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Esports in India: PM Modi Meets Gaming Personalities, Discusses Industry Growth

Esports in India: PM Modi Meets Gaming Personalities, Discusses Industry Growth

By April 15, 2024 0

Esports in India: A Rapidly Growing Industry with Government Support

Esports, a competitive form of video gaming, has witnessed a meteoric rise in India, garnering recognition as a legitimate sport. In a groundbreaking move, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently convened a roundtable discussion with prominent gaming personalities to discuss the industry’s growth and potential.

Animesh Aggarwal, founder and CEO of 8Bit Creatives and co-founder of S8UL, expressed his honor at discussing the industry’s rapid ascent with the Prime Minister. He emphasized the need for support rather than regulation from the government to foster its growth.

Naman Mathur (Mortal), co-founder and CMO of 8Bit Creatives, described the interaction as “surreal.” He highlighted the Prime Minister’s understanding of the industry’s nuances and his vision for game development centered around Indian culture and environmental issues.

Payal Dhare (PayalGaming) shared her insights on the prospects for female gamers in India. She noted the Prime Minister’s keen listening skills and his ability to differentiate between esports and gaming content creation.

Lokesh ‘Goldy’ Jain, co-founder of 8Bit Creatives, expressed his pride in the industry’s recognition. He emphasized his alignment with the Prime Minister’s vision and his commitment to working towards its realization.

The discussion covered various aspects of gaming, including esports, game development, its impact on youth, and India’s global presence in the industry. The gamers shared their personal journeys, challenges, and triumphs.

Esports in India has evolved from a pastime to a multi-sport event, officially recognized by the government. The FICCI-EY report estimates that participation in esports tournaments surged to 1.8 million in 2023, with an expected increase to 2.5 million in 2024. Game streamers have also witnessed a significant rise in viewership, particularly in Tier-II cities.

The government’s support for esports is a testament to its recognition as a legitimate sport and its potential to contribute to the nation’s economic and social development. With continued support and collaboration between the government and the industry, esports in India is poised for even greater growth and success.

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Shivam Dube's Dominance Forces Opponents to Fear Spin

Shivam Dube’s Dominance Forces Opponents to Fear Spin

By April 15, 2024 0

Chennai Super Kings’ Shivam Dube has emerged as a formidable force in the Indian Premier League (IPL), with his ability to control matches and strike fear into the hearts of opposing bowlers. Bowling coach Eric Simmons has hailed Dube’s impact, noting that teams are “scared” to bowl spin against him.

In CSK’s recent 20-run victory over Mumbai Indians, Dube played a pivotal role with an unbeaten 66 off 38 balls. Notably, Mumbai employed seven bowling options but refrained from using their spinners after the eighth over, with Dube facing only one delivery from Shreyas Gopal.

“When he (Dube) comes on, they take the spinners off (and) they put the pacemen on. He has become more and more effective at that. But they didn’t bowl spin again (in) the rest of the game because he was at the wicket,” Simmons explained.

Simmons emphasized Dube’s ability to control matches, stating that his presence at the crease forces opponents to alter their bowling strategies. “They can’t ball spin anymore. They don’t want to. They’re scared to. His ability to be effective against the pace bowling has become a massive asset for him,” he added.

Beyond his brute force, Simmons highlighted Dube’s exceptional timing, which often goes unnoticed. “He hit a cover drive through extra cover. It was just the flow of the bat. It wasn’t the brute force that he sometimes does it with; it just flew to the fence. I don’t think people appreciate the timing with which he hits the ball. He’s got some brute force, but his timing is outstanding,” Simmons said.

CSK’s philosophy of providing players with “safety to try and fail” has played a crucial role in unlocking Dube’s potential. “One of the most important things you can give your cricketers is something called safety. Psychological safety is the buzzword. Safety to fail, safety to try, safety to grow, be challenged all the time, but be trusted,” Simmons explained.

