Good form augurs well for India ahead of World Cup, but have to be careful against fatigue

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Good form augurs well for India ahead of World Cup, but have to be careful ag...

by Argus News

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As the caravan of India men's home schedule moves towards the T20Is against New Zealand, one can start to be optimistic about how their ODI form has begun in a home World Cup year.

New Delhi, Jan 27: As the caravan of India men's home schedule moves towards the T20Is against New Zealand, one can start to be optimistic about how their ODI form has begun in a home World Cup year.

In ODIs against Sri Lanka and New Zealand, India were able to register identical 3-0 sweeps, despite some situations where it felt like the match was out of their grasp, they maintained their stronghold on visiting teams in their own backyard. The batters, including captain Rohit Sharma, have been able to get big runs, while the bowlers, led by Mohammed Siraj and Kuldeep Yadav, were amongst the wickets and bowled decisive spells.

Despite the start, one cannot ignore the fact that in a packed cricket schedule, the fatigue factor looms large and last year, one saw the Indian team struggle with injuries to a lot of players, especially with some of them spending a long time on the sidelines.

In 2021, the Indian team entered the Men's T20 World Cup in the UAE just a couple of days after the second half of the IPL ended and losses to Pakistan as well as New Zealand in Super 12 meant their campaign was over before it was officially finished.

Though many had insisted that time that playing the IPL in the UAE would turn out to be fabulous preparation for the T20 World Cup in the UAE, India's performances in the tournament, with a lack of energy and intensity, didn't seem to back that theory up, which was seen as a deja-vu of what happened in the 2009 and 2010 T20 World Cups.

To make matters more hectic, a majority of the members of the Indian team at the 2021 T20 World Cup were also in a bio-bubble in England for four months which included a World Test Championship final in June and four matches in the Test series against England (fifth Test was cancelled and rescheduled for July 2022).

As India's run in T20Is in 2022 and its performance in the T20 World Cup in Australia showed that it is one thing to do well in the bilateral series and another thing to replicate showing in the ICC global tournaments, the recent performances in ODIs against Sri Lanka and New Zealand can give some hope to fans about a good showing in 2023 World Cup.

But one can't help wondering about the fatigue factor, which exists physically as well as mentally and how decisive it can become in the run-up to the mega event. India's schedule till the 2023 World Cup kickstarts in October has three T20Is against New Zealand, then four Tests and three ODIs against Australia at home, followed by nearly two months of the IPL.

After a gap of a few days, a potential World Test Championship final may happen in June, followed by an all-format tour of the West Indies. Then India will play 50-over Asia Cup, whose venue is yet to be decided, followed by three ODIs against Australia at home before the World Cup arrives.

Though the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said on January 1 that the workload of key players in the World Cup scheme of things will be monitored when they will be with their respective franchisees during this year's IPL by the National Cricket Academy (NCA), it does give a ray of hope that the fatigue factor can be minimised in an ODI World Cup year.

"We keep reviewing these things. You can call the break we have given to some of our boys (like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and KL Rahul) in the T20 series as workload management. Injury management and workload management are two different things, we have to keep balancing the two based on what the priority is for us in the short term considering the amount of cricket we play and ensuring that we have our big players available for us in the big tournaments.

"For the IPL, our medical team is constantly in touch with the NCA and the franchises and we see if there are any issues, we do connect with them and see what's happening. If any of the big players are injured or if there is any concern, of course, the BCCI has a right to pull them out but if they are fit, we do release them for the IPL because it is a very big tournament for the BCCI and for us (the team) as well," India head coach Rahul Dravid had said ahead of the third ODI against New Zealand in Indore.

With the pressure of ending a ten-year winless run in ICC tournaments, India will be expected to put their best foot forward in the 2023 ODI World Cup at home. But for that to happen and run all the way to the elusive silverware, they need to counter the fatigue factor and be in the form which was seen in the first six ODIs this year.

(IANS)

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PM Modi To Take Forward G20 Steps On Climate Action At COP28 In Dubai

by Hemanta Pande

New Delhi, Nov 30: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that he was looking forward to the COP28 summit in Dubai, to move ahead with the concrete steps on climate action that formed part of the New Delhi declaration of the G20.

"During our G20 Presidency, climate was high on our priority. The New Delhi Leaders' Declaration includes numerous concrete steps on climate action and sustainable development. I look forward to the COP28 taking forward the consensus on these issues," the Prime Minister said ahead of his visit to Dubai for the World Climate Action Summit which begins on December 1.

