Author: sureshzmc07

NEW DELHI: Sachin Tendulkar was primarily known for his incredible batting, but his bowling was an underrated aspect of his game. Although he wasn’t a frontline bowler, he contributed significantly as a part-time bowler.
Tendulkar was known for his versatility, as he could bowl medium pace, off-spin, and leg-spin, which made him a useful option for breaking partnerships or providing relief to the main bowlers.
In Test cricket, Tendulkar took 46 wickets in 200 matches. While his role was more limited in Tests, he often broke important partnerships. His best figures in Tests were 3/10.
When India toured Pakistan in 2004, they played the first Test in Multan. This match is historically significant as it was the game where Virender Sehwag scored his iconic 309, making him the first Indian to score a triple century in Test cricket, earning the venue the nickname “Multan ka Sultan.”
The Multan Test is also remembered for captain Rahul Dravid declaring the Indian innings when Tendulkar was on 194. But that’s a different story.
After India had declared their first innings at 675/5, Pakistan were 5 wickets down in their 1st innings and Abdul Razzaq and Moin Khan were leading the hosts’ resistance. Tendulkar was bowling the last over of Day 3.
Before the game, Sachin had challenged Moin saying, “Tumhari wicket toh main hi lunga” (I will take your wicket for sure). Playing mind games, Sachin deliberately moved fielders 2 to 3 steps back so that Razzaq could take a single and Moin could come on strike.
And lo behold! Moin, who was extremely nervous at the crease, was clean bowled on the last ball of the over as Tendulkar bowled a brilliant googly to flummox Moin as the ball went between his legs to castle into the stumps.
A stunned Moin Khan walked back to the pavilion as India ended the day perfectly and went on to win the Test by an innings and 52 runs.
Watch the dismissal here:

Though Tendulkar wasn’t a regular bowler, he played a significant role in India’s bowling strategy, often providing crucial wickets and handy overs.
Tendulkar’s knack for breaking partnerships earned him the title of “golden arm,” and captains often turned to him when they needed breakthroughs.

Byju Raveendran, the founder and CEO of edtech giant Byju’s, has expressed his deep regret for the recent challenges faced by the company and its workforce. Amidst reports of layoffs and financial difficulties, Raveendran assured employees of his support and commitment to the company’s future.

Raveendran’s letter to employees

In a letter to his employees, Raveendran acknowledged the “turbulent times” that Byju’s has been navigating and expressed his gratitude for the dedication of the company’s employees.
“It won’t be much, but each one of you will receive a small payment by this weekend. This is not nearly what you deserve, but it is what I can offer right now. And I promise you this — the day we regain control of our company, you will get more than your fair share,” Raveendran said in the letter. As reported by Business Standard, he requested employees to remain dedicated to their roles and continue teaching at the firm.
“I owe you an apology. You have given your best, yet we have not been able to compensate you for your work. This is not right, and for that, I am truly sorry. The past three months have been a perfect storm of legal battles, financial uncertainties, and challenges none of us ever expected. But through it all, you have stood strong. You have upheld the highest calling of a teacher — to educate, to inspire, and to guide,” added Raveendran.
Raveendran also outlined the company’s plans to address the challenges and ensure its long-term sustainability. He assured employees that Byju’s remains committed to its mission of providing quality education to students worldwide and is taking proactive steps to strengthen its financial position and operations.
“Because we believe in this company, we believe in our mission, and most importantly, we believe in you. We know that Byju’s is not just a business model. We serve millions of students across the country, and we do that through the tireless efforts of thousands of teachers like you,” said Raveendran.
He also claimed that US-based lenders have filed a weak case, making a claim on the company’s Indian assets. “But they have no entitlement to these assets, as per the agreement we signed with them. The so-called trust that represents them in India has no legal standing. It does not represent the majority of these lenders. Still, the reality is that I no longer control the company’s bank accounts. We are confident of winning this case, and while we wait, I understand the burden this places on you,” said Raveendran.
He stated that the legal battles are a personal challenge for him. “I know that, together, we will come out of this stronger than before. We cannot stop. We cannot even slow down. Because we have millions of students depending on us. They are the reason we keep going. They are the reason we fight these battles. And they are the reason we will win,” said Raveendran.

