Asia Press Agency

Tag: Rahul Dravid

  • Ravindra Jadeja’s Fitness in Question for 2nd Test Against England

    Ravindra Jadeja’s Fitness in Question for 2nd Test Against England

    India’s all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja faces uncertainty regarding his participation in the second Test against England, scheduled to begin on Friday at the ACA-VDCA Stadium in Vizag. The left-handed cricketer appeared to have pulled his hamstring during the fourth day of the first Test, where England secured a 28-run victory over India in Hyderabad, taking a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.

     

    Jadeja’s potential injury became evident in the second innings when he was run out, courtesy of Ben Stokes’ exceptional underarm flick at the non-striker’s end. Before Stokes executed a direct hit, Jadeja showed signs of discomfort, suggesting a hamstring concern that might have influenced his dismissal.

     

    As the cricketing world awaits updates on Jadeja’s fitness, India’s head coach Rahul Dravid was questioned about the all-rounder’s condition. Dravid, however, couldn’t provide detailed insights, mentioning that he hadn’t had the opportunity to discuss the matter with the physios.

     

    “We’ll see. I honestly haven’t had a chance to speak to the physio as yet. Once I get back, I’ll speak to him and see what it is about,” Dravid stated during the post-match media conference.

     

    Jadeja played a crucial role in the first Test, contributing significantly with both bat and ball. He secured five wickets in the match and showcased his batting prowess with a brilliant 87 in the first innings. His potential absence in the second Test would undoubtedly be a setback for India, as they aim to level the series.

     

    Reflecting on India’s defeat in the first Test, Dravid acknowledged the team’s shortcomings, emphasizing the absence of a substantial individual contribution.

     

    “We didn’t get a hundred, you know, we didn’t get somebody getting a really big hundred for us. So, in some ways, in India, I just felt we left those 70, 80 runs back in the hut in the first innings. The second innings is always going to be challenging. It’s one of those things that, you know, it’s tough. It’s not easy to chase 230 or it’s not done very often,” Dravid analyzed.

     

    For England, debutant Tom Hartley played a pivotal role in the second innings, securing seven wickets to propel England to a thrilling 28-run victory. Vice-captain Ollie Pope’s remarkable innings of 196 played a crucial role in overturning a 190-run first innings deficit, guiding England to a total of 420 in the second innings.

     

    As the cricketing world awaits further updates on Jadeja’s fitness, the second Test promises to be a crucial encounter between India and England. The hosts will aim to bounce back and level the series, while England seeks to maintain their momentum and secure a series lead. Jadeja’s potential absence would not only impact India’s balance but also add an additional layer of challenge for the team as they prepare for a crucial contest at the ACA-VDCA Stadium in Vizag.

  • Rahul Dravid Stresses Adaptability for T20 World Cup

    Rahul Dravid Stresses Adaptability for T20 World Cup

    Indian cricket team head coach Rahul Dravid acknowledged the challenges the team faces with limited opportunities for players to play together as a group ahead of the T20 World Cup, scheduled for June. Dravid highlighted the need for mental flexibility and adaptation, considering the constraints in the team’s schedule.

     

    The upcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, starting in Mohali on Thursday, represents India’s final T20I assignment before the marquee T20 World Cup. In his pre-match conference, Dravid shared insights into the team’s preparation and the unique circumstances leading up to the global tournament.

     

    “After the last T20I World Cup (2022), we prioritized the ODI World Cup. But we don’t have that many T20I games after that (ODI WC),” Dravid stated. “So, this T20I World Cup is slightly different in the sense that (there’s) not a lot of time to prepare for that. We have to rely on the cricket that we have and also a little bit on the IPL.”

     

    Dravid acknowledged the tight schedule and the need for adaptability, particularly in situations where the team might not get many opportunities to play together before the T20 World Cup. The head coach emphasized the importance of being flexible and adapting to the circumstances.

     

    “We might not get too many chances to play together, so we will have to work around that. You just need to adapt and be flexible. We had a good preparation leading into the one-day WC. Even in the last T20I World Cup, we had a lot of games together as a group. This time we won’t have that (many matches) probably, but it is all about adapting while going ahead,” he added.

     

    Given the limited game time, Dravid acknowledged the significance of the upcoming IPL 2024 in shaping the team selection for the T20 World Cup. The Indian Premier League (IPL) has often served as a platform for players to showcase their form and fitness, and the management will likely consider performances in the IPL for the final squad selection.

     

    Some premier players, including pacers Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, will not be participating in the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan. Dravid addressed concerns about their absence and pointed out the necessity of managing player workloads, especially considering the extensive cricket being played.

     

    “It is impossible for all the players to play all the time, especially for the players who are playing all three formats. We had to prioritize what is important,” Dravid explained. “Bumrah, Siraj, and Jadeja have missed out from this series because keeping in mind the five-Test home series against England. So, we are always playing that juggling act a little bit over the last two years.”

     

    Dravid’s remarks shed light on the delicate balance between giving players adequate rest and ensuring collective game time for team preparation. With a focus on managing the workload effectively, the coaching staff aims to optimize player availability for key series, including the upcoming home Test series against England.

     

    As the T20 World Cup approaches, Dravid and the coaching staff will navigate the evolving schedule and challenges posed by the cricket calendar. The team’s ability to adapt and perform under these circumstances will be crucial in their quest for success in the upcoming global T20 event. The T20I series against Afghanistan serves as a vital platform for assessing player form and readiness, setting the stage for the final preparations leading to the T20 World Cup in June.

