Cricket

India's dominant performance in the T20 World Cup 2024 continued as they secured a comfortable victory against USA in their Group A match in New York. Opting to bowl first, India's bowlers put up a stellar display, restricting the co-hosts to a modest total of 110/8 in 20 overs.Pacer Arshdeep Singh emerged as the star performer for India, claiming four wickets with his incisive bowling. The Indian bowlers maintained a tight grip on the USA batters throughout the innings, preventing them from building any substantial partnerships.In response, India's batting lineup made light work of the chase, reaching the target in just 18.2 overs. Suryakumar Yadav played a pivotal role, scoring an unbeaten 50 and forging an unbeaten 72-run partnership with Shivam Dube (31*).Beyond his match-winning knock, Suryakumar Yadav also displayed his sportsmanship after the match. He approached USA stand-in skipper Aaron Jones, who was visibly disappointed after the loss, and offered him a warm hug and words of consolation. Jones expressed his appreciation for Yadav's gesture, acknowledging the challenges faced by his team.Despite the defeat, Jones praised his team's bowling effort, highlighting their discipline and ability to make India work hard for every run. He also provided an update on regular skipper Monank Patel, indicating that he should be fit for their final group match.Jones acknowledged the tricky nature of the pitch in New York, which favored seam bowling. He also expressed optimism about his team's chances in their upcoming match against Ireland, emphasizing the need for recalibration and strong performances.

Arshdeep Singh, India's lethal pacer, is not content with his bowling prowess alone. He aspires to become a reliable lower-order batter, a goal he is diligently pursuing with the guidance of batting coach Vikram Rathour.In India's emphatic seven-wicket victory over the spirited USA team in the T20 World Cup group stage, Arshdeep wreaked havoc with the ball, claiming four wickets for a mere nine runs. This performance propelled India into the Super Eight stage with their third consecutive victory."We are constantly learning and striving to improve in all aspects of the game, including bowling, batting, and fielding," said Arshdeep, who was named Player of the Match. "You never know when the team needs those runs, even if it's just two or four. So, you have to give your all. I'm working hard with Vikram Bhai to enhance my batting skills as well."In the high-voltage clash against Pakistan on June 9, Arshdeep batted at No. 9, scoring nine runs off 13 balls before being run out. The left-arm pacer revealed that he insisted on batting ahead of Jasprit Bumrah in that match."Jassi Bhai (Bumrah) was supposed to go before me, but I asked Rohit (Sharma) and went in. They were surprised, but I told them I would go up regardless," he said. "I'm confident about my batting. Whether it's fielding or bowling, I'm always trying to improve."Regarding the tournament, Arshdeep emphasized the importance of adapting to the varying conditions across different venues. India played their first three games in one location and will now travel to Lauderhill, Florida for their final Group A match against Canada on Saturday. The tournament will then shift to the Caribbean."Adapting to the conditions and situations is crucial," he said. "If the wicket offers assistance, we try to take early wickets and restrict the opposition to a low total. If we bat first, we aim to score as many runs as possible to give our bowlers a good chance to defend."The 25-year-old expressed satisfaction with his bowling performance against USA, which helped India restrict them to 110/8. When asked about the team's mood after three consecutive wins, Arshdeep said they are trying to maintain a steady mindset regardless of results."The emotions stay the same... We try to be stable, whether we win or lose, and whether we have a good or bad day," he said.

The India vs USA T20 World Cup 2024 match result has provided a significant boost to the Babar Azam-led Pakistan Cricket team. After suffering two losses in three matches, Pakistan's chances of qualifying for the Super Eight stage looked bleak. However, India's comprehensive victory over USA has improved their prospects.Pakistan has so far lost to USA and India, while defeating Canada for its maiden win in the T20 World Cup 2024. In Group A, which also includes Ireland, Pakistan's loss to USA complicated matters for Babar Azam and co. Before the India vs USA match, India led the group with four points in two games (NRR +1.455), while USA was second with four points in two games (NRR +0.626). Pakistan was third with two points in two games (NRR +0.191).After Wednesday's match, India continues to lead Group A with six points from three games (NRR +1.137). The Rohit Sharma-led side is assured of a Super 8 berth. USA remains second with four points from three games, but their NRR has reduced to +0.127. This is a major positive for Pakistan, as their NRR is now better than USA's.This means that Pakistan can qualify for the T20 World Cup 2024 Super Eight stage even if they beat Ireland by a narrow margin in their last Group A match on Sunday, provided USA loses to the same team on Friday.In the India vs USA match, Arshdeep Singh and Suryakumar Yadav played pivotal roles in India's seven-wicket victory. Suryakumar made a well-judged unbeaten 50 off 49 balls, while Shivam Dube contributed a laborious 31 off 35 balls as India chased down USA's 110/8 in 18.2 overs. India ended up at 111/3.Earlier, pacer Arshdeep was brilliant with the ball, taking four wickets as India restricted the USA to 110/8. Nitish Kumar (27, 23b, 2x4 1x6) batted well for the USA, but Arshdeep (4/9) and Hardik Pandya (2/14) were the best in the park for India, picking up six wickets between them.

