Month: August 2023

Business tycoon Anand Mahindras post related to cricketer MS Dhoni has left people impressed. Mahindra took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to share his reaction to Dhoni being the face of Swaraj Tractors.
Anand Mahindra’s post on MS Dhoni has sparked a chatter. (Screengrab)
Swaraj Tractors, a company owned by Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd, shared an advertisement on X. Who better to be the face of Swaraj, than someone who owns, uses, and loves the tractor. We are delighted to welcome MS Dhoni, a proud Swaraj Tractor owner to our family. We are excited to see a great innings on the farm field too! they wrote as they posted an image. Earlier, a video of the cricket went viral where he was seen driving a tractor of this brand.
Anand Mahindra re-shared the companys post along with an interesting caption. Mahi and Mahindra, when its already in the name, it means our paths were always meant to cross! Join me as we #WelcomeMahi to the Swaraj family, he wrote.
Take a look at Anand Mahindras post on MS Dhoni:
The post was shared a few hours ago. Since being posted, it has collected close to 95,000 views. The tweet has also received more than 1,200 likes. People posted varied comments while reacting to the share.
Simply amazing, posted an X user along with a fire emoticon. Wow. Good ambassador, sir, praised another. Rock on! added a third. Legend welcoming another legend to a legendary brand. What a team, joined a fourth. Most iconic endorsement, wrote a fifth.

