Robin Uthappa enters an elite list of players to have played 200 matches in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He achieved the feat when he was named in the playing XI for Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for their game against Mumbai Indians (MI) on Thursday.
Uthappa has played for as many as six franchises, viz. Chennai Super Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders, Mumbai Indians, Pune Warriors, Rajasthan Royals, Royal Challengers Bangalore. In 200 games, he has scored 4919 runs at an average of 28.10.
Robin Uthappa. Image: IPL
CSK captain and Uthappa’s teammate, MS Dhoni, leads the way for the most appearances with 227 matches for CSK and the now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiants (RPS). He is followed by Rohit Sharma and Dinesh Karthik, who are tied in 2nd place with 220 games in the league.
Robin Uthappa enters 200-club
MS Dhoni – 227 matches
Dinesh Karthik – 220 matches
Rohit Sharma – 220 matches
Virat Kohli – 214 matches
Ravindra Jadeja – 207 matches
Suresh Raina – 205 matches
Robin Uthappa – 200 matches
Meanwhile, CSK won the toss and opted to bowl first. Both teams desperately need a win as they are languishing at the bottom of the table. CSK has 1 win in 6 matches while MI hasn’t yet opened its account (6 losses in 6 games).
Bhavani Thekkada Nanjunda represented Karnataka at the National Cross Country Skiing Competition held at Gulmarg during March this year and won gold and two silver medals.
Bhavani Thekkada Nanjunda. (Photo | Special Arrangement)
Madikeri :
A gold medal, five silver medals and a bronze. Athlete Bhavani Thekkada Nanjunda from Kodagu has all these achievements to her name.
A certified skier, she has become the first South Indian to have won medals in the national cross-country competitions. While she has already become the pride of Karnataka, she hopes to become the pride of the nation by taking part in the Winter Olympics.
“I was the first and the only South Indian to represent India in the International FIS Cross Country Skiing races hosted in Iceland in January this year. In March this year, I became the first South Indian to have won medals in the National Cross Country and Winter Biathlon Championships,” Bhavani shared enthusiastically.
She represented Karnataka at the National Cross Country Skiing Competition held at Gulmarg during March this year and won gold and two silver medals in the 1.5 km, 10 km and 5 km race in the championship.
Similarly, she has become the pride of the state after winning two silver medals in 10 km and 5 km race in the National Winter Biathlon Championship, where she shone in shooting and cross-country skiing biathlon sports. She won the silver and a bronze medal in the 1.5 km and 5 km race in the All India Open Ski and Snowboard Championship held recently in Himachal Pradesh.
“Following the participation in the various championships, I am now eligible to represent India in the upcoming Nordic World Ski Championship that will be held at Slovenia. While I dream of representing India in the Winter Olympics of 2026, I have to mandatorily take part in several world championships to collect FIS points,” she explained.
She shared that while her passion for the sport and her dream to represent the nation is high, so is the requirement of funds to fulfil her dream. She earnestly looks forward to some support from sponsors, which will help her acquire skiing equipment and support her training sessions.
“The training will help me catch up with the international skiers and help me represent India in the World Championships, World Cup and finally in the Winter Olympics,” she concluded.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Sport> Other / by Prajna GR, Express News Service / April 21st, 2022
Joshna Chinappa on what it takes to gear up for the Commonwealth and Asian Games.
Joshna Chinappa. (File Photo)
Joshna Chinappa (35) might be looking at the most important year of her career. After returning to the top 10 world rankings earlier this year, the squash champion won a gold medal for India with Dipika Pallikal at the World Doubles Championship in Glasgow on Saturday.
Later in the year, she will head to the Commonwealth in Birmingham and the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China. We caught up with Chinappa to chat about everything from her intensive training regimen to pre-match rituals. Excerpts…
When someone asked you about competing against 20-year-olds in an interview recently, you said that your best physical years came after you turned 30. Tell us more. The tour is really strong right now with the girls being really fit and strong physically, so, it’s been important for me to train correctly, and look after my body, especially as I get older. I work with an amazing team in the UK on my strength and conditioning and that has helped me get a lot fitter in recent years.