NEW DELHI: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Atishi on Monday assumed the role of Delhi’s eighth chief minister and placed an empty chair next to her own in honor of party convenor Arvind Kejriwal.
“Today, I have taken the charge as Delhi CM. I am feeling the same as Lord Bharat took the reign after Lord Ram went on ‘Vanvaas’. Arvind Kejriwal has set a new benchmark, he was kept in jail in false case.He said that he will not sit on the chair again until the people of Delhi deem him honest. The election is near. People will choose him. Until then, this chair would wait for him,” Atishi said while taking charge as the Delhi chief minister.

The Delhi Assembly will convene for a session on September 26 and 27.
Atishi has retained her previous 13 portfolios from the Kejriwal government, including education, revenue, finance, power, and PWD.
“I will work for four months as the chief minister of Delhi like Bharat did by keeping Lord Ram’s Khadaun on the throne. Arvind Kejriwal has set an example of dignity in politics by stepping down. The BJP left no stone unturned to tarnish his image,” she said.
Atishi chose to sit on a different chair than the one used by Kejriwal.
BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya took aim at Delhi chief minister Atishi, accusing her of political theatrics. In a tweet, Malviya said: “This drama in Delhi must stop. Today Atishi Marlena took charge by placing an empty chair next to her chief minister’s chair. That means Atishi is the Manmohan Singh of the Delhi government and the real chief minister is Arvind Kejriwal, whom the Supreme Court has stopped from going to the Delhi Secretariat, let alone signing files.”

“This is a mockery of the constitution made by Baba Saheb. The oath of office and secrecy of the chief minister was taken by Marlena, not by the ghost of Kejriwal sitting on an empty chair,” he further added.
BJP MP Manoj Tiwari launched a fresh attack on Atishi, criticising her for allegedly undermining the chief minister’s position. Tiwari said, “If she displays an empty chair, it raises many questions. It suggests she does not see herself as the chief minister. By considering someone else as CM while holding the post, it disrespects the office and the Constitution.”
He further added, “I have written a letter to Delhi CM Atishi, but who will read it? How can a chief minister admit to being a puppet? They are hurting public sentiment.”
Atishi was sworn-in as chief minister on Saturday after Arvind Kejriwal’s resignation, becoming the youngest leader to hold the position and the third woman CM in the capital’s history, following Sushma Swaraj and Sheila Dikshit.
Saurabh Bharadwaj has been assigned eight departments, the most after Atishi, including health, tourism, art, and culture.
Newly appointed Mukesh Ahlawat has been given the portfolios of labour, SC and ST, employment, land, and building departments. Gopal Rai has retained his previous portfolios of development, general administration department, environment, and forest.
Kailash Gahlot has also kept his earlier portfolios of transport, home, administrative reforms, women, and child development.
The new Cabinet, led by Atishi, faces a long list of pending projects, schemes, and new initiatives to be launched in the coming months before Delhi goes to the polls in February next year.

