MS Dhoni: 'Captain cool' hailed as one of a kind after IPL triumph
The excitement has been heightened this year because of the expectation that — at 41, with a dodgy knee and no longer the force he was with the bat — this season might be Dhoni’s last
By Eastern EyeMay 30, 2023
M S Dhoni, who led Chennai Super Kings to a record-equalling fifth IPL title on Monday, could have spent his life inspecting tickets on Indian Railways if he had listened to his father.
Instead he followed his dream and became one of his cricket-crazy country's most beloved players, second only in adulation to the "little master" Sachin Tendulkar.
In a career spanning two decades, he was India's most successful skipper and even after retiring from international cricket in 2020 has had a glorious Indian summer still playing the IPL.
His journey, which was made into a Bollywood biopic, began in a cramped one-bedroom government flat in the eastern city of Ranchi provided by his pump operator father's employer.
As a boy Dhoni was passionate about sport and honed his skills playing tennis-ball cricket and borrowing bats and other kit from friends.
On his father's insistence, he took a job at Indian Railways but the hectic routine of juggling between collecting tickets and playing cricket finally saw him break free.
In 2004, he made his India debut and in 2007, took over from Rahul Dravid as India's one-day captain, the same year winning the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa.
In 2008, he became Test captain and won two home series against Australia, and in 2011 famously sealed winning the 50-over World Cup in India with a sumptuous six.
Along the way -- with constant hairstyle changes, from shaggy to spiky to shaved -- numerous endorsements saw Dhoni become one of world sport's best-paid athletes, earning an estimated $31 million in 2015.
'No CSK without Dhoni'
But he stunned the cricket world by quitting the five-day format in 2014 after finishing with 27 wins from 60 Tests as skipper.
He stepped down from the limited-overs captaincy in 2017 on the pretext of preparing Virat Kohli as leader, but continued to play a big part in the team's decision-making process.
His last appearance for India was in their semi-final loss to New Zealand in the 2019 ODI World Cup.
He then briefly served with an army reserve unit, where he is an honorary lieutenant colonel, before announcing his international retirement.
But he didn't quit the IPL, using his unrivalled tactical nous and experience to guide the franchise, which he has captained since the league began in 2008, to 10 finals and now five victories.
"There is no CSK without Dhoni and there is no Dhoni without CSK," N. Srinivasan, the industrialist who owns the franchise, famously said after the previous triumph in 2021.
Captain cool
Hard-hitting and always unruffled, Dhoni has many nicknames including "Captain Cool" and "Thala", which means "leader" in Tamil, the language of Chennai.
Fans at the IPL go wild when he strides out to bat and cheer every shot -- and not just those of Chennai but of all the other franchises.
The excitement has been heightened this year because of the expectation that -- at 41, with a dodgy knee and no longer the force he was with the bat -- this season might be Dhoni's last.
But he has kept fans guessing, saying last week that he would take until the auctions for the 2024 IPL in December to make his final decision.
"I will always be there for CSK whether in playing form or sitting somewhere," he said.
"I don't really know. But frankly, it takes a heavy toll."
Amazon Prime Day runs until 11 July, with major savings on electronics
Apple AirPods Pro 2, iPad 11th-gen, and MacBook Air M4 hit all-time low prices
Samsung Galaxy phones, Sony headphones and Fire TV devices also see deep cuts
Prime Day is exclusive to Amazon Prime members, but free trial users can also access deals
Biggest electronics sale of the year
Amazon’s four-day Prime Day 2025 event has delivered a flood of deals on popular electronics, including smartphones, laptops, tablets, headphones and more. Running from 8–11 July, the sale is exclusively available to Prime members, though new users can sign up for a 30-day free trial to access the discounts.
As part of this year’s event, several top-rated products from Apple, Samsung, Sony and Amazon itself have seen some of their lowest-ever prices. According to The Independent’s senior tech critic Alex Lee, “Apple discounts are notoriously rare — but this Prime Day is a clear exception.”
Apple’s best Prime Day deals
Apple AirPods Pro 2
Was £229, now £179 – Amazon.co.uk These premium earbuds feature upgraded audio quality and adaptive noise cancellation. Tech reviewer David Phelan described them as “the best AirPods yet”, noting their impressive environmental awareness features.
Was £329, now £284 – Amazon.co.uk Launched in March 2025, this model comes with an A16 Bionic chip, USB-C charging, and 128GB of storage. It’s considered the best-value iPad currently on the market.
