"Can't Excuse": Ponting's Slams Australia Batters After Meltdown vs Bangladesh

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has hit out at the hosts' batters following a dismal day one performance against Bangladesh in the ongoing first Test, adding that their early season rustiness meant they were outplayed and outwitted by the visitors' bowling line-up. Australia were bowled out for a paltry 198 after opting to bat first, with Bangladesh pacer Hasan Mahmud tearing through the lineup with figures of 6-55. Now with Bangladesh's lead crossing 150, it meant the focus is back on Australia's shoddy batting performance, where barring Steve Smith (71), no one made a notable contribution.

"There was a lot of early-season rustiness, they haven't played for a long time, but you can't excuse some of the technical issues and flaws we saw from the top order in particular. I was surprised Australia actually chose to bat, especially with Bangladesh coming off just 54 in the warm-up game.

“The Australian seamers on that wicket yesterday morning would have been near-on unplayable. A few eyebrows raised when Australia did decide to bat. But when you win the toss and decide to bat everyone is expecting a few more than 190 against an attack like that," Ponting said on SEN's Fireball.

Calling out the national selectors for being hesitant to transition towards youngsters, Ponting pointed out that Australia have fielded their oldest Test side since 1928, with all-rounder Cameron Green (27) being the sole under-30 player.

"I still feel like they missed an opportunity in these couple of games to look at some younger talent that we've got in Australia. I know the Sheffield Shield numbers aren't outstanding for our young batters, but I think we might have to look a bit deeper than just what the numbers suggest.

“Go with a bit of gut-feel and pick on talent because what we've got in the current side now - and it has been for a couple of years - has not looked up to the mark of Test cricket level. It (change) is going to happen.

“They've got 21 Tests coming up until the end of the World Test Championship (WTC) - they're at home to New Zealand, they're away to South Africa, they're away to India. Inevitably they'll be going through 16-18 players in this next little run. So I think organically it will start to happen where guys will be coming in and out just to try and manage them through until the end of it," he noted.

Addressing whether a potential defeat to Bangladesh would force structural changes, Ponting stated, "You would like to think so. This group has been so tight. I don't know if they're scared of making change, or deep down they know that there might not be anything better that's waiting underneath.

“It's been at least 12 months where they have had the opportunity to make changes, especially with the batting group. They have a lot of work to do, there's a long way to go in this game, and right now I'm not sure what the odds suggest. I still think Australia should still be favourites even though yesterday went as badly as it did.

“They'll get a chance to bat on the wicket when it's at it's absolute best. That's when we'll see if these guys are actually up to it, because if they're not up to it in the second innings then maybe it is time to have a look at someone else."

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/BbEhczJ
via

Welcome's Anil Kapoor And Nana Patekar To Reunite For Zombie Comedy: Report

Fans may soon get another chance to see Anil Kapoor and Nana Patekar together, after missing them in Welcome to the Jungle. The two actors, known for playing Uday and Majnu in the Welcome universe, are reportedly in talks for a new zombie comedy.

The film, produced by Firoz Nadiadwala and directed by Ahmed Khan, is in the pre-production stage, while Tiger Shroff has already been chosen to play the lead role.

According to reports, Firoz wants Anil and Nana to play two characters whose fun chemistry will remind viewers of Uday and Majnu. Interestingly, both actors are also interested in the project.

It's a two-character role, which has the potential to become the new-age Uday and Majnu, Bollywood Hungama reported. Both Anil and Nana are excited to embark on this journey with Firoz Nadiadwala. The film is presently in the writing stage, the report stated.

Reports suggest that the makers are expected to begin shooting in early 2027. The makers are planning a start-to-finish shooting schedule. 

Details about the film's title, official plot, other actors, and their characters are under wraps.

Before Firoz Nadiadwala's zombie comedy, Anil Kapoor has several projects lined up, including Shah Rukh Khan's King and Dragon, which stars Jr NTR.

Nana Patekar is set to appear in Laxman Utekar's biographical musical drama Eetha. The film stars Shraddha Kapoor as the famous Lavani and Tamasha performer Vithabai Narayangaonkar.

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/9zb2wK4
via

India's Injury Crisis Puts Gambhir Under Spotlight: "Coach, Captain Decided"

The Indian team is going through one of its worst injury crises in recent times. The likes of Jasprit Bumrah and B Sai Sudharsan were ruled out for the 2-match Test series against Sri Lanka, while there's no confirmation on the return of Washington Sundar for the second match. The BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) has also had to face heat for releasing unfit players for the national team, especially Bumrah. However, former India batter S Badrinath doesn't think the blame lies with the CoE and its head VVS Laxman.

