#IPL 2024 Trophy

[cricketbazar]

"Love To Look At Things In Positive Manner": Sanju Samson Ahead Of ICC T20 WC 2024 Opener

Ahead of their opener against Ireland in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, India wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson said that he positively looks at things while reflecting on failures and successes in his career.

Samson, who made his international debut in 2014 in a T20I match, has had ups and downs, having played just 25 T20Is and 16 ODIs for India over the last decade.

His T20 stats have been disappointing as he has scored just 374 runs at an average of 18.70 with one half-century. a strike rate of 133.09 and the best score of 77.

Samson has made his way into the T20 WC squad after a career-best Indian Premier League (IPL) which helped take Rajasthan Royals (RR) to the playoffs. He scored 531 runs at an average of 48.27 and a strike rate of 153.46, with five half-centuries. His best score was 86*.

The Kerala-born cricketer asserted that at the time when a cricketer is young and successful, he tries to skip a few lessons.

"I love to look at things in a more positive manner. If it's a failure or setback, you learn through it. When you are young and successful, you skip a few lessons. I am blessed with my talent, which comes naturally to me as a batter" Samson said in a video posted by BCCI.

The 29-year-old further stated that right from the moment he arrived in the United States, he had taken out all the things regarding Indian Premier which is in his mind.

"Right from the moment I landed here, IPL has been away from my mind. I tell myself that I am somewhere where people dream of going. Then I was like, what else do I need to do? Mentally I did not have to motivate myself. Things happen automatically. When you meet Rohit and Virat, you get inspired and there is no looking back. How can Sanju help India win more games, what it is like to be a WC player for India? I am very grateful for the support wherever I go," the wicketkeeper added.

In the end, Samson said that he loves to change and adapt according to the conditions.

"The biggest lesson as a cricketer and human is that the change is constant. You cannot say that this is the only way to play. I love to change and adapt as per conditions. You can't be the same Sanju Samson," the right-hand batter concluded.

India will start their T20 World Cup campaign on June 5 against Ireland at the newly constructed Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York.

The blockbuster clash between India and Pakistan will take place on June 9. India will later play tournament co-hosts USA (June 12) and Canada (June 15) to wrap up their Group A matches.

In the tournament, India will be aiming to end their ICC trophy drought, having last won the ICC Champions Trophy in 2013. Since then, India has reached the 50-over World Cup final in 2023, semifinal in 2015 and 2019, the title clash of the ICC World Test Championship in 2021 and 2023, T20 WC final in 2014, semifinals in 2016 and 2022 but failed to secure a big ICC trophy.

India squad: Rohit Sharma (C), Hardik Pandya (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (WK), Sanju Samson (WK), Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. SirajReserves: Shubman Gill, Rinku Singh, Khaleel Ahmed and Avesh Khan. 

[oneturfnews]

As the IPL 2024 season kicks off, the spotlight is on Pat Cummins, the Australian pace sensation who has emerged as the best buy for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). With a stellar track record as a player and a captain, Cummins brings a wealth of experience and leadership to the SRH squad. Under the astute guidance of CEO Kavya Maran, SRH's decision to acquire Cummins is poised to pay rich dividends.

Cummins: A Champion on and off the Field Pat Cummins' journey in cricket has been nothing short of extraordinary. From his early days as a promising young talent to becoming the world's premier fast bowler, Cummins has consistently raised the bar. His leadership qualities were evident when he led Australia to a resounding 4-0 Ashes victory, showcasing his ability to inspire and galvanize his team to success.

Test Championship and World Cup Glory Cummins played a pivotal role in Australia's triumph in the Test Championship in 2023, spearheading the bowling attack with skill and precision. His ability to deliver under pressure and pick crucial wickets at key moments proved instrumental in Australia's success. Furthermore, Cummins' contribution to Australia's World Cup win in 2023 highlighted his all-round prowess and match-winning abilities.

The Best Buy for SRH As SRH gears up for IPL 2024, the addition of Pat Cummins to their squad is a game-changer. His presence not only strengthens their bowling attack but also brings invaluable leadership and experience to the team. Cummins' ability to bowl at pace and extract bounce from any surface makes him a potent weapon in the T20 format.

CEO Kavya Maran's Vision Credit must be given to SRH CEO Kavya Maran for her astute decision to acquire Pat Cummins. Maran's vision and strategic acumen have been instrumental in shaping SRH's squad for IPL 2024. By identifying Cummins as the missing piece in the puzzle, Maran has demonstrated her commitment to building a championship-winning team.

Cummins: The Key to SRH's Success As SRH embarks on their IPL 2024 campaign, all eyes will be on Pat Cummins to lead the charge. His ability to deliver match-winning performances with both bat and ball, coupled with his leadership on and off the field, makes him the linchpin of SRH's title aspirations. With Cummins in their ranks, SRH fans can dare to dream of lifting the IPL trophy once again.

[icecricnewsupdates]

Who is the Cricket World's Best Player?

The question of who is the greatest cricketer of all time has been a perennial debate among fans and pundits alike. While the answer is often subjective and influenced by personal biases, there are several players who have consistently dominated the sport and made a strong case for the title. Let's explore some of the contenders and the factors that contribute to their greatness.

The Modern Era Dominators: Kohli, Smith, and Kane Williamson

The past decade has witnessed the rise of three exceptional talents who have redefined the standards of batting. Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, and Kane Williamson have consistently produced match-winning performances across all formats, solidifying their status as the modern era's premier batsmen.

♯1. Virat Kohli: The Indian captain's aggressive style, impeccable timing, and ability to adapt to different conditions have made him a nightmare for bowlers. His record-breaking centuries and his leadership qualities have cemented his place among the all-time greats.

♯2. Steve Smith: The Australian's unorthodox technique and his ability to score runs at will have made him a force to be reckoned with. Smith's consistency and his ability to perform under pressure have earned him widespread admiration.

♯3. Kane Williamson: The New Zealand captain's elegant strokeplay and his calm demeanor have made him a joy to watch. Williamson's ability to anchor the innings and his match-winning performances have solidified his reputation as one of the best batsmen in the world.

➥ Also Read: Indian Cricket Team Schedule 2024-2025

The All-Round Legends: Imran Khan, Kapil Dev, and Jacques Kallis

The all-rounders who have excelled in both batting and bowling have always been held in high regard. Imran Khan, Kapil Dev, and Jacques Kallis are among the most iconic all-rounders of all time.

