Say the words “desert” and “storm” to any Indian cricket fan, and they are transported back to a moment in time when Sachin Tendulkar was at his zenith.
To the time in 1998 when his run-gathering in Indian blue peaked with a spellbinding innings that took down the great Australians in Sharjah.
It is chiefly because of that innings that legions of devotees are drawn to the UAE’s oldest cricket venue, and by the idea of treading the same patch of grass as the Little Master.
And even, if everything goes right, perhaps tasting a little glory of their own in Sharjah.
“Who can ever get past that iconic innings - the Desert Storm, right?” Rahul Tewatia, the Rajasthan Royals all-rounder, said ahead of the resumption of the 2021 Indian Premier League in UAE.
“Sachin Tendulkar has obviously served as an inspiration to millions of cricketers, not just in India, but around the world, and it was the same for me.
“I remember watching that match very vividly, and of course seeing it multiple times over and over again whenever it was shown on the television.
“I think that phase in cricket was really crucial to how the sport grew. Here you had Sachin's India trying to challenge the mighty Aussies, and I think it inspired a lot of people in India.”
It is because of an extraordinary innings of his own in Sharjah that Tewatia now enjoys celebrity status himself. Clearly, nothing like the level of Tendulkar.
Sachin Tendulkar has obviously served as an inspiration to millions of cricketers, not just in India, but around the world, and it was the same for me
Rahul Tewatia,
Rajasthan Royals
But his logic-defying counter-attack to win an IPL game that seemed lost for Rajasthan Royals against Kings XI Punjab last season definitely marked him out as a player of substance.
That six-laden assault on Sheldon Cottrell was perhaps not a desert storm - but at least a Sharjah shamal.
“In terms of playing in Sharjah, we've had some discussions about those matches [involving Tendulkar] in the team, but I wasn't really expecting myself also to do something extraordinary as well,” Tewatia said.
“I just believed in myself and I think after having had a tough start, I finally got going and made the most of it.
“Let's just say I'm happy to have played that knock in such a special stadium.”
It is fair to say that one innings last year was life-changing for Tewatia. From previously being regarded as a journeyman pro, he has since earned a call up to the India squad – if not yet a full cap – and is now a vital cog in his franchise team.
“I think there has been a big change in most aspects,” Tewatia said of life post that game.
“To be really honest, I feel like people used to underestimate me before that innings, and now finally know what I'm really capable of doing.
“But in hindsight, I think the one most noticeable way would be that people and fans have started showing their support more towards me and even our team.
“That innings and that chase showed everyone that Rajasthan Royals are not the underdogs, we are here to win and win from any situation.”
That innings came early in a campaign which eventually petered out to a disappointing ending for Rajasthan.
Memories of it had begun to fade by the time his team dispersed UAE, but he was still feted on his return to his home town in the state of Haryana.
“There was a fair bit of time between the two things, but it was a very warm welcome,” Tewatia said.
“I had my family and friends at home who welcomed me, but the most striking bit was the presence of media outside my house.
“There must've been around 50-100 people gathered just outside my house in Faridabad, waiting for me to arrive and then to speak to me.
“That was really special, but also a bit overwhelming for the family I think because of the huge attention.”
He returns to the pink and blue of Rajasthan for the first time after the resumption of the league against Punjab in Dubai on Tuesday.
Even though they are now without the likes of Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer and Jos Buttler, Tewatia remains confident of his side’s prospects.
“Even though we have lost a few players who are of course exceptional players and amazing human beings, I think the franchise has done extremely well to bring in suitable replacements,” he said.
“The likes of [Tabraiz] Shamsi, who's the number one bowler in T20Is, big hitters like Glenn Phillips and Evin Lewis, and [Oshane] Thomas have come in.
“We will also have Liam Livingstone with us and the form he has been in, I think we are in for a great seven matches in the UAE. I feel really confident about our chances to make it to the playoffs and then even make a case for the trophy.”
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
What is cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying or online bullying could take many forms such as sending unkind or rude messages to someone, socially isolating people from groups, sharing embarrassing pictures of them, or spreading rumors about them.
Cyberbullying can take place on various platforms such as messages, on social media, on group chats, or games.
Parents should watch out for behavioural changes in their children.
When children are being bullied they they may be feel embarrassed and isolated, so parents should watch out for signs of signs of depression and anxiety
How to get exposure to gold
Although you can buy gold easily on the Dubai markets, the problem with buying physical bars, coins or jewellery is that you then have storage, security and insurance issues.
A far easier option is to invest in a low-cost exchange traded fund (ETF) that invests in the precious metal instead, for example, ETFS Physical Gold (PHAU) and iShares Physical Gold (SGLN) both track physical gold. The VanEck Vectors Gold Miners ETF invests directly in mining companies.
Alternatively, BlackRock Gold & General seeks to achieve long-term capital growth primarily through an actively managed portfolio of gold mining, commodity and precious-metal related shares. Its largest portfolio holdings include gold miners Newcrest Mining, Barrick Gold Corp, Agnico Eagle Mines and the NewMont Goldcorp.
Brave investors could take on the added risk of buying individual gold mining stocks, many of which have performed wonderfully well lately.
London-listed Centamin is up more than 70 per cent in just three months, although in a sign of its volatility, it is down 5 per cent on two years ago. Trans-Siberian Gold, listed on London's alternative investment market (AIM) for small stocks, has seen its share price almost quadruple from 34p to 124p over the same period, but do not assume this kind of runaway growth can continue for long
However, buying individual equities like these is highly risky, as their share prices can crash just as quickly, which isn't what what you want from a supposedly safe haven.
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
Stage 2
1. Mathieu van der Poel (NED) Alpecin-Fenix 4:18:30
2. Tadej Pogacar (SLV) UAE Team Emirates 0:00:06
3. Primoz Roglic (SLV) Jumbo-Visma 0:00:06
4. Wilco Kelderman (NED) Bora-Hansgrohe 0:00:06
5. Julian Alaphilippe (FRA) Deceuninck-QuickStep 0:00:08
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites
The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.
It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.
“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.
The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
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
