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8 Crazy World Cup Records Every Cricket Fan Needs To Know Ahead Of The 2019 ICC World Cup
ADMIN posted a blog entry in FDF Online News
Over the years, the world of cricket has enthralled fans with numerous competitions. From day-night Tests to the advent of T20 cricket, the sport continues to thrive with its continuous evolution to cater to the ever-increasing fan-following. But, amongst the multiple events that cricket has to offer, nothing comes close to the fanfare or popularity of the ICC World Cup. One of the highly-anticipated sporting events in the world, the quadrennial cricket event garners public interest and captures the imagination of enthusiasts like no other. Four years after the first-ever ODI match was played, the organisers blessed the cricket fans with the maiden World Cup that was held in England in 1975. Since then, there has been no turning back for this mega event. And, this year's tourney promises to be no different. © Reuters Slated to begin from 30th May, the twelfth edition of the ICC spectacle promises to be an exciting affair with the participating nations vying for cricket's biggest honour. The mother of all tournaments (as one might call it), this year's World Cup will witness 10 teams competing in a single group. Each team will play with the other nine sides once, and the top four at the end of the group stage will progress to the semifinals. With the World Cup just 10 days away, cricket fans have already begun pledging their allegiances to their favourite teams. From casual banter in the office to heated dinners at home, the World Cup is undoubtedly the hottest topic at the moment. But, as we count down the days for this year's ICC spectacle, here's a look at some crazy records that stand tall at the World Cup: Most Individual Runs © Reuters No player has scored more runs at the Cricket World Cup than Sachin Tendulkar; or even come close for that matter. He scored 2,278 runs at the tournament – more than 500 more than his nearest rival – at an average of 56.95. His highest score at the World Cup came against Namibia in 2003 when he hit 152, but it was his runs in the 2011 World Cup which inspired India to glory. India will be hoping the likes of Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and Virat Kohli can emulate the Little Master in England & Wales this year. Most Wickets © Reuters Glenn McGrath lifted the coveted trophy three times and took more wickets than anyone else in the history of the tournament; it's fair to say that the Aussie great had a huge impact at the ICC World Cup. Between his debut at the tournament in 1996 and his final appearance in 2007, McGrath claimed 71 wickets in 39 games. He may have been nearing the end of his career, but his most prolific World Cup came in 2007 where he took 26 wickets - a tournament-best tally for most wickets at a single edition of the World Cup. Most Sixes © Reuters There is no surprise to see the record for the most sixes slammed at a World Cup being shared by swashbuckling AB de Villiers and marauding Chris Gayle. Gayle hit 26 of these sixes in the last World Cup in 2015, most of which were scored in his record-breaking innings against Zimbabwe. With AB de Villiers announcing his retirement in 2018, it has provided Gayle with the opportunity to go past his South African counterpart in this year's World Cup. Most Wickets In Consecutive Balls © Reuters Lasith Malinga could very well be playing his last World Cup this year, but, when he retires, the Sri Lankan great would surely be proud of his legacy at the mega event. Amongst his numerous records in international cricket, Malinga's devastating spell against South Africa at the 2007 World Cup remains one of our fondest memories of the right-arm seamer. One of the all-time classic World Cup matches, the clash between Sri Lanka and South Africa saw Malinga running through the Proteas batting order. Cruising to victory, the Proteas were just four runs away from beating the Lankans when Malinga set a new World Cup record with 4 wickets in 4 balls. While South Africa managed to hold their nerve and won the match, Malinga's fiery spell undoubtedly won hearts across the globe. Fastest Double Hundred © Reuters West Indies opener Chris Gayle hit the fastest double century in World Cup history in their victory over Zimbabwe in 2015. Gayle went on to hit a total of 16 sixes in 147 balls before he was out for 215 off the last delivery of his side's innings. The stand of 372 with Marlon Samuels was also a record partnership for any ODI wicket. West Indies amassed 372-2 from their 50 overs, and went on to beat Zimbabwe by 73 runs (D/L). Highest Team Score © Reuters At the 2015 Cricket World Cup, Australia produced a stunning performance to thrash Afghanistan in a record-breaking game. Glenn Maxwell smashed 88 from 45 balls to propel Australia to 417/6 - the highest team score at a World Cup. Other records tumbled, as Australia then went on to bowl Afghanistan out for just 142 in reply. The margin of victory was 275 runs – the highest ever recorded at a World Cup. Highest Successful Run-Chase © Reuters Another classic World Cup encounter came to the fore when England locked horns with minnows Ireland at the 2011 World Cup. Kevin O'Brien hit the fastest century in Cricket World Cup history as Ireland pulled off an astonishing victory over England in Bangalore. His 113 off 63 balls helped Ireland recover from 111-5 to overhaul the target of 328 runs with five balls to spare, making this the highest successful run-chase ever at a World Cup. Most Title Wins © Reuters Last, but surely not the least. Australia doesn't have a challenger when it comes to their rich history at the World Cup. In the 11 World Cups held so far, they have won the tournament on 5 occasions – including three consecutive wins between 1999-2007. They also hold the World Cup record for most match wins (62) and the highest win percentage of 75 per cent. Despite the recent controversy surrounding the reigning champions, they will go into this year's tournament with confidence in the knowledge that history is on their side. -
International IPL Coaches Are Leaking Team India Plans Ahead Of World Cup: Delusion Or Fact?
ADMIN posted a blog entry in FDF Online News
International coaches have been a part of the Indian Premier League (IPL) curricula ever since the inception of the league took place back in 2008 when teams like Chennai Super Kings (runners-up) and Rajasthan Royals (champions) were coached by foreign legends like Kepler Wessels and Shane Warne, respectively. However, the situation with regard to the ongoing IPL season seems to be a bit on the edge, especially with the ICC World Cup 2019 less than a month away. The fact that there eight IPL franchises this year and all of them are head-coached by international personnel, seems to be irking a lot of members of the management team of the Men in Blue. A simple scenario: Former Australian captain, Ricky Ponting is currently entrusted with the role of the head coach of the Delhi Capitals franchise. Within ten days of IPL getting over, Ponting will join the head coach of the Australian cricket team, Justin Langer, as an assistant coach as they fly over to the United Kingdom for the World Cup. © Reuters As integral members of DC's batting strategies, Ponting spends a good portion of the day with batsman Shikhar Dhawan, who will also open the Indian batting order come June when India begin their World Cup journey against South Africa. Observing Dhawan from such a vantage point for so long gives Ponting a good idea of the batsman's strengths and weaknesses, he knows which shots is he comfortable playing and which shots give him a tough time executing. It's clearly unhealthy. Rishabh, Prithvi, Shreyas — see the amount of analysis they're being able to gather,” says one of the members of the management team for India, as reported by the Times of India. View this post on Instagram Ready for the opening blitz! ð¥ Batsmen roar machaane ke liye hai taiyyar! Aa jao neela pehen ke, chillao DC DC ðª #ThisIsNewDelhi #DelhiCapitals #DCvKXIP #IPL #IPL2019 A post shared by Delhi Capitals (@delhicapitals) on Apr 20, 2019 at 5:16am PDT “We don't think it's fine for Australia's national assistant coach (Ponting) to be spending time with the Indian team opener just weeks ahead of a World Cup campaign, or even otherwise with a franchise that includes India's four Test cricketers. Of course, the IPL's a free market but some lines have to be drawn.” Now the question is whether there is some gravity to such beliefs or is it the result of sheer paranoia. International coaches have been a part of IPL for the past 12 years. Since then, we have had a couple of World Cups too, out of which India even won the trophy once in 2011. Will Ponting's work with Dhawan brings him some added advantage over Ravi Shatri and the rest of the Indian cricket team, I guess we'll just have to wait and watch. -
Paul Pogba's Inclusion In PFA Team Of The Year Ahead Of Hazard & Salah Is An Absolute Disgrace
ADMIN posted a blog entry in FDF Online News
