Shikhar and Kohli powers India to 352-5 against Australia
London, June 9: The legend of Shikhar Dhawan in ICC tournaments continued to grow as his stylish hundred formed the cornerstone of a fantastic batting display that powered India to a commanding 352 for five against Australia in the World Cup.
The left-handed opener's 17th ODI hundred (117 off 109 balls) was well complemented by fellow opener Rohit Sharma's 57 off 70 balls with the openers raising a stand of 127.
Ever consistent skipper Virat Kohli (82 off 77 balls) played an effective knock and shared a 92-run stand with Dhawan. Kohli's sixes off Mitchell Starc over long-on and extra cover stood out.
The last 10 overs yielded India 116 runs, primarily due to Hardik Pandya's whirlwind knock of 48 from 27 balls and Mahendra Singh Dhoni's 27-run cameo.
Floater Pandya played in a manner only he can while Dhoni did his bit in putting the finishing touches, which included a six over square leg off Starc.
The Indian openers played out a good opening spell from Starc (1/74) and Pat Cummins (1/55), who pitched it up and repeatedly beat the bat.
What worked brilliantly for Indian batsmen was the manner in which they planned which of the bowlers they wanted to go after.
They took 157 runs from 20 overs bowled by Marcus Stoinis (2/62 in 7 overs), Adam Zampa (0/50 in 6 overs) and Glenn Maxwell (0/45 in 7 overs).
When Rohit was dropped on 2 by Nathan Coulter-Nile at square leg off Starc, the Indian openers became more cautious.
Dhawan, who has a stupendous record at the Oval ground where he averages over 120, waited for Coulter-Nile. Three boundaries in the eighth over eased the pressure.
The hero of Australia's match against West Indies, didn't have the pace to trouble the Indians and he bowled short enough to be cut and pulled by both the players.
Rohit hooked him for a six while Dhawan played some fabulous cut shots.
Leg spinner Zampa who was impressive against India in the last series, was targeted from the onset as both the openers used their feet to perfection. Once they started using their feet, the leg-spinner started dropping it short and Dhawan would rock on the backfoot to punish him.
Rohit was subdued but it didn't matter as the Delhi southpaw's 16 hits on the day set the tone.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Telangana CM urges Amit Shah to increase sanctioned strength of IPS officers in state
Hyderabad (PTI): Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi on Wednesday night and urged him to increase the sanctioned strength of IPS officers to the state in view of its growing administrative and security needs.
The two leaders also discussed the recent surrender of several senior Maoist leaders before the Telangana Police and other issues.
"During the meeting, the two leaders discussed the issue of Maoist surrenders and their rehabilitation. The chief minister informed Shah that significant improvements in policing have taken place in Telangana over the past two years," an official release here said.
Highlighting that 591 Maoists have laid down their arms and joined the mainstream of society during this period, the chief minister said the state government was providing them compensation and rehabilitation assistance as per the rules.
He requested the Union home minister to extend financial support from the central government for development works in the backward regions of the state.
Reddy also urged Shah to increase the sanctioned strength of IPS officers to the state from 83 to 105 in line with the state's growing administrative and security needs, the statement said.
The first cadre review after the formation of Telangana was conducted in 2016, while the next review, due in 2021, was delayed and finally carried out in 2025. Even then, only seven additional IPS officers were allocated to the state, the chief minister informed Shah and requested that the third cadre review be conducted in 2026 as per the schedule.
Reddy explained that Telangana, like the rest of the country, is facing several modern challenges, including cybercrime, drug trafficking, white-collar crimes, and other emerging security threats.
He highlighted the reorganisation of the Hyderabad, Cyberabad, and Malkajgiri Police Commissionerates, the proposed formation of the Future City Commissionerate and the rapidly growing population in Hyderabad to underline the increasing administrative requirements of the state.
