Paris 2024: Lakshya Sen to Face Lee Zii Jia for Bronze
Indian star badminton player Lakshya Sen will have the opportunity once again to win an Olympic medal at Paris Olympics 2024. After engaging in a nail-biter of a semifinal against the reigning Olympic champion and top seed Viktor Axelsen, Sen lost 20-22, 14-21, and now faces off in the bronze medal match against Malaysia’s Lee Zii Jia on Monday, 5th August 2024, at the Adidas Arena. Determined to Make History Even with this setback, Lakshya Sen remains keen to become the first-ever Indian men’s singles shuttler to win an Olympic badminton medal and only the third Indian overall to finish on the podium. His opponent in this event, Lee Zii Jia of Malaysia, also lost his semi-final encounter with the world champion, Kunlavut Vitidsarn of Thailand, in straight games 14-21, 15-21. Head-to-head Advantage Historically, Lakshya Sen has held sway over Lee Zii Jia with a 4-1 win-loss record between them. All matches between them have been riveting and tightly fought. Indeed, Sen went on to win their last fight in the All England Open 2024 quarterfinals in an intriguingly tightly contested match, 20-22, 21-16, 21-19. Recap of Their Last Five Meetings LAKSHYA SEN VS LEE ZII JIA- LAST FIVE MEETINGS Tournament Round Winner Score All England Open 2024 Quarterfinal Lakshya Sen 20-22, 21-16, 21-19 Indonesia Open 2023 Round of 32 Lakshya Sen 21-17, 21-13 Thomas Cup 2022 Quarterfinal Lee Zii Jia 21-23, 9-21 All England Open 2022 Semifinal Lakshya Sen 21-13, 12-21, 21-19 India International Series 2016 First Round Lakshya Sen 11-13, 11-3, 11-6, 11-6 1. India International Series (2016) Sen won that first ever clash on the junior circuit 4-0, though the format of the match was 11 points per set as opposed to the current norm. 2. All England Open 2022 Semi-Final Sen won an intense contest 21-13, 12-21, 21-19 to become the first Indian men’s singles player since Pullela Gopichand in 2001 to make it to the All England Open semi-finals. 3. Thomas Cup 2022 Quarter-Final He alone lost to Lee Zii Jia, Sen (21-23, 9-21), when he struggled with his form during the competition. 4. Indonesia Open 2023 Round of 32 Both players were struggling for form, but Sen won (21-17, 21-13). 5. All England Open 2024 Quarter-Final The exciting battle saw Sen pip Lee Zii Jia at the post (20-22, 21-16, 21-19). Looking Ahead to the Bronze Medal Match With a 4-1 head-to-head advantage over Sen, he will go into the bronze medal match at the Paris Olympics 2024 quite confidently. While Lee Zii Jia will come back hard at him and make it a great contest, the Indian shuttler will also draw confidence from the two previous victories against Lee and will come into the bronze medal match brimmed with confidence to script history for Indian badminton at the Paris Olympics 2024. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
SL vs IND: Head to Head In ODI’s
The ODI series will see India and Sri Lanka moving to Colombo right after the series conclusion of the T20I series. In the IND vs SL ODI series, there are three matches scheduled for the series, out of which the first one is on Friday, August 2, 2024. The return of captain Rohit Sharma, who comes back into the team following Suryakumar Yadav‘s captaincy in the T20I series, will certainly boost India. Indeed, Sharma is the captain of the team in both ODIs and Tests. It will be the same case for Sri Lanka, who will retain Charith Asalanka as their skipper for the ODI series. Though he was not able to handle his team as expected in the T20I series with an end result of 3-0. Ahead of the IND vs SL 1st ODI at the R Premadasa Stadium, here are the complete head-to-head records between India and Sri Lanka in One Day Internationals. Check out more insights from the ODI leg of India’s tour of Sri Lanka here. Head-To-Head India has played 168 ODI matches against Sri Lanka. Out of these, India has won 99, while Sri Lanka has won 57 games. Besides, 11 matches ended without a result, and 1 match ended in a tie. INDIA vs SRI LANKA HEAD-TO-HEAD IN ODI’s CATEGORY INDIA SRI LANKA Matches Played 168 168 Matches Won 99 57 Matches Lost 57 99 No Result 11 11 Tied 1 1 Home Wins 40 28 Away Wins 32 12 Neutral Venue Wins 27 17 Head-to-Head: Recent 5 Encounters Of the last five ODI outings between these two teams, all have been won by India. However, the home series in July 2021 did see Sri Lanka win one ODI game out of the three. Of these five matches, three have been hosted in India and two in Sri Lanka. India will eye to add one more series win against their name while Sri Lanka will be playing for their pride after a 3-0 loss in theT20I series. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
SL vs IND: ODI Series Kicks Off in Colombo
