Ashwin Redefines Preparation for Intense Test Season at 38

Tamim Iqbal: “Ashwin as big as Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma”

In the first test match against Bangladesh, the host showed their dominance as they defeated the visitors by a margin of 280 runs.

In this victory Ravichandran Ashwin played a crucial role as he notched up a century and a fifer and was rightfully named as the player of the match for the contribution.

But even after this, in a country where the popularity for batters is more, players like Ashwin find it tough to gain recognition, however, Tamim Iqbal, a veteran Bangladesh player makes a statement stating the importance of Ashwin is equal to Kohli.

“That was brilliant what he did, he was batting like a proper batter. I come from a different country. What I always hear is Virat Kohlis and Rohit Sharmas but Ravichandran Ashwin is equally important in my eyes.” said Tamim Iqbal.

Tamim Iqbal is working as one of the commentators for the Bangladesh tour of India, and the praises were continued as even captain Rohit Sharma lauds Ashwin.

“I don’t know if I speak here, it’ll be enough of what he does for this team. Every time we see him come out and do the job, it’s always so brilliant. He’s never out of the game.” Rohit lauded.

“The last competitive cricket he played was IPL and then he had some fun playing TNPL. We watched him bat up the order and that’s what helped him as well to bat the way he did,” Rohit added post-match presentation.

Erling Haaland

Haaland to Barcelona!?!?

Barcelona is proactively exploring options to replace Robert Lewandowski, who, despite his recent impressive form, is nearing the end of his career at 36. The club has narrowed its focus to three potential forwards: Erling Haaland, Viktor Gyokeres, and Benjamin Sesko.

Erling Haaland, currently at Manchester City and considered one of the best strikers in the world, is Barcelona’s standout candidate. However, securing him would be a significant financial challenge, with a potential price tag around €175 million and competition from other clubs.

Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting Lisbon is another option, currently in excellent form, having scored nine goals in the current season. His release clause is set at approximately €100 million, and interest from multiple Premier League clubs could complicate matters for Barcelona.

Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig presents a more affordable option, with a release clause around €65 million. Despite being the cheapest target, he is less prolific than Haaland or Gyokeres. As the club navigates its financial constraints, securing any of these forwards will be a challenging task, especially amid their ongoing economic struggles.

As Barcelona plans for life beyond Lewandowski, their strategies reflect a blend of ambition and financial reality in their pursuit of a future striker.

Rashid Khan Returns to Afghanistan ODI Squad for South Africa Series

Rashid Khan first in 53 years of ODI history to…

​Rashid Khan has made history by becoming the first cricketer in the 53-year history of ODI cricket to take a five-wicket haul on his birthday.​ 

On his 26th birthday during a match against South Africa, Rashid’s remarkable performance helped Afghanistan secure a significant 177-run victory, marking their first ODI series win against a Test-playing nation.

During the match, Rashid Khan achieved figures of 5 wickets for 19 runs, showcasing his exceptional bowling skills. This feat has not been accomplished by legendary bowlers such as Jasprit Bumrah and Wasim Akram, adding to the significance of Rashid’s milestone.

Afghanistan posted a challenging total of 311 runs, thanks in part to a brilliant century from Rahmanullah Gurbaz and key contributions from Azmatullah Omarzai and Rahmat Shah. Despite a decent start, South Africa struggled against Afghanistan’s bowling attack, ultimately collapsing and being bowled out for just 134 runs, with Rashid leading the charge.

Rashid’s achievement has garnered widespread recognition, celebrating his status as a pivotal figure in Afghan cricket. This record not only enhances his legacy but also inspires young cricketers in Afghanistan to aspire to similar heights.

Rashid Khan’s historic five-wicket haul on his birthday stands as a testament to his talent and determination, marking a significant milestone in both his career and Afghan cricket.

India's Chess Teams Clinch Historic Gold Medals at Chess Olympiad

Indian chess team does a Rohit Sharma style celebration

​India’s chess teams made history at the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest by winning gold medals in both the men’s and women’s categories for the first time.​ 

The celebration of this significant achievement included a joyful recreation of cricket captain Rohit Sharma’s iconic trophy lift, as players D Gukesh and Tania Sachdev emulated Sharma’s famous walk from the T20 World Cup.

