Shocking! Upset Mahendra Singh Dhoni to quit international cricket after the ongoing World T20!

April 1, 2014

Apr 1: What was just a rumour till a week back is now almost official: Mahendra Singh Dhoni is extremely upset that his name has been badly sullied by irresponsible rumours about his so-called involvement in the Indian Premier League (IPL) fixing scandal.

A week back an upset Dhoni had phoned N Srinivasan, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President, about his desire to step down from the captaincy. Dhoni, who enjoys the unqualified support of Srinivasan, heard him patiently. The BCCI chief told him that while he has his full sympathy he cannot afford not to have him as India captain.

Dhoni_quitA source who is close to both Srinivasan and Dhoni revealed that the Indian captain is too well-mannered to instantly oppose an elder who has played such a huge role in his career. Srini had told Dhoni to sleep over the matter and that he would have a different view point in a few days.

Srini was right; Dhoni slept over the matter but decided merely stepping down from the captaincy was not going to solve his miseries. He had to give up international cricket and even playing the IPL. For long he has believed that despite achieving far more than any Indian captain and despite being the most dangerous batsman-wicketkeeper in world cricket, he has been viciously attacked by a section of people. The feedback he got was that these people were targeting him because of Srinivasan, who proximity with Dhoni needs no elaboration.

Dhoni spoke to his wife Sakshi and his business manager and they felt that financially his retirement would not have any adverse effect on him; if anything being free from international cricketing assignments would give lot more free time to tap his commercial value, the way Sachin Tendulkar is doing. Moreover, there is nothing more left to achieve for Dhoni: he has taken India to the pinnacle of success in the World T20 (2007), the Asia Cup (2010), the World Cup triumph (2011) and the Champions Trophy (2013). Besides, he has led India to the No 1 position in Tests and has made Chennai Super Kings a powerhouse, winning both the IPL and the Champions League T20. He has got everything and more a cricketer can aspire. Dhoni, who will be 33 in a few months’ time, wants to go out with his head high.

That Dhoni has made up his mind about his retirement comes from someone who is extremely close to the Indian captain. He has apparently told the team of his decision and the team wants to win the remaining two matches to give their beloved captain a fitting farewell.

Dhoni has requested the BCCI to make the announcement a couple of days after he lands in India, so that he can get time to pack up and leave the country to an undisclosed destination to be away from the media frenzy that will follow once the news becomes public. Quite clearly, Dhoni has a few good years of cricket in him to serve Indian cricket. It’s unfortunate that he has been forced to make a premature exit because of entirely avoidable circumstances.

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News Network
April 19,2020

Zurich, Apr 19: Former Indian captain Bhaichung Bhutia was among the 50 footballers to take part in the FIFA's initiative to pay tribute to 'humanity's heroes' amid the coronavirus pandemic.

FIFA, in its statement, expressed gratitude towards all the healthcare workers and other professionals who are giving their all to ensure society continues to function in the face of the coronavirus.

"To all of these heroic people: football thanks you, football remembers you and football supports you," FIFA said in a statement.

FIFA shared a video on their official Twitter handle where footballers from present and past came been seen applauding the frontline workers.

The 50 fotballer were Bhutia, Holger Badstuber, David Beckham, Lucy Bronze, Gianluigi Buffon, Cafu, Fabio Cannavaro, Iker Casillas, Deyna Castellanos, Giorgio Chiellini, Charlyn Corral, El Hadji Diouf, Youri Djorkaeff, Han Duan, Magdalena Eriksson, Samuel Eto'o, Pernille Harder, Javier Hernandez, Luis Hernandez, Kaka, Harry Kane, Carli Lloyd, Harry Maguire, Diego Maradona, Marta, Vivianne Miedema, Ajara Nchout, Michael Owen, Mesut Ozil, Norma Palafox, Pavel Pardo, Park Jisung, Pele, Gerard Pique, Alexia Putellas, Sergio Ramos, Nicole Reigner, Wendie Renard, Roberto Carlos, James Rodriguez, Ronaldo, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Virginia Torrecilla, Yaya Toure, Marco van Basten, Danielle van de Donk, Ivan Vicelich, Arturo Vidal, Javier Zanetti and Zinedine Zidane.
"As footballers, we are used to receiving applause, but this time, we have the opportunity to show our appreciation for the many people who are risking their lives to protect ours," FIFA.com quoted Beckham as saying.

