Tag Archives: international

coaching, cricket, india, sports

Varun Chakravarthy hails Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir

Leave a comment

By Parth Dhall | Oct 07, 2025 | 09:31 PM

**Varun Chakravarthy Praises Coach Gambhir for Instilling ‘Spartan Mentality’ in Team**

India’s top-ranked T20I bowler, Varun Chakravarthy, has lauded head coach Gautam Gambhir for fostering a “Spartan mentality” within the team. Under Gambhir’s guidance, Chakravarthy says there is “no option of losing,” and players are expected to give their absolute best on the field.

Chakravarthy, who has been in sublime form recently, credited both Gambhir and T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav (SKY) for his international comeback after nearly a three-year hiatus from the Indian team.

### Support System: Gambhir and SKY Backed Me During My Absence

Reflecting on his return to the national side, Chakravarthy acknowledged the backing he received from Gambhir and Suryakumar Yadav as a key wicket-taker. Speaking at the CEAT Cricket Rating Awards in Mumbai on Tuesday, he shared how their support was instrumental during his absence from international cricket.

“I was out of the team for more than three years, but I did have a consecutive good IPL. For them to recognize that and bring me into the team was great for me,” Chakravarthy said.

### Career Trajectory: From Debut to Comeback

Varun Chakravarthy first represented India in July 2021. However, following a subpar performance at the ICC T20 World Cup that year, he was dropped from the T20I side. After nearly three years away from international cricket, Chakravarthy was recalled in October 2025.

Since his return, the mystery spinner has become a regular member of India’s T20I squad and has also made his One Day International (ODI) debut. Earlier this year, he played a key role in helping India win the Champions Trophy.

### Areas for Improvement: Gambhir Wants Me to Boost ODI Chances

Despite missing out on India’s ODI squad for the recent Australia tour, Chakravarthy revealed that Gambhir has advised him to work on certain aspects to improve his chances in ODI cricket.

“Basically, the conversations were around bowling longer spells,” Chakravarthy explained. He also mentioned that Gambhir encouraged him to bat higher up the order in domestic cricket and to develop his batting skills further.

### Career Highlights: Stunning Numbers Since Comeback

Since making his T20I comeback, Chakravarthy has taken 38 wickets in 18 matches at an impressive average of 12.94, maintaining an economy rate of 7.23. He has claimed two five-wicket hauls in T20Is after returning to the team against England and South Africa.

By achieving these feats, Chakravarthy became just the third Indian bowler to record multiple five-wicket hauls in T20I cricket, joining the ranks of Kuldeep Yadav and Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Overall, he boasts 40 wickets from 24 T20Is at an average of 15.60.

### Team Chemistry: Praising Kuldeep Yadav’s Impressive Run

Chakravarthy also praised fellow spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who emerged as the highest wicket-taker in the 2025 T20 Asia Cup. “Kuldeep is definitely one of the most experienced bowlers right now in the pool of players that we have, and he has done amazingly well,” he said.

The two spinners complement each other effectively with their different bowling styles and varying speeds, adding depth and variety to India’s bowling attack.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/sports/varun-chakravarthy-heaps-praise-on-gautam-gambhir/story

football, manchester united, soccer, sports, transfer

Rio Ferdinand delivers verdict on Senne Lammens after watching him make debut in ‘graveyard’ role for Manchester United

Leave a comment

Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has shared his thoughts on Senne Lammens after the goalkeeper’s impressive debut against Sunderland. The Belgian, who joined Old Trafford from Royal Antwerp this summer, kept a clean sheet as Manchester United secured a vital 2-0 victory over the Black Cats on Saturday.

Lammens’ performance was widely praised by fans, who saw him as a breath of fresh air following the club’s recent struggles between the posts. Thanks to his confident start to life in England, Lammens is now expected to become the first-choice goalkeeper for Ruben Amorim’s side.

### Ferdinand Praises Lammens’ Debut

Speaking on his YouTube show, *Rio Ferdinand Presents*, the former Manchester United defender commented on Lammens’ impressive display. He highlighted the confidence the Belgian would have instilled in the Manchester United defenders.

“That [performance from Lammens] must instil so much confidence in the backline and then it spreads through the team,” Ferdinand said. “You know the feeling when a goalkeeper comes out and claims a ball into the box? That feeling of looking down at him when he’s on the floor and getting up and going, that’s my goalkeeper man. I don’t think United have been able to say that for a while because there’s been so many different mistakes and questionable decision-making. He just looked very, very secure.”

