SportSutra

The Legacy Of Abhinav Bhindra: India’s First Olympic Gold Medalist

If we look at India’s Olympic history, few moments are as Revolutionary and inspiring as Abhinav Bindra’s golden medal win at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He was the first Indian to win an individual gold medal at the Olympics. It was indeed a watershed moment for India as it shattered long-standing barriers and changed perception around the country when it comes to sport. Also, it also inspired a whole generation of players to take up individual sport and target medals at the Olympics.

Abhinav Biindra’s Journey to Olympic Gold Medal

Parent's Support

Abhinav Bindra’s journey to Olympic glory was far from ordinary. He was a special child. Born on September 28, 1982, in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, Bindra was introduced to shooting at an early age. But the biggest with Abhinav was that he showed signs that the sports of shooting was natural to him. So his parent supported their kid’s talent and passion and set up a state-of-the-art shooting facility at their house. This was the act that laid the foundations for Bindra’s incredible career.

Also Read: Sports Legends: Icons Who Shaped the World of Sports

It’s sad to say, but back then when Bindra was just starting his career, the infrastructure for lesser known sports was inferior comparing to facilities in Europe and USA. So to improve his game, Bindra trained in Germany under the legendary coach Gaby Buhlmann.

Youngest Participant

Bindra’s game improved in leaps and bounce. At just 15, he participated in the 1998 Commonwealth Games, becoming the youngest player to play in these games.

Bindra proved that the hype around him was for real as he won a Gold Medal at the 2002 Manchester Commonwealth games while competing in the 10M Air Rifle. He won three more Gold Medals – at the 2006 Melbourne Games, 2010 Delhi Games and one more at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

Also Read: Cricket Legends from 21st Century: Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, Kane Williamson, and Joe Root

Debut At The Olympics

Abhinav Bindra made his debut at the Olympics at the 2000 edition in Sydney games. The performance wasn’t up to the mark as he could shoot a score a score of 590, which placed him 11th in the qualifying rounds.

In the 2004 Athens games, Bindra improved his score to 597, and finished 3rd on the qualifying rounds. In the finals, he managed 97.6 points, and finished 7th in the event.

Turning Point in the career

The turning point for Abhinav Bindra came at the 2006 ISSF World Shooting Championships, where he won gold in the 10m Air Rifle event. This win not only put his name amongst the best shooters in the world but also boosted his confidence heading into the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Abhinav Bindra’s Olympic Gold Medal win

The biggest moment for India came at the Olympics came on August 11, 2008. It was the day that was going to be etched in the annals of India’s sports history. After winning Gold at the 2006 ISSF World Shooting Championships, hopes were sky high from Bindra and he didn’t disappointed and delivered in style.

While competing in the men’s 10m Air Rifle event, Abhinav Bindra displayed remarkable composure annd resilience under pressure. He managed a score of 596 in the qualifying rounds, which was the fourth best. Though it was less than what he managed in the previous Olympics, he did qualify for the finals. Bindra then brought his A Game to the fore when he needed it the most.

Also Read: Mithali Raj: Breaking Barriers in Cricket

In the finals, Bindra started with a brilliant score of 10.7. But the pressure was lingering still as all others shooters shot above 10.0. It was that close, that even a margin of few millimeters could have derailed his campaign.

Then there was an immense pressure of a billion people as the whole nation was waiting with a bated breath when the final round started. Going into the shot came as Bindra was tied with Henri Häkkinen. But India’s ace shooter scored his highest of the finals- 10.8 – while Hakkinen could manage only 9.7. This performance clinched the gold medal which was the first individual medal for India at the summer games. Also, Bindra’s Gold Medal win ended India’s 28-year wait for an Olympic gold since the men’s hockey team’s win in 1980.

Bindra’s last Olympic appearance came at the 2016 Rio Olympics games, where he finished fourth with a total score of 625.7.

Bindra’s Impact on India’s Shooting Contingent

Abhinav Bindra’s gold medal changed the perception around Indian athletes in the world. More importantly, his win had a profound impact on aspiring athletes especially on shooters. Before his win at the 2008 Olympics, shooting was overshadowed by other Olympic sports such as Badminton, Wrestling, Lawn tennis, to name a few. But his Gold brought the sport into the limelight, and instilled faith amongst inspiring young athletes that they can excel on the world stage.

Abhinav Bindra’s win at the Olympic games had more impacts that one can imagine. After his win, government and private organizations began investing more in the sport, which helped improved the infrastructure, not only for shooting but for other Olympics sports as well. After Abhinav Bindra’s win, more young kids took up the sport as a serious career option.

Beyond Shooting: Still Having An Impact

Though he retired from the sport in 2016, he is still having an impact on athletes. He set up the Abhinav Bindra Foundation, which provides world-class training facilities to young athletes across various disciplines.

Athletes from diverse sports like swimming, badminton, boxing, and para-athletics have greatly benefited from Abhinav Bindra’s initiatives.

Abhinav holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Colorado and is a successful entrepreneur. He runs a company named Abhinav Futuristics Private Limited (AFL), which aims to increase the use of science and technology in the Indian sports. The company, AFL, develops products for various sports disciplines such as archery and shooting. In addition, Abhinav Bindra’s company also develops the world-class rifles for India’s shooters named, “Abhinav” rifle.

Also Read: The Rise Of Kylian Mbappe: A Future Legend In The Making

Abhinav Bindra: A Golden Standard for Excellence

With his incredible win at the 2008 Olympics, Abhinav Bindra set the standards for the next generation of shooters. We have seen athletes like Gagan Narang, Vijay Kumar, Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, and more recently, Manu Bhaker and Saurabh Chaudhary, bringing laurels to the country in various international competitions, including the Olympics. Most of these shooters credit Bindra’s gold medal as a turning point that inspired them to pursue shooting and aim to win medals for the country.

Manu Baker is the latest shooter to bring glory to India at the biggest of the stage. Today, India’s shooting contingent continues to grow stronger and this is down to Abhinav Bindra who started it all and paved the way for the young and aspiring athletes. His legacy will forever inspire generations of Indian athletes to aim higher, work harder, and believe in the possibility of success at the highest of the stage.

The Rise and Fall of Formula 1 in India: Reasons Behind F1’s Abrupt Departure in 2014

Formula 1 in India began in 2011 with great zeal and fervor. The Buddh International Circuit (BIC) in Noida hosted the inaugural Indian Grand Prix. However, the event featured in F1 calendar for three years in a row and then came to an abrupt end despite having a two-year contract left.

Formula 1 in India

The Indian Grand Prix debut was on the cards as early as 2007 with reports of Kolkata and Coimbatore leading the race to host India’s first-ever F1 race. In years to follow, there were more cities as contenders to host the first Formula Race in India.

Finally, in 2011, Formula1 in India made its debut at the Buddh International Circuit (BIC) in Noida. The first F1 race in India was a major success with 95,000 spectators gracing the event and it looked like India is on the global motorsport map at last.

A staggering $400 million investment from the Jaypee Group ensured a state-of-the-art facility and circuit that will host world-class sporting events for numerous years to come.

List of Indian Grand Prix Winners

Year	Driver	Constructor
2011	Sebastian Vettel	Red Bull Racing-Renault
2012	Sebastian Vettel	Red Bull Racing-Renault
2013	Sebastian Vettel	Red Bull Racing-Renault

Over the next three years, the challenges began to multiply and the event went off track for good.

