Ball-tampering: Smith apologises, says 'it was mistake on my part'; updates

The Magellan Financial Group Ltd cancelled naming rights worth $24 million sponsorship deal with Cricket Australia

Steve Smith ball-tampering row: Disgraced Australian captain Steve Smith broke down during the press conference in Sydney. Steve Smith could not control his emotions during the interview and said, “If any good is to come from this it can be a lesson for others and I hope I can be a force for change."

Apologising for his mistake in the ball-tampering scandal, Smith said, "I don’t blame anyone. I’m the captain of the Australian team. It’s on my watch and I take responsibility for what happened last Saturday." Earlier, Australian batsman David Warner apologised for his role in the ball-tampering scandal. The left-handed batsman has recently been banned for a year by Cricket Australia (CA) after his ball-tampering plans came into limelight during the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town.
Warner took to Twitter to apologise to his fans saying he understood the distress that was caused due to the scandal.

He wrote: To cricket fans in Australia and all over the world: I'm currently on my way back to Sydney. Mistakes have been made which have damaged cricket. I apologise for my part and take responsibility for it. I understand the distress this has caused the sport and its fans. It's a stain on the game we all love and I've loved since I was a boy. I need to take a deep breath and spend time with my family, friends and trusted advisers. You will hear from me in a few days.

ALSO READ: Ball tampering row: BCCI bars Steve Smith, David Warner out of IPL 2018

After the slapping of a 12-month international and domestic ban on (now former) Australian cricket team captain Steve Smith and vice-captain David Warner, the Magellan Financial Group Ltd has cancelled its $24-million sponsorship deal with Cricket Australia.

Many other sponsors like Sanitarium, LG and Asics also dumped Steve Smith and David Warner from their sponsorship deals after the incident that rocked the sport in the country. However, the decision by Magellan suggests the financial impact of the episode will go to the core of Australia’s cricket team.

ALSO READ: Lehmann apologises, calls for change of Aussie's playing style

1. Cricket Australia loses major sponsor Magellan: Magellan terminated its contract with the governing body over the ball-tampering scandal. The major sponsor had inked a three-year partnership in August 2017 for Australia's domestic Tests in a deal estimated at the time to be worth Australian dollar 20 million. It began with the recent Ashes series against England.

2. Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland defends team coach Lehmann: James Sutherland came in defence of team's coach Darren Lehmann. According to Reuters, Sutherland said that Lehmann was as surprised as spectators watched images on big screens showing Bancroft shamelessly cheating.
"In Darren's defence, I do want to clarify that matter," Sutherland told reporters in response to a question about what Lehmann told 12th man Peter Handscomb via walky-talky before he ran on the field to pass the coach's message onto Bancroft."
Reuters reported that Lehmann had sent a message to say: 'What the hell is going on?' He didn't use 'hell', he used another word. Darren wasn't involved and didn't know of the plan." had no knowledge of a ball-tampering plot by his two most senior players and allegations that he then led a cover-up are false, Cricket Australia said on Wednesday.

3. The right decision has been taken, says Sachin Tendulkar: Amid the ball-tampering controversy, Sachin Tendulkar believes that the right decision has been taken. Winning is important but the way you win is more important, he said in a tweet. It is important to uphold the integrity of the game, Sachin explains.

Malala Yousafzai returns to Pakistan 6 years after Taliban shot her

The education activist was shot in the head in October 2012 by the Taliban gunmen for actively supporting girls' right to education

The youngest Nobel laureate, Malala Yousafzai arrived in Pakistan late Wednesday night, after spending about six years abroad.

Yousafzai's flight- Emirates' EK-614 - landed at the Benazir Bhutto International Airport at 1:41 AM, reported Geo TV. | Today's Paper

During her stay in Pakistan, the 20-year-old, is likely to hold meetings with Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, and other important figures. She will also participate in the 'Meet the Malala' programme, the report said. Further details have been "kept secret in view of the sensitivity surrounding the visit," a government official said.

The education activist was shot in the head in October 2012 by the Taliban gunmen for actively supporting girls' right to education.

The same year, she left Pakistan after surviving an assassination attempt by Taliban, as she was returning from school.

She was hit in the head, but survived the attack and was airlifted to the Military Hospital Peshawar.
Yousafzai was then shifted to London for further treatment.

At the age of 17, Malala was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her contributions to and struggle for promoting education for children. She shared the prize with Kailash Satyarthi, a children's rights activist.

Malala is widely respected internationally for her bravery and activism, but opinion is divided in Pakistan where some conservatives view her as a Western agent on a mission to shame her country.

