Kohli's T20 World Cup Selection Sparks Debate: Hayden Questions Veteran's Role

Kohli’s T20 World Cup Selection Sparks Debate: Hayden Questions Veteran’s Role

Virat Kohli’s inclusion in India’s T20 World Cup 2024 squad has sparked debate, with former Australian opener Matthew Hayden questioning whether the veteran batter is the right choice. Despite Kohli’s impressive form in the ongoing IPL season, Hayden believes that the BCCI should prioritize performance over reputation.

Kohli has been in scintillating form for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), amassing 500 runs in just 10 matches, including four half-centuries and a century. His crucial knock of 70 off 44 balls against Gujarat Titans on Sunday further cemented his status as a key player for RCB.

However, Hayden argues that Kohli’s slow strike rate and lack of impact in the middle overs could be a liability for India in the T20 World Cup. He suggests that the BCCI should consider younger players who are more suited to the demands of modern T20 cricket.

“From an Australian cricket point of view, our philosophy is pretty simple. We pick not the names or the icons but select those who are going to win you the World Cup,” Hayden said. “We’ve got our own debates on our front. David Warner… should he go? We’ve had our challenges and I think we have been very good over the last 20 or even 30 years to actually think what is the side that is going to win.”

Hayden acknowledges Kohli’s impressive statistics but questions whether he is the best option for India in the T20 World Cup. “This Virat Kohli discussion is probably the primary discussion here. Is he the individual who is going to win you the World Cup? I mean, his last ODI World Cup was a fantastic campaign. He has got nothing wrong with his statistics, historically no matter what tournament he plays.”

“So the challenge from mine is his experience vs the young impetus that is required to play great World Cup cricket.”

Despite the concerns raised by Hayden, the BCCI has shown faith in Kohli by including him in the 15-man squad for the T20 World Cup. It remains to be seen whether Kohli can justify his selection and lead India to victory in the tournament.

Kishore Jena: Rising Star in Indian Javelin, Inspired by Neeraj Chopra

Kishore Jena: Rising Star in Indian Javelin, Inspired by Neeraj Chopra

Olympic-bound javelin thrower Kishore Jena has emerged as a rising star in Indian athletics, following his impressive performance at the 2023 Asian Games. Alongside Neeraj Chopra, the reigning Olympic champion, Jena has formed a formidable duo that is poised to make waves at the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics.

Jena’s journey to the top has been marked by his unwavering determination and the invaluable guidance of Neeraj Chopra. In a recent interview with NDTV, Jena expressed his admiration for Chopra’s humility and mentorship. “He is such a senior athlete, but he always treats us with respect,” Jena said. “He keeps on pushing me ahead during tournaments and never makes me feel like he is my competition.”

Jena’s meteoric rise has been fueled by his relentless pursuit of improvement. Last year, he shattered his personal best by over 9 meters, propelling him into the elite ranks of javelin throwers. As he prepares for the Olympics, Jena is meticulously fine-tuning his technique and fitness through rigorous training and participation in prestigious events like the Diamond League.

In the lead-up to the Paris Games, Jena spent 35 days training in Australia, where he honed his skills in an optimal environment. “The temperature was around 2-3 degrees Celsius in Patiala, so the Athletic Federation of India recommended us to go for training,” Jena explained. “Our trip turned out to be a success as we had good practice sessions twice a day.”

Jena’s unwavering focus and the unwavering support of his mentor, Neeraj Chopra, have positioned him as a legitimate contender for an Olympic medal. As the countdown to Paris 2024 continues, Jena is determined to leave an indelible mark on the world stage and inspire a new generation of Indian athletes.

KKR Thrash DC, Axar Patel's Delivery Draws Bedi Comparisons

KKR Thrash DC, Axar Patel’s Delivery Draws Bedi Comparisons

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) emerged victorious in their IPL 2024 encounter against Delhi Capitals (DC), securing a 7-wicket triumph. Phil Salt’s exceptional performance, with a blistering 68 runs off just 33 deliveries, propelled KKR to victory and solidified their position in the top two of the points table.

Axar Patel emerged as the lone shining light for DC, claiming two wickets and effectively controlling the run rate. However, it was his remarkable delivery that dismissed Salt that garnered widespread acclaim from the cricketing fraternity, including former India opener Navjot Singh Sidhu.

