Daniel Bath can be the first Indian-origin foreign footballer if the Indian government allows OCI card-holders!
Once the Indian government allows the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to reop in Indian-origin foreign footballers who have Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards then Daniel Tanvir Bath can be the first Indian-origin foreign footballer to represent India in international tournaments. Daniel Bath, the 34-year-old defender is currently playing for the English team, Blackburn Rovers that is currently participating in the second-tier Championship of the League in England. The six-fit-three-inch Punjabi defender has a formidable experience of taking part in League-1 for Wolverhampton Wanderers where he played for almost 10 years. The defender drew attention through his performances with Stoke City, Sunderland, and Norwich City. It is learned that Daniel Bath who already has an OCI card, has expressed the intention to play for the Indian national team. Along with Daniel Bath, Kamran Kandola is another name that is reportedly willing to represent the country. The 21-year-old defender is currently playing in the sixth-tier competition, National League North. In the junior level, Kandola also participated in the second tier of the Premier League.
Rahul Dravid’s precious advice to Vaibhav Suryabanshi to maintain the success
The new prodigy in Indian cricket Vaibhav Suryabanshi, the youngest centurion in T-20 cricket history who became the second fastest IPL hundred got valuable advice from his mentor Rahul Dravid, the chief coach of Rajasthan Royals. Vaibhabh’s father Sanjeev Suryabanshi revealed while speaking to Dainik Jagran, “Rahul sir had said that your work is over now. Now, he is our responsibility. We will take care of him. He has become a part of our family. Just ensure that he stays away from mobile and internet media. We will make him a player who can play for the country.” Dravid knows the challenges of becoming an Indian cricketer. That’s why he told Vaibhav’s father, Sanjeev Suryavanshi, that taking care of his son was his responsibility now. He’s part of the Royals family. Dravid assured Sanjeev that Vaibhav will play for Team India in the future, but he’ll need to limit his time spent on his mobile and internet. Right now, Vaibhav is touring England as part of India’s Under-19 team. He is presently under the tutelage of VVS Laxman, a former teammate of Dravid and another well-respected coach.
Double-handed Sri Lankan spinner Rathnayake changes bowling arm to target batter’s weakness
Ambidextrous Sri Lankan spinner Tharindu Rathnayake said he switches his bowling arm according to the weakness of the batter on strike as he took two wickets on the first day of his debut Test match against Bangladesh on Tuesday. Both of Rathnayake’s wickets came from right-arm deliveries in the first session, but the 29-year-old also bowled with his left arm as visitor Bangladesh posted 292 for three at Stumps in Galle. “We talked about what each batsman is better at facing, and which sides they hit to. So, I try to create plans around their weaknesses and change which arm I’m bowling with according to that,” Rathnayake revealed while speaking to ESPN Cricinfo. Rathnayake is not the only ambidextrous spinner in the Sri Lanka team. Kamandu Mendis is also known to bowl with both arms. But all-rounder Mendis has taken only 31 First-Class wickets in 56 matches while Rathnayake, primarily a bowler, has 337 in 73 appearances. “I don’t know which arm I’ve taken more wickets with. I’ve never looked at it properly. I’ve bowled a lot with both my arms,” Rathnayake said. “When I started First-Class cricket, I bowled a lot with my left arm. But later, after a couple of years, it became about 60 percent right arm and 40 percent left arm.” Sri Lanka will play two Tests against Bangladesh this month, followed by three One-Day Internationals and three T20 Internationals in July.
‘We both love playing against each other’; India to miss Virat’s fighting spirit says Ben Stokes
England skipper and all-rounder Ben Stokes recalls Virat Kohli’s exuberance on the field during the match and comments that India will miss his ‘fighting spirit’ ahead of India’s opening Test against England at Headingley, Leeds, which starts on 20th June. A new face will lead the Indian team, Shubman Gill after Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma announced their retirement from Test cricket last month. In a video released by England Cricket, Stokes said on what India will miss after the retirement of Virat Kohli, “I think what India will miss will be his fighting spirit out in the game, his competitiveness, desire to win. He has made number 18 his, hasn’t he? It’ll be a bit weird not seeing number 18 on the back of anyone… of any Indian shirt, but he has been class for them for a long period of time.” Stokes shared that when he texted Virat after the latter announced to put an end to his illustrious red ball career. Stokes said, “I did text him, saying it’s going to be a shame not to play against him because I love playing against Virat. We both love playing against each other because we have that same mindset when we are out in the field that it’s a battle.” Kohli retired as India’s fourth-highest run scorer in Test cricket, having scored 9230 runs at an average of 46.85 in 123 matches. He scored 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries. His annual average never dipped below 55 in the four years between 2016 and 2019. Additionally, his calendar year average at the end of 2016 and 2017 were both above 75.
