Rohit Sharma issues stern warning after T20 World Cup triumph, credits 'three pillars' for success
Mumbai: Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma, fresh off leading the team to victory in the T20 World Cup in June, has sent a strong message to the cricketing world, asserting his unyielding determination to secure more titles. Speaking at the CEAT Cricket Rating Awards in Mumbai on Wednesday, where he was named the Men’s International Cricketer of the Year, Rohit credited three key figures—former head coach Rahul Dravid, BCCI Secretary Jay Shah, and Chairman of Selectors Ajit Agarkar—for India’s recent triumph.
Rohit, who became the first Indian captain since MS Dhoni to win a T20 World Cup, emphasised the importance of these "three pillars" in the team's successful comeback after a disappointing loss in the 2023 ODI World Cup final. "It was my dream to transform this team and not worry too much about the stats or the results, but to create an environment where players could perform freely," Rohit said. He highlighted the crucial support he received from Dravid, Shah, and Agarkar in achieving this vision.
As India shifts focus to the upcoming Champions Trophy in Pakistan and the World Test Championship (WTC) final in 2025, Rohit expressed his relentless drive to add more trophies to his collection. "There is a reason I won five IPL trophies. I'm not going to stop because once you get the taste of winning, you don't want to stop," Rohit stated, highlighting his commitment to continuing India's winning streak.
India’s preparation for the Champions Trophy hit a rough patch with a 0-2 series loss to Sri Lanka earlier this year, marking Gautam Gambhir’s first assignment as the new head coach. The team will have one final ODI series against England in February 2025 before the ICC tournament.
In Tests, India faces a packed schedule, starting with five matches at home against Bangladesh and New Zealand, followed by the Border-Gavaskar series in Australia. If India maintains their dominance, particularly at home, they are likely to secure a spot in the WTC final, regardless of their performance in Australia.
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Allu Arjun didn't leave theatre despite being told about woman's death: Hyderabad police
Hyderabad, Dec 22: Top Telugu actor Allu Arjun did not leave the theatre during the screening of 'Pushpa-2' on December 4 despite being told to do so in view of a stampede in which a woman died, police officials claimed on on Sunday.
Speaking at a press conference on the annual round-up of 2024, city police commissioner C V Anand showed a video, made by police, on the situation that prevailed when the stampede occurred.
The video was made by collating footage, including from news channels and cell phone clips. It suggests the actor remained in the theatre till the midnight.
Anand did not make any comment on the video, but said the media can draw its own conclusions.
A police official talked about the sequence of events on the fateful night of December 4.
He said that he and other police officials informed a manager of Allu Arjun about the death of the woman and told him that the situation was out of control. He indicated that they were not allowed to meet the actor.
Allu Arjun's staff members told them that they would convey the matter to the actor but did not do so, he said.
The official said he later managed to reach the actor, told him about the woman's death and asked him to leave the theatre so that the fans don't harm each other while trying to catch a glimpse of him.
The official also told the actor that security arrangements would be made for his exit.
However, the actor said he would go only after watching the film, the police official said.
Later, accompanied by a senior officer, the official went inside and brought the actor out, he said.
Amid allegations that bouncers hired by Allu Arjun pushed crowds as well as policemen when the stampede occurred at the cinema hall, the police commissioner warned that stringent action as per law would be taken if THE bouncers indeed misbehaved with the police on duty.
The VIPs would be made responsible for the behaviour of the bouncers hired by them, he said.
Asked if the police would appeal against the interim bail granted to Allu Arjun, the commissioner refused to give a direct response, just saying it is part of the investigation.
What course of action is taken would be known in the days to come, he said.
He also declined to comment when asked if the family of the deceased told him about Allu Arjun's team or film production team allegedly threatening them not to speak on the issue.
Meanwhile, state Cinematography Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy found fault with Allu Arjun responding on Saturday to the debate in the Legislative Assembly.
The minister, who observed that the actor should have respect for the government and the chief minister, demanded an apology from Allu Arjun to the government and the CM.
"This government is never vindictive. As Cinematography Minister, we allowed benefit shows and hiking ticket prices to promote the film industry," he said.
However, Union Minister of State for Home Bandi Sanjay Kumar found fault with CM Revanth Reddy for his comments on Allu Arjun in the Assembly on Saturday.
The comments of the CM sounded like character assassination of Allu Arjun and hurting the Telugu film industry, he alleged in a statement.
Later in the day, Sanjay Kumar visited a boy who is undergoing treatment in a hospital after being injured in the stampede.
"Consoled his father over the heartbreaking loss of his wife, Revathi. I pray to god that Sritej recovers at the earliest. Assured support to the family in this difficult time," Kumar said on X.
Earlier in the day, state DGP Jitender told reporters in Karimnagar district that film personalities and all others should understand that safety and security of citizens is utmost important, and also conduct themselves accordingly.
