RCB's Vidhana Soudha Event Planned Before IPL Final? Police Raised Red Flags
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India.com
23 minutes ago
- India.com
Those People Are Not Even On My Contact List : Venkatesh Iyer Reacts On KKRs 23.75 Cr Tag Amidst Trade Rumours
Venkatesh Iyer's IPL 2025 season with Kolkata Knight Riders was dismal by his standards. Purchased for a record ₹23.75 crore, he faced intense public scrutiny and constant comparisons between his price tag and returns, even while battling a painful webbing injury. He scored 142 runs in 11 games at n average of 20.29. Despite the noise, Iyer insists his preparation and effort remain the same, regardless of the money involved. A selfless team player, he often shifted batting positions and even played through injury in the Ranji Trophy to help his skipper. He believes 'impact' matters more than raw statistics, with contributions under pressure carrying special value. Eyeing a return to the Indian team, he aims to rebuild his bowling workload, though he feels the Impact Player rule has limited his IPL growth. 'What I have taken back from this season is the fact that performance under pressure requires a special skillset,' said Venkatesh Iyer in a conversation with Sportskeeda after what he admits was an underwhelming IPL 2025 campaign. A Team Player Through and Through KKR had also envisioned leadership qualities in Iyer someone who embodies the spirit of a team man. The left-hander has repeatedly sacrificed personal milestones, shuffling up and down the batting order based on match situations. 'If Varun can make a comeback, I can also definitely do it he said recently, referencing teammate Varun Chakravarthy's return. Auction Day and Coping With Price Tag Pressure On being asked about the day of the mega auction, Iyer recalls: 'After a point, I did not watch the auction [laughs]. When you are with your team, you tend to enjoy the moment. But yeah, I understood that if the amount is big, the ask is big, the responsibility is big. Responsibility is not just in terms of runs to be scored or wickets to be picked, it's about the role in the team and how you can create a bigger impact. So I did have that in mind. Also, with regard to my preparation, nothing changes. Be it ₹20 lakh or ₹20 crore, preparation won't change. You have to do double the hard work as the previous year, regardless of the money. That day was very hectic but, post that, things were kind of back to normal.' Many fans questioned the ₹23.75 crore figure, piling on unnecessary pressure. His response is simple: 'People who had these questions are not even on my contact list. So why do I have to even think about what they are thinking? It's my life, my game, my career. And it's my team that has chosen to spend so much on me. So these things don't phase me... there are a lot of eyes on you, but it's important to know what to pay heed to. People who have had a direct impact on my life, I am answerable to only them.' Support From KKR Management According to Iyer, KKR shielded him from much of the noise: 'They know the magnitude of it, obviously from experience... They have made a team, they wanted the team to do well, and I am part of a team. And it is my duty to do well for them. Unfortunately, it didn't happen. But my aim is always to try and win as many games as possible for KKR.' He also sees the price tag as recognition of his journey: 'I would like to think so. But it's not about just the money, it's about where I fit in their scheme of things. Venky sir once told me something, which I felt made a lot of sense. He said, 'At the end of the day, you are given 120 units to build a team. Once the team is built, it doesn't matter how many units you have spent on what. It is a team that has been made now, that's it.'
News18
33 minutes ago
- News18
FC Goa edge past Al Seeb to enter AFC Champions League 2 group stage
Margao, Aug 13 (PTI) Indian Super League side FC Goa qualified for the AFC Champions League 2 group stage with an impressive 2-1 win over Oman's Al Seeb Club in the preliminary round here on Wednesday. Dejan Drazic (24′) opened the scoring with a sublime chip before Javier Siverio (52′) doubled the advantage for Goa. Al Seeb, the 2022 AFC Cup champions, threatened a comeback when Nasser Al-Rawahi (60′) pulled one back, but the Gaurs held firm. FC Goa thus join fellow ISL team Mohun Bagan Super Giant in the continental tournament's group stage. The Mariners had secured a direct berth by clinching the 2024-25 Indian Super League Shield. Al Seeb began on the front foot, forcing early defensive heroics from Pol Moreno in just the second minute, while Zahir Al Aghbari's close-range effort was blocked. The home side took time to settle and could have broken the deadlock in the ninth minute when Drazic broke free on the left but with only the keeper to beat, the midfielder's soft shot was easily collected by Ahmed Al Rawahi. Al Rawahi was in the thick of things again for Al Seeb in the 23rd minute when his timely tackle opened up space to set up Abdul Aziz Al Muqbali, whose curling effort was parried away by FC Goa keeper Hrithik Tiwari. But FC Goa found the net a minute later as Borja Herrera's pinpoint long pass found Drazic on the left, with the midfielder evading Al Rawahi's challenge before delicately chipping the ball over Ahmed Al Khamisi and into the back of the net. The Indian Super League side stayed on top of things in the second half with Drazic outmuscling the Al Seeb defenders to surge into the box before forcing Al Rawahi to palm away his stinging shot in the 52nd minute. The momentum saw FC Goa extend their lead moments later when Herrera's cross off a corner floated into the box perfectly for Siverio to rise above Al Rawahi for a headed finish. Al Seeb reduced the deficit at the hour mark through Nasser Al Rawahi's strike from close range off Ali Al Busaidi's cutback but that was to be it as FC Goa booked their spot in the Group Stage. They will now wait to discover their Group Stage opponents on Friday. PTI APA BS BS view comments First Published: August 13, 2025, 22:15 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
an hour ago
- News18
Two-Time Champion Venus Williams Receives Wild Card For US Open Singles
Last Updated: Seven-time Grand Slam singles champion Williams will become the oldest singles entrant at the US Open since Renee Richards, who was 47 in 1981. Two-time former champion Venus Williams is set to make her 25th US Open appearance after receiving a wild card into the women's singles. The 45-year-old American recently returned from a 16-month layoff after a serious health scare and was among eight women's wild card recipients named on Wednesday by tournament organisers. Seven-time Grand Slam singles champion Williams will become the oldest singles entrant at the US Open since Renee Richards, who was 47 in 1981. Williams underwent surgery last year to remove uterine fibroids and missed most of the season. She made her comeback last month and became the oldest WTA match winner since Martina Navratilova at the age of 47 at Wimbledon in 2004, beating Peyton Stearns in the first round of the DC Open. Williams, the 2000 Sydney Olympic singles champion, has also won five Wimbledon singles titles to go along with her 2000 and 2001 US Open triumphs. She lost in the final in New York on her debut to Martina Hingis as a teenager in 1997. Venus also finished runner-up to younger sister Serena in 2002. The most recent of her 49 WTA titles came in 2016 at the Taiwan Open. Williams will also compete in the new-look US Open mixed doubles next week alongside Reilly Opelka. France's Caroline Garcia, 31, was given a wild card into what will be her final Grand Slam before retirement. Her best run at a major came when she reached the US Open semi-finals three years ago. Americans Clervie Ngounoue, Julieta Pareja, Caty McNally, Valerie Glozman and Alyssa Ahn are other wild card recipients, as is Australian Talia Gibson. On the men's side, American players Brandon Holt, Nishesh Basavareddy, Tristan Boyer, Emilio Nava, Stefan Dostanic and Darwin Blanch all earned wild cards. The final two went to France's Valentin Royer and Australia's Tristan Schoolkate. The US Open singles main draw begins on August 24. (With inputs from AFP) view comments First Published: August 13, 2025, 21:49 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