Ferdinand also shared how Lammens’ performance lived up to what Thibaut Courtois had told him about the young keeper. He noted that the goalkeeping position at Manchester United has often been a challenging place for many to thrive.

“Courtois left me a voice note a few weeks ago when we made the decision to sign him, and a lot of it was about him [Lammens] being a stable, steady keeper, huge talent, and massive potential,” Ferdinand added. “He looked exactly like what Courtois said in that voice note. By the way, Man United’s goalkeeping position has been a place that has been a graveyard for many players.”

### Lammens’ Record at Antwerp

Prior to joining Manchester United, Senne Lammens made 44 appearances across all competitions for Royal Antwerp last season, securing 10 clean sheets.

### What’s Next for Manchester United in the Premier League?

The win over Sunderland lifted Manchester United to 10th place in the Premier League table, with 10 points from seven games. After the upcoming international break, Ruben Amorim’s men face a tough challenge away at Liverpool’s Anfield.

Reigning Premier League champions Liverpool enter the game on the back of three consecutive defeats in all competitions, the latest being a loss against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Manchester United will look to capitalize on Liverpool’s recent dip in form, but a win is far from guaranteed in this fiercely contested derby.

Liverpool and Manchester United will go head-to-head on October 19, battling fiercely to secure maximum points in one of English football’s most iconic fixtures.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/news-rio-ferdinand-delivers-verdict-senne-lammens-watching-make-debut-graveyard-role-manchester-united

bollywood, culture, entertainment, film, movies

Anurag Kashyap says ‘Bandar’ not about ‘MeToo’ or ‘MenToo’

Leave a comment

**Anurag Kashyap Says ‘Bandar’ Is Not About ‘MeToo’ or ‘MenToo’**
*By Apoorva Rastogi | Oct 04, 2025, 05:04 PM*

Anurag Kashyap’s latest film, *Bandar* (Monkey in a Cage), was recently showcased at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). The film is an unsettling exploration of the ripple effects of the #MeToo movement in digital-age India.

Kashyap opened up about the inspiration behind this provocative film and its lead character, played by Bobby Deol.

### The Inspiration Behind Bandar

Kashyap explained that *Bandar* emerged as a reaction to the rapid changes brought about by social media. He told the Indian Express, “*Bandar* came out of a reaction to what’s happening on social media. Within minutes, people go viral. Similarly, within minutes, they are canceled.”

He emphasized that he was not trying to make a film about #MenToo or #MeToo. “Sometimes people don’t realize what they are doing. Everyone deserves a chance to correct themselves,” Kashyap added.

### A Social Commentary on India’s Judicial System

The movie centers around Samar (played by Bobby Deol), an aging television star who is accused of sexual assault by his former girlfriend, Gayatri (played by Sapna Pabbi).

Kashyap said, “I wanted the film to highlight how broken our system is. Only 27 percent of rape cases are reported. In small towns and villages, such cases often go unreported.”

He also expressed concern that the current laws were a “knee-jerk reaction” to the 2012 Delhi gang rape case and alleged that these laws are being misused to target “moneyed people.”

### Director’s Insight on Casting Bobby Deol

When asked why he chose Bobby Deol for the lead role, Kashyap described *Bandar* as “a coming-of-age story of a man-child” who doesn’t realize his mistakes until almost the end.

He said, “Bobby understands what it is to be a loser,” making him the perfect fit for the character of Samar.

### Release Details

As of now, there is no official release date for *Bandar* in India. Fans await further updates on when the film will be available for viewing.

—

*Bandar* promises to be a compelling look at the complexities of justice and accountability in contemporary India—through the lens of media, social perceptions, and the flawed legal system.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/entertainment/anurag-kashyap-talks-about-bandar/story

bollywood, culture, entertainment, film, movies

Anurag Kashyap says ‘Bandar’ not about ‘MeToo’ or ‘MenToo’

Leave a comment

**Anurag Kashyap Says ‘Bandar’ Is Not About ‘MeToo’ or ‘MenToo’**

*By Apoorva Rastogi | October 4, 2025, 05:04 PM*

Anurag Kashyap’s latest film, *Bandar* (Monkey in a Cage), recently premiered at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). The movie offers an unsettling exploration of the ripple effects of the #MeToo movement in digital-age India.

