Known for its tranquil charm and diplomatic buzz, Canberra witnessed an unusual surge of energy on Friday afternoon as the Indian cricket team held a practice session at the Manuka Oval amid a continuous yet mild drizzle. Neither the persistent rain nor the chilly breeze could keep the fans, particularly the Indian students, away from catching a glimpse of their cricketing idols. Clad in raincoats and armed with umbrellas and selfie sticks, the crowd began assembling outside the ground as early as midday. Fans chanted “India, India” and braved the wet conditions, capturing every possible moment on their phones. Also Read: "He is looking comfortable batting": Nayar on Shubman Gill “I skipped my afternoon lecture just to be here. For us, cricket is not just a sport — it’s a connection to our roots,” said an Indian student, pursuing a Masters degree at the Australian National University. The two-day match between India and the Australian Prime Minister’s XI is a rare opportunity for Canberra-based fans to see the Indian team live. Unlike traditional cricket hubs like Sydney and Melbourne, Canberra seldom features on the Indian team’s itinerary. The crowd present outside the Manuka Oval was a vibrant mix of Indian students, expats and intrigued locals, who had come to experience the electric atmosphere. For many people of Indian origin here, seeing their cricketing heroes brought a sense of home in this distant land. Some shouted out the names of their favourite players, hoping for a wave or a smile in return. The players reciprocated too, occasionally waving or smiling while remaining focused on their drills. This acknowledgement further fuelled the excitement of the fans. This infectious energy highlighted the global appeal of Indian cricket and its power to bring together diverse groups of people. It underscored how cricket serves as more than just a sport — it’s a cultural bridge that unites fans across borders. As the rain eased later in the afternoon, the crowd grew larger. It wasn’t just about watching a practice session — it was a celebration of their love for the game and admiration for the Indian cricket team. Canberra may not share the cricketing reputation of Sydney or Melbourne, but on Friday, the Manuka Oval transformed into a mini India — testament to the enduring reach and influence of Indian cricket, proving once again that its fandom knows no boundaries.
30 November,2024 08:04 AM IST | Canberra | Sandipan BanerjeeIndia’s assistant coach Abhishek Nayar said Shubman Gill looked very comfortable while batting as per his perspective ahead of two-day pink-ball practice game against Prime Minister’s XI at the Manuka Oval, starting on Saturday. Gill had missed out on India’s 295-run win in Perth due to a left thumb injury sustained in the match at the WACA Ground. “He is batting right now and our physio will evaluate him and I will know his status after that. But from what I have seen, he is looking comfortable batting and he looks like he can bat [in a match]. He is batting in the indoor nets and we will know if he can play the practice match or not,” said Nayar to reporters on the sidelines of India’s practice session. Also Read: Hardik Pandya's rich vein in form continues in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy Abhishek Nayar Asked on the selection headaches India will face, as Gill shows signs of recovery and captain Rohit Sharma is back after paternity leave, Nayar remarked, “It is a sweet headache. It’s always good to be in a position where you get two top players coming back into your setup. It builds a lot of confidence. It is good to have them [Rohit and Gill] back. The team is full of heart.” It’s team first He also said Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja were able to understand why they weren’t in the playing XI at Perth. “When you have seniors like Jaddu and Ash, who understand what the team is trying to do, it becomes very easy because of the team-first policy. The culture of this team is that everyone wants Team India to win.” Quizzed about adapting to playing Test cricket with pink ball, which India last did in March 2022, Nayar talked about how the Indian team is preparing for it. “It was raining, but the good thing is that everyone was keen to play. Even in the rain, everyone batted. Whether it’s a pink ball or a red ball, the difference is really in the mind. ‘Started preparations early’ “Of course, there is a bit of difference between the two — the colour is different, there is more lacquer — and we are lucky that we have got six-eight days to get ready. When we were in Perth, too, we were training with the pink ball. Rohit was training (with the pink ball) too. So we have started our preparations. We will continue to focus on our game, and do what we need to do,” he concluded. 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.