The three-match ODI series between India and Sri Lanka gets underway on Friday, 2ns August, 2024 at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo. Big Names Return for India Bolstered by the return of senior players, including captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, K.L. Rahul, and Kuldeep Yadav, the Indian Cricket Team is looking to keep the winning momentum going. Unlike the T20 format, India has an extremely solid core for the 50-over game; this series will go a long way in cementing places within the team and grooming future talent. Squad Focus and Strategy With only six ODIs to be played before the ICC Champions Trophy in February 2025, the upcoming series becomes very important for the new coach and captain to stamp their strategy. The third pacer to complement Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj features at the top of the list of areas to focus on. On the other hand, Mohammed Shami, an exceptional performer in the World Cup last year, will be tried alongside new talent like Arshdeep Singh, Khaleel Ahmed, and IPL sensation Harshit Rana. The blinding six-wicket haul was by Siraj at this very venue during the Asia Cup, so he will spearhead the pace attack. Wicketkeeper Dilemma Another call pending for the Indian team is at the wicketkeeper’s position. K.L. Rahul has been effective both as a batsman and ‘keeper, but with Rishabh Pant back in the ODI set-up, the team has a strategic call to make. Pant would provide an extra left-hand option in batting, but may restrict India to five bowlers. Sri Lanka’s Injury Woes It’s an injurious start to the series for Sri Lanka, with key pacers Dilshan Madushanka and Matheesha Pathirana out of action. Clearly a case of improvements needed, their struggles in the T20 series were marked by middle-order collapses. A second-string pace attack makes Sri Lanka heavily dependent on their spinners to test India’s strong batting line-up. The team is keen to end a ten-match losing streak against India and provide a boost for their fans. INDIA Rohit Sharma (Capt.), Ꮪhubman Gill, Virat Kohli, K.L. Rahul, Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, Shivam Dube, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohd. Siraj, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Riyan Parag, Axar Patel, Khaleel Ahmed, Harshit Rana. SRI LANKA Charith Asalanka (Capt.), Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Kamindu Mendis, Janith Liyanage, Nishan Madushka, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Akila Dananjaya, Asitha Fernando, Mohamed Shiraz and Eshan Malinga. Match Details The first ODI will start at 14:30 IST and both the teams will be looking to start the series on a winning note. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Swapnil Kusale: The Calm Marksman Inspired by MS Dhoni
Hailing from Kambalwadi village near Kolhapur in Maharashtra, Swapnil Kusale started competing at the international level back in 2012 and finally made his Olympic debut at the Paris Olympics 2024. The 29-year-old shooter hopes to emulate another cricket icon, M S Dhoni, who happened to be a former railway ticket collector. Inspired by Dhoni Kusale, working with Central Railways since 2015, has always been an admirer of former India captain Dhoni because of his calmness and patience, which are two very important virtues for cricket and shooting alike. “I don’t follow anyone specific in the shooting world. Outside of that, I admire Dhoni for the person that he is. My sport requires me to be as calm and patient as he is on the field. I also relate to his story as I am a ticket collector like he was,” Kusale shared. One could see his admiration for Dhoni’s life story as he has watched the biopic of the World Cup-winning cricketer numerous times. Family Support and Local Roots Kusale draws strength from more than just his admiration for Dhoni. His father and brother work as teachers in a district school, and his mother is the sarpanch of Kambalwadi village. It is this strong family foundation that has contributed heavily to his rise through the ranks to the Olympics. An Aim to Win Olympic Medals In a tight qualification, Kusale finished seventh and only ahead of his Czech rivals through counting inner 10s – he scored 38 to their 36. Afterwards Kusale explained his strategy for the event: “Every shot is a new shot. I was just trying to be patient. The whole match I had the same mindset. Just shoot with patience. At the back of the mind, you are thinking about your scores but it is better if you don’t.“ Coach’s Confidence and Peers’ Motivation National coach Manoj Kumar Ohlyan sounded quite confident about Kusale’s prospects in the finals, saying, “He is in a good frame of mind. We are hoping for the best. We just want him to perform the way he did today. He was patient. He is good technically and physically.“ She also took inspiration from fellow shooter Manu Bhaker, who had enjoyed unprecedented success at the Games. “It has been a great experience so far. I love shooting and I am glad that I have been able to do it for so long. Seeing Manu do well gives us a lot of confidence. If she can do it, we can do it too,” Kusale said. Keeping cool, his Dhoni-like patient calm will be equally important as he waits for a final placing, hopefully inside the top three, that will catapult him into the ranks of Indian sport’s high achievers. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Is Sanju Samson Caught Between Opportunities and Expectations?
