Sports
IPL 2024: Pretty special to share partnership with 'incredible' Kohli, says Cameron Green
Bengaluru, March 30 (IANS) Cameron Green, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) all-rounder, hailed the talismanic Virat Kohli as an ‘incredible’ cricketer and felt pretty special to have been his partner in a 65-run stand for the side in their game against the Kolkata Knight Riders on Friday.
Though RCB lost by seven wickets, Kohli continued his good run in IPL 2024 with an unbeaten 83, including smashing Mitchell Starc for 33 runs off 17 balls. Green chipped in with a 21-ball 33 in what was his third innings for RCB after being traded to the franchise by his previous side Mumbai Indians.
“Virat is awesome; I have been really impressed in the last few weeks about how much energy he’s got and how he wants to give it back to the game by helping others. We had a discussion before the game (against Kolkata Knight Riders) about a different way to face Sunil Narine compared to other spinners.”
“I played a certain shot in the game off him, about which he was happy. We had spoken about that and it paid off. He’s been awesome so far and his performances have been next-level for us so far. Really grateful for him; he’s an incredible cricketer and it was a pretty special moment to share a (65-run) partnership with him,” said Green, while replying to an IANS query in a virtual press conference.
Last year, Green shared the dressing room with Rohit Sharma and this time, he’s in the same team as Kohli. When asked how the experience has been of being under two stalwarts of the game, Green said, “Both are greats of the game. Every time I think about it, I am pinching myself about being lucky enough to play with two of the greats of the game of world cricket, if not Indian cricket.”
“What makes them great is, they both are very similar – equally happy to help the team win cricket matches. They are happy to give you time and information about the other team and their own experiences and tell what has worked for them. I am just very happy to have the chance of having them in the change room with me.”
In his nascent T20 career, Green has batted at the top of the order and even in the middle order. He admitted that there is work going on to decide what is his best batting position in the shortest form of the game.
“That’s the beauty of being an all-rounder – I feel like I can bat anywhere in the line-up and I am still really fresh in my T20 career. I am still trying to work out where I am best suited to bat. I feel like I have got the skill sets to bat anywhere – batting at top of the order in the IPL.”
“But at the same time, physically, I have also got the abilities to bat down the order. I am still trying to learn about my game and I am around an elite coaching staff and they will help me with that. So, might chop and change over time, but I am pretty open to learning.”
Asked on any directive from the RCB staff in approaching the batting in IPL 2024, Green revealed, “Try to be versatile and play your game as much as you can. Just back your strengths and that’s what I am trying to do so far. I haven’t been pigeonholed in any sort of role – be really attacking or defensive.”
“Everybody plays their natural game really well when they are looking to score. So, I will be really looking to score pretty heavily in power-play and if I get through it, just make a big score in that game situation.”
Coming immediately after IPL 2024 is the Men’s T20 World Cup in the West Indies and USA from June 1-29. With chief selector George Bailey saying performances in IPL 2024 will come under consideration for T20 World Cup selection, it makes every game crucial for Green to strengthen his case of being selected for the mega event.
But the all-rounder is trying to stay in the present and not ponder over what would happen in future. “I am trying to not look too far ahead. I am fully focused on this IPL and whatever happens after that, happens. When you are playing a lot of cricket, there are a lot other players who would be aiming to play the T20 World Cup.”
“So, there are a lot of chances for learning things about other players, which is the beauty of playing against some great oppositions here. But you do get to learn constantly about what other players are doing here and finding ways that might work against them. At the moment, full focus is on IPL and I am sure it won’t switch towards the end of the tournament.”
In December last year, Green disclosed to the cricketing world that he lives with a chronic kidney condition, with his disease currently at stage 2. On Saturday, Green made a visit to the Bengaluru Kidney Foundation, where he met the staff and a few patients, who require dialysis.
“I was very impressed with the place; they have an awesome staff and were lucky enough to meet some of the patients. Meeting and getting to know them personally to see what they go through, it was a great chance to speak to few of them and understand what’s their life like. All of them are on a dialysis machine and that takes up a lot of their time and got to know how they manage that and I absolutely loved my time there,” he said.
Green also explained how RCB have been helpful in getting his preferred meal plans as per his kidney condition, including being personally in touch with the hotel chefs. “Personally in India, there are limited food options and I have to keep my protein levels to a minimum around cricket and then during cricket, I can increase my salt volumes, which is needed to play.”
“I have a pretty challenging diet and got to be pretty strict about it as I want to perform on the field, but also have to think about the long-term health. The meal plan I have is challenging to follow, but at the same time, very willing to do it. The RCB people have been unreal in helping me.”
“They have put me in contact with chefs here and have got my special diet to be looked after. I talk directly to chefs, tell them exactly what I need and get the meals which are suited for me.”
“Like, with just-enough protein, which allows me to play cricket and perform on the field, but also not affecting me by reducing salt as well. I have had a great experience so far with the franchise and I am being looked after beautifully, so having a great few weeks in India.”
