Cricket

Sport, often hailed as the epitome of life's exuberance, is a realm where physical prowess, determination, and the pursuit of excellence intertwine. However, the sudden demise of an athlete can shatter this illusion, leaving us grappling with the stark reality of mortality.The news of a sportsperson's death, whether on the field or off, evokes a profound sense of shock and disbelief. The public, accustomed to witnessing their triumphs and resilience, struggles to reconcile the image of an invincible athlete with the fragility of life.The traditional stages of grief—shock, denial, and acceptance—often fail to fully capture the complex emotions surrounding an athlete's death. The denial phase can linger indefinitely, as the mind refuses to accept that someone who seemed so vibrant and invincible could be gone.In the wake of such tragedies, we are confronted with the harsh reality that even the most gifted athletes are not immune to the perils of life. Injuries, accidents, and illnesses can strike at any moment, reminding us that the pursuit of athletic glory comes with inherent risks.Recent events have brought this truth into sharp focus. The passing of former India opener Aunshuman Gaekwad and England's Graham Thorpe, both victims of cancer, has cast a pall over the cricketing world. Thorpe's death by suicide has further highlighted the mental health challenges that can afflict even the most successful athletes.Sport, with its emphasis on competition and achievement, can create an illusion of invincibility. Athletes are often seen as superhuman, capable of overcoming any obstacle. However, the pressure to perform, the relentless training, and the constant scrutiny can take a heavy toll on their physical and mental well-being.The death of Ayrton Senna, the legendary Formula One driver, in a crash in 1994, remains a haunting reminder of the fragility of life. Senna, known for his fearless driving and unwavering determination, was at the peak of his career when tragedy struck. His untimely demise left a void in the hearts of millions of fans worldwide.Similarly, the loss of Indian opener Raman Lamba, who died after being struck on the head while fielding, and Australian batsman Phillip Hughes, who succumbed to a bouncer injury, have left an enduring mark on the cricketing fraternity. These incidents serve as a sobering reminder that even the most mundane aspects of the game can have devastating consequences.The death of an athlete is not merely a loss to the sporting world; it is a loss to society as a whole. Athletes inspire us, motivate us, and bring joy to our lives. Their passing leaves a void that is difficult to fill.As we mourn the loss of these sporting icons, it is important to remember that their legacy extends beyond their achievements on the field. They have taught us the value of perseverance, resilience, and the pursuit of excellence. Their stories will continue to inspire generations to come.

