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Home challenge for RCB, host Kings XI
Bengaluru: Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), playing their penultimate home game, would be hoping the rain stays away on Wednesday when they take on cellar-dwellers Kings XI Punjab in the Indian Premier League (IPL) tie here.
With nine points from as many games, RCB will drop to fifth spot after Tuesday’s game between Mumbai Indians and Delhi Daredevils, both on eight, while Kings XI have just four from nine matches with two wins and seven defeats.
RCB have won just one out of four completed games here and their only win was in a rain-affected 10-overs-a-side match against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) last weekend. And rain may again play spoilsport as the Met Office has forecast four days of “thunderstorm/squall accompanied by hailstones”.
Also, following their crushing loss to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at Chepauk on Monday, Virat Kohli’s RCB need to quickly regroup and ensure they do not drop any more points if they hope to finish in top-four and thus qualify for the play-offs.
After Wednesday’s game, the Royal Challengers will be visiting Mumbai, Mohali and Hyderabad over five days before hosting Daredevils in their last league match on May 17. Thus, every outing will be critical to RCB’s play-off chances.
Meanwhile, last year’s runners-up Kings XI Punjab are in the midst of a tailspin following five consecutive losses. The Mohali outfit’s fall has been quite dramatic and as spectacular as Glen Maxwell’s batting was last season when the Aussie smashed 528 runs at a strike rate of 187.75, as compared to just 74 (SR 134.54) in six games this year and barely able to hold his position in the playing eleven.
In fact, Kings XI’s tepid performance this season is about the failure of not just Maxwell, but also of their other key batsmen like opener Virender Sehwag, who last year was among the top run-getters with a tally of 455, including a knock of 122.
Also contributing to the sorry state of George Bailey’s team has been the bowling that has appeared toothless with spearhead Mitchell Johnson nowhere near his best. The Aussie quick has taken nine wickets in eight matches, but with an economy rate of 9.20.
Wednesday’s game is the first of three away matches for Kings XI, who then conclude their league campaign hosting RCB and CSK. Though, their hopes of a play-off berth appear non-existent, they have the potential to trip the best of IPL teams, and RCB would do well to bear this in mind.
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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.