Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has endorsed all-rounder Axar Patel for a spot in the upcoming Champions Trophy, suggesting that he could potentially fill the crucial role of a left-handed batter in the middle order. Manjrekar highlighted Axar's impressive batting performance in the first ODI against England, where he hit a quickfire 52 off just 47 balls, and praised his ability to play spin. He also hinted that wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant may have to wait for his chance due to Axar's emergence. The Indian team could potentially make a couple of changes for the 2nd ODI, with captain Virat Kohli returning from injury and potentially pushing young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal down the order.
Rishabh Pant and Adidas: A Rising Partnership
Indian cricket sensation Rishabh Pant has recently partnered with sportswear giant Adidas, marking a significant milestone in his career. The partnership is a testament to Pant's growing stature in the sporting world and his potential as a global icon.
Background:
Rishabh Pant is a 24-year-old wicketkeeper-batter who has quickly become one of the most exciting players in Indian cricket. Known for his aggressive batting style and fearless approach, Pant has played a key role in India's recent successes, including their Test series win in Australia in 2021.
Adidas, on the other hand, is one of the world's leading sports brands, with a rich history of sponsoring top athletes and teams across various disciplines. The company is known for its innovative products and marketing campaigns.
The Partnership:
The partnership between Rishabh Pant and Adidas was announced in March 2022. Pant will become an official brand ambassador for Adidas, representing the company's products and campaigns worldwide. In addition, Adidas will provide Pant with exclusive training and recovery gear to support his performance on the field.
Benefits:
The partnership is mutually beneficial for both parties. For Pant, it provides access to a global sportswear brand and its resources, helping him elevate his brand and reach a wider audience. For Adidas, Pant's association adds a rising star to their roster of athletes, further strengthening their image as a supporter of Indian sports.
FAQs:
Pant will primarily endorse Adidas's cricket-specific footwear, apparel, and accessories.
The duration of the partnership has not been officially disclosed.
Pant may continue to have existing endorsements with other brands outside of the sports sector.
No, several Indian cricketers, including Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and MS Dhoni, have previously endorsed Adidas.
Axar Patel's impressive batting performance in recent matches has put pressure on Pant's spot in the Indian middle order. However, it is still too early to say whether Pant will be dropped for the Champions Trophy. The team's final decision will likely depend on the specific match conditions and the form of both players.
Ahead of Game 3 of the Lakers' first-round playoff series and their first road game of the postseason against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Lakers coach JJ Redick shared his thoughts on the experience of playing in hostile environments. He described the thrill of silencing and even ruining the day of opposing fans who pay top dollar to watch their team, and the satisfaction that comes with winning on the road in the playoffs. Redick, known for his competitive and relentless nature, emphasized the unique allure of such moments outside of potentially winning a championship.
It was a historic night at Chepauk, as Sunrisers Hyderabad finally defeated Chennai Super Kings at their home ground after six failed attempts. CSK's fortress is now crumbling, with four home losses this season which matches their worst record in 2008 and 2012. SRH's win was fueled by a spectacular catch from Kusal Mendis, which turned the game in their favor and left CSK struggling for any hope of making it to the playoffs. Meanwhile, MS Dhoni's quest to create history in the CSK vs SRH match remained unfulfilled as SRH came out victorious.
Deepak Hooda, who was bought by CSK for INR 1.7 crore at the IPL 2024 mega auction, drew criticism from fans for his sluggish knock of 22 runs off 21 balls in their IPL 2025 match against SRH. This was following his poor performance in the previous three games for the team. Despite his overall record of 1494 runs in the IPL, Hooda's strike rate and consistency have been questioned by fans. Meanwhile, Harshal Patel's 4/28 helped SRH restrict CSK to 154, with debutants Dewald Brevis and Ayush Mhatre contributing 42 and 30 runs, respectively.
In a thrilling IPL match, Sunrisers Hyderabad registered their first victory at the Chepauk by defeating Chennai Super Kings by five wickets. Harshal Patel's four-wicket haul and Ishan Kishan's fighting knock of 44 led the Sunrisers to victory. Captain Pat Cummins was relieved after the win and praised the team's clinical bowling performance. CSK could only manage 154 runs, thanks to brisk knocks from Dewald Brevis and Ayush Mhatre, and SRH easily chased down the target, fixing their poor record against CSK.
Former AEW star returns to WWE after four years, making an impressive and impactful entrance during SmackDown. After being released by WWE in 2021, Black debuted in AEW as Malakai Black and gained popularity with the fan-favorite faction, House of Black. Now, Black is back in WWE and fans are excited to see what he can bring to the ring.
Indian Olympic javelin champion, Neeraj Chopra, defends his decision to invite Pakistani athlete, Arshad Nadeem, to compete in the upcoming NC Classic event in India. Despite receiving backlash and even threats towards himself and his family, Chopra stands by his invitation and expresses disappointment in the doubting of his loyalty and integrity to his country. He also voices his thoughts and prayers for the victims of a recent terrorist attack in Kashmir.
Two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra has faced criticism and hate for inviting Pakistani athlete Arshad Nadeem to the Neeraj Chopra Classic in Bengaluru. Neeraj clarified that the invitation was sent before the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam and was solely based on Arshad's status as an Olympic gold medallist. He also stated that, in light of the tragedy, Arshad's participation in the event was no longer possible.
After a string of home defeats, Royal Challengers Bengaluru finally emerged victorious at the Chinnaswamy Stadium against the Rajasthan Royals, thanks to their captain Virat Kohli and a strong bowling unit. Kohli's unbeaten 70 runs and intense celebrations on the field reflected the high-stakes nature of the match, which saw both teams giving it their all. With this win, RCB moves up to the third spot on the league table with six wins in nine games.
India's star javelin thrower, Neeraj Chopra, has spoken up about the criticism he received for inviting Pakistani athlete Arshad Nadeem to compete in the Neeraj Chopra Classic event. Despite declining the invitation, Nadeem's presence at the event was deemed inappropriate following the recent terror attacks in Pahalgam. Chopra clarified that the invitation was sent well before the attacks and expressed his love for his country and family amidst the backlash. He also addressed the false narratives being spread about him and his family and vowed to continue representing India with pride and integrity.
Australian bowler Josh Hazlewood's brilliant performance against Rajasthan Royals' batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal caught the attention of viewers during an IPL match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Rajasthan Royals. In an intense competition, Hazlewood was able to dismiss Jaiswal just shy of a half-century, leading to a heated exchange between the two players. Hazlewood's final figures of 4 for 33 played a critical role in RCB's narrow 11-run victory.