Cricket

Former Indian head coach Ravi Shastri has advised star all-rounder Hardik Pandya to prioritize fitness and play as much cricket as possible to regain his peak performance. Shastri's comments come after Pandya was overlooked for the T20I captaincy in favor of Suryakumar Yadav.Pandya's fitness issues have been a recurring concern, dating back to a stress fracture in 2018. Despite recovering from surgery, his back problems resurfaced, necessitating another surgery. More recently, he sustained an ankle injury during the Cricket World Cup 2023.Shastri believes that Pandya's recent performances in the T20 World Cup, where he played a crucial role in India's victory, should inspire him to regain his fitness. He emphasized the importance of match fitness, especially for all-rounders who need to bowl consistently."If you can bowl consistently eight to 10 overs every game and then bat the way he does, I think he'll play in one-day cricket as well," Shastri said.Shastri also acknowledged Pandya's understanding of his body and expressed confidence that he would be motivated to get back to full fitness. He urged Pandya to play as much T20I cricket as possible to maintain his match sharpness."I think it is up to him really, more than anything else," Shastri added. "He understands his body better than anyone. And I am sure, this will inspire him, especially with the way he did in the World Cup, the way he performed at the right times for India and the World Cup, so that should really get him going."Pandya's fitness will be crucial for India's upcoming ODI series against Sri Lanka and the World Cup later this year. If he can overcome his injury concerns and regain his peak form, he will be a valuable asset to the team.

Suryakumar Yadav's Unforgettable Catch Seals India's T20 World Cup TriumphIndian Twenty20 international captain Suryakumar Yadav has etched his name in cricket history with his match-winning catch of David Miller in the ICC T20 World Cup final against South Africa. Yadav's athleticism and composure under pressure proved pivotal in India's seven-run victory, ending their 11-year ICC trophy drought.Yadav, who finished the tournament as the ninth-highest run scorer with 199 runs, admitted that he never anticipated making such a crucial catch in a World Cup final. "I have done those things in my practice sessions a lot, but I did not think it would come at that moment," he said. "I am very grateful for that, to be doing something special on a special occasion."The catch came in the final over of South Africa's chase, with Miller attempting a powerful shot off Hardik Pandya. Yadav, positioned near the boundary, moved outside and then back inside to complete the catch legally. Commentator Ian Smith hailed it as an "incredible piece of athleticism" that shifted the momentum in India's favor.India's victory was a collective effort, with Virat Kohli (76), Hardik Pandya (3/20), and Jasprit Bumrah (2/18) playing key roles. Kohli's brilliant knock helped India post a competitive total of 176/7, while Pandya and Bumrah's pace-choking attack restricted South Africa to 169/8.Yadav's catch will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the most iconic moments in Indian cricket history. It not only sealed India's second T20 World Cup title but also marked the end of their long wait for an ICC trophy.

Washington Freedom vs San Francisco Unicorns: Live Score and AnalysisThe highly anticipated final of the 2024 tournament is underway, with Washington Freedom facing off against San Francisco Unicorns. The match has begun with a crucial toss, which was won by San Francisco Unicorns skipper Corey Anderson. The Unicorns have opted to bowl first, citing the perceived advantage of chasing in the latter stages of the game, especially with the potential for dew to affect the pitch.Despite the Unicorns' decision, the Washington Freedom remain confident in their batting abilities. They acknowledge the formidable lineup of the Unicorns, including the tournament's standout player Travis Head, but they have prepared diligently and believe they can deliver a strong performance. The Freedom will field the same team that has brought them success throughout the tournament.The psychological advantage lies with Washington Freedom, who defeated San Francisco Unicorns just two days prior. However, the Unicorns have demonstrated their resilience by taking the hard route to the final, overcoming Texas Super Kings in the Challenger.The San Francisco Unicorns have undergone a remarkable transformation since their disappointing performance in 2023. They have emerged as a formidable force, with a chance to lift the cup this year. Their success has been driven by the leadership of Steven Smith, who has been ably supported by Travis Head, Rachin Ravindra, Lockie Ferguson, and Glenn Maxwell.Washington Freedom, on the other hand, have enjoyed a near-perfect campaign. Their only defeat came after they had already secured a top-two finish. They have been the table-toppers throughout the competition, showcasing their dominance and consistency.As the match progresses, both teams will be eager to seize the initiative. The Unicorns will look to capitalize on their bowling strength, while the Freedom will aim to establish a solid batting foundation. The outcome of the final remains uncertain, but it promises to be an exciting and closely contested affair.

