Zaheer Khan Appointed Head Coach of Chennai Super Kings with MS Dhonis Involvement
Former cricketer Zaheer Khan takes over as head coach of Chennai Super Kings, with MS Dhoni playing a key role in the decision. Zaheer Khan Appointed Head Coach of Chennai Super Kings with MS Dhonis Involvement
Tamil Nadu to expand free bus travel for women from Oct 2
Digital Desk | Chennai, Sep 21 (IANS) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Monday reviewed preparations for the expansion of the State governments free bus travel scheme for women, which will be launched on Gandhi Jayanti on October 2. The high-level meeting, held at the Secretariat in Chennai, examined the operational and technical arrangements being made for the smooth implementation of the expanded scheme, renamed Vettri Payanam. It was earlier known as Vidiyal Payanam. Under the expanded programme, women will be allowed to travel free of cost for distances of up to 40 km in five additional categories of government buses. These include Express, Limited Stop Service (LSS), Deluxe, Mofussil Ordinary and Ghat Ordinary services. The expansion is expected to significantly improve access to affordable public transport for women, particularly those living in rural, semi-urban, hilly and suburban areas. It will also help women who depend on buses for employment, education, healthcare and other daily needs. According to an official release, 12,692 buses have been brought under the expanded scheme. The government estimates that the initiative will benefit nearly 84.32 lakh women across Tamil Nadu. The government has completed the process of linking Electronic Ticket Machines in the selected buses with the system required to implement the scheme. A trial run will be conducted on September 27 to identify and rectify possible technical or operational issues before the formal launch. Officials from the Transport Department and State transport corporations briefed the Chief Minister on the preparedness of bus depots, staff deployment, ticketing arrangements, passenger awareness measures and monitoring mechanisms. The Chief Minister directed officials to ensure that women passengers do not face difficulties while using the service. The expanded scheme follows an announcement made by Vijay through a suo motu statement in the Tamil Nadu Assembly. The government decided to extend the programme beyond ordinary town buses to widen its reach and provide greater mobility to women across the State. The existing free travel programme has been presented by the government as an important welfare measure aimed at reducing household transport expenses and strengthening womens economic independence. Detailed instructions are expected to be issued to transport corporations and bus crews ahead of the October 2 rollout. The government will also monitor passenger response and the implementation of the scheme after its launch.
Chennai Super Kings' 1st Statement After Appointing Zaheer Khan As New Head Coach
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) appointed India pace legend Zaheer Khan as the franchise's new head coach for IPL 2027.
Dhoni Part Of Decision Making Team To Appoint Zaheer As Head Coach, Says CSK MD Viswanathan
European T20 Premier League: The legendary MS Dhoni was actively involved in the decision to appoint former India pacer Zaheer Khan as the new head coach of Chennai Super Kings (CSK), said the franchises managing director Kasi Viswanathan. Five-time champions CSK on Monday named Zaheer, 47, as their head coach for IPL 2027 and fill the high-profile vacancy left by ex-New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming, who parted ways with the franchise after an 18-year association. Apart from Dhoni, other CSK cricket management members included owner Rupa Gurunath and skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad. See, basically, the cricket management took this decision. They wanted Mr. Zaheer Khan as the head coach based on his experience. He has played over 100 games in IPL and was an all-round player. So, they preferred that he will be a good option for them and we abided by what the cricket management wanted. Definitely, he (MS Dhoni) was part of the decision when this was taken. Without his advice, we don't do anything, Viswanathan said to IANS on Monday. When asked about Dhoni's future as a player, after he didnt play a single game for CSK in IPL 2026 due to fitness issues, Viswanathan said, See, basically, he continues to be a player for us. That is the only thing I can say. Viswanathan also confirmed that Zaheer, a member of 2011 ODI World Cup winning team, will have complete autonomy in picking his backroom staff. He will decide on the support staff, he said. As of now, CSKs support staff includes Mike Hussey, Sridharan Sriram, Rajiv Kumar, Eric Simons and James Foster. Zaheer, who was previously a trainee at the MRF Pace Foundation in Chennai, previously served as Director of Cricket Operations and Head of Global Development at Mumbai Indians from 2018 to 2022, before taking up a mentoring role with Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2025. As a left-arm pacer, Zaheer turned out for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Mumbai Indians, and Delhi Capitals, claiming 102 wickets in 100 matches at an average of 27.27. But this will be the first time Zaheer will be the head coach of a cricket team, and he can solely focus on CSK due to him having no other franchise T20 cricket coaching commitments. Outside of coaching and mentoring, Zaheer co-owns Antwerp Anchors in the European T20 Premier League in Belgium, Jaffna Kings in the Lanka Premier League (LPL) in Sri Lanka and Vancouver Anchors in the Super60 league in Canada. When quizzed on how long the negotiations happened before Zaheer agreed to join the yellow brigade, Viswanathan chose to keep details under wraps. That is the process everybody goes through. Those are all things which we need not tell, he said. The search for Fleming's successor was far from simple, especially with 2027 being the final season of a three-year cycle. It is understood that extensive conversations happened with various candidates once Fleming left CSK and became England mens Test head coach. When quizzed on how long the negotiations happened before Zaheer agreed to join the yellow brigade, Viswanathan chose to keep details under wraps. That is the process everybody goes through. Those are all things which we need not tell, he said. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Zaheer's immediate task will be to map out the team's retention strategy and targeted players ahead of the mini-auction in December. Having missed out on the play-offs for three consecutive seasons, all eyes will be on whether CSK will make a strong return in 2027 season before the next mega auction happens. Article Source: IANS
'Dhoni calling the shots': How Zaheer pipped Hemang Badani for CSK head coach job
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Chennai Super Kings ropes in Zaheer Khan as Head Coach for IPL 2027
Chennai Super Kings on Monday named former India pace great Zaheer Khan as their new head coach for the upcoming season. Zaheer replaced Stephen Fleming, who was at helm for 18 seasons. Welcoming Zaheer Khan as the Head Coach of Chennai Super Kings, CSK announced on 'X'. The soon-to-be 48 Zaheer played 92 Tests, 200 ODIs and 17 T20Is for India. He was the highest wicket-taker during the historic 2011 World Cup campaign with 21 scalps. Zaheer had mentored the Lucknow Super Giants during the 2024 season. Fleming had announced last year in July that he was parting ways with the five-time champion side. It is understood that CSK's cricket management committee comprises MS Dhoni, skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad and owner Rupa Gurunath wanted an Indian coach this time.