Indian Super League (ISL) side Punjab FC announced the signing of Colombian striker Wilmar Jordan Gil for the 2023-24 season on Thursday. The 32-year-old joins the club after spending the last season in NorthEast United FC where he scored a total of 15 goals across all competitions.
Presenting our new Sher, Wilmar Jordan Gil #PFC#PunjabDaJosh#ISLpic.twitter.com/1wNFo1bvf2
— Punjab FC (@RGPunjabFC) August 31, 2023
Wilmar joins Punjab FC with a wealth of footballing experience in South America, having played in the top leagues in Colombia, Venezuela, and Brazil. He has also had stints in Europe and Asia, playing in Portugal, Bulgaria, South Korea, China, and the UAE.
In his last season, the prolific striker scored eight goals for the Highlanders in just 11 matches in the ISL. Wilmar continued his scintillating form in the Hero Super Cup, where he scored seven goals to lead his team into the semifinals and become the tournament’s highest goal scorer. Wilmar is the fifth foreign signing of Punjab FC and will add more heft to the club’s attacking prowess.
Speaking about the signing, Football Director of Punjab FC, Nikolaos Topoliatis said, “We are delighted to have Wilmar Jordan Gil in our team. He is a proven goalscorer who will add a lot of firepower to our attack. We are confident that he will be a valuable asset to the team and will contribute significantly to the team’s success.”
Kerala Blasters FC add Freddy Lallawmawma to their ranks
Kerala Blasters FC have reached an agreement with Punjab FC for the transfer of midfielder midfielder Freddy Lallawmawma, for an disclosed fee, the club announced on Thursday. Freddy puts pen-to-paper on a three-year contract until 2026.
Welcome to Kerala, Freddy! #SwagathamFreddy#KBFC#KeralaBlastershttps://t.co/QUv03SlfKx
— Kerala Blasters FC (@KeralaBlasters) August 31, 2023
Over the past two seasons, the 21-year-old Mizoram native has been a commanding and combative presence in the Hero I-League with Punjab FC, winning the title with them last season.
A defensive midfielder by trade, Lallawmawma is adept at playing in multiple playing positions within the midfield and full of industry- qualities that he has displayed extensively and consistently over his career thus far.
Commenting on the signing, Karolis Skinkys, Kerala Blasters Sporting Director, said: “Freddy is a very good addition to the squad. He is young and eager to learn with the mentality to impact and control the game in the midfield. I hope he can quickly settle into the squad and contribute to the team’s success.”
Freddy Lallawmawma said: “I am extremely grateful for this exciting opportunity. Kerala Blasters is one of the biggest clubs in the country and I see this opportunity as the next big step in my growth as a player. I promise to do everything within my control to do whatever role the club requires me to fulfill.”
Freddy is expected to link up with his new teammates in Kochi this week, where the team is preparing for the dubai leg of its preseason.
Promising midfielder Bekey Oram signs for NorthEast United FC while Emil Benny departs 
NorthEast United FC announced the signing of promising youngster Bekey Oram on Thursday. The 19-year-old midfielder has signed a three-year contract with the Highlanders.
#WelcomeBekey
More details about our young midfield sensation https://t.co/xRFw7z45tU#NEUFC#StrongerAsOne#8States1Unitedpic.twitter.com/XZN4VlIGQk
— NorthEast United FC (@NEUtdFC) August 31, 2023
Bekey’s football journey began at an early age when he represented the Odisha state football team in the U-13 category. His talents quickly caught the eye, and in 2017, he joined the Bengaluru FC academy, where he progressed through the various age groups, ultimately earning a place in the reserve team.
Notably, he was a vital part of the squad that clinched the Reliance Foundation Development League title for two consecutive years. Talking about taking the next big step of his career, Bekey, who won the Golden Ball in RFDL 2022, said, “I’m excited to be part of NorthEast United FC. The club’s focus on nurturing young talents and providing opportunities is the reason I joined them. I’ll give my best to contribute to the team’s success.”
Assistant Coach Naushad Moosa expressed his thoughts on Bekey’s arrival, saying, “Bekey Oram is a player with exceptional technical abilities, undoubtedly one of the best midfielders I’ve worked with at Bengaluru FC. He’s versatile and his ability to play multiple positions will strengthen the team significantly. His dedication and discipline are commendable, and I believe he has what it takes to impress the head coach Juan Pedro Benali and earn his spot in the first team.”
NorthEast United FC CEO, Mandar Tamhane, added, “We are pleased to welcome Bekey Oram to the NorthEast United FC family. We have taken significant steps to build a nurturing and competitive atmosphere for our players, and his arrival aligns perfectly with our vision. We believe that he has a bright future ahead of him and will excel within our setup.”
NorthEast United FC also announced that they have parted ways with midfielder Emil Benny. Benny joined the Highlanders from Gokulam Kerala FC, where he won back-to-back I-League titles. He made 32 appearances for Gokulam Kerala and scored four times while representing the team at the AFC Cup. The young midfielder played 16 matches for NorthEast United FC during the 2022-23 season and provided three goals. 
Givson Singh joins Odisha FC on a season-long loan deal
Odisha FC on Thursday said that they have signed midfielder Givson Singh on a loan deal from Kerala Blasters FC. Singh is a talented attacking midfielder who has represented the Indian national team at the junior level.
Time to shine #OdishaFC#AmaTeamAmaGame#KalingaWarriors#WelcomeGivsonpic.twitter.com/qyTWwMb4UZ
— Odisha FC (@OdishaFC) August 31, 2023
He made his senior club debut with I-League side Indian Arrows before being signed by Kerala Blasters FC ahead of the 2020-21 season. Chennaiyin FC acquired the services of the midfielder on loan from Kerala Blasters FC during the 2022-23 season.
Singh scored his first professional goal against Churchill Brothers in a 2-1 win over the Goans. Givson converted from the spot in an injury-time penalty against Punjab FC to secure a point for the Arrows. He made 16 appearances during the season scoring 2 goals and providing 2 assists.
In 2020, Givson was roped in by Kerala Blasters FC on a three-year deal where he made his debut against Mumbai City FC coming on as a substitute in the 86th minute.
Givson played his first game of the Hero ISL 2021-22 season against Odisha FC coming on to replace Chencho which the Blasters went on to win 0-2.
Singh has represented India at the international level playing for the U16, U17, and the U19 sides.
Mumbai City FC complete signing of young winger Seilenthang Lotjem
Mumbai City FC announced the signing of Seilenthang Lotjem on Thursday. The promising 19-year-old winger joins the Islanders on a three-year contract until the end of the 2025-26 season.
!
A new in #TheIslanders’ family – welcome to #AamchiCity, Seilenthang Lotjem! #WelcomeLotjem#MumbaiCitypic.twitter.com/FoUTJY8V0U
— Mumbai City FC (@MumbaiCityFC) August 31, 2023
Hailing from Manipur, Lotjem was signed by Sudeva Delhi FC in 2020 at just the age of 16 after coming up through the JCT Academy in Punjab. In just his second season with the club, Lotjem was brought into Sudeva Delhi’s First Team and featured regularly in the 2021-22 I-League, making 10 appearances and scoring one goal.
Lotjem shot to prominence in the very next season as he went on to feature 21 times for Sudeva Delhi and most notably, scored 6 goals, making him the joint-highest Indian goalscorer in the 2022-23 I-League at just the age of 18.
Lotjem, who is capable of playing across the attack, will wear the number 21 shirt for the Islanders.
Seilanthang Lotjem said: “It’s a proud moment for me to sign for Mumbai City. My focus is entirely on working hard and growing as a player every single day and to play at a club like Mumbai City and under a coach like Des Buckingham, it’s an opportunity I want to make the most of. I am ready to get started with my new teammates, learn from them and hopefully, I can help contribute to the club’s ambitions.”
Des Buckingham said:  “Lotjem is an impressive young talent as shown in his performances in the I-League over the past two seasons. His abilities and versatility make him an exciting prospect and I am certain he can fit into our club and the young group that we have. Lotjem is a confident young player who will help us achieve our goals this season while continuing to develop and build our squad over the long term.”

The ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 is just one month away and will commence from October 5. The event will return to India after almost a decade and the enthusiasm among Indian cricket fans is at an all-time high.
Just like cricket enthusiasts, veteran cricketers from across the world are also very excited about the mega ICC event and are eagerly waiting for the tournament to unfold. Many are even coming up with numerous predictions regarding the leading run-scorer, probable strong squads for the various nations, top two finalists, etc. Australia’s former cricketer turned coach Tom Moody also joined the list and named his preferred India squad for the ODI World Cup 2023 while talking to Star Sports.
Tom Moody snubs Suryakumar Yadav and Sanju Samson
Moody picked Rohit Sharma as the opening batter and captain of the team. Meanwhile, he entrusted India’s young sensation Shubman Gill with the second opener’s spot. Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul and Ishan Kishan were added as the specialist middle-order batters by Moody in his squad. However, he snubbed Suryakumar Yadav and Sanju Samson from the team.
Kul-Cha reunites in Tom Moody’s squad
Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel came in as specialist all-rounders in Moody’s line-up, with the spin duo of Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal re-uniting in his team. Notably, Chahal failed to make it to India’s Asia Cup 2023 squad announced by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently.
Among seamers, Moody went with a mix of experience and youth in the form of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj and Shardul Thakur.
Tom Moody’s India squad for the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup:
Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Ishan Kishan (wk), Hardik Pandya, Shardul Thakur, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal.

