Parmesh S Jain

Well qualified coaches need to provide scientific training for the sportspersons, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said, participating virtually in the Commonwealth Games Baton Relay programme.

Sportspersons need training from the best coaches.There is need for formulate a syllabus and guide them accordingly.

State government is committed to provide necessary assistance to achieve the goals of Amrita Sports Project, Bommai said.

The Commonwealth Federation comrosing 72 nations has provided the forum for exchange of views on various domains.

The sporting events are being organised to strengthen the bonding among the youth. Over 6000 sports persons are taking part in this once in a 4 year event, Bommai said.

The baton has arrived in India after traversing 9000kms.Four mega cities have been given the opportunity to receive the baton and it is happy to note thean Bengaluru is one among them,he said.

Prime Minister Modi has given new thought and dimension to the sportingSports world.Sporting events are being held regularly under the ‘Khelo India’ programme.’Jeeto India’ programme has given big boost and inspiration for the sportspersons.

This has enabled India to win the highest medals at the recent Tokyo Olympics.Sports need a lot of encouragement. In the post-independence era Prime Minister Modi deserves the credit for launching a maximum number of programmes to encourage sports.

He has interacted with sportspersons before heading for major sporting events and after their return. He has inspired those who won the medals.This has been a model for us all, Bommai said.

State government has given importance for empowerment of the youth. A new Youth Policy is being formulated.

It is like a boon for sports in Karnataka as a sportsperson himself  is our Governor, Thavar Chand Gehlot. It is commendable that the Karnataka Olympics Association has been giving a big boost for sports, Bommai said. 

New Delhi: Virat Kohli is “one of the finest captains” and “once in a generation” cricketer, BCCI said in its rich tribute after the star batter quit as Test captain and asserted that it was a personal decision which the cricket body respects.

Kohli on Saturday ended his seven-year reign as India’s most successful Test captain, a day after an unexpected 1-2 series loss against South Africa.

Under Kohli, India won 40 out of 68 Tests, a record which made him one of the most successful Test captains in world cricket.

“I personally thank Virat for his immense contributions as captain of the Indian cricket team. Under his leadership, the Indian cricket team has made rapid strides in all formats of the game. His decision is a personal one and the BCCI respects it immensely,” BCCI president Sourav Ganguly said in a statement.

“He will continue to be a very important member of this team and take this team to newer heights with his contributions with the bat under a new captain. Every good thing comes to an end and this has been a very good one,” Gnaguly added.

Kohli’s strained relations with the BCCI recently made headlines when the star batter quit T20 captaincy and was later sacked as ODI captain. Ganguly had said they had requested Kohli to stay back till the T20 World Cup, a claim which Kohli contradicted.

Kohli has been the most successful Test captain India has ever produced. After taking over the reins from Mahendra Singh Dhoni, he led India in 68 Test matches and secured 40 wins at a win percentage of 58.82.

As Test captain, he registered his first series win against Sri Lanka in 2015, a victory that India registered in the Emerald Island after 22 years.

“Virat Kohli has been one of the finest captains to have ever led the Indian cricket team. His record and contribution towards the team as a leader has been second to none. To lead India in 40 Test wins is proof that he led the side with aplomb,” BCCI secretary Jay Shah said.

“He led the team to some of its finest Test match wins in India and overseas including Australia, England, West Indies, Sri Lanka and South Africa and his efforts will inspire the fellow and upcoming cricketers who aspire to represent the country.

“We wish Virat the best for the future and hope that he will continue to make memorable contributions on the field for the Indian team.”

Under Kohli’s leadership, India also registered their first Test series win in Australia in 2018, clinched series in the West Indies, attained the No.1 spot in Test rankings and later in the subsequent years marched into the maiden ICC World Test Championship Final in 2021.

Kohli also holds the impeccable record of winning 24 out of the 31 Tests played at home as captain, having lost only two Tests.

“A cricketer like Virat comes once in a generation and Indian cricket is fortunate to have him serve the team as a leader,” said BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla.

“He captained the side with passion and aggression and played a pivotal part in many of India’s memorable wins at home and abroad. We wish him the best for his career ahead.”

While Kohli is India’s most successful Test skipper, MS Dhoni is second in the list with 27 victories in 60 games and Ganguly comes third with 21 wins.

Kohli also ranks fourth in the list of most victories as Test captain behind South Africa’s Graeme Smith (53) and Australian duo of Ricky Ponting (48) and Steve Waugh (41).

