November 14, 2023 – https://bhartiyanews24x7.com

14Nov

By source belowNo Comments

Sports

Cricket World Cup: Slow pitch expected for Wankhede semifinal, on Team India’s insistence

A slow pitch is expected for India’s World Cup semi-final against New Zealand after the team management asked BCCI curators to shave off most of the grass on the Wankhede Stadium playing surface. The Indian Express understands that the think tank had informed the Wankhede curator about their preference after the game against the Netherlands in Bengaluru. The BCCI local curators have formed a local organising group to look after pitches across the country during the World Cup. The International Cricket Council (ICC) also sent its own experts to various venues for each game. Follow all the action from the Cricket World Cup 2023 on our special World Cup section. You can also find the latest stats, like the top scorer and the highest wicket-taker of the current edition, upcoming World Cup f...

14Nov

By source belowNo Comments

Sports

Neeraj Chopra in final list for Men’s World Athlete of the Year Award | More sports News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Olympic and world champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra was on Tuesday shortlisted among the five finalists for the men's 'World Athlete of the Year' award.Among the athletes vying for this prestigious honor, the 25-year-old Indian has made a significant impact with his remarkable achievements.The final announcement for the award is scheduled to take place on December 11 on World Athletics' platforms."The five athletes, who represent four countries from four area associations, have achieved sensational performances across a range of athletics disciplines in 2023, winning titles and breaking world records at the World Athletics Championships 2023, one-day meeting circuits, Label road races and other events around the world," World Athletics said in a release.Joining Chopra in...

14Nov

By source belowNo Comments

Sports

Jarring notes aside, South African cricket is belting out some bangers this World Cup looking to be headline act at finals

The city loves retro rock ballads. Every pub or restaurant would subject your ears to the forgotten tunes of the Scorpions or the ageless classics of Led Zeppelin. So when South Africa’s team bus careened in the twilight sky into the stadium ahead of their semifinal against Australia on Thursday, someone with a portable speaker, at the entrance, rolled out an old Scorpions number: “Here I am, rock you like a hurricane.” An unimpressed cop would shout at him to mute the speaker, which he did, but the echoes of the song swirled in the hazy evening, and lingered on the lips. An energetic rock song would capture the effervescent way South Africa have gone about this World Cup. Their batsmen have piled on the big totals—five times they have batted first and all five times they have racked up...

14Nov

By source belowNo Comments

Sports

Krishna Khaitan Memorial All India Junior Ranking Tournament: Brought up in Singapore, Sai Shreyas Pallerla relocates to Hyderabad to pursue badminton dream

Following his 21-3, 21-8 win over Haryana’s Ankush, in the boys U19 singles qualification first round at the Yonex Sunrise 30th Smt Krishna Khaitan Memorial All India Junior Ranking Prize Money tournament at Tau Devi Lal Sports Complex here in Panchkula, 16-year-old Sai Shreyas Pallerla of Telangana was cheered by his mother. With his father Satyam working in DBS Bank, Singapore, Pallerla had grown up in Singapore and spent 11 years in the country before returning to India to pursue his love for badminton. “My grandfather Venkateshwar used to play badminton, and whenever we would talk over phone from Singapore, he would always tell me to watch badminton matches over TV and discuss things about the sport. In 2019, my father decided to send me, my mother, and sister back to India to start...

14Nov

By source belowNo Comments

Sports

IND vs NZ | 2019 semifinal will have no bearing this time around, says Paddy Upton

Virat Kohli bats left handed during the practice session ahead of first semifinal against New Zealand in Mumbai on November 14, 2023. | Photo Credit: Emmanual Yogini Paddy Upton has had a special bond with Indian cricket. The noted mental conditioning coach was part of the support staff when the Men in Blue created history in 2011, with Mahendra Singh Dhoni leading the team to a World Cup title.Though his short second stint was not as fulfilling in terms of result - with India bowing out of the semifinals of T20 World Cup last year - Upton helped a rather struggling Virat Kohli ‘find perspective’. As India gears up for yet another World Cup semifinal against New Zealand - this time at the Wankhede Stadium - Upton believes that the results of the 2019 semifinal, which was won by New Zea...