♯1. Imran Khan: The former Pakistan captain's swing bowling and his classy batting made him a complete cricketer. His leadership qualities and his contributions to his country's success have earned him legendary status.

♯2. Kapil Dev: The Indian fast bowler's ability to swing the ball both ways and his useful batting made him a valuable asset to the team. His leadership in the 1983 World Cup-winning team cemented his place in Indian cricket history.

♯3. Jacques Kallis: The South African all-rounder's consistency and his ability to perform in all conditions have made him one of the greatest cricketers of his generation. His contributions with both bat and ball have been invaluable to his country.

➥ Also Read: Indian Cricket Team Schedule 2024-2025

The Timeless Greats: Don Bradman, Sachin Tendulkar, and West Indies Legends

While the modern era has produced some exceptional talents, there are a few players who have transcended generations and are considered among the greatest of all time. Don Bradman, Sachin Tendulkar, and the West Indies legends of the 1970s and 1980s are among the most revered names in cricket history.

♯1. Don Bradman: The Australian legend's batting average of 99.98 remains the highest in Test cricket history. His dominance over bowlers and his ability to score runs at will have made him a mythical figure in the sport.

♯2. Sachin Tendulkar: The Indian "Master Blaster" broke countless records during his illustrious career. His ability to adapt to different conditions and his consistency have made him one of the most beloved cricketers of all time.

♯3. West Indies Legends: The West Indies teams of the 1970s and 1980s boasted a formidable lineup of fast bowlers and powerful batsmen. Players like Clive Lloyd, Viv Richards, Gordon Greenidge, and Joel Garner dominated world cricket for over a decade.

➥ Also Read: Indian Cricket Team Schedule 2024-2025

[jayprakashraj]

IPL 2024 Schedule: IPL 2024: How Will Be The Coordination Of Rohit-Pandya? | Raj Express

The IPL 2024 schedule has been released, featuring the first phase of 21 matches due to the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. These matches will take place from March 22nd to April 7th, with the opening match between CSK and RCB. Let's delve into what makes the first phase of IPL 2024 special.

[stokesy55]

Jos is any day a better T20 batsman than VK. VK has got more records, but the impact Jos has is unparalleled

HAHAHAHAHAHA 🤣🤣🤣

I'm sorry but

HAHAHAHAHA 🤣🤣🤣

I'm curious, what exactly is considered "impact"? How about being the highest run-scorer of 2 T20 World Cups? How about being the player of the tournament in consecutive T20 World Cups? Virat did that. You know what else he did? India played 6 knockout matches between 2014 and 2024. Virat has made a half century or more than that in 5 out of those 6 matches. That's just shy of 400 runs in 6 matches. It makes his average in T20 WC knockout matches over 90. If that's not impactful, I don't know what is.

Is impact related to strike rate? Virat scored 70 off 29 against West Indies, 94 in some 50 odd balls against WI, and his century against Afghanistan came in 52 balls. The first knock has a strike rate of over 200. Virat chased down 48 off the last 3 overs against Pakistan at the MCG in 2022 and 39 off the last 3 overs against Australia at Mohali in 2016. The latter was a virtual quarter final, and Virat's knock guaranteed India's progress to the semi finals.

Is impact related to hitting sixes? Well, for all that Jos is a renowned six-hitter, it was Virat's six against Haris Rauf at the MCG was declared the shot of the century by ICC. An equation that read 28 off 8 became 16 off 6. It was Virat who hit the two sixes that were required to get it down till here.

Virat has time and again won matches out of nowhere for India. The Mohali 82 against Australia, the MCG 82 against Pakistan, the 72 in 2014 SFs vs South Africa, I can go on and on here-- Heck, Virat was most of the, if not the sole reason that India got as far as they did in the 2014, 2016 and 2022 editions of the T20 World Cup. He is a massively impactful player, who delivers whenever needed. Even yesterday's final, take Virat's 76 out of the equation and we had only a 100 on the board to defend. I doubt even Jasprit could have done much with that.

Virat ended his career in T20s as unquestionably the best T20 player of this generation. Nobody comes close to having the kind of impact he does on the game. He carried India in almost every single T20 World Cup he played, and nobody deserved to lift that trophy as much as he did.

I did not intend this as an insult to Jos. He is a great player, one of the very best to have played the game, but he's not better than Virat. Nope, sorry, he isn't. And it isn't limited to Jos either. There isn't any player in the world, not Rohit, not Warner, not Babar, not Maxwell, no nobody in this generation comes close to having the kind of class, poise and impact of Kohli in T20s.

People are allowed differing opinions - sure, the stats say Virat but in terms of coming in when the team needs and changing the game momentum Jos is one of the best at having an impact

Numbers aren’t always everything, I think is the point the original ask was making. And honestly, looking at the tournament that just concluded, VK really only made an impact in the final, whilst Jos was a lynchpin to a lot of England’s batting innings.

Not saying you’re wrong and - as I said - everyone has opinions and it’s great they’re different because it allows us to discuss thing :) But I think the original ask was talking more about match impact than stats. There is a reason he was RR’s impact batsman for the IPL this year.

[news365timesindia]

[ad_1] IPL Trophy (Source: X) The 2025 IPL mega auction, set for November 24th and 25th in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, promises to be one of the largest in league history. A total of 1,574 cricketers—1,165 Indians and 409 from overseas—are up for grabs, including 320 capped players, 1,224 uncapped players, and 30 from Associate Nations. With 46 players already retained by their respective franchises, teams are gearing up to enhance their squads with strategic picks that will give them an edge in the upcoming season. Attending my first live IPL auction has me thrilled. Watching team owners and strategists carefully construct their squads over those two important days will be fascinating. There’s so much to anticipate: which franchises will target which players, how many might try to rebuild a familiar core by buying back former players, and which teams will aim for a complete overhaul. The excitement around surprise picks, franchise strategies, and the competition for the biggest buy of the auction will make this an unforgettable experience. Some of the Indian players I’m most excited to watch in this mega auction are Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, and Arshdeep Singh—all game-changers who are likely to attract high bids. Delhi Capitals’ decision to release Pant was a shock, and he could potentially set a new IPL bid record, possibly surpassing 20 crores. Although Rahul has faced recent form challenges, franchises will still see value in his potential once he’s back in rhythm. As a former IPL-winning captain, Iyer is likely to be a prime target for teams seeking a leader, especially with his strong showing in the Ranji Trophy. Lastly, Arshdeep Singh, considered India’s second most reliable T20 bowler after Jasprit Bumrah, is expected to command significant interest following his T20 World Cup heroics. Some of the top international stars to watch in this mega auction include Jos Buttler, Rachin Ravindra, Jake Fraser-McGurk, and Mitchell Starc. Each is likely to attract hefty bids. Buttler, the backbone of Rajasthan Royals, has shown exceptional consistency at the top order, making him a big target. Rachin, a rising talent who understands Indian conditions well, impressed with a solid stint for CSK and is expected to draw significant interest. McGurk, another young powerhouse, left a mark with his explosive IPL debut for the Capitals, making him a strong contender in a bidding war. Lastly, veteran Starc, who commanded the highest bid in tournament history last year, is expected to secure another major contract this season.  Also read:  Sanjay Manjrekar did not need to bait coach Gautam Gambhir on social media.#GautamGambhir @BoriaMajumdar https://t.co/F3o9NsmBXj — RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) November 12, 2024 For more sports content follow: RevSportz  The post Countdown to Jeddah: Franchises Eye Top Stars at 2025 IPL Auction appeared first on Sports News Portal | Latest Sports Articles | Revsports. [ad_2] Source link

