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Calm KL Rahul excels in adaptability as finisher, gets desired success in Champions Trophy

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New Delhi, March 12: Oscillatory motion is characterised by the repetitive back-and-forth movement of an object about a fixed point, as exemplified by a clock pendulum. In a competition to find the most oscillatory player in the Indian team, KL Rahul would end up as the unanimous choice.

Rahul’s masterful cover drives and effortless flicks off his wrists, when at his best, are simply poetry in motion. But it isn’t easy being Rahul – the ups and downs in his batting positions have been challenging, similar to a pendulum’s back-and-forth movement.

Rahul’s success in finishing matches for India during their 2025 Champions Trophy triumph exemplifies this. Rahul faced a new ODI challenge when he was moved to the sixth spot, the finisher’s position after Axar Patel took his usual number five slot. Add to it, in the ODI series against England, there were always questions over why Rahul was preferred ahead of Rishabh Pant.

Rahul’s success in that role for India in the Champions Trophy was marked by his calm, humble, and proactive adaptability—qualities that have become second nature to him. While his 136 tournament runs may seem insignificant, they don’t tell the whole story of his vital role in India’s lower middle order.

“He didn’t complain whenever he was sent down the batting order. He used to ask me how I could be better and why should I play in that way. See, whenever he goes to bat at number six, or seven, it is hardly a few balls. He has always opened the batting, wherever he played.”

“So the change of the mindset and adapting to the situation, it is all new. He has played different roles, but this role was different and he started working for it. The planning and preparation was good, so that is how he could play well. He understood his role, and if you watched the final, when the left-arm spinners were bowling, he would easily take the singles between point, cover and extra cover.”

“His planning was good, and he planned it in a way that ‘Yes, I have to do that. I have to cross the line and win match for the country’. Except for that little bit of misunderstanding in running between the wickets with Axar, where he was a little hesitant, he otherwise played beautifully.”

“It was like a symphony – he was playing and that grace was there in running, and hitting the ball. So, it was very natural for him, and I will tell you, that patience and calmness is God’s gift for him,” said Samuel Jayaraj, KL Rahul’s childhood coach.

Similar to his renowned namesake from Bengaluru, who thrived in diverse roles in the ODI set-up, including wicketkeeping, Rahul has proven to be equally adaptable. “It is fantastic to see a player to go down anywhere and play. I think this name Rahul – they will fit in anywhere they play. The senior Rahul also did that for the country, and now this boy also is doing it.

“He enjoys doing it, not even one day there was no loose talk or any complaint – nothing. He said, ‘Sir, I enjoy it’. We never discussed on the points like where here is going to do the batting. He would also say, ‘I have to be ready. I am going to count the number of balls left and I have got a plan like this’,” added Jayaraj.

India’s Champions Trophy win over Bangladesh, Australia, and New Zealand coming via chases were significantly aided by Rahul’s adaptability and taking charge in a tricky situation. His vital scores of 41, 42 not out, and 34 not out on the slow Dubai wickets were worth its weight in gold in guiding India to success under pressure. Rahul’s success in those three chases, according to Jayaraj, stemmed from his smart strategic preparation.

“If you are playing against a left-arm spinner, you practice for facing that in a game. If you are playing against a leg-spinner, you prepare to play for that. These are all things that everybody does. In present day cricket, there is no wasting time. Every second is very, very important when you practice.

“See, he has matured, and for me, he is very intelligent too. He is always a very thoughtful cricketer. So, it became easy for him, and he had that willingness in him to perform, win and finish matches. Plus, a very important thing was in his mind – on how he could play better.

“Comparatively, I think Virat, Shubman Gill, and Rohit played very well, but they were playing in different matches. When it comes to Rahul, he didn’t bat against Pakistan, and in the rest of the matches, he got runs for us.

“Against Australia also, he had that patience of playing long and waiting for the loose ball. We all say we work very hard and all, but I think he has worked smarter and harder this time,” he elaborated.

Rahul’s cricketing career summary wouldn’t be complete without mentioning India’s loss to Australia in the 2023 ODI World Cup final in Ahmedabad. Rahul scored a 66 in the final, the slowest half-century for India in the tournament, and faced significant social media criticism as a result.

He later recounted in a YouTube chat with Ravichandran Ashwin about his uncertainty on the timing of taking down Mitchell Starc. But winning the Champions Trophy on March 9 could now comfort Rahul, a perspective Jayaraj supports.

“When we lost to Australia in the World Cup final, I think he took all the blame saying I should not have got out, that was a wrong timing, and I played a bad shot. That’s how an awakening call comes, and you get better from there. You start thinking, why it happened? How can I overcome it? So, all these thoughts were there.

