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New Delhi, April 18 (IANS) West Indies cricket legend Brian Lara while sharing his view on what makes Rohit Sharma a special player said the 36-year-old is a leader whether name him captain or not.

He added that Rohit's ability to put both Team India and Mumbai Indians (MI) first sets him apart.

During MI's clash against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Rohit smashed an unbeaten 105 off 63 balls in a losing cause and in the process the iconic opener achieved two milestones: the most runs by a batter in the MI vs CSK rivalry with 512 runs and counting and the first Indian to hit 500 sixes in T20 cricket.

"When you look at Rohit Sharma, you feel that he connects to the public very well... Spend his entire life from youth to present-day playing for India sometimes not getting the nods from the selectors and having to work his way back and you know. When you have such an image and a statue like Rohit Sharma... sometimes some people don't take the knock-down very well but I think what is very admirable is his ability to put everything aside and put India first and in this case also put Mumbai Indians first and come out and play the cricket the way it should," Lara said on Star Sports.

"He does not look like a big sulker, which is great. He's a leader, doesn't matter if you name captain or not. At some point in time when you get to a certain age, at a certain level you are a leader. I think he represents that role very well," he added.

--IANS

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Sharjah, March 16 (IANS) Rashid Khan etched his name into the record books, claiming the best figures by an Afghanistan captain in T20Is, a feat previously held by Nawroz Mangal for over 14 years during the opening T20I clash between Afghanistan and Ireland.

Rashid's spell of 3 wickets for just 19 runs in four overs showcased his mastery with the ball and underlined his pivotal role in Afghanistan's bowling arsenal. With crucial dismissals of Ireland's key batsmen, including Paul Stirling, Curtis Campher, and Gareth Delany, Rashid spearheaded Afghanistan's efforts to contain the opposition, limiting Ireland to a modest total of 149 for 6 in their 20 overs.

Despite Rashid's heroics, Afghanistan faced a setback in their pursuit of victory, succumbing to a 38-run defeat at the hands of a resilient Irish side.

While Mohammad Ishaq showcased promise with a spirited knock of 32 runs off 22 balls, the Afghan batting lineup faltered against Ireland's formidable bowling attack, with Ben White emerging as the chief destroyer with four crucial scalps. Despite contributions from veteran all-rounder Mohammad Nabi, Afghanistan failed to overcome Ireland's relentless pressure, ultimately falling short of the target.

As the series unfolds, Afghanistan will be eager to regroup and bounce back in the second T20I showdown scheduled for Sunday, March 17.

--IANS

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New Delhi, March 16 (IANS) Shane Watson, the former Australian all-rounder, has opted out of contention for the role of Pakistan's head coach, despite being the preferred candidate of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), says a report.

According to ESPNcricinfo, Watson, who recently coached the Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), was in advanced discussions regarding the position but has decided to prioritize his current coaching and commentary commitments, including his role with the San Francisco Unicorns in Major League Cricket and his commentary deal at the IPL.

While Watson had initially considered the offer from PCB, thoroughly enjoying his time in Pakistan during the PSL, he ultimately chose to honor his existing commitments, citing family obligations and the need to balance multiple roles. His decision leaves Pakistan without a head coach ahead of their upcoming T20I series against New Zealand and the T20 World Cup in June.

Despite reports suggesting a substantial financial offer from PCB, it is understood that the actual figure was lower than speculated and played no part in Watson's withdrawal. The rapid pace of developments regarding the coaching offer meant that accepting it would have required Watson to step down from his current roles abruptly, which was deemed impractical.

As head coach of Quetta Gladiators, Watson made significant changes to the team's structure and personnel, notably replacing long-time captain Sarfaraz Ahmed with Rilee Rossouw. Under his guidance, the Gladiators showed promising form in the PSL, reaching the playoffs for the first time in five seasons before being eliminated in the latter stages of the tournament.

--IANS

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Colombo, March 16 (IANS) Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) on Saturday announced the appointment of former Pakistan pace bowler Aaqib Javed as the men’s cricket team fast bowling coach.