[news365times]

[ad_1] IPL Trophy (Source: X) The 2025 IPL mega auction, set for November 24th and 25th in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, promises to be one of the largest in league history. A total of 1,574 cricketers—1,165 Indians and 409 from overseas—are up for grabs, including 320 capped players, 1,224 uncapped players, and 30 from Associate Nations. With 46 players already retained by their respective franchises, teams are gearing up to enhance their squads with strategic picks that will give them an edge in the upcoming season. Attending my first live IPL auction has me thrilled. Watching team owners and strategists carefully construct their squads over those two important days will be fascinating. There’s so much to anticipate: which franchises will target which players, how many might try to rebuild a familiar core by buying back former players, and which teams will aim for a complete overhaul. The excitement around surprise picks, franchise strategies, and the competition for the biggest buy of the auction will make this an unforgettable experience. Some of the Indian players I’m most excited to watch in this mega auction are Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, and Arshdeep Singh—all game-changers who are likely to attract high bids. Delhi Capitals’ decision to release Pant was a shock, and he could potentially set a new IPL bid record, possibly surpassing 20 crores. Although Rahul has faced recent form challenges, franchises will still see value in his potential once he’s back in rhythm. As a former IPL-winning captain, Iyer is likely to be a prime target for teams seeking a leader, especially with his strong showing in the Ranji Trophy. Lastly, Arshdeep Singh, considered India’s second most reliable T20 bowler after Jasprit Bumrah, is expected to command significant interest following his T20 World Cup heroics. Some of the top international stars to watch in this mega auction include Jos Buttler, Rachin Ravindra, Jake Fraser-McGurk, and Mitchell Starc. Each is likely to attract hefty bids. Buttler, the backbone of Rajasthan Royals, has shown exceptional consistency at the top order, making him a big target. Rachin, a rising talent who understands Indian conditions well, impressed with a solid stint for CSK and is expected to draw significant interest. McGurk, another young powerhouse, left a mark with his explosive IPL debut for the Capitals, making him a strong contender in a bidding war. Lastly, veteran Starc, who commanded the highest bid in tournament history last year, is expected to secure another major contract this season.  Also read:  Sanjay Manjrekar did not need to bait coach Gautam Gambhir on social media.#GautamGambhir @BoriaMajumdar https://t.co/F3o9NsmBXj — RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) November 12, 2024 For more sports content follow: RevSportz  The post Countdown to Jeddah: Franchises Eye Top Stars at 2025 IPL Auction appeared first on Sports News Portal | Latest Sports Articles | Revsports. [ad_2] Source link

[tfgadgets]

Gautam Gambhir "Pushing His Case...": Inside Details Of Surprising Selection Calls In India Squad vs Australia

Delhi speedster Harshit Rana and Andhra seam bowling all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy have earned their maiden call-up in the 18-member Indian team led by Rohit Sharma for the upcoming five-Test series against Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.  Delhi speedster Harshit is only nine First-Class matches old in which he has taken 36 wickets. But with a stellar IPL 2024 season under Gautam…

[cricketbazar]

Indian Cricket Team members receive 'Team of the Year caps ahead of ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024

Ahead of their start of the T20 World Cup 2024 campaign in the West Indies and the United States, Indian Cricket Team members received ICC awards and Team of the Year caps for their outstanding performance for their national side in recent times.

World No. 1 T20I batter Suryakumar Yadav was facilitated with ICC Men's T20I Cricketer of the Year and T20I Team of the Year cap. All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja was given the ICC Test Team of the Year cap. Men in Blu skipper Rohit Sharma along with Shubman Gill, Kuldeep Yadav, and Mohammed Siraj received the ICC ODI Team of the Year caps and the left-arm spinner Arshdeep Singh got the ICC T20I Team of the Year cap.

India will start their T20 World Cup campaign on June 5 against Ireland at the newly constructed Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York.

Meanwhile, the most-awaited blockbuster clash between India and Pakistan will take place on June 9. They will later play tournament co-hosts USA (June 12) and Canada (June 15) to wrap up their Group A matches.

In the tournament, India will be aiming to end their ICC trophy drought, having last won the ICC Champions Trophy in 2013. Since then, India has reached the 50-over World Cup final in 2023, semifinal in 2015 and 2019, the title clash of the ICC World Test Championship in 2021 and 2023, T20 WC final in 2014, semifinals in 2016 and 2022 but failed to secure a big ICC trophy.

India will be aiming to win their first T20 WC title since they won the inaugural edition of the tournament back in 2007 in South Africa. In the last edition held in Australia in 2022, India lost to England by 10 wickets in the semifinals.

India squad: Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk), Sanju Samson (wk), Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Siraj

Reserves: Shubman Gill, Rinku Singh, Khaleel Ahmed and Avesh Khan.

[pmoyojana]

IPL Winners List from 2008 to 2024: The Secret Formula for Winning the IPL Trophy!

[sammarketer]

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB): A Deep Dive into Their Playoff History

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) is one of the most iconic franchises in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Despite their popularity and star-studded lineups over the years, RCB has had a complicated journey in the IPL. The franchise is known for its explosive performances and dedicated fanbase, but the elusive IPL trophy has remained just out of reach. A common question fans often ask is, "How many times has RCB qualified for the playoffs?" The answer is that RCB has made it to the playoffs nine times as of 2024. However, their performance in the finals has been less than fortunate, as they have reached the finals three times but are yet to win the championship.