Who Is Zaheer Khan? Former India Star Takes Over As CSK Coach After Stephen Fleming's 16-Year Run
Five-time Indian Premier League champions Chennai Super Kings have announced former India fast bowler Zaheer Khan as their new head coach ahead of the IPL 2027 season. The franchise made the announcement through its social media platforms, bringing an
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Chennai Super Kings appoint Zaheer Khan as head coach for IPL 2027
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Zaheer Khan Appointed As New Head Coach of Chennai Super Kings
Zaheer had mentored the Lucknow Super Giants during the 2024 season
Ex-India Fast Bowler Zaheer Khan Appointed Chennai Super Kings Head Coach For IPL 2027
CSK Managing Director KS Viswanathan: Five-time Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Monday appointed former India left-arm fast bowler Zaheer Khan as their new head coach for the 2027 season. Zaheer replaces Stephen Fleming, who stepped down earlier this year after the side failed to reach playoffs for a third straight time. It also brought an end to Flemings 18-year association with the franchise and since then, he has taken over as the head coach of the England mens Test team. It's an honour to be a part of one of the most successful teams in the history of the IPL. As a cricketer, I have faced CSK on the field and have thoroughly enjoyed the contests. The atmosphere created by the Superfans at Chepauk make it even more special. I can't wait to join the legacy franchise with such a rich history, Zaheer said in a statement by the franchise on Monday. During a distinguished 14-year international career, Zaheer represented India in 92 Tests, 200 ODIs, and 17 T20Is, picking up 610 wickets across formats. In the IPL, the veteran left-arm bowler turned out for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Mumbai Indians, and Delhi Capitals, claiming 102 wickets in 100 matches at an average of 27.27. We are pleased to confirm Zaheer Khan as the Head Coach for Chennai Super Kings. Zaheer's distinguished playing career and proven ability to nurture young talent make him a valuable addition to our setup. We are confident that his guidance will help strengthen the core of this franchise, said CSK owner Rupa Gurunath. Zaheer, a key architect of Indias 2011 ODI World Cup-winning campaign, brings a wealth of tactical acumen and coaching experience to CSK. He previously served as Director of Cricket Operations and Head of Global Development at Mumbai Indians, before taking up a mentoring role with Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2025. He also conducted a fast-bowling camp for various pacers in India A, U19 and targeted pool at the BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru earlier this year. The decision to appoint Zaheer comes after extensive conversations happened with various candidates once Fleming left the CSK fold. Zaheer, a key architect of Indias 2011 ODI World Cup-winning campaign, brings a wealth of tactical acumen and coaching experience to CSK. He previously served as Director of Cricket Operations and Head of Global Development at Mumbai Indians, before taking up a mentoring role with Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2025. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories As a player, Zaheer was one of the key reasons for India's success in the 2000s. He's one of the finest cricketing brains and we look forward to having him in our family, said CSK Managing Director KS Viswanathan. Article Source: IANS
Chennai Super Kings name Zaheer Khan head coach after 18-year Fleming era
Chennai Super Kings have appointed former India pacer Zaheer Khan as head coach for IPL 2027, replacing Stephen Fleming after his 18-year association with the franchise. Fleming joined CSK as a player in 2008 and became head coach in 2009, overseeing five IPL titles, two Champions League T20 titles, 12 playoff appearances and 10 IPL finals. His tenure ended after CSK missed the playoffs for a third successive season. Zaheer brings experience from coaching and cricket-management roles with Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giants, as well as a distinguished playing career that included Indias 2011 World Cup triumph.
CSK Appoint New Head Coach Ahead Of IPL 2027. He Is An India Legend
Five-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Monday appointed former India fast bowler Zaheer Khan as their head coach ahead of IPL 2027, following the departure of long-serving coach Stephen Fleming.
Zaheer Khan named Chennai Super Kings' head coach ahead of IPL 2027
In one of the biggest developments, five-time IPL (Indian Premier League) champions Chennai Super Kings have come forward and named former India pacer Zaheer Khan as their head coach ahead of the IPL 2027 season....
Digital Desk | Chennai, Sep 21 (IANS) The makers of director Atlee's eagerly awaited magnum opus 'Raaka', featuring actor Actor Allu Arjun in the lead, on Monday announced that the film had now set a world record for Most People Motion-Captured in Real-Time. Sun Pictures, which is producing the film, took to its social media timelines to make the announcement. It wrote, HISTORY MADE! A global triumph that takes Indian cinema to the world stage! #Raaka sets a Guinness World Record for the Most People Motion-Captured in Real-Time, with 37 performers captured simultaneously! It went on to add, Mr. Allu Arjun and Mr. Atlee received the Guinness World Records certificate, marking this historic achievement. @alluarjun @Atlee_dir @GWR #Raaka #AlluArjun #Atlee #GuinnessWorldRecords. The announcement, which has added to the excitement of fans and filmbuffs, came on a day director Atlee celebrated his birthday. Allu Arjun, who greeted Atlee on his birthday on Monday, said that he was looking forward to creating more magic with the 'Raaka' director. The 'Pushpa' actor shared a monochrome picture with the filmmaker on his official handle, in which the two of them were seen sharing a laugh. Happy Birthday to my director @Atlee_dir garu. Extremely proud to work with a director of your vision and calibre. Looking forward to creating more magic, he wrote. On Allu Arjuns 44th birthday recently, the makers had revealed the first look of the actor in the film. The first look featured an intense close-up of a bald Allu Arjuns rugged face. His face is partially hidden by what appears to be a wolf's claw. The entire picture adds a primal, warrior-like aesthetic. Sun Pictures, had, while formally announcing this project last year had made it clear that the project would have world class experts working on it. The production house, while making the announcement shared a video clip that had a number of world-class technicians who are to work on the film, sharing their thoughts about the script. Well known VFX supervisor James Madigan, who is known for having worked in films like Iron Man 2 and Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, was seen saying, I just got done reading the script and I got to say, my head is still spinning. The clip also had Allu Arjun talking to Mike Elizalde, the president of Spectral Motion and asking him what he thought of the script. Mike Elizalde replied, The script is seriously unlike anything I've ever read. It is the best of the best of what I would ever want to create. Academy award winner and Fractured FX artistic director and CEO Justin Raleigh had said,Reading through it (the script), very excited about all the creature potential.All the different character potential. William Write Anderson, who is the co-owner of Lola VFX, said, I cannot wait to be a part of this. I can't wait to see what his vision does. The story is unbelievable. The makers are claiming the film to be a film that will have universal appeal.