On the opening delivery of the ninth over, Axar employed an arm-ball that deceived Salt. The ball turned sharply from a length, crashing into the stumps and leaving the batsman bewildered. Sidhu, providing commentary, drew comparisons between Axar and the legendary Bishan Singh Bedi. He praised Axar’s ability to outsmart the in-form batter, stating, “This came at the speed of a bullet. Bishan Singh Bedi used to do this very often. To outfox a batsman who was playing like this, sending him back, Axar, wah! (Ek set batsman ko bewakoof banake ghar bhejna… Axar, you beauty) That’s why Axar Patel is selected again and again in the Indian team.”

With just one day remaining before countries announce their squads for the T20 World Cup in June, players from all 10 IPL teams are eager to impress the national selectors. Axar’s name is among those being considered for a place in the squad, given his impressive form with both bat and ball.

According to various reports, India’s squad is expected to be announced on Tuesday, April 30. BCCI secretary Jay Shah will meet with the India selectors in Ahmedabad prior to the announcement. On Sunday, India skipper Rohit Sharma, chief selector Ajit Agarkar, head coach Rahul Dravid, and other BCCI officials held a meeting in New Delhi to discuss the squad.

The selectors face a challenging decision in choosing between Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill as the third opener for the marquee event. Additionally, the bowling fitness of all-rounder Hardik Pandya remains a concern for the selectors.

Sunrisers Hyderabad Aim to End Chasing Woes Against High-Flying Rajasthan Royals

Sunrisers Hyderabad Aim to End Chasing Woes Against High-Flying Rajasthan Royals

Hyderabad, India – The Sunrisers Hyderabad, after a string of disappointing performances, will face the formidable Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League on Thursday. The match holds immense significance for the Sunrisers, who are desperate to regain their footing in the tournament.

The Sunrisers have struggled to chase down targets, losing consecutive matches against the Royal Challengers Bangalore and Chennai Super Kings. Their top and middle-order batters have failed to deliver consistently, prompting head coach Daniel Vettori to question their aggressive approach in the second innings.

In contrast, the Rajasthan Royals have been in scintillating form, sitting atop the points table with 16 points. Their top order, led by Jos Buttler, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Sanju Samson, has been in exceptional form. The West Indian duo of Shimron Hetymer and Rovman Powell, along with Riyan Parag and Dhruv Jurel, have also contributed significantly.

The Royals’ bowling attack is equally impressive, featuring Yuzvendra Chahal, Trent Boult, Avesh Khan, and Sandeep Sharma. Their ability to adapt to different conditions and outplay opponents has been a key factor in their success.

The Sunrisers will need to address their chasing woes and find a way to rebuild their innings when their openers fail. Aiden Markram, in particular, will need to step up and justify his place in the team.

The match promises to be a thrilling encounter between two teams with contrasting fortunes. The Sunrisers will be eager to prove their mettle, while the Royals will aim to continue their dominance.

Indian Badminton Secures Five Olympic Quotas for Paris 2024

Indian Badminton Secures Five Olympic Quotas for Paris 2024

Indian Badminton Secures Five Olympic Quotas for Paris 2024

Indian badminton has achieved a significant milestone with five players securing quotas for the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics. The Badminton World Federation (BWF) released the ‘Race to Paris’ Ranking List, which determines the qualification for the Games.

Former world champion PV Sindhu, a silver medalist at the 2016 Olympics and a bronze medalist at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, has secured her quota by finishing 12th in the rankings. In the men’s singles, HS Prannoy (ranked 9th) and Commonwealth Games champion Lakshya Sen (ranked 13th) have also earned quotas for India.

In the doubles competitions, Chirag Shetty and Satwiksairaj Rankireddy have secured the third spot in the men’s doubles list, while Ashwini Ponappa and Tanisha Crasto have finished 13th in the women’s doubles. Chirag and Satwik became the first Indian doubles pair to reach world number one last year, while Ashwini and Crasto have won two Super 100 championship titles and finished as runners-up in a Super 300 tournament.

With a total of seven badminton quotas, India could field its joint-biggest badminton contingent in the Olympics, having played with seven shuttlers at the 2016 Rio Olympics. This achievement is a testament to the growing strength of Indian badminton and the players’ determination to excel on the world stage.