Signed for a then-record transfer fee of 105 million euros, Paul Pogba's arrival at Old Trafford was expected to be pivotal in Manchester United's rise under former manager Jose Mourinho. But, his lack of discipline and regular run-ins with Mourinho made him the subject of immense criticism from pundits and fans alike. His World Cup-winning run with France in Russia gave his United career a second wing. And, after the sacking of Mourinho last December, Pogba was looked upon as the befitting leader who, having overcome his biggest nemesis in Mourinho, would take the Red Devils to places with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at the helm of affairs. But, sadly, that day is yet to come. The 26-year-old United talisman has netted 13 league goals (shockingly the best goalscoring season of his career) and registered nine assists in a season that has been marred by poor and inconsistent performances. However, to everyone's surprise, the Frenchman has been included in the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) Team of the Year. © Reuters Pogba is the only non-Liverpool or Manchester City player to have been included in the list. With Ederson finding his place between the sticks, Andy Robertson, Aymeric Laporte, Virgil Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold Trent made up the back four. Bernardo Silva and Fernandinho partnered Pogba in the midfield. And, the likes of Sadio Mane, Sergio Aguero and Raheem Sterling forged the frontline. If the inclusion of Pogba shocked everyone, the fact that he was chosen ahead of Eden Hazard and Mohamed Salah further made the fans pull their hair. While Salah has scored 19 league goals and boasts of 10 assists, Hazard has netted 16 goals and has 13 assists to his name this season. Paul Pogba has been named in the PFA Premier League team of the year. In other news, Theresa May has won politician of the year, and Bran Stark has won the inaugural Not Being A Massive Starey Creep award. — Paddy Power (@paddypower) April 25, 2019 On the other hand, the timing of PFA's decision to include Pogba at the expense of someone like Hazard and Salah couldn't have been worse. Despite a poor run this season, when City was getting ready to visit Old Trafford for what was being looked upon as the game that could potentially decide the title race, the United loyalists still believed in Pogba to come good. But, the Frenchman, once again, came up short. © Reuters For someone who is often labelled as the best United player on the field, Pogba's performance came to fully represent the home side's ponderousness against the defending champions' sharpness. As United's stretched and limited backline defended manfully in the first half, they were coming under increasing pressure because their teammates in front weren't able to create the chances, with Pogba, in his role as the main creator, failing miserably to get the ball to Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford quick enough. While the City midfielders required just one touch to get the ball rolling up front, Pogba was taking four which hampered his team's chances. The United talisman was too often too casual with no perseverance and nerve the fans would've seen from great Sir Alex Ferguson sides of the past. And, early in the second half, when Bernardo Silva burst past a number of United midfielders, with Pogba notably left in his wake, the moment of brilliance from the Portuguese summed up the gulf in class between the two teams. As a United fan there's no way Paul Pogba should be in the PFA team of the year! 2 months playing well and a load of penalties isn't anywhere near decent. Embarrassing to be honest — Mark Goldbridge (@markgoldbridge) April 25, 2019 A 0-4 drubbing at the hands of Everton was followed by a 0-2 loss at home for United. And, Pogba's consistent failures on the field, not to mention his casual attitude, continues to prove Mourinho right, making everyone question whether he is the right character and a man worth building a team around. And, United legend Roy Keane couldn't have summed it up any better. © Reuters Going all guns blazing at the Frenchman, Keane minced no words while claiming: "I wouldn't believe a word he (Pogba) says, there's no meaning to it. If you're going to be a good team-mate you have to run back and defend. They said it was heated against Everton – I heard they threw their hair gel at each other". Paul Pogba in PFA team of the year. Seriously ? — Ian Darke (@IanDarke) April 24, 2019 "He's a talented boy, but we've seen him not sprinting back. He's a mature player who's won big trophies and I don't think he leads by example from what I see. I don't know what he's like on the training ground or when they travel. He mentions body language and pride but I don't see it. He's a really talented player but you need more than talent. The really top players make their team and their team-mates better. He doesn't do that. He plays for himself," Keane concluded. -
Ahead Of World Cup, The IPL Season May Be Getting Too Stressful For The Ageing Warrior, MS Dhoni
ADMIN posted a blog entry in FDF Online News
When asked to choose between representing your nation in the ICC World Cup and a month of crazy match schedules along with gruelling travelling in a league like the IPL, veterans would pick the former in a heartbeat. But someone like Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who is so dedicated to the game of cricket along with the love and prayers of both Chennai and the rest of the cricket-hungry lunatics of the country, tries to give more than he could bargain for and sometimes, that level of commitment leads to dire consequences. Sure, for a young athlete, being able to play for his country and a major league franchise on a regular basis, while literally making crores of rupees, has to be the greatest dream they could be living. There's nothing else they would rather do. But as they get older and their joints begin to crack and the muscles don't recover at the rate they once used to, priorities change. Dhoni has, without doubt, provided excellent service to his country with years and years of leading the Indian cricket team to glory both as a member and the leader of the squad. His unique batting style, raw power blended well with his ability to remain calm under stressful situations and it is that rare combination that allowed Mahi to do great things for his team on a regular basis. On the other hand, the man has led his IPL franchise, Chennai Super Kings to great heights, winning three titles (2010, 2011, 2018), thereby making it the most successful team of the league (tied with Rohit Sharma's Mumbai Indians. Well done, @ChennaiIPL. A great display of quality cricket. Certainly the most consistent side of the tournament. A special knock from @ShaneRWatson33 in a crucial game which saw them through. #CSKvSRH #IPL2018Final pic.twitter.com/HhuaQJPbEF — Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) May 27, 2018 Having said that, the service took a great toll on the wicket-keeper batsman's body, more specifically his back. Ever since the beginning of 2018, the former skipper had complained of an annoying back pain that he has incurred from the hours and hours of wicket-keeping, following the need to finish games for his side on a regular basis. At 37 years of age, Dhoni's fitness levels were questioned by fans and critics alike when he had decided to sit out of the match against Kane Williamson's SunRisers Hyderabad with less that two months remaining for the World Cup. While he did make an explosive comeback to the format, scoring his IPL career best of 84 in just 48 deliveries versus Virat Kohli's Royal Challengers Bangalore, he did not feel a hundred percent as a player. What an innings! #JustThalaThings #WhistlePodu pic.twitter.com/30pvfu7v3D — Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) April 21, 2019 But 'Thala' is a fighter and believes in playing through the pain. “I feel international cricketers are used to playing with some kind of a pain. If you want to be 100 percent and then play a game, maybe you will have to wait five years before you play the next game,” he'd said in a press conference on Tuesday. His wisdom, on the other hand, has asked of him to rest for a while, if his body demands it. With the quadrennial tournament just a month away, Dhoni, who started his IPL 2019 journey with an acute back spasm says that “it's holding up,” and that “It's not showing signs of getting worse”. However, he can't risk getting injured at this juncture, especially when he is such a vital pillar upon which the Men in Blue stand, and the Ranchi-born legend knows it: “With the World Cup coming up, I have to keep in mind that I can't really get injured, so that (World Cup) comes first. If it (back problem) gets worse, I'll definitely take some time off,” Dhoni added at the conference. -
ICC Releases Some Bizarre Rules Ahead of The Upcoming Test Championship
ADMIN posted a blog entry in FDF Online News
