The inaugural edition of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) cycle of 2019-21 will conclude with the high-octane final between India and New Zealand at the Rose Bowl in Southampton, starting Friday. While there have been predictions, permutation&nbsp;and combinations being floated around by many former cricketers and pundits, the legendary Sachin Tendulkar has weighed his opinion on the much-anticipated WTC Final. <o:p></o:p>

In an exclusive interview with WION’s Sports Editor, Digvijay Singh Deo, Sachin Tendulkar talked about a range of topics in the build-up to the WTC Final including the team balance of India and New Zealand, the format of World Test Championship, phases that could define the grand finale, strengths of both the squad and much more.

<h2 class="MsoNormal">Exclusive | Sachin Tendulkar in conversation with WION:</h2>

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There has been a lot of talk&nbsp;around the format of the WTC Final with many irked with it being a one-off Test. Opining on the matter, Tendulkar said the continuity of a two-year cycle comes to a disruptive end when the winner is decided in a one-off contest. &nbsp;<o:p></o:p>

“When you are playing a 50-over or T20 World Cup, you play each side only once so it is fair to have a one-final match. But in World Test Championship, you play against Australia, New Zealand, England and other teams in a series format. The continuity breaks as soon as you play just one match as a final. Ideally, it should have been a three-match series but with the pandemic and restrictions, it has become tricky for the time being. Maybe in future, ICC can find a window where two finalists can play the WTC final in a series format.” Sachin Tendulkar told WION in an exclusive interview.

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ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/fearless-cricket-the-priority-for-rahane-as-wtc-final-vs-new-zealand-nears-392090" hreflang="en">Fearless cricket the priority for Rahane as WTC Final vs New Zealand nears</a>

India’s road to WTC Final has been dominated by the bowlers. While the pace troop has forced the opponents to re-think their strategies while spinners have always given consistent breakthroughs putting the Indian team on top on most occasions. <o:p></o:p>

Ahead of the WTC Final, Tendulkar beamed with pride when asked about the strengths of the Indian team. <o:p></o:p>

“When I see this pace attack, I feel proud. We mostly talk about Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma but there are some very good bowlers in the squad as well. Look at Umesh Yadav, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj, they are brilliant bowlers as well and have done well whenever called upon. The collective strength of this Indian team stands out for me,” Tendulkar said as he explained how the Indian bowling attack has grown leaps and bounds over the years.

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ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/cricket-might-have-retired-had-new-zealand-won-2019-world-cup-ross-taylor-391697" hreflang="en">Cricket - Might have retired had New Zealand won 2019 World Cup: Ross Taylor</a>

However, the Indian team, especially the batting unit, will have a tough task at their hands when they take on a world-class New Zealand pace attack, consisting of the likes of Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Neil Wagner among others.<o:p></o:p>

Tendulkar opined that New Zealand are an extremely balanced side, capable of beating any opponent on their day. <o:p></o:p>

“New Zealand are a very well-balanced side. They have different types of bowlers. Tim Southee takes it away from right-handers, Trent boult brings it back into the right-handers, Kyle Jamieson hits the deck at good length and Neil Wagner keeps it short of length with odd pitch-up delivery. And they have very good batsmen to balance the team out. It is going to be a really exciting match to watch,” Tendulkar explained.<o:p></o:p>

The inaugural edition of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) cycle of 2019-21 will conclude with the high-octane final between India and New Zealand at the Rose Bowl in Southampton, starting Friday.

The inaugural edition of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) cycle of 2019-21 will conclude with the high-octane final between India and New Zealand at the Rose Bowl in Southampton, starting Friday. While there have been predictions, permutation and combinations being floated around by many former cricketers and pundits, the legendary Sachin Tendulkar has weighed his opinion on the much-anticipated WTC Final. In an exclusive interview with WION’s Sports Editor, Digvijay Singh Deo, Sachin Tendulkar talked about a range of topics in the build-up to the WTC Final including the team balance of India and New Zealand, the format of World Test Championship, phases that could define the grand finale, strengths of both the squad and much more. Exclusive | Sachin Tendulkar in conversation with WION: × There has been a lot of talk around the format of the WTC Final with many irked with it being a one-off Test. Opining on the matter, Tendulkar said the continuity of a two-year cycle comes to a disruptive end when the winner is decided in a one-off contest. “When you are playing a 50-over or T20 World Cup, you play each side only once so it is fair to have a one-final match. But in World Test Championship, you play against Australia, New Zealand, England and other teams in a series format. The continuity breaks as soon as you play just one match as a final. Ideally, it should have been a three-match series but with the pandemic and restrictions, it has become tricky for the time being. Maybe in future, ICC can find a window where two finalists can play the WTC final in a series format.” Sachin Tendulkar told WION in an exclusive interview. ALSO READ: Fearless cricket the priority for Rahane as WTC Final vs New Zealand nears India’s road to WTC Final has been dominated by the bowlers. While the pace troop has forced the opponents to re-think their strategies while spinners have always given consistent breakthroughs putting the Indian team on top on most occasions. Ahead of the WTC Final, Tendulkar beamed with pride when asked about the strengths of the Indian team. “When I see this pace attack, I feel proud. We mostly talk about Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma but there are some very good bowlers in the squad as well. Look at Umesh Yadav, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Siraj, they are brilliant bowlers as well and have done well whenever called upon. The collective strength of this Indian team stands out for me,” Tendulkar said as he explained how the Indian bowling attack has grown leaps and bounds over the years. ALSO READ: Cricket - Might have retired had New Zealand won 2019 World Cup: Ross Taylor However, the Indian team, especially the batting unit, will have a tough task at their hands when they take on a world-class New Zealand pace attack, consisting of the likes of Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Neil Wagner among others. Tendulkar opined that New Zealand are an extremely balanced side, capable of beating any opponent on their day. “New Zealand are a very well-balanced side. They have different types of bowlers. Tim Southee takes it away from right-handers, Trent boult brings it back into the right-handers, Kyle Jamieson hits the deck at good length and Neil Wagner keeps it short of length with odd pitch-up delivery. And they have very good batsmen to balance the team out. It is going to be a really exciting match to watch,” Tendulkar explained.

Exclusive | 'Collective strength of Team India stands out for me': Sachin Tendulkar ahead of WTC Final

Rishabh Pant arguably has been the biggest gainer in Indian cricket over the last six months. After having gone through a rough patch, getting dropped by the Indian team across formats, the young southpaw made a roaring comeback in the national team by winning matches against Australia and England.

Sunrisers Hyderabad mentor and former Indian batsman VVS Laxman, in an exclusive interview with WION’s Sports Editor, Digvijay Singh Deo, talked about Rishabh Pant, his traits, how the youngster has evolved with experience in the world of cricket and more.

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&nbsp;

After not being named in the playing XI for Adelaide Test, Rishabh Pant found his place back in the team in Melbourne as Team India began a turnaround for ages in the series.

In three matches, Pant ended up as the highest run-scorer for India with 274 runs as the Ajinkya Rahane-led side scripted history and won the Border-Gavaskar series for the second time on the trot. Pant was the hero among many heroes for Team India and continued his rich run of form against England in the home series. Now, the southpaw will be seen leading Delhi Capitals in the absence of regular skipper Rishabh Pant.

Delighted with Pant’s career graph in the last six months, VVS Laxman said that the biggest difference in his game has the maturity and ability to access the situation without throwing his wicket away. Laxman lavished rich praise on Pant’s wicket-keeping as he said his work behind the stump comes as the most positive thing out of many.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/anil-kumble-to-wion-selection-headache-a-good-thing-for-punjab-kings-375722" hreflang="en">Anil Kumble to WION: Selection headache a good thing for Punjab Kings</a>

“I always felt that Viru (Virender Sehwag) was a dangerous batsman who always posed threat to the opposition bowlers because he had the ability to not only hit loose deliveries for boundaries for success, but also good deliveries will be dispersed outside the boundary. I think it's more to do with his mindset. And for me, the biggest difference is how mature Rishabh Pant has become since the Sydney second innings not because he always had the shot, he always had that mindset, but now is much better prepared as far as understanding the situation and assessing the situation without compromising on his strength. And that's a very lethal combination, you know, because that will lead you to win a lot more matches and to become more consistent. And the more consistent a player of calibre of Rishabh Pant is, the more matches, he will win for his team, whichever team and whichever format is playing in,” Laxman told WION in an exclusive interview.

<img alt="Laxman" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="59faae3a-e3bc-48ab-9a16-a125586742ec" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_94C2FX.jpg" />

Laxman feels the opportunity to captain Delhi Capitals in IPL 2021 and extra responsibility will help Pant enhance his potential while taking his performance a notch above.

“I just believe that the maturity and the understanding of the situation as drastically improved in Rishabh Pant's game. The other huge difference is the way he has kept. And that for me has been the biggest positive this home season because the way he kept on challenging wickets in Test matches in Chennai and Ahmedabad shows that not only as you become more confident about his batting and winning matches, while batting, but also is become very confident behind the stumps, you know that really augurs well for Indian cricket. And I think sky is&nbsp;the limit for Rishabh Pant and I'm sure that he will go out and you know, sort of embrace this opportunity of leading the Delhi capitals team because when you have that extra responsibility on your shoulder, I'm sure that that will enhance his potential and performance. And that's something which I'm sure every fan of his is looking forward to,” the former Indian batsman said.

IN PICS |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/riley-meredith-shahrukh-khan-surprise-packages-who-can-take-ipl-2021-by-storm-375897" hreflang="en">Meredith, Shahrukh: Surprise packages who can take IPL 2021 by storm</a>

Despite losing a crucial player in Shreyas Iyer, Delhi Capitals, the runners-up of IPL 2020, head into a fresh season with a bundle of domestic talents. Be it experience or youth, DC are packed with a plethora of domestic players starting from Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Ravichandran Ashwin to Prithvi Shaw, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Amit Mishra, Axar Patel among others. Not to forget Rishabh Pant. The overseas players just bolster the DC squad and make them one of the strong contenders for the IPL trophy.

A strong domestic core is&nbsp;key in a tournament like IPL and Laxman feels every franchise have understood the importance of investing in quality Indian players.

“It's not only Delhi, I think it's all the franchise, which invests in a lot of Indian players. Some players blossom and become more experienced and the more international cricket you play for the country. I think the more experience you get, the more confidence you get because of that exposure. So I think a lot of franchises understand the fact that it's important to invest in quality Indian players, and they become your market players, while the overseas players come in, to just fill in the gaps, you know, whichever skillset is lacking from the Indian talent pool, that's when you get in your overseas players to fill in the gaps,” Laxman explained.

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“I think it's a good mix of the Indian talent and overseas experienced staff, and whichever team gels well, it's not only about the skill set, it's not only about the talent, but it's also about understanding each other's role understanding that you know, as a team, you have to go out and play together, not as individuals, and whichever team does that will have more results going in their favour. So I think the franchise understand and that's why auction becomes a big, big element in winning the tournament, you know because whatever you do on the auction table, will decide your future when the tournament comes,” he concluded.

Delhi Capitals start their IPL 2021 campaign against Chennai Super Kings on April 10 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai where Pant will be seen locking horns with his mentor and former Indian captain MS Dhoni.

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With you and us together, 
It's <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%F0%9D%99%8A%F0%9D%99%A7%F0%9D%99%96%F0%9D%99%A3%F0%9D%99%9C%F0%9D%99%9A%F0%9D%99%8A%F0%9D%99%A7%F0%9D%99%89%F0%9D%99%A4%F0%9D%99%A9%F0%9D%99%9D%F0%9D%99%9E%F0%9D%99%A3%F0%9D%99%9C?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#𝙊𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙊𝙧𝙉𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜</a> 🧡<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OrangeArmy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OrangeArmy</a>, we are ready for <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IPL2021?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IPL2021</a>! Are you? <a href="https://t.co/SOoU21yykp">pic.twitter.com/SOoU21yykp</a>
— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) <a href="https://twitter.com/SunRisers/status/1375780231403859970?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 27, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Whereas Laxman’s Sunrisers Hyderabad will be in action on April 11 against Kolkata Knight Riders in Chennai.

Rishabh Pant arguably has been the biggest gainer in Indian cricket over the last six months. After having gone through a rough patch, getting dropped by the Indian team across formats, the young southpaw made a roaring comeback in the national team by winning matches against Australia and England.

Rishabh Pant arguably has been the biggest gainer in Indian cricket over the last six months. After having gone through a rough patch, getting dropped by the Indian team across formats, the young southpaw made a roaring comeback in the national team by winning matches against Australia and England. Sunrisers Hyderabad mentor and former Indian batsman VVS Laxman, in an exclusive interview with WION’s Sports Editor, Digvijay Singh Deo, talked about Rishabh Pant, his traits, how the youngster has evolved with experience in the world of cricket and more. × After not being named in the playing XI for Adelaide Test, Rishabh Pant found his place back in the team in Melbourne as Team India began a turnaround for ages in the series. In three matches, Pant ended up as the highest run-scorer for India with 274 runs as the Ajinkya Rahane-led side scripted history and won the Border-Gavaskar series for the second time on the trot. Pant was the hero among many heroes for Team India and continued his rich run of form against England in the home series. Now, the southpaw will be seen leading Delhi Capitals in the absence of regular skipper Rishabh Pant. Delighted with Pant’s career graph in the last six months, VVS Laxman said that the biggest difference in his game has the maturity and ability to access the situation without throwing his wicket away. Laxman lavished rich praise on Pant’s wicket-keeping as he said his work behind the stump comes as the most positive thing out of many. ALSO READ: Anil Kumble to WION: Selection headache a good thing for Punjab Kings “I always felt that Viru (Virender Sehwag) was a dangerous batsman who always posed threat to the opposition bowlers because he had the ability to not only hit loose deliveries for boundaries for success, but also good deliveries will be dispersed outside the boundary. I think it's more to do with his mindset. And for me, the biggest difference is how mature Rishabh Pant has become since the Sydney second innings not because he always had the shot, he always had that mindset, but now is much better prepared as far as understanding the situation and assessing the situation without compromising on his strength. And that's a very lethal combination, you know, because that will lead you to win a lot more matches and to become more consistent. And the more consistent a player of calibre of Rishabh Pant is, the more matches, he will win for his team, whichever team and whichever format is playing in,” Laxman told WION in an exclusive interview. Laxman feels the opportunity to captain Delhi Capitals in IPL 2021 and extra responsibility will help Pant enhance his potential while taking his performance a notch above. “I just believe that the maturity and the understanding of the situation as drastically improved in Rishabh Pant's game. The other huge difference is the way he has kept. And that for me has been the biggest positive this home season because the way he kept on challenging wickets in Test matches in Chennai and Ahmedabad shows that not only as you become more confident about his batting and winning matches, while batting, but also is become very confident behind the stumps, you know that really augurs well for Indian cricket. And I think sky is the limit for Rishabh Pant and I'm sure that he will go out and you know, sort of embrace this opportunity of leading the Delhi capitals team because when you have that extra responsibility on your shoulder, I'm sure that that will enhance his potential and performance. And that's something which I'm sure every fan of his is looking forward to,” the former Indian batsman said. IN PICS | Meredith, Shahrukh: Surprise packages who can take IPL 2021 by storm Despite losing a crucial player in Shreyas Iyer, Delhi Capitals, the runners-up of IPL 2020, head into a fresh season with a bundle of domestic talents. Be it experience or youth, DC are packed with a plethora of domestic players starting from Shikhar Dhawan, Ajinkya Rahane, Ravichandran Ashwin to Prithvi Shaw, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma, Amit Mishra, Axar Patel among others. Not to forget Rishabh Pant. The overseas players just bolster the DC squad and make them one of the strong contenders for the IPL trophy. A strong domestic core is key in a tournament like IPL and Laxman feels every franchise have understood the importance of investing in quality Indian players. “It's not only Delhi, I think it's all the franchise, which invests in a lot of Indian players. Some players blossom and become more experienced and the more international cricket you play for the country. I think the more experience you get, the more confidence you get because of that exposure. So I think a lot of franchises understand the fact that it's important to invest in quality Indian players, and they become your market players, while the overseas players come in, to just fill in the gaps, you know, whichever skillset is lacking from the Indian talent pool, that's when you get in your overseas players to fill in the gaps,” Laxman explained. “I think it's a good mix of the Indian talent and overseas experienced staff, and whichever team gels well, it's not only about the skill set, it's not only about the talent, but it's also about understanding each other's role understanding that you know, as a team, you have to go out and play together, not as individuals, and whichever team does that will have more results going in their favour. So I think the franchise understand and that's why auction becomes a big, big element in winning the tournament, you know because whatever you do on the auction table, will decide your future when the tournament comes,” he concluded. Delhi Capitals start their IPL 2021 campaign against Chennai Super Kings on April 10 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai where Pant will be seen locking horns with his mentor and former Indian captain MS Dhoni. With you and us together, It's #𝙊𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙊𝙧𝙉𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 🧡#OrangeArmy, we are ready for #IPL2021! Are you? pic.twitter.com/SOoU21yykp — SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) March 27, 2021 × Whereas Laxman’s Sunrisers Hyderabad will be in action on April 11 against Kolkata Knight Riders in Chennai.

VVS Laxman to WION: Delhi Capitals captaincy will help Rishabh Pant reach his potential

Sunrisers Hyderabad have always punched above their weights when it comes to performing in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Showing sheer consistency, teamwork and hunger to win matches, Sunrisers Hyderabad are hailed as one of the most consistent sides in the history of IPL. However, they last won the coveted trophy in the year 2016 and since then, the ultimate glory has been evading the Hyderabad franchise.

Ahead of the IPL 2021, Sunrisers Hyderabad bolstered their squad at the auction table without tinkering with their core players. SRH added the likes Kedar Jadhav, J Suchith and Mujeeb ur Rahman to their team while replacing Mitchell Marsh, who pulled out at the last moment, with Jason Roy, as they eye another season of glory in India’s cricket carnival – the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League.

Sunrisers Hyderabad mentor and one of the legends of the game, VVS Laxman, in an exclusive interview with WION’s Sports Editor, Digvijay Singh Deo, talked about the SRH squad, bio-bubbles, the role IPL has played in the growth of Indian cricket and much more.

