Cricket

Gujarat's batting lineup showcased resilience and determination on the opening day of their Buchi Babu Memorial All India invitational cricket tournament match against TNCA President's XI. Despite losing four wickets early on, they rallied to end the day on a strong note, scoring 321 for seven wickets.Left-handed batsman Jaymeet Patel played a pivotal role in Gujarat's recovery. Coming in at number six, he struck an unbeaten 125 runs off 214 deliveries, including 11 boundaries and two sixes. His innings was a display of both power and finesse, as he punished loose deliveries and rotated the strike effectively.Patel's partnership with Kshitij Patel (62 runs off 106 balls) was crucial in stabilizing Gujarat's innings. The duo put on a 73-run stand for the fifth wicket, providing a solid foundation for the team's recovery. Kshitij's contribution was characterized by his ability to score runs off the backfoot, hitting all his boundaries in that manner.After Kshitij's dismissal, Jaymeet Patel continued to anchor the innings, finding an able ally in Urvil Patel (33 runs). Together, they added 70 runs for the sixth wicket, further consolidating Gujarat's position. However, Urvil's run-out at the non-striker's end brought an end to their partnership.The TNCA President's XI bowlers had a strong start to the day, with left-arm spinner M. Siddharth claiming four wickets before lunch. The turning pitch and close-in fielders created challenges for Gujarat's batsmen, but Jaymeet Patel and Kshitij Patel managed to overcome these obstacles.In the latter stages of the day, Dhrushant Soni (44 runs) provided valuable support to Jaymeet Patel. The pair put on 101 runs for the seventh wicket, extending Gujarat's lead and putting them in a commanding position heading into day two.

Jay Shah, the current secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), has been unanimously elected as the new chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC). He will assume the role on December 1, 2023, becoming the youngest person to hold the position at the age of 35.Shah's election comes after Greg Barclay, who had served as ICC chairman for two terms since 2020, announced his decision not to seek a third term. The ICC board of directors had until August 27 to file nominations for the next chairman, and Shah was the only candidate nominated.In a statement, Shah expressed his gratitude for the nomination and outlined his vision for the ICC. He emphasized the importance of globalizing cricket, promoting technological advancements, and introducing marquee events to new markets. Shah also highlighted the significance of the sport's inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics as a catalyst for growth.Shah's appointment marks the fifth time an Indian has led the ICC, following Jagmohan Dalmiya, Sharad Pawar, N Srinivasan, and Shashank Manohar. He has been involved in cricket administration since 2009, starting in the state of Gujarat. In 2019, he became the BCCI secretary and was re-elected in 2022.Upon assuming the ICC chairmanship, Shah will relinquish his positions at the BCCI and the ICC's Finance & Commercial Affairs (F&CA) committee. He previously served as the Asian Cricket Council president from 2021 to 2024.Shah's election is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the ICC. His experience in cricket administration and his commitment to innovation are seen as key factors in his ability to lead the sport into a new era.

Dinesh Karthik, the former Indian wicketkeeper-batsman, has announced his participation in the upcoming edition of the Legends League Cricket (LLC), following in the footsteps of Shikhar Dhawan. Karthik, who retired from all forms of cricket in June, will now embark on a new chapter in his illustrious career.Known for his explosive middle-order batting, agile wicket-keeping skills, and recent success as a commentator, Karthik's entry into the LLC marks a fresh start. The 39-year-old expressed his excitement about joining the league, stating, "Playing at the Legends League Cricket is definitely something I am looking forward to after my retirement. I am up to the task both mentally and physically and look forward to playing the brand of cricket I have always enjoyed."Throughout his career, Karthik represented India in 180 matches across three formats, accumulating 3,463 runs and 172 dismissals. In the Indian Premier League (IPL), he had a remarkable journey spanning 17 years, amassing 4,842 runs in 257 matches and representing six different franchises.Raman Raheja, Co-founder of LLC, welcomed Karthik to the league, saying, "We are very excited to have Dinesh Karthik join us. His flair and his penchant to finish matches and entertain the crowd will undoubtedly add value to the Legends League Cricket."The upcoming season of the LLC is scheduled to kick off in September 2024, featuring a roster of retired cricket icons. The LLC auction will take place on August 29 in New Delhi, where franchises will compete for the top players from both Indian and international cricket.Karthik's participation in the LLC is a testament to his continued passion for the game and his desire to entertain fans once again. His presence in the league will undoubtedly add excitement and star power to the competition.

