• Kolkata Knights Riders train at Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi ahead of the start of the 2020 IPL. All pictures courtesy of KKR
    Kolkata Knights Riders train at Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi ahead of the start of the 2020 IPL. All pictures courtesy of KKR
  • Kolkata Knights Riders train in the nets at Abu Dhabi.
    Kolkata Knights Riders train in the nets at Abu Dhabi.
  • Bowling coach Kyle Mills deals out some advice.
    Bowling coach Kyle Mills deals out some advice.
  • Kolkata Knight Riders' Indian contingent continued their preparations for the IPL with a training session at the Tolerance Oval on Abu Dhabi.
    Kolkata Knight Riders' Indian contingent continued their preparations for the IPL with a training session at the Tolerance Oval on Abu Dhabi.
  • Kolkata Knights Riders training at Abu Dhabi Cricket for an IPL
    Kolkata Knights Riders training at Abu Dhabi Cricket for an IPL
  • Kolkata Knights Riders nets session in Abu Dhabi.
    Kolkata Knights Riders nets session in Abu Dhabi.
  • Kolkata Knights Riders nets session in Abu Dhabi.
    Kolkata Knights Riders nets session in Abu Dhabi.
  • Kolkata Knights Riders nets session in Abu Dhabi.
    Kolkata Knights Riders nets session in Abu Dhabi.
  • Kolkata Knights Riders nets session in Abu Dhabi.
    Kolkata Knights Riders nets session in Abu Dhabi.
  • Kolkata Knights Riders nets session in Abu Dhabi.
    Kolkata Knights Riders nets session in Abu Dhabi.
  • Kolkata Knights Riders nets session in Abu Dhabi.
    Kolkata Knights Riders nets session in Abu Dhabi.
  • Kolkata Knights Riders players take a drinks break.
    Kolkata Knights Riders players take a drinks break.
  • Kolkata Knights Riders nets session in Abu Dhabi.
    Kolkata Knights Riders nets session in Abu Dhabi.

IPL 2020: Dinesh Karthik happy to make sacrifices if it 'brings smiles to faces' of Kolkata Knight Riders fans


Paul Radley
  • English
  • Arabic

Dinesh Karthik insists staying within the IPL’s bio-secure bubble is the least the players can do, given the difficulties so many of the supporters face at present.

Several players have opted out of this year’s competition, citing personal reasons for staying away.

Suresh Raina, the highest profile departure, was quoted as being skeptical about the biosecurity measures that are in place for the event.

The eight franchises have a list of procedures to adhere to in order to protect against the spread of Covid-19.

It means being partitioned away from the public for 80 days while the competition takes place across the UAE, with movement restricted to merely the team hotel at the grounds.

Karthik, the Kolkata Knight Riders captain, said it is a small price for the players to pay.

“It is a required thing right now with the pandemic,” Karthik said.

“What do we miss sometimes? Obviously the chance to go out. But I am willing to bargain that for the fact we can play a tournament like the IPL.

“Six months ago, when the pandemic struck us and we were in lockdown, all we wanted to do was play sport.

“Today we have an opportunity to play the sport, and more importantly the IPL, which is a tournament of big magnitude.

“If you get the opportunity to play in it, and people are able to watch on TV, the least we can do is be part of this bio-bubble, and go through some hardships off the field.

“We want to make sure we put some smiles on the faces of every person who is watching us.”