Was £999, now £849 – Amazon.co.uk This slimline laptop is praised for its fast performance, long battery life and sleek design. Phelan called it “Apple’s best MacBook Air yet”.
Ultra 2: Was £799, now £659 Both watches include health tracking features like sleep monitoring, ECG, and fitness metrics. The Ultra 2 also includes a double-tap gesture and two-day battery life.
Was £99, now £55 – Amazon.co.uk Praised by reviewers for sound quality and noise cancellation at a budget price. Which? rated them one of the best mid-range earbuds.
Was £289, now £179 – Amazon.co.uk These over-ear headphones offer top-tier noise cancellation and comfort. Suitable for frequent travellers or remote workers.
Was £79, now £53 – Amazon.co.uk A favourite alternative to AirPods, with long battery life and reliable ANC.
Tips for tech shoppers
Check price history – Use tools like CamelCamelCamel to confirm whether a deal is genuinely at its lowest price.
Compare with high street retailers – Currys, Argos and John Lewis may match or beat Prime Day prices.
Watch out for Lightning Deals – Some electronics deals are time-limited or quantity-restricted.
Sign up for alerts – Use the Amazon app or wishlists to get notified as soon as your favourite products drop in price.
Read expert reviews – Publications like The Independent, TechRadar, and Wired offer trusted opinions.
Prime Day 2025 has proven to be a massive event for electronics, with major savings on Apple, Samsung, Sony and more. From flagship phones and MacBooks to OLED TVs and noise-cancelling earbuds, this year’s sale includes some of the best prices seen in months. With the sale ending at 11:59 pm on 11 July, time is running out to make the most of these deals.
Whether you're after new headphones, a smartwatch, or a tablet for work or leisure, the Prime Day sale offers plenty of compelling options — but only while stocks last.
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UK-based Nanak Hotels acquired the 60-room Kings Court Hotel in Warwickshire for £2.75 million. (Photo: Colliers International UK)
UK-BASED Nanak Hotels recently acquired the 60-room Kings Court Hotel, a 17th-century property in Warwickshire, England, for £2.75 million. This is the first regional acquisition by the privately held firm led by British Indians Harpreet Singh Saluja and Karamvir Singh.
Nanak Hotels, which operates a UK property portfolio, plans to invest in the property's refurbishment and repositioning, according to a statement from Colliers International UK, which brokered the transaction.
“We’re excited to bring Kings Court Hotel into our portfolio as our first Warwickshire acquisition,” said Saluja. “It has a solid foundation and loyal customer base. We see potential to develop the hotel while preserving its heritage.”
The West Midlands hotel, on a 4.2-acre site between Alcester and Redditch, began as a 17th-century farmhouse and now operates as a hospitality business with public areas, event and conference facilities and wedding capacity for up to 130 guests.
The hotel’s previous owner said Kings Court had been central to their work for over 30 years.
“It’s been a privilege to grow it into what it is today,” the owner said. “As we retire, we’re pleased to see it pass to a new owner who shares our commitment to hospitality and has a vision for its future.”
“The sale of Kings Court Hotel drew strong interest due to its size, location and trading performance,” said Josh Sullivan and Peter Brunt of Colliers International UK. “We’re pleased to have completed the transaction with Nanak Hotels and look forward to seeing how they develop the asset.”
In February, UK-based Shiva Hotels, led by founder and CEO Rishi Sachdev, secured $372m (£289m) to renovate The BoTree in Marylebone, London. Separately, Indian tech firm Oyo announced a $62m (£48m), three-year plan to expand its UK hotel portfolio by acquiring inventory and securing leasehold and management contracts, supporting 1,000 jobs.
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SS Rajamouli, Prabhas and Rana Daggubati share a moment at the Baahubali reunion event
SS Rajamouli announces Baahubali: The Epic, combining the two original films into one cinematic saga.
The re-edited version will release in theatres globally on 31 October 2025.
The runtime is expected to cross five hours, sparking fan excitement and jokes online.
Reunion photos featuring Prabhas, Rana Daggubati and Rajamouli shared on the film’s 10th anniversary.
A decade after Baahubali: The Beginning redefined Indian cinema, director SS Rajamouli has announced a reimagined release of the entire saga. Titled Baahubali: The Epic, this special two-part combined film will hit theatres on 31 October 2025, offering fans a seamless version of the grand story that began in 2015.
