ROURKELA: Skipper Sumit Walmiki and Australian Tim Brand walked to the dugout, shared a laugh and high-fived after Hyderabad Toofans' practice. Nearby, an awe-struck Amandeep Lakra was listening with rapt attention to Gonzalo Peillat as Germany's drag-flick legend gave the Indian youngster tips to take PCs.
The scenes were reminiscent of the HIL that folded due to financial issues after five seasons in 2017. Then too, Indian players played alongside the finest in the world, sharing the dressing room with legends like Moritz Furste, Jamie Dwyer and Mark Knowles.
While the eight-team league has retained its cosmopolitan nature in its revamped avatar, there are marked changes too that are noticeable for someone who has witnessed both versions.
Even though Sumit isn't fluent in English, the two-time Olympic medallist doesn't hesitate to interact with overseas players, something that wasn't the case earlier. German legend Furste said that it took them weeks to even have a basic conversation with some Indians "because they were shy".
Bu hikaye Hindustan Times Ludhiana dergisinin January 08, 2025 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Hindustan Times Ludhiana dergisinin January 08, 2025 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Online gaming ‘friend’ morphs woman’s pics, extorts ₹41k from her
Befriending a stranger while playing PUBG, an online multiplayer game, turned into a nightmare for a 28-year-old city woman as the man allegedly morphed her pictures and extorted ₹41,000 from her, officials said.
Are young people sadder, angrier? New study blames Smartphones
YOUNGER THE AGE AT WHICH ONE GETS SMARTPHONE, THE POORER THEIR MENTAL HEALTH, THE STUDY SAID
Child Rights Panel Head Meets Victims; Statements Recorded
Women's Commission Chairperson Also Meets Aggrieved Families; Cops Say More Sections To Be Added To FIR
Bleak returns for India's star players on domestic circuit
Ranji Trophy: Top stars flop India's stars faltered on their return to domestic cricket after being told to play in home competitions
Keys upsets Swiatek to swing into final, takes on No.1 Sabalenka next
A two-hour, 35-minute high-quality, drama-filled battle saw her beat Swiatek 5-7, 6-1, 7-6 (10-8)
Delhi court seeks NIA stand on J&K MLA Rashid's bail petition
The Delhi high court on Thursday issued notice on a plea by Engineer Rashid, a member of Parliament from Jammu & Kashmir seeking directions to the city court to pronounce orders on his bail application in a terror-funding case. Rashid was elected in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections defeating National Conference leader Omar Abdullah from the Baramullah constituency even though he was lodged in jail.
Can't defy order: SC raps Registry over case deletion
The Supreme Court has placed its own Registry under scrutiny, directing it to explain why cases are being unilaterally deleted from the cause list without informing the judges beforehand.
Ex-CAG officer flags 'restrictive' provision of RTE, writes to Mann
The Punjab government has faced flak for its failure to ensure 25% admissions for economically weaker and disadvantaged children in unaided private schools under the provisions of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009.
Body formed to look after 24×7 canal-based water supply project
COMPANY WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR OPERATION, MAINTENANCE AND BILLING UNDER PROJECT
India Prepares for Tricky Trade Dance With Trump
The Indian government is preparing a new blueprint to address key issues in imports of American apples, oil, electric vehicles, satellite communications, among others, as it gears up for trade talks with the US.
