ICC Eyes Big Changes In ODI Rule That Faced Massive Criticism From Sachin

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is considering altering the rules with the use of two new balls in ODI cricket in a bit to balance the game for bowlers. While this isn't a complete reversal of the current Playing Conditions (PCs), the potential change is designed to give bowlers an edge by reintroducing the possibility of reverse swing. Additionally, the ICC is exploring the introduction of in-game clocks for Test matches to help regulate over rates and is also evaluating the idea of transitioning the men's Under-19 World Cup to a T20 format, Cricbuzz reported.

The recommendation is set to be reviewed during the ongoing ICC meetings in Zimbabwe.

The proposal to phase out the second new ball in ODIs reportedly stems from the ICC Cricket Committee. As per the suggested change, teams would start with two new balls but would have to choose one to continue with from the 25-over mark onward. This means that while the rule isn't being entirely scrapped, it would help reintroduce reverse swing - a feature that's been missing due to the prolonged shine on two newer balls.

The two-ball rule has faced significant criticism, with legends like Sachin Tendulkar labelling it detrimental to the game. Tendulkar argued that using two new balls prevents them from ageing enough to allow reverse swing, a crucial skill especially during the final overs. He has long advocated for a better balance between bat and ball in ODIs.

"Having two new balls in one day cricket is a perfect recipe for disaster as each ball is not given the time to get old enough to reverse. We haven't seen reverse swing, an integral part of the death overs, for a long time," Tendulkar had famously said in a social media comment some years ago.

Former fast bowler Brett Lee has also publicly backed Tendulkar's stance on the matter.

Led by Sourav Ganguly, the Cricket Committee seems to have conducted a thorough evaluation. In the past, the white ball would often deteriorate or lose its colour by the 35th over, prompting umpires to replace it. Under the proposed system, a single ball could be used for up to 37-38 overs by the end of an innings, as opposed to the current setup where each of the two balls is used for only 25 overs.

Another significant rule under discussion is the use of countdown clocks in Test cricket, setting a 60-second limit between overs. These clocks are already in use in limited-overs formats and have helped speed up matches. The ICC Cricket Committee aims to ensure that 90 overs are bowled each day in Test matches through this move.

The ICC is also considering a shift in format for the men's Under-19 World Cup, potentially converting it to a T20 tournament. While some officials prefer to retain the traditional 50-over format, others point to the success of the Women's Under-19 World Cup, which is already held in the T20 format. The two editions played so far - in 2023 (South Africa) and 2025 (Malaysia) - have both used the shorter format. Any format change for the men's edition would only take effect from the 2028 broadcast cycle.

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"No Excuses For This": Ravi Shastri Rips Into CSK Crawl To 103/9 vs KKR

Kolkata Knight Riders produced an inspired bowling effort to restrict Chennai Super Kings to a lowly 103 for 9 in an Indian Premier League match here on Friday. Sent into bat, CSK never really got going as they lost wickets at regular intervals to be limited to their lowest total at home. Shivam Dube ( 31 not out), Vijay Shankar (29) and Rahul Tripathi (16) were the main run getters for CSK.

"No excuses for this," Ravi Shastri was blunt in his analysis while doing commentary for Star Sports.

Sunil Narine didn't concede a single boundary in his miserly spell of 3-13 as a clinical performance of Kolkata Knight Riders' bowlers helped them restrict a listless Chennai Super Kings to a below-par 103/9, their lowest total at their home venue MA Chidambaram Stadium, here on Friday.

On a black-soil pitch, spin dictated terms from the word go, Narine, Varun Chakaravarthy and Moeen Ali, brought to counter left-handed batters, picked six wickets collectively as CSK's batting never got going.

CSK wanted to bat first after losing the toss, but didn't take full advantage of their decision as they could never break free from the disciplined bowling by KKR bowlers. It took Shivam Dube's unbeaten 29-ball 31 to save CSK from being all out for their lowest total (79) in IPL's history.

Devon Conway began by taking two boundaries off pacer Vaibhav Arora, before being dismissed for 12 when his attempt to reverse-sweep off Moeen resulted in him being trapped lbw in a wicket-maiden over. In the next over, CSK were dealt another blow when Rachin Ravindra miscued a slog off Harshit Rana and was caught at cover.

