June 6, 2025
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Kevin Pietersen

‘Karun Nair gets 100, KL Rahul requests BCCI to…’: Gambhir handed ‘two gems’ ahead of England series

‘Karun Nair gets 100, KL Rahul requests BCCI to…’: Gambhir handed ‘two gems’ ahead of England series

Danijones05 mins

Former England captain Kevin Pietersen, who mentored Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, is mighty impressed with Karun Nair and KL Rahul ahead of the upcoming five-match Test series against England. Pietersen, who worked with both these batters at close quarters in the T20 competition, lauded the way both are preparing for the upcoming series, beginning June 20. Kevin Pietersen, who mentored Delhi Capitals in IPL 2025, is mighty impressed with Karun Nair and KL Rahul(PTI) Karun Nair vindicated the selectors’ call to include him in the main squad as he hit a century in the ongoing first unofficial Test between India A and England Lions in Canterbury. The right-handed batter, 33, made full use of some below-par bowling on a green surface, which offered some initial assistance for the pacers. Karun remained unbeaten on 186 on Day 1 of the first unofficial Test as he made a strong case for his inclusion in the playing XI for the first match of the five-Test series against England in Headingley. The right-hander was involved in an 181-run stand for the third wicket with Sarfaraz Khan. The latter missed out on a well-deserved century, but Karun piled the misery, and he found support in Dhruv Jurel. According to reports, KL Rahul has also requested that the BCCI fly him to the UK next week so that he can play the second Test between India A and England Lions. Also Read: Karun Nair makes dream start to England tour with century for India A Pietersen labelled Nair and Rahul as “two gems” of Indian cricket as he appreciated their efforts to prepare for the England tour. “Karun gets a 100 yesterday, and KL has asked BCCI to travel early to the UK to get extra practice in before Tests – 2 gems,” Pietersen wrote on X (formerly Twitter). KL Rahul to leave for the UK on Monday According to a report in the Times of India, KL Rahul will leave for the UK on Monday after being granted permission by the BCCI. Rahul was originally slated to leave alongside the rest of the Indian team on June 6. However, he decided to play the second India A Test against the England Lions after rain spoilt his preparation in Mumbai. KL Rahul had also played for India A before the start of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. The opening batter will now be required to shoulder the responsibility of the batting order after the Test retirements of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Rahul was one of India’s best batters in the series against Australia, which India lost 1-3. India will be led by Shubman Gill against England while Rishabh Pant will serve as his deputy. India squad: Shubman Gill (C), Rishabh Pant, Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav.

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In the history of the T20 World Cup, only Virat Kohli has... | Cricket News

In the history of the T20 World Cup, only Virat Kohli has… | Cricket News

Danijones04 mins

NEW DELHI: When you talk about achievements or awards in any ICC tournaments, Virat Kohli‘s name has to be there and the talismanic Indian batsman stands out as the only player to have won two “Player of the Tournament” in the history of the T20 World Cup, in 2014 and 2016 editions.His ability to consistently deliver match-winning knocks under immense pressure is truly awe-inspiring.Kohli’s hunger for success, coupled with his impeccable technique and mental fortitude, has earned him a place among the cricketing greats.Shahid Afridi, the flamboyant all-rounder from Pakistan, etched his name in history by claiming the award in 2007. His explosive batting and crafty leg-spin bowling made him a formidable force on the field. Afridi’s ability to single-handedly turn the tide of a match with his audacious strokeplay and clever variations was a sight to behold. Tillakaratne Dilshan, the Sri Lankan batting maestro, was the recipient of the award in 2009. His innovative “Dilscoop” shot and aggressive batting approach left bowlers perplexed and spectators enthralled. Dilshan’s ability to adapt to different situations and his consistency at the top of the order made him a vital cog in Sri Lanka’s success.Kevin Pietersen, the swashbuckling English batsman, claimed the award in 2010. His ability to dominate any bowling attack with his array of audacious shots and sheer power made him a nightmare for opposition teams. Pietersen’s fearless approach and ability to rise to the occasion in crunch situations set him apart from his contemporaries.Shane Watson, the Australian all-rounder, was the deserving winner in 2012. His ability to contribute with both bat and ball made him an invaluable asset to his team. Watson’s power-hitting and incisive bowling spells often turned the tide in Australia’s favor, making him a true match-winner.David Warner, the swashbuckling Australian opener, etched his name in the annals of T20 World Cup history by claiming the award in 2021. His blistering batting displays, coupled with his exceptional running between the wickets, made him a force to be reckoned with. Warner’s ability to set the tone for his team with his aggressive intent was a sight to behold.Sam Curran, the young English all-rounder, emerged as the surprise winner in 2022. His ability to contribute with both bat and ball, coupled with his composure under pressure, made him a standout performer. Curran’s versatility and maturity beyond his years bode well for his future in the game.

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'Reroute to avoid the missiles': Kevin Pietersen reveals scary story ahead of MI vs CSK clash | Cricket News

‘Reroute to avoid the missiles’: Kevin Pietersen reveals scary story ahead of MI vs CSK clash | Cricket News

Danijones02 mins

NEW DELHI: Kevin Pietersen found himself in the middle of a tense situation on Saturday as his flight encountered a detour due to Iran’s missile launch towards Israel. Pietersen, en route to Mumbai for an IPL match, recounted the unnerving experience on social media. His post revealed the anxiety-inducing nature of the situation. Sharing his experience on X, the former England cricket captain wrote, “Well that’s a first. Our plane last night had to go back and add another big load of fuel cos we had to reroute to avoid the missiles from Iran. MADNESS!!!! Anyway, in Mumbai and at Wankhede later. One of my favourite cricket grounds!” In response to the escalating situation, the Indian embassy in Israel issued advisories to Indian citizens, urging them to remain calm and follow safety protocols issued by local authorities. The embassy assured that they were closely monitoring the situation and maintaining communication with Israeli authorities to ensure the safety of Indian nationals. Despite the geopolitical tensions, the IPL continued with its scheduled matches. In the upcoming encounter, arch-rivals Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings are set to face off in what promises to be an electrifying clash. ALSO SEE: IPL 2024 POINTS TABLEWith Mumbai Indians holding a slight advantage in their head-to-head record against Chennai Super Kings, the stage is set for an intense battle between the most successful sides in the tournament’s history.

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