10 Interesting and unknown facts about 'The Champ' AB De Villiers

The semi-final match between South Africa and New Zealand in 2015 World Cricket Cup was for sure an extraordinary match. South Africa lost to New Zealand yet they won our hearts. I'm not saying that New Zealand didn't win our hearts yet at the same time I needed South Africa to win simply because of one man – AB de Villiers. I'm a dry hard fan of Indian cricket team like the majority of you yet even that can't prevent me from being a fan of AB de Villiers. I mean this man is just the perfect leader. I won't talk much about his cricket-performances yet I'll tell every one of you how excellent he is beside playing cricket.

Let's take a look at 10 Interesting and unknown facts about 'The Champ' AB De Villiers:

1. Brilliant Student

He received “national medal” from late South African president, Nelson Mandela for doing a science project.

2. Playing Cricket In Childhood

He started playing cricket with his brothers in his childhood but the situation was not in his favour. He had to carry water for them for the whole day and only then he was allowed to bat for some time.

3. Badminton

He was the national champion in Badminton at under-19 level.

4. Childhood Ambition

He wanted to become a doctor like his father but as we know now that life had planned something else for him. But I’m sure that he would have been a kind-doctor too.

5. Rugby

He lead the junior national rugby team of South Africa.

6. Other Sports

He got shortlisted for South Africa’s junior national football team, holds many records in swimming, holds a record in 100m run in junior athletics.

7. He Made One Music Album Too

Making an music album was one of his childhood passion and he did an album with singer Ampie du Preez. The album was named as Maak Jou Drome Waar (Afrikaans for Make Your Dreams Come True). The theme of the album was “Follow Your Dreams.”

8. Funding The Poor

He also donates most of his earnings in a foundation called “Make A Difference Foundation.” This foundation helps brilliant but poor students to join good schools to study.

9. Need An Autograph?

He carries postcards with his own-signature on them and gives them to his fans.

10. Fastest 50 And Fastest 100 And Fastest 150

He carries the record for the fastest 50(16 balls), fastest 100(31 balls) and fastest 150(64 balls) under his name in ODIs.

10 Interesting and unknown facts about "The Jumbo" Anil Kumble

When one talks about India’s greatest match winners in the past 2-3 decades, the first name which pops up is perhaps Sachin Tendulkar. But unanimously, Anil Kumble comes a close second, ahead of even the likes of VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid. Ignoring the stats, it is his ability to get crucial breakthroughs when things seem bleak was one of the most revered qualities of Anil Kumble.

Steaming in like a medium pacer, Kumble was not the greatest turner of the ball. But even the most subtle of variations is enough to make a difference, and that differentiated him from two other giant spinners of international bowling during his time- Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan.

Let's take a look at 10 Interesting and unknown facts about "The Jumbo" Anil Kumble:

1. Anil Kumble was born to K N Krishna Swamy and Saroja and is married to Chethana Ramatheertha. He married Chethana after her divorce and has a son Mayas and two daughters Aaruni and Svasti from Chethana’s previous marriage.

2. Kumble went to Holy Saint English School and completed his schooling from National High School in Bangalore. He didn’t let cricket disrupt his graduation and completed a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Rashtreeya Vidyalaya College of Engineering.

3. All Kumble wanted to do in his childhood was to play cricket. ‘Jumbo’ joined Young Cricketers club at a tender age of 13.

4. The achievement of taking 10 wickets in an innings was commemorated by naming a traffic circle in Bangalore after him.

5. He was named Jumbo by his teammates not just because he was a tough bowler to face but also because his feet are quite big.

6. Kumble held the record of taking his first 50 wickets in only 10 matches, which was later broken by Ravichandran Ashwin who performed the feat in 9 matches.

7. Kumble as a batsman proved that he was a match winner for India by adding 52 runs for the ninth wicket and helping the team chase the target of 216 runs in the 'Titan Cup' against Australia, along with Javagal Srinath in October 1996.

