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Shivang Kumar: Like Pakistan’s Usman Tariq, SRH chinaman inspired by MS Dhoni’s ‘Untold Story’ | Cricket News

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Shivang Kumar: Like Pakistan's Usman Tariq, SRH chinaman inspired by MS Dhoni’s ‘Untold Story’
Shivang Kumar (BCCI Photo)

NEW DELHI: Shivang Kumar’s journey to the IPL isn’t the usual story of a smooth rise through the ranks. The 23-year-old spinner from Moradabad made his debut for Sunrisers Hyderabad earlier this season, but what makes his story stand out is a mix of bold decisions, setbacks, and a surprising source of inspiration, MS Dhoni: The Untold Story.Picked for Rs 30 lakh in the 2026 mini auction, Shivang’s breakthrough didn’t happen overnight.

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It began in the railway colony of Harthala, where his father, Praveen Kumar, a Chief Ticket Inspector and former Bengal Ranji cricketer, took charge of his training. One unconventional move changed everything: despite being right-handed, Shivang was turned into a left-arm wrist spinner. He later described this bold switch as his father’s “masterpiece.”

A tough pause and a turning point

Like many young cricketers, Shivang’s path wasn’t without doubt. After failing to make an Under-14 team, he stepped away from cricket for five months, convinced his journey had hit a dead end. The break could have ended his career before it truly began.But a film changed his mindset. Watching MS Dhoni: The Untold Story pushed him to reconsider quitting. The story of Dhoni’s struggles and rise struck a chord, helping Shivang return to the game with renewed determination.Interestingly, his story mirrors that of Pakistan spinner Usman Tariq, who also found inspiration in the same film. Tariq said, “I came back to cricket after watching the MS Dhoni movie. After watching that movie, I felt our stories were similar… I came back to cricket just because of MS Dhoni.”

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Performances that opened doors

Once back, Shivang let his performances do the talking. He impressed in domestic cricket, including a standout Vijay Hazare Trophy campaign where he picked up 10 wickets in just three matches. A five-wicket haul against Karnataka proved to be a defining moment, putting him firmly on the radar of IPL scouts.In T20 cricket too, he showed promise with a best spell of 3/25 in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. These performances eventually led to IPL opportunities, though not without frustration. He attended trials for multiple franchises and even missed a couple of chances with Sunrisers Hyderabad due to scheduling issues.Yet, SRH didn’t forget him. They returned at the auction and secured him at base price, finally giving him the break he had been waiting for.

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IPL 2026: Shreyas Iyer credits Shashank Singh for breaking SRH’s momentum | Cricket News

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IPL 2026: Shreyas Iyer credits Shashank Singh for breaking SRH's momentum
Shashank Singh (Image credit: BCCI/IPL)

MULLANPUR: In a game dominated by big hits and rapid shifts in momentum, it was a quieter moment of trust that stood out. Shreyas Iyer, reading the situation rather than the script, turned to part-timer Shashank Singh for an over at a time when Sunrisers openers Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head were taking apart the frontline Punjab bowlers with ease. It wasn’t the most obvious move in a high-scoring contest, but it reflected a captain willing to back instinct and a player ready to take responsibility. That brief exchange in the middle overs, as Iyer would later explain, ended up shaping the course of the game. “All of us came together, and Shashank approached me and said, ‘give me an over’. Ricky Ponting came and asked me, ‘what’s your thoughts? I said, ‘I’ll go with Shashank.’ I needed someone to take the pace off,” Iyer said, recalling the moment that shifted momentum. That faith was rewarded instantly as Shashank sent back both the Sunrisers openers. “He lived up to my expectations; he lived up to what he said, kudos to him. At the end of the day, we all know we’ve got the skills. All we need is a strong mindset,” Iyer added. We’re missing Cummins: Aaron Sunrisers Hyderabad bowling coach Varun Aaron struck a measured tone as he addressed the twin realities that shaped his side’s outing against Punjab Kings. One, the absence of regular captain and premier fast bowler Pat Cummins; the other, an innings that promised more than it ultimately delivered. “There’s no two ways that we’re missing Pat (Cummins),” Aaron said, underlining the void left by the Australian quick. “We’re obviously missing him because he is one of the best fast bowlers in the world. He’s been on top of his game for a while now. And he’s somebody who can get us wickets with the new ball, in the middle, and even at the death.” “I’m sure he is going to be back soon and join the team,” Aaron added. If that was one part of the story, the other lay in how Sunrisers’ innings tapered after a flying start. “The way we started, we thought we would get a few more runs. There’s no two ways about it that we were some runs short,” Aaron admitted. “But you have to understand that even the opponents have come to play. They bowled really well through that middle phase, hit their lengths well and didn’t make it easy for our batsmen.”

