When Priyansh Arya smashed 6 sixes in an over last year, he mainly targeted the straight boundary. But when he joins the Punjab Kings (PBKS) camp, he is keen to perfect his pull shot with the help of head coach Ricky Ponting, who dominated the stroke in his playing days. The 6 sixes in Manan Bhardwaj's single over in the Delhi Premier League helped Priyansh Arya gain the spotlight. With this, he was also able to get a life-changing bid of Rs. 3.8 crore from Punjab Kings. Priyansh Arya also smashed a stunning century against Uttar Pradesh in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) days before the high-profile event in Saudi Arabia. Having been part of Punjab Kings' first pre-season camp in Mumbai last week, Priyansh Arya has already got the taste of the higher level and says he is bound to become a better player after his maiden season in the IPL, which begins on March 21. "Life has not changed much since the auction. Yes, there is more interest from people and my expectations from myself have increased. The pre-season camp gave me a fair idea where I need to be come the IPL as I got to do things I have never done in training before." Arya got to chat with his IPL skipper Shreyas Iyer briefly during the Mumbai camp and apart from him, he is equally excited about spending time with Ricky Ponting. "I have not had the chance to speak to Ricky sir. But when I get to meet him, the first thing I want to ask him is about the pull shot," he said referring to one of the best exponents of the pull shot. "I am also really excited about spending time with Iyer. I love the attitude of Iyer and Ricky sir, both on and off the field. I would also like to ask them about their mindset in highs and lows. Also Read: India beat Ireland by 304 runs in third women's ODI "Just by interacting with the best you can learn a lot, I have already experienced it (in the camp)," said Arya, whose parents teach in a government school in the national capital. The IPL is still some time away and if he does get to open alongside Prabhsimran Singh, there will be immense pressure and scrutiny. Will his price tag also play on his mind? "I am not thinking on those lines. For me it is just about learning from the best minds in the game." And what does he plan to do with the money? "That (is something) my parents will decide," pat came the response from Arya. Growing up, Priyansh Arya has always drawn inspiration from former Team India cricketer Gautam Gambhir. Arya loves Gambhir's play against spin and he too has gone on to become a decent batter against the turning ball. No wonder those six-sixes came off a spinner. Besides Gambhir, Arya also draws inspiration from Sri Lankan great Kumar Sangakkara. "Right from the beginning, I like to play down the ground. That is what I was thinking at that time (when he hit six sixes). I have followed Gautam bhaiya a lot. I loved how he used to play spin and that is what I tried to pick from him. "Among overseas players, I like Kumar Sangakkara. I love his cover drive a lot though personally I like pull shot the most." The moment when his name came under the hammer will remain fresh in Arya's memory forever. "We were playing the domestic T20 (SMAT) and I was sitting in the hotel with my teammates. I could not express myself after Punjab made that winning bid. "I did not know what do. My phone stopped working. I would have been happy at just being picked but to get this bid made me feel really good," Arya recollected. Arya made his T20 debut for Delhi in 2023 and List A in 2021, long before he achieved the memorable feat in the DPL last year. The southpaw looked back at his journey thus far. "There were challenges. The year I made my debut I got to play only two games and was on the bench the rest of time. The year after I was dropped from the senior team. When I got the DPL stage, I told myself I have to be the best batter in the competition and that happened." He is yet to play first-class cricket and that is his next target. However, the ultimate aim is to play Test cricket. (With PTI Inputs)
15 January,2025 06:42 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentEngland pacer of Pakistani heritage, Saqib Mahmood, will miss the team's training camp in Abu Dhabi due to delay in getting his India visa for the limited overs tour beginning January 22, according to a report. 'ESPNcricinfo' reported that Mahmood is yet to receive his Indian visa, preventing him from joining the camp in Abu Dhabi as his passport is with the concerned authorities as part of the visa process. Also Read: Former Man City captain and coach, Tony Book passes away aged 90 However, he is expected to receive his visa before a batch of cricketers leave for Kolkata on Friday. It is not the first time that cricketers of Pakistani origin have faced delays in securing an Indian visa. England spinner Shoaib Bashir missed the first Test in Hyderabad last year due to a visa delay. Australian opener Usman Khawaja had also faced similar delays during the tour of 2023. Having said that, other England players of Pakistani heritage in the squad, Rehan Ahmed and Adil Rashid, have received their visas, reported the website. Mahmood has played two Tests, 9 ODIs and 18 T20s for England. England's limited-over tour of India begins with a T20I in Kolkata on Januray 22. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
