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Rohit Sharma: Domestic Cricket Crucial for All Indian Players

Rohit Sharma: Domestic Cricket Crucial for All Indian Players

By March 6, 2024 0

India’s Rohit Sharma Stresses Importance of Domestic Cricket for All Players

Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma has emphasized the paramount importance of players making themselves available for domestic cricket when not engaged in national duties. This directive aims to discourage players from prioritizing one format over another and ensure the strength of domestic cricket, which is the foundation of Indian cricket.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has taken a firm stance on this issue, excluding ODI World Cup participants Ishan Kishan and Shreyas Iyer from the pool of centrally contracted cricketers for failing to comply with the board’s instructions regarding the Ranji Trophy.

Rohit Sharma reiterated that this directive applies to all players, not just a select few. “It is important that we go and play that,” he said. “It is not for just a few cricketers, it is for everyone to make sure that whenever you’re available, and fine, you should be able to play domestic cricket.”

The Indian skipper highlighted the quality and excitement of domestic cricket, as witnessed in the recently concluded Ranji Trophy semi-finals. “When games like that happen, you see the quality and everything coming into display for everyone to watch,” he said. “It is important that we give importance to domestic cricket, which is the core of Indian cricket.”

Rohit’s comments come as India prepares for the final Test against England in Dharamsala. Despite his busy schedule, he made time to follow the Ranji Trophy semi-finals, including the match between his own domestic side Mumbai and Tamil Nadu.

The BCCI’s directive and Rohit Sharma’s emphasis on domestic cricket underscore the importance of a strong domestic structure for the development and success of Indian cricket. By ensuring that players are available for domestic matches, the board aims to maintain the quality and competitiveness of the domestic circuit, which is essential for nurturing future talent and strengthening the national team.

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AIFF President Chaubey Denies Allegations, Accuses Bhattacharjee of Malicious Intent

AIFF President Chaubey Denies Allegations, Accuses Bhattacharjee of Malicious Intent

By March 6, 2024 0

AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey has vehemently denied allegations of financial impropriety and misconduct leveled against him in recent media reports. In a letter to Member Associations and Executive Committee members, Chaubey asserted that he has served a defamation notice on Advocate Nilanjan Bhattacharjee, who initiated the “media trial.”

Chaubey clarified the circumstances surrounding the proposed partnership with IndiGo. He explained that the idea emerged during his tenure as IOA Joint Secretary and was presented to IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers. While a sponsorship deal was not feasible, the airline expressed interest in a marketing and promotion partnership. The agreement, which has not been finalized, involves barter arrangements to promote Indian football through IndiGo’s platforms. Chaubey emphasized that there are no potential financial implications or losses for AIFF.

Regarding production tenders, Chaubey stated that I-League production companies were selected after a joint evaluation by AIFF and FSDL. He requested a report from FSDL on the technical evaluation process and the selection of KPS Studio. Chaubey also noted that Bhattacharjee was involved in the tender selection process and did not raise any concerns at the time.

Chaubey addressed allegations of dummy cameras being used by production teams. He has requested the Acting Secretary-General to gather match details and form a committee to review the recordings. He questioned why Bhattacharjee did not report this issue earlier, raising concerns about his credibility and motives.

Chaubey denied allegations of financial wrongdoings, including sharing legal retainership fees, personal use of AIFF credit cards, interference with judicial bodies, and personal trips at AIFF’s expense. He emphasized his commitment to transparency and accountability, stating that the allegations are baseless and intended to malign his reputation.

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Rohit Sharma Slams Duckett’s “Bazball” Credit Claim, Cites Rishabh Pant

By March 6, 2024 0

India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, has strongly refuted comments made by England batter Ben Duckett, who suggested that England’s “Bazball” approach had influenced Yashasvi Jaiswal’s aggressive batting style. Rohit’s response, delivered at a press conference on the eve of the fifth Test in Dharamsala, was a clear reminder of the impact of Rishabh Pant’s fearless batting.

“There was a guy called Rishabh Pant in our team, probably Ben Duckett hasn’t seen him play,” Rohit stated.

Jaiswal has emerged as India’s leading run-scorer in the series, amassing 655 runs in four matches at an impressive average of 94.57 and a strike rate of 78.63. Duckett’s comments, made after witnessing Jaiswal’s boundary-filled innings in the Rajkot Test, implied that England’s aggressive style had inspired the young Indian batter.