2022 is a big year for you with the Commonwealth and Asian Games lined up. How do you fight nerves and keep a clear and focused headspace? I always look forward to playing in the Commonwealth and the Asian Games. It is the biggest platform for any athlete and the goal is always to win accolades for the country. The preparation for these games starts at least a year in advance. Closer to the event, I will take a couple of months off from playing tournaments just to train with my team for the 2022 games. For a sportsman, striking the right balance between mind and body is of utmost priority.
What is your training regimen? Usually, my mornings begin with a squash game on the court, followed by a fitness/gym session. In total, I dedicate around three to four hours to my training. Sundays are mostly off and spent doing things that I love.
What does your diet look like? I keep my eating habits simple. When I’m training, my diet consists of more protein, moderate amounts of carbs, fruits, veggies, and plenty of hydration. When I am playing a tournament, it is the same as training, except I eat more carbs. If I occasionally want to indulge in a cheat meal, I do like to treat myself with dark chocolate sometimes.
Is there anything you have had to give up food-wise that’s taken some will power? The hardest part is giving up junk food! I love eating rice and rasam but owing to my professional goals, I try to avoid consuming them in large quantities.
Quick three
Do you have a ritual at the beginning or end of a match? At the beginning of the match, I have to hit my first shot on the backhand side!
Best way to keep distractions at bay? For me, what works at keeping distractions at bay is that I get off social media very often. When I am in the middle of a tournament, only my coach and mom can reach me.
For young athletes with a dream to compete at the Commonwealth Games someday: what would be your best advice? Be passionate about what you do, work really hard and never give up!
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Delhi / by Express News Service / April 13th, 2022
The keeper-batsman skippered South Zone and Tamil Nadu
Former Tamil Nadu and South Zone captain P.K. Belliappa passed away in Bengaluru on Wednesday morning. He was 79 and is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter.
Belliappa, who made his debut for Tamil Nadu (then Madras) in 1959, played 94 First Class matches till 1974.
An opening batsman and a wicket-keeper, he made 4061 runs at an average of 29.42 with a highest score of 141 and had 93 catches and 46 stumpings to his credit.
Former India leg-spinner V.V. Kumar said “I played with him for close to 20 years and he was a great captain in the 60s. Under him we really did well in various tournaments. He was a gritty opening batsman and very good ’keeper who gave valuable inputs to the bowler as well. He was a self-made cricketer and off-the field, the heart and soul of any party.”
Another contemporary, former TN fast bowler B. Kalayanasundaram, remarked “he was my captain when I made my debut in Ranji Trophy and someone who always encouraged players. Once played me in an inter-district match when I was not well and made me bowl just five overs before allowing me to take rest, so that he could then pick me for the State side.”
“I knew him from my younger days as we were neighbours in Harrington Road and used to play with a golf ball. He was a very pleasant person and incidentally, I made my debut in his last Ranji Trophy match,” said former India wicketkeeper Bharat Reddy.
The TNCA president and members condoled the demise of Belliappa in a statement. His last rites will be held in his native place Coorg.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Sport> Cricket / by Staff Reporter / Chennai – February 19th, 2020
To make a mark in 12th Hockey India Junior WomenNational Championship at Kakinada from today
The Junior Women’s Hockey players from across the nation have a golden opportunity to showcase their skills at the 12th Hockey India Junior Women National Championship, which began today (Mar. 25) at Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh.
A total of 26 teams will vie for top honours in the competition including the Karnataka team that has 12 players from Kodagu. Kodagu district has contributed many hockey champions to the national and international events including the Olympics.
In the team are: P. Dechamma Ganapathy, B.J. Jeevitha, Seema Anandarao Pawar, B.M. Keerthana, H.S. Jahnavi, Taj Belliappa, S.B. Nisarga, H.B. Siddaganga, H.A. Apsara, K.J. Dilan, T.C. Suchitha and H. Mani. The girls from Kodagu form a formidable force in the 19-member team.