KKR could have got another wicket if Vijay Shankar wasn't dropped by Moeen at mid-off when on zero. From there, Shankar pulled and lofted Chakaravarthy for boundaries, before hoicking Moeen over mid-wicket for six. Shankar's charmed life continued when Venkatesh Iyer dropped him at mid-wicket on 20.

With PTI and IANS inputs 

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China Sends Proposal To Australia Amid Bitter Fight With US, Gets Rejected

Australia has declined China's proposal to form an alliance against the United States' tariffs, imposed by President Donald Trump's administration. The decision comes as Washington escalates its trade war with Beijing, imposing a 10 per cent import tax on Australian goods and significantly higher tariffs on Chinese products - 125 per cent.

China's ambassador to Australia, Xiao Qian, suggested that joint resistance is the only way to counter the US' "hegemonic and bullying behavior." He also said, "The international community... should firmly say no to unilateralism and protectionism."

However, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that his country will prioritise its national interests, "speak for ourselves" and not align with China's stance.

Defence Minister Richard Marles emphasised that Australia will not be "holding China's hand" and instead focus on diversifying its trade relationships.

“We're not about to make common cause with China, that's not what's going to happen here. I don't think we'll be holding China's hand,” Marles told Australia's Nine News. “We don't want to see a trade war between America and China, to be clear, but our focus is on actually diversifying our trade," he added.

Australia has expressed frustration over the tariffs but has opted not to retaliate. Instead, the country is seeking further negotiations with the White House. Xiao Qian argued that the US has "weaponised" trade issues, potentially sabotaging the international order and dragging the global economy into chaos. He emphasised the need for Australia and China to cooperate in safeguarding a fair and free trading environment.

Australia is actively exploring alternative export opportunities outside the US. The country aims to reduce its reliance on China and bolster economic resilience by diversifying trade with nations like Indonesia, India, the UK, and the UAE. "Eighty percent of trade does not involve the United States. There are opportunities for Australia and we intend to seize them", Albanese said. Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell has recently met with counterparts from Japan, Singapore, South Korea, and India.
 

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Student Dies By Suicide, Cops Find "I Quit" Written On Mirror With Lipstick

A 23-year-old law student died by suicide in Uttar Pradesh's Jhansi over a failed affair, the police said.

In her room, the police found a mirror on which the words "I quit" were written with lipstick. She had an affair with a dental doctor, who promised to marry her, but later got engaged with someone else.

Reports said the law student, Danish Ara, was allegedly taken by the dental doctor identified as Asad and his family to their house, where she was tortured. She died by suicide after returning home and following the alleged torture.

Danish Ara was pursuing LLB. Her family said she met Asad 4-5 months ago during treatment, and both eventually became close to each other. The family said he promised to marry her, but chose another woman.

"As soon as information was received, the police reached the spot and took the body for autopsy. We are investigating the case," Jhansi circle police officer Laxmikant Gautam said.

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Parag Out or Not Out? RR Batter Displeased After Controversial Decision

Riyan Parag was at the centre of a tricky dismissal during the Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals IPL 2025 match in Ahmedabad on Wednesday. The incident happened in the seventh over bowled by GT's left-arm pacer Kulwant Khejroliya. Riyan Parag was given caught behind but the RR batter went for DRS. The decision to go for a DRS looked surprising as it appeared to be a straight out. Replays showed there was a spike as the ball passed the bat, however, at the same time the bat hit the ground too. Parag even looked displeased and had a word with the umpire too. 

Riyan Parag was clearly not out. pic.twitter.com/DtOCTIlUWH

— r1shab (@rishabgargalt) April 9, 2025

DRAMA IN AHMEDABAD!

Riyan Parag is not happy with the DRS decision for being caught behind & he makes his way back! What is your take here?

Watch the LIVE action https://t.co/Bu2uqHSFdi #IPLonJioStar #GTvRR | LIVE NOW on Star Sports 1, Star Sports 1 Hindi &... pic.twitter.com/iy9BedHrtz

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) April 9, 2025

Was the snickometer sound from the bat hitting the ground or the ball hitting the bat? How does the third umpire decide? Riyan Parag clearly thinks its from the bat hitting the ground.
We need to find another way of settling this issue, not the first time this has happened!