  • Kolkata Knight Riders' assistant coaches Kyle Mills, David Hussey and Abishek Nayak have been overseeing training while head coach Brendon McCullum is away at the CPL. Courtesy Kolkata Knight Riders
    Kolkata Knight Riders' assistant coaches Kyle Mills, David Hussey and Abishek Nayak have been overseeing training while head coach Brendon McCullum is away at the CPL. Courtesy Kolkata Knight Riders
  • Kolkata Knight Riders' Indian contingent continued their preparations for the IPL with a training session at the Tolerance Oval on Abu Dhabi on Friday. Courtesy Kolkata Knight Riders
    Kolkata Knight Riders' Indian contingent continued their preparations for the IPL with a training session at the Tolerance Oval on Abu Dhabi on Friday. Courtesy Kolkata Knight Riders
  • Bowling coach Kyle Mills deals out some advice. Courtesy Kolkata Knight Riders
    Bowling coach Kyle Mills deals out some advice. Courtesy Kolkata Knight Riders
  • Kolkata Knight Riders' Indian contingent continued their preparations for the IPL with a training session at the Tolerance Oval on Abu Dhabi on Friday. Courtesy Kolkata Knight Riders
    Kolkata Knight Riders' Indian contingent continued their preparations for the IPL with a training session at the Tolerance Oval on Abu Dhabi on Friday. Courtesy Kolkata Knight Riders
  • Kolkata Knight Riders' Indian contingent continued their preparations for the IPL with a training session at the Tolerance Oval on Abu Dhabi on Friday. Courtesy Kolkata Knight Riders
    Kolkata Knight Riders' Indian contingent continued their preparations for the IPL with a training session at the Tolerance Oval on Abu Dhabi on Friday. Courtesy Kolkata Knight Riders
  • Kolkata Knight Riders' Indian contingent continued their preparations for the IPL with a training session at the Tolerance Oval on Abu Dhabi on Friday. Courtesy Kolkata Knight Riders
    Kolkata Knight Riders' Indian contingent continued their preparations for the IPL with a training session at the Tolerance Oval on Abu Dhabi on Friday. Courtesy Kolkata Knight Riders
  • Kolkata Knight Riders' Indian contingent continued their preparations for the IPL with a training session at the Tolerance Oval on Abu Dhabi on Friday. Courtesy Kolkata Knight Riders
    Kolkata Knight Riders' Indian contingent continued their preparations for the IPL with a training session at the Tolerance Oval on Abu Dhabi on Friday. Courtesy Kolkata Knight Riders
  • Kolkata Knight Riders' Indian contingent continued their preparations for the IPL with a training session at the Tolerance Oval on Abu Dhabi on Friday. Courtesy Kolkata Knight Riders
    Kolkata Knight Riders' Indian contingent continued their preparations for the IPL with a training session at the Tolerance Oval on Abu Dhabi on Friday. Courtesy Kolkata Knight Riders
  • Kolkata Knight Riders' Indian contingent continued their preparations for the IPL with a training session at the Tolerance Oval on Abu Dhabi on Friday. Courtesy Kolkata Knight Riders
    Kolkata Knight Riders' Indian contingent continued their preparations for the IPL with a training session at the Tolerance Oval on Abu Dhabi on Friday. Courtesy Kolkata Knight Riders
  • Kolkata Knight Riders' Indian contingent continued their preparations for the IPL with a training session at the Tolerance Oval on Abu Dhabi on Friday. Courtesy Kolkata Knight Riders
    Kolkata Knight Riders' Indian contingent continued their preparations for the IPL with a training session at the Tolerance Oval on Abu Dhabi on Friday. Courtesy Kolkata Knight Riders

Karthik said his side will be motivated by the thought of entertaining their supporters back at home, many of whom also suffered during the cyclone which buffeted the area in May.

“This year is not so much about playing for us, it is about playing for [the supporters],” Karthik said.

“I say that because of all the atrocities that have happened in the world, not just the pandemic but also Cyclone Amphan that happened and the destruction it caused.

“The amount of lives that had to go through turmoil during those times, I genuinely feel we will be playing the tournament for two reasons.

“Yes, to play to win it, but most of all for the people of West Bengal and the people who have supported KKR throughout. We want to put a smile on their faces.

“Through our cricket, if we play the right brand of cricket, I’m sure we can put a smile on the faces of every KKR fan out there.”

KKR start their IPL campaign when they face Mumbai Indians at the Zayed Cricket Stadium in the capital on Wednesday, September 23, starting at 6pm.

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%3Cp%3E-%20US%20Congress%20is%20divided%20into%20two%20chambers%3A%20the%20House%20of%20Representatives%20and%20Senate%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20435%20members%20make%20up%20the%20House%2C%20and%20100%20in%20the%20Senate%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20A%20party%20needs%20control%20of%20218%20seats%20to%20have%20a%20majority%20in%20the%20House%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20In%20the%20Senate%2C%20a%20party%20needs%20to%20hold%2051%20seats%20for%20control%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E-%20In%20the%20event%20of%20a%2050-50%20split%2C%20the%20vice%20president's%20party%20retains%20power%20in%20the%20Senate%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Arrogate's winning run

1. Maiden Special Weight, Santa Anita Park, June 5, 2016

2. Allowance Optional Claiming, Santa Anita Park, June 24, 2016

3. Allowance Optional Claiming, Del Mar, August 4, 2016

4. Travers Stakes, Saratoga, August 27, 2016

5. Breeders' Cup Classic, Santa Anita Park, November 5, 2016

6. Pegasus World Cup, Gulfstream Park, January 28, 2017

7. Dubai World Cup, Meydan Racecourse, March 25, 2017

What is Reform?

Reform is a right-wing, populist party led by Nigel Farage, a former MEP who won a seat in the House of Commons last year at his eighth attempt and a prominent figure in the campaign for the UK to leave the European Union.

It was founded in 2018 and originally called the Brexit Party.

Many of its members previously belonged to UKIP or the mainstream Conservatives.

After Brexit took place, the party focused on the reformation of British democracy.

Former Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson became its first MP after defecting in March 2024.

The party gained support from Elon Musk, and had hoped the tech billionaire would make a £100m donation. However, Mr Musk changed his mind and called for Mr Farage to step down as leader in a row involving the US tycoon's support for far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson who is in prison for contempt of court.