5 Reasons India’s Formula 1 Stopped

There was no one single reason for all the curtains to come but a plethora of factors that led to the fall of the Indian Grand Prix. We look at all the factors that played a role to rush and end India’s F1 journey.

Economic Challenges

Formula 1 remains one of the most expensive sports. It requires substantial investment and related infra. India did make a world-class circuit but other financial aspects were not great. The organizers are always racing against economic and financial challenges. The Jaypee Group was heavily investment in the event. However, there was not much government backing to round up the costs associated and the Indian rupee’s depreciation further added to woes. With rising operational costs, expensive licenses and other costs, things were going south. The contribution from sponsorships and ticket sales was considerably less than the associated costs.

Government Policies

India’s F1 Dream relied heavily on the Indian government. And, their stance proved to be one of the biggest hurdles in the way. The Uttar Pradesh state government classified Formula 1 as an entertainment event rather than a sport. This meant that organizers were slapped with hefty entertainment taxes and duties on ticket sales. On top of that, the event lost its charm among the fans who had to bear the burden of high ticket prices due to the entertainment tax. Had the government backed the sport with tax benefits or subsidies, things would have been the opposite.

Indian F1 driver Karun Chandhok once made a point that visa issues and stringent regulations have been denting India’s reputation as a global event host.

“Just this week, I have had at least 50 different media people from around the world, and people from teams, engineers who have called me to say, ‘Hey, we are stuck in London without a visa, we can’t come to the race. When you have 700 world media coming to talk about your country and about your race – the only thing they are going to go back with is what a pain it was to get into your country. We need to iron out these things.”

Limited Attendance and Fan Base

The first F1 race in India was a major hit, with 95,000 enthusiastic fans attending the event. The attendance at BIC should have increased the subsequent year but the spectator numbers dropped to 65,000 by 2012 and further down in 2013. The buzz around the event among fans on social media didn’t pick up either. The popularity of F1 in India was still nascent and it could have been one of the deterrents.

Rising Competition in the F1 Calendar

India had their opportunity. Since they didn’t grab it with both hands, there were other host countries that were waiting for their turn. The global F1 calendar is ever-expanding to several countries and markets. After accounting for all the factors, the scheduling changes were inevitable and the Indian Grand Prix in 2014 was dropped from the calendar in 2024.

Cricket’s Dominance and Sponsor Reluctance

India is a cricket-crazy nation. Fans, sponsorships, and interests are all vested in beloved sport. For F1 it became difficult since the sport requires major investment and there is no clarity of short-term financial returns. The returns for stakeholders were not as attractive, and nowhere close to what cricket is offering. The go-to sport cricket and its proposition for investors, sponsors, and stakeholders were high to ignore. They could not look any further than cricket and dropping sponsorships in favor of cricket.

India’s infrastructure was never the question but a global motorsports platform has to offer more for the stakeholders. The bureaucratic hurdles, lack of government support, and logistical challenges undermined a big opportunity India had.

Hope we get to see F1 making its re-entry on Indian shores soon!

The Rise Of Kylian Mbappe: A Future Legend In The Making

Legends are not made overnight. They are carved by moments and their ability to rise up to ultimate pressure situations to win games for their teams.

Kylian Mbappé is that player who is on track to become a legend of the game. He has always possessed immense talent, but having a natural gift alone is not a guaranteed path to success. Mbappé became “The Mbappé” by refining his innate abilities through unwavering discipline and relentless hard work. Though his journey looks like he tasted success too early and some consider that he might have been lucky because he played with the likes of Paul Pogba, N’Golo Kanté, and Antoine Griezmann, but success doesn’t come easy. The universe doesn’t work like that. Let’s discuss about the French superstar who is vying for the title of “future legend,” and why he is destined to become one of football’s greatest icons.

Kylian Mbappe with his trademark celebration

Also Read: Cricket Legends from 21st Century: Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, Kane Williamson, and Joe Root

Kylian Mbappe: The Boy For Big Moments

He is a future football legend, not only because he has won the biggest trophy in world football when he won the 2018 FIFA World Cup, but mainly due to his contribution to the success of the team. He is not just any other player in the squad, but an indispensable part of France’s team set-up.

He scored France’s only goal against Peru during Les Blues’ 1-0 win during group stage of 2018 World Cup. This made him the youngest scorer for France at World Cup tournaments, aged 19. His biggest performance came in the round-of-16 match against Lionel Messi’s Argentina. He won a penalty, and went on to score two goals as France won 4-2. In the showpiece match, the young Mbappé showed no signs of nerves as he scored France’s fourth goal during their 4-2 title win against Croatia.

Kylian Mbappe with the World Cup trophy in 2018

Mbappe’s status as the player for the big moments kept growing. He once again starred for his team during the 2021 UEFA Nations League, proving that he was the team’s most important player. In the semifinal match against Belgium, the then 22-year-old scored an important goal as France came from behind to beat a strong Belgian side 3-2. He gave another strong performance in the final match, as he assisted a goal and scored another as France beat Spain 2-1 to lift their first Nations League title.

Also Read: Sports Legends: Icons Who Shaped the World of Sports

Kylian Mbappe: The Man For Big Moments

When France headed to the 2022 FIFA World Cup, not only were they the defending champions, but they were also the favorites. All eyes were on Kylian Mbappé to see how he could handle the spotlight and the immense pressure, because this time, unlike 2018 when he was just a prodigy, he was France’s focal point in attack. But great players embrace pressure, and bring their best game, and Mbappé did exactly that as he elevated his game to newer heights.

Mbappé scored a total of 8 goals during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, winning the Golden Boot in the process. But the mere numbers don’t do justice to what he did in the final against Argentina. The final match will always be remembered for the magnificent duel between Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé.

Mbappe with the Golden Boot trophy at 2022

Argentina had a 2-0 lead going into the last 10 minutes of the match, thanks to the goals from Lionel Messi and Angel di Maria, but the PSG superstar refused to give up, scoring two goals in the space of two minutes (80′ and 81′). His two goals forced the game into the extra time.

Also Read: Mithali Raj: Breaking Barriers in Cricket

When the Argentina superstar scored a goal in the 108th minute, it looked like the match was done and dusted, but Mbappe scored another goal, this time from the spot in the 118 minutes, forcing the match into penalties. The match is a history now as The Albiceleste went on to win the prestigious tournament on penalties, but Mbappé was the history maker, as he became only the 2nd player in the history of football with England’s Geoff Hurst being the other player, and France’s first to score a hat-trick in the final of a FIFA World Cup match.

Mbappe Career Stats (As of Dec 20, 2024)

For	Appearances	Goals
Monaco II	12	04
Monaco	41	16
PSG	205	175
Real Madrid	15	09
France U-19	11	07
France Senior	86	48

Kylian Mbappe: Why He Is A Football Legend

Because Kylian Mbappe has won everything barring the Champions League. He won the league title with Monaco and later with the Paris Saint Germain, winning every trophy with the club. But more than the trophies, is his ability to produce peak performances in big games.

No one can argue that the World Cup is the biggest tournament and the matches carries biggest of the pressure which even some of the best players fails to handle. But Mbappe performed in these games like the fish takes to the water. He never showed signs of the situation getting the better of him. In fact, despite so young, he has outperformed many legends of the game in so many matches – like the round-of-16 match at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, when he outperformed the legend Lionel Messi.