Simmons also praised Sri Lankan bowler Matheesha Pathirana, who claimed 4 for 28 in the match-winning spell for CSK. “The wickets is a bonus but his accuracy was really good, because sometimes you bowl accurately (but) not (get) the wickets,” he said.

Categories: Cricket
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Travis Head Joins Steven Smith in Major League Cricket

Travis Head Joins Steven Smith in Major League Cricket

By April 15, 2024 0

Travis Head, the dynamic Australian batter, has opted to extend his playing season by joining Washington Freedom in Major League Cricket (MLC) alongside fellow countryman Steven Smith. Head’s decision comes despite the grueling schedule he has endured in recent months, including the T20 World Cup and the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Head’s decision to continue playing reflects his unwavering commitment to the sport and his desire to maintain his form. Despite experiencing fatigue at the end of the Australian summer, he has chosen to embrace the challenge of a new league and a new environment.

Washington Freedom, under the guidance of former Australian captain Ricky Ponting, has assembled an impressive roster for the upcoming MLC season. Head and Smith will join New Zealand allrounder Rachin Ravindra, South African paceman Marco Jansen, and Trinidadian spinner Akeal Hosein.

Head’s signing adds further depth to the Australian contingent in MLC, which already includes Adam Zampa, Spencer Johnson, and Tim David. The tournament, which kicks off immediately after the T20 World Cup, promises to showcase some of the world’s best cricketers.

Head’s decision to join MLC is a testament to the growing popularity of the league and its ability to attract top-tier talent. The tournament provides an opportunity for players to extend their playing season and gain valuable experience in a different cricketing environment.

Categories: Cricket
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Liverpool's Quadruple Hopes Fade Amid Klopp Succession Saga

Liverpool’s Quadruple Hopes Fade Amid Klopp Succession Saga

By April 15, 2024 0

Liverpool’s recent performances have been a stark contrast to their earlier season dominance. After being in contention for a historic quadruple, they now face the prospect of ending the season with only the League Cup. The team’s struggles have coincided with their ongoing search for a successor to manager Jurgen Klopp, raising questions about whether the uncertainty is affecting their on-field performance.

In the past week alone, Liverpool have suffered a humiliating 3-0 home defeat to Atalanta in the Europa League and a disappointing 1-0 loss to Crystal Palace in the Premier League. These results have left them third in the league standings, behind Manchester City and Arsenal.

The team’s poor form has been particularly evident in their home matches. After losing to Manchester United at Old Trafford, they were held to a draw by the same opponents at Anfield. The defeat to Crystal Palace was their first home loss in the Premier League since April 2021.

Klopp’s impending departure at the end of the season has cast a shadow over Liverpool’s campaign. The club’s hierarchy has been actively searching for his replacement, but no concrete decision has been made. The uncertainty surrounding the managerial position has reportedly caused unrest within the squad, with players eager to give Klopp a fitting send-off.

Liverpool’s pursuit of Xabi Alonso and Ruben Amorim as potential successors has been met with setbacks. Alonso ruled out a move to his former club, while Amorim denied reports of an agreement with the Reds. These rejections have further fueled speculation and uncertainty within the club.

Despite the challenges, Liverpool must now focus on salvaging their season. They have already secured the League Cup and will be determined to add more silverware before Klopp’s departure. The team will need to rediscover their form and put aside the distractions to give their manager a memorable farewell.

Categories: Football
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Dhoni's Batting Template Guides CSK's Death Bowling Practice

Dhoni’s Batting Template Guides CSK’s Death Bowling Practice

By April 15, 2024 0

Chennai Super Kings’ bowling consultant, Eric Simmons, has revealed that techniques that prove effective against former Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni in training sessions also tend to work well in real-world scenarios. Dhoni, known for his exceptional batting skills, serves as the “batting template” for the team’s death bowling practice.

In a recent match against the Mumbai Indians, Dhoni came to the crease for the final four balls of CSK’s innings and smashed the first three for sixes, helping the team collect 26 runs off the last over. This late burst of form proved decisive as CSK defeated MI by 20 runs to secure the third spot in the IPL standings.