30 November,2024 08:01 AM IST | Canberra | IANSHardik Pandya continued his rich vein of form by smashing five sixes and scoring 28 runs in an over bowled by left-arm spinner Parvez Sultan as Baroda crushed Tripura by seven wickets in a Group B game of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy here on Friday. Chasing a meagre target of 110, Baroda rode on Hardik’s 47 off 23 balls to complete the task in just 11.2 overs, after elder brother Krunal Pandya did well with the new ball to finish with figures of 2-22. The highlight for the sparse crowd was the entertainment provided by Hardik as he launched into Sultan, hitting him for three sixes between long-off and extra cover region and another two in the cow corner. Also Read: "We don’t want this guy full of confidence": Border on Virat Kohli Worst-ever bowling figures Snubbed at the IPL auction, Shardul Thakur recorded the worst bowling figures in the history of Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 by going for 69 runs in four overs in Mumbai’s 43-run defeat in a Group E match against Kerala in Hyderabad. Shardul was hit for six sixes and five fours even as he got Sanju Samson’s (4) wicket early. Unheralded Salman Nizar blitzed his way to an unbeaten 99 off 49 balls, which completely overshadowed Ajinkya Rahane’s stroke-filled 68 off 35 balls in this high-scoring game. Batting first at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Kerala piled up 234-5 riding on Salman and Rohan Kunnummal’s (87 off 48 balls) 140-run stand for the third wicket in just 13.2 overs. In reply, Mumbai were restricted to 191-9 despite Rahane’s efforts. All 11 Delhi players bowl A confident Delhi used all their 11 players, including regular wicketkeeper Anuj Rawat, for bowling during an easy four-wicket victory over Manipur headlined by opener Yash Dhull’s patient 59 off 51 balls in a Group C game at Wankhede. Opting to bat, inexperienced Manipur could manage only 120-8. Delhi took 18.3 overs to compete the chase with Dhull anchoring it with eight boundaries and a six-over deep mid-wicket off Kishan Singha. 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
30 November,2024 07:55 AM IST | Indore | PTIFormer Australia captain Allan Border has expressed his disappointment over the team’s inability to contain Virat Kohli during the first Test in Perth and feels that can potentially cost the hosts the five-match series. Kohli, who had not scored a Test century in 18 months, roared back to form with an unbeaten 100 in the second innings as India secured a thumping 295-run victory over the hosts. “I was really disappointed in the way we let Kohli roll on to a hundred without much resistance,” Border told SEN radio on Friday morning. Also Read: In the ‘pink’ of health! “We don’t want this guy full of confidence for the rest of the series.” Border also questioned the tactics of skipper Pat Cummins, suggesting they allowed Kohli to regain his rhythm after his struggles against New Zealand in the recent home series. Kohli’s century marked his seventh ton on Australian soil. 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
30 November,2024 07:49 AM IST | Melbourne | PTIAs the Indian team made its way from Hotel Realm, not too far away, to the Manuka Oval on Friday afternoon for their only full session with the pink ball ahead of their two-day match against a Prime Minister’s XI, a thin film of rain welcomed them. Thick, grey clouds hung menacingly over the Australian capital, threatening to scupper a meaningful training session, but the Indians found ways and means to dodge the elements and get some serious practice time under their belts. Competitive opposition The PM’s XI is a reasonably competitive side, led by Jack Edwards and includes internationals Scott Boland and Matt Renshaw as well as Sam Konstas, the New South Wales batter who, it is expected, will make his Test debut at some stage over the next six weeks. All of them will go all out to make an impression on George Bailey, the chief selector, and national skipper Pat Cummins. For the Indians, on the other hand, the goal is simple — get all their batters and bowlers to have a feel of the pink ball, with its pronounced lacquer, before hitting Adelaide, where the day-night Test begins on December 6. Also Read: Why did Champions Trophy get the axe in 2017? Much of the attention at the shortened training session was on Rohit Sharma, the captain who joined the team a day before victory was secured in Perth on Monday, and Shubman Gill, the No. 3 who broke his left thumb nearly a fortnight ago and hasn’t had a batting stint since. Fluent strokeplay Both took full part with the bat on Friday, Rohit moving superbly into his strokes against pacers Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Yash Dayal and Mukesh Kumar, and Gill showing no signs of discomfort as he graduated from gentle underarms and slightly quicker overarms from assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate to hitting the nets against the pacers and spin twins Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin. Only two of the half dozen practice pitches were available for action and the Indians tried to make the most of them, though that also meant some batters didn’t or couldn’t pad up. That shouldn’t be a dampener, no pun intended. This two-day fixture is quite literally a practice game and all batters will bat and all bowlers will bowl during the contest, after which the Indians will have potentially three net sessions at the Adelaide Oval before the second Test. Abhishek Nayar, the other assistant coach, insisted that a cricket ball was a cricket ball, never mind what its colour was. Simplistic as it might sound, there is an element of logic to that, though the heavier pink ball comes with its own set of challenges which might be magnified in the case of a team like India, who don’t play as much day-night Test cricket as some of the other nations, including Australia. Paine in charge For the PM’s XI, the prospect of having a tilt at Rohit’s men must be mouth-watering. Former skipper Tim Paine, the head coach of the side, insisted that contrary to popular opinion, there was plenty of depth in Australian cricket which, he added, would become obvious over the next couple of days.
