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The Hindu
05-07-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Kaloor stadium to sport a beautified look with fresh coat of paint
The Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium in Kaloor, owned by the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA), is set to get a much-needed facelift — at least in terms of appearance — which has been long overdue, given its jaded look. The beautification work to give the stadium a fresh coat of paint has been progressing since April. It is likely to be completed by August. Since its inception, the stadium has been fully painted only once. The GCDA prepared an estimate, and the government gave its approval. Though the work was estimated at ₹2.50 crore, it was awarded for ₹1.35 crore through competitive e-tendering. Around 1.50 lakh sq. ft is being painted. The project got under way after the conclusion of the latest edition of the Indian Super League (ISL) season in April. At present, painting is progressing on the stadium's interior and exterior walls, as well as handrails. The work has been making steady progress despite the inclement weather. Nearly 50% of the work has been completed, according to a statement issued by the GCDA. While the beautification is welcome, the stadium is also in need of an infrastructure upgrade. A video of a leaking roof during a crowded ISL match had gone viral on social media some time ago. Besides, a senior Asian Football Confederation functionary had remarked last year that while the stadium has an amazing ambience, it was a 'recipe for disaster.' Among other things, the official cited its location in the heart of the city and the lack of infrastructure — including security arrangements and segregation of fans, officials, and players — as key concerns. The stadium, built on 12 of the 34 acres, with a seating capacity of 55,000, was commissioned in 1996. It was dedicated to the nation by then Vice-President of India Shankar Dayal Sharma. The first-class match between the visiting South African team and the Karnataka team — which had won the Ranji Trophy and Irani Trophy under the captaincy of former Indian cricket team captain Rahul Dravid — was the first cricket match hosted at the stadium. It was played from November 10 to 12, 1996. Since then, the stadium has hosted numerous international and first-class cricket and football matches. Incidentally, the legendary Sachin Tendulkar's best-ever bowling figures in a One Day International — 5 for 32 — were recorded at this stadium against Australia in 1998. It also hosted matches of the FIFA Under-17 World Cup. The stadium is now the home ground of the ISL team Kerala Blasters FC.
Time of India
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Prayagraj lad becomes fourth UP cricketer to join elite BCCI referee panel
Prayagraj: In a remarkable achievement, from Prayagraj has topped the BCCI match referee exam held in Ahmedabad with an impressive score of 84.5 marks. This outstanding performance has earned him a coveted spot in the elite referee panel. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Among 62 candidates, Shukla's selection in the top 10 is a matter of great pride for the city, and he has become only the fourth cricketer from Uttar Pradesh to achieve this prestigious honour. A seasoned cricketer, Shivakant — a resident of Minto Road — has played 85 first-class matches, scoring over 4,000 runs, and was part of the Uttar Pradesh team that won the Ranji Trophy in 2005-06. Known for his dedication and memorable innings, including an unbeaten 178-run knock lasting 821 minutes, Shivakant is now ready to embrace his new role. The examination, held from June 17-19, saw 62 cricketers competing for a position in the prestigious BCCI referee panel. Shivakant's roots trace back to Kurni village in Jaunpur, but he has strong ties to Prayagraj, where he settled with his family after his father Shivprasad Shukla's appointment as DIG registrar of registration in 1995. The city, along with Lucknow, has been his home ever since. "After doing my early schooling in Prayagraj, I joined sports college in Lucknow and completed my schooling, from high school to undergraduate, in the state capital and I am presently posted at Deen Dayal Upadhayay Junction as deputy chief ticket inspector," 39-year-old Shivakant told TOI. Shivakant described his achievement as a "pleasant surprise" and expressed his readiness to take on the new responsibilities as a BCCI match referee. He follows in the footsteps of notable cricketers from Uttar Pradesh, including as Sunil Chaturvedi (Kanpur, retired), Rohit Prakash (Prayagraj) and Parvinder Singh (Meerut), who have previously held this esteemed position. Shivakant's cricketing career is marked by impressive achievements. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now As a left-handed opening batsman and right-arm off-break bowler, he played 85 first-class and 35 List A matches. His first-class career yielded 4,198 runs, featuring seven centuries and 19 half-centuries. Shukla's resume boasts appearances in top domestic tournaments, including the Vijay Hazare Trophy, Duleep Trophy, Deodhar Trophy, and Irani Trophy. He also represented India at the Under-19 and Under-17 levels, participating in the 2003 Asia Cup and the 2002 Triangular Series. His wife Dr Pooja Tiwari Shukla is a practising dentist in the Sangam City and stays in Prayagraj with her four-year-old daughter Lavyanya and in-laws.