RCB’s Journey to the Playoffs: An Overview

RCB has had a roller-coaster history when it comes to qualifying for the IPL playoffs. Despite a strong batting lineup and some of the most iconic players in the IPL, the team has struggled with consistency. Let’s break down their playoff appearances season by season:

2009: After a disappointing start in 2008, RCB found their rhythm in the 2009 season. Anil Kumble led the team to their first playoff and eventually to the final, where they faced the Deccan Chargers. Despite a spirited effort, RCB lost the final. However, this marked the beginning of their journey as one of the top contenders in the IPL.

2010: In the 2010 season, RCB maintained their competitive form and once again reached the playoffs. However, their journey ended in the semi-finals, where they were eliminated by the Mumbai Indians. Although they didn’t make it to the final, RCB proved they were a force to be reckoned with.

2011: The 2011 season was a golden opportunity for RCB. They topped the points table, largely thanks to the power-hitting of Chris Gayle, who was in sensational form. RCB reached the final for the second time but fell short, losing to the Chennai Super Kings. It was another heart-breaking defeat, as they missed out on the trophy despite a stellar season.

2015: After a few seasons of inconsistency, RCB bounced back in 2015, reaching the playoffs again. With Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, and Mitchell Starc in their ranks, RCB looked strong but were eliminated in the semi-finals by Chennai Super Kings. It was another close call, but the wait for their first title continued.

2016: The 2016 IPL season was RCB’s best chance at clinching their maiden title. Virat Kohli was in sensational form, scoring a record 973 runs with four centuries. RCB reached their third final, but despite being favorites, they were beaten by Sunrisers Hyderabad. The loss added to their tally of missed opportunities, as the title continued to evade them.

2020: After a four-year playoff drought, RCB made a comeback in 2020 under the captaincy of Virat Kohli. Although they had moments of brilliance, they were knocked out in the eliminator by Sunrisers Hyderabad. The season ended in disappointment, but RCB’s return to the playoffs was a positive sign.

2021: RCB secured a playoff spot for the second consecutive year in 2021. With consistent performances throughout the season, hopes were high. However, they were once again eliminated in the eliminator, this time by Kolkata Knight Riders. Despite the loss, RCB showed they were building a consistent, competitive team.

2022: In 2022, RCB made it to the playoffs for the third straight season. They won the eliminator against Lucknow Super Giants but were defeated by Rajasthan Royals in the second qualifier. While the wait for an IPL title continued, RCB’s consistency in reaching the playoffs was becoming a hallmark of the team.

2024: In the 2024 IPL season, under the leadership of Faf du Plessis, RCB qualified for the playoffs once again. Although they put up a strong fight, they were unable to make it to the final. With nine playoff appearances, RCB has consistently been among the top teams, but the elusive IPL trophy remains a distant dream.

How Many Times Has RCB Qualified for the Final?

In addition to asking, "How many times has RCB qualified for the playoffs?", another common question is how many times they’ve reached the final. RCB has made it to the IPL final on three occasions: 2009, 2011, and 2016. Unfortunately, RCB has lost all three finals.

2009 Final: RCB’s first final appearance came in 2009, where they faced Deccan Chargers. Despite a strong run to the final, they couldn’t cross the line and finished as runners-up.

2011 Final: RCB was in prime form in 2011, largely due to Chris Gayle’s exceptional performances. They finished at the top of the points table and reached the final. However, Chennai Super Kings outplayed them, handing RCB their second final defeat.

2016 Final: The 2016 season is often remembered for Virat Kohli’s record-breaking run-scoring spree. RCB looked destined to win their first IPL title, but Sunrisers Hyderabad had other plans, defeating them in the final and leaving RCB without a trophy for the third time.

Challenges Faced by RCB in Playoff Matches

RCB’s struggle in the playoffs can be attributed to several factors. Despite having some of the most explosive players in the league, the team has often faltered at crucial moments. Here are some of the challenges RCB has faced in their playoff runs:

Inconsistent Bowling Lineup: One of RCB’s primary weaknesses over the years has been their bowling attack. While their batting, led by stars like Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, and Chris Gayle, has often been their strength, their bowling has lacked consistency, especially in the death overs.

Over-Reliance on Key Players: RCB has frequently relied on individual brilliance to carry them through matches. While players like Kohli and de Villiers have delivered spectacular performances, this dependence has often left the team vulnerable when these stars fail to fire.

Pressure of Knockout Matches: RCB has struggled to handle the pressure in high-stakes knockout matches. Whether it’s nerves or strategic missteps, they have often underperformed in finals and eliminators. Building a mentally resilient team is essential for RCB to go all the way.

What Lies Ahead for RCB?

RCB’s repeated playoff appearances show they are always in the mix, but winning the IPL title remains the ultimate goal. For them to break the jinx and finally claim the trophy, a few key factors will be crucial:

Building a Balanced Squad: RCB needs to focus on assembling a well-rounded team with depth in both batting and bowling. Strengthening their bowling lineup, especially in the death overs, will be critical.

Developing Young Talent: Investing in young players, especially bowlers, will add depth to the team and allow RCB to be more consistent. Nurturing talent will help them avoid over-reliance on a few star players.

Mental Strength in Big Games: RCB’s history in knockout games shows a pattern of faltering under pressure. Addressing this issue and building a mentally resilient squad will increase their chances of finally lifting the IPL trophy.

READ ALSO:- Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB): An In-Depth Look at Their IPL Playoff Journey

Conclusion

So, how many times has RCB qualified for the playoffs? The answer is nine times. Despite their numerous playoff appearances, RCB is still in search of their first IPL title. With a strong fan base and a competitive squad, RCB remains one of the most exciting teams in the IPL. As they continue to build and improve, fans hope that the long-awaited IPL title will soon come their way.

