French Open 2024 Women’s Final: Iga Swaitek vs Jasmine Paolini – Who will emerge as the 2024 Roland Garros Queen?  

Iga Swiatek dominates Roland Garros 2024 with strong victories; Jasmine Paolini emerges as a resilient finalist. Who will take the urn home?

French Open 2024 Women’s Final: After close to two exciting weeks of tennis in the Roland Garros 2024, the French Open 2024 Women’s Final is finally here. Jasmine Paolini from Italy has been a breath of fresh air in Paris. While Iga Swiatek is looking to solidify her position as the best player on clay. The Polish star is aiming for her third straight title at Roland Garros. Iga Swiatek vs. Jasmine Paolini – who will emerge as Roland Garros queen?Anything can happen in the final, but for the moment, the odds are heavily stacked against Jasmine Paolini. Iga Swaited is the woman to beat on red clay, having won here three times already in the past. Paolini certainly has the game to push the 3-time champion, but in the big final, it is all about nerves. Also Read: 2024 Roland Garros Prize Money Let’s look at how these two finalists fared over the past couple of weeks in the tournament.  Iga Swiatek – Road to Roland Garros 2024 Finals ROUND OPPONENT COUNTRY SCORE RESULT First Round Leolia Jeanjean France 6-1, 6-2 Won Second Round Naomi Osaka Japan 7-6, 1-6, 7-5 Won Third Round Marie Bouzková Czechia 6-4, 6-2 Won Fourth Round Anastasia Potapova Russia 6-0, 6-0 Won Quarter-Finals Markéta Vondroušová Czech Republic 6-0, 6-2 Won Semi-Finals Coco Gauff USA 6-2, 6-4 Won Iga Swiatek displayed a dominant form throughout the tournament, winning most matches in straight sets and even delivering a perfect 6-0, 6-0 victory in the fourth round. Her ability to overcome tough opponents, including Naomi Osaka in a challenging three-set match, highlighted her resilience and skill. Swiatek’s consistent and powerful gameplay paved her way to the finals with relative ease. Jasmine Paolini – Road to Roland Garros 2024 Finals ROUND OPPONENT COUNTRY SCORE RESULT First Round Daria Saville Australia 3-6, 4-6 Won Second Round Hailey Baptiste USA 4-6, 6-7 Won Third Round Bianca Andreescu Canada 1-6, 6-3, 0-6 Won Fourth Round Elina Avanesyan Russia 6-4, 0-6, 1-6 Won Quarter-Finals Elena Rybakina Kazakhstan 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 Won Semi-Finals Mirra Andreeva Russia 6-3, 6-1 Won Jasmine Paolini showed remarkable perseverance and adaptability throughout the tournament, often battling through tough three-set matches.  Her victories over higher-ranked players like Bianca Andreescu and Elena Rybakina showed her ability to rise to the occasion. Paolini’s impressive performance in the semi-finals, where she won convincingly, highlighted her growing confidence and skill on the court. Paolini became a professional player in 2011, however before this year, she had never made it past the second round of a major tournament. She first made it into the main draw of a Slam in 2019, at the age of 23. Standing at 5’4″. In 2024, Paolini had a standout year. She reached the round of 16 at the Australian Open and won the WTA 1000 event in Dubai. Roland Garros 2024 Finals Prediction Watching Paolini’s recent rise has been exciting. She doesn’t usually overpower her opponents. However, on the days when her forehand is strong (like in her semifinal win against Andreeva), she can challenge them. On the other hand, Swiatek at the French Open is a tough opponent. The 23-year-old from Poland has an impressive record of 31 wins and just 1 loss in her last 32 French Open games. Swiatek has beaten Paolini twice before without losing. Paolini, who had never made it past the round of 16 in a Grand Slam before, has reached this final from relative obscurity. Her wins over Rybakina in three sets and Andreeva in two sets were great, however, nothing suggests Swiatek will struggle in the Grand Slam Final. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye

T20 World Cup: Why the USA win over Pakistan is bad for the ICC!