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Ahead Of Facing Australia A, How N Jagadeesan Stopped Chasing And Started Enjoying His Cricket
Chennai Super Kings: N Jagadeesan used to begin each domestic season by calculating numbers in his head. These many in the first game and second match will be needed by the season's end so that the selectors would find it hard to look past him. The method was sound in the quest to play for India, but it was also ruining him. I was very motivated to be part of the Indian team and in terms of being part of the Indian team, the things what I wanted to do in the domestic circuit was something which I had thought even before the season had started. I had my own goals as to how many runs I need to score in first game and second game, how much do I score? But when you actually have a plan of that sort, it is more often than not that it doesn't go to your plan and all of a sudden, when it doesn't go to your plan, you feel a lot of pressure. Once the pressure hits you, you no longer play your game and you don't enjoy the sport. You just end up taking the pressure too much and not expressing yourself on the field. So, I feel there was a time in my career where I felt that I was taking a lot of pressure - thinking of selections, my result, the amount of runs I am scoring and stuff. So, that was really taxing on me and it wasn't the best feeling I had because the love for the sport had not been there. So, the only thing what I wanted to do was to get the love back of the sport because the day I started playing cricket was just to enjoy the sport as it is and not think about anything else, Jagadeesan told IANS in a chat ahead of India A's series against Australia A, which begins in Puducherry on Tuesday. Needing a mindset shift and regaining the joy of playing cricket, Jagadeesan found a mentor in former India batter and his ex-Chennai Super Kings team-mate Robin Uthappa. At some point, Uthappa mentioned something about Jagadeesans stance and weight transfer. Though both soon went out once CSK released them, Jagadeesan remembered it and implemented it in his batting. In the 2022/23 Vijay Hazare Trophy, Jagadeesan was in a magical run-making spree - 830 runs in eight games with five hundreds. After hitting the fifth century, his phone rang. It was Uthappa on the other side and asking what he had done to his batting to get these monstrous runs. Jagadeesan, unable to work out why a player of that standing would bother, told him about the advice he gave which he implemented. With no band-aid of an IPL contract, Jagadeesan wanted a mentor who had been inside the India set-up and would help him achieve his ambition a perfect setting for Uthappa, a member of 2007 T20 World Cup winning team, to come in. We were just talking about life and all of a sudden, I just asked him, I really want to have someone who actually mentors me. I want to play for India - that's my goal. I want someone who can guide me through the journey to play for India and out of nowhere, he was like, you know what, buddy? I am actually looking for someone and I want to give back to the game, he recalled. Uthappa put him on a call the next day and began speaking almost constantly for a week. By having my own process, creating, how I look at life on a daily basis. These are the things in nature that I had a solid foundation on and then came technical stuff. So, in those manner, the last three years have been a blessing for me with Robin in my life and he has actually made me a different person altogether. He no longer uses the word mentor to describe Uthappa. He is family to me right now and we are very close. No matter what it is, it is not just cricket. But if there is anything in my life also, I would go to him for sure. Ask what enjoyment means and he also points at the sports he is not paid to play. Let's say if I got to play golf or paddle, I don't go there to win-win-win. It is just about enjoyment for me. But I am doing something which I love and that's playing a sport which is cricket. So, I need to be really grateful for playing this sport and very important to give credit to a lot of people for allowing me to be in this sport. That's when I feel the joy for the sport goes down. Seriousness is there for sure, but I feel the greediness to be in another place takes over and it becomes all compiled together saying that I want to be there, I want to be there. But in the process, you just forget to enjoy, he added. In 2025, Jagadeesan, who via making 816 and 674 runs in 2023/24 and 2024/25 Ranji Trophy seasons for Tamil Nadu, got into India A and targeted players pool, was at home in Coimbatore and eating lunch, when a BCCI official rang to seek his passport details. He was told he might be required in England for the fifth Test at The Oval as a replacement for Rishabh Pant, who fractured his right foot in Manchester. It was out of the blue. But at the same time, even at that point of time, it wasn't like I was resting or something. I was still doing my own process and practicing. It was a constant run for me. It has become my everyday life that I always try to practice each and every day. Whether there is a tournament or not, it is very important for me to stay prepared because you really don't know when the opportunity is going to knock your door. As usual, my life routines were the same and out of the blue, I got this call from someone. Before I knew it, I was there in the Indian team. Though Jagadeesan did not play the Oval Test, as Dhruv Jurel replaced Pant in the playing eleven, the match was roughly 80-20 England's way before India's quicks, led by Mohammed Siraj, pulled it back on the final day and sealed a win for the ages. It was unreal, to be honest, because it was also my first experience with the Indian team and to be part of a match which was thrilling right from the beginning till the end, is a moment where I would definitely cherish for a very long time. On the last day, all of a sudden, the way the fast bowlers came into the game and picked up wickets in terms of Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh and all these people - how they got us back into the game, especially starting by dismissing Joe Root, was something really special. It was a lot of fun and surely indeed was one of the best victories. Though Jagadeesan travelled with India A to red-ball games in Sri Lanka, which they won 1-0, he did not play both games. Obviously, it hurts when you don't play in the eleven. But that's not really in your control because you can do what's there in your control. That is basically me focusing on my training, my practice, my diet, and the way I do my things. Once I started enjoying, which is all well within my control, so when I don't get selected, I don't get sad. When I get selected, I don't get happy. You need to find a space where you feel neutral about everything. So, I feel that was the kind of state I was in. Yes, I was in Sri Lanka. First and foremost, there are a billion people who want to play for India, India A and stuff. So, gratitude is something really important and I am just grateful that I was there in India A set up. I was one amongst the millions. So, that was very special for me and it doesn't matter if I play or not. It is just about soaking in the feeling and being at the present and living inside my bubble. Some of the recovered head space went into technical work. His batting was built for accumulation, which suits red-ball cricket but needed more adjustment to suit T20s. Ability alone would not have closed that gap, he says, and the remodelling was mostly about aggression by intent rather than circumstance. The results came in sequence: after breaking into red-ball side of things, there was a hundred for India A in a T20 World Cup warm-up game against UAE, which he still calls surreal. None of it felt like his own achievement, he says - only that entourage of his family, father, childhood coach, Narsimha and Uthappa - knew what it took to reach there. From the outside, it just seems like a selection. But the kind of effort that went through inside with the number of hours we put in for practice, your training, your gym and other than cricket, the life choices that I had to make. I feel I am truly blessed to have such people in my life. 100 percent - it comes straight from my heart. The best part is never getting satisfied and trying to be better than what you want, said Jagadeesan. His last assignment involved keeping relentlessly even as East Zone compiled close to 1200 runs across roughly 270 overs against South Zone in the Duleep Trophy final in Chennai weather that does not negotiate. It was one of the most gruelling matches I have played. It's just part and parcel of the game. It was a new experience and it's not like always that you get to stand on the field which is not something that I would like to do a lot. But still, this was an experience. On the Puducherry pitch, his lone appearance came in a Deodhar Trophy match with a white ball, and a change of ball colour, he notes, changes a pitch entirely. Red soil or black, he could not say. Preparation for the duel against Australia A has been standard: a camp in Bengaluru, the squad training and living together. Away from cricket he plays any sport going, and after that, seeing anything on Netflix in any language. At home, Jagadeesans Test jersey hangs framed, much to the delight to him and his father. That's something which is very precious to me and the jersey which I got for the first time is something which is going to be really close to me. On the Puducherry pitch, his lone appearance came in a Deodhar Trophy match with a white ball, and a change of ball colour, he notes, changes a pitch entirely. Red soil or black, he could not say. Preparation for the duel against Australia A has been standard: a camp in Bengaluru, the squad training and living together. Away from cricket he plays any sport going, and after that, seeing anything on Netflix in any language. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories It has obviously given me a lot of confidence and only makes me want to be there in the set-up each and every time they play a series. It's just about being in that spot again and again and anytime you want to be there in the Indian side. So, obviously, you have got a jersey with your number and name on it and that only motivates you and you want to make sure that you be there constantly. Article Source: IANS
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Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Is A Dangerous Combination Of Skill And Smarts: Washington Sundar
