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Could help a team win IPL if had the opportunity to play regularly: Tabraiz Shamsi

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South Africa left-arm wrist-spinner Tabraiz Shamsi rued the lack of regular playing opportunities in the Indian Premier League (IPL), saying that if he had been given the chance to feature consistently in the tournament, he would have helped win his team the trophy.

While IPL 2022 has seen leg-spinners like Yuzvendra Chahal, Wanindu Hasaranga top the wicket-taking charts, Shamsi, the top-ranked bowler in T20Is, went surprisingly unsold in IPL Mega Auction.

He had represented Royal Challengers Bangalore from 2016-18 as an injury replacement of West Indies’ leg-spinner Samuel Badree and was called up as a replacement for Andrew Tye by Rajasthan Royals in 2021 edition but played just one match. In his overall IPL career, Shamsi has played just five matches, picking three scalps at an economy rate of 9.05.

“No, it does not frustrate me as it is something I can’t control. I’d love to be there, though. I believe in my abilities and I believe if I were given an opportunity to play regularly in the IPL I could help a team win the trophy. In my previous two IPL stints, I didn’t get an opportunity to play regularly,” said Shamsi to SAcricketmag.

“As a player, you need to be given a decent run in order to showcase your abilities. That’s evident from my career. When Imran Tahir was in the Proteas team, I didn’t get to play regularly. But since he moved on (in 2019), I’ve been able to show that I can win games and have climbed up to No 1 in the world,” added Shamsi.

For now, Shamsi’s eyes are on making South Africa emerge victorious in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Australia later in the year. In the 2021 Men’s T20 World Cup, South Africa won four out of five matches in Group 1 of Super 10 stage but were unable to move into the semifinals due to net run rate.

“Our T20 team has one of the world’s best bowling attacks and we showed that at last year’s World Cup in the UAE. We were very unlucky not to qualify for the semifinals. We beat two of the best teams there, Pakistan in one of the warm-up games and England in the group stage. We are going to Australia to challenge for that trophy,” stated Shamsi.

Shamsi, 32, signed off by saying that winning a World Cup for South Africa is one of his big goals in white-ball cricket. “My goal is always to try help my team win the game, no matter where or when I’m playing. But my biggest goal is to help my country win a World Cup and I’m not shy to say that. I want to win a World Cup and I will do everything I can to achieve that.”

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Market volatility over Greenland issue to continue due to ‘few sticking points’: Report

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New Delhi, Jan 24 : Investors are likely to remain on edge over the proposed US framework on Greenland, and near-term volatility related to this issue can continue, a report has said.

The report from Bank of Baroda said that market participants are awaiting more details that could determine whether negotiations succeed or unravel.

“Going ahead, investors are likely to await more details of the deal, as there are a few sticking points which can derail the negotiations. Hence, some volatility can be expected,” the report said.

Several analysts expect the arrangement to resemble an update of the existing security agreement between the US and Denmark, which was signed in 1951, the report noted.

Further negotiations will follow in due course which will cover areas such as US military presence in Greenland, as well as use of its mineral resources and sovereignty, said Aditi Gupta, Economist, Bank of Baroda.

US President Donald Trump has framed Washington’s interest in Greenland as driven by national security concerns, but the island’s largely unexplored mineral wealth including oil, gas and rare earth elements is of interest to US, the report said.

“The announcement of a framework deal between the US and NATO has helped to soothe investors’ nerves, however the details of the deal are still fuzzy,” it added.

Geo-political tensions escalated and markets went into turmoil after the US President intensified rhetoric to annex Greenland and threatened economic measures against European countries that oppose US plans. In response, several European nations, including France, Germany, Sweden amongst others increased military deployment in Greenland, further escalating tensions.

Trump had announced a 10 per cent additional tariff on goods from the UK, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, Netherlands and Finland from February 1, 2026. The rate was expected to increase to 25 per cent by June 1, 2026.

Later, he backed off from his threat of imposing tariffs on European countries along the sidelines of the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos.