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Lamar Jackson sends faith-filled message to critics after rough season

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Despite winning two MVP awards, Lamar Jackson still has his fair share of critics.

Fresh off yet another playoff disappointment, the Baltimore Ravens quarterback had arguably the worst season of his career last year.

It was the first time he finished under .500 as a starter and the first time since 2021 he was not in the playoffs after the season came down to a field goal attempt.

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Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson looking to pass during a game at Highmark Stadium

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) looks to pass during the first quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium on Sept. 7, 2025. (Mark Konezny/Imagn Images)

Perhaps the doubters were on Jackson’s mind earlier this week because he issued a faith-filled message toward them on X.

“Instead of trying to bring me down, ask GOD to bring you up,” Jackson wrote with emojis of praying hands, a purple heart, and an army helmet. “#JESUSCHRISTKINGOFKINGS.”

Jackson missed four games with a hamstring injury that appeared to affect him for most of the year. His 2,549 passing yards were the third-lowest mark of his career, while he only rushed for 349 yards, the lowest he’s ever had.

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Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson walking off the field after a game.

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) leaves the field after a win over the Cincinnati Bengals in an NFL football game. The game took place in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Dec. 14, 2025. (Carolyn Kaster/AP)

FORMER JETS, FALCONS QB BROWNING NAGLE DEAD AT 57 AFTER CANCER DIAGNOSIS

The quarterback has shared several faithful messages this week, including wearing an “I LOVE JESUS” hoodie. Many of Jackson’s reposts on X show his faith.

Jackson will have a new head coach this season after his Ravens fired John Harbaugh following 18 seasons. Jesse Minter was hired after being the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Chargers, who are coached by Harbaugh’s brother, Jim.

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson throws a football during a game against the Miami Dolphins

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) throws against the Miami Dolphins during the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Rebecca Blackwell/AP)

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Jackson has made it as far as the AFC title game but lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2023 season.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

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How many balls should you hit to warm up? Masters data has answers

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Falkirk vs Rangers Prediction and Betting Tips

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Rangers visit Falkirk in the Scottish Premiership on the final day of the 2025-26 season, hoping to keep their title dream alive. Currently trailing leaders Heart of Midlothian by a point, the Light Blues are in second place in the league standings.

They need to win the game here and also hope that Hearts drop points at home to Motherwell in the other game to be crowned Scottish champions.

Since winning the title in the 2020-21 season, the Glasgow outfit have finished second in each of the next five campaigns, and this could be the sixth in a row.

Despite a strong run, Rangers never occupied the first position of the Scottish Premiership at any point in the season and will require a last-day miracle for that to happen on Sunday.

They come into the fixture on the back of a three-game winning streak in the league, with their recent two being big wins over Aberdeen (4-1) and Dundee United (4-2).

As for Falkirk, the Bairns are in sixth place in the standings, having accrued 46 points from 32 games and making a good impression upon returning to the top division after a gap of five years. They’ve won only 13 times in the season, with the last one coming in their latest clash against Motherwell, as Falkirk won 3-2.


Falkirk vs Rangers Head-To-Head and Key Numbers

  • There have been 56 clashes between the sides in the past, with a mammoth 44 wins going to Rangers, who have lost to Falkirk only four times in history.
  • Their most recent two clashes, though, have ended in a stalemate: 1-1 in October 2025 and 0-0 in November 2025.
  • Falkirk’s last win over Rangers came in 2016, winning 3-2 at home in a Championship fixture.
  • Falkirk have failed to score in three of their last six encounters with Rangers.
  • Rangers have won their last three Scottish Premiership games in a row and remain unbeaten in their last 14.

Falkirk vs Rangers Prediction

Rangers boast a dominant record in the fixture, having won over 90% of their games against Falkirk.

Based on the blistering form they are in right now, the Bairns should be able to cruise through this fixture without any hassle.

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Prediction: Falkirk 0-3 Rangers


Falkirk vs Rangers Betting Tips

Tip 1 – Result: Rangers to win

Tip 2 – Goals over/under 2.5: Over 2.5 goals

Tip 3 – Both teams to score: No

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