Mint
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Mint
‘What has Abhimanyu Easwaran done wrong?': Fans ask after Sai Sudharsan makes India debut during IND vs ENG 1st Test
Abhimanyu Easwaran's much-anticipated Test debut got extended after the Bengal batter was once again overlooked as India handed Sai Sudharsan his maiden cap on Friday against England in the first Test at Headingly in Leeds. The Tamil Nadu batter was handed his maiden Test cap by veteran Cheteshwar Pujara. The 29-year-old Bengal batter, who has been a prolific run-getter in domestic circuit, has bene travelling with the Indian team since 2022, but is yet to make his place in the starting XI. The right-hander was in terrific form last season as he piled up runs in the Duleep Trophy, Irani Trophy and the Ranji Trophy for Bengal, which included a double hundred and five centuries. Despite that, Easwaran's omission left the fans amazed. 'What has Abhimanyu Easwaran done wrong? So conveniently he gets overlooked for an inexperienced Sai Sudharsan. Think IPL form > domestic performance?' wrote one user on X. 'No disrespect to Sai Sudharshan, he is a good batsman but Abhimanyu Easwaran deserved a debut. How long will you keep him in the touring party and not hand him a Test cap? Abhimanyu is far more experienced,' another user pisted. Having been made the captain of the India A side against England Lions, Easwaran had a good outing in both the unofficial Tests. While he scored a 68 in the first game while opening the batting, Easwaran scored 80 in the second game after being dropped to no.3 spot. On the other hand, Sudharsan's Test debut comes after his Orange Cap finish in the recently-concluded Indian Premier League. India: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill(c), Rishabh Pant(w), Karun Nair, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna England: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes(c), Jamie Smith(w), Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, Shoaib Bashir
Hindustan Times
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
'What was Rohit Sharma? He struggled when he played Test cricket': Shubman Gill's fresh challenge ahead of England Tests
Immense pressure is expected to be on Shubman Gill, when he leads his team out to face opposition skipper Ben Stokes at toss in the first Test at Headingley on Friday. The upcoming five-match Test series in England will see Gill make his captaincy debut, having taken over from Rohit Sharma, who recently announced his retirement. There have been question marks surrounding the 25-year-old's Test captaincy appointment, with many feeling that it was more circumstantial, rather than well-planned. His batting average in 32 Tests is 35.05, which is the lowest among top-order batters to have played for India in the past decade. Gill's batting brilliance can never be ignored in other formats, and to a certain extent, even in Test cricket, but many feel that he needed more time to develop before being given the reins of the team. Also Read: BCCI told to hold Vaibhav Suryavanshi's India call-up: 'Sachin Tendulkar hit 100s on Ranji, Duleep, Irani Trophy debut' Speaking to Hindustan Times, former India cricketer and ex-BCCI selector Venkatapathy Raju weighed in on Gill's appointment, saying the load of captaincy wouldn't negatively affect his Test career or development. Comparing the GT captain to Rohit, he said, "Not really, not really. You see, what was Rohit Sharma? Rohit Sharma struggled when he played Test cricket, right? But then, when they gave him captaincy for Mumbai Indians, he won trophies. Then suddenly his style of cricket changed. Then he became Indian captain, right? After he became Indian captain, he did well." During his Test career, which spanned 67 matches and 116 innings, Rohit averaged 40.57. His start in that format wasn't up to the mark, needing time to settle in. Raju, who was a selector during India's victorous campaign at the 2007 World T20, also went on to compare Gill to South African legend Graeme Smith, who was appointed skipper at a very early age. "So Gill has been part of this Indian team in all formats, right? And then probably, you know, I want to see the example of Graeme Smith. When Graeme Smith was very young for South Africa. He was just 19 when he was made the captain. He made a lot of difference," he said. "So now the selectors have decided to give the chance to Gill. It's up to the senior members in the team, all the players in the team to support him, right? Because it is a team game. It might change his style also. He might be more responsible. Initially, he might look little nervous, but then that's what cricket is all about. It is a challenge. He has to accept the challenge. He has got five Test matches, hopefully he learns quickly in those games and plays the way he knows," he further added. In SENA nations, Gill has yet to register a century, averaging 25.70. Meanwhile, in the three Tests he has played in England, Gill has only managed scores of 28, 15, 1, 0, 17 and 4. The spotlight will be on him when India face England in the first Test. A defeat could just increase the pressure, whereas a win in the first Test could see a strong start for India's new generation of cricketers.
