Latest news with #VirenderSehwag
Times
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Times
Karun Nair, axed after triple century against England, gets second chance
'D ear Cricket, give me one more chance.' There cannot have been a more touching, heartfelt plea issued on social media by a cricketer. Not just any old cricketer, either, but someone with a Test-match triple hundred to his name, who, in December 2022 when that tweet was sent, was scrapping around the margins of the professional game looking for another opportunity to impress. Karun Nair, back in India's squad again, is a name that will not be lost on England supporters. In his third Test and in his third Test innings, Nair became only the second India batsman after Virender Sehwag to make a triple century in Test cricket when he put England to the sword in Chennai in 2016. Only two other batsmen in the history of the game, before Nair, had converted their maiden hundred into a triple: Garfield Sobers and Bobby Simpson.
Times of Oman
2 days ago
- Sport
- Times of Oman
Karun Nair: A letter to cricket and a lifetime of comebacks
As India gears up to face England in a high-stakes Test series starting June 20, one name quietly re-emerges in the squad list, Karun Nair. Almost eight years after scoring a historic triple century against this very opponent, Nair finds himself back in the Indian Test setup. The timing couldn't be more poetic and more powerful. In December 2022, a quiet tweet sent ripples across the cricketing world: 'Dear cricket, give me one more chance.' — Karun Nair It wasn't bravado or blame, just raw, human vulnerability. A heartfelt plea from a man who had once touched the sky but was now watching the game pass him by. Karun Nair's story isn't about overnight success. It's about resilience, faith, and learning how to fall and then get back up. Born premature in Jodhpur, doctors advised his parents to strengthen his fragile lungs through sport. Cricket became his medicine, his identity. As the family settled in Bengaluru, young Karun was often the quiet kid at nets, technically sound, intensely focused, rarely in the limelight. But he was learning. Quietly. Patiently. Years later, he would become only the second Indian after Virender Sehwag to score a triple century in Test cricket. His 303 not out against England in 2016 was a breathtaking mix of calmness and flair. India had found its next batting star. Or so it seemed. What followed defied logic. A few average games, and he was gone. Not just from the Indian team, but eventually from his state side Karnataka, the very team he had helped lift to multiple domestic titles. In his own words: 'Maybe I thought the opportunities would keep coming. But when they didn't, it hit me hard.' That hit took time to recover from. But Karun chose not to sulk. Instead, he re-evaluated everything, his mindset, his preparation, even his environment. The now-famous 'Dear cricket…' tweet wasn't a cry for help. It was a turning point. He shifted to Vidarbha, a bold move that most wouldn't dare. And then, quietly again, he let his bat do the talking. In the 2024–25 domestic season, Karun racked up nine centuries across formats, four in the Ranji Trophy, five in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, leading Vidarbha to a dream Ranji title. His innings weren't just big. They were clutch. Gritty. Mature. 'He never talked about proving anyone wrong,' a Vidarbha coach shared. 'He just wanted to fall in love with batting again.' The IPL came calling again. And finally, after nearly 3,000 days away, Karun Nair is back in the Indian Test squad, a little older, a lot wiser. This story isn't about a triple century anymore. It's about everything after that. The silence, the struggle, the soul-searching. And the decision to start again. For every young dreamer watching from the sidelines, wondering if one setback ends the story, remember Karun. He wrote to cricket when it seemed done with him. And cricket, eventually, wrote back. Because sometimes, the game tests how badly you want it and those who wait with love in their hearts usually get that one more chance.
India Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- India Today
Yashasvi Jaiswal on cusp of history, eyes Dravid and Sehwag's major record in England
Star India batter Yashasvi Jaiswal is on the verge of etching his name in the record books and leave legends such as Virender Sehwag and Rahul Dravid behind. The youngster has been on a rapid rise in international cricket ever since his debut in 2023 and is already counted amongst the finest young players in the southpaw could further etch his name in record books as he has a golden chance to become the fastest Indian to score 2000 runs in Tests. Jaiswal has currently scored 1798 runs in the longest format from 19 matches (36 innings) at an average of 52.88 with four hundreds and ten fifties to his he manages to complete the 2000-run mark in the next three innings, he can leave behind Rahul Dravid and Virender Sehwag to complete fastest 2000 runs for India in Tests. Both Dravid and Sehwag reached the landmark in 40 innings and hence it presents a great opportunity for Jaiswal to achieve the historic feat in the upcoming series in England. However, the southpaw will face a massive task of opening in the swinging conditions of England. He also didn't have good beginning to the tour, registering just one half century across four innings in the warm up fixtures against England had a good beginning to his career in overseas conditions as he finished as the second-highest run scorer of the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 with 391 runs from ten innings at an average of 43.44 with one hundred and two fifties. Hence, he will be eager to continue his good form and pass the England challenge to etch his name in the history will be opening the innings alongside KL Rahul, who started the tour with a century against England Lions and also scored a half-century in the intra-squad Watch
Time of India
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'I think RCB will win': Virender Sehwag's 'reverse jinx' leaves fans in splits ahead of IPL 2025 final
Virender Sehwag As Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) take on Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the IPL 2025 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, former India opener Virender Sehwag has taken centre stage — not with a bat, but with his signature humour. In a conversation with Cricbuzz, Sehwag was asked to pick a winner between the two franchises, both of whom are yet to win an IPL trophy despite being part of the league since its 2008 inception. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Sehwag's response? A classic jibe laced with superstition and self-awareness. Who's that IPL player? "I think RCB will win," Sehwag said with a smile. "I've gone back to my old form because the team I support usually loses. Be it Gujarat Titans vs Mumbai Indians or Punjab Kings vs RCB — every time I pick a side, they lose." Sehwag then cheekily revealed that he's trying to apply the same 'reverse jinx' logic here. "I supported MI in Qualifier 2 against PBKS, and they lost. So I'm saying RCB will win… let's see what happens," he laughed, suggesting that his public support for RCB might just tip luck in PBKS' favour. IPL 2025 Final, RCB vs Punjab Kings: The wait will finally end in Ahmedabad When the host asked him again, seeking clarity, Sehwag doubled down: 'RCB,' he repeated, with a mischievous grin. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo Both RCB and PBKS are desperate to end their long-standing title droughts. RCB, under the inspirational presence of Virat Kohli , are chasing redemption after three previous final losses. PBKS, meanwhile, are powered by the leadership of Shreyas Iyer , whose form and tactics have turned heads this season.
Hindustan Times
02-06-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Virender Sehwag's cheeky ploy to jinx Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2025 final: ‘…they lost their matches'
The Indian Premier League is poised to crown a new champion this season as Punjab Kings secured a spot in the final, where they'll take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Monday. Punjab edged out five-time winners Mumbai Indians to reach their first final in eleven years, keeping their dreams of a maiden IPL title alive. In a historic clash, they'll face RCB — another team still chasing its first IPL championship. The two teams have already faced each other thrice this season. Punjab Kings emerged victorious in the first encounter, but RCB stamped their authority in the last two, including a massive confidence-boosting win in Qualifier 1. However, the final is going to be a different ball game altogether, with the pressure of both teams' expectations for winning their maiden titles. Meanwhile, former Punjab Kings captain and seasoned India batter Virender Sehwag cheekily attempted to jinx RCB ahead of the final, hoping to tilt the luck in favour of his former franchise as they chase their maiden IPL crown. "I think RCB will win. I have decided to go back to my old form because I have seen the team I support tend to lose, be it GT in the match against MI or Punjab Kings in the Qualifier 1 against RCB. Today, I supported MI vs. PBKS in qualifier 2; they lost their matches," Sehwag said on Cricbuzz. The host guessed Sehwag was trying to jinx things and once again asked Sehwag, "Who are you supporting?" Sehwag once again said, "RCB", but this time with a cheeky smile. The legendary batter further revealed that whenever he supported the Indian team, it also lost its match. "This is also the case with the Indian team. When I openly supported them, they went on to lose that match," he added. Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer, who guided Kolkata Knight Riders to the IPL title last season, has been leading by example for Punjab this year, emerging as their highest run-getter. He delivered a commanding unbeaten 78 in the qualifier, steering Punjab past a challenging target set by the formidable Mumbai Indians. He is going to be the key for Punjab Kings in the mega finale. For Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Virat Kohli remains the key figure with the bat, but Josh Hazlewood's role is equally vital. The Australian pacer, with 21 wickets to his name, sits as the fourth-highest wicket-taker this season and will be looking to rise even higher in the charts in what could be his last appearance of the campaign.
