Cricket

England Test captain Ben Stokes' passionate post-match speech after the rain-affected fourth Test of the 2023 Ashes series has sparked a debate. Stokes declared that his team would "live forever in the memory of people who were lucky enough to witness us play cricket," despite failing to regain the Ashes urn.The all-rounder's remarks came after the match in Manchester was washed out, allowing Australia to retain the trophy. England had fought back from a 2-0 deficit to level the series 2-2, but the weather denied them a chance to win back the urn.Stokes' speech was captured in a documentary released by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). He told his players: "Everything we've done up until now isn't going to stop because we haven't managed to win the urn back. The reward for our work isn't what we get but what we become. And what we have managed to do is we've managed to become a sports team that will live forever in the memory of people who were lucky enough to witness us play cricket."Stokes' comments were met with skepticism by some, including Fox Sports Australia, who shared the quotes with the caption "right, yeah, sure." However, Stokes defended his remarks, saying he was simply trying to motivate his team."Said this to the team who had watched it rain for 2 days when we had our foot on your throats, just tried to cheer up the disappointment tbh, but anyways rent free and all that," Stokes tweeted.England's last Ashes series win came in 2015, while their last Test victory on Australian soil was in 2009. Despite their recent struggles, Stokes believes his team has made a lasting impact on the game."What we have done is something a lot bigger than any Ashes trophy could ever signify for this team - be the team that everybody will always remember," he said.

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), led by Shreyas Iyer, have emerged as a formidable force in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season. With five victories and three defeats from eight games, KKR currently occupies the second spot in the points table.Ahead of their crucial match against Delhi Capitals (DC) at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, Iyer shared his insights on the factors that fuel his motivation on the field. In a video shared by the host broadcaster, Iyer revealed that the presence of the crowd and the adrenaline rush associated with hitting boundaries are key motivators for him."When you're at the other side of the line, there are butterflies in your stomach," Iyer said. "You always think about the crowd, the situation, and what will happen."However, once he steps onto the field, Iyer enters a state of focus where everything else fades away. "The moment you step in, I go blank," he explained. "You can see the crowd cheer, you can hear them, but at the same time, you're there in your zone. After going into that zone, nothing else matters."Iyer emphasized the energy he derives from the crowd's support. "When you hit a six or a four and the crowd starts making noise, it gives you so much energy inside," he said. "And also when the crowd chants your name."KKR's previous encounter with DC at Visakhapatnam earlier this month resulted in a victory for the Kolkata-based franchise. The two teams have faced each other 32 times in the IPL, with KKR holding a slight edge with 16 wins compared to DC's 15. One game ended with no result.Both KKR and DC are aware of the importance of maintaining their momentum in the tournament. With the playoffs approaching, every match becomes crucial, and neither team can afford to let their guard down.