With the game of cricket getting modernised every year, the supreme body of cricket, the International Cricket Council (ICC), seems to be on their toes to keep up with the demands of the day and age. After a long while, ICC came up with a new set of rules ahead of the upcoming Test season and the maiden Test Championship, on Monday. In further changes ahead of the World Test Championship, the tradition of the coin toss will be replaced by a @Twitter poll, allowing fans at home to decide who bats and bowls! pic.twitter.com/7wOuB8psZJ — ICC (@ICC) April 1, 2019 ICC seems to have gotten too comfortable with their audience that they gave most of their decision making power in the hands of the fans. Inspired by the game of tennis, ICC introduced new terminologies for 'No-balls' and 'Dot balls' to be called 'Faults' and 'Aces'. Two minor changes will be made to cricket terminology with no balls and dot balls to henceforth be known as 'Faults' and 'Aces'. pic.twitter.com/3gFdhO4c59 — ICC (@ICC) April 1, 2019 Another change has been in the scoring, as the runs scored in day/night test matches will be counted as double, creating a new level of excitement for the fans. Runs scored in the evening session of day/night Tests will count double, creating a new and exciting strategic element ðâ2ï¸â£ pic.twitter.com/Hqzzwe8sbY — ICC (@ICC) April 1, 2019 Can you take two wickets in one ball? Well, that will be permitted from now on, as ICC has allowed the bowling team to make a run out happen after catching out a batsman, giving birth to the rule of “Double Wicket Play.” After taking a catch, the fielding team will be permitted to complete a 'Double Wicket Play' by running out the other batsman â pic.twitter.com/1XN6rAT9lD — ICC (@ICC) April 1, 2019 Promoting social media is also high on ICC's priority list, for which they have asked all the teams to write player's Instagram handles on the back of their jerseys. As part of our efforts to make the game more appealing to younger generations, the ICC will be applying both numbers and Instagram handles to kits from the beginning of the World Test Championship. pic.twitter.com/XnvantQfc9 — ICC (@ICC) April 1, 2019 Other than these rules, here are some other which would interest every cricket enthusiast around the world: Should the temperature reach 35°C, the ICC's updated playing conditions will allow all Test players the option to wear shorts âð¡ pic.twitter.com/TEFHahhPkL — ICC (@ICC) April 1, 2019 In a move to bring fans even closer to the sport, broadcasters will have the option to position commentators on the field of play behind the slips cordon ð pic.twitter.com/l8FMdFcCZ9 — ICC (@ICC) April 1, 2019 And finally, should teams be level on the World Test Championship table, the first tie-breaking criteria will be 'Away Runs.' So which of these initiatives are you most looking forward to? ð¤#CricketNotAsYouKnowIt pic.twitter.com/HHxUvxdv7k — ICC (@ICC) April 1, 2019 While it is pleasantly surprising for ICC to take a radical approach towards cricketing rules, we can't help but wonder about their intent on April Fools Day today. What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments section. -
10 Evergreen Memes Ahead Of The Appraisal Season That Are So Relatable, It Bloody Hurts
ADMIN posted a blog entry in FDF Online News
It is that time of the year again. The air is heavy with expectations, and we can almost taste the hopes and wishes come to life over the next couple of days, as the end of this financial year gives way to the much anticipated and dreaded, appraisal season. With the appraisal season just around the corner, people like us are looking forward to the increments that almost seem within our reach. We repeat, almost. The atmosphere is filled with excitement for the first timers, while the old geese around are anything but silent spectators. When your manager schedules your appraisal discussion at 6 PM#Appraisal pic.twitter.com/4eY5vBqgfB — Vishal ð£ (@vsurywanshi87) March 31, 2018 They are too miffed with their own set of disappointments over the years, to caution the “young and free” in their team of the possible doom that awaits them. However, whether you love it, or hate it, this is also the season for boot and arse lickers to shine their brightest because their year-long licking adventures are finally going to bear fruits. Now, all said and done, and regardless of your ranking and the percentage of hike that awaits you in the following weeks, go through these 10 evergreen memes ahead of the appraisal season, that are so relatable, they will leave you with a painfully gaping wound right where it hurts. 1. When they pry open the pandora's box on your “shortcomings”. When your boss starts your appraisal session. pic.twitter.com/LpO2xd8FeA — GRV (@MildlyClassic) March 28, 2018 2. When “top performer” doesn't translate into a nice pay cheque. When you're rated 'top performer' after appraisal but realise your hike is only 2% pic.twitter.com/zvRDxmMmgI — डà¥. परà¥à¤®à¤² तà¥à¤°à¤¿à¤ªà¤¾à¤ ॠaka पà¥à¤¯à¤¾à¤°à¥ मà¥à¤¹à¤¨ 'à¤à¤²à¤¾à¤¹à¤¬à¤¾à¤¦à¥' (@GhasPhoosDoctor) March 29, 2018 3. When appraisal day = a field day for boot lickers in office. Your reaction when you realise that you have got the highest rate of increment in your office...#increment#AppraisalTime pic.twitter.com/KmoWduyCsW — Hardy (@Tweet_Nything) April 30, 2017 4. Truer than true. #appraisaltime ð§ð pic.twitter.com/4ihTLt8hCG — Tanmay Goyal (@tanmaygoyal90) March 28, 2018 5. When it becomes the shittiest joke someone makes at your expense. Boss:You have been a consistent performer,gotten promoted,rating of 5,met all targets,exceeding expectations,so u will get a hike of 50%!! Employee:Wow really ðð#AppraisalTime ð pic.twitter.com/ueuJ3DAxTl — The Notorious B.E.E ðð (@chatpataka100) January 14, 2018 6. We have all met that “fighter” who “vouches” for us. Are you ready to hear d dialogues set for this month:- 1. Agle saal tera pakka hai 2. Management ne tere liye kuchh bada socha hai 3. Bell curve me nai baith raha tha & the best one will be.. 4. Maine tere liye bohot fight kiya 𤣠#appraisal @Iamsamirarora @hvgoenka — Gurmeet Chadha (@connectgurmeet) March 27, 2018 7. When nothing you say is “enough” or “practical”. *during Appraisal* Employee : sir promotion chahiye Boss : pic.twitter.com/wspnE86xXp — Sash (@sashbv) March 21, 2018 8. Sabhi “chamcho” ki shaan me pesh kiya hai. Arz kiya hai- Kahin chaandi ke chamche hai, Kahin chamcho ki chaandi hai..#AppraisalTime — Rahul Rathi (@rsquare13) April 2, 2018 9. KRA what? #officereality #increment #leaves pic.twitter.com/1a4gwegayX — Meetha Karela (@KarelaMeetha) March 29, 2018 10. Putting the best foot forward during appraisal season. Employee's behaviour during the month of appraisal..ðð pic.twitter.com/HNy4AgWjC4 — Main bhi chowkidar (@_funtoosh_) March 20, 2018 -
Military Bands To Perform Ahead Of RCB Vs CSK IPL 2019 Opener As Tribute To Pulwama Martyrs
ADMIN posted a blog entry in FDF Online News
The biggest festival of India aka the IPL 2019 starts today, with two of the strongest teams playing against each other - Chennai Super Kings (RCB) vs Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Honestly, there couldn't have been a better way to kick-start the 12th season of the Indian Premier League, than pitting Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni against each other. The ground at M.A. Chidambaram Stadium is gearing up to witness an epic match, as every cricket fan is now sitting in front of their TV waiting with bated breath for the clock to strike 8 PM, and people are gearing up to fill the stadium with chants of 'Chickoo' and 'Mahi'. Twitter However, one of the most attractive events of IPL i.e. the glittering opening ceremony will not be happening this year. In the wake of the Pulwama terror attack, where the nation lost more than 40 CRPF bravehearts, the BCCI has decided to pay them a tribute. There won't be an opening ceremony this time, instead, a military band will perform at the stadium ahead of the first T20 match. In fact, the money budgeted for the ceremony will go to the families of the martyrs. Twitter According to the Indian Express, an official close to BCCI said "It's about a 15 to 20-minute show which will happen. The band will perform just before the felicitation happens. The toss is being advanced by 10 mins." The official further added, "the game will begin at 8 pm and toss will be at 7:30. From 7:20 to 7:30 the Madras Regiment band will perform for the audience." Twitter Reportedly, the Madras Regiment Band based out of Chennai will be performing at the stadium before the felicitation programme for the Indian Armed Forces. The BCCI will also contribute Rs. 20 crore for the welfare of the Armed Forces. The captains of the 8 IPL teams have, in fact, pre-recorded a video message for the performance. -
Virat Kohli, Sunil Chhetri Bond During RCB Training Session Ahead Of 2019 IPL Opener
ADMIN posted a blog entry in FDF Online News
