"Can I Bring My Girlfriend To IPL?": Gautam Gambhir Reveals KKR Star's First Words

“Can I Bring My Girlfriend To IPL?”: Gautam Gambhir Reveals KKR Star’s First Words

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) mentor Gautam Gambhir has showered big praise on star all-rounder Sunil Narine who helped the franchise win their Indian Premier League (IPL) title last week. Narine was named ‘Most Valuable Player’ of IPL 2024 as KKR defeated SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the final last Sunday. Under Gambhir’s mentorship, Narine regained his magical touch, scoring 488 runs and picking up 17 wickets. In a recent interaction, Gambhir opened up on his camaraderie with Narine, and recalled the latter’s early days in the KKR camp. Gambhir was the captain of KKR when they won the IPL in 2012 and 2014, respectively, with Narine playing a crucial role in both the triumphs. “Me and Narine are similar characters, and so are our emotions. I still remember that when Narine first came into the IPL in 2012, it was in Jaipur, and we were going for practice, and I told him to come join for lunch. He was so shy that he did not say a single word during lunch, and the first question that he eventually asked was, ‘Can I bring my girlfriend to the IPL?,” Gambhir told Sportskeeda in an interview. Gambhir suggested that Narine and him are similar persons, and also termed the all-rounder as a brother. “He was so quiet that first season, but now, we can talk about anything. He is like a brother to me. I don’t see him as a friend, I don’t see him as a teammate, I see him as a brother. If I need him or he needs me, I think we are just one call away, that is the sort of relationship that we have built. We do not get excited much, we do not show too many emotions, we are not flamboyant, we just do the job and come back,” he added. Gambhir insisted that Narine has always been KKR’s ‘MVP’. “What can I say about him? Even if he didn’t win the ‘most valuable player award’ he would have still been the MVP. You are looking at his stats but he was KKR’s MVP even before the season got underway. The world has seen his talent as an all-rounder and i’m sure that Narine still has plenty of to give to KKR and world cricket,” he further explained. Topics mentioned in this article

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World No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz Survives Scare At French Open

World No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz Survives Scare At French Open

Carlos Alcaraz in action during French Open© AFP World number three Carlos Alcaraz survived a huge scare at the hands of 176th-ranked Dutch qualifier Jesper de Jong to reach the third round after a four-set triumph on Wednesday. Wimbledon champion Alcaraz, who made the semi-finals at Roland Garros last year, scrambled to a 6-3, 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 second round victory over a player taking part in only his second Grand Slam main draw. The 21-year-old Spaniard was broken five times and hit 47 unforced errors before De Jong, playing his fifth match at the tournament, eventually wilted under the roof of Court Phillipe Chatrier. “Every player can cause you trouble,” said Alcaraz. “You have to be focussed in every round, have to play at your best, it doesn’t matter what the ranking is. Jesper has the work and level to break into the top 100.” Alcaraz goes on to face either American 27th seed Sebastian Korda or South Korea’s Kwon Soon-woo for a place in the last 16. Despite being broken in the second game of the opening set, Alcaraz broke three times himself to grab the advantage. The battling Dutchman then saved eight break points over the course of the second set before the Spaniard found the killer blow. However, Alcaraz, who arrived at the tournament under an injury cloud after sitting out the Rome Open with a right arm problem, went off the boil in the third set. He committed 15 unforced errors to the Dutchman’s five as the qualifier cut the deficit. Alcaraz then twice had to come back from breaks early in the fourth set before running away with the last four games to triumph. (This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Topics mentioned in this article

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‘Still two trophies behind MI and CSK’: Gautam Gambhir aims higher after IPL 2024 win

‘Still two trophies behind MI and CSK’: Gautam Gambhir aims higher after IPL 2024 win

