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South Africa aim to shrug off chokers’ tag at 2019 WC (Team Profile)
New Delhi, March 9 (IANS) Infamous as chokers in big tournaments, South Africa face the formidable task of displaying their best in the 2019 ODI World Cup as a couple of their star players have bid adieu to international cricket.
The Proteas have lost all of their nine knockout matches in International Cricket Council tournaments (ICC) in the past 15 years.
It was way back in 1992 when South Africa first featured in the 50-over World Cup, after being reinstated as a Test playing nation. Although not much was expected from them, the then skipper Kepler Wessels and his boys stunned everyone by entering the semi-finals.
In the semi-finals against England, South Africa needed 22 runs from 13 deliveries. At that stage, it seemed they would book their place in the final comfortably.
But a 10-minute delay due to rain saw the target revised to 22 runs off 1 ball, based on the Duckworth-Lewis (D/L) method, and an unlucky South Africa had to exit the tournament.
The Proteans went on to face somewhat similar situations in 1996, 2003, 2007 and 2011 and 2015 World Cups.
Some of the Proteans stars have also taken retirement, which might hamper the preparations for the prestigious cup. AB de Villiers, Morne Morkel — players who could turn the match in their favour at any point of time — had retired and it may cost them.
Despite the several heartbreaks, there were few positive for the country. They hold the record of the highest successful run chase and made the highest total in an iconic match against Australia on March 12, 2006. But the record now has been surpassed.
South Africa hammered the Netherlands by 231 runs in World Cup 2011, the fourth largest margin of victory for any team in World Cups and the largest for South Africa in World Cups.
In the 2019 tournament, if South Africa can fill the void left by these two players and trust their skills, they might shrug off the chokers tag.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.