LYFE LYFE TUESDAY | JAN 30, 2024 24 /thesuntelegram FOLLOW ON TELEGRAM Malaysian Paper Three decades later I T has been 30 years since the creation of The Silence of the Lambs and Anthony Hopkins, now 86, takes a moment to reflect on his iconic portrayal of Hannibal Lecter, a character he considers “one of the best parts I’ve ever read.” The veteran actor, who earned his first Best Actor Oscar for bringing the psychiatrist and psychotic cannibal to life in the 1991 film, admits that he has not watched the movie in years. Nevertheless, the memories of receiving the script during his time performing in M Butterfly in London remain vivid. Recalling the moment his agent handed him the script, Hopkins initially thought it might be a children’s story Hopkins believes Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs is one of the best roles he has ever played. - PIC BY KEN REGAN/ORION/KOBAL/SHUTTERSTOCK oHopkins reflects on the legacy of Hannibal Lecter █ BYYASMIN ZULRAEZ Revived once again from amber UNIVERSAL Pictures is secretly working on reviving the Jurassic Park franchise, Variety’s sources have claimed. Penned by screenwriter David Koepp, the project is well into its development phase and the script has been well liked by executives enough that the studio is looking at a possible 2025 release. Koepp co-wrote the original Jurassic Park from 1993, along with the scripts for the first Mission: Impossible, the first Spider-Man in 2002 and last year’s Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. According to Variety, there is no word on what the film will be about. While it will retain the Jurassic World title, the film will launch a “new Jurassic era” with a new storyline. This could mean that it will be separate from the Jurassic World trilogy, which was helmed by Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard. In other words, they may not return and this extends to the Jurassic Park actors Sam Neill, Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum. The trio last appeared in Jurassic World Dominion. At the time of writing, there is no director attached to the project. - BY MARK MATHEN VICTOR The previous Jurassic World trilogy made over RM18 billion at the global box office. - UNIVERSAL PICTURES Return of Hedwig and the Angry Inch REPRISING their roles as the iconic Hedwig in the much-acclaimed musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch are Jeon Dong-suk , Cho Jung-seok and Yoo Yeon-seok, marking the 14th season of this enduring production that first premiered in South Korea in 2005. Renowned for its 13-season legacy, the musical unfolds the journey of Hedwig Robinson, an East German rock star navigating a path to self-discovery and purpose through music. This season promises a heightened experience, embracing innovative stage elements such as dynamic set designs, enhanced visualisations and live streaming during performances. A notable return is the revival of the lively interaction between the performers and the audience, a distinctive feature that was absent in the previous season due to the pandemic. Dong-suk will also be embodying the role of Hedwig. Dong-suk, returning after an eight-year hiatus, brings with him a wealth of experience, having portrayed Hedwig since 2006. His character interpretation, expressive prowess and agility have consistently captivated audiences. Yeonseok, returning after seven years, was previously impressed with his meticulous acting and exceptional singing in 2017. Expressing both nervousness and excitement, he anticipates portraying a more mature and diverse Hedwig this time. Hedwig and the Angry Inch, with the book written by John Cameron Mitchell and music and lyrics by Stephen Trask, first premiered off-Broadway in 1998, then played on the West End in 2000 and Broadway in 2014. Some of its accolades include the Obie Award, the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding OffBroadway Musical and the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical. It has been adapted into a movie of the same title, released in 2001, and starring musical director Mitchell in the titular role along with actors Andrea Martin, Michael Pitt and Miriam Shor. The musical was first staged in South Korea in 2005. It most recently opened in 2021 and the upcoming 2024 production marks its 14th run in Seoul. The musical is scheduled to run from March 22 to June 23 at the Charlotte Theatre in Lotte World, Seoul. This season of Hedwig and the Angry Inch is sure to present an amazing theatrical experience