Cricket

David Warner, the legendary Australian cricketer, has bid farewell to international cricket after a remarkable 15-year career. The 37-year-old announced his retirement via an emotional Instagram post, following Australia's disappointing exit from the 2024 T20 World Cup.Warner's international career has been a testament to his exceptional talent and unwavering determination. He has played over 100 matches in all three formats, amassing an impressive 18,995 runs. His 49 centuries place him second only to Ricky Ponting among Australian batters.In his final international appearances, Warner showcased his trademark aggression and power-hitting, scoring 178 runs in seven innings. Despite the anticlimactic end to his international career, Warner's legacy will endure.In his Instagram post, Warner expressed his gratitude to his family, teammates, and fans. He acknowledged the sacrifices made by his wife and daughters, and thanked the cricket community for their support.Warner also reflected on his impact on the game, particularly in Test cricket. He believes his aggressive approach has helped to revolutionize the format, making it more exciting and fast-paced.While Warner's international career has come to an end, he intends to continue playing franchise cricket. He has also left the door open for a potential return to the Australian team for the 2025 Champions Trophy.Warner's retirement marks the end of an era for Australian cricket. His dynamic playing style and infectious enthusiasm will be sorely missed. However, his contributions to the game will continue to inspire future generations of cricketers.

The Indian cricket team has secured its progression into the T20 World Cup 2024 semi-finals, with a resounding victory against the mighty Australians. Riding on Rohit Sharma's 92 off 41 balls, India bagged a 24-run win to set up semi-finals date with England.While there were plenty of positives from the game against Australia, there were some negatives too, especially the poor form of Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja. India great Sunil Gavaskar, who has given his 2 cents on Virat time and again, suggested that Jadeja's place in the team shouldn't even be questioned.Jadeja, who is a marquee all-rounder, with ability to deliver with the bat, the ball and in field, has been going through a barren run for a while. However, Gavaskar feels that the fact that Jadeja saved 20-30 runs in the field, shouldn't be overlooked just because he hasn't been able to deliver with the bat and the ball."I am not at all concerned as he is very experienced. For whatever opportunities he's got, he's done well. And don't forget, in the field itself, he saved 20 to 30 runs with his fielding ability, taking catches, and getting the run out. So don't forget those 20-30 plus runs. Then he enters the field, with anything that he does with the bat and ball is an added value to his ability.""So I don't think we should even think about questioning (Jadeja). The problem with India and Indian fans is, 2 bad games and you go 'what to do with him, what to do with him?'," Gavaskar said on Star Sports.Gavaskar gave a sharp reply to fans asking whether the all-rounder deserves a place in India's XI, suggesting questions aren't raised of people make a couple of errors in other professions."You know that is the worry. Nobody who asks these questions even thinks about their own professions, whether they have made 2 errors and whether people are questioning their place in their own profession, whichever profession they are. This is just simply a good topic for television, you don't question Jadeja's place in the playing XI. He's a rock star," Gavaskar further added.Against Australia, Jadeja scored an unbeaten 9 off 5 balls. With the ball, he bowled only 1 over as Glenn Maxwell looked to take him to the cleaners.

Former England captain Nasser Hussain has hailed Indian skipper Rohit Sharma as a "brutal elegance at its best" for his explosive knocks in the ICC T20 World Cup. Hussain believes that a shift in India's game and mentality in T20Is occurred after their ten-wicket loss to England in the 2022 T20 World Cup semis.Rohit's 92 against Australia in the Super Eights match was a testament to this change. He smashed Pat Cummins for a 100m six on the first ball of the fifth over and took 29 runs off Mitchell Starc in the third over, including four sixes.Hussain praised Rohit's focus on the team's score and strike rate rather than a potential maiden T20 WC century. He also admired Rohit's takedown of Australian pacers, calling it "elegant, absolute brutal elegance at its best."Rohit's 92 helped India post 205/5 and restrict Australia to 181/7, despite Travis Head's counter-attacking 76. Australia's elimination from the tournament after Bangladesh's loss to Afghanistan highlights the impact of Rohit's leadership and the team's newfound aggression.In six matches of the tournament, Rohit has scored 191 runs at an average of 38.20, with a strike rate of 159.16 and two half-centuries. His best score is 92.