14Nov

By source belowNo Comments

Sports

Team India had a fashion show in Dharamsala to keep environment relaxed: Rohit Sharma | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: The Indian cricket team engaged in a fashion show during their break time in Dharamsala, a unique activity to maintain a healthy and positive environment within the group, promoting consistency and preventing the team from being overly affected by the off-field pressure.This off-field bonding activity reflects skipper Rohit Sharma's leadership approach in fostering camaraderie and team spirit among the players.“Our conscious effort has been on this that the team's environment does not change based on the results. We have to create the environment that is needed for the team, and that is mandatory,” Rohit told the media on the eve of their World Cup semi-final against New Zealand in Mumbai."This cannot be done by one or two boys. It is important for all the boys to come togeth...

14Nov

By source belowNo Comments

Sports

Mohammed Siraj replaced as No.1 ODI bowler by Keshav Maharaj | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Mohammed Siraj's brief stint as the world's number one ODI bowler came to an end after just a week with South African spinner Keshav Maharaj taking over the top spot on Tuesday.Siraj had reclaimed the number one position on November 8, replacing Pakistan's Shaheen Shah Afridi. However, the updated rankings revealed Maharaj as the new top-ranked bowler.Maharaj's performance in the World Cup, with seven wickets in three matches since November 1, including a four-for against New Zealand in Pune, contributed to his ascent in the rankings.Despite the change, the difference between the two players is minimal, with just three rating points separating them.Siraj, India's fifth-highest wicket-taker in the tournament, has claimed 12 wickets in nine fixtures, with his best figures being...

14Nov

By source belowNo Comments

Sports

Your talent was special, says Ganguly in letter to Sehwag

Sourav Ganguly with Virender Sehwar. | Photo Credit: The Hindu Archives Former India skipper Sourav Ganguly congratulated Virender Sehwag for being inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame.“The ICC has absolutely chosen the right person to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. To me, and millions of others, you are a cricketing great. What made you such a special player is the way you batted. Your talent was special. You scored runs at such a fast pace, you were just exceptionally good, and you are probably the best opening batsman after Sunil Gavaskar. What set you apart was the way you played and the way you approached the game. I remember when I told you that you should try opening, you were unsure because you had never done it. Once you got going for the first time in a Test match at Lord’s...

14Nov

By source belowNo Comments

Sports

IND vs NZ semifinal | It is hard to predict the future of ODIs, says Kane Williamson

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson is seen during a practice session ahead of the India vs NZ semifinal in Mumbai on November 14, 2023. | Photo Credit: PTI Kane Williamson does not want to predict the future of ODI cricket, but the New Zealand captain believes that it is important to strike a balance with the T20 format which has gained immense popularity with time. Before this edition of the World Cup got underway, there were doubts over the road ahead for the format. However, with some high-intensity cricket on the format, the last month-and-a-half have been exciting for the players and the spectators. “Playing in the tournament and being involved in world events are always special from a player’s perspective and continuing to provide that context in the sport, whatever the format, ...

14Nov

By source belowNo Comments

Sports

‘I have to give credit to Rahul [Dravid] bhai for backing me’: Rohit Sharma

It was a tricky question thrown at Rohit Sharma. ’Is this the most dominant Indian ODI team?’.The obvious truthful answer is yes, but even the straight-talking Rohit treaded carefully. He paused, gathered his thoughts, and spoke slowly: “I wasn’t part of the 2011 team. I don’t know which team is better. Hard to say. I can’t say 2019 is better than 2023 or not.” So far so (diplomatically) good. He then nailed the key factor of this team as he saw it as the captain. “What I can say is that the role clarity is very clear in this World Cup team.” But he was too smart to leave it hanging there. “I am not saying there was no role clarity in 2019; just that I wasn’t part of the management then. I would say all teams I was part of were dominant.” Follow all the action from the Cricket World Cup...