Ball-tampering row: Steve Smith, David Warner banned for 12 months; updates

Cricket Australia is expected to come out with the results of an investigation into the ball tampering scandal involving Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft today

David Warner has stepped down as captain of the IPL team Sunrisers Hyderabad. The twitter handle of SRH tweeted: “In light of recent events, David Warner has stepped down as captain of SunRisers Hyderabad. The new captain of the Team will be announced shortly. – K Shanmugam, CEO, SunRisers Hyderabad."

Cricket Australia is expected to come out with the results of an investigation into the ball tampering scandal involving Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft on Wednesday.

As such, the three players will be sent home in the 'next 24 hours', according to the Aussie cricket board chief James Sutherland. He added that the players will be penalised with sanctions that will 'reflect the gravity' of the situation.

Tim Paine, a batsman with only 10 test caps, has been appointed the new skipper of the side. Matthew Renshaw, Joe Burns and Glenn Maxwell will join the team in South Africa to replace the disgraced trio charged with ball tampering.

Here are the top 10 developments in the ball-tampering row:

1) Steve Smith, David Warner banned for 12 months
Steven Smith and David Warner, formerly captain and vice-captain of Australia, have been banned for 12 months by Cricket Australia for their roles in the pre-meditated plan to tamper with the ball on the third day of the Cape Town Test against South Africa. Cameron Bancroft, the player to actually tamper with the ball, has been banned for nine months.

2) Smith, Warner, Bancroft sent home: Cricket Australia Chief Executive Officer James Sutherland announced on Tuesday that Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft will return home and will not play the fourth and final Test match against South Africa that starts on Friday. Coach Darren Lehmann will continue in the position as he had no knowledge according to CA's preliminary inquiry.
Matthew Renshaw, Glenn Maxwell and Joe Burns have been named their replacements.

3) Steve Smith stepped down as Rajasthan Royals captain: Steve Smith yesterday decided to step down from Rajasthan Royals' captaincy in the wake of the of severe backlash he has faced after admitting to ball tampering during the third Test against South Africa.

The decision was on expected lines the moment Cricket Australia indicated that harsher penalty was on cards for Smith and Co for their role in an episode that has shaken Australian sporting fraternity.

4) Ajinkya Rahane to replace Steve Smith: Right-hand Indian batsman Ajinkya Rahane will replace Steve Smith in the upcoming season of the IPL. "Ajinkya Rahane has been an integral part of the Royals family for a long time now and he understands the culture and values of our team. We have absolutely no doubt that he will be a great leader of the Rajasthan Royals," Zubin Bharucha had said.

Read More on Ball-Tampering Row

Don't let Kohli play county cricket; he must suffer in England: Bob Willis

Virat Kohli is expected to play for Surrey in the Division One of English county in his bid to prepare for the five-Test August-September series in England

Letting Virat Kohli play county cricket is "nonsense", feels former England captain Bob Willis, who wants the prolific Indian captain to "suffer" from the wretched form he endured in 2014, when his team comes here for a Test series later this year.

Kohli is expected to play for Surrey in the Division One of English county in his bid to prepare for the five-Test August-September series in England, which has been his focus for sometime now. | Today's Paper

"I can't stand overseas players in county cricket," Willis told 'Sky Sports'.

"He should be made to suffer and average 30 in England as he has done before. We don't want England starting to lose Test matches at home because we're accommodating all of these visiting players," Willis commented.

Apart from Kohli, the likes of Cheteshwar Pujara (Yorkshire) and Ishant Sharma (Sussex) are also set to play for different sides.

Willis, however, is upset that England will be losing home advantage ahead of the series and termed it as a detrimental move for the counties.

"It doesn't benefit the players stranded in the second XI year on year and the youngsters. The only way to improve our Test team is to have as many England-qualified players playing in the County Championship as possible," said Willis, who has played 90 Test matches for his country taking 325 wickets.

"Instead, they're going to pay Kohli, presumably, five figures a match so he can hone his skills in English conditions before a Test series. It's a nonsense," fumed Willis.

The 68-year-old feels that like last time, when Kohli failed to score a single half-century across five Tests, England should once again make him suffer.

However Surrey's director of women's cricket, Ebony Rainford-Brent felt that Kohli's presence will help them boost the profile of county cricket.

"Box office players like Kohli will give county cricket a bit of a buzz and it should be celebrated. You want the best people playing and if that turns out to be for Surrey, then so be it."

She gave the example of Kumar Sangakkara, who had a prolific season for Surrey, last year.
"Look at Kumar Sangakkara, for example, and the amount the Surrey players soaked up from playing alongside a great like that for the last two years. Hearing they may now be around Kohli, I think the players would be excited by that.

