krbuzz

By K.R. Nayar From Sharjah Cricket Stadium It is always worth being aware of a stadium’s history before playing an important match. Sharjah Cricket Stadium has always been known for its thrilling finishes. As a reporter and commentator, I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve witnessed last-ball sixes deciding victories on this ground. Undoubtedly, the biggest amongst all these has to be Pakistan’s Javed Miandad’s last-ball six that secured a win against India on April 18, 1986, in the Austral-Asia Cup final. Last-ball six  Whether chasing a score or setting a total in Sharjah, the last ball of the innings must be bowled carefully. Teams that hit the last ball of the innings for a six often emerge victorious. In the ICC T20 Women’s World Cup match between India and Australia on October 13, 2024, Australia crossed the 150-run mark thanks to a last-ball six by Phoebe Litchfield off Shreyanka Patil. India lost the match by just nine runs. Without that six, the target could have be

By K.R. Nayar From Sharjah Cricket Stadium Indian women cricketers have drawn inspiration from a special landmark at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium — the Sachin Tendulkar stand. All Indian players, upon on arrival at the stadium, could be seen looking at this stand which gives them the feeling that they are playing in one of their home venues. This is the feel the players are hoping to get when they take on Australia in a crucial match on October 13, 2024 here.   The Sachin Tendulkar stand at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium  Asha Sobhana, one of the Indian team player, remarked that she decided to become a cricketer after watching Tendulkar’s innings from this stadium on television when she was just eight years old. The Sachin Tendulkar stand is situated where the "Master Blaster" hit some of his iconic sixes during his remarkable knock of 143 on April 22, 1998, followed by a score of 134 in the finals of the Coca-Cola Cup against Australia two days later. The 143-run innings,

By K.R. Nayar From Dubai International Stadium It was delightful to witness Indian fans rejoice with joy as their women’s team secured a big win over Sri Lanka on October 9. While in Mumbai, I noticed all newspapers prominently celebrated the victory, praising openers Shafali Verma (43) and Smriti Mandhana (50), as well as skipper Harmanpreet Kaur’s unbeaten 52. I could sense the high expectations among Indian fans, who are eager to see their team lift the ICC T20 Women’s World Cup.   Indian skipper  Harmanpreet Kaur leads from the front  Now, all eyes are on the India-Australia match on October 13 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, scheduled to start at 6 PM. India’s loss to New Zealand on October 4 has added significant pressure to this match. In the ICC T20 Women’s World Cup format, one defeat can dramatically impact the stakes. As it stands, every upcoming match carries immense importance. Only the teams that avoid further losses will progress to the next stage.   Hindustan

By K.R. Nayar From Mumbai   Sachin Tendulkar, who will lead India in the International Masters League (IML) to be held from November 17 to December 8, captivated everyone with an inspirational speech at the event's launch held at Taj Lands End.   Sachin Tendulkar acknowledges the ovation during the launch of the International Master's League. Photo by K.R. Nayar  Tendulkar began by explaining why he had decided to return to the field for this tournament: "The reason we all started playing cricket was our passion for the game. Today’s launch of the International Masters League gives my colleagues and me another chance to play the game we love for our well-wishers. We're all set to create more unforgettable memories," he said.   He then reflected on the nostalgic feeling of participating in the event: "These are all my colleagues, players I've competed against for several years. We've shared so many incredible memories on the field, and some o

By K.R. Nayar   From Mumbai  When a legend like Jonty Rhodes sits next to you, ready to play again in the upcoming International Masters League, the obvious question that comes to mind is: how proud is he to see players today diving, stopping, and taking catches like he did, having set the benchmark in fielding? Jonty Rhodes... "I am the grandfather of  fielding  now". Photo by K.R. Nayar   Rhodes replied with a smile: "It feels incredible. For a long time, I felt like the father of fielding, and now I'm probably the grandfather of fielding. It’s another generation now. Fielding has evolved. I mean, cricket has changed. We know there are three different formats, and fielding has become a third discipline."   Rhodes is pleased that today’s players are sometimes selected based on their fielding skills. "It often depends on their contribution in the field to a large extent, especially when two players have equal abilities."   Sachin Tendulkar