in confidence after a watchful batting in the morning session. He has faced 74 deliveries so far from which he hit three boundaries. Ajinkya Rahane was giving him company on 2 from 12 balls at the drinks break -- which was called after 44 overs in the post-lunch session.
Agarwal and Kohli resumed the second session at the team score of 72 for 2 and added 69 runs from 24 overs for the third wicket.
Playing in his fourth Test, the 28-year-old Agarwal reached to his fifty as he edged a Kemar Roach delivery to the boundary ropes.
Kohli took time to settle down on a tricky pitch as he took 16 balls to open his account during the morning session. He was tested by the tight bowling from the West Indians especially by debutant off-spinner Rakheem Cornwall.
Earlier, India laboured their way to 72 for 2 from 30 overs after opener K L Rahul and Cheteshwar Pujara were dismissed cheaply in the opening session.
Rahul and Pujara were out for 13 and 6 respectively after India were put into bat on a Sabina Park pitch which had some grass on it.
After West Indies captain Jason Holder opted to field, Rahul and Agarwal negotiated the first half an hour without taking any risk on a tricky pitch.
Holder introduced himself in the seventh over and immediately got the breakthrough by having the wicket of Rahul to break the 32-run opening stand.
It was a peach of a delivery which jagged away from middle stump with Rahul edging it to Cornwall at first slip for a comfortable catch. Rahul hit two fours in his 26-ball innings.
Holder was getting the bounce and movement and debutant Cornwall made the Indians toil for runs with his tight off-spin bowling.
India were 36 for 1 in 13 overs at the drinks break.
Pujara, who came after Rahul's departure in the seventh over, struggled again as he took 15 deliveries to open his account and was finally out for 6 which came from 25 balls.
The bounce extracted by 26-year-old off-spinner Cornwall, who stands at 6ft and 5 inches and weights more than 140kg, did brought Pujara's downfall as he hit straight to the hands of Shamarh Brooks.
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HK Dua, who helmed three of India's top dailies, passes away
New Delhi (PTI): HK Dua, a distinguished journalist and a veteran of Indian public life who held the rare distinction of helming editorial operations at three of India's leading newspapers, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 88.
He breathed his last peacefully this afternoon at a private hospital, a member of his family said.
His cremation will take place at Lodhi Road crematorium on Thursday.
Dua was admitted to the hospital around three weeks ago. He was survived by wife Adity and son Prashant.
In a remarkable career spanning over four decades, Dua traversed the world of journalism, served as a media advisor to two prime ministers -- Atal Behari Vajpayee and HD Deve Gowda -- and transitioned into the roles of a diplomat and parliamentarian.
A Padma Bhushan recipient, Dua was known for his affable persona, sharp political insight and unwavering commitment to editorial independence. He commanded respect across the political spectrum.
Dua served as editor of The Hindustan Times (1987-94), Editor-in-Chief of The Indian Express (1994-96) and The Tribune (2003-09) and Editorial Advisor for The Times of India (1997-98).
Born on July 1, 1937, Dua also served as India's ambassador to Denmark (2001-2003).
He was a nominated member of Rajya Sabha (2009-2015), where he contributed significantly to debates on foreign affairs and national security. He was also part of several high-profile parliamentary committees, including the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Home Affairs.
A two-term president of the Editors' Guild of India and a steadfast defender of democratic values, Dua also served on the National Security Advisory Board and received honorary doctorates from Punjab and Kurukshetra Universities for his contributions to the Fourth Estate.
Apart from the Padma Bhushan, he received several awards, including the Durga Ratan award and the Bal Gangadhar Tilak award for excellence in journalism.
Leaders across the political spectrum and members of the media fraternity expressed condolences over Dua's demise.
"My deepest condolences on the passing of H K Dua, a distinguished journalist, diplomat, and Padma Bhushan recipient whose commitment to truth, editorial independence, and public service enriched public discourse," Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said on social media.
Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Singh Badal said Dua upheld editorial independence with unwavering integrity, sharp insight, and commitment to democratic values.
"His contributions as a journalist and an editor across leading newspapers leave behind an enduring legacy," he said.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said: "A journalistic giant has left us."