Simmons, a former bowling coach for India, explained that Dhoni’s batting style has served as a model for CSK’s attempts to test their bowling ability in the last overs. “His calmness at the wicket… we use him as a batting template when we’re bowling at the death, the pre-season because he’s so good at it. If we can test out our theories against him, then we know we’re going to do well,” he said.

Simmons also acknowledged that Dhoni has been struggling with a knee injury but has battled it bravely without showing any pain. “Everyone else is more interested in his injuries than he is. He’s one of the hardest men I’ve ever come across. I don’t even think we know to what extent he may or may not be in pain. He just carries on and does his thing,” he said.

While Matheesha Pathirana (4/28) deserved the accolades for CSK’s win, Simmons highlighted the contributions of Tushar Deshpande and Shardul Thakur as the “unsung heroes.” He praised Shardul for bowling one of the best overs he had ever seen, with outstanding impact points.

Simmons also appealed for the wide rule to be defined further, claiming that the current laws are not specific enough. He believes that a clearer understanding of the wide rule would allow bowlers to use it more effectively and make the contest more even.

Categories: Cricket
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Dortmund Aim to Overturn Deficit Against Atletico in Westfalenstadion Fortress

Dortmund Aim to Overturn Deficit Against Atletico in Westfalenstadion Fortress

By April 15, 2024 0

Borussia Dortmund, the 1997 Champions League winners and 2013 finalists, face an uphill battle as they host Atletico Madrid in the second leg of their quarter-final tie on Tuesday. Trailing 2-1 from the first leg in Madrid, Dortmund will need to summon the spirit of their Westfalenstadion fortress to overturn the deficit.

Despite a poor start in Madrid, Dortmund composed themselves and were arguably the better side for the remaining 60 minutes. However, two defensive mistakes gifted Atletico the upper hand. Dortmund’s trump card is their 80,000-strong Westfalenstadion, where they have not lost since November 2021.

Dortmund have been impressive in Europe this season, topping a tough group containing PSG, Milan, and Newcastle. Their home form has been particularly impressive, with nine unbeaten games since November 2021. They have scored 15 goals and conceded just two in that time.

While often unpredictable, Dortmund have been defensively solid under Terzic this season. However, they gifted two goals to Atletico in the first leg. Centre-back Nico Schlotterbeck and Mats Hummels will be hoping for a recall to the Germany squad ahead of Euro 2024 on home soil.

Dortmund will be buoyed by Atletico’s poor away form this season. Diego Simeone’s men have won just five from 15 in the league and just one of four in Europe. They have not kept a clean sheet away from home.

Dortmund thumped Atletico 4-0 the last time the sides met in Germany in 2018-19. However, present-day Dortmund under Terzic are less easy on the eye but have a fighting spirit similar to that of Simeone’s best Atletico sides.

This was exemplified in Saturday’s hard-fought 2-1 win away to Borussia Moenchengladbach. Reduced to 10 men, Dortmund dug in and hung on for a crucial victory in their top-four bid.

If Dortmund are to get past Atletico and into the Champions League semi-finals for the fourth time in their history, they will need to match the steel and grit of that performance against a team known for mastering those particular skills under Simeone.

Categories: Football
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Barcelona Aim to Vanquish Champions League Ghosts with Young Stars

Barcelona Aim to Vanquish Champions League Ghosts with Young Stars

By April 15, 2024 0

Barcelona, the five-time Champions League winners, are poised to host Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday, hoping to exorcise the ghosts of past failures and reclaim their place among Europe’s elite. The Catalans’ stunning 3-2 victory in the first leg in Paris has ignited dreams of a return to the final four.

Coach Xavi Hernandez has instilled a new sense of belief in his young squad, which features two of the youngest players ever to grace the Champions League knockout stages: 16-year-old Lamine Yamal and 17-year-old Pau Cubarsi. Their youthful exuberance has brought a fresh perspective to a team that has been burdened by a string of disappointing European campaigns.