Indian Premier League: Indias off-spin bowling all-rounder Washington Sundar said teenaged batting sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshis razor-sharp cricketing acumen paired with raw talent makes him a lethal force capable of winning matches single-handedly for the country. He's just extremely skillful and obviously, he's got a great head as well. He understands his own game and also understands how to win battles against different oppositions and different conditions as well. He's extremely smart and being really smart along with his skill sets, along with the kind of skill sets that he's got, is obviously going to be a dangerous combo. He's already shown us what he's capable of and obviously, we can all expect him to win a lot of games for our country and we're just going to experience him, Sundar told reporters ahead of one-off T20I against Japan, to be played on Tuesday. He also invited sports enthusiasts in Japan to make a trip to India during the next IPL season and experience how cricket is nothing short of a religion in the country. You guys should just come to India and especially during a big series or even during an IPL and understand how big is cricket in India. Cricket is like a religion in India. Everybody celebrates through the game and obviously, it's a massive blessing for all of us to be playing cricket in India and being from India and also to be playing at the highest level for the country is a massive blessing, he observed. Reflecting on his personal journey and the cultural weight the sport carries in the country, Sundar highlighted how deep-rooted the games love is across generations. Cricket itself is a very beautiful sport and obviously, India has been playing cricket for a very, very long time and the amount of people who play cricket in India is also massive. All of us have just grown with the game and the sport. For me personally, it's always been cricket right from the childhood and yes, that would be the case with most of the people in India as well. It's just a massive blessing for all of us to be playing cricket in India. Crediting the Indian Premier League (IPL) for setting the gold standard in global T20 franchise cricket, Chennai-based Sundar pointed out how the league has grown exponentially while maintaining top-notch quality since its inception in 2008. Just the way it's been conducted over many years. Obviously, a lot of quality players from India and many good and quality players around the world also enjoy being a part of the IPL. I'd say just the way it's been conducted right from the first season and till now - the quality of cricket has always been top class. For all of us to just be in the IPL and taste the whole flavour of being part of such a big tournament is a great blessing. Every single time, we really look forward to getting into the IPL season and play really well for all of our franchises. But yes, it's only grown from strength to strength over many years. So, you can only expect a lot more from the IPL. Yes, as I said, if you all could come over and have a great experience of watching a few games, I think you guys will know a lot more about the class of the league, he added. Sundar noted that while representing the national team remains the ultimate dream for every young kid in India, the IPL has provided a transformative pathway for aspiring cricketers to reach their ultimate goal of playing international cricket. I mean, we always look forward to playing for India - that's always been our goal from childhood. Obviously, IPL created a beautiful platform for us to look forward to playing a franchise league as well, especially in the T20 format. It's the best league in this format. So, all of us, especially when we were kids, I mean, even the kids right now really look forward to being a part of the IPL and play some quality cricket in the IPL as well. So, yes, that's how it's been, he said. I mean, we always look forward to playing for India - that's always been our goal from childhood. Obviously, IPL created a beautiful platform for us to look forward to playing a franchise league as well, especially in the T20 format. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Yes, I'm not too sure when it happens. When it's a time in the year it happens. But yes, we'll make sure we have a track of this league. If some of the players who are playing for Japan and in Japan Premier League go on to play for the IPL, it will only be great for all of us. Yes, I'll make sure I tell my teammates as well to keep a track on all the players over here, he concluded. Article Source: IANS
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It's You Against The Ball - Japan's Ito-Davis On Facing India In Historic One-off Mens T20I
T20 World Cup: Benjamin Ito-Davis has spent the past three weeks trying to absorb the idea that cricketers he sees on television will soon be standing 22 yards away from him when Japan host India in a one-off historic men's T20I game at Sano on Tuesday. Though the fixture is under a threat of Typhoon Dujuan, the last few days have been incredibly busy for Ito-Davis and his side lots of media commitments, training time and soaking in the feeling of taking on current T20 World Cup holders India in their backyard. We found out about this happening when we first heard some little noise a month ago. We heard that there might be a possibility and were told to just keep our schedules free and start preparing was the first time we heard from our managers and coaches. Then we got the final confirmation about three weeks ago. Obviously when we all found out, we all called each other and spoke about it and were really excited to see it come true. These are our idols and superstars of cricket, and some of the world's best players. From always watching them on TV, to finally saying we're going to be hosting them in Japan, the emotions have been a lot of excitement and just really can't wait to get started, Ito-Davis told IANS ahead of the clash. Like a growing number of players in Japan's small cricketing community, he follows Indian cricket closely. I do follow cricket quite globally. I've certainly watched the IPL. Some of my favourite teams are Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings. So, I follow those teams and players quite carefully and this would be the first time to ever come across these players so closely. The first time I'll be conversing with any of the Indian players, he said. Speaking to two names in the Indian team, in particular, has been on his mind. There's certainly a few people. I definitely can't wait to meet them all. But amongst few who come to mind is Jasprit Bumrah. His mentality, calmness and he also seems just as a really kind person. So I really want to meet and talk to him. Hopefully he will share a few thoughts and a few tips for me, which would be amazing and huge for me. Another player would be Sanju Samson. I'm really excited to meet him. He's also a wicketkeeper, and maybe if I'm batting, I'll be close to him. But, to meet Sanju as well is huge as hes another one of my idols. So I'm really looking forward to meeting him, he added. Over the past year Japan, ranked 41 in mens T20Is, have beaten Papua New Guinea, Bahrain and Kuwait in May, which Ito-Davis said has shifted something in the dressing room. That certainly gives the team and individuals a lot of success and confidence. Going into a game like the one against India, obviously this is another level. But certainly having that confidence in yourself and being able to back your own skills is really important going into a game like this, he said. His answer to the gap in the gulf between the two teams is to shrink the contest down until the names stop mattering. Although it is a big game for us as individuals and as a team, it's still to just focus on what we have as our strengths and I always think we have to just play ball by ball. It doesn't really matter who is bowling the ball or who you're bowling to. At the end of the day, it's you against the ball. So you just have to have that mentality, take everything else out of it and just focus on the ball or what you're trying to execute when you're bowling, he said. The practical obstacles are harder for Japan - Ito-Davis lives in Chiba, east of Tokyo, and a round of training at the international ground where the national squad does most of its work costs him roughly three hours on trains each way. It is quite a tiring task and can be exhausting, but this is the small cost that we are and can take to have the chance to play against like India. So, small price to pay, but certainly willing to do it, he said. What the squad lacks in infrastructure it has partly made up for in continuity, with much the same group of players turning out together for several years. This team has now gelled quite well together. We've been playing with a lot of familiar faces for a good part of three or four years altogether. The squad hasn't changed too much. So this is a good thing where we're all familiar with each other's roles. We now know everyone's own strengths. So, we bring that all together. I think we have become a really strong team and hopefully this is just sort of a start and we keep building from here, he said. Asked what Japanese cricket needs most, Ito-Davis did not mention coaching, funding or fixtures. For Japan cricket to grow and go to the next level, we need more facilities. This is our biggest obstacle right now - we're just quite short on facilities around Japan. So, just to make and have more facilities to make it more accessible for young kids wanting to try the sport. Then to have more nets, to have more grounds built all around Japan would be a huge boost and a huge opportunity for the game to grow in Japan, he said. His own route to cricket came through a back garden at home, with his father throwing balls at him. Then school and a local club named the Chiba Sharks helped him grow and get game time. Good returns there earned him a place in the national set-up, with an international debut happening about two years ago. Away from playing, he runs much of the national body's social media output, using Instagram and X to push the sport at an audience that has largely never watched a match. Ito-Davis accepts the description of influencer with some enthusiasm. A few players that I idolised - the first one that comes to my mind is an Australian player named Shane Watson. I loved that he was an all-rounder. He was always involved in the game, whether it was with his batting, his bowling, his fielding, and he had a great cover drive. Then most recently, I love Virat Kohli and his mentality. I love his energy, his passion for the game, and his relentlessness in scoring runs. He never backs down a challenge and he's always there for the fight. So I really admire those things about Virat Kohli, he said. Ito-Davis is also an assistant coach with Japan's women's team, though men's team preparations kept him away from their Asian Games quarter-final game against India on Friday. Sent in to bat against the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side, he noted that the Japanese teams performances offered plenty to build on for the future. Asked why he gives cricket this much of his life, his answer ran to two lines. Well, this is my dream. I love cricket and just to be around every day. It's a lot of fun. That's it. There's nothing else. Ito-Davis is also an assistant coach with Japan's women's team, though men's team preparations kept him away from their Asian Games quarter-final game against India on Friday. Sent in to bat against the Harmanpreet Kaur-led side, he noted that the Japanese teams performances offered plenty to build on for the future. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories If we're able to inspire one kid or one boy or girl to pick up the sport and play cricket, because they've watched these games or watched us play, then I think that's the biggest success story, he signed off. Article Source: IANS
Chettinad Festival | Rapid fire with Peter Lee
The collector who sees Asia as one story comes to Chennai
Starbucks, Walgreens to set up GCCs in Chennai, CM Vijay signs MoU; 1000-plus jobs expected
Starbucks, Walgreens to set up GCCs in Chennai, CM Vijay signs MoU; 1000-plus jobs expected
Starbucks to Open Global Capability Centre in Chennai
The facility will mark Starbucks first Global Capability Centre (GCC) in India and will operate independently of its retail joint venture with Tata Consumer Products in the country
The Chennai ITAT restored a TDS dispute involving nearly 3.79 crore in payments after the taxpayer missed notices and filed appeals 60 days late. The tribunal condoned the delay and ordered fresh examination of the case.
