Cricket

Kirti Azad, the former Indian cricketer and current Trinamool Congress candidate, is on the verge of a stunning victory in the Bardhaman-Durgapur constituency in West Bengal. Leading by over 1.37 lakh votes, Azad is set to defeat one of the BJP's most senior state leaders, Dilip Ghosh.Azad's victory is reminiscent of his famous "grubber" delivery that cleaned up Ian Botham in the 1983 World Cup semi-final. Just as Botham was left in disbelief, Ghosh may be wondering what hit him.Azad's win is significant for several reasons. First, it is a major setback for the BJP, which has been trying to gain a foothold in West Bengal. Second, it is a personal triumph for Azad, who has had a tumultuous political career.Azad, the son of former Bihar CM Bhagwat Jha Azad, was a sports quota student at St. Stephen's College in Delhi. He was a powerful Delhi Ranji captain and a verbose national selector. However, his open feud with Arun Jaitley over alleged corruption in the DDCA led him to switch to Congress.In West Bengal, Azad has found a new lease of life under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee and her nephew Abhishek. Despite being unfamiliar with the Bardhaman-Durgapur constituency, Azad has managed to connect with the voters, particularly the non-Bengali population.Azad's victory is a testament to his ability to remain a newsmaker. Whether as a cricketer, a politician, or a critic of the DDCA, Azad has always been a polarizing figure. However, one thing is for sure: he is a man who cannot be ignored.

Ravindra Jadeja, India's star all-rounder, and his wife Rivaba Jadeja exercised their democratic right by casting their votes in the third phase of the Lok Sabha elections in Gujarat's Jamnagar. Jadeja shared a picture on Instagram with his wife after they cast their votes, captioning it, "My vote, my right."Rivaba, a Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) MLA from the Jamnagar North Assembly constituency, was accompanied by her husband and other family members to the polling booth. Jadeja's sister, Naina Jadeja, and father, Anirudhsinh Jadeja, also cast their votes in Jamnagar.After casting her vote, Naina spoke to ANI, emphasizing the importance of voting in a democracy. "Voting is our right in a democracy... We should vote for a better future," she said.In Jamnagar, BJP's sitting MP Poonamben Maadam is facing off against Congress' JP Marayviya. The third phase of polling is taking place on 93 Lok Sabha seats across 11 states and union territories, including Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.Jadeja is currently part of India's 15-member squad for the ICC T20 World Cup. India will begin their campaign against Ireland on June 5 in New York, followed by a highly anticipated clash against Pakistan on June 9 at the same venue. They will then face the USA and Canada on June 12 and 15, respectively.

Gautam Gambhir Steps Down from Political Duties to Focus on CricketFormer Indian cricketer and current Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Lok Sabha MP Gautam Gambhir has requested party president J.P. Nadda to relieve him of his political responsibilities. This decision comes as Gambhir prepares to take on a new role in the upcoming cricket season.Gambhir, who represents the East Delhi constituency in Parliament, expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for the opportunity to serve the people. He stated that he had made the request to focus on his upcoming cricket commitments.Gambhir's decision to step down from politics marks a significant shift in his career. He joined the BJP in March 2019 and was elected to the Lok Sabha in the subsequent general election. During his tenure as an MP, Gambhir has been actively involved in various initiatives, including promoting sports and education.However, Gambhir's passion for cricket has remained strong. He has recently returned to the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) franchise as its mentor ahead of the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Gambhir previously served as mentor for the Lucknow Super Giants.Gambhir's decision to prioritize cricket over politics has been met with mixed reactions. Some have expressed disappointment, while others have praised his commitment to his sport. Regardless of the differing opinions, Gambhir's decision is a testament to his unwavering passion for cricket.As Gambhir embarks on this new chapter in his career, it remains to be seen how he will balance his cricket commitments with his political aspirations. However, one thing is certain: his love for the game of cricket will continue to drive him forward.