Rachin Ravindra ready for emotional test against India in his father’s birth city
Ravindra has played nine Tests since his debut in Kanpur in 2021, and has become a regular in the national team with his swashbuckling batting.
Rachin Ravindra
By Eastern EyeOct 16, 2024
NEW ZEALAND batter Rachin Ravindra said on Monday (14) playing India in Bengaluru in the birth city of his father will be a “special” moment, with his family cheering in the stands.
The Black Caps begin the three Test match series on Wednesday (16), but the Wellington-born Ravindra – who called himself “a Kiwi all the way through” – said facing India will be emotional.
“I am very proud of my Indian origin,” the 24-year-old told reporters. “To be able to play where a lot of my family is based is something special.”
Ravindra has played nine Tests since his debut in Kanpur in 2021, and has become a regular in the national team with his swashbuckling batting.
The left-hander enjoyed a prolific ODI World Cup in India last year, and then made an impression in his debut Indian Premier League (IPL) tournament for Chennai Super Kings.
He called them both “two pretty cool experiences to have”, but said playing a Test was “something different”.
“Test cricket is the pinnacle,” he said, adding that it “makes it extra significant because of the family connection” to play in Bengaluru.
“Dad will be here watching,” he said. “Those moments, you pinch yourself on the journey”.
Ravindra, who plays spin well on turning subcontinent pitches, amassed 578 runs including three centuries 10 World Cup matches in 2023. In the IPL, he scored 222 runs for five-time winners Chennai, at a strike-rate of over 160.
Having experienced cricket in India, he said he was eager for the challenge ahead.
“We know how passionate the Indian people are about cricket”, he said, praising the “hype and the buzz” around the game – and that he was “excited to have a fully fledged three-match series” to play.
But New Zealand face a stiff challenge in the series.
India, led by Rohit Sharma, remain firm favourites after their recent 2-0 sweep of Bangladesh. They will look to consolidate their position at the top of the World Test Championship table.
The hosts handed a bruising defeat to Bangladesh in the final Test, where more than two days were lost due to rain.
“We want to be a team that can make 400 runs in a day, and bat for two days to draw,” India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir said. “That’s called growth, that’s called adaptability – and that’s called Test cricket.”
New Zealand are on the last leg of their subcontinent tour, which started with a washout against Afghanistan near New Delhi.
The Kiwis then lost 2-0 in Sri Lanka after going down in a hard-fought opening Test.
But Gambhir urged caution from India, saying New Zealand should not be underestimated.
“New Zealand is a completely different challenge. We know that they’re a very, very good team,” he said.
“They’ve got some really high-quality players. They’ve got players who can hurt us.”
Jannik Sinner beat Ben Shelton 7-6(2), 6-4, 6-4 to reach his second Wimbledon semi-final.
The world No. 1 showed no signs of elbow trouble, bouncing back after his previous injury scare.
Sinner was clinical on key points, breaking Shelton late in the second and third sets.
He extended his winning streak to 20 straight matches against American players.
The 23-year-old will now face Novak Djokovic in a rematch of the 2023 semi-final.
World number one Jannik Sinner shrugged off any doubts about his injured elbow to reach the Wimbledon semi-finals for the second time with a clinical defeat of powerful American 10th seed Ben Shelton on Wednesday.
A high-octane contest on a muggy Court One was decided by slender margins with Italian Sinner seizing the few opportunities that came his way in ruthless fashion for a 7-6(2) 6-4 6-4 victory.
The 23-year-old Sinner, bidding to become the first Italian to win Wimbledon, will face seven-times champion Novak Djokovic, the man he lost to in the 2023 semis, in the last four on Friday.
Sinner dropped two points on serve in the opening set but could make no impression on Shelton's booming delivery either before reeling off seven points to storm through the tiebreak.
Shelton continued slugging it out with the three-time Grand Slam champion but the American faltered at 4-5 in the second set, Sinner taking control as he converted just his second break point opportunity of the contest.
It was a repeat performance in the third set as Sinner applied the pressure in the 10th game and Shelton duly cracked, serving a double-fault before bashing a forehand long on match point after two hours and 19 minutes.
Sinner has now won an incredible 20 successive Tour-level matches against American players and his last 15 sets against Shelton who must be sick of the sight of him.
After Monday's lucky escape against Grigor Dimitrov who retired hurt when leading by two sets after Sinner had appeared to also suffer an elbow injury, this was business as usual for the man who has reached the last four Grand Slam semi-finals.
"Of course, the feelings are definitely different. I'm very, very happy about today's performance," Sinner said.
Sinner's suspect elbow was given a thorough test by the 140mph serving of Shelton, but apart from one moment in the second set he appeared untroubled by it.
"When you are in a match with a lot of tension, you try to not think about it," he said.