**Film’s Theme Born from Social Media Reaction**

Kashyap opened up about the inspiration behind this provocative film and its lead character, portrayed by Bobby Deol. Speaking to the Indian Express, he explained that *Bandar* emerged as a reaction to the rapid changes brought about by social media culture.

He said, “*Bandar* came out of a reaction to what’s happening on social media. Within minutes, people go viral. Similarly, within minutes, they are canceled. I was not trying to make a #Mentoo or #Metoo film. Sometimes people don’t realize what they are doing. Everyone deserves a chance to correct themselves.”

**A Commentary on India’s Broken Judicial System**

The story revolves around Samar (Bobby Deol), an aging television star accused of sexual assault by his former girlfriend, Gayatri (Sapna Pabbi). Kashyap emphasized that the film shines a light on the flaws of India’s judicial system.

“I wanted the film to highlight how broken our system is. Only 27 percent of rape cases are reported. In small towns and villages, such cases often go unreported,” he noted. According to Kashyap, the current laws were a “knee-jerk reaction” to the 2012 Delhi gang rape case and are often misused to target affluent individuals.

**Director’s Insight on Casting Bobby Deol**

Describing the film as “a coming-of-age story of a man-child,” Kashyap explained that Samar doesn’t fully recognize his mistakes until almost the end of the movie. The director chose Bobby Deol for the role because he “understands what it is to be a loser.”

Currently, there is no official release date announced for *Bandar* in India. Fans eagerly await this thought-provoking film that promises to spark important conversations around social justice and accountability.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/entertainment/anurag-kashyap-talks-about-bandar/story

bollywood, culture, entertainment, film, movies

Anurag Kashyap says ‘Bandar’ not about ‘MeToo’ or ‘MenToo’

Leave a comment

**Anurag Kashyap Says ‘Bandar’ Is Not About ‘#MeToo’ or ‘MenToo’**

*By Apoorva Rastogi | Oct 04, 2025, 05:04 PM*

Anurag Kashyap’s latest film, *Bandar* (Monkey in a Cage), recently premiered at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). The movie delves into the unsettling ripple effects of the #MeToo movement in digital-age India. Kashyap shared insights about the inspiration behind this provocative film and its lead character, portrayed by Bobby Deol.

**A Reaction to Social Media’s Rapid Changes**

Kashyap revealed that *Bandar* was born out of his reaction to the swift transformations ushered in by social media. Speaking to the Indian Express, he explained, “*Bandar* came out of a reaction to what’s happening on social media. Within minutes, people go viral. Similarly, within minutes, they are canceled. I was not trying to make a #Mentoo or #Metoo film. Sometimes people don’t realize what they are doing. Everyone deserves a chance to correct themselves.”

**Highlighting India’s Broken Judicial System**

The film centers around Samar (Bobby Deol), an aging television star accused of sexual assault by his former girlfriend, Gayatri (Sapna Pabbi). Kashyap emphasized his intention to spotlight the deep flaws in India’s judicial system, stating, “Only 27 percent of rape cases are reported. In small towns and villages, such cases often go unreported.”

He also noted that the current laws were a “knee-jerk reaction” to the 2012 Delhi gang rape case and cautioned that they are sometimes misused to target affluent individuals.

**Choosing Bobby Deol for the Role**

Describing the film as “a coming-of-age story of a man-child” who only realizes his mistakes near the end, Kashyap shared why he cast Bobby Deol in the lead role. “Bobby understands what it is to be a loser,” the director said, highlighting the actor’s suitability for portraying Samar’s complex character.

As of now, there is no official release date announced for *Bandar* in India. Fans await further updates on the film’s availability following its TIFF premiere.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/entertainment/anurag-kashyap-talks-about-bandar/story

cricket, international, sports, women, worldcup

‘We’re much, much better than 69 all out’: Laura Wolvaardt

Leave a comment

By Rajdeep Saha | Oct 03, 2025, 10:31 pm

**South Africa Captain Laura Wolvaardt Defends Team’s Performance in ICC Women’s World Cup Opener**

South Africa’s captain Laura Wolvaardt has defended her team’s disappointing performance in their ICC Women’s World Cup opener against England. The match, played in Guwahati, saw South Africa bowled out for a mere 69 runs — their third-lowest total in women’s ODIs. The team suffered a heavy 10-wicket defeat.

Wolvaardt attributed the poor showing to “one of those days where the top order and middle order failed on the same day.”

