Latest news with #TheBoundary
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
'Virat Kohli enjoys overseas lads who ...': Jacob Bethell jokes about 'too-soft' IPL beds during RCB stint
Jacob Bethell and Virat Kohli Fresh from the high-paced world of the IPL and straight into a Player-of-the-Match performance at Edgbaston, Jacob Bethell's rise in international cricket continues at speed. But the 21-year-old all-rounder's only light-hearted gripe about his jet-setting lifestyle? Hotel beds. "A lot of them are way too soft," Bethell quipped after smashing a blistering 82 in England's dominant 238-run win over the West Indies in the first ODI. "I've got a bad back and I'm only 21, so we need to sort that out. I might have to walk around with some memory foam. But no, I'm enjoying it." Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Despite missing England's recent Test series against Zimbabwe to warm the bench at Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Bethell insists the experience was far from wasted. He soaked up knowledge in the nets and watched closely as cricketing icon Virat Kohli went about his business. Who's that IPL player? "I definitely feel like I got a lot better," said Bethell. "Even though I only played two games, the training was intense — facing quality net bowlers and spinners every day. The way those guys think about playing spin — clinical and calculated — it was eye-opening." Josh Hazlewood - we picked up momentum from Jitesh's knock in Lucknow And then there was Kohli. "He's got whatever you call it these days — 'aura'. It's electrifying walking out with him. He's intense, but chilled off the field. I think he enjoys the overseas lads who don't fuss around him much," he added.
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
'We deserve to be here', says confident Simone Inzaghi ahead of Inter's Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain
Inter coach Simone Inzaghi with his players ahead of the Champions League final against PSG on Saturday (Image via AP) Inter coach Simone Inzaghi expressed confidence ahead of Saturday's Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain in Munich, drawing inspiration from his team's impressive journey to the final. The Italian side aims to secure their fourth Champions League title, following previous victories in 1964, 1965, and 2010. Inter's Champions League campaign began with a goalless draw against Manchester City in September, a rematch of the 2023 final in Istanbul. The team finished fourth in the 36-team league phase with only one loss and as many goals conceded in eight matches. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! "It is always hugely exciting before every Champions League match, and especially when it is the final. We fully deserve to be here because we have shown huge desire right from our very first match in Manchester," Inzaghi told reporters at the Allianz Arena. The Nerazzurri demonstrated their strength by defeating Feyenoord in the last 16, followed by victories over giants Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals and Barcelona in the semi-finals. Mahela Jayawardene on Rohit Sharma: 'You cannot replace the experience' "These have been great opponents, so our place here is merited even though we know we still have to take the last step, which is the most important one," added Inzaghi, who deflected questions about his future amid departure speculation. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo Seven players from Inter's 2023 final line-up against City are expected to start against PSG. "Every game is different, and finals can be decided by key moments," Inzaghi said regarding the match against the wealthy French club. "Two years ago we were not the favourites but we went toe to toe with City on the pitch and maybe we could have deserved more." Inter faces the challenge of recovering from their recent Serie A title loss to Napoli. "The mental side of the game is important. The players have worked very hard and of course we have put that domestic disappointment to one side," Inzaghi stated, confirming he has a full squad available. Poll Who do you think will win the Champions League final? Inter Milan Paris Saint-Germain It's too close to call "The players are all available and so it comes down to me to select my team. The players must not be obsessed, but they need to have the right degree of determination," said the manager. While Inter desperately need to conclude what has been a rather disappointing end to the season with the results in Serie A by claiming the trophy, PSG is on the hunt for its first-ever triumph in the competition.
