Latest news with #VivianRichards
Arab News
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
The enduring legend of Virat Kohli
Some cricketers possess an unmistakable presence when they walk out to bat. Vivian Richards of the West Indies was one. He swaggered, smiled, oozed confidence and menace, chewed gum and eschewed a helmet in favor of a cap. His style of entrance may have set a precedent for others to build their own individual brands as cricketers in an era of universal television coverage. Chris Gayle, another West Indian, the self-styled 'Universe Boss,' was one who did that across all formats. An imposing presence as soon as he stepped onto the cricket field, Gayle took to the T20 format very quickly, establishing himself as a free-scoring, aggressive batter to be feared. He also proved himself at Test level, capable of batting at length. In 2010, he batted almost 10 hours in scoring 333 against Sri Lanka, becoming only the fourth batsman to score two Test triples. Both Gayle and Richards now live out of the limelight, their cricketing reputations intact. In previous eras, the great and charismatic players of the time did not have the media exposure that is available to current players. In the immediate years after 1945, Denis Compton of England and Keith Miller of Australia were two players who excited crowds with their charisma, becoming icons at a time of national recovery from war. Compton was one of the first cricketers to be used in consumer advertising, as the face of Brylcreem, a hair cream. It is now commonplace for cricketers to endorse consumer products, other than cricket equipment. A number of them have developed their own brand values. An outstanding example of this is Virat Kohli, who has transcended his ability as a cricketer to become an international icon. His decision to retire from Test cricket, announced on Instagram on May 12 to 271 million followers, has sparked a deluge of tributes. These have focussed on his place in the game and his contribution to it, especially to Test cricket, for which he has been an outspoken champion. In this respect, it is a disappointment to many that Kohli will not be a part of the Indian team that will play five Tests in England between June 20 and Aug. 4. Neither will his successor as captain, Rohit Sharma, who also announced his retirement from Test cricket on May 7. Both players retired from international T20 cricket after India won the T20 World Cup in June 2024, under Sharma's captaincy. The two were different in both batting and leadership styles but have been instrumental in guiding India to recent trophy success. Sharma retires with 4,301 runs in 67 Test matches, averaging 40.57. His recent form has been poor, having made only one 50 in 15 innings since his last Test hundred against England in Dharamsala in March 2024. Sharma was captain in 2024, when India was surprisingly beaten 3-0 at home by New Zealand and 3-1 away by Australia, where he sat out the decisive fifth Test in Sydney. In the same series, Kohli, although scoring a hundred in the first Test, endured a dip in form. His frustrations at what appeared to be waning abilities surfaced in an unseemly incident during the fourth Test at Melbourne. At the end of the tenth over of Australia's innings, 19-year-old debutant, Sam Konstas, walked toward his opening partner at the non-striker's end. He was looking at his gloves, when Kohli, who was walking in the opposite direction from his fielding position, made shoulder contact with Konstas. Commentators remarked that Kohli had walked one whole pitch over to his right and appeared to have instigated the confrontation. Kohli was sanctioned for a breach of conduct and fined 20 percent of his match fees, which he accepted. Perhaps the act was that of an aging lion attempting to curb a rising cub, of whose talent he was envious. Kohli's cricketing persona has been one of aggressiveness, intensity, always eager to join the fray and whip up his team to greater heights, more in the manner of soccer than cricket. This has not endeared him to opposition supporters. I have witnessed and heard comments by English supporters that have been uncomplimentary — not that Kohli has been afraid to take on opposition supporters with words and provocative gestures. There has always been a sense that he has escaped censure for transgressions and acts for which others would have received punishment. On the field, whether fielding, captaining or batting, Kohli's presence and actions were ones that demanded attention. His passion for Test cricket shone through, as evidenced in his retirement statement in which he said, 'I've given it everything I had, and it's given me back so much more than I could've hoped for. I'll always look back at my Test career with a smile.' In it, Kohli scored 9,230 runs in 123 Tests to stand fourth in India's all-time list of Test run-scorers after Tendulkar, Dravid and Gavaskar. He also captained India in 68 of his Tests, winning 40 of them, which makes him the country's most successful leader in the format. Such a record is a reflection not only of his hunger for runs, but his desire to win and for those around him to strive for excellence. His own commitment to physical fitness has become legendary and aspirational for young Indians, who seek to emulate his appearance. It is not clear if there was any single reason for Kohli's decision to retire. One consideration is form. The Test hundred in Australia last November was his first in 15 innings in the previous 16 months. In Australia, he scored 190 runs in nine innings, averaging just 23.75, which compares with a final Test average of 46.85. Since January 2020, he has averaged 30.72, scoring only three centuries in 39 Tests. Another consideration was the curbing, by the national board, of the size and composition of the support groups for players while on tour. One factor that does not seem to have been widely discussed is the impact of Sharma's retirement. Of course, Kohli has not slipped into the shadows. In IPL 2025, he has scored more than 500 runs and he still wishes to play ODI cricket for India. His retirement appears to be a carefully managed process. Off the field, his brand value and product endorsement strategy has been carefully curated to mirror his fitness-oriented lifestyle, fashion sense, family orientation and appeal across the whole Indian demographic. Kohli has also invested in a number of start-up ventures to ensure exposure outside of mainstream advertising. Unlike other famous cricketers, he will not be living quietly in retirement. There is little doubt that Virat Kohli has an aura about him on and off the pitch. He leaves a huge gap in the Test arena and there is a worry that his advocacy of it may not be continued by his successors. Kohli has said that, 'There's something deeply personal about playing in whites. The quiet grind, the long days, the small moments that no-one sees but that stay with you forever.' Self-reflection is not a characteristic that springs immediately to mind about Kohli, who admits that the journey has 'tested me, shaped me and taught me lessons I'll carry for life.' He leaves an indelible mark on both Indian and global cricket in which his stature was invariably imperial, not just when going out to bat.