India's skipper Rohit Sharma acknowledged the challenges of playing on a newly-laid drop-in pitch at Nassau County ground during the ongoing T20 World Cup. Despite the difficulties, India managed to secure victories in all three of their matches, including the highest successful chase at the venue against USA.Rohit praised the efforts of Arshdeep Singh, Suryakumar Yadav, and Shivam Dube for their key roles in the team's success. He highlighted Suryakumar's ability to adapt his aggressive approach to anchor the chase, while commending Arshdeep's impressive bowling performance.The Indian captain also expressed relief at qualifying for the Super Eight stage, acknowledging the tough competition they faced. He emphasized the importance of sticking together and taking confidence from their wins.Rohit praised the USA cricketers for their progress and hard work. He noted that the team had played together previously and was impressed by their dedication.Arshdeep Singh, who recorded the best T20I figures for India, explained his bowling strategy. He aimed to make the most of the seam-friendly surface, pitching the ball in the wicket and letting it do the talking.USA's stand-in skipper Aaron Jones expressed satisfaction with his team's performance, despite falling short of a competitive total. He praised the bowling unit's discipline and expressed optimism for the future of USA cricket.

India's T20 World Cup triumphs have been built on the foundation of exceptional bowling performances. Throughout the tournament's history, Indian bowlers have stepped up to deliver match-winning spells, showcasing their talent on the global stage.Arshdeep Singh's recent career-best spell of 4/9 against USA in New York stands as the best bowling figures for India in the tournament's history. His two wickets in the first over dismantled the co-host's batting lineup, restricting them to a below-par total.Before Arshdeep's heroics, R Ashwin's memorable performance against Australia in Mirpur in 2014 held the record. Ashwin's 4 wickets for 11 runs were crucial in India's victory, as he spun a web around the Australian batsmen, leaving them struggling to find runs.Harbhajan Singh also showcased his skills in 2012 against England in Colombo, taking 4 wickets for 12 runs. His experience and guile were too much for the English batsmen, securing a vital win for India.Other notable bowling performances for India in T20 World Cups include:* RP Singh's 4 wickets for 13 runs against South Africa in Durban in 2007* Zaheer Khan's 4 wickets for 19 runs against Ireland in Nottingham in 2009* Pragyan Ojha's 4 wickets for 21 runs against Bangladesh in Nottingham in 2009These remarkable bowling performances underline India's strength in the bowling department across different T20 World Cups. Each bowler brought their unique style and skill, contributing significantly to India's successes in the tournament.

Arshdeep Singh, the young Indian left-arm fast bowler, has etched his name in the history books of the T20 World Cup by becoming the first player from India to claim a wicket on the very first delivery of a match in the tournament's history.Opening the bowling for India in their Group A match against USA in New York on Wednesday, Arshdeep struck on the very first ball to trap USA opener Shayan Jahangir plumb in front. The delivery was a tricky one, darting back sharply after pitching. It surprised Jahangir, who was caught in the crease. The ball struck him around the knee-roll, and the impact was clearly in front of the off-stump.Jahangir came in as a replacement for skipper Monank Patel, who missed out on this match with a left-shoulder injury. Arshdeep added to USA's woes with another strike in the same over by dismissing in-form Andries Gous.Apart from Arshdeep, only three other bowlers have reached this landmark in the T20 World Cup: Bangladesh's Mashrafe Mortaza, Shapoor Zadran of Afghanistan, and Namibia's Ruben Trumplemann.Bowlers to pick a wicket on first ball of a T20 WC Match:* Mashrafe Mortaza (BAN) vs AFG, 2014* Shapoor Zadran (AFG) vs HK, 2014* Ruben Trumplemann (NAM) vs SCO, 2021* Ruben Trumplemann (NAM) vs OMAN, 2024* Arshdeep Singh (IND) vs USA, 2024Arshdeep's accomplishment placed him alongside Trumplemann and Afghanistan's Fazalhaq Farooqi, who also managed to secure two dismissals in their respective first overs during the tournament.