15 January,2025 06:15 PM IST | London | PTIFollowing the resounding success of its inaugural season, Gujarat Titans is thrilled to announce the second season of 'Junior Titans', its unique initiative dedicated to nurturing a passion for outdoor sports among children under-14. ‘Junior Titans,’ embodying the ethos of ‘Let’s Sport Out’ will rekindle the excitement of outdoor activities for young children, giving them exposure in various sports and making it a delightful experience for them. Junior Titans events will be held in five key cities of Gujarat: Ahmedabad, Junagadh, Bhavnagar, Bharuch, and Palanpur. LALIGA, the top tier of the Spanish football league, continues their association for the second season of the program, undertaking the football workshops at these events. This season will see LALIGA's expert technical coaches offering young talents a chance to learn from the best in the field. This collaboration will provide the participating children with invaluable insights and expand their sporting horizons. The second season also sees one of Japan's most loved brands Pokémon, collaborating with Junior Titans, giving children a chance to meet their beloved Pokémon characters and participate in exciting activities at the venues and take home amazing merchandise. Also Read: India beat Ireland by 304 runs in third women's ODI This edition will also see Bisleri supply children with drinking water, while SG will provide the necessary sports equipment. Kicking off on January 18th in Junagadh, each city will host a one-day community sports event designed to celebrate the joy of outdoor play and sportsmanship. The events will feature a variety of engaging activities, including cricket and football challenges, quizzes and a walk through the history of Gujarat Titans. Participants can also look forward to exciting giveaways and delicious food, all aimed at fostering community engagement and camaraderie. This edition, 'Junior Titans' will include participation from around 25 schools in each city, including 10 private schools and 5 government schools. In addition to the schools, 5 NGOs will participate, ensuring a diverse and inclusive environment for all young athletes. With an expected turnout of around 900 participants in each city, the program promises to be a grand celebration of sports and community spirit. The successful first edition had seen successful events across five cities in Gujarat from Vadodara to Bhuj and Surat to Rajkot with the enthusiastic participation of over 5000 children from 117 schools. Colonel Arvinder Singh, COO - Gujarat Titans, said, "With the second edition of Junior Titans, we are excited to continue our mission of inspiring young children across Gujarat. This initiative not only promotes a love for sports but also emphasizes the importance of teamwork and personal growth. Our continuing partnership with LALIGA enhances this experience, providing children with unique opportunities to learn from world-class coaches and gain exposure to international sports standards. With Pokémon joining forces with the Junior Titans, the excitement for participating kids reaches new heights. These beloved characters will inspire and motivate children. We are grateful to the schools and NGOs participating in this season, and we look forward to creating unforgettable experiences for the children in each city.” This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
15 January,2025 06:04 PM IST | Ahmedabad | mid-day online correspondentIndia completed a whitewash of Ireland with a massive 304-run win in the third and final women's ODI here on Wednesday. Openers Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal scored a century each to power India to their highest-ever total of 435. Also Read: Champions Trophy 2025: Will Rohit Sharma travel to Pakistan for the opening ceremony? Mandhana (135) and Rawal (154) shared a whopping 233-run stand to give a solid start to India after opting to bat. In response, Ireland were bundled out for 131 in 31.4 overs Brief Score: India 435 for 5 in 50 overs (Pratika Rawal 154, Smriti Mandhana 135; Orla Prendergast 2/71). Ireland 131 all out in 31.4 overs (Sarah Forbes 41; Deepti Sharma 3/27, Tanjua Kanwar 2/31. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
15 January,2025 05:42 PM IST | Rajkot | PTIThe opening ceremony of the Champions Trophy 2025 will be held on either February 16 or 17 and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has expressed their confidence that Team India captain Rohit Sharma will be present for the event. The PCB source also said that it is awaiting communication from the ICC on the schedule of the customary captains' photo shoot and the pre-event press conference. The Champions Trophy 2025 will kick start from February 19 in Karachi. Team India is scheduled to play all their matches in Dubai. The "Men in Blue" will begin their Champions Trophy 2025 with the clash against Bangladesh on February 20. Team India refused to travel to Pakistan following security reasons. Also Read: Novak Djokovic breaks a tie with Roger Federer for the most Grand Slam matches in tennis history The source said PCB has procured all relevant clearances from its government to promptly issue visas to all captains, players and team officials who will come here for pre-tournament events. "This obviously includes Rohit or any other Indian team player or official or board official," he added. Another source confirmed to PTI that the PCB has made it clear to the ICC that the opening ceremony, featuring all teams and their captains, will take place in Pakistan. "This is in line with the usual protocols and since the opening match is on the 19th the opening ceremony can be expected either on the 16th or 17th," the source added. He said the schedule of the opening ceremony would depend on the warm-up matches list. The source said that recently three Indian nationals, who were a part of the ICC delegation which came to Pakistan, were promptly issued visas once the world body sent their names to the PCB. Rohit Sharma has been struggling to find himself among the runs along with stalwart Virat Kohli. The Champions Trophy 2025 will be a huge opportunity for the duo to announce their return to the form. (With PTI Inputs)