“But he’s now got a trophy for the country, and it’s a very proud moment. When you lose a wicket in your match, then you start thinking, yes, I have to be a better player, my batting has to improve and I have to play more balls, as well as take the soft-handed singles, which he did in the final. It’s more about how well he built his innings, and even against Australia, he didn’t panic as there was so much of calmness,” he added.

Jayaraj also praised captain Rohit Sharma and the team management for supporting Rahul’s success in a new position. “The planning of the coaches was beautiful – they set the things correctly. If you ask me, I will give all my hats off to the coaches who have planned that.

“They wanted somebody to hold the innings there, and they believed in KL. They didn’t change when they could have sent KL up and would have asked Axar to come there. They didn’t do that as they believed in their set plan to go with that batting order.

“There was a lot of talking and understanding between the senior players and coaches. It gives you a lot of confidence as the team, captain, coach, management and selectors believe yes he will do it, and it was on purpose. I feel very proud now because he is doing lower middle order now,” he said.

Although the cricketing world is currently captivated by Rahul’s adaptable and cool-headed batting style in the Champions Trophy triumph, Jayaraj observed the tournament showcased the real Rahul – evoking memories of the time he saw him as a calm, disciplined, and obedient boy who was enthusiastic about batting.

“Everybody told me that against Australia, he played a fantastic game and I said, yes. I had gone out with my family for lunch on Sunday afternoon when somebody came and said, ‘Rahul has to play’. I said, ‘he has to perform’. I mean, it is his job, and if you start enjoying your job, and if you are happy there, you will perform.

“Whenever he batted in this Champions Trophy, I saw the real Rahul – when he was in his younger days – that focus, and batting grace. I have seen a lot of matches of his younger days, and really enjoyed seeing it. Even against Australia, he played very well. It was more of a mature innings in the final.”

“For me, he is always blessed, a good cricketer, and a good human being who enjoys his cricket. His humbleness and calmness are two of his great things, and I keep on telling him that. I could make out from his face that he enjoyed playing to his role, and that he was very, very happy in that phase, right from planning to preparation. He deserves all of this for the hard work and 10 years of good cricket he has played at the highest level,” he signed off.

Sports

‘I May Be Leaving Real Madrid But..’: Lucas Vasquez Pens Emotional Note After Spanish Club Announces Mid-Fielder’s Departure

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Renowned Spanish Club Lucas Vazquez penned an emotional note as the team announced the mid-fielder’s departure from the team. Having made his debut for Real Madrid in 2015, having already been part of their B and C teams, Vazques said he will carry memories of the club wherever he goes.

The celebrated football club had recently signed on Trent Alexander-Arnold that seemed to confirm Vazquez’s departure. While Madrid had made Luka Modric’s release public, the 34-year-old’s release was seemingly an open secret. However, it got openly confirmed after they announced his departure.

Taking to Instagram, Vazquez wrote that memories of the club will stay with him forever and is leaving knowing that he gave it all for the club.

“Dear Madridistas, it’s been nearly 2 decades since I arrived at Valdebebas as a 16 year old full of dreams and excitement to wear this shirt. Every step along the way has been a gift, and over time, Madrid became my home. We’ve lived unforgettable nights together, celebrated 23 titles and created memories that will stay with me forever.”

“From the bottom of my heart, thank you to the President, board, staff, coaches, teammates and above all, to the fans. You pushed me to always give that little bit more. Today, after more than 400 matches, it’s time to say goodbye to the club of my life. But I leave with peace of mind knowing I gave it my all. I’ve always been aware of the responsibility and privilege that comes with wearing this badge.”

“Wherever I go, I will proudly say that I had the honor of playing for the greatest club in the world” – Lucas Vasquez

The veteran footballer also suggested that his journey with the club has taught him to believe in himself, adding:

“I’ve enjoyed every match, training session, trip, and if there’s one thing this journey has taught me, it’s that no one should ever tell you that you can’t achieve something. I may be leaving Real Madrid, but Real Madrid will never leave me. Wherever I go, I will proudly say that I had the honor of playing for the greatest club in the world. Thank you for being part of the most beautiful journey of my life. Hala Madrid, and nothing more.”

Real Madrid had suffered a crushing 4-0 loss in the recent Club World Cup 2025 semi-final to PSG.

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National

Govt to amend MCOCA to contain smuggling of narcotics: CM Fadnavis

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Mumbai, July 2: Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday told the state council that the state government will move an amendment during the ongoing monsoon session to the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) to take action against the smuggling of narcotics to deal with the cases in which the accused arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985 received bail.

In his reply to a question by BJP legislator Parinay Fuke, the Chief Minister said that a separate NDPS unit has been set up in every police station in the state and officers and other personnel have been appointed in it. Coordination committees have also been set up at the district level. He added that the police have taken action in a large number of cases in the last two and a half years.