14Nov

By source belowNo Comments

Sports

IND vs NZ: KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Shubman Gill miss optional nets as India gear up for Kiwi challenge in semis | Cricket News – Times of India

MUMBAI: A confident Team India arrived at the Wankhede on the eve of their World Cup semifinal against New Zealand on Wednesday to train under lights.As it was an optional net session, vice-captain and wicket-keeper KL Rahul, No.4 bat Shreyas Iyer, pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami and opener Shubman Gill chose to give the nets a miss. It has been a practice that the team has followed to give the players the choice whether to train or not, especially when the team has had travel and a game closely bunched.India vs New Zealand World Cup semi-final: Who's better in head-on battles?Ishan Kishan, who has not featured in the playing XI since the victory over Afghanistan in New Delhi on October 11, took first strike and murdered the spin bowlers bowling at him.As coach Rahul Dravid, ch...

14Nov

By source belowNo Comments

Sports

Rohit Sharma has never been bothered about personal landmarks: Sunil Gavaskar | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Legendary Sunil Gavaskar emphasised that despite having 31 ODI centuries to his credit, Rohit Sharma is the least inclined towards playing the game for personal milestones or gratification.This perspective comes ahead of India's crucial World Cup semi-final against New Zealand on Wednesday. In the current tournament, Rohit stands as India's second-highest run-scorer, trailing Virat Kohli, with an impressive tally of 503 runs in nine matches.His average is 55.88, accompanied by a strike rate of 121.49, featuring a century and three half-centuries."Well, I don't think Rohit Sharma is going to change his game because that's how he's playing throughout this tournament. He hasn't been bothered about any personal landmarks or milestones," Sunil Gavaskar told 'Star Sports'."He's loo...

14Nov

By source belowNo Comments

Sports

Rohit Sharma cites role clarity, team environment behind Team India’s success in World Cup | Cricket News – Times of India

MUMBAI: Venkatesh Iyer, Deepak Hooda, Avesh Khan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ravi Bishnoi, Shahbaz Ahmed, Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik, Kuldeep Sen, Mukesh Kumar, and Tilak Varma. 12 players have made their ODI debut since Rohit Sharma was appointed full-time India captain across formats.None of them have featured in this World Cup.Among players who have played less than 50 ODIs, Surya Kumar Yadav, Ishan Kishan, Shubman Gill, and Prasidh Krishna, all who debuted before Rohit took over, are in the 15-member squad.India vs New Zealand World Cup semi-final: Who's better in head-on battles?Covid, injuries, illness and two T20 World Cups within a year meant that teams had to spread their net far and wide in search of a good ODI squad for the 50-over World Cup. India as hosts of the event have had 24 de...

14Nov

By source belowNo Comments

Sports

IND vs NZ semifinal | We are open to the challenges of batting first or chasing: Rohit

Captain Rohit Sharma during a practice session ahead of the India vs New Zealand World Cup semifinal in Mumbai, on November 14, 2023. | Photo Credit: Emmanual Yogini Tuesday was all about relaxed skippers and expansive answers. After Kane Williamson handled queries with aplomb at the Wankhede Stadium in the afternoon, later in the evening it was Rohit Sharma’s turn to keep the scribes in good spirits. He even said ‘fortune favours the brave’ and smiled on the eve of Wednesday’s World Cup semifinal involving India and New Zealand. Keeping the team relaxed has been the Indian captain’s approach through this World Cup and he explained: “In India, pressure is always there, people will say win the match, score a 100, get a five-for. And when we step inside there is performance-pressure too....

14Nov

By source belowNo Comments

Sports

Australia’s Travis Head ready to throw his hat into IPL auction | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Having dedicated significant time to mastering red-ball cricket, Australian opener Travis Head expressed his eagerness to venture into the fast-paced world of T20 cricket.The 29-year-old, with an extensive record of 42 Tests and 62 ODIs, aims to participate in the IPL auction in December.Despite limited T20I exposure (20 matches) and a highest score of 91 against South Africa in August-September, Head is ready to embrace the slam-bang format and explore new opportunities in the upcoming IPL auction."I will be in," Head told reporters in Kolkata when asked if he will put his name in the IPL auction next year."I was restricted a little bit on time last year with getting married. I will put myself in this year and hopefully get picked up and get an opportunity. It was nice to be...

