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Told Priyansh Arya would be the find of IPL 2025, hard to argue now: Ricky Ponting

Told Priyansh Arya would be the find of IPL 2025, hard to argue now: Ricky Ponting

India Today27-05-2025
Punjab Kings' head coach Ricky Ponting was beaming with pride as he addressed the broadcasters after his team secured a top-two finish in the IPL 2025 league stage-their first in 11 years. The former Australian captain credited the team's success to a collective effort from a "hugely talented" group of players but was quick to highlight the emergence of a special young star: Priyansh Arya.advertisementIn a high-pressure clash against five-time champions Mumbai Indians, the 23-year-old Priyansh rose to the occasion with a brilliant knock of 62 off 35 balls, laced with nine boundaries and two sixes. On a tricky pitch at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, Arya anchored Punjab's chase of 185, forging a 109-run stand with Josh Inglis.Arya showed remarkable maturity, happily playing second fiddle when Inglis went after the Mumbai bowlers. The left-hander rotated the strike with ease and manipulated the field like a seasoned pro. PBKS vs MI: Highlights | Scorecard
"I said maybe four or five games in that Priyansh is one of the finds of the tournament. Hard to argue with that now. Fearless young talent, seeing and hitting the ball," Ponting said after the victory on Monday, May 26.advertisementPriyansh had made a strong first impression in the opening game of the season, smashing 47 off just 23 balls in Punjab's win over Gujarat Titans. Known for hitting six sixes in an over during a Delhi Premier League match, Arya entered IPL 2025 with a reputation for explosive batting. While he had a couple of quiet outings early on, he roared back to form with a sensational 103 off 42 balls against Chennai Super Kings, rescuing Punjab from 83 for 5 to a match-winning 219.That century came shortly after he had been rattled by Jofra Archer's pace-a moment that revealed the youngster's grit. Arya bounced back with renewed confidence, showing his ability to absorb pressure and deliver when it mattered most.PRIYANSH TICKS ALL BOXES IN NETS: IYERThroughout the tournament, Priyansh has evolved into a multi-dimensional batter. Against Mumbai, he showed restraint and game awareness before launching into Jasprit Bumrah in the death overs-dispatching the veteran pacer into the stands and crushing any hopes of a comeback for the opposition.Captain Shreyas Iyer was full of praise for the young southpaw, who is among the leading run-scorers in IPL 2025 with 484 runs in 14 matches at a stunning strike rate of 183.advertisement"The way Priyansh started was fabulous. Young players like him are fearless. They tick all the boxes in the nets, and now the results are showing on the field," Iyer said.Punjab Kings fielded as many as six uncapped players in their final league game and still chased down 185 with ease-getting the job done in just 18.3 overs.With a top-two finish confirmed, Punjab now have two chances to make the final. They'll play Qualifier 1 at their home ground in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh, on Thursday, May 29.Stay updated on IPL 2025 with India Today! Get match schedules, team squads, live score, and the latest IPL points table for CSK, MI, RCB, KKR, SRH, LSG, DC, GT, PBKS, and RR. Plus, keep track of the top contenders for the IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap. Don't miss a moment!
IN THIS STORY#IPL 2025
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Forza Azzurri! Australian Burns Finds Identity As Italy Create History
Forza Azzurri! Australian Burns Finds Identity As Italy Create History

