THE HIMALAYAN MAIL JAMMU Q SATURDAY Q OCTOBER 31, 2020 11

Steve Smith says 'no chance' 'You light up my world' ndian tennis star 'Happy birthday to this Sania Mirza and her boy who lights up my of playing Big Bash IPakistani cricketer world, who is my world NEW DELHI, OCT husband Shoaib Malik and who changed my 30: Former Australia cap- wished their son Izhaan world. We love you much, tain has ruled Mirza Malik on his second my baby boy. You give us himself out of the upcom- birthday. so much unconditional ing Big Bash League to The doting parents took love, happiness laughs and avoid spending more time to their respective Insta- cuddles that it fills up our in a bio-secure environ- gram handles and posted heart.' ment. adorable birthday wishes 'May Allah guide you Star Australian crick- for their little munchkin. and give you everything eters including Smith Taking to Instagram, you wish forever. We love have been in a bio-bubble Mirza said her son 'lights you more than anything or since August when they up' her 'whole world'. anyone in this world. toured England before The doting mommy @izhaan.mirzamalik.' moving to the protected posted a candid click of lit- 'Feeling complete with environment of the IPL in tle Izhaan and poured her my own, little world!', September. heart out in a long note. daddy Shoaib noted. "I'll be honest with you – absolutely no chance," Smith told News Corp, highlighting the mental Stokes' success mantra: 'I am never strain on players who have been away from home since August. happy with where I am as player' Smith's colleagues David Warner and Pat His peers, seniors and game against Mumbai Indi- Cummins are also expected the IPL, said he took the de- with coaches, general man- Smith said a player needs even critics can't help being ans with a splendid hun- to miss this year's BBL. cision considering the ad- agers, whoever, to ensure to spend some time nor- in awe of the brilliance that dred. The pull outs, if happen, verse affect of bio-bubbles, that people are keeping mally to get out of the men- defines Ben Stokes' career For someone blessed with are in complete contrast to which includes staying their head space in a rea- tal trauma associated with but the World Cup-winning equal finesse in both as- the wishes of Aus- away from family for a sonable place." a life inside a bio-bubble. English cricketer prefers pects of the game, Stokes tralia's broadcast rights longer period of time than "Then there's obviously "When guys are starting being mostly unhappy with believes that bowling to a holders, Seven and Foxtel, expected. going to be questions to find things a bit tough his performances to ensure technically gifted player like who are desperate for top "It's still early days with around selection. If some- mentally from just living in that he never stops improv- England Joe Root international players partic- the bubbles. We don't know one takes some time off be- the bubble, being able to get ing. and batting against the likes ipation in the latter stages how long it's going to last cause they've been in the out - even if it might just be a In the form of his life for of James Anderson and of the league. for. There's an uncertainty bubble for a long time and few days of being normal the past few years, the 29- Stuart Broad in the nets has While making his mind there," Smith said. then someone comes in and might be a real help. Those year-old already has 7000 helped him "massively"."It clear, Smith, who is the cap- "It's just going to be about plays well, do they take their conversations need to be plus runs and more than helps massively to improve tain of Rajasthan Royals in having open conversations spot?" had," he said. 270 across formats Whether it's being the a prepared players to under- as an all-rounder when you and finds his name men- central figure in a tense stand what the sense of oc- are bowling against some- tioned alongside the likes of World Cup final or an epic casion means. one like Rooty (Root) or Ian Botham and Andrew Play-off berth secured, Mumbai Ashes hundred at Leed's, "IPL is an amazing learn- batting against two greatest Flintoff. Stokes admits that the occa- ing curve and you get to England fast bowlers The Rajasthan Royals all- sion does play on the mind play alongside and against (Broad and Anderson) is rounder revealed how he of every player even if he some of the best players in test in itself. Indians eyeing to spoil DC's party transformed into a world tries to shut the outside the world. You get to pick "They are going to test support in the middle beater in the past couple of noise. their brains," said the left- you in every aspect of the overs. years. Asked, how he keeps hander. game and when you have a DC, on the other hand, "Experience. The more calm for big games, Stokes "...you get to play in front bat or ball in your hand, it's need to pull up their socks you play, the more you replied: "System of the of sold-out houses and get an amazing challenge you quickly after a hat-trick of learn about yourself. You game." exposed to that kind of an have for 20 minutes or half defeats. are able to understand dif- "It begins around with atmosphere. Just getting an hour at the nets." Their batsmen crumbled ferent things and different people picking the game up used to every ball in IPL is "You might not get Rooty under pressure against situations. Constantly, I (hype). That's not to say we an occasion and the energy out but you will know that SRH in their last game and have never been happy with don't get nervous or feel that they bring is a big you have bowled well. Simi- were bundled out for 131 where I am as a player," anxious about the occasion. thing," he added. larly against Jimmy and while chasing an imposing Stokes said, giving a insight It's normal. "Once you get used to it, Broad, if you don't get out 220-run target. into his mind. "It's all about embracing you get comfortable with a even if you haven't scored (471 "I am always trying to the situation and dealing high pressure environ- off them, you come out with evolve. I am still trying to runs) has been in blazing with it in the right way with- ment." a sense of accomplishment work on my strengths and form for DC, with two cen- out being overcome by it. At The question