[a2zsportsnews]

Duleep Trophy 2024: Tilak Varma hopes to climb First-Class ladder with all-round ability

Tilak Varma does not take long to finish off his batting during India A’s net session at the Anantapur Cricket Ground on Tuesday. He then quickly saunters away to the bench before reappearing with a ball in hand. “Since this Indian Premier League (IPL) season, and from last year in general, I have been working on my bowling a lot,” Tilak admits at the end of practice. He is happy to stand in…

[starbiopic]

Rishabh Pant Shines in Duleep Trophy: Smashes Kuldeep Yadav with Big Hits

Bengaluru: In an exciting Duleep Trophy 2024 match between India A and India B, Rishabh Pant made headlines with his aggressive batting. Playing at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, Pant unleashed his power in the second innings, punishing the bowlers of India A, particularly his IPL teammate Kuldeep Yadav. Pant’s Explosive Innings Rishabh Pant, the star wicketkeeper-batsman, showed no…

[news365timesindia]

[ad_1] Nitish Kumar Reddy for SRH (PC: X) Nitish Kumar Reddy has been taking massive strides in the world of cricket. From winning the Emerging Player of the Tournament in IPL 2024 to making his debut for India in the T20Is against Bangladesh, Nitish is being trusted as someone who can become India’s premier fast-bowling all-rounder in the future. For the 21-year-old, the much-awaited India’s tour of Australia will be the first real challenge in his short international career. Ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Nitish, in a freewheeling interview, talked about a range of things – from getting the India cap, dealing with pressure, Gautam Gambhir, tips from Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Hardik Pandya’s influence, love for Virat Kohli and Cristiano Ronaldo, gaining respect for his family, SunRisers Hyderabad, and of course the much-awaited Test series Down Under. Excerpts… Q: How was it to get your India debut against Bangladesh in the T20I format? A: It always feels very good to represent India and the Indian team. It’s a dream for every player to play for India and now when you are representing India, you want to make India proud by performing well. It feels very good for me. Q: You are just 21. How are you handling the sudden pressure of being with the Indian team and all the eyeballs? A: To be honest, it was a good feeling. Nerves are there, pressure is there, everything will be there. You will have to handle the nerve and pressure. You know you need to go and perform there. It feels very good when you go out there in front of Indian fans and perform. It feels like you are making your country and your state proud as well. Thankful to the BCCI for the opportunities. Q: How have Gautam Gambhir and the entire coaching staff been with you? A: To be honest, they are very good and welcoming. Going at a senior team and as a youngster, it can sometimes feel like that you don’t know the seniors; how they react, how they behave and everything. It can be a totally different culture from what we experience in state cricket. Gautam sir was very welcoming. He gives me and other players the freedom, the licence to play naturally. He suggested to me that I can play aggressively. And that’s what I did, it really helped me a lot. A lot of other points as well which he mentioned to me and I’m working on that. They have been really helpful for me. Q: How was that 74-run knock against Bangladesh? You picked up two wickets as well. How did the dressing-room react? A: It was very good. When you perform, everything will be good. The first match I scored 16. But at the time of acceleration, the match got over. I felt like I should have accelerated a little bit early. But it’s fine. I was waiting for the opportunity and I got the opportunity. I would say Gautam sir came during the drinks break, at the right time. He straightaway mentioned that I played a reverse sweep and said in those kinds of wickets, you don’t trust reverse sweep as sometimes the ball keeps low and is not suitable for reverse sweep. He told me, ‘you have your power. You go through your power. Just believe in your power-hitting’. I just trusted him and my power-hitting. After the drinks break, they brought in the spinners and I was just smashing them. That point really helped me at the time. Q: How did you improve your bowling? You were hitting late 130 kph against Bangladesh, which was really impressive. Any important tips that you have received from coaches, seniors or in the IPL which have helped you? A: To be honest, I am working hard to improve my bowling. I won’t say I was trying to get a little more pace. But in the past, I have tried to get a little more pace.  I got a good point from Bhuvaneshwar Kumar. So, he was mentioning some player who bowls at 145, 150. Pace is good but that’s not good when you don’t bowl in the right areas. If you are bowling 150 kph and you are not bowling in the right areas, you will be smashed. And he was giving an example. He said that 130 to 140 is very good pace.

You just need to be consistent wherever you wanted to bowl with precision. If you master that, it doesn’t matter if you bowl 140, 145 or something. If you master that, 135 is also very good. I was really going through this pace thing at that time. I wanted to increase my pace and everything. And I was thinking in that way. One more point I received from Gautam sir – when I was bowling in my first session for India, I was bowling some slowers. He came to me and said, ‘Nitish, I know you bowl good slower ones. But you need to focus on hitting the top of off stump. You need to have a proper bowler mindset’. I used to think, I am a batsman who can bowl. It was important to believe I am a bowling all-rounder. Whenever you have the ball in your hand, you need to think like a bowler. Whenever you have a bat in your hand, you need to think like a batter. For the Latest Sports News: Click Here Nitish Kumar Reddy with Mayank Yadav during team India debut (PC: BCCI) So, he was mentioning, ‘when the skipper gives you the ball, you need to be ready to bowl a yorker. You need to be ready to bowl on top of off stump. You need to be ready to bowl bouncers. So, you need to plan in that way at the nets as well. You need to be aggressive. You need to bowl bouncers at the nets. You need to bowl yorkers. You need to hit the top of off stump. What a bowler does, you have to do that. You don’t have to think like, I am a batting all-rounder. You don’t need to think in that way. You need to think as a bowler’. That really helped me. That’s a basic point. It was a very good point at that time. Q: Do you feel you are ready to face Australia that too in Australia? A: I am ready to give my 100, 110% for the Indian team. The BCCI has chosen me and I have to respond accordingly.  As an all-rounder, I have both the skillsets and I want to give my 110%, whichever way I can help them. Even I’m a good fielder, I can help in fielding as well. If I’m not playing, I can be the 12th man and carry drinks with all my heart.  I can help by taking good catches. If I’m playing, I will be trying to give my maximum effort. It’s a crucial Test series for India. It will be very, very crucial series for me as well. Q: You played for India A with the red Kookaburra for the first time. Did you notice any change, as in India we play with the SG red ball. A: Obviously, the SG and Kookaburra, there is a lot of difference. Because, with SG, it gets rough easily on one side and it is easy to maintain that shine and rough. In Kookaburra, it doesn’t… I guess, it’s because of the pitches or it’s because of the outfield. I don’t know. It doesn’t get old that quickly. And, it doesn’t get rough on one side. It gets rough on both sides. We can’t find much swing here apart from initial stages. But if you are bowling first-change, second-change, you can’t find that much swing here. You can trust that off-the-pitch movement though like, scrambled seam, hitting that scrambled seam. You can trust the bounce as well. You can play with that. That’s what I felt. Q: From being an opening bowler and batter in age-group cricket to shifting to the middle-order role… What changes have you made in your game? A: Yeah, I have made a couple of changes. One thing you have said that I was an opener batsman and opening bowler. I modified that. When you are bowling 20 overs and straight away coming back again to bat after taking 10 minutes break to play the new ball. That was really hard for me. I might have to play the second new ball as a middle-order batter as well but that is completely different. Skill-wise, it wasn’t an issue but body-wise, it was. I have already grinded in that No. 5, No. 6 down as well. And in the opening slot as well. So, whenever the team says that they want me to do the opening, I will be ready. And if they want me to do it at No. 7, No. 8 or anything like that, I am ready for that as well. Q: How do you manage both batting and bowling? It can really take a toll on your body… A: There