Another opportunity, same old result. That’s how someone can probably describe Sanju Samson’s cricketing stint so far in the Indian jersey. Sanju Samson’s journey in T20I internationals has become a tale of missed opportunities and mounting pressure. Despite the fervent support from his fans and his long-standing presence in the Indian cricket circuit, Samson’s recent performances have left much to be desired. The stark reality of his recent innings—a golden duck followed by another zero in just four balls—has only intensified the debate about his place in the squad. A Decade In Indian Cricket Having been part of the Indian Cricket Team for nearly a decade, one would expect Samson to have made a more significant impact. Unfortunately, the numbers haven’t been kind to him. His struggle to secure a consistent spot in the playing XI is evident, with limited chances to prove his mettle. While he was benched throughout the T20 World Cup, the team’s success with Rishabh Pant in the XI did little to alleviate the mounting pressure on Samson. Misfiring With The Bat In the latest T20I series against Sri Lanka, Samson’s appearances have been underwhelming. He was dismissed for a duck in his second T20I and failed to make an impression in his subsequent opportunity. These setbacks have not only been disappointing for his fans but also challenging for Samson, who faces an uphill battle to secure his place in the team. Contrasting Fortunes In IPL Interestingly, Samson’s fortunes appear to be more favorable in the IPL. Leading the Rajasthan Royals, he consistently shows his skills and leadership. His performances in the IPL often shine brightly, a stark contrast to his T20I struggles. This disparity raises questions about the reasons behind his inconsistent performances when playing for the Indian Cricket Team. Despite his talent and occasional brilliance, Samson has struggled to replicate his IPL success in international matches. His one memorable knock—a century against South Africa in Paarl earlier this year—seems like a distant memory amidst his recent flops. For a player of his caliber, such inconsistencies are a cause for concern. Fierce Competition The competition for a place in the Indian Cricket Team is fierce, with players like Rishabh Pant, Ishan Kishan, and Jitesh Sharma all vying for the wicketkeeper position. In such a competitive environment, Samson’s challenges are not only with his performance but also with the pressure of competing against top-notch talent. Despite the challenges, Samson remains a cricketer who thrives in a supportive and relaxed environment. His ability to perform well when given a clear role and freedom to express himself has been evident in his IPL outings. However, replicating that form in international cricket remains a challenge. As Samson continues to navigate his career, the hope is that he will be granted the opportunity to showcase his true potential. With the right backing and a longer run in the team, there’s still a chance for him to rise to the occasion and solidify his place in the Indian cricketing lineup. For now, he remains a cricketer caught between the expectations of his fans and the harsh realities of international cricket. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Paris 2024: Manika Batra; The Face of Indian Table Tennis
Manika Batra has made history by becoming the first Indian table tennis player to reach the round of 16 in the singles competition at Paris Olympics 2024. The 29-year-old, known for her impressive skills and determination, showcased a dominant performance by defeating France’s higher-ranked Prithika Pavade 4-0. In a match filled with excitement, Manika clinched victory with game scores of 11-9, 11-6, 11-9, and 11-7. Her opponent, the 19-year-old Pavade, has Indian roots, as her parents originally hailed from Puducherry before moving to France in 2003. Her Journey Manika Batra’s story began in Delhi, where she grew up as the youngest of three siblings. Her love for table tennis was sparked at the young age of four, influenced by her elder sister Anchal and brother Sahil, who also played the sport. Recognizing her talent early on, she began training under coach Sandeep Gupta at Hans Raj Model School after winning a state-level under-8 tournament. Her career quickly took off, with a silver medal in the under-21 category at the 2011 Chile Open marking the start of her international journey. Manika represented India at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the 2014 Asian Games, reaching the quarterfinals in both events. Her standout performance at the 2015 Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships, where she won silver in the women’s team and doubles events and bronze in singles. The Golden Moment One of the most defining moments of Manika’s career came at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia. Leading India to a historic gold medal