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India’s ODI team faces a renewed New Zealand side that has shed its T20 jitters

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By K.R. Nayar There seems to be a huge challenge facing India’s ODI team, which will play New Zealand in a five-match series starting on November 4, 2026. It is not just about winning the series, as their T20 team did, but about proving that they are formidable in all departments of the game. By losing two consecutive matches after taking an unassailable 3–0 lead in the T20I series, India eventually finished 3–2. And this will surely be a morale booster for New Zealand. Though T20 is different from ODI cricket, a 5–0 series sweep by India would have certainly given their ODI team jitters. India’s 87-run defeat in Auckland and the seven-wicket defeat in Hamilton have raised two questions. Was it India’s complacency, or did New Zealand work out a formula to dismantle India’s aggressive approach? Indian skipper Shreyas Iyer remarked that the team wanted to experiment and challenge themselves. But there will be questions asked on the need to experiment and take their feet off the accel...
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Praveka: A film company driven by the mission and vision of a young woman entrepreneur

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By K.R. Nayar Being an admirer of good cinema and acting, it is exciting to write about a unique and special happening in the film world. Praveka Film Company, which will be based in Dubai, was officially launched in Kochi, Kerala, on October 23, 2026   and inaugurated by megastar Mammootty. Founded by a family that breathes cinema, Praveka’s vision is to take cinema to audiences across the GCC and major international markets, connecting films with the right theatres, platforms and audiences. Launch of Praveka Film Company by mega star Mammootty with top film personalities Kavya Venu is the founder and CEO of the company, while Priya Venu is the Managing Partner. Backing their vision is Kavya’s father, Venu Kunnappilly, who is today one of the Malayalam film industry's most successful producers. His wife, Priya, who has been the strength behind several mega-hit movies, comes to the fore with her strong background in film distribution and market strategy. I have personally experie...
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Abhishek Sharma’s century: The new benchmark for T20 destruction

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By K.R. Nayar Is Abhishek Sharma the most dangerous batter in world cricket today? His knock of 113 off 38 balls, with 11 sixes and nine boundaries, against New Zealand at Wellington, which gave India a six-wicket win with 40 balls to spare, raises this question. He is not merely a demolisher of bowlers but a threat to the whole bowling fraternity. To demolish the New Zealand bowling attack on their home soil, in front of their home crowd, was too brutal, merciless and impolite.  It would have been generous if Abhishek had apologised to the New Zealand bowlers for subjecting them to such ruthless hitting. He made one of the finest teams in the world look like a group of club cricketers. At one stage it looked like he was not chasing the target of 199 but simply practicing how far he can hit the cricket ball. The fact is that 102 of his 113 runs came from boundaries and sixes. Only 11 runs came from running between the wickets! Did he run those 11 to give the scorers a breather?...
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The fightback that revealed India’s new T20 DNA in the second T20I

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By K.R. Nayar India played brilliant, nerve-cracking and thrilling cricket, and won the match. Reeling at 70 for 5 in 10.5 overs while chasing a target of 181, India went on to win by four wickets with one ball to spare in the second T20I against New Zealand. So how did they pull off such a stunning win? It was a match that seemed to be slipping rapidly from their grasp. This time, the heroes were Tilak Varma (unbeaten 51 in 26 balls) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (26 not out in 13 balls), and once again, Naman Dhir, with a knock of 31 in 17 balls. Varma and Reddy lifted India from 112 for 6 in 14.5 overs, after the fall of Dhir’s wicket, to craft victory and a 2-0 lead in the series. They showed how to rise and fight after slipping down, with four of the top batters having scored only Sanju Samson (14), Abhishek Sharma (27), Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (4), and skipper Shreyas Iyer (7). This is what is called a fightback — refusing to give up hope. It was a demonstration of character, courage a...
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Samson, Iyer, Dhir: the three heroes of a Christchurch classic

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By K.R. Nayar  India’s win over New Zealand in the first T20I match of the series at Christchurch by four wickets, if observed closely, has many significant features. It was much more than a well-fought victory that has set the mood for an exciting series. There was barely any sign of jet lag. Instead, there was a display of huge mental resilience.  The heroes were Player of the Match Sanju Samson (67), skipper Shreyas Iyer (42), and Naman Dhir (42 not out) playing only in his sixth T20 International. India showed how a T20 team should play when faced with a daunting target of 226. Sanju Samson... another match winning knock Samson has once again let his critics know that when he plays a good knock, India races to victory. The aggressive starts that he provides come from timing without hesitation. He fails at times, but that is because he does not protect his wicket and is not concerned about the risk he needs to take to give his team a quick start.  ...
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India’s New Zealand tour could be a mirror held up to Indian cricket

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By K.R. Nayar  Before the New Zealand series, many things are happening in Indian cricket. Experiments with new players have been going on, new team combinations have been tried out, and now there is a split captaincy during the New Zealand tour. When Head Coach Gautam Gambhir was resting or unavailable, VVS Laxman stepped into his role, leading to rumours that soon there may be split coaches too. A selection committee with Pragyan Ojha as chairperson and Ramesh Powar as a new member has taken charge. The just-concluded West Indies series was supposed to be easy for India, but India won the One Day International series by just a 2-1 margin, and the T20I series ended 2-2.  Despite all the efforts being made to carve out a strong team, a few questions remain. Though India has many good cricketers, are there enough match-winners? Selectors are finding it tough to finalise who matters most and who will deliver. The domestic structure has been producing many talented cricke...
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Decode Global Wellness: a book where mind finds its rhythm

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By K.R. Nayar This is about a book written by yoga master, Sanjeev Krishnan, whom I reverently address as Guruji, and who brought a rhythm to my life. My wife and I attended his Rhythm of Life course nearly a decade ago, and the rhythm he instilled in us continues to keep us going even today.  His book, Decode Global Wellness, was launched last week by HE Dr Emmadi Vishnu Vardhan Reddy, Consul General of India in Dubai, at the Consulate General of India Auditorium, during a colourful ceremony. The auditorium was packed with people, most of whom had benefited from Guruji’s courses.  He has now put his words into a book so that everyone can read them at leisure. The reason I say “at leisure” is that he clearly states in the book: “Readers are encouraged to read slowly, reflect deeply, pause often and apply gently.”   HE Dr Emmadi Vishnu Vardhan Reddy,  Consul General of India, lights the lamp during the book launch function.   In the earlier days, I was ve...
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