Another historic day for India at the Paris Olympics 2024. The Indian contingent bagged another bronze medal as Swapnil Kusale came third in the 50 mm three position rifle shooting men’s event. He has joined Manu Bhaker (x2) and Sarabjot Singh to become only the third Indian to clinch a medal. On the flip side, we have lost some of our medal hopefuls. PV Sindhu, HS Prannoy, and Nikhat Zareen have lost their bouts. The cricketing fraternity was also abuzz, with several stories coming through regarding the man MS Dhoni as well.
CSK to retain ‘uncapped’ MS Dhoni at Rs 4 cr?
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) wants to retain MS Dhoni as an uncapped player for a mere INR 4 crore in the IPL 2025 auction. Yep, you heard it right. To achieve this, they’ve proposed reviving an old rule allowing players retired for five years to be classified as uncapped. While CSK sees this as a wondrous way to keep their talisman, other franchises are strongly opposing the move, arguing it devalues retired legends and creates an unfair advantage.
Rs 586 crore for ICC Champions Trophy
India’s participation in the 2025 Champions Trophy in Pakistan remains highly unlikely. Despite the PCB’s insistence on hosting the event, the BCCI seems adamant about not sending the team. The ICC has approved a whopping budget of Rs 586 crore for the tournament, with an additional Rs 37 crore for unspecified expenses. Speculation is rife that this extra money is earmarked for shifting India’s matches to a neutral venue, likely the UAE.
Swapnil Kusale! Medal Boy for India
India’s shooting dream team is shining bright at the Paris Olympics! After Manu Bhaker and Sarabjot Singh, Swapnil Kusale grabbed the spotlight with a bronze in the 50m rifle event. This unexpected win from a young talent was spectacular, considering he was world number 62. Starting sixth, Kusale steadily climbed the ranks to secure the medal, proving that India’s shooting future is in safe hands.
Rohit Sharma-MS Dhoni, same-to-same?
Former Indian coach Ravi Shastri put Rohit Sharma on the same pedestal as MS Dhoni when it comes to captaincy. Praising Rohit’s exceptional leadership in the T20 World Cup, Shastri declared him a giant in white-ball cricket. The ODI World Cup 1983 winner believes both captains are equally adept tacticians in the shorter formats, a testament to Rohit’s growing stature as a leader.
KL Rahul vs Rishabh Pant
India skipper Rohit Sharma faces a tough choice between KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant for the ODI series against Sri Lanka. Both are match-winners, but only one can keep wickets. Rahul returns to ODIs after missing the T20 World Cup 2024, while Pant makes a comeback after a year-long injury layoff. Rohit Sharma admitted it’s a headache to have such quality options, but the decision will impact the team’s balance.
Rohit Sharma on Gautam Gambhir
Rohit Sharma expressed confidence in new head coach Gautam Gambhir ahead of the ODI series against Sri Lanka. Rohit praised Gambhir as a “seasoned veteran” and a “cheerful person” in the dressing room. He noted that Gambhir has a clear roadmap for the team and that working with him will be a different experience from previous coaches Rahul Dravid and Ravi Shastri. Rohit emphasized that Gambhir’s extensive cricket experience and involvement with various franchises make him an asset to the team. The series begins on August 2, marking the start of a new era under Gambhir’s aegis.