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
PSG skipper Marquinhos confident ahead of Champions League Final against Inter Milan
PSG will have a shot at their maiden UCL crown for the first time since losing the final in 2020 (Image via Getty) Paris Saint-Germain captain Marquinhos expressed confidence ahead of Saturday's Champions League final against Inter Milan in Munich, believing his team will handle the pressure and finally secure their first Champions League trophy. The Brazilian defender, along with coach Luis Enrique and forward Ousmane Dembele, shared their thoughts on the eve of this historic finale. PSG will play their second Champions League final, five years after losing to Bayern Munich in Lisbon in 2020. Marquinhos and Presnel Kimpembe are the only remaining players from the squad that took to the pitch in the final. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! "The club has learnt as time has gone on about how to deal with games like these, what it needs to do. A lot of things have changed at PSG since I arrived. There have been great times, difficult times, but tomorrow we have a glorious opportunity to do something remarkable and historic for this club. It will be my second final and I don't want to let the opportunity pass us by," Marquinhos told reporters. Marquinhos, now 31, has been with PSG since 2013 and has experienced both triumphs and setbacks, including the memorable 2017 collapse against Barcelona where they won 4-0 at home but lost 6-1 in the return leg. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Runwal Raaya 3, 4, 5 Bed at ₹10.99 Cr* | Royal Living Where the Sky Touches Your Dreams Runwal Realty Get Offer Undo Sai Sudharsan: 'County stints reminded me that basics are most important part of batting' "We have a coach who is exceptional and has prepared us really well. Even if we are a very young team you can see how ready we are for these games. I think there is a whole mix of things which have come together to bring us here in the best condition possible -- the club has grown, the incredible coach we have, the quality players who have come in. I think that is why we are here today," Marquinhos added. Despite losing Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid, PSG has achieved a domestic league and cup double this season. They reached the final by eliminating three Premier League teams: Liverpool, Aston Villa, and Arsenal. "Now is the time to get the trophy and bring it home," stated Marquinhos. Ousmane Dembele, who has transformed from a winger to a striker with 33 goals this season, shared his thoughts on the final. "I am really proud to be here in the final. We have worked so hard. It wasn't easy at the start of the campaign but we have changed the dynamic in the second half of the season and it is exceptional to be here in Munich for the final. We feel lots of joy even though we are going to take the game very seriously. " Coach Luis Enrique, who won the Champions League with Barcelona ten years ago, also faces an Italian team in Germany, just as he did when Barcelona defeated Juventus in Berlin. Poll Will PSG secure their first Champions League trophy this Saturday? Yes, they will win! No, they will lose. "Now I have 10 years more experience and I will just try to transmit to the players how great an opportunity it is for us to play a Champions League final. We have the opportunity to make history, to do something nobody else has ever done for this club before, but at the same time we also have to manage our emotions so they don't become too much for us. I think we are prepared, Inter too no doubt, so I think it will be a really great final and of course the aim is to win it," Luis Enrique said. PSG's journey to the final hasn't been smooth, having faced elimination threat during the group stage after a 1-0 loss to Bayern Munich in November, where Dembele was sent off. However, their remarkable recovery in the second half of the season has brought them to the verge of Champions League glory.
