It only took a small dust storm. Before they could realise what was happening, confused women and children, trying to exit an overcrowded 'satsang' ceremony in Hathras, were crushed to death in one of the most disastrous stampedes in Indian history. The death toll in the tragedy in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh is at least 121.

Coming from a country that has religion, idols, and ‘godmen' among its priorities, stampedes don’t surprise me anymore. Too many have happened in the past, and more will probably happen in the future though one wishes otherwise. But the most important question is never answered, because no one asks: When will we ever get over the blind beliefs that make us ignore safety hazards?

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/hathras-religious-event-stampede-kills-27-including-25-women-737145">India: Stampede at religious event in UP’s Hathras kills 121, mostly women; PM assures help</a>

Personally while writing this piece, I have a feeling of Déjà vu. A similar incident happened last year in my hometown, Indore, in the central state of Madhya Pradesh.&nbsp;

At least 36 people died when a slab constructed on top of an ancient ‘bawdi’, or well, collapsed during a ‘havan’ programme held on the occasion of Ram Navami at a temple. People were quick to protest outside the temple, blaming the government for the incident. But what led to the incident?&nbsp;

Not only was the well old but the construction was illegal, and done without the notice of the Indore Municipal Corporation. If I think of it, I will look at it as: when a restaurant is considered to be good, the owner tries to enlarge the accommodation. So did the temple trust. Just so that it could accommodate more devotees and gain more offerings.&nbsp;

Also watch |&nbsp;Hathras Stampede: Death toll reaches 121, hunt on for 'godman'

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/hathras-stampede-death-toll-reaches-121-hunt-on-for-godman-737445/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

Blame the Indore municipal corporation as much as you want, but do you think the government or their “decisions” have ever stopped a religious or spiritual organisation&nbsp; that has “supporters” from doing something? Had the IMC stopped the construction, it would have been slammed as atheists, and creating a ruckus before still constructing the illegal slab would have been the way out.&nbsp;

According to an April 2024 update of the case, the water department and a few people from IMC have been held responsible, but “any action is yet to be taken”. The temple trust is yet to get a mention, let alone punishment. Even if they weren’t directly responsible for the incident that took place, they knew the risks and yet they carried the rituals with looming danger.&nbsp;

The construction was completely demolished after the incident and Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced ex-gratia for the kin of the dead and injured. But was that enough? “A legal action will be taken” are just a few words that the people who suffer hear as an assurance, but are those enough? No money will bring back their loved ones, no bulldozing will act as a relief. “Strict actions will be taken”, they say. And words they are.

About Indore, I talk&nbsp; with so much compassion, but that doesn't mean other incidents were not something that brings me to chills.&nbsp;

I remember how my family was shaken in 2005 when news broke out that 340 devotees were killed during a pilgrimage at Mandhardevi temple in Maharashtra’s Satara after some people fell down on the slippery steps due to water from coconuts broken for rituals. Three years later, around 250 devotees were trampled to death in a stampede triggered by bomb blast rumours at Chamunda Devi temple in Rajasthan’s Jodhpur and there was another major uproar.

Recently, such incidents have started getting closer to superstitious beliefs. Reports from Hathras suggest the devotees were chasing self-styled godman Narayan Sakar Hari, also known as ‘Bhole Baba’, for his pairon ki dhool or the sacred soil that touched his feet.

Bhole Baba’s followers came from diverse backgrounds, many of them from the marginalised SC/ST, OBC and Muslim communities. These are communities that often feel left out by society, the police or the law. Clinging on to faith, they get crushed by superstitions. Superstition that sacred soil will change their life. Or at least God will listen to them through this man it sent.&nbsp;

Rural areas are more vulnerable to these godmen who sell them hope and spirituality as relief from their day-to-day troubles. Their villages are also prone to infrastructural issues, narrow or unclear exit gates, overcrowding and a lack of awareness about stampede prevention, which create a dangerous combination for devotees.