“With his never-say-die attitude, Virat gave his all to the side as leader and his fabulous record as a captain speaks for that. From the moment he became India’s Test captain, he made sure that India always strives for excellence and dominates world cricket,” said Arun Singh Dhumal, BCCI Treasurer.

“While Virat the batsman remained a powerhouse, Virat the captain did not leave any stone unturned, powering the team to some of its finest performances across the globe. I wish him all the very best for the future.”

It is expected that Rohit Sharma will now lead India in Tests apart from captaining the side the white-ball games.https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=eyJ0ZndfZXhwZXJpbWVudHNfY29va2llX2V4cGlyYXRpb24iOnsiYnVja2V0IjoxMjA5NjAwLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X2hvcml6b25fdHdlZXRfZW1iZWRfOTU1NSI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJodGUiLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X3NwYWNlX2NhcmQiOnsiYnVja2V0Ijoib2ZmIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH19&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=1482588317187461123&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fenglish.varthabharati.in%2Fsports%2Fkohli-is-one-of-the-finest-captains-once-in-a-generation-cricketer-bcci&sessionId=5b91580f5b5d0d4bf6ef79731ceebd47783292a6&theme=light&widgetsVersion=86e9194f%3A1641882287124&width=550px

CAPE TOWN: India captain Virat Kohli on Monday said he will return to the team for the series-deciding third Test against South Africa here as he is “absolutely fit” but ruled out the participation of pacer Mohammed Siraj.

“I am absolutely fit,” Kohli said at the pre-match press conference. However, he added that Siraj will not feature in the game after he suffered a hamstring injury in Johannesburg, where India lost by seven wickets.

“Siraj is obviously recovering from the (hamstring) niggle he had in the last game and at present, I don’t think he is match-ready to take the field in the third Test.

“You cannot obviously risk a guy who is not at 110 per cent as a fast bowler and we know how important that is as the little niggle he had can extend into an injury,” the skipper said.

“Siraj is not up to the mark,” he added.

However, the skipper did not say whether Ishant Sharma will get the nod ahead of Umesh Yadav.

“As I said, we are yet to sit down, myself, the head coach and vice-captain to decide what we want to do about replacement,” he said.

“And I say that because of our bench strength and it’s difficult for us to figure out as everyone is bowling well, batting well, these things become a point of contention and we need to have a healthy discussion on a decision on that and just that everyone feels balanced (okay) about it,” he explained.

“But I am happy being in this position sitting here trying to decide who is going to play rather than having other options,” he added.

Team India will look to bounce back in the third and final Test of the series, which is scheduled to begin here Tuesday.

India kicked off the South Africa tour on a perfect note, crushing the hosts by 113 runs in the series-opener at Centurion. However, the Proteas won the second game to leave the three-match series level at 1-1.

Johannesburg: Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane’s saga of failures compounded a shoddy batting performance by India even as stand-in skipper KL Rahul impressed with a defiant show amid the ruins on the opening day of the second Test against South Africa here on Monday.

Rahul’s patient 50-run knock on a day when India missed Virat Kohli due to back spasms and Ravichandran Ashwin’s cavalier 46 at the rear end ensured that India scored 202 in their first innings on a bouncy Wanderers track.

At stumps, Mohammed Shami sent back Aiden Markram even as Dean Elgar (11 batting) and Keegan Peterson (14 batting) took South Africa to 35 for 1. It could have been two down had Rishabh Pant snapped Peterson off Jasprit Bumrah, which seemed a regulation catch.

Worse, Mohammed Siraj hobbled off with what looked like a hamstring strain and if it’s bad news, then India would be left with four bowlers.

However, a lot of blame should go to India’s batters as some like Pujara didn’t show intent to score while others like Rahane seemed completely short of confidence.

It prompted the legendary Sunil Gavaskar to say it as it is on air, “I think the next innings will be their last chance.”

Having given up hopes to play for England, Duanne Olivier (3/67 in 17 overs), playing his first game for South Africa in three years, dismissed Pujara (3 off 33 balls) and Rahane (0) off successive deliveries to make it difficult for the Indians.

Marco Jansen (4/31 in 17 overs), with his giant frame, created awkward lengths for every Indian batter while Kagiso Rabada (3/64 in 17.1 overs), despite not being at his best, got wickets when it mattered.

In his first game as captain, Rahul concentrated hard as he played 133 deliveries. He was peppered with short balls. He would sway to some and duck the others while pulling the ones that he could.

His back-foot driving was majestic and he rode the bounce while going for the flashy cut shots.