SLC in its announcement stated, “Sri Lanka Cricket wishes to announce the appointment of former Pakistan pace bowler Aaqib Javed as the national team’s ‘fast bowling coach.’ He will work with the national team until the completion of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which is scheduled to be held in the West Indies and USA during June 2024.”

Aaqib is currently serving as the director of cricket operations and head coach of the Lahore Qalandars of the Pakistan Premier League and his role with Sri Lanka Cricket will resume, with immediate effect.

“We warmly welcome Aaqib and believe that his immense international experience, both in playing and coaching will help our bowlers come into good shape ahead of the upcoming major international competitions, such as the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup,” said Ashley De Silva, CEO, Sri Lanka Cricket.

Aaqib had a successful international career where he played 163 ODIs and 22 test matches for Pakistan, capturing a tally of 236 international wickets. A member of Pakistan’s 1992 World Cup-winning team, Javed has worked for several national teams in different coaching capacities.

Among those stints are working as the bowling coach of the Pakistan national team, serving as the coach of the UAE national team, and also working with the Afghanistan national team in a development role.

During his tenure as coach, the UAE National Team has obtained ODI and T20I status, made the ICC Men’s 50 Over World Cup in 2015, and also featured in the qualifiers for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2014.

The former Pakistan pace bowler also coached the Pakistan U19 team to a World Cup win back in 2004 and served as the bowling coach when Pakistan won the 2009 T20 World Cup

in England.

--IANS

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New Delhi, March 16 (IANS) Australia pacer Mitchell Starc opened up on returning to the Indian Premier League (IPL) and is prepared for a “bit of circus.”

After nearly nine years, Starc is set to make his highly anticipated return to the Indian Premier League (IPL) arena, donning the colours of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the upcoming 2024 edition. Starc's astronomical price tag of 24.70 crore in the auction made headlines, establishing him as the costliest player in IPL history following a fierce bidding war with the Gujarat Titans.

The seasoned pacer, who previously represented the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the IPL's early seasons, is eager to embark on this new chapter with KKR, expressing his excitement about the prospect of reuniting with the franchise. Reflecting on his IPL journey, Starc acknowledged his previous stint in the league and his decision to withdraw from joining KKR in 2018, highlighting the anticipation surrounding his return to the fold. The Australian pacer played two seasons of the IPL in 2014 and 2015 with the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and had picked up 34 wickets across both campaigns.

In an interview with cricket.com.au, Starc shared his enthusiasm for the challenge ahead, emphasising his readiness to embrace the dynamic environment of the IPL. With a fresh roster of teammates and a renewed sense of purpose, Starc is poised to make his mark in the world's premier T20 competition, relishing the opportunity to compete against the best in the business.

"It's been eight years, I think. Back to KKR where I was supposed to be in 2018. So I'll be back there for the chance to pull on the gold and purple. I guess my memories are a few and far between of back in 2014 and 2015 with RCB but yeah, really excited to get stuck in. Obviously, a new group of players. A bunch of guys I certainly haven't met or been able to work with before,” said Starc to cricket.com.au.

Acknowledging the electrifying atmosphere and global appeal of the IPL, Starc anticipates an exhilarating season ahead, characterizing the tournament as a "circus" that encapsulates the essence of T20 cricket at its finest.

"A couple of guys that I've, international guys that I've played against and come across. Yeah, it's gonna be exciting. It's definitely a new challenge. But yeah, it'll be exciting. It's always a bit of a circus when it is the best T20 league in the world. So, yeah I look forward to it," said Starc.

KKR will play their season opener against the Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 23 at the iconic Eden Gardens.

--IANS

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New Delhi, March 16 (IANSlife) A stubborn pimple can be a frustrating reminder that your skin needs more than just a quick fix. While spot treatments can offer temporary relief, they often act like band-aids on a deeper issue.

"That stubborn breakout might be a message from your skin, signalling a lack of vital antioxidants like Glutathione. Contrary to what some may say, Glutathione isn't just another trendy skincare ingredient. It is much more than just that," says Shikha Dwivedi, MSc Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics of OZiva.

