Mitchell Starc-inspired KKR dismiss SRH for 159 in Qualifier 1
Ahmedabad, May 21: IPL’s costliest buy Mitchell Starc lived up to the billing with a sensational three-wicket early burst as Kolkata Knight Riders shot Sunrisers Hyderabad for a below-par 159 in Qualifier 1 here on Tuesday.
Starc found delivered a body blow on the second ball of the game by rattling Travis Head’s stumps before accounting for the in-form Nitish Reddy (9) and Shahbaz Ahmed (0) to leave the opponents reeling inside the powerplay.
IPL’s third highest run-getter Head was all over the place when he went for a wild heave against the lanky Australian, who got the ball nipping slightly away after pitching and knocking down the off and middle stumps to dismiss the batter for his second consecutive duck.
Starc then bounced out Reddy with wicketkeeper Rahmanullah Gurbaz settling himself well under the ball for a simple grab.
Shahbaz was the next to depart as he chopped one onto his wickets looking to guide it down to the third man.
Starc’s opening spell of 3-0-22-3 gave KKR complete control of the proceedings as the other bowlers thrived in the situation to drive home the advantage.
Reduced to 39/3, SRH needed a counterattack and that came from Rahul Tripathi (55 off 35) but it was far from enough.
Tripathi soaked in pressure well to keep the boundaries flowing for SRH but he did not find enough support from the other end, beyond a 62-run stand for the fifth wicket with Heinrich Klaasen.
The burly South African, who had scored a vital 49 in the last match, did not go all out but played a crucial knock of 32, which came off 21 balls with three fours and a six until he found the man at deep midwicket off Varun Chakravarthy in the 11th over.
Facing the task of rebuilding again, there was no respite for the struggles that SRH had to endure when Tripathi was run out after a brilliant effort in the field from Andre Russell caught the SRH batter halfway through the pitch when there was perhaps no run on offer.
Abdul Samad hammered a six off his first ball but his resistance too did not last long enough and the last of the recognised SRH batters, impact player Sanvir Singh, was cleaned up by Sunil Narine (1/40) on the first ball he faced.
SRH skipper Pat Cummins played a crucial knock of 30 off 24 while also putting on a vital 33-run stand for the last wicket with Vijayakanth Viyaskanth to take SRH beyond the 150-mark.
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Maharashtra, Haryana Elections doctored, wasn't free and fair: Cong says after CWC meeting
Belagavi: The Congress party held a press conference on Thursday following the conclusion of its Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting in Belagavi. This significant meeting marked the centenary of the party's only session presided over by Mahatma Gandhi in Belgaum in 1924.
Addressing the media, Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal, Communications In-Charge Jairam Ramesh, and Spokesperson Pawan Khera outlined the key takeaways from the discussions held during the meeting.
The leaders revealed that the CWC deliberated extensively on various issues concerning the party's future direction and strategies. The major points discussed included:
1. Organizational Revamp:
The Congress emphasized restoring accountability among its leaders at every level. It was decided that an organizational revamp would be carried out to strengthen the party's presence and performance on the ground.
2. Massive Political Campaigns:
To reconnect with the masses, the party has planned a series of campaigns and events, including:
- Nationwide rallies and padayatras to be held on December 27, 2024, and January 26, 2026.
- A special campaign titled Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhan aimed at addressing threats to the Constitution and raising issues affecting the common man.
3. Upcoming AICC Session:
The All India Congress Committee (AICC) will hold its next session in Gujarat in April 2025, which is expected to set the tone for the party's strategy leading into upcoming elections.
The Congress leaders also expressed serious concerns regarding the transparency and impartiality of the Election Commission of India (ECI). They specifically pointed to the recent elections in Maharashtra and Haryana, alleging that the process was manipulated.
Jairam Ramesh stated, “Both the Maharashtra and Haryana elections were doctored. These were not free and fair elections at all. The attitude and functioning of the ECI in these states raise serious doubts about their commitment to democratic principles.”
The CWC meeting in Belagavi holds historical significance as it commemorated 100 years since Mahatma Gandhi presided over the Congress session in Belgaum in 1924. The leaders used the occasion to reflect on Gandhi’s vision for India and pledged to uphold the values of justice, equality, and democracy that he stood for.
With the announcement of these initiatives and campaigns, the Congress party aims to reinvigorate its base and challenge the ruling government on critical issues.