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&nbsp;

SRH headed into the IPL 2021 auction with just INR 10.75 crore. With a small purse at a mini-auction, the Hyderabad outfit made some shrewd picks while roping in the likes of experienced Indian all-rounder Kedar Jadhav, Afghanistan’s mystery spinner Mujeeb ur Rahman and left-arm spinner Jagadeesha Suchit. They later had another addition in Jason Roy after Mitchell Marsh pulled out of the tournament due to personal reasons.

Laxman believes SRH have a perfect blend of youth and experience, well capable of setting the stage on fire. While saying Hyderabad have got all the bases covered, Laxman added that they have a variety of players who can perform in different conditions on offer in India.

“It was a very quiet auction for us because we just required to pick up the players because we already had 22 in our squad. And because we knew that the tournament was going to happen in India in the summer, well, there will be a lot of help for the spinners and Mujeeb is an exceptional talent and also we got Suchit. Kedar Jadhav, he bolsters our middle order with his experience, batting for so many times in the IPL and also for India and winning matches,” Laxman told WION in an exclusive interview.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/anil-kumble-to-wion-selection-headache-a-good-thing-for-punjab-kings-375722" hreflang="en">Anil Kumble to WION: Selection headache a good thing for Punjab Kings</a>

“But overall, we are very happy and confident that we've covered all the bases and that's one of the important aspects a franchise takes into account at the start of the. I think that's why we are very happy that we've covered all the bases While there are a lot of experienced international players in our squad, but there are also a lot of talented players who just showcased their talent in the last year's IPL but I feel that they are much more mature, they're much more experienced compared to last year. And I'm sure that they will also set the stage on fire and I believe that we've got a lot of options at our disposal is just about playing the best combination against a particular opposition and in a particular condition. And then just playing to our potential if we do that, I'm sure the results will go in our favour,” the former Indian batsman, who has more than 10,000 runs for India in Tests and ODIs, explained.

<img alt="VVS Laxman" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9abeaa98-b1a1-44c0-955e-95303a1fd9c5" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Laxman.JPG" />

But how tricky was the task at the auction table when franchises were unaware of the venues and conditions that will be on offer during the IPL? Laxman feels despite all the challenges, Sunrisers Hyderabad have a plethora of options and variety available at their helm. With matches in Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata and Bengaluru, the former Indian batsman feels Hyderabad have all the ingredients to win the battle of match-ups and create their playing XIs based on who they are playing against in the IPL.

“You pick a squad where you can go and perform in various conditions. It's not that you pick a sport only to suit your home condition. And I think that that's where we are very confident because the options are available in both batting and bowling department, which can perform in various condition. We're going to play in four venues starting with Chennai, then Delhi, Kolkata and Bangalore. And I believe that they got various options and various combination for these four venues.

“It depends which team you're playing against because in T20 cricket, I believe, that matchup play a big part. While we don't want to create insecurity in the minds of our players, because we are one team that gives a long rope to whichever player is invested in. But I think matchups play a very important and integral part of T20. Cricket so based on the opposition you're playing against, I think we got enough options in our squad you know, to challenge them. So overall we are very happy that we have covered all the bases irrespective of which when you are going to play the match on or which conditions we're going to confront we are very confident that they got enough players who can perform in those conditions,” Laxman explained.

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Intensity, a lot of intensity was at display in our first practice match yesterday 🔥<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OrangeOrNothing?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OrangeOrNothing</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/OrangeArmy?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#OrangeArmy</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IPL2021?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IPL2021</a> <a href="https://t.co/dx5nmZJCVM">pic.twitter.com/dx5nmZJCVM</a>
— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) <a href="https://twitter.com/SunRisers/status/1380024315337318401?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 8, 2021</a></blockquote>
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The last six months have been a roller-coaster ride when it comes to Indian cricket. Starting from IPL 2020 in the UAE to the tour of Australia and then hosting England for full-fledged tour, players involved in all three events have been part of the bio-secure bubble for months while being able to spend just a few days with families in the six-month time frame. The debate surrounding mental health have picked up and Laxman feels while it is extremely tough for athletes to stay inside bubbles for months, it is like a sacrifice to do be able to live your dream.

IN PICS |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/riley-meredith-shahrukh-khan-surprise-packages-who-can-take-ipl-2021-by-storm-375897" hreflang="en">In pics- Meredith, Shahrukh: Surprise packages who can take IPL 2021 by storm</a>

“It was quite tough and challenging, while I was part of the bubble in UAE, during the IPL 2020. But it's crazy for the Indian team and other international teams and other sports as well, you know, because it's never easy to stay in a bubble. And the Indian team players who play all the formats have been in bubbles since August, last year, till now, you know, at the end of the England series, and now they will be joining the franchise for the IPL. I think it's definitely a tough ask from each and every individual,” Laxman quipped.

“But I think this is the new normal ways to be safe. If you have to continue to do what you love the most, which is play the sport. I think you have to be part of the bubble level because it's safe for all the stakeholders, but it's a lot of sacrifices, especially players who have their families who have young family have to make a huge sacrifice. But I think they are ready to do that because they love what they're doing. And they are professionals,” the SRH mentor added.

<img alt="VVS Laxman" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0976188c-97e8-4cfe-8b13-74ca7a9c77e3" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Laxman-1.JPG" />

While the Indian team scripted history in Australia and also won across formats against England at home, the emergence of young players and their ability to win matches for the country have left the cricketing world in awe. Laxman said it is due to the exposure in IPL that the youngsters are so confident when they play for India and against world-beaters.

The story of SRH pacer Thangarasu Natarajan makes the sport special but the way the likes of Washington Sundar, Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur among others have performed in the last six months, credit was automatically given to the IPL and strong roots of Indian cricket and the Rahul Dravid-led NCA.

“IPL is a tournament which gives the opportunity to talented players, gives an opportunity for a youngster to realize their dream. As a Sunrisers mentor and as a franchise, we are very proud whenever a player maximizes his potential in the last season. It was a Natarajan who went on to realize his dream of playing for the country, but a lot of other youngsters in SRH who are equally talented. And eventually, they will also realize their dream of playing for the country.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ipl-2021-srh-pacer-t-natarajan-reveals-precious-ms-dhoni-advice-from-last-season-375883" hreflang="en">IPL 2021: T Natarajan reveals precious MS Dhoni advice from last season</a>

"And I just feel that the endeavour as far as a franchise is concerned is to pick players who are not only skilful, who are not only talented and have got the potential to win matches and tournaments for the franchise, but also who are very committed to the team you know and to create an environment in the dressing room which is very important, because that is one of the challenges of being part of IPL tournament because very quickly, and in a very short span of time you have to have everyone gelling with each other, and that camaraderie and that bonding is very important if you have to play as a unit and win matches as a unit. And that's why this story is one story where talent meets an opportunity and he grabs it both the hands and realize his dream and hope that a lot more youngsters from the SRH family will continue to realize that dream,” Laxman said.

<img alt="Dhoni-Natarajan" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f2047261-be98-48eb-a542-28f38a95f38a" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Dhoni-Natarajn.JPG" />

Laxman cited his example of being left overawed while making his debut in South Africa in 1996 but added that is no more the case when it comes to young players as IPL has given them the confidence and exposure of rubbing shoulders with world-class players.

“You know, there's also a lot of importance given to Ranji Trophy, and the List-A matches be it Syed Mushtaq Ali or Vijay Hazare Trophy. But I think the biggest talking point over the last four months has been the bench strength of the Indian cricket team. You know, I think one of the historical wins for India has been the one we recently achieved in Australia. And one of the main reasons is the IPL. There's no doubt about it,” Laxman said.

“The biggest difference, and I've experienced that in my career, when I made my international debut in South Africa in 1996. That was the first time I was playing in front of 45,000 people and I was overawed by the big location, and you're playing against quality bowlers from South Africa. But what IPL is done is for a period of two to one months, it allows the uncapped, talented Indian players to rub shoulders with the best in the world, you know, not only from India but from the world. And when that opportunity of understanding the game learning from the best will sort of enhance&nbsp;the growth and progress as a professional cricketer. And that's what IPL has done,” he explained.

Further elaborating on his point, Laxman said that IPL has played a major role in boosting the bench strength of the Indian cricket team - which is at an all-time high.&nbsp;

“You can see the Brisbane Test match where India were without Virat Kohli and a frontline Test bowling attack. They had a bowling attack, which was probably just four or five Test matches experienced as far as the international cricket was concerned. But the way they carried the&nbsp;responsibility and the way they delivered when it mattered, shows that how much IPL has helped them to develop as&nbsp;cricketers.

“The partnership between Shardul Thakur and Washington Sundar, they're playing in Test match cricket for first time&nbsp;and to play against Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and also Nathan Lyon and to bat in that fashion is just because of the confidence they got playing in IPL. So I feel as a lot of positives and one of the reasons why Indian bench strength&nbsp;is strong is because of the youngsters participating in IPL without undervaluing the structure, the systems of the BCCI where the age group level cricket. India A and India Under-19 are given a lot of importance, the role of NCA - all played a part but I feel from the confidence level point of view IPL has made a big impact on these youngsters,” Laxman concluded.

Sunrisers Hyderabad open their IPL 2021 campaign against Kolkata Knight Riders in Chennai on April 11.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ipl-2021-schedule-team-wise-full-fixture-list-date-time-and-venues-368637" hreflang="en">IPL 2021 Schedule: Team-wise full fixture list, date, time and venues</a>

Sunrisers Hyderabad Squad for IPL 2021: David Warner (Captain), Kane Williamson, Jonny Bairstow (WK), Manish Pandey, Sreevats Goswami (WK), Wriddhiman Saha (WK), Kedar Jadhav, Priyam Garg, Vijay Shankar, Abhishek Sharma, Abdul Samad, Virat Singh, Jason Roy, Jason Holder, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Shahbaz Nadeem, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, T. Natarajan, Sandeep Sharma, Khaleel Ahmed, Siddarth Kaul, Basil Thampi, Jagadeesha Suchith, Mujeeb-ur-Rahman

Sunrisers Hyderabad have always punched above their weights when it comes to performing in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Showing sheer consistency, teamwork and hunger to win matches, Sunrisers Hyderabad are hailed as one of the most consistent sides in the history of IPL.

Sunrisers Hyderabad have always punched above their weights when it comes to performing in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Showing sheer consistency, teamwork and hunger to win matches, Sunrisers Hyderabad are hailed as one of the most consistent sides in the history of IPL. However, they last won the coveted trophy in the year 2016 and since then, the ultimate glory has been evading the Hyderabad franchise. Ahead of the IPL 2021, Sunrisers Hyderabad bolstered their squad at the auction table without tinkering with their core players. SRH added the likes Kedar Jadhav, J Suchith and Mujeeb ur Rahman to their team while replacing Mitchell Marsh, who pulled out at the last moment, with Jason Roy, as they eye another season of glory in India’s cricket carnival – the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League. Sunrisers Hyderabad mentor and one of the legends of the game, VVS Laxman, in an exclusive interview with WION’s Sports Editor, Digvijay Singh Deo, talked about the SRH squad, bio-bubbles, the role IPL has played in the growth of Indian cricket and much more. × SRH headed into the IPL 2021 auction with just INR 10.75 crore. With a small purse at a mini-auction, the Hyderabad outfit made some shrewd picks while roping in the likes of experienced Indian all-rounder Kedar Jadhav, Afghanistan’s mystery spinner Mujeeb ur Rahman and left-arm spinner Jagadeesha Suchit. They later had another addition in Jason Roy after Mitchell Marsh pulled out of the tournament due to personal reasons. Laxman believes SRH have a perfect blend of youth and experience, well capable of setting the stage on fire. While saying Hyderabad have got all the bases covered, Laxman added that they have a variety of players who can perform in different conditions on offer in India. “It was a very quiet auction for us because we just required to pick up the players because we already had 22 in our squad. And because we knew that the tournament was going to happen in India in the summer, well, there will be a lot of help for the spinners and Mujeeb is an exceptional talent and also we got Suchit. Kedar Jadhav, he bolsters our middle order with his experience, batting for so many times in the IPL and also for India and winning matches,” Laxman told WION in an exclusive interview. ALSO READ: Anil Kumble to WION: Selection headache a good thing for Punjab Kings “But overall, we are very happy and confident that we've covered all the bases and that's one of the important aspects a franchise takes into account at the start of the. I think that's why we are very happy that we've covered all the bases While there are a lot of experienced international players in our squad, but there are also a lot of talented players who just showcased their talent in the last year's IPL but I feel that they are much more mature, they're much more experienced compared to last year. And I'm sure that they will also set the stage on fire and I believe that we've got a lot of options at our disposal is just about playing the best combination against a particular opposition and in a particular condition. And then just playing to our potential if we do that, I'm sure the results will go in our favour,” the former Indian batsman, who has more than 10,000 runs for India in Tests and ODIs, explained. But how tricky was the task at the auction table when franchises were unaware of the venues and conditions that will be on offer during the IPL? Laxman feels despite all the challenges, Sunrisers Hyderabad have a plethora of options and variety available at their helm. With matches in Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata and Bengaluru, the former Indian batsman feels Hyderabad have all the ingredients to win the battle of match-ups and create their playing XIs based on who they are playing against in the IPL. “You pick a squad where you can go and perform in various conditions. It's not that you pick a sport only to suit your home condition. And I think that that's where we are very confident because the options are available in both batting and bowling department, which can perform in various condition. We're going to play in four venues starting with Chennai, then Delhi, Kolkata and Bangalore. And I believe that they got various options and various combination for these four venues. “It depends which team you're playing against because in T20 cricket, I believe, that matchup play a big part. While we don't want to create insecurity in the minds of our players, because we are one team that gives a long rope to whichever player is invested in. But I think matchups play a very important and integral part of T20. Cricket so based on the opposition you're playing against, I think we got enough options in our squad you know, to challenge them. So overall we are very happy that we have covered all the bases irrespective of which when you are going to play the match on or which conditions we're going to confront we are very confident that they got enough players who can perform in those conditions,” Laxman explained. Intensity, a lot of intensity was at display in our first practice match yesterday 🔥#OrangeOrNothing #OrangeArmy #IPL2021 pic.twitter.com/dx5nmZJCVM — SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) April 8, 2021 × The last six months have been a roller-coaster ride when it comes to Indian cricket. Starting from IPL 2020 in the UAE to the tour of Australia and then hosting England for full-fledged tour, players involved in all three events have been part of the bio-secure bubble for months while being able to spend just a few days with families in the six-month time frame. The debate surrounding mental health have picked up and Laxman feels while it is extremely tough for athletes to stay inside bubbles for months, it is like a sacrifice to do be able to live your dream. IN PICS | In pics- Meredith, Shahrukh: Surprise packages who can take IPL 2021 by storm “It was quite tough and challenging, while I was part of the bubble in UAE, during the IPL 2020. But it's crazy for the Indian team and other international teams and other sports as well, you know, because it's never easy to stay in a bubble. And the Indian team players who play all the formats have been in bubbles since August, last year, till now, you know, at the end of the England series, and now they will be joining the franchise for the IPL. I think it's definitely a tough ask from each and every individual,” Laxman quipped. “But I think this is the new normal ways to be safe. If you have to continue to do what you love the most, which is play the sport. I think you have to be part of the bubble level because it's safe for all the stakeholders, but it's a lot of sacrifices, especially players who have their families who have young family have to make a huge sacrifice. But I think they are ready to do that because they love what they're doing. And they are professionals,” the SRH mentor added. While the Indian team scripted history in Australia and also won across formats against England at home, the emergence of young players and their ability to win matches for the country have left the cricketing world in awe. Laxman said it is due to the exposure in IPL that the youngsters are so confident when they play for India and against world-beaters. The story of SRH pacer Thangarasu Natarajan makes the sport special but the way the likes of Washington Sundar, Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur among others have performed in the last six months, credit was automatically given to the IPL and strong roots of Indian cricket and the Rahul Dravid-led NCA. “IPL is a tournament which gives the opportunity to talented players, gives an opportunity for a youngster to realize their dream. As a Sunrisers mentor and as a franchise, we are very proud whenever a player maximizes his potential in the last season. It was a Natarajan who went on to realize his dream of playing for the country, but a lot of other youngsters in SRH who are equally talented. And eventually, they will also realize their dream of playing for the country. ALSO READ: IPL 2021: T Natarajan reveals precious MS Dhoni advice from last season "And I just feel that the endeavour as far as a franchise is concerned is to pick players who are not only skilful, who are not only talented and have got the potential to win matches and tournaments for the franchise, but also who are very committed to the team you know and to create an environment in the dressing room which is very important, because that is one of the challenges of being part of IPL tournament because very quickly, and in a very short span of time you have to have everyone gelling with each other, and that camaraderie and that bonding is very important if you have to play as a unit and win matches as a unit. And that's why this story is one story where talent meets an opportunity and he grabs it both the hands and realize his dream and hope that a lot more youngsters from the SRH family will continue to realize that dream,” Laxman said. Laxman cited his example of being left overawed while making his debut in South Africa in 1996 but added that is no more the case when it comes to young players as IPL has given them the confidence and exposure of rubbing shoulders with world-class players. “You know, there's also a lot of importance given to Ranji Trophy, and the List-A matches be it Syed Mushtaq Ali or Vijay Hazare Trophy. But I think the biggest talking point over the last four months has been the bench strength of the Indian cricket team. You know, I think one of the historical wins for India has been the one we recently achieved in Australia. And one of the main reasons is the IPL. There's no doubt about it,” Laxman said. “The biggest difference, and I've experienced that in my career, when I made my international debut in South Africa in 1996. That was the first time I was playing in front of 45,000 people and I was overawed by the big location, and you're playing against quality bowlers from South Africa. But what IPL is done is for a period of two to one months, it allows the uncapped, talented Indian players to rub shoulders with the best in the world, you know, not only from India but from the world. And when that opportunity of understanding the game learning from the best will sort of enhance the growth and progress as a professional cricketer. And that's what IPL has done,” he explained. Further elaborating on his point, Laxman said that IPL has played a major role in boosting the bench strength of the Indian cricket team - which is at an all-time high. “You can see the Brisbane Test match where India were without Virat Kohli and a frontline Test bowling attack. They had a bowling attack, which was probably just four or five Test matches experienced as far as the international cricket was concerned. But the way they carried the responsibility and the way they delivered when it mattered, shows that how much IPL has helped them to develop as cricketers. “The partnership between Shardul Thakur and Washington Sundar, they're playing in Test match cricket for first time and to play against Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and also Nathan Lyon and to bat in that fashion is just because of the confidence they got playing in IPL. So I feel as a lot of positives and one of the reasons why Indian bench strength is strong is because of the youngsters participating in IPL without undervaluing the structure, the systems of the BCCI where the age group level cricket. India A and India Under-19 are given a lot of importance, the role of NCA - all played a part but I feel from the confidence level point of view IPL has made a big impact on these youngsters,” Laxman concluded. Sunrisers Hyderabad open their IPL 2021 campaign against Kolkata Knight Riders in Chennai on April 11. ALSO READ: IPL 2021 Schedule: Team-wise full fixture list, date, time and venues Sunrisers Hyderabad Squad for IPL 2021: David Warner (Captain), Kane Williamson, Jonny Bairstow (WK), Manish Pandey, Sreevats Goswami (WK), Wriddhiman Saha (WK), Kedar Jadhav, Priyam Garg, Vijay Shankar, Abhishek Sharma, Abdul Samad, Virat Singh, Jason Roy, Jason Holder, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Shahbaz Nadeem, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, T. Natarajan, Sandeep Sharma, Khaleel Ahmed, Siddarth Kaul, Basil Thampi, Jagadeesha Suchith, Mujeeb-ur-Rahman

VVS Laxman to WION: IPL biggest game-changer for Indian cricket

The rebranded Punjab Kings went to the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 auction with the biggest purse and signed up some of the biggest names in the world of T20 cricket. With a well-settled squad and much-needed firepower at their helm, Punjab Kings would be looking to end their trophy drought and lift the coveted trophy in the 14th edition of the tournament, starting April 9.

