MS Dhoni: The man with Golden Touch

7 instances when MS Dhoni proved he was one of the best finishers ever

MS Dhoni can be termed the father of modern-day Indian cricket. The long-haired guy from Ranchi changed the fortunes of team India by winning them two World Cups in two different formats within a span of 4 years. MS Dhoni is touted as one of the best captains of all time for his top-notch captaincy over the years. MS Dhoni was a genius behind the stumps and a beast in front of it. There are very few cricketers in the world who can match MS Dhoni’s ability to hit the ball out of the park. 

MS Dhoni is a power-hitter, one of the finest in the business. He is known as the inventor of the helicopter shot, which requires maximum timing and strength. MS Dhoni is known as one of the best finishers in the game. The former Indian skipper is never under any pressure, which makes him better at his finishing role. MSD has given his fans some iconic moments right from the 2011 World Cup finals to 113* against Pakistan in 2012. These moments surely make MS Dhoni a legendary finisher; let’s have a look at them. 

7 instances when MS Dhoni proved he was one of the best finishers ever

64* vs Kings XI Punjab, 2016 

Rising Pune Supergiant vs Delhi Daredevils - Cricbuzz

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As Chennai Super Kings were given a two-year league suspension, MS Dhoni was in charge of the Rising Pune Super Giants. His team was already eliminated from contention for a postseason spot. However, Dhoni still used his big-hitting skills against Axar Patel despite this. In the final over, which Axar bowled, a young left-arm spinner at the time, RPSG required 23 runs to win. 

Dhoni dumped the second ball of the over for a maximum after refusing to take a single off the first ball. The next delivery was blocked from going for a boundary by Hashim Amla’s dive, and Dhoni once more instructed Ashwin to remain at the non-striker’s end. MS Dhoni smashed a four in the 3rd delivery and two sixes off the final two deliveries to secure one of the most memorable victories in IPL history. 

183* vs Sri Lanka, 2005

Mahendra Singh Dhoni walked out to bat in Jaipur following the loss of Sachin Tendulkar’s wicket in the first over itself. MS Dhoni slashed two sixes off Chaminda Vaas in the first over to start India’s chase for 299. He continued to manage the threat of Muttiah Muralitharan in 

the middle overs before making his century in 85 balls with the help of Upul Chandana’s bowling. Dhoni displayed great athleticism and skill throughout the match, even in the later stages, despite cramps, as he maintained a steady scoring rate. 

Dhoni finished his incredible innings with a tenth six, leading India to a successful conquest of the 299-run target with 23 balls remaining. His 183* is still the highest score made by a wicketkeeper in a men’s one-day international, and when he walked off the pitch, Kumar Sangakkara, the opposing ‘keeper who made an unbeaten 138*, was the first to greet him with a handshake.

113* (125) vs Pakistan, Chennai 2012 

 

Interestingly, MS Dhoni has played most of his iconic knocks against Pakistan. Pakistan was touring India for a three-match ODI series and a two-match T20I series. Team India decided to bat first against Pakistan in the first ODI, which was being played in Chennai. To everyone’s surprise, the Pakistani bowling duo of Junaid Khan and Mohammad Irfan made lightwork of India’s entire batting lineup as the hosts were down to 5 wickets with just 29 runs on the board. 

Skipper MS Dhoni was forced to enter the ground early. However, MSD, alongside Suresh Raina, carried India’s innings forward slowly but steadily. Ravichandran Ashwin also played a crucial part with the bat, scoring an unbeaten 39 runs. MS Dhoni remained not out till the end as he scored 113 runs off just 125 balls. Team India managed to post a decent total of 227 runs which was easily chased by Pakistan. MS Dhoni did everything to keep his side in the game. MS Dhoni deservingly won the “Man of the match” award for his solo effort against Pakistan. 

44* (58) vs Australia, Adelaide 2012 

Twitter celebrates as Mahendra Singh Dhoni turns 41: 'Scoring last over runs in big match easy for someone who collected ticket on crowded train' - Indiaweekly

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David Hussey and debutant Peter Forrest scored individual fifties to post a decent total for Australia while batting first against India. The iconic opening pair of Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir handed India a decent start of 52 runs. Gambhir amassed a massive total of 92 runs, but other Indian batters failed to support the southpaw during the chase. MS Dhoni entered the crease when Gambhir got out, as India needed another 92 runs from the remaining 15 overs. 