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NEW ARRIVALS

Benjamin Mendy (Monaco) - £51.75m (Dh247.94m)
Kyle Walker (Tottenham Hotspur) - £45.9m
Bernardo Silva (Monaco) - £45m
Ederson Moraes (Benfica) - £36m
Danilo (Real Madrid) - £27m
Douglas Luiz (Vasco de Gama) - £10.8m 

Hunger and Fury: The Crisis of Democracy in the Balkans
Jasmin Mujanović, Hurst Publishers

Groom and Two Brides

Director: Elie Semaan

Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla

Rating: 3/5

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%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EThe%20loss%20of%20sodium%20chloride%20in%20our%20sweat%20can%20lead%20to%20confusion%20and%20an%20altered%20mental%20status%20and%20slurred%20speech%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EBody%20temperature%20above%2039%C2%B0C%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EHot%2C%20dry%20and%20red%20or%20damp%20skin%20can%20indicate%20heatstroke%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EA%20faster%20pulse%20than%20usual%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EDizziness%2C%20nausea%20and%20headaches%20are%20also%20signs%20of%20overheating%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EIn%20extreme%20cases%2C%20victims%20can%20lose%20consciousness%20and%20require%20immediate%20medical%20attention%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A
The specs: 2019 Audi A7 Sportback

Price, base: Dh315,000

Engine: 3.0-litre V6

Transmission: Seven-speed automatic

Power: 335hp @ 5,000rpm

Torque: 500Nm @ 1,370rpm

Fuel economy 5.9L / 100km

WHAT IS GRAPHENE?

It was discovered in 2004, when Russian-born Manchester scientists Andrei Geim and Kostya Novoselov were experimenting with sticky tape and graphite, the material used as lead in pencils.

Placing the tape on the graphite and peeling it, they managed to rip off thin flakes of carbon. In the beginning they got flakes consisting of many layers of graphene. But when they repeated the process many times, the flakes got thinner.

By separating the graphite fragments repeatedly, they managed to create flakes that were just one atom thick. Their experiment led to graphene being isolated for the very first time.

In 2010, Geim and Novoselov were awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics. 

The biog

Favourite car: Ferrari

Likes the colour: Black

Best movie: Avatar

Academic qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in media production from the Higher Colleges of Technology and diploma in production from the New York Film Academy

FIGHT CARD

Bantamweight Hamza Bougamza (MAR) v Jalal Al Daaja (JOR)

Catchweight 67kg Mohamed El Mesbahi (MAR) v Fouad Mesdari (ALG)

Lighweight Abdullah Mohammed Ali (UAE) v Abdelhak Amhidra (MAR)

Catchweight 73kg Mostafa Ibrahim Radi (PAL) v Yazid Chouchane (ALG)

Middleweight Yousri Belgaroui (TUN) v Badreddine Diani (MAR)

Catchweight 78kg Rashed Dawood (UAE) v Adnan Bushashy (ALG)

Middleweight Sallaheddine Dekhissi (MAR) v Abdel Emam (EGY)

Catchweight 65kg Rachid Hazoume (MAR) v Yanis Ghemmouri (ALG)

Lighweight Mohammed Yahya (UAE) v Azouz Anwar (EGY)

Catchweight 79kg Omar Hussein (PAL) v Souhil Tahiri (ALG)

Middleweight Tarek Suleiman (SYR) v Laid Zerhouni (ALG)

In numbers

- Number of children under five will fall from 681 million in 2017 to 401m in 2100

- Over-80s will rise from 141m in 2017 to 866m in 2100

- Nigeria will become the world’s second most populous country with 791m by 2100, behind India

- China will fall dramatically from a peak of 2.4 billion in 2024 to 732 million by 2100

- an average of 2.1 children per woman is required to sustain population growth

MATCH INFO

Syria v Australia
2018 World Cup qualifying: Asia fourth round play-off first leg
Venue: Hang Jebat Stadium (Malacca, Malayisa)
Kick-off: Thursday, 4.30pm (UAE)
Watch: beIN Sports HD

* Second leg in Australia scheduled for October 10

Teaching your child to save

Pre-school (three - five years)

You can’t yet talk about investing or borrowing, but introduce a “classic” money bank and start putting gifts and allowances away. When the child wants a specific toy, have them save for it and help them track their progress.

Early childhood (six - eight years)

Replace the money bank with three jars labelled ‘saving’, ‘spending’ and ‘sharing’. Have the child divide their allowance into the three jars each week and explain their choices in splitting their pocket money. A guide could be 25 per cent saving, 50 per cent spending, 25 per cent for charity and gift-giving.

Middle childhood (nine - 11 years)

Open a bank savings account and help your child establish a budget and set a savings goal. Introduce the notion of ‘paying yourself first’ by putting away savings as soon as your allowance is paid.

Young teens (12 - 14 years)

Change your child’s allowance from weekly to monthly and help them pinpoint long-range goals such as a trip, so they can start longer-term saving and find new ways to increase their saving.

Teenage (15 - 18 years)

Discuss mutual expectations about university costs and identify what they can help fund and set goals. Don’t pay for everything, so they can experience the pride of contributing.

Young adulthood (19 - 22 years)

Discuss post-graduation plans and future life goals, quantify expenses such as first apartment, work wardrobe, holidays and help them continue to save towards these goals.

* JP Morgan Private Bank 

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