India's women's cricket team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, is drawing inspiration from the men's team's recent T20 World Cup triumph as they prepare for their own campaign in the UAE in October. The women's team has yet to lift the T20 World Cup, coming close in 2020 when they finished as runners-up in Australia."We have been really inspired by the men's team, the way they won the T20 World Cup this year," Kaur said. "They worked really hard for this trophy and won some tough matches. We need to learn how they maintained their body language for such matches and how they approached such games."The women's team has faced heartbreak in recent major tournaments, losing the ODI World Cup final in 2017, the T20 World Cup final in 2020, and the Commonwealth Games final in 2022, all by narrow margins. They also suffered a disappointing defeat to Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup last month.However, Kaur is confident that her team has learned from their mistakes and is ready to challenge for the title in the UAE. "We are working extremely hard to live up to those expectations, we have been holding camps where all players are working hard. We have also worked on the mistakes we made the last time. Now we're ready with a positive mindset."India is placed in Group A with Australia, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, and Pakistan for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Kaur acknowledges the pressure of facing these strong teams but emphasizes the importance of staying focused and playing to their potential."The World Cup is a kind of tournament for which all teams prepare differently," Kaur said. "So no team can be taken lightly and similarly no team should be overestimated either. We are working extremely hard to live up to those expectations."India's campaign will kick off on October 4 against New Zealand, before taking on Pakistan on October 6, Sri Lanka on October 9, and Australia on October 13. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals on October 17 and 18, with the final scheduled for October 20 in Dubai.

Rishabh Pant's Heartfelt Response to a Fan's Unusual RequestIndian cricket star Rishabh Pant has garnered attention for his compassionate response to a fan's unconventional request. The fan, struggling to fund his engineering education, reached out to Pant on social media, hoping for financial assistance.Despite the unusual nature of the request, Pant took the time to respond, offering words of encouragement and support. "Keep chasing your dreams. God has better plans always," Pant wrote.While the fan did not receive the financial aid he sought, he expressed gratitude for Pant's response, hoping it would draw attention to his situation. Pant's gesture highlights the human side of celebrity athletes, who often face a barrage of requests from their fans.Pant's response also reflects his personal journey. After suffering a career-threatening injury in late 2022, he has made a remarkable comeback, showcasing his resilience and determination.The incident serves as a reminder of the power of kindness and the importance of supporting those in need. Pant's response has resonated with fans, who have praised him for his empathy and compassion.

Sir Donald Bradman, the legendary Australian cricketer, was born in Cootamundra, New South Wales, on August 27, 1908. However, his family relocated to Bowral, a town 265 miles away, where he spent his formative years. This earned him the nickname "The Boy from Bowral."Bradman's cricketing prowess was evident from an early age. He made his Test debut in 1928 and went on to play 52 Tests, scoring a staggering 6,996 runs at an astonishing average of 99.94. Of these Tests, 37 were against England, five against India, and the remaining 10 against South Africa and the West Indies.Bradman's batting was characterized by its elegance, precision, and an uncanny ability to score runs at a rapid pace. He holds the record for the most double centuries or more, with 12 to his name, including two triple centuries.Two Test wickets stand out in Bradman's illustrious career. Ivan Barrow of the West Indies and Wally Hammond of England were the only two batsmen to dismiss him in Test matches.Bradman's career average of 99.94 is considered the holy grail of cricket. It is said that if he had scored four runs in his final Test innings, his average would have been a perfect 100. However, he was dismissed for a duck by England spinner Eric Hollies, denying him this elusive milestone.Another notable incident in Bradman's career occurred when Indian bowler Lala Amarnath dismissed him "hit-wicket." Bradman was so impressed by Amarnath's bowling that he later remarked that his "batting reminded me of my own batting" and dubbed him "Little Bonzer."Bradman's legacy extends beyond his cricketing achievements. He was a true gentleman of the game, known for his humility and sportsmanship. He was also a successful businessman and philanthropist.Bradman passed away on February 25, 2001, at the age of 92. He remains an icon of Australian cricket and one of the greatest batsmen of all time.