After joining Real Madrid, Mbappe’s career is likely to touch even bigger heights. The Spanish giants win trophies in every year and that’s what Mbappe is aiming, to win the La Liga and the Champions League.

Kylian Mbappe Career

Kylian Mbappe was born on December 20, 1998, in Bondy. His father Wilfriend Mbappe is a football coach and trained his son Mbappe at AS Bondy. Even at the start of his youth career, Mbappe was faster than most of his teammates and had the incredible dribble skills. He was attracting interest from bigger French clubs, but it was Monaco that succeeded in signing Mbappé for their youth academy in 2013.

Mbappe was so talented that he broke into Monaco’s first team only two years later. On December 2, 2015, Mbappé debuted for Monaco, becoming their youngest-ever first-team player at 16 years and 347 days.

Mbappé ended the 2016–17 season with 26 goals in 44 matches, helping Monaco win Ligue 1. He was the hottest property in Europe and that promoted PSG to sign him for a staggering €180 million in 2017. He went on to represent PSG in over 200 games, scoring 175 goals.

Rea Madrid had been chasing Mbappe for years but couldn’t sign him as PSG refused to let go of of their prized asset. But the French superstar eventually signed for the Madrid giant in the summer of 2024 on a free transfer, where he was given the legendary no-9 shirt. Though he has achieved everything at the international level, he is still chasing the Champions League glory and at Madrid, the club that has win the most CL trophies, he is likely to achieve this dream.

India vs Australia 4th Test Match Prediction, Possible Playing XI and Key Players

The fourth test (Boxing Day Test) of the India-Australia Test series starts on 26 December 2024 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne. And, the fans can’t wait!

There is no dearth of entertainment in the BGT 2024-25 series thus far which remains tied at 1-1 after a drawn third test match in Brisbane.

Indian Cricket Team made a strong start to India’s tour of Australia 2024-25 after a resounding win in the first test match at Perth. However, the hosts came back and avenged the loss in the second test at Adelaide.

With this edition of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy evenly poised, let’s get right into an in-depth Australia vs India 4th test preview, prediction, and what to expect from the MCG test.

Match Details

Fixture: India vs Australia 4th Test Match of Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25

Start Date: 26 December 2024 (Thursday)

Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne

Melbourne Pitch Report and Bowling Conditions

The MCG pitch is known to offer a good balance for an even contest between the bat and the ball. The quicks get bowling assistance at the start of the match. Thereafter, batters have their time as the stroke-making gets easy. In the later part of the match, the pitch does offer some help to the spin bowlers. In a nutshell, the surface has something for everyone out there.

Last Test Match result at Melbourne Cricket Ground

Australia 318 & 262 beat Pakistan (Target: 317) 264 & 237 by 79 runs

MCG records and stats

Total Matches	117
Matches won batting first	57
Matches won bowling first	42
Average 1st innings Score	307
Average 2nd innings Score	312
Average 3rd innings Score	252
Average 4th innings Score	172
Highest total recorded	624/8 – AUS vs PAK
Lowest total recorded	36/10 – SA vs AUS
Highest score chased	332/7 – ENG vs AUS
Lowest score defended	83/10 – AUS vs IND

India Playing XI, Expected Changes and Team Analysis

India did well in patches in the third test but the performances of most of the players have been underwhelming in the last two test matches. The batting looked vulnerable with only KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja getting among the runs in the last test match. However, the Indian side is likely to remain unchanged but can bring Washington Sundar for Mohammed Siraj or Akash Deep since the surface may offer help for slow bowlers later in the game.

Probable India Playing XI for the fourth Test

KL Rahul
Yashasvi Jaiswal
Shubman Gill
Virat Kohli
Rishabh Pant
Rohit Sharma
Nitish Reddy
Ravindra Jadeja
Washington Sundar
Akash Deep/Mohammed Siraj
Jasprit Bumrah

Australia Playing XI, Expected Changes and Team Analysis

Barring the first test match of the BGT 2024-25 series, Australia has done well in both batting and bowling departments. Except for the opening combination, batters have made valuable contributions. In the bowling department, the trio of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood have been too hot to handle for the tourists of late. The lineup looks balanced and they would want to stick to the same XI unless there is a forced change.

There is not much clarity on Josh Hazlewood and Travis Head’s availability for the fourth test as of now.

Probable Australia Playing XI for fourth Test

Nathan McSweeney
Usman Khawaja
Marnus Labuschagne
Steve Smith
Travis Head
Mitchell Marsh
Alex Carey (wk)
Pat Cummins (c)
Mitchell Starc
Josh Hazlewood/Scott Boland
Nathan Lyon

5 Players to Watch Out For in IND vs AUS 4th Test

Jasprit Bumrah (India): Jasprit Bumrah has been a standout performer with 21 wickets in 3 matches. The Indian fast bowler has proved again why he is the best all format bowler going around.
Mitchell Starc (Australia): Mitchell Starc is bowling at great pace and with excellent control. He has challenged Indian batsmen the most in BGT 2024-25. The Australian bowler has 14 wickets so far in the series, the most by an Australian bowler.
Yashasvi Jaiswal (India): The Indian opening batsman has been the best batsman for Men in Blue in 2024. Yashasvi Jaiswal would be kicking himself with the dismal performances in the last two outings but can make amends with a strong performance.
Pat Cummins (Australia): The Australian captain is bowling with venom and can be a threat at MCG again. In his last 10 test matches, Pat Cummins has 44 wickets in the bag.
Travis Head (Australia): Travis Head has given Indian bowlers and fans a headache in all three matches so far. The aggressive left hander has racked 400+ runs in the series so far.

Most Runs in BGT 2024-25

Player	Runs	HS	Ave	SR	100	50	0
Travis Head (AUS)	409	152	81.80	94.23	2	1	–
KL Rahul (IND)	235	84	47.00	50.00	–	2	–
Yashasvi Jaiswal (IND)	193	161	38.60	55.94	1	–	2
Nitish Kumar Reddy (IND)	179	42	44.75	72.17	–	–	–
Alex Carey (AUS)	162	70	40.50	70.74	–	1	–

Most Wickets in BGT 2024-25

Player	Overs	Runs	Wickets	Best Figures	Bowling Average	Economy	SR	4	5
Jasprit Bumrah (IND)	88.0	229	21	6/76	10.90	2.60	25.14	1	2
Mitchell Starc (AUS)	90.2	320	14	6/48	22.85	3.54	38.71	–	1
Pat Cummins (AUS)	89.4	336	14	5/57	24.00	3.74	38.42	1	1
Mohammed Siraj (IND)	83.1	311	13	4/98	23.92	3.73	38.38	1	–
Josh Hazlewood (AUS)	40.0	79	6	4/29	13.16	1.97	40.00	1	–

India vs Australia 4th Test Winner Prediction

Looking at the form of the two teams, Australia looks more assured and strong. But, that doesn’t mean Aussies are favourites to win Australia vs India fourth Test at the MCG.

India has been battered and bruised! However, the Men in Blue have playing conditions that suit their style more than the hosts.

The fourth test will put forth a battle for the ages for sure with evenly matched sides locking horns with one eye on the series and the other on WTC final qualification.

Where to watch India vs Australia 4th Test Match Live?