Team Baahubali reunites a decade after the first film’s releaseInstagram/baahubalimovie
Rajamouli brings Baahubali back with a new vision
On the 10th anniversary of the original film, Rajamouli shared the news on X, alongside a new poster. He wrote, “Baahubali… The beginning of many journeys. Countless memories. Endless inspiration.” He added that this milestone would be celebrated with Baahubali: The Epic, combining The Beginning and The Conclusion into one cinematic experience.
The re-cut version will feature updated transitions and potential new edits to streamline the narrative, according to early reports. Produced by Arka Media Works, the film will release in Telugu, Hindi, Tamil and Malayalam.
— (@)
What to expect from the re-edited Baahubali
While the storyline remains unchanged, the combined runtime sparked curiosity when ticketing platform BookMyShow listed it at 5 hours and 27 minutes. The post was later deleted, but not before fans took screenshots and turned it into a meme fest. One user joked, “Yedhi maranam? 5hrs 27min runtime maranam,” mimicking Prabhas' famous dialogue.
Responding to the buzz, the film’s official X account wrote, “No worries! We won’t take up your whole day. It’ll be around the same time as an exciting IPL match.”
— (@)
A franchise that transformed Indian cinema
Baahubali: The Beginning and its 2017 sequel were not just box office hits, they were milestones. The first film earned around £61 million (₹650 crore) globally, while Baahubali 2: The Conclusion grossed £168 million (₹1,788 crore), making it one of India’s highest-grossing films.
The series featured Prabhas as Sivudu and Amarendra Baahubali, alongside Anushka Shetty, Rana Daggubati, Tamannaah Bhatia, Ramya Krishnan, Sathyaraj and Nassar. The gripping storyline, elaborate sets, and visual effects turned it into a national obsession, most memorably with the cliffhanger, “Why did Kattappa kill Baahubali?”
To celebrate the ten-year milestone, the cast and crew reunited on 10 July 2025. Photos from the event showed Prabhas, Rana Daggubati and Rajamouli laughing and reminiscing. Ramya Krishnan was also present, while MM Keeravani performed a song from the film, adding to the nostalgia. Notably, Anushka Shetty and Tamannaah Bhatia were missing from the reunion.
The official Instagram handle of the Baahubali franchise shared heartfelt photos and wrote, “A journey that brought us together as one family… And memories we will cherish forever.”
While fans flooded comment sections asking for a third instalment, Rajamouli remains focused on his next big project, SSMB 29, reportedly starring Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra, and Prithviraj Sukumaran.
For now, Baahubali: The Epic promises a cinematic celebration of a story that changed the scale of Indian filmmaking. Whether you’ve watched it once or a dozen times, this new version is set to offer a fresh perspective on a tale that became part of pop culture history.
AN Indian sprinter who recently broke a national record has said he wants to win an Olympic medal to inspire young athletes to pursue similar dreams.
Animesh Kujur, 22, last Saturday (5) smashed the 100-metre national record with a stunning 10.18 seconds at the Dromia International Sprint and Relays Meeting in Greece.
The Odisha athlete’s record-breaking performance was an improvement on Gurindervir Singh's previous mark of 10.20 seconds, making him the first Indian to hold both the 100m and 200m national records, simultaneously. His 200m record stands at 20.32 seconds, set at the Asian Athletics Championships in South Korea in May.
In an interview with Eastern Eye, Kujur said, "When I finished the line, I saw the clock and it stopped at 10.20. I was like, 'Oh, I just equalled the national record'. Then I went to my coach and said, 'Coach, if it was 10.19, then I could have done the national record, but I didn't.' Then my coach said, 'No, you did 10.18 - you did break the record.' I was like, 'Oh, wow.' Then my coach and I were shouting."
The achievement comes as Kujur prepares for another historic milestone - becoming the first Indian man to compete in the 200m at a Diamond League event in Monaco on Friday (11). Though competing in an under-23 race rather than the main event, his coach views it as a crucial experience.
"It's a big step up to eventually race against Noah Lyles (US athlete)," said Englishman Martin Owens, the head coach of Reliance Foundation Youth Sport Odisha High Performance Centre (HPC). "He'll get the atmosphere with 15,000 spectators without the pressure of running against the Olympic champion and world champion."
Kujur's transformation began when he joined the Reliance Foundation programme in December 2022. The change was dramatic and immediate. "Before joining Reliance, I was a normal athlete. I didn't know what professional training or a professional athlete's life looked like," he said. "After joining Reliance, I got everything - physio support, psychology, coach, everything. I came to know what a professional life looks like."
The foundation's investment in Indian athletics reflects the broader ambitions of the Ambani family, who are heavily backing India's Olympic aspirations both to host the Games in 11 years and to produce potential medal winners.