US Cricket

The USA cricket is over the moon right now and rightfully so! On Thursday, the 2024 T20 World Cup debutants stunned the 2009 edition champions, Pakistan in Texas. The match went into the Super Over, but the USA responded well under pressure – both with the bat and the ball, and bagged two crucial points. The win now takes Monank Patel and company to the top of the table. Points Table – Group A – ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Position Team Matches W/L Points 1 USA 02 2/0 4 2 India 01 1/0 2 3 Pakistan 01 0/1 0 4 Canada 01 0/1 0 5 Ireland 01 0/1 0 Also Read: USA Cricket Team: Pro Athletes or Daily Wage Workers? Who would have envisioned this situation at the start of the T20 World Cup? USA sits at the top spot with two wins from two matches, followed by India, with one win and two points. Pakistan, Canada, and Ireland are yet to open their account, with three matches each pending at their disposal. What if Pakistan makes an early exit? USA’s win over Pakistan is celebrated worldwide, but with the latter now on the brink, the ICC might feel the pressure, revenue-wise. An early Pakistan exit from the tournament might have repercussions for the game’s governing body. Such is the unpredictability of the Pakistan cricket team, that it has now put the ICC into jeopardy, with their shameful loss to the USA. a) Market Impact Pakistan is one of the most followed teams in world cricket and brings massive viewership and sponsorship. If Pakistan makes an early exit from the T20 World Cup, this could lead to a decrease in interest and revenue. b) Broadcast ratings Matches featuring Pakistan are a goldmine for broadcasters and attract high TV ratings. An early exit from the tournament could affect advertising revenue and broadcast deals for the ICC. c) Sponsorship and Advertising Leading brands invest heavily in top teams with large fan bases, and Pakistan happens to be one of them. A poor showing from Pakistan and an early exit could sway the sponsors and the advertisers away, thus impacting the ICC’s future financial aspects. d) Merchandise Sales Pakistan’s poor showing in the World Cup could result in a decline in the sales of team-related products. They have one of the biggest fan followings around the world, and their merchandise sales come in the top 3, behind India and Australia. e) Competitive Balance For the moment, it looks like the USA is a strong contender to make it to the Super 8s. However, there is a huge chance of them succumbing to big-match pressure in the knockouts. A side like Pakistan would add more competitive balance to the T20 World Cup. f) Global appeal A strong Pakistan team is so critical for the ICC to fulfill its aim of globalizing cricket. Pakistan’s strong performance is vital for sustaining global engagement. Conclusion – Can India save the ICC? To conclude, while the USA’s win is a significant achievement for them, it poses several challenges for the ICC in terms of viewership, sponsorship, and maintaining the tournament’s competitive allure. The USA’s win over Pakistan may lead to financial losses for the ICC, affecting revenue, broadcast ratings, sponsorship, merchandise sales, and global interest in the tournament. Will the India vs Pakistan match on June 09th be a knockout one for Babar Azam and company? If yes, then the ICC should be ready to bear losses in millions, this time thanks to the USA. Former Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh has already fired a warning. A lot more is now riding on India’s shoulders, and the stakes have risen way above anyone’s expectations. Is Pakistan’s stay at the 2024 T20 World Cup all but over?

India vs Pakistan: How will the Nassau County Stadium Pitch Behave on June 9th?