On September 22, 2024, both teams secured their victories, with the men’s team defeating Slovenia and the women’s team triumphing over Azerbaijan with a score of 3.5-0.5. This accomplishment marks a milestone in India’s chess history, elevating the nation as a rising chess powerhouse.

During the celebration, Gukesh and Sachdev emerged from opposite sides of the podium, mimicking Rohit Sharma’s celebrated walk. Their lighthearted tribute sparked excitement and quickly went viral on social media.

D Gukesh and Arjun Erigaisi were standout performers, achieving significant wins that led to India’s first gold medal victories in the competition. The women’s team featured exceptional contributions from players like D Harika and Divya Deshmukh, further cementing their triumph.

The Indian chess teams’ victory and subsequent celebrations not only showcased their remarkable skill but also highlighted the unifying spirit of Indian sports, drawing parallels with cricket’s success and enhancing the nation’s pride in chess.

Alcaraz and Nadal Team Up for Olympic Doubles Debut

“I feel too far away from the level” Alcaraz on Federer comparison

​Carlos Alcaraz led Team Europe to victory at the 2024 Laver Cup, securing the title with a straight-set win over Taylor Fritz, 6-2, 7-5.​ 

After this triumph, Alcaraz rejected comparisons to tennis legend Roger Federer, emphasizing his unique journey and aspiration to build his own legacy in the sport.

Alcaraz’s impressive performance was instrumental in Team Europe’s 13-11 victory against Team World, marking their fifth Laver Cup title. 

Following his win, Alcaraz acknowledged Federer’s greatness but stated, “I feel too far away from that level.” He maintained that comparisons are “impossible” at this stage of his career, reaffirming his focus on personal growth rather than comparison to legends 

Reflecting on the victory, Alcaraz expressed gratitude for his teammates and captain Björn Borg, emphasizing their collective goal of winning the Laver Cup. He highlighted the importance of unity and teamwork in achieving success 

As a first-time participant in the Laver Cup, Alcaraz showcased his growth, determination, and confidence on the court. He remains focused on improving his game while honoring his own trajectory, ensuring his story is about individual milestones. The tennis world looks forward to witnessing his journey unfold.

Bangladesh Faces Penalty for Overs Shortage in India Test

Bangladesh inches away from being punished by ICC

Bangladesh are in danger of losing more points in their ICC world test points as they were found 10 over short of the 90 over target on day 1 even after a half-hour extension.

Bangladesh could only bowl 11 overs in the first hour of play which was dominated by their three seamers. And in the first session they only bowled 23 overs. 

Even though they tried to improve their margin in the later session, they couldn’t quite make it there. And this poor rate was described as unacceptable by the commentators.

“Bangladesh’s overrate has been unacceptable. We’re 45 minutes into Tea and we’re not even through to 60 overs here. The best that Bangladesh can achieve at this rate is about 70-72 overs (at the end of the day) and that has to be unacceptable. Wonder when the umpires start playing a more active role here to get things moving,” said Harsha Bhogle in commentary.

Bangladesh had lost a few points already for slow over rate against Pakistan and if they continue the same they in danger of losing even more along the course of play.

Sumit Nagal to Face Moutet in Paris Olympics Opener, Could Meet Di Minaur in Round 2

Sumit Nagal issues clarification for not playing Davis Cup

After the AITA Chairman slammed the top players for not playing for the country due to their personal issues with the association, Sumit Nagal opens up.

Sumit Nagal gave a clarification stating the absence was due to an injury, although now he is preparing to compete at the ATP tournament in China.

India had endured an embarrassing defeat against Sweden as they lost 4-0, and this was the time when the top players made themselves unavailable.

Sumit Nagal said that it was one of the hardest decisions to make but that it was made after consulting with his medical team. He also added that he didn’t want to take chances with his health and affect the team’s chances by participating with injury.