‘Bhole Baba’ donned many hats and tried various professions — ex-cop, intel officer and farmer — before his supposed “divine encounter”. He is now an absconding criminal. So, when the families of the dead and injured need it the most, they don’t have anyone. Viral videos from hours after the incident have shown family members of the victims pleading for ambulances, senior officers, or any kind of medical help to just placate the chaos that had fallen upon them.

This begs the questios: Where are the saviors now? Weren’t they protecting devotees from evil?&nbsp;

Superstitions around the world are getting so deep-rooted that even death is becoming negotiable. When the stampede becomes fatal, some devotees assume that at least their lives were sacrificed for the deities.&nbsp;

Islamic tradition is said to hold that being buried in Mecca after passing away is a blessing, and many Muslims make the pilgrimage in their later years after saving money all their youth. Old age, cramped spaces, and devotion to one small point in the area is the same recipe for stampedes. In 2015, 2,400 pilgrims died during the Hajj but many families of the deceased were grateful that at least Allah accepted their Hajj.&nbsp;

India has been treading on a similarly dangerous path for a while now. According to a 2013 study published in the International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, religious gatherings and pilgrimages account for 79 per cent of stampede incidents in the country. The fact that many significant temples are situated on hills, riverbanks, or other uneven terrains plays a big role.

Most incidents have similar common threads: poor amenities, narrow exits,&nbsp; a superstitious trigger, ignorance from authorities to follow the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)’s crowd management recommendations published in 2014 and inefficient responses.

The biggest common thread, though, is the inability to take lessons and action. With every stampede, it seems that people don’t get shocked by 150 deaths anymore. There are no protests, no demands of accountability and the grief becomes exclusive to the kin once the news value runs its course.&nbsp;

Religion is a sensitive and sacred matter in India, and rightfully so. But until the dangers of superstitions and the sensitivity to separate all of it from human lives are taken equally seriously, a solution for one of India’s biggest issues will remain elusive.

(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

It only took a small dust storm. Before they could realise what was happening, confused women and children, trying to exit an overcrowded 'satsang' ceremony in Hathras, were crushed to death in one of the most disastrous stampedes in Indian history.

