India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, left, might have to wait for his chance to play again in the 2023 World Cup. AP
India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, left, might have to wait for his chance to play again in the 2023 World Cup. AP
India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, left, might have to wait for his chance to play again in the 2023 World Cup. AP
India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, left, might have to wait for his chance to play again in the 2023 World Cup. AP

Ravichandran Ashwin and Mohammad Shami wait for India comeback chance in World Cup


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India are unwilling to make many changes to their playing XI when they face Bangladesh in their World Cup match in Pune on Thursday, wary of disrupting a winning combination and also of the spate of upsets in the tournament.

Rohit Sharma's team have won their first three games of the World Cup, including big wins over Australia and Pakistan.

However, Afghanistan have altered the course of the tournament after stunning defending champions England in New Delhi, before the Netherlands handed South Africa their first defeat at this World Cup in Dharamsala on Tuesday.

Hosts India, therefore, are likely to play it safe against the Tigers, who have held the upper hand against them in recent white-ball matches.

"When you enter a World Cup, every team will pose you a challenge," bowling coach Paras Mhambrey said.

"From our perspective, I don't think we'll take any team lightly. Be it Bangladesh or Netherlands, we want to treat every game equally. Every game for us is important, every opponent for us is important."

That means experienced seamer Mohammed Shami and off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin could remain on the sidelines.

Ashwin played the first match against the Aussies, picking up 1-34 in 10 overs to set up victory.

"He [Ashwin] has been a great lad," said Mhambrey. "He understands that, he's a great team guy.

"I've never seen him grumpy; I haven't seen him complaining any time for any of the last few years that he's been with us.

"Even after so many years, I think he's there, he wants to do well for the team, he turns up every practice session, goes through the rigorous grinds and he keeps bowling."

What has allowed India to continue with their current attack is the form of their spinners and pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah.

Bumrah, 29, has taken eight wickets in three matches at a meagre average of just over 10, maintaining top pace and control.

"You have seen him in the last three games that he has played," Mhambrey added in Pune.

"What he brings to the table –- he is a world-class bowler. He gives you that breakthrough that you require in the power plays.

"He's well adapted to bowl in the middle overs and he's a top-gun 'death' bowler. I think in that sense, we really missed him."

Meanwhile, Bangladesh have lost their last two matches at the World Cup after starting with a six-wicket win over Afghanistan.

However, they have a great record against India in the subcontinent, having won three of their last four ODIs.

Bangladesh defeated India by six runs when the teams met in the Asia Cup in Colombo last month, with Mhambrey highlighting the quality of Bangladesh fast bowler Taskin Ahmed and star all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Banned items
Dubai Police has also issued a list of banned items at the ground on Sunday. These include:
  • Drones
  • Animals
  • Fireworks/ flares
  • Radios or power banks
  • Laser pointers
  • Glass
  • Selfie sticks/ umbrellas
  • Sharp objects
  • Political flags or banners
  • Bikes, skateboards or scooters
Labour dispute

The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.


- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law 

What is Folia?

Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal's new plant-based menu will launch at Four Seasons hotels in Dubai this November. A desire to cater to people looking for clean, healthy meals beyond green salad is what inspired Prince Khaled and American celebrity chef Matthew Kenney to create Folia. The word means "from the leaves" in Latin, and the exclusive menu offers fine plant-based cuisine across Four Seasons properties in Los Angeles, Bahrain and, soon, Dubai.

Kenney specialises in vegan cuisine and is the founder of Plant Food Wine and 20 other restaurants worldwide. "I’ve always appreciated Matthew’s work," says the Saudi royal. "He has a singular culinary talent and his approach to plant-based dining is prescient and unrivalled. I was a fan of his long before we established our professional relationship."

Folia first launched at The Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills in July 2018. It is available at the poolside Cabana Restaurant and for in-room dining across the property, as well as in its private event space. The food is vibrant and colourful, full of fresh dishes such as the hearts of palm ceviche with California fruit, vegetables and edible flowers; green hearb tacos filled with roasted squash and king oyster barbacoa; and a savoury coconut cream pie with macadamia crust.

In March 2019, the Folia menu reached Gulf shores, as it was introduced at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, where it is served at the Bay View Lounge. Next, on Tuesday, November 1 – also known as World Vegan Day – it will come to the UAE, to the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach and the Four Seasons DIFC, both properties Prince Khaled has spent "considerable time at and love". 

There are also plans to take Folia to several more locations throughout the Middle East and Europe.

While health-conscious diners will be attracted to the concept, Prince Khaled is careful to stress Folia is "not meant for a specific subset of customers. It is meant for everyone who wants a culinary experience without the negative impact that eating out so often comes with."

You may remember …

Robbie Keane (Atletico de Kolkata) The Irish striker is, along with his former Spurs teammate Dimitar Berbatov, the headline figure in this season’s ISL, having joined defending champions ATK. His grand entrance after arrival from Major League Soccer in the US will be delayed by three games, though, due to a knee injury.

Dimitar Berbatov (Kerala Blasters) Word has it that Rene Meulensteen, the Kerala manager, plans to deploy his Bulgarian star in central midfield. The idea of Berbatov as an all-action, box-to-box midfielder, might jar with Spurs and Manchester United supporters, who more likely recall an always-languid, often-lazy striker.

Wes Brown (Kerala Blasters) Revived his playing career last season to help out at Blackburn Rovers, where he was also a coach. Since then, the 23-cap England centre back, who is now 38, has been reunited with the former Manchester United assistant coach Meulensteen, after signing for Kerala.

Andre Bikey (Jamshedpur) The Cameroonian defender is onto the 17th club of a career has taken him to Spain, Portugal, Russia, the UK, Greece, and now India. He is still only 32, so there is plenty of time to add to that tally, too. Scored goals against Liverpool and Chelsea during his time with Reading in England.

Emiliano Alfaro (Pune City) The Uruguayan striker has played for Liverpool – the Montevideo one, rather than the better-known side in England – and Lazio in Italy. He was prolific for a season at Al Wasl in the Arabian Gulf League in 2012/13. He returned for one season with Fujairah, whom he left to join Pune.

Ammar 808:
Maghreb United

Sofyann Ben Youssef
Glitterbeat 

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EA Sports FC 26

Publisher: EA Sports

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Rating: 3/5

Updated: October 18, 2023, 4:18 PM`