KKR mentor Gautam Gambhir is determined to make his team the most successful franchise of the Indian Premier League as he aims to surpass MI and CSK’s tally of most title victories. Notably, Kolkata recently clinched their third IPL title after beating SRH in the final of IPL 2024. Following their win, the Shreyas Iyer-led side became the third most successful team in the competition after MI and CSK who have five titles each to their name. Following their win, Gambhir has set his aim higher to be the most successful side in the history of the tournament. Commenting on his team’s win, the former KKR captain said that the journey has just begun as he wants to add three more trophies to his team’s tally to make them the most successful franchise of the tournament. “You’re saying this because we’ve won it three times but if you ask me we’re still two trophies behind MI and CSK. Yes, I’m happy today but again the hunger inside that we’re still not the most successful franchise of the IPL. To get there, we need to win thrice and for that, we will have to work really hard. So I feel, if we’re able to make KKR the most successful franchise of the tournament then there won’t be anything better than that but for that, the journey has just begun” Gambhir told Sportskeeda. Further speaking ahead, the 42-year-old picked KKR’s first title triumph in 2012 as the most special one as it laid the foundation for their next two victories in 2014 and 2024 respectively. Gambhir picks IPL 2012 as ‘most special’ victory “2012, not just because I was the captain but because we won it for the first time I just told you that when you win it for the first time then you get to know the kind of cricket you need to play to win an IPL final. Until you win, you keep questioning whether you will be able to win it or not. Once you win it you feel that we’ve won it and will win it again. Hence 2012, because we won it first time,” he added. Notably, Gambhir led KKR to their first title triumph in 2012 beating defending champions CSK in the final. He further inspired his team to their second triumph in 2014 beating PBKS in a high-scoring final. It took KKR ten long years to add a third trophy to their cabinet as Gambhir returned to the franchise as a mentor after parting ways ahead of the 2018 season. KKR fans would hope that Gambhir continues his ‘Midas Touch’ for the team and continues to guide them to more IPL victories in the years to come. Published By: Rishabh Beniwal Published On: May 30, 2024

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Rohit Sharma: 'I don't know what he is talking about': Rohit Sharma's hilarious exchange with Kuldeep Yadav leaves everyone in splits | Cricket News

Rohit Sharma: ‘I don’t know what he is talking about’: Rohit Sharma’s hilarious exchange with Kuldeep Yadav leaves everyone in splits | Cricket News

NEW DELHI: Team India captain Rohit Sharma once again showcased his comedic flair during a promotional shoot for the upcoming T20 World Cup. In a lighthearted moment, Rohit presented the ICC ODI Team of the Year cap to teammate Kuldeep Yadav, turning the ceremony into a hilarious exchange.During the presentation, Rohit began by saying, “It’s my great pleasure to present this wonderful cap to a wonderful athlete who has been a real asset for Team India, ICC ODI Team of the Year, Kuldeep.”Kuldeep responded with a simple, “Thank you, Rohit bhai.”Not letting him off the hook so easily, Rohit encouraged Kuldeep to say more.”You want to say something?” he asked.“No, no, all good,” the spinner replied.“You should say something,” Rohit insisted.Feeling the pressure from his captain, Kuldeep hesitantly added, “I mean, nothing much to say. I had a great season last year, both with the bat and ball.”Feigning shock, Rohit responded, “Bat? When?”A confused Kuldeep stuttered, “I mean. I mean.”“I mean uh, when?” Rohit pressed further, much to the amusement of everyone present.“Test series,” Kuldeep sheepishly admitted.“This is ODI,” Rohit clarified, with a smile.Attempting to explain, Kuldeep said, “But I performed with the bat as well, so last year I was really good with the ball during the World Cup as well.”Rohit then said mockingly, “I am captain of this team. I have never seen him bat. So, I don’t know what he is talking about,” leaving Kuldeep grinning and the audience in stitches.“Thank you, Rohit bhai,” Kuldeep concluded.WATCH: The promotional shoot perfectly highlighted the camaraderie and humor within the team.The T20 World Cup is set to begin on June 2 in the USA and West Indies. India will kick off their campaign against Ireland on June 5.