It only took a small dust storm. Before they could realise what was happening, confused women and children, trying to exit an overcrowded 'satsang' ceremony in Hathras, were crushed to death in one of the most disastrous stampedes in Indian history. The death toll in the tragedy in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh is at least 121. Coming from a country that has religion, idols, and ‘godmen' among its priorities, stampedes don’t surprise me anymore. Too many have happened in the past, and more will probably happen in the future though one wishes otherwise. But the most important question is never answered, because no one asks: When will we ever get over the blind beliefs that make us ignore safety hazards? Also read | India: Stampede at religious event in UP’s Hathras kills 121, mostly women; PM assures help Personally while writing this piece, I have a feeling of Déjà vu. A similar incident happened last year in my hometown, Indore, in the central state of Madhya Pradesh. At least 36 people died when a slab constructed on top of an ancient ‘bawdi’, or well, collapsed during a ‘havan’ programme held on the occasion of Ram Navami at a temple. People were quick to protest outside the temple, blaming the government for the incident. But what led to the incident? Not only was the well old but the construction was illegal, and done without the notice of the Indore Municipal Corporation. If I think of it, I will look at it as: when a restaurant is considered to be good, the owner tries to enlarge the accommodation. So did the temple trust. Just so that it could accommodate more devotees and gain more offerings. Also watch | Hathras Stampede: Death toll reaches 121, hunt on for 'godman' × Blame the Indore municipal corporation as much as you want, but do you think the government or their “decisions” have ever stopped a religious or spiritual organisation that has “supporters” from doing something? Had the IMC stopped the construction, it would have been slammed as atheists, and creating a ruckus before still constructing the illegal slab would have been the way out. According to an April 2024 update of the case, the water department and a few people from IMC have been held responsible, but “any action is yet to be taken”. The temple trust is yet to get a mention, let alone punishment. Even if they weren’t directly responsible for the incident that took place, they knew the risks and yet they carried the rituals with looming danger. The construction was completely demolished after the incident and Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced ex-gratia for the kin of the dead and injured. But was that enough? “A legal action will be taken” are just a few words that the people who suffer hear as an assurance, but are those enough? No money will bring back their loved ones, no bulldozing will act as a relief. “Strict actions will be taken”, they say. And words they are. About Indore, I talk with so much compassion, but that doesn't mean other incidents were not something that brings me to chills. I remember how my family was shaken in 2005 when news broke out that 340 devotees were killed during a pilgrimage at Mandhardevi temple in Maharashtra’s Satara after some people fell down on the slippery steps due to water from coconuts broken for rituals. Three years later, around 250 devotees were trampled to death in a stampede triggered by bomb blast rumours at Chamunda Devi temple in Rajasthan’s Jodhpur and there was another major uproar. Recently, such incidents have started getting closer to superstitious beliefs. Reports from Hathras suggest the devotees were chasing self-styled godman Narayan Sakar Hari, also known as ‘Bhole Baba’, for his pairon ki dhool or the sacred soil that touched his feet. Bhole Baba’s followers came from diverse backgrounds, many of them from the marginalised SC/ST, OBC and Muslim communities. These are communities that often feel left out by society, the police or the law. Clinging on to faith, they get crushed by superstitions. Superstition that sacred soil will change their life. Or at least God will listen to them through this man it sent. Rural areas are more vulnerable to these godmen who sell them hope and spirituality as relief from their day-to-day troubles. Their villages are also prone to infrastructural issues, narrow or unclear exit gates, overcrowding and a lack of awareness about stampede prevention, which create a dangerous combination for devotees. ‘Bhole Baba’ donned many hats and tried various professions — ex-cop, intel officer and farmer — before his supposed “divine encounter”. He is now an absconding criminal. So, when the families of the dead and injured need it the most, they don’t have anyone. Viral videos from hours after the incident have shown family members of the victims pleading for ambulances, senior officers, or any kind of medical help to just placate the chaos that had fallen upon them. This begs the questios: Where are the saviors now? Weren’t they protecting devotees from evil? Superstitions around the world are getting so deep-rooted that even death is becoming negotiable. When the stampede becomes fatal, some devotees assume that at least their lives were sacrificed for the deities. Islamic tradition is said to hold that being buried in Mecca after passing away is a blessing, and many Muslims make the pilgrimage in their later years after saving money all their youth. Old age, cramped spaces, and devotion to one small point in the area is the same recipe for stampedes. In 2015, 2,400 pilgrims died during the Hajj but many families of the deceased were grateful that at least Allah accepted their Hajj. India has been treading on a similarly dangerous path for a while now. According to a 2013 study published in the International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, religious gatherings and pilgrimages account for 79 per cent of stampede incidents in the country. The fact that many significant temples are situated on hills, riverbanks, or other uneven terrains plays a big role. Most incidents have similar common threads: poor amenities, narrow exits, a superstitious trigger, ignorance from authorities to follow the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)’s crowd management recommendations published in 2014 and inefficient responses. The biggest common thread, though, is the inability to take lessons and action. With every stampede, it seems that people don’t get shocked by 150 deaths anymore. There are no protests, no demands of accountability and the grief becomes exclusive to the kin once the news value runs its course. Religion is a sensitive and sacred matter in India, and rightfully so. But until the dangers of superstitions and the sensitivity to separate all of it from human lives are taken equally seriously, a solution for one of India’s biggest issues will remain elusive. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

Clinging to faith, crushed by superstition:  Hathras stampede not India's first

As Rishabh Pant went across the crease and scooped Ireland's Barry McCarthy out of the ropes to register an eight-wicket win on Wednesday (Jun 5) in its first match of the 2024 T20 World Cup, one thing became clear: India aren't as bad as many thought for many weeks leading up to the tournament.