For Badrinath, the majority of the blame should go to head coach Gautam Gambhir, captain Shubman Gill and selectors, whose eagerness to draft Bumrah and others into the team led to this situation.

"I don't know who made the decision. CoE will not make the selection, right? They will just say he is in this state and can play these matches and his body is in this state. But I think the captain, coach, and selectors are taking the decision. CoE only passes the information. They are not selectors," Badrinath said in a video on his YouTube channel.

Badrinath also didn't mince his words over the repeated injury issues involving Sundar. He said that fitness is not the all-rounder's forte, urging him to seriously work on himself if he intends to prolong his career and remain a consistent player for the national team.

"I don't have an immediate answer to the root cause of so many injuries. It is important to see what kind of injuries these are. At high-level professional sport, injuries are common. Sai Sudharsan got hit by a ball, with Bumrah, it is a chronic injury because of being overused and fitness is not Sundar's forte, he is injury-prone. His fitness needs a lot of work. Management and monitoring is very important. Injuries are bound to happen and you cannot control it," added Badrinath.

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/Vb1meiQ
via

Google Pixel 11 vs iPhone 17: Price in India and Full Specifications Compared

Google Pixel 11 has been launched in India, and the new Pixel smartphone competes directly with Apple's iPhone 17, which was unveiled in September last year. The Google Pixel 11 sports a 6.3-inch (1,080 x 2,424 pixels) OLED Actua display, with up to a 120Hz refresh rate, while the iPhone 17 is equipped with a 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display. The Google Pixel 11 is equipped with the latest Google Tensor G6 chipset. On the other hand, the iPhone 17 is powered by the A19 chipset, featuring a 16-core Neural Engine.

from Gadgets 360 https://ift.tt/9Prhykj
via

'I'm Bengal's Boy': Jeet Reveals The One Condition For A Hindi Film Bet

Bengali superstar Jeet is one of those rare Hindi-speaking Bengali actors who has made a mark in the Hindi industry with his OTT debut Khakee: The Bengal Chapter, released on Netflix last year. 

He also took on the giant task of releasing a Bengali film simultaneously in Hindi three years ago when Chengiz released. In an exclusive conversation with NDTV, Jeet shared whether he would invest in Hindi in the coming years and why he thinks in Hindi first.

'Learnt Bengali Through Environment'

Last year, during promotions of Khakee, Jeet had said that he thinks in Hindi first as Hindi is his mother tongue.

Asked if his public acknowledgement of thinking in Hindi might disappoint his Bengali audience, Jeet tells NDTV, "My thinking language has been Hindi. I am still saying that. It's a fact. I studied in Hindi. I learnt Bengali through the environment. Nobody has reacted to that statement. And I believe how I conduct myself through my work, shows or whatever I do, if that's connecting with the audience, people will remember that. My thinking language won't bother anyone, I guess."

"I was born and brought up in Kolkata. I am Bengal's boy. Nobody can deny that. And some people also say that I speak Bengali better than born Bengalis. So, I take that as a compliment," adds Jeet.

'I Can Invest In Hindi If There's Potential'

Back in 2023, Jeet took a giant leap when he released Chengiz simultaneously in Bengali and Hindi to take Bengali films pan-India. Reports say Jeet's production house, Jeetz Filmworks, incurred losses for undertaking the task.

Asked if he was ready to face the consequence of taking the risk, Jeet tells us, "Making profits and losses is part and parcel of any business. The risks in the film business are enormously high. It's not a surprising fact that the chances of profit making in this business hover between 7-10%, no matter whether you make films in Hindi or in vernacular languages."

"Having said that, if I see a material has potential for the Hindi market and deserves to be released nationally, I can," Jeet adds.

But Jeet also said that the trend of releasing regional films in Hindi has gone down.

"You should also understand the fact that there was a huge spike in releasing regional films in Hindi after the Baahubali craze. But it has now come down. Besides two or three films, most of the films haven't made any connection with the audience. So the trend is going down," adds Jeet.

