Only two journalists turn up for SKY's pre-match press conference ahead of Ind-Aus series
Vishakhapatnam: The effects of World Cup fatigue are evident not only among players and support staff but also in the journalism, as only two reporters attended India's pre-match press conference before their series-opening T20I against Australia in Visakhapatnam.
This low turnout is unprecedented for a men's Indian cricket team match at home in recent memory. Typically, press conferences during ICC events attract over 100 journalists, but the quick turnaround after the World Cup final appears to have impacted media interest.
India's captain for the T20I series, Suryakumar Yadav, expressed surprise and amusement at the low attendance, stating, "Only two people?" The reduced interest is attributed to the short three-day gap between the World Cup final and the start of the T20I series against Australia.
During the World Cup, press conferences routinely drew over 100 journalists, reaching over 200 for significant matches like the semi-final and final.
Suryakumar Yadav, reflecting on India's World Cup campaign, acknowledged the disappointment of the loss but emphasized the need to move on. He shared, "It is difficult; it will take time, it can't be that you wake up next morning and you forget everything that happened. It was a long tournament. We would have loved to win it."
Notably, Suryakumar, Ishan Kishan, and Prasidh Krishna are the only members of India's World Cup squad selected for the T20I series, as others have been given a break. Australia, on the other hand, has several World Cup-winning players, including Travis Head, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, Marcus Stoinis, Sean Abbott, Adam Zampa, and Josh Inglis, participating in the series.
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People are voting fearlessly in West Bengal this time: PM Modi
Hardoi (UP) (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said voters
are casting their vote in West Bengal this time in a "fearless atmosphere", which was unimaginable in the past six or seven decades.
He also asserted that the assembly poll results on May 4 will further strengthen the resolve of a developed India.
Voting is underway in 142 constituencies of West Bengal in the second and final phase of polling.
Addressing a gathering after the inauguration of the Ganga Expressway here, Modi said today marks an important day in the festival of democracy.
"Voting for the second phase is underway in Bengal, and reports indicate a massive turnout, with people stepping out in large numbers just like in the first phase. Images of long queues at polling stations are flooding social media, reflecting the enthusiasm of the people to exercise their democratic right," he said.
"What we are witnessing in Bengal today is unprecedented which was difficult to imagine in the past six to seven decades, a fearless environment where people are voting without fear," he said.
The prime minister said this is a powerful symbol of the country's Constitution and the strengthening of democracy.
"I express my gratitude to the great people of Bengal for being so aware of their rights and participating in large numbers," he said.
With several hours of voting still left, the prime minister urged the people of Bengal to continue participating in this democratic festival with the same enthusiasm.
Modi said in the recent Bihar Assembly elections, the BJP and NDA achieved a historic and decisive victory.
"Just yesterday, results of local body elections in Gujarat showed that the BJP secured victories in nearly 80 to 85 percent of municipalities and panchayats.
"The results on May 4 will further strengthen the resolve of a developed India and will infuse new energy into the pace of development of the country."
The first phase of polling for 152 seats -- out of the 294-member West Bengal assembly -- was held on April 23.
The counting of votes for assembly polls in Kerala, West Bengal, Puducherry, Assam and Tamil Nadu will take place on May 4.