### Team Resilience: No Blame on the Pitch

Wolvaardt was quick to dismiss any suggestions that the pitch conditions contributed to the collapse.

“I think our prep has been good, I don’t think there were too many demons in the pitch,” she said after the match. “It was just one of those days where everyone went out early, and that happens in cricket sometimes. It was not a pitch that we were super foreign to. We spent a lot of time in these conditions in the last couple of months, so definitely wouldn’t put it on the wicket.”

### “We Are Much, Much Better Than 69 All Out”

Despite the crushing defeat, Wolvaardt remains confident in her team’s abilities.

“We are much, much better than 69 all out. As a group, we just need to put it behind us as quickly as we can and move forward, because if we’re going to take that into the next game, it’s going to be a very long tournament for us.”

### Preparation and Game Plan Against Left-Arm Spin

Ahead of the match, South Africa’s batting coach Baakier Abrahams closely monitored Wolvaardt’s preparation against left-arm spin. Net bowlers varied their angles, bowling from wide of the crease to challenge her footwork and shot selection.

However, despite these preparations, Wolvaardt was dismissed early — caught off a return catch in the second over by England’s Sophie Ecclestone. This early dismissal set the tone for South Africa’s innings as they lost four wickets within the first 31 balls.

### Middle Order Under Scrutiny

South Africa’s middle order, despite a strong ODI batting record since 2023, came under intense scrutiny following this match.

Wolvaardt, however, defended her middle order unit. “I don’t think that we have any trouble in our middle order at the moment,” she explained. “It’s just one of those days where both top order and middle order didn’t fire.”

### Looking Ahead: Upcoming Match Against New Zealand

South Africa will face New Zealand in their second World Cup match on October 6 in Indore. The team will be looking to bounce back strongly and prove their mettle on the international stage.

Despite the setback, Wolvaardt remains optimistic about her team’s potential. She is focused on moving forward and is eager for the upcoming challenges in the tournament.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/sports/wolvaardt-says-her-side-is-better-than-69-all-out/story

family, filmmaking, india, money, rumors

‘Homebound’s real family was only paid ₹10,000? Director addresses rumors

Leave a comment

**‘Homebound’s Real Family Was Only Paid ₹10,000? Director Neeraj Ghaywan Addresses Rumors**

*By Apoorva Rastogi | October 3, 2025, 4:50 PM*

Neeraj Ghaywan, the director of the much-acclaimed film *Homebound*, has recently addressed concerns and rumors suggesting that the family whose true story inspired the movie was compensated with only ₹10,000. This controversy sparked discussion on social media, prompting Ghaywan to clarify the situation.

In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Ghaywan explained that the ₹10,000 was a personal and symbolic gesture he made to Ram Charanji (Amrit’s father) years ago during his initial research phase. He emphasized that this amount does not reflect the full remuneration the family received.

> “Some of you have expressed concerns about reports claiming that the family whose life inspired *Homebound* was compensated with a mere ₹10,000, a shamefully low amount. I want to clarify that this sum was a small token I personally gave to Ram Charanji many years ago during my initial research, simply as a parting gesture,” Ghaywan wrote.

He further stressed that neither he nor the producers would reduce such a deeply personal and sensitive story to a mere pittance.

> “Please do not mistake this for the full extent of the compensation provided. Neither I, nor the producers would ever reduce such a deeply personal story to such a pittance. The family’s contributions are invaluable and deeply meaningful to me. We have honored their trust and stories with sincere respect and significant support.”

When asked about the exact compensation amount, Ghaywan chose not to disclose it, saying that sharing such details would disrespect the close bond he shares with Amrit and Saiyub—the original heroes of *Homebound*.

—

### About *Homebound*

*Homebound* was officially released on September 26, 2025. The film is inspired by journalist Basharat Peer’s 2020 New York Times essay *Taking Amrit Home*. It narrates the journey of two migrant friends during India’s COVID-19 lockdown, highlighting their struggles and resilience.

The film stars Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor, and has been produced by Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions. Currently, *Homebound* is India’s official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 2026 Oscars.

To date, the movie has earned approximately ₹2.9 crore worldwide, according to Sacnilk.

