Cric Buzz: Dhoni skips practice, Ishant fit again

In the build-up to the fifth and final Test against England, India regrouped at the Oval as they looked to put behind the disappointment of their embarrassing innings defeat in the last game, even though skipper M S Dhoni was a notable absentee at the nets.

However, the Indian team received a major boost ahead of their must-win game, as medium-pacer Ishant Sharma was deemed fit again.

The hosts lead the five-match series 2-1 after four Tests, with the visitors having crashed to an innings-and-54-run defeat at Manchester within three days in the fourth game. Since then, this was the first time this touring squad took to the nets.

Rain came incessantly in Manchester after their surrender on day three on August 9 and the players kept to the team hotel taking some time off from cricket. They travelled back to London yesterday and today looked to regain some energy and spirit going into the final Test, starting on Friday.

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In his absence, coach Duncan Fletcher and vice-captain Virat Kohli led the team in practice.

The Delhi seamer Sharma returned to London before the rest of the squad and had a session at the Oval. He bowled for a long duration during nets today as well.

The final decision on his fitness will, in probability, be taken on Thursday when Dhoni is expected to come to the net session.

The last time Sharma was the part of the playing eleven, he turned out to be the key player in India's 95-run win in the second Test at Lord's.

If he is assessed fit to play in the final Test, the Indian pace attack, which has looked light-weight in Sharma's absence, would get a major boost.

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Defying the Board of Control for Cricket in India yet again, banned IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi was elected president of the Nagaur District Cricket Association for the fourth consecutive term.

In the elections held at Nagaur, Modi, who is also the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) president, was elected chief of the district body which is one of the 33 units affiliated of RCA.

His close aid and RCA secretary, Rajendra Singh Nandu, was elected as secretary.

It can be recalled that it was the post in the Nagaur District executive that had made Modi eligible in accord with the Sports Act 2005 to fight RCA election which saw the end of the Rungta era in state cricket.

The BCCI had warned RCA of dire consequences if Modi was allowed to take any post in RCA or any of its affiliated units. But riding the Sports Act prevailing in state, RCA not only allowed Modi to become president in December but once again defied BCCI to allow him to be elected Nagaur body's boss.

The move might see BCCI red faced as it is trying to take control of cricketing activities in state by forming a Special Cricketing Committee against stiff opposition from RCA.

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South Africa opener Dean Elgar has been reprimanded for reacting angrily to his dismissal on the fourth day of the one-off Test against Zimbabwe in Harare.

Edgar, who hit a stump with his bat after being cleaned up by Zimbabwean medium-pacer Tendai Chatara during South Africa's 41-run winning chase, pleaded guilty to a Level 1 breach of the ICC Code of Conduct.

It relates to "Abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an International Match."

The charge was brought by on-field umpires Aleem Dar and Chris Gaffaney, third umpire Jeremiah Matibiri and fourth umpire Owen Chirombe.

The batsman admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by Roshan Mahanama of the Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees. As such, there was no need for a formal hearing.

All Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand and a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player's match fee.

Left-handed Elgar, 27, has represented the rainbow nation in 12 Tests, scoring 536 runs at an average of 31.52.

Incidentally Chatara, who bats at No.10, was also reprimanded -- Level 1 offence -- for showing dissent after the on-field umpire ruled him out caught behind off Dale Steyn on the opening day of the match.