Uddalok Bhattacharya
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India.com
8 hours ago
- India.com
Happy Birthday, Faf du Plessis: A Tribute To Relentless Warrior Who Redefined South African Cricket
photoDetails english 2931108 Updated:Jul 13, 2025, 01:22 PM IST Birthday Wishes to a Legend 1 / 10 Happy Birthday to Faf du Plessis, one of South Africa's most respected cricketers and modern-day greats. Born on 13 July 1984, Faf's journey from a middle-order batter to a dynamic leader is truly inspiring. A Memorable International Debut 2 / 10 Faf made his ODI debut in 2011 and quickly became a vital part of South Africa's core. His Test debut in 2012 was iconic, scoring a match-saving 110* against Australia in Adelaide, a knock that announced his arrival on the world stage. Consistency Across Formats 3 / 10 Du Plessis remains South Africa's first player to score centuries in all three formats. His aggressive T20 century (119 off 56 balls) and consistent Test knocks proved his versatility and mental strength under pressure. Mr. Dependable in Tests 4 / 10 From his 199 vs Sri Lanka to multiple gritty innings against India and Australia, Faf's 4,163 Test runs speak volumes. His ability to anchor or accelerate made him a pillar of South Africa's batting lineup. Captain Courageous 5 / 10 As South African captain (2016–2020), Faf led from the front. He masterminded the 5-0 whitewash of Australia in ODIs and earned series wins in Australia and New Zealand, a rare feat for visiting sides. Unmatched IPL Presence 6 / 10 Faf has been a force in the IPL, scoring over 3,400 runs, winning titles with Chennai Super Kings, and leading Royal Challengers Bangalore since 2022. He's the first batter to score 50+ against all 10 franchises. Fielding Excellence & Athleticism 7 / 10 Apart from batting, Faf's fielding has always turned heads. Known for his quick reflexes, safe hands, and electric run-outs, he has often been compared to the likes of Jonty Rhodes for his brilliance in the field. Personal Integrity & Leadership 8 / 10 Faf is admired for his honesty and calm demeanor. His autobiography, "Faf Through Fire", revealed his struggles, leadership challenges, and his commitment to team culture and mental health awareness. Off-Field Contributions 9 / 10 Beyond cricket, he supported COVID-19 relief, advocated for racial equality, and promoted youth cricket in South Africa. Faf has proven that true leaders make an impact both on and off the field. A Career Worth Celebrating 10 / 10 With 11,198 international runs, leadership milestones, and an ever-growing fan base, Faf du Plessis has carved a legendary legacy. Here's to more success, happiness, and cricket memories. Happy Birthday, Faf!
The Hindu
8 hours ago
- The Hindu
Wimbledon, On This Day: Isner and Anderson play second-longest match in Wimbledon history
At some point in the final set of his 2018 semifinal with Kevin Anderson, you wouldn't be able to blame John Isner for wondering 'Why always me?' Eight years prior, the American had been involved in the longest match of all time, an eleven hours and five minutes-long first round epic against Frenchman Nicolas Mahut. Now, he was here again, this time in a semifinal against South African Kevin Anderson. While Isner's previous history with long matches was well known, Anderson also showed a penchant for going the distance during that tournament. He had earned his place in the semifinal courtesy of a heroic quarterfinal performance that saw him beat Roger Federer 13-11 in the fifth set, and his road to the semifinal had seen him be involved in five tiebreaks until that point. There was little to separate the pair right from the outset, with the first three sets all being settled by tiebreak. South African Anderson edged the first set, taking the first tiebreak to claim the advantage 7-6(6). Isner, however, would hit back, taking the next two 7-6(5) and 7-6(9) to claim the slenderest of advantages. Anderson hit back in the fourth set with relative rapidity, winning 6-4, to square the game up at two sets apiece. And so it went to a fifth and final set. Lasting over two hours, the question was which player would break first, and for most of it, neither seemed to be willing to give in. Both competitors were unwilling to give in an inch. For 48 games the pair traded blows, inseparable until Isner dropped serve in the 49th game of the set, sending a backhand into the net to secure Anderson a break lead. When Isner sent a forehand out in the following game to seal Anderson's victory, the South African hardly celebrated, seeming almost apologetic that one of them had to win. All in all, the match lasted for six hours and 36 minutes. It was the third longest professional match of all time, behind Isner-Mahut and Leonardo Mayer and Joao Souza's clash in the Davis Cup. It also became the second longest match in Wimbledon history, again behind Isner-Mahut. Anderson would meet Novak Djokovic in the final, going down in straight sets but marking a very creditable run in the tournament. The match was also the longest semifinal in Wimbledon history, and likely will be in perpetuity. Months after the tie, Wimbledon announced that it would move to a ten point tiebreak for final sets, making the likelihood of anyone topping the two-hour decided the duo played out a remote contingency. However, if that is where the record is to stay, Isner and Anderson's epic was a worthy tie of holding that record.
First Post
a day ago
- First Post
Mulder Refuses To Break Lara's Record, Surpasses SA's Amla First Sports With Rupha Ramani
Mulder Refuses To Break Lara's Record, Surpasses SA's Amla | First Sports With Rupha Ramani | N18G Mulder Refuses To Break Lara's Record, Surpasses SA's Amla | First Sports With Rupha Ramani | N18G South Africa captain Wiaan Mulder's decision to declare the innings just 33 runs short of Brian Lara's iconic record has ignited a fierce debate across the cricketing world. While Mulder says it was a mark of respect to the legend, critics, including Ben Stokes and Chris Gayle, argue that sports demands giving your absolute best and seizing rare opportunities. Mulder's refusal to surpass Lara's record contrasts sharply with how he shattered other South African milestones, leaving fans and experts divided. Is honouring a legend worth compromising on competitive spirit? Watch as Rupha Ramani breaks down this polarising moment and the intense reactions it's stirred. See More
