India-West Indies T20Is in Florida could face logistical issues

The plan to conduct a three-match Twenty20 International series between India and West Indies at Central Broward Regional Park in Lauderhill, Florida, where a six-day stint of the Caribbean Premier League 2016 is going on, in late August could run into logistical issues pertaining to dates and visa procurement.

The two cricket boards are reportedly eager to have the three fixtures between August 24 and 27, the only four dates when the stadium in Florida will be available.

According to a report on ESPNCricinfo, officials from both the boards are in Florida, holding a series of talks to arrive at a solution. The Indian team's current four-Test assignment in West Indies runs till August 22. The two cricket boards are reportedly eager to have the three fixtures between August 24 and 27, the only four dates when the Florida stadium will be available.

With very little time after the end of the Tests in West Indies, it could be tough for the two teams to get necessary visas on time. The stadium in Florida is also the home ground of Fort Lauderdale Strikers, the football team that plays in North American Soccer League, the second division in league soccer in the United States America. The Strikers' schedule begins from August 31 at home, narrowing the chances of playing the T20I series towards the end of the month.

There will be feasibility issues in September as well, as India's long home season kick-starts with a Test series against New Zealand, from September 22.

Virat Kohli double and Ashwin ton India on top in Antigua

Virat Kohli fell shortly after scoring his first ever double hundred as the Indian Test skipper was dismissed by Gabriel first ball after Lunch. Batting on 200, Kohli was bowled by the seamer. It was the skipper’s session as he, along with Ashwin, piled on the runs in the opening session of the day’s play. The duo swelled the total to 404/4 from the overnight total of 302/4.

West Indies looked a tired lot with the ball as they failed to create chances with the new ball in the morning session. The shoulders were dropping as the Indian pair continued to pile on the runs, at a very brisk pace in Antigua. While the focus remained on Kohli, Ashwin quietly went about doing business as he scored a crucial fifty, and then a hundred, in the process. He also shared a record 168-run fifth-wicket stand with the skipper at this venue. Celebrations were in plenty as one and all raised from their seats to applaud Kohli’s effort. Kumble was out with his camera while Viv Richards was all smiles from the stands. Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar too was very pleased from the commentary box. After declaring at 566/8, India reduced hosts to 31/1 at stumps.

West Indies, in reply to India's 566/8 (decl), end the day's play at 31/1. Mohammed Shami picked the only hosts wicket to fall on the day.

With maiden double hundred Virat Kohli joins league of extraordinary gentlemen

Run-machine Virat Kohli reached yet another career-milestone in the Antigua Test on Friday when he slammed his first double hundred in international cricket.

India skipper Virat Kohli reached a significant career milestone on Friday as he scored his maiden double century in Test cricket during Day 2 of the first Test against West Indies at Antigua. In the process he broke Mohammad Azharuddin's 26-year-old record to become the first Indian captain to score a double hundred overseas. Azhar's 192 against New Zealand in Auckland in 1990 was the previous best by an Indian captain outside the country.

Kohli's previous highest score in Tests was 169 against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 2014. The right-hander is in the form of his life at present and is leading India for the first time in a Test series in the Caribbean. Notably, Kohli had made his Test debut in the West Indies five years back but had failed to make a mark then, averaging just 15.20 in five innings.

Kohli got to the milestone in 281 balls, looked upwards to thank the almighty and raised his bat towards the Indian dressing room. He got to the mark with the help of 24 boundaries and at a strike rate of 71.

Kohli, however, paid the price for a brief period of lapse of concentration. The skipper played on a delivery from Shannon Gabriel right after the lunch break to walk back without adding anything to his score. Kohli had hit 24 boundaries in his gutsy innings. Ashwin carried on from where Kohli left and helped India declare on 566/8 after which Mohammed Shami drew first blood to reduce West Indies to 31/1 at stumps on Day 1.
The 27-year-old has put India in the driver's seat in the first Test, thanks to his magnificent knock. Kohli also completed 3000 runsin Test cricket during his knock on the first day.

Kohli has been a part of two century stands during his innings and received good support from his teammates in the middle. He first stitched a 105-run partnership with opener Shikhar Dhawan (84) for the third wicket and then added 168-runs with all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin (64 not out) for the fifth wicket.

Kohli, who made his international debut in an ODI against Sri Lanka at Dambulla in 2008, is now eighth in the list of most international runs scored by an Indian cricketer. He has amassed 7212 runs in 171 ODIs and 1641 runs in 43 T20 matches, along with over 3000 runs in Test cricket.