“When you see players from the opposition playing like that, it almost feels like we should take some credit that they’re playing differently than how other people play Test cricket,” Duckett had said.

Rohit’s response was not the only criticism of Duckett’s remarks. Former England captain Nasser Hussain also condemned the player’s comments.

“He’s not learned from you. He’s learned from his upbringing, all the hard yards he had to put in growing up. If anything, lads, look at him and learn from him. I hope there’s a little bit of self-introspection going on. Otherwise, it becomes a cult – and, at times, Bazball and this regime has been described as such, where you cannot criticise within or externally,” Hussain said on Sky Sports.

Rohit’s firm stance and Hussain’s criticism highlight the importance of acknowledging the individual talent and hard work of players, rather than attributing their success solely to external influences.

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Ashwin Leaves Rajkot Test Due to Mother's Health Emergency

Ashwin Leaves Rajkot Test Due to Mother’s Health Emergency

By March 6, 2024 0

Ravichandran Ashwin, India’s veteran spinner, was forced to leave the Rajkot Test against England after the second day’s play due to a family emergency. Ashwin, who had reached the 500-wicket milestone earlier that day, addressed the press conference after the final session and immediately departed for home.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) initially stated that it was a “family emergency” that prompted Ashwin’s departure, but it was later revealed that the situation involved his mother’s health. Ashwin himself has not yet spoken about the matter, but his wife Prithi explained the situation in a column she penned ahead of the cricketer’s 100th Test.

In her column for the Indian Express, Prithi revealed that Ashwin’s mother suddenly collapsed, prompting the family to rush her to the hospital. However, instead of calling Ashwin, Prithi contacted Cheteshwar Pujara to arrange for the spinner’s return.

“During Rajkot, the kids had just got back from school when five minutes later, he got to 500. And soon, all of us were on the phone answering all the congratulatory messages,” Prithi wrote. “It was then that I heard a sudden scream from aunty as she collapsed, and in no time we were at the hospital. At that point, we had decided not to tell Ashwin because there wasn’t good flight connectivity between Chennai and Rajkot.”

Prithi then called Pujara, whose family helped arrange Ashwin’s return flight. After the scans, the doctor suggested that Ashwin’s presence would be beneficial, so Prithi informed him of the situation.

“Over the phone, he sounded so broken and hung up. It took another 20-25 minutes to process what I told him and for him to call back. And thanks to Rohit (Sharma), Rahul bhai (Dravid) and the others in the team and the BCCI – who followed up all the way till he reached here – he got here late at night,” she added.

Ashwin arrived home and found his mother in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Fortunately, she recovered, allowing Ashwin to return to Rajkot and rejoin his teammates on Day 4 of the Test.

“It was a very emotional moment for him to see his mom in the ICU. And after she stabilized, we asked him to rejoin the team. Given his personality, he would never leave a game like that. And he would have an extreme amount of guilt if he didn’t win the game for his team. Through those couple of days, I realized his yearning for time with his parents is a lot more now and it is coming with age and maturity,” Prithi said.

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Messi's Napkin of Promise to Fetch Millions at Auction

Messi’s Napkin of Promise to Fetch Millions at Auction

By March 6, 2024 0

Lionel Messi’s napkin, a relic from his humble beginnings, is set to fetch a staggering sum at auction. The napkin, estimated to sell for between $380,000 and $635,000, bears the handwritten promise of a contract made to the 13-year-old Messi by FC Barcelona’s sporting director, Carles Rexach.

The napkin, which has been on display in New York, serves as a testament to Messi’s extraordinary journey from a working-class family in Rosario, Argentina, to becoming one of the greatest footballers of all time. In 2000, Messi’s talent caught the attention of Barcelona scouts, but the club’s hesitation to sign him outright led to a protracted negotiation.

On December 14, 2000, at a Barcelona tennis club, Rexach, under pressure from Messi’s father, scribbled the promise on the napkin. The napkin became a placeholder agreement until a formal contract could be drawn up.

Messi’s subsequent career at Barcelona was nothing short of legendary. He won the Spanish league 10 times, becoming the club’s all-time top scorer with 474 goals. His departure from Barcelona in 2021 marked the end of an era, but his legacy at the club remains unparalleled.

The napkin, which has been kept by Argentine agent Horacio Gaggioli for almost 25 years, is now being auctioned off. The sale has generated immense interest, with experts predicting it could sell for much more than the estimated price.

