Shikhar Dhawan Shares Heartwarming Friendship Day Anecdotes with Rohit Sharma

Shikhar Dhawan Shares Heartwarming Friendship Day Anecdotes with Rohit Sharma

Shikhar Dhawan Recalls Fond Memories with Rohit Sharma on Friendship Day

On the occasion of Friendship Day, Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan shared heartwarming anecdotes about his camaraderie with India captain Rohit Sharma. In a video released by Star Sports, Dhawan expressed his admiration for Sharma, calling him his favorite opening partner.

“I have opened with him for 8-10 years, so I have a strong bond with him. He is a gem of a person,” said Dhawan.

Dhawan recalled a particular moment that brought them closer on the field. “He used to like it a lot whenever I sang one particular song, ‘putt jattan de bulaonde bakre’. So he would look at me and then sing the same song. It’s one moment that repeated often.”

Dhawan sang a few lines from the song, which he used to sing and then laugh.

Despite his absence from the national team for over a year, Dhawan remains a respected figure in Indian cricket. He has played 34 Tests, 167 ODIs, and 68 T20Is for India, scoring 2315, 6793, and 1759 runs respectively.

Dhawan’s bond with Sharma extends beyond the cricket field. They have been friends for many years and share a mutual respect for each other’s abilities.

Wanindu Hasaranga Ruled Out of ODI Series with Hamstring Injury

Wanindu Hasaranga Ruled Out of ODI Series with Hamstring Injury

Wanindu Hasaranga Ruled Out of ODI Series Against India with Hamstring Injury

Sri Lanka’s all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga has been ruled out of the remaining two matches of the three-match ODI series against India due to a hamstring injury. The injury occurred during the first ODI, which ended in a thrilling tie.

Hasaranga sustained the injury while bowling the final ball of his 10th over. He was seen clutching his left hamstring in discomfort and was unable to continue bowling. An MRI scan later confirmed the injury.

The loss of Hasaranga is a significant blow to Sri Lanka’s bowling attack. He is one of the team’s most experienced and reliable bowlers, and his absence will be felt.

To fill the void left by Hasaranga, Jeffrey Vandersay has been called up to the Sri Lankan squad. Vandersay, 34, has played 22 ODIs for Sri Lanka, with his last appearance coming in January this year against Zimbabwe.

The second ODI between Sri Lanka and India will be played on Sunday at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. The third and final ODI will be played at the same venue on August 7.

Femke Bol Anchors Dutch to Mixed 4x400m Relay Gold in Paris

Femke Bol Anchors Dutch to Mixed 4x400m Relay Gold in Paris

Femke Bol’s astonishing anchor leg propelled the Dutch quartet to a historic mixed 4x400m relay gold at the Paris Olympics, etching their names in the annals of track and field. The Dutch team, comprising Eugene Omalla, Lieke Klaver, Isaya Klein Ikkink, and the indomitable Bol, shattered the European record with a blistering time of 3min 07.43sec.

Bol’s final lap was a masterclass in speed and determination. Clocking a stunning 47.93sec, she erased the bitter memory of her fall at last year’s world championships in Budapest, where she handed the gold to the United States.

“I hoped to run that fast some time, but in the relay, you never look too much at split times,” said Bol. “It’s more about putting it together as a team and technically racing it well. I just went for it. We just wanted a medal this time, we didn’t think it would be gold, just a medal. Well, we got gold and are the Olympic champions. It is absolutely crazy for a small country like ours.”

The US quartet, led by Vernon Norwood, Shamier Little, Bryce Deadmon, and Kaylyn Brown, had dominated the race until Bol’s electrifying surge. The near-capacity Stade de France erupted in a frenzy as Bol overtook Brown just 10 meters from the finish line, securing a famous victory for the Netherlands.

Bol’s triumph is a testament to her resilience and unwavering determination. Having suffered a dramatic fall in Budapest, she channeled her anger and frustration into an unforgettable performance in Paris. “Just keep going, keep going,” she said of her thoughts in the final 100 meters. “And my general anger from Budapest! That and my teammates cheering me. And the atmosphere in this stadium is absolutely incredible. It’s crazy. So everything together.”

Bol’s victory keeps her bid for three Olympic golds on track. She will compete in the 400m hurdles on Sunday and the women’s 4x400m relay later in the week. Her exceptional talent and unwavering spirit make her a formidable force in the world of athletics.