in the women’s team event, she helped the team defeat the previously dominant Singapore squad. Manika also brought home India’s first-ever silver medal in women’s doubles and a historic gold in singles, earning a total of four medals. Her success continued with a team gold at the 2019 Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships, solidifying her place as one of India’s top table tennis players. Looking Forward Reaching the round of 16 at the Paris Olympics 2024 is a new high for Manika, surpassing her previous record at the Tokyo Games, where she was the first Indian women’s table tennis player to reach the round of 32 in singles. Achanta Sharath Kamal had also reached the same stage in the men’s singles at Tokyo. Currently ranked 28th in the world, Manika Batra has been making waves in the world of sports. In 2021, she won the WTT Contender Budapest mixed doubles and the WTT Contender Lasko women’s doubles. She competed in the inaugural WTT Grand Smash event in Singapore in 2022, reaching a career-high ranking of world number four in women’s doubles alongside Archana Girish Kamath. As Manika Batra sets her sights on the upcoming games at Paris Olympics 2024, the entire nation is proudly cheering her. Her dedication, skill and perseverance make her a formidable contender and a proud representative of Indian table tennis in front of the world. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Paris 2024: Sarabjot Singh’s Journey To The Podium
Sarabjot Singh has marked a remarkable milestone in Indian sports by clinching a bronze medal in the 10m Air Pistol mixed team event at the Paris Olympics 2024. Partnering with Manu Bhaker, Singh played a crucial role in securing India’s second medal at Paris 2024, overcoming earlier setbacks to achieve his dream. The Indian duo displayed exceptional skill and composure at the Chateauroux Shooting Centre, defeating South Korea 16-10 in the final. Sarabjot Singh contributed by scoring 110.2 points out of India’s total of 261.3. His performance included pivotal shots of 10.2 and 10.5 that ensured India’s victory. From Humble Beginnings to Olympic Stardom Sarabjot Singh hails from Dheen village in Ambala, Haryana, where his father Jatinder Singh works as a farmer and his mother Hardeep Kaur is a homemaker. His introduction to shooting came during his childhood at a summer camp, where he was captivated by the sight of children using air guns. Though initially aspiring to be a footballer, Singh’s passion shifted to shooting after this experience. In 2014, at the age of 13, Singh expressed his desire to pursue shooting to his father. Despite concerns about the sport’s cost, Singh’s persistent efforts convinced his family to support his decision. His early foray into shooting was marked by a silver medal in his debut district-level tournament, which set the stage for his future successes. Rise to Prominence Singh’s ascent in the shooting world began in earnest when he joined the AR Shooting Academy in Ambala Cantt, training under coach Abhishek Rana. His dedication quickly paid off as he won gold medals at the 2019 Junior World Championship and achieved significant success in subsequent competitions. Singh secured the Asian Games team gold and mixed team silver in 2023 and an individual bronze at the 2023 Asian Championships, which earned him a quota place for the Paris Olympics 2024. Despite his impressive track record, Singh faced a heart-wrenching moment at the Paris Games when he missed out on the final of the men’s 10m pistol event by a narrow margin, finishing ninth with a score of 577-16x. The deciding factor was a single inner 10, highlighting the intense competition and precision required in Olympic shooting. A Triumphant Redemption Sarabjot Singh’s Olympic journey took a triumphant turn with the bronze medal win in the 10m Air Pistol mixed team event. His contribution was crucial as he and Manu Bhaker maintained their lead throughout the match, eventually securing a comfortable victory. Singh was awarded with his first Olympic medal. Click here to know more on how the game went. Manu Bhaker, who had previously won a bronze in the women’s 10m air pistol event, became the first Indian to win multiple medals at a single Olympic Games. Sarabjot Singh’s achievement places him among the elite shooters to have represented India on this prestigious stage. Sarabjot Singh’s journey from a young boy with a dream to an Olympic medalist serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Paris 2024: State Wise Contribution To The Indian Olympic Team