Virat Kohli’s epic ODI knocks vs Pakistan

India have a batting order dilemma against Pakistan with KL Rahul unfit. Rohit Sharma & Rahul Dravid will have to take a call on Ishan Kishan’s batting position. India vs Pakistan marks the beginning of India Cricket Team’s official preparation for World Cup 2023. However, Rohit Sharma & Co are without an important member in KL Rahul. As he is still unfit, Ishan Kishan will come in India Playing XI against Pakistan as the wicketkeeper-batter. The only good news is the return of Shreyas Iyer and Jasprit Bumrah. But there will be no place for Suryakumar Yadav or Tilak Varma against Babar Azam & Co in the IND vs PAK Asia Cup 2023 clash on Saturday.
KL Rahul’s absence creates two problems: 1. Ishan Kishan must play, 2. Kishan can only play in Top 3. That creates a dilemma on who should be the two openers. Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan have done well together. But should India drop Rohit Sharma to No 3 or 4? That is a big question for India head coach Rahul Dravid.
In India’s Asia Cup camp, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill both batted at No 3 and 4. So, keeping that in mind, Ishan Kishan seems to be the primary choice as the opener. And it’s not illogical. Against Shaheen Afridi’s fiery left-arm pace, India need a left-hander to counter. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill could be a problematic pair.
As things stand, Rohit Sharma at No 3 or 4 in India Playing XI could be a temporary solution.
When KL Rahul comes in, Shreyas Iyer will be India’s No 4. But in his absence, Iyer is set to bat at No 5. Virat Kohli is likely to be the No 4 for the first two games.
However, Team India may gamble with Rohit Sharma as well, sending him in the middle overs to play as an enforcer. Rohit may very well bat at No 5 with Shreyas Iyer at No 4. Hence, Suryakumar Yadav will miss out from India Playing XI. .
There is also a chance for Ishan Kishan to bat at No 5. In that order, Shubman Gill and Rohit will open with Virat Kohli at No 3 and Shreyas Iyer at No 4.
In ideal situation, Sanju Samson could have solved the problem. However, with Team India backing Ishan Kishan instead, Sanju won’t be in the 15-member squad. He will continue to be in the reserves.

• While the batting is sorted, it gets tricky in bowling combinations.
• If India vs Pakistan is on the same pitch as Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka, it will be a two-paced wicket in Kandy.
• In LPL 2023, Pallekele has offered slow and high-scoring pitches both.
• If it’s on the slower side, India will be tempted to pick Axar Patel in place of Mohammed Shami or Mohammed Siraj.
• Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah and one of Shami Siraj will be the pace attack.
• Hence, Shardul Thakur will also miss out even though he provides batting depth.
• That will give India three spinners Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja.
• The final bowling combination will be decided only after Team India take a look at the pitch.

1. Rohit Sharma (C)
2. Shubman Gill
3. Ishan Kishan (WK)
4. Virat Kohli
5. Shreyas Iyer
6. Hardik Pandya
7. Ravindra Jadeja
8. Kuldeep Yadav
9. Mohammed Siraj
10. Mohammed Shami
11. Jasprit Bumrah

Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, KL Rahul, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya (VC), Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna. Travelling reserve: Sanju Samson

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Former cricketer Mohammad Kaif feels that Babar Azam is going to have a lot of difficulty facing Mohammed Shami when India and Pakistan battle it out in the Asia Cup 2023 on September 2, Saturday.
Shami has been one of India’s main pacers over the past year as he formed a formidable partnership with Mohammed Siraj during Jasprit Bumrah’s absence from international cricket. In the 12 matches he has played in all formats of the game, Shami has picked up 23 wickets from 12 matches this year.
The pacer also had a fine time in IPL 2023 as he won the Purple cap with 28 wickets to his name during the campaign. Babar made a dazzling start to his Asia Cup 2023 campaign as he scored an impressive 151 runs off just 131 deliveries. This knock is considered one of the most memorable in the history of the Asia Cup.
Azam’s performance was not only significant for its sheer magnitude but also for the records it broke and set. His score of 151 is the second-highest individual score in the history of the Asia Cup, surpassed only by Virat Kohli’s 183 against Pakistan in 2012.
The battle between Shami and Babar could be key in deciding the outcome of the match and Kaif has made a big claim ahead of the clash. Speaking to Star Sports, Kaif hailed Shami as a fantastic bowler and said that the pacer managed the bowling well in Bumrah’s absence.
Kaif said that Babar is going to have a lot of difficulty when he goes up against Shami during the match.
“Mohammed Shami is a fantastic bowler, his form is also very good. And even in Bumrah’s absence, he managed the bowling very well. Even his form in the IPL was great. So he has a lot of talent. In my opinion, Babar Azam is going to have a lot of difficulty facing Mohammed Shami,” said Kaif.