D.N. Tejaswini and C.M. Sahana of Hassan District, Kaveri R. Lenkannavar of Dharwad District, Tamil Nadu-based B. Deepika and Andhra Pradesh-based Vudumula Sowmya who are at present coaching at SAI (Sports Authority of India) Centre Madikeri and Kushee M. Jain from Bengaluru will also represent the Karnataka team.
Participating teams
The participating teams include Hockey Haryana, Goans Hockey and Hockey Madhya Pradesh in Group A, while Pool B features Hockey Jharkhand, Manipur Hockey and Assam Hockey. Pool C includes Hockey Maharashtra, Telangana Hockey and Le Puducherry Hockey, meanwhile, Hockey Chandigarh, Hockey Unit of Tamil Nadu and Hockey Uttarakhand have been slotted in Pool D.
Hockey Association of Odisha, Delhi Hockey and Kerala Hockey have been included in Pool E, while Pool F features Punjab, Chhattisgarh Hockey and Hockey Himachal. Pool G features Uttar Pradesh Hockey, Hockey Bihar, Hockey Rajasthan and Hockey Mizoram, while Hockey Andhra Pradesh, Hockey Karnataka, Hockey Bengal and Hockey Gujarat has been included in Pool H.
Matches from Mar.25
The Karnataka girls will play their first match against Gujarat on Mar. 25 and fight with Andhra Pradesh on Mar. 27 and with West Bengal on Mar. 29. The team will enter the quarter-finals if it wins against all three teams.
After six days of pool matches, the quarter-finals will be played on Mar.31, the semi-finals on Apr. 2 whereas the medal matches of the 12th Hockey India Junior Women National Championship 2022 are scheduled on Apr. 3.
The Karnataka team has brought laurels to the State in thFe matches held in New Delhi,
Assam, Haryana, Jharkhand and Kerala. As of now, there is no player from Kodagu in the Indian National Team either from Kodagu or Karnataka. The participation of 12 players from Kodagu in a single team has raised hopes of at least four or five of them making it to the National team.
Team well-prepared
The team has already been trained well in Bengaluru and the players are confident of making big in the championship. At Kakinada, all the teams have been acclimatising to the ground and weather conditions as the humidity is high. “Our preparations for the tournament are going great and our confidence is high as we are well-trained and we are sure of bringing laurels to Karnataka,” said Dechamma Ganapathy.
In the recently held India Camp in Bengaluru, Dechamma Ganapathy, Tejaswini, Sowmya, Sahana, Kushee, Deepika, Kaveri had participated. While Tejaswini was captain-cum-goal-keeper, Suchitha was the goal-keeper.
B.M. Komala is the team coach and Dharmendra is officiating as Manager.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports / March 25th, 2022
Works are in full swing to set up the third Elephant Camp in Kodagu at Harangi. The State Government has released Rs. 50 lakh for the project that is expected to ease the burden of the existing elephant camps.
Already, Kodagu has two elephant camps, one at Dubare and another at Mathigodu near Anechowkur Gate that borders Mysuru. There are eight elephant camps in Karnataka including the two in Kodagu and the Harangi Camp will be the ninth in the State.
The eight jumbo camps house more than 100 tamed elephants that are used to rescue wild animals and for logging purposes at Government timber depots. The new elephant camp is expected to reduce the burden on the nearby Dubare Elephant Camp, which currently has over 31 elephants, the highest in the State.
90 percent works complete
Over 90 percent of the works have been completed at the Harangi Elephant Camp and interestingly, the Camp houses a Tree Park, also in the same vicinity. From 2017 till 2021-22 Rs.1.38 crore has been released by the Government and works are on to create the Tree Park.
The Forest Department is establishing the elephant camp in a 40-acre land at Athur Reserve Forest beside Harangi Reservoir in Kushalnagar Taluk. The place, located near the Harangi Dam backwaters, is ideal to set up the elephant camp. The camp per se is eight to 20 acres. The Athur Range Forest extends up to 2,000 acres and it is an ideal elephant habitat with plenty of water and green swathes.
Four houses have been constructed for the mahouts and their families to stay, a vast kitchen has been constructed to prepare food for the elephants and store rooms has also been constructed. Basic facilities including toilets have been constructed for tourists who come there.
