1) Kohli replaces Finch as No. 1 batsman in T20 Internationals.
- Virat Kohli was rewarded for his stupendous performance in India`s clean sweep against Australia in the T20 internationals as he replaced Aaron Finch as the top-ranked batsman in the ICC list for the shortest format.
- According to the latest list released by the ICC, Kohli who had scores of 90 not out, 59 not out and 50 in the three-match series, gained 47 ratings points to move ahead of Finch with 892 ranking points to his credit.
- India`s Suresh Raina moved up three places to 13th after his impressive series, while opener Rohit Sharma also moved up four places to be placed 16th in the list.
- Finch gained 14 points himself thanks to scores of 44 and 74 in Adelaide and Melbourne, but his hamstring injury in game two ruled him out of the final match of the series at the SCG.
- David Warner, who scored 17 in the opening match before heading to New Zealand for the one-day international series against the Black Caps, dropped six spots to 18th.
- West Indies spinner Sunil Narine, who is currently banned by the ICC due to an illegal bowling action, retained top spot in the bowling rankings ahead of fellow Windies slow bowler Samuel Badree.
- The latest rankings also confirmed India`s ascension to No. 1 in the world, while Australia have plummeted to eighth spot. The new rankings come as all nations fine-tune their preparation for the World T20 in India in March and April, the sixth version of the Twenty20 international showpiece event.
2) Vice President visit to Thailand.
- Vice President Hamid Ansari reached Thailand on a three-day visit during which he will hold discussions on a range of issues with the country`s top leadership to boost bilateral ties.
- He was received at the airport by Thailand`s Deputy Prime Minister Prajin Juntong.
- Ansari will have a one-to-one meeting with Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, who will also host a banquet in Ansari`s honour.
- This is the first visit by an Indian Vice President to Thailand after a gap of 50 years.
3) World Bank Expert Mr. Iyer To Lead Swachh Bharat Mission.
- The government has appointed World Bank’s water and sanitation specialist, Parameshwaran Iyer, as the new Secretary of the Drinking Water and Sanitation Department.
- 56-year-old Iyer is a key architect of the framework of the $1,500 million proposed loan from World Bank for the Swach Bharat Mission which is pending Cabinet approval.
- Iyer`s appointment is expected to create more synergy between the Swachh Bharat Mission and the objectives of the World Bank project. An IAS officer of the UP cadre, who launched Jal Suraj program here, Iyer took voluntary retirement in 2009 and joined the World Bank.