Dhoni stitched an important partnership with Suresh Raina of 52 runs. However, the match went right down till the last over. India needed 12 runs off four deliveries, and Clint McKay was bowling for the Baggy Greens. Nevertheless, it was quite easy for India’s most efficient finisher as India won the match with two balls to spare. As he often does, Dhoni took the game to the end and then easily won it for his side. 

72* (46) vs Pakistan, Lahore 2006 

Shoaib Malik-led Pakistan posted a dominating total of 288 runs after choosing to bat first against arch-rivals India. Team India had a mammoth total to chase against a strong Pakistani bowling lineup, and it was never going to be easy. Adding to that, India lost two early wickets in the name of Gautam Gambhir and Irfan Pathan. Legends Sachin Tendulkar and Yuvraj Singh tried to stabilize India’s innings, but at one stage, the visitors were at 190 for 5. 

Team India needed 99 runs from just 15 overs and entered MS Dhoni. MS Dhoni didn’t waste any time to start his mayhem against Pakistan. Dhoni scored a total of 72 runs in just 46 balls, including 13 boundaries. MSD combined with Yuvraj Singh (79*) to win it for India with more than two overs in hand. A new finisher was born that day and later became one of the game’s greatest.

45* (52) vs Sri Lanka, Port of Spain 2013 

मुश्किल है महेंद्र सिंह धोनी के इन रिकॉर्ड्स को तोड़ना! - Ms dhoni unbreakable records in international cricket team india captain cool retirement tspo

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India was facing Sri Lanka in the finals of the tri-series, which included the two countries alongside the West Indies. Ishant Sharma’s stellar bowling figure of 5/30 bundled up the Lankans for a modest total of just 201 runs in 50 overs. However, the Indians had a shaky start during their chase, losing their first two wickets under just 27 runs. Rohit Sharma was carrying India’s innings as he scored a half-century and cemented a good 3rd wicket partnership with Dinesh Karthik of 50 runs. 

MS Dhoni entered the game when India was in a comfortable position of 139/4. However, the game took a quick turn as the Indian batters started falling like a house of cards, and suddenly, the Men in Blue were down to 9 wickets with 20 runs still required. The match went down to the wire as India needed 15 runs in the last over. MS Dhoni was on the strike, and Shaminda Eranga was given the responsibility of defending the total. The first ball of the last over went for a dot; however, Dhoni later finished the game by scoring 6, 4, and 6 in the next three balls and won it for India again. 

91* (79) vs Sri Lanka, Mumbai 2011 

Because of me, he came ahead of Yuvraj," Muralitharan on Dhoni's batting promotion in 2011 World Cup final

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The 2011 ODI World Cup finals were one of the most historic moments for the Indian fans as well as MS Dhoni’s career. No true team India fan can forget the winning six from MS Dhoni to seal the World Cup for India after a span of 28 years. Team India was to chase a huge total of 274 runs against a loaded Sri Lankan bowling attack. Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar got out early in the match, making it more difficult for India. Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir combined to put a third-wicket partnership of 88 runs. 

MS Dhoni’s decision to enter the game before Yuvraj Singh after Virat Kohli’s wicket was a gutsy move, but it turned out to be a great decision later. Gautam Gambhir is the unsung hero of the match, as he scored 97 runs when his side was in deep trouble. But MS Dhoni is still considered to be the hero of the World Cup.

Is Jurgen Klopp's time at Liverpool up?

Is Jurgen Klopp’s time at Liverpool up?

Liverpool’s season in the 2022-23 Premier League is going from bad to worse, and Jurgen Klopp is somewhere to be blamed for it. Although the German manager has long since attained legendary status at the club, this season has proven to be his most challenging since the beginning of his time at Anfield. Liverpool dropped to ninth and looks all set to miss Champions League action next season. Similarities have been made with Klopp’s final campaign at Borussia Dortmund, where he ultimately left the team because he felt he was no longer the appropriate person to make things better. His team was in a relegation battle at Bundesliga, so things aren’t quite that bad at Anfield yet, but there is rising uneasiness. 

Is Jurgen Klopp’s time at Liverpool up? 

Many footballing experts have also raised the topic of Jurgen Klopp’s exit from Liverpool, considering the state of the club in recent months. Liverpool regained their respectful status since the arrival of Klopp as the Merseyside reds won the Premier League over 30 long years. However, Jurgen Klopp’s reputation and image are tarnishing in the English top-flight league. After a disappointing loss against Real Madrid in the finals of the Champions League 2021-22, Liverpool finds themselves in the 9th position in PL’s points table with just 8 wins in 19 games and a total of 29 points. 