Rohit Sharma & Babar Azam

“I don’t know what to expect from the pitch, to be honest,” Rohit Sharma said in the post-match presentation at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York. India steamrolled Ireland by 8 wickets, but for the Blues, there were more questions than were left unanswered in the middle. The biggest one was the up-and-down nature of the pitch. Up next is an India vs Pakistan encounter at the same venue. Rohit wasn’t the only one, who was left confused by the way the pitch behaved throughout the game. Mind you, the Hitman was the only batter to cross a half-century in the entire match. Also Read: India vs Pakistan – How to get to the Nassau County Stadium? Maybe Rohit, echoed the sentiment of every Indian cricket fan, and to an extent Pakistan cricket fan too. An India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup match is arguably the biggest game of the entire tournament. The pitch at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York has been the talking point for the pundits, players and media, for all the wrong reasons. The last two competitive T20Is played at the venue have yielded a mere 350 runs, at the expense of 26 wickets. No side, while batting first has managed to breach the 100-run-mark so far. Nassau County Pitch in Numbers Total Matches Highest Team Total Highest Individual Score (Batter) Best Bowling Figure Pacers Spinners 02 97/2 (India vs Ireland) 52* Rohit Sharma vs Ireland 04/07 Anrich Nortje vs Sri Lanka 18 wickets 05 wickets The bowlers, especially pacers with 18 wickets from two matches are not complaining one bit. South Africa’s Anrich Nortje and India’s Jasprit Bumrah have emerged as the player of the match for their respective sides. So, where do these numbers stand with context to the high-profile India vs Pakistan billing? India vs Pakistan: Expect Batters to struggle, bowlers to shine The way things have panned out so far, and with the conditions likely to stay overcast, expect the India vs Pakistan contest to be a low-scoring one. Both the teams have excellent fast bowlers in their lineup – Jasprit Bumrah, Shaheen Afridi, Md. Siraj, and Haris Rauf to name a few. Unless the batters play out of their skins, either team batting first will struggle to put a score over 135 or more. The wicket is a challenging one, with some deliveries staying very low, while others jump off the wicket, making life troublesome for the batters. A lot of this has to do with the drop-in pitch used at the Nassau County Cricket Stadium. The drop-in pitch made in Australia, was flown all over to New York City, right before the start of the tournament. Experts have already started criticizing the drop-in pitches, which are not conducive for T20 cricket, especially during the World Cups. Voice of Indian cricket Harsha Bhogle cannot imagine a big name of India vs Pakistan magnitude taking place on drop-in pitches like the one at Nassau County Stadium. India vs Pakistan Match Tickets: Cricket Fans’ In For a Shocker? Earlier, it was reported that the cost of one ticket for India vs Pakistan is costing the fans close to Rs 8.4 Lakh or even more. In case you are an overseas traveller, then one must include the travel cost, and other expenses too. So, to watch the contest on June 9th, fans are already spending a fortune. What looks like a low-scoring match already is spending close to Rs 9 Lakh just for a ticket, justifiable by any stretch of the imagination? The ICC’s major blunder is going to cost India and Pakistan cricket fans millions of dollars, and there’s nothing you can do about it. Don’t be surprised, if the much-anticipated clash between India and Pakistan, scheduled on June 9th, ends up being a disappointment. The ICC has made all the preparations to ensure that this marquee match, turns out to be a one-sided affair. Team India Squad: Rohit Sharma (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (wk), Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube Pakistan Squad: Babar Azam (c), Saim Ayub, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Azam Khan (wk), Usman Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Amir, Abbas Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed.

Nassau County Stadium Pitch: ICC in Panic Mode as India Faces Pakistan?