— Joy Bhattacharjya (@joybhattacharj) April 9, 2025

Riyan Parag was definitely NOT OUT!
The ball's shadow can be seen clearly on the bat and the snicko showed a spike before the ball reached the bat, i.e. the bat did hit the ground and hence the spike.
Rajasthan Royals robbed! Ridiculous umpiring! pic.twitter.com/TSVIJ2q1N3

— Harsh Goyal (@go86964584) April 9, 2025

Earlier, Opener Sai Sudarshan's valiant knock of 82 runs stomed hosts Gujarat Titans to a total of 217/6 in their 20 overs against Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Wednesday.

Rajastan-based franchise skipper Sanju Samson won the toss and opted to bowl first in the match against the hosts, the Gujarat Titans.

Batters Shubman Gill and Sai Sudarshan came out in the middle to open the innings for the Gujarat side, but they didn't have the start they wanted as Gill was sent back to the pavilion after scoring just two runs in the third over of the innings.

The Gujarat side touched the 50-run mark in the sixth over. The 50th run came through a wide, which was bowled by right-arm seamer Sandeep Sharma.

Following skipper's departure, right-hand batter Jos Buttler came in the middle to bat along with Sudarshan. Both players built a marvellous partnership of 80 runs from 47 balls before Buttler (36 runs off 25 balls) was sent back to the dressing room in the 10th over by spinner Maheesh Theekshana.

Shahrukh Khan came to bat next, following the wicketkeeper-batter's dismissal. The Shubman Gill-led side touched the 100-run mark in the 11th over as Sudarshan took a double on the last ball of the over, which was bowled by speedster Jofra Archer.

Shahrukh and Sudarshan built a magnificent partnership of 62 runs in just 34 balls before the former was dismissed in the 16th over at the score of 154 by Theekshana.

In the end, Rahul Tewatia (24* runs off 12 balls) and Rahid Khan (12 runs from 4 balls) scored some crucial runs for the side, which took the Gujarat side to 217 runs with the loss of six wickets in their 20 overs.

For the Rajasthan Royals, two wickets each were snapped by Tushar Deshpande (2/53) & Maheesh Theekshana (2/54) and one wicket each was grabbed by Jofra Archer (1/30) and Sandeep Sharma (1/41) in their respective spells of four overs each.

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US Stocks Surge After Trump's 90-Day Pause On Tariffs For Most Nations

Wall Street stocks rocketed higher suddenly on Wednesday after US President Donald Trump announced a 90-day tariff pause on all countries except China.

Shortly after Trump announced his latest pivot on his Truth Social platform, the S&P 500 surged 6.0 percent higher to 5,281.44, snapping a brutal run of losses since Trump's "Liberation Day" tariff announcement a week ago.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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US Company Fires 200 In 'Donation Scam' Related To Telugu Organisations

US federal mortgage giant Fannie Mae has laid off about 700 employees, including Telugu workers, over the two days. About 200, a majority of them Telugu, were fired on "ethical grounds", The Times Of India reported, citing sources.

The terminations are linked to the irregularities and misuse of the company's "matching grants program", a scheme designed to support charitable donations, according to the English daily.

Some employees were allegedly hand-in-glove with non-profit organisations, such as the Telugu Association of North America (TANA), and misused company funds. TANA is at the centre of the controversy, with one laid-off employee holding a regional vice president position in the organisation and another the spouse of a former president of the American Telugu Association (ATA), the report said. 

This controversy follows a similar scandal at Apple in January 2025, where over 100 employees were fired for misusing its "Matching Gifts Programme." The tech giant's programme matches employees' charitable contributions to eligible non-profit organisations.

Some employees allegedly coordinated with certain charitable organisations to create fraudulent records and transfer matching funds back to themselves. Though the figures are unconfirmed, reports suggested about 185 employees were affected.

The TANA was being investigated in connection with the alleged misuse of corporate matching grants, including those from Apple.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating TANA, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Department of Justice (DOJ), according to a report in The Economic Times.

The Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office in December last year charged six former Apple non-Indian employees with exploiting the company's charitable donation program. It resulted in approximately $152,000 being extracted from the company and overreporting around $100,000 in charitable contributions as tax deductions.

Last December, the Northern District of California court issued a subpoena to TANA to testify before a grand jury, which requested records of donations received, amounts spent and information on the representatives who worked for the organisation at various levels between 2019 and 2024.

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