14Nov

By source belowNo Comments

Sports

Japan Masters Super 500: Top seeds Satwiksairaj-Chirag Shetty bow out in the opening round

Entering the tournament as the top seeds, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty went down in three games in the opening round of the Japan Masters Super 500 event in Kumamoto on Tuesday. Back in action after a break, the Indians struggled for consistency as they went down 21-16 18-21 16-21 in 63 minutes against Chinese Taipei’s Lu Ching Yao and Yang Po Han. Chirag and Satwik, who had gone up to world No 1 after their Asian Games gold medal in Hangzhou, had recently slipped down to world No 5 mainly because of not being able to defend their points at the French Open where they were defending champions. The Indians came into this match with a 1-0 record against Lu and Yang, having beaten the pair incidentally at the French Open last year.Most Read 1 Tiger 3 box offi...

14Nov

By source belowNo Comments

Sports

Virat Kohli and Kane Williamson: Rivals on the pitch, friends off it who bond over YouTube links and books

Virat Kohli is talking about human species’ larger role in the planet. Why we are here and what’s our role. Not quite Yuval Noah Harari, but with spiritualism sprinkled. In the ICC video from a couple of years ago, it takes a few seconds to sink in that he is actually talking about his friendship with Kane Williamson.“We connected on lots of things beyond cricket: how we look at life, the larger reason for everything, it was interesting to note his way of looking at life is pretty similar to mine. We bonded on that,” Kohli says. “To keep an awareness of what we actually are here as human beings, as species, a larger reason for why we are here and be at ease with ourselves. Then everything becomes opportunity and no pressure. I was amazed to know that we connected on books, the videos or...

14Nov

By source belowNo Comments

Sports

“Time has come for…”: Rohit Sharma ahead of World Cup semifinal vs New Zealand | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: In recent weeks, Team India has undergone a remarkable evolution, becoming an indomitable force that triumphs over all adversaries on its journey to success. However, ahead of Wednesday's World Cup semifinal against New Zealand, India captain Rohit Sharma is also hoping for luck to be on their side.India have been the most dominant team in this World Cup having won all their nine league matches to finish at the top of the points table.India will face New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium in the first semifinal."Time has come for luck to favour you and fortune favours the brave," Rohit said on the eve of the big-ticket game.Rohit said the hosts will not be required to make big changes in regards to their mindset and approach just because they are headed into the semifinal clash....

14Nov

By source belowNo Comments

Sports

‘It is just poetry…’: Aaron Finch lauds Jasprit Bumrah’s swing bowling | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Former Australian captain Aaron Finch praised Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah on Tuesday, hailing his swing bowling as "poetry."As India prepare to face New Zealand in the ICC World Cup semifinal at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium on Wednesday, Finch acknowledged Bumrah's skill, emphasising the significance of the clash for both teams aiming for World Cup glory and India seeking to overcome their knockout challenges.Speaking exclusively to Star Sports, Finch delved into Jasprit Bumrah's bowling prowess, particularly commending his ability to swing the ball into the left-hander.Finch's insights highlight the nuanced skills of the Indian pace spearhead, adding to the anticipation and intrigue surrounding the upcoming World Cup semi-final clash."Yeah, of all the quick out there, ...

14Nov

By source belowNo Comments

Sports

‘We weren’t even born when we won the 1983 World Cup’: Rohit Sharma wants to focus on present | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Indian skipper Rohit Sharma believes in concentrating on the present without dwelling on the past. His commitment revolves around continuous improvement, setting a mantra that the entire team adheres to.India are now on the cusp of rewriting history as they are just two wins away from their third ODI World Cup title. The hosts will lock horns against New Zealand in the first semi-final at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Wednesday."The beauty of this team is that we weren't even born when we won the 1983 World Cup. Half of them weren't playing when we won in 2011. I don't see them talking about how we won our previous World Cups. The focus is on how we can get better and how we can improve. That's the beauty of the current crop of players," Rohit said while addressing the me...