Bandhan Bank makes strong debut; lists at 33% premium against issue price

The stock listed at Rs 499, a 33% premium against its issue price of Rs 375 per share on the National Stock Exchange.

Bandhan Bank has made a strong debut at the bourses on Tuesday. The stocks listed at Rs 499, a 33% premium against its issue price of Rs 375 per share on the National Stock Exchange (NSE). On the BSE, the stock listed at Rs 485, 29% higher against its issue price.

At 10:04 am; Bandhan Bank stock was trading Rs 472 on the BSE and NSE. A combined 35.11 million shares changed hands on the counter on both the exchanges.

Bandhan Bank with a market value of Rs 571.59 billion stands at 53rd position in overall market capitalisation ranking, the BSE data shows. | Today's Paper

The private sector lender raised Rs 45 billion through initial public offer (IPO), which was oversubscribed by 14.6 times. The qualified institutional buyers (QIBs) category was subscribed 38.67 times, the non-institutional investors category was subscribed 13.89 times and the retail individual investors (RIIs) category received subscription of 1.20 times.

The objective of the fresh issue was also to augment bank's Tier-I capital base to meet the bank's future capital requirements. The bank also believed that the listing of equity shares will enhance the bank's visibility and brand name among existing and potential customers.

The bank has a very healthy business mix – on the asset side 96.5% of total advances qualifying as priority sector lending (PSL) and on the liability side 33.2% of total deposits in the low-cost current account & savings account (CASA).

Considering the healthy financials – NIM of 9.9%, gross and net NPA of 1.67% & 0.8%, respectively and high return ratios of 25.6% RoE and 4.1% RoA, analyst at Centrum Broking believe the bank will be able to attract adequate investor interest.

Further, the bank is expected to benefit largely from financialisation of household investments especially in the rural & underbanked areas, vast branch network and presence in high growth segments of micro lending, retail and SME banking.

Given the high valuations, investors can subscribe to the issue from a long term perspective. It must be noted that since the issue is being offered at expensive valuation, listing gains may be capped, the brokerage firm said in an IPO note.

Being a bank, Bandhan Bank was able to ride the recent MFI crises smoothly unlike NBFC-MFIs. So in the current form, it is a robust and resilient micro loan financier with great growth prospects. The bank would likely be able to sustain RoA and RoE near the 4% and 25% mark respectively. We believe long term investors would find post-money valuation at 4.8 times price to book value (P/BV) reasonably attractive, IIFL Wealth Management said in an IPO note.

Karnataka election on May 12, Amit Malviya under EC lens, EC to use VVPATs

The Election Commission is set to announce dates and the entire polling schedule of Karnataka Assembly Elections for the 224-member Karnataka assembly today

Karnataka Assembly Elections will be held on May 12 and the result will be declared on May 15, 2018, the Election Commission announced on Tuesday. Karnataka elections will be held in a single phase. Chief Election Commissioner OP Rawat said that the model code of conduct has come into effect in the poll-bound state | Today's Paper

The elections are being held to choose the 224 members of the Karnataka Assembly whose tenure ends in May 2018. The polls are being seen politically crucial for the ruling Congress, as well as the BJP, as Karnataka is the only big state where the former is in power after losing a string of Assembly elections to the saffron party in the past few years. The BJP is making a concerted bid to unseat the Congress. Besides, the Congress and the BJP, another player in the fray is former prime minister H D Deve Gowda's JD(S).

Also Read : Karnataka Elections 2018: Fresh Faces To Lead Congress

Highlights:
Important dates for Karnataka Assembly Election 2018
17 April: Issue of notification 24 April: Last date of nomination 25 April: Date of scrutiny
27 April: Last date of withdrawal of candidates 12 May: Date of Polling 15 May: Counting of votes/ Result day
* Date of notification is April 17 and nominations should be filed by April 24. The last date of withdrawal of candidature is April 27. Counting of votes will take place on May 15.
* It will be investigated. Be assured that actions legally and administratively befitting will be taken: Chief Election Commissioner OP Rawat on the question of how BJP's IT Cell head Amit Malviya had put dates of Karnataka elections on social media.
* Certain things may have leaked for which Election Commission will take appropriate action: Chief Election Commissioner OP Rawat on the question how BJP's IT Cell head Amit Malviya had put dates of Karnataka elections on social media.
* Voting in Karnataka to be held on 12 May, counting on 15 May, announces Election Commission.
* Last date of nomination 24th April, 2018
* CEC to announce the polling schedule soon.
* No ceiling on expenditure for political parties, says Election Commission: CEC Rawat said per candidate has been allotted Rs 28 lakh for expenditure. "I urge my media friends to ensure that any wrongdoings or aberrations are highlighted," Rawat said.