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Jurgen Klopp described Liverpool’s 3-0 loss against Brighton as one of the worst performances of the side under his regime. However, Jurgen Klopp is also aware of the threat of him losing his job if Liverpool fails to deliver as per expectations. Jurgen Klopp, in an interview in November last year, addressed that he might be axed if Liverpool underperforms. 

“My job is not only being here in the moment when the sun is shining, and someone gives us a trophy,” Jurgen Klopp said. “My job is also to be here when we are in a rough period. And I will do that, with all I have, and if possible even more — 100 percent.” “Everything will be judged on me now, and that is fine. When people look at me, they will say he looks tired. That is normal. But I am not. I cannot give that excuse.” 

“I think the judgment for this will be later in the season,” said Klopp. “Or, maybe, it will be at the end of the season where we say, ‘OK, obviously now that is it for this group of players… for this manager if you want’. “The question will be asked then, but, at the moment, it is not 100 percent fair to judge the team because we never had them all available. Especially now up front, top quality players, which isn’t helpful,” Klopp added. 

Is Klopp getting the axe?

Jurgen Klopp is touted as one of the best managers of the modern era. He took Liverpool to different heights after winning numerous trophies, including the Champions League in 2019. Liverpool then won their first Premier League in the 2019-20 season after over three decades. However, since then, the club has failed to grasp any major trophies. Although the manager can be held accountable for several performances this year, he is unquestionably not Liverpool’s biggest issue right now.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp reacts to facing Real Madrid

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Klopp has done marvels with what he’s been given for years. Liverpool has experienced tremendous success while operating on a budget that is far lesser than teams like Manchester City. Liverpool is now feeling the effects of having been overextended for years. A shortage of funding for the team over the past years has been the main obstacle to continued success. The blame can be placed on Fenway Sports Group, and it would be in the best interest of all if they were to depart from the club. Supporters would rather keep Jurgen Klopp than any of the players on the roster, highlighting how imperative he is to the team despite the current poor form of the team. 

It is also essential to consider the number of serious injuries that have impacted the team this season. It will be only wise for the Liverpool fans to stay supportive of Klopp and wait patiently, even if their current results do not measure up to their past successes. Famous Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano has also confirmed that there is no threat to Jurgen Klopp’s job as of now. 

In his exclusive CaughtOffside column, Fabrizio Romano reported that Jurgen Klopp is in a safe position and that he and the organization are continuing to strategize the future of Liverpool together. Romano stated that one of the plans for the upcoming summer transfer window is to prioritize the acquisition of Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham. “I understand Liverpool fans will be concerned, but Jurgen Klopp is safe at the moment,” Romano said. “He’s 100% working with the club for the present and future. “As for transfers, the midfielder situation remains open until the end of the market; Liverpool keeps exploring options to find an opportunity while Jude Bellingham remains the priority for June.” 

Jurgen Klopp’s success at Liverpool 

Liverpool has experienced their all-time high in the 21st century under the management of Jurgen Klopp, highlighted by their first-ever Premier League title in 2020 and their sixth European crown in 2019. They also achieved a runners-up position in the Premier League twice, with a UEFA Champions League Final appearance in 2018 and 2020 and a UEFA Super Cup win in 2019. 

PL30: How Klopp transformed Liverpool into champions

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Under Klopp, the Reds have had a 76.5% win rate in their Premier League matches, one of the highest records in the division. In addition, the team ran a record-breaking unbeaten streak of 44 consecutive games in the Premier League in 2019-2020, with a total of 99 points earned in the season, a club record. 

Klopp’s tenure has seen a remarkable transformation in the team’s playing style from fast-paced attacking football to a more controlled and possession-based system. The German tactician has also made some key additions to the squad, signing notable players such as Alisson Becker, Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, and Fabinho, which has made Liverpool one of the most formidable teams in Europe. 

Klopp has developed a strong bond with the players and the club’s fan base, driving the team to unprecedented levels of success. The manager’s personality and leadership have been praised by many, and his charisma off the pitch has also become a hallmark of his managerial style. In 2022, Klopp became the longest-serving manager in Liverpool’s history and one of the longest-serving in the Premier League, an impressive feat that speaks to his success and stability at the club’s helm.

Considering the dismal form of the Reds this season, will the Liverpool management axe Jurgen Klopp from the manager’s role? Comment down what you think about Klopp.

