The mega event that was Paris Olympics 2024 came to its culmination last night on August 11. It was an absolute carnival, where the Indian athletes performed, but below some heavy expectations. As many as six medals were bagged by the Indian contingent, only one of them being a silver one, courtesy of Neeraj Chopra. Apart from this, we are also in some lull period as far as cricket is concerned. Regardless, several stories cooked up, including the one involving Dinesh Karthik and Virat Kohli. MS Dhoni was also in the news regarding some 15 crore loss.
Dinesh Karthik on Virat Kohli
Virat Kohli massively struggled in the recent India vs Sri Lanka ODI series. Slow pitches made batting difficult, especially for Kohli, and India lost 2-0, their first ODI bilateral series loss to SL after 27 years. Dinesh Karthik acknowledged Kohli’s poor performance but didn’t entirely defend him, saying the pitch was challenging for all batters, particularly against spin. Karthik emphasized the unusual nature of the pitch, making it tough to score between overs 8 and 30.
15 crore loss to MS Dhoni?
Former India and CSK captain MS Dhoni has been summoned by the BCCI Ethics Committee to respond to a fraud complaint filed against him by a UP resident. This comes amidst an ongoing legal battle with his ex-business partner Mihir Diwakar. Dhoni alleges that Diwakar opened multiple cricket academies in his name without permission, causing him a loss of Rs 15 crore. The BCCI has asked Dhoni to submit a response by August 30.
Rahul Dravid bowling like Kohli?
Rahul Dravid, cricket’s ‘Wall’, surprised fans with a rare bowling display. Known for his rock-solid batting, the former India coach was seen bowling enthusiastically during a casual match at the NCA in Bengaluru. The usually composed Dravid displayed a surprising zeal, reminiscent of Virat Kohli, leaving fans amazed. This unexpected side to the legendary cricketer has taken the internet by storm.
What about Mohammed Shami?
Mohammed Shami, a key asset for India since 2013, faces uncertain future due to injuries and age (34 in Sept). With several pacers in waiting, India’s new coach, Gautam Gambhir, must discuss Shami’s plans. Former coach Mhambrey suggests a frank conversation about formats, workload, and future goals. Shami, likely to return for Bangladesh Test, needs careful management to extend his career, especially in the crucial Test format.
Arshad Nadeem’s diet!
Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem stunned the world by winning the gold medal in javelin at the Paris Olympics, breaking the Olympic record with a 92.97-meter throw. This historic win brought Pakistan its first individual gold as India’s Neeraj Chopra took silver. Nadeem credits his success to a simple yet powerful diet: desi chicken, eggs, and ghee. This traditional Pakistani fare, rich in protein and healthy fats, fueled his journey to the top.
BGT > Ashes?
Cricket Australia (CA) chief Nick Hockley has equated the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) with the Ashes in terms of commercial importance. Both series are huge draws, with the upcoming BGT already seeing six times the pre-COVID ticket sales from India. Hockley believes the BGT, starting in November, will match the Ashes in terms of crowd and broadcast numbers, making it a major event on the Australian cricket calendar.