Click here to read → Karnataka Assembly Election 2018

Xiaomi Redmi 5 review: Premium-priced all-rounder with a modern 18:9 screen

The Redmi 5 costs a tad higher when compared with the earlier Redmi-series smartphones. But the Redmi 5 notches up the smartphone game with its modern 18:9 aspect ratio screen

After a successful run in 2017 with its value-for-money smartphones, Xiaomi started 2018 with the launch of its budget-centric devices. Soon after the launch of the Redmi Note 5 and the Redmi Note 5 Pro, the Chinese mobile phone maker has launched the entry-level Redmi 5 in India at a price of Rs 7,999 for the base model.

Unlike what has been seen in previous-generation devices, the succeeding generation of Redmi-series smartphones costs a tad higher than the predecessor -- be it the Redmi 5 Pro or the Redmi 5. However, the Redmi 5 notches up the smartphone game with its modern 18:9 aspect ratio screen wrapped in a metallic-plastic chassis which looks premium.

The smartphone is built on the blue print of its elder sibling, the Redmi Note 5, which gives it an edge in terms of design. However, the innards have been kept in line with previous generation, besides some minor improvements, to keep the price in check.

Business Standard reviewed the Redmi 5 to test its overall performance. Here are our observations:

Design and display
The Redmi 5 takes design cues from the Redmi Note 5 and, therefore, looks similar. However, the younger sibling has a few elements of difference. The front of the Redmi 5 is dominated by a 5.7-inch HD+ 18:9 aspect ratio screen, covered by a 2.5D glass. It does look plush; but for an 18:9 screen device, the smartphone has huge bezels on the top and bottom.

The screen is bright and vivid. However, the HD+ resolution in the 5.7-inch screen looks pixelated. For a budget smartphone, the screen works satisfactorily to render multimedia content such as photos and videos. The touch response is smooth and the phone registers the touch without lag.

Coming on to the back side, it is covered with a metallic sheet, but the chassis is made out of plastic that extends towards the back from top and bottom. The colour of the metallic sheet and plastic chassis has different shades; it comes to notice in bright light conditions. As for the build quality, it is top-notch and the edges blend well into the chassis with no gaps, either on the front or back.

Cong says NaMo app leaks data to US, BJP claims Rahul sends it to Singapore

Rahul Gandhi on Sunday alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's app was leaking user data to a third-party US company without users' consent

Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Monday alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's app was leaking data to a third-party US company. In a post on Twitter, Gandhi claimed that the prime minister's NaMo App secretly records audio, video, contacts of citizens' friends and family. Taking a jibe at Modi, Rahul said he was 'the Big Boss' who likes to spy on Indians. | Today's Paper

Rahul Gandhi claimed that Modi's app also tracked location of users through GPS. "Now he wants data on our children. 13 lakh NCC cadets are being forced to download the App," said Rahul Gandhi.
Countering Rahul's allegations, the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) IT cell head Amit Malviya said, "Congress shares app users' data with friends in Singapore". He tweeted: Hi! my name is Rahul Gandhi. I am the President of India's oldest political party. When you signup for our official App, I give all your data to my friends in Singapore.

In subsequent tweets, he cited bits from the Congress web site's privacy policy.
On Sunday, Rahul Gandhi said, "Modi was allowing ‘American companies’ to take away the data of users who signed up for his application." Gandhi's allegations come after the data leak scandal involving Facebook and Cambridge Analytica, and the many reports of Aadhaar data of Indians being at a risk of compromise. Now, Modi app also seems to be in the eye of a storm, and a new flashpoint in the war between the Congress and the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP).

“Hi! My name is Narendra Modi. I am India’s Prime Minister. When you sign up for my official App, I give all your data to my friends in American companies,” Rahul Gandhi tweeted.

Here are the top developments in the latest data breach row allegedly involving the Narendra Modi app:

1) Modi the 'Big Boss' who wants to spy on citizens: Rahul Gandhi
Rahul Gandhi tweeted: Modi’s NaMo App secretly records audio, video, contacts of your friends and family and even tracks your location via GPS. He’s the Big Boss who likes to spy on Indians. Now he wants data on our children. 13 lakh NCC cadets are being forced to download the app.

