Kolkata Knight Riders batter Rinku Singh, who has emerged as the finisher for his team in IPL 2023, got the ultimate recognition from one of the best finishers in world cricket.
Bharat Hooda powered Telegu Titans to a 45-37 win over U Mumba in the Pro Kabddi League in Visakhapatnam on Wednesday.
''When you have quality players like Rohit and Virat, you just can't question their ability and utilisation. Their presence is enough to boost the team's confidence.'
With the much-anticipated Group A clash against arch-rivals Pakistan looming, India is sparing no effort in their training sessions, honing skills and strategising tactics.
Dube got in thanks to more game time for Chennai Super Kings during the first 10 games of the league.
On Wednesday, the team celebrated with a lively team bonding session that had everyone moving and grooving.
'Another one of those for me is Ruturaj Gaikwad. He is an all-format player and should have played for India a lot more than he has but the competition is so much that he hasn't played much. '
U Mumba produced a stunning late comeback to beat Tamil Thalaivas 36-33 in a Pro Kabaddi League Season 12 encounter, in Visakhapatnam on Sunday.
'I have been playing for UP since 2013 at No. 5 or 6. So, I have got used to that position. I keep backing myself to play in that position because it is very tough to play in that position if 4-5 wickets are down.'
'At the previous edition in Kobe, India won 17 medals. With a stronger team this time, I am confident we will surpass 20 medals and create history on home soil.'
Kolkata Knight Riders saw two star performers in Rinku Singh and Venkatesh Iyer during their win over Gujarat Titans.
Shubman Gill enjoyed a phenomenal run with the bat in England, piling up 754 runs at an average of 75.40 with four centuries.
Shubman Gill and Jasprit Bumrah returned to India's T20 squad for next month's Asia Cup, but IPL star performers Shreyas Iyer and Yashasvi Jaiswal missed out.
Not Shah Rukh Khan. Not Andre Russell. Not Nitish Rana. Eden Gardens was cheering for KKR's new star Rinku Singh on Monday.
Hardik Pandya could become the first Indian and overall the third player in the history of T20 Internationals to achieve the double of 2000 runs and 100 wickets.
'What a match, unbelievable. Rinku bhai kabhi na haare! (What a match, unbelievable, Rinku bhai never loses!)'
'There are lots of very talented and skilful players who are coming through the system. The only thing we need to make sure is the transition is done in a controlled manner.'
"In ODI format as well, he has performed across formats in first class cricket and so, yes, he will get his opportunity in ODI series."
Rinku's performance not only showcased his cricketing prowess but also reflected the unwavering determination that had fuelled his journey.
The Uttar Pradesh left hander has played 44 first-class matches, scoring 3109 runs at an average of 57.57.
Rinku Singh has put up a strong show in the first two matches of the five-match T20I series against Australia.
Shami's four-wicket burst sets up Bengal's eight-wicket win over Uttarakhand
Kuldeep Yadav got engaged to his childhood friend Vanshika on Wednesday in a traditional ceremony in Lucknow.
The Indian team refused to take the trophy from Asian Cricket Council chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who is also the Pakistan Cricket Board chief and known for his vocal anti-India stand.
Every summer, Sudhir Gautam makes a pilgrimage to Sachin Tendulkar's Mumbai home, carrying a box of Muzaffarpur litchis from his home town in Bihar, a gesture sweeter than the fruit itself.
Kuldeep Yadav has a good record in T20 Internationals with 69 wickets in 40 matches at an economy rate of 6.77, with a best of 5/17 against South Africa.
'He is coming off age and doing what is expected of him and he has done really well for India.'
Former India pacer Zaheer Khan was also pleased with Rinku this season.
Against Bangladesh, Samson wasn't even considered good enough to come inside the top seven of the line-up and that begs a question as to what is he doing in the team if he isn't good enough to come ahead of Axar Patel.
Kolkata Knight Riders swashbuckling batter Rinku Singh feels the Indian Premier League has now reached a stage where a team breaching the magical 300-run barrier in an innings won't be a surprise.
Seldom has an India vs Pakistan clash played with such a volatile backdrop, where cricket seems inseparably knotted with off-field tension, provocative gestures, and fines slapped on both camps.
Mumbai were bowled out for 181 in their second innings, setting J&K 243 runs to win the season-opening match.
The duo put on 103 runs for the sixth wicket from just 45 balls to turn the match on its head.
PKL: Haryana Steelers secure win over U Mumba in thrilling encounter
Test captain Shubman Gill also doesn't fit in the Indian T20 line-up, which has a settled top three in Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson and captain Suryakumar Yadav.
The likes of Tilak Varma, Hardik Pandya, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube and Axar Patel would all like to get some decent hit out there in the middle ahead of Sunday's clash against Pakistan.
Skipper Suryakumar Yadav will depend heavily on his spin troika as India gear up for yet another demolition act of Pakistan in what promises to be an intense and tense Super 4 face-off of the Asia Cup in Dubai on Sunday.
Rinku has been a revelation since his breakthrough season last IPL and Sunday's innings is proof we haven't seen the last of him.
Glimpses from around the world that will make you smile and cry.
IMAGES of the Asia Cup Final played between India and Pakistan in Dubai on Sunday
