Today in History

February 27

1933 - The German Reichstag (parliament) in Berlin is destroyed by fire.

1943 - An methane gas explosion in Smith Mine, near Bearcreek, US, kills at least 75 people.

1974 - Ethiopia’s Cabinet resigns as military mutiny spreads from captured city of Asmara.

2001 - A mob of native Dayak fighters in Indonesia massacre at least 118 migrants travelling under police escort.

2002 - Fifty-nine people are burnt alive and 43 injured when a train catches a fire at Godhra rail station in India.

2016 - Stan Wawrinka wins the Dubai Tennis Championship.

2019 - US President Donald Trump meets North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in second summit at Hanoi.

By and large, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has done a great job in selecting 19 players for the forthcoming five-match T20 series against England. After flak from all quarters, the selectors wisely included Surya Kumar Yadav and Ishant Kishan, the stars of IPL 13. Though this 19-member squad is a luxury for a home series, keeping in view the Covid-19 situation and obliging some regional boards, this number seems to be apt. We only wish that the new members, like Dinesh Karthik and Sanju Samson, are not ignored after playing in one or two games. I also feel that Ishant Kishan is a better wicket keeper, and that he should get a higher chance than Rishab Pant, who seems to be the permanent keeper in Test matches.

■ MR N V KRISHNAN

India