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Time of India
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Gautam Gambhir never went to college: Here's how far he studied
Gautam Gambhir, born on October 14, 1981, is a name that resonates far beyond cricket stadiums. A World Cup-winning batsman, a fierce IPL captain, a former Member of Parliament, and now the head coach of the Indian cricket team, Gambhir's journey is nothing short of a modern epic. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Yet, amid this illustrious career lies a lesser-known facet—his formal education ended after Class 12. He never pursued a college degree. Still, his rise is a striking testament to the power of discipline, mentorship, and single-minded pursuit of excellence. Cricketing laurels: From streets of Delhi to global glory Raised in New Delhi, Gambhir's cricketing journey began at the age of 10. Under the mentorship of Sanjay Bharadwaj and Raju Tandon at the Lal Bahadur Shastri Academy, and later at the National Cricket Academy in Bangalore, Gambhir honed a batting style marked by grit and composure. He debuted for India in ODIs in 2003 and Tests in 2004, steadily becoming a mainstay in the batting line-up. Gambhir was pivotal in India's T20 World Cup win in 2007 and played an iconic 97-run knock in the 2011 World Cup final, anchoring India's victory. Known for his consistency and mental resilience, he captained the Kolkata Knight Riders to two IPL titles in 2012 and 2014, and mentored them to a third in 2024. With multiple international accolades including the ICC Test Player of the Year (2009), Padma Shri (2019), and the Arjuna Award (2008), Gambhir retired in 2018 as one of India's most respected left-handed openers. Political turn and coaching career Post-retirement, Gambhir transitioned seamlessly into politics, joining the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2019 and serving as a Member of Parliament from East Delhi until 2024. Known for his forthright views on national security and civic issues, he earned a reputation as a proactive and outspoken legislator. In July 2024, Gambhir was appointed as the head coach of the Indian men's cricket team, immediately leading them to victory in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy—an emphatic start to his three-year tenure. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Educational background: A career built without a degree What sets Gambhir apart even further is that he carved this multi-dimensional career despite not completing a college education. He studied at Modern School, New Delhi, and completed his Class 12, but chose to forgo higher studies to pursue cricket full-time. Living with his maternal grandparents and under the tutelage of his uncle-mentor Pawan Gulati, Gambhir immersed himself entirely in sport. With selectors beginning to notice him in the late 1990s, formal education naturally took a back seat. His selection in the inaugural batch of the National Cricket Academy in 2000 further solidified this path. Conclusion Gautam Gambhir's story challenges the notion that higher education is the only route to success. While academic qualifications remain vital for many careers, Gambhir's life illustrates how passion, perseverance, and timely mentorship can propel a person to national and global prominence—even without a college degree. His trajectory is not just that of a cricketer or politician—it is the saga of a man who redefined boundaries, both on the pitch and off it.
The Hindu
18 hours ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
Singapore coach shortlist — Cannavaro, Kewell and a Europa League winner among notable names: Reports
Ballon d'Or winner Fabio Cannavaro and a former Liverpool forward, Harry Kewell, are reportedly among the prominent names on the shortlist for the next head coach of Singapore's men's national football team. According to Singaporean daily The Straits Times, over 60 people had applied for the men's team head coach's job, which included Italy's World Cup-winning captain Cannavaro. Cannavaro, regarded as one of the best centre-backs of all time, is one of the three defenders to win the Ballon d'Or, after Franz Beckenbauer and Matthias Sammer. He led Italy to the World Cup title in 2006 and won two La Liga titles with Real Madrid. However, he has failed to reach the same heights as a coach and winning the Chinese Super League with Guangzhou Evergrande in 2019 remains his only major feat. Coaching China remains his only national team assignment, while his last coaching stint was in Croatia, with Dinamo Zagreb, where he was sacked after just 14 matches as head coach. Another name on the list is former winger Australian Kewell, who won the UEFA Champions League with Liverpool in 2005. A former head coach of Japanese side Yokahama Marinos, Kewell had also applied for the India coach job, where he could not make it to the final three-man shortlist. Kewell had also been an assistant coach to former Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou during his time at Celtic between 2022 and 2024. Nick Montgomery, another of Postecoglou's assistants — from Tottenham — is also on the list of applicants. Montgomery had won the A-League championship with Central Coast Mariners and the Europa League, as part of Spurs' camp this year. Other names reportedly on the shortlist include former Indonesia coach Luis Milla, former Iraq coach Jesus Casas and former manager of Thailand, Mano Polking, who had led the War Elephants to the 2020 and 2022 ASEAN Championship titles. The men's team coach spot has been empty since Tsutomu Ogura left the side, citing personal reasons, last month. Singapore, sitting atop Group C standings in the third round of AFC Asian Cup qualifiers, plays India next in October, a side which will also be under a new head coach.