Women's U19 T20 world cup

India Wins Inaugural ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup

The ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup trophy is home! Well, it’s not wrong to say that the most awaited news is here; a group of 16 teenage girls led by talented Shafali Verma created history because the Indian Women’s Cricket Team finally achieved the ICC trophy for the very first time! With a commanding seven-wicket win over England, the Indian Women’s U19 team pulled off the inaugural ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup. 

The Indian U-19 women’s cricket team was successful in defeating their England counterparts by a total of seven wickets to gain a victory in the inaugural edition of the U-19 T20 World Cup 2023 held in South Africa on January 29, Sunday. 

The Indian U-19 side won against the White Ferns in order to make it to the absolute, and on the other hand, England defeated their arch-enemy Australia. The final match was conducted in Potchefstroom, with the youthful Indian side outplaying the England side.

The head coach of the victorious team, Al Khadeer said that “This is the feeling we have been waiting for very long”. He further added “This is the first time we have won the cup and it has come with the Under-19 kids. It just shows the kind of depth we have and what is there for us in the future.”

Titas Sadhu, Parshavi Chopra, and Archana Devi, these three players were amazing in taking two wickets each to dismiss England for just sixty-eight in the 18th over. The middle-order batter, Ryana Macdonald Gay of England, scored with just nineteen. Moreover, seven batters in England were skittled out for single-digit runs. 

Titas Sadhu, the Player of the Match said that “People have been telling us that a lot of athletes have tried it and couldn’t get it. So it is the first cup for the Indian women’s side. We are all excited. The first time BCCI took us under, it was after 2005, when Nooshin ma’am played the World Cup and they lost the final. For us to win it, for her being our coach, it was really superb.”

A lot of renowned congratulated the team including our Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he conveyed his wishes through his tweet:

Speaking of the Indian skipper — Shafali Verma, she was the one who was out before the chase for 15 out of 11 balls. Also, Gongadi Trisha and Soumya Tiwari, both of them scored twenty-four in order to take India home in the 14th over of the innings. 

Well, in the end, it was an amazing, delightful, and the much-deserving win for the Indians! 

YONEX Astrox 77 Pro

Review: YONEX Astrox 77 Pro Badminton Racket

What’s up, badminton fans? Enjoyed the YONEX Sunrise India Open? Well, I am sure most of you must be dejected by the Indian team’s performance at the high-profile tournament. But, at the same time, some of you might have been motivated by the spirited performance of great shuttlers like Viktor Axelsen and An Se Young.

Are you one of the aspiring shuttlers who wants to try their hand at a badminton racket? Or are you the one looking to upskill your gameplay with a better badminton racket?

The solution is YONEX Astrox 77 Pro Badminton Racket. The Astrox 77 Pro is by far the oldest of the Astrox models. If I remember correctly, this was the first racket Yonex made for the Astrox series. 

badminton racket of YONEX

In this review, we will be having a detailed look at the YONEX Astrox 77 Pro Badminton Racket. 

Which player uses the YONEX Astrox 77 Pro Badminton Racket?

The YONEX Astrox 77 Pro badminton racket is used by many famous players. One of them is Chen Yufei –the  2021 Tokyo Olympics Gold Medal Winner. She is the reigning Olympic champion. 

The badminton racket is also used by Kento Momota, the Japanese badminton player who was widely known for his skillful and relentless gameplay. He has won several major badminton tournaments, including two World Championships titles, two Asian Championships titles, and one All-England title.

Additionally, the YONEX Astrox 77 Pro Badminton Racket is also used by An Se Young, Huang Ya Qiong, and Huang Dong Ping.

Let’s look closely at the Pros and Cons of the YONEX Astrox 77 Pro Badminton Racket.

Pros of the Astrox 77 Pro

Developed for aggressive play, the Astrox 77 Pro racquet is designed to dominate every match. The head-heavy Astrox 77 Pro is a step up from the original model. This badminton racket has gone from using a blend of high-modulus graphite nanometric tungsten to high-modulus graphite and their relatively new NAMD graphite. 

YONEX astrox 77 badminton racke

It also differs from the Astrox 77 by having an energy boost cap that enhances the racket snapback to generate even more power. The YONEX badminton racket has an elongated shaft for more flex, improving smash performance. It also has a super slim shaft that reduces air resistance. Another plus point of the racket is the aero+box frame; the box part helps in power-hitting, and the aero part is used for faster movement.

Most of the features present in Astrox 77 are also available in the Astrox 77 Pro badminton racket, including the Isometric frame shape, rotational generator system, and super slim shaft. 

Developed for aggressive players, the YONEX Astrox 77 Pro Badminton Rackets are designed to dominate every match.