The auction, which will run until March 27, will be held in New York, Paris, and London. The napkin is expected to attract bids from collectors and football enthusiasts alike, eager to own a piece of Messi’s remarkable history.

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Draisaitl's OT Winner Gives Oilers Fifth Straight Victory

Draisaitl’s OT Winner Gives Oilers Fifth Straight Victory

By March 6, 2024 0

Leon Draisaitl’s overtime heroics propelled the Edmonton Oilers to a hard-fought 2-1 victory over the Boston Bruins on Tuesday night, extending their winning streak to five games.

Draisaitl, who has been on a tear lately, scored his second goal of the game just 2:18 into the extra period, assisted by Connor McDavid. The Oilers’ captain also had two assists, extending his point streak to 12 straight games.

The Bruins, who have struggled at home this season, took the lead 4:26 into the third period when Pavel Zacha converted a one-time slap shot from Danton Heinen. However, Draisaitl tied the game with just 1:20 remaining in regulation, setting the stage for his overtime winner.

Edmonton’s defense was stout throughout the game, limiting Boston to just five shots in the third period and none in overtime. Stuart Skinner made 25 saves for the Oilers, while Evan Bouchard had two assists.

The Bruins, who have now lost three of their last four games, were booed off the ice by their home crowd. They have a disappointing 19-7-6 record at home this season.

The Oilers, on the other hand, continue to impress. They have won five straight games and are now 32-19-8 on the season. They will visit the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday.

The Bruins will host the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday in a battle of two Original Six teams.

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TN Coach's Criticism of Captain Sparks Controversy

TN Coach’s Criticism of Captain Sparks Controversy

By March 6, 2024 0

Tamil Nadu’s Ranji Trophy semifinal defeat against Mumbai has sparked a controversy after coach Sulakshan Kulkarni publicly criticized captain R Sai Kishore’s decision to bat first. Kulkarni’s comments have drawn the ire of former state stars, who believe the issue should have been handled internally.

Kulkarni claimed that the entire dressing room was shocked by Kishore’s last-minute change of plan. He had previously instructed Kishore to bowl first if they won the toss, but the captain opted to bat instead.

“If his inner voice or instinct told him that we have to bat first, there was no point in having me,” Kulkarni said. “I am an experienced coach and a Ranji Trophy-winning coach. We were playing against Mumbai in Mumbai, a place I know everything about, but he did not listen.”

Kishore has not responded to Kulkarni’s allegations. However, the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) has expressed its displeasure with the coach’s outburst.

“What he (Kulkarni) did was wrong,” said a TNCA official. “We got five outright wins with Sai Kishore’s good decision-making. You cannot blame someone for just one decision. That is not how a coach should work. In my view, Kulkarni has committed a mistake.”

Former India captain K Srikkanth condemned Kulkarni’s actions on his YouTube channel. “This is absolutely not fair,” he said. “Dear TNCA, please do not recruit such coaches from outside (the state).”

Hemang Badani, another former Tamil Nadu player, wrote on social media: “Good coaches do not do that.”

Dinesh Karthik, who captained Tamil Nadu in the past, expressed his disappointment on Twitter. “This is so wrong. This is so disappointing from the coach,” he said.

The controversy has cast a shadow over Tamil Nadu’s impressive Ranji Trophy campaign. The team had won five matches in a row before suffering the innings defeat against Mumbai.

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Penguins Beat Blue Jackets for 10th Time in 11 Meetings

Penguins Beat Blue Jackets for 10th Time in 11 Meetings

By March 6, 2024 0

The Pittsburgh Penguins have been struggling this season, but they have maintained their dominance over the Columbus Blue Jackets, defeating them for the 10th time in 11 meetings on Tuesday night.

The Penguins took an early lead with goals from Jesse Puljujarvi and Evgeni Malkin in the first period. Columbus tied the game in the second period with goals from Johnny Gaudreau and Andrew Peeke, but Pittsburgh regained the lead with a fluky goal from Rickard Rakell on a power play.

Columbus tied the game again in the third period with a short-handed goal from Jack Roslovic, but Jeff Carter and Reilly Smith scored just over a minute apart to give the Penguins some breathing room. Tristan Jarry made 33 saves for the Penguins, while Jet Greaves made 26 saves for the Blue Jackets.

