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Difficult tasks give me pleasure, says boxing star Vijender

July 16, 2015

New Delhi, Jul 16: He knows it won't be a stroll in the park but India's boxing star Vijender Singh on Tuesday said he was looking forward to his professional debut in September.

vijendar singh"It is not easy. But I believe in giving my 100 per cent to whatever work I do. There is a sort of pleasure in doing things which are difficult.

"I don't know how successful I would be, but I am giving it a shot," Vijender told reporters at a press conference, with representatives of his UK-based promoters Queensberry Promotions.

Playing down the objections that were raised by his employers, Haryana Police, after he turned pro, Vijender said the matter would be resolved amicably soon.

"I have already asked for permission from regional police. I have met the officials of Haryana government and I am hopeful everything will be sorted out soon."

Looking forward to his stint in the UK, Vijender said he hoped to make it big bagging titles.

"It is a new beginning for me. Everything is new, whether it is training with sparring partners, the kind of training or living in UK. If I get a world title it will be history for me and India," he said.

"Everybody knows amateur boxing but professional is different and difficult. I am an Indian and I know we can be the best in the world.

"So I need your support. The sports ministry has backed me and I have got texts from many people congratulating me."

Vijender said his India promoters Infinity Optimal Solutions (IOS) convinced him about the switch to professional.

"... I wasn't sure. I wanted to see the set-up, so I took time off from the camp and went there. I train with C Kuttappa sir, so I had informed him. After I came back, I spoke to my family, specially my wife, who was not convinced initially," he said.

Defending his decision to turn pro just a year before the Rio Olympics, Vijender said, "I played three Olympics and after winning the bronze at Beijing, I trained again and tried for silver and gold in London Games but I could not change the colour of the medal.

"Many people told me that I should try once more next year. But I think it is about destiny.

"So I thought let me turn pro as it is new in India. I will be putting the same effort which I put for Olympics and other big events."

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News Network
June 27,2020

Jun 27: India's Test batting mainstay Cheteshwar Pujara cannot describe in words the influence that Rahul Dravid has had on his life but says he will always remain grateful to him for teaching the importance of switching off from cricket.

Often compared to Dravid, who was considered the 'wall' of Indian cricket, Pujara said he is thankful to Dravid for teaching him how to keep personal and professional lives separate.

"He helped me understand the importance of switching off from cricket. I had the same thought, more or less, but when I spoke to him, it gave me a lot of clarity about it and I was sure of what I needed to do," he told ESPNcricinfo.

"I also saw in county cricket how they keep personal and professional lives separate. I value that advice a lot. Many people consider me to be focused. Yes, I am focused, But I also know when to switch off. There is life beyond cricket."

In his illustrious international career, Dravid amassed 13288 runs in 164 Tests and 10889 runs in 344 ODIs. He also captained India in 79 ODIs, winning 42 of them, which includes the world record of 14 successive wins while chasing.

"I cannot say in one line what Rahul bhai means to me. He has always been an inspiration, and will remain one," Pujara said.

His mental fortitude and batting technique is often compared to Dravid but Pujara said "despite my enchantment with him" he never tried to "copy him."

"There is a similarity in our games, but that's not because of my fascination with him. That came mainly through my experiences with Saurashtra, where I learned that scoring a hundred alone isn't enough, you have to carry your team," he said.

"That is how I learned responsibility - it is about helping my team to raise a big total, and for that I ought to attach importance to my wicket. I learned that from my junior cricket days with Saurashtra, which was a weaker team in domestic cricket."

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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
February 14,2020

Hamilton, Feb 14: Batting first, India finished at 263 for nine on the opening day of the three-day warm-up game against New Zealand XI here on Friday.

Hanuma Vihari made 101 off 182 balls before retiring, while Cheteshwar Pujara scored 93.

Besides, Ajinkya Rahane (18) was the only other Indian batsmen to register double digit score.

The likes of Prithvi Shaw (0), Mayank Agarwal (1) and Shubman Gill (0) failed to cash in on the opportunity.

Scott Kuggeleijn (3/40) and Ish Sodhi (3/72) shared six wickets between them for New Zealand.

Brief Scores:

India: 263 for 9 in 78.5 overs (Hanuma Vihari 101, Cheteshwar Pujara 93; Scott Kuggeleijn 3/40, Ish Sodhi 3/72).

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