was a time when I wanted to leave fast bowling and wanted to do off-spin, when I was something like 17. I was completely trying to avoid bowling because I was getting tired a lot and eventually my batting stats were going down. I was not getting scores and was worried about my batting. I worked a lot on my batting. And then I spoke with my coach. He said, ‘Nitish, now you are feeling in this way, but in senior age groups or when you play at senior level, when your batting fails you, your bowling will be rescuing you. Fast-bowling all-rounder is very rare and you got that ability. Don’t leave that’. So, yeah, and at the time, I felt like, okay, let’s keep on working on what I can do. I tried to score in that No. 5, No. 6 down. Eventually that all-rounder thing came into me. Q: Hardik Pandya has been India’s premier pace bowling all-rounder for a while now. Any conversations you have with him? A: I met him in the IPL, when we played against him. A big question that I asked him is how do we maintain our body. I know, as all-rounders, we have to do two jobs. That’s not really easy. The appreciation is very much there but a plenty of hard work is also there. And you need to be ready to go through it. You have to be fit. You have to be flexible for everything. Like whatever role the team gives you, you have to be flexible for that. For that, I asked him, ‘what kind of diet do you follow and what is your routine and how specific are you about your supplements or like food intake, everything’. So, he mentioned me a couple of points that are really helpful for me. Q: You are super fit and extremely athletic as well. Does it come naturally? A: From childhood, I used to run a lot. To be honest, my technique was very bad at the time. But yeah, in school competitions and all, I used to come first and second. Mostly, I wanted to be, like, there is a friend of mine who used to run well as well. So, I just wanted to beat him. I always used to win. So, it’s just, I don’t want anyone to win over me in the running competitions in my school. So, when I came to cricket, there were a lot of seniors and I tried competing with them. And the seniors are a little quick. I was studying in eighth grade maybe. When I went to my academy, they taught me the running technique and all. It’s not like a born thing for me. When the technique got added to my system, I became faster, slowly and steadily. Nitish Kumar Reddy in action for SRH (PC: X) And about fitness, I was not so specific when I was a kid. But my father was so specific about fitness because he was a sports person and played at club level. Eventually, I also got to know that fitness is the only thing that can change everything. From there, I worked hard on my fitness as well. Q: So, discipline is there in you since childhood? Yeah, you know, like my idols are Virat Kohli and Cristiano Ronaldo. I admire them a lot. Cristiano is my all-time favourite. Like, he is my motivator in a way. Whenever I see him or whenever I see his reels or videos, whenever I listen to his speeches, everything kind of boosts me instantly. Q: Was your father a hard taskmaster as a coach? A: To be honest, I am so happy that I got a father like him. Because in childhood, I used to think, he is a harsh kind of father who doesn’t like me to go with my friends or allow me to play with them, gully cricket. I liked playing gully cricket a lot. Playing with friends was always a happy thing. But he didn’t allow me because he thought my technique will get hampered. He was so into me and he didn’t allow me for functions or any events. He forced me for a strict diet at that point. He used to give me dry fruits. I didn’t like having that. But at that age, we lack maturity. I should thank my father for being that much caring about me because if he was not that hard on me, I wouldn’t be here. That’s a really good thing that happened to me, my father. I will keep thanking my father because of what he has done. Q: Getting retained by SunRisers

Hyderabad, the big bucks that it brings, and steadily becoming the face of the franchise. How does it feel at such a young age? A: I would say it feels great.  I am from a middle-class family. I know where I came from and what my background is. So, whatever money comes, it’s fine. But it shouldn’t be like money is the only thing. I take it in that way. I wanted to invest on myself and in the future. I am not the guy who enjoys money and spends a lot. I am the guy who invests on myself and who invests in the future. So, it doesn’t bother me that much, the money thing. It feels very good to play for Sunrisers Hyderabad. I am a Telugu guy who comes from there. Representing that team is very good. They treat me as their own kind of son, brother or someone like that. It feels very good when the fanbase is feeling in that way. I always wanted to be respected. I am getting that respect because of cricket. Even for my father, the whole journey has been full of ups and downs. My father used had a government job. When he resigned because of me and my cricket, I saw a lot of family members or relatives, they turned their backs on us. My father had tough days. Even we had tough days. I wanted everyone to respect my father, my family. That’s when I took this game seriously. Eventually, now everyone is respecting my father, my family, my sister and me. That’s what I always wanted. Money comes and goes. But that respect doesn’t come to everyone. I feel so great representing SRH. And I am looking forward to next season and performing well on behalf of Telugu people. There are a lot of talented players from that region as well. I want to promote them. That’s one of my goals as well. Tilak Verma and I used to speak that we should perform well. Now we need to perform and we need to bring some other Telugu players to the IPL. But because of some players who didn’t click in the IPL, many franchises could have their reservations. So, once we perform, we open the path for others from Hyderabad and Andhra Pradesh as well. The IPL is the one platform which changes everything. Even in my case as well, the IPL changed everything in one year. So, you never know. But you just need to be humble to everyone and you need to focus on your game. That’s all you need. Stay humble. Stay rooted. Just focus on what you do. Nitish Kumar Reddy with Virat Kohli in the IPL (PC: X) Q: Who is your cricketing idol? My idol, like, cricketing idol is Virat bhai (Virat Kohli). Since childhood, I have watched him and I played my cricket based on his style. When I started playing cricket, I watched him and I admired his gameplay and his attitude. The way he changed Indian cricket. I like everything about him; I like him a lot. My favourite club is where Ronaldo plays. I follow Cristiano. Q: What’s your individual goal as a cricketer? A: My ultimate dream is to become one of the greatest, to become one of the greatest all-rounders. That’s my ultimate goal. Greatest all-rounders. Like Ben Stokes, Hardik Pandya, Kapil Dev – in that kind of league. Also Read: What Ricky Ponting says about Virat Kohli is irrelevant, no point highlighting it The post My ultimate dream is to become one of the greatest all-rounders: Nitish Kumar Reddy appeared first on Sports News Portal | Latest Sports Articles | Revsports. [ad_2] Source link