that didn't that two greats of the game that's how I score runs and turies but needs support the end of the day, it's a remotely amuse him was hadn't been able to get you take wickets. You don't for- from the likes of Ajinkya game of cricket whether it's about the fact that before out. get that. But also doing Rahane, who has replaced an Ashes Test or World Cup the start of the game against "Sometimes, you want to away with my weaknesses , skipper final," the answer seemed , he hadn't practice playing the short which makes me more con- , Rishabh simpler than actual execu- hit a six for more than 100 ball and you might get out sistent as a player," said the Pant, tion. deliveries. five or six times in the nets. man from Durham, who is and . Talking about big games "It's a pretty pointless stat But having said that, getting always feared by opponents The South African pace and Stokes speaks about to be written about," he that kind of practice in the for his game-changing abil- duo of (23 how the Indian Premier said, having anchored a nets against those guys is ities. wickets) and League, over the years, has chase for Royals in the last awesome." (15) have been exceptional for DC, barring an off day for the latter against SRH. Why defeat to CSK could NEW DELHI, OCT 30: task as their last two games cylinders. and Their play-off berth se- are against the top two would have been erratic off late cured, defending champi- teams on the table -- MI be hoping to continue his and need to come good. ons Mumbai Indians would and Royal Challengers sublime form despite a Teams (from): prove very costly for KKR look to add to the woes of Bangalore. rare failure against RCB Mumbai Indians: Rohit , who are on a If DC lose their last two and so would Ishan Kis- NEW DELHI, OCT 30: Sharma (C), , three-match losing streak, games, it is entirely possi- han, who has been a reve- The defeat against Chennai Anmolpreet Singh, Anukul and consolidate their posi- ble that KXIP will go past lation., Super Kings has made quali- Roy, , Dhawal tion at the top when the two them on NRR even if they who was ignored for In- fying for the play-offs tougher teams face each other in finish on 14 points and in dia's tour of Australia de- Kulkarni, Digvijay Desh- for their penultimate IPL such a case, the Delhi side spite his scintillating form mukh, , Is- and chief mentor David league game, in Dubai, on could be eliminated if this season, made a state- han Kishan, James Patti- Hussey is not a pleased man. Saturday. other teams on 14 have a ment with a match-win- son, , KKR bowlers could not de- Chennai Super Kings six- higher NRR. ning 79 against RCB the , Kieron Pol- fend a decent 172-run total, win over Kolkata Going by paper, MI defi- other day.He along with De lard, , losing the game to CSK by six Knight Riders on Thursday nitely have a clear-cut edge Kock and Kishan can take Mitchell McClenaghan, wickets on Thursday. sealed MI's play-off berth. over DC and having con- any attack to cleaners. Mohsin Khan, Nathan The result meant that KKR The defending champions firmed their last four berth, Saurabh Tiwary though Coulter-Nile, Prince Bal- stay in fifth place in the points are currently on 16 points the title holders would be needs to convert his starts want Rai, Quinton De table with 12 points from 13 and with an excellent net playing without any pres- into big scores, while Kock, , games. They not only need to run rate (NRR), are almost sure. Hardik Pandya, stand-in Saurabh Tiwary, Sherfane win their last league stage certain to finish in the top Regular skipper Rohit captain and Rutherford, Suryakumar game but also need two. Sharma, who missed the Krunal Pandya are known Yadav, . favourable results from other Despite three defeats on last three games due to a for their six-hitting Delhi Capitals: Shreyas matches. the trot against Kings XI left-leg hamstring injury, is prowess.MI bowlers made Iyer (C), Kagiso Rabada, "We have put ourselves in Punjab, KKR and Sunris- unlikely to take the field a spectacular comeback Marcus Stoinis, Sandeep this position by losing games ers Hyderabad, DC are again on Saturday, but against RCB after the ham- Lamichhane, Ajinkya Ra- but we are still breathing in placed third with 14 points there is no substantial mering they received hane, Ravichandran Ash- the competition," Hussey Hussey said that Chennai he said. David Hussey praised from 12 games, courtesy word from the MI manage- against Rajasthan Royals. win, Shikhar Dhawan, said after the match. Super Kings played well and "I thought 175 was par... opener Nitish Rana for his their consistent run in the ment in this regard yet. Jasprit Bumrah (20 Shimron Hetmyer, Alex "In a few days' time, we are credited Ambati Rayudu and full credit to Chennai. Their splendid innings of 87, which first phase of the league. While MI had roared wickets) and Trent Boult Carey, Mohit Sharma, going to recharge our batter- young Ruturaj Gaikwad for second wicket partnership guided KKR to 172. The three defeats should back to form after thrash- (17 wickets) have been Prithvi Shaw, Lalit Yadav, ies and come out and play come as an eye opener for ing RCB by five-wickets in lethal both upfront and at free-flowing cricket. You their splendid batting effort. batsmen Rayudu and the "Yeah...Rana. He has had a , , "Every defeat is difficult. youngster from Maharashtra very good tournament. A DC as they can ill-afford to the last game, there are the death, while James Pat- Tushar Deshpande, never know what could hap- pen, results go our way and But full credit to Chennai, (Gaikwad) was sublime and very consistent tournament. take things lightly and problems aplenty for DC. tinson (11 wickets) and spin , Harshal Pa- we can shock a few teams in they deserved the win. They went a long way in winning In the last few innings he has need at least a win to seal MI are unlikely to tinker duo of Rahul Chahar (14 tel, Keemo Paul, Pravin the playoffs," the Australian bowled and fielded well and the game for Chennai," he been a consistent player for their play-off place. with the playing XI, with wickets) and Krunal (5 Dubey, Anrich Nortje, added. then they chased the total," said. KKR," he said. But it won't be an easy their top-order firing on all wickets) has provided great Daniel Sams.