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Mass murder threat during India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup match, ‘largest security in country’s history' promised by USA

Mass murder threat during India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup match, ‘largest security in country’s history’ promised by USA

Security threats and a chance of a “lone wolf attack” have prompted the Long Island authorities to tighten the security at the Nassau County Cricket Stadium built on the Eisenhower Park in New York for the high-profile India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup 2024 match on June 9. Although the governor’s office did not find any evidence to corroborate the threat and there was “no credible public safety threat at this time”, the authorities decided against taking any chances. Pakistan’s Babar Azam shakes hands with India’s Rohit Sharma(REUTERS) The USA is hosting a cricket tournament as big as the World Cup for the first time, and the Nassau County Cricket Stadium has been allotted eight matches, including the big-ticket India vs Pakistan clash, which is always one of the biggest crowd-pullers in any cricket event. Considering the sizeable sub-continent population in the USA, a big crowd can be expected for the Group A clash between the Asian giants. Unlock exclusive access to the latest news on India’s general elections, only on the HT App. Download Now! Download Now! Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman and Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder revealed the threat of a ‘lone wolf attack’, a mass murder attempt at a public place carried by an individual, during the India vs Pakistan World Cup match. “Each and every day, Nassau County, as well as other communities and cities and counties and towns throughout the United States, receive all kinds of threats. We take every threat seriously,” Blakeman was quoted as saying by CBS News. “To that end, we have taken many, many precautions. As well as making sure that the stadium and the surrounding Eisenhower Park are safe, the parking areas are safe, the watch areas are safe, we also are adding 100 additional police officers to our normal staffing for the rest of the county, just as a precaution.” ‘Largest security in US history’ promised during India vs Pakistan World Cup match When asked about the lone wolf attack tip-off, Police Commissioner Ryder assured “largest security in the country’s history” to ensure Nassau County was the “safest place on June 9”. “When you’ve got a game and a crowd as big as this, everything is credible. We will go through every fine detail when it comes to the security and safety of the residents here in Nassau County. I can guarantee you this is the largest security we’ve ever had to do in this county’s history, and I can also guarantee you the safest place to be in Nassau County on June 9 will be inside that stadium,” Ryder said. Kathy Hochul, the governor of the state of New York, said “elevated security” will be taken to ensure “public safety” during the Word Cup matches. “In preparation for the Cricket World Cup, my Administration has been working for months with federal law enforcement and Nassau County to ensure New Yorkers and visitors are safe. This has included close coordination with the New York State Police Counter Terrorism Unit and New York State Police Troop L, based on Long Island. While there is no credible public safety threat at this time, we continue to monitor the situation closely. I have also directed the New York State Police to engage in elevated security measures, including an increased law enforcement presence, advanced surveillance, and thorough screening processes. Public safety is my top priority and we are committed to ensuring the Cricket World Cup is a safe, enjoyable experience,” the office of Kathy Hochul said in a statement released on Wednesday (May 29) morning. Meanwhile, the ICC said it is coordinating with the authorities. “The safety and security of everyone at the event is our number one priority and we have a comprehensive and robust security plan in place. We work closely with authorities in our host countries and continually monitor and evaluate the global landscape to ensure appropriate plans are in place to mitigate any risks identified to our event,” a spokesperson for the International Cricket Council said.

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ICC Breaks Silence Over Terror Threat To India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup Game

ICC Breaks Silence Over Terror Threat To India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup Game