Harmanpreet Kaur, the skipper of the Indian women's cricket team, exudes confidence in her team's ability to clinch their maiden global title at the upcoming ICC Women's T20 World Cup. She believes that the playing conditions in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where the tournament has been relocated due to political instability in Bangladesh, could favor the Indian side.Despite the change in venue, Harmanpreet remains unfazed, stating that the conditions in the UAE are similar to those in India. "We have not played much cricket in the UAE, but the conditions are going to be similar to Indian conditions," she said. "We will see how the conditions play out and try to adjust ourselves as soon as possible."Harmanpreet emphasized the importance of a positive and assertive approach throughout the World Cup. "As a team, we learn from our defeats and break those barriers that are pushing us back. Hopefully, this time we can express ourselves in a more positive way in the World Cup," she said.She expressed confidence in the Indian bowling attack, despite their struggles in the recent Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka. "The bowlers are working really hard as a team and, hopefully, in this World Cup, we tick all the boxes," she said.Harmanpreet, who led Mumbai Indians to victory in the inaugural Women's Premier League (WPL), stressed the significance of staying focused on the present moment. "It is always important for us to play good cricket, keeping ourselves in the present. Whatever the situation is in front of us, we go there and evaluate it as soon as possible," she said.The Indian women's cricket team has consistently performed well in major tournaments, reaching the final of the 2020 T20 World Cup and the semifinals of the 2023 Women's T20 World Cup. Harmanpreet's leadership and the team's determination to break the final barrier and secure their first global title will be crucial in their quest for glory in the upcoming tournament.

Virat Kohli, the enigmatic Indian batsman, has earned the admiration of legendary English pacer James Anderson for his exceptional skills in chasing down targets and closing out games, particularly in white-ball cricket.Anderson, a guest on the Tailenders Podcast, hailed Kohli as "one of the best" players in history when it comes to batting second and pursuing scores. "His record at chasing is absolutely phenomenal," Anderson remarked. "The number of hundreds he has scored in the second innings, chasing down scores is ridiculous."Anderson attributed Kohli's remarkable chasing abilities to his unwavering self-belief. "It is no surprise that when he gets in that situation, with his mentality, it is just like it is meant to be. His self-belief is so high," Anderson said.When asked if Kohli is the greatest white-ball batter of all time, Anderson acknowledged the brilliance of Australia's Michael Bevan, who was renowned for his impressive finishes in the 1990s and early 2000s. However, he emphasized that Kohli's centuries during winning chases elevate him to the status of "greatest finisher" and among the greatest white-ball batters ever."I cannot say that [Kohli is the greatest white-ball batter ever]," Anderson clarified. "I was thinking more in terms of just chasing. [As for the best white-ball batter ever,] Michael Bevan from Australia comes to my mind, particularly in the late 1990s and early 2000s - he was just phenomenal coming in at number six and doing that job.""Kohli batting at number 3 gets those hundreds while Bevan was renowned for getting his 50s, 60s and being at the end, while Kohli gets the big score, to get his teams over the line. I honestly can't think of a better finisher and greater white-ball players than him [Kohli]," Anderson concluded.Kohli's exceptional chasing skills have been instrumental in India's success in limited-overs cricket. His ability to anchor the innings, control the tempo, and accelerate when necessary has made him a formidable force in the middle order. His composure under pressure and unwavering determination have earned him the respect and admiration of opponents and fans alike.

Indian cricket star KL Rahul has candidly shared his thoughts on the fleeting nature of an athlete's career and his plans for life after retirement.Rahul, who has faced challenges in recent times with the Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL and the Indian cricket team, acknowledges the limited shelf life of an athlete. "There is a fear and realization that the shelf life is really small for an athlete," he said.At 30 years old, Rahul has begun to envision the end of his playing days. "I could see the end of the tunnel," he said. "All I have done all my life is 'Cricket, Cricket, Cricket,' without imagining this comes to an end."Recognizing the financial implications of retirement, Rahul has started exploring business ventures and investments. "I know there will be a huge dip in the amount I earn after I retire," he said. "I am trying to set up a few things before I retire so that when I retire that transition from an athlete to doing something in business will be smooth."Rahul's introspection highlights the challenges faced by athletes as they approach the end of their careers. While the allure of the game remains strong, the realization of its finite nature can trigger anxiety and a sense of urgency to secure their future.Rahul's candidness serves as a reminder that even the most successful athletes must plan for life beyond their playing days. By embracing this reality and taking proactive steps, they can ensure a smooth transition into the next chapter of their lives.