15 January,2025 05:16 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentOpeners Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal scored a century each to power India to their highest-ever total of 435/5 in the third and final women's ODI against Ireland here on Wednesday. Mandhana (135) and Rawal (154) shared a whopping 233-run stand to give a solid start to India after opting to bat. Also Read: See Wankhede Stadium through the lens of Mumbai's bowling mentor Dhawal Kulkarni The big-hitting Richa Ghosh then scored a quickfire 59 to further inflate India's total as the Irish bowlers struggled to find answers. Medium pacer Orla Prendergast (2/71) was the most susccesfull bowler for the visitors with two wickets. Brief Score:India: 435 for 5 in 50 overs (Pratika Rawal 154, Smriti Mandhana 135; Orla Prendergast 2/71). This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
15 January,2025 03:05 PM IST | Rajkot | PTIAs one of the most iconic stadiums across the globe and the heart of Mumbaikars, Wankhede Stadium completes 50 years, the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) organised a program for all the former and current Mumbai cricketers. One of the most loyal and hardworking sons of Mumbai cricket is Dhawal Kulkarni. After drawing curtains on his international and domestic career, the pacer embarks on the next innings of his career as Mumbai's bowling mentor. When asked about his core memories of Wankhede Stadium, former Team India and Mumbai's current bowling mentor, Dhawal Kulkarni said, " Wankhede Stadium has always been close to my heart. I made my domestic debut for Mumbai at Wankhede Stadium in 2007 and played the last game of my career in 2024. So it's been a long journey, has always been a part of my journey. I'll always cherish the memories of playing cricket here." Dhawal has also been a part of three teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and has very fond memories of Mumbai's iconic stadium. "One of the memorable spells of my career in IPL was the spell against RCB (Royal Challengers Bengaluru) when I got the wickets of Dilshan (Tillakaratne), AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli." Also Read: "How long will people talk about it?": Ravichandran Ashwin on playing farewell match for India Having played several matches of domestic cricket at Wankhede stadium, Dhawal Kulkarni labelled the finals against Saurashtra and the last match of his career which was the finals of Ranji Trophy in 2024. In the finals of the Ranji Trophy 2024, representing Mumbai, Dhawal claimed three wickets by conceding just 15 runs in the first essay against Vidarbha. Later, in the second innings, he bagged one wicket for 38 runs. Over the years, Dhawal has been well aware of the changes that have taken place at Wankhede Stadium. Speaking about it, "The only change, I've witnessed at the venue has been the wickets (cricket pitches). It has always gotten better and better for the batsmen, so there was always a challenge of bowling on those wickets. At the same time, there was bounce, so I enjoyed bowling there", said Mumbai's current bowling mentor. Throughout his cricketing career, Dhawal Kulkarni has featured in several matches at different stadiums, whether it be during the IPL or the domestic leagues. "Apart from Wankhede, I've enjoyed playing at the M. Chinnaswamy stadium (Bengaluru) and the stadium in Jaipur (Sawai Mansingh Stadium)." Having been appointed the Mumbai team's bowling mentor after a successful domestic career, Dhawal Kulkarni sees the potential in the current lot of players who can carry the legacy of the team ahead. "Yes definitely! There are guys who can surely carry the legacy of the Mumbai team ahead. To name a few, obviously, Shreyas Iyer, who has always been there playing cricket for Mumbai and the Indian team, Tushar Deshpande, who has done well recently, Slyvester D' Souza who has the potential of becoming a good fast bowler." "Himanshu Singh, another young off-spinner Tanush Kotian, who has done exceedingly well for the last couple of seasons for Mumbai. Apart from these players, Shardul is there who is an experienced campaigner", added Mumbai's bowling mentor. "Surya (Suryakumar Yadav) obviously is part of the Indian team, but whenever he is available, he's always there playing cricket for Mumbai. Also, Yashasvi Jaiswal, so yes there are these guys who can definitely carry the legacy of the Mumbai team ahead", concluded Dhawal Kulkarni. Kulkarni has been part of Team India for 12 ODIs and two T20I matches. In 12 ODIs, he registered a tally of 19 wickets and three scalps in the shortest format of the game.