Gautam Gambhir's India Begin with 3-0 Series Win Over Sri Lanka

Gautam Gambhir’s India Begin with 3-0 Series Win Over Sri Lanka

Gautam Gambhir’s tenure as India’s head coach commenced with a resounding 3-0 series victory over Sri Lanka in the recently concluded Twenty20 International (T20I) series. The Men in Blue, led by newly appointed skipper Suryakumar Yadav, displayed resilience and determination throughout the series, culminating in a thrilling Super Over win in the third and final T20I.

Gambhir, who succeeded Rahul Dravid as head coach, has been entrusted with a long-term contract that extends until the end of 2027. His appointment was met with mixed reactions, with some questioning his suitability for the role. However, Gambhir has quickly silenced his critics with a series win in his first assignment.

In the post-match dressing room chat, Gambhir lauded Suryakumar’s leadership and the team’s fighting spirit. He emphasized the importance of consistency and improvement, particularly on pitches that favor spin bowling.

“Congratulations on a great series win. Congratulations to Surya as well, outstanding captaincy and performance with the bat. I asked for something before the start of the game, and you absolutely delivered it. This is what happens when you keep fighting and don’t give up,” Gambhir said.

“These kinds of games happen, and the only way these key games can go in our favor is when we keep fighting for every delivery and every run, and this was a prime example,” he added.

Gambhir’s appointment has sparked a renewed sense of optimism within the Indian cricket fraternity. His experience as a player and his reputation as a tough taskmaster are expected to benefit the team in the long run.

However, former India cricketer Joginder Sharma has expressed concerns about Gambhir’s longevity as head coach. Sharma believes that Gambhir’s uncompromising nature and tendency to make bold decisions may lead to conflicts within the team.

“Gautam Gambhir is the one to manage the team, but I believe that Gautam Gambhir will not be able to stay for a long time,” Sharma said. “This is because Gautam Gambhir has his own decisions. It might happen that he has a disagreement with a player. I am not talking about Virat Kohli. Many times, Gautam Gambhir’s decisions are such that others do not like them.”

Despite these concerns, Gambhir has made a positive start to his tenure as head coach. The team’s performance in the Sri Lanka series suggests that they are responding well to his leadership. Only time will tell whether Gambhir can sustain this momentum and guide India to success in major tournaments.

DRS Confusion Leaves Rohit Sharma Fuming in Sri Lanka vs India ODI

DRS Confusion Leaves Rohit Sharma Fuming in Sri Lanka vs India ODI

DRS Confusion Irks Rohit Sharma in Sri Lanka vs India ODI

During the first ODI between Sri Lanka and India in Colombo, a controversial DRS (decision review system) incident involving a wide call left Indian captain Rohit Sharma visibly frustrated.

In the 14th over of Sri Lanka’s innings, Shivam Dube bowled a delivery down the leg side to Pathum Nissanka. The ball missed Nissanka’s bat and flicked his thigh pad on its way to wicketkeeper KL Rahul. The Indian players appealed for a catch, but the umpire ruled it not out.

To everyone’s surprise, the umpire then signaled a wide. Captain Rohit had a brief conversation with Rahul before deciding not to review the decision. However, as Rohit was returning to the field, he overheard a player saying that he had heard a sound.

“You should know whether the bat is far from the pad or not. If the bat is away, then he is saying there is a noise for sure,” Rohit said, expressing his annoyance.

Rahul responded by saying, “In IPL, the reviews can be taken for wides, that’s why he is saying.”

In the Indian Premier League (IPL), teams are allowed to review wide decisions. This rule does not apply in international cricket, which may have contributed to the confusion.

The incident highlighted the complexities of the DRS system and the challenges umpires face in making split-second decisions. It also raised questions about the consistency of the DRS process across different formats of the game.

Despite the DRS controversy, the match itself was a thrilling tie. Sri Lanka posted a competitive 230 for 8, thanks to half-centuries from Dunith Wellalage and Pathum Nissanka. India’s chase was led by Rohit Sharma’s 58, but they ultimately fell short of the target.

