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IPL 2022: Ashwin happy to contribute with bat and ball in Rajasthan Royals’ win

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Having helped Rajasthan Royals to a five-wicket win against Chennai Super Kings in Match 68 of IPL 2022 with superb all-round performance, off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was elated to get the chance to bat and make a ‘double’ contribution in the team’s victory.

Ashwin claimed 1/28 with the ball as he helped Rajsthan Royals claw their way back into the game after CSK had blasted 75/1 in powerplay, thanks mainly to Moeen Ali, who smashed a 19-ball half-century.

Ashwin then came back to contribute with the bat as well, scoring 40 runs off 23 balls as Rajasthan Royals successfully chased 151.

“Feels like a million dollars. It was a special day for us. Finishing with a win and getting two bites of the cherry was important,” said Ashwin after being adjudged Player of the Match for his all-round performance.

The seasoned off-spinner said he had been promised that he would be promoted up the order in batting and get a chance to play in the powerplay if he worked on his batting.

“The communication (from the team management) was clear before the season on what I needed to work on. The management had ensured my role was well defined, I opened in practice games. I was told I’ll play in the powerplay but not at the death (laughs),” he said.

About bowling in T20 matches, Ashwin said his role is to force the batters to take risks.

“In T20, you can’t chase wickets. I have to make batters take risks. Sometimes, they don’t and I’ll have to bowl for the other end. I have understood the game well and am innovative,” Ashwin said.

The 35-year-old from Chennai said that the CSK trainers and strength specialists have encouraged him to work on his physical fitness, which has resulted in him hitting three big sixes on Friday.

“I don’t have enough power, credit has to go to Rajamani (Prabhu, Strength Specialist) and Zubin Bharucha. They’ve understood my nature and that I don’t bat the same (in) every game. They’ve encouraged me and I’ve practiced a lot,” said Ashwin.

About playing for a new franchise, Ashwin said, “I want to play my A-game for all franchises I play for. It’s a mark of respect. Glad we’re in the playoffs,” he said.

International

‘Our dream is getting fulfilled’: Coach Sumit Bhatia elated to see Kho Kho going global

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New Delhi, Dec 16: Coach Sumit Bhatia is all pumped up for the first edition of the Kho Kho World Cup scheduled to take place from January 13-19, 2025. Bhatia, who holds a distinct record of being the only head coach to have won the Asian Championship twice, believes that this historical step is an indication of the realisation of the dream to take the sport to the international level and help it gain global recognition.

Having been honoured with the best coach award by the Delhi government, Bhatia has been a part of various Indian teams’ success, including the 2016 and 2023 Asian Kho Kho Championship victories, and has trained players like Nasreen Shaikh and Sarika Sudhakar Kale. Both of them have been Arjuna Awardees.

Nasreen, who is also a part of the World Cup camp, is the only player who has played in two Asian Championships and won the gold. The coach-student duo is now gearing up for the global event.

Sharing how the journey of Kho Kho World Cup’s inception, the coach said, “We organised an international camp here before COVID happened, in 2020. Coaches and players from 16 countries came here and we gave them training. Now they will be coming here for the World Cup but this campaign started in that camp”.

He further said, “Around 30-35 countries were willing to play the tournament but we picked the best 20 teams for both men and women. Some countries have single teams while some have double teams but a total of 24 countries will be participating in the tournament. It was our dream to take Kho Kho to the international level and now we can see that our dream is getting fulfilled.”

He also lauded the launch of the Ultimate Kho Kho League and shared how the franchise-based model has helped the players and coaches gain recognition, while also bringing forward grassroot talent.

“When the Ultimate Kho Kho league started, I also joined Telegu Yodhas as their head coach and we also played the final. Players have gotten exposure through the league and it’s not just financial. Earlier we used to hesitate while admitting being a Kho Kho coach but today our players introduce us as their coach,” said Bhatia.

He added, “The league got so much coverage that wherever we go, the players are approached for autographs. So the platform of the league started a new world for both coaches and players and now not just India but the entire world knows us. Earlier we used to tell people about our game but now they know what is Kho Kho and Ultimate Kho Kho league and are also waiting for the third season.”