30 November,2024 07:43 AM IST | Canberra | R KaushikThe International Cricket Council has told Pakistan to either accept the 'Hybrid' model of hosting for next year's Champions Trophy or be prepared to be ousted from the event after the PCB's adamant stand led to an inconclusive meeting of its executive board here on Friday. The emergency meeting was meant to thrash out the schedule of the event in February-March next year but could not achieve a consensus after Pakistan once again rejected the 'Hybrid' model despite India's firm refusal to travel there owing to security concerns. It is understood that most of the ICC board members were sympathetic towards Pakistan's situation, but PCB chief Mohsin Naqvi was, nonetheless, advised to accept the 'Hybrid' model as the only "plausible solution" for the current imbroglio. If a 'Hybrid' model is adopted, India's share of Champions Trophy matches will be held in the UAE. "Look, no broadcaster will give a penny to an ICC event which does not have India and even Pakistan knows that. The ICC meeting on Saturday will only happen if Mr Mohsin Naqvi agrees with the 'Hybrid Model'," an ICC Board source told PTI on conditions of anonymity. "If not, then ICC Board might have to shift the tournament entirely to a different country (could be UAE too) but it will be held without Pakistan," he added. Friday's meeting, which was chaired by deputy chairperson Imran Khwaja owing to outgoing head Greg Barclay's absence for unspecified reasons, was brief after Naqvi reiterated his country's position once again. This was to be Barclay's last official engagement before the taking of charge by new chair Jay Shah early next month. "All parties continue to work towards a positive resolution for the Champions Trophy 2025 and it is expected that the Board will reconvene on Saturday and continue to meet over the next few days," a senior administrator of an ICC full member nation, who is also a part of the Board, told PTI. Also Read: Why did Champions Trophy get the axe in 2017? In Delhi, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) reiterated BCCI's stand that that the Indian team cannot travel to Pakistan due to security reasons. "BCCI has issued a statement. They have said that there are security concerns there and it is therefore unlikely that the team will be going there," an MEA spokesperson said in a routine briefing when the country's Champions Trophy participation was mentioned. Naqvi attended the meeting in person as he has been in Dubai since Thursday to push Pakistan's stance. BCCI secretary Jay Shah attended the meeting online. Shah will take charge as the new ICC head on December 1. It is understood that if the tournament is rescheduled, the PCB will have to forego its hosting fee of USD six million along with gate revenue. There could also be a significant cut to their annual revenue, which is to the tune of USD 35 million. Unless the 'Hybrid Model' is implemented, even the ICC will be in a spot of bother as official broadcaster Star would then renegotiate the multi-billion dollar deal with the body. Also Read: This Indian veteran makes history for all wrong reasons after IPL auction snub The only window available for the tournament is between February 19 to March 9 and all other participating nations have their bilateral engagements after that. As things stand, the PCB can negotiate for a hefty compensation for having to share the hosting rights but a full tournament in Pakistan is unlikely. Pakistan also have the option of hitting back at India by not coming come for the ICC T20 Women's World Cup in India in 2025. A veteran BCCI official, who has followed the politics of ICC closely, explained the scenario. "Look, they can ask for Hybrid Model for 2025 Women's T20 World Cup but that will be a long shot. As far as the men's T20 World Cup co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, Pakistan's matches will be in Sri Lanka mostly. "The India vs Pakistan can be decided later," he added. 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
29 November,2024 10:29 PM IST | New Delhi/Dubai | PTIThe eagerly anticipated return of the Champions Trophy, after an eight-year hiatus, has been overshadowed by controversy as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) find themselves embroiled in a dispute over the hosting rights. The BCCI, led by President Roger Binny, has firmly rejected the idea of sending the Indian team to Pakistan, citing security concerns. While the PCB is steadfast in its position to host the entire tournament in Pakistan, the BCCI is advocating for a hybrid model, which would see some matches played at neutral venues. The stakes are particularly high for Pakistan, which is the defending champion and will be hosting its first ICC event since the 1996 World Cup, a moment of national pride. The 2017 Champions Trophy, held in England, remains a painful memory for Indian fans. Their hopes were dashed in a humiliating defeat to their arch-rivals, Pakistan, in the final. Adding to the disappointment, the tournament was scrapped by the International Cricket Council (ICC) shortly afterward, leaving fans with a sense of unfulfilled potential and a void in the global cricketing