The Israel Defense Forces chief on Sunday vowed to continue striking Hezbollah until it ‘understood’ that there was no stopping displaced Israelis from returning to their homes in the north, Times of Israel reported.
“We will safely return the residents to their homes, and if Hezbollah has not understood this yet, it will get another blow and another blow — until the organization understands,” he said in a video statement.
IDF chief of Staff Lt Gen Herzi Halevi made this declaration on Sunday, following an intense week of Israeli military action against the Lebanon-based group.
Halevi, speaking from the Israeli Air Force’s Tel Hanof base, emphasised Israel’s commitment to ensuring the safe return of northern residents, who have been displaced for nearly a year due to Hezbollah’s attacks. His comments came after a significant Israeli airstrike in Beirut that killed top Hezbollah commander Ibrahim Aqil and other senior terror leaders.
Aqil, Halevi noted, had spent years planning attacks on Israel, including operations aimed at occupying the Galilee.
“Aqil’s assassination will shake Hezbollah,” Halevi said, adding that Israel’s message to Hezbollah is clear: “We will keep hitting until they understand that the displaced Israelis will return to their homes.”
Defense minister Yoav Gallant echoed this determination, describing the past week as the worst Hezbollah has ever faced. During an operational meeting with senior IDF officers, Gallant stressed that Israel would use all necessary measures to guarantee the safety of northern residents.
In recent days, Israel has escalated its offensive, with airstrikes targeting hundreds of Hezbollah sites in Lebanon. Halevi warned that Israel’s capabilities have not yet been fully utilised, stating, “The price Hezbollah is paying has increased, and our attacks will only intensify.”
The security situation has grown increasingly tense, with Hezbollah firing 85 rockets into northern Israel on Sunday alone, including targeting key sites such as a Rafael defence facility near Haifa and the Ramat David Airbase.

Some 1.5 million Israelis are currently in Hezbollah’s line of fire, according to Israeli assessments. Despite this, the group has refrained from using its more advanced precision missiles, likely to avoid provoking a full-scale war.
Gallant lauded the Beirut operation that killed Aqil, calling it a “significant and powerful” action. He underscored that the IDF’s goal is to safely return displaced Israelis to their homes. “We will take every necessary step to achieve that,” he vowed.
The ongoing hostilities have claimed the lives of 26 civilians and 22 IDF soldiers in Israel, with Hezbollah reporting 504 of its fighters killed during the conflict. The security cabinet is set to meet on Monday to discuss the growing threat and further military strategies, as the IDF readies itself for potential escalations.
Meanwhile, schools across northern Israel remain closed due to the security situation, with classes held remotely. Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, are considering ramping up military pressure, though efforts are being made to avoid sparking an all-out war. US President Joe Biden expressed concern about the rising tensions, reiterating that the US is working to prevent the conflict from widening.
Hezbollah, however, has vowed to continue its fight, with deputy secretary-general Naim Qassem declaring an “open-ended battle of reckoning” during Aqil’s funeral on Sunday.

NEW DELHI: Akash Deep was in his hotel room in Chennai during the opening Test against Bangladesh when he heard a knock on the door. To his surprise, it was Virat Kohli standing outside. The Indian batting star walked in, carrying a brand-new bat. “Bat chaiye kya tujhe?” (Do you need a bat?), Virat asked Akash.
Taken aback by the unexpected gesture, Akash nodded eagerly, grateful for the precious gift.
Handing over the bat, Virat said, “Yeh le, rakh le yeh bat.”
Overwhelmed, Akash immediately took out a pen, requested an autograph on the bat, and gave Virat a hug.
“I will never play with that bat. It’s a huge gift from Virat bhaiya, and I will keep it as a souvenir,” an elated Akash told TimesofIndia.com in an exclusive interview.
The 27-year-old from Sasaram has been impressive in his brief Test career so far. He made his debut against England in Ranchi earlier this year, claiming three wickets in the match. In his second Test, Akash once again delivered, picking up two wickets against Bangladesh.