Fadnavis said that with the help of the Central Government, the state-level and inter-state coordination has now become more effective. He also said that intelligence sharing is going on with all the states, and due to this, joint action against smugglers has been possible.

The Chief Minister also said that addiction recovery centres are important and that appropriate policies will be formulated to increase their number and quality, and quality addiction recovery centres will be established. Clarifying that cannabis cultivation is banned and is not legal in Madhya Pradesh, he said that strict action will be taken against anyone smuggling cannabis, gutkha or similar substances.

Meanwhile, CM Fadnavis in his reply to another question raised by Shiv Sena UBT legislator Sunil Shinde said that all cases related to compassionate recruitment of police officers will be resolved on a mission mode in the 150-day plan of the state government. At the same time, orders have been given to all departments regarding compassionate recruitment.

Fadnavis said that the concept of 8-hour duty was first implemented in Mumbai itself. Sometimes there are exceptions during festivals, but overall, the 8-hour duty of the police has now become stable. Also, weekly holidays have been started across the state for the police, and if, for some reason, they do not get the leave, their ‘encashment’ has also been increased on a large scale. Earlier, the amount of this encashment was less, but now it has been increased, he added.

Large-scale housing projects for the police are being implemented across the state, including Mumbai. Work is also going on at a rapid pace at the taluka level. He mentioned that the work of the Police Housing Construction Corporation is unprecedented. Referring to the DG Loan Scheme, CM Fadnavis said that this scheme was started, but it was closed during the previous government. Now the scheme has been restarted, and efforts are being made to clear the backlog.

Addressing the increasing incidence of lifestyle-related diseases among the police, health check-ups have been made mandatory once a year for police officers above the age of 40 and twice a year for police officers above the age of 50. The Chief Minister said that a special scheme of counselling and interaction with senior officers is being implemented for the mental health of the police.

State’s home minister Yogesh Kadam said that the government is implementing many measures for the welfare of the police, in which free treatment is being provided for 40 types of diseases. For this, tie-ups have been made with 270 hospitals in the state. Cancer screening camps have been organised with various hospitals, and Yoga, meditation and gymnasium have been started for the police.

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National

Ahmedabad plane crash: Gujarat govt intensifies relief, insurance, identification efforts

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Ahmedabad, June 16: In the wake of the tragic Air India AI-171 crash, which claimed 270 lives near Ahmedabad, the Gujarat government has swiftly ramped up rescue, relief, and administrative support measures to assist grieving families and ensure a streamlined response to the crisis.

District Collectors have personally reached out to the families of victims, while nodal officers have been appointed across districts to oversee the disbursement of insurance and compensation to legal heirs. These officers, drawn from district-level accounting departments and relevant government bodies, are tasked with ensuring that claims are processed efficiently and empathetically.

To facilitate insurance processes, a joint coordination cell has been set up at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, in line with IRDAI guidelines. New India Assurance has taken the lead for general insurance claims on behalf of the General Insurance Council, and HDFC Life has been designated to handle life insurance claims. Alongside LIC, both companies have established help desks at the hospital to assist families with documentation, claims guidance, and other support.

Meanwhile, district authorities are actively aiding insurance teams by providing key documents, including the passenger manifest, to accelerate claim verifications. Twelve dedicated teams are working in rotational shifts to conduct DNA sample collection and matching. As of now, 250 blood samples have been collected from relatives and local residents.

So far, 62 DNA matches have been confirmed, and 35 mortal remains have been handed over to the respective families — 27 after DNA verification and eight through other forms of identification. Only three passenger identifications remain pending, with relatives currently en route from the United Kingdom to submit samples.

To ensure the dignified and smooth transfer of mortal remains, more than 250 nodal and assistant nodal officers have been deployed. These officers remain in touch with families throughout the process — from initial contact and DNA collection to the final rites — ensuring transportation of remains under police escort, handing over personal belongings, and staying present until funerals are complete.

More than 850 medical personnel, including 100 staff members at the trauma centre, have been deployed as part of the emergency medical response. This includes both permanent hospital staff and additional manpower mobilised specifically for this crisis. Counselling services are also being offered to families coping with trauma.

For families arriving from other states, the Gujarat government is coordinating with State Emergency Operation Centres across the country. Regular contact has been established with nodal officers in other regions to provide logistical and emotional support to affected relatives. A team from Air India remains stationed at the Civil Hospital round-the-clock to assist families. Free air travel arrangements are being provided to relatives based on individual needs.

The Roads and Buildings Department has arranged for accommodation and ground transportation to ensure that visiting families face minimal inconvenience. To manage inquiries and streamline support, state-run helplines and control rooms have been receiving and acting on calls from across the country. Over 1,700 calls have been registered as of Sunday evening, with authorities maintaining active coordination across all departments involved.

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