I don't care about a few as whole country loves me: Sania

September 15, 2015

New Delhi, Sep 15: She has always found her stupendous success on court go hand-in-hand with controversies off it and that is precisely the reason why Sania Mirza is hardly bothered about what a few people have to say about her.sania

Call it coincidence but both of her US Open titles were preceded by unwanted controversies.

Her US Open women's doubles title two days back, came after a court petition by an athlete, who questioned her selection for prestigious Khel Ratna award.

Last year too before her US Open mixed doubles title with Bruno Soares, a politician had opposed the move of making her the Brand Ambassador of newly-created state of Telangana.

"I actually don't care," Sania told PTI during an exclusive interview on her arrival from New York today.

"I don't read newspapers very often. I just try and play tennis. I try to perform the best and that gives me the pleasure. That's what I know how to do best. I am fortunate enough to be good at what I do, so I come back with victories. Besides that I don't pay attention to what a few people have to say, I know that rest of the country loves me," the Hyderabadi said.

In the past too, she has had endured many controversies, several needless ones.

Sania has enjoyed a lot success with Martina Hingis since joining forces this March last and she says that her partnership with the Swiss great will continue in the next season.

"Yes, we are going to play next year as well," she said but is not sure whether she would like to continue playing mixed doubles with Brazilian Bruno Soares, with whom she won 2014 US Open.

"At this point, I am not sure about Bruno, we have to see a few things."

Talking about their dominating run in the US Open, where they did not drop a single set en route to win, Sania said,"We have been playing well. Hard court is something we both like playing, it's my favorite surface. We kept getting better at every match and that is how we won the tournament."

Sania and Martina have won four titles this season and have not lost many sets. They have consistently gone deep into the main draws of several other tournaments.

Asked what still can be added to their partnership, the 28-year-old-said, there are a few things.

"I can definitely improve my net play and Martina can improve from the back of the court. We are already number one team and I am number one individually as well but there is always room for improvement."

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Agencies
August 1,2020

Colombo, Aug 1: Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has expressed his interest in playing the inaugural edition of the Lanka Premier League (LPL), scheduled to start from August 28.

Pathan is among 70 foreign players to have shown interest in playing the LPL, ESPNcricinfo reported.

It is believed that Pathan has taken permission from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to take part in the competition. 

BCCI doesn't allow active players to participate in other T20 leagues but Pathan announced his retirement in January this year.

Former swashbuckling all-rounder Yuvraj Singh also played in a foreign league last year. He played for Maratha Arabians in the T10 League in Abu Dhabi.

According to ESPNcricinfo, Pathan will now be put in a player draft unless one of the five franchises choose him to be a marquee player. The details of the draft, and the franchise owners, are yet to be finalised and announced. 

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) is also waiting on some government clearances even as it decides on franchise owners. The five franchises will represent Colombo, Kandy, Galle, Dambulla and Jaffna.

On Monday, SLC Executive Committee granted approval for the tournament.

"The 23 match League will be played on the four international venues of R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Rangiri Dambulu International Cricket Stadium, Pallekele International Cricket Stadium and Suriyawewa Mahinda Rajapakse International Cricket Stadium. Five teams named after the cities of Colombo, Kandy, Galle, Dambulla and Jaffna will participate in the League," SLC said in a statement on Monday.

Sri Lanka has controlled the spread of COVID-19 better than many other cricket-playing nations.

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News Network
January 13,2020

Mumbai, Jan 13: India captain Virat Kohli indicated at dropping himself down the batting order to accommodate both Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul in the playing XI against Australia in the first ODI of the three-match series starting Tuesday.

With vice-captain Rohit Sharma an automatic pick, the team management is left with tough choice of selecting either Dhawan or Rahul in the XI. But the skipper sees no reason why both can't play together.

"Look, a guy in form is always good for the team. ...You obviously want to have the best players available and then chose from what the combination should be for the team. There might be a possibility that all three (Rohit, Shikhar and Rahul) might play. It will be interesting to see what balance we want to take in on the field," Kohli said on the eve of the match.

Asked if he would he be happy to bat lower down the order, Virat said,"Yeah, big possibility. I would be very happy to do so. Look I am not possessive about where I play. I am not insecure about where I bat," said the skipper.

For Kohli, it is more important as to what kind of leadership legacy he leaves behind rather than chase personal glory.

"Being the captain of the team, it is my job to make sure that the next lot is also ready. A lot of the other people might not look at it that way, but your job as a captain is not only to look after the team right now, but also to prepare a team that you leave behind when you eventually pass it onto someone else," he added.

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News Network
April 2,2020

New Delhi, Apr 2: BJP MP and former cricketer Gautam Gambhir on Thursday said that he will donate his two year's salary to PM-CARES Fund to support the battle against coronavirus pandemic in the country.

"People ask what can their country do for them. The real question is what can you do for your country? I am donating my 2 year's salary to #PMCaresFund. You should come forward too! @narendramodi @JPNadda @BJP4Delhi #IndiaFightsCorona," Gambhir tweeted.

The total number of coronavirus cases in India climbed to 1965 on Thursday after 131 people confirmed positive in the past 12 hours, said the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

At present, there are 1764 COVID-19 active cases in the country and 50 people have died due to the lethal infection.

Interestingly, on this day in 2011, India lifted its second World Cup title after a drought of 28 years. Gambhir played a crucial role in the final and anchored the run-chase.

India won its first World Cup in 1983 under the leadership of former all-rounder Kapil Dev. 

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