1st Test: I’ve Seen Him Work So Hard For This, Gill Praises Pant After Stellar Test Comeback

Speaking to ANI, the BJP leader said, "After Rahul Gandhi's return after playing politics with his sponsored pawns, I feel that the same group in America is now showing this hate advertisement against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This is an objectionable poster."

"It is a hate advertisement and it is beyond doubt that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi got the meeting and support of those forces who are declared enemies of India. Are they the same group showing this hate advertisement?" said Trivedi.

BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya also took to his social media handle on X and shared the poster that read, "Protest: Modi, You're Not Welcome in New York" and called on people to "raise your voice against a decade of oppression."

The BJP IT cell head accused the Congress leader of indulging in "divisive anti-India politics," including hobnobbing with agencies and collaborating with forces inimical to India's interest
Malviya alleged that Gandhi's overseas engagements have consistently been detrimental to India's image.

"Every time Rahul Gandhi goes abroad, he indulges in the most divisive anti-India politics, including hobnobbing with agencies and collaborating with forces inimical to India's interest. He has gone to the extent of pleading with Western powers to interfere in Indian politics," read the post by Malviya.

"The Congress will never succeed is a different matter. But now, Sam Pitroda and his cohorts, are planning a protest against the Prime Minister, when he visits New York. Rahul Gandhi should remember he is seeking political relevance in India and the people of Bharat will give him a befitting reply, when the time comes," added the post.

Modi embarked on a three-day visit to the US to attend key international meetings, including a Quad summit and a United Nations General Assembly address.

Meanwhile, PM Modi arrived at Philadelphia International Airport on Saturday morning (local time) on the first day of his three-day visit to the United States.

Philadelphia was the site of the First and Second Continental Congresses and the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

The Prime Minister said that his meeting with President Biden will allow the two countries to review and identify new pathways to further deepen India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. (ANI)

Pant’s comeback to the national team has been nothing short of emotional. The 26-year-old wicket-keeper batter scored 109 runs in the second innings before being dismissed by Mehidy Hasan Miraz. Following the game, Gill opened up on Pant’s return to the side.

"I've spent a lot of time with him on and off the field and watching him score his 1st, 51st, 100 after his comeback gives me so much pleasure because I've seen him work so hard for it when, you know when he was coming back from the injury and I. And I think he also must be feeling really good," said Gill in the day-end press conference.

Gill's century saw him move past Virat Kohli and take the No. 2 position in the list of batters with the most centuries for India in the World Test Championship. The century on Saturday against Bangladesh is Gill’s fifth century in Test cricket as well as WTC, which has now helped him go past Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, and Mayank Agarwal’s tally of four centuries each.

The overall record of scoring most centuries for India in WTC history is in the name of captain Rohit Sharma. The 37-year-old right-handed batter has crossed the 100-run mark nine times in 33 WTC matches played so far.

"Scoring runs against any opposition gives you a lot of confidence and that's what I've been working on, so it gives me a lot of satisfaction, I practised before the series. I had certain plans, so I think I executed them. It's about having a good defense, but then also not missing out on the opportunities that you get as a batsman to be able to score runs.

"I started practising when I was very young because I was always a tall guy, so it was easier for me to be able to use my feet and play along the ground. Playing in the air and hitting sixes actually came a bit later when I got a little bit more power in my body. But initially, when I used to practice, especially against spinners, it used to be a lot more me stepping down, trying to rotate. Because it's then hard for bowlers to settle on a wicket like this, where the odd one is turning but not all the balls are turning,” he added.

--IANS

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A large number of people from the Indian community in the US had gathered at the Philadelphia International Airport to give a warm welcome to PM Modi.

The Prime Minister interacted with the Indian diaspora on his arrival as people jostled to get a selfie with him.

"Landed in Philadelphia. Today's programme will be focused on the Quad Summit and the bilateral meeting with US President Joe Biden. I am sure the discussions throughout the day will contribute to making our planet better and addressing key global challenges," PM Modi posted on X after his arrival.

Hundreds had also gathered at the hotel where PM Modi will be putting up during his stay in Delaware.

Irrespective of the long flight, PM Modi and the travelling Indian delegation will have no time to get over the jetlag considering the busy schedule lined up for the day, immediately after their arrival.

The Prime Minister will be holding bilateral discussions with President Biden and other leaders of the Quad grouping, including Australian PM Anthony Albanese and Prime Minister Kishida Fumio of Japan.

Some key Indo-Pacific Economic Framework-related agreements and an India-US Drug Framework related MoU are expected to be signed following PM Modi's meeting with Biden. A bilateral fact sheet will also be released after the bilateral discussions between the two leaders.

The all-important sixth Quad Leaders' Summit - fourth in-person - is scheduled at around 4 PM EST (around 1.30 AM, India time on Sunday) at Archmere Academy, where Biden attended High school.

After the plenary session, the Quad leaders will gather together for the unveiling of Cancer Moonshot event, a signature initiative that aims at implementing innovative strategies to prevent, detect, treat, and alleviate the impact of cancer on patients and their families.

It is for the first time that Biden will also be hosting foreign leaders in Wilmington as President - including an "intimate leaders' dinner" at his private home following the Moonshot event - which the White House believes is "a reflection of his deep personal relationships with each of the Quad Leaders", and the importance of the Quad to all countries.

"I look forward to joining my colleagues President Biden, Prime Minister Albanese and Prime Minister Kishida for the Quad Summit. The forum has emerged as a key group of like-minded countries to work for peace, progress and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. My meeting with President Biden will allow us to review and identify new pathways to further deepen India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership for the benefit of our people and the global good," said PM Modi before his departure, on Saturday.

Quad - a diplomatic partnership between India, the United States, Australia and Japan - remains committed to supporting an open, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific that is inclusive and resilient.

The Quad countries account for 1.9 billion combined population, 44 per cent of two-way merchandise trade across the Indo-Pacific region, US $34.8 trillion combined GDP and hold 30 per cent of Global Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) stock.

Having swapped its turn with the US due to scheduling issues, India will now be hosting the 2025 Quad Summit as the relationship between the partner nations continues to expand both strategically and economically.

From Wilmington, Prime Minister Modi will travel to New York where he will address a diaspora rally at the Nassau Coliseum in Long Island on Sunday which is expected to be attended by more than 16,000 people.

"The Indian community has distinguished itself in the USA, making a positive impact across diverse sectors. It’s always a delight to interact with them. At around 9:30 PM India time on Sunday, 22nd September, I will address the Modi and US programme in New York City. Let's celebrate the bonds that connect our nations!" said PM Modi after his arrival in the United States.

The Prime Minister will also be attending a Business Roundtable with CEOs of leading US companies in the cutting-edge areas of Artificial Intelligence, semiconductors, quantum computing, and biotechnology besides holding bilateral meetings with several other world leaders during his stay in New York.

On Monday (September 23), PM Modi will address the Summit of the Future in the UN General Assembly that will bring together world leaders with the objective of enhancing multilateral cooperation and tackling the most pressing global challenges.

An outcome document Pact for the Future, along with annexes on the global digital compact and a declaration for future generations, are expected to be adopted by the world leaders during the event.

--IANS