In an exclusive interview with WION’s Sports Editor, Digvijay Singh Deo, Anil Kumble, Director of Cricket Operations at Punjab Kings and the Chairman of ICC’s Cricket Committee, talked about the Punjab Kings squad for IPL 2021, auction plans, signing big-name players such as Dawid Malan and Jhye Richardson, bio-secure bubble and much more.&nbsp;

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The 14th edition of the Indian Premier League will be held just within six months of the previous edition of the lucrative T20 tournament, which was held in the UAE. With the players and coaching staff coming together after a brief gap, Kumble feels it has given a sense of continuity when it comes to team bonding and chemistry within the squad.

“Yes, it does give you some sort of continuity. As you're aware, last year was the first time that I got involved with this team. And, the entire support staff was new, the captain was new. I thought we had a really good campaign. Unfortunately, the points table doesn't reflect that. But, you know, we sort of did really well as a unit. And to have this competition again, within a span of six months, it doesn't seem like we've been away from each other. So when I met, players who sort of came from last year to this year, the retained players, it felt as though we had not left the bubble at all,” Kumble, who has a staggering 619 Test wickets for India, told WION in an exclusive interview.&nbsp;

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Bio-secure bubbles have become a crucial part of an athlete’s life since the COVID-19 pandemic left the entire world stunned. With rising cases of COVID-19 across the nation, bio-bubbles will play a crucial role in ensuring IPL 2021 is conducted without any hitch. Kumble explained the experience of being in the bio-bubble for previous edition of IPL while revealing Punjab Kings have appointed a sports psychologist while keeping the mental well-being of everyone associated with the franchise in mind.

“See, for the first time, we sort of got into a bubble last year, for the first time in the IPL for everyone, it was the first time it was very different last year, because as you're aware, you know, for six months, nobody had sort of done anything. They were at home locked down, with no access to facilities, no access to training.&nbsp;

“So when we started last year, it was new to all of us. So we had to tread really, really carefully in terms of understanding what it takes to be a part of this. And, and I think, there were a lot of learnings from, from the experience that we had last year, and of course, from there on, you know, for me, this is a second bubble, but then the players have been in multiple other bubbles, whether it has been their international commitments or domestic commitments. So the players are used to it,” Kumble said.

“But having said that, what we have done as a leadership unit, as this year is to engage with a sports psychologist who's a part of our squad, and over the last two weeks that we've been a part of this bubble. The first week, of course, we were in quarantine, in isolation in our respective rooms, and post that we've been on the ground. So it's been a great help interacting with him, having a few team chats, and also individually connecting with him. So it's wonderful to have that experience and the expertise within the group. So that is something that we wanted to address. And I'm glad that we have, we have a professional on board,” India’s highest Test wicket-taker added.

<img alt="Kumble" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c65bc37c-8afb-4880-b9d4-3f1d21cc3d04" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Kumble-2_1.JPG" />

Punjab Kings roped in the likes of Dawid Malan (INR 1.5 crore), Jhye Richardson (INR 14 crore), Riley Meredith (INR 8 crore), Moises Henriques (INR 4.2 crore), Jalaj Saxena (INR 30 lakh), Shahrukh Khan (INR 5.25 crore), Utkarsh Singh (INR 20 lakh), Saurabh Kumar (INR 20 lakh) in the IPL 2021 auction.&nbsp;

The KL Rahul-led outfit snapped the world’s number one T20I batsman – Malan – for his base price while also spending big on the likes of Jhye, Allen and Meredith.

So what was Punjab Kings’ plan ahead of the IPL 2021 auction?

“The idea was to, of course, fill the gaps that we require. But at the same time, make sure that we have enough experience with the batting, plus some firepower in the bowling and make sure that we have some young, exciting talent who are extractors who could be game-changers. And that's something that we wanted to focus on,” Kumble explained.

“So I think overall, you pick a squad, not worrying too much about where you're going to play. You want them to adapt to any condition. And that's the kind of squad that you want to choose from. And we are happy with the existing squad and I'm really happy with the way things have come along so far.

“What we needed was some experience in the all-round department, somebody who's played here before somebody who's been a part of winning teams. I mean, Moises brings that experience to the squad. Fabian, again is an exciting young all-rounder from West Indies, we all know, the power-hitting that they bring to the table and in this format, he's done exceptionally well is he's a young all-rounder. So it's nice to have him based on conditions obviously, you know, he's a very good left-hand spinner and then really hits the ball hard. And Dawid Malan brings experience and somebody who can sort of giving support to the Indian batters that we have,” Kumble elaborated.

<img alt="Kumble" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="dbd45973-3587-4748-961e-0ec78d9e3ca0" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Kumble-3_0.JPG" />

“So we wanted a steady, someone who you can depend on. And then the firepower of Chris Gayle, Nicholas Pooran and Fabian Allen as a foreigner.

“For us, plus Moises and Dawid Malan sort of give you the comfort of freeing&nbsp;KL Rahul more so I think that's the kind of options that we wanted we're really glad that we got those. We also wanted a young Indian power-hitting batsman like a Shahrukh Khan, I'm really excited as he really hits the ball hard and we wanted to look at that it's good to have him as well in the squad. Like I mentioned it's all about having all bases covered and I think we have a pretty strong you know squad&nbsp;to choose from,” he added.

In IPL 2020, Punjab Kings – then Kings XI Punjab – played some exciting cricket. While a couple of Super Overs, umpiring calls, and close matches, went against the outfit they caught the eyeballs with an impressive winning run in the later phase of the tournament. They had finished sixth after winning six matches and losing 8 out of their 14 games in the tournament.

With IPL 2021 being held in India but with a catch – no teams would be playing in their home stadium. The new regularities do bring new challenges into the scene but Kumble reckons players’ experience in playing in different conditions will come into play while adding the upcoming edition of the T20 tournament will also produce close matches considering every team is equally balanced on paper.

<img alt="Kumble" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9e1521e6-871a-424a-9bb6-730b982ede8b" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Kumble-1_1.JPG" />

“Last year, I thought we really had a good squad we started off really well. We were a bit unlucky in some of the matches with the kind of cricket we played. I didn't I didn't mean the points table. But then I thought the kind of cricket that we played at the beginning of the IPL was really solid.

“Unfortunately, the results didn't go away a couple of close calls, Super Overs. I mean, I thought we were the most exciting team in the IPL because we played a lot more Super Overs and created that kind of an environment, you know, close finishes. So, yes, as you said, we came really, really close. And I was really proud of the team with the way we bounced back after six losses, you know, one out of seven and then to win five in a row. And yes, we sort of fell short towards the end. But that's the IPL. But we are really proud of the way we played, we were that close to qualifying and we believe that all matches are going to be tough. All the teams are equally balanced,” Kumble said.

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“And as you said, the conditions are going to be fine. You can say neutral. But you know more. I think most of the players have played in all these venues. The four venues that we are going to play in, in all the players have played there. We know the conditions. So yes, you can call the neutral. But yeah, the conditions are probably the same for football teams. So all the players understand that,” he concluded.

Punjab Kings start their IPL 2021 campaign against Rajasthan Royals on April 12 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.&nbsp;

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The rebranded Punjab Kings went to the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 auction with the biggest purse and signed up some of the biggest names in the world of T20 cricket.

The rebranded Punjab Kings went to the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 auction with the biggest purse and signed up some of the biggest names in the world of T20 cricket. With a well-settled squad and much-needed firepower at their helm, Punjab Kings would be looking to end their trophy drought and lift the coveted trophy in the 14th edition of the tournament, starting April 9. In an exclusive interview with WION’s Sports Editor, Digvijay Singh Deo, Anil Kumble, Director of Cricket Operations at Punjab Kings and the Chairman of ICC’s Cricket Committee, talked about the Punjab Kings squad for IPL 2021, auction plans, signing big-name players such as Dawid Malan and Jhye Richardson, bio-secure bubble and much more. × The 14th edition of the Indian Premier League will be held just within six months of the previous edition of the lucrative T20 tournament, which was held in the UAE. With the players and coaching staff coming together after a brief gap, Kumble feels it has given a sense of continuity when it comes to team bonding and chemistry within the squad. “Yes, it does give you some sort of continuity. As you're aware, last year was the first time that I got involved with this team. And, the entire support staff was new, the captain was new. I thought we had a really good campaign. Unfortunately, the points table doesn't reflect that. But, you know, we sort of did really well as a unit. And to have this competition again, within a span of six months, it doesn't seem like we've been away from each other. So when I met, players who sort of came from last year to this year, the retained players, it felt as though we had not left the bubble at all,” Kumble, who has a staggering 619 Test wickets for India, told WION in an exclusive interview. .@anilkumble1074 to @mayankcricket: Thinking about hitting another 💯 vs #RR? 😉#SaddaPunjab #IPL2021 #PunjabKings pic.twitter.com/7F6FNCCRq0 — Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) April 6, 2021 × Bio-secure bubbles have become a crucial part of an athlete’s life since the COVID-19 pandemic left the entire world stunned. With rising cases of COVID-19 across the nation, bio-bubbles will play a crucial role in ensuring IPL 2021 is conducted without any hitch. Kumble explained the experience of being in the bio-bubble for previous edition of IPL while revealing Punjab Kings have appointed a sports psychologist while keeping the mental well-being of everyone associated with the franchise in mind. “See, for the first time, we sort of got into a bubble last year, for the first time in the IPL for everyone, it was the first time it was very different last year, because as you're aware, you know, for six months, nobody had sort of done anything. They were at home locked down, with no access to facilities, no access to training. “So when we started last year, it was new to all of us. So we had to tread really, really carefully in terms of understanding what it takes to be a part of this. And, and I think, there were a lot of learnings from, from the experience that we had last year, and of course, from there on, you know, for me, this is a second bubble, but then the players have been in multiple other bubbles, whether it has been their international commitments or domestic commitments. So the players are used to it,” Kumble said. “But having said that, what we have done as a leadership unit, as this year is to engage with a sports psychologist who's a part of our squad, and over the last two weeks that we've been a part of this bubble. The first week, of course, we were in quarantine, in isolation in our respective rooms, and post that we've been on the ground. So it's been a great help interacting with him, having a few team chats, and also individually connecting with him. So it's wonderful to have that experience and the expertise within the group. So that is something that we wanted to address. And I'm glad that we have, we have a professional on board,” India’s highest Test wicket-taker added. Punjab Kings roped in the likes of Dawid Malan (INR 1.5 crore), Jhye Richardson (INR 14 crore), Riley Meredith (INR 8 crore), Moises Henriques (INR 4.2 crore), Jalaj Saxena (INR 30 lakh), Shahrukh Khan (INR 5.25 crore), Utkarsh Singh (INR 20 lakh), Saurabh Kumar (INR 20 lakh) in the IPL 2021 auction. The KL Rahul-led outfit snapped the world’s number one T20I batsman – Malan – for his base price while also spending big on the likes of Jhye, Allen and Meredith. So what was Punjab Kings’ plan ahead of the IPL 2021 auction? “The idea was to, of course, fill the gaps that we require. But at the same time, make sure that we have enough experience with the batting, plus some firepower in the bowling and make sure that we have some young, exciting talent who are extractors who could be game-changers. And that's something that we wanted to focus on,” Kumble explained. “So I think overall, you pick a squad, not worrying too much about where you're going to play. You want them to adapt to any condition. And that's the kind of squad that you want to choose from. And we are happy with the existing squad and I'm really happy with the way things have come along so far. “What we needed was some experience in the all-round department, somebody who's played here before somebody who's been a part of winning teams. I mean, Moises brings that experience to the squad. Fabian, again is an exciting young all-rounder from West Indies, we all know, the power-hitting that they bring to the table and in this format, he's done exceptionally well is he's a young all-rounder. So it's nice to have him based on conditions obviously, you know, he's a very good left-hand spinner and then really hits the ball hard. And Dawid Malan brings experience and somebody who can sort of giving support to the Indian batters that we have,” Kumble elaborated. “So we wanted a steady, someone who you can depend on. And then the firepower of Chris Gayle, Nicholas Pooran and Fabian Allen as a foreigner. “For us, plus Moises and Dawid Malan sort of give you the comfort of freeing KL Rahul more so I think that's the kind of options that we wanted we're really glad that we got those. We also wanted a young Indian power-hitting batsman like a Shahrukh Khan, I'm really excited as he really hits the ball hard and we wanted to look at that it's good to have him as well in the squad. Like I mentioned it's all about having all bases covered and I think we have a pretty strong you know squad to choose from,” he added. In IPL 2020, Punjab Kings – then Kings XI Punjab – played some exciting cricket. While a couple of Super Overs, umpiring calls, and close matches, went against the outfit they caught the eyeballs with an impressive winning run in the later phase of the tournament. They had finished sixth after winning six matches and losing 8 out of their 14 games in the tournament. With IPL 2021 being held in India but with a catch – no teams would be playing in their home stadium. The new regularities do bring new challenges into the scene but Kumble reckons players’ experience in playing in different conditions will come into play while adding the upcoming edition of the T20 tournament will also produce close matches considering every team is equally balanced on paper. “Last year, I thought we really had a good squad we started off really well. We were a bit unlucky in some of the matches with the kind of cricket we played. I didn't I didn't mean the points table. But then I thought the kind of cricket that we played at the beginning of the IPL was really solid. “Unfortunately, the results didn't go away a couple of close calls, Super Overs. I mean, I thought we were the most exciting team in the IPL because we played a lot more Super Overs and created that kind of an environment, you know, close finishes. So, yes, as you said, we came really, really close. And I was really proud of the team with the way we bounced back after six losses, you know, one out of seven and then to win five in a row. And yes, we sort of fell short towards the end. But that's the IPL. But we are really proud of the way we played, we were that close to qualifying and we believe that all matches are going to be tough. All the teams are equally balanced,” Kumble said. The mains had their 👀 glued on the practice match today 👌#SaddaPunjab #PunjabKings #IPL2021 @anilkumble1074 pic.twitter.com/GACe5zGESS — Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) April 4, 2021 × “And as you said, the conditions are going to be fine. You can say neutral. But you know more. I think most of the players have played in all these venues. The four venues that we are going to play in, in all the players have played there. We know the conditions. So yes, you can call the neutral. But yeah, the conditions are probably the same for football teams. So all the players understand that,” he concluded. Punjab Kings start their IPL 2021 campaign against Rajasthan Royals on April 12 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

Anil Kumble to WION: With new additions, Punjab Kings got all bases covered at auction

Punjab Kings have been eyeing the coveted Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy for long&nbsp;and with an eye to end the title jinx, the rebranded outfit would be heading into the 14th edition of the tournament after strengthening the squad at the auction table. With new additions in the team with the likes of Dawid Malan, Jhye Richardson, Riley Meredith, Shahrukh Khan among others, Punjab Kings are looking at a selection headache for the upcoming edition of the lucrative T20 tournament.&nbsp;

Anil Kumble, the Director of Cricket Operations at Punjab Kings, in an exclusive interview with WION’s Sports Editor, Digvijay Singh Deo, talked about the selection headache for the KL Rahul-led outfit while also sharing the plans for the auction.&nbsp;

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Punjab Kings signed a few big-name players in the world of T20 cricket during the 2021 auction. While they got the world’s number one T20I batsman Dawid Malan, surprisingly, for his base price, they broke the bank for the Australian troika of Jhye Richardson, Riley Meredith and Moises Henriques. Additionally, they capped an impressive auction by signing some eye-catching domestic talents in the likes of Jalaj Saxena, Shahrukh Khan, Utkarsh Singh and Saurabh Kumar.

“I think people sort of tend to discuss the actual money spent on a particular player, whether that particular player is actually that valuable. I think in the overall scheme of things like I mentioned, it was a small auction, where the interest on one particular player or two particular players would be, you know, more than two or three franchises wanting that particular player. So, as I mentioned, we wanted to create some sort of options for us to have the firepower and some pace,” Kumble told WION in an exclusive interview.&nbsp;

“And that's why we looked at Riley Meredith. And we believe that somebody of his pace, raw pace, as somebody who can ball that consistently more than 145 kilometres per hour, we felt that that's something that we wanted as an option.&nbsp;

<img alt="Kumble" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f0b413d7-0572-4b8c-8d18-a69e6666b9d7" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Kumble-2_2.JPG" />

“Yes, you know, when you look at the money spent, you sort of think, ‘Oh, no, he hasn't played for Australia’ (at that point in time). Why are they spending so much as I mentioned in a small auction, it's very difficult to gauge the actual value that goes into picking a player, Jhye Richardson, we felt that, he could obviously support Mohammed Shami, our lead bowler, and if you can get someone bowling in difficult periods, like the powerplay, middle overs, and he's useful with the bat as well.&nbsp;

“See, sometimes you sort of pick players from the auction looking at this year. But you may also want to keep your mind for the following year, as well. We don't know what the rules are going to be. I think it's important to keep that kind of a vision for the future as well. So we felt Jhye, with his ability to swing the ball at pace, will be able to pick up wickets in the powerplay and of course at the dead, so those two will certainly add a lot of value to the already, you know, good base attack that we have and the experience of Shami and Chris Jordan, along with all the Indian youngsters who have done exceptionally well in domestic cricket,” he added.

