Judging by Virat Kohli's latest training session, it's going to be a case of bowlers beware in this year's IPL in the UAE.
The Royal Challengers Bangalore captain has been working up a sweat with his teammates in Dubai – and looks to be very much ready for action.
The 31-year-old shared clips and images of himself batting in the nets, fielding, playing football and then undertaking an ice bath to recover from the day's exertions.
"Proper session + proper humidity + great recovery," he tweeted, while also posting a video showing an exemplary lofted cover drive to which he said "Nothing like a proper cricketing shot".
Royal Challengers Bangalore meanwhile gave a glimpse of Kohli looking sharp as he practised his fielding.
The rescheduled IPL season will be played in Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi from September 19 to November 10.
The tournament was moved to the UAE due to the health situation in India caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Six of teams are located in Dubai, while two - Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders – are based in the capital.
The players spent time in quarantine after first arriving in the country and took part in a vast Covid-19 testing operation.
Kohli has urged everyone involved to also ensure the bio-security of the league as a single breach could jeopardise the tournament.
“I would expect everyone to be on the same page in terms of securing the bubble at all times, and making sure that nothing is compromised," Kohli told his team members during a meeting via Zoom after arriving in the UAE.
“One mistake from anyone of us could literally spoil the whole tournament, and none of us would want to do that."
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Abu Dhabi Cricket facilities undergo sci-fi transformation to accommodate IPL teams
RESULT
Brazil 2 Croatia 0
Brazil: Neymar (69'), Firmino (90' 3)
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
RESULT
Esperance de Tunis 1 Guadalajara 1
(Esperance won 6-5 on penalties)
Esperance: Belaili 38’
Guadalajara: Sandoval 5’
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
Fixtures (6pm UAE unless stated)
Saturday Bournemouth v Leicester City, Chelsea v Manchester City (8.30pm), Huddersfield v Tottenham Hotspur (3.30pm), Manchester United v Crystal Palace, Stoke City v Southampton, West Bromwich Albion v Watford, West Ham United v Swansea City
Sunday Arsenal v Brighton (3pm), Everton v Burnley (5.15pm), Newcastle United v Liverpool (6.30pm)
Retail gloom
Online grocer Ocado revealed retail sales fell 5.7 per cen in its first quarter as customers switched back to pre-pandemic shopping patterns.
It was a tough comparison from a year earlier, when the UK was in lockdown, but on a two-year basis its retail division, a joint venture with Marks&Spencer, rose 31.7 per cent over the quarter.
The group added that a 15 per cent drop in customer basket size offset an 11.6. per cent rise in the number of customer transactions.
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
Company profile
Company name: Suraasa
Started: 2018
Founders: Rishabh Khanna, Ankit Khanna and Sahil Makker
Based: India, UAE and the UK
Industry: EdTech
Initial investment: More than $200,000 in seed funding