Ahead of the high-octane India versus Pakistan clash in the ICC T20 World Cup on June 9, security cover will be raised at New York’s Eisenhower Park stadium following reports of threats to the match, reported ESPNCricinfo. As per a statement by the governor’s office, the situation is being monitored and according to their intel “there is no credible public safety threat at this time.” Eisenhower Park Stadium, located 25 miles east of Manhattan, is the host of eight ICC T20 WC matches from June 3 to 12, including the battle between two Asian arch-rivals. The governor of New York, Kathy Hochul, said that she is working with the law enforcement authorities to make sure these games go on smoothly. “I have also directed the New York State Police to engage in elevated security measures, including an increased law enforcement presence, advanced surveillance, and thorough screening processes,” she said as quoted by ESPNCricinfo. “Public safety is my top priority and we are committed to ensuring the Cricket World Cup is a safe, enjoyable experience,” she added. ESPNCricinfo has learnt that no corroborative evidence has been found by authorities to back the reported threat. But the International Cricket Council (ICC) has said that security will be “robust” throughout the tournament across all venues. An ICC spokesperson said, “The safety and security of everyone at the event is our number one priority and we have a comprehensive and robust security plan in place. We work closely with authorities in our host countries and continually monitor and evaluate the global landscape to ensure appropriate plans are in place to mitigate any risks identified to our event.” India will be playing four games in the US, including their campaign opener against Ireland (June 5), the match against Pakistan (June 9), against the USA (June 12) and the final group stage game against Canada (in Florida on June 15). The Men in Blue have arrived in New York since Tuesday and have been training, though star India batter Virat Kohli is yet to reach as he has been given a break following a brilliant Indian Premier League (IPL) campaign for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), securing the Orange Cap for most runs with 741 runs in 15 games. Earlier this month, the ICC and Cricket West Indies, the co-hosts of the World Cup along with the US, reassured that every measure possible is being taken to ensure the safety of the fans and the players. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.) Topics mentioned in this article

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Virat Kohli's childhood coach suggests MS Dhoni for India's head coach role; Gautam Gambhir remains the front-runner | Cricket News

Virat Kohli’s childhood coach suggests MS Dhoni for India’s head coach role; Gautam Gambhir remains the front-runner | Cricket News

NEW DELHI: With the deadline to apply for the Indian men’s cricket team’s head coach role ending on May 27, speculation is rife about who will replace Rahul Dravid. BCCI secretary Jay Shah hinted that the new head coach is likely to be an Indian, with reports suggesting Gautam Gambhir as the top contender. However, Virat Kohli‘s childhood coach, Rajkumar Sharma, has floated the idea of MS Dhoni taking up the role.Speaking to India News, the Dronacharya awardee coach expressed his views on Dhoni being an ideal candidate. “First of all, it will be interesting to see which names apply for this post. I would like that whoever becomes the coach should be an Indian. If Mahendra Singh Dhoni announces retirement, he can prove to be a good option. He (Dhoni) has played a lot of cricket and has won big tournaments,” Sharma said.While Dhoni has not officially announced his retirement from the IPL, his future remains uncertain. The IPL 2024 was speculated to be his final season, but the Chennai Super Kings legend has kept everyone guessing. CSK CEO Kasi Viswanath even stated that he expects Dhoni to return for another season.Sharma emphasized Dhoni’s potential impact as a coach, citing his experience and respect within the team. “Dhoni will have more respect in the dressing room and he has played this format for a long time. Being able to plan for the team and manage it properly is most needed in the team because when Dhoni became the captain, there were big players in that team like Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, Harbhajan Singh, Anil Kumble, Gautam Gambhir, and Yuvraj Singh. Despite this, Dhoni handled the team brilliantly,” Sharma added.Dhoni previously worked with the Indian team as a mentor during the 2021 T20 World Cup in the UAE, showcasing his potential as a guiding figure for the team. As Dravid’s contract ends this year after the T20 World Cup, the appointment of his successor is highly anticipated.Gambhir, who recently mentored Kolkata Knight Riders to their third IPL title, is seen as a strong candidate for the head coach position. His success with KKR and experience as a former India player make him a compelling choice.

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R Praggnanandhaa registers first-ever classical win over world number one Magnus Carlsen, leads Norway chess tournament – India TV

R Praggnanandhaa registers first-ever classical win over world number one Magnus Carlsen, leads Norway chess tournament – India TV