ICC addresses pitch concerns at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium ahead of India vs Pakistan clash in ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has issued a statement addressing concerns over the drop-in pitch at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York. The pitches at this venue have been under scrutiny for their inconsistent performance, with the ICC acknowledging that the surfaces “have not played consistently.” Efforts are ongoing to improve the conditions for future matches at the stadium, including the highly anticipated India vs. Pakistan fixture in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. The Issue with Drop-In Pitches at NassauThe drop-in pitches at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium have produced low-scoring games, characterized by unpredictable bounce and lack of consistency. So far, two ICC Men’s T20 World Cup matches have been played on these pitches, both resulting in significantly low scores. In the first game, Sri Lanka was bowled out for a mere 77 runs, and in a subsequent match, Ireland managed only 96 runs before being dismissed. New Developments with Unused PitchesPitch No. 2 and Pitch No. 3 at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium have not yet been used for any games. Observations indicate that grass has been shaved off one of these surfaces, potentially signaling a different playing condition compared to the previously used pitches. These pitches could be crucial for the upcoming matches, including the much-anticipated India vs. Pakistan game scheduled for June 9. Potential Impact on India vs Pakistan MatchThe upcoming India vs Pakistan clash is one of the most anticipated matches of the tournament, drawing massive attention from fans worldwide. The low-scoring nature of the games at Nassau raises several concerns and potential impacts for this high-stakes encounter: 1. Playing Conditions and StrategyBoth India and Pakistan will need to adjust their strategies to cope with the unpredictable nature of the pitch. Batting might be challenging, requiring batters to focus on technique and patience rather than aggressive stroke play. Bowlers, especially those who can exploit variations in bounce, could have a significant advantage. This might lead to a more conservative approach from batsmen, resulting in a lower-scoring game. 2. Player Performance and AdaptationKey players from both sides will be tested in adapting to the pitch conditions. Star batters like Virat Kohli for India and Babar Azam for Pakistan will need to demonstrate their versatility and ability to perform under challenging conditions, given that both of them haven’t had a decent outing in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 yet.  Bowlers such as Jasprit Bumrah for India and Shaheen Afridi for Pakistan may play pivotal roles, with their ability to capitalize on the pitch’s irregularities and the uneven bounce, if any, that day being crucial to their teams’ success. 3. Fan Expectations and Entertainment ValueLow-scoring games can sometimes lead to thrilling finishes, but they can also be less entertaining for fans expecting high-scoring fireworks typical of T20 cricket. The ICC will need to manage fan expectations and ensure the quality of the spectacle remains high despite the challenging pitch conditions. No one pays a lump sum just to watch their teams either build up or chase low scores.  4. Impact on ICC and the T20 World CupThe ICC’s reputation is at stake, as consistent criticism of pitch quality can overshadow the tournament. Ensuring fair and competitive matches is essential for maintaining the integrity and excitement of the World Cup. The ICC’s efforts to address the pitch issues will be closely monitored. Any significant improvements in the pitch conditions before the India vs. Pakistan match could restore confidence among teams and fans. ICC’s Response and Future ProspectsThe ICC has assured that they are actively working to resolve the issues with the pitches at Nassau. Solutions to enhance the playing surface’s consistency are being explored to ensure better conditions for the remaining matches. The outcome of these efforts will be critical not only for the India vs. Pakistan game but for the overall success of the T20 World Cup at this venue. The low-scoring games at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium have highlighted the challenges of maintaining consistent pitch quality. The upcoming India vs. Pakistan clash will test the adaptability and resilience of both teams. The ICC’s swift and effective response to these pitch concerns will be vital in preserving the tournament’s competitive spirit and entertainment value. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye.

Pak vs USA: Gary Kirsten – Once Dhoni’s Delight, Now Babar’s Rolling Stone

Gary Kirsten

Don’t be surprised if Gary Kirsten’s tenure as Pakistan’s head coach ends after the 2024 T20 World Cup. The start hasn’t gone according to plan. On Thursday, the USA stunned Pakistan by 5 runs in a thrilling Super Over contest in Dallas, Texas. Kirsten is fondly remembered by Indians for guiding MS Dhoni and Blue Brigade to a 2011 World Cup triumph. Now, with Pakistan as Babar Azam‘s rolling stone, the South African has come under harsh criticism. Also Read: USA’s win over Pakistan, cost ICC millions Irfan Pathan Criticises Gary Kirsten & Babar Azam Post the heartbreaking loss, both the team and the Pakistan Cricket Board are facing severe backlash back home. Gary Kirsten has also come in the firing line. Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan has openly criticised Pakistan’s head coach role, for the team’s shameful loss to the USA. “He will know that there is a lot of difference between handling Indian cricket and Pakistan cricket,” Irfan said, during commentary with Star Sports. Irfan was also critical of Pakistan skipper Babar Azam, who he felt batted miserably, and then captained poorly when the pressure was on. He slammed his choice of bowler for the Super Over and also pointed out the poor role played by head coach Gary Kirsten. After the loss to the USA, Pakistan needs to beat India on June 9th. The match will be played at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York. A loss to India, and Pakistan can nearly bid their T20 World Cup campaign goodbye. As far as Gary Kirsten is concerned, he was brought on as Pakistan’s head coach with a lot of hope. However, there’s nothing much he can do, if his players put up a paltry show, like the one against the USA in Texas. Kirsten is still loved and adored by Indian cricketers and fans. However, come June 9th, he will be in the opposition corner. Team India led by Rohit Sharma knows how to deal with the opposition, especially when the color is green, and the occasion is a World Cup game. Also Read: India vs Pakistan – H2H stats in ICC events

2024 T20 World Cup: USA Stuns Pakistan, Babar Azam & Co. on Survival Mode vs India?

Elimination clouds over Pakistan after a stunning loss to USA; must defeat India to stay in ICC Men's T20 World Cup contention.

