Indo-Pak clash is never a dead rubber: Gavaskar

June 13, 2013
New Delhi, Jun 13: An India-Pakistan clash can never be called a dead rubber, stressed former skipper Sunil Gavaskar, as the arch-rivals gear up for their next Champions Trophy match, the outcome of which will have no bearing on their fortunes in the tournament.

India have already made it to the semifinals and Pakistan are certain to fly back, having lost their first two matches.Sunil-Gavaskar

"No such thing as dead rubber when India and Pakistan are playing. Results are important for followers of both the countries," Gavaskar said.

"India would certainly want to win as they would to continue with the winning rhythm. If you lose, you start to doubt yourself and India would want to avoid it," he told NDTV.

Gavaskar said it was all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja with his bowling, who set up India's thumping eight-wicket victory over West Indies yesterday.

"Jadeja turned the match in India's favour. West Indies were looking set for a score of 250+ and even 300. He turned the match with his bowling on a pitch that didn't have much help," he said of Jadeja who took his maiden five-wicket haul.

Praising the Delhi opener Shikhar Dhawan, Gavaskar said the heartening thing about him is he is making his good form count by scoring huge runs.

"He (Dhawan) was left out of the team which has helped him reorganise his cricket and get better. He is in very good form and the good thing is he is capitalising on it," he said.

India's opening pair have provided the team with century stands in the two matches of the tournament and Gavaskar felt there was no need to change the combination in the final group match, given they are already through to the semis.

"They (India) would certainly want to continue with their opening combination as they have given brisk starts so far. They have played orthodox cricketing shots. The thing that has stood out about them is their running between the wickets."

Gavaskar also praised India's fielding in the competition saying the team is at par with South Africa, Australia and New Zealand as there was no weak link.

On Rohit Sharma, Gavaskar felt that he needs to convert his half-centuries into big score if he wants to get into the Indian Test team.

"This could well the turning point for his (Rohit's) career. The way he is playing he is certainly knocking at the doors of the Test side. But he will have to start converting scores of 50s and 60s into 100s for that," he added.

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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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News Network
March 13,2020

Mar 13: The start of the Indian Premier League (IPL), the world's most lucrative cricket competition, has been postponed from March 29 until April 15 over the coronavirus, the Indian cricket board said Friday.

"The Board of Control for Cricket in India has decided to suspend IPL 2020 till 15th April 2020, as a precautionary measure against the ongoing Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation," the BCCI said in a statement.

The two-month Twenty20 competition is estimated to generate more than $11 billion for the Indian economy and involves cricket's top international stars.

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Agencies
January 16,2020

New Delhi, Jan 16: Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Thursday condoled the demise of India's super cricket fan, 87-year-old Charulata Patel.

"#TeamIndia's Superfan Charulata Patel Ji will always remain in our hearts and her passion for the game will keep motivating us. May her soul rest in peace," BCCI tweeted.

Patel had made herself a household name after turning up for India's matches during the 2019 World Cup.

She went on to storm social media after she was seen cheering for the Men in Blue during their World Cup clash against Bangladesh.

After the match, the entire Indian side went to meet Patel and both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were seen meeting the octogenarian fan.

"I am a very religious person and have so much trust in God. So, when I pray, it comes true and I am saying that India is going to get the World Cup, definitely," Patel had told ANI during the World Cup.

The 87-year old had caught everyone's eyes when she was ardently cheering for the Indian team when they were batting.

Patel had also stated that she was there in the stadium when India lifted their first World Cup, back in 1983, under the leadership of former cricket Kapil Dev.

"I have been there. When they won the World Cup, I was so proud, I started dancing. And today also, I told my granddaughter that when India is going to defeat Bangladesh, I am going to dance," she had said.

"I have been watching cricket for decades. When I was in Africa, I used to watch it, then I came to this country in 1975. Here I had work because of which I did not get time to watch but I used to watch it on TV. But nowadays as I am not working, so I have the interest and I am very lucky that I get a chance to watch cricket," she added. 

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