In less than a week, the India A team will leave for the West Indies but at least half of the members of the squad are woefully short of proper match practice as they embark on a tour that will be an indicator of senior team's bench strength in the coming season.

Delhi left out their leading wicket-taker, Morne Morkel, for Andre Russell, who had played just three matches all season. The omission of Irfan Pathan was even more puzzling.
Rohit Bhaskar reports.

While our batsmen have learnt a few new tricks to stay ahead of the game, the same can't be said about our bowlers. In fact, even the settled India bowlers have lost a bit of sheen over the last seven weeks.
Aakash Chopra writes.

Former India skipper Kris Srikkanth, Madan Lal, Chetan Chauhan and Salim Durani, among others, were awarded with cheques before the start of the Indian Premier League's Qualifier 2 between Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Daredevils today.

Chennai have the edge considering it's a home game and they adapt to pressure well, writes
Mark Waugh.
A Kenyan player is being investigated over suspicion of fixing a 2011 World Cup game against Pakistan in Hambantota, according to the chief of Kenya Cricket Board.

Wounded Delhi Daredevils would be eager to draw inspiration from their own performances in the league stages for a spot in the final of the ongoing Indian Premier League when they take on a rejuvenated Chennai Super Kings in the second qualifying match on Friday.
Mumbai Indians have been penalised for a slow over rate during their Indian Premier League eliminator against Chennai Super Kings at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore.

Chennai are enjoying the fresh lease of life they've got and by the looks of it, they want to make the most of it. The message was made even clearer on Wednesday by the captain himself.
Sourav Ganguly writes.

Kevin Pietersen was fined an "undisclosed sum" by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) following a Twitter attack on former England batsman Nick Knight.

Two days after a dharna led by Kirti Azad demanding that the cricket Board show accountability in the wake of the controversies in the IPL, the member of the 1983 World Cup winning squad finds himself alone.
Khurram Habib reports.

Gauti has been a hard but popular leader and his runs at the top of the order have been crucial.
Jacques Kallis writes.