Bhatia also discussed the impact of sports science on Kho Kho and lauded the newly introduced technology and said, “We have benefitted a lot from it. Sometimes we don’t understand why a player is not performing well. But with the introduction of sports science, we now know about the details of the problem.

“For example, a player might be facing issues with his left leg while sitting and so, it gives us an opportunity to work on that weakness… Sports science has helped us in identifying the accuracy and weakness of a player. So it’s very beneficial for us.”

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International

Gukesh etches India’s name in golden letters in chess history: AICF

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New Delhi,Dec 13: The All India Chess Federation (AICF) president Nitin Narang lauded D. Gukesh on becoming the youngest World Chess Champion and said it is not just a personal milestone but the feat has also etched India’s name in golden letters in the history of chess.

Gukesh scripted history on Thursday after beating Ding Liren of China in the 14-game World Chess Championship final in Singapore. The 18-year-old from Chennai capitalised on a blunder by Ding in the winner-takes-all 14th game to dethrone the reigning champion, winning the match 7.5 to 6.5 to become only the second Indian, after five-time champion Viswanathan Anand, to win the World Chess Championship.

Congratulating Gukesh over his historic performance, AICF president Nitin Narang said, “Gukesh’s victory is not just a milestone in his career but also etches India’s name in golden letters in the history of chess.

Throughout the tournament, he displayed remarkable focus and patience, which is truly inspiring. Gukesh has emerged as a role model for today’s youth.”

Narang further said that Gukesh deserves to be called the Crown Prince of Chess. “Gukesh’s victory has established beyond a shadow of doubt that India is the king of chess. I congratulate Gukesh, his coaches, his family, and everyone else who stood by his side during his journey from a chess prodigy to a world champion,” he said.

At 18, Gukesh has shattered barriers and surpassed Garry Kasparov’s record to become the youngest-ever World Chess Champion.

AICF Secretary Dev A Patel said Gukesh has emerged as a symbol of hope and aspiration for millions of youngsters who are drawn to the game of chess.

“Gukesh’s victory will help the AICF in taking chess to tens of thousands of schools across the country. The AICF already has a ‘chess in school’ program in motion where hundreds of coaches have been roped in to popularise the game among the young generation,” he added.

AICF treasurer Dharmendra Kumar pointed out that AICF is continuously bolstering and building chess and its ecosystem in India, which is evident from the success Indian players have secured in international competitions.

Gukesh will wear the world crown 11 years after Vishwanathan Anand was dethroned in the 2013 World Chess Championship. Incidentally, Gukesh’s triumph was bolstered by the mentorship of GM Anand and his WestBridge Anand Chess Academy.

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Sports

Wickets To Wheels: Rashid Khan Practices Pit Stop With Haas F1 Team Ahead Of Qatar GP; 

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Gujarat Titans and Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan was recently spotted going through a mock pit stop with the Haas F1 team before the Formula 1 Qatar GP. The cricketer donned the same attire as the team members and assisted the crew by lifting the tyres and replacing them with relative ease.

One of the crew members also complimented Rashid’s work with a fist bump. The Haas F1 team put a fascinating edit of the same on their Instagram page. The Haas F1 team captioned the post, “From Pitch Perfect to Pit Perfect. Giving @rashid.khan19 a taste of Pit Stop Practice with the team,” . The effort from Rashid drew admiration from fans.

Rashid set to lead Afghanistan in forthcoming series against Zimbabwe

Coming to cricket, Rashid, will be leading the team against Zimbabwe as Afghanistan are all set to commence their all-format tour with the white-ball series on December 11. The three-match T20I series will be followed by as many games ODIs and two Tests. 

The first Test will be played on December 26 at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. It is all set to be an iconic occasion for both Afghanistan and Zimbabwe. Notably, the red-ball game is slated to be the first Boxing Day Test hosted by Zimbabwe after 28 long years, which was against England in 1996.

The Boxing Day encounter will be followed by the New Year’s Test from January 2-6 at the same venue. Recently Rashid was retained by Gujarat Titans for a record ₹18 crore ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction

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