Team India is ready to make their nation proud at the Paris Olympics 2024. The mega tournament in Paris begins on July 26, 2024. As Indian athletes prepare for the event, let’s take a closer look at the states they come from. Andhra Pradesh Andhra Pradesh has some fantastic athletes making the nation proud. We have Dhiraj Bommadevara in archery, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy in badminton, and both Jyothi Yarraji and Jyothika Sri Dandi competing in athletics. Sikkim Sikkim is shining bright with the experienced archer Tarundeep Rai leading the way, showing off the state’s passion for archery. Maharashtra Maharashtra’s contribution is remarkable, featuring Pravin Jadhav in archery, Avinash Sable and Sarvesh Kushare in athletics, Chirag Shetty in badminton, and Swapnil Kusale in shooting. Haryana Haryana, a true powerhouse in Indian sports, has a diverse lineup. Bhajan Kaur will compete in archery, while Neeraj Chopra will dazzle in athletics. The state also boasts a strong team of shooters, including Sarabjot Singh, Anish Bhanwala, Manu Bhaker, and Rhythm Sangwan. In boxing, we have Jaismine Lamboria, Amit Panghal, Nishant Dev, and Preeti Pawar, and wrestling stars Vinesh Phogat, Antim Panghal, Anshu Malik, Nisha Dahiya, and Reetika Hooda. Let’s not forget Sumit, Sanjay, and Abhishek, who will represent us in hockey. Jharkhand Jharkhand’s pride, Deepika Kumari, continues to shine brightly in archery, demonstrating the state’s exceptional talent in this sport. West Bengal From West Bengal, we have Ankita Bhakat in archery, Anush Agarwalla in equestrian, and Ayhika Mukherjee in table tennis, all ready to make a mark. Tamil Nadu Tamil Nadu’s presence is strong with athletes like Jeswin Aldrin, Praveel Chithravel, Santhosh Tamilarasan, Rajesh Ramesh, Subha Venkatesan and Vithya Ramraj in athletics. They also bring Sharath Kamal and Sathiyan G in table tennis, Elavenil Valarivan and Prithviraj Tondaiman in shooting, and sailors Vishnu Saravanan and Nethra Kumanan. N Sriram Balaji will represent them in tennis. Kerala Kerala has an impressive lineup with Abdulla Aboobacker, Muhammed Anas, Muhammed Ajmal, and Mijo Chacko Kurian in athletics. In swimming, we have Srihari Nataraj and Dhinidhi Desinghu, and PR Sreejesh is set to make waves in hockey. Punjab Punjab’s contingent includes Arjun Babuta, Sandeep Singh, Vijayveer Sidhu, and Sift Kaur Samra in shooting. Hockey stars Harmanpreet Singh, Jarmanpreet Singh, Shamsher Singh, Manpreet Singh, Hardik Singh, Sukhjeet Singh, Mandeep Singh, Gurjant Singh, and Jugraj Singh will also represent the state. Golfers Gaganjeet Bhullar and Shubhankar Sharma, along with shooter Anjum Moudgil, add to Punjab’s strong lineup. Delhi Delhi’s athletes include HS Prannoy in badminton, Amoj Jacob in athletics, Tulika Maan in judo, Manika Batra in table tennis, and Rajeshwari Kumari in shooting. Uttarakhand From Uttarakhand, we have Paramjeet Bisht and Ankita Dhyani in athletics, Lakshya Sen in badminton, and Suraj Panwar also in athletics. Uttar Pradesh Uttar Pradesh is represented by Vikas Singh, Parul Chaudhary, Annu Rani, and Priyanka Goswami in athletics. Rajkumar Pal will compete in hockey, and Shubhankar Sharma will showcase his skills in golf. Karnataka Karnataka brings Poovamma MR in athletics, Aditi Ashok in golf, Ashwini Ponnappa in badminton, Archana Kamath in table tennis, Dhinidhi Desinghu in swimming, and Rohan Bopanna in tennis. Telangana Telangana’s lineup includes PV Sindhu in badminton, Esha Singh in shooting, Nikhat Zareen in boxing, and Sreeja Akula in table tennis. Assam Assam is proud to have boxer Lovlina Borgohain representing them. Chandigarh Chandigarh’s Anjum Moudgil will compete in shooting. Manipur Manipur’s Mirabai Chanu will compete in weightlifting, and Nilakanta Sharma will represent in hockey. Gujarat Gujarat has Harmeet Desai and Manav Thakkar in table tennis. Rajasthan Rajasthan’s talents include shooters Anantjeet Singh Naruka and Maheshwari Chauhan. Madhya Pradesh Madhya Pradesh’s athletes include Prachi in athletics, Vivek Sagar Prasad in hockey, and Aishwary Pratap Singh Tomar in shooting. International Representative Lastly, Tanisha Crasto, who is based outside India, will represent the country in badminton. India at the Paris 2024 Olympics is truly a representation of the diverse and remarkable athletic talent across the nation. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Gautam Gambhir Focuses on Team Unity and Professionalism As New Head Coach
After being appointed as the head coach of the Indian men’s senior team, Gautam Gambhir made a prompt and punctual appearance at his first media interaction on Monday, 22nd of July, 2024. Accompanied by national selection committee chairman Ajit Agarkar, Gambhir shared his vision for fostering a harmonious team atmosphere and spoke candidly about his relationship with Virat Kohli. On-Field Rivalry Turned Professional Respect Gambhir, who has had his share of intense on-field clashes with Kohli during the IPL, emphasized that their professional relationship is now based on mutual respect and maturity. “It’s good for the TRP, but our relationship is not public. What kind of a relationship I share with Virat Kohli… I think it’s between two mature individuals,” he said. “On the field, everyone has the right to fight for their own jersey and come back to a winning dressing room. But at the moment, we’re representing India, representing 140 crore Indians and I’m sure we’re going to be on the same page and try and make India proud.