for both returning fans and newcomers alike. - BY THASHINE SELVAKUMARAN The musical has consistently enjoyed widespread popularity since its first performance in South Korea in 2005. - SOOMPI due to the misleading title. “I sat in the dressing room in the theatre, read through the first scene of Lecter and said, ‘Is this an offer?’” So impressed was Hopkins that he decided “I’m not going to read anymore because this is one of the best parts I’ve ever read.” Director Jonathan Demme, who had Hopkins in mind for the role, flew from New York to London to witness his performance in M Butterfly. After the show, the two had dinner and Hopkins, intrigued, queried Demme on the casting choice. With humour, the director responded – “Why? Have you got problems?” Hopkins persisted, asking – “Why did you cast me?” The ensuing conversation solidified Hopkins’s understanding of Lecter’s character. In The Silence of the Lambs, Hopkins’s character, confined in a facility for the criminally insane, engages with FBI trainee Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) in her pursuit of Buffalo Bill. Despite their stark differences, a peculiar connection and mutual respect develop between them. Hopkins praises Foster, describing her as “lovely” and commending her practical and laidback approach on set. Transitioning from the iconic role of Lecter to his current portrayal of Sigmund Freud in Freud’s Last Session, Hopkins speaks about his instinctual grasp of enigmatic characters. Describing Freud as “the man at the top of the stairs who’s not there,” he continues to delve into the intricacies of understanding such roles. Reflecting on his experience, Hopkins appreciates the enduring impact of Lecter and relishes the joy of working with Foster. For him, the essence of Foster lies in her simplicity, lack of entourage and practical, cool demeanour on set. Moviegoers will undoubtedly be intrigued by Hopkins’s take on the famed psychiatrist. After all, this will not be the first time he has portrayed such a complex character.
LYFE LYFE TUESDAY | JAN 30, 2024 25 Foster’s praise AFTER spending decades in the film industry, Jodie Foster is finally seeing Hollywood move forward from archaic views when it comes to trusting female filmmakers more, particularly with the success of Greta Gerwig’s Barbie last year. “I’ve had the beauty of being able to be in the business since the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s and so on. The progression or bettering of our audiences translates into a kind of new thinking about who our marginalised voices are,” Foster told Variety. She further explains that in the “old days”, women were seen as a risk, though she is not able to ascertain why exactly it was that way. That perception has shifted, according to Foster (right) says Hollywood is moving towards trusting female filmmakers more. - HBO oHollywood’s empowerment through Gerwig’s Barbie █ BY MARK MATHEN VICTOR Framing love (From left) Kareena and Saif’s love story unveiled. - PICS FROM KAREENA’S INSTAGRAM Sushant’s enduring legacy IT has been four years since the untimely demise of the beloved actor, Sushant Singh Rajput, who left a lasting impact on the hearts of his fans. On Jan 21, admirers took to social Fans reflect on Sushant’s birthday, four years on. - IMDB BOLLYWOOD photographer Dabboo Ratnani recently shared a fascinating revelation about the beginning of Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor’s love story. Their initial encounter occurred during a 2005 photoshoot, raising eyebrows as Saif’s then-girlfriend, Rosa Catalano, was not thrilled about the couple’s portrayal. Despite this, Ratnani captured their undeniable chemistry, resulting in captivating images for a magazine cover. At the time, Saif was dating Rosa and Kareena was in a relationship with Shahid Kapoor. However, destiny had other plans and the two found love on the sets of Tashan in 2008. They eventually tied the knot in 2012, welcoming sons Taimur Ali Khan in 2016 and Jehangir Ali Khan in 2021, named after Mughal emperors. Saif, previously married to Amrita Singh, has two children, Sara and Ibrahim. Saif’s lineage includes his father, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, a former captain of the Indian cricket team. Kareena, part of the iconic Kapoor family, is the granddaughter of legendary actor Raj Kapoor, adding rich layers to their Bollywood love story. - BY S. TAMARAI CHELVI the actress. “With a big success like Barbie, they gave Gerwig, who had made two mostly independent films, the