In a thrilling match at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai Indians proved to be the superior team as they breezed past Royal Challengers Bangalore by 7 wickets. Despite a solid total of 196/8 by RCB, MI's bowlers, led by Jasprit Bumrah with 5 wickets, restricted their opponents. The hosts then dominated the run chase with an impressive performance by Ishan Kishan and Suryakumar Yadav, ultimately scoring the winning runs with 27 balls to spare.
Patidar: Ascendance of a Political Powerhouse
The Patidar community, a dominant caste group in Gujarat, has emerged as a significant political force in recent years. This rise to prominence has been marked by large-scale protests and political activism, which have had a profound impact on the political landscape of the state.
Background
The Patidars, also known as Patels, are a traditionally land-owning community that constitutes approximately 15% of Gujarat's population. They have been historically affluent and influential, with a strong presence in agriculture, business, and politics.
In recent decades, however, the Patidars have faced economic and social challenges, such as reduced agricultural incomes and competition for higher education and employment opportunities. This has led to a sense of resentment and frustration among the community.
Political Movements
In 2015, the Patidar community launched a protest movement demanding reservations in government jobs and educational institutions. Led by Hardik Patel, the movement gained widespread support and attracted national attention. The protests turned violent at times, resulting in clashes with the police and the arrest of several leaders.
The Patidar agitation had a significant impact on Gujarat's political dynamics. It weakened the position of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which had traditionally enjoyed the support of the Patidar community. In the 2017 state elections, the Patidar votes swung towards the Congress, contributing to the BJP's loss of several key seats.
Recent Developments
In the 2022 Gujarat elections, the Patidar factor played a crucial role once again. The BJP attempted to appease the community by promising to address their demands for reservations. The Congress, on the other hand, tried to woo Patidar voters by fielding Hardik Patel as its chief ministerial candidate.
Ultimately, the BJP retained power in Gujarat, but its margin of victory was significantly reduced. The Patidar community remains a potent political force, and their aspirations and demands will continue to shape the political future of the state.
Top FAQs
1. What are the reasons behind the Patidar rise to political prominence? Answer: Economic challenges, social resentment, and a desire for greater representation in government and education.
2. Who was the leader of the 2015 Patidar protest movement? Answer: Hardik Patel
3. Which political party initially enjoyed the support of the Patidars? Answer: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
4. How did the Patidar agitation impact the 2017 Gujarat elections? Answer: It weakened the BJP and led to a swing of Patidar votes towards the Congress.
5. What was the result of the 2022 Gujarat elections in terms of Patidar support? Answer: The BJP retained power but with a reduced margin of victory, suggesting that the Patidar community remains a significant political force.
MMA commentator Joe Rogan and UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya believe that the UFC should invest in a kickboxing league to capitalize on its potential for explosive knockouts and marketability. Adesanya, who has previously competed in Glory kickboxing, argues that with the UFC's marketing power, kickboxing could become one of the biggest leagues in the world. Rogan agrees, citing the success of ONE FC's recent kickboxing event and the appeal of stand-up fights to fans.
During the T20 series opener between India and Bangladesh, coach Gautam Gambhir was seen engaging in a serious conversation with spinner Varun Chakravarthy after the match had ended. This brought back memories of renowned football coach Pep Guardiola's on-field chat with player Joshua Kimmich, even though his team had won. While Gambhir's motive behind the chat remains a mystery, former head coach Ravi Shastri speculated that it could be related to either the bowler's speed or field placement. With his impressive three-wicket haul, Chakravarthy is determined to secure his spot in the Indian T20I team.
Pakistan's Shan Masood and Abdullah Shafique put on a 114-run partnership in the first session of the first Test against England in Multan. Masood, who won the toss and chose to bat, scored an unbeaten 61 with seven fours while Shafique hit five fours and a six for 53 not out. Despite a shaky start with the early dismissal of Saim Ayub, the hosts have bounced back with strong batting performances.
As Indian cricket legend Zaheer Khan turns 46, let's take a look back at some of his most iconic and game-changing performances. From his instrumental role in India's 2011 World Cup victory to his firepower on the batting side, Zaheer's contributions during high-pressure matches have been unparalleled in cricketing history. As we celebrate his birthday, let's remember the moments that made him one of India's most celebrated fast bowlers.
In a tense and high-stakes match, India's women's cricket team emerged victorious over longtime rivals Pakistan. The bowlers, led by Arundhati Reddy and Shreyanka Patil, limited Pakistan to a meager 105 runs, while the batting duo of Shafali Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues secured the win for India. The match was not without its challenges, including an injury to captain Harmanpreet Kaur, but India ultimately triumphed by six wickets, moving up in the Group A standings. Kaur expressed confidence in the team's progress, while Pakistan acknowledged the need to improve in certain areas.
Vancouver Canucks extend the contract of young star Nils Höglander, recognizing his hard work and potential for growth on and off the ice. The 23-year-old winger made his NHL playoff debut last season and has already accumulated an impressive 36 points in 80 games. Höglander has also represented Sweden in international tournaments, earning gold and bronze medals.
Manchester United players have been affected by the uncertainty surrounding manager Erik ten Hag's job after the team's disappointing draw with Aston Villa. The Dutchman has received heavy criticism after United's worst-ever Premier League start and reports have surfaced that he was given two games - against Porto and Aston Villa - to save his job. However, Evans admits that ten Hag had an "emotional" reaction to the midweek draw and the players have been working hard to turn their form around. Despite this, Evans himself put in a strong performance in Sunday's game against Villa, earning himself the man-of-the-match award. The question now is whether United should sack ten Hag - share your thoughts in the comments.
Real Madrid's unbeaten run in La Liga continued as they secured a 2-0 win over Villareal on Saturday night, but it came at a cost as right-back Dani Carvajal sustained a serious knee injury in the final minute of the game. Carvajal was carried off the pitch in tears and later confirmed the injury through social media, expressing his determination to come back stronger. The injury will require surgery and Carvajal will be out of the field for a few months, leaving Madrid with a gap to fill in their defense.
In a highly entertaining AFC North matchup, Joe Burrow and the Bengals came up short against Lamar Jackson and the Ravens. Despite an impressive performance from Burrow, a late interception and a missed game-winning field goal by Evan McPherson proved costly for the home team. But it was Derrick Henry's 51-yard run in overtime that set up the Ravens' game-winning field goal, spoiling an otherwise outstanding performance by Burrow.
Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers will miss upcoming game against the Seattle Seahawks due to a concussion, while running back Devin Singletary is also doubtful with a groin injury. Nabers, who leads the NFL in catches, suffered a concussion in the previous game against the Dallas Cowboys. New York will have to rely on Wan'Dale Robinson, Darius Slayton, and Jalin Hyatt as top receivers, while Singletary's absence leaves Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Eric Gray as the only active tailbacks. With a struggling offense and a tough opponent, the Giants will have to pull together to overcome these injuries and secure a win.