“Last year, Arshdeep was really good for us. Ishan Porel and Darshan Nalkande have been really good at the domestic level. So we believe that we have a good bowling unit that we can sort of rotate and make sure that there are no skills we lack you know.”

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Jitthe machaaenge sadde Kings dhoom, ae hain unha da 😍 team room 💥<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SaddaPunjab?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SaddaPunjab</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PunjabKings?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PunjabKings</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IPL2021?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IPL2021</a> <a href="https://t.co/FPYn9U2Pcu">pic.twitter.com/FPYn9U2Pcu</a>
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) <a href="https://twitter.com/PunjabKingsIPL/status/1378304846487490562?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 3, 2021</a></blockquote>
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The new additions to the squad bring a fresh selection headache for Kumble and Co. in the IPL 2021 auction. With different venues to play the tournament in India, Punjab Kings would be looking to utilize their bench strength and maximize the skills of the players.

“Yeah, it is. It's a good thing to have (selection headache), as I said, Digvijay, it's all about having your options, not necessary that all of them will play all the matches. You know, it's very difficult to have that.

“What we needed was some experience in the all-round department, somebody who's played here before somebody who's been a part of winning teams. I mean, Moises brings that experience to the squad. Fabian, again is an exciting young all-rounder from West Indies, we all know, the power-hitting that they bring to the table and in this format, he's done exceptionally well is he's a young all-rounder. So it's nice to have him based on conditions obviously, you know, he's a very good left-hand spinner and then really hits the ball hard. And Dawid Malan brings experience and somebody who can sort of give support to the Indian batters that we have,” Kumble said.

“So we wanted a steady, someone who you can depend on. And then the firepower of Chris Gayle, Nicholas Pooran and Fabian Allen as a foreigner. Plus Moises and Dawid Malan sort of give you the comfort of you know them really free KL Rahul more so I think that's the kind of options that we wanted we're really glad that we got those. We also wanted a young Indian power-hitting batsman like a Shahrukh Khan. I'm really excited as he really hits the ball hard and it's good to have him as well in the squad. Like I mentioned it's all about having all bases covered and I think we have a pretty strong you know squat to choose from,” the former India captain and also the head of ICC’s Cricket Committee concluded.

Punjab Kings start their IPL 2021 campaign against Rajasthan Royals on April 12 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

Punjab Kings have been eyeing the coveted Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy for long and with an eye to end the title jinx, the rebranded outfit would be heading into the 14th edition of the tournament after strengthening the squad at the auction table.

Punjab Kings have been eyeing the coveted Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy for long and with an eye to end the title jinx, the rebranded outfit would be heading into the 14th edition of the tournament after strengthening the squad at the auction table. With new additions in the team with the likes of Dawid Malan, Jhye Richardson, Riley Meredith, Shahrukh Khan among others, Punjab Kings are looking at a selection headache for the upcoming edition of the lucrative T20 tournament. Anil Kumble, the Director of Cricket Operations at Punjab Kings, in an exclusive interview with WION’s Sports Editor, Digvijay Singh Deo, talked about the selection headache for the KL Rahul-led outfit while also sharing the plans for the auction. × Punjab Kings signed a few big-name players in the world of T20 cricket during the 2021 auction. While they got the world’s number one T20I batsman Dawid Malan, surprisingly, for his base price, they broke the bank for the Australian troika of Jhye Richardson, Riley Meredith and Moises Henriques. Additionally, they capped an impressive auction by signing some eye-catching domestic talents in the likes of Jalaj Saxena, Shahrukh Khan, Utkarsh Singh and Saurabh Kumar. “I think people sort of tend to discuss the actual money spent on a particular player, whether that particular player is actually that valuable. I think in the overall scheme of things like I mentioned, it was a small auction, where the interest on one particular player or two particular players would be, you know, more than two or three franchises wanting that particular player. So, as I mentioned, we wanted to create some sort of options for us to have the firepower and some pace,” Kumble told WION in an exclusive interview. “And that's why we looked at Riley Meredith. And we believe that somebody of his pace, raw pace, as somebody who can ball that consistently more than 145 kilometres per hour, we felt that that's something that we wanted as an option. “Yes, you know, when you look at the money spent, you sort of think, ‘Oh, no, he hasn't played for Australia’ (at that point in time). Why are they spending so much as I mentioned in a small auction, it's very difficult to gauge the actual value that goes into picking a player, Jhye Richardson, we felt that, he could obviously support Mohammed Shami, our lead bowler, and if you can get someone bowling in difficult periods, like the powerplay, middle overs, and he's useful with the bat as well. “See, sometimes you sort of pick players from the auction looking at this year. But you may also want to keep your mind for the following year, as well. We don't know what the rules are going to be. I think it's important to keep that kind of a vision for the future as well. So we felt Jhye, with his ability to swing the ball at pace, will be able to pick up wickets in the powerplay and of course at the dead, so those two will certainly add a lot of value to the already, you know, good base attack that we have and the experience of Shami and Chris Jordan, along with all the Indian youngsters who have done exceptionally well in domestic cricket,” he added. “Last year, Arshdeep was really good for us. Ishan Porel and Darshan Nalkande have been really good at the domestic level. So we believe that we have a good bowling unit that we can sort of rotate and make sure that there are no skills we lack you know.” Jitthe machaaenge sadde Kings dhoom, ae hain unha da 😍 team room 💥#SaddaPunjab #PunjabKings #IPL2021 pic.twitter.com/FPYn9U2Pcu — Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) April 3, 2021 × The new additions to the squad bring a fresh selection headache for Kumble and Co. in the IPL 2021 auction. With different venues to play the tournament in India, Punjab Kings would be looking to utilize their bench strength and maximize the skills of the players. “Yeah, it is. It's a good thing to have (selection headache), as I said, Digvijay, it's all about having your options, not necessary that all of them will play all the matches. You know, it's very difficult to have that. “What we needed was some experience in the all-round department, somebody who's played here before somebody who's been a part of winning teams. I mean, Moises brings that experience to the squad. Fabian, again is an exciting young all-rounder from West Indies, we all know, the power-hitting that they bring to the table and in this format, he's done exceptionally well is he's a young all-rounder. So it's nice to have him based on conditions obviously, you know, he's a very good left-hand spinner and then really hits the ball hard. And Dawid Malan brings experience and somebody who can sort of give support to the Indian batters that we have,” Kumble said. “So we wanted a steady, someone who you can depend on. And then the firepower of Chris Gayle, Nicholas Pooran and Fabian Allen as a foreigner. Plus Moises and Dawid Malan sort of give you the comfort of you know them really free KL Rahul more so I think that's the kind of options that we wanted we're really glad that we got those. We also wanted a young Indian power-hitting batsman like a Shahrukh Khan. I'm really excited as he really hits the ball hard and it's good to have him as well in the squad. Like I mentioned it's all about having all bases covered and I think we have a pretty strong you know squat to choose from,” the former India captain and also the head of ICC’s Cricket Committee concluded. Punjab Kings start their IPL 2021 campaign against Rajasthan Royals on April 12 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

Anil Kumble to WION: Selection headache a good thing for Punjab Kings

In a year where the entire world witnessed unprecedented circumstances due to the coronavirus pandemic, Swedish pole vaulter Armand Duplantis touched new heights in the field of athletics while shattering record books. Nicknamed ‘Mondo’, Armand Duplantis was not only immensely consistent during the 2020 Diamond League, the 21-year-old broke legendary Sergey Bubka’s 26-year-old outdoor world record in September 2020.&nbsp;

Duplantis, who also holds the indoor world record of 6.18 meters set in Glasgow in February, came to the world scene after breaking age-group records while winning the silver medal at 2019 World Championships.&nbsp;

In an exclusive interview with WION’s Sports Editor, Digvijay Singh Deo, Armand ‘Mondo’ Duplantis – World Athletics Male Athlete of the Year 2020 – spoke about his unforgettable year 2020, record-breaking spree in Pole Vault, registering new world record, expectations in Tokyo Olympics and much more.&nbsp;

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&nbsp;

<img alt="Armand 'Mundo' Duplantis" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="74e82ebf-bbb9-4406-9d1d-99ef9149ffe3" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_8Q826L.jpg" />

Duplantis, who was a child prodigy born in a renowned Athletic family, started the year 2020 on a sharp note and registered a new world record of 6.18 metres (20 feet, 3 ¼ inches) in Glasgow in February. After months of lockdown due to the pandemic, Duplantis came back stronger and sharper to get hold of the outdoor world record at such a young age.

“2020 started off perfectly for me. I had the close to perfect indoor season where I was able to break the world record twice so I can't really complain. Everything felt right about the world and then 2 weeks after the indoor season closed the pandemic started to set in. Everything came to a screeching halt. All events I prepared for, the Olympics and the European Championships were postponed. But I was still able to come away with an outdoor season and get some good marks in even though it was a restricted season. I cannot complain how things worked out but it was definitely worse for other people,” Duplantis told WION in an exclusive interview.&nbsp;

<img alt="Armand 'Mundo' Duplantis" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="618d9a2a-7713-42c1-a493-a7808d6f182b" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_8Q8276.jpg" />

With the previous winners of World Athletics Male Athlete of the Year being the likes of Carl Lewis, Usain Bolt, Michael Johnson, Renaud Lavilennie among others, Duplantis, at just 21, has set the bar high.&nbsp;

“Everyone was asking me if I could fill Usain Bolt's shoes when I broke the world record. I do not worry about it too much as we are different people who do different events. I go out there, try to jump high and just be genuine. I like putting on a show and everything else just works out,” Duplantis said.

And with success, come expectations. Many young athletes crumble under pressure. But Duplantis has his target clear from a very young age.&nbsp;

“I have expectations from a very young age but I also have very huge expectations from myself. I always believed as a kid that I was capable of breaking the world record and I thought that eventually, I would get up to the required heights and be chasing for Olympic golds. My expectations of myself always equalled what other people thought of me and that ensured I never stressed over what people thought of me. But yes, expectations have been higher than ever before,” Duplantis explained.&nbsp;

<img alt="Armand 'Mundo' Duplantis" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c0ba2280-88da-47ac-8ccd-f88bc8574d32" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_8PV979.jpg" />

Duplantis went undefeated through the year and went on to broke the indoor and outdoor mark. The thrill and excitement of achieving a dream at a tender age follow.

Despite breaking Bubka’s record, Duplantis considers the former Ukrainian Pole Vaulter as the greatest that ever lived. However, the youngster wants to be better than everyone and set fresh benchmarks.

“Breaking the world record for the first time in Torun was a very crazy feeling. There was this rush of emotions that flooded through my body and it was hard to believe that it actually happened. I always dreamed of the day it would come and the moment and the second I went over the bar and realised what was happening I felt like I blacked out for a second and I remember running around and shouting like crazy. You do not get many such moments like that in your career and I will always cherish it,” the 21-year-old said.

“Bubka is still considered the greatest pole vaulter that ever lived. I want to be the best pole vaulter that ever lived and I want to go out there and do the things that he did and make it even better. I want to jump even higher and accomplish more. I want to do things that nobody has ever seen before and while there is a long way to go, I have made a good start,” he added.

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MALE WORLD ATHLETE OF THE YEAR! ✨ 
 
Mondo Duplantis is crowned Male Athlete of the Year at the 2020 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WorldAthleticsAwards?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WorldAthleticsAwards</a> 
 
Congratulations <a href="https://twitter.com/mondohoss600?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@mondohoss600</a> 👏 <a href="https://t.co/Kk7YX0P6do">pic.twitter.com/Kk7YX0P6do</a>
— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) <a href="https://twitter.com/WorldAthletics/status/1335252879586848768?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 5, 2020</a></blockquote>
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With Japan and International&nbsp;Olympic Association determined to go ahead with the Tokyo Olympics, athletes are gearing up for the quadrennial event. For Duplantis, it will be his first-ever Olympic appearance.

“Pole vault has a lot of surprises and anything can happen on any given day. I do not know how the conditions will be or how I will be feeling. I will go in there and make sure I am in the best shape possible and everything else works out. I am going to do everything I can to end up on the top of that podium,” Duplantis said.

“I have not been to an Olympics before but I can imagine it is very special., meeting people from all over the world and from all kinds of sports is really special thing. I understand everything will be different in Tokyo but the world is different now after the pandemic and one has to get used to it. For me restrictions or not, I hope the Olympics do take place,” he concluded.

In a year where the entire world witnessed unprecedented circumstances due to the coronavirus pandemic, Swedish pole vaulter Armand Duplantis touched new heights in the field of athletics while shattering record books.

In a year where the entire world witnessed unprecedented circumstances due to the coronavirus pandemic, Swedish pole vaulter Armand Duplantis touched new heights in the field of athletics while shattering record books. Nicknamed ‘Mondo’, Armand Duplantis was not only immensely consistent during the 2020 Diamond League, the 21-year-old broke legendary Sergey Bubka’s 26-year-old outdoor world record in September 2020. Duplantis, who also holds the indoor world record of 6.18 meters set in Glasgow in February, came to the world scene after breaking age-group records while winning the silver medal at 2019 World Championships. In an exclusive interview with WION’s Sports Editor, Digvijay Singh Deo, Armand ‘Mondo’ Duplantis – World Athletics Male Athlete of the Year 2020 – spoke about his unforgettable year 2020, record-breaking spree in Pole Vault, registering new world record, expectations in Tokyo Olympics and much more. × Duplantis, who was a child prodigy born in a renowned Athletic family, started the year 2020 on a sharp note and registered a new world record of 6.18 metres (20 feet, 3 ¼ inches) in Glasgow in February. After months of lockdown due to the pandemic, Duplantis came back stronger and sharper to get hold of the outdoor world record at such a young age. “2020 started off perfectly for me. I had the close to perfect indoor season where I was able to break the world record twice so I can't really complain. Everything felt right about the world and then 2 weeks after the indoor season closed the pandemic started to set in. Everything came to a screeching halt. All events I prepared for, the Olympics and the European Championships were postponed. But I was still able to come away with an outdoor season and get some good marks in even though it was a restricted season. I cannot complain how things worked out but it was definitely worse for other people,” Duplantis told WION in an exclusive interview. With the previous winners of World Athletics Male Athlete of the Year being the likes of Carl Lewis, Usain Bolt, Michael Johnson, Renaud Lavilennie among others, Duplantis, at just 21, has set the bar high. “Everyone was asking me if I could fill Usain Bolt's shoes when I broke the world record. I do not worry about it too much as we are different people who do different events. I go out there, try to jump high and just be genuine. I like putting on a show and everything else just works out,” Duplantis said. And with success, come expectations. Many young athletes crumble under pressure. But Duplantis has his target clear from a very young age. “I have expectations from a very young age but I also have very huge expectations from myself. I always believed as a kid that I was capable of breaking the world record and I thought that eventually, I would get up to the required heights and be chasing for Olympic golds. My expectations of myself always equalled what other people thought of me and that ensured I never stressed over what people thought of me. But yes, expectations have been higher than ever before,” Duplantis explained. Duplantis went undefeated through the year and went on to broke the indoor and outdoor mark. The thrill and excitement of achieving a dream at a tender age follow. Despite breaking Bubka’s record, Duplantis considers the former Ukrainian Pole Vaulter as the greatest that ever lived. However, the youngster wants to be better than everyone and set fresh benchmarks. “Breaking the world record for the first time in Torun was a very crazy feeling. There was this rush of emotions that flooded through my body and it was hard to believe that it actually happened. I always dreamed of the day it would come and the moment and the second I went over the bar and realised what was happening I felt like I blacked out for a second and I remember running around and shouting like crazy. You do not get many such moments like that in your career and I will always cherish it,” the 21-year-old said. “Bubka is still considered the greatest pole vaulter that ever lived. I want to be the best pole vaulter that ever lived and I want to go out there and do the things that he did and make it even better. I want to jump even higher and accomplish more. I want to do things that nobody has ever seen before and while there is a long way to go, I have made a good start,” he added. MALE WORLD ATHLETE OF THE YEAR! ✨ Mondo Duplantis is crowned Male Athlete of the Year at the 2020 #WorldAthleticsAwards Congratulations @mondohoss600 👏 pic.twitter.com/Kk7YX0P6do — World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) December 5, 2020 × With Japan and International Olympic Association determined to go ahead with the Tokyo Olympics, athletes are gearing up for the quadrennial event. For Duplantis, it will be his first-ever Olympic appearance. “Pole vault has a lot of surprises and anything can happen on any given day. I do not know how the conditions will be or how I will be feeling. I will go in there and make sure I am in the best shape possible and everything else works out. I am going to do everything I can to end up on the top of that podium,” Duplantis said. “I have not been to an Olympics before but I can imagine it is very special., meeting people from all over the world and from all kinds of sports is really special thing. I understand everything will be different in Tokyo but the world is different now after the pandemic and one has to get used to it. For me restrictions or not, I hope the Olympics do take place,” he concluded.

Armand 'Mondo' Duplantis: I want to be the best pole vaulter to ever live | Exclusive Interview

Sporting scenario in India completely changed after the country’s unparalleled success in the Beijing Olympics. While Abhinav Bindra clinched India’s first individual gold medal in the Games, Sushil Kumar and Vijender Singh bagged bronze in men’s freestyle wrestling and boxing events respectively. It was the first time in the history of Olympics that India won three medals - a historic event for the entire nation.&nbsp;

In an exclusive interview with WION’s Sports Editor Digvijay Singh Deo, Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar and Vijender Singh recalled the historic 2008 Beijing Games while explaining how it changed their lives and sporting scenario in the country.&nbsp;

<img alt="Sushil Kumar and Vijender Singh" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="af3d22db-014d-4823-8db3-e7e2f694769d" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_Del222578.jpg" />

Sushil remains the only Indian sportsperson to have won two Olympic medals. The Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna-awardee remembered how his coach taugh him to be humble while adding that those three medals in Beijing Olympics changed the outlook of Indian sport.