Cons of the Astrox 77 Pro

Although there aren’t many cons to the YONEX Astrox 77 Pro, the badminton racket feels quite stiff and has a head-heavy balance. Also, the badminton racket fails to generate power due to its stiffness. 

Overall Rating

Overall, the YONEX Astrox 77 Pro Badminton Racket scores heavily on power, control, and speed, garnering an average of 9 out of 10 in our ratings.

If you love to smash, then the YONEX Astrox 77 Pro Badminton Racket is the perfect racket for you. Get your hands on the hottest badminton racket from the Astrox series. Exclusively available on God of Sports.

Brian Lara joins West Indies management as 'performance mentor'

Former Windies great Brian Lara appointed as “performance mentor” of the Windies squad

Former West Indies legend Brian Lara has been appointed as the “performance mentor” who will be working with the international squad as well as the academy. The left-hander will assist the various coaches with regard to “providing players with tactical advice and improving their game sense.” Additionally, he will be working with Jimmy Adams, the Director of Cricket, West Indies, on ICC World Cup tournament strategic planning.

Upon the announcement, Lara said, “Having spent time with the players and coaches in Australia and in discussions with CWI, I really believe that I can help the players with their mental approach to the game and with their tactics to be more successful.”

Brian Lara was recently appointed on a CWI review panel following their early exit from the 2022 T20 World Cup. The stylish left-hander was previously a part of the Indian Premier League team Sunrisers Hyderabad coaching staff.

After the announcement, Jimmy Adams, Director of Cricket, West Indies, stated, “I am really looking forward to Brian making a significant contribution to our cricket system by providing invaluable guidance and advice to our players and coaches.” He further added, “We are confident that Brian will help to improve our high-performance mindset and strategic culture that will bring us more success on the field across all formats. Everyone is excited to have Brian involved in supporting our players.”

Tennis Olympics

Mirza-Bopanna crumbles under pressure; loses AO mixed doubles final

Sania Mirza, one of India’s greatest sporting heroes, wanted to end her career on a high. However, fate had other things for her. The Indian pair of Sania Mirza and Rohan Bopanna lost 6-7(2) 2-6 to the Brazilian duo Rafael Matos and Luisa Stefani in the Australian Open mixed doubles final.

The Indian pair played tremendously. After the initial hiccups, the duo showed exemplary grit and determination to bounce back. But, the Brazilian team, Matos and Stefani, continued with the momentum to break the Indian duo in the second set. Sania and Bopanna showed glimpses of their brilliance, but it just wasn’t enough for them to force a comeback. They eventually lost 6-7 (2), 2-6.

Sania, who announced her retirement a few days back, said, “My professional career started in Melbourne… I couldn’t think of a better arena to finish my [Grand Slam] career at.”

The Hyderabad-based tennis player has won six major titles- three in women’s doubles and three in mixed doubles. The former World number 1 doubles player has also won eight Asian Games medals and two Commonwealth Games medals. Mirza was conferred with the Arjuna Award in 2004, Padma Shri in 2006, Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award in 2015, and Padma Shri in 2016.

5 famous handled-the-ball dismissals in cricket

5 famous handled-the-ball dismissals in cricket

Nothing hurts more than getting out in an unfortunate matter. Be it a run-out or a hit-wicket; a batter dreads getting out in such a way. ‘Handled the ball’ is one such expression. A batsman might be dismissed for handling the ball under Law 33 of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) if they intentionally touch the ball with one or both of their hands during a delivery while holding the bat in their hands. 

It is touted to be one of the unluckiest ways to get out. The batter is hapless to be dismissed since, more frequently than not, the infraction is unintentional rather than deliberate. When the batter notices the ball heading dangerously toward the stumps, their instincts can sometimes take control. Let’s have a look at some of the famous incidents when batters were given out for handling the ball. 

 

5 famous handled-the-ball dismissals in cricket 

  1. Brian Lara vs Australia (1993, Melbourne) 
  2. Steve Waugh vs India (2001, Chennai) 
  3. Andrew Hilditch vs Pakistan (1979, Perth) 
  4. Mohinder Amarnath vs Australia (1986, Melbourne) 
  5. Cheteshwar Pujara vs Leicestershire (2014, Derby) 

Brian Lara in 1993: West Indies vs Australia, Melbourne 

Brian Lara was famously dismissed in 1993 during the West Indies vs Australia match. He handled the ball and was declared out. Brian Lara was trying to field a shot that he misjudged and ended up touching the ball with his glove. The umpire immediately declared him out and the West Indies went on to lose the match. This dismissal has gone down in cricket history as one of the most famous handled-the-ball dismissals. The bowler who delivered the ball that led to Brian Lara’s dismissal was Glenn McGrath. 