He also said that this decision was not about any monetary gain. His statement was: “Representing my country is always a privilege and an honor that I hold in the highest regard. One of the highlights of my career was being able to represent India at the Olympics. It was a difficult decision to withdraw from the Davis Cup, as playing for the national team is a moment I cherish deeply.”

“However, after consulting with my medical team, it became clear that competing while carrying an injury could not only jeopardise my health but also adversely impact the team’s chances. I believe it is better for the team and for the country to have someone at 100% rather than risking further injury and potentially disrupting the match. I had informed AITA well in advance about my inability to participate.”

“In professional sports, injury management is a complex science. Sometimes, just a few days of rest and targeted rehabilitation can make the difference between aggravating an injury and being fit to play again. I have been working diligently with my tennis and medical team to ensure I am in the best possible condition to return to the court whenever that would be.”

Dream Run for Malvika as she storms into quarters

After beating Paris Olympics bronze medalist, Gregoria Tunjung, young gun Malvika Bansod stunned Commonwealth Games medalist Kirsty Gilmour to enter the quarter-finals of China Open Super 1000.

The 23-year-old is leading India in this tournament in the absence of big names and reached the top 8 in the tournament after beating Scotland’s Kirsty Gilmour.

On Thursday, fought hard as the youngster needed over an hour and 5 minutes to gain her victory over the two-time Commonwealth medalist as she won the match by a 21-17, 19-21, 21-16.

“This is the first time I will be playing in the quarter-final of a Super 1000 tournament so it is a dream come true and the biggest achievement of my life so far,” Malvika said, expressing her delight.

Malvika will be facing the two-time world champion and one of the favourites to win the tournament, Akane Yamaguchi in the quarter finals.

Barcelona Face Monaco in Champions League Opener After Pre-Season Shock

Barcelona Beaten for the first time in the season

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick delivered a pressing message to his players following their first defeat of the season in the Champions League against Monaco. 

The match was significantly impacted by an early red card shown to Eric Garcia, leaving Barcelona in a challenging position. Despite the disadvantage, the team fought hard and came close to equalizing, but Monaco ultimately secured a 2-1 victory.

Flick acknowledged the pivotal role of Garcia’s sending off in the game’s outcome. “Yes, the game changed completely [after the red],” he stated, emphasizing that the team did their best under the circumstances. 

Although Flick acknowledged mistakes were made, he praised the team’s effort, saying, “We defended with passion. We made some mistakes, but we tried to score goals. We had some chances, but they deserved to win.”

Despite the setback, Flick remains optimistic about the team’s future. He expressed his determination for Barcelona to rebound from this loss, urging his players to come back stronger.

He remarked, “We lost, okay, I told the players that, but now we have to come back stronger, recover for Sunday’s game. We have to give our best and fight for the team. ​We lost this game, but we will continue to fight.​”

Looking ahead, Barcelona will quickly shift their focus to their upcoming match against Villarreal this weekend. Flick will strive to maintain their unbeaten run in La Liga, seeking to lift the team’s spirits following the Champions League defeat.

R. Ashwin's Century at M.A. Chidambaram Stadium: A Testament to His Love for the Ground

1st time in over a century record for Ashwin

Ravichandran Ashwin earlier before the start of the test series had said he wants to have the record of six sixes in an over.

But in the pursuit he happens to set the world record, a record that hasn’t been touched in over a century.

Ashwin becomes the first ever cricketer in history to score 20+ fifty and 30+ five-wicket haul in the red ball cricket. Becomes the first in the 147-year history of test cricket.

During the first day of play, Ashwin and Jadeja played a saviour knock as they put up a partnership of 195 runs which put India on a steady position.

Bangladesh chose to bowl first and gained momentum as the Indian top order collapsed and India was left at 34/3, Jaiswal and Pant put together a 62-run partnership to give India a boost.

India were 144/6 when Ashwin and Jadeja put up a partnership that helped India to end their day at 339/6.

Now as day 2 awaits let’s see how our batters and bowlers go about the task in front of them.

Home
Shop
Wishlist0
Back to Top

Search For Products

Product has been added to your cart