Jeet's new film Keu Bole Biplobi Keu Bole Dakat (Some Say Revolutionary, Some Say Dacoit), directed by Pathikrit Basu, is inspired by the life of Ananta Singh, a freedom fighter and close associate of revolutionary Masterda Surya Sen.

Set against the backdrop of 1960s Kolkata, the film also touches upon the public perception of Ananta Singh being called a 'dacoit' for his daring robberies. Jeet plays the titular character and pulled off nine different looks for the film.

Apart from Jeet, Keu Bole Biplobi Keu Bole Dakat also stars Priyanka Sarkar, Tota Roy Chowdhury, Rajatabha Dutta and Debopriyo Mukherjee.

The film releases in theatres on August 14.

Also Read | 'When You Play Around With Power, Creativity Takes Backseat': Jeet On Bengali Actors Joining Politics

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/3X0YPFT
via

Vishal On Why Vijay Succeeded In Politics Where Other Actors Failed

Vishal, known for his performances in films like Irumbu Thirai and Mark Antony, recently opened up about his experience of meeting Vijay after he took on the role of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister. 

“Vijay is the same when I met him recently. I didn't take a bouquet. I usually never buy bouquets. He's the same, only the posting has changed,” Vishal said in an interview with Honest Townhall. 

Vishal also shared his perspective on why Vijay's entry into politics gained momentum, unlike the political ventures of several other actors before him. Vishal said, "It's not just actors. Actors with mass appeal have tried this before. There are so many other examples we have left out who have been failures. Sivaji Ganesan started a party. Legendary filmmaker Bhagyaraj started a party. We have examples all over the industry. Amitabh Bachchan could have started a party. Mithun Chakraborty is so famous, he could have been the face of West Bengal." 

He added, “It's a calling. If someone has entrusted their faith in Vijay, it's not just because he is an actor turned politician. It's because they wanted a change, badly, literally very badly. And it is also a connectivity factor. He was different in the way he was talking. That is what maybe the first-time voters and everyone decided to go for the change, because there is nothing else they see."

Vishal pointed out a particular moment from Vijay's 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly election campaign that he believes played a key role in strengthening the actor-turned-politician's position as a prime candidate. 

“His last-day speech before the closing of the campaign nailed it. He said, go tell your parents and your grandparents and every elder in your house, please tell them to vote for me once. That really created a massive impact. I've seen a judge come on record saying that he voted because his granddaughter told him to vote for TVK. There have been instances like that,” he recalled.

On the work front, Vishal is set to make his directorial debut in the upcoming film Magudam. It releases in theatres on August 14. 

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/GH98ebo
via

"Was Supposed To Be India Head Coach, Could Not Take Up" The Role: VVS Laxman

Former Indian batter and BCCI Centre of Excellence (CoE) head VVS Laxman revealed that he was offered the role of Team India head coach back in 2023, but could not take it up for personal reasons and decided to continue as the head of the CoE and contribute to its development as it got a new facility of its own in Bengaluru. Amid concerns over the recent spate of injuries, BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia met Laxman on Sunday to review the rehabilitation and injury-management programme at the facility. Saikia also attended the press conference along with Laxman, BCCI president Mithun Manhas and other senior officials.

Speaking during the presser, he said, "The reason why I extended (as the head of CoE): In 2023, I was supposed to become the head coach. Because of personal reasons, I was not able to take that up. I went and spoke to Jay (Shah) twice. He understood my reasons. Because of what Jay and the BCCI have given me, the freedom to execute my vision, it continues with Devajit and other office-bearers."

"I extended for two years, and I committed to the BCCI that here I am not taking up the head coach position, but I will make sure that I establish the CoE, I establish the structure, the processes and the protocols, before I move on," he added.

In September 2024, the BCCI's Centre of Excellence was inaugurated by then BCCI secretary Jay Shah, replacing the old facility operating at Bengaluru's M Chinnaswamy Stadium under the name of the National Cricket Academy.

Spanning over 40 acres, this facility is designed to become the epicentre for nurturing cricketing talent and advancing sports science in India. The Centre of Excellence features three grounds and 86 pitches, including both indoor and outdoor areas, showcasing its capacity to provide comprehensive training facilities.

In late 2021, Laxman took over from Rahul Dravid as the head of the CoE, with the latter becoming the Team India head coach. Laxman has been the head of the facility since then and, during his tenure, the CoE expanded into a full-fledged facility of its own.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

from NDTV News- Special https://ift.tt/KAu01RD
via