Stay tuned for Boxing Day Test live match updates. Catch the India vs Australia match live on TV on Star Sports Network TV channels. For those who are looking for online and live streaming options, download the Disney+ Hotstar app to enjoy the coverage.

Sports Legends: Icons Who Shaped the World of Sports

The world of sport is full of stories that can inspire even the most pessimist human being. It has the power to bring out the best in anybody. At the heart of all this are the athletes who broke the barriers of human limits and left an indelible mark on sports. From Pele to Sachin Tendulkar and LeBron James, here are some sports legends who became global icons and went on to shape the world of sports.

Cricket Legends Who Redefined the Game

India’s favorite pastime, Cricket has seen many legends who are considered as generational players. But only a few could shine as brightly as Sir Don Bradman and Sachin Tendulkar.

1. Sir Don Bradman

Sir Don Bradman is widely considered as the best batsman to grace the sport of cricket. There are stories that people used to flock in large numbers just to see him batting. He was a true master and a magician who brought cricket into the limelight. One of the most talked about topic around Bradman was his batting average of 99.94 which remains unparalleled.

Also Read: Mithali Raj: Breaking Barriers in Cricket

In every aspect of life, people are held to some standards that they have to match in order to succeed. In cricket, that standard is Don Bradman. He is the one sitting at the top of throne and so far, there has been none who could dethrone him.

2. Sachin Tendulkar

India has always been blessed with cricketers who became cultural icons. Kapil Dev won the first world cup for India and remains hugely revered, while stories of Sunil Gavaskar overpowering West Indies’ famous bowling attack consisting of Michael Holding, Malcolm Marshall and Andy Roberts are still discussed with passion.

But the way Sachin Tendulkar influenced the whole generation is unparalleled. What made him special was that he started his career when Indian cricket was on a freefall, and was marred with controversies such as match fixing scandals. The Little Master carried the hopes of a billion Indians every time he stepped onto the field. He is the only player to hit 100 hundreds in the game of cricket. He is true role model for young cricketers around the world.

Football Icons: The Greatest Players of All Time

World’s most popular sport, football, might lack a true culture in India, but its global appeal and following is second to none. Football clubs such as Liverpool, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich have huge fan following around the world.

1. Pele

Pelé was truly the first global football superstar in the world. Being a black player, he inspired people of all races and ethnic backgrounds. He had the flair, and charisma that transcended football, making him a global ambassador of the sport.

2. Diego Maradona

Diego Armando Maradona Franco is often considered as the best player the football has witnessed. He had everything that a footballer can dream of – dribbling, speed and ability to score goals in big moments. He won two world cups with Argentina, including the 1986 event where he scored the Goal Of the Century against England.

While at the peak of his powers, Maradona stunned the world by moving to Napoli in 1984. There, he led the Naples side to two Serie A titles and transformed the club forever.

3. Lionel Messi

We should stop using the term “Greatest footballer of his generation” for Lionel Messi. For the Argentine, is surely the very best the game of football has witnessed. The former Barcelona superstar has achieved everything the game of football could offer, both at the personal level and with the teams he has played for.

Messi changed the way football is played, with his mesmerizing dribbles, clinical finishing, and vision often regarded as unique. Some players have vision, some are poachers, while some are good at dribbling, but with no end product, but Messi has everything.

Unsung Sports Heroes: Stories You May Not Know

1. Milkha Singh

Milkha Singh, also known as the “Flying Sikh,” put Indian athletics on the world map. His struggles during his childhood and younger years made him an athlete who refused to give up. His near victory in the 1960 Olympics 400m final remains one of India’s most inspiring stories.

2. Major Dhyan Chand

Much of field hockey’s legacy can be traced back to Dhyan Chand, India’s greatest hockey player. He was rightly given the nickname the “Wizard of Hockey”. Chand led India to three Olympic gold medals, in 1928, 1932, and 1936, and in all three Olympics, he was the unequivocal star.

Major Dhyan Chand inspired not only India but also the rest of the world to grow hockey as a competitive sport. He remains the benchmark for skills and humility among all the players around the world.

Greatest Athletes Of All Time

1. Michael Jordan

The history of basketball cannot be written without mentioning Michael Jordan.

Michael Jordan revolutionized basketball in a way that few athletes have influenced their sport. In fact, his influence goes far away from the game of basketball.

In 1984, Nike took a huge gamble by signing a young basketball player who was none other than Michael Jordan. Back then, this deal might have been considered a huge risk, but now, this remains the biggest collaboration between an athlete and a big company. Jordan went on to dominate the court winning six NBA championships with the Chicago Bulls. Nike, on the other hand, grew its business manifold by selling Air Jordan, a sneaker line which was launched in 1985.

The deal between Nike and Michael Jordan changed the way sports marketing was done. It gave rise to the concept of athlete endorsement and the marketing by sports stars.

2. Tiger Woods

Tiger Woods revolutionized the game of Golf due to his talent and charisma. His off-field activities such as affairs with Hollywood actresses only brought Golf into limelight.

Tiger Woods won 15 major championships and 82 PGA Tour victories. He changed the game of golf from being a less accessible, serious game to an mainstream sport, which attracted young fans from all around the world. His career is full of dominant performances when he came back from seemingly impossible scenarios. He is certainly one of the greatest athletes in sports history.

3. Muhammad Ali

Regarded as the best boxer of all time, Muhammad Ali a true global icon. He is the only boxer to win the world heavyweight title on three different occasions. He fought against the discrimination, and forced USA government’s rule around war.

Olympic Heroes Who Made History

1. Usain Bolt

The 100M dash at the Olympics is hailed as the Mother of all Sports. This is because the athletics require nothing but plain human movements like walking, running and jumping.

The “Lightning Bolt”, Usain Bolt from Jamaica, is the fastest man in history of humanity. He holds the record for the 100M dash which is covered in just 9.58 seconds, and won eight Olympic gold medals, owning the world records in the 100m and 200m sprints. Bolt brought unprecedented excitement to athletics and became a global icon.

2. Indian Wrestling: Sushil Kumar

Though India won its first medal in wrestling in 1952 Helsinki Games when KD Jadhav won Bronze for India, the true watershed moment came 56 years later. At Beijing 2008 Olympics games, Sushil Kumar not only won a bronze medal but also changed the wrestling landscape in India. Since 2008, India have won at least one wrestling medal in each of the last five Olympics.

Sushil Kumar inspired a new generation of wrestlers in India. His achievements have elevated Indian wrestling to international prominence.

Conclusion

The impact of the above-mentioned athletes extend far beyond their records and accolades. They have inspired millions, broken barriers, and defined what it means to push their limits and be a champion. They continue to inspire young kids to take up sport.

Nitish Reddy Biography, Age, Height, Bowling Speed, Father, Stats, IPL Price, Wife, Jersey Number

Nitish Reddy has made waves in world cricket with scintillating performances in his short international career thus far and Indian Premier League breakthrough season. Let’s look at why cricket fans can’t stop talking about all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy.

Biography

Full name	Kaki Nitish Kumar Reddy
Birthplace	Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
Birthday	26 May 2003
Height	5 feet 10 inches
Jersey Number	88
Role	Allrounder
Current Teams	India, Andhra Pradesh, Sunrisers Hyderabad
IPL 2025 Team	Sunrisers Hyderabad
Father	K. Mutyala Reddy
Instagram	nitish_kumar_reddy_7

Cricket Career

Nitish Reddy loved cricket from a very tender age. He would spend a lot of time watching older players at the Hindustan Zinc grounds in Visakhapatnam where his father was posted. Mutyala Reddy, father of Nitish and a former employee of Hindustan Zinc, recognized his son’s potential at an early age and quit his job so that his son’s cricketing career would take off.