Cricketers, like all athletes, have defining performances that reveal their unique style, personality, and essence. These performances often occur in challenging conditions, against the odds. They inspire captains to exclaim, as Don Bradman did during Stan McCabe's innings, "Come and watch this, you'll never see the likes of it again."Sourav Ganguly may have uttered similar words as V.V.S. Laxman compiled 281 in Kolkata, leading India to victory after following on. Not all defining innings result in victories. Sunil Gavaskar's 221 at the Oval ended in a draw, while Sachin Tendulkar's 136 in Chennai against Pakistan couldn't prevent defeat. Was that Tendulkar's best innings, or should that title go to his 143 against Australia in Sharjah, the so-called Desert Storm in a One-Day International? Perhaps it was the 114 he made on a bouncy Perth track as a 19-year-old?Not all such innings are centuries either. Gundappa Vishwanath's unbeaten 97 in the Chennai Test against the West Indies was more Vishy-like than even his double century against England.It's worth noting that India won Laxman's Test thanks equally to Harbhajan Singh's 13 wickets, including India's first hat-trick. That must rate as the off-spinner's defining performance, just as Anil Kumble's 10 for 74 in Delhi in the second innings against Pakistan will remain his.Although Kapil Dev once took nine wickets in a Test innings, his defining performance may be the unbeaten 175 he made against Zimbabwe in the 1983 World Cup. However, my favorite was his 129 in Port Elizabeth on India's first tour of South Africa, where he seemed to be playing at a different level from everyone else. The next highest score was 17.The Kolkata Test also showcased the quintessential Rahul Dravid—calm, supportive, classical—as he made 180 in a partnership with Laxman. Dependable, as a current commercial featuring him has it. There was a brief 'Indiranagar ka goonda' in one of his early Tests, at the Wanderers where he made 148 after showing fast bowler Allan Donald who was boss!Statistician Anantha Narayanan recently calculated that Ravichandran Ashwin will finish with 656 Test wickets, more than any other Indian. Ashwin reinvents himself regularly, and his defining performance will probably come closer to the end when he has mastered all his variations and worked out his tricks.I once wrote—my only excuse being I was young and raw—that Sunil Gavaskar's batting, like history, repeats itself. It was a silly thing to say, and I was taken to task by the sports editor. No two innings by any batter are exactly alike, and part of a reporter's job is to train himself to notice the differences.Variety and surprise are keys to mastery. If Gavaskar hit a straight drive off every ball that was pitched up to him, or Virat Kohli played that unique on-drive suggestive of a tennis player's cross-court shot, cricket would be so much poorer. Variety and surprise are keys to mastery.Every player is capable of one moment of greatness in a career, but the best players have many of them, and closer together. After he had made 192 in Auckland where he dominated the New Zealand bowlers, Mohammad Azharuddin was asked which was his favorite stroke. "The one that goes exactly where I want it to," he answered. Virender Sehwag would agree.His 195 at Melbourne where he perished attempting the six that would get him to his double, was probably that batter's defining innings. He shook the bowling by the scruff of the neck, hit 25 fours and five sixes and was out hitting a full toss to long on. He was a stranger to caution.In his first Test as captain, Virat Kohli made two centuries, the second of which nearly took India to victory. In the end they fell short by 48 runs, but Kohli's aggressive approach as batter and captain captured the cricket world's imagination. Especially since it all began with a knock on the helmet from a Mitchell Johnson express.Will someone else have the same list? Unlikely. And that's part of the joy of sport.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed that the 2023 Champions Trophy will be held entirely within Pakistan, with matches scheduled to take place in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi. The decision comes amidst speculation that the tournament could adopt a "hybrid model" to accommodate India's participation.The PCB remains adamant about hosting the tournament within the country's borders, despite ongoing rumors suggesting a potential 'hybrid model' to accommodate India's participation. The board has sent the schedule for the matches to the ICC and is confident that it can provide a safe and secure environment for the event.The ICC's security team has already visited Pakistan and expressed satisfaction with the arrangements. The PCB is also working to upgrade the facilities at the three proposed venues to ensure they meet international standards.PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi said at a press conference in Lahore, "We are trying to ensure we host a very good tournament in Pakistan." He added that the board is committed to providing a memorable experience for all participants and fans.The PCB has been steadfast in insisting that the tournament will not be altered in any way to accommodate India. The 'Hybrid Model' of hosting was used in the Asia Cup last year, with India's matches held in Sri Lanka even though Pakistan was the official host.However, the PCB has made it clear that it will not accept any such arrangement for the Champions Trophy. Naqvi said, "We have not received any official communication from the ICC regarding a hybrid model. We are confident that we can host the entire tournament in Pakistan."The PCB is confident that it can host a successful Champions Trophy in 2023. The tournament will be a major boost for Pakistan cricket and will help to promote the country as a safe and welcoming destination for international sports events.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have endured a dismal start to the IPL 2024 season, losing seven of their eight matches. However, despite their struggles, they remain mathematically in contention for a playoff berth.To secure a top-four finish, RCB must win all six of their remaining matches. If they achieve this feat, they will finish with 14 points. The best-case scenario for RCB is if the top two or three teams dominate the league, leaving the remaining teams to battle for the remaining spots.Assuming Rajasthan Royals, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Sunrisers Hyderabad win four, five, and five of their remaining matches respectively, RCB could finish fourth with 14 points, while the other teams would be left with 12 or fewer points.RCB could even finish third if Sunrisers and KKR suffer a sudden slump and finish with only 12 points. In this scenario, Lucknow Super Giants could win five of their last six matches and finish in the top two alongside Royals. RCB would then finish third with 14 points, ahead of six teams tied on 12 points.However, for any of these scenarios to materialize, RCB must start winning consistently and by significant margins. They must also rely on favorable results from other teams.