Haaland Hat-Trick Powers Manchester City Past Chelsea in Pre-Season Clash

Haaland Hat-Trick Powers Manchester City Past Chelsea in Pre-Season Clash

Manchester City’s summer tour of the United States culminated in a dominant 4-2 victory over Chelsea in a pre-season friendly at Columbus, Ohio. Erling Haaland, the Norwegian sensation, stole the show with a blistering hat-trick, including two goals in the opening five minutes.

Haaland, donning the captain’s armband, showcased his world-class abilities from the outset. Just 54 seconds into the match, he converted a penalty kick to give City an early lead. Moments later, he doubled the advantage with a thunderous right-footed strike after a Chelsea giveaway.

City’s dominance continued in the second half. Oscar Bobb extended the lead in the 55th minute, cutting inside from the right wing and firing a precise shot past the goalkeeper. Haaland completed his hat-trick a mere 25 seconds later, capitalizing on a turnover in Chelsea territory and flicking a left-footed shot into the net.

Chelsea managed to pull two goals back through Raheem Sterling and Noni Madueke, but it proved too little too late. The match served as a tantalizing preview of the 2024-25 Premier League season, with Manchester City set to face Chelsea on the opening day.

Meanwhile, in another pre-season clash in South Carolina, Liverpool blanked Manchester United 3-0. Fabio Carvalho opened the scoring for the Reds, followed by goals from Curtis Jones and Kostas Tsimikas.

St. Lucia's Alfred Makes History with Olympic 100m Gold

St. Lucia’s Alfred Makes History with Olympic 100m Gold

On a historic day at the Paris Olympics, Julien Alfred from St. Lucia made history by becoming the first athlete from the Caribbean island to win an Olympic gold medal. Alfred’s stunning victory in the women’s 100m race shocked favorite Sha’Carri Richardson, who settled for silver.

Meanwhile, gymnastics legend Simone Biles redeemed herself from her Tokyo disappointment by claiming her third gold in Paris. Biles executed a breathtaking vault that no other woman attempts, proving that she has overcome her mental struggles.

In the pool, Katie Ledecky continued her dominance by winning her fourth consecutive 800m freestyle title. The American swimmer now has nine Olympic gold medals, equaling the record held by Larisa Latynina.

Another rising star, Summer McIntosh, added to her medal count with a gold in the 200m individual medley. The United States also set a world record in the 4x100m mixed medley relay.

Off the field, a controversy over gender eligibility in boxing resurfaced as Algerian boxer Imane Khelif secured a bronze medal. Khelif’s victory sparked a debate about the fairness of gender testing in sports.

On the track, US sprint king Noah Lyles began his quest for 100m glory by qualifying for the semifinals. Ryan Crouser from the United States also won his third consecutive Olympic gold in the men’s shot put.

In tennis, Zheng Qinwen became the first Chinese player to win Olympic singles gold by defeating Donna Vekic of Croatia.

With 29 gold medals awarded on Saturday, the medal table saw China maintaining its lead, followed by France, Australia, Britain, and the United States.

Bengaluru FC Cruises to Second Durand Cup Win, Inter Kashi Falls 3-0

Bengaluru FC Cruises to Second Durand Cup Win, Inter Kashi Falls 3-0

Former Indian Super League (ISL) champions Bengaluru FC continued their impressive start to the 133rd Durand Cup, securing a comfortable 3-0 victory over I-League side Inter Kashi FC in a Group B encounter at the Kishore Bharati Stadium in Kolkata.

Spanish forward Edgar Mendez opened the scoring for Bengaluru in the 17th minute, converting a penalty after Inter Kashi goalkeeper Shubham Dhas brought down Sivasakthi Narayanan inside the box. The Blues dominated possession throughout the first half, creating several chances but failing to extend their lead.

After the break, Bengaluru continued to press for more goals. In the 77th minute, Alberto Noguera doubled their advantage with a well-taken finish from close range. Former India captain Sunil Chhetri, who came on as a late substitute, sealed the victory in the 82nd minute, heading home a corner from Roshan Naorem.

Despite Bengaluru’s dominance, Inter Kashi goalkeeper Shubham Dhas put in a commendable performance, making several saves to keep the scoreline respectable. However, he was unable to stop Ryan Williams’ penalty attempt in the 84th minute, which was saved by the crossbar.

With this win, Bengaluru FC moved to the top of the Group B standings with six points from two matches. Inter Kashi, on the other hand, remained winless after two games.