Abundant water source
Borewells have been sunk to provide a steady stream of water and as the land comes near the Harangi Dam backwaters, there is no shortage of groundwater. Electricity works are on now at the camp and enough care is being taken to ensure that the forest area is not damaged while erecting the power poles and when the power lines are drawn.
The funds for the camp have been released from Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA). Apart from setting up a new elephant camp, there are plans to initiate other related development programmes including developing the camp as a tourist centre and at the same time provide shelter to the elephants.
Other tourism projects
The Government has also plans to closely develop Cauvery Nisargadhama in Kushalnagar and together with the new elephant camp in the region, the initiatives are set to boost eco-tourism activities.
Kushalnagar Range Forest Officer J. Ananya Kumar told Star of Mysore that once the Harangi Elephant Camp works are completed, five elephants will be shifted from Dubare Elephant Camp to immediately ease the burden. Later, 15 more jumbos will be shifted in phases. Appointment of staff and doctors will be decided by the State Government.
Among the State Government plans to improve tourism in Harangi are water sports on behalf of Jungle Lodges and Resorts, Jet Ski and para-sailing. The Kodagu District Administration is weighing various options for tourism promotion once the Harangi Elephant Camp is fully established.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / March 21st, 2022
Bhavani is seen receiving the prize from one of the dignitaries during the presentation ceremony. (Biathlon is a combination of shooting and cross country skiing.)
Bhavani Thekkada Nanjunda from Kodagu district has won two silver medals in 10-km and 5-km race in the National Winter Biathlon Championships-2022 being held at Gulmarg, Jammu and Kashmir.
For the first time in the history, an athlete from South India has won a national medal in winter biathlon competition.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Gallery> PhotoNews / March 22nd, 2022
Veteran Indian drag-flicker and former Olympian V.R. Raghunath from Kodagu has been appointed as the Hockey India Selection Committee Member.
Raghunath is one in a long line of illustrious hockey players from Kodagu, one of the nurseries of Indian hockey in the country. He made his first foray into the national side with the 2003 Sub-Junior Asia Cup in Dhaka, which India won.
Raghunath made headlines for the first time when he was drafted into the national side at the 2006 World Cup. Raghunath is a good drag flicker and has scored many beautiful goals for India at the crucial moments.
He played almost all the senior events in 2007 and 2008 and went on to play for a decade more. He got Arjuna in 2016 and retired from international hockey after the Rio Olympics.
Harbinder Singh is the Chairman of the Selection Committee (men) while Syed Ali is the Chairman of the Selection Committee (women). Mohammad Riaz, Dr. Dilip Tirkey, Dr. R.P. Singh, Rajnish Mishra, Sardar Singh, Joydeep Kaur, Asunta Lakra and Surinder Kaur are other members.
source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / March 16th, 2022
After being deferred in January, the eighth edition of the Karnataka Bird Festival will be held in Madikeri from April 8-10, 2022.
Image used for representational purpose only. (Photo | Express)
Bengaluru :
After being deferred in January, the eighth edition of the Karnataka Bird Festival will be held in Madikeri from April 8-10, 2022.
The festival, organised by the Karnataka forest department and Karnataka Eco-Tourism Development Board, aims to draw attention of people to bird watching, spark interest among young wildlife enthusiasts, show people the bio-diversity of forests, and shift their focus from tiger-centric wildlife safari and tourism.
“Every year a different location, region, bio-diversity, and a different bird is focused upon to increase awareness and ensure better conservation measures.
This year, the mascot is Baza bird,” a forest department official said. Baza is a migratory bird from the eastern Himalayas, China and South East Asia. Forest officials of the region have reportedly sighted a couple of the birds now, in the onset of summer.
Kumar Pushkar, additional Principal Conservator of Forests and CEO of the Board told TNIE that the festival was postponed because of spike in Covid-19 cases. “We always wanted to host one is Kodagu because of its bio-diversity and the many species which can be sighted there. Baza was chosen because it is sighted in winters in this region.
