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Kedar’s Homecoming

Published

7 years ago

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WHAT A KNOCK! Kedar Jadhav plays a shot during the India v/s England First One Day International match, Pune, Reuters/UNI

Ably led by Kohli, the Pune boy overcame agony to hit ton that transformed the match and made short work of the humongous target

By Sujit Bhar

India winning a One Day International (ODI) versus England isn’t news. But when it wins chasing a massive 350 for seven, England’s highest versus India, then it is. Moreover, if it happens to be the first captaincy effort by Virat Kohli, after Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who had just given up his, leaves with six for six, pulling India down to 63 for four, then it surely is. And that’s what happened in Pune on January 15, in the first ODI of the series.

But that’s not the end. England managed a steady run-rate, reaching the score without a century contribution. That meant that, with four down and not much on the board, India needed to speed up things. Eyes turned to Kohli, of course, the man for a chase. He did not disappoint, scoring a strong 122 off 105 deliveries, with eight hits to the fence and four over.

India won by three wickets with 11 deliveries to spare. This was India’s third successful chase of 350-plus totals.

That was great play, no doubt. But the day belonged to a 32-year-old local lad, Kedar Jadhav. The attacking middle-order bat (also an occasional off-break bowler) hit a whirlwind 120 in 76 deliveries, assisted by 12 boundaries and four sixes.

It was a great start for India’s home series, keeping India’s record of not losing a home ODI intact, and, even in losing, England surely can’t complain. They had started the series tentatively, with former BCCI secretary Ajay Shirke’s letter warning them of a possible lack of facilities, now that board president Anurag Thakur and he had been sacked by the Supreme Court. Facilities were up to the mark, they found, only the Indian team was too hot to handle.

The match itself has been analysed enough, but the incredible thing is India’s throwing up great batting talent on a regular basis. Just the other day Jodhpur-born 25-year-old Karun Nair had become only the second Indian after Virender Sehwag to hit a triple century, and on Sunday Jadhav came in from the cold, so to say, lifting India out of the woods.

Jadhav isn’t a newcomer, this being his 13th ODI, neither is he new to a chase. Four months back, in a chase, India were down to 73 for four, when he combined with then skipper Dhoni for a 66-run partnership that saved the day. On Sunday, fighting cramps (Kohli had cramps too), Jadhav provided ample support to his new captain to be named Man of the Match.

The attacking stance is Jadhav’s default setting. He broke into the big boys’ league with a half-century off 29 deliveries on his IPL debut for Delhi Daredevils. He carried with him the experience of six half centuries and a century in first class cricket and for Maharashtra he has displayed excellent offensive tactics.

Also confidence, oodles of it.

It was clear from what Kohli said after the match. He has been quoted as saying: “I think it was outstanding. Just to have another guy that was willing to believe we can win from any situation was such a boost for me as well. The way he came out—and knew exactly how to bat at this wicket—was tremendous.”

Following Dhoni, Kohli has gained similar leadership qualities. Of Jadhav he said: “He was disappointed in the last series against New Zealand when he couldn’t get us across the line. In New Delhi he was playing really well. We told him that the best place you can learn is out there in the middle. No point sitting outside and thinking what you could have done.”

Kohli has welcomed Jadhav into his world, into his own way of thinking, and for a virtual greenhorn to have his captain put a great deal of confidence in him is great news. Jadhav made the best use of it.

And quite like any top level motivator from the world of hard-core professionals, when Jadhav was facing a hurdle through painful cramps, Kohli just told him to rise above it, play for the team. These are the small things that make a complete human being; someone who is willing to see beyond that threshold of pain, into the world of accomplishment.

If we look back, perhaps, this is the level of optimism that the Supreme Court wanted to bring back to the game. The apex court possibly saw beyond the politicking and wheeling dealings into a world where the game of cricket is supreme. That remains beyond that threshold of temporary pain.

That was what Kohli and Jadhav showed.

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Happy Birthday KL Rahul: Suniel Shetty wishes son-in-law KL Rahul on his 32nd birthday

On the special occasion, his father-in-law and actor Suniel Shetty dropped a sweet birthday wish for KL Rahul. Suniel Shetty shared a photo wherein he, along with his son Ahan Shetty and son-in-law KL Rahul, can be seen lounging on a sofa.

Published

19 hours ago

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April 18, 2024

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Suniel Shetty’s son-in-law and Indian cricketer KL Rahul celebrates his 32nd birthday on Thursday. On this special occasion the Bollywood actor took to his Instagram handle to wish the Lucknow Super Giants skipper on his special day. Suniel Shetty shared a picture with KL Rahul and his son Ahaan on Instagram.

In the picture, the veteran actor is seen relaxing on the couch with his son Ahaan and KL Rahul. Suniel Shetty captioned the picture they say its not what we have in life, but who we have in our life that matters. He said he felt blessed to have KL Rahul in his life. He said this is a connection which he could not explain.