calendar. Also Read: Proteas captain Temba Bavuma fights to free his thumb from helmet: WATCH The Champions Trophy was introduced in 1998 with the intention of improving the quality and accessibility of the sport, particularly by involving only associate nations in the early editions. Over time, the tournament grew in stature, eventually including full ICC members, and became one of the premier events in world cricket, alongside the ICC Cricket World Cup. Originally, the tournament was held biennially, but in 2006, the ICC made a significant change, aligning it with the World Cup’s four-year cycle. However, by 2017, the governing body of world cricket decided to consolidate its international events. The ICC determined that holding multiple major tournaments in the same format, particularly in the fifty-over category, led to an overcrowded calendar and diminishing returns. Given the complaints from fans and stakeholders about the overlap with the World Cup, the ICC opted to discontinue the Champions Trophy, leaving the 2021 edition on the cutting room floor. Also Read: PCB's bold stand on Champions Trophy shakes up talks, meeting gets adjourned This decision was met with disappointment, especially as the Champions Trophy had often delivered thrilling, high-stakes cricket. However, with the introduction of new global events, the ICC felt that a single marquee tournament for each format would be more sustainable and beneficial for the sport's growth. As a result, the Champions Trophy was officially shelved until its revival, which is now scheduled for 2025, giving fans renewed hope for the tournament’s return. Looking ahead, the BCCI and PCB are set to meet on November 30 to try and resolve the ongoing dispute regarding the venue and format of the upcoming Champions Trophy.
29 November,2024 10:10 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSouth Africa is currently engaged in an intense battle with Sri Lanka in the first Test of their three-match series in Durban. After a dramatic collapse in their first innings, where they were bowled out for just 191, the hosts staged a remarkable recovery thanks to an outstanding bowling performance. Marco Jansen was the star of the show, claiming 7 wickets for just 13 runs, while Gerald Coetzee supported him with figures of 2 for 18. Together, they dismantled Sri Lanka’s batting lineup, sending them back to the pavilion for a mere 42 runs in just 13.5 overs. With a commanding lead of 149 runs, South Africa took to the crease in their second innings with renewed vigor. However, by the close of play on Day 2, they had lost 3 wickets for 132 runs, leaving captain Temba Bavuma and young Tristan Stubbs to continue the fight at the crease. As the match unfolds, South Africa is well-positioned, with a lead of 281 runs, and the pair at the crease showing promise for the hosts. Also Read: This Indian veteran makes history for all wrong reasons after IPL auction snub While Day 1 was full of dramatic cricket, it also provided some lighter moments. A particularly bizarre incident involving Temba Bavuma went viral, providing some comic relief amidst the tense atmosphere. The Proteas’ skipper found himself in a rather uncomfortable situation while standing at the non-striker’s end with Kyle Verreynne on strike. Lord bavuma ke anguthe fas gye 😭😭#SAvSL pic.twitter.com/OBXwVIlbgX — biharmeme (@biharmemes) November 28, 2024 As the bowler, Lahiru Kumara, began his run-up, Bavuma attempted to adjust his helmet, only for his thumb to get stuck. Struggling to free his thumb, Bavuma’s flustered efforts were caught on camera, leading to some awkward but hilarious moments. Despite the discomfort, Bavuma managed to get his thumb out just in time to avoid a delay in play. The incident quickly gained traction on social media, with fans and meme pages having a field day poking fun at the skipper’s misfortune. Bavuma, who is no stranger to online trolling, once again found himself the subject of light-hearted ridicule. On a more serious note, Bavuma also earned accolades for his remarkable batting display on Day 1. The South African captain displayed incredible skill and athleticism when he launched a stunning flying upper cut six off Lahiru Kumara’s short-pitched delivery. The shot, a combination of perfect timing and audacious flair, wowed the crowd as the ball sailed over the boundary for six. Bavuma’s efforts with the bat were instrumental, as he played a crucial knock of 70 runs off 117 balls, the highest score in South Africa’s first innings. His knock helped stabilize the innings after the early collapse, with South Africa eventually posting a total of 191. In the second innings, Bavuma continued to make his presence felt with a steady 24 runs off 45 balls, contributing to South Africa’s growing lead. As the match progresses, the hosts are in a strong position, thanks in no small part to their captain’s contributions both with the bat and his leadership on the field. With Day 2 drawing to a close and South Africa leading by 281 runs, the contest remains finely poised. As Sri Lanka looks to make a strong response, all eyes will be on Bavuma and his team to maintain their advantage and push for a decisive victory.