“We used to travel 30 km from Gajuwaka to Port Stadium at 5 am each day. It was possible because of my wife Manasa who used to get everything ready before time. She supported us despite not knowing anything about the game,” recalled father, Mutyala Reddy.

“We struggled financially after I left the job. It was tough to manage the family. We sailed through with our savings, but we made sure Nitish got all the support,” said the proud father.

“I was 12 or 13 when my dad quit his job. He was transferred to Udaipur. He analyzed the cricket there and was afraid of the politics that might affect my game. He quit his job and dedicated his time to my game. Relatives questioned his decisions. He is the first person who believed in me,” said Nitish hoping to repay his father’s sacrifices.

Nitish’s cricket journey received impetus at the VDCA camps, in the stewardship of mentors like Kumara Swamy, Krishna Rao, and Watekar.

The 2017-18 Vijay Merchant Trophy heroics in junior cricket put the spotlight on Nitish. The young Andhra batsman smashed a quadruple century, 441 against Nagaland in just 345 deliveries. His aggregate of the tournament – 1237 runs at an average of 176.41 and 26 wickets – earned him the prestigious BCCI ‘Best Cricketer in the Under-16’ Jagmohan Dalmiya award for the season 2017-2018. It was at this award function that he clicked a picture with childhood hero Virat Kohli.

“This was a safety photo. At that time, he was so famous. I felt like maybe if I don’t get a photo, let’s take a picture. It reminds me of my childhood dreams and everything,” Nitish said in a video uploaded by BCCI.

“From childhood, I have been a huge fan of Virat Kohli and I used to watch every match of his. He scores hundreds and I like his celebrations. At that time, I used to calculate my age so that he wouldn’t retire when I made my debut for India.”

In January 2020, Nitish Kumar Reddy made his FC debut for Andhra Pradesh in the 2019-20 Ranji Trophy, and soon after came his List A debut in the Vijay Hazare Trophy in 2021.

Nitish Reddy made his T20I debut in 2024 and put on some excellent performances in the coveted Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. A fast-bowling all-rounder is a rare breed that the Indian Cricket Team is always on the lookout for. After Hardik Pandya, India has found one of the prospects who can fill the void and is exactly the reason he is touted as the next big thing in Indian cricket!

Nitish Reddy IPL

Not many know that Nitish was taken on board by the Chennai Super Kings as a net bowler for the IPL season 2021.

In the 2023 IPL auction, Nitish was rewarded for his outstanding performances in the domestic circuit as Sunrisers Hyderabad signed him for ₹20 lakh. Nitish Kumar Reddy won the Emerging Player of the Season award at the 2024 Indian Premier League season.

For the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League, Nitish Reddy was retained by SRH for INR 6 Crore after a breakthrough season where he impressed with his all-round skills.

“Playing for SunRisers Hyderabad fills me with pride. As a Telugu speaker, I am proud to represent my region and play for SRH. The price tag doesn’t matter for me; my focus is on performing and helping my team win. I received interest from other franchises, but I can’t really think of playing for any other franchise. I only wanted to play for SRH. They showed trust in me initially, and now I’m committed to repay their trust,” said Nitish Reddy after being retained by SRH for IPL 2025.

Nitish Kumar Reddy IPL Stats (SRH)

Batting & Fielding

Tournament	Mat	Runs	HS	Ave	SR	100s	50s	4s	6s
IPL	15	303	76*	33.66	142.92	0	2	15	21

Bowling

Tournament	Mat	Wkts	BBI	Ave	Econ	SR	4w	5w
IPL	15	3	2/17	69.00	11.39	36.3	0	0

Nitish Reddy Stats

Batting

Format	Matches	Runs	Highest Score	Batting Average	Strike Rate	100s	50s	4s	6s
Tests	3	179	42	44.75	72.17	0	0	19	7
T20Is	3	90	74	45.00	180.00	0	1	4	8
FC	26	958	159	23.36	57.02	1	2	111	22
List A	22	403	60*	36.63	95.27	0	4	25	21
T20s	23	485	76*	32.33	135.47	0	3	25	32

Bowling

Format	Matches	Wickets	Best Figures (Innings)	Best Figures (Match)	Bowling Average	Econ	SR	4w	5w
Tests	3	3	1/21	1/25	41.00	4.55	54.0	0	0
T20Is	3	3	2/23	2/23	23.66	7.88	18.0	0	0
FC	26	59	5/53	8/119	27.69	3.33	49.7	3	2
List A	22	14	3/23	3/23	42.07	5.81	43.4	0	0
T20s	23	6	2/17	2/17	51.00	10.49	29.1	0	0

(Stats as of 15 December 2024)

Nitish Reddy, in his short career, has shown a lot of promise and shades of Hardik Pandya at the peak of his powers. Fans hope that the Indian Cricket Team has unearthed a gem in Nitish Reddy who will serve the side for many years to come.

What is Nitish Kumar Reddy bowling speed?

Nitish Kumar Reddy is a Fast medium bowler who consistently bowls at around 135 kph.

Who is Nitish Kumar Reddy wife?

Nitish Kumar Reddy is unmarried as of now. There is no information on his relationship or girlfriend on the internet.

India vs Australia 3rd Test Match Report: Analysis, Reactions, Key Performances

India vs Australia 3rd Test match at the Gabba in Brisbane ended in a draw due to relentless rain over the course of five days.

India was set a 275-run target on the last day and fans were glued to their seats awaiting an exciting finish. Rain played spoilsport once again on the final day of the Brisbane Test match of the five-match Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, and the series still stands at 1-1.

India were on the backfoot for the most part of the match but made a sensational comeback on Day 4 to avoid a follow on first and later pegged Australians back with a top bowling effort. The hosts declared their second innings at 89/7 after 18 overs and setting a target for India with 50 overs remaining.

The Indian Cricket Team will be pleased with the result, as the draw means that the series remains alive. The remainder of the test matches will be held in Sydney and Melbourne, with conditions slightly better for the touring Indian side to win the series.

For now, the BGT Series is evenly poised, and there is a lot to play for.

Brief Scorecard:

AUS 445 (Travis Head 152, Steve Smith 101 Jasprit Bumrah 6/76) & 89/7 d (Jasprit Bumrah 3/18)

IND 260 (KL Rahul 84, Ravindra Jadeja 77, Pat Cummins 4/81) & 8/0

Result – Match drawn

Let’s now look at the notable performances from the IND vs AUS third test.

AUS vs IND 3rd Test Key Performances

From the Indian Cricket Team’s point of view, the performances were not up to the mark barring a few individual performances. KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja were good with the bat to lead India’s resistance in the first innings but the team total was nowhere close to Australia’s 445. However, India will be pleased with the fight the lower batting order had put to avoid the follow on.

With the ball, Jasprit Bumrah was the lone ranger in the first innings with a 6-fer. In the second innings with the ball, Bumrah received good support from Mohammed Siraj and Akash Deep.