keys to the kingdom and said ‘We’re going to give you our most important child’ and all the money to support it. That’s new for women. I hope that continues.” Noting that 2023 saw more representation through film and television, it was not enough. Drawing an example with Native Americans, Foster says representation of community alone was not enough if the stories are not centred around them. In a way, Foster is right. One of last year’s biggest and longest films was Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon. The film focused on the murders of the Native American Osage women by greedy white men. Though it heavily featured Natives, the narrative was from a third-person point of view. This was after Scorcese rehauled the original script, which was written from the perspective of the white FBI agents that were sent to investigate the alarming deaths. “The person telling the story wasn’t the point of view. My show True Detective takes us to the next level of talking about Native issues from a Native perspective.” Foster is currently leading the excellent fourth season of HBO’s True Detective, titled True Detective: Night Country. The other lead is Kali Reis, a Native American, with the season focusing on Foster and Reis’ characters investigating the murder mystery of an Indigenous Alaskan woman. other commercial blockbusters like Dil Bechara, Kedarnath and Sonchiriya. However, the news of his sudden death on June 14, 2020, at the age of 34, sent shockwaves through his devoted fanbase. Found hanging in his Bandra home, his death was officially declared a suicide, but claims of a murder conspiracy persisted, fuelled by reported injury marks discovered during the post-mortem. Even after four years, Sushant’s fans continue to seek justice for the charismatic actor. The circumstances surrounding his death and the subsequent investigations have left lingering questions in the minds of many. Sushant’s career, initially on a soaring trajectory, took an unexpected turn as he lost coveted roles to actors from film dynasty families. Fans accused certain stars of sabotaging his career, alleging that he had missed out on seven pivotal characters. This led to the initiation of a “boycott Bollywood” campaign on social media, directed at major film production houses and influential stars. In the middle of these ongoing demands for justice and revelations about the alleged industry dynamics, Sushant’s sister, Shweta Singh Kirti, residing in the US, has released a book titled Pain: A Portal to Enlightenment. The book delves into her personal pain and shock upon learning about her brother’s demise in 2020, a challenging period coinciding with the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. As fans continue to remember Sushant on his 38th birthday, the actor’s life and legacy remain a subject of reflection, celebration and an ongoing quest for answers. - BY S. TAMARAI CHELVI media to remember him at what would have been his 38th birthday celebration, a poignant moment that reinforced the enduring legacy of the talented actor. Hailing from a simple middleclass background, Sushant made his debut in the 2013 film Kai Po Che, which proved to be a significant success. Praised for his acting prowess, he swiftly ascended to stardom, taking on complex roles and turning them into triumphs. Among his iconic performances was the titular role in MS Dhoni: An Untold Story, along with
LYFE LYFE TUESDAY | JAN 30, 2024 26 READ OUR HERE /thesun Malaysian Paper Altered tracks surge on streaming platforms RECENT revelations have brought to light a concerning trend within the music streaming industry – the presence of over a million tracks categorised as “manipulated”. These manipulated tracks involve altered versions of songs, featuring changes such as speed adjustments, tempo variations and other modifications. This disconcerting phenomenon has gained significant prevalence across a spectrum of streaming platforms, raising questions about copyright violations and the fair compensation of artists. The comprehensive study that uncovered this trend was conducted by Pex, a tech company specialising in tracking and analysing copyrighted content on digital services. The data utilised for this study was collected in November 2023 and sheds light on the extensive number of manipulated tracks across popular platforms like Spotify, Apple Music and Tidal. Noteworthy instances include a sped-up rendition of Lady Gaga’s Bloody Mary, amassing a staggering 25 million streams and a modified version of Childish