2) Congress shares app users' data with friends in Singapore', alleges BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya
Amit Malviya tweeted in a similar vein today about data from users of the Congress web site being shared with the party's "friends in Singapore".
Hi! my name is Rahul Gandhi. I am the President of India's oldest political party. When you signup for our official App, I give all your data to my friends in Singapore.
In subsequent tweets, he cited bits from the Congress web site's privacy policy.
The bit Malviya highlighted from the Congress party's privacy policy when using its website, says: "For making the use of Website effective and resourceful Indian National Congress may share your information with vendors, consultants, and other service providers or volunteers who are engaged by or working with us and who need access to such information to carry out their work for us; with candidates, organizations, groups or causes that we believe have similar political viewpoints, principles or objectives".

Click here to read → NaMo App

Ball-tampering row: Steve Smith may get a life ban; top 10 developments

Amid the ball-tampering controversy, IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals, after getting a clarification from BCCI, might sack Steve Smith and instead appoint Ajinkya Rahane as its skippers for IPL 2018

The Australian ball-tampering controversy has caught cricketers Steve Smith, Cameron Bancroft, and David Warner on the wrong foot, and taken cricket fans by surprise, with Smith stepping down as Australia's captain for the rest of the ongoing third Test match against South Africa. Smith was penalised by the International Cricket Council (ICC), which slapped the Australian with a one-match suspension and fined his entire match fee on Sunday.

Steve Smith's deputy, David Warner, also stepped down as Australian cricket team's vice-captain, while wicketkeeper Tim Paine was named to act as a stand-in captain at Newlands, with both Smith and Warner taking the field on Sunday. Meanwhile, days before IPL 2018 commences from April 7, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Indian Premier League (IPL) are playing the waiting game on Smith and Warner's fate.

Steve Smith might also lose the captaincy of the Rajasthan Royals IPL franchise. In that case, Ajinkya Rahane would likely lead the IPL side. For now, the BCCI and Royals have reportedly heaved a sigh of relief after Smith escaped with a mild punishment.

Smith o Saturday admitted to masterminding a premeditated plan to indulge in ball-tampering, which, among others, prompted even Australia's prime minister to react and a long-retired captain to mull a comeback. Australia's Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull called the incident a "shocking disappointment", while Michael Clarke kept open the possibility of returning as the Australia cricket team's captain.

Here are the top 10 developments in the Steve Smith ball-tampering controversy that has taken Australian cricket and fans over the world by shock:

1) Steve Smith steps down: Caught up in the ball-tampering controversy, Steven Smith stepped down as the Australian cricket team's captain for the remainder of the ongoing third Test against South Africa.
The actions of the Australian team's leadership in the ball-tampering controversy would be investigated, said Cricket Australia. Subsequently, the Australian government asked the board to remove Smith as captain. Australian Prime Minister Turnbull called the incident a "shocking disappointment".

2) Rahane may lead Royals: Ajinkya Rahane is likely to lead the IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals in case Steve Smith, under fire after admitting to ball tampering during the ongoing third Test against South Africa in Cape Town, loses his captaincy. India's Test vice-captain Rahane is also saleable as a brand -- a must for all IPL franchises. Rahane was one of the Royals' premier performers before they were banned for two years in the wake of the 2013 spot-fixing scandal.
The scandal gave way to speculations that the Indian Premier League franchises Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad could sack Steve Smith and David Warner (also said to be involved in the conspiracy) as their respective captains.

Also Read : 'Brain fade' Steve Smith: Prolific but flawed Aussie cricket captain

 

Reliance Jio Prime membership subscription to end on March 31: What next?

Jio Prime subscriptions, started April 1 last year, expire on 31 March. Now, with the expiry approaching, it is expected that Jio would make a new announcement sometime soon

Reliance Jio shook the Indian telecommunication space with the launch of its affordable, data-centric network. After doling out freebies for more than the first six months since the launch, the Mukesh Ambani-owned telecom major introduced Prime membership at Rs 99 with the promise of offering subsidised recharge options and additional benefits for a period of one year.

The Jio Prime memberships, which came into effect on April 1 last year, are valid until 31 March. Now, with the subscription expiry approaching, it is expected that Jio would make an announcement sometime soon.

While there is nothing official yet, it is expected that the company might completely do away with the Prime subscription or offer it as a free service.

Here is what the company offered in the first iteration of the Prime membership:

• Free unlimited data and voice services for one year at an effective price of Rs 10 per day
• Special recharge plans with additional data and validity
• Free VoLTE-based voice calls to any network, even on roaming with no black out days either.
• Free access to Jio app suite

The Prime membership was initially rolled out as a loyalty programme to retain subscribers as the company moved from free to paid services.

In the first leg, the Prime membership was advertised as a limited period offer. However, as time moved, the company continued offering the membership to get more subscribers. Now, according to Jio’s official portal, there is no mention of services that the company offers to non-prime subscribers.

Therefore, it is safe to assume that the subscription based membership program may eventually fade out.