Barcelona’s last triumph in the competition came in 2015, when they were led by the formidable trio of Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Luis Suarez. Since then, they have endured a series of humiliating defeats, including a 4-0 collapse at Anfield in 2019 and an 8-2 thrashing by Bayern Munich in 2020.

The psychological scars of those defeats have weighed heavily on Barcelona’s veteran players, many of whom have since departed. However, Yamal and Cubarsi are untainted by those failures, and Xavi has praised their resilience.

“Yamal is very calm and mature,” said Xavi. “He handles everything that happens to him so well, despite his young age.”

Cubarsi’s composure was evident in Barcelona’s victory over Napoli in the last 16, where he played a key role in securing their progression.

“He has a very well-furnished brain,” said Xavi.

Barcelona’s young stars will be crucial in helping the team overcome the psychological barriers that have haunted them in recent years. They must “put the ghosts aside,” as goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen put it, and focus on the task at hand.

The Bayern Munich defeat in 2020 served as a wake-up call for Barcelona, who have since twice crashed out in the group stage. President Joan Laporta has pledged to restore the club to its former glory, and the team is now on the verge of reaching the final four for the first time in four years.

Critics have questioned Laporta’s decision to sell Messi and invest heavily in new signings, but the likes of Robert Lewandowski, Jules Kounde, and Raphinha have all played a significant role in Barcelona’s resurgence.

By winning La Liga last season, Barcelona proved that they are on the right track. Now, they must complete the job they started in Paris and demonstrate that their progress is not limited to domestic competition.

Categories: Football
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PSG's Champions League Hopes in Jeopardy After Barcelona Defeat

PSG’s Champions League Hopes in Jeopardy After Barcelona Defeat

By April 15, 2024 0

Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League aspirations hang in the balance after a disappointing 3-2 home defeat to Barcelona in the first leg of their quarter-final tie. Despite initial skepticism about their chances this season, the realization of Kylian Mbappe’s impending departure has galvanized the team. However, their performance against Barcelona exposed weaknesses that threaten to derail their European dreams.

Mbappe, PSG’s talisman, has been in prolific form this season, but his performance in the first leg was underwhelming. His struggles on the left flank raised questions about coach Luis Enrique’s handling of the star striker. Enrique’s decision to limit Mbappe’s playing time in recent Ligue 1 matches has been met with criticism, as the team needs him at his best to overcome the challenge of Barcelona.

Another concern for PSG is the error-prone display of goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. His mistakes in the first leg highlighted his vulnerability at the highest level. The defense in front of him also failed to provide adequate protection, with young Brazilian Lucas Beraldo struggling to cope with the intensity of the match.

Captain Marquinhos acknowledged the team’s shortcomings after the game, emphasizing the need to improve in the second leg. “Little details made the difference,” he said. “We have no choice. We have to go and win there.”

PSG’s hopes of advancing to the semi-finals rest heavily on Mbappe’s performance. If he can rediscover his form and lead the team to victory, anything is possible. However, Barcelona, despite their recent struggles, remain a formidable opponent. They have a history of overcoming adversity in the Champions League, as evidenced by their famous 6-1 comeback against PSG in 2017.

With Achraf Hakimi returning from suspension, PSG will be stronger on Tuesday. Mbappe will also be determined to prove his worth and help his team turn the tie around. The second leg promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams desperate to secure a place in the last four.

Categories: Football
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NSW Bolsters Squad with World Cup Trio and Experienced Recruits

NSW Bolsters Squad with World Cup Trio and Experienced Recruits

By April 15, 2024 0

New South Wales (NSW) has bolstered its squad for the 2024-25 season with the addition of three promising youngsters from the Under-19 World Cup-winning team: Sam Konstas, Ryan Hicks, and Charlie Anderson. These talented players join experienced recruits Nic Maddinson and Josh Philippe, who bring a wealth of knowledge and skill to the team.