“ Optimistic Collaboration with Kohli Gambhir also highlighted that he has been in regular contact with Kohli, looking forward to their collaboration. “I have had a lot of chat with him… we’ve shared messages. It’s not important what we discussed or how many chats I have had with him. Just because we want headlines, it’s not important,” he said. “Right now, the most important thing is we both are going to be working extremely hard to make India proud. And that’s our job.“ Future of Senior Players: Kohli and Rohit Discussing the future of senior players Kohli and Rohit Sharma, Gambhir assured fans that both players remain motivated and ready to contribute to the team’s success in upcoming tournaments like the Champions Trophy and the tour of Australia. “I think they’ve shown what they can deliver on the big stage. Whether it is the T20 World Cup or the ODI World Cup. I think both of those guys have a lot more to offer. We’ve got the Champions Trophy, a tour of Australia, so they will be motivated,” Gambhir said. “Hopefully, they can keep their fitness till the 2027 ODI World Cup. To say how much cricket is left in them is difficult. Any team that has players of their class would love to have them for as long as possible.“ Managing Workloads: Focus on Fast Bowlers On the crucial issue of managing player workloads, particularly for key fast bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah, Gambhir stressed its importance. “He is one rare bowler, who anyone would want. You want him to play important games. That’s why the workload management for not just him but fast bowlers is important,” he explained. Support Staff Setup: Key Appointments Gambhir also shared his satisfaction with the support staff setup, announcing that Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate will join as assistant coaches, with T. Dilip continuing as the fielding coach. “I am really happy with BCCI. They’ve agreed with most things I’ve asked for. The crux of the support staff will remain as they are. The rest of the staff will be finalised after the Sri Lanka tour,” he said. He also hinted at the possible appointment of Morne Morkel as the bowling coach, with Sairaj Bahutule stepping in on an interim basis for the Sri Lanka tour. Gambhir’s approach emphasizing on unity and professional excellence promises to bring a fresh dynamic to Indian cricket as the men in blue gear up for the start of the Gambhir era. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye
Paris 2024: All You Need To Know About Team India Official Kits
The Paris Olympics 2024 is right around the corner and the Indian contingent is all set with their practice to bag as many golds as possible in the tournament. Beside practice and India striking gold, another exciting aspect to look forward to is the unveiling of the official Team India Olympic Kit for Paris 2024. Who Is The Kit Sponsor? JSW Inspire, an athleisure brand introduced by the JSW Group in 2022, has served as the Official Kit sponsor for Team India at both the 2022 Commonwealth Games and the 2023 Asian Games. Dedicated to providing athletes—both professional and aspiring—with top-quality, Indian-made products, JSW Inspire aims to meet and even surpass the standards set by leading global brands. The JSW group unveiled the official Paris Olympics 2024 kits for India recently. The kits are just immaculate. The Design Journey The Team India Olympic Kit is more than just apparel; it embodies the heart and soul of our nation. India’s diverse landscapes—mountains, plains, and rivers—have shaped the Indian culture for centuries, influencing India’s spirit, India’s songs and even India’s national anthem. This diversity also molds the Indian athletes, whose victories symbolize India’s strength. The designs honor this determination. Quote From The Designer – Aaquib Wani “As the designer behind the Olympic jersey for the Indian contingent, this opportunity is not merely about clothing our athletes; it’s about encapsulating the essence of our nation’s spirit. Inspired by our terrain-each contour and flow echoing the resilience of our landscapes-we’ve created a design that is fierce, embodying the indomitable spirit of our athletes. Just as our terrains endure and evolve into forces of nature, our athletes rise as champions, reflecting the gleaming gold of India’s heart. It’s more than just fabric; it’s a symbol of pride, woven with the spirit of India’s champions,” Aaquib Wani said. Sports enthusiasts and team India fans now have the treat of purchasing the official Team India Olympic Kit online on the JSW Inspire website. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye