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Questing for Knowledge: Tristan Stubbs Seeks Insights from Kevin Pietersen

oleh admin | Mar 30, 2025 | cricket, cricket players, international cricket, sports

Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh), India, March 30 (ANI): Tristan Stubbs is making every effort to absorb as much knowledge as possible from English cricket icon and Delhi Capitals team advisor Kevin Pietersen by posing numerous queries to him.

Stubbs brought an extra kick to Delhi’s smooth 164-run pursuit against Sunrisers Hyderabad during the current season of the lucrative Indian Premier League on Sunday.

When DC’s top-order crumbled rapidly, the youthful South African batsman stepped up to the wicket. Paired with Abhishek Porel, he provided solidity through precise batting and efficient run-scoring.

He crossed the boundary three times and completed DC’s victorious pursuit with an undefeated 21 runs off 14 balls, maintaining a commendable strike rate of 150.

As Stubbs keeps improving his performance, he has been striving to maximize Pietersen’s potential and absorb all he can from him.

In the post-match presentation, Stubbs stated, ‘I’ve done my utmost. I’m endeavoring to absorb as much knowledge as possible from him (Kevin Pietersen). I pose numerous questions.’

Stubbs recounted his experience, noting that he found the pitch to be quite sluggish, making batting challenging. While sharing time at the wicket with Porel, their main objective was to stay straightforward.

“It appeared somewhat sluggish; it seemed to spin all day with the blades operating. It didn’t appear very easy for batting. We kept things straightforward, positioning the players wherever they thought they should be in key areas,” he stated.

During the initial phase, DC’s fast bowler Mitchell Starc dominated the match with an impressive five-wicket performance. When chasing down Sunrisers’ score, Faf du Plessis’s rapid 50-run attack combined with his 81-run opening stand alongside Jake Fraser McGurk laid the foundation for DC’s victory.

After their convincing 7-wicket win, DC is now tied on points with Royal Challengers Bangalore at the second position, ranked by net run rate. (ANI)

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Arsenal Taps Andrea Berta as New Sporting Director: International Edition (English)

oleh admin | Mar 30, 2025 | arsenal fc, football clubs, news, soccer, sports

Arsenal Football Club has announced the selection of Andrea Berta as their new Sporting Director.

Berta, an esteemed figure in football administration, joins Arsenal following a remarkable 12-year stint at Atlético Madrid. During his time there, he was instrumental in assembling teams that secured two La Liga championships (in the 2013/14 and 2020/21 seasons), claimed the Europa League title in 2018, and made appearances in two UEFA Champions League finals.

His skills in assembling squads and identifying talent were crucial in forming Diego Simeone’s tough and competitive Atlético Madrid teams, as stated in a club announcement on Sunday.

Berta came due to the exit of Arsenal’s sports director.
Edu Gaspar
, in November 2024.

Bertha’s enthusiasm for the task ahead

Berta expressed his excitement about the new position saying, “I’m delighted to become part of Arsenal during this incredibly thrilling time for the team. Over the past few years, I’ve closely followed how Arsenal has transformed, and I’ve been impressed by the efforts made to restore the club’s prominence in European soccer, which boasts an ardent global fan base.”

The club boasts admirable principles and an illustrious past, and I’m eager to contribute to building a prosperous future alongside this exceptional squad. I can hardly wait to begin my new position and am truly anticipating my first match at Emirates Stadium in the company of our fans.

Key hire for Arsenal’s upcoming plans

Berta’s hiring coincides with Arsenal’s aim to bolster their football framework under manager Mikel Arteta. The club is keen on taking the next leap in their development following their return to the UEFA Champions League and their pursuit of major accolades in the Premier League.

Co-Chair Josh Kroenke emphasized Berta’s remarkable history, stating: “For anyone familiar with soccer, it’s clear that Andrea stands out as an impressive individual. With extensive expertise in the sport, a proven success rate, a robust connections network, and an unyielding drive to create victorious squads, he embodies everything we look for.”

Andrea will make an excellent contribution to our club. He grasps our principles and mission completely, and we are confident that he will assist us in progressing further and achieving significant milestones as we strive for major honors.

We conducted an extensive recruitment process, and we were greatly impressed by the caliber of all the applicants. However, it was Andrea’s track record and his proven successes that made him stand apart. We are very excited about collaborating with him and integrating him into our Arsenal community.

Background, experience

Prior to his achievements at Atlético Madrid, Bertola served in various technical capacities at Italian teams Carpenedolo, Parma, and Genoa, progressively advancing due to his adeptness in assembling shrewd squads and strategically signing players. He has garnered significant acclaim throughout Europe for his skill in integrating seasoned veterans with up-and-coming talents.

Berta’s transfer to Arsenal coincides with the team’s emphasis on strengthening their roster depth and strategic future planning. It is anticipated that his addition will introduce a systematic method to player acquisition, deal discussions, and comprehensive sports policy.

With Arsenal aiming to return to their glory days, Berta’s arrival signals a commitment to sustained success. His first test in the role will be shaping the club’s summer transfer strategy ahead of the 2025/26 season.

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WTT Star Contender Chennai: Teen Prodigies Oh Jun-Sung and Miwa Harimoto Steal the Show

oleh admin | Mar 30, 2025 | asia, contests and competitions, sports, tournaments, youth

In Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, on Sunday, eighteen-year-old Oh Jun-sung triumphed over French player Thibault Poret in a nail-biting seven-game match to clinch his inaugural World Table Tennis (WTT) Star Contender title at the WTT Star Contender event held in Chennai 2025. Meanwhile, in the Women’s Singles category, 16-year-old Miwa Harimoto—who has previously won an Olympic medal during Paris 2024—emerged victorious against fellow Japanese competitor Honoka Hashimoto with a score of 4-2, securing her first championship at this tier.

Earlier in the day, Manav Thakkar’s historic run concluded in the second-to-last round, making him the only Indian male athlete to advance to a WTT Star Contender semifinal. In other news, South Korea’s Lim Jong-hoon and Shin Yu-bin claimed the Mixed Doubles championship with a dominant performance, according to a statement released by WTT.

The WTT Star Contender Chennai 2025, sponsored by IndianOil, was organized by Stupa Sports Analytics along with Ultimate Table Tennis (UTT), under the governance of the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI). This competition featured a prize fund of $275,000 and awarded 600 ranking points to the champions.

In front of a full crowd at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium, Harimoto and Hashimoto put on an impressive display of extended rallies, pushing each other’s limits in terms of stamina and accuracy. During the initial two sets, they matched each other point for point. However, starting from game three, the match entered a different phase due to the implementation of the Expedite Rule. This rule compelled them to play quicker and more definitively within a limit of thirteen shots per rally. Under this constraint, Harimoto excelled, demonstrating remarkable speed and strategic prowess. Even as her competitor fought back fiercely, the young player remained composed throughout, securing victory in the Women’s Singles Finals.

Subsequently, the Men’s Singles Finals featuring Oh and Poret turned into an exhilarating contest where control seesawed back and forth. Each athlete exhibited remarkable talent and tenacity, maintaining audience anticipation throughout. Trailing 2-3, Oh staged a fantastic rally to clinch the final two matches, securing a nail-biting triumph.

Manav’s notable campaign concluded in Session 1 following a closely contested 3-1 defeat against Thibault Poret in the Men’s Singles semifinal, which awarded him 210 WTT ranking points and $4,000 in prize money—a considerable accomplishment for Indian table tennis. Soon thereafter, South Korean Olympians Lim and Shin demonstrated their skill by securing the Mixed Doubles championship without dropping a game, comfortably defeating Japan’s Maharu Yoshimura and Satsuki Odo with precise scores of 11-8, 11-5, and 11-4.

Spanning six days, the WTT Star Contender Chennai 2025 attracted 158 players from around the world who showcased intense competitions and created memorable highlights throughout the tournament.

Complete Outcomes (Principal Tournament, Day 4)

Men’s Singles (Semifinals)

Oh Jun-sung (KOR) [12] vs. Flavien Coton (FRA) 3-0: 11-4, 12-10, 11-7

Thibault Poret from France competes against Manav Thakkar from India with a score of 3-1: 12-10, 11-9, 7-11, 11-7

(Final, Best of 7)

Oh Jun-sung from South Korea [12] faces off against Thibault Poret from France with scores of 4-3: 9-11, 11-7, 11-3, 9-11, 6-11, 11-4, 11-7

Women’s Singles (Semifinals)

Miwa Harimoto (JPN) [2] vs. Shin Yu-bin (KOR) [4], score 3-0: 11-8, 11-4, 12-10

Honoka Hashimoto (JPN) [13] vs. Kim Nayeong (KOR) 3-0: 11-6, 11-2, 11-2

(Final, Best of 7)

Miwa Harimoto (JPN) [2] versus Honoka Hashimoto (JPN) [13]. The match score was 4-2 with game scores of 9-11, 11-3, 11-8, 11-9, 10-12, and 11-7.

Mixed Doubles (Final)

Lim Jong-hoon (KOR)/Shin Yu-bin (KOR) [2] vs. Maharu Yoshimura (JPN)/Satsuki Odo (JPN) [Q]. The match ended with a score of 3-0: 11-8, 11-5, 11-4. (ANI)

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Umesh Yadav Cheers Saliva Ban Reversal in IPL 2025, Praises Jasprit Bumrah

oleh admin | Mar 30, 2025 | cricket, indian cricket, indian cricket players, international cricket, sports

By Vivek Prabhakar Singh

On Sunday, Indian fast-bowling legend Umesh Yadav commented on the removal of the saliva ban in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He mentioned that this change would be beneficial for bowlers in one-day games, particularly when using a brand-new ball. This statement was made from Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India, as reported by ANI on March 30.

Umesh attended an AstroLawn event in Greater Noida.

Regarding the saliva ban, Umesh commented, “It could have an impact on white-ball cricket. However, it may vary depending on circumstances, as some evening games see the ball become damp from dew, making saliva irrelevant then. Yet when the ball is fresh, spit can be quite significant… Therefore, I believe this return is a positive move. It will greatly benefit fast bowlers.”