“I consider it an honour to have won medals for India. My coach Satpal taught me to be humble and to focus on my sport. No one believed we could win Olympic medals in 2008 but those 3 medals changed the outlook of Indian sport. Today every young sportsperson wants to win a gold at the Olympics,” Sushil told WION.&nbsp;

Whereas Vijender said that both Abhinav Bindra and Sushil deserve Bharat Ratna for what they have done for the country and added that it would be a motivating aspect for budding sportspersons if the duo is awarded with India’s highest civilian honour.

“Abhinav bindra and Sushil deserve the Bharat Ratna for the achievements. I do not want to go into the past and which sportsperson deserves it more but it would be very motivating for budding sportspersons if these two are awarded India’s highest civilian honour. They are fully deserving of this respect,” Vijender told WION.

<img alt="Sushil Kumar" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a1e0e12f-fffb-42c1-98fd-0d6c8d19799c" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_DV407012_0.jpg" />

In an interesting insight, Sushil revealed how Leander Paes’ bronze medal at 1996 Atlanta Olympics inspired him to become an Olympic medallist. Whereas for Vijender, it was Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore’s silver at Athens Olympics, which motivated him to be an Olympic medallist.

Our coach always told Yogeshwar Dutt and me that we have to win Olympic medals. But we had no idea what the Olympics meant or what an Olympic medal signified. Leander paes set an example in 1996 and that changed our complete focus as sportspersons. And now a new generation wants to emulate our success after seeing us on the medal podium,” recalled Sushil.

“I was 18-year-old when I qualified for Athens and I had to shave to look mature. I was blown over by the spectacle of the Olympics and had enjoyed myself thoroughly taking in the sights and sounds of the city. I saw how Rathore was celebrated after his medal and that told me that I had to win a medal to make a name. That was when I devoted myself to the target of winning an Olympic medal,” Vijender revealed.

The life of an Olympic medallist changes overnight and the same happened to Vijender and Sushil as they returned home amid a rousing reception and countless felicitation ceremonies.&nbsp;

“God has been kind. We both come from families that were not financially well-off and at times i am grateful to god for all that has come our way. The Olympic medal changed our lives and today young wrestlers who come from similar backgrounds look at us and believe that they too can emulate our success,” said Sushil.

“I have led life on my own terms. I won the Olympic medal due to my hard work and talent. I did not owe it to anyone and did what my heart told me,” said an ever-confident Vijender.

When asked how Indian sport changed between the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, Vijender said the phase brought a lot more limelight to Olympic athletes and Indian sport never looked back after that.

“A lot changed! There was space for Olympic athletes on the back pages that was usually reserved for cricket. The media interest grew and that sparked interest in a new generation of sport persons. Indian sport has not looked back ever since,” said Vijender.&nbsp;

<img alt="Vijender Singh" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1b0b2ea9-13cb-486f-847e-b4031c82181d" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/jpg.jpg" />

The Rio Olympics witnessed India won just two medals with three Indians missing the podium narrowly at fourth. When asked whether the growth is a part of the legacy of Olympic medallists, Sushil said Olympic sports changed in India changed after 2008 and the youngsters blazing into the scene show how the gap has narrowed down completely.&nbsp;

“Olympic sports has changed in India after 2008. We are contending in sports that earlier we had no history in. Dipa Karmakar's 4th place finish in gymnastics at Rio was a bolt from the blue but it showed that the gap has narrowed down completely. We have world-class infrastructure now and that produces a new generation of champions,” Sushil concluded. 
&nbsp;

Sporting scenario in India completely changed after the country’s unparalleled success in the Beijing Olympics. While Abhinav Bindra clinched India’s first individual gold medal in the Games, Sushil Kumar and Vijender Singh bagged bronze in men’s freestyle wrestling and boxing events respectively.

Sporting scenario in India completely changed after the country’s unparalleled success in the Beijing Olympics. While Abhinav Bindra clinched India’s first individual gold medal in the Games, Sushil Kumar and Vijender Singh bagged bronze in men’s freestyle wrestling and boxing events respectively. It was the first time in the history of Olympics that India won three medals - a historic event for the entire nation. In an exclusive interview with WION’s Sports Editor Digvijay Singh Deo, Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar and Vijender Singh recalled the historic 2008 Beijing Games while explaining how it changed their lives and sporting scenario in the country. Sushil remains the only Indian sportsperson to have won two Olympic medals. The Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna-awardee remembered how his coach taugh him to be humble while adding that those three medals in Beijing Olympics changed the outlook of Indian sport. “I consider it an honour to have won medals for India. My coach Satpal taught me to be humble and to focus on my sport. No one believed we could win Olympic medals in 2008 but those 3 medals changed the outlook of Indian sport. Today every young sportsperson wants to win a gold at the Olympics,” Sushil told WION. Whereas Vijender said that both Abhinav Bindra and Sushil deserve Bharat Ratna for what they have done for the country and added that it would be a motivating aspect for budding sportspersons if the duo is awarded with India’s highest civilian honour. “Abhinav bindra and Sushil deserve the Bharat Ratna for the achievements. I do not want to go into the past and which sportsperson deserves it more but it would be very motivating for budding sportspersons if these two are awarded India’s highest civilian honour. They are fully deserving of this respect,” Vijender told WION. In an interesting insight, Sushil revealed how Leander Paes’ bronze medal at 1996 Atlanta Olympics inspired him to become an Olympic medallist. Whereas for Vijender, it was Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore’s silver at Athens Olympics, which motivated him to be an Olympic medallist. Our coach always told Yogeshwar Dutt and me that we have to win Olympic medals. But we had no idea what the Olympics meant or what an Olympic medal signified. Leander paes set an example in 1996 and that changed our complete focus as sportspersons. And now a new generation wants to emulate our success after seeing us on the medal podium,” recalled Sushil. “I was 18-year-old when I qualified for Athens and I had to shave to look mature. I was blown over by the spectacle of the Olympics and had enjoyed myself thoroughly taking in the sights and sounds of the city. I saw how Rathore was celebrated after his medal and that told me that I had to win a medal to make a name. That was when I devoted myself to the target of winning an Olympic medal,” Vijender revealed. The life of an Olympic medallist changes overnight and the same happened to Vijender and Sushil as they returned home amid a rousing reception and countless felicitation ceremonies. “God has been kind. We both come from families that were not financially well-off and at times i am grateful to god for all that has come our way. The Olympic medal changed our lives and today young wrestlers who come from similar backgrounds look at us and believe that they too can emulate our success,” said Sushil. “I have led life on my own terms. I won the Olympic medal due to my hard work and talent. I did not owe it to anyone and did what my heart told me,” said an ever-confident Vijender. When asked how Indian sport changed between the 2008 and 2012 Olympics, Vijender said the phase brought a lot more limelight to Olympic athletes and Indian sport never looked back after that. “A lot changed! There was space for Olympic athletes on the back pages that was usually reserved for cricket. The media interest grew and that sparked interest in a new generation of sport persons. Indian sport has not looked back ever since,” said Vijender. The Rio Olympics witnessed India won just two medals with three Indians missing the podium narrowly at fourth. When asked whether the growth is a part of the legacy of Olympic medallists, Sushil said Olympic sports changed in India changed after 2008 and the youngsters blazing into the scene show how the gap has narrowed down completely. “Olympic sports has changed in India after 2008. We are contending in sports that earlier we had no history in. Dipa Karmakar's 4th place finish in gymnastics at Rio was a bolt from the blue but it showed that the gap has narrowed down completely. We have world-class infrastructure now and that produces a new generation of champions,” Sushil concluded.

The heroes of Beijing 2008

The Coronavirus Pandemic forced the postponement of the 2020 Tokyo Games by exactly a year and India's shooters bore the brunt of that move. The Indian shooting team famously drew a blank at the 2016 Olympics in Rio and the National Rifle Association of India, NRAI, was pinning its hopes on redemption at Tokyo.

The Coronavirus Pandemic forced the postponement of the 2020 Tokyo Games by exactly a year and India's shooters bore the brunt of that move. The Indian shooting team famously drew a blank at the 2016 Olympics in Rio and the National Rifle Association of India, NRAI, was pinning its hopes on redemption at Tokyo. India's shooters dominated the international shooting calendar in 2019 and the expectations were high from a youthful team. With the pandemic still raging in India, national camps are still not being held and international competitions have been written off. NRAI President Raninder Singh spoke to WION Sports Editor Digvijay Singh Deo on the way forward for his team and the rocky road to Tokyo 2021. Digvijay Singh Deo: Raninder thank you for joining us, you have been up in the mountains since march and while that is definitely a safe place a busy man like you must be finding it difficult to sit at one place. Raninder Singh: I have been keeping busy, we have been helping the Punjab government in the fight against the coronavirus. We have helped publish two research papers on how to counter the spread and hopefully, it will aid the Punjab government in controlling the disease. This period has been a great learning experience for me. DSD: I have been told that you are in touch with your coaches and players on a regular basis so straight up Raninder when can camps begin again? Raninder Singh: Given today's circumstances, I don't know when that will be possible. Anyone who says otherwise would be irresponsible in making such a statement. It is very unfortunate that the Olympics have been postponed because I believe that our shooters were prepared to surpass all expectations at the 2020 Tokyo games. Nonetheless, nothing is lost, a year's delay shouldn't make that much of a difference. The talent is still there and we must ensure that they remain fit. In terms of shooting this year in India, as things stand, it is very unlikely that domestic competitions will take place. The executive board of the NRAI will hold a meeting later this month and further discuss the possibility of holding national camps. Fortunately, we have plenty of time before the Olympics. Shooting is not a power sport where you need intense muscular training. Our shooters are very professional and they are working with their coaches and physios. Fortunately, most of our athletes have some shooting facility at home. We are looking to begin a camp for the Olympic squad and the plan should be finalised on July 15. The Olympic squad has been announced and we want to put them in the best position to excel at next year's games. I don't think we will see full-fledged international competitions this year because of various constraints that have been imposed by the IOC and governing bodies. However, the NRAI has proposed the holding of bilateral series to keep our shooters in touch with the sport in the lead up to the Olympics, this will depend on the rules that the government of India has in place. All federations and athletes will have to adapt to the new normal now, there is no other choice. I can assure you, if the Olympic games are held next year, our athletes will be in the best possible physical and mental shape to compete. DSD: You have made it clear that you do not want your shooters to train abroad but surely things change post this pandemic. If training is happening in Europe or Australia why not have a quarantine camp there to ensure your shooters are in the thick of it. There are costs obviously but considering no travel has happened this year isn't that something that can be looked at. Raninder Singh: It does make sense theoretically to send the shooters abroad, but it is not feasible. I cannot put the health of our shooters at risk while they are representing India. One cannot afford to take the coronavirus lightly. What the NRAI is trying to organise is a highly controlled and quarantined camp for the shooters. It is not practical to send our shooters abroad because there is no competition happening in other countries as well. We have to make the best of the situation and we will come up with something that involves domestic competition. Our Olympic athletes have plenty of time to prepare and they have enough talent and experience to overcome this period. But our younger generation could suffer because of the lack of action and it might hurt us a few years down the line. We have some of the best young shooting talents in the world here in India and their development might be hit, but we will try to make up for this period in the future. DSD: As president of the shooting federation you have a larger responsibility but is it time to take some tough calls and prioritise just the Olympic squad for the time being. That might mean that the younger shooters who are in the pipeline for the 2024 Olympics will have to suffer. Raninder Singh: I think by the time the next Olympic cycle begins for the 2024 games, we will be well on our way towards recovery. At the moment, there are at least 4,000 different clinical trials that are ongoing for a vaccine or a treatment for the coronavirus. I think we can safely say that even if a vaccine isn't developed, effective treatment to the coronavirus will be found in two years. There is a possibility that the spread of the virus will decrease substantially in the near future. I certainly believe that the world's scientific community will find a solution for the COVID-19 virus. However, all of us have to be on our toes because this virus has long-term effects on the body. DSD: Have you thought of maybe having three different venues for camps, rifle at one place, pistol at one place and shotgun at one place to minimise the risk when you begin the camps? Raninder Singh: At the moment, I don't think it will be possible to hold different camps for different disciplines because that will only increase the risk of transmission, given the current state of affairs. If the situation does improve and the curve flattens, then we can think of holding multiple national camps. Currently, the risk of holding multiple camps is too high and we as a governing body have a responsibility to protect our athletes. If and when a national camp takes place, I will personally be present at the location to oversee that all relevant health and safety protocols are followed. DSD: The fact remains you have an extremely young team. I have spoken to a few of them and they have been shooting at home. But you know there is no substitute for the competition so how do you keep them sharp. Raninder Singh: The only way we can ensure that there is high-level competition for our shooters is by holding bilateral international events. The pressure that one feels at a full-fledged competition cannot be replicated in a trial or in an online shootout. Hopefully, we will be able to invite a nation that is of a similar international standard to India and hold an event. Once the government of India gives the go-ahead, then we will further draw up the plans and start shortlisting the nations who can be invited. Unfortunately, there will no elaborate process for the selection of the Indian team for the bilateral event and we will have to stick with the team we have. I realise it is unfair on the other athletes but we do not have any other option. DSD: Abhinav Bindra and Manavjit Sandhu, two of your most decorated shooters told me that it is the wiser and more experienced shooters who will negotiate this stoppage better. A majority of your Olympic probables are between 16-24, so how do you keep them focussed? Raninder Singh: Abhinav Bindra and Manavjit Sandhu are two legends of Indian shooting and I have the utmost respect for them. However, I believe that youngsters are more adaptable than the old guard. The young ones have more hunger in them, therefore they are more willing to adapt. The more experienced shooters are there to guide their younger colleagues and hopefully, they will be able to overcome this period of strife together. The lack of competition will hurt the young shooters and that is why we are looking to organise bilateral events so that they can get back in the groove ahead of the Tokyo Olympics next year. DSD: You also are a pretty senior member of the international body ISSF. What are the plans to resume sport internationally and can it only happen when every participating country is able to send shooters without any quarantine norms to follow? Raninder Singh: If an international event takes place, then athletes will have to follow the quarantine protocols that are present in the concerned nation to participate, there is no other option. I am not authorised to speak on behalf of the ISSF, but in my opinion, since the IOC has said that all nations must get an equal opportunity, it means that no events that are connected to Olympic qualification will be held. However, that doesn't mean that other international events cannot take place. So it just a case of getting all concerned parties on board and ensuring the health and safety of all involved. DSD: is this an opportunity for shooting to move away from established tradition. We are seeing how formula one has adapted with back to back races. Europe has overcome the worst of the pandemic and can host events. Why not design a calendar that follows a similar model of chartered flights, bio bubbles or is it not possible financially? Raninder Singh: any kind of modification that is made to the format or event, has to be sanctioned by the international federation first. I am not against any change in format that will make holding events easier during or after the coronavirus period, but these decisions cannot be taken unilaterally. ISSF is actually one of the most flexible and adaptive bodies in world sport. Having said that, athletes can't be sitting at home and this matter will be discussed within the ISSF in the near future. With regard to online competitions, I have no problem with it, but we cannot take a decision unilaterally. The NRAI must be authorised to do so by the ISSF. An Olympic event itself cannot be changed drastically and that will lead to problems. Otherwise, any decision that leads to the growth of the sport will be supported by us. DSD: How do you ensure that the young athletes are not mentally scarred by this shutdown? Raninder Singh: I come back again to the same point, that bilateral arrangements are the only way forward, not just for India but for every federation in the world. DSD: There is another factor that cannot be ignored. We still don’t know if the Olympics will happen. You were the first Indian administrator to call for the postponement of the Tokyo games and what do you think will be the factors that see the Olympics going ahead next year. Raninder Singh: There has to be a qualitative treatment available that essentially makes the coronavirus far less dangerous and contagious than it is right now. A treatment that allows doctors to treat a patient effectively in a short span of time, which also doesn't adversely affect the long term health of the individual. At the moment, we do not have such treatment available to us. DSD: Is this the biggest challenge for you as a sports administrator, to get the sport back on track amid the coronavirus pandemic and turn shooting into a television sport? Raninder Singh: I think this is the biggest opportunity we have because this situation has compelled everyone in the shooting fraternity to turn to the television, therefore we have an audience available to us. The international federation now has to guide us on how to take advantage of this situation.

WION Exclusive| Raninder Singh: Hosting bilateral events only option to keep Olympic team sharp

The world has been stuck in the pit garage over the last few months to borrow a racing term but now the covers are coming off. Sport has resumed in some parts of the world and the truly global sport of Formula One is gearing up for a much delayed season opener.&nbsp;

Alpha Touri driver Piere Gasly in an exclusive interview with WION's Sports Editor Digvijay Singh Deo, opened up about the Austria Grand Prix, risks surrounding COVID-19, Lewis Hamilton and F1's stance against racism, expectations from the season and much more.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/five-talking-points-ahead-of-f1-start-in-austria-309306" hreflang="en">Five talking points ahead of F1 start in Austria</a>

Digvijay Singh Deo: Pierre,&nbsp;we are in July and must be strange preparing for a season opener so late.

Pierre Gasly:&nbsp;Yes, I must say it does feel very strange. The past few months have been very unusual, not just for us Formula One drivers, but for everyone in the world. Initially, we were ready to start the season in Australia in March, but since then there have been a string of postponements because of the coronavirus pandemic. However now, much to the pleasure of everyone involved, we are starting the campaign in Austria. I think the formula one management has done a fantastic job in organising the season and I cannot wait to get back on the track.

DSD: Is the competitor in you relieved that you are having an F1 season, rewind a few months and even a truncated season looked rather difficult.

Pierre Gasly: I always believed that we would start the season at some point, although I didn't know when. I was unsure whether that time would come in June, July or even later. I'm glad that the season is finally getting underway. There are strict regulations in place with no spectators for the first few races and a 'bio-bubble' has been created to ensure that the risk of the infection spreading is minimal. We are very fortunate because many other sports are struggling to restart their competitions. Hopefully, we will be able to hold a complete formula one season with 15 to 18 races.