Suniel Shetty’s daughter Athiya Shetty reacted to the post and wrote favourite men. KL Rahul replied with a black heart emoji to the post. Many Indian cricketers, social media user and fans also wished KL Rahul on his birthday.

One X user Muffadlal Vohra wrote that whichever position the Indian team asked KL Rahul to bat, he was always there to answer the call whether it is opening the batting, or batting in the middle order or the role of a finisher he was ready to do it. He said KL Rahul is truly one of the most versatile batsmen of this era and wished him Happy Birthday.

Another X user Naeem shared a video of KL Rahul and wished him Happy Birthday.

Cricketer Kuldeep Yadav shared a picture with KL Rahul and wrote Happy Birthday KL Rahul bhai.

One X user Tanuj singh shared a video of the star cricketer and recounted his hundreds in different countries.

Spinner Yuzvendra Chahal shared a picture with KL Rahul and wrote Happy Birthday my brother KL Rahul. Hope you have a good one. One X user Leisha wished the star cricketer Happy birthday.

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KKR captain Shreyas Iyer fined Rs 12 lakh for slow over rate in match against RR

KKR lost to Royals by two wickets on Tuesday at Eden Gardens.

Published

2 days ago

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April 17, 2024

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The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) were found guilty of violating an IPL Code of Conduct while playing the Rajasthan Royals (RR) on Tuesday, following their defeat in their second match at the Eden Gardens. The Knight Riders not only dropped their opening game of the IPL 2024 season, but their captain also received a fine.

KKR captain Shreyas Iyer has been fined Rs 12 lakh for maintaining a slow over-rate during an IPL match at Eden Gardens against the Rajasthan Royals.

According to the official notification, Iyer has been charged with a huge fine of Rs 12 lakhs as it was his team’ first of the season offense under IPL’s Code of Conduct and involved a minimum over-rate penalty.

In a release from the IPL, it is said, Shreyas Iyer, the captain of the Kolkata Knight Riders, has been fined after his team maintained a slow over rate during their TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 match against Rajasthan Royals at Eden Gardens on April 17.

Meanwhile, this is not the first time in this season when a team has maintained a slow over-rate. Earlier, Delhi Capitals captain Rishabh Rant was also fined twice for maintaining a slow over-rate. If his team commits this again, the he along with his will be banned for one match, as per IPL’s Code of Conduct.

In a T20I loss to the Royals on Tuesday, Sunil Narine scored his first century for the Knight Riders. Up till the 18th over, Narine (109 off 56) batted, first partnership with Angkrish Raghuvanshi (30) for 85 runs and then with Andre Russell (13), for 51 runs. For KKR, it was a one-man show. Jos Buttler blasted his way to an unbeaten 60-ball 107 as the visitors completed the chase on the game’s last ball. In response, RR were briefly in major trouble.

While KKR lost their second match in six games, it was the Royals’ sixth win in seven games.

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IPL 2024: Jos Buttler’s unbeaten century helps Rajasthan Royals chase down 224 against Kolkata Knight Riders

Rajasthan Royals were in trouble at one stage of the match but Jos Buttler helped the team recover with an unbeaten 60-ball 107, as the visitors completed the run chase in the last delivery of the match.

Published

2 days ago

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April 17, 2024

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Rajasthan Royals pulled off Indian Premier League’s biggest run chase to defeat Kolkata Knight Riders by two wickets on Tuesday. KKR were asked to bat first and rode on Sunil Narine’s 56-ball 109 to take their team to a respectable total of 223/6 in 20 overs. In response, RR were in trouble at one stage of the match but Jos Buttler helped the team recover with an unbeaten 60-ball 107, as the visitors completed the run chase in the last delivery of the match.

The England captain began the last over hitting a six off the first ball, he then had to turn down runs off the next 4 balls, thus bringing the equation down to Rajasthan Royals needing 3 runs to win off the last 2 balls. Buttler then hobbled 2 runs off the 2nd last ball of the match and took a single off the last delivery and thus took RR to a record-equalling run chase.

Earlier the Kolkata Knight Riders were asked to bat first on a fresh pitch, Narine blasted a 49-ball 100 to lead KKR’s innings in this match at Eden Gardens. It was a one-man show from KKR as Narine (109 off 56) took his team till the 18th over, forging a 85 run partnership with Angkrish Raghuvanshi (30) and then adding 51 runs along with Andre Russell (13). KKR reached a score of 223/6 in 20 overs batting first.

KKR’s bowling attack could not go unnoticed as the likes of Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine both shone to help keep the home side in the fight, but the effort seemed to be in vain. It was merely a case of who wanted to win more on the match day. And Buttler showed that he wanted it the most, as he led Rajasthan Royals to a historic run-chase, the biggest successful run-chase in the history of the IPL.

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