News18

time2 hours ago

  • News18

Forza Azzurri! Australian Burns Finds Identity As Italy Create History

Last Updated: Regardless of what happens in the event, Italian cricket team's legacy is already set as first-time entrants to the global event. Joe Burns' career seemed to be going nowhere when Queensland left him out of their contracted players' list in April 2024. This was a tough blow for the Australian, who was already grieving the tragic death of his brother in February that year. In an emotional Instagram post, Burns confessed that it was a 'daily battle that I often lose." However, sports often offer small escape routes to those truly dedicated, and for Burns, it came through his connection to Italy via his mother's heritage. This was a blessing for both Burns and Italy, who qualified for their first ICC World Cup by securing a spot in next year's T20 event in India and Sri Lanka on Friday. 'I don't think words will ever describe emotions to this team and to this country. Sacrifice, dedication and commitment to a dream — we have walked this path into the unknown together to tour the first World Cup," Burns wrote on his Instagram wall shortly after the team's qualification. Burns' emotions were genuine. This opportunity allowed him to continue his association with top-level cricket and provided Italy with a world-class professional who had significant experience in international and highly competitive Australian domestic cricket. Burns Starts New Journey With Italy Italy quickly appointed Burns as their captain in their effort to qualify for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 through the European sub-regional Qualifiers. In the group stage, the team was grouped with France, Isle of Man, Luxembourg, and Turkey. It was a big dream for a team that played its first T20 International in 2019 against Germany. Despite a lack of pedigree and resources, they dared to dream. They started strong with a 77-run win over Luxembourg in Rome and followed it with a five-wicket victory over France and a seven-wicket win against Isle of Man. The nine-wicket win over Turkey propelled them to the final against Romania, which they won by a massive 160-run margin in June 2024. Burns made a lasting impact in that victory with a 108 off 55 balls. This powered Italy to the ICC European Qualifiers, where they were grouped with Netherlands, Scotland, Jersey, and Guernsey. They began with a comfortable seven-wicket win over Guernsey and outclassed Scotland by 12 runs. An abandoned match against Jersey gave them a point, which, combined with a superior net run rate, allowed Italy to overcome the nine-wicket defeat against Netherlands in the last league match on Friday and qualify for the ICC event to be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka. It was a moment of catharsis for Italy and Burns. The Azzurri have delicate cricket connections, as AC Milan Cricket and Football clubs were founded by an Englishman – Herbert Kilpin – in 1899. Former Italian and Inter Milan forward Cristian Vieri was a cricket enthusiast during his school days in Australia and often spoke passionately about the sport. Italian Cricket's Identity But now, Italian cricket has an identity of its own. Burns' mention of walking together in his Instagram post was not a mere fancy tribute. This Italian team is indeed a mix of cultures. Burns is an Australian, as are Harry Manenti, Ben Manenti, and Grant Stewart. Emilio Gay, who was part of the England Lions against India A, and Marcus Campopiano came from England. There cannot be an Associate cricket team without a touch of the subcontinent, and thus Italy has Jaspreet Singh, who is from Punjab, and Crishan Priyantha Kalugamage, who has Sri Lankan roots. Justin and Anthony Mosca add some Italian flavour. 'I hope this team can be a beacon for everyone to connect through family, through sport and through a shared story," an emotional Burns penned. But Italy needs to overcome more accomplished rivals in the World Cup next year to add more chapters to an already incredible story. 'I think it's coming together, the confidence is high in the group and we've got some very experienced players in the team, experience from all over the world as well," the team's assistant coach Kevin O'Brien, a former Ireland player, told ICC. Regardless of what happens in the event, this team's legacy is already set as first-time entrants to the global event. They are no longer the unknowns. They are confident competitors in a field dominated by the big boys. Burns can lead the side with pride, having set aside a crushing personal trauma to find a new purpose in life and career. He knows it. 'Many of those who walk with us forever be proud. Without them, we never have dared to dream. This is our legacy," he wrote. Forza Azzurri! With PTI Inputs About the Author Cricketnext Staff A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses, features, live scores, results, stats and everything that's cricket from all over the globe. Follow @cricketnext Get latest Cricket news, live score and match results on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : icc ICC T20 World Cup ICC T20 World Cup 2026 Italy cricket team joe burns view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: July 12, 2025, 14:07 IST News cricket Forza Azzurri! Australian Burns Finds Identity As Italy Create History Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

‘He destroyed me': Nick Kyrgios reveals how his Beijing revenge plot involved forging Rafa Nadal's signature on hotel bills
‘He destroyed me': Nick Kyrgios reveals how his Beijing revenge plot involved forging Rafa Nadal's signature on hotel bills

Indian Express

time2 hours ago

  • Indian Express

‘He destroyed me': Nick Kyrgios reveals how his Beijing revenge plot involved forging Rafa Nadal's signature on hotel bills