8. The 45-year-old is the 3rd highest wicket taker in the history of Test cricket after Shane Watson and Muttiah Muralitharan. He is the 2nd Indian bowler to capture 400 Test wickets after Kapil Dev.

9. Kumble was bestowed with the prestigious Arjuna Award in 1995. He was one of the Wisden Cricketers of the year in the year 1996. The Government of India presented ‘Jumbo’ with the Padma Shri in 2005.

10. He is only the 2nd bowler after England‘s Jim Laker to scalp all 10 wickets in a test innings. The 10 for 74 against Pakistan at the Feroze Shah Kotla in 1998 is hailed as the second best “Bowling performance of all time” by Wisden.

10 Interesting and unknown facts about 'The Emerging Star' Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya reflects a perfect case where talent overcomes all sorts of adversity and attains success. The Mumbai Indians star hails from an unobtrusive foundation. He is however a liberally capable cricketer who has become well known in a limited ability to focus time. He is touted as the 'man for the future' by numerous present and previous players.

Let's take a look at 10 Interesting and unknown facts about 'The Emerging Star' Hardik Pandya:

1. Birth

Hardik Pandya was conceived on eleventh October 1993 in Choryasi, Surat, Gujarat.

2. Growing years

Hardik Pandya's developing years were difficult and he experienced childhood in hardship. Krunal, his sibling and Hardik would regularly spend the whole day exclusively on one dinner.

3. Passionate father

His dad Himanshu was an impassioned significant other of the diversion. He was drawn towards cricket in light of his dad who took him to watch coordinates in Vadodara.

4. The start of it

Subsequent to seeing the enthusiasm for the diversion, Hardik Pandya alongside his senior sibling Krunal Pandya were enlisted in the Kiran More International Academy at 5 years old and 7 individually.

5. Struggles in life

His dad needed to leave his place of employment in the wake of agony from heart assault thrice. Life ended up plainly harder for him after the sole provider of the family was bound to bed rest.

6. Education

Hardik Pandya fizzled ninth class and quit instruction to concentrate on his cricketing dreams.

7. Jack of all trades

Hardik Pandya is an all-rounder. His mentors recognize him as an ingenious player who is neither an ordinary batsman nor a sublimely gifted bowler. Be that as it may, he gives an affirmation that he can passage well in both viewpoints and create coordinate wining exhibitions which he has demonstrated in his past trips.

8. Nickname

Hardik Pandya has an exceptionally cool epithet in the Mumbai Indians changing areas. He is called "Rockstar" by his colleagues.

9. A leg spinner

Hardik Pandya was leg spinner before one day all of a sudden he changed to crease knocking down some pins. Once at the Kiran More International Academy, the group was one quick bowler short before a neighborhood coordinate. Kiran more requesting that he assume the liability. He promptly acknowledged the assignment and overwhelmed everybody by grabbing seven wickets in that match. This is the means by which he turned into a medium pacer.

10. Entry in the big league

Pandya was spotted by then Mumbai Indians mentor John Wright in a West Zone match of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Every last prominent individual from Mumbai Indians was awed by him amid the determination trials. Head mentor Ricky Ponting short-recorded Hardik in the wake of experiencing the recording of more than 50 short-recorded cricketers in front of the IPL 8 player sell off in February. He was in this way purchased by the establishment at base cost of 10 lakhs.

10 Interesting and unknown facts about 'The Punter' Ricky Ponting

Ricky Ponting is potentially the best batsman that Australia has delivered since Sir Donald Bradman and his surprising record as a batsman in Tests and ODIs justifies itself with real evidence. This article gives you a more critical investigate the life and times of one of the best batsman that has ever played the game.

Let's take a look at 10 Interesting and unknown facts about 'The Punter' Ricky Ponting:

1. Playing with the brother in the backyard

Ricky Ponting is the eldest of three kin. His more youthful sibling Drew Ponting knocked down some pins to him in the patio, with Ricky batting for quite a long time. At the point when Drew would get his shot, Ricky would reject him soon enough to hold the bat again and continue.