What can be more exciting for an Indian sports fan than seeing two of the country's biggest sporting icons come together? Recently, one of the best cricketers in the world, Virat Kohli, invited the prolific skipper of the Indian football team, Sunil Chhetri, who has more goals for his country than Leo Messi for Argentina, to a net session with the Royal Challengers Bangalore squad. © AP As we all know, both the skippers get along really well and have a history of making their friendship known publicly. Last year, Kohli reiterated Chhetri's plea to support Indian football and this year, Chhetri showing up at his training camp shows the growing bromance between both the icons. This meeting was just another chapter in their bromance. Both Chhetri and Kohli looked quite dynamic on the field. While the football skipper was cheered by his recent exploits in the Indian Super League (ISL) with Bengaluru FC, it was interesting to see King Kohli smiling, especially after his team, FC Goa ended up on the losing side against Chettri's Banglore FC 1-0 in the final of the tournament. © AP Keeping their ISL loyalties aside, both the players were seen sharing a laugh at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore. A video uploaded by a fan page shows Kohli giving a heart-warming welcome to his beloved friend before the RCB squad. Later in the day, both went on sharing a few dribbles and strokes on the field. View this post on Instagram @chetri_sunil11 today with @royalchallengersbangalore team at Chinnaswamy ! ðâ¤ï¸ A post shared by BleedKohlism2.0ðµ (@bleedingkohlism) on Mar 19, 2019 at 5:57am PDT On the one hand, where Chhetri's side just wrapped up their league season, Kohli & Co are gearing up for the Indian Premier League opening match against the defending champions Chennai Super Kings on 23rd March. This season, Kohli and his men will be hoping to better their disappointing IPL records and showcase their true worth on the field. -
'You Pray For Us, We Play For You' SRK & His KKR Promise Their Fans Ahead Of IPL 2019
ADMIN posted a blog entry in FDF Online News
Cricket is India's biggest religion and its religious followers, aka the Cricket fans, are now gearing up to welcome this year's biggest festival. Yes, we're talking about the much-awaited Indian Premier League (IPL) 2019 which begins on March 23. Ahead of IPL, everyone is busy promoting their respective teams and so is the King of Bollywood, Shah Rukh Khan. As KKR gears up to play their first match against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on March 24, the team's proud owner Shah Rukh Khan has posted a promo on social media with the message "Aakhri Dum Tak Aakhri Run Tak". “You pray for us, we play for you” Let's be in it together, Aakhri Dum Tak Aakhri Run Tak. https://t.co/hDfglxXYMh#KKRHaiTaiyaar @kkriders — Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) March 18, 2019 He wrote, "'You pray for us, we play for you' Let's be in it together, Aakhri Dum Tak Aakhri Run Tak." SRK's Kolkata Knight Riders is hands down one of the best playing teams in the IPL and this year too, people have high hopes from the team. KKR is being coached by Proteas legend Jacques Kallis and is led by Dinesh Kartik who recently unveiled KKR's new jersey. We're sure all the KKR fans are praying hard for their team to win this year, now all we have to see is whether SRK's team manages to live up to the expectations of fans. -
Miles Away From India, Hasan Minhaj Still Makes More Sense Than Arnab Ahead Of Lok Sabha Polls
ADMIN posted a blog entry in FDF Online News
A couple of years back, a relatively unknown – at least in the Indian subcontinent – Hasan Minhaj furthered the politician-comedian parentification (don't look up the dictionary; the meme below explains the meaning of this word better) through his White House correspondents' dinner address. He took digs at the bigotry of Donald Trump & Co, but that didn't make much of an impact in India because, of course, we're stuck in deep shit of our own. © 9gag Over the course of this weekend though, the American comedian of Indian origin finally turned towards the subcontinent in an outright courageous, half-an-hour long episode about the upcoming Indian general assembly elections, on the second season of his Netflix original 'Patriot Act'. And since it touched a lot of nerves, India is kinda…umm abuzz. “Since [Narendra] Modi came to power, India has grown more hostile to minority groups. There's been a resurgence in religious nationalism, specifically Hindu nationalism, the idea that India is a Hindu nation,” opens the monologue. Ha! How dare? A bunch of trolls on my Twitter, and some of you reading this on MensXP (judging by the quality – or the lack of thereof, of a lot of comments on our Facebook page), would disagree. But the bad news for you guys is that he backs it up with solid facts (not Whatsapp forwards and 4Chan theories) to tell you how almost 300 people have been physically assaulted (including the 50 killed) in cow-related violence in India. But I don't expect this lot to understand, let alone be empathetic. After all, I was called a 'cow-eater' just last week on a metro ride to work, because I had put on a kurta (serious offence in this day and age of pigeonholed points of view). So Hasan's Pakistani (then Qatar and then Iran) spy joke hits home instantly. Me reading the comments on the latest episode. https://t.co/dSUYanFAuD pic.twitter.com/btFPPyvoE4 — Hasan Minhaj (@hasanminhaj) March 18, 2019 That's not the only talking point from the episode. An unflinching Minhaj goes on to poke fun at the Indian TV media community that is drawing the ire of international compatriots, especially for its role in the coverage of the recent Indo-Pak tensions. More TV anchors let out war cries than the concerned people and more TV studios were turned into battlefields than the actual ones. If truth be spoken, sane debates – both on air and off it, seem like a distant memory. Trust me, I'm an ex-Muslim man in the 'media business,' and get to physically interact with maybe more people than the average Indian bhakt. In his own style, Minhaj also interviews Indian National Congress' outspoken Member of Parliament, Shashi Tharoor for the episode (FYI, he failed to get a response from the Bharatiya Janata Party and, going by his Twitter handle, Chowkidar Narendra Modi, 'who is the first PM in the country to never hold a press conference'). The comedian goes on to revive the age-old joke of the direct proportionality between an Indian politician and the number of criminal charges against them. For crying out loud, he confronted Tharoor about his wife's murder during their interview. It's a real moment of pride when this is the actual state of Indian media at present. And finally, he also addresses the He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named of Indian politics, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) (yes, my name is Khan and I'm not a terrorist). Minhaj calls upon their problematic history and Narendra Modi's close ties with them, with reference to the rise of right-wing politics across the world in the recent past. Apart from Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adiyanath's 'Aap Ki Adalat' appearance with Rajat Sharma (another TV anchor with dicey political ties), former chief MS Golwalkar deciding to name his book 'A Bunch of Thoughts' also became the butt of his jokes. I didn't listen. #NowStreaming pic.twitter.com/7fnuDuaImW — Hasan Minhaj (@hasanminhaj) March 17, 2019 The Twitter troll army, surprisingly, did stay away from going all-out in harassing Minhaj (at least in the first 24 hours of the episode's release), despite him poking ample fun at Modiji & Co. That's, in some ways, a testimony to the narrative's middle-of-the-road approach, and in a lot of ways an unlikely masterclass for Indian TV media. Well, these were my bunch of thoughts on the show and how Minhaj's rational, hilarious, and neutral take on the Indian political climate, and the dire state of our TV 'journalism'. Without further spoilers, here is the entire episode; check it out. -
Twitter Blows Up As MS Dhoni Issues Warning To Virat Kohli Ahead Of IPL 2019
ADMIN posted a blog entry in FDF Online News
The world's most celebrated cricket festival, the Indian Premier League (IPL), has begun taking a toll on its fans even before its arrival. Energising and pitting the fans against each other is one of the main elements which keeps the excitement-level at its peak. And what better way to kick off the season than highlighting the rivalry between two of the most beloved and legendary players of Indian cricket, MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli? Both the master-class skippers will cross swords after almost a year when their respective IPL teams, Royal Challenger Bangalore(RCB) and Chennai Super Kings(CSK) kick off this season in Chennai on 23rd March 2019. Continuing the buzz created by the earlier promo of Rishabh Pant and Jasprit Bumrah pulling the legs of Dhoni and Kohli, the advertisers this time went to the next level by depicting how the megastars have succeeded in dividing the loyalties of the Indian cricket fans. Thala vs King â vs ð¥ ð vs ⤠Whose game will your heart beat for when defending champions @ChennaiIPL take on @RCBTweets in the first #VIVOIPL clash? Watch #CSKvRCB on 23rd March, 6 PM onwards LIVE on Star Sports! #GameBanayegaName Like/RT & we'll set the reminder for you. pic.twitter.com/j6bkkLKPVD — Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) March 14, 2019 In the new promo, both the skippers can be been seen enjoying the tussle between their team's fans from a rooftop. Enjoying a good view of the feud while sipping on hot tea, the CSK skipper tells his RCB counterpart, "don't be late" in what promises to be a cracker of an opening game between the top two teams. Focusing on the concept of 'game more than the name,' Kohli sarcastically replies saying “sure” while covering dhoni's glass with an RCB coaster, highlighting the chemistry between the best friends. Keeping in mind their title victory in their comeback season last year, CSK will be hoping to continue the same form, whereas Kohli and Co, on the other hand, had a disaster of a season last year and will be looking forward to starting strong. Meanwhile, fans, not waiting for the actual battle on the field, have already started their feud on social media to prove that their team is the best. @imVkohli RCB will win this match...â¤ï¸â¤ï¸â¤ï¸ Kohli kohli kohli kohli kohli kohli kohli kohli kohli kohli kohli kohli kohli kohli kohli kohli kohli kohli...... — Girraj Sharma18 (@GirrajS30956768) March 14, 2019 Dhoni Dhoni Dhoni... just couldn't stop laughing at 15 seconds !!! Ee Sala.. Bring it on. Don't be late !!! ðð¦ #whistlepodu #csk — Saravanan Hari ð (@CricSuperFan) March 14, 2019 Lion is always a lion... Dhoni is a headmaster... Kohli is a student — HARISHANKAR â¤ï¸ (@Haripoomani17) March 14, 2019 #RCB @RCBTweets @imVkohli pic.twitter.com/3esMkVZtcX — M. Prasanth SK (@MPrasanthSK2) March 14, 2019 -