Perth Now
20 hours ago
- Sport
- Perth Now
'More time': why Lynagh craves more Wallabies starts
Relishing his new starting role, Tom Lynagh is hoping for one last crack at the British and Irish Lions to try to right some wrongs and help the Wallabies finish the showpiece series in style. After being thrown to the Lions as a Test rookie following a serious injury to Noah Lolesio, Lynagh performed indifferently in Australia's first two defeats to the tourists. The flyhalf put his lightly-framed body on the line and defended bravely in the series-opening 27-19 loss in Brisbane before helping the Wallabies to a big first-half lead in Melbourne last Saturday, only to commit errors that allowed the Lions back into the contest. Australia succumbing to a 29-26 loss to a controversial last-minute try stung Lynagh, but the son of a gun wants the chance to atone in game three in Sydney on Saturday night. "(I want) more time in that seat," the 22-year-old said on Tuesday. "You get a lot more time on the field so you can dictate the game a lot more. When you come off the bench, you've got to understand what role you've got to play and how the game is at that point. "But the jersey's only yours for the week if you're selected. You've just got to go out there and do your job and do your role and put a performance in. "Look, I think I've done all right. I'm a bit disappointed in my goalkicking so far. I feel like that's let myself and the team down a bit. "But in terms of the rest of it, it's been good. Just playing part of the system and just trying to do my role for the team and not overplay my hand." With the No.10 role a real trouble spot for the Wallabies, coach Joe Schmidt said pre-series he had hoped to blood Lynagh on several occasions last year. But an injury-ravaged season cruelled those plans before Lynagh missed the Wallabies' spring tour of the UK last November. "Yeah, having experience before the Lions series would have been great but I didn't get the opportunity to do so," he said, adding that he enjoys a great relationship with Schmidt. "I guess we'll never find out but, like I said, take it one week at a time. "It's been good. Being selected as 10 just tells you everything you need to know, really - that he's got trust and belief in you. "So that's all I've taken from it, really. He's always had that confidence in me ever since I joined the camp for the first time last year. "It's been really good and he's been really positive around everything." Despite the Wallabies coming off second best, Lynagh has loved having his legendary, London-based, 1991 World Cup-winning father Michael back home in Australia to watch the series. "My family back at home and in London, they're all there, they're all on holiday," he said. "So they're enjoying their time off and watching the games. We've shared lots of messages over the last couple of weeks and they've been very supportive from back over there. "We put in a good performance last week and hopefully we can try and do the same and get the result (on Saturday). "We led for pretty much 79 minutes in the last game and lost it in the 80th. That's footy for you. "But we can take plenty of confidence from that game last week, and even the second half in the first Test."