In another Group E encounter played at the SAI Stadium in Kokrajhar, Odisha FC registered a resounding 5-0 victory over BSF FT. Rahul Mukhi opened the scoring for Odisha in the 55th minute, followed by goals from Ashangbam Aphaoba Singh (56′), Moirangthem Givson Singh (58′, 80′), and Roshan Mukhi (78′).

Meanwhile, Hyderabad FC withdrew from the tournament due to unforeseen circumstances. The Durand Cup Organising Committee subsequently invited local side Rangdajied United FC to replace Hyderabad in Group F, which is being played in Shillong.

Welsh Fire Extend Winning Streak with Controlled Chase over Trent Rockets

Welsh Fire Extend Winning Streak with Controlled Chase over Trent Rockets

Welsh Fire continued their impressive start to the Hundred with a controlled six-wicket victory over Trent Rockets, extending their winning streak to three matches.

Rockets captain Nat Sciver-Brunt elected to bat but faced an early setback as openers Bryony Smith and Grace Scrivens were dismissed in quick succession. The middle order, led by Sciver-Brunt and Ash Gardner, attempted to rebuild the innings, but Sciver-Brunt’s dismissal for 37 left the Rockets struggling. Gardner and Heather Graham pushed the score to 130, but the Fire bowlers, particularly Freya Davies and Jess Jonassen, kept them in check.

Welsh Fire’s chase also began with a shaky start, losing Sophia Dunkley and Tammy Beaumont early. However, Hayley Matthews and Sarah Bryce steadied the ship, forming a crucial partnership of 49. Sciver-Brunt struck again to remove Matthews, but Jonassen and Bryce maintained the momentum. Georgia Elwiss joined Bryce after Jonassen’s departure, and the pair added a further 44 runs.

Bryce remained unbeaten on 51 from 39 balls, guiding the Fire to victory with two balls to spare. “We knew if we just built partnerships together, there were runs out there,” Bryce said. “Jess is a great runner. Winning is a habit, and we have had some tight games when different people have stood up at different times.”

The victory consolidates Welsh Fire’s position near the top of the standings, while Trent Rockets’ third consecutive defeat leaves them in a precarious position.

R Ashwin Expands Batting Range, Urges Young Cricketers to Embrace Failures

R Ashwin Expands Batting Range, Urges Young Cricketers to Embrace Failures

At 37, R Ashwin is expanding his batting range in his first full Tamil Nadu Premier League (TNPL) season. Known for his boundary-hitting prowess down the ground, Ashwin has been working on playing boundary shots square of the wicket, a strategy that has paid off.

In Qualifier 2 against Idream Tiruppur Tamizhans, Ashwin dismantled left-arm fingerspinners R Sai Kishore and S Ajith Ram with reverse-sweeps, scoring 28 off nine balls. Overall, he has amassed 200 runs in eight innings at a strike rate of 166.66, with five innings coming at the top or No. 3 for Dindigul Dragons.

“Everything is work in progress,” Ashwin said. “I felt like I needed to widen my game square of the wicket because I know I can hit the ball down the ground. I wanted to explore other options to keep myself interested in the game.”

Dindigul’s rookie left-arm fingerspinner P Vignesh, who missed the Under-19 World Cup cut for India, has impressed with his accuracy and control. In Qualifier 2, he claimed 3 for 8 and the Player-of-the-Match award.

Ashwin urged the next generation of cricketers to embrace failures and improve their skills. “Missing the Under-19 cut is not the end of the world,” he said. “Failure and success are normal, and people become better only through failures. I hope they’re ready to expand their game and find answers to the questions that are going to be asked.”

Meanwhile, Shahrukh Khan of Lyca Kovai Kings has been working on a technical tweak to improve his game against spin. He has been using a trigger movement where he pushes his weight forward, which has helped him score off both the front and back foot.

Shahrukh’s overall strike rate against pace in the IPL is 161.11, but it falls to 112 against spin. However, in IPL 2024, he managed to lift his strike rate against spin to 168.75.

Despite losing to Dindigul in the league phase, Shahrukh is confident his team can put together their “best cricket” in the final. “We’re taking it as just another game,” he said. “We still haven’t played our best cricket this year, and we will try and do that.”

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