When the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) released the squad for the tourney in the USA and the West Indies, it felt like India were stomping on an axe. The team looked dull. Not one member of the first 15 reached the IPL 2024 final, which seemed symbolic of the team being behind the needs of the hard-hitting, defensive-bowling T20 era.

Pant was in the middle of it. A batter with a T20I average of 22.43 and a strike rate of 126.38 was reportedly the first-choice wicketkeeper over Sanju Samson, the captain of Rajasthan Royals, who had just had his best-ever season in the IPL with a strike rate of 153.47.

To be clear, that concern, along with the worry about the seemingly conservative selections (like Rohit Sharma, who doesn’t have the T20 numbers to back him) and the exclusion of Rinku Singh were not wrong. They made complete sense at the time and still do.

However, from the evidence of the conditions we have seen so far in both host countries, the squad doesn’t look as out of place as it would have been otherwise.

Both Pant and Rohit like to take their time at the start of the innings. It wasn’t possible during IPL 2024 because on tracks as flat as those in Hyderabad and Bengaluru, wasting deliveries to understand the bounce meant pulling your team behind. In the US, with uneven bounce and turn, and in the West Indies, with slow turn and low bounce, taking time is excusable.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/t20-wc-rohit-sharma-surpasses-ms-dhoni-to-become-indian-captain-with-most-t20i-wins-after-ireland-tie-729219">Also read |&nbsp;T20 WC: Rohit Sharma surpasses MS Dhoni to become Indian captain with most T20I wins after Ireland tie</a>

Here, it’s important for the set batters to take responsibility and finish the game because unlike in the IPL, wickets can quickly fall in the middle overs when the ball gets old.

“It's going back to the old T20, with someone needed to bat through [the innings],” Australian captain Mitchell Marsh said on Thursday after his side recovered from 50/3 against Oman to win the game by 39 runs in Barbados.

This “old T20” suits India well. Apart from Pant and Rohit, Virat Kohli at the top can always drop into the anchor role, despite leveling up his big-hitting game in IPL 2024.

The finishing concerns about Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya can also rest as their weakness — hard-length at pace — seems to be slightly less effective on the slowish tracks. The abundance of spin throughout the tournament will also favour the move to bring Shivam Dube (who strikes at 158.80 against spin in the IPL since 2022) over Rinku (110.65).

Finally, India’s bowling attack, which initially seemed over-dependent on Jasprit Bumrah, looks much better. Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj, who struggled on flat tracks in India, are enjoying the seam movement available in the US while Jadeja and Axar Patel’s Test-match style bowling is much more difficult to get away here than in India.

A bit like how Australia performed better than India in the 2023 World Cup final thanks to the helpful pitch, despite being a weaker team on paper, the Men in Blue can get the best out of their playing 11 to beat stronger, more balanced opponents with the help of the conditions.

It might be a well-thought-out move from the selectors or just a happy coincidence — and a bigger test awaits against Pakistan on June 9 still — but so far, it’s working and India is thriving.

As Rishabh Pant went across the crease and scooped Ireland's Barry McCarthy out of the ropes to register an eight-wicket win on Wednesday (Jun 5) in its first match of the 2024 T20 World Cup, one thing became clear: India aren't as bad as many thought for many weeks leading up to the tournament.