Twins Extend Winning Streak to Nine with Ninth-Inning Comeback

Twins Extend Winning Streak to Nine with Ninth-Inning Comeback

The Minnesota Twins extended their winning streak to nine games on Tuesday night, defeating the Chicago White Sox 6-5 in a thrilling ninth-inning comeback. Max Kepler drove in the tiebreaking run with a sacrifice fly, mirroring his game-winning hit in Monday’s victory.

The Twins’ resilience was on full display as they overcame an early deficit and a late home run by Andrew Benintendi to tie the game in the eighth inning. Minnesota’s offense came alive in the fifth inning, scoring twice to chase White Sox starter Michael Soroka. Danny Mendick gave Chicago a 4-2 lead with a two-run homer in the bottom half, but the Twins responded with a double steal in the sixth inning, with Ryan Jeffers swiping home.

In the eighth inning, Carlos Correa hit an RBI single and scored on Trevor Larnach’s base hit to put Minnesota on top 5-4. However, the White Sox tied it up again when Benintendi homered off Cole Sands.

Undeterred, the Twins rallied in the ninth inning. Byron Buxton drew a leadoff walk and advanced to third on Manuel Margot’s single. Kepler then delivered the game-winning sacrifice fly to center field. Jhoan Duran pitched a scoreless bottom of the ninth to secure the save.

The Twins’ victory was a testament to their depth and versatility. “I don’t feel like we’re one dimensional or two dimensional,” said manager Rocco Baldelli. “I feel like we can win games in all the ways.”

The White Sox, on the other hand, continue to struggle, falling to a league-worst 6-24 overall. Despite their recent struggles, manager Pedro Grifol remains optimistic. “I like what we are doing,” he said. “I like the way we are playing. I like the energy.”

Mumbai Indians' IPL 2024 Campaign in Shambles After Seventh Loss

Mumbai Indians’ IPL 2024 Campaign in Shambles After Seventh Loss

Mumbai Indians’ IPL 2024 campaign has hit rock bottom after their seventh loss in 10 games, effectively ending their playoff hopes. The five-time champions have been plagued by a series of issues, including a captaincy change and a string of poor performances.

The decision to replace Rohit Sharma with Hardik Pandya as captain has been met with mixed reactions. While some believe that Pandya’s aggressive style could revitalize the team, others have questioned his leadership abilities. The team’s performance on the field has also been disappointing, with the batters failing to put up competitive totals and the bowlers struggling to contain the opposition.

In their latest defeat, Mumbai Indians managed a paltry 144/7 in 20 overs against Lucknow Super Giants. Captain Hardik Pandya was dismissed for a duck, while Rohit Sharma scored just 4 runs. LSG chased down the target with ease, winning by four wickets with 19.2 overs to spare.

Former India cricketer Irfan Pathan has blamed Hardik Pandya for Mumbai Indians’ poor performance. “The team that qualified last year didn’t have Jasprit Bumrah, but this season they had his services. Still, they are in this situation. Purely because the team wasn’t managed well on the ground. Too many mistakes by their captain Hardik Pandya,” Pathan wrote on social media.

However, former India cricketer Deep Dasgupta believes that Pandya’s poor form in the IPL will not affect his selection for the T20 World Cup squad. “I don’t think so. I mean, obviously, the IPL is a very important tournament, but you’ve to also keep in mind about the credit they have achieved in the past, how they’ve done in the past, and I think Hardik has done alright,” Dasgupta said.

“We’ve seen him bat down the order, and that’s where he will be expected to bat. He’s played a couple of good innings; he’s bowled alright. I’m not going to be too worried with what he’s done so far in the IPL. I think he’s a match winner both with the bat and at times with the ball as well.”

Ricky Ponting Mentors Indian Youngster on Pull Shot Mastery

Ricky Ponting Mentors Indian Youngster on Pull Shot Mastery

Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting, renowned for his mastery of the pull shot, recently shared his expertise with uncapped Indian batter Angkrish Raghuvanshi. The encounter occurred after the IPL 2024 match between Delhi Capitals (DC) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.

Ponting, now the head coach of DC, took time out to guide Raghuvanshi on the intricacies of playing the pull shot. The video of their interaction, shared by the IPL on social media, has garnered widespread attention.

“Making the most out of the opportunities. Young Angkrish Raghuvanshi receives some valuable post-match lessons from the @DelhiCapitals Head Coach @RickyPonting,” the IPL captioned the video.

