Venkatesh Iyer, Tripathi bat well but Punjab restrict KKR to 165/7
Dubai, Oct 1: Venkatesh Iyer hit a fluent 67 while Nitish Rana produced a fiery 31 off 18 balls before Punjab Kings managed to stop Kolkata Knight Riders at 165 for seven in the Indian Premier League here on Friday.
Invited to bat, the in-form KKR batsmen controlled the proceedings for a major part of their innings and had it not been some excellent death over spells by Mohammed Shami (1/23) and Arshdeep Singh (3/32), KKR would have got a bigger score on the board.
Iyer and Tripathi (34 off 26 balls) raised a 72-run stand, stroking the ball around with ease. Rana's cameo was also crucial for KKR.
Left-arm pacer Arshdeep has been a top performer for the Punjab side this season and he delivered again by cleaning up Shubhman Gill (7) with a peach of delivery that breached the defence of the batsman in the third over.
Iyer, who has been a revelation this season, continued his good run with some fluent drives on both sides of the wicket despite that the ball was stopping a bit before coming on to the bat.
The batsmen's positive approach and lack of control over the line by the Punjab pacers meant that run-rate kept soaring for KKR.
The partnership was finally broken by spinner Ravi Bishnoi, who had Tripathi caught in the deep. The leg-spinner was also economical ending with figures of two for 22 in four overs.
Iyer completed his fifty with a single off Allen and then lofted the West Indian bowler for a six to raise team's hundred in the 13th over.
Two quick wickets fell when Bishnoi got rid of Iyer, who went for a big shot, and Shami trapped rival skipper Eoin Morgan (2), who shuffled a bit towards the off side but missed the line of the dipping ball, catching him in front of the wicket.
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.
Parents burn children with incense sticks to treat fever in Karnataka's Koppal instead of medicine
Koppal: In a disturbing case of superstition-driven child abuse, several families in Vithalapur village of Koppal district have been reportedly burning their children with incense sticks to treat common fevers instead of consuming medicines.
The practice, which has also allegedly resulted in death of seven-month-old baby, has drawn strong condemnation from health officials and social activists.
According to a report by The New Indian Express, at least 18 such cases have come to light, following the recent death of the infant whose mother allegedly used a burning incense stick as a home remedy for fever. Social activists investigating the incident revealed that many more cases likely remain unnoticed.
The villagers reportedly believe that burning the skin with incense sticks and applying agarbatti ash can cure fever and bring God’s blessings. This belief, deeply rooted in local superstition, has led to repeated cases of children being physically harmed in the name of healing.
The district administration took serious note of the issue after the infant’s death. Authorities will file cases against the parents involved in all 18 identified incidents, the report added.
Residents of Koppal expressed concern over the prevalence of such harmful beliefs. Some villagers acknowledged that certain families not only practice these rituals but actively spread their beliefs to others. They have urged the district administration and police to crack down on individuals, including self-styled godmen (‘babas’), who promote such dangerous treatments.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner has instructed local officials to increase surveillance and launch awareness about the issue among villagers.
