Latest news with #Wassan
Hindustan Times
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
'Can't believe Virat Kohli knew people were dying outside and…': RCB's 'over-the-top' hype blamed for Bengaluru stampede
Neither Royal Challengers Bengaluru nor Virat Kohli could have imagined in their wildest dreams that their IPL victory parade would turn into a tragedy for Bengaluru's cricket fans. Just a day after Kohli and RCB clinched the IPL title, ending a 17-year wait, everything seemed to be unfolding perfectly. The team arrived in Bengaluru from Ahmedabad, eager to share their joy with fans. Little did they know that within hours, their celebration would turn into a nightmare as a stampede erupted outside Chinnaswamy Stadium, tragically claiming 11 lives and injuring 33 others. The tragic stampede outside Chinnaswamy Stadium cast a dark shadow over RCB's IPL victory celebrations, drawing criticism for the team's decision to proceed with the felicitation ceremony inside while chaos erupted outside. Harrowing videos of the incident, which claimed lives and left many injured, continue to circulate online. Upon realising the scale of the tragedy, RCB, including Kohli, promptly offered condolences. However, former India pacer Atul Wassan argues that the players should not be blamed. He was taken aback by the unprecedented hype surrounding RCB's win, noting that none of the nine previous IPL-winning franchises had sparked such fervour. Wassan believes this frenzy, not the players, fuelled the madness in Bengaluru. "Yeah, so very sad, you know, it's tragic what I heard, and it just transpired in front of my eyes because since last night after the match, I've been doing shows, and I saw that relief on Virat's face and the kind of traction. I could see that, and he had made it clear in 2016 when he lost it that it was one of his worst moments. So I think the fans got into this. They bought into this story of Virat that it was such a big thing, and when Virat got it eventually with Anushka and all, that I think is when fans went crazy," Wassan told ANI. Also Read: RCB shown no mercy, IPL champions shredded after stampede outside Chinnaswamy claims 11 lives; 'Owner made big mistake' "But what transpired later on in the morning with the motorcade and the kind of celebrations that over the time triggered over the over euphoria, which I could not believe. I was watching it and I was watching it as a public experiment, as a social experiment that how can a local franchise get so much hype. I was trying to analyse it because Virat has been with them for 18 years. He probably has got everything under the Sun, but he probably felt that because of his skin in the game – with this franchise, he thought that maybe he had to deliver it. So I think it's just the Virat factor, the connect with Virat that the fans have got worldwide." Also Read: 'DISGRACED': BCCI shocked but has 'no role' in Bengaluru stampede that caused deaths, injuries during RCB victory parade Wassan expressed disbelief at the exaggerated hype surrounding RCB's IPL victory, comparing it to surpassing India's World Cup triumph. He praised the IPL and franchises for their brilliant marketing, likening it to how American sports like the NFL or NBA overhype events as the "World Series", despite being local competitions. Wassan argued that this inflated excitement, not politicians, triggered the mishap in Bengaluru, describing it as a nightmare come true. Wassan further noted that rallying such a massive crowd would typically require significant expenses, like providing meals or gifts, but this was a spontaneous outpouring, offering free publicity for the franchises. With RCB's win, Wassan believes they'll increase rates for next year's slots, as this kind of fan connection is priceless. He emphasised that the players weren't to blame, as they were simply celebrating with fans who had supported them for 18 years, aiming to give back to their loyal base.
News18
7 hours ago
- Sport
- News18
'Free Publicity For Politicians': RCB's 'Over The Top Celebrations' Blasted After Bengaluru Stampede
Former India cricketer Atul Wassan has criticised the excessive celebrations following Royal Challengers Bangalore's first Indian Premier League title. Wassan believes the euphoria was disproportionate to the achievement, arguing that winning a domestic competition did not warrant such a response, unlike an Indian World Cup victory.
