WC win was by India, obsession over one six should stop: Gambhir
New Delhi: Former India opener Gautam Gambhir on Thursday lashed out at those only celebrating M.S. Dhoni’s six to win the 2011 World Cup, saying it was won by the entire team and not just one hit. India lifted the World Cup on this day nine years ago.”Dhoni finishes off in style. A magnificent strike into the crowd! India lift the World Cup after 28 years!” these were Ravi Shastri’s words after Dhoni led India to a win in the 2011 World Cup final at the Wankhede Stadium with a humongous six off Sri Lanka pacer Nuwan Kulasekara.With that six, Dhoni had fulfilled the long-cherished dreams of batting legend Sachin Tendulkar, who had all the batting records to his name in international cricket except his hands at the World Cup trophy. The Master Blaster had waited 22 years to lift the trophy and on April 2, 2011, his dream was finally fulfilled.ESPNCricinfo, therefore, tweeted “the shot that sent millions of Indians into jubilation” with a photo of the moment.Gambhir, in his reply, said: “Just a reminder @ESPNcricinfo: #worldcup2011 was won by entire India, entire Indian team & all support staff. High time you hit your obsession for a SIX.”The stylish left-hander had scored 97 while Dhoni, who had promoted himself to No 4, smashed an unbeaten 91 as India won by six wickets.”A World Cup won by Indians, for India & with India!” Gambhir later tweeted. (IANS)
Gurjit favours Oly postponement
Chandigarh: Indian drag-flicker Gurjit Kaur feels the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics is disappointing but it gives her more time to prepare. The coronavirus outbreak forced the Olympics to be pushed to next year. Gurjit was due to go for her first Games.”It (delaying of the games) is a bit disappointing but it gives the team more time to prepare. I take it as a blessing in disguise,” Gurjit told The Times of India.”There is no panic or fear absolutely in the camp. The team maintains social distancing, takes all safety precautions, and stays motivated as a unit.””I was never a natural drag-flicker. I didn’t know much about the trick when I first got selected for the senior team but I tried to gain knowledge about it because it was the team’s requirement,” she revealed. (IANS)
McLaren drivers take pay cut
London: McLaren drivers Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris have taken voluntary pay cuts as part of a raft of cost-cutting measures to help the team survive the coronavirus crisis with Formula One in lockdown. “I fully understand these tough decisions and I have obviously decided to take a pay cut. We are all in this together,” Sainz tweeted. The British-based team will also use the UK government’s furlough scheme to guarantee 80 percent of salary for staff up to a maximum of ?2,500 ($3,000) a month. “The McLaren Group is temporarily furloughing a number of employees as part of wider cost-cutting measures due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on its business,” said an official spokesperson for McLaren. “These measures are focused on protecting jobs in the short-term to ensure our employees return to full-time work as the economy recovers.” (AFP)
Asian Cup 2027 deadline extended
Hong Kong: The Asian Football Confederation extended the deadline for preliminary bids for the 2027 Asian Cup on Thursday after the coronavirus pandemic caused major problems for football administrations. Expressions of interest will now be accepted until June 30, three months after the original deadline of March 31, the AFC said in a statement. “The decision was taken in light of the current COVID-19 pandemic to allow member associations, many of whom have been affected by the global outbreak, sufficient time to meet their internal processes and timelines,” it said. China will host the next Asian Cup in 2023 but Saudi Arabia, which has a growing portfolio of large-scale sports events, is the only country so far to throw its hat in the ring for 2027. Qualifying for the 2023 Asian Cup, like most other football worldwide, has been put on hold as countries batten down to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus. (AFP)