Gambino’s Heartbeat with 19 million streams. These examples underscore the pervasive nature of manipulated content circulating on major streaming platforms. What adds to the gravity of the situation is that these manipulated tracks often lack the necessary legal licensing, constituting a violation of copyright. As a result, the original artists behind these modified versions are deprived of the rightful royalties for the streams generated by their songs. Pex CEO Rasty Turek acknowledged the existence of a substantial audience that enjoys manipulated content, such as Nightcore mixes. He emphasised the legitimacy of this movement, stating that those who appreciate this kind of music should have access to it. However, Turek argued that the responsibility for proper attribution falls more on the streaming platforms and services hosting the content than on the artists themselves. While acknowledging the legitimate demand for manipulated content, Turek stressed the need for platforms to actively ensure proper attribution, relieving artists from the burden of personally seeking out instances of copyright infringement. This shift in responsibility is crucial to maintaining the integrity of the music industry and ensuring that artists receive due credit and compensation for their work. In response to the overwhelming influx of songs uploaded to its platform, Spotify has taken proactive steps to address the issue and implement changes in royalty allocation. Reports indicate that approximately a quarter of the music available on streaming services, including Spotify, goes unheard. To address this challenge, Spotify has introduced a policy shift, requiring songs to accumulate a minimum of 1,000 streams before becoming eligible to earn any royalties. This move aims to prioritise and reward songs that genuinely resonate with listeners, fostering a fairer compensation structure within the streaming ecosystem. Songs that have been sped up or slowed down are considered “manipulated”. – PEXELS. █ BYHAZIQUE ZAIRILL Star-studded affair THE grand consecration of the Ram Mandir or Pran Pratishtha, in Ayodhya on Jan 22 was a spectacle of star-studded brilliance broadcast live across India. Among the distinguished attendees were Bollywood power couples Vicky Kaushal and Katrina Kaif, as well as Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt, adding a touch of glamour to the sacred ceremony. The spotlight also shone on veteran actors Amitabh Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan, along with Madhuri Dixit and her husband Sri Ram Nene. Indian cinema legend Rajnikanth and Telugu actors Chiranjeevi and Ram Charan graced the event with their presence, adding to the aura of cultural significance. Renowned filmmakers Madhur Bandarkar, Raju Hirani and Rohit Shetty, alongside actor Ayushmann Khurrana, were accorded special seats, capturing the essence of the sacred occasion through photographs and selfies, immortalising a momentous day in Ayodhya’s history. Singers Shankar Mahadevan and Sonu Nigam contributed a melodic touch to the proceedings with their soulful performances, resonating with the spiritual atmosphere. However, it was Kangana Ranaut who stole the limelight with her active participation in a cleanliness drive at the Hanuman Garhi Temple. Sweeping the floor with devotion, Ranaut showcased her commitment to the sacred grounds, embodying the spirit of the occasion. The self-professed devotee of Lord Ram graced the event in an ornate orange, red and white saree adorned with gold embroidery and emerald jewelry. Kangana’s attire symbolised both elegance and reverence, perfectly reflecting the solemnity of the occasion. At the heart of the ceremony was the unveiling of the 51-inch-tall Ram Lalla statue, a moment that held immense significance. Adorned with gold jewellery and flowers, the statue depicted a five-year-old Lord Ram standing on a lotus flower. This representation symbolises the divine connection to Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Ram, encapsulating the cultural and religious essence of the entire event. The star-studded gathering, infused with cultural luminaries and adorned with performances and heartfelt participation, turned the consecration of the Ram Mandir into a momentous and unforgettable celebration. As the sacred statue of Ram Lalla was unveiled to the public, the grandeur of the ceremony echoed the profound connection that Ayodhya shares with Lord Ram, marking a historic chapter in the spiritual and cultural legacy of India. Kanagana posing at the Ram Mandir, Ayodhya. - PICS FROM KANAGANA RANAUT INSTAGRAM █ BYS.TAMARAI CHELVI oRecent study found over a million modified songs, raising concerns about copyright infringement
