Cricket

Juned Khan's journey to the Mumbai cricket team is a testament to his determination and the power of opportunity. Hailing from Kannauj, Uttar Pradesh, Khan moved to Mumbai in search of a job to support his family. He worked in a garment factory and drove an autorickshaw as a minor.Fate intervened when Khan found himself at the Sanjeevani Cricket Academy, run by former Mumbai wicketkeeper Manish Bangera. Despite his limited experience in cricket, Bangera encouraged him to pursue bowling. Khan faced challenges, including a lack of funds for proper gear, but received support from well-wishers.A breakthrough came when Abhishek Nayar, then assistant coach of Kolkata Knight Riders, spotted Khan's talent while he played for PJ Hindu Gymkhana. Khan impressed in the Buchi Babu and KSCA tournaments, earning him a debut for Mumbai in the Irani Cup.In his debut match, Khan made an immediate impact, taking the prized wicket of Ruturaj Gaikwad. "I couldn't sleep at all ever since I was told on the match eve that I will be playing my first match for Mumbai, that too in the Irani Cup," Khan said. "The wicket was a bonus. Just to find myself here is like a dream in itself."Khan's journey mirrors that of Mohammed Shami, another Uttar Pradesh native who played domestic cricket for a different state. Khan aspires to emulate Shami's success and is determined to make the most of his opportunity.

India's Unlikely Triumph: How Garry Sobers Predicted the 1983 World Cup UpsetIn the annals of cricket history, India's victory in the 1983 World Cup stands as a testament to the power of belief and the ability to defy expectations. While the team was not considered a favorite, legendary West Indies all-rounder Garry Sobers had a hunch that Kapil Dev's men could pull off a major upset.Sobers's prediction proved prophetic, as India went on to defeat the defending champions and his former team, the West Indies, in the final. But what was it that led Sobers to make such a bold prediction?According to Yashpal Sharma, a batsman on the victorious Indian team, Sobers was impressed by India's performance in a warm-up match against Sri Lanka. "We had made 285, thanks to a partnership between Kapil and myself," Sharma recalled. "Seeing us score that much on a green top, he said, 'These guys might be underdogs, but watch out for them in the World Cup.' He knew."Sobers's prediction was based on more than just India's batting performance. He also recognized the team's fighting spirit and determination. "They were a young team, but they had a lot of heart," Sobers said. "They were not afraid to take on anyone."India's victory in the 1983 World Cup was a watershed moment for Indian cricket. It inspired a generation of players and helped to establish India as a major force in the sport. Sobers's prediction played a small but significant role in that triumph, and it serves as a reminder that even the most unlikely of teams can achieve great things with belief and determination.

Oman's captain, Aqib Ilyas, has urged his team to disregard the star-studded lineup of Australia when they face off in Barbados. Ilyas believes that Oman can challenge the reigning world champions with their spin attack.In a pre-match press conference, Ilyas emphasized the importance of treating the match like any other and not being intimidated by Australia's formidable reputation. He stressed that Oman should focus on their own strengths and not be overwhelmed by the names on the opposition team sheet."Once you step onto the field, there is no big name, there is no one bigger than you," Ilyas said. "It's another game for us, and we don't think we're going to play someone extraordinary."Ilyas acknowledged the talent of Australia's players but emphasized that Oman should not be intimidated. He believes that his team can exploit Australia's perceived weakness against spin bowling."You see the last match, how the ball was turning and staying low," Ilyas said. "[Australia] had a few good technique players [against spin] in the past like [Steven] Smith and [Marnus] Labuschagne, but I don't think they have many now. They look to hit big. Everyone tries to go for sixes, but every day is not the same day, and if the same wicket is there, maybe it can be a problem for them."From Australia's perspective, there is an element of the unknown in facing Oman for the first time. However, Travis Head, who will open the batting alongside David Warner, indicated that he would not be taking an overly intricate approach to his preparation."My [preparation] is pretty relaxed," Head said. "At some stage over the next day or maybe tonight, I'll have a quick look at some of the [Oman] guys. You'll get heaps of footage, but for me personally, I'll probably just watch a little bit in the warm-up, sort of try and get a rough idea on who's who."The match between Oman and Australia promises to be an intriguing contest, with both teams looking to make a statement in the tournament. Oman will be hoping to upset the odds and prove that they can compete with the world's best, while Australia will be aiming to extend their dominance across all formats of the game.