—

Neeraj Ghaywan’s candid clarification aims to respect both the family’s story and their contribution while dispelling misconceptions about the compensation they received.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/entertainment/homebound-family-got-only-rs-10k-director-reacts-to-rumors/story

family, filmmaking, india, money, rumors

‘Homebound’s real family was only paid ₹10,000? Director addresses rumors

Leave a comment

**‘Homebound’s Real Family Was Only Paid ₹10,000? Director Neeraj Ghaywan Addresses Rumors**

*By Apoorva Rastogi | October 3, 2025, 4:50 PM*

Neeraj Ghaywan, the director of the critically acclaimed film *Homebound*, has responded to circulating reports claiming that the real-life family whose story inspired the movie was compensated with a mere ₹10,000.

In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Ghaywan clarified that the ₹10,000 amount was a personal token given by him during the early stages of his research and does not represent the total compensation the family received.

**A Small Token, Not Full Compensation**

Ghaywan wrote, “Some of you have expressed concerns about reports claiming that the family whose life inspired *Homebound* was compensated with a mere ₹10,000, a shamefully low amount. I want to clarify that this sum was a small token I personally gave to Ram Charanji (Amrit’s father) many years ago during my initial research, simply as a parting gesture.”

He further emphasized, “Please do not mistake this for the full extent of the compensation provided. Neither I, nor the producers would ever reduce such a deeply personal story to such a pittance. The family’s contributions are invaluable and deeply meaningful to me. We have honored their trust and stories with sincere respect and significant support.”

Ghaywan chose not to disclose the full compensation amount, stating, “I personally don’t want to mention the number because that would disrespect the bond I share with Amrit, Saiyub—the original heroes of *Homebound*.”

**About ‘Homebound’**

Released on September 26, 2025, *Homebound* is based on journalist Basharat Peer’s 2020 New York Times essay *Taking Amrit Home*. The film follows the journey of two migrant friends during India’s COVID-19 lockdown and stars Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor. Produced by Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions, the movie has so far grossed ₹2.9 crore worldwide, according to Sacnilk.

*Homebound* has also been selected as India’s official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 2026 Oscars.

For further updates, follow Neeraj Ghaywan’s official posts on X.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/entertainment/homebound-family-got-only-rs-10k-director-reacts-to-rumors/story

family, filmmaking, india, money, rumors

‘Homebound’s real family was only paid ₹10,000? Director addresses rumors

Leave a comment

**‘Homebound’s Real Family Was Only Paid ₹10,000? Director Neeraj Ghaywan Addresses Rumors**

*By Apoorva Rastogi | October 3, 2025, 4:50 PM*

Neeraj Ghaywan, the director of the critically acclaimed film *Homebound*, has recently responded to circulating reports claiming that the family whose real-life story inspired the movie was compensated with a mere ₹10,000.

In a detailed statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Ghaywan clarified that the ₹10,000 mentioned was a personal gesture made during his initial research phase and is not representative of the total compensation offered to the family.

**A Small Token, Not the Entire Compensation**

Ghaywan addressed the concerns directly, writing, “Some of you have expressed concerns about reports claiming that the family whose life inspired *Homebound* was compensated with a mere ₹10,000, a shamefully low amount. I want to clarify that this sum was a small token I personally gave to Ram Charanji (Amrit’s father) many years ago during my initial research, simply as a parting gesture.”

He further emphasized, “Please do not mistake this for the full extent of the compensation provided. Neither I, nor the producers, would ever reduce such a deeply personal story to such a pittance. The family’s contributions are invaluable and deeply meaningful to me. We have honored their trust and stories with sincere respect and significant support.”

Respecting the privacy and personal bond he shares with the real-life heroes of *Homebound*, Ghaywan chose not to disclose the complete compensation amount, stating, “I personally don’t want to mention the number because that would disrespect the bond I share with Amrit, Saiyub—the original heroes of *Homebound*.”

**About *Homebound***

Released on September 26, 2025, *Homebound* is based on journalist Basharat Peer’s 2020 New York Times essay, *Taking Amrit Home*. The film portrays the journeys of two migrant friends during India’s COVID-19 lockdown, highlighting their struggles and resilience.

The movie stars Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa, and Janhvi Kapoor, and is produced by Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions. Garnering significant attention, *Homebound* has earned ₹2.9 crore worldwide so far, according to Sacnilk.

Furthermore, *Homebound* has been chosen as India’s official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 2026 Academy Awards, reflecting its critical and cultural impact.

—

*Read Director Neeraj Ghaywan’s full clarification on X [here](#).*
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/entertainment/homebound-family-got-only-rs-10k-director-reacts-to-rumors/story