Hindustan Times
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Vaibhav Suryavanshi gains 'lot of weight' after IPL success, told to 'reduce it' as Rahul Dravid promises India call-up
Every time a young, promising star breaks out during the IPL, franchises, the BCCI and its chairman of selectors are forced to take notice. But this Vaibhav Suryavanshi kid is a different kettle of fish. All of 14, Suryavanshi, the teen prodigy, is already being earmarked as the next big thing in Indian cricket. Of course, he has a long way to go to realise his dream. He has to prove his mettle at Under-16, Under-19, India A before even wishing to break into the senior Indian team. Suryavanshi has aced his start, though. After getting picked by the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL 2025 mega-auction, Suryavanshi got his IPL career off to a breathtaking start, smashing the first ball he faced for a six and creating history in the next game. Against the Gujarat Titans, Suryavanshi bludgeoned 101 off just 36 balls, en route to becoming the youngest IPL centurion of all time. His stakes have since risen exponentially, with Suryavanshi becoming the toast of not just the nation, but his popularity transcended borders. Before his departure for the UK, Suryavanshi met the Honourable Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, who had nothing but encouraging words to say about the 14-year-old. Also Read: Vaibhav Suryavanshi row sparks crackdown as BCCI rolls out new rule to catch over-age players From Australia to England, cricketers know of Vaibhav Suryavanshi. Even as he continues to train for the India Under-19 team in the UK, former England captain Jos Buttler couldn't help but recall the youngster's blitzkrieg against GT in April. Suryavanshi recently smoked 190 off just 90 balls, clearly indicative that he's still in his IPL zone. Having said that, the teenager has put on a bit of weight since his success in the IPL. When asked if the boy still fancies some of Bihar's famous dish 'Litti Chokha', his father, Sanjeev, said no, but hoped his son had lost some weight. Also Read: BCCI told to hold Vaibhav Suryavanshi's India call-up - 'Sachin Tendulkar hit 100s on Ranji, Duleep, Irani Trophy debut' "No, he doesn't eat anymore. Now he takes a very balanced diet. He goes to the gym. He had gained a lot of weight; he has to reduce it; lose weight," Suryavanshi senior told The Dainik Jagran. Suryavanshi's parting shot from the IPL was with his RR coach Rahul Dravid. The former India captain, who was on crutches when Suryavanshi completed his century, jumped out of his wheelchair; such was the delight on the Wall's face. The two spoke about Vaibhav and his journey, the video ending with Dravid reminding Suryavanshi that this is just the start, and the real test awaits next year, when bowlers and opposition will have figured out his game. As it turns out, that wasn't it. Sanjeev revealed that in his interaction with Dravid, the legend assured him not to worry, promising that he and the decision-makers at the franchise would mould, shape, and discipline his son with the idea of making him play for India. "Rahul Sir had said that your work is over now. Now he is our responsibility. We will take care of him. Now he has become a part of our family. Just ensure that he stays away from mobile and internet media. We will make him a player who can play for the country," the father said.