DSD: It's not been easy has it since those farcical scenes in Melbourne where confusion prevailed till the early hours before the race was called off. No one has been immune be it drivers mechanics, stewards. Everyone has been equally at risk. But the risk exists even today, doesn’t it? We are seeing it in golf on the PGA Tour.

Pierre Gasly:&nbsp;I believe that there is no point in the near future when the risk level will be at 'zero'. We just need to do everything we can to create the safest possible environment for all of us. I think every individual associated with formula one has to act in a disciplined manner and ensure that the bio-bubble is maintained. I just had a COVID test two days ago which returned negative, I will have another one before I can enter the paddock and then once more before the race on Sunday. So our health is being monitored on a regular basis. Even within my team, I will not come in contact with all of the members, I will only be in close contact with two or three of them.

<img alt="Pierre-Gasly" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3bae28c3-090d-4b1f-9575-116fc500ff11" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_1P54YY.jpg" />

DSD: This is also a lot about self-discipline and trust between team members. As a driver, you will have to be in extremely close contact with a lot of people in the Alpha Tauri team. And everyone has to ensure that they don’t step out of the bubble.

Pierre Gasly: We have to trust each other. The formula one management has been very clear in their instructions, so we know exactly what we are allowed to do and what we can't do. The only way we can start the season now in this situation is if all of us collectively follow the safety regulations. I hope everything functions in a smooth manner, but all we can really do at an individual level is be responsible and cautious and hope that everyone else does the same.

DSD: If I could probe just a bit more then the paddock will look very different, also no podium celebrations at the end of the race.

Pierre Gasly: it's certainly going to feel different. On average, around 250,000 to 300,000 thousand people come to watch an F1 race, it creates such a brilliant atmosphere that cannot be replicated. The whole energy around the track changes because of the fans, it really gives you goosebumps. I'm definitely going to miss the fans, but at the moment I don't think anyone knows when we will be able to hold races with spectators. We just have to make the best out of the current situation we find ourselves in.

DSD: I was scrolling through your twitter feed and came across a video of you getting the car out of the garage for a test last month. Just explain the thrill of revving those engines up again.

Pierre Gasly: That's the best I have felt in a while. The last time I was in the car was during testing in Barcelona at the end of February. So I was sitting in the car after four months. I did practice on the simulator during the lockdown period, but it is nothing like the real thing. It felt really amazing to be out on the track and we also got to complete a couple of laps at the Imola track, which was really special. I just can't wait for the weekend and the upcoming season.

DSD: You also have used this shutdown to good effect on a personal level haven't you. You actually locked yourself down in Dubai for a couple of months and really worked on your fitness levels.

Pierre Gasly: I really wanted to make good use of the time during the lockdown and I decided on to work on my physical fitness. The lockdown period was the perfect opportunity to do so and even though I was in good shape ahead of the Australian Grand Prix in March, now I feel I am in the best shape of my life. I feel I am ready for what will be a very intense season because we've never had so many races in such a short span of time. So I'm glad that I am well equipped to deal with that challenge.

<img alt="Pierre-Gasly" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1f60451a-5ac2-4605-9544-0d6ffff8c111" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_1MN5JU.jpg" />

DSD: A&nbsp;lot of time has elapsed but in pure racing terms just the second race since your career-best performance at the Brazilian GP in November last year. Your first podium and now the quest is to make it a habit.

Pierre Gasly: The ultimate goal for me is to fight for the formula one world championship. I'm at Alpha Tauri, which is a 'mid-field' team, we are fighting for points regularly but the performance at the Brazilian Grand Prix was exceptional. Unfortunately, we cannot do that every weekend because of the difference in the quality of the cars. We obviously want to do our best and the key is to keep the momentum going from last year. Hopefully the car this year is also going to be as competitive and we will fight for points again. It's still a bit early to have any expectations from the season because we have only had one test in Barcelona, but I hope that we can reproduce some of the form&nbsp;we showed last season.

DSD: First we had the pandemic and now we are seeing the world swept by the black lives matter protests. Formula one too has announced a slew of measures. How do you react to that?

Pierre Gasly: I think that the sport has taken a stand and this is a step in the right direction. It is good that the sport has taken these actions to increase diversity and it will lead to a more diverse formula one in the future.

DSD: Lewis Hamilton, in fact, has been spearheading the move for diversity in motorsport. How important is it for leaders in various sports to raise their voices to make an impact?

Pierre Gasly: I think that Lewis Hamilton is a real leader and he speaks for a lot of people. I don't want to speak on his behalf, but I think he faced some discrimination while growing up and it is great to see him standing up for the values he believes in. We need elite sportspersons like him to come forward because their voice is powerful and carries weight.

<img alt="Lewis-Hamilton" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="4985ff0b-f2da-4e57-b78c-9955b547a404" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/hamilton-6.jpg" />

DSD: McLaren driver Lando Norris has said that the drivers have discussed taking a knee as well together. This would be massive as F1&nbsp;is a multicultural sport in terms of its reach.

Pierre Gasly: at the moment we are discussing a gesture that all drivers could make to express our support to the movement. It is important that we as a sport stand for a more equal and just society.

DSD: Talking about Mercedes they remain the team to beat but then this is home turf for the Red Bull as well. With the season now shortened can teams expect to end their dominance?

Pierre Gasly: I don't really like to comment on the state of things before the season begins. But there is no doubt that Mercedes have been the dominant force in formula one in recent years. The coronavirus break might make the season a little bit unpredictable, but I still feel Mercedes will be the team to beat. I believe lewis hamilton has a very good chance of winning his 7th world championship. I think it's going to be a very intriguing season and it is only after a couple of races that we will have a better understanding of how things will pan out.

DSD: Also with so much still unknown as the season begins, will this unpredictability be a huge factor and add drama to the spectacle in your opinion...

Pierre Gasly: People need some entertainment at the moment in their lives. As a big fan of football and basketball, I myself have missed watching these sports live on television and the adrenaline rush that comes with it. There will certainly be a lot of attention on this formula one season and hopefully, we will be able to put up a good show for all the fans. There is still some uncertainty regarding the second half of the season, so we have to monitor things closely and then assess the situation.

<img alt="Pierre-Gasly" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7de9ff18-795d-4d7f-ac0e-3361af05da4a" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_1PT5QD.jpg" />

DSD: the other thing that has happened in this shutdown period is a merry-go-round kicked off by Sebastian Vettel's decision to leave Ferrari and a lot more could still happen. There is talk of Fernando Alonso returning as well so many drivers are also racing for their futures.

Pierre Gasly: It's definitely going to be exciting to see what happens ahead of the next season in 2021. There a couple of empty seats and there has been a lot of speculation on who will take those places. Fernando Alonso is an absolute legend of the sport. With Sebastian Vettel, no one is really sure where he'll end up, so it's definitely going to be interesting to see what happens.

DSD: Hamilton and Vettel have been the senior statesmen in the sport but do you get a feeling that a change of guard is round the corner. Young drivers like yourself are now knocking on the doorsteps of a generational shift.

Pierre Gasly: Yes, there has been an increase in the number of young drivers coming up and taking the big seats, so there might be a change of guard soon. But Lewis is a 6-time world champion, Sebastian is a 4-time world champion, so they should be able to continue for as long as they want. I have raced with most of the young F1 drivers in lower level kart racing as well, so it is nice to see that we have developed together.

DSD: You have driven alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull and he is someone who has spent a few seasons in the sport and has been tipped as a future world champion. What does he bring to a team?

Pierre Gasly: I believe Formula One is a sport where experience makes a really big difference. Now with a bit of experience under his belt, he will have a good chance to fight for the world championship. He definitely has the ability as a driver and he's also backed by a fast car and a top team, so he should go all out for that title.

The world has been stuck in the pit garage over the last few months to borrow a racing term but now the covers are coming off. Sport has resumed in some parts of the world and the truly global sport of Formula One is gearing up for a much delayed season opener.

The world has been stuck in the pit garage over the last few months to borrow a racing term but now the covers are coming off. Sport has resumed in some parts of the world and the truly global sport of Formula One is gearing up for a much delayed season opener. Alpha Touri driver Piere Gasly in an exclusive interview with WION's Sports Editor Digvijay Singh Deo, opened up about the Austria Grand Prix, risks surrounding COVID-19, Lewis Hamilton and F1's stance against racism, expectations from the season and much more. ALSO READ: Five talking points ahead of F1 start in Austria Digvijay Singh Deo: Pierre, we are in July and must be strange preparing for a season opener so late. Pierre Gasly: Yes, I must say it does feel very strange. The past few months have been very unusual, not just for us Formula One drivers, but for everyone in the world. Initially, we were ready to start the season in Australia in March, but since then there have been a string of postponements because of the coronavirus pandemic. However now, much to the pleasure of everyone involved, we are starting the campaign in Austria. I think the formula one management has done a fantastic job in organising the season and I cannot wait to get back on the track. DSD: Is the competitor in you relieved that you are having an F1 season, rewind a few months and even a truncated season looked rather difficult. Pierre Gasly: I always believed that we would start the season at some point, although I didn't know when. I was unsure whether that time would come in June, July or even later. I'm glad that the season is finally getting underway. There are strict regulations in place with no spectators for the first few races and a 'bio-bubble' has been created to ensure that the risk of the infection spreading is minimal. We are very fortunate because many other sports are struggling to restart their competitions. Hopefully, we will be able to hold a complete formula one season with 15 to 18 races. DSD: It's not been easy has it since those farcical scenes in Melbourne where confusion prevailed till the early hours before the race was called off. No one has been immune be it drivers mechanics, stewards. Everyone has been equally at risk. But the risk exists even today, doesn’t it? We are seeing it in golf on the PGA Tour. Pierre Gasly: I believe that there is no point in the near future when the risk level will be at 'zero'. We just need to do everything we can to create the safest possible environment for all of us. I think every individual associated with formula one has to act in a disciplined manner and ensure that the bio-bubble is maintained. I just had a COVID test two days ago which returned negative, I will have another one before I can enter the paddock and then once more before the race on Sunday. So our health is being monitored on a regular basis. Even within my team, I will not come in contact with all of the members, I will only be in close contact with two or three of them. DSD: This is also a lot about self-discipline and trust between team members. As a driver, you will have to be in extremely close contact with a lot of people in the Alpha Tauri team. And everyone has to ensure that they don’t step out of the bubble. Pierre Gasly: We have to trust each other. The formula one management has been very clear in their instructions, so we know exactly what we are allowed to do and what we can't do. The only way we can start the season now in this situation is if all of us collectively follow the safety regulations. I hope everything functions in a smooth manner, but all we can really do at an individual level is be responsible and cautious and hope that everyone else does the same. DSD: If I could probe just a bit more then the paddock will look very different, also no podium celebrations at the end of the race. Pierre Gasly: it's certainly going to feel different. On average, around 250,000 to 300,000 thousand people come to watch an F1 race, it creates such a brilliant atmosphere that cannot be replicated. The whole energy around the track changes because of the fans, it really gives you goosebumps. I'm definitely going to miss the fans, but at the moment I don't think anyone knows when we will be able to hold races with spectators. We just have to make the best out of the current situation we find ourselves in. DSD: I was scrolling through your twitter feed and came across a video of you getting the car out of the garage for a test last month. Just explain the thrill of revving those engines up again. Pierre Gasly: That's the best I have felt in a while. The last time I was in the car was during testing in Barcelona at the end of February. So I was sitting in the car after four months. I did practice on the simulator during the lockdown period, but it is nothing like the real thing. It felt really amazing to be out on the track and we also got to complete a couple of laps at the Imola track, which was really special. I just can't wait for the weekend and the upcoming season. DSD: You also have used this shutdown to good effect on a personal level haven't you. You actually locked yourself down in Dubai for a couple of months and really worked on your fitness levels. Pierre Gasly: I really wanted to make good use of the time during the lockdown and I decided on to work on my physical fitness. The lockdown period was the perfect opportunity to do so and even though I was in good shape ahead of the Australian Grand Prix in March, now I feel I am in the best shape of my life. I feel I am ready for what will be a very intense season because we've never had so many races in such a short span of time. So I'm glad that I am well equipped to deal with that challenge. DSD: A lot of time has elapsed but in pure racing terms just the second race since your career-best performance at the Brazilian GP in November last year. Your first podium and now the quest is to make it a habit. Pierre Gasly: The ultimate goal for me is to fight for the formula one world championship. I'm at Alpha Tauri, which is a 'mid-field' team, we are fighting for points regularly but the performance at the Brazilian Grand Prix was exceptional. Unfortunately, we cannot do that every weekend because of the difference in the quality of the cars. We obviously want to do our best and the key is to keep the momentum going from last year. Hopefully the car this year is also going to be as competitive and we will fight for points again. It's still a bit early to have any expectations from the season because we have only had one test in Barcelona, but I hope that we can reproduce some of the form we showed last season. DSD: First we had the pandemic and now we are seeing the world swept by the black lives matter protests. Formula one too has announced a slew of measures. How do you react to that? Pierre Gasly: I think that the sport has taken a stand and this is a step in the right direction. It is good that the sport has taken these actions to increase diversity and it will lead to a more diverse formula one in the future. DSD: Lewis Hamilton, in fact, has been spearheading the move for diversity in motorsport. How important is it for leaders in various sports to raise their voices to make an impact? Pierre Gasly: I think that Lewis Hamilton is a real leader and he speaks for a lot of people. I don't want to speak on his behalf, but I think he faced some discrimination while growing up and it is great to see him standing up for the values he believes in. We need elite sportspersons like him to come forward because their voice is powerful and carries weight. DSD: McLaren driver Lando Norris has said that the drivers have discussed taking a knee as well together. This would be massive as F1 is a multicultural sport in terms of its reach. Pierre Gasly: at the moment we are discussing a gesture that all drivers could make to express our support to the movement. It is important that we as a sport stand for a more equal and just society. DSD: Talking about Mercedes they remain the team to beat but then this is home turf for the Red Bull as well. With the season now shortened can teams expect to end their dominance? Pierre Gasly: I don't really like to comment on the state of things before the season begins. But there is no doubt that Mercedes have been the dominant force in formula one in recent years. The coronavirus break might make the season a little bit unpredictable, but I still feel Mercedes will be the team to beat. I believe lewis hamilton has a very good chance of winning his 7th world championship. I think it's going to be a very intriguing season and it is only after a couple of races that we will have a better understanding of how things will pan out. DSD: Also with so much still unknown as the season begins, will this unpredictability be a huge factor and add drama to the spectacle in your opinion... Pierre Gasly: People need some entertainment at the moment in their lives. As a big fan of football and basketball, I myself have missed watching these sports live on television and the adrenaline rush that comes with it. There will certainly be a lot of attention on this formula one season and hopefully, we will be able to put up a good show for all the fans. There is still some uncertainty regarding the second half of the season, so we have to monitor things closely and then assess the situation. DSD: the other thing that has happened in this shutdown period is a merry-go-round kicked off by Sebastian Vettel's decision to leave Ferrari and a lot more could still happen. There is talk of Fernando Alonso returning as well so many drivers are also racing for their futures. Pierre Gasly: It's definitely going to be exciting to see what happens ahead of the next season in 2021. There a couple of empty seats and there has been a lot of speculation on who will take those places. Fernando Alonso is an absolute legend of the sport. With Sebastian Vettel, no one is really sure where he'll end up, so it's definitely going to be interesting to see what happens. DSD: Hamilton and Vettel have been the senior statesmen in the sport but do you get a feeling that a change of guard is round the corner. Young drivers like yourself are now knocking on the doorsteps of a generational shift. Pierre Gasly: Yes, there has been an increase in the number of young drivers coming up and taking the big seats, so there might be a change of guard soon. But Lewis is a 6-time world champion, Sebastian is a 4-time world champion, so they should be able to continue for as long as they want. I have raced with most of the young F1 drivers in lower level kart racing as well, so it is nice to see that we have developed together. DSD: You have driven alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull and he is someone who has spent a few seasons in the sport and has been tipped as a future world champion. What does he bring to a team? Pierre Gasly: I believe Formula One is a sport where experience makes a really big difference. Now with a bit of experience under his belt, he will have a good chance to fight for the world championship. He definitely has the ability as a driver and he's also backed by a fast car and a top team, so he should go all out for that title.

Gasly: F1 will stand for an equal and more just society

After much delay, the Formula One season is finally set to kick start at Spielberg’s Red Bull Ring in Austria on July 5 (Sunday). The original opener in Australia witnessed a last-minute cancellation after five crew members were quarantined after displaying COVID-19 symptoms with the race now set to open in Austria.&nbsp;

Pierre Gasly spoke about the F1 season as the AlphaTauri driver said that the Formula One management team has done a tremendous job in organising the season while adding he cannot wait to get back on track after a prolonged break.

“The past few months have been very unusual, not just for us Formula One drivers, but for everyone in the world. Initially, we were ready to start the season in Australia in March, but since then there have been a string of postponements because of the coronavirus pandemic. However now, much to the pleasure of everyone involved, we are starting the campaign in Austria. I think the Formula One management has done a fantastic job in organising the season and I cannot wait to get back on the track,” Gasly told WION’s Sports Editor Digvijay&nbsp;Singh Deo.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/five-talking-points-ahead-of-f1-start-in-austria-309306" hreflang="en">Five talking points ahead of F1 start in Austria</a>

While the F1 season is originally scheduled for 22 grands prix, only eight races have been confirmed thus far with the season set to get underway in Austria behind closed doors over the next two weekends. However, the majority of people in the F1 circuit, including Gasly are optimistic of having 15 to 18 races in the season. The Austria Grand Prix will be held in a different scenario, one without spectators or sponsors present while the teams would operate in ‘bubbles’ under strict health guidelines with media kept at a distance.&nbsp;

“I always believed that we would start the season at some point, although I didn't know when. I was unsure whether that time would come in June, July or even later. I'm glad that the season is finally getting underway. There are strict regulations in place with no spectators for the first few races and a 'bio-bubble' has been created to ensure that the risk of the infection spreading is minimal. We are very fortunate because many other sports are struggling to restart their competitions. Hopefully, we will be able to hold a complete formula one season with 15 to 18 races,” Gasly explained.