As Rishabh Pant went across the crease and scooped Ireland's Barry McCarthy out of the ropes to register an eight-wicket win on Wednesday (Jun 5) in its first match of the 2024 T20 World Cup, one thing became clear: India aren't as bad as many thought for many weeks leading up to the tournament. When the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) released the squad for the tourney in the USA and the West Indies, it felt like India were stomping on an axe. The team looked dull. Not one member of the first 15 reached the IPL 2024 final, which seemed symbolic of the team being behind the needs of the hard-hitting, defensive-bowling T20 era. Pant was in the middle of it. A batter with a T20I average of 22.43 and a strike rate of 126.38 was reportedly the first-choice wicketkeeper over Sanju Samson, the captain of Rajasthan Royals, who had just had his best-ever season in the IPL with a strike rate of 153.47. To be clear, that concern, along with the worry about the seemingly conservative selections (like Rohit Sharma, who doesn’t have the T20 numbers to back him) and the exclusion of Rinku Singh were not wrong. They made complete sense at the time and still do. However, from the evidence of the conditions we have seen so far in both host countries, the squad doesn’t look as out of place as it would have been otherwise. Both Pant and Rohit like to take their time at the start of the innings. It wasn’t possible during IPL 2024 because on tracks as flat as those in Hyderabad and Bengaluru, wasting deliveries to understand the bounce meant pulling your team behind. In the US, with uneven bounce and turn, and in the West Indies, with slow turn and low bounce, taking time is excusable. Also read | T20 WC: Rohit Sharma surpasses MS Dhoni to become Indian captain with most T20I wins after Ireland tie Here, it’s important for the set batters to take responsibility and finish the game because unlike in the IPL, wickets can quickly fall in the middle overs when the ball gets old. “It's going back to the old T20, with someone needed to bat through [the innings],” Australian captain Mitchell Marsh said on Thursday after his side recovered from 50/3 against Oman to win the game by 39 runs in Barbados. This “old T20” suits India well. Apart from Pant and Rohit, Virat Kohli at the top can always drop into the anchor role, despite leveling up his big-hitting game in IPL 2024. The finishing concerns about Ravindra Jadeja and Hardik Pandya can also rest as their weakness — hard-length at pace — seems to be slightly less effective on the slowish tracks. The abundance of spin throughout the tournament will also favour the move to bring Shivam Dube (who strikes at 158.80 against spin in the IPL since 2022) over Rinku (110.65). Finally, India’s bowling attack, which initially seemed over-dependent on Jasprit Bumrah, looks much better. Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj, who struggled on flat tracks in India, are enjoying the seam movement available in the US while Jadeja and Axar Patel’s Test-match style bowling is much more difficult to get away here than in India. A bit like how Australia performed better than India in the 2023 World Cup final thanks to the helpful pitch, despite being a weaker team on paper, the Men in Blue can get the best out of their playing 11 to beat stronger, more balanced opponents with the help of the conditions. It might be a well-thought-out move from the selectors or just a happy coincidence — and a bigger test awaits against Pakistan on June 9 still — but so far, it’s working and India is thriving.

T20 World Cup: Why the tough conditions in the US and West Indies are a blessing in disguise for India

IPL 2024: Top players to represent both Sunrisers Hyderabad, Punjab Kings - In Pics

Microeconomics has a simple concept of opportunity-cost which applies perfectly to the current state of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 ahead of their Saturday’s encounter at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.

The concept means the cost of giving up something to get something else. You cannot have all things ‘best’ at once and hence need to decide which one to focus on first.

In IPL, tactics and strategy have become the opportunity cost for LSG and PBKS in their attempt to gather consistent runs from captains KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan.

KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan were among the top-10 highest run-scorers in every IPL season between 2018 and 2023. As the second and fourth-highest run-scorers overall in this period (more than the likes of Virat Kohli), they were your sure-shot candidates for Orange Caps, your run-machines at the top of the order, certain to give starts in every second game.

The first time they both fell off the top 10 was in IPL 2023 - when they were captains of the respective teams at the same time.&nbsp;

For starters, Rahul’s numbers have fallen since he took up captaincy in the IPL in 2020. Till 2019, he had an overall strike rate of 137.79, which, instead of going up in his prime years, has come down to 134.38. In IPL 2018 and 2019, Rahul’s strike rate in powerplay overs was around 141, which plummeted to just over 109 in 2022 and 2023.