PM Modi said that COP28 will also provide an opportunity to review progress made under the Paris Agreement, and chart the future course on climate action.

He also pointed out that at the Voice of Global South Summit convened by India, the Global South spoke for the need for climate action based on the principles of equity, climate justice, and common but differentiated responsibilities, as well as a greater focus on adaptation.

Also Read: G20 Summit Showcased India's Commitment To Fostering Global Togetherness: Ruchira Kamboj

PM Modi said it was important that the efforts of the developing world be supported with adequate climate financing and technology transfer.

Besides, they must get access to equitable carbon and development space to achieve sustainable development, he added.

"India has walked the talk when it comes to climate action. Our achievements in different sectors like renewable energy, energy efficiency, afforestation, energy conservation, Mission LiFE are testament to the commitment of our people towards mother Earth," he added. (IANS)

Telangana Assembly Polls: 63.94% Voter Turnout Recorded Till 5 PM

by Hemanta Pande

Hyderabad, Nov 30: Telangana recorded a voter turnout of 63.94 per cent till 5 pm in the assembly polls for 119 seats, according to the Election Commission of India.

According to the Election commission, Medak recorded a voter turnout of 80.28 per cent, Mahabubabad at 77.50 per cent, Adilabad at 73.58 per cent, Hanumankonda at 62.46 per cent and Hyderabad at 31.17 per cent till 5 pm.

Jangaon recorded 80.23 percent of voter turnout, while Kamareddy recorded 71 per cent.
The voter turnout in Khammam was recorded 73.77 per cent, Nalgonda recorded 75.72 per cent, Nizamabad at 68.30 per cent,

Sangareddy recorded 73.83 per cent and Rangareddy recorded 53.03 per cent.
Till 3 pm Telangana recorded a voter turnout of 51.89 per cent.

This time, there are as many as 2,290 contestants in the fray which includes Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao, his Minister-son K.T. Rama Rao, State Congress President A Revanth Reddy and BJP Lok Sabha members Bandi Sanjay Kumar and D Arvind.

In 2018, BRS (then Telangana Rashtra Samithi) won 88 of the 119 seats and had 47.4 per cent of the vote share. The Congress came a distant second with just 19 seats.

Read: National News

Several big leaders including Chief Minister KCR, state minister KT Rama Rao, YSR Telangana Party president YS Sharmila, BJP's Arvind Dharmapuri and Union Minister G Kishan Reddy exercised their franchise and urged voters to cast a vote.
The counting of the votes will take place on December 3. (ANI)

IOA And NADA To Educate Core Group Athletes On Anti-Doping Rules Before Paris Olympics

by Hemanta Pande

New Delhi, Nov 30: The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) will conduct in coming months a special seminar in coordination with the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) for its core group of athletes to educate them on the anti-doping rules to avoid any violation ahead of next year’s Olympic Games.

“We want to educate the athletes bound for the Olympic Games on the anti-doping rule violations to ensure proper compliance during the games,” IOA President Dr. P.T Usha said. “The IOA has put in place strict anti-doping measures to uphold the integrity of the sports”, the 52-year-old was quoted as saying in a release on Thursday.

On being asked how the IOA supports the athletes to prepare for the games, she said, “It is important to have good training facilities during the games and a smooth transport system from in the pre-competition time as well as during the main games. “IOA will also ensure athletes have adequate sports science backup to avoid injuries and stay healthy,” she added.

The IOA president was hopeful that all National Sports Federations (NSFs) have a proper road map in place for the Olympic Games. “Proper planning is important to ensure all aspects of the preparation are taken care of during the buildup months to the Olympic Games.

“All the NSFs must have prepared a detailed programme for the international exposure cum competition plan for next year,” she added.

Earlier in October this year during the International Olympic (IOC) session in Mumbai, Usha had also discussed the possibility of India hosting the Olympics in the future with IOC chief Thomas Bach. “It was a good and healthy discussion on various issues related to India’s bid to host the Youth Olympic in 2030 and 2036 Olympic Games as announced by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India,” she said.

Usha termed it as a positive step that several private companies and state governments are investing in sports, which will boost sports development in the country. “More investment in sports will ensure good infrastructure and facilities across India. It will lead to a rise in the number of sports enthusiasts and inculcate sports culture in the country,” she added.

Read: Sports News

She also pointed out that the Khelo India project of the Sports Ministry has proved to be a good platform for budding athletes to showcase their talent. “The financial assistance under the Khelo India scheme is a big support to promising athletes,” Usha added. (IANS)

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Good form augurs well for India ahead of World Cup, but have to be careful against fatigue

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