The March 15 race in Melbourne was called off without a wheel being turned and the F1 organisers had to wait more than 100 days for another opportunity to hit the floor running. There will be risks but with European football leagues such as Bundesliga and Premier League showing strict measures can lead to matches being played safely, F1 has an example to follow. Gasly said that F1 season can be a success if everyone stays united and collectively follows the directives.

“I believe that there is no point in the near future when the risk level will be at 'zero'. We just need to do everything we can to create the safest possible environment for all of us. I think every individual associated with Formula One has to act in a disciplined manner and ensure that the bio-bubble is maintained. I just had a COVID test two days ago which returned negative, I will have another one before I can enter the paddock and then once more before the race on Sunday. So our health is being monitored on a regular basis,” Gasly said.

<img alt="Pierre-Gasly" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="229431e8-e758-4a53-87c3-ad9e9169d4ea" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_1P56HL.jpg" />

Even within my team, I will not come in contact with all of the members, I will only be in close contact with two or three of them. We have to trust each other. The formula one management has been very clear in their instructions, so we know exactly what we are allowed to do and what we can't do. The only way we can start the season now in this situation is if all of us collectively follow the safety regulations. I hope everything functions in a smooth manner, but all we can really do at an individual level is be responsible and cautious and hope that everyone else does the same,” the Frenchman added.

Gasly wants to take inspiration from the Brazilian Grand Prix in November 2019 and continue to pull off upsets in the biggest of stages. The Alpha Tauri racer is targeting the Formula One championship. 
&nbsp; 
“The ultimate goal for me is to fight for the Formula One World Championship. I'm at Alpha Tauri, which is a 'midfield' team, we are fighting for points regularly but the performance at the Brazilian Grand Prix was exceptional. Unfortunately, we cannot do that every weekend because of the difference in the quality of the cars. We obviously want to do our best and the key is to keep the momentum going from last year. Hopefully the car this year is also going to be as competitive and we will fight for points again. It's still a bit early to have any expectations from the season because we have only had one test in Barcelona, but I hope that we can reproduce some of the form we showed last season,” Gasly said.

Formula One has also supported the Black Lives Matter movement with Lewis Hamilton leading the charge following the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis under police custody. Gasly called Hamilton a ‘real leader’.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/formula-one-team-mercedes-to-use-black-cars-for-the-season-in-stand-against-racism-309457" hreflang="en">Formula One: Team Mercedes to use black cars for the season in stand against racism</a>

<img alt="Lewis-Hamilton" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9c7e239e-2a54-4d93-ae79-46a9554de810" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_1PT5HK.jpg" />

“I think that the sport has taken a stand and this is a step in the right direction. It is good that the sport has taken these actions to increase diversity and it will lead to a more diverse formula one in the future. I think that Lewis Hamilton is a real leader and he speaks for a lot of people. I don't want to speak on his behalf, but I think he faced some discrimination while growing up and it is great to see him standing up for the values he believes in. We need elite sportspersons like him to come forward because their voice is powerful and carries weight. At the moment we are discussing a gesture that all drivers could make to express our support to the movement. It is important that we as a sport stand for a more equal and just society,” Gasly said.

After much delay, the Formula One season is finally set to kick start at Spielberg’s Red Bull Ring in Austria on July 5 (Sunday). The original opener in Australia witnessed a last-minute cancellation after five crew members were quarantined after displaying COVID-19 symptoms with the race now set to open in Austria.

After much delay, the Formula One season is finally set to kick start at Spielberg’s Red Bull Ring in Austria on July 5 (Sunday). The original opener in Australia witnessed a last-minute cancellation after five crew members were quarantined after displaying COVID-19 symptoms with the race now set to open in Austria. Pierre Gasly spoke about the F1 season as the AlphaTauri driver said that the Formula One management team has done a tremendous job in organising the season while adding he cannot wait to get back on track after a prolonged break. “The past few months have been very unusual, not just for us Formula One drivers, but for everyone in the world. Initially, we were ready to start the season in Australia in March, but since then there have been a string of postponements because of the coronavirus pandemic. However now, much to the pleasure of everyone involved, we are starting the campaign in Austria. I think the Formula One management has done a fantastic job in organising the season and I cannot wait to get back on the track,” Gasly told WION’s Sports Editor Digvijay Singh Deo. ALSO READ: Five talking points ahead of F1 start in Austria While the F1 season is originally scheduled for 22 grands prix, only eight races have been confirmed thus far with the season set to get underway in Austria behind closed doors over the next two weekends. However, the majority of people in the F1 circuit, including Gasly are optimistic of having 15 to 18 races in the season. The Austria Grand Prix will be held in a different scenario, one without spectators or sponsors present while the teams would operate in ‘bubbles’ under strict health guidelines with media kept at a distance. “I always believed that we would start the season at some point, although I didn't know when. I was unsure whether that time would come in June, July or even later. I'm glad that the season is finally getting underway. There are strict regulations in place with no spectators for the first few races and a 'bio-bubble' has been created to ensure that the risk of the infection spreading is minimal. We are very fortunate because many other sports are struggling to restart their competitions. Hopefully, we will be able to hold a complete formula one season with 15 to 18 races,” Gasly explained. The March 15 race in Melbourne was called off without a wheel being turned and the F1 organisers had to wait more than 100 days for another opportunity to hit the floor running. There will be risks but with European football leagues such as Bundesliga and Premier League showing strict measures can lead to matches being played safely, F1 has an example to follow. Gasly said that F1 season can be a success if everyone stays united and collectively follows the directives. “I believe that there is no point in the near future when the risk level will be at 'zero'. We just need to do everything we can to create the safest possible environment for all of us. I think every individual associated with Formula One has to act in a disciplined manner and ensure that the bio-bubble is maintained. I just had a COVID test two days ago which returned negative, I will have another one before I can enter the paddock and then once more before the race on Sunday. So our health is being monitored on a regular basis,” Gasly said. Even within my team, I will not come in contact with all of the members, I will only be in close contact with two or three of them. We have to trust each other. The formula one management has been very clear in their instructions, so we know exactly what we are allowed to do and what we can't do. The only way we can start the season now in this situation is if all of us collectively follow the safety regulations. I hope everything functions in a smooth manner, but all we can really do at an individual level is be responsible and cautious and hope that everyone else does the same,” the Frenchman added. Gasly wants to take inspiration from the Brazilian Grand Prix in November 2019 and continue to pull off upsets in the biggest of stages. The Alpha Tauri racer is targeting the Formula One championship. “The ultimate goal for me is to fight for the Formula One World Championship. I'm at Alpha Tauri, which is a 'midfield' team, we are fighting for points regularly but the performance at the Brazilian Grand Prix was exceptional. Unfortunately, we cannot do that every weekend because of the difference in the quality of the cars. We obviously want to do our best and the key is to keep the momentum going from last year. Hopefully the car this year is also going to be as competitive and we will fight for points again. It's still a bit early to have any expectations from the season because we have only had one test in Barcelona, but I hope that we can reproduce some of the form we showed last season,” Gasly said. Formula One has also supported the Black Lives Matter movement with Lewis Hamilton leading the charge following the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis under police custody. Gasly called Hamilton a ‘real leader’. ALSO READ: Formula One: Team Mercedes to use black cars for the season in stand against racism “I think that the sport has taken a stand and this is a step in the right direction. It is good that the sport has taken these actions to increase diversity and it will lead to a more diverse formula one in the future. I think that Lewis Hamilton is a real leader and he speaks for a lot of people. I don't want to speak on his behalf, but I think he faced some discrimination while growing up and it is great to see him standing up for the values he believes in. We need elite sportspersons like him to come forward because their voice is powerful and carries weight. At the moment we are discussing a gesture that all drivers could make to express our support to the movement. It is important that we as a sport stand for a more equal and just society,” Gasly said.

Exclusive | Pierre Gasly: Discipline, unity key to successful Formula One season

One of the finest badminton players of the current generation, an Olympic medalist in 2016, world champion in 2017, a former world No. 1 and the winner of All England Open 2020 – Viktor Axelsen – graced the 50th episode of WION Sports Broadband Edition as he, in an exclusive interview with Sports Editor, Digvijay Singh Deo, spoke about the issue of fitness post-lockdown, badminton without fans, international travel for tournaments, his terrific run at the All England Championship, and much more.<o:p></o:p>

Digvijay Singh Deo: Viktor,&nbsp;how have you been doing? Have the last couple of months with all the coronavirus restrictions in place been difficult?

Viktor Axelsen: The last few months have been a challenge for every person on the planet. It has been a tough time for us athletes since we haven't been able to follow our usual routines.

DSD: Denmark has managed to deal with this pandemic much better than a lot of other European nations - and I believe there is even a plan to open up the borders and travel later this month...In your opinion, do you think the people in your country share the view that the worst of the pandemic is behind them?

Viktor Axelsen: I can't really speak on behalf of the people of Denmark. I can only follow the guidelines which have been laid out by the government. The situation is certainly improving here and I just hope that other countries are also able to contain the virus.

DSD: Since you are used to travelling all over the world, how frustrating has this period been for you?

Viktor Axelsen: It has been very frustrating. I'm used to a certain kind of lifestyle, which includes travelling for tournaments all over the world. However, because of this pandemic, everything has been put on hold. It has been a huge challenge to stay physically and mentally fit. I think it's important to take things one day at a time and that's what I've been doing.

DSD: You've been a busy man during the lockdown though, Viktor - your social media feeds are buzzing with videos of you exercising and teaching some badminton shots or commenting on the latest developments in your sport.

Viktor Axelsen: I certainly enjoy using social media to communicate with the rest of the world. Being an athlete, I am in a fortunate position, so I can motivate others and give them a few tips which they might find useful. That is a huge privilege for me and I try to help out as much as I can, maybe in the future, I will get a chance to do more.

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— Viktor Axelsen (@ViktorAxelsen) <a href="https://twitter.com/ViktorAxelsen/status/1254003270349185025?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 25, 2020</a></blockquote>
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DSD: Have you had a chance to return to the badminton courts and start proper training?

Viktor Axelsen: We've been fortunate here in Denmark that the situation has improved considerably, so we have been able to return to practice.we haven't been able to start full-time training, but we are able to practice on the court for one and a half hours per day. We aren't back to full throttle yet and only a limited number of players are back. It's definitely better than nothing and I'm really delighted to be back on the court again.

DSD: Were you a little bit rusty when you returned to the court?

Viktor Axelsen: I was definitely a little bit rusty. We're taking things slowly at the moment so that we can avoid any serious injuries.

DSD: You missed a large part of last season due to a persistent leg problem, Viktor,&nbsp;you didn't seem to be bothered by it much at the start of this season before the break due to the pandemic - but do you feel like this second break will benefit you in the long run?

Viktor Axelsen: It's hard to say. I want to use this period as an opportunity to practice hard and get back stronger. I'm just trying to focus on things that are under my control, the current situation is something which is out of my hands. I'm just trying to adapt the best way I can and hopefully, this break will benefit me when we return to competitive badminton.

DSD: I'm sure you were looking forward to the Olympic Games this year and adding to the bronze medal you won in Rio 4 years ago. That's now been pushed to 2021 and we now know that even the qualifying process will only resume next year. Are you happy with these decisions?

Viktor Axelsen: It's a real shame that the games had to be postponed. Ideally, the 2020 Olympics should have taken place in 2020. However, it was the right thing to postpone the event, the crisis is far from over and there was no other option available. At this point, I'm just using all my energy to prepare for the 2021 Olympics. There's still a year to go for the games and there will be a number of tournaments before the showpiece event. Currently, I am working on getting back into shape so that I'm ready for tournaments when things get up and running.

DSD: Does a mega-event like the Olympics need special preparation, some of the Indian players take a couple of months off to specifically train for the games, do you follow something similar?

Viktor Axelsen: I haven't really made any concrete plans for my Olympic preparation yet because I'm not sure about the calendar and which events I will play in 2021. The BWF has released the qualifying regulations, so now I will sit down with my coach and decide which tournaments I will play and plan my travel accordingly.

<img alt="Viktor Axelsen" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="cdc1dd6c-7f89-4496-9043-44a96349d8df" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_1GS3G9.jpg" />

DSD: It is really going to be tough for players going forward because we are likely to see a trial and error method is adopted by the BFW&nbsp;on how to deal with the pandemic.

Viktor Axelsen: This is an unprecedented crisis and something we weren't prepared for. It's a tough situation for all the stakeholders of the game, the players and the various organisations. The only thing we can do is try to make the best out of this situation. It's definitely going to be a huge challenge for everyone.

DSD: We also know that the big-ticket badminton tournaments this year will resume in September this year and continue pretty much non-stop till December, so I'm curious to know what you make of the new schedule put out by the BWF?

Viktor Axelsen: I think it is an extremely ambitious plan. 22 tournaments have been planned in such a short span of time, the players will have to be very cautious since the risk of getting injured will be high. I hope players put a lot of thought before planning their schedule because playing too many back-to-back tournaments is really tough on the body. I don't know what the right thing to do is but I know that I have to be very careful with my body.

DSD: A&nbsp;lot of Indian players voiced their concerns over the calendar, but ultimately the players will have to make a choice, especially those who are looking to climb the ladder in the race for the Tokyo Olympics, so they will try to play as many tournaments as possible, it's going to be a tough choice to make.

Viktor Axelsen: It is going to be very tough for the players. In this situation, there are no right or wrong answers. I realise that the shutdown has a lot of financial implications for the BWF and they need to get the money pumping in again. I just hope there are rules in place so that players are not pushed to play all tournaments. The athletes' health should be the priority, if players play 10 tournaments in 12 weeks then their health will be put in danger. So it is really important that the players are protected in this situation.

DSD: The other concern is about travelling restrictions and quarantine laws that are in place around the world. To play at the top level you need clarity of thought and many have told me that the issue of safety will always be at the back of the minds.

Viktor Axelsen: I don't think it is going to be possible for players to quarantine for two weeks upon arrival to any country or when they return home, because of the packed calendar we have. Hopefully, by September, some of the international travel restrictions will be relaxed. If that isn't the case then it's going to be very difficult for players to travel for events all over the world. We have to wait and see what happens, I'm just keeping my fingers crossed.

DSD: Since badminton is an indoor sport and the 'new normal' is no fans.&nbsp;How will it affect players, obviously fans create quite an atmosphere and some thrive off it...

Viktor Axelsen: It's going to be a completely different experience. I haven't played a tournament without fans in a very long time. It might feel a bit like a practice session. The fans create an atmosphere which is really special. It is going to be disappointing to play without spectators but it's better than not playing at all.

<img alt="Viktor Axelsen" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="07ce0036-eb3d-4331-a188-d17fb93437f3" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_1NM48H.jpg" />

DSD: Do you think all the players will accept all the compromises that will have to be made&nbsp;to get things rolling again.

Viktor Axelsen: It is really a case of observing how the next three months unfold and then we might have more clarity on the subject.

DSD: Among the tournaments listed is the Thomas Cup which is to take place in your home country Denmark. The event has already had to be postponed twice and you had raised concerns about the quality of the field if top teams are not able to travel. Are you optimistic about the tournament going ahead?

Viktor Axelsen: I think it's just a guessing game at this point. Many of the countries are still in lockdown and players are not being able to practice, so in my opinion, it is not a level-playing field for all players at the moment. We'll have to wait and see how the situation unfolds before taking a call.

DSD: I've had conversations with India's women's world champion PV Sindhu and some of the men's shuttlers as well over these last two months - and everyone seems to suggest it is going to take quite a bit of time for players to hit peak form and fitness again.what is your estimate?

Viktor Axelsen: We started practice about one and a half months back, so the Danish players have a bit of a headstart over the rest in terms of preparation. However, we are not really training at full throttle and only doing so for a limited period of time. It's still going to take some time for me to return to my peak but I believe I will be fit enough when the tournaments resume. There is still some time to go till the calendar restarts and it is an opportunity for me to work on certain aspects of my game. Usually, we only have a few weeks to prepare before the season begins, but in this case, we have had much more time, so the training regime is also different.

DSD: You made a pretty strong start to the season before it was halted. Winning the Spain Masters, reaching the final in Malaysia and then that tearaway triumph at the All England Open - where you dominated the draw. That was the only major title missing from your trophy cabinet - so how did it feel to finally achieve it?

Viktor Axelsen: It was a dream come true for me to win the All England Championship. I had mixed feeling when I returned home because of the COVID-19 outbreak, but it doesn't take anything away from my victory. It is really special to have the All England triumph on my CV and I'm delighted to be one of the Danish players to have won the title.

DSD: That was the last tournament before the season was halted - in fact, it was taking place while alarm bells had already started ringing in the United Kingdom regarding the COVID-19 outbreak, did you feel throughout that week that you were putting yourself in danger of getting the infection, how were you able to clear your head?

Viktor Axelsen: When i step on the court, the only thing on my mind is badminton and that was the approach I employed that week. I didn't go out much, I mostly stayed in my hotel room when I wasn't playing. I put the responsibility on the organisers and the government to take the necessary precautions and concentrated on my job, which is to play badminton.

<img alt="Viktor Axelsen" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="91ae3f98-8ea7-4385-a348-ce04602eb1c4" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_1PW8H7.jpg" />

DSD: Over the last couple of years - Japan's Kento Momota has emerged as the dominant force in the men's game - he's world No.1, won back to back World Championships. Can you talk to us about what makes him such a good player and what about his game works so well specifically against yours?

Viktor Axelsen: Kento Momota is a complete badminton player. He is probably the biggest talent in badminton right now and is also an amazing athlete. I have found him to be a very tough opponent, but in a way it's great to have someone like him because he pushes me to train and work harder every day. Hopefully, my game will continue to improve and we will have many high-level matches in the future. I will practice as hard as possible to win our next match-up.

DSD: Another very interesting thing about you, Viktor, is that you can actually speak fluently in Mandarin. It's definitely won you a lot of fans in China - but I'm curious to know what made you want to learn the language in the first place.