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
'You'll never make it' - Aryna Sabalenka slams 'brutal' youth coaches
Aryna Sabalenka reacts winning a point to Serbia's Olga Danilovic during their third round match of the French Tennis Open, at the Roland-Garros stadium (Image via AP /Lindsey Wasson) World number one Aryna Sabalenka may be a three-time Grand Slam winner but the Belarusian revealed Friday how she had been berated and told she would not succeed by coaches as a youngster. On Friday, top-seeded Sabalenka eased into the French Open last 16 with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Serbia's Olga Danilovic on Court Philippe Chatrier. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! The 27-year-old Miami-based played spoke of the cultural difference of the coaching system in Eastern Europe. "I've always been quite motivated and they didn't have to push me," Sabalenka said. "But I have heard a lot saying I'm not smart enough, that I'm stupid, and I'll never make it, and I don't have anything to make it to the top. I guess I want to send a quick message to them to quit their job, because honestly, I think they know nothing and they better quit just to save other players," said the player. The Minsk native won back-to-back Australian Open titles in 2023 and 2024 and the US Open last year. Sai Sudharsan: 'County stints reminded me that basics are most important part of batting' She brushed aside 34th-ranked Danilovic in 79 minutes and next plays 16th-seeded American Amanda Anisimova for a place in the quarter-finals at Roland Garros. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like You will never turn off your computer again. Undo The Belarusian said she felt lucky with her coaching team. "Off court it is important to surround yourself with the right people and have fun with your crew and that's what I'm doing," she said. "I am really grateful to have all of them on my team, we are like family. When I am on court, I am a completely different person, very focused, very aggressive. On the court it is about dreams and I give my all on court." 'Healthier environment' Madrid Open winner Sabalenka has spoken this week of how "the environment and in the history of European countries, we are much tougher". "I definitely think that the environment we have in our countries, which is like very tough and coaches are very brutal, you know, there is nothing nice about the way they work with their players, they (are) quite rude. I think that's why maybe our mentality is much stronger, but also, the same time, they kind of like broke so many players because of that aggressive mindset. I think in Europe and the States, the environment is much healthier. " Poll Who do you think will win the upcoming match between Aryna Sabalenka and Amanda Anisimova? Aryna Sabalenka Amanda Anisimova It's too close to call In Paris, Sabalenka refuses to consider herself a favourite in a tournament where she has never advanced past the semi-finals. "Let's just leave it (the pressure) on Iga (Swiatek) since she won it, what, three times in a row, really, right? Let's just... I will just leave it for her." Amanda Anisimova leads Sabalenka 5-2 in previous meetings. The American is competing in her seventh French Open, having an impressive run to the semi-finals six years ago. She beat Sabalenka in straight sets in the second round in 2019. "When I first got here, I was getting some flashbacks and good memories," said the American who got past 22nd-seeded Dane Clara Tauson 7-6 (7/4), 6-4 in the third round. "Obviously (she's) one of the best right now. She's No. 1. I really enjoy the fight and the challenge that she brings on," said the 23-year-old.
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
'Game isn't over until Jasprit Bumrah's done bowling': AB de Villiers after Mumbai Indians' Eliminator win
Jasprit Bumrah celebrates after taking the wicket of Washington Sundar. (Pic credit: IPL) After Jasprit Bumrah 's clinical spell helped Mumbai Indians (MI) beat Gujarat Titans (GT) by 20 runs in the IPL 2025 Eliminator, former South Africa star AB de Villiers hailed the pacer as the ultimate game-changer, saying, "The game isn't over until Bumrah's done bowling." Speaking on JioHotstar, De Villiers revealed he even told his son the same line before Bumrah returned for his final two overs. "Before Bumrah came back for his last spell, I told my son, 'This game isn't over until he's done bowling.' Once again, he showed why he's one of the best," said De Villiers. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Defending 228/5 in New Chandigarh, MI were under pressure as Sai Sudharsan and Washington Sundar stitched together an 84-run stand. But Bumrah's pinpoint yorker to dismiss Sundar changed the tide. He finished with figures of 1/27 at an economy of 6.75, anchoring MI's bowling effort and restricting GT to 208/6. Who's that IPL player? De Villiers praised MI captain Hardik Pandya 's decision to hold Bumrah back. 'Credit to Hardik for holding Bumrah until the right time. Sai was playing him well, so delaying his return was smart.' Mahela Jayawardene on Rohit Sharma: 'You cannot replace the experience' He also pointed to the dismissal of Sudharsan, the tournament's leading run-scorer, as another key moment. 'That shot had worked all season, but not this time. GT had their chances but faltered when it mattered.' Poll Do you agree with AB de Villiers' statement that 'the game isn't over until Bumrah's done bowling'? Absolutely agree Somewhat agree Disagree MI now head to Qualifier 2 against Punjab Kings in Ahmedabad on Sunday, with the winner set to face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the final on June 3.
