"Cricket Is All About Batting": KKR's Narine After 85-Run Knock Against DC

by Manisha Das

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

After his 85-run knock against Delhi Capitals (DC) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) bowling allrounder Sunil Narine said that cricket is all about batting.

Visakhapatnam, Apr 4: After his 85-run knock against Delhi Capitals (DC) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) bowling allrounder Sunil Narine said that cricket is all about batting.

Narine opened for the Kolkata-based franchise and played an 85-run knock from just 39 balls at a strike rate of 217.95. The Caribbean allrounder smashed 7 fours and sixes during his time on the crease.

While speaking at the post-match presentation, Narine said he was pleased to contribute with the bat. However, the 35-year-old added that he enjoys his bowling.

When asked about opening with Philip Salt for KKR, he added that the English batter takes the pressure off from his partner.

"Cricket is all about batting, so to contribute with the bat is pleasing but I also enjoy my bowling. (On batting down the order with Abu Dhabi Knight Riders) We had sufficient batters, so the opening was not needed then. At the end of the day, it is about what the team requires. Batting with Salt is good, he takes the pressure off me so it's good to bat with him. On a good wicket like that, we bowled well and were on the money, so a total team effort from us tonight," Narine said.

Summarizing the match, KKR's target of 273 turned out to be too much for DC as they gave in to pressure and ended up suffering a 106-run defeat.

The pace duo of Mitchell Starc and Vaibhav Arora bagged two wickets each to reduce DC to 33/4 in the powerplay.

These early blows derailed DC's approach to chasing down the massive total which got more challenging with each delivery.

Eventually, the required rate turned out to be too much as they ended up suffering a 106-run defeat.

(ANI)

TN Fireworks Manufacturers Sell Rs 6,000 Crore Worth Of Fireworks For Diwali

by Pabitra Mohan Senapaty

Chennai, Oct 31: The Tamil Nadu Fireworks Manufacturers Association has reported that firecracker factories in Sivakasi, located in the state's Virudhunagar district, have sold firecrackers worth Rs 6,000 crore across the country for the Diwali festival.

However, association leaders noted that the century-old fireworks industry in Sivakasi faced a significant decline in production this year. This decrease is primarily due to the Supreme Court’s reiteration of its ban on barium nitrate, a key ingredient in firecracker manufacturing, and additional restrictions on joined crackers - sets of individual firecrackers connected by a fuse, allowing them to ignite in succession when one cracker is lit.

Business owners in Sivakasi told IANS that production has dropped by at least 30 per cent due to the restrictions on joined crackers. According to fireworks manufacturers, over 300 factories in Sivakasi and neighbouring villages produce joined crackers.

A.P. Selvarajan from Kaliswari Fireworks said: "Sound crackers account for 40 per cent of the total production in Sivakasi. Of those sound products, around 20 per cent were joined crackers."

He added that many manufacturers of joined crackers have kept their factories closed for months, resulting in workers migrating to other factories.

Additionally, heavy rains in parts of Sivakasi further impacted production, reducing the output to about 75 per cent of the usual volume.

Approximately 4 lakh workers from 1,150 fireworks factories in Sivakasi were involved in producing Rs 6,000 crore worth of firecrackers this year.

Sivakasi is considered the hub of India’s firecracker industry, producing around 70 per cent of the country’s firecrackers.

However, it is also worth noting that several accidents have occurred during the manufacturing process, leading to loss of life. In 2024 alone, Sivakasi saw 17 accidents that resulted in 54 fatalities.

--IANS

Read More Business News

IPL 2025 Retentions: Netizens Welcome Dhoni After CSK Retain 'Thala'

by Pabitra Mohan Senapaty

New Delhi, Oct 31: Cricket fans on social media expressed their delight after MS Dhoni -- the 43-year-old legendary wicketkeeper-batter -- was retained for INR 4 crore by the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Thursday.

For the records, barring 2016 and 2017 when he played for Rising Pune Supergiant when the Super Kings were going through a suspension period, Dhoni hasn’t moved from CSK.

“What a super Diwali for Dhoni fans. He will be there in IPL 2025. Great dedication to play,” one fan wrote. Another fan said, “Hero is back. Legend Dhoni will rule again."

Dhoni holds the record for playing most matches in the history of the IPL. In 264 matches since his debut back in 2008, Dhoni has scored 5243 runs at an average of 39.12 with a top score of 84 not out. Apart from the IPL, the veteran also led CSK to glory in the Champions League T20.

Earlier on Thursday, CSK decided to exercise the infamous 'uncapped player' rule to retain Dhoni as they also decided to keep hold of captain Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ravindra Jadeja for 18 crores, Matheesha Pathirana for 13 and Shivam Dube for 12.

All the ten Indian Premier League franchises have announced their list of retained players ahead of the 2025 auction. Notably, three major captains Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer will be entering the auction.

--IANS

cs/

One Dead, Two Critical In Firecracker Explosion In Puri

by Pabitra Mohan Senapaty

Puri, Oct 31: In what came as first fatal cracker mishap, a person was killed and two others sustained critical injuries in firecracker explosion in Puri district this evening.

The deceased has been identified as Bula Rout..

According to the information, firecrackers caught fire and exploded while three people were making crackers in ha house at Rout Sahi under the Puri Sadar police station. The three were rushed to the Puri District Headquarters Hospital soon. However, they were later shifted to the SCB Medical College and Hospital because of their critical condition.