Pakistan, once again failed to live up to the expectations at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 as they were stunned by the USA in a Group-A encounter. Saurabh Netravalkar, an Indian with a Green Card made sure Pakistan was kept at bay in the super over.  Chasing 19 in the super over, Pakistan only scored 13 runs, losing the game by 5 runs. The win over Pakistan has meant USA are now unbeaten in their opening two matches. Pakistan now are on a survival-mode as they would be playing for their pride as they next take on their arch rivals, India. The question is will Pakistan be able to manage their Super 8 qualification or will India send them back to their huts? India vs Pakistan – A Do-Or-Die Game For PakistanBabar Azam’s team has a tough job ahead to move up the points table and reach the knockouts. They are currently third in Group A, while the USA and India have not lost any matches yet. A win against India is crucial for Pakistan to stay in contention for the Super-8 stage. If they lose to their neighbors, Pakistan might increase the risk of being knocked out of the tournament. Pakistan still has a chance to qualify for the Super 8s. The best outcome would be a win against their rivals, India. If Pakistan loses to India, they will need the USA to lose their remaining two matches against Ireland and India, and Pakistan will have to win both of their last two matches after playing India. You may also like: How can Pakistan qualify for Super 8s?Pakistan needs at least six points from their four group stage matches. They have already lost one match to the USA, making the path ahead difficult for the team. Under coach Gary Kirsten, the team must win all their remaining three matches in the group stage. Another loss would mean Pakistan has to depend on the results of other Group A matches. As Pakistan tries to qualify for the Super 8 stage of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, the situation is clear. With six points needed and only three matches left, Pakistan must win all three to secure their place in the next stage. The team faces a tough challenge but is determined to perform their best in these crucial matches. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye

2024 T20 World Cup: Are you planning to watch India vs Pakistan on June 09? Know This Before Leaving For New York

Rohit Sharma & Babar Azam

The 2024 T20 World Cup is here. Though there are 20 teams and 55 matches are due to be played across nine venues in the competition, but if there is one match which the fans are waiting with bated breath, is the one between India and Pakistan. Both of these archrivals will lock horns on June 9th at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York. No Indian or Pakistani cricket fan would like to miss the match at any cost. By that, we mean that the tickets are really costly. Watching an India vs. Pakistan match in New York is likely to burn a hole in your pocket. What’s the ticket price for India vs Pakistan match? Are you planning to watch the India vs Pakistan match in New York on June 09th? Well, if the answer to that question is yes, then be ready to shell out a minimum of US $300 for the match. As per the ICC official ticket page, the India vs Pakistan match is a sold out already, with only a handful of tickets left. Ticket and seat availability: India vs Pakistan – June 09th As per reports, India vs Pakistan match tickets are sold out, and the ones remaining are being sold at double/triple the original prices. The price of India vs Pakistan match tickets on resale sites like StubHub and SeatGeek has crossed ₹1 crore already. Even major sporting events in the US like the NBA or Major League Baseball do not stand a chance against an Indo-Pak clash. The minimum price of an India vs Pakistan game is higher than that of the knockouts, semi-final, and even the final. That’s the impact of the arch-rivalry, where one match fetches the ICC, the revenue for the entire tournament. India vs Pakistan – How many tickets are available for the general public? No matter where they play, whenever India and Pakistan lock horns on the cricket field, cricket fans are expected to make a beeline for match-tickets, outside the venue or at the ICC ticket portal. The Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York has a holding capacity of 34,000 fans. This means the amount of tickets available for the general public is expected to go down drastically. As per the ICC-cricket.com: “A small allocation of tickets is reserved for event partners and sponsors. All remaining tickets will be available to the public via the official ticketing website: tickets.t20worldcup.com.” Now, the number of tickets released to the general public depends on the ICC and the host nation’s cricket board. The range is between 30 percent and 50 percent. For eg: During the 2023 Men’s ODI World Cup in India, the Eden Gardens in Kolkata released only 32,000 tickets per game for sale to the general public. In another scenario, the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai released only 13,000 tickets for the general public, though it had a capacity of 37,000 spectators. In such a scenario, it is expected that the US Cricket Association will issue 11,000 to 17,000 tickets for cricket-crazy fans from India and Pakistan for the high-octane clash. Fans can request up to a maximum of six tickets per match, subject to availability. New York Cricket Stadium – What’s the latest on the venue? The ICC has released the first look of the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York. Olympic champion Usain Bolt alongside famous cricketers – Pakistan’s Shoaib Malik, West Indies’ Sir Curtly Ambrose, England’s Liam Plunkett, and USA cricketers Corey Anderson, and Monank Patel were present during the landmark event. Bolt, also dubbed as the fastest man on the planet, expressed confidence that the USA will be able to successfully co-host the 2024 T20 World Cup alongside the West Indies. “Coming from the Caribbean where cricket is a part of life, I’m very excited to be part of the T20 World Cup coming to the USA for the first time, co-hosting with the West Indies. Getting one of the sport’s biggest events into the USA is a big milestone and can provide a launching pad leading towards cricket’s inclusion in the LA Olympics in 2028,” Bolt said. “The new stadium is going to be a fantastic place to watch from. It’s very enclosed and you feel very close to the action. I can imagine it will be full of energy when cricket fans get to Nassau County International Stadium next month.” The 34,000-seater capacity temporary stadium is one of its kind, and is believed to be one of the largest ever constructed cricket stadiums in the US’ history. The stadium features extensive hospitality and media pavilions on the north and south ends. This also joins the east and west general admission stands. Talking about the new additions the stadium has Cabana seats in the North pavilion to go with the Corner Club seats which also has a private party area. Though cricket might be a fairly new sport for the Americans, and they are getting to terms with the sport, but even they do understand what’s the atmosphere like in an India vs Pakistan match during an ICC event. “India versus Pakistan is probably equivalent to our Super Bowl. So we have made tickets available through our [International Cricket Council] host commission and there are some set aside for community groups and cricket teams here locally,” Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman said. “We want to make sure that this tournament in particular really is a celebration of the people that have stayed involved in the game of cricket in the USA for many years now since many of them moved to this country and now call it home,” said Bret Jones, CEO of the ICC. The last time India and Pakistan locked horns in a T20 World Cup came at the MCG, Melbourne in 2022. Team India required a Virat Kohli special to get out of jail and beat the arch-rivals by 4 wickets. However, Pakistan went on to the final, where they lost to eventual champions England, at