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
India asked to 'forfeit' game against Pakistan in Asia Cup: 'If you play, it will make nation angry and it should'
Shreevats Goswami, who was a part of the U19 World Cup-winning squad in 2008, has urged India to "forfeit" the match against Pakistan in the upcoming Asia Cup, which is set to be played in September 2025. The schedule for the competition was unveiled over the weekend, and India might play against Pakistan potentially on three occasions. Both teams have been placed in the same group, and the first encounter will happen on September 14. India will play Pakistan in the Asia Cup on September 14. (AFP) The calls are growing for the BCCI and India to boycott the Asia Cup and the fixture against Pakistan in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack and the subsequent Operation Sindoor. Earlier, it was reported that BCCI would pull out of the Asia Cup as the Indian cricket board doesn't want to play against Pakistan, considering the deteriorating political and diplomatic relations between the two countries. Goswami has now said that India should forfeit the match against Pakistan if they decide to participate in the tournament, saying the entire nation would be angry if the game goes ahead on September 14. 'My read on the Asia cup going forward is India to & must forfeit the game against Pakistan& let them qualify. We don't need to win the Asia Cup. The only reason India is participating cause it helps other nations economically or else I don't see any reason,' Goswami wrote on X (formerly Twitter). 'Ideally, this is what should & must happen & if India decides to play against pak it will make the nation angry! It should! #AsiaCup2025,' he added. India versus Pakistan matches in the Asia Cup India might potentially face off against Pakistan on three separate occasions in the upcoming Asia Cup. The two teams will play first on September 14, and then, if both of them make it to the Super 4 stage, they might square off on September 21. Also Read: Sourav Ganguly is 'okay' with India playing Pakistan in Asia Cup If the two teams qualify for the final, then they will face off yet again on September 28. The Asia Cup 2025 will feature eight teams. India have been drawn alongside Pakistan, the UAE and Oman. Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Hong Kong make up the other group. Earlier, former Pakistan spinner Danish Kaneria had also questioned why India decided to play against Pakistan. He brought up the recent cancellation of the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 match between the two teams. The tensions between India and Pakistan continue to rise after the Pahalgam terror attack in Kashmir, which killed 26 tourists. India then launched Operation Sindoor, targetting the terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
NDTV
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- NDTV
"You Don't Save A Test Like That...": Yuvraj Singh's Blazing Post On Manchester Draw
Former Indian cricketer and World Cup-winning star Yuvraj Singh hailed Team India for showcasing "serious temperament", pulling off a stunning draw against England at Old Trafford, outbattling English side's 311-run first innings lead with three magnificent centuries to keep the series alive going into the final Test at The Oval. Records were shattered, the patience of both sides was put to the ultimate test, and Englishmen were left rattled in the end as India out-batted their massive first innings lead with centuries from skipper Shubman Gill, all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar. The series scoreline still reads 1-2 heading into the final Test, giving India a chance to walk out with their heads held high and the series levelled. Yuvraj took to X and hailed Gill for his captain's knock, which made him the first-ever player with four tons in a debut series as captain. The World Cup 2011 'Player of the Tournament' also hailed KL Rahul for the way he "proved his essence in the team" and was in awe of Jadeja-Sundar showing immense patience and guts. The all-rounder also hailed Englishman Joe Root for surpassing Ricky Ponting with a massive knock of 150 and becoming the second-highest Test run-getter. "You don't save a Test like that without serious temperament, especially in a game where nothing comes easy! @ShubmanGill played a captain's knock to become the first ever with 4 hundreds in his debut series as Test captain! @klrahul showcased his experience and yet again proved his essence in the team! @imjadeja and @Sundarwashi5 were patient and gutsy with centuries to not let the game slip away! The series stays alive! Kudos to @root66 on taking his runs tally to the top! #INDvENG," posted Yuvraj on X. You don't save a Test like that without serious temperament specially in a game where nothing came easy! @ShubmanGill played a captain's knock to become the first ever with 4 hundreds in his debut series as Test captain! @klrahul showcased his experience and yet again proved his… — Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) July 28, 2025 Coming to the match, England opted to field first. Half-centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal (58 in 107 balls, with 10 fours and a six), Sai Sudharsan (61 in 151 balls, with seven fours) and Rishabh Pant (54 in 75 balls, with three fours and two sixes) took India to 358 runs, with Stokes (5/72) troubling the visitors with timely wickets and not letting a massive partnership happen. Jofra Archer also took 3/73. In the second innings, Zak Crawley (84 in 113 balls, with 13 fours and a six) and Ben Duckett (94 in 100 balls, with 13 fours) produced a 166-run stand for the opening wicket, sending India on leather chase. The presence of Joe Root (150 in 248 balls, with 14 fours) and Stokes (141 in 198 balls, with 12 fours and a six) aggravated Indian bowlers, who saw these two produce milestone after milestone on their way to a 311-run lead. England was skittled out for 669 runs, with Ravindra Jadeja (4/143) being the pick of the bowlers. Jasprit Bumrah (2/112) had an off day at work. After Chris Woakes reduced India to 0/2, KL Rahul (90 in 230 balls, with eight fours) and skipper Shubman Gill (103 in 238 balls, with 12 fours) caused England's faces to tense, batting three sessions for an 188-run stand. After these two were done, the spin all-rounder duo of Jadeja (107* in 185 balls, with 13 fours and a six) and Washington Sundar (101* in 206 balls, with nine fours and a six) absolutely rattled and frustrated England with their resolve and wall-like presence, taking India to a 114-run lead, ending at 425/4 in a draw. The series is still alive at 1-2, with the final match at The Oval to start from July 31.