There will be around six to seven different trails, which the deputy conservator of forest is finalising. The event will also cover Madikeri city, and will be inaugurated by forests minister Umesh V Katti,” he said. Experts from across the country will be brought to share their experience, knowledge.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Bosky Khanna, Express News Service / March 14th, 2022
Robin Uthappa, the former India batsman has opened up on what goes through the mind of a cricketer during an Indian Premier League (IPL) auction, where a player’s value becomes about how much somebody is willing to spend on you.
During the recent IPL mega auction, defending champions Chennai Super Kings re-signed Robin Uthappa for his base price of Rs 2 crore. The explosive batsman had chipped in with valuable innings in last season’s playoffs after being given a chance late in CSK’s campaign in the UAE following Suresh Raina’s poor form.
Suresh Raina (Image Credit: Twitter)
Robin Uthappa Opines That It’s Not A Most Pleasing Feeling To See IPL Auctions And Wants A More Respectful Draft System Instead
Robin Uthappa vitally scored 63 off 44 balls during the first Qualifier followed by a knock of 31 off 15 in the final to beat Kolkata Knight Riders. While Robin Uthappa admitted that he and his family had hoped that he would go back to CSK, the 36-year-old candidly spoke of how vulnerable a player can be while watching their name come up at an IPL auction.
“Playing for a team like CSK was something I desired, it was one of my only prayers: let’s get back to CSK. My family, even my son, prayed for that, which is special for me. I’m happy to be back in a place where there’s a sense of security and a sense of respect,” Uthappa, who played 46 ODIs and 13 T20Is for India between 2006 and 2015, said.
Robin Uthappa opened up about his own fight with depression, battling suicidal thoughts and wanting to quit cricket at the height of his career. As elated as he was to have found a spot in CSK’s roster, Robin Uthappa advocated for the IPL to shift to a draft system rather than the auctions.
“The auction feels like an examination which you have written a long time ago, and you’re just awaiting the results. You feel like cattle (commodity), to be honest,” he said.
“It’s not the most pleasing feeling, and I think that’s the thing about cricket, especially in India… everything about you is there for the world to consume and then judge and express their opinions about it. Having an opinion about performances is one thing, but having an opinion on how much you get sold for is quite something else.”
“You can’t imagine what the guys who don’t get sold go through. My heart goes out to guys who have been there for a long time and then miss out and don’t get picked. It can be defeating sometimes.
“Suddenly your value as a cricketer becomes about how much somebody is willing to spend on you. I really hope for the sake of the sanity of everybody that this goes into a draft system where it is more respectful.”
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The consistently proven match-winner, Robin Uthappa, was traded to Chennai Super Kings by the Rajasthan Royals ahead of IPL 2021 Player Auction. He had joined the Rajasthan Royals ahead of the 2020 season and played 12 games for them. Earlier, he was one of KKR’s stars in the title-winning efforts in 2012 and 2014.
Robin Uthappa Owes Being Part Of Chennai Super Kings And He Wants To Finish His Carrier With CSK
Ahead of the IPL 2022, which begins in just over a month’s time, Robin Uthappa is geared up for another successful season with four-time winners CSK, hoping to end his playing career with them.
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The expectation is to contribute to the success of the team,” he said. ” I love being a part of the team. I love the hard work that’s involved in it. I have this new lease wherein I want to play as much as I physically can. God-willing to finish my career with a team like CSK. “
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Chennai Super Kings (Image Credit: Twitter)
Apart from Deepak Chahar (14 crores), Ambati Rayudu (6.75 crores) and Dwayne Bravo (4.4 crores) were CSK’s most prized picks at the auction. Shivam Dube (4 crores) and Chris Jordan (3.6 crores) were the only other players that cost them more than two crores. Chennai Super Kings bought 21 players during IPL 2022 auction.
Out of 14 seasons, the franchise CSK has played 12 as they were banned in 2016 and 2017. The team has won the trophy four times in IPL 2010, IPL 2011, IPL 2018, and IPL 2021. The franchise has also reached the playoffs 11 times out of 12 seasons.
source: http://www.sportzwiki.com / SportZWiki / Home> Cricket> IPL 2022> News / by Nirmalya Banerjee / February 22nd, 2022
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