Starbucks to establish its first India GCC in Chennai, create 800 tech jobs
The Starbucks GCC is expected to create 800 high-value jobs in its first phase, adding to Chennai's growing ecosystem of global capability centres
Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], September 21: Manoj Jewellers Limited's rights issue of up to 89,85,628 equity shares of face value 10 each at an issue price of 20 per share (including a premium of 10), aggregating up to 1,797.13 lakh, is open for subscription and closes on Tuesday, September 29, 2026.
In Pictures: Over 2,000 Vinayagar Idols Immersed in Chennai Sea
A total of 2,054 idols were transported in processions and immersed on Sunday
Tamil Nadu CM Vijay reviews preparations for expansion of Vetri Payanam scheme
The CM had recently announced that the free bus travel scheme for women, previously called Vidiyal Payanam, would be expanded to Express, LSS, Deluxe, Mofussil Ordinary, and Ghat Ordinary buses
Tamil Nadu CM Vijay reviews preparations for expansion of Vetri Payanam scheme
The CM had recently announced that the free bus travel scheme for women, previously called Vidiyal Payanam, would be expanded to Express, LSS, Deluxe, Mofussil Ordinary, and Ghat Ordinary buses
The TVK has named leaders of its alliance partners in its list of star campaigners for the Madurantakam and Dharapuram bypolls
Microsoft launches 4th India cloud region in Hyderabad to boost AI capacity
Microsoft on Monday formally launched its fourth India cloud region, in Hyderabad, as part of its USD 20.5 billion investment commitment to the country's digital and AI infrastructure. The India South Central region, which became generally available on August 6, joins the company's existing regions in Pune, Chennai and Mumbai. The Hyderabad facility uses effectively zero water for cooling, relying on air-cooled chillers instead of traditional water-based systems, Microsoft India and South Asia President Puneet Chandok said. He noted that the country has about 2 GW of data centre capacity, which is set to rise to 6-7 GW by 2035, with over USD 100 billion in investments already committed. India would emerge as an AI infrastructure hub not just for itself but for Asia and the Global South, Chandok said. In a video message, Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith said the new region would give organisations in India, and more broadly Asia, more capacity, greater resilience and m
Digital Desk | Chennai, Sep 21 (IANS) Well known Malayalam actor and producer Unni Mukundan, who has delivered several memorable performances in Malayalam and Tamil cinema, is to direct his upcoming 50th film. What's more, the film is to be produced by Unni Mukundan's production banner Unni Mukundan Films (UMF) in association with Kumar Mangat Pathak and Abhishek Pathaks Panorama Studios. Sources say that Unni Mukundan will be the writer-director of the project. For the unaware, Panorama Studios is one of India's leading content-driven film studios, known for having delivered critically acclaimed and commercially successful cinema. Its celebrated slate includes Omkara, Special 26, Pyaar Ka Punchnama, Raid, Shaitaan, and the blockbuster Drishyam franchise. Abhishek Pathak has also directed the highly acclaimed 'Drishyam 2' and is currently directing and producing the much-awaited 'Drishyam: The Conclusion', which releases in theatres on October 2. Speaking about the collaboration, Panorama Studios Chairman Kumar Mangat Pathak said, We are delighted to collaborate with Unni Mukundan and his production house on this exciting Malayalam project. Unni has established himself as a strong pan-Indian talent, and the fact that he is taking on the roles of writer and director for his 50th film makes this collaboration even more special. We see immense potential in the story and in the creative energy that Unni brings to it, and we are excited about the journey ahead. Panorama Studios Managing Director Abhishek Pathak added, Ive been following Unnis work for some time, and what has always stood out to me is the conviction he brings to the characters and the films he chooses. From Meppadiyan to Marco, he has shown a willingness to take risks and push himself in different directions. When we spoke about this project, there was a very natural creative connection. To now collaborate with him on his 50th film, where he is also stepping in as writer-director, feels genuinely exciting. Theres a warmth and honesty to the way this collaboration has come together, and Im really looking forward to seeing where we take it. Unni Mukundan, for his part, said, My 50th film is a very special milestone for me, and being able to step into the role of writer-director makes it even more meaningful. Ive always wanted to tell stories in my own voice, and this felt like the right project and the right time to take that step. Working with Kumar Mangat Pathak, Abhishek Pathak and the Panorama Studios team brings together a wonderful combination of experience and creative energy. Im excited about what we are building together and hope the film connects with audiences across languages and regions.
Woman arrested for murder of her husband, a sub-inspector, in Nungambakkam
The police said she initially claimed she found her husband dead in a room filled with smoke in their house; they later found she had laced his food with sleeping pills
Stalin warns of massive protest over proposed Tamil Nadu Secretariat complex at Pattinapakkam
In a statement, he said the TVK-led government should pay heed to the cry of fishermen and withdraw the order for constructing the new Secretariat at Pattinapakkam
Starbucks plans to set up first India GCC in Chennai
The centre is expected to provide high-paying employment opportunities to 800 technology professionals
Starbucks signs pact with TN govt to set up GCC in Chennai, create 800 jobs
The move comes days after US pharmacy chain Walgreens signed a pact with the Tamil Nadu government to establish a GCC in the state's capital
Tamil Nadu: Madurantakam bypoll candidates get extra security amid public protests
Tamil Nadu: Madurantakam bypoll candidates get extra security amid public protests Chennai: The Tamil Nadu police have tightened security for candidates of major political parties contesting the Madurantakam Assembly by-election after public opposition during campaign visits led to arguments and minor scuffles in some parts of the constituency. The by-election in Madurantakam constituency in Chengalpattu [] The post Tamil Nadu: Madurantakam bypoll candidates get extra security amid public protests appeared first on Mangalorean.com .