SPORTS SPORTS TUESDAY | JAN 30, 2024 28 DALAM MAHKAMAH TINGGI MALAYA DI PULAU PINANG PENGGULUNGAN SYARIKAT NO. PA-28NCC-130-11/2023 Dalam perkara Seksyen 465(1) (e) dan Seksyen 466 (1) (a) Akta SyarikatSyarikat 2016 Dan Dalam Perkara Dermaster Wellness (M) Sdn. Bhd. (No. Syarikat: 201001000740 (885312-V) Dan Dalam Perkara Kaedah-Kaedah (Penggulungan) Syarikat-Syarikat 1972 Antara Mtrustee Berhad (No. Syarikat : 198701004362 (163032-V)) (Sebagai Pemegang Amanah Untuk “Capitaland Malaysia Mall Trust”) …Pempetisyen Dan Dermaster Wellness (M) Sdn. Bhd. (No. Syarikat : 201001000740 (885312-V)) …Responden PENGIKLANAN PETISYEN Notis kini diberi bahawa suatu Petisyen untuk penggulungan syarikat Dermaster Wellness (M) Sdn. Bhd. (No. Syarikat: 201001000740 (885312-V) oleh Mahkamah Tinggi telah dikemukakan pada 17/11/2023 oleh Mtrustee Berhad (No. Syarikat: 198701004362 (163032- V) yang beralamat di 170-06-01, Plaza Gurney, Persiaran Gurney, 10250 Pulau Pinang dan bahawa Petisyen tersebut telah diarah untuk didengar dihadapan Mahkamah yang bersidang di Pulau Pinang pada pukul 9.00 pagi, pada 15 Mac 2024 dan sesiapa pemiutang atau penyumbang kepada syarikat tersebut yang berminat untuk menyokong atau membangkang terhadap mana-mana Perintah yang dibuat di atas Petisyen tersebut boleh menghadiri pada masa Pendengaran dengan sendiri atau melalui Peguamcaranya untuk tujuan ini; dan sesalinan Petisyen akan diberi kepada sesiapa Pemiutang atau Penyumbang kepada Syarikat tersebut yang memohon kepada penandatangan seperti dibawah dengan bayaran yang ditetapkan. Alamat Pempetisyen adalah di 170- 06-01, Plaza Gurney, Persiaran Gurney, 10250 Pulau Pinang. Peguamcara bagi Pempetisyen adalah Tetuan San Law Chambers yang mana alamat untuk penyampaiannya adalah di Unit 6.2, Tingkat 6, Wisma Leader, No. 8, Jalan Larut, 10050 Pulau Pinang. Ditandatangani …………………………….…… Peguamcara untuk Pempetisyen Nota: Sesiapa yang ingin menghadiri pada pendengaran Petisyen tersebut mestilah menyampaikan ke atas atau kirim melalui pos kepada peguamcara yang dinamakan diatas satu notis bertulis akan tujuan untuk berbuat demikian. Notis ini mesti menyatakan nama dan alamat orang itu atau, jikalau sebuah firma, nama dan alamat firma, atau peguamcara mereka (jika ada) dan mesti disampaikan atau jika dikirim melalui pos hendaklah dalam masa yang memadai sampai kepada yang dinamakan di atas tidak lewat daripada pukul 12 tengahari pada 14/3/2024 (hari sebelum hari ditetapkan untuk pendengaran Petisyen). (Ruj. : DLMS/DL/063/19/Awin)/Rse. IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPANIES ACT 2016 AND IN THE MATTER OF SAAP HOLDINGS SDN. BHD. [Co. No. 201801021741 (1283760-W)] (In Members’ Voluntary Liquidation) Notice is hereby given pursuant to Section 459(2) of the Companies Act, 2016 that the Final Meeting of the Members of the abovenamed Company will be held at Suite 12B23, Level 12B, Wisma Zelan, No. 1 Jalan Tasik Permaisuri 2, Bandar Tun Razak, Cheras, 56000 Kuala Lumpur on the 4 March 2024 at 11.00 a.m. for the following purposes: (1) To receive the Liquidator’s Statement of Accounts showing how the winding-up has been conducted and the assets of the Company disposed off and to hear any explanations that may be given by the Liquidator. (2) To determine the manner in which the books, accounts and documents of the Company and of the Liquidator shall be disposed off. SURDASS @ VIPIN KUMAR Liquidator Dated : 30 January 2024 Kuala Lumpur Note: A member of the Company entitled to attend and vote at the meeting is entitled to appoint a proxy to attend and vote in his stead. A proxy need not be a member of the Company. The instument appointing a proxy must be deposited at the Liquidator’s office not less than 48 hours before the time appointed for holding the meeting. 