Rahul Dravid, the legendary Indian cricketer, has expressed his unwavering support for the inclusion of cricket in the Olympic Games. During a panel discussion in Paris, Dravid revealed that current players are eagerly anticipating the prospect of competing in the global sporting spectacle.Dravid's presence in Paris was part of a discussion titled 'Cricket at the Olympics: Dawn of a New Era.' The event celebrated the momentous decision to include cricket in the 2028 Los Angeles Games, a significant milestone for the sport."I've already heard conversations in the dressing room. People are talking about the 2026 T20 World Cup, the 2027 ODI World Cup, and the Olympics in 2028," Dravid said. "Players are determined to win that gold medal and be a part of the Games Village."Dravid expressed his desire for India to dominate both the men's and women's cricket competitions in Los Angeles. "The dream for me is to have Indian men and women winning the gold," he said. "But more than that, I want Indian fans to come to LA and support cricket, showing the world how great a sport it is."Dravid also defended the 10:30am start time for T20 World Cup matches in the United States. "I don't think starting at 10:30am was a problem," he said. "We are in the entertainment business, and we need to cater to people who want to watch the sport."Geoff Allardice, the CEO of the ICC, echoed Dravid's sentiments, stating that cricket will be one of the "star attractions" in Los Angeles. "Cricket is starting to dawn on the global sporting community," he said. "We are going to be very, very strong come 2028."Dravid also praised the progress of women's cricket, noting the increasing participation of young girls. "Women's cricket is already going forward," he said. "It's fantastic to have it going on concurrently with the men's competition. Cricket is becoming a lot more inclusive and attractive."

India's newly appointed T20 captain, Suryakumar Yadav, has emphasized the importance of maintaining a positive mindset and a fearless approach following his team's back-to-back triumphs against Sri Lanka. The Indian side secured the T20I series with a 43-run victory on Saturday, followed by a seven-wicket win on Sunday in Pallekele.In his post-match statements, Surya was unequivocal about the team's future strategy in the shortest format. "We spoke about this before the start of the tournament - what brand of cricket we want to play. This is the template we want to go ahead with," said Suryakumar, who has been phenomenal as usual with the willow on both the days.The match was interrupted by a sudden downpour, which resulted in a reduction of overs. As a consequence, the target was adjusted to 78 runs in 8 overs. This occurred after Sri Lanka experienced yet another batting collapse. They had reached a promising position of 130 for 2 in 15 overs, but their innings faltered, and they were eventually restricted to 161 for 9."With the weather around, anything below 160 would have been nice. Rain helped us. The way the boys batted was wonderful," he said.As the team approaches the final game, which holds little significance, a question was posed to Surya regarding the potential inclusion of reserve players in the lineup. "We'll sit and decide (when asked if they'll test their bench strength). Very happy for the boys. Showed a lot of character in tough situations."Ravi Bishnoi, India's resident googly specialist in the shortest format, was pleased that his wrong 'uns have been consistently effective. "The pitch was a little different from yesterday. It was turning a bit. Today, in the first innings it was helping the spinners. I stick to my plans.""I just love bowling the wrong 'uns. It's a good responsibility to have (bowling in the death), as it means the captain and the management trust me."Sri Lankan skipper Charith Asalanka expressed his disappointment with the middle-order's performance during crucial moments of the game. This is not the first time he has voiced his frustration regarding this issue. "I am really disappointed with the way we batted at the death. We must really improve. This pitch, when the ball gets older, it gets tough to bat. As professional cricketers, we have to do better.""We were behind by 15-18 runs. Weather also played its part. It's not easy to bowl eight overs with a wet outfield," Asalanka said.

Kent emerged victorious in a thrilling five-run victory over Lancashire in the Metro-Bank One-Day Trophy, despite a valiant century from Keaton Jennings.Lancashire's pursuit of 210 began promisingly, but they lost early wickets to Beyers Swanepoel. Jennings and Balderson steadied the ship, but Stobo's double strike left them reeling at 65 for 4.Jennings found support from Flintoff and Green, but Parkinson's leg-before dismissal of Green put Kent back in control. Blatherwick's sixes kept Lancashire in the hunt, but Swanepoel's catch and bowl of Blatherwick and Parkinson's dismissal of Williams left them needing 15 off two overs.Jennings reached his century, but Barnard's run-out and Sutton's dismissal off the second ball of the final over sealed Kent's victory.For Kent, Finch top-scored with 48, while Parkinson's 4 for 30 and Swanepoel's 3 for 26 were crucial. Jennings' unbeaten 107 was in vain for Lancashire, who fell just short of their target.