Australia, on the other hand, were excellent with the bat in their first innings after being put into bat by the tourists. Two of their batsmen – Travis Head and Steve Smith – scored hundreds and punished Indian bowlers. They ended with a total of 445 to set up the game.

In the bowling department, the experienced duo of Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins were on the money. At one point, India was staring at a follow on but the tail wagged to save the embarrassment for the Indian Cricket Team.

There were plenty of positives from the game for the Aussies than the tourists. If it was not for the rain, India would have suffered a hammering.

Can India qualify for the World Test Championship Final?

India’s third Test against Australia ended in a draw, making the India cricket team’s path to the World Test Championship (WTC) Final a bit complicated. To qualify for the WTC final, the Indian National Cricket Team must win both remaining matches. If they win the ongoing IND vs AUS test series 2-1, Sri Lanka must beat Australia 1-0 or draw 1-1. In the event of a 2-2 series result in BGT 2024-25, India can still make it if Sri Lanka wins 2-0 against Australia or Pakistan to beat South Africa 2-0.

WTC Points Table after IND vs AUS 3rd Test

Position	Team	Matches				Points Played	Points	PCT
Position	Team	P	W	L	D	Points Played	Points	PCT
1	South Africa	10	6	3	1	120	76	63.33
2	Australia	15	9	4	2	180	106	58.88
3	India	17	9	6	2	204	114	55.88
4	New Zealand	14	7	7	0	168	81	48.21
5	Sri Lanka	11	5	6	0	132	60	45.45
6	England	22	11	10	1	264	114	43.18
7	Pakistan	10	4	6	0	120	40	33.33
8	Bangladesh (E)	12	4	8	0	144	45	31.25
9	West Indies (E)	11	2	7	2	132	32	24.24

Post-match Reactions

Rohit Sharma (India Captain): I mean, we will take that. Obviously to have interruptions like that wasn’t great, but going to Melbourne at 1-1 pretty much gives us that confidence to go out there and pull things towards us. The situation we were in just after lunch (on Day 4), needed someone to stand up and take us through, we knew with the weather, we knew it wasn’t going to be a full game. Credit to Jadeja, the way he played, and Rahul, the way he played was magnificent at the top of the order. the fight that Akash Deep and Bumrah was great to watch, we have seen them work so hard at the nets (on their batting). Coming to the bowling, Bumrah was outstanding, Akash Deep is a feisty cricketer, always wants to be involved in the game, very new to international cricket, he has worked hard at the nets, still new to international cricket, but he has put in the hard yards, there are people in the group to put their hand across and help him going forward. As he showed with the bat, these are the sort of characters we needed in the team.

Pat Cummins (Australia Captain): Would be better to be 2-1, lot of rain, nothing we can do about it. We set a huge total and felt like we were right ahead of the game throughout. Poor Josh (Hazlewood), one of those things, few rain breaks probably helped, Starc and I were able to push through. Day 5 here can be up and down, there wasn’t much cricket played on it, felt challenging when the ball was new and hard. Smith and Head’s innings’ were fantastic, Alex Carey too. Lyon looked really good, Starc got wickets, just about ticked off every box. (On the full-house expected at the MCG on boxing-day) That will be amazing, one of those things here in Australia that you wake up and can’t wait for.

Travis Head (Player of the Match): Feels like I batted quite a while ago to be honest. Happy to contribute, nice to get some runs and set us up in the first innings. Challenging wicket, worked through the gears well, pleased I was able to get through and set the team up. Was trying to sum up the conditions, feel like I’ve done that well in this series so far, very happy with the tempo I’m batting with. Pretty relaxed communication, feel like he (Smith) was in great rhythm, gives me great confidence when batting with him, was a nice partnership, really enjoyed it. When I first get out there, I try and navigate different challenges, solve different problems. Just a little sore but I should be fine (before the next game).

India vs Australia Test Series 2024 Results

Match No.	Match Details	Venue	Date	Time (IST)	Result
1	India vs Australia,	Perth Stadium, Perth	Nov 22-26	7:50 AM	India won by 295 runs
2	India vs Australia, 2nd Test	Adelaide Oval, Adelaide	Dec 06-10	9:30 AM	Australia won by 10 wkts
3	Australia vs India, 3rd Test	The Gabba, Brisbane	Dec 14-18	5:50 AM	Match drawn
4	Australia vs India, 4th Test	Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne	Dec 26-30	5:00 AM	Match starts on Dec 26
5	Australia vs India, 5th Test	Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney	Jan 03-07	5:00 AM	Match starts on Jan 03

Cricket Legends from 21st Century: Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, Kane Williamson, and Joe Root

Cricket is one of the most loved sports around the world. In the 21st century, a quartet of batsmen has risen above the rest and entertained fans with their spectacular show of batsmanship.

This quartet is referred to as the “Fab Four”—Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, Kane Williamson, and Joe Root. Martin Crowe first used the “Fab Four” reference in 2014 to recognize these players’ potential to dominate world cricket in the foreseeable future and become sports legends. And yes, they have lived up to the tag and have been the leading batters in world cricket for over a decade now. Let’s start with a breakdown of Fab Four Stats across formats.

Most International centuries by Fab 4 batsmen

Player	Team	Matches	Runs	100s	Highest Score
Virat Kohli	India	541	27,260	81	254*
Joe Root	England	355	20,333	52	262
Kane Williamson	New Zealand	363	18,661	46	251
Steven Smith	Australia	344	16,561	45	239

Virat Kohli, the run machine of cricket and arguably the biggest Indian Sports hero, leads the pack when it comes to most centuries among all fab four batsmen with 81 centuries.

In ODIs, Virat Kohli stands way above everyone else with 50 hundred, the most by any batsman in the 50-over format. In T20Is, Virat Kohli has one hundred to his name, while no other batsman in the Fab Four has a hundred in 20-over cricket.

In Test cricket, it is England’s Joe Root who has the most centuries among fab four batters, with 36 hundreds under his belt.

Test Stats

Player	Matches	Innings	Runs	Highest Score	Average	100s	50s
Virat Kohli	120	205	9163	254	47.72	30	31
Kane Williamson	104	184	9076	251	54.34	32	37
Joe Root	151	276	12886	262	50.93	36	64
Steven Smith	111	198	9704	239	53.40	32	41

ODI Stats

Player	Matches	Innings	Runs	Highest Score	Average	100s	50s
Virat Kohli	295	283	13906	183	58.18	50	72
Kane Williamson	165	157	6811	148	48.30	13	45
Joe Root	171	160	6522	133	47.61	16	39
Steven Smith	165	149	5662	164	43.62	12	34

T20I Stats

Player	Matches	Innings	Runs	Highest Score	Average	100s	50s
Virat Kohli	125	117	4188	122	48.70	1	38
Kane Williamson	93	90	2575	95	33.01	0	18
Joe Root	32	30	893	90	35.72	0	5
Steven Smith	67	55	1094	90	24.86	0	5

IPL Stats

Player	Matches	Innings	Runs	Highest Score	Average	100s	50s
Virat Kohli	252	244	8004	113	38.67	8	55
Kane Williamson	79	77	2128	89	35.47	0	18
Joe Root	3	1	10	10	10.00	0	0
Steven Smith	103	93	2485	101	34.51	1	11

Let’s now look at some of the career highlights, records and achievements of all these four batters.

