December 12 will be solely remembered for D. Gukesh, who scripted history by becoming the youngest-ever World Chess Champion! He beat the reigning champion Ding Liren in what was a nail-biting affair. Talking about cricket, the day began with two big news. While we had a spicy podcast featuring LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka, former cricketer minced no words and called Indian skipper Rohit Sharma “overweight”. Daryl Cullinan had an exclusive chat with the InsideSport, where talked what is going wrong with Rohit and much more. Apart from this, we had a vital update on Mohammed Shami, who is now can be considered out of contention for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT). On that note, let us look at the most eye-catching headlines from Thursday, December 12.
Is IPL fixed?
Lucknow Super Giants owner Sanjiv Goenka has vehemently denied IPL fixing allegations. In a recent podcast, he thanked BCCI and Jay Shah for maintaining high standards and ensuring fair play. Goenka credited BCCI’s efforts in promoting Indian cricket and ensuring a level playing field. He expressed confidence in IPL’s integrity, stating that fixing is ““It cannot be. To think of it is such preposterous. This is not possible.“
Rohit Sharma is “overweight” ?
Former South African cricketer Daryll Cullinan has criticised Rohit Sharma’s form and fitness. In an exclusive interview with InsideSport, Cullinan called Rohit “overweight and a “flat-track bully” who excels only in home conditions. He questioned Rohit’s ability to handle bounce overseas. He drew comparisons with Virat Kohli, highlighting Rohit’s weight issues and poor physical condition. He stated that Rohit’s lack of fitness and weight concerns hinder performances on the field.
BGT denied for Mohammed Shami?
Indian cricket fans were hoping for a fiery return of Mohammed Shami in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. However, those dreams might be dashed as the Bengal speedster is set to feature in the upcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy. Shami, who recently made a strong comeback from injury, was expected to bolster India’s pace attack in Australia. But with his inclusion in the domestic 50-over tournament, his international aspirations for the series seem to have taken a backseat.
Hardik Pandya vs Suryakumar Yadav clash today!
A mouth-watering clash beckons fans. Yes, the Baroda vs Mumbai Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT) semi-final clash will attract all the eyeballs. The marquee matchup would be between India’s T20I skipper vs Mumbai Indians’ captain – Suryakumar Yadav vs Hardik Pandya. Ajinkya Rahane has been in tremendous form as well, while Mumbai skipper Shreyas Iyer would be hoping to leave his mark.
D. Gukesh scripts history for India!
D. Gukesh’s incredible achievement has been the talk of the town. At just 18 years old, he’s become the youngest World Chess Champion, eclipsing Garry Kasparov’s record. His thrilling 14-round battle against Ding Liren ended in triumph, with a single, costly blunder by his opponent proving decisive. This momentous victory not only marks India’s second World Chess Championship title but also cements Gukesh’s status as a chess prodigy. Former champion Viswanathan Anand has hailed Gukesh’s win too.
LSG owner clarifies air on KL Rahul
Rumours of a tense relationship were made public by KL Rahul and LSG owner Sanjiv Goenka’s furious altercation during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Goenka clarified that there is no animosity between them in spite of rumours. He conveyed his best wishes for Rahul’s future while highlighting how important the cricket player is to the “LSG family.” KL Rahul is now part of the Delhi Capitals (DC), who roped him for Rs 14 crore.