"You are humanity's heroes and we want to show that all of football supports you and everything that you do to defend all of us," he added.

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News Network
June 22,2020

Zadar (Croatia), Jun 22: Grigor Dimitrov took to Instagram to announce that he has tested positive for coronavirus. The tennis star was one of the players who took part in the Adria Tour with the likes Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev and Dominic Thiem among others.

Taking to Instagram, the player wrote: "Hi Everyone-I want to reach out and let my fans and friends know that I tested positive back in Monaco for Covid-19. I want to make sure anyone who has been in contact with me during these past days gets tested and takes the necessary precautions. I am so sorry for any harm I might have caused. I am back home now and recovering. Thanks for your support and please stay safe and healthy."

He also urged those who had come in contact with him over the last few days in Monaco should also get tested for the deadly virus.

Meanwhile, World no.1 Djokovic reached the final of his exhibition tournament in Zadar, Croatia, after easing through the round-robin group stage on the first day. This is the second stage of the Adria Tour with Austrian Dominic Thiem winning the first leg in Belgrade, Serbia.

Djokovic started by saving three set points in his 4-3, 4-1 win over fellow Serb Pedja Krstin. He then beat home favourite Borna Coric 4-1, 4-3 in front of several thousand fans at the Visnjik tennis complex.

The tournament in Zadar is being played on red clay over two days. In the other group, Russian Andrey Rublev is in pole position to advance into the final after wins over 2014 US Open champion Marin Cilic and Serb Danilo Petrovic. He faces German star Alexander Zverev in the final round robin match on Sunday who stayed in contention after beating Cilic 4-3, 0-4, 4-3.

Djokovic''s own inconsequential final group match is against Croatian Dino Serdarusic who replaced Grigor Dimitrov after the Bulgarian pulled out of the tournament with sickness following his opening 4-1, 4-1 loss to Coric.

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Agencies
February 4,2020

Potchefstroom, Feb 4: Yashasvi Jaiswal and Divyaansh Saxena guided India to a comfortable ten wickets win over Pakistan in the ICC U19 World Cup semifinal at Senwes Park on Tuesday and progressed to the final of the tournament.

Chasing 173, Indian openers Jaiswal and Saxena played cautiously and stitched an unbeaten partnership of 176 runs.

The duo built the highest opening partnership of the tournament's history. Jaiswal, the left-handed batsman, scored his maiden century of the tournament as he amassed unbeaten 105 runs studded with eight fours and four sixes.

Saxena scored 59* off 99 balls including six fours. India chased down the total in 35.2 overs. This is the first time in the history of the U19 World Cup that a team won a knockout match by ten wickets.

Earlier, Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat.

Opener Haider Ali and skipper Rohail Nazir's half-centuries guided the side to a respectable total of 172. Ali played a knock of 56 runs while Nazir accumulated 62 runs including six boundaries.

Pakistan did not have a good start as they lost Mohammad Hurair (4) in the second over. Fahad Munir, came to bat at number three, failed to score a single run and was departed by Ravi Bishnoi on a duck in ninth over.

Apart from Ali and Nazir, Mohammad Haris was the only batsman to score runs in double digits. He played an innings of 21 runs off 15 balls. Indian bowlers showed a spirited performance as they bowled out arch-rival in 43.1 overs.

Pacers Karthik Tyagi and Sushant Mishra bagged two and three wickets respectively. Spinner Ravi Bishnoi clinched two scalps and conceded 46 runs in his ten overs.

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