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Djokovic dusted himself off and served out the victory
Djokovic beats Cobolli in four sets to reach last four
Serbian, seeking 25th Grand Slam title, next faces Sinner
Djokovic reaches record 14th Wimbledon singles semi-final
Novak Djokovic was given an early scare but continued his bid for a record-equalling eighth Wimbledon trophy and standalone 25th Grand Slam title by beating Italian Flavio Cobolli 6-7(6) 6-2 7-5 6-4 on Wednesday to reach the semi-finals.
The 38-year-old's fightback helped him reach a record 14th singles semi-final at the All England Club, where he will face top seed Jannik Sinner, with defending champion Carlos Alcaraz or Taylor Fritz awaiting in the title clash.
"A lot of numbers, a lot of numbers in the head," Serbian Djokovic said.
"Wimbledon was, is, and always will be the most special tournament that we have in our sport, at least in my opinion and I think in many players' opinion. It means the world to me that I'm still able at 38 to play in the final stages of Wimbledon.
"Another thing that makes me feel very young is competing with youngsters, Cobolli today ... I enjoy sliding and running around the court with him and all the other guys.
"I'm going to have Sinner next so I look forward to that. It's going to be a great match."
Cobolli, the 22nd seed, showed tremendous mental fortitude to recover a break after going 3-5 down in the first set, which he edged in a tiebreak by letting rip blistering winners from his orange-framed racket to draw loud cheers on Centre Court.
"I have to say huge congratulations to Flavio for an amazing tournament, but also a great battle today," Djokovic added.
"Great performance from him ... He played at a really high level. I think what surprised me a lot is his serve."
Former Roma youth soccer player Cobolli, who switched to tennis after watching Djokovic, was given a masterclass in the next set, however, and his idol broke for a 6-5 lead thanks to a slew of errors before tightening his grip on the contest.
With his thinking cap on in fading sunlight, Djokovic earned break points early in the fourth set with vintage tennis but was hitting his shoe with his racket after wasting them, before he fell to the ground with the finish line in sight.
Djokovic dusted himself off and served out the victory to go past Roger Federer's semi-finals record at the All England Club and reach a record-extending 52nd Grand Slam semi-final.
I had a nasty slip. But that's what happens when you play on grass," Djokovic said.
"It did come at an awkward moment, but I managed to find a good serve and close it out."
Reuters
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After years of nightmare outings at the spiritual home of lawn tennis,
Swiatek completes full set of Grand Slam semi-final appearances
Polish eighth seed will meet Bencic in last four
Swiatek extends record over Samsonova to 5-0
The balls kept on listening to Iga Swiatek on Wednesday as the Polish eighth seed walloped Liudmila Samsonova 6-2 7-5 to reach the Wimbledon semi-finals for the first time.
After years of nightmare outings at the spiritual home of lawn tennis, Swiatek appears to have finally conquered her grasscourt demons as she said the "ball has been really listening" to her at Wimbledon this year.
That was certainly in evidence on Wednesday as from the moment Swiatek launched into a 105mph ace to save break point in the opening game, the ball dutifully obeyed the Pole as winner after winner flew off her racket.
"Honestly, it feels great. I have goosebumps after this win. I am super happy and super proud of myself and I will keep going," a thrilled Swiatek told the crowd after setting up a semi-final showdown with unseeded Swiss Belinda Bencic.
"I really enjoy playing (on grass) this year and hopefully it is going to last as long as possible. I worked really hard to progress here on this surface."
From 2-2 in the first set, the five-times Grand Slam champion suffocated her Russian opponent on a hot and sticky Court One, winning seven games in a row with some ferocious forehands from the baseline that left Samsonova gasping for air.
There was simply no place to hide for Samsonova, who does not like discovering the identity of her opponents until the 11th hour, as Swiatek won all of her first serve points during the opening set.
Swiatek must have thought she would be back in her rented Wimbledon home before too long to tuck into her favourite dish -- pasta tossed with strawberries and yoghurt -- as she led 6-1 3-0.
However, Samsonova clung on for dear life despite surrendering her serve twice in the second set by misfiring double faults on break points.
The 19th seed, who was inspired to pick up a tennis racket after watching compatriot Maria Sharapova playing on TV, managed to break the Swiatek serve not once but twice to level the second set at 4-4.
The fightback failed to throw off Swiatek, however, as the Pole never dropped her incredible intensity and continued to threaten to take the racket out of her opponent's hand with the astonishing power she was generating from the baseline.
So loud was the thundering 'thwack' sound as her racket made contact with the ball that startled spectators were often jolted in their seats. It also unnerved Samsonova, whose Wimbledon hopes crumbled under 38 unforced and 16 forced errors.
Four games later it was all over as Swiatek skipped around the court in celebration after hitting a brutal service return winner to complete her full set of semi-final appearances at the four majors.
"Right now it's tough to understand what happened exactly," said Samsonova, whose bid to reach a Grand Slam semi-final for the first time ended in heartbreak as she succumbed to a fifth successive defeat to Swiatek.
"It's incredible what I have achieved, but right now I cannot feel it.
"Today Iga was at top level. Everyone knows that she's the one who I would love to beat. In the future, maybe...," she added as her voice trailed off.
