Sports
Chennai Clinches IPL Title in Thrilling Finish Against Gujarat
Chennai Super Kings Secure Fifth IPL Title with Thrilling Victory over Gujarat Titans
In a spectacular last-ball finish, the Chennai Super Kings clinched their fifth Indian Premier League (IPL) championship, matching the record, as they defeated defending champions Gujarat Titans by five wickets. Ravindra Jadeja’s heroics in the final over, smashing a six and a four off Mohit Sharma’s bowling, helped Chennai chase down the revised target of 171 runs in 15 overs.
The IPL final faced multiple delays, with the match being washed out on Sunday and commencing late on Monday, finally concluding after 1:30 a.m. local time on Tuesday. The nail-biting encounter proved worth the wait.
During the final over, Chennai faced pressure from medium-pacer Mohit Sharma, needing 10 runs off two balls. Sharma failed to find the right length, allowing Jadeja to hit a straight six. Sharma’s line was also off on the following delivery, resulting in Jadeja smashing a boundary to fine leg, sealing the stunning victory.
Jadeja expressed his mindset during the crucial moments, stating, “I was just thinking I need to swing hard, as much as I can. Where the ball will go, I was not thinking about that. I was backing myself and looking to hit straight because I know Mohit can bowl those slower balls.”
Retiring batter Ambati Rayudu also played a pivotal role in Chennai’s triumph, securing his sixth IPL title and matching Rohit Sharma’s record for the most successful players in the league. Rayudu reflected on the fairytale ending, saying, “It’s a fairytale finish. I’m fortunate to have played in really great sides. I can smile for the rest of my life.”
In the first innings, Gujarat Titans were put into bat and posted an imposing total of 214-4, the highest ever in an IPL final, with Sai Sudharsan contributing an impressive 96 runs. Rain interrupted Chennai’s chase in the first over, resulting in a 2.5-hour delay and a reduced target of 171 runs in 15 overs. Chennai showcased remarkable determination, reaching 171-5 with just one ball to spare.
Chennai’s opening pair of Devon Conway (47 off 25 balls) and Ruturaj Gaikwad (26 off 16) provided an explosive start, forming a half-century partnership within the powerplay. Spinner Noor Ahmad dismissed both openers in quick succession, but Chennai continued their aggressive approach. Ajinkya Rahane contributed a quick 27 off 13 deliveries, while Rayudu’s attacking display against Mohit Sharma in the 13th over included a sequence of 6-4-6, before Sharma struck back with consecutive wickets.
With Rayudu’s dismissal and Chennai skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni falling for a first-ball duck, Shivam Dube (32 off 21) partnered with Jadeja to guide Chennai to a memorable victory.
Dhoni, who has led the Chennai franchise since the inception of the IPL, expressed his willingness to continue playing for another season, appreciating the support of CSK fans. He remarked, “The easy thing for me to say is, ‘Thank you,’ and retire. But the hard thing to do is to work hard for nine months and try to play one more IPL season… The amount of love I have received from CSK fans, it would be a gift for them to play one more season.”
Mohammed Shami’s exceptional penultimate over added to the suspense, leaving Chennai needing 13 runs off six balls. Mohit Sharma, who claimed three wickets for 36 runs, held his nerve until Jadeja’s extraordinary finish.
Eight venues in South Africa have been confirmed for the 2027 Cricket World Cup, according to Cricket South Africa chief executive Pholetsi Moseki.
In addition to the South African grounds, matches will also be played in Zimbabwe and Namibia, who will co-host the tournament.
Moseki told the South African News24 website that the eight South African venues had been chosen for what he described as “scientific” reasons, including proximity to an airport and the availability of hotel rooms.
South Africa’s regular Test venues – the Wanderers in Johannesburg, SuperSport Park in Centurion, Newlands in Cape Town, Kingsmead in Durban and St George’s Park in Gqeberha – will all host matches.
The Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein, Boland Park in Paarl and Buffalo Park in East London will be the other venues.