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Sports

‘Journey of going against assumptions, opinions and perceptions continues’: Bumrah on completing 10 years in int’l cricket

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New Delhi, Jan 23: India’s fast bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah marked a decade in international cricket on Friday and reflected by saying it’s a continuation of ‘going against assumptions, opinions and perceptions’.

Bumrah made his debut in international cricket in the ODI against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground in January 2016 and returned with figures of 2-40. He was the highest wicket-taker in the T20I leg of the tour, where India won the series 3-0.

Since then, Bumrah has become one of the world’s greatest fast bowlers across formats. “10 years of living the dream of the child who fell in love with the sport that made him feel alive like nothing in this world ever could. The journey of going against assumptions, opinions and perceptions and keeping the belief alive continues, with the love and support of family and God. Waheguruji da shukr eda he baba ji mehraan bhariyaan hath rakheen. Satnam Waheguru,” Bumrah posted on his Instagram on Friday.

So far, Bumrah has picked 234 Test wickets in 52 matches at an average of 19.79. In 89 ODIs, he has claimed 149 wickets at an average of 23.55, while in 83 T20I, he has taken 103 wickets at an average of 18.17.

Bumrah’s best Test innings figures are 9-86, and he has 16 five-wicket hauls in Tests, while picking two five-fors in ODIs. He also became the first Indian fast bowler to reach the number one spot in the ICC Test bowling rankings.

Bumrah is also the recipient of the ICC Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy, awarded to the Men’s Cricketer of the Year, for his exceptional performances in 2024. He also won the ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year in 2024 for picking 71 wickets in 13 matches. Bumrah also won the Player of the Tournament award in India for winning the 2024 Men’s T20 World Cup for picking 15 wickets at an average of 8.26.

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Kohli is tied to the job of scoring runs, not to an image: Gavaskar

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Indore, Jan 19: Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar believes Virat Kohli’s greatest strength lies in his ability to remain unshackled by expectations and play purely according to the situation after the talismanic batter scored a century in the third ODI against New Zealand.

While Virat Kohli scored his 54th ODI hundred, continuing his rich vein of form, India fell short against New Zealand, who were powered by centuries from Daryl Mitchell and Glenn Phillips.

“The thing about Virat is that he’s not tied down to an image. Many players feel pressured to play the way people expect them to. Virat isn’t like that. He’s tied to the job at hand, and that job is to score runs.” Gavaskar told Jio Star

“Sometimes he starts watchfully and then opens up; sometimes he attacks early and then spreads the field. He’s not governed by expectations of how he should play. He plays according to the situation. That temperament is the key,” Gavaskar said.

Gavaskar also shed light on the Men in Blue’s loss. He felt India’s problems began with a poor start throughout the series. “Once New Zealand crossed 300, it was always going to be difficult. If the target had been around 290, it might have been possible. But India kept losing early wickets, including KL Rahul, who was in good form.

“Unless Virat got substantial support, it was always going to be tough, and he got very little of it. As they say, well begun is half done. India never began well, and that’s one of the main reasons they couldn’t chase these scores,” he added.

Praising allrounder Harshit Rana for his late contribution, Gavaskar said the youngster showed clarity in his role. “He batted exactly like a lower-order batter should, without worry and without expectations. He knew his job was to swing the bat. If it came off, great. If not, no worries,” he said.

He also highlighted the learning opportunity for young players batting alongside a legend like Kohli. “To bat with someone like Virat Kohli is a privilege. When such players talk to you at the end of an over and say, ‘keep going’ or ‘good shot’, those are memories you carry for life,” Gavaskar said.

Former New Zealand pacer Simon Doull lauded the visitors for their composure and depth, calling the series win a reflection of New Zealand’s strong development system.

“This is a special performance. Players like Jayden Lennox and Kristian Clarke came in on their first tour and stood tall in tough conditions. It shows how strong New Zealand’s pathway system is. To lose seven ODI series in a row in India shows how hard it is to win here. These players have managed to do what no one else has. It’s a brilliant achievement,” he added.

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