On This Day - Brian Lara Single-Handedly Demolishes Australia In 1999 - News Nation English

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Commentators at the time said that this dismissal was a turning point in the match as it changed the momentum and gave Australia the upper hand. They praised the umpire’s quick decision and called it a great example of good officiating. They also praised Lara for accepting the decision gracefully. One commentator said: “Lara’s dismissal could be the defining moment of the match. The umpire made the right call, and Lara accepted it with grace. That’s cricket.” 

Brian Lara reportedly said: “It was a mistake on my part, and the umpire made the correct call. It is always sad to be dismissed in such a manner, but I accept it.” After the game, Lara joked that he was so surprised by the dismissal that he had to ask the umpire if he was out. He also said that it was a learning experience and a reminder to always be alert while batting.

Steve Waugh in 2001: India vs Sri Lanka, Chennai 

India’s historic 2-1 Test series win over Australia in 2001 is a source of pride for every Indian cricket fan. The match in Kolkata was especially memorable as India managed to give the Australians a follow-on, resulting in an embarrassing defeat for the top-ranked team.

Steve Waugh's brutal response to Shane Warne sledge | 7NEWS

Creator: Adam Pretty

During the Chennai Test, Steve Waugh was coming out to be a difficult batsman as he was batting at 47. Harbhajan Singh, one of India’s legendary spinners, was trying hard to break through the defenses of Steve Waugh. Waugh missed a sweep against the off-spinner, and it appeared that the ball spun too late and moved in the direction of the stumps. At that point, Waugh pushed the ball away with his hands, resulting in him getting declared out. 

With this dismissal, Steve Waugh became the sixth batsman in Test matches to be given out for handling the ball and the eighth batsman overall at that time. Steve Waugh reportedly said: “I knew I was in trouble the moment I lifted my hand to the ball. It wasn’t intentional and I accept the umpire’s decision.” 

Andrew Hilditch versus Pakistan (1979, Perth) 

In a Test match against Pakistan in Perth, Andrew Hilditch suffered one of the rarest handled-the-ball dismissals. Standing at the non-striker’s end with a score of 29, Hilditch blocked an incoming wide throw with his hands and handed the ball to the bowler Sarfaraz Khan. The bowler appealed to the umpire, who declared Hilditch out for handling the ball. It is the only incident where a non-striker was given out for handling the ball. 

New opening batsman Andrew Hilditch in action in the nets.Australian... News Photo - Getty Images

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This incident caused a lot of debates in the cricket world, as it was seen as against the ethics of the game. The fact that a non-striker was dismissed in such a manner is still considered to be highly unusual. Many critics felt that this dismissal was the result of an unconventional interpretation of the laws of cricket. The incident has caused much debate over the years, as it is rarely seen in cricket. 

Many commentators have expressed their views on this incident. One commentator said: “It’s the most unusual and bizarre way to be given out in cricket. Andrew Hilditch was given out for an act that went against the ethics of the game.” Andrew Hilditch reportedly said: “I was shocked and surprised by the umpire’s decision. I was trying to do the right thing, but I accept that the umpire made the right call according to the laws of cricket.” 

Mohinder Amarnath versus Australia (1986, Melbourne) 

1983 World Cup winner Mohinder Amarnath lost his wicket in the most unlikely way during the 1986 India-Australia one-day international series. Amarnath, who was batting at a total of 15 runs, was up against off-spinner Greg Matthews. The delivery was flighted by the bowler and spun off the deck. On the other hand, Amarnath played the ball with gentle hands and didn’t seem bothered by the turn. 

5 Unique records held by Indians in List A cricket

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Amarnath attempted to cut the ball at first with barely any foot movement but ultimately had to defend it in an awkward position. The ball bounced off the ground in the direction of the stumps, and Amarnath instinctively responded by using his hands to bat it away. As the Australians prepared to appeal, Amarnath belying his misstep with a smile, walked slowly to the pavilion.

Cheteshwar Pujara versus Leicestershire (2014, Derby) 

India’s Cheteshwar Pujara was given out for handling the ball in a County Championship Division Two match between Derbyshire and Leicestershire. He was the 59th first-class player overall and only the second Indian, after Mohinder Amarnath, to experience this sort of dismissal. He also became the first player to get out in this manner in England since Karl Krikken of Derbyshire did so in 1996. 