All eight grounds were used when South Africa previously hosted the World Cup in 2003.
Benoni, Potchefstroom and Kimberley also staged matches in 2003 but were not included for the 2027 edition.
The tournament is scheduled for October and November 2027.
Venue guide
Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg: South Africa’s premier venue with a capacity of about 30,000. Hosted the finals of the 2003 World Cup and inaugural 2007 T20 World Cup and a semi-final of the 2009 Champions Trophy.
Newlands, Cape Town: The scenic ground with a backdrop of Table Mountain has hosted more Test matches (60) than any other South African ground. Was the venue for the 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup final and a 2007 T20 World Cup semi-final.
SuperSport Park, Centurion: The purpose-built stadium outside Pretoria hosted the 2009 Champions Trophy final.
Kingsmead, Durban: Semi-final venue for the 2003 World Cup and 2007 T20 World Cup.
St George’s Park, Gqeberha: South Africa’s oldest Test ground. Hosted a semi-final in the 2003 World Cup.
Boland Park, Paarl: Another scenic venue in the Cape Winelands. Along with the five grounds above, a centre for a team in the SA20 franchise competition. Hosted three matches in the 2003 World Cup.
Springbok Park, Bloemfontein: Five Test matches have been played in Bloemfontein as well as two matches in the Super Six stage of the 2003 World Cup.
Buffalo Park, East London: Infrequently used for men’s international matches in recent years but it has hosted one Test match as well as being a Super Six venue in 2003.
Star cricketer and Member of Parliament Shakib Al Hasan is set to venture into the footwear business with the launch of a new brand, “SAH 75,” in collaboration with Step Footwear, one of the country’s largest non-leather footwear companies.
Under this joint venture, Step Footwear will handle the manufacturing, selling, and marketing of wearable products for the “SAH 75” brand. The products will be available in 95 Step Footwear showrooms nationwide. Shamim Kabir, Managing Director of Step Footwear, confirmed this collaboration.
The formal announcement of the new business venture is scheduled to take place at a hotel in the capital on Sunday.
Sources indicate that Step Footwear will produce certain shoes under the “SAH 75” brand, while additional products will be sourced from both domestic and international markets. These products will be sold through Step’s showrooms.
The product range under the “SAH 75” brand will include shoes, sandals, boots, bats, pads, sportswear, and other wearables.
Step Footwear operates three factories in Narsingdi, where two of them focus on producing trolleys, bags, backpacks, and the third factory specializes in shoemaking equipment. All three factories are currently in full production.
Sports
Major Reshuffling as 22 Companies, Including Khulna Printing, Yeakin Polymers, Enter ‘Z’ Category Deals
In a recent development, ten companies have undergone a change in their categories, transitioning to the ‘Z’ category in the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE). The information comes from official sources from DSE.
The companies affected by this reclassification include Alltex Industries, Aramit Cement, Aziz Pipes, Delta Spinning, FAS Finance and Investment Limited, GBB Power Limited, Intech Limited, International Leasing, Keya Cosmetics, Khulna Printing, National Tea, Premier Leasing, Regent Textile, Ring Shine Textile, Safko Spinning, Standard Ceramics, Dacca Dyeing, Union Capital, Uttara Finance and Investment Limited, Yeakin Polymer, and Zahintex Industries Limited.
Effective from today (18th February), trading for these companies in the ‘Z’ category has commenced.
Sources reveal that these companies have been transferred to the ‘Z’ category due to their inability to hold the annual general meeting (AGM) within the stipulated time, remaining closed for more than six months, and having higher liabilities than assets.
Before this update, there were 27 companies in the ‘Z’ category at the DSE. With the addition of 22 more companies, the total number of companies in the ‘Z’ category has now reached 49.
It is noteworthy that companies failing to hold the AGM within the specified time, remaining closed for more than six months, or having higher liabilities than assets are moved to the ‘Z’ category after undergoing the necessary scrutiny and reevaluation.