He has shown an aversion to shift to the middle-order, which has meant that LSG’s new signing Devdutt Padikkal, who is best suited to opening as well, has to bat at number three.

Moreover, Rahul’s slow strike rate at the top deprives deliveries to the team’s middle-order stars Nicholas Pooran and Marcus Stoinis. Even when Rahul stays till late and scores quicker in the middle overs to cover up some ground, as happened against the Rajasthan Royals, it doesn’t leave the finisher with enough deliveries to have an impact.

For Dhawan, the discourse is the opposite. He has gotten better with the bat since taking up the captaincy, despite being on the wrong side of the 30s and out of the national team’s plans.

However, he has faced criticism over his captaincy and strategies. There was some pressure on him in IPL 2023 but he looked much better against Delhi Capitals at home. However, once again, the placements of his deep fielders were questionable against RCB at the Chinnaswamy. His utilisation of a good bowling attack hasn’t sat well with many either.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/bundesliga-harry-kane-coman-declared-fit-for-dortmund-clash-but-neuer-misses-out-705808">Bundesliga: Harry Kane, Coman declared fit for Dortmund clash but Neuer misses out</a>

A ground where leg-spinners have managed to find success over the years, he gave Rahul Chahar just one over despite PBKS being desperate for a wicket. Sam Curran, an excellent death-overs operator for grippy tracks — has just bowled four overs so far in two games.

By betting on Rahul and Dhawan’s batting returns, LSG and PBKS have lost good powerplay starts and tactical acumen respectively. Now, it’s on the two opening batters to find some form and repay the trust shown in them, or else the opportunity cost might just be too high for the franchises to let the status quo continue any longer.

Microeconomics has a simple concept of opportunity-cost which applies perfectly to the current state of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 ahead of their Saturday’s encounter at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.

Microeconomics has a simple concept of opportunity-cost which applies perfectly to the current state of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 ahead of their Saturday’s encounter at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. The concept means the cost of giving up something to get something else. You cannot have all things ‘best’ at once and hence need to decide which one to focus on first. In IPL, tactics and strategy have become the opportunity cost for LSG and PBKS in their attempt to gather consistent runs from captains KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan. KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan were among the top-10 highest run-scorers in every IPL season between 2018 and 2023. As the second and fourth-highest run-scorers overall in this period (more than the likes of Virat Kohli), they were your sure-shot candidates for Orange Caps, your run-machines at the top of the order, certain to give starts in every second game. The first time they both fell off the top 10 was in IPL 2023 - when they were captains of the respective teams at the same time. For starters, Rahul’s numbers have fallen since he took up captaincy in the IPL in 2020. Till 2019, he had an overall strike rate of 137.79, which, instead of going up in his prime years, has come down to 134.38. In IPL 2018 and 2019, Rahul’s strike rate in powerplay overs was around 141, which plummeted to just over 109 in 2022 and 2023. He has shown an aversion to shift to the middle-order, which has meant that LSG’s new signing Devdutt Padikkal, who is best suited to opening as well, has to bat at number three. Moreover, Rahul’s slow strike rate at the top deprives deliveries to the team’s middle-order stars Nicholas Pooran and Marcus Stoinis. Even when Rahul stays till late and scores quicker in the middle overs to cover up some ground, as happened against the Rajasthan Royals, it doesn’t leave the finisher with enough deliveries to have an impact. For Dhawan, the discourse is the opposite. He has gotten better with the bat since taking up the captaincy, despite being on the wrong side of the 30s and out of the national team’s plans. However, he has faced criticism over his captaincy and strategies. There was some pressure on him in IPL 2023 but he looked much better against Delhi Capitals at home. However, once again, the placements of his deep fielders were questionable against RCB at the Chinnaswamy. His utilisation of a good bowling attack hasn’t sat well with many either. ALSO READ | Bundesliga: Harry Kane, Coman declared fit for Dortmund clash but Neuer misses out A ground where leg-spinners have managed to find success over the years, he gave Rahul Chahar just one over despite PBKS being desperate for a wicket. Sam Curran, an excellent death-overs operator for grippy tracks — has just bowled four overs so far in two games. By betting on Rahul and Dhawan’s batting returns, LSG and PBKS have lost good powerplay starts and tactical acumen respectively. Now, it’s on the two opening batters to find some form and repay the trust shown in them, or else the opportunity cost might just be too high for the franchises to let the status quo continue any longer.

