Chinese conquest a dream: Srikanth Kidambi

November 18, 2014

Srikanth KidambiHyderabad, Nov 18: A day after his monumental China Open Superseries victory, Srikanth Kidambi has yet to let the enormity of his achievement sink in. More than the historic Superseries title, India’s first by a male shuttler, it was the manner in which he won it that makes it special.

In an imperious display of badminton, Srikanth dismantled the legendary Lin Dan in straight games and deftly added his name to the history books. "I’m extremely excited that I won a Superseries, that too by defeating Lin Dan on his own turf,” Srikanth told his newspaper from Hong Kong on Tuesday.

Srikanth, who trains at the Pullela Gopichand Badminton Academy in Hyderabad, dedicates this win to coach Gopichand, who turned 41 on Sunday. “This is my gift to Gopi sir on his birthday.

He has played a huge role in shaping my career. He gives me immense support and also trusts me to go out there and play my own game. That gives me a lot of freedom to express myself,” Srikanth said.

Srikanth reckons his victory over the ‘God of Badminton’ is at the top of the best year of his career thus far. “This has been a really good year for me. I had finished well at a few tournaments, won the China Open, and I also improved my world ranking considerably.”

Srikanth began 2014 at No.47 in the world, and has since risen 16 places. Rarely does India have a presence in a men’s singles Superseries final, and when that final is against Lin Dan, China’s two-time Olympic and five-time world champion, there are boudnd to be nerves. Not for Srikanth, though.

“I was more excited than nervous,” Srikanth said. “To play in a Superseries final, and that too against Lin Dan was like a dream for me,” the 21-year-old said. “And the dream came true when I defeated Dan,” he added.

Srikanth has a tricky opener at the Hong Kong Open Superseries, which flags off on Tuesday. In his first round match on Wednesday, India’s latest hero takes on the seventh seed from Chinese Taipei Tien Chen Chou.

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News Network
May 18,2020

Karachi, May 18: Former Pakistan captain Younis Khan believes it is at least five years too early to compare Virat Kohli and Babar Azam as the Indian skipper has proven himself in "every kind of situation" and the latter has not.

"Virat Kohli is far more experienced than Babar. He has at least five years more experience of top cricket and he is at the peak of his career," said Younis, Pakistan's leading run-getter in Tests.

"Kohli has far more exposure than Babar and he has been in every kind of situation and proven himself. No one gets 70 international centuries like that and this are proof of his class and abilities. He has scored runs in every situation and all opposition."

Younis said said Babar still has a long way to go.

"Babar has been in top cricket for just around five years. He has got a very impressive batting average across all three formats and he is getting better by the day.

"You see him batting and you can see he has got the same qualities that Kohli had at the start of his career."

Besides amassing 70 international hundreds, 31-year-old Kohli averages more than 50 in all three formats. The India skipper has scored more than 20,000 runs while 25-year-old Babar has 6680 runs across formats though the Pakistan limited overs skipper has played significantly lesser number of games.

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April 21,2020

New Delhi, Apr 21: India skipper Virat Kohli on Tuesday said people seem to have become more compassionate while coping with the COVID-19 pandemic and hoped the sense of gratitude towards frontline workers like doctors and police personnel remains even after the crisis is over.

Speaking in an online class organised by "Unacademy", Kohli and his actor wife Anushka Sharma spoke at length about the challenges they faced before tasting success.

"The one positive out of this crisis that we as a society have become more compassionate. We are showing more gratitude to the frontline workers in this war, be it police personnel, doctors or nurses.

"I hope it stays this way even after we overcome this crisis," said Kohli with Sharma seated next to her.

Kohli said the pandemic has taught the world a very important lesson.

"Life is unpredictable. So, do what makes you happy and not get into comparisons all the time. People have a choice now how to come out of this phase. Life is going to be different after this," said the skipper.

For Sharma, the pandemic has forced people to care about the basics in life.

"There is a learning in all of this. Nothing happens without a reason. If the frontline workers were not there, we would not have access to basics," she said..

"This has taught us that no one is special than the other. Health is everything. We are more connected as a society now," she added.

During the session, Kohli was asked about the moment when he felt most helpless.

"I felt nothing was working for me when I was not picked for the state team initially. I cried the whole night and asked my coach 'why did I not get selected'?" he responded.

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News Network
March 21,2020

London, Mar 21: The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has suspended all professional cricket till May 28, delaying the start of the new season, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The ECB took the decision following discussions with the First-Class Counties, the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) and the Professional Cricketers' Association (PCA).

"It was agreed that, given the current information available, a seven-week delay to the start of the season is the most appropriate approach," an ECB media statement said.

The Board also announced that it is working on three new options, including the three-Test series against West Indies, the T20 Cup and the women's schedule against India, for a possible start in June, July or August.

"Close liaison with the Government will continue, with discussions on the potential of starting the season behind closed doors and giving sports fans the opportunity to live broadcast action," the statement said on Friday.

"The potential for reduced versions of competitions, should the season become further truncated, will also be discussed."

The ECB said it will meet as needed to review the position and make further decisions as the UK situation unfolds.

"During this period of deep uncertainty it is the ECB’s first priority to protect the wellbeing of everyone within the cricket family, from players, to fans and colleagues across the game,’’ ECB Chief Executive Officer Tom Harrison said.

"The decision to delay the start of the season has been essential, given the circumstances the nation faces. I am reassured by the collaborative effort from across the game that together, we will make the very best of whatever length of season we are able to safely schedule in the coming months," he added.

He said this would give the ECB time to keep pace with a fast-moving situation and continue to plan for how a revised season might look.

"Critically, we can also remain as flexible and adaptable as possible, within the obvious restrictions we face."

Last week, England's tour of Sri Lanka was called off mid tournament in view of the rising threat of the pandemic.

"Securing the future of the game will be a primary focus as we plot a revised schedule with an emphasis on the most financially important forms of the game for the counties across international and domestic cricket," Harrison said.

The COVID-19 global death toll has climbed past 11,000 with more than 250,000 infected. In UK, close to 4000 have tested positive so far and 177 died.

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