322 Notices Start of a new era Tennis needs the next generation, says Grand Slam champion Sinner J ANNIK SINNER was not about to announce the end of the “Big Three” after his breakthrough Grand Slam triumph at the Australian Open but the 22-year-old Italian does believe tennis needs a fresh generation of champions. His five-set victory over Daniil Medvedev on Sunday made him the first Melbourne Park winner in 10 years not named Novak Djokovic, Rafa Nadal or Roger Federer – the trio of multiple champions who have dominated tennis for two decades. Djokovic’s incredible success into his midthirties has delayed the decline of the “Big Three” but with Federer now retired and Nadal looking set to join him this year, a huge gap is opening up at the top of the game. With his Melbourne triumph, Sinner has joined 20-year-old Carlos Alcaraz in the Grand Slam winners’ club, spearheading a clutch of players of a similar age coming through. “It’s quite unpredictable what’s coming in the future but still it’s nice to be part of this generation,” Sinner said as he was photographed with his trophy in Melbourne’s Botanical Gardens yesterday. “I think the next generation is something that this sport needs and it’s also a little bit of a gamechanger.” Sinner was the youngest Australian Open men’s champion since Djokovic won the first of his 10 Melbourne Park titles in 2008 and even though he beat the 24-times Grand S l a m champion in the semifinals, the Italian was not i n v i t i n g comparisons. “He is a different league,” he said. “I’m just happy I have this trophy for this year and then we see what’s coming. “There is stillS a lot of work to do but I will enjoy my process and then we see what I can achieve in the future.” As impressive as the clean hitting that has taken Sinner into the elite of men’s tennis was his cool demeanour on court on Sunday as he withstood an early barrage from Medvedev before rallying from two sets down to clinch the title. Although he fell to the Rod Laver Arena court after converting championship point, there was no huge outpouring of emotions as Sinner celebrated the biggest victory of his career. “There were so many emotions in my head and the hard work and the sacrifices I’ve done throughout my career,” he explained. “Sharing this moment with my team was maybe the best feeling I’ve had until now. “It’s great emotions, I was just happy, yesterday I still maybe couldn’t believe and now I’m starting to realise it, so it’s a great feeling.” Sinner said he celebrated his dream start to the new season in understated fashion but said it would be straight back to work as he looked to build on his breakthrough. “Obviously winning the tournament is something unbelievable,” he said. “I’m really happy how I performed here and let’s see what’s coming in the future.” – Reuters Korda Drive-s On to beat Ko in playoff REIGNING Olympic champion Nelly Korda parred the second playoff hole to defeat New Zealand’s Lydia Ko and win the Drive On Championship yesterday for her ninth career LPGA title. World No. 4 Korda, a 25-year-old hometown hero, closed her round eagle-birdie for the second consecutive day to force a playoff, then outlasted Ko to deny the Seoulborn Kiwi her second victory in as many weeks. “What a day,” Korda said. “I seem to always make it very dramatic and interesting. There’s no better feeling than to do it in front of a home crowd. “Even when I was down, they were so positive and keeping me in it. It was such a grind out there, so back and forth. I never really got anything going. I just can’t even believe it.” Korda and Ko each finished 72 holes on 11-under 273 at Bradenton Country Club. Ko fired a two-under 69 in the final round while Korda shot 73. American Megan Khang was third on 276. Korda clung to a one-stroke lead after a bogey at 14, then sent her tee shot into water at the par-3 15th and made double bogey. Ko eagled the par-5 17th and Korda made another bogey at 16 to fall three adrift and even Korda figured she was beaten. “I honestly thought the tournament was over going into 17 and I just kind of gave myself a chance,” Korda said. “I knew if I rolled that eagle in I had to birdie the last hole.” – AFP DANIIL MEDVEDEV has warned Novak Djokovic that he and Jannik Sinner are coming for his spot at the top of the ATP world rankings. Djokovic retained his status as the world No. 1 in the wake of the Australian Open, despite crashing out against eventual champion Sinner in the semifinals. Medvedev and Sinner served up an all-time classic on Sunday. It was another dose of heartbreak for Medvedev, who lost the Australian Open final from two sets up for the second time in three years, and euphoria for Sinner, who snatched victory from the jaws of defeat to clinch the first Grand Slam of his career. Despite the Italian establishing himself among tennis’ big hitters, he will stay at No. 4 in the world rankings. Medvedev could have jumped up to second with a win in the final, but defeat leaves him third, behind Carlos Alcaraz in second and Djokovic in first. Speaking after his agonising five-set loss on Rod Laver