News18
3 days ago
- Sport
- News18
'He Only Rejects': Gambhir Slammed For 'Not A Selector' Remark On Shreyas Iyer
Last Updated: Atul Wassan criticized Gautam Gambhir for his comment on Shreyas Iyer's omission from India's Test squad for the England tour, arguing that coaches influence team selection. Former India cricketer-turned-commentator Atul Wassan criticised Gautam Gambhir for his remark on Mumbai cricketer Shreyas Iyer's omission from the country's squad for the five-Test tour of England in the summer. A reporter asked Gambhir about the subject, and the men's head coach tried to avoid it with a curt, 'I am not a selector'. Wassan took an objection to it, saying that coaches have a significant role in these decisions and taunting Gambhir for being the one who 'rejects' players instead. 'He doesn't select, he only rejects," Wassan said on the Bails and Banter show on the OTTplay. 'The coach has a role in team selection, and selectors also listen to them before naming the squad," Wassan said. However, Wassan also backed Gambhir for having the team he desired, saying he deserves that freedom whether the selection works or not. 'If he (Gambhir) has been given this position, then I think he deserves to go with his feeling, whether it's right or wrong," Wassan added. Iyer last played Test matches for India against England at home in February 2024. He was dropped midway through the series due to poor form and a back issue. Since then, he has only participated in international white-ball formats. However, his performance in the most recent Ranji Trophy season was impressive: he scored 480 runs at an average of 68.57, including two centuries, as Mumbai reached the tournament's semi-finals. His place in the Test 11 was taken by the likes of Dhruv Jurel and Sarfaraz Khan. For this England tour, his name was doing the rounds again because seniors Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma had both vacated their spots. In the press conference announcing the squad, chief selector Ajit Agarkar was also asked about his absence despite his IPL and white-ball form. Agarkar gave a more detailed answer. 'Shreyas Iyer had a good One-Day series," Agarkar said. 'When the reporter nudged him about Iyer's domestic form, Agarkar said, 'He did well in domestic but at the moment there is no room but if he keeps doing well, I am sure he will find a spot back in test cricket at some stage," he added. Shreyas will lead Punjab Kings in the second Qualifier for IPL 2025 against Mumbai Indians on Sunday. First Published:
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Virat Kohli defended in Musheer Khan ‘ye paani pilaata hai' row: ‘Even if he plays with his own baby, he would…'
Virat Kohli was caught in the middle of a huge storm after a video clip went viral in which he was seemingly seen sledging Punjab Kings' young batter Musheer Khan during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 Qualifier 1. The RCB legend was seen trying to get under the skin of the Mumbai batter. However, the choice of words did not go down well with fans on social media as they criticised the former India captain for trying to intimidate a young batter. Former India pacer Atul Wassan has now commented on the incident, saying things like these can happen on the cricket field. He even joked that Virat would be the same aggressive character if he were playing the sport against his own kids. When Musheer Khan walked out to bat in the ninth over of the PBKS innings, Kohli, who was positioned at first slip, referred to how the right-handed batter had been serving drinks for Punjab Kings in IPL 2025. In the video clip, Kohli was heard saying, 'Yeh paani pilaata hai. (He serves water).' Some fans also tried to come to the aid of Kohli, saying the RCB batter did not insult Musheer as he was just alluding to the fact that Musheer was acting as a water boy minutes before coming out to bat as an impact sub. It must be mentioned that this claim cannot be verified independently by Hindustan Times. However, Wassan said things like this are part and parcel of the game as everyone is equal on the cricket field. 'Virat has a competitive nature; even if he plays with his own baby, he would like to win. One should not feel bad about it. When you are playing the game, consider yourself equal, and don't expect an inch, nor give an inch,' Wassan said on the OTTplay 'Bails and Banter' show. The former India pacer Wassan also said that sledging is a part of the game and people should be allowed to express their emotions as long as they are not going overboard. 'If you can't do the time, don't do the crime. If someone is doing it within the line, it's fine. Sledging is a mixture of sarcasm, wit and being obnoxious,' said Wassan. 'Of course, there should be no physical confrontation, but certain gestures should not be misinterpreted, which entirely depends on the match officials. You have to let people express themselves within the limits,' he added. It must be mentioned that earlier in the IPL 2025 season, Virat Kohli gifted one of his bats to Musheer Khan after the league-stage match between Punjab Kings and RCB. Earlier, RCB defeated Punjab Kings by eight wickets in Qualifier 1 to reach the IPL 2025 final. However, PBKS have another chance of reaching the final as they will take on Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
27-05-2025
- Sport
- First Post
'Coaching is for people who are control-fixed like Gambhir': Former India bowler on why Dhoni won't become a coach
Former India pacer Atul Wassan explained why MS Dhoni is unlikely to become a coach. He said that Dhoni is better suited for a mentor's role rather than a coach. Wassan also called Gambhir a control-fixed, who needs importance, and said that coaching is for people like him. read more Former India fast bowler Atul Wassan believes MS Dhoni will never take up coaching because it doesn't suit his personality or lifestyle. Dhoni played Chennai Super Kings' final league stage game of IPL 2025 on Sunday, where they defeated Gujarat Titans by a huge margin. After the match, Dhoni refused to reveal his future plans and said that he would decide on his retirement during the break. Speaking on OTTPlay, Wassan said Dhoni is better suited to be a mentor than a coach. Wassan explained that coaching is almost like becoming a player again with all the travel, pressure, and planning involved. He said Dhoni wouldn't want to go through that again, suggesting he is enjoying his retirement life after stepping down from national duties. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'I think he is fit for a mentor, but for coaching, Dhoni does not have patience. Because you know if he becomes a coach, then his lifestyle will keep looping the same way, like touring with the team and all that. Why would he want all that?' Wassan said. 'No, coaching is for people who are control-fixed, like Gautam Gambhir, because he needs importance. But mentoring is different. It's more like 'come, have a sit, let's eat together,' and some players come to you on their own. You don't have to be a mentor officially, but mentoring keeps happening around cricket. Players who are close to you will still take advice from you,' he added. Gambhir is the current head coach of the Indian men's cricket team and has past experience of mentoring in IPL for teams like Lucknow Super Giants and Kolkata Knight Riders. Dhoni, on the other hand, has mentored a team only once when he was called for the 2021 T20 World Cup by the Indian team. Dhoni has kept fans guessing about his future after he didn't give a clear answer yet again. He has been doing this for the past couple of seasons now. Next year, Dhoni will be 44 and his place in the team is now being questioned. Though CSK ended IPL 2025 with a big win, they endured their worst season in the history of the league by finishing last for the first time. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Dhoni didn't have a great season with the bat. He scored 196 runs in 14 games, averaging 24.50, and had a strike rate of 135.17, which is much lower than his 220.55 strike rate from the previous season. It will be interesting to see if Dhoni returns as a player or in some other capacity in IPL 2026.
