Aditya Patel lives a dream — twice

October 31, 2012

ADITYA

Chennai, October 31: It’s the kind of stuff dreams are made of: an Indian finishing on the podium, and that too in front of home fans at the Buddh International Circuit (BIC).

Aditya Patel lived this dream, not once but twice, while becoming the first Indian to climb on the podium at BIC. Driving in the fifth and penultimate round of the JK Racing Asia series, a support race for the Indian Grand Prix, the EuroInternational guest driver made it a wonderful weekend for the host when he took the third spot on the first day and went one better the next.

The 24-year-old Aditya was basking in the glow of the podium finishes when The Hindu caught up with him on Tuesday.

“It feels wonderful that I am the first Indian to get on the podium at BIC, but I am a touch disappointed that I could not finish on top. We could have heard our national anthem at BIC on both days as I was very close to winning,” he said.

Maiden outing

What made Aditya’s drive special was that it was his maiden outing at the BIC while his competitors, including Akhil Khushlani who took the fourth spot on day one, had had a taste of the circuit last year.

Aditya, who had not got behind the wheels of a racing car since July, said he only had a 30-minute practice session before getting into qualifying. “Frankly, I wasn’t expecting anything as I had very little time to prepare. But, once I qualified fourth, I knew I had a chance to make the podium,” he said.

With the BIC providing ample opportunities for overtaking, there were thrills aplenty for the spectators as the drivers went full throttle in the 10-lap races. “The track was cleaned thoroughly this year, and the drivers and teams were quite happy to race on the track,” said Aditya.

Alonso fan

Asked whether he bumped into any Formula One driver during the weekend, Aditya said: “No. I was so busy with my races that I couldn’t meet anyone. I would have loved to see [Fernando] Alonso as he’s my favourite. I like his driving style and feel he is a class apart.

“Though the Red Bulls and McLarens are quicker than his Ferrari, Alonso has managed to keep himself in the race for the drivers’ title. That’s why I admire him so much,” added Aditya.



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News Network
April 28,2020

New Delhi, Apr 28: West Indies flamboyant batsman Chris Gayle has lashed out at former teammate Ramnaresh Sarwan calling him 'worse than coronavirus'.

Gayle, the colossal figure in the shortest format of the game blamed Sarwan for his departure from Caribbean Premier League (CPL) franchise Jamaica Tallawahs.

The left-handed batsman joined St Lucia Zouks as their marquee player for the 2020 CPL season after Tallawahs chose not to retain him.

Gayle has played for Tallawahs and St Kitts and Nevis Patriots in the past. He has won the CPL title twice with the Tallawahs and played in the final with the Patriots in 2017.

"The owner of the franchise is a very nice man, I have no problem with him. I think he was actually persuaded to get rid of Chris Gayle," Gayle said in three parts on his YouTube channel.

"So someone has to be in his years telling him to get rid of Gayle. Sarwan, you are worse than the coronavirus right now. What transpired with the Tallahwahs, you had a big part to play.

Sarwan, you are a snake. You know, you are not the most loved person in the Caribbean. You are still stabbing people in the back," he added.

Gayle is the leading T20 run-scorer of all time as well as the man with the most centuries in the format. He is also the leading CPL run-scorer of all time, having amassed 2,344 runs in the tournament.

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News Network
January 8,2020

Indore, Jan 8: Skipper Virat Kohli struck an unbeaten 30 as India beat Sri Lanka by seven wickets in the second Twenty20 international in Indore on Tuesday.

The hosts rode a 71-run opening stand between KL Rahul, who hit 45, and Shikhar Dhawan, who made 32, to chase down their target of 143 in 17.3 overs and take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series after the first match was rained off.

Leg-spinner Wanindu Hasaranga took the wickets of the Indian openers but Shreyas Iyer, who scored 34 before falling to paceman Lahiru Kumara, and Kohli, who hit the winning six, got the team home.

The third match is on Friday in Pune.

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News Network
June 20,2020

Jun 20: Bengaluru FC (BFC) have signed Brazilian striker Cleiton Silva for a one-year deal, the ISL club said in a statement on Saturday.

As per the agreement, BFC have the option of extending Silva's contract for another year.

The 33-year-old, who started his career with Brazilian side Madureira, moved to Thailand where he spent the better part of the decade playing for Muangthong United and Suphanburi, apart from stints in Mexico and China.

Silva, who also operates on the wing, became the first foreign player to reach the 100-goal mark in Thailand and finished top scorer of the Thai League 1 for two seasons. He also tops the charts of the all-time leading scorers of the League.

His biggest success came at Muangthong where he racked up 57 goals in 79 appearances and won three major trophies in as many seasons at the club.

The Brazilian, who was in talks with the Blues last season before the deal didn't materialise, said he was glad to have finally made the move.

"I've signed with Bengaluru FC because I want to be a champion and this is a club that is always after titles. I have that opportunity once again at BFC. I want to make the club and its fans happy. I have been following the club for some time now because we were in talks a while ago. And I liked what I saw. I am looking forward to making my way to Bengaluru and am excited to meet my new teammates, the fans and embrace the city," said Silva.

Silva, thus, became BFC's first new foreign signing of the season after the club had handed extended deals with Juanan Gonzalez, Dimas Delgado and Erik Paartalu.

Bengaluru FC coach Carles Cuadrat said Silva's addition was an important one, given his penchant for scoring.

"Cleiton has a proven track record when it comes to scoring and this is an area we needed to strengthen on the squad. The goals aside, he even has an eye for a quality final pass and we're looking forward to working with him," he said.

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