15 January,2025 02:42 PM IST | Mumbai | Sujay ShivalkarFalcon Risers Hyderabad have kicked off their Season 2 preparations for the Indian Street Premier League (ISPL) with a week-long high-performance training at the Padukone-Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence in Bengaluru. With the aim to build cohesion and strong synergy in the team, rigorous training sessions are underway to prepare the team for a strong campaign ahead of Season 2. Led by Head Coach Chetan Padiyar, Batting Coach Yogesh Pawar, and Head of Cricket Anant Tambavekar, who also happens to be the personal batting coach of Indian star cricketer Smriti Mandhana and the Maharashtra State Under-19 team, Falcon Risers Hyderabad have crafted a squad including left-arm pacer Irfan Umair, a Mumbai probable for the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, acquired for INR 16.5 lacs, and Aryan Kharkar, an emerging talent in tennis-ball cricket, who comes from Thal, a small village in Alibaug. Also Read: Striking the Gong in support of landmark 20th edition of Mumbai Marathon Commenting on the team’s focus on a high performance, Tambavekar said , "Our squad-building strategy focused on blending experience with emerging talent to ensure adaptability and resilience across formats. Retaining Krishna Satpute was an obvious choice, while players like Irfan Umair and Aryan Kharkar stood out for their ability to perform under pressure. Preparations in Bengaluru are in full swing, with high-intensity training sessions aimed at refining skills and building team cohesion. We’re confident this well-balanced squad is ready to deliver strong, consistent performances throughout the season." Central to the team’s strategy is the retention of star player Krishna Satpute, whose legendary reputation as the “God of Tennis Ball Cricket” and proven performance under pressure make him vital. The Falcon Risers also retained their core performing team from the first season of the ISPL, with Vishwajit Thakur, Shreyash Kadam, Vicky Bhoir, and Varun Kumar, all returning. Furthermore, strengthening the squad further are new signings, including powerful batter Bablu Patil and rising Under-19 talent Prabhjot Singh, adding fresh energy and potential to the lineup. On the sidelines of this training camp, the team also organised a meet-and-greet event of the players with the franchise’s owners, the Razack Family from the Prestige Group, Mr Irfan Razack (Chairman & Managing Director, Prestige Group), Mr Rezwan Razack (Joint Managing Director, Prestige Group) & Mr Noaman Razack (Whole-time Director, Prestige Group). The event featured a cap ceremony to officially unveil the squad and an exhibition tennis-ball match that brought together players, owners, and the performance staff, fostering a strong sense of community. With a solid strategy, an enhanced team, and a refreshed emphasis on preparation and fitness, the Falcon Risers are poised for the tournament starting on January 26. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
15 January,2025 02:12 PM IST | Bengaluru | mid-day online correspondentFormer Team India cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin opened up on his retirement and getting a farewell game by saying that he did not want a farewell match if he did not deserve to play in the team. Ravichandran Ashwin delivered one of the most heartbreaking moments in cricket last year when he decided to draw curtains on his international career after the third Test match against Australia. His last international appearance was during the pink-ball game at Adelaide. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ravichandran Ashwin said that what difference would it make if people clapped for him when he came out with a ball? "What difference will this make if I came out with the ball and people are clapping? How long will people talk about it? When social media was not there, people talked about it and forgot after one week. There is no need for a farewell. The game has given us a lot and we have played with a lot of happiness," said Ashwin. Also Read: "Given the number of matches they play, Ireland have done well against us": Deepti Sharma He also said that he did not want his farewell match if he did not deserve a place in the team on the basis of performance and was there in the team just because he had to be given a nice send-off. "I want to play more cricket. Where is the place? Obviously not in the Indian dressing room but from somewhere else. I want to be honest with the game. Imagine if I want to play farewell Test but I do not deserve a place. Imagine, I am only in the team because it is my farewell Test. I do not want that. I felt there was more strength in my cricket. I could have played more but it is always better to finish when people ask 'why not' than why," Ashwin concluded. India lost the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 1-3, succumbing to a six-wicket defeat in the fifth and final Test at Sydney after setting Australia a