Viktor Axelsen: Badminton is a very popular sport in China and about 4-5 years ago, I wanted to apply my mind on something other than badminton, so I decided to learn a new language - Mandarin. I have been studying the language ever since and fortunately, I have a very good teacher. &nbsp;It has been a wonderful process and I have gradually improved my Mandarin speaking skills. It really has been a satisfying journey, I am now able to speak to so many people from diverse backgrounds and establish relationships with them.

DSD: You used your knowledge of Mandarin to do an Instagram live with Lee Chong Wei in March. Obviously he announced retirement this year after a decorated career. You battled him many times over the years - is he someone you looked up to as a teenager coming up through the ranks?

Viktor Axelsen: Yes, it was fun to do an Instagram with Lee Chong Wei. It was a dream come true to interact with a legend like him on social media. I think every young badminton player looked up to him, no one can deny his greatness. He was extremely consistent over many years and won a number of top titles. He is a great role model for players like me because of the way he played the game.

DSD: Finally Viktor, when the action does resume do you foresee a few up and down results before the top players start dominating again...

Viktor Axelsen: I think it's going to be tough for all players to hit the ground running. All of us are going to be a bit rusty and I believe it will take time for us to get back in the groove. None of us has been in this situation before, so it is difficult to make any prediction. 
&nbsp;

One of the finest badminton players of the current generation, an Olympic medalist in 2016, world champion in 2017, a former world No. 1 and the winner of All England Open 2020 – Viktor Axelsen – graced the 50th episode of WION Sports Broadband Edition as he, in an exclusive interview with Sports Editor, Digvijay Singh Deo, spoke about the issue of fitness post-lockdown, badminton without fans, international travel for tournaments, his terrific run at the All England Championship, and much more.

One of the finest badminton players of the current generation, an Olympic medalist in 2016, world champion in 2017, a former world No. 1 and the winner of All England Open 2020 – Viktor Axelsen – graced the 50th episode of WION Sports Broadband Edition as he, in an exclusive interview with Sports Editor, Digvijay Singh Deo, spoke about the issue of fitness post-lockdown, badminton without fans, international travel for tournaments, his terrific run at the All England Championship, and much more. Digvijay Singh Deo: Viktor, how have you been doing? Have the last couple of months with all the coronavirus restrictions in place been difficult? Viktor Axelsen: The last few months have been a challenge for every person on the planet. It has been a tough time for us athletes since we haven't been able to follow our usual routines. DSD: Denmark has managed to deal with this pandemic much better than a lot of other European nations - and I believe there is even a plan to open up the borders and travel later this month...In your opinion, do you think the people in your country share the view that the worst of the pandemic is behind them? Viktor Axelsen: I can't really speak on behalf of the people of Denmark. I can only follow the guidelines which have been laid out by the government. The situation is certainly improving here and I just hope that other countries are also able to contain the virus. DSD: Since you are used to travelling all over the world, how frustrating has this period been for you? Viktor Axelsen: It has been very frustrating. I'm used to a certain kind of lifestyle, which includes travelling for tournaments all over the world. However, because of this pandemic, everything has been put on hold. It has been a huge challenge to stay physically and mentally fit. I think it's important to take things one day at a time and that's what I've been doing. DSD: You've been a busy man during the lockdown though, Viktor - your social media feeds are buzzing with videos of you exercising and teaching some badminton shots or commenting on the latest developments in your sport. Viktor Axelsen: I certainly enjoy using social media to communicate with the rest of the world. Being an athlete, I am in a fortunate position, so I can motivate others and give them a few tips which they might find useful. That is a huge privilege for me and I try to help out as much as I can, maybe in the future, I will get a chance to do more. https://t.co/aOOPRzYuXM pic.twitter.com/kHHaxqi6N8 — Viktor Axelsen (@ViktorAxelsen) April 25, 2020 × DSD: Have you had a chance to return to the badminton courts and start proper training? Viktor Axelsen: We've been fortunate here in Denmark that the situation has improved considerably, so we have been able to return to practice.we haven't been able to start full-time training, but we are able to practice on the court for one and a half hours per day. We aren't back to full throttle yet and only a limited number of players are back. It's definitely better than nothing and I'm really delighted to be back on the court again. DSD: Were you a little bit rusty when you returned to the court? Viktor Axelsen: I was definitely a little bit rusty. We're taking things slowly at the moment so that we can avoid any serious injuries. DSD: You missed a large part of last season due to a persistent leg problem, Viktor, you didn't seem to be bothered by it much at the start of this season before the break due to the pandemic - but do you feel like this second break will benefit you in the long run? Viktor Axelsen: It's hard to say. I want to use this period as an opportunity to practice hard and get back stronger. I'm just trying to focus on things that are under my control, the current situation is something which is out of my hands. I'm just trying to adapt the best way I can and hopefully, this break will benefit me when we return to competitive badminton. DSD: I'm sure you were looking forward to the Olympic Games this year and adding to the bronze medal you won in Rio 4 years ago. That's now been pushed to 2021 and we now know that even the qualifying process will only resume next year. Are you happy with these decisions? Viktor Axelsen: It's a real shame that the games had to be postponed. Ideally, the 2020 Olympics should have taken place in 2020. However, it was the right thing to postpone the event, the crisis is far from over and there was no other option available. At this point, I'm just using all my energy to prepare for the 2021 Olympics. There's still a year to go for the games and there will be a number of tournaments before the showpiece event. Currently, I am working on getting back into shape so that I'm ready for tournaments when things get up and running. DSD: Does a mega-event like the Olympics need special preparation, some of the Indian players take a couple of months off to specifically train for the games, do you follow something similar? Viktor Axelsen: I haven't really made any concrete plans for my Olympic preparation yet because I'm not sure about the calendar and which events I will play in 2021. The BWF has released the qualifying regulations, so now I will sit down with my coach and decide which tournaments I will play and plan my travel accordingly. DSD: It is really going to be tough for players going forward because we are likely to see a trial and error method is adopted by the BFW on how to deal with the pandemic. Viktor Axelsen: This is an unprecedented crisis and something we weren't prepared for. It's a tough situation for all the stakeholders of the game, the players and the various organisations. The only thing we can do is try to make the best out of this situation. It's definitely going to be a huge challenge for everyone. DSD: We also know that the big-ticket badminton tournaments this year will resume in September this year and continue pretty much non-stop till December, so I'm curious to know what you make of the new schedule put out by the BWF? Viktor Axelsen: I think it is an extremely ambitious plan. 22 tournaments have been planned in such a short span of time, the players will have to be very cautious since the risk of getting injured will be high. I hope players put a lot of thought before planning their schedule because playing too many back-to-back tournaments is really tough on the body. I don't know what the right thing to do is but I know that I have to be very careful with my body. DSD: A lot of Indian players voiced their concerns over the calendar, but ultimately the players will have to make a choice, especially those who are looking to climb the ladder in the race for the Tokyo Olympics, so they will try to play as many tournaments as possible, it's going to be a tough choice to make. Viktor Axelsen: It is going to be very tough for the players. In this situation, there are no right or wrong answers. I realise that the shutdown has a lot of financial implications for the BWF and they need to get the money pumping in again. I just hope there are rules in place so that players are not pushed to play all tournaments. The athletes' health should be the priority, if players play 10 tournaments in 12 weeks then their health will be put in danger. So it is really important that the players are protected in this situation. DSD: The other concern is about travelling restrictions and quarantine laws that are in place around the world. To play at the top level you need clarity of thought and many have told me that the issue of safety will always be at the back of the minds. Viktor Axelsen: I don't think it is going to be possible for players to quarantine for two weeks upon arrival to any country or when they return home, because of the packed calendar we have. Hopefully, by September, some of the international travel restrictions will be relaxed. If that isn't the case then it's going to be very difficult for players to travel for events all over the world. We have to wait and see what happens, I'm just keeping my fingers crossed. DSD: Since badminton is an indoor sport and the 'new normal' is no fans. How will it affect players, obviously fans create quite an atmosphere and some thrive off it... Viktor Axelsen: It's going to be a completely different experience. I haven't played a tournament without fans in a very long time. It might feel a bit like a practice session. The fans create an atmosphere which is really special. It is going to be disappointing to play without spectators but it's better than not playing at all. DSD: Do you think all the players will accept all the compromises that will have to be made to get things rolling again. Viktor Axelsen: It is really a case of observing how the next three months unfold and then we might have more clarity on the subject. DSD: Among the tournaments listed is the Thomas Cup which is to take place in your home country Denmark. The event has already had to be postponed twice and you had raised concerns about the quality of the field if top teams are not able to travel. Are you optimistic about the tournament going ahead? Viktor Axelsen: I think it's just a guessing game at this point. Many of the countries are still in lockdown and players are not being able to practice, so in my opinion, it is not a level-playing field for all players at the moment. We'll have to wait and see how the situation unfolds before taking a call. DSD: I've had conversations with India's women's world champion PV Sindhu and some of the men's shuttlers as well over these last two months - and everyone seems to suggest it is going to take quite a bit of time for players to hit peak form and fitness again.what is your estimate? Viktor Axelsen: We started practice about one and a half months back, so the Danish players have a bit of a headstart over the rest in terms of preparation. However, we are not really training at full throttle and only doing so for a limited period of time. It's still going to take some time for me to return to my peak but I believe I will be fit enough when the tournaments resume. There is still some time to go till the calendar restarts and it is an opportunity for me to work on certain aspects of my game. Usually, we only have a few weeks to prepare before the season begins, but in this case, we have had much more time, so the training regime is also different. DSD: You made a pretty strong start to the season before it was halted. Winning the Spain Masters, reaching the final in Malaysia and then that tearaway triumph at the All England Open - where you dominated the draw. That was the only major title missing from your trophy cabinet - so how did it feel to finally achieve it? Viktor Axelsen: It was a dream come true for me to win the All England Championship. I had mixed feeling when I returned home because of the COVID-19 outbreak, but it doesn't take anything away from my victory. It is really special to have the All England triumph on my CV and I'm delighted to be one of the Danish players to have won the title. DSD: That was the last tournament before the season was halted - in fact, it was taking place while alarm bells had already started ringing in the United Kingdom regarding the COVID-19 outbreak, did you feel throughout that week that you were putting yourself in danger of getting the infection, how were you able to clear your head? Viktor Axelsen: When i step on the court, the only thing on my mind is badminton and that was the approach I employed that week. I didn't go out much, I mostly stayed in my hotel room when I wasn't playing. I put the responsibility on the organisers and the government to take the necessary precautions and concentrated on my job, which is to play badminton. DSD: Over the last couple of years - Japan's Kento Momota has emerged as the dominant force in the men's game - he's world No.1, won back to back World Championships. Can you talk to us about what makes him such a good player and what about his game works so well specifically against yours? Viktor Axelsen: Kento Momota is a complete badminton player. He is probably the biggest talent in badminton right now and is also an amazing athlete. I have found him to be a very tough opponent, but in a way it's great to have someone like him because he pushes me to train and work harder every day. Hopefully, my game will continue to improve and we will have many high-level matches in the future. I will practice as hard as possible to win our next match-up. DSD: Another very interesting thing about you, Viktor, is that you can actually speak fluently in Mandarin. It's definitely won you a lot of fans in China - but I'm curious to know what made you want to learn the language in the first place. Viktor Axelsen: Badminton is a very popular sport in China and about 4-5 years ago, I wanted to apply my mind on something other than badminton, so I decided to learn a new language - Mandarin. I have been studying the language ever since and fortunately, I have a very good teacher. It has been a wonderful process and I have gradually improved my Mandarin speaking skills. It really has been a satisfying journey, I am now able to speak to so many people from diverse backgrounds and establish relationships with them. DSD: You used your knowledge of Mandarin to do an Instagram live with Lee Chong Wei in March. Obviously he announced retirement this year after a decorated career. You battled him many times over the years - is he someone you looked up to as a teenager coming up through the ranks? Viktor Axelsen: Yes, it was fun to do an Instagram with Lee Chong Wei. It was a dream come true to interact with a legend like him on social media. I think every young badminton player looked up to him, no one can deny his greatness. He was extremely consistent over many years and won a number of top titles. He is a great role model for players like me because of the way he played the game. DSD: Finally Viktor, when the action does resume do you foresee a few up and down results before the top players start dominating again... Viktor Axelsen: I think it's going to be tough for all players to hit the ground running. All of us are going to be a bit rusty and I believe it will take time for us to get back in the groove. None of us has been in this situation before, so it is difficult to make any prediction.

Axelsen: Packed badminton schedule increases injury risk for players

The US has been rocked by heavy nationwide protests with demonstration asking for an end of police brutality against blacks after videos of an unarmed African-American man named – George Floyd – being knelt on by police for almost nine minutes went viral on social media. Floyd died while the policeman kept a knee on the unarmed and handcuffed’ s neck. &nbsp;

During protests, demonstrators chanted “Black Lives Matter”, “I Can’t Breathe” (Floyd’s last words), as voices grew after Floyd died due to police violence in Minneapolis, Minnesota.&nbsp;

Olympic Silver Medalist and 2020 Australian Open Men's Doubles Champion Rajeev Ram, in an exclusive interview with WION’s Sports Editor, Digvijay Singh Deo, said George Floyd’s case is not a one-off case while adding turning blind eye to racism is as denying its existence.&nbsp;

Ram further described how protests have taken a violent turn in Indianapolis where looting and vandalism have been taking place.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/blacklivesmatter-tiger-woods-darren-sammy-join-growing-list-sportspersons-to-raise-voice-against-george-floyds-death-302653" hreflang="en">#BlackLivesMatter: Tiger Woods, Darren Sammy join growing list sportspersons to raise voice against George Floyd's death</a>

“Here in Indianapolis, some of the protests have taken a violent turn. There has been some looting and vandalism. I don't know if the situation here is as bad as we see in some of the other cities, but it certainly is an incredibly troublesome time in America. I don't know if anyone alive has seen times like these, with the coronavirus and the nationwide protests. There was a curfew imposed here the other night from 8 pm to 5 am and I don't ever remember that happening.”

Sports personalities like Tiger Woods, Lewis Hamilton, Michael Jordan, Chris Gayle, Jadon Sancho, Serena Williams, Coco Gauff, among many others have spoken about the horrific incident against Floyd and racism in general.&nbsp;

Ram, who became a national hero for the US after bagging an Olympic medal in Rio Olympics, is of the view that hardest times bring out the best in people, hence sometimes protests like these are needed to get to the bottom of things. He added that sports don’t discriminate on the basis of race, country or gender and it is a great lesson for all.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/nba-star-curry-marches-chants-with-us-anti-racism-protesters-303194" hreflang="en">NBA star Curry marches, chants with US anti-racism protesters</a>

Yes, these are definitely troubling times. I am fortunate that I have never been subjected to racism in my life but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Turning a blind eye to racism just because it doesn't affect you directly is as bad as denying its existence. Racism is a real issue and we are seeing it on a regular basis. Sometimes, it takes protests like these to get to the bottom of things. I don't know if this will bring about real change, but the George Floyd killing is not a one-off incident, racism is a major issue in the country.

"It hasn't shown America in the best light but I also believe that the hardest times bring out the best in people. Athletes all over the world, regardless of colour, creed or nationality have raised their voice against racism and injustice and we have gotten to see the beauty of sport. Sport transcends borders and doesn't discriminate on the basis of race, country or gender, it's a great lesson for people all over the world.

Earlier on Thursday, Minnesota prosecutors added a second-degree murder charge against former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin and charged three more former officers in Floyd’s death.

The US has been rocked by heavy nationwide protests with demonstration asking for an end of police brutality against blacks after videos of an unarmed African-American man named – George Floyd – being knelt on by police for almost nine minutes went viral on social media.

The US has been rocked by heavy nationwide protests with demonstration asking for an end of police brutality against blacks after videos of an unarmed African-American man named – George Floyd – being knelt on by police for almost nine minutes went viral on social media. Floyd died while the policeman kept a knee on the unarmed and handcuffed’ s neck. During protests, demonstrators chanted “Black Lives Matter”, “I Can’t Breathe” (Floyd’s last words), as voices grew after Floyd died due to police violence in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Olympic Silver Medalist and 2020 Australian Open Men's Doubles Champion Rajeev Ram, in an exclusive interview with WION’s Sports Editor, Digvijay Singh Deo, said George Floyd’s case is not a one-off case while adding turning blind eye to racism is as denying its existence. Ram further described how protests have taken a violent turn in Indianapolis where looting and vandalism have been taking place. ALSO READ: #BlackLivesMatter: Tiger Woods, Darren Sammy join growing list sportspersons to raise voice against George Floyd's death “Here in Indianapolis, some of the protests have taken a violent turn. There has been some looting and vandalism. I don't know if the situation here is as bad as we see in some of the other cities, but it certainly is an incredibly troublesome time in America. I don't know if anyone alive has seen times like these, with the coronavirus and the nationwide protests. There was a curfew imposed here the other night from 8 pm to 5 am and I don't ever remember that happening.” Sports personalities like Tiger Woods, Lewis Hamilton, Michael Jordan, Chris Gayle, Jadon Sancho, Serena Williams, Coco Gauff, among many others have spoken about the horrific incident against Floyd and racism in general. Ram, who became a national hero for the US after bagging an Olympic medal in Rio Olympics, is of the view that hardest times bring out the best in people, hence sometimes protests like these are needed to get to the bottom of things. He added that sports don’t discriminate on the basis of race, country or gender and it is a great lesson for all. ALSO READ: NBA star Curry marches, chants with US anti-racism protesters Yes, these are definitely troubling times. I am fortunate that I have never been subjected to racism in my life but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Turning a blind eye to racism just because it doesn't affect you directly is as bad as denying its existence. Racism is a real issue and we are seeing it on a regular basis. Sometimes, it takes protests like these to get to the bottom of things. I don't know if this will bring about real change, but the George Floyd killing is not a one-off incident, racism is a major issue in the country. "It hasn't shown America in the best light but I also believe that the hardest times bring out the best in people. Athletes all over the world, regardless of colour, creed or nationality have raised their voice against racism and injustice and we have gotten to see the beauty of sport. Sport transcends borders and doesn't discriminate on the basis of race, country or gender, it's a great lesson for people all over the world. Earlier on Thursday, Minnesota prosecutors added a second-degree murder charge against former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin and charged three more former officers in Floyd’s death.

Rajeev Ram: George Floyd killing not one-off incident, racism major issue in the US

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