–IANS
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Sports
1st T20I: Abhishek, Jurel, Parag handed debuts as India elect to field first against Zimbabwe
Harare, July 6 (IANS) Abhishek Sharma, Dhruv Jurel and Riyan Parag have been handed India T20I debuts as captain Shubman Gill won the toss and elected to field first against Zimbabwe in the series opener at the Harare Sports Club on Saturday.
The series holds huge importance from an Indian perspective, as it kickstarts their road to building a team for the 2026 T20 World Cup to be hosted jointly by them and Sri Lanka. With the retirement of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja after the 2024 T20 World Cup triumph, there are spots up for grabs in the national set-up which the youthful Gill-led squad would be keen to stake a claim for.
“I think it looks like a good surface. It won’t change much later. It has been a long coming. We won an ICC event after 11 years. Very satisfied, hope for many more to come. Don’t feel pressure, you have expectations but from yourself, not from outside,” said Gill, in his first assignment as an India captain, after winning the toss.
Playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2024, Abhishek hit 42 sixes, the most by any batter in the competition, as he amassed 484 runs in 16 innings, including hitting three half-centuries. Hailing from Amritsar in Punjab, Abhishek is mentored by Yuvraj Singh and Brian Lara. He was also the Player of the Tournament in Punjab’s triumph in the 2023/24 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, for amassing 485 runs in ten innings in the competition.
Parag, Abhishek’s team-mate in the 2018 U19 World Cup triumph, had his coming-of-the-age season in IPL 2024 for Rajasthan Royals, amassing 573 runs in 14 innings as a middle-order batter and striking 33 sixes while hitting four fifties. He was handed his T20I debut cap by his father Parag Das, a former first-class cricketer for Assam.
Wicketkeeper-batter Jurel, on the other hand, impressed in his debut Test series against England at home, picking up a Player of the Match award at Ranchi. In IPL 2024, Jurel amassed 195 runs in 11 innings while playing for Rajasthan Royals.
Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza said, “I don’t mind batting first. The wicket looks good. Zimbabwe Cricket has trusted me with this transition phase. I look for young boys to come out and fight. It is humbling to lead this bunch. Sean (Williams) has retired. It is a young side. (Craig) Ervine will have a role in the future.”
Playing XIs:
India: Shubman Gill (c), Abhishek Sharma, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Riyan Parag, Rinku Singh, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar and Khaleel Ahmed
Zimbabwe: Tadiwanashe Marumani, Innocent Kaia, Brian Bennett, Sikandar Raza (c), Dion Myers, Johnathan Campbell, Clive Madande (wk), Wessly Madhevere, Luke Jongwe, Blessing Muzarabani and Tendai Chatara
–IANS
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New Delhi, July 6 (IANS) The eighth meet of the 2024 Wanda Diamond League is set to take place on Sunday at the Charlety Stadium in Paris, France. The premier track-and-field meet will feature Paris 2024-qualified Kishore Jena and Avinash Sable. Kishore Jena will be competing in the men’s javelin throw against the likes of Anderson Peters (Grenada), Tokyo 2020 silver medallist Jakub Vadlejch (Czech Republic), Julian Weber (Germany), and Arshad Nadeem (Pakistan).
Avinash Sable will eye a strong finish in the men’s 3000 metres steeplechase against a participating field of 17 runners, including the likes of Simon Kiprop Koech (Kenya), Abraham Kibiwot (Kenya), Ryuji Miura (Japan), and Daniel Arce (Spain).
The men’s pole vault event will feature Swedish pole vault sensation Armand Duplantis, who set a new world record (6.24m) at this season’s Xiamen event. Along with him, five Olympic champions, six world champions, and 12 reigning European champions are set to compete in Paris.
Earlier, reigning Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra had clarified that the Paris Diamond League was not part of his calendar and he is focused on getting ready for the Paris Olympics.
Diamond Disciplines at Paris 2024:
Men: Pole vault, javelin throw, 110 metres hurdles, 400 metres hurdles, 200 metres, 800 metres, 3000m steeplechase
Women: High jump, discus throw, long jump, 100 metres, 400 metres, 1500 metres, 3000 metres steeplechase
Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming Diamond League 2024 – Paris live coverage and broadcast:
When: July 7, 2024
Where: Charlety Stadium, Paris, France
Time: 7:30 PM onwards
Live streaming in India: JioCinema
TV broadcast in India: Sports18 – 3
–IANS
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Johor (Malaysia), July 6 (IANS) Top Indian star Abhay Singh will feature in two finals at the Asian Doubles Squash Championships in Johor, Malaysia, on Sunday. On Saturday, he and Velavan Senthilkumar, the top seeds, stormed into the Men’s Doubles title round with a commanding 11-9, 11-2 win over the Japanese pair of Tomotaka Endo and Naoki Hayashi in 23 minutes in the last-four stage.
Later, Asian Games medallist Abhay and the experienced Joshna Chinappa, the third seeds, defeated the Hong Kong pair of Cheng Nga Ching and Lai Cheuk Nam Matthew of Hong Kong 11-8, 11-10 in the Mixed Doubles semifinals.
“I’m very pleased to be in both finals, winning two gold medals was the goal before we came here so that’s what we are focused on tomorrow,” Abhay said.