Virat Kohli Records

6th Most Matches as Captain (68) in Test matches
Hundred in Each Innings of a Test match
5th Fastest to 7000 Runs in Test Cricket (138 innings)
2nd Most Player-of-the-series Awards (11 times)
Most runs in a series (765) in One-Day Internationals
3rd Highest career batting average (58.18) in ODI
Most hundreds against one team (10 centuries against Sri Lanka) in ODIs
2nd Most Fifties in ODI career (122)
4th Most fours in career (1302) in ODIs
Fastest to 13000 runs in ODI (267 innings)
Most player-of-the-series awards (7) in T20I
3rd Most Runs in T20I career (4188)
2nd Highest T20I career batting average (48.69)
Most fifties in T20I career (39)
4th Most Fours in T20I Career (369)
Fastest to 3500 runs (96 innings) in T20I
Most Player-of-the-series Awards (21) across formats
3rd Most Runs in a Calendar Year (2818) across formats
2nd Most Hundreds in a Calendar Year (11) across formats
2nd Most Fifties in Career (222) across formats
4th Most fours in career (2693) across formats

Steve Smith Records

Hundred in each innings of a Test match
Carrying bat through a Completed Innings (91*) in a Test match
Fastest to 8000 Test runs (151 innings)
Most catches in an innings of Test Match by a fielder (5)
3rd Highest Partnership for the Third Wicket (242)
4th Most Hundreds in consecutive matches (4 centuries) across formats
3rd Most Fifties in consecutive innings (7 50s) across formats

Joe Root Records

7th Most matches as captain (64 matches) in Test cricket
3rd Most Runs in a calendar year (1708) in Test cricket
Most Fifties in Consecutive Matches (12 occasions) in Test cricket
6th Fastest to 12000 runs (261) in Test cricket
2nd Most catches in Test career by a fielder (207)
Highest partnership for the tenth wicket (198) in Test cricket
5th Fastest to 4000 runs (91 innings) in ODI
5th Most Fifties in consecutive matches (8) across formats

Kane Williamson Records

Hundred on Test debut (131 runs)
Hundred in each innings of a Test match
2nd Highest partnership for the sixth wicket (365*) in Test cricket
4th Most runs in an series by a captain (578) in ODI cricket
2nd Most nineties in ODI career (9 occasions)
3rd Most Fifties in consecutive ODI innings (6)
3rd Fastest to 6000 runs (139 innings) in ODI cricket
3rd Most Matches as Captain (75) in T20I cricket
4th Highest percentage of runs in a completed innings (70%) in T20I
5th Most runs in a calendar year (2692) across formats
3rd Fifties in consecutive innings (7 occasions) across formats

Who is the best batsman among Fab Four?

Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson, Steve Smith, and Joe Root each have a distinct style of batting. Virat Kohli’s aggressive style and incredible consistency across formats for over a decade make him stand apart. Steve Smith, Kane Williamson, and Joe Root have been prolific run-getters in Test cricket. Since there are three formats of the game, we need to take into account the adaptability of players and how they’ve fared in each format.

Looking at the overall stats, Virat Kohli is head and shoulders above the rest at the moment. However, it doesn’t undermine the achievements and impact the rest have had on their teams or world cricket over the years. All are cricket legends who continue to inspire millions to take up the sport.

(Stats and records as of 15 December 2024)

Mithali Raj: Breaking Barriers in Cricket

In a country where cricket is considered as religion and the players are held in high regards, it’s hard to imagine that women’s cricket for so long was largely overlooked. But it’s not the fault of male cricketers that they hogged all the limelight and women cricket was seen as a mere fad. The big reason why women cricket lagged behind men’s cricket was because it lacked a true superstar who could break the barriers. But then came Mithali Raj, a name that changed the course of women’s cricket in India forever. Mithali became a trailblazer, not just for women cricketers but for sportswomen across the nation.

Mithali Raj: How her cricket journey started

Born on December 3, 1982, in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, Mithali Raj’s journey from a young girl to become the Indian captain was no different from a Hollywood script. She was an ordinary child and showed little or no signs of her interest towards any sport, let alone cricket. In fact, and to an extent, she stumbled upon cricket by chance, as if the destiny was playing its game for the young Mithali. She was being trained in Bharatnatyam, a classical dance form, when destiny introduced cricket to her.

Her father Dorai Raj, who was a warrant officer in the Indian Air Force, didn’t want his daughter to sleep till late in the morning. So he made sure that Mithali would accompany her brother Mithun Raj to cricket training at the John’s Cricket Academy, Secunderabad.

Most of the time, Mithali would pass the time watching others practice or by completing her homework. At times, she would pick up a bat and knock the ball around.

And so it happened that a coach at the academy, named Jyothi Prasad, saw her and was impressed by her technique of hitting the ball. The wheels were set in motion. Jyothi Prasad referred Mithali to Sampath Kumar who used to coach two women’s team in Secunderabad.

So, a young girl who had interested towards classical dance, and who was introduced to cricket because here parents didn’t want her to sleep in till late in the morning, changed the face of Indian women cricket forever.

Also read: Mohammad Kaif Biography: Early Life, Cricket Career, Stats, Wife, Coaching, Politics, Commentary

Practicing with a stump

Every sport star who went on to rule the sporting world was once an ordinary athlete. It was only due to their peculiar methods of crafting their skills that set them apart from the rest. Don Bradman used to practice with a stump and a golf ball, while Novak Djokovic used practice in empty swimming pools. Mithali Raj was no different. Her coach Sampath Kumar forced Mithali to practice in the narrow corridors of her schools. The catch was that she had to bat with a stump and was not allowed to hit the walls with the ball.

“Sir used to hit me with a stick if the ball touched the walls,” Mithali revealed in an interview to Cricket Monthly in September 2016.

Mithali Raj: A Special Talent

Her day used to begin at four in the morning and the practice sessions could stretch beyond six hours on most days. The fact that she also had to balance her studies, taught her to focus on things at present. With increased focus and her ability to maximize efforts to get the most out of the limited time, was what made her one of the most technically gifted Indian women cricketer ever.

Mithali Raj was a special talent, a generational player who caught everyone’s eye. She was only 13 when she was selected for Andra Pradesh cricket team. It didn’t take her long to force her way into India’s women cricket team and at only 16, she made her debut for India.

If there was any doubt about her young age and how she could cope with the challenge of playing at the highest level, Mithali quickly dispelled it with a magnificent century in her first match, hitting an unbeaten 114 against Ireland Women on June 26, 1999.

Also Read: Challenges and Opportunities for Women in Indian Sports

Mithali Raj: A Prolific Scorer and a record breaker

Mithali never looked back after hitting an unbeaten century in her debut game. She went on to play 232 ODI matches for Indian women cricket team and racked a record 7805 runs, a record in women’s cricket, at a jaw-dropping average of 50.68. She scored a total of 7 centuries, and 64 half centuries during her ODI career. In addition, Mithali also holds the record of hitting seven consecutive half centuries, a world-record in women’s cricket.

Matches	Innings	NO	Runs	HS	Average	100s	50s	Catches
232	211	57	7805	125*	50.68	7	64	64

Mithali Raj was given India’s captaincy in 2005, when she was just 22. She never showed any sign of the job bigger than her, and led India to a world cup final a year later.

The Indian legend led the team to another ODI World Cup final in 2017. It was the day that perhaps brought Indian women cricket into the proper limelight. It was the match that caught the attention of whole India, with millions of fans hooked onto their television. Sadly, India lost the match by nine runs against host nation England Women.