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[ad_1] Nitish Kumar Reddy for SRH (PC: X) Nitish Kumar Reddy has been taking massive strides in the world of cricket. From winning the Emerging Player of the Tournament in IPL 2024 to making his debut for India in the T20Is against Bangladesh, Nitish is being trusted as someone who can become India’s premier fast-bowling all-rounder in the future. For the 21-year-old, the much-awaited India’s tour of Australia will be the first real challenge in his short international career. Ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Nitish, in a freewheeling interview, talked about a range of things – from getting the India cap, dealing with pressure, Gautam Gambhir, tips from Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Hardik Pandya’s influence, love for Virat Kohli and Cristiano Ronaldo, gaining respect for his family, SunRisers Hyderabad, and of course the much-awaited Test series Down Under. Excerpts… Q: How was it to get your India debut against Bangladesh in the T20I format? A: It always feels very good to represent India and the Indian team. It’s a dream for every player to play for India and now when you are representing India, you want to make India proud by performing well. It feels very good for me. Q: You are just 21. How are you handling the sudden pressure of being with the Indian team and all the eyeballs? A: To be honest, it was a good feeling. Nerves are there, pressure is there, everything will be there. You will have to handle the nerve and pressure. You know you need to go and perform there. It feels very good when you go out there in front of Indian fans and perform. It feels like you are making your country and your state proud as well. Thankful to the BCCI for the opportunities. Q: How have Gautam Gambhir and the entire coaching staff been with you? A: To be honest, they are very good and welcoming. Going at a senior team and as a youngster, it can sometimes feel like that you don’t know the seniors; how they react, how they behave and everything. It can be a totally different culture from what we experience in state cricket. Gautam sir was very welcoming. He gives me and other players the freedom, the licence to play naturally. He suggested to me that I can play aggressively. And that’s what I did, it really helped me a lot. A lot of other points as well which he mentioned to me and I’m working on that. They have been really helpful for me. Q: How was that 74-run knock against Bangladesh? You picked up two wickets as well. How did the dressing-room react? A: It was very good. When you perform, everything will be good. The first match I scored 16. But at the time of acceleration, the match got over. I felt like I should have accelerated a little bit early. But it’s fine. I was waiting for the opportunity and I got the opportunity. I would say Gautam sir came during the drinks break, at the right time. He straightaway mentioned that I played a reverse sweep and said in those kinds of wickets, you don’t trust reverse sweep as sometimes the ball keeps low and is not suitable for reverse sweep. He told me, ‘you have your power. You go through your power. Just believe in your power-hitting’. I just trusted him and my power-hitting. After the drinks break, they brought in the spinners and I was just smashing them. That point really helped me at the time. Q: How did you improve your bowling? You were hitting late 130 kph against Bangladesh, which was really impressive. Any important tips that you have received from coaches, seniors or in the IPL which have helped you? A: To be honest, I am working hard to improve my bowling. I won’t say I was trying to get a little more pace. But in the past, I have tried to get a little more pace.  I got a good point from Bhuvaneshwar Kumar. So, he was mentioning some player who bowls at 145, 150. Pace is good but that’s not good when you don’t bowl in the right areas. If you are bowling 150 kph and you are not bowling in the right areas, you will be smashed. And he was giving an example. He said that 130 to 140 is very good pace.

You just need to be consistent wherever you wanted to bowl with precision. If you master that, it doesn’t matter if you bowl 140, 145 or something. If you master that, 135 is also very good. I was really going through this pace thing at that time. I wanted to increase my pace and everything. And I was thinking in that way. One more point I received from Gautam sir – when I was bowling in my first session for India, I was bowling some slowers. He came to me and said, ‘Nitish, I know you bowl good slower ones. But you need to focus on hitting the top of off stump. You need to have a proper bowler mindset’. I used to think, I am a batsman who can bowl. It was important to believe I am a bowling all-rounder. Whenever you have the ball in your hand, you need to think like a bowler. Whenever you have a bat in your hand, you need to think like a batter. For the Latest Sports News: Click Here Nitish Kumar Reddy with Mayank Yadav during team India debut (PC: BCCI) So, he was mentioning, ‘when the skipper gives you the ball, you need to be ready to bowl a yorker. You need to be ready to bowl on top of off stump. You need to be ready to bowl bouncers. So, you need to plan in that way at the nets as well. You need to be aggressive. You need to bowl bouncers at the nets. You need to bowl yorkers. You need to hit the top of off stump. What a bowler does, you have to do that. You don’t have to think like, I am a batting all-rounder. You don’t need to think in that way. You need to think as a bowler’. That really helped me. That’s a basic point. It was a very good point at that time. Q: Do you feel you are ready to face Australia that too in Australia? A: I am ready to give my 100, 110% for the Indian team. The BCCI has chosen me and I have to respond accordingly.  As an all-rounder, I have both the skillsets and I want to give my 110%, whichever way I can help them. Even I’m a good fielder, I can help in fielding as well. If I’m not playing, I can be the 12th man and carry drinks with all my heart.  I can help by taking good catches. If I’m playing, I will be trying to give my maximum effort. It’s a crucial Test series for India. It will be very, very crucial series for me as well. Q: You played for India A with the red Kookaburra for the first time. Did you notice any change, as in India we play with the SG red ball. A: Obviously, the SG and Kookaburra, there is a lot of difference. Because, with SG, it gets rough easily on one side and it is easy to maintain that shine and rough. In Kookaburra, it doesn’t… I guess, it’s because of the pitches or it’s because of the outfield. I don’t know. It doesn’t get old that quickly. And, it doesn’t get rough on one side. It gets rough on both sides. We can’t find much swing here apart from initial stages. But if you are bowling first-change, second-change, you can’t find that much swing here. You can trust that off-the-pitch movement though like, scrambled seam, hitting that scrambled seam. You can trust the bounce as well. You can play with that. That’s what I felt. Q: From being an opening bowler and batter in age-group cricket to shifting to the middle-order role… What changes have you made in your game? A: Yeah, I have made a couple of changes. One thing you have said that I was an opener batsman and opening bowler. I modified that. When you are bowling 20 overs and straight away coming back again to bat after taking 10 minutes break to play the new ball. That was really hard for me. I might have to play the second new ball as a middle-order batter as well but that is completely different. Skill-wise, it wasn’t an issue but body-wise, it was. I have already grinded in that No. 5, No. 6 down as well. And in the opening slot as well. So, whenever the team says that they want me to do the opening, I will be ready. And if they want me to do it at No. 7, No. 8 or anything like that, I am ready for that as well. Q: How do you manage both batting and bowling? It can really take a toll on your body… A: There