Oval Invincibles emerged victorious in their clash against Welsh Fire at Cardiff, securing a six-wicket triumph. England's rising star, Alice Capsey, once again showcased her brilliance, contributing a well-crafted 59 runs to the Invincibles' total.Capsey's innings, spanning 48 deliveries, featured seven boundaries. Her dismissal, a spectacular catch by Hayley Matthews off Freya Davies, came with 27 runs still required. However, all-rounders Marizanne Kapp (26*) and Mady Villiers (11*) stepped up to the plate, guiding the Invincibles to victory with 12 balls to spare.The Invincibles' chase faced an early setback with the dismissal of Lauren Winfield-Hill on the second ball. Paige Schofield and Capsey steadied the innings, reaching 37 for 1 after 20 balls. Capsey survived a crucial drop by Ismail off Jess Jonassen and went on to reach her half-century from 42 deliveries.Welsh Fire, who elected to bat first, struggled to gain momentum. Tammy Beaumont departed early, followed by the dangerous Hayley Matthews. Sophia Dunkley's 35 from 26 balls provided some resistance, but Amanda-Jade Wellington's dismissal of Dunkley and Jonassen's unbeaten 32 from 22 balls left Welsh Fire with a below-par total of 116 for 5.Capsey, named the Meerkat Match Hero, expressed her satisfaction with her performance, highlighting the importance of capitalizing on the pace in the powerplay and building partnerships. She also emphasized her improved calmness, which has contributed to her success.

Warwickshire Bears extended their winning streak in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup to three consecutive victories, overcoming Sussex by a nail-biting one wicket in a thrilling encounter. Despite dismissing Sussex for a modest 173, Warwickshire faced a stern test as they stumbled to 76 for 5.However, a crucial partnership between Will Rhodes (60) and Kai Smith (44) revived Warwickshire's hopes. Rhodes, who recently announced his departure from the club, showcased his resilience with a gritty half-century. Smith, on the other hand, played aggressively, scoring at a run-a-ball pace.Sussex fought back valiantly, with Fynn Hudson-Prentice claiming a double-wicket maiden to dismiss Rhodes and Michael Booth. The match reached a tense climax when Warwickshire lost three wickets in quick succession, leaving them needing six runs with only two wickets remaining.Jake Lintott and Oliver Hannon-Dalby held their nerve, guiding Warwickshire to a dramatic victory. Hannon-Dalby edged Jack Carson for two runs to seal the win, sending the Bears into raptures.Sussex, who won just one match in the competition last season, now face an uphill battle to qualify from Group B after suffering two consecutive defeats. Warwickshire, on the other hand, have emerged as early favorites, showcasing their depth and determination.

Glamorgan's dominant performance at the Kia Oval propelled them to a resounding seven-wicket victory over Surrey in their Metro Bank One-Day Cup encounter. The Welsh county's bowlers orchestrated Surrey's downfall, restricting them to a meager 121 runs in just 34 overs.Jamie McIlroy and Timm van der Gugten exploited the favorable conditions, claiming three early wickets to leave Surrey reeling at 11 for 3. Ben Foakes emerged as Surrey's lone beacon of resistance, scoring a valiant 44, but his efforts proved futile as Glamorgan's bowlers continued to chip away at the Surrey batting lineup.Dan Douthwaite's double-wicket over further dented Surrey's hopes, while Andy Gorvin and Ben Kellaway also contributed with two wickets apiece. Kellaway's switch from right-arm spin to slow left-arm proved particularly effective, as he dismissed Conor McKerr with a skidding delivery.In response, Glamorgan's openers, Eddie Byrom and Will Smale, provided a solid foundation with a 43-run partnership. Byrom's quickfire 28 set the tone for Glamorgan's chase, while Colin Ingram's unbeaten 39 from 26 balls sealed the victory in emphatic fashion.Glamorgan's comprehensive triumph marks their second consecutive win in the One-Day Cup, while Surrey's defeat leaves them winless after two matches. The Welsh county's bowling prowess and clinical batting performance have established them as early contenders in the competition.