Cricket

The ninth edition of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup witnessed a plethora of record-breaking performances as India emerged victorious, claiming their second T20 world championship title.Unbeaten Finalists and Highest Final Total:India and South Africa reached the final undefeated, each boasting eight wins. India's 176 for 7 in the title clash surpassed Australia's previous record of 173 for 2 in the 2021 final.Rohit Sharma's Historic Triumph:At 37 years and 60 days, Rohit Sharma became the oldest captain to win a T20 World Cup. Both Sharma and Virat Kohli announced their retirement from T20Is following India's victory.Most Wickets in a Single Edition:Indian pacer Arshdeep Singh and Afghanistan's Fazalhaq Farooqi jointly topped the wicket-taking charts with 17 wickets each, setting a new record for most wickets in a single edition of the T20 World Cup.Bumrah's Bowling Dominance:Jasprit Bumrah, named Player of the Tournament, registered an impressive bowling average of 8.3, the best in T20 World Cup history. His economy rate of 4.17 was equally remarkable.Jordan's Strike Rate Record:England's Chris Jordan broke Jacques Kallis's record for the best bowling strike rate in a T20 World Cup. Jordan finished with a strike rate of 8.3, surpassing Kallis's previous mark of 9.4 set in 2012.Ferguson's Maiden Overs:New Zealand pacer Lockie Ferguson achieved an unprecedented feat by delivering all four of his overs as maidens against Papua New Guinea, becoming the first bowler to do so. He finished with figures of three wickets for zero runs.Boundary Bonanza:The 2024 edition of the T20 World Cup witnessed a record-breaking 1,478 boundaries, surpassing the previous record of 1,349 set in 2021. The 515 sixes hit in this edition also set a new high, eclipsing the 2021 record of 405.Pooran's Six-Hitting Prowess:West Indies' Nicholas Pooran smashed 17 sixes in the 2024 edition, surpassing Chris Gayle's previous record of 16 for most sixes in a single edition.Cummins' Hat-Trick Double:Australia's Pat Cummins became the first bowler to take hat-tricks in two consecutive matches.

Arshdeep Singh, the unassuming left-arm pacer, has emerged as a pivotal figure in India's T20 World Cup triumph. His ability to swing the new ball and bowl pinpoint yorkers in the death overs has been instrumental in India's success.Arshdeep's 17 wickets in the tournament, equal to Bangladesh's Fazalhaq Farooqi, placed him as the joint-highest wicket-taker. His composure under pressure was evident in the final against South Africa, where he delivered a crucial spell of 2 for 20.In a heartwarming moment, Arshdeep honored his parents by placing his winners' medal around their necks after the victory. India's competitive total of 176 for 7 was largely due to Virat Kohli's brilliant 76 and Axar Patel's valuable 47.South Africa's chase began with early setbacks, but Heinrich Klaasen and Quinton de Kock threatened to turn the tide. However, Hardik Pandya's dismissal of Klaasen and Jasprit Bumrah's exceptional 18th over swung the momentum back in India's favor.Arshdeep's penultimate over kept the pressure on South Africa, allowing only four runs. The defining moment came in the 20th over when Suryakumar Yadav took a spectacular catch at the boundary off Pandya's bowling. Pandya's impressive figures of 3 for 20 sealed the victory for India, who finished with a thrilling 169 for 8.Arshdeep's evolution as India's premier left-arm pacer in white-ball cricket has been remarkable. His ability to control the new ball and execute yorkers under pressure has made him an indispensable asset to the team.

Former Indian cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu has taken a light-hearted jab at star pacer Arshdeep Singh ahead of the T20 World Cup final against South Africa. Arshdeep, who is India's leading wicket-taker in the tournament with 15 scalps, will have a chance to claim the top spot on Saturday when India takes on the Proteas in the T20 World Cup summit clash.Arshdeep needs two wickets to go past Afghanistan's Fazalhaq Farooqi (16) in the list of the tournament's leading wicket-takers. However, ahead of the final, Sidhu trolled Arshdeep over his batting skills.In a video posted on Instagram, Arshdeep can be seen shuffling across the stumps, trying to aim for a big shot. He left his stumps unguarded in order to oversmart the bowler, but ended up missing his pull. The video of the same was from the match against Pakistan in the group stage of the ongoing tournament.Sidhu shared a video on Instagram, which read: "Confidence 100 per cent, skills 0 per cent".Since Sidhu has been praising Arshdeep for his exploits with the ball throughout the tournament, there wasn't any malice intended at the player in the post shared by him.Arshdeep, who went wicketless in the semi-final against England, will look to return to wicket-taking ways in the all-important final.Arshdeep attributed much of his success to pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah. "I guess a lot of credit goes to Jassi bhai (Jasprit Bumrah) because he puts a lot of pressure on the batters - he gives, what, three or four runs in an over - so batters are coming hard against me, and I just have to try and bowl my best ball and there are a lot of chances of getting wickets there," Arshdeep said."On the other end they see the runs are not coming and the asking rate is going high, so they take more risks against me. [There's a] chance always of getting a wicket there. So a lot of credit for my wickets goes to Jassi bhai," he added.