2. Sporting family

Ponting came from a middle-class family. His dad Graeme attempted to be a golfer as an adolescent. He additionally used to turn up for cricket and Aussie Rules Football games. Ponting's mom Lorraine played for Tasmania in vigoro, an amusement that is said to be a blend of cricket and tennis. She was additionally sufficient to play netball and badminton at a good level.

3. First earning through cricket

Ponting's first earning through cricket did not come because of the enchantment of his willow. However, as a young man, he was a piece of the scoreboard group at some Sheffield Shield amusements. For that activity every day, he used to be remunerated with A$ 20.

4. Batting with his father in a club game

Ponting played the greater part of his age gathering and introductory cricket for the Mowbray Cricket Club in Launceston, Tasmania. In one of the amusements, Ponting and his dad Graeme batted together. Be that as it may, to his failure, Ponting senior was rejected early while playing a forceful stroke.

5. Mentored by Ian Young

Ponting's mentor was Ian Young, whose child Shaun went ahead to play for Australia. Truth be told, Shaun Young and Ponting played a Test coordinate together against England on the 1997 Ashes visit to England. Ponting stayed near Ian, until his passing in 2010. Tragically, Ponting couldn't go to the burial service as he was in India, speaking to Australia in a Test coordinate.

6. Giving up school and Football

As a young boy, Ponting needed to settle on extreme decisions to seek after his cricketing tries. At 15 years old, he surrendered football in the wake of agony a damage to his elbow. He additionally dropped out of school in the wake of completing Class 10. "It was a major move I assume, however it was quite certain to everybody by then that cricket was the main thing I thought about," Ponting wrote in his book At Close of Play.

7. Working as a member of the ground staff at a school

As Ponting gave up school, he needed to get a job. His coach, Young organized an arrangement for him as an individual starting from the earliest stage at a school called Scotch Oakburn College. Ponting reviewed, "That job confirmed for me that a life in sport was what I really wanted."

8. First encounter with Sachin Tendulkar

In 1992, when Ponting was a part of the Australian Cricket Academy, he first observed Sachin Tendulkar. Having heard a ton about him, Ponting requested that the experts enable him to remain after practice to watch the Indian youth. "I needed to see Sachin Tendulkar who everybody was discussing, and I took up a position behind the nets while he had a bat. Any reasonable person would agree I would watch him bat for quite a while to come, yet that day I was examining his procedure, attempting to perceive what it was about him," Ponting wrote in his book. Ahead of the pack up to the 1992 World Cup, India played a practice diversion against the Australian Cricket Academy. Tendulkar scored 37 in that match and was gotten by Ponting. The Aussie thus scored 23.

9. Bonding with future teammates

Ponting first fortified with Adam Gilchrist and Glenn McGrath on a visit to South Africa in 1992, where they were speaking to the Australian Cricket Academy. Ponting and Gilchrist sat alongside each other on the flight to South Africa. Ponting got, "on the plane, I scarcely knew Gilly [Adam Gilchrist] yet when we arrived in Jo'burg we were best mates.

10. ‘Punter’ and the Shane Warne connection

During his time at the Academy in Adelaide, Ponting met Shane Warne, who was already a Test cricketer by then. Indeed, Ponting volunteered to bat against Warne at whatever point he needed to bowl and work on his system with Terry Jenner. Ponting's enjoying for puppy races and his propensity for wagering on them incited Warne to dedicate him as "Punter." It was a moniker that stayed with Ponting. Warne had attempted to take Ponting to clubs, yet he would figure out how to escape by concocting a wide range of reasons.