Fashion Value Chain
22-05-2025
- Business
- Fashion Value Chain
Parimatch Launches Exclusive Markets Curated by Cricket Legend Sir Vivian Richards
As the Indian T20 League approaches its final stage, the excitement and tension are reaching a fever pitch. To keep the energy high, Parimatch has introduced a series of exclusive markets, curated by none other than cricketing legend and sharp-eyed sports analyst Sir Vivian Richards. Renowned for his fearless playing style and unmatched cricketing IQ, Sir Vivian Richards has partnered with Parimatch to bring fans even closer to the game. As part of this collaboration, he has curated key markets where every fan can channel their passion and prediction skills. This is your chance to wrap up the Indian T20 League on a smart note-with expert-guided predictions and the opportunity to win big along the way. Parimatch Launches Exclusive Markets Curated by Cricket Legend Sir Vivian Richards Exclusive Markets Curated by Sir Vivian Richards: IPL 2025: Playoff Top 4 – Which teams will seal their spot in the final four IPL 2025: Cap Contenders – Who's chasing the Orange and Purple Caps Make your call! IPL 2025: Most Catches – Predict the safest hands in the outfield. IPL 2025: Champion Prediction – It all comes down to this: who will lift the trophy Sir Vivian Richards commented,'The Indian Cricket League is full of surprises, but there are always patterns if you know where to look. With Parimatch, we've created markets that highlight the most decisive moments of the tournament-the ones I'd be watching closely if I were in the fans' shoes.' Running until June 3, 2025, the Indian T20 League promises high-stakes action. Parimatch invites fans to explore exclusive markets and win big on their favourite players and teams-all the way to the final. For the latest updates and to explore other exclusive markets, please visit Parimatch's official website.
Fashion Value Chain
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Fashion Value Chain
Peter England Launches ‘League of Legends' with Cricket Icons
Peter England, the iconic menswear label from Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Ltd., has launched a powerful new campaign titled 'The League of Legends', celebrating cricket's unmatched legacy with the help of Kapil Dev, Sir Vivian Richards, and Harsha Bhogle. Timed with the IPL season, the campaign goes beyond the boundaries of sport to introduce 'The Gentlemen's League Collection', a cricket-inspired fashion line that fuses timeless style with legendary spirit. The campaign features four cinematic films: Two dramatized stories showcase Kapil Dev and Sir Vivian Richards mentoring young players, donning collection pieces that embody their legendary poise and strength. Two heartfelt reaction films capture their emotional responses to tribute tees—the '83' and '79' shirts , celebrating their respective World Cup triumphs. Harsha Bhogle's narration adds a rich, nostalgic layer to the storytelling. Kapil Dev said, 'The '83 design brings back a flood of memories. Cricket teaches grace—this collection captures that perfectly.' Sir Vivian Richards added, 'Cricket and confidence go hand in hand. That '79 tee? That's not a shirt—it's a legacy.' Harsha Bhogle, now in his second season with the brand, shared, 'Cricket is storytelling. This campaign lets every fan feel that emotion.' Anil S Kumar, CBO of Peter England, noted, 'Cricket is legacy. And this campaign is our tribute—to the legends and the style they inspire.' The collection—featuring limited-edition polos and graphic tees—is now live across 240+ stores, IPL coverage, leading digital platforms, and on-ground brand activations.
