Happy Birthday Steve Smith: Shikhar Dhawan Leads Wishes

The Delhi-based franchise described Smith as one of the world's finest batters and an "unapologetic cricket nuffy". DC asked him to "never change".

The International Cricket Council (ICC) celebrated the occasion by tweeting a short video of Smith's incredible century for Australia in the 2015 World Cup semi-final against India.

Smith shared a photograph on Instagram of him sitting behind a well-decorated cake prepared by his wife Dani Willis. He also thanked everyone for the birthday wishes.

Dani also posted an image of the couple together on her Instagram account, saying she is very happy that Smith is home to celebrate his birthday.

Smith and some other Australian players had to return to their home country due to the deepening Covid-19 pandemic in India in April-May. The IPL had to be suspended mid-way with the remaining fixtures to be played in the UAE in September-October.

Several Australian players had initially stayed back to fulfil their commitments to their franchise but returned after the situation got worse.

However, most of them had to return to Australia after relocating to the Maldives, where they waited for their government to lift the temporary travel ban imposed on people coming from India.

Manvinder Bisla: 'It was the perfect birthday gift for my wife'

The 2012 final was everything an Indian domestic player who might not make it to the national team could want - a big stage, a capacity crowd, the thirst to win a title and prove a point, to yourself if not to everyone.

My position in the XI wasn't a given. I'd played on and off until that point, so my only aim was to soak in every aspect of our training, fitness drills, meetings, and team activities for one last time. It was my wife's birthday, and if we won, it would've been the perfect birthday gift for her.

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I didn't have much hope of playing in the final. I'd been batting well but was left out mid-season after being unable to convert starts. Brendon McCullum and Gautam Gambhir formed a formidable combination at the top, so I knew I had to wait for my chances. When I got left out, I remember Brendon putting his arm around me and telling me to believe in myself. He said, "You're a match-winner. The big knock isn't far away. No matter what others say, until you believe, you can't feel better. You're batting beautifully, we all can see that, and when you get a chance, you'll smash it." Those words gave me a massive lift.

The afternoon of the final, after lunch we were all called for a team meeting. L Balaji had injured himself during the playoffs and was ruled out, so there had to be a forced change. Gautam announced I'd be part of the XI, in place of Balaji. It meant Brendon had to miss out. But no sooner was my name announced than he came up to me and gave me a big hug and wished me well. I'll always remember that gesture.

Manvinder Bisla goes on the attack Associated Press

That team meeting was extra special, because the Kolkata Knight Riders management played video messages from all our families. You could see a lot of the players in tears - it meant a great deal to them that the franchise cared for human emotions. It felt amazing seeing my parents wish me on a giant screen, and then everyone around me applauding because I was going to be getting another opportunity.

As a captain, Gautam was fiercely protective of his players. He was like an older brother. Win or lose, he needed to just see focus and intensity. Even when I wasn't converting starts, he was never short of encouraging words if he saw the effort. So chats with him at different times during the competition gave me the reinforcement that I was very much valued. Vijay Dahiya, our assistant coach, was also a great motivator. These two made it easy for me to deal with both success and failure.

I opened the batting. We were chasing 190 and Gautam was out in the first over. For a change, I didn't feel the pressure. Sunil Narine, who was our bowling trump card, had been picked quite easily by the Chennai Super Kings batters. There wasn't much turn, and I knew this wasn't a typical Chepauk surface. So I just told myself: "Here's your platform, everyone's watching. Make it a night to remember." Jacques Kallis was batting at the other end, and he emphasised the importance of playing for short targets.

As I started getting into my innings, I entered a zone I find hard to recall even today. Even if there was some friendly banter around me, I can't remember what was said because I was completely focused on the job at hand. It was so hot; I was sweating buckets and was trying to conserve as much energy as I could in between.

Knight Riders parade the IPL trophy around Eden Gardens Aijaz Rahi / © Associated Press

The one shot I remember clearly is a lofted inside-out hit for six off R Ashwin. It's a shot I can still replay in my mind. Ash was at the peak of his white-ball powers and clever in the way he varied his lengths. So to outfox him by playing that shot was mighty special.

I wanted to see the team home but got out with us needing 50-odd. I had a sinking feeling in my stomach and the disappointment of not seeing the team over the line pricked me. I didn't even take off my pads until the winning runs were hit. The next 30 minutes after I got out seemed rather long, but when Manoj Tiwary hit the winning runs, I can't remember the next few seconds. We'd won, it was mayhem in the dressing room. Shah Rukh Khan, the team owner, was dancing in the stands.

We stayed in the dressing room for a good two or three hours after the game, dancing with SRK, singing and celebrating the win. We cherished a hard-fought campaign. I was on a call with my parents when SRK asked if he could talk to them, and he spoke so glowingly about me. That was another special memory. It was also a perfect gift for my wife.

The next day we were on a flight to Kolkata. I had seen how people had danced on Marine Drive after India won the 2011 World Cup final. This felt similarly incredible. The roads were filled with people, Eden Gardens was decked up, and there were nearly 80,000 people wanting to get a glimpse of us. I didn't think a city-based franchise team would get that kind of love. It was magical.

“Can you move on from that?” - Mithali Raj wants an end to the Ramesh Powar controversy

Team India’s Test and ODI captain Mithali Raj has urged the media to look beyond the 2018 controversy involving her and Ramesh Powar, asked them to 'move on'.

Ramesh Powar was sacked as the women’s team coach following the 2018 T20 World Cup semi-final match against England, a game for which Mithali Raj was controversially dropped.

At a virtual press conference on Tuesday, Mithali Raj was asked about the 2018 incident in the wake of Powar's reappointment as the women's team's coach. However, an irked Mithali Raj responded:

“Can you move on from that? It has been three years since that incident. We are in 2021, and we should be looking forward to many more series coming up. Repetitively asking the same question, we need to move on from the past.”

Ramesh Powar also chipped in, saying that there is no point in looking back and that he is on good terms with Mithali Raj. The former Mumbai played said in this regard:

“I would like to stop the speculation that is happening. We (I and Mithali Raj) interacted well. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have come into women’s cricket, and everyone needs to grow up. After three years, the larger goal is the good of women’s cricket. This is a good opportunity for me, Mithali and the whole group to take women’s cricket to another level, where the BCCI is supporting us. I don’t think we are going to go back on these small things; we are professional enough to move on, and everyone should move on. I have been with the NCA; I have been with Rahul Dravid; so you know Rahul’s effect will show in this series.”

In previous interviews as well, Mithali Raj had said that what happened between her and Powar is a thing of the past and won't impact proceedings in the present. The 38-year-old was quoted as telling The Hindu in this regard:

“The past is gone. You cannot go back. I am sure he (Ramesh Powar) will come up with plans, and we together will steer the ship. We will work in tandem and build a very strong team for the future, especially with the World Cup scheduled next year.”

The Indian women’s team will be playing their first Test in seven years during their upcoming tour of England. Talking about the same, Mithali Raj said:

“For all the youngsters in the team, and even for someone like me who played a Test match seven years ago, there is no baggage to carry. We have not played the format for such a long time, and hence we can play with an open mind,” said Mithali Raj.

Apart from the one-off Test, India will also play three ODIs and as many T20Is during their England tour.

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Happy Birthday Steve Smith: Shikhar Dhawan Leads Wishes