IPL 2024: Focus on KL Rahul, Shikhar Dhawan as LSG vs PBKS takes spotlight in Lucknow

In the first episode of the third season of the&nbsp;Peaky Blinders, the protagonist gangster Thomas Shelby (played by Cillian Murphy) gathers all the men in his family in the kitchen just before his wedding. Fervently smoking a cigarette with a red face, he stands in the centre of their circle and tells them all the things they shouldn’t do to prevent him being embarrassed.

&nbsp;“But the main thing is… despite the provocation from the cavalry, no fighting,” he says, before going around in the circle and pointing to each face and repeating “no fighting” with increasing volume. When he’s done, a waiter carrying a drink just clips him on the back and he throws him on the ground, hurling furious expletives with the cigarette still in his mouth.

It’s pure cinema. An intense scene of an intense drama that you can’t help but watch and laugh at. And you’d feel something similar would be going on in the dressing rooms of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Friday, ahead of their high-octane clash in IPL 2024.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ipl-2024-match-10-royal-challengers-bengaluru-vs-kolkata-knight-riders-match-preview-and-result-prediction-705427">IPL 2024, Match 10, Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Kolkata Knight Riders – Match preview and result prediction</a>

It’s tournament’s oldest rivalry beginning at the same ground in 2008, also kicking off the behemoth that is the IPL. It’s mostly known for the captains’ Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli coming together after the latter’s wicket and a lot of sledging (at the same venue, again), only to be separated by another Delhi boy, Rajat Bhatia.

There's been a lot of bad blood between the teams since, but not many remember who won the game that day. KKR scored 154/8 in the first innings, but who’d remember that it all started with Gambhir’s war-of-words with Moises Henriques in the first innings, after which a charged-up Kohli missed four run-out chances, two of them difficult but two regulation ones?

The score was clearly under-par for a batting delight of a track, but the second innings was always going to be decided by emotions. KKR allowed Chris Gayle to get away with too many short balls, and he won the game single-handedly. But what went on at the other end was telling: before getting out, Kohli played out a maiden over, and AB de Villiers continued that serene momentum with a run-a-ball 22 deprived of any risks whatsoever.

The message would have certainly been sent out by the coach Ray Jennings to control the emotions and with it, the tempo of the innings. When it’s two of the most emotion-fuelled franchises in the tournament, with massive fanbases in front of perhaps the most partisan and loving crowd in the competition, the most important thing is to not get carried away.

Kohli has gained more love of late for putting up a calmer figure, but it’s been less than a year since his second altercation with Gambhir, who was the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)’s mentor at the time. That happened after the match was done, and the now-KKR mentor jumped in between a players’ issue. But again, it was RCB that came out victorious.

Friday is again set up similarly. KKR are unbeaten in the last five matches at Chinnaswamy thanks to a calming aura and tactical superiority. But home sides are yet to lose in IPL 2024.

Both teams are coming off thrilling last-over wins, and you don’t want to give up momentum after such games. Both teams have characters who can spark fire any time — Nitish Rana, Harshit Rana, Alzaari Joseph, Mohammed Siraj, Mitchell Starc apart from Kohli and Gambhir — playing in front of a crowd that has tasted the sweet blood of wins.

