Sports
IPL 2025: The way Shashank takes on bowlers with confidence is exceptional, says Williamson
New Delhi, March 26: New Zealand batting great Kane Williamson was all praise for Punjab Kings’ middle-order batter Shashank Singh, whose blistering unbeaten 44 off just 16 deliveries played a crucial role in his team’s 11-run victory over Gujarat Titans in their IPL 2025 match on Tuesday.
Williamson lauded Shashank’s ability to remain composed at the crease while displaying a wide range of attacking strokes against some of the best bowlers in the tournament.
“Shashank is coming off an outstanding breakout season last year. He’s incredibly still at the crease, has beautiful hands, and doesn’t move excessively, yet he possesses so many scoring options. He has the time to adjust to short-pitched deliveries — whether ramping it over the keeper or pulling off a length — but he can also hold his position and play powerful straight drives,” Williamson said on JioHotstar.
“The way he comes in during the death overs, with little time to settle, and takes on bowlers with confidence is exceptional. Whether it’s Rashid Khan missing his length slightly and Shashank slapping it back over the square — that’s an incredibly difficult shot against someone of Rashid’s calibre. It just speaks to the quality of the player,” Williamson added.
Alongside Shashank’s late flourish, Punjab Kings’ captain Shreyas Iyer led from the front with a match-winning 97 not out off 42 balls, smashing nine sixes and five fours at a strike rate of 230.95.
“What stands out about Shreyas is how he continues to evolve his game. For a period, teams targeted him with short balls, but now, he’s adjusting brilliantly—getting deeper in his crease, de-weighting his front leg, and dominating the short-pitched deliveries. His ability to shift his weight forward again makes it difficult for bowlers who try the ‘one-two’ approach—going short, then full. He’s now able to access all areas of the ground, which makes him such a formidable batter,” Williamson said.
Iyer’s innings was packed with breathtaking stroke play, as he dictated terms from the outset. “It was a knock of the highest standard. From the very first ball, it was almost a highlight reel—he played the ball exactly where it was meant to be hit. Anything outside off stump, he looked to access the offside, and he even struck sixes over cover against some of the best seamers in the world,” Williamson remarked.
“To take on Rashid Khan as well—that’s one of the toughest challenges in the game. As a leader, to step in at No. 3, set the tone, and take on the opposition’s biggest threats was remarkable. That innings was truly out of this world,” he concluded.
National
Market volatility over Greenland issue to continue due to ‘few sticking points’: Report

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

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

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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