Image Source : PTI R Praggnanandhaa vs Magnus Carlsen. Grand Master Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu enjoyed a memorable Wednesday as he registered his first-ever victory over the reigning world No. 1 Grand Master Magnus Carlsen in the third round of the ongoing Norway Chess 2024 tournament. Praggnanandhaa is now leading the tournament with USA’s Fabiano Caruana in second place following his win over China’s Ding Liren. USA’s GM Christopher Hikaru Nakamura felt the urge to take more chances against the youngsters led to Carlsen’s undoing against Praggnanandhaa. “I wish Magnus would take these chances against me or against Fabi. I have this theory that when Magnus is playing the younger kids specifically he wants to sort of prove a point, he wants to go after them and try to beat them and he takes far more risks than he does against us old folks!” Nakamura was quoted as saying by Chess.com. “I kind of feel that I have enough experience at this level and I can beat these players, but I have to play my best for that and that’s what I’m trying to do. That’s kind of the mindset,” Praggnanandhaa was quoted as saying by Chess.com. Round 3 Results Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu 3-0 Magnus Carlsen Fabiano Caruana 3-0 Ding Liren Hikaru Nakamura 1.5-1 Alireza Firouza Anna Muzychuk 1-1.5 Vaishali Rameshbabu Pia Cramling 1-1.5 Ju Wenjun Koneru Humpy 1.5-1 Lei Tingjie “I’m feeling good. The game was quite interesting. I got a very good position from the opening. I kind of misplayed it at some point. I allowed bishop e3, f6… then I was told that I still played correctly. Maybe I was better throughout the game,” the Indian Grand Master was quoted as saying by The Indian Express. However, Praggnanandhaa didn’t seem very pleased with his efforts despite the win and wants to push harder. “I don’t know, I will have to check. I didn’t think I played really well. I did find some best moves. It’s not my best game for sure,” he mentioned.

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My relation with Virat Kohli is not to give masala to the public: Gautam Gambhir | Cricket News

My relation with Virat Kohli is not to give masala to the public: Gautam Gambhir | Cricket News

NEW DELHI: Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir shared a warm embrace during the 2024 edition of the Indian Premier League. It was one of the heartwarming moments of the just concluded season. The long-standing alleged hostility between the two former teammates seemed to dissolve as they demonstrated mutual respect and camaraderie. Kohli, the face of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Gambhir, mentor the Kolkata Knight Riders, showed that their past differences were behind them. Gambhir’s return to KKR as a mentor proved to be a masterstroke, as he guided Shreyas Iyer‘s team to their third IPL title. KKR dominated the final, thrashing Sunrisers Hyderabad in Chennai. This victory ended KKR’s 10-year title drought. Addressing the perceived rift with Kohli, Gambhir told Sportskeeda, “The perception is far away from the reality. My relation with Virat Kohli is something this country doesn’t need to know. He has as much right as I do to express himself and help our respective teams win. Our relation is not to give masala to the public.” Gambhir also praised Kohli’s six-hitting prowess, acknowledging RCB batter’s batting excellence.Kohli had a stellar IPL 2024 season, topping the batting charts with 741 runs in 15 games and winning the prestigious Orange Cap. Earlier, Kohli also reflected on the moment with Gambhir during an event. “People are very disappointed with my behaviour. I hugged Naveen, and then the other day, Gauti bhai (Gautam Gambhir) came and hugged me. Your masala is over so you’re booing. We’re not kids anymore,” Kohli remarked.

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Security amped up in New York following reports of threat to India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup encounter – India TV

Security amped up in New York following reports of threat to India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup encounter – India TV

Image Source : GETTY IMAGES India vs Pakistan. Kathy Hochul, the governor of the state of New York, is going to enforce extensive security measures around the Eisenhower Park Stadium following reports of threats to the high-voltage India vs Pakistan encounter in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on June 9. Hochul mentioned that her office is working in tandem with the law enforcement agencies to ensure that all the games slated to be played in the city remain immune to any potential security threat. “I have also directed the New York State Police to engage in elevated security measures, including an increased law enforcement presence, advanced surveillance, and thorough screening processes,” Hochul was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo. “Public safety is my top priority and we are committed to ensuring the Cricket World Cup is a safe, enjoyable experience.” The International Cricket Council has also assured the fans of the sport that security measures have been elevated for the T20 extravaganza and it is working closely with the local administration to ensure the smooth conduct of the tournament. “The safety and security of everyone at the event is our number one priority and we have a comprehensive and robust security plan in place. We work closely with authorities in our host countries and continually monitor and evaluate the global landscape to ensure appropriate plans are in place to mitigate any risks identified to our event.” India’s squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 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 Pakistan’s squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Babar Azam (c), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan

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