From enablers to champions, J&K's Ranji Trophy triumph beautiful: Sachin Tendulkar
New Delhi (PTI): The Kashmir willow has been part of the journey for legendary cricketers like Sachin Tendulkar, who on Saturday described Jammu and Kashmir's Ranji Trophy success as a "beautiful" transition from being cricket's enabler to a champion.
Jammu and Kashmir created history by winning the country's most prestigious red-ball competition by getting the better of eight-time winners Karnataka on the basis of first-innings lead in the summit clash in Hubballi.
It turned out to be a one-sided game despite the lopsidedness in terms of experience, with Karnataka's playing XI boasting of four Indian Test cricketers in KL Rahul, Mayank Agarawal, skipper Devdutt Padikkal and Prasidh Krishna.
"The Kashmir willows have been a part of many champions' kits. To see Jammu & Kashmir's journey from being an enabler of champions, to becoming champions themselves, is beautiful," Tendulkar remarked on X.
Under the Laws of Cricket mandated by the MCC, professional match bats must be crafted from willow, specifically English or Kashmir varieties, though new regulations allow for laminated bats using other woods.
The bat is made of two elements — the handle and the blade — which according to the laws should be of single willow wood. A laminated bat, meanwhile, is made with two or more willows.
While the English willow is considered more for its lightness in weight, the Kashmir willow — even tough it is identical in species (Salix alba 'caerulea') — is believed to be greater in density due to the difference in weather in the two places.
Tendulkar, meanwhile, also noted J&K's consistency and resilience in a successful campaign which was highlighted by Auqib Nabi's 60 wickets in the season including a five-for in the final.
"The season was built on consistency, resilience, and season-long excellence. Auqib Nabi's impact with the ball stood out in a demanding campaign," he wrote.
"A historic moment for the team, coaches, and support staff. Journeys like these define the beauty of domestic cricket," Tendulkar added.
While Tendulkar mentioned Nabi among the victorious players of Jammu and Kashmir, his former teammate and India captain Sourav Ganguly had picked out the right-arm seamer for Indian Test call-up.
"J&K has shown the world what effort and intent can do ..They have made that region so proud of them .. tuff environment makes tuff people. Aqib nabi on his way to national colours .. england is the place to start in the summer," Ganguly had written on X.
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Man wanted in rape-murder case of his 4-year-old niece killed in police encounter in Ghaziabad
Ghaziabad (UP) (PTI): A 55-year-old criminal wanted in the case of rape and murder of his four-year-old niece was killed in a police encounter late on Sunday night in Uttar Pradesh's Ghaziabad district, a police official said on Monday.
In the joint operation carried out by the police and Crime Branch, the accused Jeeshan, carrying a cash reward of Rs 50,000, allegedly opened fire to evade arrest, resulting in injuries to two personnel, the police said.
According to the police, at around 12 noon on April 11, Jeeshan allegedly lured the child from outside her home on the pretext of buying her toffees. He took her to his room, where he allegedly raped her and subsequently strangled her to death. Following the crime, the accused carried the body on his shoulders and dumped it under a car on an 80-foot road in the Shalimar Garden police station area before fleeing.
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Two days ago, his presence was captured on CCTV footage at Delhi railway station when he was trying to flee out of Delhi. The police received a tip-off that the accused was scheduled to meet someone near the Banthla canal in Loni, the police said.
Following this, a team of the Teela Morh police station barricaded the area, and began checking. They spotted the suspect and signalled him to stop. Upon seeing the police, Jeeshan attempted to flee. Finding himself encircled by the police, he allegedly opened fire on the police team. The police fired in self-defence, in which the accused sustained gunshot wounds. He was rushed to a hospital, where doctors declared him dead, the police said.
ACP Shalimar Garden Atul Kumar Singh said that the accused was killed in retaliatory firing and the injured policemen -- head constables Amit and Iqbal -- are out of danger.
The body of the deceased has been sent for a post-mortem examination, Singh said, and added that the police have recovered weapons and cartridges from his possession.