Ahead Of IPL 2019, David Warner Has A Special Message For Sunrisers Hyderabad Fans
ADMIN posted a blog entry in FDF Online News
After serving a one-year ban in lieu to the infamous 2018 ball-tampering scandal, David Warner is geared up to make up for the lost time on the cricket field as he prepares himself to lead Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the twelfth edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). While the upcoming edition of the IPL gets rolling from 23rd March, Warner and his 'Orange Army' will be seen in action on 24th March when they travel to the hallowed Eden Gardens to take on Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in their opening match. On the other hand, the Hyderabad fans will also get to root for their team when they lock horns with Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Rajiv Gandhi International stadium in their first home game on 29th March. And, amid all the buzz, Warner has come up with a special message for Hyderabad fans. .@davidwarner31 is back and he has a special message for you. Presenting the #500ForYou offer for our first home game #SRHvRR! This one's for you #OrangeArmy 𧡠pic.twitter.com/qePCDW5jbf — SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) March 11, 2019 Taking to Twitter, the Hyderabad franchise shared a brief video where the Australian cricketer was seen calling out their fans to rally behind his team in the latest season of India's cash-rich T20 league. "Hi everyone, this is David Warner, I've a special message for all the Orange Army fans thank you for showing us all the love and support for all these years. Now it's our time to give back to our loyal fans," he said in the video. But, that wasn't all. Warner also revealed that as many as 25,000 seats (for their first home game) have been made available for Hyderabad fans at just Rs 500. © Twitter/@SunRisers The 32-year-old star batsman had led the Hyderabad-based franchise to their maiden IPL title in 2016 after defeating Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the summit clash. However, his absence last season saw Kane Williamson taking over the reins as captain. Hyderabad was on the verge of claiming their second IPL title after securing their berth in the final. But, a returning Chennai Super Kings brigade broke their hearts following an eight-wicket triumph that saw them claiming their third IPL title. Going into the twelfth edition, the availability of Warner will play a key role in Hyderabad's title challenge this year. -
Kedar Jadhav 'Bromances' MS Dhoni Ahead Of The Second ODI Against Australia
ADMIN posted a blog entry in FDF Online News
Ahead of the second ODI between India and the visiting Australian cricket team, Indian all-rounder Kedar Jadhav has come up with some words of praise for former skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni as one of the most steady pillars of the squad. A self-proclaimed fan of the legend from Ranchi, Jadhav marvelled at his idol's brilliant innings against the dominating cricketers from Down Under during the first ODI match, as they built a formidable partnership of 141 runs while chasing a challenging total of 236 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad. MS Dhoni finishes it off in style. Kedar Jadhav (81*) and MS Dhoni (59*) hit half-centuries as #TeamIndia win by 6 wickets and take a 1-0 lead in the 5 match ODI series #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/HHA7FfEDjZ — BCCI (@BCCI) March 2, 2019 While Jadhav had an impressive 81-run innings, it was all because of Dhoni's ability to stick to the crease on the other side that gave him the confidence to go for the big hits. “I can't put it out in words. Every time I see Mahi bhai, it instills confidence in me. That sort of aura is like, that you see him and feel that 'I will deliver today'. He has the knack of getting the best out of every player and that's what everybody loves about him.” Jadhav has also come out and complemented Dhoni's ability to calm his teammates down before a big game or tough circumstances. Talking about his affection towards the wicketkeeper, Kedar recalled his debut series: “The kind of cricketer I am today is because of him. He has always encouraged me… He had seen me in Zimbabwe first and in the New Zealand series at home in 2016, he just wanted two overs from me and luckily for me in my second over, I got two wickets.” No doubt Dhoni has been one of the most successful captains of the Indian cricket team and a huge reason behind his excellence in that role, was his ability to mould himself according to the situation, a leader, a batsman, a wicketkeeper, a mind-reader, you name it, he's done it. Despite being flaked with hate-mails after his game in the T20I series loss against the Aussies, Dhoni has yet against proved his haters wrong. -
After IAF Air Strike, Virat Kohli Sums Up India's Mood Ahead Of 2nd T20I Against Australia
ADMIN posted a blog entry in FDF Online News
The wee hours of 26th February witnessed the Indian Air Force (IAF) pulling off a brave operation that was carried out across the Line of Control (LoC) in Pakistan. A group of 12 Mirage 2000 aircrafts carried out swift air strikes to eliminate multiple terror camps and launch pads. The Indian fighter jets dropped bombs weighing 1,000 kgs in a 21-minute operation that resulted in the elimination of the biggest terror camp of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) in Balakot. India's retaliatory strike came in the wake of the dastardly suicide attack in Pulwama, that claimed the lives of more than 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel. Ever since the news of India's so-called 'surgical strike 2.0' surfaced, everyone has been saluting the IAF for successfully carrying out the brave operation. #India struck biggest training camp of Jaish-e-Mohammad in Balakot; a very large number of terrorists, trainers, senior commanders and fidayeenjihadis were eliminated: Sh Vijay Gokhale, Foreign Secretary pic.twitter.com/D8kk4gWfWI — PIB India (@PIB_India) February 26, 2019 While some hailed the Indian fighter pilots for avenging the Pulwama martyrs, others took immense pride in India's new approach of tackling fire by fire. Amid all the congratulatory messages, the sports fraternity wasn't far behind either. From Virender Sehwag to Saina Nehwal, the Indian sports fraternity was seen joining the chorus in lauding the IAF. IAF's pre-dawn strike across the border also evoked a response from Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli, who will be seen leading his side against Australia in the 2nd T20I on 27th February. Taking to Facebook, Kohli shared a picture of himself alongside his teammates in what appears to be a training session. The Indian skipper captioned the image with the popular phrase: "How's the Josh?". The phrase comes from the Bollywood flick, 'Uri - The Surgical Strike' - a dramatised account of the Indian Army's retaliation to the 2016 Uri attack in the valley. Going by the mood in the country, it wasn't hard to guess what Kohli was trying to say with his social media post. But, it was great to see the Indian captain drawing inspiration from the IAF to motivate himself and his team going into the second and final T20I - a must-win game that'll help the hosts in levelling the series. -
The Galaxy S10's Price Has Been Leaked Ahead Of Its Launch And It's Not Going To Be Cheap
ADMIN posted a blog entry in FDF Online News
The Galaxy S10 can't seem to remain a secret anymore as leaks have been raining from every corner of the globe. Yesterday, a detailed hands-on video of the Galaxy S10 was leaked online which has now been removed. We virtually know everything about the Galaxy S10/S10+ except for the price — or is it? © YouTube The Galaxy S10 will launch in three variants i.e. Galaxy S10, Galaxy S10e, and the Galaxy S10+ and new leaks have now given us a hint towards the pricing of the upcoming smartphone. The ceramic version of the Galaxy S10 and S10+ is rumoured to come with 12GB of RAM and 1TB of internal storage. Being the most expensive version of the lineup, the smartphone is bound to break the bank. Having said that, the base model of the Galaxy S10e is expected to cost Rs 60,500 (based on leaked Chinese prices). The smaller Galaxy S10 is expected to start at Rs 72,700 whereas the top model can cost up to Yuan 9000 (Rs 95,000 approx). That's about $1,500. pic.twitter.com/5BIDyeegAf — Evan Blass (@evleaks) February 17, 2019 The price was leaked via reliable tipster Evan Blass and the prices shared looks like a screenshot from an e-commerce website in China. What's worthy to know is that the ceramic version with 12GB RAM and 1TB of internal storage is expected to cost Yuan 10,000 i.e. Rs. 1,05,000. This version of the smartphone is also expected to have 5G support which may be a contributing factor to its high pricing. © Youtube/MKBHD The pricing of these smartphones is expected to be higher in other countries, especially in India, as the prices are a bit lower in China when compared to other markets. Needless to say that these prices are based on a leak and should be taken with a pinch of salt until the smartphone is unveiled officially tomorrow. Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked event is scheduled for February 20th where the South-Korean giant is expected to announce new flagship smartphones and possibly a foldable phone. -