Ravichandran Ashwin, India's star spinner, has expressed his concerns about the IPL's rapid growth, stating that it has become so "huge" that cricket sometimes takes a backseat.Ashwin highlighted the challenges faced by players in managing their time between training sessions and advertisement shoots during the two-month-long competition. He reflected on the remarkable evolution of the IPL since its inception in 2008 and emphasized the demanding nature of the player's lifestyle on the road during the tournament."As a youngster coming into the IPL, I was only looking to learn from the big stars, I did not think about how the IPL would look 10 years down the line. I can say that, having been in the IPL for so many seasons, the IPL is huge," he said on the Club Prairie Fire podcast."Sometimes I wonder if IPL is even cricket, because sport takes a backstage (during IPL). It's so huge. We do end up practicing in advertisement shoots and sets! That's where the IPL has gotten to," said Ashwin, who is an important member of the Rajasthan Royals squad.The 37-year-old, who achieved the milestone of 500 Test wickets recently, commenced his IPL journey with the Chennai Super Kings. His impressive performances in the IPL played a crucial role in earning him opportunities to represent India across formats.In 2022, the IPL media rights were secured for a staggering Rs 48,390 crore for a five-year cycle, solidifying its position as the second most valuable league in the sporting world in terms of per-match value, only behind the NFL. This astronomical figure surpassed renowned leagues such as the English Premier League, NBA, and Major League Baseball.Ashwin spoke about his early days in the IPL and how the event exceeded all expectations. "No one envisaged the kind of growth that the IPL has had. I still remember a conversation I had with Scott Styris when we were both at CSK. He told me that when he was playing for the Deccan Chargers in the initial seasons of IPL, he did not think the IPL would last for more than two-three years.""Initially, there was a big influx of money," Ashwin said on the podcast hosted by former England captain Michael Vaughan and Australian great Adam Gilchrist.The IPL's profile has been further elevated by the astronomical deals secured by players during auctions. In the latest auction, Australian pacer Mitchell Starc made headlines by clinching a record deal worth Rs 24.74 crore with the Kolkata Knight Riders. This significant acquisition underscores the league's ability to attract top-tier talent and solidifies its status as one of the most lucrative and sought-after cricket tournaments globally."Look, over the years you'd think that the IPL is one tournament that is largely won at the auctions. I believe the auctions are a very important facet of this league, but the beauty of the IPL is that franchises have evolved into getting their teams right.""There's no one way to skin a cat. No one player is bigger than the team. No one slot is bigger than others. The teams invest wisely," said Ashwin who has also represented Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals in the IPL.

The 17th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has kicked off with a record-breaking opening day, attracting an unprecedented number of viewers. According to the host broadcaster, Disney Star, the opening ceremony and the first match drew a massive 16.8 crore viewers.The opening day also witnessed the highest-ever watch-time of 1276 crore minutes, surpassing all previous seasons. Additionally, the peak TV concurrency for an opening day reached a staggering 6.1 crore viewers, indicating the immense popularity of the tournament.Defending champions Chennai Super Kings emerged victorious in the opening match, defeating Royal Challengers Bengaluru by six wickets. The match was played in front of a packed crowd at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.The record-breaking viewership is a testament to the growing popularity of the IPL, which has become one of the most-watched sporting events in the world. The tournament has attracted a global audience, with fans tuning in from over 200 countries.The IPL's success can be attributed to several factors, including the high level of competition, the presence of world-class players, and the exciting format of the tournament. The IPL has also benefited from the rise of digital platforms, which have made it easier for fans to watch the matches live and on-demand.The record-breaking opening day viewership is a positive sign for the IPL, which is expected to continue to grow in popularity in the years to come. The tournament is a major revenue generator for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and has helped to promote the sport of cricket in India and around the world.

Bollywood Glamour Meets Sporting Spirit: Kareena Kapoor Khan and MC Mary Kom Grace Delhi Capitals vs. Royal Challengers Bangalore ClashIn a captivating fusion of Bollywood glitz and sporting fervor, renowned Indian actor-entrepreneur Kareena Kapoor Khan and boxing legend MC Mary Kom graced the electrifying clash between Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.Kareena Kapoor Khan, bestowed with the honor of tossing the coin, received thunderous applause from the enthusiastic crowd as she stepped onto the pitch. Alongside her, Mary Kom, both serving as PUMA brand ambassadors, exuded infectious enthusiasm, cheering for the players and immersing themselves in the pulsating atmosphere from the stands.The star-studded event witnessed the presence of iconic women from diverse fields, including fashion designer Masaba Gupta, Vineeta Singh of SUGAR Cosmetics, and media influencer Faye D'Souza. United by their passion for cricket, they captured the essence of the match through selfies, videos, and images for their social media followers.Mary Kom, a six-time world champion, shared her exhilarating experience on social media, emphasizing the significance of witnessing a packed stadium and the overwhelming support for women in sports. Her caption resonated with the collective aspiration to empower girls and nurture their sporting dreams.The presence of Kareena Kapoor Khan and Mary Kom elevated the spectacle of women's cricket, highlighting its entertainment quotient and the growing influence of women in sports. As the carnival continues to captivate audiences across India, their presence symbolized the fusion of glamour and grit, adding a new dimension to the sporting narrative.