Star Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah has etched his name in the history books of the T20 World Cup by becoming the second-highest wicket-taker for India in a single edition of the tournament. Bumrah's remarkable performance against England in the semi-final match of the 2024 T20 World Cup propelled him to this milestone.With two wickets against Jos Buttler's side, Bumrah now has 13 wickets in the ongoing marquee event. He trails only left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh, who has 15 wickets and holds the distinction of being the highest wicket-taker for India in a single edition of the T20 World Cup.Bumrah's achievement is a testament to his exceptional bowling skills and consistency throughout the tournament. He has been a key cog in India's bowling attack, providing crucial breakthroughs and economical spells.Former India cricketer RP Singh holds the third place in the chart with 12 wickets in the 2007 T20 World Cup.In the semi-final clash against England, India posted a competitive total of 171/7, thanks to half-centuries from Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav. Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja also made valuable contributions.England's chase faltered as they struggled to adapt to the surface, eventually being bowled out for 103 in 16.4 overs. Harry Brook and Jos Buttler were the only notable performers for the Three Lions.Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav were the stars of India's bowling attack, each claiming three wickets. Bumrah chipped in with two wickets, while defending the 172-run target.India's victory sets up a tantalizing final against South Africa, who have also remained unbeaten throughout the tournament. The two sides will clash in Barbados on Saturday for the coveted T20 World Cup trophy.

India's emphatic 24-run victory over Australia in the Super Eights of the ICC T20 World Cup was a testament to their collective brilliance. After Rohit Sharma's scintillating 92 propelled India to a formidable 205/5, the bowlers stepped up to restrict Australia to 181/7.Arshdeep Singh, who has emerged as a key cog in India's bowling attack, attributed his success to the pressure created by Jasprit Bumrah. "Jassi is bowling like a video game," Arshdeep said, referring to Bumrah's exceptional economy rate. "He puts pressure on the batters, forcing them to take risks, which gives me opportunities for wickets."Kuldeep Yadav, who played a crucial role with his spin, explained his strategy against Australia. "I tried to read the batsman and what he was expecting," Kuldeep said. "I started with a fuller ball, a flipper, to induce a sweep shot. Then I introduced the wrong'un, confusing the batters."The turning point of the match, according to Kuldeep, was Axar Patel's stunning one-handed catch in the second over. "That catch opened up the game for us," he said.Arshdeep, who has taken 15 wickets in the tournament so far, praised the entire bowling unit for their collective effort. "Everyone is clicking very well," he said. "The other bowlers stop runs from one end and get wickets from the other end."India's victory was a collective effort, with Rohit's batting brilliance, Bumrah's economical bowling, and the spin duo of Kuldeep and Axar playing pivotal roles. The team's confidence is soaring as they prepare to face England in the semifinals on Thursday.

India's revenge against Australia in the Super 8 match of the T20 World Cup was a resounding victory, marking a significant moment in the tournament. After a heartbreaking loss to Australia in the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup, India's triumph in St Lucia was a sweet redemption.Rohit Sharma led the charge for India, scoring a blistering 92 off just 41 balls. His innings set the tone for India's formidable total of 206 runs. Travis Head and other Australian batters made a strong start, but they failed to maintain the momentum and were restricted to 181/7 in 20 overs.The match was not without its tense moments. Hardik Pandya survived an injury scare when a throw from Rishabh Pant hit his hand. Pandya's reaction and the frustration of Rohit Sharma highlighted the intensity of the contest.India's victory was a testament to their strategic brilliance and adaptability to challenging conditions. Arshdeep Singh, who dismissed David Warner in the first over, played a crucial role in India's bowling attack. His wickets of Tim David and Matthew Wade in the death overs were pivotal in stalling Australia's chase.Arshdeep credited Jasprit Bumrah for his success, acknowledging the pressure Bumrah's bowling put on the Australian batters. Rohit Sharma's electrifying innings and contributions from Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya helped India post a formidable total.India's victory not only avenged their loss in the ODI World Cup but also dealt a major blow to Australia's hopes of reaching the semi-finals. Afghanistan's victory over Bangladesh ultimately knocked Australia out of the tournament on points.