Such is beauty of sport that Rahul, who till five months ago wasn’t supposed to start as an opener in England, is now being groomed as an all-format India captain.

If the first day composure is any indication, he won’t do a bad job.

But then there was a moment’s indiscretion when he played one pull shot too many and holed out in the fine leg region.

Prior to that shot, the occasional pull that he played, Rahul rolled his bat over and tried to keep it down the ground but in this case, he got under the Jansen short ball and didn’t get the required elevation.

He had a nice little partnership of 42 runs with Hanuma Vihari (20) before an inspirational close-in catch from Rassie Van der Dussen at short leg sent the latter back.

Rishabh Pant (17) and an attacking Ashwin (24 batting 21 balls) added 40 in quick time but what India needed was a partnership of at least 75 if not 100.

At the start, Mayank Agarwal (26) looked fluent in the first hour with five boundaries before Jansen pitched one in the spot from where it wasn’t on drivable length as it climbed on. The opener went for a drive only to edge that to wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne.

Rahul, on his part, survived strong caught behind and leg before appeals which were negated by debutant umpire Allahudien Palekar, someone who impressed on debut.

But what would disappoint Pujara and Rahane most is that on a day when they should have taken more responsibility in Kohli’s absence, they couldn’t even inject a sense of positivity in India’s approach.

The manner in which Pujara hopped and skipped to rising deliveries actually would have made the dressing room feel jittery about demons in the pitch which wasn’t the case. But there was definitely seam and bounce which one expects here in South Africa.

He once again got into a shell and was very uncomfortable against steep bounce which finally became his undoing.

Olivier’s natural back of length deliveries were perfect recipe for disaster as he fended one that was wide of the short leg fielder but the next one lobbed up to the man at point for an easy catch.

Rahane’s dismissal was that of a player, whose confidence has been torn to pieces.

The ball pitched on the fourth stump channel, created indecision on whether to play or not and Rahane dangled his bat for the catch to be taken in the slips.

This match will certainly not last the distance and if they can’t make a difference in the second innings, the enormous patience that the Indian team management has shown towards them will definitely start wearing thin.

Mumbai: Former India coach Ravi Shastri has supported the recent splitting of national Test and limited-overs captaincy, saying it could well be a blessing for red-ball skipper Virat Kohli and his white-ball counterpart Rohit Sharma as they negotiate busy schedules confined in bio-bubbles.

Kohli was replaced as white-ball captain by star opener Rohit earlier this month.

“I think it’s the right way to go. This could be a blessing in disguise for Virat, and for Rohit, because I don’t think in this era if the bubble life exists for another year or so, one guy can handle all, that is not easy at all,” Shastri, himself a former India all-rounder, said on Star Sports show ‘BOLD & BRAVE: THE SHASTRI WAY’.

Kohli, during his pre-departure press conference ahead of the tour of South Africa, said that he was never asked to stay on as T20 skipper when he made his intent clear on relinquishing the post.

He also said that the communication of him being removed as ODI captain also came just 90 minutes before selection committee meeting.

Shastri, who has served Indian cricket in various capacities, said he wanted to establish Rohit as an opener.

“It was very clear in my mind that I wanted to do it. I thought if I can’t get the best out of him as a batsman then I am a failure as a coach because there is too much talent there,” said Shastri.

Meanwhile, the 59-year-old, who has played 80 Tests, also spoke about his relationship with Kohli, who was also the ODI and T20 skipper when Shastri was the head coach for a considerable amount of time.

“We’re both pretty aggressive, we want to play to win. We realized very quickly that to win you need to take 20 wickets, deciding to play aggressive and fearless cricket.

“It meant at times you would lose games but once you got one across the line, then it’s infectious,” said Shastri.

CENTURION: The Indian team will look to reset its first innings target after the second day’s play in the opening Test against South Africa had to be called off without a ball being bowled due to heavy and persistent rain since morning here on Monday.

What started as a drizzle this morning became a steady downpour in the afternoon and with 90 overs lost in the game, Virat Kohli’s men, sitting pretty at 272 for 3 after day one, will now have to quicken up the proceedings in the remaining three days with a high probability of winning the match.

Twice, the rain stopped and umpires decided on inspection but on both occasions just before they were to step out, heavens opened up once again.

“Unfortunately, due to the large volume of rain today at Centurion, play has been called off for the day,” BCCI stated on its twitter handle with a picture of the ground completely soaked

There was too much water on the covers and with literally no sunshine, there was very little chance for the ground to dry up and some overs of play to be possible.