BAN v IND 2022: “Indian Test batting still needs him,” Sanjay Manjrekar heaps praise on Cheteshwar Pujara

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While batting at number six, Cheteshwar Pujara played a fastball from left-arm seamer Atif Sheikh without much difficulty. However, upon looking back, he quickly slapped the ball, which appeared to be headed toward the stumps. Pujara was eventually declared out after it was confirmed via replays that he handled the ball.

badminton brand YONEX

YONEX to set up another production facility in India

Leading badminton brand YONEX has announced that it will set up another production facility in India to boost the production of high-quality graphite racquets in the country, a move that will bring the cost of full-body racquets down considerably.

Ben Yoneyama, chairman of YONEX, announced the move at a YONEX Sunrise press conference in New Delhi. He said, “Thomas Cup champion India. I didn’t expect it! The level is going up. We are desperate to contribute to the Indian badminton growth. Now we will be making graphite, Japan standard racquets in India.”

 

Pullela Gopichand, a stalwart of Indian badminton, stated, “YONEX Sunrise has made a huge difference to Indian badminton. Their support was instrumental in India winning the first Olympics Medal at 2012. YONEX has been an integral part of India’s success story in world badminton,”

Yoneyama further added, “A lot of Indian players are performing really well on the world stage, encouraging more to take up the sport. We want to cater to that audience and provide the highest Japanese quality equipment to further the sport’s development.” With the new facility, YONEX aims to amplify the production of existing T-joint racquets from 1 million to 2.5-3 million per year.

Leading badminton brand YONEX had set up a world-class production facility in Bengaluru. This marks the brand’s second production facility in India. The second factory is expected to start production by April, within a year of India’s Thomas Cup triumph.

Everton sack Frank Lampard as relegation fears grow

Everton sacks Frank Lampard as the club fears relegation

Premier League club Everton has sacked their coach Frank Lampard as the club has gone on a run of 9 defeats in 12 games. The poor performance left the club on the verge of relegating from the Premier League.

The Merseyside club said in a statement, “Everyone at Everton would like to thank Frank and his coaching staff for their service during what has been a challenging 12 months.” The club further added, “Frank and his team’s commitment and dedication have been exemplary throughout their time at the Club, but recent results and the current league position meant this difficult decision had to be taken. We wish Frank and all his backroom team well for their future in the game.”

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Lampard, an ex-Chelsea legend, was handed over Goodison Park duties last year after Rafael Benitez’s dismissal. He was able to steer the team away from relegation in the final week of the season.

After Lampard’s firing, the club appointed Paul Tait and Leighton Baines as the caretakers of the club until a new manager is appointed. The club has started the process of securing a new manager and will provide updates on the appointment in due course.

Everton is currently 19th on the Premier League standings with three wins in 20 games. The club next faces Premier League leaders Arsenal who are in great form.

Longest Tennis matches of all time

Revisiting the Longest Tennis Match of All Time

Tennis is a challenging sport. It is a contest of talent, cunning, and accuracy. The game continues until one player scores the required number of points or until a player quits or retires in the middle of the court due to injury or exhaustion and is unable to continue. This is the precise reason why games that last a long time are so appealing.

The audience is kept on the edge of their seats by it. Exactly this is what happened on January 30, 2022, when Rafael Nadal, one of the greatest players of all time, defeated Daniil Medvedev at the Australian Open 2022. The 5 hours, 24-minute final was won by the Spaniard. In addition, it allowed Nadal to surpass players like Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic by becoming the first tennis player to win 21 Grand Slam titles. Despite this, the match isn’t anywhere close to being the longest tennis match ever played. 

However, the longest tennis match took place in 2010, which lasted for 11 hours and 5 minutes. It was played between John Isner and Nicolas Mahut at Wimbledon. The match began on Tuesday, 22 June 2010 and lasted until Friday of the same week. During this time, John Isner and Nicolas Mahut played 183 games in total. The match’s final score was 6-4, 3-6, 6-7 (7-9), 7-6 (7-3), and 70-68 for Isner. 

Both players endured considerable physical and mental exhaustion during the match to reach this point, with Isner serving a total of 112 aces and Mahut 103. It was described as the greatest in tennis history by commentators and analysts alike. 