Raghuvanshi has made a significant impact in this year’s IPL, earning a place in the playing XI after an injury to Nitish Rana. In five innings, he has played crucial knocks of 54, 24, and 30.

On Monday, he did not get the chance to bat as an impact substitute, as KKR secured an easy victory.

After DC opted to bat, mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy led KKR’s disciplined bowling attack, restricting the hosts to 153-9. In reply, Phil Salt led the chase with an opening stand of 79 with Sunil Narine, guiding the two-time champions to victory with 3.3 overs to spare.

Ponting’s guidance to Raghuvanshi highlights the importance of mentorship and knowledge sharing in sports. The former Australian captain’s insights can help the young Indian batter refine his technique and improve his performance.

India's T20 World Cup Bowling Attack Raises Concerns, Says Madan Lal

India’s T20 World Cup Bowling Attack Raises Concerns, Says Madan Lal

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced its 25-man squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, scheduled to take place in the West Indies and USA from June 2 to June 29. While the batting lineup boasts star players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Suryakumar Yadav, concerns have been raised about the bowling attack, particularly the inclusion of Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj in the main lineup.

Former Indian cricketer Madan Lal, a member of the 1983 World Cup-winning team, has expressed his reservations about the pace attack, stating that it lacks strength beyond Jasprit Bumrah. “I don’t like the pace attack. Other than Jasprit Bumrah, it’s not that good,” Lal said. “Siraj has done well here and there, but his performances at the international level have been patchy.”

Lal believes that the bowling lineup will rely heavily on Bumrah for wickets and match-winning performances. “Not only in T20 cricket, you need a good pacer who can get you the wickets to win matches,” he emphasized. “Bumrah is a wicket-taker and a match-winner. Let’s see how Siraj performs. Otherwise, India will rely on Bumrah a lot.”

Lal also questioned the inclusion of Arshdeep and Siraj, stating that he is not confident in their abilities. “I am not sure about Arshdeep, nor am I sure about Siraj,” he said. “Pandya is not that effective either. I think the team management has taken a chance on him. The pace line-up is the weak link. Apart from Bumrah, we have to see how Siraj and Arshdeep bowl.”

Lal’s concerns stem from India’s history of success being tied to a strong pace attack. “If you look at the history, India performed well only when they had a good pace attack,” he said. “Only then, they won a lot of matches.”

Lal’s preferred choice for the bowling attack would have been Thangarasu Natarajan, the current Sunrisers Hyderabad death-over specialist. “If I had a chance (to pick one), I would’ve picked Natarajan,” he said. “I would have vouched for him because he is a good bowler at the death.”

Ayrton Senna: Brazil Remembers a National Icon 30 Years After His Death

Ayrton Senna: Brazil Remembers a National Icon 30 Years After His Death

Thirty years after the tragic death of Formula One legend Ayrton Senna, Brazil continues to honor his legacy as a national icon. On May 1, 1994, Senna’s life was cut short at the Imola circuit, sending shockwaves through the world.

Senna’s impact on Brazil transcends sports. He became a symbol of national pride, inspiring millions with his determination and unwavering spirit. His three Formula One world championships brought joy and unity to a country grappling with economic and political challenges.

Fans will gather at Senna’s grave in Sao Paulo to pay their respects. A fun-run will be held at the Interlagos circuit, where Senna triumphed twice in 1991 and 1993. Television programs and an exhibition titled “I, Ayrton Senna da Silva – 30 Years” will commemorate his life and career.

The exhibition features an AI-powered recreation of Senna’s voice, narrating his journey. On Copacabana beach, fans young and old pose with a bronze statue of Senna, celebrating his iconic victory pose.

Senna’s legacy extends beyond the racetrack. The Ayrton Senna Institute, founded by his sister Viviane, has impacted millions of children through educational projects. Senna believed that education was the key to transforming Brazil.

Ernesto Rodrigues, author of “Ayrton: The Hero Revealed,” highlights Senna’s cultural significance. He restored self-esteem to Brazilians, giving them a sense of pride. His name adorns streets throughout the country, a testament to his enduring legacy.

The Brazilian government declared three days of national mourning for Senna. A million Brazilians paid their respects in Sao Paulo, lining the streets to witness his final journey. Senna’s memory lives on, inspiring generations of Brazilians and reminding them of the power of determination and the importance of giving back to society.

Home
Shop
Wishlist0
Back to Top

Search For Products

Product has been added to your cart