10 Interesting and unknown facts about India's 'Powerpuff Girl' Harmanpreet Kaur

Harmanpreet Kaur produced one of the greatest ever ODI knocks in women’s cricket for India. Her scintillating knock of 171 runs off 115 balls against the Aussies in the semis scripted Indian Team’s road to the finals. She came into bat when the team had a major setback and they lost two quick wickets. Later, with Harmanpreet’s monstrous batting, Indian women successfully put a total of 281 on the scoreboard in 42 overs. In return, the Aussies failed to chase down the target and lost the game by 36 runs. Harmanpreet undoubtedly turned out to be the ‘Wonder Woman’ in the match. She was also the one who led India to victory in the World Cup 2017 qualifier series earlier.

Let's take a look at 10 Interesting and unknown facts about India's 'Powerpuff Girl' Harmanpreet Kaur:

1. Harmanpreet Kaur was born on March 8, 1989, her father Harmandar Bhullar was a renowned Volley ball and Basket ball player.

2. Kaur stepped into Cricket after her unexpected meeting with coach Kamaldeesh Singh Sodhi, she later joined Gian Jyoti School Academy at village Darapur, Punjab. Astonished by her batting prowess, Kamaldeesh included her in the Moga-district team to participate in the Punjab’s Inter-District tournament.

3. She got a job in Western Railways with the help of a personal letter from Member of Parliament and former Indian Cricketer Sachin Tendulkar. This all happened her application got rejected first when former India women’s captain Diana Edulji who spotted the batting all-rounder suggested her to do so.

4. Harmanpreet made her ODI debut at the age of 20 in a match against Pakistan in the 2009 Women’s Cricket World Cup which took place at Bowral.

5. In June 2009, she made her Twenty20 International debut in the 2009 ICC Women's World Twenty20 against England women's at County Ground, Taunton where she scored 8 runs off 7 balls.

6. Her 171 runs in the WC17 semi finals against Australia remains her best ever in ODI and is also the second highest by any Indian women’s cricketer. Deepti Sharma’s 188 is the best so far.

7. Harmanpreet found her cricketing inspiration in the swashbuckling Indian opener Virender Sehwag. Fans can easily make out why she admires the legendary cricketer as she herself is an aggressor par excellence.

8. Back in 2012 when skipper Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami were down with injuries, Kaur was announced as the captain for India’s campaign in the 2012 Women’s Twenty20 Asia Cup final match. Indian women’s team won that game by 18 runs.

9. In November 2015, she took 9 wickets in a Test match against the South African women’s cricket team played at Gangothri Glades Cricket Ground, Mysore, helping India win the match by an innings and 34 runs.

10. Meanwhile, in June 2016, she became the first Indian cricketer to be signed by the Women’s Big Bash League. Sydney Thunder was the franchise she had signed for.

10 Interesting and unknown facts about 'India’s Master of Swing' Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Bhuvneshwar Kumar, born February 5, 1990, has been the leader of India's pace assault since his debut in 2012. Outfitted with gigantic development both noticeable all around and off the pitch, Bhuvneshwar has the ability to trouble the best of batsmen.

Let’s take a look at 10 Interesting and unknown facts about 'India’s Master of Swing' Bhuvneshwar Kumar :

1. Getting God first ball

Bhuvneshwar Kumar declared himself as one for the future from the get-go in his First-Class profession. At 19 years old, he rejected Sachin Tendulkar for a duck — the first time through Tendulkar (who is alluded as the God by fans) was out without scoring in Ranji Trophy.

2. “Early” success

Bhuvneshwar was missing the goal immediately in both T20Is and ODIs. He dismissed Nasir Jamshed in his first over on T20I make a big appearance, and improved in ODIs, getting Mohammad Hafeez out off his first ball.

3. Economical best

While there is no questioning Bhuvneshwar's capacity as a wicket-taker, his magnificent economy rate is now and then passed up a great opportunity for. Notwithstanding when Bhuvneshwar isn't taking wickets, he holds the keeps running down. Three of India's five most prudent spells in T20Is have originated from Bhuvneshwar. He is additionally one of the few Indian bowlers whose economy rate is under seven in T20Is, and under five in ODIs.

