Month: August 2023

Disney Star, the official broadcaster of Asia Cup and ICC Cricket World Cup, both on TV and digital platforms, has bagged about Rs 200 crore sponsorship from Hindustan Unilever, according to media buying agency sources.The FMCG giant Hindustan Unilever has come on board as a sponsor for both TV and digital coverage of Asia Cup and World Cup for close to Rs 200 crore, a source, who didn’t wish to be identified, told ET Online.
Disney Star, which operates Star Sports channels and Disney+ Hotstar OTT, will be broadcasting both the Asia Cup and the 50-overs ICC World Cup mega tournaments.”Due to the festive period timing, both properties have garnered significant interest,” another source said. “Advertisers have the option of selecting from a wide range of packages across linear and digital that align with their business goals. With Asia Cup and World Cup events being held back-to-back, we believe Disney Star will be able to sell their inventory effectively,” the source added.Disney Star declined to comment on the development.Asia Cup 2023 is scheduled to start today and cricket-crazy India will host the ICC Mens Cricket World Cup spanning nearly two months from October 5 to November 19. While the Asia Cup has 13 matches scheduled, the World Cup will see 10 countries fighting for the coveted trophy and there are a total of 48 matches scheduled.Arch cricket rivals India and Pakistan are set to play against each other a few times in these marquee events and these games are usually a big crowd-puller. Media experts had also said earlier that matches involving Australia, England, South Africa and New Zealand are expected to see a scale equivalent to an India-Pakistan match. Moreover, with growing interest for the game among women, more brands selling products for the female users will also look to feature during the World Cup games this time.HUL’s reported Rs 200 crore spend also comes at a time when some media reports cited a general lull in the industry to pull advertisers to the 50-over Asia Cup event.
ET had earlier reported citing sources that Star Sports is asking for Rs 120 crore for co-presenting sponsorship and Rs 90 crore for associate sponsorship opportunities for the World Cup. The broadcaster is asking spot buyers to pay Rs 31 lakh per 10-seconds for India and knockout matches.
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Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales has reportedly sent a video to FIFA appearing to show Jenni Hermoso joking about their kiss. Rubiales has been at the centre of a firestorm of controversy in Spain since the Women’s World Cup final, which his country won 1-0.
After the victory over England, Rubiales grabbed and kissed Hermoso without her consent.
She said afterwards that she did not enjoy the kiss, while 81 players have since claimed that they will not play for Spain until Rubiales is dismissed. In a bizarre twist, his mother is now on hunger strike, demanding that Hermoso “tell the truth” about what happened.
Rubiales has consistently claimed that the kiss was “consensual”. An investigation into his conduct is ongoing.
Now, new footage has emerged from the Spanish team bus appearing to show Hermoso laughing at social media memes generated from the kiss. She seems to show off a screen grab of the infamous incident, alongside a picture of Iker Casillas kissing reporter Sara Carbonero after the La Roja men’s team won the 2010 World Cup.
Rubiales was then filmed getting onto the bus, and the team seemed to sing the word ‘beso’, which means ‘kiss’.
He has been suspended by FIFA but the president of the Spanish federation has now sent the video to the organisation as he seeks to defend himself, per El Espanol.
The story has dominated the news cycle in Spain, and it remains to be seen how FIFA will respond to Rubiales sending the video to them.

Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has urged the Indian top-order batters to take a bit more responsibility and respect the conditions and the bowlers in the first 10 overs at the Asia Cup and the World Cup. India will be heading into the Asia Cup as one of the favourites but the concerns around injuries to some of their mainstays ahead of the two major tournaments.
India will begin their Asia Cup campaign against Pakistan in Pallekele on Saturday, September 2. The 17-member squad and the traveling reserve Sanju Samson had a 6-day preparatory camp in Alur near Bengaluru before the team departed for Sri Lanka on Wednesday. Notably, Pakistan will open the Asia Cup tournament against Nepal in Multan, Pakistan on Wednesday.
Speaking to Star Sports, Sanjay Manjrekar said it will be India’s matches to lose in the upcoming ODI tournaments if the top-order steps up and doesn’t lose wickets in the first 10 overs.
‘SERIOUS TEST SKILLS NEEDED’
India will be without their dependable No. 5 KL Rahul for the first two matches of the Asia Cup, including the marquee clash against Pakistan. On the other hand, Shreyas Iyer is returning to action after a 6-month injury layoff and there is added pressure on the top-order to fire.
“See, fortunately for India, number one, two, and three, when Virat bats at number three, they are three very good test batters. And you might talk about 50 overs being a one-day match and white-ball cricket and all that, but the start of a 50 overs game is not like a T20 match.
“I think there are some serious Test cricket skills needed, and then Rohit Sharma got these five hundreds in the last World Cup. I remember him respecting the bowling in the first 10 overs. And these three guys – Gill, Rohit Sharma, and Virat – who have excellent credentials as defensive test batters, that is the game they’ll have to bring. If they don’t lose early wickets, then it’s just their game,” Sanjay Manjrekar said.
Notably, Manjrekar’s comments came after Rohit Sharma told PTI in an interview earlier this week that he consciously chose to play high-risk shots in the powerplay to give the team good starts. The captain also conceded that the lack of big scores (only 3 hundreds since the 2019 World Cup ended) has been due this renewed approach about which he communicated to the team management.

Tottenham are reportedly in talks with Ansu Fati over a move before the transfer window closes at the end of the week.
Fabrizio Romano reports that Spurs are discussing a season-long loan for Fati who is thought to be willing to listen to offers to move away from Barcelona.
Chelsea have also been linked with Fati, but it seems the Blues are not in the mix as things stand.
Understand Tottenham are now in contact with Barça to negotiate for Ansu Fati deal on loan until June 2024. #THFC
Discussions about conditions of the deal but Barça want 100% of the salary covered.
Ansu, also presented to Chelsea as opportunity but no former approach yet. pic.twitter.com/AxXVrmVqcW
Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 30, 2023
Theres no indication yet of whether Fati is interested in Spurs. The north Londoners are not in Europe this season and went out of the League Cup yesterday after defeat to Fulham.
However, Ange Postecoglous side have made a bright start to the Premier League season. Spurs have beaten Manchester United and Bournemouth and Brentford.
The team are also playing attractive football, despite the loss of Harry Kane, and will be hoping to improve on a poor season last time out when the finished down in eighth.
Joan Laporta has asked about Fati at the weekend before Barcelonas clash with Villarreal and offered up the following.
Ansu is extraordinary, we are all in love, he said. It was Xavis decision to bring him in and he is just another member of the squad, who we want to improve. We are very happy that he is still with us.
Yet there now seems real doubt as to whether he will still be at Barcelona after the window closes.

Mysuru Warriors were in need of 11 runs from four balls with L Manvanth Kumar bowling the last over of the innings. Jagadeesha Suchith was facing the third ball of the over and lofted the ball high towards long-off. It appeared that the ball would cross the boundary line but Manish Pandey, who was fielding there, had some other plans.

Cricket enthusiasts and entertainment aficionados alike are gearing up for an evening of grandeur as the stage is set for the opening ceremony of the much-awaited Uttar Pradesh (UP) T20 League 2023. This inaugural season promises an unforgettable blend of thrilling cricket action and star-studded performances that will captivate fans across the state and beyond.
The UP T20 League is poised to kick off with a bang, featuring six dynamic franchise teams representing key cities within Uttar Pradesh: Kanpur, Meerut, Noida, Gorakhpur, Lucknow and Varanasi. As these teams lock horns, the cricketing landscape is bound to be set ablaze with fiery clashes and intense rivalries.