was a time when I wanted to leave fast bowling and wanted to do off-spin, when I was something like 17. I was completely trying to avoid bowling because I was getting tired a lot and eventually my batting stats were going down. I was not getting scores and was worried about my batting. I worked a lot on my batting. And then I spoke with my coach. He said, ‘Nitish, now you are feeling in this way, but in senior age groups or when you play at senior level, when your batting fails you, your bowling will be rescuing you. Fast-bowling all-rounder is very rare and you got that ability. Don’t leave that’. So, yeah, and at the time, I felt like, okay, let’s keep on working on what I can do. I tried to score in that No. 5, No. 6 down. Eventually that all-rounder thing came into me. Q: Hardik Pandya has been India’s premier pace bowling all-rounder for a while now. Any conversations you have with him? A: I met him in the IPL, when we played against him. A big question that I asked him is how do we maintain our body. I know, as all-rounders, we have to do two jobs. That’s not really easy. The appreciation is very much there but a plenty of hard work is also there. And you need to be ready to go through it. You have to be fit. You have to be flexible for everything. Like whatever role the team gives you, you have to be flexible for that. For that, I asked him, ‘what kind of diet do you follow and what is your routine and how specific are you about your supplements or like food intake, everything’. So, he mentioned me a couple of points that are really helpful for me. Q: You are super fit and extremely athletic as well. Does it come naturally? A: From childhood, I used to run a lot. To be honest, my technique was very bad at the time. But yeah, in school competitions and all, I used to come first and second. Mostly, I wanted to be, like, there is a friend of mine who used to run well as well. So, I just wanted to beat him. I always used to win. So, it’s just, I don’t want anyone to win over me in the running competitions in my school. So, when I came to cricket, there were a lot of seniors and I tried competing with them. And the seniors are a little quick. I was studying in eighth grade maybe. When I went to my academy, they taught me the running technique and all. It’s not like a born thing for me. When the technique got added to my system, I became faster, slowly and steadily. Nitish Kumar Reddy in action for SRH (PC: X) And about fitness, I was not so specific when I was a kid. But my father was so specific about fitness because he was a sports person and played at club level. Eventually, I also got to know that fitness is the only thing that can change everything. From there, I worked hard on my fitness as well. Q: So, discipline is there in you since childhood? Yeah, you know, like my idols are Virat Kohli and Cristiano Ronaldo. I admire them a lot. Cristiano is my all-time favourite. Like, he is my motivator in a way. Whenever I see him or whenever I see his reels or videos, whenever I listen to his speeches, everything kind of boosts me instantly. Q: Was your father a hard taskmaster as a coach? A: To be honest, I am so happy that I got a father like him. Because in childhood, I used to think, he is a harsh kind of father who doesn’t like me to go with my friends or allow me to play with them, gully cricket. I liked playing gully cricket a lot. Playing with friends was always a happy thing. But he didn’t allow me because he thought my technique will get hampered. He was so into me and he didn’t allow me for functions or any events. He forced me for a strict diet at that point. He used to give me dry fruits. I didn’t like having that. But at that age, we lack maturity. I should thank my father for being that much caring about me because if he was not that hard on me, I wouldn’t be here. That’s a really good thing that happened to me, my father. I will keep thanking my father because of what he has done. Q: Getting retained by SunRisers

Hyderabad, the big bucks that it brings, and steadily becoming the face of the franchise. How does it feel at such a young age? A: I would say it feels great.  I am from a middle-class family. I know where I came from and what my background is. So, whatever money comes, it’s fine. But it shouldn’t be like money is the only thing. I take it in that way. I wanted to invest on myself and in the future. I am not the guy who enjoys money and spends a lot. I am the guy who invests on myself and who invests in the future. So, it doesn’t bother me that much, the money thing. It feels very good to play for Sunrisers Hyderabad. I am a Telugu guy who comes from there. Representing that team is very good. They treat me as their own kind of son, brother or someone like that. It feels very good when the fanbase is feeling in that way. I always wanted to be respected. I am getting that respect because of cricket. Even for my father, the whole journey has been full of ups and downs. My father used had a government job. When he resigned because of me and my cricket, I saw a lot of family members or relatives, they turned their backs on us. My father had tough days. Even we had tough days. I wanted everyone to respect my father, my family. That’s when I took this game seriously. Eventually, now everyone is respecting my father, my family, my sister and me. That’s what I always wanted. Money comes and goes. But that respect doesn’t come to everyone. I feel so great representing SRH. And I am looking forward to next season and performing well on behalf of Telugu people. There are a lot of talented players from that region as well. I want to promote them. That’s one of my goals as well. Tilak Verma and I used to speak that we should perform well. Now we need to perform and we need to bring some other Telugu players to the IPL. But because of some players who didn’t click in the IPL, many franchises could have their reservations. So, once we perform, we open the path for others from Hyderabad and Andhra Pradesh as well. The IPL is the one platform which changes everything. Even in my case as well, the IPL changed everything in one year. So, you never know. But you just need to be humble to everyone and you need to focus on your game. That’s all you need. Stay humble. Stay rooted. Just focus on what you do. Nitish Kumar Reddy with Virat Kohli in the IPL (PC: X) Q: Who is your cricketing idol? My idol, like, cricketing idol is Virat bhai (Virat Kohli). Since childhood, I have watched him and I played my cricket based on his style. When I started playing cricket, I watched him and I admired his gameplay and his attitude. The way he changed Indian cricket. I like everything about him; I like him a lot. My favourite club is where Ronaldo plays. I follow Cristiano. Q: What’s your individual goal as a cricketer? A: My ultimate dream is to become one of the greatest, to become one of the greatest all-rounders. That’s my ultimate goal. Greatest all-rounders. Like Ben Stokes, Hardik Pandya, Kapil Dev – in that kind of league. Also Read: What Ricky Ponting says about Virat Kohli is irrelevant, no point highlighting it The post My ultimate dream is to become one of the greatest all-rounders: Nitish Kumar Reddy appeared first on Sports News Portal | Latest Sports Articles | Revsports. [ad_2] Source link