India's captain Rohit Sharma delivered a masterful performance, leading his team to a decisive 24-run victory over Australia in their final Super Eights match of the T20 World Cup. The triumph secured India's place in the semifinals, where they will face defending champions England.Rohit's innings was a symphony of power and finesse, as he amassed 92 runs off just 41 deliveries. He combined brute force with elegant strokeplay, dispatching the Australian bowlers to all corners of the ground. His knock propelled India to a formidable total of 205 for five.In response, Australia showed their fighting spirit, with Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head leading the charge. Marsh struck 37 off 28 balls, while Head played a blinder, scoring 76 off 43 deliveries. However, the Indian bowlers, led by Kuldeep Yadav (2/24), Jasprit Bumrah (1/29), and Arshdeep Singh (3/37), kept the Australians at bay.Rohit's intent was clear from the outset. He emphasized the importance of putting pressure on the bowlers and scoring big totals. He stated, "I told you that 50s and 100s don't matter to me. Need to put the bowlers under pressure, and you need big scores for that."The Indian captain's approach paid dividends, as he targeted all areas of the field and kept the Australian bowlers guessing. His innings included several memorable shots, such as a down-on-one-knee six over deep mid-wicket off Pat Cummins.Despite Australia's valiant effort in the chase, they ultimately fell short, finishing on 181 for seven. India's victory was a testament to their dominance in the Super Eights, where they finished as group toppers with three wins in as many games.

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.

Australia's T20 World Cup 2024 campaign came to an abrupt end after Afghanistan's thrilling victory over Bangladesh in their final Super 8 match. The Mitchell Marsh-led side had earlier suffered a shocking loss to Afghanistan, followed by a defeat to India, effectively eliminating them from the tournament.India's 24-run victory over Australia was a significant moment for their fans, who celebrated it as a form of "revenge" for their loss in the 2023 Cricket World Cup final in Ahmedabad. During the match, Australia's ODI captain Pat Cummins faced sledging from a fan as he walked back to the pavilion after his dismissal. The incident was captured on video and has since gone viral on social media.In the match between India and Australia, Rohit Sharma played a crucial role, scoring a brilliant 92 to guide India to a formidable total of 205 for 5. Travis Head was once again Australia's top scorer, but Arshdeep Singh's three wickets and Kuldeep Yadav's two wickets proved decisive in India's victory.After the match, Rohit Sharma expressed his satisfaction with India's performance. "We know the opposition and the threat they bring. As a team, we did well, kept doing the things we needed to do. Gives us good confidence as a team," he said.Rohit also praised Kuldeep Yadav's contribution, saying, "We know the strength he has, but we need to use him when necessary. In New York, there were seamer-friendly wickets."With Australia's elimination, India and Afghanistan have secured their places in the semi-finals. India will face England in the first semi-final, while Afghanistan will take on the winner of the match between Pakistan and New Zealand.