Regarding Jasprit Bumrah, the leading fast bowler for India, Umesh stated that he is presently the finest cricketer of this era, entirely due to his “dedication, training, and strategic mindset.”

“When you possess such talent, it’s crucial to display it effectively. Since Bumrah joined us, and as he has developed over time, he has consistently aimed to improve himself. This dedication is what places him at this elite level today. His success stems from his relentless efforts, rigorous training, and strategic mindset. Ever since he began participating in the IPL and collaborated with Lasith Malinga, his Yorkers became even more formidable. In just a brief period, he absorbed numerous lessons which helped elevate him to become the finest fast bowler of our era,” explained Umesh regarding his colleague.

Regarding the concern that T20 matches have turned overly favorable for batsmen, Umesh stated that this format will inherently favor batters since the ball doesn’t wear down significantly and rarely exhibits reverse swing.

“Short-format games like T20 have consistently favored batsmen. During these matches, the ball rarely swings or reverses after just 20 overs. Additionally, with only limited overs played, the cricket balls aren’t subjected to enough wear and tear to alter play significantly. White balls tend to behave similarly throughout the innings without much movement off the pitch. Poor performance can lead to conceding many runs quickly in such formats. However, precise execution along with accurate lines and lengths usually yields positive outcomes. A total of 280 might indicate subpar bowling efforts rather than exceptional batting alone. This format will likely continue being dominated by bat-wielding players. Teams participating in leagues like the IPL aim primarily at scoring high totals,” explained Umesh.

Regarding MS Dhoni batting at number nine during a Chennai Super Kings (CSK) home game against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Umesh stated, “The decision rests with either the team or Dhoni personally. They determine his spot.” (ANI)

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IPL 2025: Sunrisers Hyderabad Choose Batting as KL Rahul Joins Delhi Capitals

oleh admin | Mar 30, 2025 | cricket, indian cricket, indian cricket players, international cricket, sports

Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh), India, March 30 (ANI): On Sunday, during the current season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, Pat Cummins, who captains the Sunrisers Hyderabad, won the coin toss and decided to bat first against the Delhi Capitals.

The Delhi Capitals began their campaign with an exciting match against the Lucknow Super Giants. Ashutosh Sharma’s outstanding performance helped them secure a close one-wicket victory.

In contrast, the Sunrisers have maintained their aggressive style of play with the bat. They started their campaign strong with a convincing win over the Rajasthan Royals, but they struggled at home when facing LSG.

Following their victory in the coin toss, Sunrisers Hyderabad’s skipper Pat Cummins stated, “We’ll choose to bat first. It usually gets quite warm during these evening matches. Last year we managed to post some really substantial totals (during this season). We didn’t particularly mind batting second or opening; we simply needed an improvement after our previous performance. Despite falling short of expectations recently, the team remains optimistic. Zeeshan will join us.”

During the coin toss, Delhi Capitals skipper Axar Patel stated, “We might have chosen to bat too. Our aim is to keep their score down. We’ve had one match at this venue so far; we’re refining our strategies. As a bowling group, we must show courage. We do have specific plans in mind. There’s just one adjustment: Sameer Rizvi won’t play, but KL Rahul will.”

The playing eleven for Sunrisers Hyderabad includes: Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Heinrich Klaasen (wicket-keeper), Aniket Verma, Abhinav Manohar, Pat Cummins (captain), Zeeshan Ansari, Harshal Patel, and Mohammed Shami.

Sunrisers Hyderabad Substitute Players: Sachin Baby, Eshan Malinga, Simarjeet Singh, Adam Zampa, Wiaan Mulder

Delhi Capitals (Starting Eleven): Jake Fraser-McGurk, Faf du Plessis, Abishek Porel (wicket-keeper), KL Rahul, Axar Patel (captain), Tristan Stubbs, Vipraj Nigam, Mitchell Starc, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohit Sharma, Mukesh Kumar

Delhi Capitals Sign Newcomers: Karun Nair, Ashutosh Sharma, Sameer Rizvi, Donovan Ferreira, Tripuraneni Vijay. (ANI)

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VIDEO: Gor Mahia vs. AFC Leopards Fans Flood Nairobi for Epic Mashemeji Derby

oleh admin | Mar 30, 2025 | football clubs, football players, music, soccer, sports

Fans of AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia have transformed the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) into shades of blue, white, and green in anticipation of their match today.

The 96th Mashemeji Derby will be front and center starting at 4 PM at the Nyayo National Stadium, where much more than just three points will be up for grabs.

The match has already faced two postponements this season due to Kenya’s ongoing challenges in finding an approved venue capable of hosting such a significant event.

One of the venues approved for both CHAN 2024 and AFCON 2027, Nyayo Stadium, has been declared fit to stage matches. The Kenya men’s national football team, known as Harambee Stars, recently competed in a World Cup qualifying match against Gabon.

Before the match began, supporters from both teams arrived in Nairobi wearing their vibrant team colors and singing their club anthems. Crowds congregated at the Kenya National Archives and outside the Nation Centre prior to setting off towards Nyayo Stadium as part of the parade.

More to follow.