India likely to rest key players for Zimbabwe tour

New Delhi

Taking note of the fatigue factor, India are likely to field a second-string team for the tour of Zimbabwe. Some senior players might be given a break when the selectors meet on Monday to pick the squad for the limited-overs series. The selectors may give younger players a chance with sources indicating that skipper MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli and R Ashwin are likely to be rested. Rohit Sharma and Suresh Raina are the two players in running for captaincy. Rohit is the top contender after successfully leading Mumbai Indians to the IPL title this season.  In case Ashwin is rested, the toss-up for the off-spinner's slot will be between Parveez Rasool and Harbhajan Singh. However, if the selectors prefer a junior team, it might turn the tide in Rasool's favour. Robin Uthappa can also make the cut.

Bengaluru

India register 17-run win over New Zealand eves

All-rounder Jhulan Goswami struck a gritty fifty before the bowlers did a good job to help Indian women down New Zealand by 17 runs in the first ODI and take the lead in the five-match ODI series. Electing to bat, the Mithali Raj-led side lost wickets at regular intervals but Jhulan struck a defiant 57 off 67 deliveries to help the hosts to 142 all out in 44.3 overs. Brief scores: India: 142 (Goswami 57, Nielsen 3-24, Tahuhu 3-25, Kasperek 3-39) bt New Zealand: 125 (Bates 28, Rana 3-26, Harmanpreet 2-16, Bisht 2-18) by 17 runs. 

Karachi

I want to help revive Indo-Pak cricket ties: Zaheer

The newly elected ICC president Zaheer Abbas has said that despite being elevated to a ceremonial post he will do his best to revive India and Pakistan bilateral cricket series. “Being in a ceremonial post does not mean I can't do anything. I love this game and in the next one year I want to contribute something to world cricket,” said the former Test captain. “I want to play a role in helping revive Indo-Pak cricket because people of both the countries want to see them play and regular bilateral ties are necessary for the sport's global image.”

New Delhi

Abhijeet unstoppable in Commonwealth Chess

Grandmaster and former champion Abhijeet Gupta remained on course to regain the crown after a crushing victory against defending champion Deep Sengupta in the seventh round of the Commonwealth Chess championship. With the last win, Abhijeet has won seven consecutive games.  — PTI