News18
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Neena Gupta On Having Masaba After Affair With Vivian Richards: 'Some Suggested Abortion'
Last Updated: In her book, Neena Gupta said she met Vivian Richards at a dinner and started an affair. In 1989, when Neena Gupta found out she was expecting a child, she was overjoyed — but she also knew the road ahead wouldn't be easy. Choosing to have the baby as a single woman was a courageous decision, made more complex by the fact that the father was West Indies cricket legend Vivian Richards, and they weren't married. In her memoir Sach Kahun Toh, Neena recounted feeling an initial rush of happiness upon learning she was pregnant. Still, she wanted to talk to Vivian before making a final decision. When he said he supported her, she felt relieved. In her book, Neena Gupta said she met Vivian Richards at a dinner after watching him play cricket. They got along quickly but lost contact. Later, they met again at Delhi airport and started seeing each other. Neena became pregnant after Vivian had returned home. 'Vivian and I had an affair and I got pregnant. He had already returned home when I found out," she wrote. She continued, 'Some people advised me to get an abortion. Others cautioned against the perils of being a single parent. I listened to everyone patiently. They were all very concerned, I know. But once I was back home and alone, I asked myself: What do you think? How does this make you feel? The answer was: I was giddy with joy," she wrote. She thought about it quietly and realised she was truly happy about the pregnancy. She asked Vivian if he had a problem with her having his baby. 'I also understood that I wasn't the only person who had a say in the situation. The baby's father, Vivian, had an equal right. So, I called him one day and spoke to him for a long time. 'I'm pregnant', I told him. 'Would you have a problem if I were to have your baby?' Vivian sounded happy and said I should go ahead. This assured me that I was doing the right thing. As much as I wanted this child, I also did not want to go ahead if the father wasn't on board. So, it came as a relief when Vivian supported my decision." After Masaba was born, Vivian Richards stayed as involved as he could. He was married, and because they lived in different countries, their relationship was not easy and changed over time. 'Our relationship continued on and off for a few years and we had some beautiful moments and also some ugly ones. It was long distance and a very different kind of relationship," she wrote. Masaba Gupta shares a close relationship with her father, Vivian Richards. First Published:
Time of India
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Peter England endures the cricket legacy with Kapil Dev, Sir. Vivian Richards and Harsha Bhogle
Peter England , a menswear brand from Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail has released a new campaign titled ' The League of Legends '. The campaign is a stirring tribute to the timeless spirit of cricket and its enduring legacy, brought to life by cricketing icons Vivian Richards , Kapil Dev and the voice of international cricket himself, Harsha Bhogle . The brand has taken a bold step by uniting cricket lovers with a dash of fashion —not for sports jerseys, but to create a cricket-inspired collection , 'The League of Legends' collection- an extension to the brands existing 'The Gentleman's League' Collection. At the heart of the campaign are four cinematic films that blend nostalgia, mentorship and personal legacy. Two of these brand films feature cricketing icons Dev and Richards as they step in to guide young players through moments of doubt and pressure, offering wisdom and quiet strength drawn from their own legendary careers. Clad in key pieces from the collection, the legends embody timeless grace and strength. Bhogle's evocative commentary ties the scenes together, elevating the emotional impact. Complementing these are the third and fourth reaction films, where the legends first lay eyes on their tribute tees—the '83' and '79' T-shirts with their iconic poses—designed to honour their World Cup triumphs. The emotion is raw and real, capturing just how much the game—and its legacy—continues to mean to them. Dev shared, 'This campaign brought back so many emotions. To see the spirit of '83 captured in a design—it's very special and I'm grateful to Peter England for making this. I've always believed cricket teaches you how to carry yourself. This collection does exactly that—with style and pride.' Richards said, 'Style is about confidence. And cricket—well, that's a game of confidence. It's amazing to see a collection that reflects both. That '79 tee? That's not just a t-shirt. That's history. And I'm honoured that Peter England chose me.' Bhogle added, 'This is my second season with Peter England, and I've enjoyed being a part of the brands journey in creating fashion for the cricket lover. Cricket is a narrative—a beautiful, unpredictable story. Lending my voice to these films was about celebrating those stories. I think every cricket lover will feel that same emotion when they watch this campaign.' Anil S Kumar, chief business officer, Peter England said, 'With legends like Kapil Dev, Sir Vivian Richards on board, we're paying our humble tribute to the game and everything it stands for. We love how the voice of international cricket, Harsha Bhogle himself has added passion and a real feel of commentary to our films. The League of Legends is about inspiring individuals to carry that same spirit—on and off the field.' The campaign is currently live across more than 240 stores, featuring on IPL and major digital platforms, and a series of on-ground activations, amplified through strategic content collaborations and immersive experiences.