MS Dhoni Goes For 'Sleek & Classy' Hairstyle Ahead of T2OI Series Against Australia
ADMIN posted a blog entry in FDF Online News
Barring Sachin Tendulkar, no other cricketer evokes such extreme emotions and draws praise from fans like Mahendra Singh Dhoni. One of the most popular and definitely most criticised Indian cricketer, Dhoni garners attention for all the good and bad he produces on the field. If his lightening quick glovework elates fans, the very man's misfiring innings leaves everyone disappointed. The recent times have been no different for the former Indian captain. Before he headed to Australia for the ODI series, everyone contemplated that it might be the end of Dhoni who would find it really hard to make the cut for the Indian squad for the 2019 ICC World Cup in England & Wales. Reuters But, on the back of three consecutive fifties in three matches, Dhoni earned the 'Player of the Series' award and silenced everyone who doubted his credentials. Thriving in his new role, Dhoni has once again proved why Team India needs him in their upcoming World Cup campaign. And, owing to his new role, Dhoni seems to have decided to change don a new look as Australia come calling for two T20Is and five ODIs. Using the expertise of her friend and celebrity hairstylist Sapna Moti Bhavnani, Dhoni dyed his hair black and got a sleek and classy look. Maintaining a medium length in the middle, 'Captain Cool' opted for relatively shorter hair on the sides. . Hello #captainsaab â¤ï¸ #newlook Hair/Makeup by me . . “Kaunse pagal ne kabhi kaha hai ke main pagal hu?” Love this man! . . #lovethis #shootlife #dhoni #classicbarber #barber #menshair #shooting #madowothair #mahi #hairblogger A post shared by बमà¥à¤¬à¤ à¤à¥ रानॠ(@sapnamotibhavnani) on Feb 14, 2019 at 11:54pm PST The photos of his new look were shared by Bhavnani on Instagram. “Hello #captainsaab #newlook. Hair/Makeup by me. “Kaunse pagal ne kabhi kaha hai ke main pagal hu?” Love this man,” she captioned her Instagram post. While his new look would surely have the fans excited, we'll be hoping that his form with the willow continues to aid the Indian team when they take the field against Australia in the first T20I on 24th February. -
Virendra Sehwag Turns Babysitter Ahead Of Australia's Tour To India, Matthew Hayden Reacts
ADMIN posted a blog entry in FDF Online News
A month ago, during India's visit Down Under, we got to see some A-Grade matches, batting and bowling performances by Cheteshwar Pujara, and Yuzvendra Chahal along with Shaun Marsh and the others from the Australian's roster and some brilliant sledging in good faith between the two wicket keepers in Rishabh Pant and Tim Paine during the five-Test series. It seems as if we have developed quite the taste for competitive match-ups as with a few days left in hand for Australia's tour to India for the two-match T20I and five-match ODI series, one of India's all-time great opener, Virendra Sehwag pokes fun at the beast the Australian Cricket Team is eventually going to become with the return of their star-performers in Steve Smith and David Warner before the 2019 World Cup begins. In a television commercial promoting the upcoming series, Sehwag turns into a babysitter taking care of little infants as they make their way into an Indian locker room in their tiny little Yellow Australian cricket jerseys. “Aley aley aley, dekho kaun aaya idhar…? Australia ki paltan aa gai hai,” says the very lovable sitter in Viru. This commercial is obviously the product of the small trash-talking session that took place between Pant and Paine during which Australia's Test captain asked Pant if he would like to babysit his kids. Later, Pant actually posed with Paine's wife and kids for the iconic picture. Tim Paine to @RishabPant777 at Boxing Day Test: "You babysit? I'll take the wife to the movies one night, you'll look after the kids?" *Challenge accepted!* ð¶ (ð¸ Mrs Bonnie Paine) pic.twitter.com/QkMg4DCyDT — ICC (@ICC) January 1, 2019 And now, cricketer turned announcer, Matthew Hayden reached out on Twitter to respond to the sly jab with an apt comeback. #BeWarned Never take Aussie's for a joke Viru Boy @virendersehwag @StarSportsIndia Just remember who's baby sitting the #WorldCup trophy https://t.co/yRUtJVu3XJ — Matthew Hayden AM (@HaydosTweets) February 11, 2019 "#BeWarned Never take Aussie's for a joke Viru Boy @virendersehwag @StarSportsIndia Just remember who's baby sitting the #WorldCup trophy," Hayden tweeted. The Aussies' tour of India begins on 24th February 2019 with first of two T20I matches at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, while the ODI series will begin on 2nd March 2019 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad. -
Manuel Pellegrini's Comments Ahead of Liverpool Vs West Ham Tie Infuriates The Reds Fans
ADMIN posted a blog entry in FDF Online News
Arguably one of the most popular and exciting club football tournaments in the world, Premier League entices fans like no other. Whether it's the team rivalries, thrilling contests or exciting talents, the Premier League has got it all. With 20 teams competing in the tournament every season, the level of competition in the Premier League continues to ensure there's no sure-shot winner. Neither the football pundits or fans can possibly predict who'll eventually win the title till the very end when someone actually does. Such has been the Premier League's offering that it keeps participating teams, players, fans and analysts on their toes. And, the ongoing season is a testimony to that. Following a record-breaking season, Manchester City have found fierce competition from a rampant Liverpool side, that is currently challenging the defending champions for this year's title. But, it's too hard to predict who'll come out on top amongst these two powerhouses. © Reuters While the title defence of Pep Guardiola's side suffered a massive blow following their loss to Newcastle United, Jurgen Klopp's men, rather than capitalising on the opportunity to gain more hand on City, dropped points after their draw against Leicester City. More recently, City bounced back with an improved showing against Arsenal who were humbled 1-3 at the Etihad. Though Liverpool still continues to lead the table with 61 points and a game in hand, City's persistent chase has surely put pressure on the Reds. And, that's exactly why their upcoming clash against West Ham United holds the key for their title bid. A loss or even a draw will allow City to close the gap at the top - a mistake that can play a vital role in shattering Liverpool's title dreams. But, if the pressure wasn't enough to test the nerves of Klopp's men, West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini's comments ahead of their clash today would have surely infuriated the Reds fans. A former Man City manager, Pellegrini attracted a lot of criticism from Liverpool fans by claiming that he wants to do his old club a favour by beating the Reds. © Reuters "If we win, I will be very happy for our club first. We need a good performance against the leaders. After that, if we can give a hand to Manchester City, it's not our problem, but of course I am a fan of Manchester City also," the Chilean said. However, Pellegrini also believes that Liverpool's exit from both domestic cups will still give them an edge in the title race even if they come unstuck in east London. “It's more easy for the team that is involved in just two competitions compared to the team that is involved in four,” he added. But, the West Ham manager garnered a mixed response to his comments. While Liverpool fans slammed him for his remarks, City fans couldn't help but shower praise on their former boss for kind words. Save your job firstly Mr Manuel Pellegrini and then you do favours to others. I hope Liverpool score 7 tonight, and I will enjoy watching your interview after the match, it will be a good laugh. With Respect and Humour. — Loucas Zacharia (@LPoutziouri) February 4, 2019 What a privilege to have Manuel on our side. — Dami ð³ð¬ð®ð¹ð¬ð§ (@Dami1190) February 4, 2019 He wants to help the team that sacked him while doing a good job? — Jake (@JakeAG1994) February 4, 2019 Love you the engineer @Ing_Pellegrini . Once a blue........ ð — ThankGod (@fadarajay) February 4, 2019 it's his former club for a reason......they sacked him — Eric Dunn (@EricDun75754404) February 4, 2019 ð pic.twitter.com/yn3iXgU16N — SxR Cronin (@srcroninmc) February 4, 2019 Sorry pelligrini we are too strong ðªð´ð´ — JOAK1M ð¸ðª (@JAckelmante) February 4, 2019 pic.twitter.com/L3cKuqvalP — Si Harrison (@1siharrison) February 4, 2019 -