Is Sunil Chhetri India’s Richest Footballer?

Sunil Chhetri

One more legend walks into the sunset. It was an emotional night for arguably, India’s best footballer ever Sunil Chhetri. The match ended in a goalless draw, but for Indian fans, the result was secondary. The great man couldn’t control his tears and along with him cried millions of football fans. The day was a long time coming, but when was the question? In the early hours of May 16, 2024, Chhetri posted a video on his official X channel, with the caption – ‘I’d like to say something…’ Many would have guessed it right, but even then, there were several, others, who didn’t want to hear it. At 39 years of age, and having represented India in 151 matches, Sunil Chhetri decided to hang his boots. Here’s the video. After Chhetri announced that the June 6th game against Kuwait, a FIFA World Cup qualifier, would be his last international appearance for the Blue Tigers, the support was unbelievable one. The match played at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, West Bengal had 58,000 supporters just to cheer for Chhetri. Even, some of the greats couldn’t help themselves but salute the champion footballer. Is Chhetri, the richest Indian footballer? Emotion-wise, yes, but if one talks about the net worth, then Sunil Chhetri isn’t the richest footballer in India. As per the latest report, Chhetri’s net worth is around USD 1.5 million (Rs 12.30 Crore). However, the richest footballer in India is Gouramangi Singh Moirangthem, with a reported net worth of USD 5 million (Rs 41 Crore). Singh is a former professional footballer who represented India in 71 matches between 2006 and 2013. He currently serves as an assistant coach of the ISL club Goa, having called time on his playing days in 2019. Talking of Chhetri, his major source of earnings comes from the ISL, where he plays for Bengaluru FC. He earns close to Rs 10 Lakh per match, and his expected earnings for a year, comes close to Rs 1 Crore. Chhetri is ahead of Singh in terms of goal-scoring for the Blues but trails when it comes to net worth. Even his teammate and goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu has a net worth of Rs 30 Crore. This is nearly 2.5 times Chhetri’s net worth. Former men’s football team skipper Baichung Bhutia has a net worth of Rs 5 Crore, again better than Chhetri. It seems like post-retirement, Chhetri has a lot more catching to do and score big off the pitch to even come close to his ex-teammates bank balance and net worth.