29 November,2024 06:56 PM IST | Durban | mid-day online correspondentThe International Cricket Council (ICC) said talks were continuing to settle uncertainty around next year's Champions Trophy, sources told AFP, after India refused to travel to host nation Pakistan. The event's fate has been hanging in the balance since earlier this month, when the ICC said India had declined to visit Pakistan for the eight-team tournament. The nuclear-armed neighbours have fought three wars since being carved out of the subcontinent's partition in 1947 and that rivalry is often reflected on the cricket field. A meeting by the Dubai-headquartered ICC was held briefly on Friday but adjourned without a decision, according to several sources with knowledge of the talks who were not authorised to speak to media. "All parties continue to work towards a positive resolution," said one source, adding that "it is expected that the board will reconvene in the next few days". VIDEO | "The ICC is holding talks (with PCB), and I think a solution to this would be found. It's not right to make a comment right now," said Congress MP Rajeev Shukla (@ShuklaRajiv) earlier today when asked whether India should visit Pakistan for ICC Champions Trophy. (Full… pic.twitter.com/I4X7VE8gF7 — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 29, 2024 The Pakistan Cricket Board has previously ruled out proposals allowing India to play in a neutral third country, insisting the full schedule from February 19 to March 9 must be staged on their turf. Another source said the 'Pakistani stance remains the same' following Friday's brief meeting. Also Read: This Indian veteran makes history for all wrong reasons after IPL auction snub The meeting on Friday was brief after Pakistan Cricket Board chief Mohsin Naqvi made it clear that the 'hybrid' model won't be acceptable despite India's firm refusal to travel to his country owing to a lack of government clearance. "The Board did meet briefly today. All parties continue to work towards a positive resolution for the Champions Trophy 2025 and it is expected that the Board will reconvene on Saturday and continue to meet over the next few days," a senior administrator of an ICC full member nation, who is also a part of the Board, told PTI. Naqvi attended the meeting in person as he has been in Dubai since Thursday to push Pakistan's stance. BCCI secretary Jay Shah attended the meeting online. Shah will take charge of ICC on December 1. 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
29 November,2024 06:04 PM IST | Dubai | PTIHardik Pandya continued his rich vein of form by smashing five sixes and scoring 28 runs in an over bowled by left-arm spinner Parvez Sultan as Baroda crushed Tripura by seven wickets in a Group B game of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy on Friday. Chasing a meagre target of 110, Baroda rode on Hardik's 47 off 23 balls to complete the task in just 11.2 overs, after elder brother Krunal Pandya did well with the new ball to finish with figures of 2/22. The highlight for the sparse crowd was the entertainment provided by Hardik as he launched into Sultan, hitting him for three sixes between long-off and extra cover region and another two in the cow corner. Hardik has had a fantastic Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 tournament so far with contributions in all four wins for Baroda. His sequence of scores read 74 not out, 41 not out, 69 and 47, and he has also picked up a couple of wickets along the way. Shardul Thakur records worst bowling figures Snubbed at the IPL auction, Shardul Thakur recorded the worst bowling figures in the history of SMAT T20 by going for 69 runs in four overs in Mumbai's 43-run defeat in a Group E match against Kerala in Hyderabad. Shardul Thakur, who went unsold at IPL mega auction, concedes 69 from his four overs vs Kerala today. The all-rounder was hit for five boundaries and six sixes! pic.twitter.com/e1uFw4TRRr — Sahil Malhotra (@Sahil_Malhotra1) November 29, 2024 Shardul was hit for six sixes and five fours even as he got Sanju Samson's (4) wicket early in the game. Unheralded Salman Nizar blitzed his way to an unbeaten 99 off 49 balls, which completely overshadowed Ajinkya Rahane's stroke-filled 68 off 35 balls in this high-scoring game. Also Read: Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: Shreyas Iyer’s century sends IPL auction buzz through the roof Batting first at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Kerala piled up 234 for 5 riding on Salman and Rohan