Arena, Medvedev warned Djokovic that Sinner absolutely has what it takes to knock him off his perch. “In this tournament (Sinner) was the best player in the world, and that’s why he won this slam,” stated the Russian. “But we never know what happens next. If he continues playing like this, continues winning tournaments like this, he’s going to be No. 1 in the world at one moment. “We never know what can happen. I think tennis is a beautiful sport because you cannot look into the future. If he stays healthy and plays like he played this tournament, one moment he’s going to be No 1. Two months, in one year, in two years. “But, you know, many players went through different moments in their seasons and careers, so let’s see how Jannik handles everything that is going to happen. “I have also put myself in a good position. I guess I would be No. 2 in the race. I’ll try my best to be somewhere there close by also.” – Express Newspapers Medvedev fires warning to Djokovic Stokes hails ‘greatest’ Test win SKIPPER Ben Stokes yesterday said England’s come-from-behind win over India by 28 runs in the opening Test in Hyderabad was his “greatest” as captain. The tourists overcame a stiff challenge from the hosts to get past a deficit of 190 runs at the start of their second innings with a masterful 196 from Ollie Pope. England set India a victory target of 231 and bowled out the hosts for 202 in the final over on day four, with debutant left-arm spinner Tom Hartley returning figures of 7-62. “We have had a lot of fantastic moments as a team, great victories but given where we are, and who are playing, I think it’s our greatest triumph since I have been captain,” Stokes told TNT Sports. “For Tom Hartley to get nine wickets on debut, and Ollie Pope to get a big hundred… is incredible. But everyone contributed.” India have not suffered a home Test series defeat since England’s triumph in 2012. “Considering where we are and who we (were) playing against, the position we found ourselves going into our second innings of batting, just sitting here now and say we’re 1- 0 up, it’s a big reason as to why I feel this is our best victory since I’ve been captain,” Stokes added. ‘Wake-up call for India’ ENGLAND’S attacking “Bazball” style of play trumped India at home in the first Test but pundits and cricketers yesterday said the hosts remain favourites in the five-match series. England’s fearless “Bazball” brand of play devised by coach Brendon McCullum and skipper Ben Stokes has brought the team 14 victories in 19 Tests. Bazball: Believe the hype, a headline in the Indian Express daily read. It was India’s fourth loss in their last 47 Tests at home since 2013 – and their first-ever after leading by 190 runs in the first innings of a home game. “It’s just a wake-up call for India,” former England captain Nasser Hussain told Sky Sports. “England have shown that they’re not a side to be messed with,” he added. “This is a confident side; they have great self-belief in the way they are playing the game. They are fully behind their captain. They are fully behind their coach.” Hurt drove Brisbane miracle, says Windies skipper Brathwaite SKIPPER Kraigg Brathwaite credited injured pride for West Indies’ extraordinary upset of Australia in Brisbane on Sunday and said the Caribbean islanders needed more Test cricket if they were to continue their revival. West Indies were once the most feared team in the Test game but expectations have lowered over years of decline, and Brathwaite’s touring squad were given little chance of success when they arrived in Australia to play the World Test Championship winners. Those expectations were lowered still after a 10-wicket mauling in the first Test in Adelaide but, spearheaded by young quick Shamar Joseph, they staged a remarkable turnaround to beat their hosts by eight runs in a Gabba thriller on Sunday. Brathwaite said comments by former Australian pace bowler Rodney Hogg had cut particularly deep. “Rodney Hogg said we were pathetic and hopeless, so that was our motivation. I want to ask him: ‘Are these muscles big enough for you?’” he retorted in the post-match ceremony on Sunday. “We wanted to let him know that we heard him,” Brathwaite added in his news conference. “We planned well as a group, but we saw his words and that was extra motivation for us as well. “Test match cricket is never easy… when you have a guy disrespecting West Indies, and us players that are playing, it is hurtful.” INSIDE EDGE Sinner
