I know my name is attached to promoting game in different parts of the world: Kohli
Bengaluru (PTI): Virat Kohli didn't say it in as many words but sent out a loud message to all who would care to listen -- he is not done with T20 cricket when the establishment still considers him to be the most marketable name to promote the game globally.
Kohli, who took a two-month paternity break, scored a match-winning 77 off 49 balls with 11 fours and two sixes and also didn't forget to mention that whether it is cricket in the Olympic programme or T20 World Cup in the USA, he is 'The Face'.
"I know my name is now attached to just promoting the game in different parts of the world when it comes to T20 cricket. I've still got it I guess," he smiled cheekily but the message was for those who would debate his spot in the T20 World Cup squad.
While he has now briefly got the Orange Cap, he said that he is past that stage where these things matter anymore.
"I don't play for these Caps anymore. That's the promise I can give here -- I'll keep turning up and keep trying me best."
He was a trifle disappointed that he couldn't finish the game.
"I try to give the team a blazing start, but if wickets fall, you have to assess. Wasn't the usual flat pitch. Disappointed I couldn't finish the game. The ball was in the slot but sliced it to deep point."
He has started hitting the lofted cover drive and it is his constant endeavour to evolve as a batter.
"They know I play the cover drive well, so they're not going to allow me to hit gaps. You have to come up with a game plan here and there."
For the RCB fans, he still is and will remain the 'King'.
"It's been going on for years (love story with the fans at Chinnaswamy). People talk about a lot of other things when you play sport -- achievement, stats, numbers.
"But when you look back, it's the memories you create as Rahul bhai (Dravid) always tells us that this time will not come back.
"The love, appreciation and backing I've received has been amazing."
The two month paternity break also gave him a chance to lead a normal life and a "chance to spend time and connect" with his elder child -- daughter Vamika.
"Just to feel normal for two months -- for me, my family -- it was a surreal experience. Couldn't have been more grateful to God for the opportunity to spend time with the family. It's an amazing experience to just be another person on the road and not be recognised. Then you come here and you hear them shout your name and you are switched on."
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SC to hear today NGO's plea for release of voter turnout data for LS polls within 48 hours
New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to grant an urgent hearing on a plea by an NGO seeking a direction to the Election Commission to upload polling station-wise voter turnout data on its website within 48 hours of conclusion of polling for each phase of the Lok Sabha elections.
A bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra asked the counsel appearing for the Election Commission (EC) to take instructions and said it will hear the matter at the end of the board.
The matter was mentioned by advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for NGO Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR), seeking urgent listing of the petition.
Last week, the NGO filed an interim application in its 2019 PIL seeking directions to the poll panel that "scanned legible copies of Form 17C Part-I (Account of Votes Recorded)" of all polling stations be uploaded immediately after the polls.
"Direct the Election Commission to provide tabulated polling station-wise data in absolute figures of the number of votes polled as recorded in Form 17C Part- I after each phase of polling in the ongoing 2024 Lok Sabha elections and also a tabulation of constituency-wise figures of voter turnout in absolute numbers in the ongoing 2024 Lok Sabha elections," the NGO said.
It said the plea was filed to ensure that the democratic process is not subverted by electoral irregularities.
"The voter turnout data for the first two phases of the ongoing 2024 Lok Sabha elections published by ECI on April 30 has been published after 11 days of the first phase of polling... on April 19 and four days after second phase of polling... on April 26.
"The data, as published by the ECI in its press release dated April 30, 2024 shows a sharp increase (by about 5-6 per cent) as compared to the initial percentages announced by ECI as of 7 pm on the day of polling," the plea said.
The petition said the "inordinate" delay in the release of final voter turnout data, coupled with the unusually high revision of over 5 per cent in the poll panel's press note of April 30, 2024 has raised concerns and public suspicion regarding the correctness of the said data.
The non-release of the absolute number of votes polled coupled with the "unreasonable delay" in the release of votes polled data has led to apprehensions in the mind of the electorate about the sharp increase between initial data and data released on April 30, it said.
"These apprehensions must be addressed and put to rest. That in order to uphold the voter's confidence it is necessary that the ECI be directed to disclose on its website scanned legible copies of Form 17C Part- I (Account of Votes Recorded) of all polling stations which contains the authenticated figures for votes polled, within 48 hours of the close of polling," it said.
