'Bat is not just a tool': Sachin Tendulkar on his love for cricket bats

Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar shared some of his fondest memories on social media. Recalling his special connection with his cricket bat, which played a key role in his victories, he revealed how the bat was far more than just a piece of equipment to him.

"To me, a bat is not just a tool. I know exactly what it feels like when I hold it in my hands. That is why I pay special attention to even the smallest details," Sachin said. He recalled that whenever necessary, he would pull out his carpentry kit and make adjustments to the bat himself. He explained that he would work on it until he achieved the exact shape and grip he wanted.

Sachin added that he remembers those quiet moments fondly. "In fact, those memories are not just about the bat, but about making that bat my own through that process," he concluded. tbzikra.com

Sachin Tendulkar recently posted about the US Open

Earlier this week, Sachin Tendulkar hailed Ben Shelton and Carlos Alcaraz after the tennis stars delivered one of the greatest matches in US Open history.

In a topsy-turvy match, Shelton knocked out the defending US Open champion Carlos Alcaraz with a 6-7(5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(10-7) win, with the match ending at half past three at night.

Tendulkar, who is a tennis fan himself, took to social media and praised the two players for their effort throughout the match.

'That was some tennis! Every time it looked like one of them had the match, the other fought his way back. And then it came down to the final few points. Well played, Ben Shelton! Tough luck, Carlos. Coming back after an injury makes this one even tougher' Sachin Tendulkar tweeted.

Ben Shelton prevailed against Alcaraz in one of the greatest matches in US Open history. Shelton will face Frances Tiafoe in an all-American semi-final at the US Open. Karen Khachanov will take on top seed Alexander Zverev in the other semi-final

In the women's division, Elena Rybakina and Aryna Sabalenka are set to battle it out for the US Open title on Saturday.

Mohammed Siraj shared that a two-month hiatus disrupted his bowling flow and pace. However, he managed to find his lost rhythm during the Duleep Trophy final. His run-up appeared uncoordinated in Sri Lanka, which hampered his momentum and speed. Siraj is convinced that extended bowling sessions are vital for his body’s optimal function. To help, Mohammed Shami provided guidance, reminding him of his fundamental bowling strengths.

Thursday brought the opening round of the 2026-27 UEFA Champions League to a close, with Bayern Munich and Manchester United providing the biggest statements on the final night.

Bayern were ruthless after the interval as they swept aside Bodø/Glimt 5-0 at the Allianz Arena. The Norwegian champions had managed to keep the game competitive for long spells, but once Bayern found their rhythm, the contest quickly slipped away from the visitors.

Jamal Musiala opened the scoring early in the second half, giving Bayern the breakthrough they had been searching for. Harry Kane then added another before Alphonso Davies extended the advantage. Michael Olise finished the job in style, scoring twice as Bayern turned a relatively measured opening into a comprehensive victory.

For Bayern, the result was another reminder of their ability to overwhelm opponents once the game opens up. There was patience in their approach, but also the cutting edge that has become synonymous with the club on European nights. The five-goal margin also ensured they finished their opening fixture with an imposing goal difference.

Manchester United were equally convincing as they returned to the Champions League stage with a 4-0 win over Sabah of Azerbaijan at Old Trafford.

United took control early but had to wait until the 27th minute to break the deadlock, with Matheus Cunha finding the breakthrough. The goal settled some of the early tension and allowed United to play with greater freedom.

Bruno Fernandes then doubled the lead before Benjamin Šeško struck to make it 3-0 before the interval. Lisandro Martínez completed the scoring after the break, giving United a result that was as comfortable as the scoreline suggested.

For United, the performance offered a positive start to their European campaign. They controlled possession, created enough chances and, crucially, avoided allowing Sabah to build any sustained momentum. The clean sheet added another layer of satisfaction to a night in which very little went wrong.

There were other compelling results across Thursday’s programme. Como produced one of the night’s biggest surprises by beating RB Leipzig 4-1, an extraordinary result for a club experiencing this level of European football. Argentina’s Nico Paz showed off some lovely touches, while Senegal’s Assane Diao was a constant and powerful menace down the right wing.

Lens staged a dramatic comeback against Slavia Prague, scoring twice in stoppage time to turn a 2-1 deficit into a 3-2 victory. Fenerbahçe and Roma played out a 1-1 draw in Istanbul, while PSV Eindhoven and Shakhtar Donetsk also shared the points after a 1-1 finish.

The opening round has therefore delivered precisely the mixture that makes the Champions League so compelling: dominant performances from established powers, impressive debuts and late drama that can change a match in an instant.

Bayern and United will take particular satisfaction from Thursday. Both began the campaign with emphatic victories, setting an early marker in a competition where every result matters.

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A fit-again Washington Sundar slogged hard at the Indian team's afternoon net session on Thursday as the team management awaited the arrival of Jasprit Bumrah and Nitish Reddy ahead of the three-match away series against Afghanistan, starting Sunday.

With Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Ishan Kishan and Tilak Varma finishing their Duleep Trophy final assignment in Chennai on Thursday, only 10 players were available for training under the scorching Delhi heat.

Bumrah, who has recovered from his impact injury, has completed his return-to-play protocols and along with Nitish will join the team in training from Friday.

On the day, Washington and Varun Chakravarthy bowled a lot in single-wicket drills under the watchful eyes of head coach Gautam Gambhir and spin-bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule.

While Washington bowled well within himself at the centre nets (inside main ground), he was very scratchy while facing the net bowlers picked from age group and DPL teams. The timing wasn't there and he distinctly lacked fluency. Harshit Rana's replacement Yash Thakur also sweated it out practising spot bowling.

At the Feroz Shah Kotla B nets, Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma took turns to face Axar Patel and Ravi Bishnoi. During the 45-minute session, Abhishek did look more comfortable as he attacked both the spinners and Delhi off spinner Hrithik Shokeen.

Bowling coach Morne Morkel absent

On the day, the notable absentee was Team India pace bowling coach Morne Morkel who had gone back home from Sri Lanka. "Morne's work visa had expired. He had to go back to South Africa for renewal of his work visa. We are expecting his arrival in the next few days," a BCCI source told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

BCCI set to remove physio Kamlesh

The BCCI is all set to remove senior Team India physio Kamlesh Jain, a result of the spate of injuries over the past six to eight months which has massively affected team's planning. "Kamlesh is on notice period. Since this is the Asian Games squad that is playing Afghanistan series, the physio and S&C coaches are the ones who will be travelling to Japan," a BCCI source told PTI.

It is understood that with the national selectors and head coach Gautam Gambhir worried over the frequent breakdown of key players, someone from the sports science team had to take the fall. Jain being the physio has been on firing line for some time now.

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