The longest Tennis match of all time: 

John Isner vs Nicolas Mahut: 2010 Wimbledon (11 hours and 5 minutes) 

John Isner and Nicolas Mahut broke several records during their match. Most notably, the match was the longest tennis match ever to be played in terms of time, lasting 11 hours and 5 minutes. It was also the match with the highest number of total games played (183) and the longest set (the fifth set lasted 70-68). The match also saw both players serve the most aces in a single match; Isner served 112 aces, while Mahut served 103. 

John Isner vs Nicolas Mahut

John Isner vs Nicolas Mahut

In total, John Isner and Nicolas Mahut served 215 aces during their 11-hour and 5-minute match at Wimbledon. The longest tennis match before the Isner-Mahut match was the men’s singles final at the 2004 French Open between Gaston Gaudio and Guillermo Coria. The match lasted six hours and 33 minutes, with Coria eventually winning 3-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-1, and 8-6. 

Many people have praised the Isner-Mahut match for its remarkable display of skill and determination. Legendary tennis player Björn Borg referred to it as “a milestone in modern tennis”. Commentator John McEnroe lauded the match as “a great benefit for the world of tennis”, while American television personality Jimmy Kimmel described it as “an epic moment in sports history”. 

The men’s singles championship of the 2010 Wimbledon Championships was won by Rafael Nadal, who defeated Tomas Berdych in straight sets. John Isner and Nicolas Mahut both spoke about the match with great respect for their opponent. Isner said that he was “very proud to have been part of such an amazing occasion, ” while Mahut commented, “it was truly a special match, and I will never forget it.” 

John Isner said, “It was an honour to be part of such an incredible match, and I’m very proud to have been part of it. I wish the match could have gone on forever.”

Nicolas Mahut commented, “It was truly a special match, and I will never forget it. I’m lucky to have been part of history and I am sure it will remain a legendary moment in tennis.” 

Here are some interesting facts about the Isner-Mahut match 

– The match had a combined total of 909 points 

– The longest rally between the two players spanned 36 shots 

– Isner’s longest service game lasted over 40 minutes 

– The match was featured in the Guinness Book of World Records for being the longest tennis match ever played 

– Isner and Mahut were given a standing ovation when they completed the fifth set – It was the first time Wimbledon had to suspend play due to darkness 

– The match saw 205,000 people watched it live on the BBC website 

– It was the second-most viewed match at Wimbledon that year, behind the men’s singles final between Rafael Nadal and Tomas Berdych 

– It was the first time Wimbledon had to suspend play due to darkness 

 

What Tennis players had to say about the Isner-Mahut match: 

“The Isner-Mahut match was an extraordinary display of courage and endurance that will be remembered as one of the greatest sporting events of all time.” – Roger Federer 

“John Isner and Nicolas Mahut’s match at Wimbledon in 2010 was a remarkable display of human achievement and resilience.” – Novak Djokovic 

“What Isner and Mahut did at Wimbledon in 2010 was nothing short of incredible. They pushed tennis to its limits and showed us what it means to never give up.” – Andy Murray 

“The Isner-Mahut match was an incredible show of willpower, tenacity, and determination.” – Rafael Nadal 

“No other tennis match has made such an impression on me as the Isner-Mahut match. It was one of the most remarkable displays of endurance and sportsmanship that I have ever seen.” – Serena Williams 

“The Isner-Mahut epic produced a record that may never be broken and will live on in the annals of the greatest sporting moments of all time.” – Andy Roddick

Top 10 longest tennis matches of all time: 

  1. John Isner vs Nicolas Mahut – 2010 Wimbledon (11 hours and 5 minutes)
  2.  Fabrice Santoro vs Arnaud Clement – 2004 French Open (6 hours and 33 minutes)
  3.  Younes El Aynaoui vs. Andy Roddick – 2003 Australian Open (5 hours and 22 minutes)
  4.  Kevin Anderson vs. John Isner – 2018 Wimbledon (6 hours and 36 minutes)
  5.  Novak Djokovic vs. Juan Martín del Potro – 2013 US Open (5 hours and 53 minutes)
  6.  Roger Federer vs. Rafael Nadal – 2008 Wimbledon (4 hours and 48 minutes)
  7.  Novak Djokovic vs. Rafael Nadal – 2012 Australian Open (5 hours and 53 minutes)
  8.  Andy Murray vs. Novak Djokovic – 2012 US Open (4 hours and 54 minutes)
  9.  Michael Chang vs. Ivan Lendl – 1989 French Open (4 hours and 37 minutes)
  10.  Gilles Muller vs. Rafael Nadal – 2017 Wimbledon (4 hours and 48 minutes).
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