Kamran Akmal Apologizes for Controversial Remarks About Arshdeep SinghFormer Pakistan cricketer Kamran Akmal has issued a public apology after his derogatory comments about Indian pacer Arshdeep Singh sparked widespread outrage. Akmal's remarks, made during a panel discussion on ARY News, were deemed disrespectful and inappropriate, prompting strong reactions, particularly from former India spinner Harbhajan Singh.Akmal's contentious remark about Arshdeep's religion during India's high-stakes match against Pakistan, where Arshdeep bowled the final over, drew immediate criticism. Akmal had stated, "Kuch bhi ho sakta hai... 12 baj gaye hai (Anything can happen. It is already 12)," in a video reposted by Harbhajan Singh. The comment was perceived as derogatory towards the Sikh community.In response to the backlash, Akmal took to social media platform Twitter to issue a sincere apology. "I deeply regret my recent comments and sincerely apologize to Harbhajan Singh and the Sikh community. My words were inappropriate and disrespectful. I have the utmost respect for Sikhs all over the world and never intended to hurt anyone. I am truly sorry. #Respect #Apology," Akmal posted.Harbhajan Singh had earlier lambasted Akmal for his remarks, expressing his anger and disappointment. "Lakh di laanat tere Kamraan Akhmal.. You should know the history of Sikhs before you open your filthy mouth. We Sikhs saved your mothers and sisters when they were abducted by invaders, the time invariably was 12 o'clock. Shame on you... Have some Gratitude," Harbhajan wrote on Twitter.The exchange has highlighted the need for sensitivity and respect in sports commentary, especially when addressing cultural and religious contexts. Akmal's apology reflects an acknowledgment of the hurt caused and an attempt to mend relations with the Sikh community and the broader public.

Arshdeep Singh's performance in India's opening match of the 2024 T20 World Cup against Ireland was a tale of two halves. The left-arm pacer started brilliantly, dismissing Paul Stirling and Andrew Balbirnie with his first two deliveries. However, his subsequent overs were less impressive, as he conceded 13 runs in his second over and a costly 16 runs in his final over.Arshdeep's wayward bowling allowed Ireland to post a respectable total of 97, despite being reduced to 50-8 at one stage. The Punjab Kings pacer's figures of 4-0-35-2 drew mixed reactions from fans on social media, with many questioning his ability to maintain his early momentum.Despite his inconsistent performance, Arshdeep remains India's highest wicket-taker in T20I cricket over the last 12 months. He also picked up 19 wickets for Punjab Kings in the recently-concluded IPL 2024, albeit with an economy rate of over 10.Experts have emphasized the importance of Arshdeep's variety in India's bowling attack, particularly given the slow nature of the pitches in the T20 World Cup so far. However, his ability to control his pace and accuracy will be crucial in India's upcoming matches, especially against arch-rivals Pakistan on June 9.Arshdeep will face a formidable challenge in Pakistan's own left-arm pacemen, Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Amir. If he can replicate his early brilliance and minimize his waywardness, he could play a pivotal role in India's quest for T20 World Cup glory.

The upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 is set to commence on Sunday, with India facing Ireland in their opening match on June 5. Former Indian cricketer Rahul Sharma has expressed his views on the team's bowling attack and spin department for the tournament.Sharma believes that Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh should lead the Indian bowling attack, with Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja providing support in the spin department. He emphasizes the importance of fielding a balanced squad, with four bowling options and two all-rounders.Sharma highlights the slow and turning drop-in pitches in the USA, which favor spinners. He believes that Jadeja and Kuldeep would be more effective than Axar Patel and Yuzvendra Chahal, who are also part of the Indian squad.Regarding the finisher role, Sharma suggests Shivam Dube, who has impressed with his batting against spinners in the IPL 2024. He also acknowledges Rishabh Pant's ability to change the game's momentum.Sharma expresses confidence in the Indian bowling department, stating that they have the potential to dominate. He believes that the team's balanced squad will allow skipper Rohit Sharma to effectively utilize the bowlers.India will face Bangladesh in a warm-up match on Saturday before their opening match against Ireland. The highly anticipated India-Pakistan clash is scheduled for June 9 at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in the USA.