Mangaluru Rahul makes international Test debut in Melbourne

December 27, 2014

Melbourne, Dec 27: K L Rahul from Mangaluru became the second Indian player to make a Test debut on this tour after the 22-year-old was included in the starting 11 for the Boxing Day Test here on Friday.

KL Rahul

Earlier, Karn Sharma made his debut in the first Test at Adelaide.

The indications were apparent during India's two practice sessions ahead of the third Test although India, as is their wont, kept things under wraps until the last minute. Rahul was having extended bat in the œnets  and was often seen being counselled by Team Director Ravi Shastri and coach Duncan Fletcher.

While the suspense was whether Rahul would replace Shikhar Dhawan, the team management chose to axe an out-of-sorts Rohit Sharma to accommodate the Karnataka batsman. This means, Rahul would be batting at No 6 instead of his regular opening slot that he has made his own in the State side.

While he would have preferred to bat at the top of the order, Rahul should take inspiration from his more illustrious State-mate Rahul Dravid, who batted at No 7 on his debut in 1996 instead of his customary No 3 and scored 95.

And not unlike Dravid, who was handed his Test cap at the fabled Lord's, the younger Rahul makes his debut at another iconic venue the Melbourne Cricket Ground. That skipper M S Dhoni handed over the cap would have made the moment that much more special for the youngster.

Rahul, who had top-scored with 1033 runs in Karnataka's triumphant Ranji campaign, was on the selectors' radar and convinced them of his credentials with back-to-back centuries (185, 130) in the Duleep Trophy final for South Zone against Central.

The comparisons with Dravid are going to tail Rahul not just because he shares the same name and plays for the same State but also because he is rated to come as good as the former India captain. While it's a huge compliment Rahul also realises the enormity of the responsibility. œIt (the comparison) makes me happy for a while but then it's a big responsibility as well,  Rahul had told Deccan Herald in an interview.

œYou know when people are comparing you to Rahul Dravid, they also expect you to match the standards he has set. They want someone from Karnataka to go and play like him; make it as big and make the State proud. On my part, I make sure I work hard and try to learn from him; try and match the work ethics he followed,  he had remarked.

With great work ethic and a mature head on his shoulders, there is no reason why the right-hander shouldn't make it as big

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News Network
December 5,2025

Mangaluru: In a significant step to curb online hate and intimidation, Mangaluru City Police have registered a suo motu case against multiple Instagram accounts accused of circulating alleged provocative and threatening content.

While monitoring social media activity on Tuesday, Kankanady Town PSI Anitha Nikkam identified the Instagram handle ‘team_targetttt_900’ for posting a hate message alongside images of lethal weapons. Another account, ‘team_nagara_900’, allegedly shared a threatening post targeting activist Bharath Kumdelu, tagging additional pages such as KARAVALI-OFFICIAL.

Several other accounts — including ‘immu_bhai.fan’, ‘target_boy_900’, ‘kings_of_manglore’, ‘team_target_boys.900’, ‘arshad_mangalore’, ‘target_ka19_ullal’, ‘team_target__’, ‘troll_tigersz_900’, ‘tr_group_900’, and ‘team_target_900’ — are also under scrutiny for spreading similar inflammatory material, police said.

Authorities have urged citizens, especially young social media users, to report suspicious pages and avoid engaging with groups that glorify violence or threaten individuals. Online hate can quickly escalate into real-world harm, and police stress that sharing or promoting such content can attract legal consequences.

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News Network
December 15,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 15: Educational institutions in Mangaluru that rely on the popular Mangala Stadium for their annual sports events are bracing for an inconvenience as the city's key sporting venue is set to close its gates for a significant upgrade. The stadium is expected to be unavailable for approximately two months starting from January 15, 2026.

The closure is necessitated by a proposed overhaul of the stadium's facilities, with a special focus on upgrading the synthetic track. Pradeep Dsouza, Assistant Director of the District of Youth Empowerment and Sports (DYES), Dakshina Kannada, confirmed the development.

"Experts have visited the stadium, conducted a thorough inspection, and have given the go-ahead for a complete makeover," Dsouza stated. "Funds have been allocated for the project, and we are currently awaiting the final green signal from state officials to commence the work. We anticipate that the work will likely begin in the second week of January. Consequently, we have stopped renting out the stadium to colleges and other organizations in preparation for the upgrade."

The timing presents a logistical challenge for colleges, as many schools have already concluded their sports meets.

"Colleges will now be organizing their events and will need to find alternative locations to host their sports meets," Dsouza added. He suggested a few potential venues, including the Dakshina Kannada police ground, University College grounds, Panambur grounds, Swaraj Maidan in Moodbidri, and the Mangalore University sports grounds in Konaje.

However, many institutions note that finding a comparable venue will be difficult. While the DK police ground and University College grounds are closer to the city center, they do not possess the extensive facilities and infrastructure offered by Mangala Stadium.

Dr. P Dayananda Pai - P Satisha Govt First Grade College, Carstreet, is one such institution dependent on the stadium. Principal Jayakar Bhandary expressed hope for a swift completion of the work. "We expect the work to be completed at the earliest. If not, we will be forced to look for other venues to host the sports day for our students," Bhandary said, highlighting the pressing need for the city's main sporting facility.

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News Network
December 16,2025

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Melkar (Bantwal): The 9th Annual Day celebration of SMR Public School, titled “EXCELLENTIA”, was held on December 15 with great enthusiasm and dignity, marking a significant milestone in the institution’s journey towards academic excellence and holistic development.

The programme was inaugurated by Dr. U. T. Iftikar Ali. The chief guests were Dr. Akhtar Hussain, Mr. P. Moosabba Beary, Mr. Zakaria Jokattre, and Dr. T. M. Abdul Rahuf—whose inspiring addresses motivated the students and appreciated the school’s contributions to education.

Mr. Abdul Nasir, Mr. Ibrahim Gadiyar, Mr. Razak Golthamajal, Mr. Sali Koya, Mr. Arshad Hussain, Mr. Ismail Balanoor, Mr. Feroz Bawa, Mr. Sahul Hameed, Mr. Abubakkar, Mr. Hameed K. Mani, Mr. Abdul Majeed (Principal, Melkar Women’s College), and Mr. Abdul Lathief (Former Principal, Melkar Women’s College) were the guests of honour.

The Annual Report was presented by the Headmistress, Ms. Fathimathul Zaheera, highlighting the school’s achievements and progress during the academic year. The Presidential Address was delivered by the Chairman of SMR Public School, Dr. Haji S. M. Rasheed, who emphasised the vital role of education in shaping students’ futures and stressed the importance of discipline, dedication, and consistent effort in achieving 100 per cent academic results.

Secretary of SMR Public School, Mr. Rifath Ahmed, and PTA President, Mr. Sandeep Kumar, were also present on the occasion.

The Annual Day celebration showcased the collective efforts of students and teachers and reaffirmed the school’s commitment to quality education and all-round development. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to all dignitaries, parents, and well-wishers for their support. The 9th Annual Day—EXCELLENTIA—was a memorable and successful event, leaving a lasting impression on everyone present. 

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