4. Bowled over!

Bhuvneshwar appreciates a standout amongst the most one of a kind knocking down some pins records the amusement has seen. His first wicket in each format stopped by getting the batsman bowled. He expelled Nasir Jamshed (T20Is), Mohammad Hafeez (ODIs), and David Warner (Tests) in this form.

5. Match-winner with the bat

While Bhuvneshwar's bowling deeds are abundant, he likewise has extensive ability with the bat. He has a First-Class century, which came in the most astounding design; in the second semi-final between Central Zone and North Zone at Hyderabad. Central were 219 for six in answer to North's 451 when Bhuvneshwar came into bat. They were soon 293 for eight, and after that 342 for nine preceding Bhuvneshwar engineered a late battle back. He scored a 253-ball 128 to lead Central to 469, as the side took the significant first-innings lead.

6. Makings of an all-rounder

As noted above, Bhuvneshwar has some ability with the bat. He demonstrated his guarantee from the get-go in his Test profession too. With India 406 for eight in answer to Australia's 380, Bhuvneshwar — on Test make a big appearance — exited to join captain MS Dhoni. The couple put on a match-winning 140-run remain, as Dhoni went ahead to finish a gigantic twofold hundred. Bhuvneshwar scored a vital 38 off 97 balls all the while.

7. The “player”

While cricket remains his first love, Bhuvneshwar has said that his most loved side interest is playing games on his PS3 and his iPad.

8. Not the first of his kind

Bhuvneshwar is not the first Kumar who hails from Meerut, swings the ball both ways, has taken a fifer a Lord's, and is a helpful batsman down the request! Be that as it may, his similarity with Praveen Kumar — no connection — closes there. While Praveen has been known to have a blazing temper and a demeanor issue, Bhuvneshwar is calm, mild-mannered, and shy.

9. Gayle’s bane

As said before, Bhuvneshwar has a propensity of working over batsmen. One man who has dependably battled against him is West Indian juggernaut Chris Gayle. Bhuvneshwar has dismissed Gayle four times in seven international matches across formats.

10. Army Dreams

As a youngster, Bhuvneshwar dreamt for being in the armed force before his energy for cricket made him pick the amusement. He would have made an excellent officer; his discipline is there for all to see!

12 Interesting and unknown facts about India’s best ever left-arm seamer Zaheer Khan

Today, cricket fans all around the globe woke up to the news that Zaheer Khan would be declaring his retirement from worldwide cricket with quick impact. While it didn't come as a noteworthy stun to the vast majority of us – since Zaheer hasn't played universal cricket for 18 months – it was as yet a hit to the gut.From the mid 2000s, Zaheer Khan was a necessary piece of the Indian cricket group. With his swing noticeable all around and his pinpoint yorkers, Zaheer has vexed most major batsmen on each surface conceivable. Notwithstanding when his place was undermined by more youthful and fitter bowlers, he always kept his chin up and came back stronger.

Let's take a look at 12 Interesting and unknown facts about India’s best ever left-arm seamer Zaheer Khan:

1. Early life

Zaheer was born in Srirampur, a residential community 40 kms from Shirdi, to a working class couple. His dad was a picture taker while mother was an instructor. He did his underlying tutoring at the Hind Seva Mandal's New Marathi Primary School and later at the KJ Somaiyya Secondary School. Post tutoring, he got admission to the Mechanical Engineering degree course. In any case, on his mentor Sudhir Naik's recommendation, he surrendered designing and focussed on cricket, even as he was great at scholastics.

2. Cricket calling

Zaheer was a tremendous ability. Awed by his aptitudes, his dad took him to Mumbai when he was 17. A true and restrained Zaheer played each competition that occurred at National Cricket Club for the initial two seasons. A seven-wicket pull in a last against Shivaji Park Gymkhana shot him to popularity in Mumbai's cricket circles and soon he got into the Under-19 sides of Mumbai and West Zone in 1998-99. It was trailed by a stretch at the MRF Pace Foundation in Chennai, where Dennis Lillee, the mentor, forecasted that he would bowl for India.