At the end of the opening day’s play, India were strongly placed at 272 for three in 90 overs.

KL Rahul was going strong at 122 not out off 248 balls, during which he hit 17 boundaries and one six.

Giving him company at the other end was Ajinkya Rahane, on 40 off 81 balls, with the help of eight hits to the fence.

Opener Mayank Agarwal made 60 off 123 deliveries before being dismissed by Lungi Ngidi.

Skipper Virat Kohli made 35 off 94 balls.

Ngidi (3/45) picked up all the three Indian wickets to fall on the first day of the match.

However, if India would have thought of batting for nearly two days, they would perhaps look for a solid first innings score of 400 to 450 and put the pressure right back on the Proteas, who only have three quality players — skipper Dean Elgar, senior keeper-batter Quinton de Kock and the seasoned Temba Bavuma in their ranks.

These three are the only ones with a proven record to take the attack back to the opposition camp which boasts of a world-class seam attack, comprising Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj.

However, to get 20 wickets, India would expect 270 overs of play in the next three days, The third and fourth day’s forecasts predict sunny weather with partly cloudy sky but on the final day, there is a forecast of thundershowers.

Mashal Sports was created by Anand Mahindra and Charu Sharma with a simple vision to
elaborate Kabaddi as a prestigious sport amongst its Indian audience. The duo was
successful in achieving this when STAR India, which is an International Broadcasting giant,
backed them up.

Ever since Vivo Pro Kabaddi League’s launch in 2014, the sport has earned aspirational
value and has proven to be a successful and viable career option for many. Today you can
see unprecedented participation in the sport from different parts of the globe.

Vivo Pro Kabaddi League will take place from the month of December 2021 and will continue
for months after. The League has launched a number of new teams, including Haryana Steelers,
Gujarat Giants, Tamil Thalaivas, and U.P Yoddha as additions to their existing teams Bengal
Warriors, Bengaluru Bulls, Dabang Delhi K.C, Jaipur Pink Panthers, Patna Pirates, Puneri Paltan,
Telugu Titans, and U Mumba.

Haryana Steelers, owned by JSW Sports is rooted firmly in Haryana and coached by Rakesh Kumar.
The team is backed by India’s foremost sports firm that had also mentored India’s finest athletes and
has also gotten into a recent association with India’s prominent D2C brand in Dried Fruits, Nuts, and
Seeds, Happilo India.

Haryana Steelers will conduct its first match on 23rd December against Patna Pirate after which they
will face Jaipur Pink Panthers on the 25th December. 28th December the team will play against
Telugu Titans and further finish with their final match of the month on 30th December against
Bengaluru Bulls.

Interestingly enough, Haryana Steelers won’t be the first sports team the healthy snacking brand has
associated itself with. Happilo recently associated with renowned racer, Sahil Shelar who participated
in the 12th Edition of MRF MMSC Volkswagen Polo National Championship that was hosted in
Chennai on 11th and 12th December 2021.

Happilo is marking its 5 years in the industry by associating itself with multiple industry bodies. The
brand is also introducing new products in the market for its new and existing customers and has a line
of activities planned for the coming year. The brand has a stronger vision proposed for the coming
year and is excited to share the same with its existing and new audience.

“To me, business was never about buying and selling or making a profit, I have always believed in
delivering quality and have worked towards delivering snacks that were not only healthy but also
tasty. This year Happilo completes 5 years and will end the year on a high note! Our consumers have
been very supportive and to celebrate their belief in us, we will bring in new products and will continue
to deliver the quality our customers deserve”

-Vikas D. Nahar, Founder of Happilo

“Today with over 100 items, channel partners, and multiple affiliations, Happilo has become the most
searched brand on Google and the E-Commerce Industry. We are expecting a business of 300 Cr in
the year 2021-22, the same year where Happilo completed 5 years of glory. Today you can find
Happilo products in over 10,000 (Ten Thousand) modern Trade & Self Service Supermarkets and
Retail Outlets including Nykaa, Udaan, Milkbasket, Snapdeal, Cora Health, Instamart, Supr Daily, and
so on. The vision is to build our D2C stronger and grow to 50,000 (Fifty Thousand) market places in
the coming 8 months.”4

-Rajiv Singh, Head Brand Marketing & Strategic Alliances at Happilo International Private Limited.
The Vivo Pro Kabaddi League is scheduled from 22nd Dec to 22nd February in Bangalore in the
presence of various Media and Industry Bodies and Sports Personalities. The event will adhere to all
Covid necessary safety precautions and safety guidelines and will be played in its truest