MS Dhoni’s popularity is well known. Dhoni’s rise from Ranchi to being one of the most well known cricketers on the planet is a stuff of legends. He has one of the most inspiring journeys in sports history. He is the most successful Indian cricket team captain who has won the Cricket Word Cup twice – in the ODI and the T20I formats. Dhoni continues to inspire the young generation with his intact dedication and seriousness towards his goal. This is the reason the fans continue to show their love and respect towards the player despite he retiring from international cricket three years back.
Dhoni also has a passion for farming. His video of driving a tractor went viral a couple of months back. Now, Dhoni has became the face of a tractor company. Industrialist Anand Mahindra welcomed him to the family. “Mahi and Mahindra, when it’s already in the name, it means our paths were always meant to cross! Join me as we #WelcomeMahi to the Swaraj family. @tractorsswaraj @mahindrarise” he wrote on a post on X, formerly Twitter.
Mahi and Mahindra, when it’s already in the name, it means our paths were always meant to cross! Join me as we #WelcomeMahi to the Swaraj family. @tractorsswaraj@mahindrarisehttps://t.co/Az0MFQTe51
anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) August 31, 2023
From working as a ticket collector at a railway station, Dhoni transformed into India’s biggest trophy collector, leading the team to ICC T20 World Cup 2007, ICC ODI World Cup 2011 and ICC Champions Trophy 2013 as skipper. MS Dhoni is undoubtedly one of the greatest captains cricket ever witnessed.
The wicketkeeper-batter has a massive fan following but what is not a good thing for the fans is the fact that Dhoni is not active on social media. He barely posts anything on the platform and that sees his fans rely on viral videos and pictures to get a glimpse of the player.
Dhoni retired from international cricket in August 2020. However, he continued to be a part of Indian Premier League as a player. In IPL 2023, Dhoni led Chennai Super Kings to a record-equalling fifth title.
However, there is no confirmation yet over his participation in next year’s IPL.
(With ANI Inputs)

The much-awaited match between India and Pakistan is set to be played this Saturday (September 2) at Kandy in Sri Lanka. However, an unexpected Balagolla storm is threatening to interrupt the match. As the much-anticipated match nears, the question on everyone’s mind remains: Will rain play spoilsport?
With tickets being sold in minutes and millions of eager fans awaiting the clash between India and Pakistan, a rain-interrupted game is the last thing anyone would want. The exciting contest could potentially be disrupted by weather as the India vs Pakistan Asia Cup match weather report paints a grim picture. 
The intensity of the match gains further importance due to its rarity. India and Pakistan rarely play these days, as they meet primarily during the Asia Cup and ICC events. This rarity fuels the anticipation, as fans, analysts, and critics brace themselves for the match
The India vs Pakistan rivalry could extend beyond this encounter. Both teams could potentially lock horns thrice, should they progress to the Super 4 stage and the finals of the Asia Cup. The expectation of multiple matches excites fans all around the world.
The weather forecast, however, gives a mixed signal. As per the weather report, a 70% chance of rain during the Kandy encounter, with precipitation expected around 2:30 PM, just half an hour before the scheduled start is expected. The rain chances are expected to decrease to 60% by 5:30 PM.
Weather Report. (Photo Source: Google Weather)
Adding to the uncertainty, Sri Lankas Met Department predicts rain in several regions of the country in the coming days, including Kandy. The Central Province, where Kandy is located, anticipates rainfall on both Friday and Saturday.
Despite these predictions, the cricketing fraternity and fans worldwide are still hoping that they will be able to watch a full match. Meanwhile, Pakistan has already won their first game of the tournament against Nepal as they thrashed them by 238 runs, showcasing their prowess as a team. 
The Indian team will be without the services of their star batter, KL Rahul, who is doing his rehab in NCA, Bangalore, while Shreyas Iyer is all set to return to the field after a long period of time due to his injury.