“The men’s match was a comfortable 2-0 while the mixed match was a bit challenging, but still pleased to come through without dropping a game. Being in another final of an Asian Championship is an honour, looking forward to converting them both,” he added.
Abhay and Joshna will meet second seed Tong Tsz Wing and Tang Ming Hong of Hong Kong for the Mixed Doubles title and Abhay and Velavan will lock horns with second seed Ong Sai Hung and Syafiq Kamal of Malaysia in the men’s doubles final.
“Solid performances by both pairs to reach the finals. Once the Asian Championships were announced the Squash Rackets Federation of India (SRFI) along with our strategic partner HCL held the National Championships from where the pairs were selected,” SRFI secretary-general Cyrus Poncha said.
–IANS
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Kolkata, July 6 (IANS) Head Coach Chaoba Devi announced a 23-member squad, who will travel to Myanmar for the two FIFA-friendly matches. The Blue Tigresses will play against hosts Myanmar on July 9 and 12, respectively.
“My team is a mix of senior and junior players. I am satisfied with the combination of the squad. After playing Uzbekistan last month, we started our National camp within the next 10 days. All the players are fit, which is a good sign. They didn’t want to relax, they were undergoing intense training at their respective clubs,” said coach Devi.
The Blue Tigresses were last seen in action during the tour of Uzbekistan for two friendly matches against the hosts on May 31 and June 4. They lost one match and drew the second one. Coach Chaoba is aware of the areas that needed more work and said, “As a coach, after Turkey and Uzbekistan, we were facing problems in defending aerial balls. We were trying to improve in this area in the camp.
“We trained at the National Centre of Excellence in Kolkata for two weeks and played two practice matches. Those matches proved to be good. We also used young players in the starting eleven. They gave their full efforts and fought to keep their positions. There are healthy competitions among the players to be in the starting XI. We need some youngsters who can run and face difficult situations, like Mousumi Murmur and Aruna Bag. I am happy they have improved a lot in a short time,” the coach said
“We played with Uzbekistan last month which was also a higher-ranked team. Playing against higher ranked teams benefits our players as they can have intense matches and get ready to play in big tournaments. In the first match, we lost badly. All of us found it unacceptable. The girls gave their hundred per cent, and we drew the second match. The girls have the potential, and we are trying to get the best out of them,” she said.
India are currently 67th in the FIFA Rankings, while Myanmar are 54th. The Indian women’s team played five matches between February to May.
India will naturally benefit from playing two higher-ranked teams in two months, the coach said, “Ranking does matter. The federation is also trying to arrange for more exposure tours. If we play more such games, the team will improve. We need to play quality games.”
“A well laid out plan should be there. We need to inform the girls well in time to keep them prepared. There is a lot of activity going on around Indian women’s football, and we need future players. We have scouted talents from IWL and IWL 2. We coaches can get the best of the talents and select the best ones,” Chaoba added.
Th 23-member squad for Myanmar friendlies:
Goalkeepers: Shreya Hooda, Elangbam Panthoi Chanu, Maibam Linthoingambi Devi.
Defenders: Loitongbam Ashalata Devi,Hemam Shilky Devi, Sanju,Wangkhem Linthoingambi Devi, Aruna Bag.
Midfielders: Naorem Priyangka Devi, Sangita Basfore, Karthika Angamuthu, Neha, Nongmaithem Ratanbala Devi, Mousumi Murmu.
Forwards: Kajol Hubert Dsouza, Anju Tamang, Soumya Guguloth, Sandhiya Ranganathan, Karishma Purushottam Shirvoikar, Lynda Kom Serto, Pyari Xaxa, Jyoti, Rimpa Haldar.
–IANS
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London, July 6 (IANS) West Ham United have announced the signing of Wolverhampton Wanderers central defender Maximilian Kilman.
The 27-year-old has put pen to paper on a seven-year contract at London Stadium after spending six hugely successful years at Molineux, where he played under new Hammers head coach Julen Lopetegui and was named captain last year.
“It’s an amazing feeling to be a West Ham United player. As soon as I was aware of the interest from the Club, it was an opportunity I was keen to pursue, so I couldn’t be more delighted to be here,” said Kilman to the West Ham media team.
Possessing plenty of Premier League experience, Kilman has forged a strong reputation as a hugely talented and reliable defender with more than 150 appearances at Wolves, where he played his part in their run to the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals in 2019/20.
“I really enjoyed working with Julen during his time at Wolves – he’s a top-class coach and someone I learned a lot from, and I am confident I will continue to improve as a player under his management here,” added the 27-year-old.
Having started his career at non-league Maidenhead United, where he was managed by Hammers legend Alan Devonshire, Kilman has thrived ever since moving up to the top flight with his August 2018 move to the Midlands, and is now thrilled to be taking the next step of his career in east London.
“Having spoken at length to both Julen and Tim [Steidten], I was hugely encouraged about the ambition of the Club and their plans for the future. They want to make a big noise here at West Ham and as a new player coming in, that’s an incredible thing to hear,” concluded Kilman.
–IANS
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