Hindustan Times (Delhi)

India set to lose No 1 rank as another day goes down drain

CAUGHT IN SLUSH Rain plays havoc as Kohli’s men are set to lose the top spot

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PORT OF SPAIN:

THE ONLY WAY

WEST INDIES COULD REDEEM THEMSELVES ON THIS TOUR IS BY PLAYING THE FIFTH DAY IN 50-OVER STYLE

case of $42 million (`282 crore) before waiving it off on the condition that West Indies would return next year to complete the tour. But is the politickin­g producing watchable cricket? The Caribbean people would give a huge thumbs-down to that. The only way West Indies could redeem themselves this tour is by playing the fifth day 50-over style.

If they are serious about rejuvenati­ng Test cricket they should make India an offer similar to the one Hansie Cronje had made to Nasser Hussain on the fifth day morning in the fifth Test after three days had been washed out, just like here.

The series too had been won 2-0 by South Africa, just like here.

Now we know Cronje had other intentions behind making that offer but there’s no denying it produced gripping cricket.

The match was fastforwar­ded by declaring two innings at 0 before England snatched breaths by chasing down 248 in 75.1 overs and losing eight wickets. In one day, in a matter of just over 100 overs, history was made. West Indies need a brainwave like that to prove to their people Test cricket too can be fun. Otherwise, this will be another damp squib.

 ??  ?? India skipper Virat Kohli shares a joke with teammate Mohammad Shami at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad. AP PHOTO
India skipper Virat Kohli shares a joke with teammate Mohammad Shami at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad. AP PHOTO
 ??  ?? SOMSHUVRA LAHA
SOMSHUVRA LAHA

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