target of 162 runs. With this loss, India is officially out of contention for the ICC World Test Championship final at Lord's in June next year, as Australia and South Africa have sealed their places. In 106 Tests for India, the legendary all-rounder took 537 wickets at an average of 24.00, with best figures of 7/59. He claimed 37 five-wicket hauls and eight ten-wicket match hauls in his Test career. He is the eighth-highest wicket-taker in Tests overall and the second-highest for India, behind Anil Kumble (619 wickets). Ashwin also holds the record for the second-most five-wicket hauls in Tests, trailing only Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan (67). With the bat, Ravichandran Ashwin scored 3,503 runs at an average of 25.75, including six centuries and 14 fifties in 151 innings, with a highest score of 124. In 116 ODIs, Ashwin took 156 wickets at an average of 33.20, with best figures of 4/25. He also scored 707 runs at an average of 16.44, including one fifty, a knock of 65 in 63 innings. He is the 13th-highest wicket-taker for India in the format. Across all formats, Ashwin took 765 wickets in 287 matches, making him India's second-highest wicket-taker after Anil Kumble (953 wickets). Ravichandran Ashwin was also a key member of the Indian teams that won the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup and the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy. (With ANI Inputs)
15 January,2025 12:50 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentTeam India all-rounder Deepti Sharma refused to read much into the uneven nature of the players against Ireland in the ODI series. She said that Ireland's team has done quite well considering their inexperience and lack of exposure. Team India will look to clean sweep against Ireland in the third ODI, having won the previous two matches. India won by six wickets in the series opener and then broke a slew of records to post their highest-ever total of 370/5 in the second game, which the hosts won by 116 runs. "See, firstly, there is no small or big team in cricket. It depends on how you look at it. Obviously, they have not played as many matches as the other teams. They have a different experience," Deepti Sharma said on the eve of the third match. "They are also doing good. Because, in the two matches they have played, it has been good. And, as a team, we have also done well. "They come from a different place, and, they are not able to play as many matches too. That also matters," the senior India player added. Also Read: Rohit Sharma shows up for Mumbai Ranji team's practice session after horrendous Australia tour Pratika Rawal has been a stunning performer at the top of the order, forming a fine partnership with stand-in captain Smriti Mandhana. Deepti Sharma was very pleased with Pratika's performances in the first few matches at the highest level of the game. "As a team, whenever we get a good start, it always gets easier for the middle order, for the upcoming batters. It helps us a lot. "I think, Pratik is a very good player. And, in the two matches, she has shown a lot of confidence." The big totals in the series may have given the impression that the matches are being played on a flat deck, but Deepti Sharma said the bowlers have also got help from the pitches. "It is a very good wicket. It is said that a flat track mostly helps the batters. But, I have seen in the two matches, that it was also very good from the bowling point of view. We have worked as a bowling unit," she said. Deepti thanked bowling coach Aavishkar Salvi for her consistent show with the ball. Regarding the Women's Premier League (WPL), she called it a great platform and thanked the BCCI for the "good initiative". Deepti, who has just completed 100 ODIs, said, "I think, obviously, it feels good. Because, I have represented my country 100 times... I have worn that blue jersey so many times. So, I feel very proud. "The family also feels good when you play 100 games. Even when you play 50 games, it feels good. More than that, it is important for me that I win as many matches as possible. I always keep that in mind." (With PTI Inputs)
15 January,2025 12:24 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSeeking a break in IPL after going unsold in mega auction, Karnataka skipper Mayank Agarwal will look to extend his incredible run of form in the Vijay Hazare Trophy when he leads his team out in their semi-final against defending champions Haryana here on Wednesday. Also Read: It's Gambhir v Superstars? If four-time winners Karnataka have the likes of Agarwal, Shreyas Gopal and Vijaykumar Vyshak in their ranks, Haryana will be banking on in-form players such as Nishant Sindhu, Anshul Kamboj and Ankit Kumar to get the job done for their side. Apart from the sensational Karun Nair, Agarwal is the only other batter to have aggregated over 600 runs in the season so far. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
15 January,2025 08:03 AM IST | Vadodara | PTIADVERTISEMENT
