Sourav Ganguly was still Indian cricket's first among equals when MS Dhoni made his debut against Pakistan in 2005. By then, he was already known in Kolkata, with tales of his six-hitting exploits in league cricket part of an urban legend. With so few top cricketers from East Zone, Kolkata quickly embraced him as one of their own.
It was to stay that way for another couple of years. Then, newly appointed captain of the one-day team and with a Twenty20 World Cup already secured, Dhoni started to push for generational change. The selectors were informed of his preference for youth, and a reluctance to keep faith in leg-weary veterans.
Overnight, the good people of Kolkata changed their perceptions. The influential media coterie that surrounded Ganguly openly labelled Dhoni "Judas" or "Brutus". When Ganguly made his final Test appearance a year later in Nagpur, Dhoni requested him to attend the final press conference after the series win against Australia had been clinched.
It was further evidence of the tact that Ravi Shastri says makes him such an outstanding captain.
"He treats everyone equally," he says. "But he also knows that there are several players who have been around a long time who deserve that respect."
Today, Dhoni takes his side into the cauldron-like atmosphere of Eden Gardens to take on a Knight Riders team unrecognisable from the rabble that stunk up South Africa last year. The Super Kings were routed by the Deccan Chargers on home turf, and must take on a Kolkata team with a perfect record after two outings.
Having started last year's tournament with John Buchanan's multiple-captain theory and with Ganguly replaced as leader by Brendon McCullum, the Knight Riders won just three of their 14 games. By the end of it all, McCullum looked as pale as Banquo's ghost, as his team discovered new and innovative ways to botch up games.
Buchanan is now gone, and Dav Whatmore, who has replaced him, prefers the language of simplicity to Sun Tzu's Art of War. McCullum too is back to being a foot-soldier, with Ganguly once again the main man. After Sunday's facile victory over the Bangalore Royal Challengers, Ganguly spoke of how things had changed.
"Everyone deserves credit," he said when asked about the rever-sal of fortune. "The support staff, the mindset, the atmosphere within the team, everything has changed. In Twenty20, it's all about playing freely."
Even without Chris Gayle, McCullum, David Hussey and Shane Bond, all away on international duty, the Knight Riders have looked far more balanced and purposeful. Angelo Mathews has been the all-round star, following up a dashing half-century in the tournament opener with a miserly spell of 4 for 19.
Manoj Tiwary, back from exile in Delhi, gave the Eden crowd a glimpse of the potential that made him India's hottest batting prospect three years ago, while Murali Kartik, with considerable experience of the county game, is the perfect spinner for this abbreviated format.
Most importantly, there's Charl Langeveldt, South Africa's canniest T20 bowler.
He played just once last season, taking three wickets in a game the Knight Riders won, and his continued exclusion was indicative of just how much Buchanan had lost the plot.
Langeveldt and Ishant Sharma will face their sternest test against the Super Kings. Matthew Hayden and his new-design bat offer the most formidable of obstacles, and those that follow are no slouches when it comes to clearing the rope.
On a sluggish Kolkata pitch though, spin could hold the key. Muttiah Muralitharan and Ravichandran Ashwin give Chennai an edge there and if the rejuvenated Knight Riders can see off that challenge, the dream of going from last to first, as the Chargers did last year, won't appear to be so unreal after all.