The Penguins’ victory snapped a three-game losing streak, but they remain in danger of missing the playoffs for a second straight season. First-year general manager Kyle Dubas is likely to be a seller before Friday’s trade deadline, and star forward Jake Guentzel could be gone by the weekend.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding the team’s future, the Penguins played with determination and resilience against the Blue Jackets. They converted turnovers into goals in the first period and responded quickly after Columbus tied the game in the third period.

“We were the better team for a lot of the night,” said Smith, who had a goal and two assists. “We deservedly so.”

The Penguins will host the Washington Capitals on Thursday night, while the Blue Jackets will host the Edmonton Oilers.

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Peshawar Zalmi Snatch Four-Run Victory Over Multan Sultans in PSL Thriller

Peshawar Zalmi Snatch Four-Run Victory Over Multan Sultans in PSL Thriller

By March 6, 2024 0

In a thrilling encounter of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Peshawar Zalmi emerged victorious over table-toppers Multan Sultans by a narrow margin of four runs. Despite a blistering 60 off 27 balls from Iftikhar Ahmed, Sultans fell short of their target of 205 runs, handing Zalmi their second win over the league leaders this season.

Zalmi’s chase got off to a strong start with captain Babar Azam and Saim Ayub putting on a 71-run partnership in the powerplay. Azam continued his impressive form, scoring 64 off 40 balls, while Ayub contributed 46 off 22 balls. However, Usama Mir’s three-wicket haul, including the key wicket of Azam, slowed down Zalmi’s progress.

With 58 runs required off the last three overs, Iftikhar and Chris Jordan launched a counterattack, scoring 75 runs off just 28 balls. Jordan remained unbeaten on 30 off 12 balls, but Zalmi ultimately fell short at 200-5.

Earlier, Sultans had posted a competitive total of 204-5, thanks to Azam’s knock and Ayub’s aggressive batting. However, Zalmi’s rookie left-arm spinner Mehran Mumtaz impressed in the powerplay, dismissing Reeza Hendricks in his debut PSL over.

Sultans’ top-order struggled against Zalmi’s bowling, with Mohammad Rizwan and Dawid Malan falling cheaply. Iftikhar and Jordan’s late surge almost pulled off a victory for Sultans, but Zalmi’s pacers held their nerve in the final overs to secure the win.

With this victory, Zalmi moved closer to a place in the final four, while Sultans remained at the top of the table despite their second loss. The match showcased the exciting and unpredictable nature of the PSL, with both teams displaying their fighting spirit and determination.

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Ravichandran Ashwin: The Engineer of Spin Bowling Reaches 100th Test Milestone

Ravichandran Ashwin: The Engineer of Spin Bowling Reaches 100th Test Milestone

By March 6, 2024 0

Ravichandran Ashwin, India’s premier spinner, is set to reach a significant milestone in his illustrious career as he prepares for his 100th Test match in the upcoming fifth and final Test against England at the picturesque HPCA stadium in Himachal’s Dharamshala. This momentous occasion will also mark Ashwin’s 500th wicket in the red-ball format, a testament to his exceptional skill and longevity in the game.

Throughout his decade-long career, Ashwin has established himself as a master of spin bowling, earning the admiration of experts and fans alike. His unique carrom ball, delivered with a flick of his fingers from a front-on action, has become a formidable weapon in his bowling arsenal, leaving even the world’s best batters bewildered.

Ashwin’s repertoire extends beyond the carrom ball, encompassing a wide range of variations, including the slider, arm ball, and topspin. By subtly altering his wrist position, he keeps batsmen guessing, making him a prolific wicket-taker across all formats, particularly in Tests.

Former England left-arm spinner Monty Panesar has hailed Ashwin as the “engineer of spin bowling,” praising his ability to adapt and reinvent himself throughout his career. “Ashwin has been absolutely brilliant,” Panesar said. “He’s been working out angles and engineering his way to dismissals. He’s brilliant at changing the revolutions on the ball and enriching the art of spin bowling.”

Since his debut against England in 2012, Ashwin has enjoyed remarkable success, contributing significantly to India’s victories. In 21 Tests against England, he has claimed 105 wickets at an average of 28.88, with 12/167 being his best effort to date. In the ongoing five-match series, the veteran spinner has claimed 17 wickets in four matches at an average of 30.41.

As India holds an unassailable 3-1 lead in the series, Ashwin will be eager to add to his tally and surpass English spinner Tom Hartley’s 20 wickets in the series. The Dharamshala Test will provide Ashwin with the perfect opportunity to cement his legacy as one of the greatest spinners of all time.

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