It’s going to be neck-and-neck and on the face. Whichever team’s players can bring out their inner Rajat Bhatia and let the tactics do the talking, would have the upper hand.

In the first episode of the third season of the Peaky Blinders, the protagonist gangster Thomas Shelby (played by Cillian Murphy) gathers all the men in his family in the kitchen just before his wedding.

In the first episode of the third season of the Peaky Blinders, the protagonist gangster Thomas Shelby (played by Cillian Murphy) gathers all the men in his family in the kitchen just before his wedding. Fervently smoking a cigarette with a red face, he stands in the centre of their circle and tells them all the things they shouldn’t do to prevent him being embarrassed. “But the main thing is… despite the provocation from the cavalry, no fighting,” he says, before going around in the circle and pointing to each face and repeating “no fighting” with increasing volume. When he’s done, a waiter carrying a drink just clips him on the back and he throws him on the ground, hurling furious expletives with the cigarette still in his mouth. It’s pure cinema. An intense scene of an intense drama that you can’t help but watch and laugh at. And you’d feel something similar would be going on in the dressing rooms of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on Friday, ahead of their high-octane clash in IPL 2024. ALSO READ: IPL 2024, Match 10, Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Kolkata Knight Riders – Match preview and result prediction It’s tournament’s oldest rivalry beginning at the same ground in 2008, also kicking off the behemoth that is the IPL. It’s mostly known for the captains’ Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli coming together after the latter’s wicket and a lot of sledging (at the same venue, again), only to be separated by another Delhi boy, Rajat Bhatia. There's been a lot of bad blood between the teams since, but not many remember who won the game that day. KKR scored 154/8 in the first innings, but who’d remember that it all started with Gambhir’s war-of-words with Moises Henriques in the first innings, after which a charged-up Kohli missed four run-out chances, two of them difficult but two regulation ones? The score was clearly under-par for a batting delight of a track, but the second innings was always going to be decided by emotions. KKR allowed Chris Gayle to get away with too many short balls, and he won the game single-handedly. But what went on at the other end was telling: before getting out, Kohli played out a maiden over, and AB de Villiers continued that serene momentum with a run-a-ball 22 deprived of any risks whatsoever. The message would have certainly been sent out by the coach Ray Jennings to control the emotions and with it, the tempo of the innings. When it’s two of the most emotion-fuelled franchises in the tournament, with massive fanbases in front of perhaps the most partisan and loving crowd in the competition, the most important thing is to not get carried away. Kohli has gained more love of late for putting up a calmer figure, but it’s been less than a year since his second altercation with Gambhir, who was the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)’s mentor at the time. That happened after the match was done, and the now-KKR mentor jumped in between a players’ issue. But again, it was RCB that came out victorious. Friday is again set up similarly. KKR are unbeaten in the last five matches at Chinnaswamy thanks to a calming aura and tactical superiority. But home sides are yet to lose in IPL 2024. Both teams are coming off thrilling last-over wins, and you don’t want to give up momentum after such games. Both teams have characters who can spark fire any time — Nitish Rana, Harshit Rana, Alzaari Joseph, Mohammed Siraj, Mitchell Starc apart from Kohli and Gambhir — playing in front of a crowd that has tasted the sweet blood of wins. It’s going to be neck-and-neck and on the face. Whichever team’s players can bring out their inner Rajat Bhatia and let the tactics do the talking, would have the upper hand.

'No fighting' is key as IPL’s oldest rivalry between RCB and KKR reignites at M. Chinnaswamy

Author

Zee News Rajasthan

Editor

Bhumika Singh Dikhit

Home

Live Tv

Latest

World

India

Business

Entertainment

Sports

Opinions

Videos

Photos

Gravitas

Lifestyle

Science

Tech

Rajasthan News in Hindi: In-depth coverage of Rajasthan Crime, Political News, Education, Rajasthan Weather Update and Latest Rajasthan News on Zee News Rajasthan.