So, what is Glutathione and why is it important for the skin?

Pat came the reply from Shikha, who said: "Simply put, Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant naturally produced by your body, acting as a frontline soldier against free radicals – harmful molecules that damage your skin cells and contribute to various concerns. You can think of it as your skin's internal shield, protecting it from the daily onslaught of environmental stressors and promoting overall health and radiance."

The Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics of OZiva also highlight how Glutathione can battle against various issues including:

Hyperpigmentation: Free radicals can wreak havoc on your skin tone by triggering the overproduction of melanin, the pigment responsible for skin colour. This can lead to dark spots and uneven patches, making your complexion appear dull and uneven. Glutathione helps combat this by neutralizing free radicals, preventing them from triggering excess melanin production and promoting a more even, radiant skin tone.

Inflammation: This isn't just about the occasional sunburn. Inflammation can manifest in various ways on your skin, including redness, irritation, and even acne breakouts. Free radicals contribute to this inflammatory response, and Glutathione's antioxidant properties help mitigate their harmful effects, creating a calmer and healthier skin environment.

Premature aging: As you age, your body's natural production of Glutathione declines. This leaves your skin more vulnerable to free radical damage, which can break down essential components like collagen and elastin. These structural proteins are crucial for maintaining skin firmness and elasticity, and their breakdown leads to visible signs of aging, like wrinkles and loss of firmness. By supporting your body's natural production of Glutathione, you can help keep these structures protected and delay the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, and other age-related concerns.

There are some ways to combat stubborn acne that can address skin concerns and truly become a powerful ally.

According to Shikha, Glutathione builder provides the essential building blocks our body needs to naturally produce Glutathione. She said: "Key ingredients like Milk Thistle Extract, Grape Seed Extract, and Tetrahydro curcuminoids work together to combat hyperpigmentation and brighten your skin. By neutralizing free radicals and boosting Glutathione levels, this formula effectively fades dark spots, promoting a luminous complexion and addressing a common concern with remarkable efficacy.

"For a truly comprehensive approach consider the Bioactive Gluta Fizzy. This innovative formula goes beyond just Glutathione, offering a blend of five potent bioactives to tackle various skin concerns. L-glutathione directly targets the enzyme responsible for dark pigment production, leading to a visibly brighter and more even skin tone. Hyaluronic Acid provides an extra boost of hydration, leaving your skin plump and supple. Additionally, a Collagen Builder stimulates collagen synthesis, helping to diminish the appearance of wrinkles and maintain skin firmness. Finally, the powerful antioxidants Lycopene and Astaxanthin shield your skin from environmental aggressors like the sun and inflammation, contributing to overall skin health and vitality."

While both Glutathione-based solutions provide valuable support for overall skin health and combat free radicals, Shikha asserts that Bioactive Gluta Fizzy takes a multi-pronged approach, making it particularly well-suited for addressing stubborn acne.

Here's how it works according to the Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics of OZiva:

Targeting the root cause of hyperpigmentation: L-Glutathione and Lycopene aren't just general antioxidants; they specifically target the enzyme responsible for dark pigment production. This targeted action helps to fade existing dark spots and prevent new ones from forming, leading to a visibly brighter and more even skin tone.

Reducing inflammation, a Trigger for Acne Breakouts: Astaxanthin, another powerful ingredient in Bioactive Gluta Fizzy, boasts potent anti-inflammatory properties. This translates to a calmer and healthier skin environment, helping to reduce visible redness and irritation associated with acne. By mitigating inflammation, Astaxanthin can help prevent future breakouts, supporting a clearer complexion.

Creating a hydrated and healthy base for cell regeneration: Hyaluronic Acid acts as a powerful humectant, meaning it draws and retains moisture in the skin. This enhanced hydration plumps the skin and creates a supportive environment for cell regeneration.