Reuters
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Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Virat Kohli (C), along with his teammates, celebrates with the trophy after winning the Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 final cricket match against Punjab Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on June 4, 2025. (Photo by ARUN SANKAR/AFP via Getty Images)
THE Indian Premier League's business value has been estimated at $18.5 billion (£13.5bn) with reigning champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru its wealthiest franchise, according to a report by an investment bank.
The world's richest cricket tournament has been a top revenue earner for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and in 2020 was estimated to generate more than $11bn (£8bn) a year for the Indian economy.
According to US investment bank Houlihan Lokey, which has valued several sports franchises around the world, the brand value of the 10-team T20 franchise tournament has seen a sharp rise of 13.8 per cent to $3.9bn (£2.8bn) over the past year.
Bengaluru, who along with star player Virat Kohli won their first IPL title this year, have overtaken five-time winners Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians to achieve a brand value of $269 million (£196m). Mumbai is second with $242m (£176m), followed by Chennai at $235m (£171m).
The Houlihan Lokey report called the IPL "a global phenomenon" that has become more than just a cricket league.
"The IPL continues to set benchmarks in sports business. Franchise valuations have soared, media rights deals have reached record highs, and brand partnerships have diversified across sectors," Harsh Talikoti from Houlihan Lokey, said in a statement.
"The league's ability to attract global investors and sponsors reflects its status as a premier sports property with enduring appeal."
Bengaluru beat Punjab Kings for the title at the world's biggest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad in June to conclude the 18th edition of the league.
The report said the 2025 final had more than 678 million views on the official streaming platform JioHotstar, surpassing the India-Pakistan clash during the Champions Trophy in February this year.
The IPL, which is broadcast around the world and features top international stars such as Australia's Pat Cummins and England's Jos Buttler, mixes sport and showbusiness in a glitzy format, with a number of teams fronted by Bollywood movie superstars.
Since it launched in 2008 it has inspired a range of other franchise-based leagues in India in sports as diverse as boxing, badminton, poker and kabaddi, and spawned copycat cricket tournaments elsewhere.
(AFP)
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The article in question described Sabalenka’s recent practice sessions
Maria Sharapova criticises WSJ coverage of Aryna Sabalenka's Wimbledon practice
WSJ article suggested Sabalenka hits so hard she must train with men
Sharapova says the practice is standard in women’s tennis
Sabalenka says sessions with Djokovic and Sinner have improved her game
Sharapova challenges headline on Sabalenka
Maria Sharapova has called out the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) over its portrayal of world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka’s Wimbledon preparations, urging the publication to “do better”.
The 2004 Wimbledon champion took issue with an Instagram post by WSJ featuring a smiling Sabalenka under the caption: “The world No. 1 who hits so hard she practises against men.”
The caption was based on an article by reporter Joshua Robinson, which included the line: “The 27-year-old Sabalenka now crushes the ball so forcefully that she needs new practice partners. And, as it turns out, the right players for the job happen to be people she could never face in singles competition… That’s because they’re men.”
Sharapova responded by sharing the post with her 4.7 million Instagram followers and writing: “What is this headline and what is this article. You can do better @WSJ.”
Practising with men is standard, says Sharapova
The article in question described Sabalenka’s recent practice sessions with ATP stars Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic, presenting them as a reflection of her unmatched power on court.
However, Maria Sharapova pointed out that using male hitting partners is routine practice for elite WTA players. Sabalenka has long worked with male practice partners, including her current coach Anton Dubrov, who originally joined her team in that role.
The same approach has been taken by top players including Serena Williams, Venus Williams, and Sharapova herself, especially during Grand Slam tournaments.
Sabalenka values strategic, not just physical, training
Speaking after her first-round win, Sabalenka clarified that her training sessions with Djokovic and Sinner were not just about handling power but understanding the strategic aspects of the game.
“You see the different approach to the balls. You’re learning,” she said. “I think it really helped my tennis, to be honest. Now there are some balls that I used to struggle a little [with]. Right now, I kind of understand a little bit better how to adjust to those balls.”
Sabalenka said the opportunity to speak with Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam winner, has been particularly valuable. Their conversations have focused on mental preparation and tactical decision-making during high-pressure moments.
“One of the conversations went to managing energy. Another one about the mental part of the game. Then we had another conversation about mentally approaching those big finals,” she revealed.
She added that Djokovic had given her useful advice on returning serve, which she has since incorporated into her game. “Now he’s always making fun of me copying his return. I’m like, ‘Man, it’s working! I’m copying the best.’”
Sabalenka continues strong Wimbledon run
Aryna Sabalenka is through to the Wimbledon semi-finals for the third time in her career, having dropped just one set so far. In her quarter-final victory over Laura Siegemund, she converted eight out of 13 break points to secure a 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 comeback win.
She will return to Centre Court on Thursday to face 13th seed Amanda Anisimova for a place in her first Wimbledon final.