Rishabh Pant and Arshdeep Singh, two contrasting players, have emerged as unsung heroes for India in the ongoing T20 World Cup.Pant, a prodigious talent who miraculously survived a life-threatening accident, has played crucial knocks in India's three victories. Batting at No. 3, he has provided stability and momentum to the team. His 31-ball 42 against Pakistan was a masterclass on a challenging pitch.Captain Rohit Sharma's decision to promote Pant to No. 3 was a strategic move. It allows India to have a left-right combination in the middle order and utilize Pant's counter-attacking abilities. Rohit believes Pant's all-round game will be invaluable in the West Indies leg, where spin is expected to play a significant role.Arshdeep Singh, on the other hand, has impressed with his ability to swing the new ball and deliver accurate yorkers at the death. His left-arm angle provides variety to India's pace attack. After a strong performance against Ireland, Arshdeep was entrusted with the last over against Pakistan, where he successfully defended a low total.In the match against USA, Arshdeep claimed four wickets for just nine runs, earning him the Man of the Match award. His ability to bowl consistently at a good pace and execute variations makes him a valuable asset for India.Both Pant and Arshdeep have shown resilience and determination in their performances. Pant has overcome his physical and mental challenges to deliver for his team, while Arshdeep has worked tirelessly to improve his skills.As India enters the Super-8s, the contributions of Pant and Arshdeep will be crucial. Their ability to perform under pressure and provide match-winning moments will be key to India's success in the tournament.

India vs. Canada: A Clash of Titans in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024Match 33 of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 promises to be a captivating encounter as India, the tournament favorites, face off against Canada at the Central Broward Park & Broward County Stadium in Lauderhill, Florida.India, boasting an unblemished record in the tournament, will be eager to extend their winning streak. Their bowling attack has been exceptional, led by the lethal pace duo of Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah. Singh, with his pinpoint accuracy and ability to generate swing, has emerged as a key wicket-taker, while Bumrah's pace and yorkers have proved equally devastating.Axar Patel, the all-rounder, has also been a valuable contributor, providing both batting and bowling depth. His slow left-arm orthodox bowling has been effective in containing opposition batters, while his ability to strike boundaries with the bat adds another dimension to the Indian lineup.Canada, despite facing tougher opponents, has shown glimpses of their potential. Aaron Johnson, the top fantasy player in their last match, has been a consistent performer with both bat and ball. Kaleem Sana, the left-arm medium-fast bowler, has provided stability to the bowling attack, while Nicholas Kirton, the top-order batter, has been in good form.As India aims to maintain their dominance and Canada seeks to upset the odds, this match promises to be a thrilling contest. India's superior experience and depth will be tested against Canada's determination and home advantage. Fans can expect a blend of strategic gameplay, individual brilliance, and competitive spirit as both teams showcase their talents on the global stage.

The Indian cricket team, led by Rohit Sharma, has secured its place in the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup. While India played its Group Stage matches in the USA, its Super 8 matches will be held in the West Indies. The pitches in the West Indies are expected to differ significantly from those in New York, where India played its first three matches.The variable bounce and unsettled pitch in New York made it challenging for teams to score big. However, in the West Indies, India is likely to encounter pitches similar to those they play on at home. This may mean that fielding four pacers (three specialists and one allrounder) may not always be the optimal strategy.In the New York leg of the tournament, India fielded three pacers: Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Arshdeep Singh. Former Indian captain Anil Kumble believes that Arshdeep Singh has emerged as a strong contender for the second seamer position."The way he (Arshdeep) bowled that last over against Pakistan, and also the way he can bowl in different areas in the T20 game, I think certainly puts him ahead of Mohammed Siraj," Kumble told ESPNCricinfo. "If at all India takes that option of going with just the two seamers and Hardik Pandya, then yes, in that sense, plus he also gives you an extra variety with his left-arm pace."If India opts for only two seamers, it may consider playing either Kuldeep Yadav or Yuzvendra Chahal in place of a dropped pacer. Shivam Dube, despite his performance against the USA, has not been in great form. The team management may consider bringing in Sanju Samson in his place. However, the Rohit Sharma-led team may be hesitant to disrupt a winning combination.Predicted XI:* Rohit Sharma* Virat Kohli* Rishabh Pant* Suryakumar Yadav* Shivam Dube* Hardik Pandya* Ravindra Jadeja* Axar Patel* Kuldeep Yadav* Jasprit Bumrah* Arshdeep Singh