TimesofIndia.com caught up with Akash in an exclusive interview, where he spoke about the ongoing India-Bangladesh series, receiving the bat from Virat Kohli, his rapport with captain Rohit Sharma, sharing the nets with Jasprit Bumrah, and much more.
After England, Bangladesh marks your second Test series. How has the experience been so far?
The experience has been excellent so far. I have learned a lot. As a fast bowler, you need to adapt to any condition and situation, and that’s how you learn. I decided to bowl the way I have been bowling; I didn’t want to experiment or change anything. As fast bowlers, we need to assess the conditions and analyze the batsmen, and that’s what I do during the match. My focus is always on the batsman. I don’t put extra burden on myself because it leads to pressure. I just try to stick to the basics and focus on the team’s plans.
India is not a team that adjusts its plans according to the opposition. They play with the same plan against any opponent. India always dominates. It doesn’t matter whether they are facing England, New Zealand, Australia, or Bangladesh. We just want to go out and play cricket, no matter who we are playing against.
You took a wicket off a no ball in your debut, but then went on to claim three wickets. Was it Rohit Sharma’s encouragement that motivated you during that time?
I always say it is a matter of good fortune and luck to play under Rohit bhaiya. I consider myself lucky to play under him. He is a different kind of captain; I have never seen a captain like him. He is the best captain I have played under. He is just a cool and calm person. He keeps things so simple and easy for every player, not just for me. You will be amazed at how a player of Rohit’s stature deals with a youngster like a friend and brother.

How challenging is it for a bowler to bounce back, especially after conceding a wicket due to a no ball?
I didn’t feel bad at all when I took a wicket that was given as a no ball. What made me feel worse was that Zak Crawley hammered Siraj for 19 runs after two overs. I felt bad because my no ball allowed him to score those runs. But I had a belief that I would get him out; I had some plans in my mind. I eventually got rid of Crawley. I knew I would dismiss him, and I was confident. When I dismissed him, I felt so relieved and happy at the same time.
Rohit bhaiya came forward and motivated me after that no ball. He said, ‘Aage badh, hota rehta hai.’ He asked me to leave that no ball behind and move forward. But as a bowler, you don’t forget such incidents.
Can you share the story of receiving a bat from Virat Kohli?
Virat bhaiya ne khud se bat diya tha [Virat bhaiya himself gave me the bat]. He must have observed something about my batting. I didn’t ask for it; he came to me and asked, ‘Bat chaiye kya tujhe?’ Who wouldn’t want a bat from Virat bhaiya? He is a legend. I was very happy to hear his words and wanted that bat. He asked me what kind of bat I use while batting, and I just smiled—I didn’t have words. Then he said, ‘Yeh le, rakh le yeh bat.’ I will never play with that bat; it is a big gift from Virat bhaiya, and I will keep it as a souvenir on the wall of my room. I even got his autograph on the bat.

You’ve stepped in for Shami in the squad. Does replacing a senior player add extra pressure for you?
Responsibility—that’s what I feel in the absence of a veteran bowler. He has done a lot for the country, and it feels great to play in the place of such a great bowler. Fulfilling that role and performing is a big challenge, and I feel that responsibility. I want to repay the trust that the management, captain, seniors, and coaches have shown in me. I just want to follow the process, bowl in good areas, and take wickets for my team.
You’ve had the opportunity to share nets with Bumrah. What was that experience like?
I regularly talk to him and observe his bowling. Woh bilkul alag hain; bhagwan ne unhe alag hi banaya hai. I take a lot of tips from him and have learned a lot. I discussed ‘mindset’ with him and once asked him about the mindset while bowling to a particular batsman. He provided me with valuable tips and answers to my query.
He is such a knowledgeable person, and that reflects in his bowling. His ability to read a batter before he bowls is amazing. He is a gifted bowler, and it’s not easy to follow in his footsteps.
How did you develop the art of reading batsmen?
Every batsman plays in a different zone. His mindset will vary depending on when he plays, changing session by session and day by day. For example, a batsman may have an A mindset on Day 1 and a B mindset on Day 2. As bowlers, we need to keep track of that, analyze it, and bowl accordingly, because he is also analyzing us. After bowling three or four overs to him, we start to notice the mistakes he is making, and then I adjust my variations accordingly.

In red ball cricket, I always focus on taking the batsman out of his comfort zone. I don’t bowl in areas where he is comfortable; I try to make him uncomfortable and force him into making a mistake. This is what I have learned in my career, especially in red ball cricket, so far.