• Date: August 30, 2023
• Venue: Green Park Cricket Stadium, Kanpur
• Starting Time: 5:30 pm

The stage is set to come alive with performances by some of the most dazzling celebrities, adding an extra layer of excitement to the event. The star-studded lineup of performers includes:
Tiger Shroff: The Bollywood heartthrob known for his impeccable dance moves and action-packed performances will grace the stage with his energetic presence.
Manish Paul: A renowned comedian and television presenter, Manish Paul is sure to keep the audience entertained with his humor and charismatic hosting.
,
Get ready to witness India’s biggest domestic T20 league as Manish Paul will be joining us for the grand opening ceremony of the #JioUPT20 in Kanpur #UPCA#AbMachegaBawaal | @ShuklaRajivpic.twitter.com/Y5AYxGeGgG
— UP T20 League (@t20uttarpradesh) August 30, 2023
Ameesha Patel: The Bollywood actress, known for her versatile roles, will add a touch of glamour and elegance to the ceremony.
Meet Bros: The popular music duo known for their chart-topping hits will set the tone with their electrifying musical performance.
Double the Star Power
Dil thaam ke baithiyega, kyunki Meet Bros aa rahe hain Kanpur #JioUPT20 ki grand opening ceremony mein machane bawaal #UPCA#AbMachegaBawaalpic.twitter.com/1m0ClToNBc
— UP T20 League (@t20uttarpradesh) August 30, 2023
The opening ceremony promises to be a spectacle that seamlessly blends cricket, entertainment and the spirit of Uttar Pradesh. It’s a celebration of sportsmanship, unity, and the love for the game that unites people from all walks of life.
For those unable to make it to the venue, fret not! The opening ceremony will be available for live streaming on Jio Cinema and Fan Code ensuring that fans from every corner of the world can be part of this enthralling spectacle. Mark your calendars and get ready to immerse yourself in an evening of cricket, glamour, and entertainment as the UP T20 League 2023 sets the stage on fire.

EXCLUSIVE | Sanjana Sanghi On Raksha Bandhan Traditions, Kadak Singh And Dhak Dhak Updates, Giving Guru Randhawa Acting Tips

The pre-sale exclusive window for Mastercard users for India matches at the ICC World Cup 2023 did not go according to plan. The BookMyShow website crashed and many were left minutes after the tickets for Indias warm-up and main matches went live at 6 PM (IST) on Monday. Those who managed to log into the website were pushed to long queues. A day later, the website showed all tickets barring the India vs Afghanistan match in New Delhi, were sold out for the Mastercard users.
How to book India match tickets in ICC World Cup 2023(AFP)
The real test for ICC and BookMyShow, will, however, start Tuesday (August 30) when the site opens for everyone to book India match tickets. ICC had earlier announced that tickets for India matches would be rolled out in a phased manner to avoid chaos. The open-to-all sale begins today at 8 pm (IST) for the warm-up matches in Guwahati and Thiruvananthapuram against England and Netherlands on 30 September and 3 October. India will play England at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati their first warm-up fixture ahead of the home World Cup.
Dates for India match ticket sales in ICC World Cup 2023
August 30: India’s warm-up matches at Guwahati and Trivandrum
August 31: India matches at Chennai (against Australia), Delhi (against Afghanistan) and Pune (against Bangladesh)
September 1: India matches at Dharamsala (against New Zealand), Lucknow (against England) and Mumbai (against Sri Lanka)
September 2: India matches at Bengaluru (against the Netherlands) and Kolkata (against South Africa)
September 3: India matches at Ahmedabad (against Pakistan)
September 15: Semi-finals (at Mumbai and Kolkata) and Final (at Ahmedabad)
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to book tickets for India’s World Cup 2023 matches.
Step 1
Log in to ICC’s official ticketing website https://tickets.cricketworldcup.com
Step 2
Choose ‘India’ by clicking on the flag.
Step 3
Use the venue filter to book tickets accordingly
Step 4
Select the match you want to buy tickets for you
Step 5
Bookmyshow will add you to the queue. Don’t press the back or refresh button here as you will be out of the queue and will have to redo all the previous steps to enter the queue again.
Step 6
Wait till the ETA. The website will redirect you to the stadium layout. There you can choose your preferred tickets according to different price ranges.
Step 7
Add your name, last name, delivery etc. and other personal details
Step 8
You will be directed to the payment page. Complete your payment using your preferred method.
Step 9
Check your inbox for a confirmation mail along with the match tickets from BookMyShow.Dat