N. Lothungbeni Humtsoe can be contacted at lothungbeni.h@ians.in

--IANS

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New Delhi, March 16 (IANS) Sunil Gavaskar, the legendary former India captain, has advocated for a significant increase in remuneration for domestic cricketers, particularly those involved in first-class cricket, urging the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to triple their fees.

While commending the BCCI's recent move to offer incentives to Test cricketers, Gavaskar emphasized the importance of supporting the Ranji Trophy, the primary feeder system for the national team.

"That is a wonderful thing by the BCCI to reward those who would be playing, but I would also request the BCCI to ensure that the feeder to the Test team, which is the Ranji Trophy, is also looked after,” said Gavaskar.

"If the Ranji Trophy fees can be doubled or tripled, certainly there'll be a lot more people playing the Ranji Trophy, and a lot less pullouts from the Ranji Trophy, because if the fees of playing a Ranji Trophy match are a good fee, there will be fewer people pulling out for various reasons,” he added.

Gavaskar highlighted the correlation between higher fees and reduced player withdrawals from domestic tournaments, citing examples like Ishan Kishan. He echoed Rahul Dravid's sentiments regarding the rewards for red-ball cricket, proposing a slab system based on the number of first-class matches played.

"I think what Rahul Dravid said, when it was announced in Dharamsala, that he would like to call it a reward. They will all be wanting to play with a slab system - every 10 first-class matches you get that much more so I would request the BCCI to look at that aspect as well," Gavaskar said on the sidelines of an event by CHAMPS Foundation, which completed 25 years.

Addressing concerns raised by players regarding the scheduling of Ranji Trophy games, Gavaskar advocated for longer gaps between matches to allow for adequate rest and recovery. He suggested starting the Ranji season in October rather than January to ensure players' availability and minimize pullouts, with white-ball tournaments following in mid-December.

"In the three-day gap, what happens is that there's probably a day in between for travel. During travel, there's no time to visit the physio and maybe take his help to get fit from a niggle. So, there should probably be a little bit of a gap so that the player has got adequate time. My personal opinion is to have the Ranji Trophy from October to mid-December and then bring in the white-ball tournaments. That way, everybody will be available to play except for the ones featuring for India. There will be no real excuse to pull out. With the one-dayers beginning from January, people who are in the IPL can have enough practice from then."

Expressing confidence in the future of Test cricket, Gavaskar predicted a shift towards more balanced tour schedules featuring a mix of Tests, T20Is, and ODIs, rather than extensive five-Test series. He emphasized the enduring appeal of Test cricket while acknowledging the evolving landscape of international cricket tours.

"Test cricket will definitely be around. You might not have a five-Test match series between every country; only two or three might play five Tests. Any tour now will be a mix of Tests, T20Is, and ODIs."

--IANS

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New Delhi, March 16 (IANS) With Harmanpreet Kaur at the crease alongside Amelia Kerr, Mumbai Indians had all the right to feel they had a chance to chase down 136 and enter the final at the expense of Royal Challengers Bangalore in front of more than 27,000 fans in the Eliminator at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.

Luckily for MI, with 20 runs needed off 18 balls, Harmanpreet had a reprieve in the start of 18th over when Richa Ghosh missed a stumping off Shreyanka Patil, leaving the crowd silent. But to their delight, after not giving any room for a big shot, the nerveless Shreyanka had the last laugh as Harmanpreet holed out to long-on to close the over.

That over from Shreyanka in a wonderful spell of 2-18 in four overs turned the match literally in RCB’s favour as MI fell short by five runs to give Smriti Mandhana & Co a shot at lifting the trophy when they face Delhi Capitals in the title clash on Sunday.

Previously in the game, after Yastika Bhatia was dropped in the fourth over, Shreyanka fetched the opening breakthrough for RCB by getting the ball to turn in and forcing Hayley Matthews to slog-sweep straight to deep mid-wicket.

A day before the Eliminator, head coach Luke Williams had said that Shreyanka was itching to put up a big performance in the playoffs. Now, after taking RCB to the final along with Ellyse Perry, Shreyanka’s impactful spell with the ball will be etched in the memories for a long time.

