Ajinkya Rahane is missing Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal at the ongoing US Open 2020 but is nevertheless excited for the tournament.
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Seasoned India pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar says a bowler's capability to deliver what he is good at is equally important as introducing new variations to his game.
Bhuvneshwar, who will be seen in the the orange Sunrisers Hyderabad jersey in the IPL, said the years of experience in the Indian team has changed him as a bowler.
"I have definitely changed as a bowler in the last few years. Most importantly I have gained experience from playing, have learnt variations," Bhubaneswar told the IPL website.
"I don't think it is always about keep adding to your arsenal, it is also about being good at what you do," he added.
The senior India pacer endured an injury-hit 2019 when he struggled with a hamstring injury during the World Cup also. He walked midway during the high-profile encounter against Pakistan in Manchester.
After missing the home series against South Africa and Bangladesh, Bhuvneshwar returned to the T20Is against West Indies. In January, he underwent sports hernia surgery.
"It's great to be back, personally I have been away from this game for a while, first I was injured and then this pandemic and lockdown. I am pretty excited about IPL. I cannot wait to get back in action."
Talking about the SRH set up, Bhuvneshwar said since the bowling unit has been together for the past two-three years, the players understand each other well.
"Being a senior bowler my approach will be similar as it has been for past couple of years. I'll try to help and share my experience.
"The good thing about this bowling group is that we are playing together for the last 2-3 years so we understand each other pretty well. It makes things easier for a captain or senior bowler like me."
The experienced pacer, who led SRH in a few games when skipper Kane Williamson got injured, said Rashid Khan is an asset to the team.
"Rashid has been amazing in this format all over the world. He has been playing in different league, performing consistently and having him in the mix is always a delight for any team.
"Not just with the ball, he has been amazing with the bat as well. So yes he is an asset to any team."
The 13th edition of the IPL was moved out of India due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The league will be played across three venues of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah in the UAE from 19 September to 10 November.
Bhuvneshwar feels the IPL is the best-possible tournament to kick-start cricket for the country after a coronavirus-induced lockdown, adding that he will miss playing in front of the home crowd.
"I don't think there could be a better tournament than IPL in India to start off with cricket and I am sure it will bring joy to the people of India."
"Definitely, I am going to miss playing in India especially in front of our home crowd, they have been supporting us for many years, I feel they are one of the major motivating factors for us."
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The Australian government has appointed former cricketer Matthew Hayden and Indian-origin politician Lisa Singh as trade envoys for advancing business ties with India.
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Mumbai Indians gave fans a virtual tour of their awesome team room in Abu Dhabi.
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Suresh Raina, former India cricketer and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batsman, spoke for the first time on Tuesday since departing from the team's bubble in the UAE. He tweeted about the crimes committed against his family members in Punjab. The 33-year-old cricketer had returned to India from UAE where he had gone to take part in IPL 2020 after news of his uncle being killed by a criminal gang.
Three days after the incident, Raina revealed that his cousin, who was injured on the same night and was battling for life, succumbed to injuries on Monday night. Raina took to Twitter to request Punjab police, and Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh for probe into the matter.
Raina wrote, "What happened to my family is Punjab was beyond horrible. My uncle was slaughtered to death, my bua [aunt] & both my cousins had sever [sic] injuries. Unfortunately my cousin also passed away last night after battling for life for days. My bua is still very very critical & is on life support.
"Till date we don’t know what exactly had happened that night & who did this. I request @PunjabPoliceInd to look into this matter. We at least deserve to know who did this heinous act to them. Those criminals should not be spared to commit more crimes."
Till date we don’t know what exactly had happened that night & who did this. I request @PunjabPoliceInd to look into this matter. We at least deserve to know who did this heinous act to them. Those criminals should not be spared to commit more crimes. @capt_amarinder @CMOPb
— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina) September 1, 2020
There were question marks over Raina's sudden departure from the tournament, even more so after CSK boss N Srinivasan was quoted saying 'Raina will certainly realise what he was missing'. Later, Srinivasan, in an interview to Times of India, clarified that he was misquoted and the franchise is in full support of the cricketer.
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Virat Kohli implored all IPL players to respect the bio-bubble protocols, saying they are privileged to play the IPL amid a pandemic.
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India and Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Virat Kohli understands "the privilege" of being able to play cricket in the middle of a raging pandemic and he wants all IPL participants to respect the tournament's bio-secure bubble.
Speaking on RCB's Youtube show 'Bold Diaries', the 31-year-old swashbuckler said he didn't exactly miss the game during the COVID-forced lockdown, which brought sporting action to a halt.
"Maybe because I was going on day and night for the last 10 years...It was a revelation for me in the sense that my focus was not solely on missing the game all the time," Kohli said.
Now that he is gearing up to be back in action with the IPL, starting 19 September in the UAE, Kohli said the BCCI's Standard Operating Procedure and the bio-bubble restrictions should be non-negotiable for all participants.
"We are all here to play cricket...The bio-bubble needs to be respected at all times for the tournament to happen eventually. We are not here to have fun and roam around and you know say that 'I want to hang out in Dubai'," Kohli asserted.
"That is not the time we are living in. Accept the phase that we are going through and understand the privilege that we have, just to be a part of the IPL. Everyone should accept that and not behave in a manner which situation doesn't require them to," he said.
Speaking about coming back to the game after five months, Kohli said it didn't take much time for him to find his groove.
"A couple of months back you couldn't imagine that you will have IPL firstly...When we had our practice session yesterday, I realised how long it has been. When I was heading to the practice session, I felt nervous," he conceded.
"I felt a bit jittery but things were okay. I didn't miss the game as much as I thought I might...just carrying on with life was also important," he said.
Kohli credited the side's support staff, led by Team Director Mike Hesson, for making everyone understand what's at stake and at the same time, not put them under pressure.
"Culture will not change for any individual preferences," he said.
On the tournament being played without in-stadia fans because of the bio-bubble restrictions, Kohli said it would be strange at first but eventually players will adapt to the feeling.
"I would not say it won't be difficult, strange. The echo of bat hitting the ball, I haven't experienced it for the last 10 years. The Ranji Trophy was the last time. But we have done this at some stage of our lives," he said referring to the domestic games which are played in near-empty venues.
"The crowd factor will definitely play a part but the instincts will kick in and it will diminish quite quickly."
Also, the instinctive celebrations on the field will also be restricted due to health-safety protocols. Kohli reiterated that everyone has no choice but to adapt.
"It has to be a balance. You cannot go berserk. We can't be like kids being sent to a park," he quipped.
The star cricketer, who will welcome his first child in January with actor wife Anushka Sharma, said he has been over the moon ever since he got to know about it.
"It is an incredible feeling. It puts things in perspective for you. It is difficult to describe how you feel," he said.
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