Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Laxman: IPL will benefit India's World Cup-bound players

The IPL will be a boon, not bane, for India's World Cup-bound players, VVS Laxman believed Friday amid a raging debate around players' workload management programme.

"I think all of them are professional players and playing a tournament like the IPL will help them to be in good rhythm when they go to the World Cup," Laxman said.


"But they have to be very sensible and smart. The workload management, as it is, is a focus of the franchise because it's a long tournament where there is a lot of travel."

With the Indian Premier League, which begins Saturday, culminating days before the World Cup, there has been a lot of talk around managing the workload of the players during the next two months.

Laxman said, "World Cup is something which we all are looking forward to and we want the Indian team to go out there and win the World Cup. I am sure all the players will be smart enough. Playing the IPL will be an advantage as they play against top quality opposition. You are playing with some quality players."

Team mentor Laxman said Sunrisers Hyderabad are excited to have David Warner back in the side.

Warner and Steve Smith were handed year-long bans from state and International cricket for the ball-tampering scandal in Cape Town Test last year.

"David Warner is really looking positive going into this season. It was unfortunate what happened at Cape Town last year and I am sure he is looking forward to contributing to Sunrisers," Laxman said after their practice session at the Eden Gardens.

ALSO READ: Roar of the Lion: A series on Chennai Super Kings' dramatic IPL journey

Warner led SRH to the IPL title in 2016 and, in the next season, he was the leading run-getter.

"He has been an exceptional player for us, exceptional captain as well, a premier batsman for us and I am sure he will look forward to scoring heavily this season as well and win matches, and hopefully, the tournament for Sunrisers," Laxman said.

The left-handed opener was forced to pull out of the Bangladesh Premier League in January with elbow an injury but hit a century on his return from surgery for his Sydney club side, Randy Petes, in a one-day game against Penrith that they lost.

"He is totally fit and raring to go. He has really worked hard on his fitness and also what really amazed me was the kind of rhythm he showed from the first practice session.

"We also played a couple of practice matches in Hyderabad and he scored in both those matches and was in fantastic rhythm and that is really pleasing for all of us."

Laxman also spoke highly of Wriddhiman Saha who will also return from a long injury layoff after undergoing a surgery on his right shoulder.

ALSO READ: Lasith Malinga to miss Mumbai Indians' first six matches in IPL 2019

"It was great to see Saha back. He has really worked hard on his fitness and he too showed good rhythm in the practice matches, coming with good performances in the Syed Mushtaq Ali."

Saha played with a broken thumb in their Qualifier 2 of the last IPL that they won by 14 runs before going down to Chennai Super Kings in the final.

"I was impressed with the way Saha played with a broken finger that is the character Saha has and that is the character we encourage in the Sunrisers team because you want players who are committed to the team, to the game.

"And Saha is one the most committed players I have seen in my career," he said.

More For You

Jolly Rancher Recalled in UK Over Cancer-Linked Chemical Fears

Jolly Rancher sweet products were recalled due to the presence of banned ingredients

Amazon.UK

Jolly Rancher candy recalled in UK over cancer-linked chemicals

An urgent warning has been issued in the UK after several popular Jolly Rancher sweet products were recalled due to the presence of banned ingredients linked to cancer. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has confirmed that certain products, including Jolly Rancher Hard Candy, ‘Misfits’ Gummies, Hard Candy Fruity 2 in 1, and Berry Gummies, are affected.

These sweets, produced by American confectionery giant Hershey, were found to contain Mineral Oil Aromatic Hydrocarbons (MOAH) and Mineral Oil Saturated Hydrocarbon (MOSH), both of which are derived from crude oil and have been associated with serious health risks, including cancer.

Keep ReadingShow less
British national survives Ahmedabad Air India crash

Rescue and relief work underway following the Air India plane crash, in Ahmedabad. (PTI Photo)

British national survives Ahmedabad Air India crash

ONE survivor walked away from the Air India aircraft that crashed at Ahmedabad airport earlier this morning (12), according to the latest reports from India.

Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, 40, a UK national, was in seat 11A of the Air India Flight 171 bound for London Gatwick when it crashed shortly after take off from Ahmedabad with 242 people on board.

Keep ReadingShow less
Shah Rukh Khan home

The crown for the most expensive celebrity-owned home in India has now passed on

Getty Images

Shah Rukh Khan doesn't own the swankiest Bollywood home, this couple now owns €27 million Mumbai home

For decades, Shah Rukh Khan’s ocean-facing mansion, Mannat, stood as the pinnacle of Bollywood royalty. Located in Mumbai’s upscale Bandra area, the house wasn’t just a home—it was a symbol. Fans from around the world still gather outside its gates, hoping for a glimpse of the man often called the “King of Bollywood.”

But the crown for the most expensive celebrity-owned home in India has now passed on.

Keep ReadingShow less
London Tech Week: Indian firms show investment intent

Keir Starmer at London Tech Week in London on Monday (9)

London Tech Week: Indian firms show investment intent

MORE THAN 350 technology companies from India joined London Tech Week, which began on Monday – making it the largest-ever delegation from the country to attend the event.

London mayor Sadiq Khan’s office, City Hall, described the rise in Indian participation as a reflection of deepening ties between India and London’s tech sectors, following the recent signing of the India– UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

Keep ReadingShow less
Fanna Fi Allah's

Don't Miss Fanna-Fi-Allah's Enchanting Qawwali Performance

Fanna-Fi-Allah's

Fanna-Fi-Allah Sufi Qawwali in London!

London is set to host an unforgettable night of spiritual depth and musical brilliance as the renowned Sufi qawwali ensemble Fanna-Fi-Allah brings their celebrated performance to Union Chapel on Friday, 27 June. Located at 19b Compton Terrace, the historic and acoustically rich venue in Islington will come alive with the passionate, poetic and soul-stirring sounds of qawwali — a centuries-old devotional music tradition rooted in the mystical practices of Sufism. This much-anticipated concert promises to be a transcendent cultural experience, fusing ancient rhythm, powerful vocals and heartfelt devotion in a way that deeply resonates with audiences from all walks of life.

Fanna-Fi-Allah, an ensemble revered across continents for their authentic interpretations of classical qawwali, continues to preserve and elevate this spiritual art form with integrity and passion. With decades of dedication and training under legendary qawwals in Pakistan and India, the group has become one of the most respected global ambassadors of Sufi music. Their performances are marked by an electrifying blend of tabla, harmonium, handclaps and rich vocal harmonies that build to ecstatic crescendos — transporting listeners into a meditative and emotional state known in the Sufi tradition as haal.

Keep ReadingShow less