Nita Ambani sits on the International Olympic Committee, while her daughter Isha Ambani has joined the board of volleyball's international governing body, FIVB.
Mukesh Ambani, who heads Reliance Industries, is India’s richest.
For Kujur, the 200m remains his preferred event. "Because 200 is tougher compared to 100 metres. That's why I like to do 200, and from the beginning, my coach has been mainly focusing on 200 metres," he said.
Unlike traditional Indian coaching approaches that focus intensively on single competitions, Kujur's programme involves year-round planning and multiple competitive opportunities.
"My coach prepares my training for the next year - which is the main competition you have to focus on," he added. "Foreign coaches make you compete in so many competitions so that you can get more experience."
Recent training camps in Switzerland and working with movement specialist Chris Woolley have focused particularly on improving Kujur's starts - historically his weakest area. The work has paid dividends, with both athlete and coach noting significant improvements in his acceleration phase.
Owens, who has worked with Kujur for almost three years, credited the athlete's dedication and the systematic approach they've developed together. "When he came to the HPC, he was a 21.1-21.2 runner, and now he's a 20.32 runner," Owens said. "That's a lot of his hard work and dedication. He learns all the time, makes mistakes - like we all do - but he tries not to make the same mistake twice."
His strategy extends beyond individual achievement to building a sustainable sprint programme for India. "The aim is to get as many athletes running and training with each other as possible, supporting each other," he said. "We're driving the relay programme. Very few athletes in India at the moment are going to be competitive on the world stage individually, but the young sprinters we've got could collectively be competitive in relays."
The foundation promotes clean athletics, with the coach proudly noting that Kujur is "the most tested athlete in India" and emphasising "there are no shortcuts - hard work is the best way."
Kujur's transformation began when he joined the Reliance Foundation programme in December 2022
For Kujur, the immediate focus is performing well at the World Championships, where he wants to break the pattern of Indian athletes failing to deliver at major competitions. "Every time Indian athletes go to big competitions, but they don't perform. I want that if I'm competing in World Championship - such a big competition - I want to perform well there."
Looking ahead to the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, Kujur spoke of his ambition. "For longer term, I'm preparing for the Olympics - I want to win a medal for India in Los Angeles," he added.
His coach shares this optimism, believing that international exposure is crucial for development. "You need to get out of your backyard to get a good view of the world," he said. "That exposure trip last year changed Animesh completely. This one will make him better."
Owens added that Kujur holds "10 of the top 10 times run in India this year" in his events, with "the second fastest runner half a second behind him, which is massive in sprinting."
PRIYA NAIR has been appointed as the CEO and managing director of Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL), effective from August 1. She will be the first woman to lead the company in its history.
The announcement was made by HUL on Thursday (10). Nair, who currently serves as president, Beauty & Wellbeing at Unilever, will take over the role from Rohit Jawa, who will step down on July 31 to pursue other interests.
She has been appointed for a five-year term and will also join the HUL board, subject to necessary approvals. She will continue to be a member of the Unilever Leadership Executive.
Nair began her career with HUL in 1995 and has held various roles across sales and marketing in the company’s Home Care, Beauty & Wellbeing, and Personal Care businesses.
Between 2014 and 2020, she served as executive director, Home Care and later as executive director, Beauty & Personal Care from 2020 to 2022. She then moved to a global role as the chief marketing officer for Beauty & Wellbeing at Unilever, and in 2023, was named president of the business.
Under her leadership, the Beauty & Wellbeing division has grown into a more than £10 billion global business covering hair care, skin care, prestige beauty, and health and wellbeing, including vitamins, minerals and supplements.
She has overseen brand building, innovation, revenue growth, digital transformation, and profit delivery.
Speaking on her appointment, HUL chairman Nitin Paranjpe said, “Priya has had an outstanding career in HUL and Unilever. I am certain that with her deep understanding of the Indian market and excellent track record, Priya will take HUL to the next level of performance.”
Nair’s appointment comes after Jawa’s two-year term, during which the company focused on volume-led growth. “On behalf of the Board of HUL, I would like to thank Rohit for leading the business through tough market conditions and strengthening its foundations for success,” Paranjpe added.
Over her 28-year career, Nair has built and managed several leading consumer brands. She is recognised for turning around underperforming businesses and leading cross-functional teams.
The Indian executive has also served as an independent director on the board of a publicly listed Indian company, a board member of the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI), and a member of several government-backed partnerships and industry bodies.
Nair currently lives in London with her husband and daughter.