But Mithali still holds the record of the only Indian captain, across men and women, to lead the team to two world cup finals. During the 2017 Women’s world cup, Mithali scored an impressive 409 runs, consisting of three fifties and a century.

Also Read: How Technology Can Solve Communication Gaps In Sports Teams

Mithali Raj: Breaking Barriers

Mithali Raj started her cricket journey during the time when there was a clear lack of infrastructure and support for women’s cricket in India. Facilities were limited, matches were scarcely telecast, and sponsorships were hard to come by. Yet, she persevered. Her success brought much-needed attention to these issues, forcing authorities to invest more in women’s cricket.

The Indian women cricket team was governed by Women’s Cricket Association but it merged with the Board of Control for Cricket in India in 2006/07. With the team now operating under the banner of the richest cricket board in the world, facilities improved significantly, and financial support also increased. But it was only in 2016 that female cricketers were given central contracts by the BCCI. It was long overdue, but it changed women’s cricket in India forever.

Now the women’s cricketer are given the same amount of money as the male cricketers.

I’m pleased to announce @BCCI’s first step towards tackling discrimination. We are implementing pay equity policy for our contracted @BCCIWomen cricketers. The match fee for both Men and Women Cricketers will be same as we move into a new era of gender equality in 🇮🇳 Cricket. pic.twitter.com/xJLn1hCAtl
— Jay Shah (@JayShah) October 27, 2022

With BCCI taking care of women cricket in India and developing more facilities, young female cricketers have better access to coaching, infrastructure, and opportunities – something Mithali fought for throughout her career.

Mithali never held back during her interviews. One of the most famous incident came when she was asked who her favorite male cricketer was, to which she retorted, “Do you ask male cricketers who their favorite female cricketer is?”

Impact beyond the field

On June 8, 2022, Mithali Raj announced here retirement from women cricket. Her career was a true testament of how perseverance and true dedication can bring the highest of the success.

In India, the name Mithali Raj has been synonymous to women's cricket. You have been an inspiration to millions all over the world. My best wishes to you for your future endeavours @M_Raj03. 😊 pic.twitter.com/kchguzAB8E
— DK (@DineshKarthik) June 8, 2022

Though she has retired, she continues to contribute to the sport she transformed. In November 2024, she joined the Andhra Cricket Association as a consultant and mentor for Women’s Cricket in the states.

A sports biopic was also made on the life of Mithali Raj- Shabaash Mithu. This movie brought limelight on her journey and the challenges faced by her throughout her cricket journey.

The current stars of Indian women cricket team such as Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues and Deepti Sharma, to name a few, grew watching Mithali Raj. Even after retiring she remains a true game-changer and a shining beacon of hope for women in sports and beyond.

Post-Workout Recovery: What Athletes Need To Know

There never comes a moment when an athlete can stop taking care of their body. A continuous and never-ending track of every little thing is what differentiates elite athletes like Novak Djokovic, LeBron James, Virat Kohli, Lionel Messi, and Cristiano Ronaldo from the rest. From when to wake up and what to eat before exercise, to post-workout recovery and how to end the day, athletes live in the moment and do exactly what that moment requires. There’s no shortcut but pure hard work with unflinching dedication toward perfection. Let’s discuss the importance of post-workout recovery methods and strategies to optimize the recovery process.

Also Read: Creating a Balanced Diet for Young Athletes

Why Is Post-Workout Recovery Important?

if you are an athlete, you always want to get ready for the next match. And for that you need your body to be at the maximum health. But that depends on how fast you recovered from your last match or intense workout, for that matter. After every intense physical activity, an athlete’s body experiences muscle breakdown, and fluid loss. So post-workout recovery helps with:

Repair Muscles: As mentioned above, after exercises, intense workout or a game, muscles tend to break down. Post-workout recovery helps muscles to heal and grow stronger.
Replenish Energy Stores: Body loses a lot of energy during workout, including the energy stored in muscles. Post-workout is also about replenishing it for sustained energy.
Reduce Fatigue: Human body has its limits. Every athlete, no matter how elite he is, will feel tired after an intense workout. Recovery methods help in alleviating tiredness and muscle soreness.
Prevent Injuries: The biggest favour an athlete can give himself is to avoid injury. That helps him in giving consistent performances and add value to the team. With post-workout methods, an athlete can surely prevent injuries.

Also Read: How Hydration Impacts Athletic Performance

What to do post-workout?

1. Keep yourself rehydrated: An athlete’s body loses fluids and electrolytes through sweat. Only through rehydrating that an athlete can restore the body’s balance and prevent dehydration.
Tips for Hydration: Drink water, coconut water or energy drinks immediately after exercise.

2. Focus on Balanced diet: Don’t just eat anything. Balanced diet is a must to keep your body at an optimum energy level.
Post-Workout Meal suggestions: For carbs, you can include foods like brown rice, whole-grain bread, or fruits. For protein, some of the food to consider are chicken, eggs, fish, tofu, or protein shakes. And for healthy fats, you can opt for avocados, nuts, or olive oil in meals.

3. Take from rest: No matter how much efforts you are putting into your training, diet and post-workout routines, without proper rest, you will always feel tired, and sluggish. Rest is at the top of the chart when it comes to keep your body fully energized.
Tips for Better Sleep: Avoid watching tv at night. Don’t you use phone or watch any screen at least half an hour before going to bed.
Also, aim for at least 8 hours of quality sleep each night. This will allow your body to recover fully.

4. Stretching and Cool-Down: Never skip stretching and cool-down after an intense work-out. This will help you to avoid injuries, helps prevent muscle stiffness and soreness.
Effective Cool-Down Tips: Spend 5-10 minutes doing light aerobic activity, such as walking or cycling, after intense exercise.
Stretch all major muscles, doing it for a stretch of about 20-30 seconds.

Mistakes to avoid during Post-Workout routines

Here are some mistakes that an athlete can look to avoid during his post-workout routines.

Don’t skip meal post-workout: Avoiding meal after an intense workout delays recovery.
Ignoring Hydration: Keep yourself hydrated. Dehydration affects performance and increases the risk of injury.
Overtraining: Don’t train too hard. Know you body. Training too much can lead to burnout and injury.

SportSutra’s recommendations for a Post-Workout Recovery Plan

1. Do this Immediately Post Workout:
Drink water or an electrolyte-rich sports drink.
Have a small snack like a banana or a handful of nuts.

2. Within 30 Minutes:
Enjoy a recovery drink like a protein smoothie with fruits and milk.

3. Within 2 Hours:
Eat a balanced meal with protein (chicken or fish, or cereals or quinoa if you a vegetarian).
For complex carbs, consider taking brown rice or sweet potatoes, and vegetables.

4. Evening:
Do proper stretching. You can also use tools such as foam roll to relax your muscles.
The best is to get a good night’s sleep. This is the best way towards full recovery.

Also Read: Strength vs Endurance: How to Choose the Right Training Plan?

Final Thoughts

Recovery after work is as important as doing exercise and building muscles and strength. Post workout recovery is all about releasing tension from the muscles, giving body a proper hydration and as well as required nutrition. Remember, the key to success for elite athletes isn’t just about how hard they train or prepare for the matches, but also on how quickly they recover and get ready for the next match. The better an athlete recover, the better they perform.