Starbucks plans Chennai GCC with 800 new jobs
US coffee giant Starbucks plans to open a global capability centre in Chennai. This new facility is expected to create approximately 800 jobs during its initial phase. The move follows a similar announcement by US pharmacy chain Walgreens for Chennai. Global capability centres now handle higher-value functions beyond basic support. These centres are increasingly vital for multinational corporations' operations.
Today, gold prices saw a minor drop among leading Indian jewellery retailers. Lets have a look at the latest 22k gold rates at Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Joyalukkas, Kalyan Jewellers and Tanishq in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Trivandrum and Bengaluru. Also see the updated indicative rates of 24k, 22k, 20k, 18k and 14k gold and 999-purity silver at the IBJA today.
His software is inside your router. Now he wants it inside much smaller things
Rajesh Subramaniam grew up in Triplicane in Chennai, reached Silicon Valley in 1994, and has spent 22 years building embedUR into a company of nearly 500 people without taking a rupee from anybody.
Two killed in separate road accidents in Tiruvallur and Chengalpet districts
Shortage of Green Packs Leads to Drop in Aavin Milk Sales in Chennai
Aavin milk sales in Chennai have plummeted due to a significant shortage of green packs, affecting daily customers. Shortage of Green Packs Leads to Drop in Aavin Milk Sales in Chennai
Man held for harassing girl and her mother
Bengaluru is most expensive for metro travel as compared to Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai
While the city offers cheaper alternatives to Namma Metro for daily commute, none can beat the travel time reliability of the metro networkdue to the traffic congestion on the roads
Why living in Bengaluru is expensive as compared to Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai
The farther a person stays from the central business district (CBD), greater the chances of lower cost for housing, but the Namma Metro in Bengaluru cannot take a commuter beyond 25 km from the core areas
Heavy Rainfall Forecast for 21 Districts in Tamil Nadu, Chennai to Experience Thunderstorms
Tamil Nadu is set for heavy rainfall across 21 districts, with Chennai expected to see thunderstorms and lightning this week. Heavy Rainfall Forecast for 21 Districts in Tamil Nadu, Chennai to Experience Thunderstorms
Bridge commercial EV, charging gaps for wider adoption
Stalker murdered by womans friend, two held
Dengue cases in Tamil Nadu decline for third consecutive year as per government data
The State recorded 17,049 cases and nine deaths in 2026 up to September 19
Stopgap amenities to aid disabled at Egmore,Tambaram railway stations
T.N. mid-level healthcare providers demand job regularisation
AAI plans slew of changes at airport for improved passenger experience
Officials say they have identified issues faced by passengers and made a detailed plan to enhance various facilities.They will improve signage, create workstations, and upgrade furniture. Move follows T.N.s letter to Centre seeking to change airport operator
Experts discuss specific diagnosis and brain modulation in Alzheimers care
Experts discuss the importance of accurate diagnosis and the potential of non-invasive brain stimulation in dementia care
GCC sets up registration stalls for beach clean-ups
Vijay to campaign at Madurantakam on Sept 28
Police file case against TVK member, five others for demanding protection money from gas agency
Nagapattinam youngsters make waves at FOTNA Sailing Cup 2026
High festive energy, but low seriousness towards environmental norms at idol immersion
Two held in Kundrathur murder case
North Chennai residents demand civic infrastructure, pollution control in Manali
United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner has recently accepted the report of the civil society in north Chennai as part of the study byHuman Rights Council Advisory Committee on pollution in the area
Wife held for murder of armed reserve SI in Chennai
TN researchers discover a new wild coriander species in Western Ghats in Munnar
Tiger trapped in Gudalur released at at Vandalur zoo
City steps up dengue prevention as fever cases rise
20K fest advance, 6K uniform allowance for Tasmac staff
TN to give up to 22K to households for rooftop solar
HC orders review of seniority, promotions of municipal engineers
2.4 tonnes of waste removed from Palavakkam Beach
NHAI, Forest Department efforts provide Pichavaram another 25 hectares of mangroves
Sources in the NHAI say the plantation was done for 15 square metres of mangroves that were destroyed in Marakkanam during road widening works
Aravind Eye Care System: How one doctors vision helped one crore people see
Outdoor sports ups self-esteem, lifestyle among pre-teens: Study
Depositors of finance firm to stage protest on September 21
More than 6,000 depositors comprising senior citizens and persons with disabilities have lost their funds due to a financial fraud which happened under the management of T. Devanthan Yadav, chairman and Managing Director
Chennai records 4,600 fever cases so far in September: Corporation
Around 95% of dengue cases were self-limiting and managed at home, while about 5% required hospitalisation, GCC Commissioner G.S. Sameeran said
From TVK playbook to all-party race: Bypolls go the Instagram way
Candidates Across Parties Set Up Dedicated Teams, Pages and Influencers
Cooch Behar Trophy: Aman Mokhade has already worn an India A shirt, but he believes the upcoming red-ball games against Australia A, starting in Puducherry on September 22, will be the biggest matches of his career so far. The Nagpur-based Mokhade doesn't think he will need anyone to fire him up for putting his best foot forward. These games will probably be the biggest matches of my life in terms of level. For that, I don't think there is a need for motivation. It comes from within. The tricolour and the logo of BCCI is on your chest. So I don't think you need any motivation to get up and do well. No matter how much you work on it, it comes from within because growing up is the feeling we need as a cricketer and do good for India, right? Mokhade told IANS in an exclusive chat. The opener will not be short of familiar company, as his state team-mates Yash Rathod, Praful Hinge and Nachiketa Bhute will be there. We have played together since childhood and they will also be in the India 'A 'team. So the atmosphere of the team is similar to what it is in Vidarbha. Its because when we went to Sri Lanka, I was with Yash (Thakur) and Harsh (Dubey) and I didn't feel anything new. It didn't take long to get along with the other players, he added. The Australia A series comes after Mokhade got his first taste of India A cricket via a tour of Sri Lanka that they A won 1-0 and made scores of 38 and 11 not out in Galle. But the tour began for Mokhade, in Bengaluru, where the squad received their match shirts before flying out to Sri Lanka. Overcome by emotions, Mokhade wore his India A jersey to bed that night. It was a very good feeling. While growing up, every cricketer dreams about earning it. So, it is always a good experience for that dream to become a reality. When I got the India shirt, I went to sleep wearing it. The material was also soft. So, it was a very special feeling. I mean, I actually got the same feeling which MS Dhoni's character got on getting his first India jersey with his surname and number behind in that movie in 2016. Mokhade said the tour to Sri Lanka was as much about the conversations as the cricket. That was a very great experience. enjoyed it a lot and I got to interact with a lot of players. I got to learn a lot. It was fun. The overall experience was really good. I spoke to Ruturaj (Gaikwad) for a long time. We both are from Maharashtra and we had a connection. Ruturaj bhaiya is very helpful. If I have to ask him about batting, he would tell me a lot. I used to bat alongside Sai Sudarshan. Hes also an opener, just like me. While batting in nets, we talked a lot about cricket and batting. So, it was fun talking to both of them. Adjusting took little effort, he said, with no time difference and weather much like what he had played while in Chennai and Goa, and enjoyed the local crowds that turned up for the A games. Puducherry, though, will not be Mokhade's first encounter with an Australian side. His earliest brush with international cricket came while being on ball boy duties in Nagpur, a role reserved for the best performers from the Under-14 camps, at a time when Nagpur hosted only one or two international games every few years. A couple of years later, he talked his way into the nets. Being a net bowler happened after 2-3 years. Net bowlers are people who are U19 or U23 players. As a batter, I knew I won't get the chance to be there