sports@thenational.ae
Dileep Premachandran is Associate Editor at Cricinfo and the Asian cricket correspondent of The Guardian
Company profile
Company name: Suraasa
Started: 2018
Founders: Rishabh Khanna, Ankit Khanna and Sahil Makker
Based: India, UAE and the UK
Industry: EdTech
Initial investment: More than $200,000 in seed funding
Ticket prices
- Golden circle - Dh995
- Floor Standing - Dh495
- Lower Bowl Platinum - Dh95
- Lower Bowl premium - Dh795
- Lower Bowl Plus - Dh695
- Lower Bowl Standard- Dh595
- Upper Bowl Premium - Dh395
- Upper Bowl standard - Dh295
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power: 154bhp
Torque: 250Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic with 8-speed sports option
Price: From Dh79,600
On sale: Now
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
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%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20The%20digitisation%20of%20financial%20services%20will%20continue%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Managing%20and%20using%20data%20effectively%20will%20become%20a%20competitive%20advantage%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Digitisation%20will%20require%20continued%20adjustment%20of%20operating%20models%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20Banks%20will%20expand%20their%20role%20in%20the%20customer%20life%20through%20ecosystems%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%E2%80%A2%20The%20structure%20of%20the%20sector%20will%20change%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
THE DETAILS
Deadpool 2
Dir: David Leitch
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Josh Brolin, Justin Dennison, Zazie Beetz
Four stars
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo
Power: 268hp at 5,600rpm
Torque: 380Nm at 4,800rpm
Transmission: CVT auto
Fuel consumption: 9.5L/100km
On sale: now
Price: from Dh195,000
Farasan Boat: 128km Away from Anchorage
Director: Mowaffaq Alobaid
Stars: Abdulaziz Almadhi, Mohammed Al Akkasi, Ali Al Suhaibani
Rating: 4/5
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Squid Game season two
Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk
Stars: Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun
Rating: 4.5/5
The specs
Engine: 2-litre or 3-litre 4Motion all-wheel-drive Power: 250Nm (2-litre); 340 (3-litre) Torque: 450Nm Transmission: 8-speed automatic Starting price: From Dh212,000 On sale: Now
How to donate
Text the following numbers:
2289 - Dh10
6025 - Dh 20
2252 - Dh 50
2208 - Dh 100
6020 - Dh 200
*numbers work for both Etisalat and du
Racecard
2pm Handicap Dh 90,000 1,800m
2.30pm Handicap Dh120,000 1,950m
3pm Handicap Dh105,000 1,600m
3.30pm Jebel Ali Classic Conditions Dh300,000 1,400m
4pm Maiden Dh75,000 1,600m
4.30pm Conditions Dh250,000 1,400m
5pm Maiden Dh75,000 1,600m
5.30pm Handicap Dh85,000 1,000m
The National selections:
2pm Arch Gold
2.30pm Conclusion
3pm Al Battar
3.30pm Golden Jaguar
4pm Al Motayar
4.30pm Tapi Sioux
5pm Leadership
5.30pm Dahawi
Countdown to Zero exhibition will show how disease can be beaten
Countdown to Zero: Defeating Disease, an international multimedia exhibition created by the American Museum of National History in collaboration with The Carter Center, will open in Abu Dhabi a month before Reaching the Last Mile.
Opening on October 15 and running until November 15, the free exhibition opens at The Galleria mall on Al Maryah Island, and has already been seen at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta, the American Museum of Natural History in New York, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
Need to know
Unlike other mobile wallets and payment apps, a unique feature of eWallet is that there is no need to have a bank account, credit or debit card to do digital payments.
Customers only need a valid Emirates ID and a working UAE mobile number to register for eWallet account.
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Company%20Profile
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Grand Slam Los Angeles results
Men:
56kg – Jorge Nakamura
62kg – Joao Gabriel de Sousa
69kg – Gianni Grippo
77kg – Caio Soares
85kg – Manuel Ribamar
94kg – Gustavo Batista
110kg – Erberth Santos
Women:
49kg – Mayssa Bastos
55kg – Nathalie Ribeiro
62kg – Gabrielle McComb
70kg – Thamara Silva
90kg – Gabrieli Pessanha
SM Town Live is on Friday, April 6 at Autism Rocks Arena, Dubai. Tickets are Dh375 at www.platinumlist.net
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Kanguva
Director: Siva
Stars: Suriya, Bobby Deol, Disha Patani, Yogi Babu, Redin Kingsley
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