Rafael Nadal and Nick Kyrgios weren't the best of buddies during their time together on tour. The mercurial Australian had even opened up last year on why Nadal's inimitable perseverance and talent made him idolise and despise the Spaniard at the same time. The 30-year-old Kyrgios recently revealed one such instance when his volatile emotions had probably gone a tad overboard after a feisty encounter in the 2017 Beijing Open in China. Shortly after thwarting Nadal at the Cincinnati Open quarter-finals in straight sets that year, Krygios waltzed to the final in the Beijing hard courts, facing up for his fourth clash against Nadal since winning their first meeting at 2014 Wimbledon. Kyrios could not bear the outcome of that night. A devastating 6-2, 6-1 defeat to Nadal was so brutal that he had a straight shot back at his legendary opponent after checking in at the hotel. 'He beat me in the final of Beijing, and he destroyed me. I was having a really good week, finals of Beijing, pretty big tournament,' Kyrgios said. 'I get destroyed by Nadal. Having a couple of wines that night, having a couple of drinks with my boys. I was like, 'You know what? This guy just destroyed me, probably earned over $1million that week.' Kyrgios went further, revealing how he jotted down Nadal's signature on the bills. 'I was like, 'You know what? I'm going to put all of my room service…' It was actually in a hotel restaurant, I just put it on Nadal's room and I just signed it as Nadal,' Krygios said with a chuckle. Kyrgios, however, made it clear that he wasn't seeking an apology from the 22-time Grand Slam champion who's made USD 134,946,100 in career prize money, the second-highest in men's tennis, only behind Novak Djokovic. 'The waitress had no idea so to this day, I'm sorry Rafa, if you got this outstanding couple grand bill from me. 'I'm sorry… Actually, I'm not sorry at all, you've earned way too much cash in your career.' 🤦‍♂️ 'Nadal beat me in Beijing & he destroyed me.' 👀 'I had a couple of wines… I put it all on his room.' 🤣 'I'm sorry… actually I'm not sorry!' Nick Kyrgios reveals this wild story about Rafa Nadal and his hotel room bill 😳 — talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) July 10, 2025 In December 2024, Kyrgios had recollected how Nadal's energies brought out the best in him. In nine of their completed contests, Kyrgios ended up trumping Nadal on three occasions while their last slated contest in the 2022 Wimbledon semi-final ended with Nadal opting out due to injury. 'I couldn't stand him. I used to hate and despise him so much when I saw him walking around,' Kyrgios had explained on the Nothing Major podcast. 'He was one guy who always motivated me. 'If I played him I would get up for it and try and get the best tennis I could possibly play. I didn't feel that anger towards Roger (Federer) or Novak (Djokovic) when I played them. 'If I played Rafa, because everyone in our academies back home idolised him, they were like he is such a hard worker, he's this and that. I was like 'I can't stand this guy'. I wanted to show people you could just have fun and be chilled and beat people like that.'

Steeplechaser Avinash Sable Fails To Finish In Monaco Diamond League
Steeplechaser Avinash Sable Fails To Finish In Monaco Diamond League

NDTV

time4 hours ago

  • NDTV

Steeplechaser Avinash Sable Fails To Finish In Monaco Diamond League

Indian steeplechaser Avinash Sable failed to finish the 3000m race after suffering a nasty fall while the country's latest sprint sensation Animesh Kujur continued his growing stature on the international circuit by ending a creditable fourth, in the Under-23 200m event at the Monaco Diamond League in Monaco. Olympian and national record holder Sable was expecting a top-5 finish in his favourite event but suffered an injury following a nasty fall quite early in the race. Sable, 30, who has already qualified for the Tokyo World Championships in September, has not hit his best form this year, finishing 13th and eighth in his previous two Diamond League appearances. Soufiane el Bakkali of Morocco won the race in a time of 8:01.18 seconds while Ryuji Miura of Japan was second clocking 8:03.43 in a field of 19 runners. Kenya's Edmund Serim was third (8:04.00 seconds). Meanwhile, Kujur came up with another inspired showing in the Under-23 200m event, clocking 20.55 seconds. Running against a top field, the 22-year-old from Chhattisgarh held his own as Australian teen prodigy Gout Gout blazed to the top spot with 20.10s. Botswana's Busang Collen Kebinathshipi (20.28s) and South Africa's Naeem Jack (20.42s) completed the top three finishes. Kujur, who holds the Indian national record in the 200m at 20.32s, has emerged as one of the country's brightest sprint hopes in recent months. Just last weekend, he smashed the national 100m record with a 10.18s dash at the Dromia International Sprint and Relays Meet in Greece, eclipsing the previous mark held by his relay teammate Gurindervir Singh. Earlier this season, he also clocked 20.27s in Geneva -- the fastest 200m ever run by an Indian. Born in a tribal village in Jashpur district of Chhattisgarh, Kujur's rapid rise has injected fresh hope into Indian men's sprinting. He now eyes the tough 20.16s qualifying mark for the World Championships in Tokyo this September while he has vowed to break the 10-second barrier in the 100m event.

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