“I would be blatantly lying, not at the last two overs. But maybe when Harmanpreet’s stumping went through and we missed that, there was something inside me saying that if she had got out, we're in with a sniff. But we got another opportunity (in the same over), and even though it was a regulation catch – taken by Sophie Devine in that pressure and with her experience showed why you need experienced players in the team, apart from Shreyanka Patil being an absolute champion.”

“From there, you start sniffing and you almost believe that it can be done. Lots of things happen when chasing becomes difficult, which could have been in MI’s mind. By the fifth or sixth over, we knew that 150-160 could be a good score. Though there were too many dot balls, I couldn’t pinpoint when the belief came in. But as soon as Harman got out, maybe that’s when we thought there’s something,” said Malolan Rangarajan, RCB assistant coach, in the post-match press conference.

Shreyanka was one of the breakout stars from WPL 2023 and went on to have a CPL stint, followed by making her India debut in both white-ball formats in the series against England and Australia.

A lot was expected from her in the Bengaluru leg of WPL 2024, her home-town. But she had an underwhelming time, taking only two wickets in nine overs, while conceding 100 runs. Shreyanka, though, made a stellar return in the Delhi leg of the competition, taking seven wickets in nine overs, while conceding 45 runs.

While she was bowling away from the batter’s reach in Bengaluru, sticking to stump-to-stump line, and going a little away from the wider lines has brought her rich rewards in Delhi.

“Just the growth of Shreyanka in the last 12-16 months, when we identified and then brought her into the set-up. You could see that she was not behaving like someone of her age or her experience. She was like, slightly above that. She was always in for the fight. That's the spark you're looking for. Everyone has the skill but it's a dog fight which happens inside (on the field) and you're up for it: Shreyanka always had that in her.”

"Her growth over the last 12 months - playing for India, leading South Zone team in the Zonal One-Days – it has developed her better and helped her understand her own game better. She herself was the first to admit that she didn't start the tournament as well she would have liked. But she was also the first one to come up and say, 'I am not bowling well'.”

“She didn't need me or anyone else like Luke (Williams, head coach) and Courtney (Winfield-Hill, assistant coach) to go to her with that. She came and asked, 'I am not bowling as well as I can. What can I do?’ She came up with the solutions too. Yes, we chipped in here and there, but that's her character. When you see people like that, you know that when there are crunch moments, these characters will stand up and deliver.”

“Shreyanka is a warrior, especially to play with the injury she's playing. Nobody would think that she has an injury as she goes into bat and sweeps the first ball. So these are characters that we are very proud to have in RCB and we are even prouder to see what she does for both the franchise and the country," elaborated Rangarajan, also RCB’s head of scouting.

He also recalled what made Shreyanka stand out from the rest of the domestic players they were keeping their eyes on. "When we saw her playing for Karnataka, she was a 19-year-old playing for the senior team, bowling the tough overs. It wasn't like she was just participating, she was delivering the yorkers under pressure. Along with her coach Arjun (Dev), she does center-wicket practice and simulation, and there's nothing left to chance. The way she was practicing was different from our peers, and was slightly ahead of them."

While Shreyanka has been at her best and found her mojo with the ball, one needs to realise that the match-winning performances are coming despite her little finger heavily taped, an injury which kept her out of two consecutive matches.

"If given an option, Shreyanka would have liked to play both the games. Like I said, that's the character she is. The work she's put in between those games, even when she was injured, we had rented out a couple grounds, had centre wickets for her, where she was bowling, and working on her different releases."

"Because there was a moment where she wanted to release the ball a particular way and it was going out a different way. So, a lot of volume practice went into it with myself, with Luke and Courtney, all of us chipping in. So it was all very conscious practice and we simulated a lot."

"Even in the nets we were simulating, like ‘okay so tomorrow you're going to bowl to X player, this is how the player likes to score, this is what the player looks like if she wants to play a single. so let's try to attack this line, we need the ball to end up at this length’.”