Pakistan vs Nepal Live Score: Haris Rauf has provided Pakistan with two quick wickets as the team charges towards a big win in the Asia Cup opener. In the chase of 343, five-down Nepal currently have Dipendra Singh Airee and Gulshan Jha standing unbeaten at the crease. Earlier, Brilliant centuries from Babar Azam and Iftikhar Ahmed guided Pakistan to 342/6 in 50 overs against Nepal in the opening match of Asia Cup 2023. Opting to bat first, Pakistan lost some initial wickets but Babar and Iftikhar stabilized their side’s innings. Babar scored 151 while Iftikhar remained unbeaten at 109. Apart from them, Mohammad Rizwan also scored 44. For Nepal, Sompal Kami scalped two wickets while Sandeep Lamichhane and Karan KC took one wicket each. (Live Scorecard)

Carlos Alcaraz, the Spanish tennis sensation, has set his sights on reclaiming the world No. 1 ranking in men’s singles from Novak Djokovic. The young Spaniard, who has already made a significant impact on the global tennis stage, is determined to regain his top spot as swiftly as possible.
US Open 2023: Day 2 Highlights
Alcaraz, who recently turned 20, has been a revelation in the world of tennis. His meteoric rise to the top of the rankings has been nothing short of extraordinary. However, after a thrilling first-round victory at the US Open, Djokovic managed to overtake Alcaraz, pushing him to the second spot. But Alcaraz is not one to back down easily. He has made it clear that his primary goal is to recover his position at the pinnacle of men’s singles tennis.
“Right now, it’s a goal for me,” Alcaraz stated. “I said before that Novak and I are having a really good battle for No. 1. I knew he’d recover No. 1 after the US Open. When the tournament is over, I’ll try to recover it ASAP. That’s my goal. I’m working for that. I’ll try to recover it before the year ends.”
Alcaraz lost the top spot after Djokovic’s First Round win in the US Open 2023. Coming into the US Open, Djokovic had defeated Alcaraz in the final of the Cincinnati Masters.
Despite the intense competition, Alcaraz maintains a healthy respect for Djokovic, referring to him as a ‘legend’ of the sport. Their rivalry has already reached a fever pitch, reminiscent of the iconic Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal rivalry, which has thrilled tennis fans worldwide.
However, Alcaraz’s focus isn’t solely on the rankings. As the defending champion of the US Open, one might expect him to feel the pressure. Yet, the young Spaniard remains unfazed. He insists that he doesn’t feel any different about this tournament compared to others.
“I’m not thinking about defending the title. I was not thinking about I was the champion last year,” he told reporters. “I just focus on playing my best level, to recover the level that I played last year, try to do the same things that I did last year. That’s the only thing that I’m thinking right now.”
Alcaraz’s approach to the game is refreshing. His focus is not just on winning but also on entertaining the spectators. He believes in winning spectacularly, showcasing his power, speed, and touch from every corner of the court. His dynamic style of play has forced the best players in the world to adapt or risk losing.
As Alcaraz gears up for his upcoming matches, he remains committed to his goals. With his unwavering determination and exceptional talent, it won’t be surprising if he reclaims his No. 1 spot sooner rather than later. Regardless of the outcome, one thing is certain – Carlos Alcaraz is a force to be reckoned with in the world of tennis.