theSun is published and printed by Sun Media Corporation Sdn Bhd (221220-K) of Lot 6, Jalan 51/217, 46050 Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Tel: 03-7784 6688 Fax: 03-7783 7435 • Tel (Editorial): 03-7784 6688 Fax: 03-7785 2624/5 Email: [email protected] • Tel (Advertising): 03-7784 8888 Fax: 03-7784 4424 Email: [email protected] LIVERPOOL manager Jurgen Klopp insists he had to “pull himself together” for the FA Cup victory over Norwich after an outpouring of emotion from friends and fans after he announced he would leave the club at the end of the season. His players followed through on his insistence that nothing should change with a 5-2 win over Norwich to set up a fifth-round tie at home to either Watford or Southampton. It came amid a celebration of Klopp at Anfield, who sat in contemplative mood as the Kop belted out “You’ll Never Walk Alone” before kickoff and followed it up with a first-minute rendition of “I’m so glad that Jurgen is a Red”. “It’s emotional but I have to pull myself together. I received all the messages. I’m not made of wood,” said Klopp. “It was a top performance from everybody involved, really good. We could have passed a little but with more purpose, direction and being quicker in the way we scored two goals but conceded a set-piece goal. “But it is clear when you are as dominant as we are, if we improve in some departments we create more chances.” Curtis Jones and Darwin Nunez scored either side of Ben Gibson’s headed equaliser but in the second half it was virtual oneway traffic and further goals came from Diogo Jota, Virgil van Dijk and Ryan Gravenberch, with Borja Sainz’s screamer briefly making it 4-2. However, other major plus points were the returns from injury off the bench from Andy Robertson – out since October with a dislocated shoulder – fellow full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold and midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai. With Premier League matches against Chelsea and Arsenal coming up, having them all back is a real boost. “It was very important that we could give them minutes. Trent and Dom were not that long out but Robbo was out for a long time and each minute they could get is really important and here it helped to share intensity,” added Klopp. “We played pretty good without them, so it is about how we are playing. We have to make sure we are the one team Chelsea does not want to play against and Arsenal doesn’t want to play against.” Klopp hailed goalscorer Jones’ transformation into a player who can now defend and press at a high level, but the outgoing head coach clearly did not think that Jones had those tools in his arsenal until recently. When asked about Jones’ performance as he shone once again in a midfield three, Klopp told ITV: “Yeah (Jones is confident), he is in a great moment for us right now, he’s super important and in different departments he’s important. “So he is a very good player but he is kind of a role model as well for all of our academy guys.” Then with a big smile on his face, Klopp joked: “And if Curtis (Jones) can learn defending, everybody can learn defending. “What I mean is offensive defend, a high press, it’s intensity, but he is setting the rhythm for us and if he can do it everybody can do it. “James McConnell was put in the six because we had injuries in preseason. Conor Bradley has everything at right-back. You can talk to him about tactics, he gets it. “Our big guns are back now and we play again in three days. Chelsea and Arsenal, it doesn’t get much bigger.” Norwich boss David Wagner, Klopp’s long-time friend, admitted his side were up against it. “A deserved win for Liverpool, the better side won. My team put a shift in and tried to play out from the back. We scored two wonderful goals and were competitive,” he said. “I said before, ‘let’s attack this competition with freedom’. We were able to get some players closer to the squad and it was a step for us. Now we have to make sure we recover in the Championship.” – The Independent/Express Newspapers SCAN ME TUESDAY | JAN 30, 2024 or download app from the App Store or Google PlayTM . www.thesun.my Free access to iPaper PDF Download SCAN ME Malaysian Paper Read iPaper at Malaysian Paper Malaysian Paper Start of a new era -Story - on page 29 Story on page 28 Girona back on top ‘I’m not made of wood’ Klopp admits emotions were clear during FA Cup win over Norwich -Story on page 30 Devils survive cup scare Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai (left) in action with Norwich City’s Sam McCallum during their FA Cup match. – REUTERSPIX