Carrying Hopes & Expectations, Young Shubman Gill Takes Centre Stage Ahead Of 4th ODI
ADMIN posted a blog entry in FDF Online News
In 2018, the Indian U-19 side created history after winning the ICC World Cup for a record fourth time. The influence of pragmatic coach Rahul Dravid was being hailed as one of the reasons behind their historic triumph. But, at the heart of it all, it was the performances of young Indian cricketers who all stepped up in dire situations to aid their side. While Prithvi Shaw garnered plaudits for his leadership skills, young seamers Kamlesh Nagarkoti and Shivam Mavi were touted as the next big things after they were seen crossing the 150kmph barrier on regular occasions in the tournament. But, apart from them, there was one batting prodigy - Shubman Gill - whose majestic strokeplay and commendable temperament left former cricketers and fans in awe. The right-hander smashed a match-winning hundred and three fifties - amassing 321 runs - to be rightly adjudged the 'Player of the Tournament'. His batting display impressed the cricket bigwigs so much that he evenly bagged a staggering Rs 1.80-crore payout from Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) during the Indian Premier League (IPL) Auctions last season. © BCCL Shubman, along with his teammates, continues to be hailed as the next big superstars of Indian cricket. But, while Shaw was seen making a fantastic debut, young Shubman was left to ply his trade in domestic cricket. The fierce competition in the Indian team has often denied opportunities to many cricketers in the past. Thus, there was no surprise to see Shubman waiting for his chance to rumble with the big boys. After consistently proving his mettle in the domestic circuit, where he slammed a 328-ball 268 against Tamil Nadu in the Ranji Trophy earlier this season, the Punjab batsman, finally, has an opportunity to make a mark in the senior team when Team India locks horns with New Zealand in the fourth ODI on 31st January. Having already sealed the five-match ODI series 3-0, the Indian cricket team opted for numerous changes in a bid to give some star players rest and try out youngsters for the remaining two games. With Virat Kohli rested for the remainder of the tour, the vacant No. 3 spot gives a perfect opportunity to a player like Shubman to showcase his talent in front of the cricket bigwigs. © BCCL For a person who idolises Kohli, the 19-year-old looks like a shadow of his role model with the willow in his hands. A right-hander like Kohli, Shubman has great hand-eye coordination that helps him to time the ball to perfection. His ability to finds gaps, play the big shots and rotate the strike are all Kohli-esque. And, just like the Indian captain, Shubman thrives in the No. 3 position for his team. The youngster has already developed a great understanding of the game and possess the ability to pace his innings according to the match situations - something that reflects in his tally of 1,089 runs in 9 first-class games and 1,529 runs in 36 List A matches. While negating New Zealand's senior cricketers will surely be no joke, Shubman, on the back of his showing so far, seems capable of carrying that weight on his young shoulders. “Well because the No. 3 spot is vacant, I would want to give Shubman Gill a game, give him a couple of games and see how he fares. If he gets to bat, you will get a fair idea how he is taking to international cricket,” Sunil Gavaskar backed the youngster while talking to India Today. © BCCL On the other hand, Kohli, himself, after the 3rd ODI, showered praise and backed the capabilities of Gill to come good on his debut. “I think there are some outstanding talents. We saw Prithvi Shaw grab the opportunity with both hands. Shubman is a very exciting talent and I saw him bat in the nets and I was like wow I was not even 10 per cent of that when I was 19,” Kohli had said. “So, that's the confidence that they carry and it's great for Indian cricket, the standard keeps going up and the guys coming in can make those impact performances straightaway. And, we are more than happy to give them chances and provide them with the space to grow,” he further added. Apart from Gavaskar and Kohli, Sourav Ganguly, too, placed his bet on Shubman to come good. "I think they should play Shubman Gill. He certainly deserves a chance in the team. He should play the rest of the series. Who knows, India might get another good player for the World Cup," Ganguly told India TV. Carrying high hopes and expectations on his young shoulders, Shubman will be eager to make his mark in the senior team and, maybe, play a decisive role in helping India claim a 4-0 lead - the biggest series win (across formats) in their 52 years of touring New Zealand. -
One Thing Diljit Dosanjh Does That Always Keeps Him Ahead Of Karan Johar In Their Fashion Feud
ADMIN posted a blog entry in FDF Online News
If one has to make a definitive list of hypebeasts in the country, two fashionistas will definitely find their names in there. We are talking about Karan Johar - the king of maximalism, and Diljit Dosanjh - the 'Putt Jatt Da' turned super-hypebeast. If you watched the Koffee episode where Diljit and Badshah spilled their fashion beans, you'd already be aware about how seriously both these people take fashion. However, the fashion feud is more intense than we thought and KJo just admitted that he is extremely heartbroken and troubled by Diljit's fashion shenanigans, that never let Karan win the game for a change. © Instagram/karanjohar Karan said there is something Diljit does that makes sure that he constantly is ahead in the fashion game, and Karan is clueless about to what to do to tackle that. He opened up about his fashion struggles in an episode of Neha Dhupia's show, 'No Filter Neha'. © Instagram/karanjohar © Instagram/Diljitdosanjh Karan said Diljit always beats him when it comes to flaunting a new piece or a new brand. "So, I've a big problem Neha. I am really troubled by Diljit Dosanjh. I mean, like you know the thing is that, I think we both are like crazy shoppers and I think we invariably land up wearing the same clothes because we have the same brands that we love, and plus they are also from the new collection and we are bit of like, I'm also an online shopper, so I go through this process of buying these things and wearing them on occasion. But Diljit buys and wears, immediately and puts up an image," he quoted. © Instagram/karanjohar © Instagram/Diljitdosanjh He also recalled an incident where Diljit left him so heartbroken that he almost was on the verge of singing 'Channa Mereya'. "So we had this faux fur jacket, you must specify that because I don't wear fur jackets... it's from a brand called as GCDS (God Can't Destroy Streetwear) and I was saving it for my big photo opportunity time when I was travelling to Europe and suddenly the night before I take that flight, I see the image uploaded by Diljit Dosanjh... I was like I called Nikita, my stylist and I'm like I'm shattered, I'm broken and I'm totally like Channa Mereya out right now because I'm like I wanted to wear this jacket and that was my FWP. And, I was so upset, it broke my heart," he vented. © Instagram/karanjohar © Instagram/Diljitdosanjh All we can say is that it looks like even KJo's fashion struggles are as dramatically eventful as his movies, sigh. -
Puma Is Bringing Back A 32-Year-Old Smart Shoe That Was Lightyears Ahead Of Its Time
ADMIN posted a blog entry in FDF Online News
Fitness trackers have become mainstream in the last few years and with technology advancing, we see them getting cheaper as well as more powerful. Wearable technology is undoubtedly the future and brands are scrambling to develop accessories that can find practical usage in our life. We've already seen smart glasses, smart clothing, in-body RFID chips, smart shoes, and more. What's interesting is, wearable technology simply isn't new. There have been numerous prototypes and limited consumers products going back to the '90s. One prime example is the Puma RS-Computer, a running shoe produced in limited quantity by the athletic goods maker way back in 1986. © Puma In 1986, the Running System (RS) Computer Shoe housed a not-so-small computer system at the rear. It could measure speed, distance, and calories burned. Runners had to then connect the shoe via a 16-pin connector to any Apple IIE, Commodore 64, or IBM PC to view their data. Puma is bringing back the 1986 RS-Computer but you no longer need a computer from the '80s to access the data. The new edition will look the same as the 1986 version but has a technologically updated interface. They now pack a three-axis accelerometer, enough memory to store a full month's worth of exercise data, wireless Bluetooth connectivity and a USB port for charging. © Puma To keep the retro feel alive, the modern app gets a retro finish with 8-bit style graphics and even has an 8-bit game inside it. Puma is keeping the look of the original shoes, right down to the protruding heel and the colors. "The 2018 iteration has new technology but replicates the original experience," Puma says. © Puma Adidas too had released similar shoes called the Micropacer in 1984. They didn't connect to a computer though, a small screen on the shoe tongue displayed all the compiled data. The company says it will be making only 86 pairs that will be sold online and at Puma stores in Berlin, Tokyo, and London, as well as KITH retailers. Unfortunately, the pricing hasn't been announced yet. -