In a game that was a stark contrast to the high-flying offensive displays of recent seasons, the Dallas Cowboys stumbled and fumbled their way to a disappointing defeat against the Baltimore Ravens. The Cowboys’ performance was so lackluster that even the legendary Tom Brady, serving as a commentator for the game, couldn’t contain his frustration.
Also Read: Tennessee Titans Head Coach Brian Callahan Stresses Team Effort to Support QB Will Levis Amid Tough Start, Says ‘You can’t kick a man when he’s down’

Why Is Tom Brady Frustrated Seeing the Cowboys Game?

As Dallas trailed 28–6 in the fourth quarter, Tom Brady tried to offer insight into how the Cowboys might make a comeback.However, a false start penalty interrupted his analysis, and the tone of his commentary immediately shifted. In a moment that saw the sentiment of Cowboys fans, Brady exclaimed, “One drive, one touchdown, play with a little rhythm. Find CeeDee Lamb–oh another penalty. Oh my god.”

Kevin Burkhardt, who was calling the game alongside Brady, added to the sentiment by remarking, “Well, if you’re frustrated, I’m guessing they’re frustrated.” His audible disgust was a clear reflection of the Cowboys’ struggles throughout the game. The penalty, coupled with the team’s previous errors, had tested Brady’s patience.
Though the Cowboys managed to rally late in the game, scoring 19 points in the fourth quarter, it was ultimately too little, too late. The Ravens successfully ran out the clock, sealing their victory and leaving Dallas to reflect on yet another missed opportunity. The Cowboys’ late surge brought them within three points, but it wasn’t enough to change the outcome.
With this loss, Dallas fell to 1-2 for the season, marking their second consecutive defeat at home after a tough loss to New Orleans. The team now looks ahead to a critical Thursday night matchup against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium, hoping to rebound from their recent struggles. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if Dallas can turn things around before it’s too late.
Also Read: Jerry Jones Give 4 Words Reply While Defending Cowboys’ Decision Not to Sign Derrick Henry

The UEFA Champions League is celebrated for its exhilarating football and moments of individual brilliance. However, with the pressure and intensity of the competition comes heightened emotions, leading to disciplinary actions. While many players have been cautioned in the heat of battle, a select few have accumulated the most red cards in the tournament’s history.
Here’s a look at the top five players who were shown red more often than any others in the Champions League:
1. Sergio Ramos – 4 Red Cards
Sergio Ramos, the Real Madrid icon, is widely regarded as one of the best defenders of his generation. Known for his leadership and aggression, Ramos often found himself on the wrong side of referees. His four red cards reflect his fearless, sometimes reckless, defending style that made him both a hero and a villain on the pitch.
2. Zlatan Ibrahimovic – 4 Red Cards
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, a striker with flair and confidence, earned a reputation not only for his stunning goals but also for his fiery temperament. The Swede’s confrontational nature on the field saw him receive four red cards in the Champions League, showcasing that his passion sometimes boiled over into clashes with referees and opponents alike.
3. Edgar Davids – 4 Red Cards
Nicknamed “The Pitbull,” Edgar Davids was renowned for his aggressive, combative style of play in midfield. His fearsome tackling and relentless pressing earned him four red cards in the Champions League. While his physicality intimidated opponents, it also led to multiple dismissals, cementing his legacy as a no-nonsense player.
4. Patrick Vieira – 3 Red Cards
Patrick Vieira, one of the finest central midfielders of his era, was celebrated for his imposing physical presence and leadership. However, his passion often led to disciplinary trouble. His three red cards in the Champions League are a testament to his confrontational style and the fine line he walked between controlled aggression and ill-discipline.
5. Arturo Vidal – 3 Red Cards
Arturo Vidal is known for his fierce competitiveness and combative play in midfield. His “warrior” mentality has earned him a reputation as one of the most aggressive players in world football. However, his hard tackles and confrontational attitude led to three red cards in the Champions League, making him a regular target for referees.