Former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq has ignited a fresh controversy by accusing the Indian cricket team of ball tampering during their T20 World Cup 'Super 8s' match against Australia. Inzamam's allegations stem from the unusual reverse swing extracted by left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh, who was brought back for his second spell in the 16th over.Reverse swing typically occurs with an older ball, and Inzamam questioned how the Indian bowlers managed to achieve it with a ball that remains relatively new for the duration of an innings in a T20 game. "When Arshdeep Singh was bowling the 15th over (16th), he was getting reverse swing. With a (relatively) new ball, is it too early to get reverse swing? Was the ball ready for reverse swing by the 12th or 13th over? Because when he came to bowl, the ball started reversing. Umpires ko aanhein khuli rakhni chahiye (the umpires should keep their eyes open)," Inzamam said while talking on a Pakistani TV channel.Inzamam's claims have sparked a debate on the legality of India's bowling tactics. Reverse swing is a legitimate technique in cricket, but it requires the ball to be altered in some way, such as by scuffing it on the ground or applying a foreign substance. If the umpires believe that the ball has been tampered with, they can penalize the bowling team.The Indian team has denied any wrongdoing, and captain Rohit Sharma has dismissed Inzamam's allegations as "baseless." However, the controversy has cast a shadow over India's impressive performance in the tournament so far.India posted a formidable total of 205-5 in their 20 overs, thanks to captain Rohit Sharma's blistering 92 off 41 balls, and Suryakumar Yadav's rapid 31. Contributions from Shivam Dube (28) and Hardik Pandya (27 not out) further bolstered India's innings. Australia's bowlers, led by Mitchell Starc (2-45) and Marcus Stoinis (2-52), struggled to contain the Indian batsmen on a batting-friendly pitch.Chasing 206, Australia managed 181-7 in their 20 overs. Travis Head top-scored with 76. However, the Indian bowlers, particularly Arshdeep, who took 3-37, and Kuldeep Yadav, who claimed 2-24, kept the Australian batsmen in check. Jasprit Bumrah and Axar Patel also chipped in with crucial wickets, ensuring India maintained their grip on the match.With a strong all-round performance, India once again showcased their potential as tournament favourites and secured a place in the semi-finals, where they will take on defending champions England on Thursday at the Providence Stadium in Guyana.

In the lead-up to India's T20 World Cup opener against Ireland, captain Rohit Sharma displayed an uncharacteristic candor, shedding the burden of past defeats. He boldly declared that the opening partnership would remain unchanged throughout the tournament, signaling a shift in his approach.Rohit's newfound freedom was evident in his blistering 92 off 41 balls against Australia in St. Lucia. His onslaught, particularly the 28 runs he plundered off Mitchell Starc in the third over, set the tone for India's victory."He's a world-class player," said Josh Hazlewood, Starc's pace-bowling partner. "He targeted the boundary with the wind and then hit a few on the other side as well. He's a class act."Rohit's uninhibited style of play, a hallmark of his early career, has resurfaced in his twilight years. "The idea is to be not just one-dimensional," he explained. "I was thinking to hit the ball everywhere possible."Despite the challenging conditions in St. Lucia, Rohit's effortless batting kept the Indian dugout relaxed. "When he hits those long sixes, it doesn't feel like he is hitting the ball," said pacer Arshdeep Singh. "He handles the ball with love, yet it goes far."Rohit's relaxed demeanor and positive attitude have permeated the Indian team. "We just enjoyed it a lot," said Singh. "The pressure-cooker situation of opening and leading India in an ICC tournament hasn't bothered him."As India prepares for its final two matches, Rohit's leadership and batting prowess will be crucial. The team will look to him to continue his inspired form and guide them to a perfect ending to this World Cup drama.

India's captain, Rohit Sharma, has received widespread acclaim for his exceptional performance in the T20 World Cup Super Eight match against Australia. His blistering 92 off 41 balls, featuring eight towering sixes and seven boundaries, propelled India to a commanding total of 205 for 5. The Indian bowlers then restricted Australia to 181 for 7, securing a 24-run victory that played a pivotal role in eliminating the reigning ODI World Cup champions from the tournament.Rohit's innings was marked by an explosive over against Mitchell Starc, where he amassed 29 runs. Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif highlighted the significance of this over in shifting the momentum in India's favor. He emphasized Rohit's ability to perform on the big stage and his strategic batting against Starc."Rohit Sharma knows how to play an attacking game," Kaif said. "He played shots with a straight bat in the crucial match. The two cover drives for sixes off Starc were beautiful shots. There was precise timing, and they were played with a high elbow behind the ball. He didn't hit it hard; he played with the full face of the bat."India legend Sunil Gavaskar also praised Rohit's performance and leadership during the crucial juncture of the game. "Rohit Sharma, leading from the front, hitting those big sixes. Despite losing Kohli in the previous over, it just tells you the intent the captain of the Indian team has," Gavaskar noted.Rohit's influence and leadership have been instrumental in India's progression to the semi-finals, where they will face defending champions England. His ability to perform under pressure will be crucial as Team India continues its pursuit of the title.