3. First-Class debut

Zaheer made his First-Class debut in the 1999-2000 domestic season for Baroda, as he couldn't make it to the Mumbai squad. In his debut season, he was the third best quick bowler, and best left-arm seamer, behind Ashish Zaidi and Sadagoppan Mahesh. Playing in eight matches, Zaheer grabbed 35 wickets at a normal of 29.25, with best figures of 5-43 in an innings.

4. Baroda’s Ranji triumph

Zaheer made rapid strides playing for Baroda. In the Ranji Trophy last 2000-01 against Railways, Zaheer's eight wickets, including a moment innings fifer, helped Baroda win by a restricted edge of 21 runs. He was declared as the Man of the Match for his execution. His universal presentation, nonetheless, had occurred at this point. Post 2006, he began speaking to Mumbai in domestic cricket.

5. International debut

His domestic heroics soon observed him playing for India. He was picked up to play the ICC Knock-Out Trophy in Nairobi in 2000 and had a quick effect. He took three wickets on his presentation against Kenya and in just his second diversion — which was the quarter-last against the then world champs Australia — Zaheer rejected Adam Gilchrist and Captain Steve Waugh and helped India script a well known win. By chance, it was additionally Zaheer's 22nd birthday. He had reported his entry in style. His Test make a big appearance came later in the year against Bangladesh, where he picked up three wickets in the match.

6. ICC Cricket World Cup 2003

Zaheer, along with Javagal Srinath and Ashish Nehra, was instrumental in India's fantasy rush to the last of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2003. Nonetheless, an apprehensive Zaheer gave an awful begin to the last, surrendering 15 keeps running in the first over against Australia. India never recuperated and lost with a colossal edge. With 18 wickets from 11 matches, he completed the competition as the fourth most noteworthy wicket-taker at an amazing normal of 20.77 runs for each wicket.

7. India’s pace spearhead

Post Srinath's retirement, Zaheer turned into India's pace lead and drove the rocking the bowling alley assault at whatever point he played. In 2005, the development of Shanthakumaran Sreesanth, Munaf Patel and Rudra Pratap Singh, add to it visit wounds, implied Zaheer was in and out of the side. Things turned out to be more awful when the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) downgraded Zaheer from a B-review to a C-review contract toward the finish of the year.

8. Zaheer the batsman

Zaheer was a decent batsman in the early part of his career. In just his twelfth ODI, he broadly smacked Henry Olonga for four back to back sixes on the last four bundles of the innings. In a Test against Bangladesh in 2004, he scored 75 batting at No. 11, the then record most elevated Test score by a batsman at that position, which has along these lines been broken by West Indies' Tino Best and Australia's Ashton Agar. In similar innings, he was included in the record tenth-wicket organization alongside Sachin Tendulkar, which delivered 133 runs. This record is yet to be broken.

9. Zak-attack

Zaheer is fondly called as Zak by his team-mates. His career-changing time with the English County side Worcestershire earned him the nick-name of “Zippy Zakky”.

10. Inspiration

Zaheer is a gigantic Tendulkar fan and takes motivation from the batting icon. Outside the sport, Tennis great Roger Federer is someone who he derives inspiration from.

11. Great adapter

Zaheer has been one cricketer who has always excelled in diverse conditions. He's constantly savored playing in testing circumstances and has immediately acclimatized to the outside conditions. An extraordinary connector, Zaheer is similarly great with SG, Duke and Kookaburra balls and shows fabulous control over them effortlessly.

12. Wisden Cricketer of the Year

Zaheer was the Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 2008, along with Ian Bell, Ryan Sidebottom, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Ottis Gibson.

10 Interesting and unknown facts about 'The Champ' AB De Villiers

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