"She was very good with that. Admittedly she may not have executed as well as she wanted but she kept going when she was injured. Finally it's all about the feel and the rhythm and I think somewhere in that (practice sessions) she found the rhythm again," explained Rangarajan.

Heading to the stadium, one could see RCB’s red taking over as the preferred jersey choice amongst fans. The RCB jersey-wearing fans stood in line for around two hours before the match began and cheered their hearts out, hoping their team would make it to Sunday’s final, and guess what? They did!

Even on the metro ride home after the game, you couldn’t miss the fans wearing RCB jerseys and loudly cheering for the team, while talking about all the twists & turns in the game. A large part of their happiness was made possible by Shreyanka’s stellar efforts with the ball, ensuring they turn up on Sunday with the same fervour seen on Friday.

--IANS

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New Delhi, March 7 (IANS) India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik is set to end his IPL career at the end of the upcoming edition, when he appears for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) over the next two months, says report.

According to an ESPNcricinfo report, Karthik will also make a final decision soon on his international future.

The wicketkeeper-batter, who commenced his IPL journey with Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals), stands among a distinguished list of seven players who have participated in every IPL season since its inception in 2008. This group includes renowned names such as MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Wriddhiman Saha and Manish Pandey.

Remarkably, Karthik has only been absent for two matches out of all 16 IPL seasons. The first instance occurred in his debut season, against Kolkata Knight Riders, and the second was in 2023 when he sat out of the league match against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Karthik's current stint with RCB is his second with the Bengaluru based franchise, having played with them in 2015, when he was acquired for a whopping Rs 10.5 crore.

Ahead of the 2022 edition of the league, he was released by KKR and was available for the IPL Mega Auction. He was bought by RCB for INR 5.5 crore.

Karthik has assumed leadership roles in the IPL in 43 matches. On six occasions as a stand-in captain at Daredevils and for 37 matches between 2018 and 2020 at Knight Riders before relinquishing the position. His overall captaincy record stands at 21 wins, 21 losses, and one tied match.

Overall, he has represented six teams over the course of his IPL career. He started off with Delhi Daredevils in 2008 before moving to Kings XI Punjab in 2011. He spent the following two seasons with Mumbai Indians before going back to Delhi in 2014. RCB bagged him in 2015 and he played for Gujarat Lions in 2016 and 2017 before spending four seasons with KKR.

RCB will play the tournament opener against defending champions Chennai Super Kings on March 23 at his home ground in M A Chidambaram Stadium.

--IANS

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Dharamshala, March 7 (IANS) Zak Crawley smashed an unbeaten 61 to keep India at bay, but Kuldeep Yadav picked two wickets in his first five overs as England reached 100/2 in 25.3 overs at lunch on day one of the fifth and final Test against India at the HPCA Stadium on Thursday.

Electing to bat first, Crawley and Ben Duckett had to withstand some outstanding swing bowling from a returning Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj asking tough questions constantly. The duo rode their luck as they played and missed deliveries on various occasions, while dealing with variable bounce.

While Duckett struggled, Crawley was pristine in his drives whenever he wasn’t troubled by swing and even survived an lbw appeal off Siraj. Duckett brought up the half-century of the partnership, the fifth such instance for England in the series, with a pre-mediated lap-sweep against Ravichandran Ashwin in the 15th over.

Crawley and Duckett took a four each off Kuldeep, but the latter tried to smash a googly over the leg-side, but got a huge leading edge and Shubman Gill ran to his right from cover to take a fabulous diving catch.

Crawley was languid in using his long levers for driving in mid-off, extra cover and down the ground against the spinners to get his fourth fifty of the series. He would also hit the first six of the match by dancing down the pitch to smack Ashwin over long-on. But at the stroke of lunch, Pope came out of the crease for a flick against Kuldeep, but the googly skidded and went past the outside edge to give Dhruv Jurel an easy stumping from behind.

Brief Scores: England 100/2 in 25.3 overs (Zak Crawley 61 not out; Kuldeep Yadav 2-22) against India

--IANS

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