Kunnummal's (87 off 48 balls) 140-run stand for the third wicket in just 13.2 overs. Salman hit eight sixes and Kunnummal had seven maximums to his credit. In reply, Mumbai were restricted to 191 for 9 despite Rahane's efforts. Prithvi Shaw started well with two fours and two sixes but could only contribute 23 off 13 balls, while skipper Shreyas Iyer, despite a good beginning, could contribute only 32 off 18 balls. Pacer MD Nidheesh took 4 for 30. Delhi use 11 bowlers vs Manipur A confident Delhi used all their 11 players, including regular wicketkeeper Anuj Rawat, for bowling during an easy four-wicket victory over Manipur headlined by opener Yash Dhull's patient 59 off 51 balls in a Group C game in Mumbai. Opting to bat, inexperienced Manipur could manage only 120 for 8 in their 20 overs with keeper-batter Ahmed Shah scoring 32. Shah's 52-run stand with skipper Rex Singh (23) helped Manipur get past 100-run mark after being reduced to 41 for 6 in the 10th over. Delhi skipper Ayush Badoni, in an unusual move, even used his keeper Rawat for an over while donning the big gloves himself. This was after he got a wicket with his off-breaks. Left-arm spinner Harsh Tyagi (2/11) and off-spinner Digvesh Singh (2/8) got a couple of wickets apiece. Delhi took 18.3 overs to compete the chase with Dhull anchoring it with eight boundaries and a six over deep mid-wicket off Kishan Singha. However, seasoned T20 players like Badoni and Priyansh Arya fell cheaply. Himmat Singh's poor run of form also continued. (With agency inputs)
29 November,2024 05:54 PM IST | Indore | mid-day online correspondentPrithvi Shaw’s struggles with the bat continue to plague his career, as the young Mumbai opener suffered yet another underwhelming performance in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Despite a bright beginning, Shaw was unable to build on his early promise, departing for just 23 runs off 13 balls against Kerala on Friday. This marked another disappointing chapter in what has been a challenging season for the 25-year-old. Despite his potential, the young opener went unsold at the IPL 2025 mega auction held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. His exclusion from the auction was a significant blow, following a series of poor performances. In his previous outing in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Shaw was dismissed for a duck against Maharashtra. While he managed to post a 33-run knock against Goa, it was far from enough to silence the growing criticism of his batting. Shaw’s frustrations were further compounded by the relentless trolling he faces on social media. A video in which he candidly discussed the abuse and ridicule he endures went viral, shedding light on the emotional toll of being under constant scrutiny. In the video, Shaw remarked on the paradox of online criticism: “If he is not following me, then how will he troll? That means he has eyes on me,” he said, highlighting the irony of being targeted by people who are not even part of his fanbase but seem obsessed with his every move. Also Read: This Indian veteran makes history for all wrong reasons after IPL auction snub While Shaw has learned to take some of the trolling in stride, he admitted that certain memes and comments can sting. “If people make memes on me, I see them as well. I sometimes get hurt. Sometimes I feel it was a bit wrong, he should not have said like this," Shaw shared. The emotional toll of the constant negativity is evident in his words, especially when he spoke about public perceptions of him. “Whenever I am seen in public, people start saying what is Prithvi doing, he should be practising,” he added, underlining the pressure and judgment he faces from all corners. Shaw’s cricketing journey has been a tumultuous one, characterised by moments of brilliance and unfortunate setbacks. In 2018, he was hailed as one of the most promising young players in world cricket, earning recognition from the International Cricket Council (ICC) as one of the top five breakout stars in men’s cricket. His raw talent and aggressive approach made him one of the most exciting prospects in Indian cricket. However, Shaw's career took a major hit in 2019 when he was handed a doping ban by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), sidelining him for several months. The ban ruled him out of action until November of that year, disrupting his momentum and leaving a stain on his early promise.
29 November,2024 05:16 PM IST | Indore | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