Ahead Of Tests, Virat Kohli Fights It Out With Prithvi Shaw & Rishabh Pant On PS4
ADMIN posted a blog entry in FDF Online News
Following a 1-1 draw in the rain-hit T20I series, the Indian cricket team now faces a sterner test, as they get ready to lock horns with the Australian brigade in four Tests amid testing conditions. While India look the stronger of the two sides on paper, the Aussies cannot be taken for granted despite the noticeable absence of David Warner and Steve Smith. And, that's exactly why the Indian brigade was eagerly looking forward to their warm-up game against Cricket Australia XI at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). However, incessant rains in Sydney ensured that there was no cricketing action on the first day's play. Though the addition of an extra day to the match would have surely made Team India happy, but the fact that there was no play on Day 1 left the cricketers with plenty to do. View this post on Instagram PS4 game on #funtime#with @virat.kohli @rishabpant A post shared by Prithvishaw (@prithvishaw) on Nov 27, 2018 at 11:07pm PST Team India's addiction to gaming consoles is not new to fans. Thus, there was no surprise to see Kohli locking horns with Team India youngsters - Rishabh Pant and Prithvi Shaw - on PlayStation 4 (PS4). The Indian trio were seen having a gala time on the gaming console after Shaw shared their photo on his Instagram handle. The rain doesn't seem to be going away so we decided to make something of our day âï¸ðª. Gotta love a good workout with the boys. #makeeverydaycount pic.twitter.com/E94yPIcpRv — Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) November 28, 2018 Earlier in the day, Kohli was also seen making the most of his downtime in the gym. The Indian captain was seen sweating it out in the gym alongside opening batsman Murali Vijay and fast bowler Ishant Sharma. "The rain doesn't seem to be going away so we decided to make something of our day. Gotta love a good workout with the boys. #makeeverydaycount", Kohli tweeted. On the other hand, Kohli is on the cusp of overtaking Sachin Tendulkar for the most number of centuries scored in Australia. With five hundreds to his name Down Under, Kohli is just one ton away from pipping the Little Master to the record. In the previous tour, Kohli had smashed four centuries and, given his recent form, he will surely be expected to breeze past Tendulkar in the upcoming Tests. The Indian cricket team will lock horns with Australia in the first Test, slated to begin from 6th December at the Adelaide Oval. -
Seems like the entry of the wild card contestants is finally shaking things up in the 'Bigg Boss' house. The entry of Rohit Suchanti and Megha Dhade is bound to stir up more controversies in the house. #BB12 mein aa rahi hai #BBMarathi ki winner @meghadhade aur heart-throb @imrohitsuchanti! Dekhiye inke aane se ghar mein kya planning aur plotting hoti hai, aaj raat 9 baje! #BiggBoss12 pic.twitter.com/iwIA0CVah4 — Bigg Boss (@BiggBoss) October 22, 2018 Right now, Sreesanth has himself to blame for his current situation in the house. His aggression has won him a lot of flak from the other contestants, including that of Salman Khan and even the viewers. Everyone's been questioning his lack of interest, his empty threats to quit the game and his regular bouts of mood swings that upset the environment in the house. #SurbhiRana nahi chhod rahi ek bhi mauka @sreesanth36 ko Kaal Kothri mein pareshaan karne ka! Kya hoga isja anjaam? Dekhiye #WeekendKaVaar with @BeingSalmanKhan to find out. #BB12 #BiggBoss12 @iamappyfizz @oppomobileindia @TheGarnierMan @letsdroom pic.twitter.com/dgGZGhW5Yo — COLORS (@ColorsTV) October 20, 2018 However, in a question-answer round that was moderated by Megha, Sree confessed that this was, in fact, a part of his plan, a strategy to play the game. Iss hafte ke nominations mein hone wala hai twist! Dene padenge gharwalon ko wild card entries ke teekhe sawaalon ke jawab. Dekhna na bhulein #BB12 aaj raat 9 baje. #BiggBoss12 pic.twitter.com/i9a2rz1nIs — COLORS (@ColorsTV) October 22, 2018 Seems like he is not as vulnerable as everyone thought he was, eh? With the cat now being out of the bag, just how far will he go to play this game? Only time will tell.
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Conor McGregor's Son Steals Daddy's Thunder Ahead Of His UFC 229 Bout Against Khabib
ADMIN posted a blog entry in FDF Online News
After a hiatus of two long years, Conor McGregor is set to mark his return to the Ultimate Fighting Championship in the upcoming UFC 229 event, scheduled to take place in Nevada on 7th October. To the sheer delight of McGregor's fans, the Irishman will be seen returning to the octagon where he will lock horns with Khabib Nurmagomedov for the lightweight title in the main event. With all eyes on UFC's posterboy, the former featherweight and lightweight champion will need to be at his prolific best, if he intends to get the better of his Russian counterpart and re-establish his reputation in the cash-rich UFC. However, much before his bout with Khabib, McGregor has already been upstaged. While the two-time UFC champion was busy giving an interview on 4th October, his eighteen-month-old son stole his thunder in typical McGregor style. His son, Conor Jack McGregor Jr, was seen waddling across the workout mat to the sheer delight of the hundreds of fans, who couldn't stop themselves from rooting for the toddler. Conor McGregor Jr. is just a year old, but already has his dad's swagger. pic.twitter.com/GlESE3Oc2V — ESPN (@espn) October 4, 2018 After noticing his son replicating his dad's swagger, 'The Notorious' went on to join him amidst great applause from those in attendance. McGregor was stripped of his featherweight and lightweight belts after he took the ring against Floyd Mayweather in the mega-bucks boxing fight in August last year. The 30-year-old was beaten through a Technical Knockout (TKO) in the 10th Round by the American boxer, who came out of retirement for a potential $300m payday. Since then, McGregor has neither entered the octagon nor the boxing ring. But, back in front of his fans, McGregor promised a return to form against the current 155lb champion. "It's good to be back doing what I love to do in front of my fans. On Saturday night, you're in for a show, trust me on that. I'm going to take his head off," he said during a press interaction. "He may have wrestled Dagestani bears, but he has never wrestled an Irish gorilla, Conan."@TheNotoriousMMA talks with @TeamCoco tonight on @TBSNetwork! #UFC229 pic.twitter.com/TufF5MNKg7 — UFC (@ufc) October 4, 2018 "It will be a devastating KO, he's too easily hit, too flat-footed, too predictable, I'm going to knock him clean out. It's good to be back. Let's go do it, a proper fight, a proper, proper fight. I'm going to come out of the gate fast, I don't give a f*** about anything; any wrestling, any technique, any engine, any anything. I'm coming for that man's head from the f****** bell. Trust me on that," the Irishman added. While it's quite hard to predict the winner for Sunday's main event, as the bout between McGregor and Khabib undeniably makes for an exciting clash for MMA fanatics. -
OnePlus 6T Poster Leaked Ahead Of Its Launch & Here's A Closer Look Of The Upcoming Smartphone
ADMIN posted a blog entry in FDF Online News
The OnePlus 6T is slated to launch next month and the number one question in everyone's head is 'What will it look like?' Based on renders leaks, it was rumoured that OnePlus may adopt the water drop notch rather than the one we've already seen on the OnePlus 6. Turns out, that those renders and rumours may actually be true. © SlashLeaks A new poster that reveals the look of the OnePlus 6T was discovered by Slashleaks and it gives us a few details about the upcoming smartphone. The poster clearly shows the previously rumoured notch design and a new slogan 'Unlock The Speed'. The water-droplet design of the notch is quite reminiscent of the ones we've already seen on the Vivo V11 Pro and Oppo F9 Pro. It's not far fetched that OnePlus may have borrowed the design from its sister brands. © Twitter The other interesting feature the leaked poster may have confirmed would be the in-display fingerprint scanner. Previous rumours suggest that OnePlus may have borrowed the in-display unlocking feature from Vivo smartphones and may explain the usage of the word 'unlock'. © Twitter Other leaks and renders have suggested that the OnePlus 6T may sport a triple camera setup, however, it seems highly unlikely. The official teaser published by OnePlus shows only a dual camera setup and there's a high chance that a triple camera setup won't be included. As usual, we can neither confirm or deny if the leaked poster is either real or fake. We advise you to take these rumours with a grain of salt as nothing can be certain until the official launch. The OnePlus 6T is expected to launch on October 17th and we will only know for sure what the smartphone is all about, once it's unveiled officially. Source: SlashLeaks