Novak Djokovic Offers Crucial Injury Update Post-French Open 2024 HeartBreak

Novak Djokovic undergoes successful knee surgery after withdrawing from French Open, aiming to return for Olympics.

Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion has provided a crucial injury updates to all his fans, through X. Djokovic in his recent post has stated  that he will return to the court as soon as possible.  In his X (Twitter) post, he said,  “In the past day, I had to make some tough decisions after sustaining a meniscus tear during my last match. I’m still processing it all but I am happy to update you that the surgery went well. I am so appreciative of the team of doctors who have been by my side…… as well as the overwhelming support I have received from my fans. I’m going to do my best to be healthy and fit to return to the court as soon as possible.My love for this sport is strong and the desire to compete at the highest level is what keeps me going. Idemooo ” Djokovic may skip Wimbledon and aim to recover fully for the Olympic Games in Paris, beginning on July 26th. Djokovic, in his twitter post also mentioned about his love for the sport and his desire to step out onto the court again. The Serb also ensured to his fans that he won’t be leaving the court soon. What happened to Novak Djokovic? Novak Djokovic had to withdraw from the 2024 French Open right before his quarter-final match against Casper Ruud. He sustained a knee injury, during a tough five-set match against Francisco Cerundolo.  Djokovic blamed the ‘slippery’ clay courts at Roland Garros, as he needed a medical timeout and painkillers to continue playing. An MRI scan showed he had a torn meniscus, so the world No. 1 decided to pull out of the tournament and had surgery in Paris on Wednesday. He is expected to be out for at least three weeks, making it unlikely he will be ready for the next Grand Slam at Wimbledon, which starts on July 1 at the All England Club. Djokovic might miss Wimbledon and instead focus on being fully fit for the Olympic Games in Paris, which start on July 26. In a new update on social media on Thursday, Djokovic confirmed that he had surgery and said it was successful. He is now trying to get back to playing as soon as possible. However, he did not give a specific time for his return or say if he would be able to play at Wimbledon, where he has won seven singles titles. You may also like: The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye

Rohit Sharma Injury: Will Hitman be fit for the Match Against Pakistan?

Courtesy: BCCI

Team India‘s 8-wicket win against Ireland on Wednesday in New York, could prove costly. Captain Rohit Sharma suffered an elbow injury, that forced him to retire hurt due to precautionary reasons. Rohit was batting fluently, having scored an unbeaten 52 runs off just 37 balls, until Ireland pacer Josh Little’s back-of-the-length delivery in the 9th over hit his upper arm. With a bit of discomfort, Rohit had to walk back to the pavilion, leaving the fans concerned. Soon Rohit’s fitness became a talking point on social media as the big match against Pakistan isn’t too far away. Will Rohit Sharma play against Pakistan? The good news though is that Rohit Sharma’s injury is not a serious one. The Indian Captain opened up on his fitness concerns in the post-match chit-chat in just one line. “Yeah, just a little sore (the arm),” said Rohit Sharma Not just Rohit, but wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant too got a hit on his elbow in the 11th over, again bowled by Josh Little. Before getting retired hurt, the Hitman’s knock was good enough to put India on the path to chasing a paltry 97 runs to win at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium. Also Read: India vs Pakistan – Rivalry over the years Rishabh Pant was there till the end, finishing the match for Team India in the 13th over with an audacious reverse-sweep lap for a six. Coming back to Rohit Sharma, the Indian fans need not get worried. The Hitman will lead the charge against the arch-rivals, come June 09th. However, the Hitman wasn’t too sure what to expect from the wicket for the Pakistan clash. “I don’t know what to expect from the pitch to be honest. We will prepare as if the conditions are going to be like this (for the Pakistan game). This is going to be a kind of game where all XI of us will need to contribute. It was scratchy, but good to spend some time in the middle and understand what kind of shots to play there,” Rohit said after the match India takes on Pakistan at the same venue on Sunday. Given the overcast conditions and the pitch favoring the bowlers, it seems like a hard day at the office for batters. In this case, Rohit Sharma’s role becomes even more important. For directions to the Nassau County Cricket Stadium, click here.