and convinced one of the coaches that I will bowl leg-spin. At that time, the Australian team and Indian team wanted some leg-spinners to be as a net bowler. After convincing my coach that I would love to go and have a bowl, I just wanted to see how they the likes of Virat Kohli and KL Rahul - prepare before a game. I just wanted to be as close to that and there was the time I went in there to have a bowl to them. It was in 2017, where Rohit Sharma scored a century and MSD was also there in that game. Mokhades cricketing journey began on the playground outside his home, where the older boys of the neighbourhood saw some potential in him and suggested to his mother Manisha that he join a club. In India, at every playground, there are hundreds of people playing cricket. So, that is how I started my cricketing journey. I used to play there and all the boys from the colony used to come and play cricket there. That is how I started and I used to play with senior people the bade bhaiya log. When I used to play, they told my mom that you can try him in professional cricket because there was a cricket club near our house. My dad took me there one day in the cricket club and then that is how I started into professional cricket. It was a club called PHCA, from where I started. At the club, under coach Nitin Kanade, Mokhade spent his first week only fielding. With the nets full of batters and few willing to bowl in the Nagpur heat, he volunteered to bowl fast, and batting time came gradually. He still enjoys bowling and has sent down overs in senior cricket. Nobody in Mokhade's family had played sport seriously, though his father Ravindra harboured an ambition for being a professional cricketer. Most of his family members are engineers, doctors or teachers, and studies came first. Lean patches were usually met with suggestions that he return to his books. The turning point came in his Under-16 season, when he finished as the second-highest run-getter behind Tilak Varma and later captained Vidarbha in Cooch Behar Trophy. That convinced his family that cricket could be a viable career for him, and the pressure around academics eased. Until then, homework went with him to matches and exams waited until his games were over. He still has one or two papers left to complete his postgraduate degree after completing his B.Com course. Mokhade credits Mumbai-based coach Umesh Patwal, who was in VCA academy at that time, with first telling him, as an Under-16 player, that he could play for India. Jwala (Singh) sir had a good impact. But before that, I worked a lot with Umesh Patwal sir in Mumbai as well. When I was under 16 that time, he saw some potential in me and that time only, he said that you can play for India and can do good there. Before that, I had never heard someone say that to me. If someone is saying you at that point of time, it feels like it is a very good feeling and you actually start believing in yourself ki, you can also do good at that level. He has worked with Patwal on and off since 2016, and also leans on Jwala, who has nurtured India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal. Jwala sir has an amazing set-up and if you go there, whatever a top level cricketer needs, he has all the facilities there. He knows what exactly is important to play at that level. It actually helps whenever I feel like talking cricket to anyone. I do give him a call and these two have had a very good impact. Even coaches and good people around you, who know you in and out and who are there for you whenever you need them, are actually a blessing. Mokhade's breakthrough domestic season last year featured making 760 runs in 11 Ranji Trophy innings at an average of 76 and scoring 814 runs in a victorious 2025/26 Vijay Hazare Trophy run for Vidarbha, including hitting five centuries to be the tournament's leading run-scorer. But Mokhade, who had to wait for his chance to break into Vidarbha playing eleven after debuting in 2022/23, rejected the idea that anything had suddenly clicked for him and pointed to his steady returns in age-group cricket. The shift, he said, was in going bigger when it mattered the most. If you want to be a top-run getter, you have to score in the knockouts. Consistently, you have to. But if you score in the knockout games, you will get one more chance to play. That's how you get to the top and my coaches told me the same. I was working on it for a while. I was lucky enough that when the phase came, I was able to learn everything from my age group. When the phase came, I was able to play in my senior cricket. So, I'm grateful for that. He considers himself an all-format batter, and in red-ball cricket, he said, going after the bowlers from the outset rarely works, and a batter has to respect good spells before cashing in. It is a mixture of both. That is the beauty of red ball cricket. If you see T20s and one day, if you get the momentum, you just bat into that momentum. But in red ball cricket, you have to grind and then you can dominate as well. But there is a thing that it has sessions. So, your momentum will break, your focus will go down and you have to start again. So, thats it - you have to be a mixture of everything. In the Vidarbha dressing room, two senior players shaped him India pacer Umesh Yadav and batter Karun Nair. Umesh bhai was with us for a long time when I was in the senior team. So, he was there and you know the kind of a guy he is. He will be always willing to play for his team. He doesn't see if it is a state match or any match. If he is there, he will come to the game and he will guide everyone. He is not someone like, I have played such and such level or I will not talk to these guys or not say anything. When I was young in the team, he guided me a lot and told me that I can play and belong here. So, that is always a good influence to have. Mokhade recalled Nair was solid but not dominant in his first season after moving from Karnataka, as he adjusted from black-soil pitches to Vidarbha's bouncier red-soil surfaces. By the next pre-season camp, the work was showing. When Karun Nair came, I thought that he had so many options for scoring runs. We knew he was going to do wonders in that season because he had adapted to our conditions. I saw him practicing a lot of shots which are required on the red soil wickets. So, his way of approaching batting gave me a lot of options into my batting as well because he has so many options of scoring runs. Mokhade recalled Nair was solid but not dominant in his first season after moving from Karnataka, as he adjusted from black-soil pitches to Vidarbha's bouncier red-soil surfaces. By the next pre-season camp, the work was showing. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Mokhades competitive streak carries over to anything he plays, including PUBG and now Call of Duty on his phone, though he keeps screen time in check during matches. With a journey built on quiet grit and self-belief, whenever Mokhade gets a chance to play in Puducherry, trust him to be ready to write the most crucial chapter of his career yet - one ball and one session at a time. Article Source: IANS
When Jaya Prada spoke about flirtatious nature of Dharmendra
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Sep 20 (IANS) Actress Jaya Prada once revealed that of all the actors, Dharmendra was the most flirtatious. An old clip from one of Kapil Sharmas shows has resurfaced on the Internet, and it shows the actress walking down the memory lane. When Kapil asked her, So, ma'am, who used to flirt the most?, the actress said, Shall I say it?, after a bit of nudging she said, Dharmendra, as she burst out into laughter. The conversation then shifted towards who used to arrive late on the sets. Talking about the same, the actress said, Rajesh Khanna used to come very late. Really? Yes. Normally, I am from the South and I used to work a lot in the South. So, I used to be on set at 7:00 am. But, after coming here, the makers used to call me on set at 9:00 am. After coming on the sets, I used to do my make-up. He used to come around 8:00 pm. After coming here, he used to eat Vada Pav. After that, he used to give one shoot, and pack-up at 9:00 pm. She then spoke about doing 5 shifts in a day, as she said, I used to do five shifts and all were stars. So, for the film, Sharaabi, I used to travel from Ooty and travel by train in the evening. I used to reach Chennai. I used to take a bath at the airport in Chennai. I used to take a bath and board the flight. I used to do my make-up in the flight. Then I used to reach Coimbatore. So, I had to manage like this. I couldnt refuse them. But it's the same in South India as well. They are all big heroes, icons. NTR, Rajkumar sir and all. So, I was a young girl compared to them. I was 16 or 17 years old. So, I used to panic. It was tough but it is a pride, she added.