Konstas, a 19-year-old batter, made an impressive debut for NSW last season, scoring a century in the Under-19 World Cup and a half-century in the Shield. He has earned a full contract, while Hicks and Anderson have been awarded rookie deals.

Hicks, a wicketkeeper-batter, showcased his potential with a century in an Under-19 Youth Test against England. He will develop behind established keepers Philippe and Matthew Gilkes. Anderson, a bowler, impressed at the Under-19 World Cup and takes Jack Nisbet’s rookie spot. Nisbet has been upgraded to a full contract after a successful debut Shield season.

NSW chief of cricket performance Greg Mail expressed his delight at adding the trio to the squad. “Sam and Jack confirmed their talent last season and deserve their full contracts,” he said. “Ryan and Charlie have also shown their readiness for professional opportunities.”

The addition of Maddinson and Philippe further strengthens NSW’s squad. Maddinson, a former NSW captain, returns after six seasons with Victoria, while Philippe brings his experience from Western Australia.

“Players of their caliber don’t become available often,” said Mail. “They will enhance our balance and depth.”

Jason Sangha and Baxter Holt have departed the squad, with Sangha likely to join South Australia and Holt heading to Western Australia. Kurtis Patterson remains on the list despite exploring options elsewhere.

The NSW squad for 2024-25 includes:

* Sean Abbott (CA contract)
* Charlie Anderson (rookie)
* Jackson Bird
* Pat Cummins (CA)
* Joel Davies (rookie)
* Oliver Davies
* Ben Dwarshuis
* Jack Edwards
* Matt Gilkes
* Chris Green
* Ryan Hackney
* Ryan Hadley
* Liam Hatcher
* Josh Hazlewood (CA)
* Moises Henriques
* Ryan Hicks (rookie)
* Daniel Hughes
* Hayden Kerr
* Sam Konstas
* Nathan Lyon (CA)
* Nic Maddinson
* Blake Nikitaras
* Jack Nisbet
* Kurtis Patterson
* Josh Philippe
* Will Salzmann (rookie)
* Tanveer Sangha
* Lachlan Shaw (rookie)
* Steve Smith (CA)
* Mitchell Starc (CA)
* Chris Tremain
* Adam Zampa (CA)

Categories: Cricket
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Inter Milan's Title Chase Continues Despite Cagliari Draw

Inter Milan’s Title Chase Continues Despite Cagliari Draw

By April 15, 2024 0

Inter Milan’s pursuit of the Serie A title remains on track despite a disappointing 2-2 draw at home to relegation-threatened Cagliari. The result leaves Inter with a 14-point lead over AC Milan, who also drew 3-3 at Sassuolo.

Cagliari’s Nicolas Viola snatched a late equalizer for the visitors, canceling out Hakan Calhanoglu’s penalty that had given Inter the lead following Eldor Shomurodov’s equalizer. Inter manager Simone Inzaghi expressed frustration at the missed opportunity to extend their advantage.

“It’s annoying not to win after going ahead twice because we wanted the victory in front of our fans,” Inzaghi said. “We’re very close to a big goal but we know that we still need points to make it mathematically certain.”

Inter now need to win their next match, the Milan derby against AC Milan, to secure the Scudetto with five games remaining. However, Milan’s Noah Okafor salvaged a point for his team in their match against Sassuolo, keeping their title hopes alive.

Meanwhile, Roma’s Evan Ndicka is recovering after collapsing during their match at Udinese. The defender suffered an apparent chest problem, causing the game to be abandoned. Roma confirmed that Ndicka is in good spirits and undergoing further observations in the hospital.

The match will be resumed at a later date, with Roma currently in fifth place in the Serie A standings. They are well-positioned to qualify for next season’s Champions League, as they hold a five-point advantage over sixth-placed Atalanta.

Napoli’s hopes of finishing in the top five suffered a setback with a 2-2 draw at home to Frosinone. The result leaves Napoli six points behind Roma in eighth place. Frosinone remains in the relegation zone, level on points with Verona, who face Atalanta on Monday.

Categories: Football
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