India v/s England: Vizag Vibes - Yagna before Test

It is not very often that one sees a priest performing yagna at the pitch, especially on the eve of an international match. This was the scene at the ACA-VDCA Stadium on Wednesday as Andhra Cricket Association officials performed a pooja adjacent to the pitch on the eve of the second Test. This is Vizag's first Test ever, the third of the six new Test centres nominated by the BCCI.

The customary ritual of breaking of coconut and garlanding stumps before the start of a season or any tournament is common in Mumbai cricket.

"The pooja was to keep all the troubles away from the game. Also, the mahurat was at around that time (around 9.30am), hence we could not delay it any further," an ACA official said.

Kumble still the best

You can take Anil Kumble out of bowling but not bowling out of Anil Kumble. The legendary leg-spinner-turned-chief-coach of the Indian team bowling at the nets is an usual sight. But what is eye catching is the guile and the vigour that he bowls those leggies with. Kumble, even after retirement, still looks the best and can fit into any of the international sides.

When Kumble bowled on Wednesday, the rest of the spinners looked dwarfed against his talent and ability.

Don't believe? Ask KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja or Virat Kohli, who got beaten against him number of times.