Tamil Nadu youngsters make waves at FOTNA Sailing Cup 2026
DMDK flags crimes, farm distress and civic concerns in TN
Digital Desk | Chennai, Sep 20 (IANS) DMDK general secretary and Vriddhachalam MLA Premalatha Vijayakant on Sunday sought urgent intervention by the TVK government on several issues, ranging from violent crimes and farmers welfare to dengue, electricity disruptions, and paddy procurement. Expressing concern over the states law-and-order situation, she referred to the Sivaganga double murder and killings reported in Madurai and Krishnagiri. Such incidents, she said, required swift investigation and firm action to restore a sense of security among residents. Premalatha urged the police to identify and arrest those responsible and ensure stringent punishment through legal proceedings. She also asked the government to take preventive steps to curb similar incidents. She called for stronger measures to prevent dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases. Local bodies must intensify mosquito-control operations, while government hospitals should have adequate beds, medicines, and diagnostic facilities. Premalatha expressed concern over reports of dengue infections among Anna University students and sought urgent preventive action on campus. Highlighting the farmers protest at Samayapuram, she demanded a complete waiver of agricultural loans. Referring to reports that crop loans amounting to Rs 247.15 crore had been waived for 50,779 farmers in Tiruchy district, she sought similar relief for eligible farmers across Tamil Nadu. The DMDK leader also urged the government to resolve concerns raised by fishermen in Pattinapakkam and ensure adequate security during Vinayaka Chaturthi processions. She asked the state to exert pressure on Karnataka to secure Tamil Nadus legitimate share of Cauvery water. On the power situation, Premalatha said the government must address complaints of unannounced outages in different parts of Tamil Nadu immediately. She also called for faster procurement of rain-exposed paddy in Tirunelveli and Vriddhachalam to prevent farmers from suffering avoidable financial losses. Premalatha said the government must treat these concerns as priorities and announce time-bound measures to resolve them. Its credibility, she added, would depend on how quickly it protected public safety, supported farmers, and ensured uninterrupted delivery of essential services.
TN: DMK accuses BJP of intimidating regional parties
Digital Desk | Chennai, Sep 20 (IANS) DMK leader T.K.S. Elangovan on Sunday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of using investigative agencies to intimidate regional parties, saying they have emerged as the ruling partys principal political opponents as the Congress remains weakened nationally. Elangovan referred to the summons issued to Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha in connection with a land case, and notices reportedly sent to family members of AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal in Delhi. He alleged that such actions were part of a systematic campaign against regional forces. The BJP was apprehensive about regional parties joining hands to challenge it, he claimed. He said the parties were strengthening cooperation and preparing to present their political and ideological opposition to the BJP before voters across the country. Supporting the CPI(M)s call for the broadest possible opposition unity instead of a separate third front, Elangovan said parties opposed to the BJP should work together. Their common objective should be to highlight what he described as the BJPs failures and policies before seeking public support. Accusing the BJP of undermining democratic values, Elangovan claimed it was attempting to transform India into a monopolistic political system. He alleged that those in power were behaving like rulers with unchecked authority and were unwilling to hear or resolve public grievances. Elangovan also targeted the TVK government in Tamil Nadu, alleging that it had failed to maintain law and order during its first 100 days in office. Citing eight murders reportedly committed within a day, he said the government was reviving allegations dating back five decades against the DMK to divert attention from its present shortcomings. Responding to questions surrounding DMK president M.K. Stalins arrest during the Emergency, Elangovan said Stalin did not need to produce fresh proof that he had been detained under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act. The Justice Ismail Commission, appointed by the state government, had already confirmed the arrest, he said. The DMK leader also backed Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhis contention that the system was suppressing students. He maintained that every citizen had the fundamental right to protest peacefully against the government over a genuine cause. Elangovan said elected governments had a constitutional responsibility to engage with protesters, listen to their concerns, and provide remedies. Attempts to suppress agitations without addressing the issues that prompted them were inconsistent with democratic governance, he added.
TN: Tasmac to mandate digital payments above Rs 500
Digital Desk | Chennai, Sep 20 (IANS) Tamil Nadu liquor retailer Tasmac is planning to make digital payments compulsory for purchases exceeding Rs 500 as part of efforts to reduce cash handling, improve transparency, and curb irregularities at its outlets across the state. Under the proposed arrangement, customers can continue to use cash for purchases of up to Rs 500, while transactions above that limit will have to be completed through digital payment modes. Tasmac is expected to issue detailed instructions to retail outlets shortly. The move follows concerns over the continued dominance of cash transactions despite Tasmac introducing a computerised system in 2024. The system was designed to digitise operations across the supply chain, covering liquor manufacturing units, warehouses, and retail shops. Staff now scan every bottle sold at a Tasmac outlet using a handheld device before handing it to the customer. The devices also support digital payments through QR codes. However, more than 80 per cent of liquor purchases at the outlets reportedly still settle in cash. Tasmac records average daily sales of nearly Rs 150 crore, with the figure rising considerably during weekends, festivals, and public holidays. Retail outlets generally store the large volume of cash collected each day before transporting it to banks for deposit the following day. Officials believe this large-scale cash handling exposes employees to robbery and theft, particularly during transport. Greater use of digital payments is expected to reduce this risk while enabling the corporation to maintain a clearer record of transactions. Tasmac already provides an online facility that lets customers select their preferred liquor brands, make digital payments, and generate a code. Customers can then use the code at a designated outlet to collect the bottles. However, the facility has drawn customer complaints about delays in receiving their purchases. Officials attributed the problem partly to some retail employees' preference for direct cash transactions. The proposed payment restriction is also expected to help prevent outlets from charging more than the officially prescribed maximum retail price. Digital records would make it easier to verify the exact amount collected for each purchase and identify discrepancies. Officials said the measure could additionally address frequent disputes over the non-availability of change. Tasmac is expected to assess the arrangements needed at outlets before formally implementing the Rs 500 cash-payment ceiling.
CPI(M) warns TVK govt. not to take unilateral decisions
Addressing a demonstration on Saturday in Chennai, demanding that the government drop its proposal to construct a new Secretariat at Pattinapakkam, Mr. Shanmugam said the TVK government had been elected with the support of 34% of the voters and not 100% of the people of Tamil Nadu.
Vinayagar idol immersion processions held across Chennai