  • BPCL Announces Legendary Cricketer Rahul Dravid as their Brand Ambassador

    BPCL Announces Legendary Cricketer Rahul Dravid as their Brand Ambassador

    Bharat Petroleum (BPCL), the second largest Indian Oil Marketing Company and one of the premier integrated energy companies in India, has unveiled, cricketing legend and current Head Coach of the Indian cricket team, Rahul Dravid as its new brand ambassador.

     

    Rahul Dravid, Ex-cricketer and Indian Men’s Cricket Team Coach with G. Krishnakumar, Chairman & Managing Director, BPCL : This incredible partnership underscores our unwavering commitment to quality, authenticity, and excellence. Rahul Dravids remarkable sportsmanship, role model status, integrity, dependability and trustworthiness perfectly reflect the values we stand for and make him the perfect fit for brand BPCL.

     

    Rahul Dravid will endorse BPCLs iconic Pure for Sure initiative and range of MAK lubricants : Welcoming Rahul Dravid, Shri G. Krishnakumar, C&MD, BPCL said, ‘We are delighted to welcome Rahul Dravid to BPCL family. As one of the greatest cricketers of our time, he stood out not only for his exemplary batting skills but also his strong integrity and dependability. An icon who took Indian cricket to new heights, Rahul truly epitomizes our values of trust, integrity, ethics, service and consistency. His association with BPCL will only serve to emphasise our promise of quality and dependability to consumers across the country.’

     

    Speaking on this legendary partnership, Rahul Dravid said, “I am honoured to be associated with BPCL, which is one of India’s most iconic companies with a rich legacy of innovation and integrity. Today, brands like Pure For Sure and MAK Lubricants are a byword for trust and dependability and an integral part of every Indian’s life. I can’t think of a better brand to be associated with and look forward to working with the company as they embark on a new chapter in their journey of growth and success.”

     

    With a heritage steeped in upholding integrity and dependability, BPCL has consistently distinguished itself as an industry leader. Amidst the dynamic landscape of competition, the companys steadfast commitment to these values has consistently set it apart. The introduction of Rahul Dravid as the face of BPCL reaffirms this commitment, reflecting a shared ethos of maintaining the highest standards of integrity and reliability.

     

    About Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (BPCL) : Fortune Global 500 Company, Bharat Petroleum is the second largest Indian Oil Marketing Company and one of the premier integrated energy companies in India, engaged in refining of crude oil and marketing of petroleum products, with a significant presence in the upstream and downstream sectors of the oil and gas industry. The company attained the coveted Maharatna status, joining the elite club of companies having greater operational & financial autonomy.

     

    Bharat Petroleum’s Refineries at Mumbai, Kochi and Bina Refinery have a combined refining capacity of around 35.3 MMTPA. Its marketing infrastructure includes a network of installations, depots, energy stations, aviation service stations and LPG distributors. Its distribution network comprises over 21,000 Energy Stations, over 6,200 LPG distributorships, 525 Lubes distributorships, 123 POL storage locations, 53 LPG Bottling Plants, 70 Aviation Service Stations, 4 Lube blending plants and 4 cross-country pipelines.

     

    Bharat Petroleum is integrating its strategy, investments, environmental and social ambitions to move towards a sustainable planet. The company has chalked out the plan to offer electric vehicle charging stations at around 7000 energy stations over next 5 years.

     

    With a focus on sustainable solutions, the company is developing a vibrant ecosystem and a road-map to become a Net Zero Energy Company by 2040, in Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. Bharat Petroleum has been partnering communities by supporting innumerable initiatives connected primarily in the areas of education, water conservation, skill development, health, community development, capacity building and employee volunteering. With ‘Energising Lives’ as its core purpose, Bharat Petroleum’s vision is to be the most admired global energy company leveraging talent, innovation & technology.

  • Stuart Broad’s Retirement Tribute: Note from Yuvraj Singh

    Stuart Broad’s Retirement Tribute: Note from Yuvraj Singh

    As the cricketing world celebrated Stuart Broad’s retirement from international cricket, Yuvraj Singh’s heartfelt note stood out as a touching tribute to the talented English bowler. Broad’s decision to retire came as a surprise to many, but Yuvraj saw this as the perfect opportunity to express his admiration for the fast bowler’s illustrious Test career. In his note, Yuvraj praised Broad’s exceptional abilities as one of the finest and most feared red ball bowlers, acknowledging his status as a true legend in the sport.

     

    Looking back at their memorable encounter during the 2007 T20 World Cup, Stuart Broad opened up about the tough day when Yuvraj Singh unleashed his might and smashed him for six consecutive sixes. While it was undoubtedly a challenging experience, Broad revealed that it served as a crucial turning point in his career. The humbling experience pushed him to reflect on his approach to the game and inspired him to develop a strong mental routine, which he fondly referred to as his “warrior mode.” He admitted that prior to that encounter, he had rushed his preparation and lacked focus, but the lesson he learned from that day helped him evolve into the competitive and resilient cricketer he is today.

     

     

    Rahul Dravid, India’s Team Coach, also lauded Stuart Broad’s exceptional bowling skills and acknowledged the incredible partnership he shared with fellow English bowler Jimmy Anderson. Dravid highlighted the duo’s significant contributions to the game over the years, with both bowlers consistently delivering exceptional performances. He extended his best wishes to Broad for his future endeavors, recognizing his remarkable career in international cricket.

     

    As Stuart Broad bids farewell to the international cricketing stage, his legacy will undoubtedly endure for years to come. His impact on the game, his extraordinary performances, and his ability to create unforgettable moments on the field will forever be etched in the hearts of cricket fans around the world. While the cricketing fraternity bids farewell to a remarkable cricketer, they also celebrate the inspiring journey of a true legend of the sport.