‘Asia Cup ho jaye bas…’ quips Rashid Latif

Chennai, Aug 19 (IANS) Prithvi Shaw made an impact in his first competitive outing for Maharashtra, scoring a century against Chhattisgarh in the Buchi Babu Invitational Tournament at Guru Nanak College on Tuesday.

The 25-year-old opener, who shifted from Mumbai earlier this year, brought up his hundred off 122 deliveries, holding firm on a challenging surface while his teammates struggled around him.

Shaw reached the three-figure mark in the 44th over of Maharashtra’s innings with a boundary, raising his bat with a subdued celebration before sharing an embrace with batting partner Siddharth Mhatre. His innings, which included 14 fours and a six, was built on application and patience, as he negotiated uneven bounce and turn with composure.

The milestone came just a day after his former Mumbai teammate Sarfaraz Khan struck a fighting hundred for Mumbai against TNCA XI in the same tournament.

Maharashtra, however, found themselves in trouble after a solid start of 71 without loss, slipping to 86 for 4 in quick time. Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad was dismissed cheaply for just 1, leaving Shaw to shoulder the bulk of the scoring, contributing more than 75 percent of the team’s total in the first two sessions.

For Shaw, this century carries added significance. Once seen as a future star for India, he had been dropped from the Mumbai Ranji squad last season and last played for them in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 in December 2024.

After going unsold at the IPL 2025 auction and facing questions over his form and fitness, Shaw decided to switch to Maharashtra to revive his domestic career and gain more consistent opportunities.

Earlier, Chhattisgarh had posted 252 on Day 1, thanks to Sanjeet Desai’s 93 and Avnish Singh Dhaliwal’s 52.

–IANS

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Itanagar, Nov 26 (IANS) Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lt. General K.T. Parnaik (Retd.) on Wednesday inaugurated the 69th National School Games at Khelo India indoor stadium.

A Raj Bhavan official said that 1291 participants, including 843 girl students from 26 states, 6 Union Territories and 8 Central organisations, are participating in two disciplines — Taekwondo and Weightlifting. In all, 890 players will compete in Taekwondo and 401 in Weightlifting under the watchful eyes of 140 technical officials.

Approximately 200 parents of the athletes are also attending the games. Addressing the inaugural function, the Governor said that the games are a celebration of youth, talent, and the spirit that shapes our nation’s future.

Extending his best wishes to every participant of the games, he reminded them that the competition is about learning, bonding, and growing together.

The Governor encouraged the young athletes to embrace every challenge, play with passion, respect their opponents, and uphold the true spirit of sportsmanship throughout their journey. Lt. General Parnaik (Retd.) said he looked forward with pride to witnessing their talent, determination, and camaraderie in action.

He expressed his hope that the event would nurture a strong pool of young athletes who will one day represent India in Taekwondo and Weightlifting on the global stage.

The Governor urged the participants to dream big, aim high, and strive to be champions not only in sports but also in life.

Emphasising India’s rising global sporting ambitions, he called for a scientific approach to nurturing talent, including the promotion of sports medicine to help match students’ natural abilities with the right sport.

He urged schools and sports departments nationwide to invest in playgrounds, coaches, and proper infrastructure, so that every child feels encouraged to participate, grow and discover their potential.

The Governor expressed pride that Arunachal Pradesh, despite being one of the youngest states and the newest member of the School Games Federation of India (SGFI), has achieved a historic milestone by hosting the 69th National School Games in Itanagar.

With boxing already completed and Taekwondo and weightlifting underway, this marks the first time in 71 years that the SGFI has entrusted the state with such a prestigious event. Lt. General Parnaik (Retd.) said this achievement reflects Arunachal Pradesh’s growing commitment to sports and youth development and showcases its readiness to host national-level competitions of the highest standards.

The Governor commended the Department of Education for its dedicated efforts in organising this prestigious event.

He added that such competitions enrich the state’s sports calendar, inspire greater participation among children and youth, and nurture discipline, teamwork, and healthy competition, values essential for building confident and resilient citizens.

–IANS

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London, Jan 21 (IANS) Former England and Worcestershire left-arm spinner Norman Gifford has died at the age of 85 after a long illness, the England Cricket Board confirmed on Wednesday.

Gifford was a key player during Worcestershire’s golden era, helping the team win the County Championship in 1964 and 1965. He later took charge as captain, leading Worcestershire to the County Championship title in 1974 and the Sunday League crown in 1971.

At the international level, Gifford played for England in 15 Test matches and two One-Day Internationals between 1964 and 1973. His ODI appearances came during the 1980 Rothmans Four-Nations Cup in Sharjah, where he captained England at the age of 44, becoming the oldest captain in men’s ODI history.

With several senior players unavailable, including regular skipper David Gower, Gifford took on leadership duties. Although England lost both matches against Australia and Pakistan, the veteran spinner stood out with figures of 4 for 23 in the game against Pakistan.

After his time with Worcestershire, Gifford joined Warwickshire, where he captained the team for five seasons before retiring from professional cricket in 1988 at the age of 48. His contributions are honored through the Norman Gifford Trophy, contested by Worcestershire and Warwickshire during their Vitality Blast matches.

Gifford also served as Worcestershire’s club president and later received an Honorary Vice Presidency for his long service and commitment.

During his Test career, the slow left-armer took 33 wickets, including a notable five-wicket haul against Pakistan in Karachi. Known for his accuracy and control, he had an impressive economy rate of 1.99 and finished with a bowling average of 31.09.

Despite his skills and consistency, Gifford’s England career was limited due to competition from players like Tony Lock and the younger Derek Underwood. Although Gifford and Underwood briefly played together during the 1972–73 tour of the subcontinent, Underwood’s rise ultimately reduced Gifford’s chances at the international level.

—IANS

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