Cricket

Pathan Brothers' Frustration Boils Over in Tense World Championship MatchIndia's beloved Pathan brothers, Yusuf and Irfan, have always displayed unwavering love and respect for each other, both on and off the field. However, even the strongest bonds can be tested in the heat of competition.During a recent World Championship of Legends 2024 match between India Champions and South Africa Champions, a moment of frustration between the brothers captured the attention of fans. In the 18th over of India's run chase, Irfan hit a Dale Steyn delivery to deep covers. The brothers took a single, but Irfan, eager for a second, continued running.Yusuf, however, remained rooted to his crease, watching the ball. Irfan, halfway down the pitch, realized his mistake and turned back, but it was too late. Steyn's throw from the deep found its way into the hands of the wicketkeeper, who promptly removed the bails.A visibly frustrated Irfan confronted Yusuf, accusing him of not paying attention to the ball. Yusuf, equally frustrated, shouted back. The exchange was a rare glimpse into the intense emotions that can arise in the midst of a high-stakes cricket match.Despite the incident, India Champions managed to qualify for the semi-finals on the basis of a superior net run rate, while South Africa Champions emerged victorious by 54 runs. The Pathan brothers' frustration was a reminder that even the closest relationships can be tested in the crucible of competition.

Haryana CM Honors Yuzvendra Chahal for T20 World Cup TriumphNew Delhi: Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini bestowed a special honor upon leg spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, who played a pivotal role in India's triumphant T20 World Cup campaign. The Chief Minister expressed his gratitude for the team's victory and presented Chahal with a scarf and an idol.Despite being part of the 15-man squad, Chahal did not feature in any of India's matches during their undefeated run. However, his contributions to the team's success were acknowledged by the Chief Minister.India's team management opted for a change in their playing XI after their impressive victory in the Super 8 match on a challenging New York surface. In the West Indies, Kuldeep Yadav was preferred over Chahal due to the dual-faced nature of the pitches.However, following Mohammed Siraj's removal, Kuldeep Yadav emerged as a match-winner, claiming 10 wickets at an impressive economy rate of 6.95 in five games.India's dominant performance culminated in a resounding victory over South Africa in the final at Barbados. The team became the first to win the T20 World Cup without losing a single match, a testament to their exceptional skill and teamwork.

Arshdeep Singh, the left-arm pacer, emerged as a standout performer in the T20 World Cup 2024, sharing the title of joint highest wicket-taker with Afghanistan's Fazalhaq Farooqi. With 17 wickets to his name, Arshdeep's impressive performance has garnered praise from cricket experts and former players.Beyond his wicket-taking prowess, Arshdeep's ability to learn and maintain composure under pressure has been particularly noteworthy. In the thrilling final against South Africa, Arshdeep delivered a crucial penultimate over, conceding only four runs and helping India secure a narrow seven-run victory.Former Pakistan skipper Ramiz Raja has lauded Arshdeep's willingness to learn from the world's best bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, without being overshadowed by his presence. Raja believes that Arshdeep's ability to challenge himself against Bumrah will significantly enhance his growth as a bowler.Arshdeep's versatility and adaptability have also impressed Raja. He highlighted Arshdeep's ability to bowl length balls, slower balls, and slower bouncers, providing his team with a wide range of options.The development of India's pace-bowling unit has been a remarkable story in recent years, and Arshdeep is a testament to the growing talent in the Indian domestic circuit. Raja emphasized the continuous improvement in skill level and the willingness to learn that characterize Indian bowlers.Arshdeep's performance in the T20 World Cup 2024 has solidified his position as a rising star in international cricket. His ability to learn, adapt, and perform under pressure bodes well for his future and the continued success of the Indian pace-bowling unit.

Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc has expressed his frustration over being dropped for the crucial T20 World Cup Super Eights match against Afghanistan, stating that he was not amused by the team management's decision. The 2021 T20 World Cup champions suffered a shocking 21-run loss to Afghanistan, which dealt a massive blow to Australia's chances of entering the semifinals.Starc was replaced by Ashton Agar for the match, but the left-arm spinner, despite tying down the Afghanistan batters, could not take any wickets. "No — two World Cups in a row," Starc was quoted as saying by Sydney Morning Herald on Willow Talk podcast when quizzed about his omission and whether he was amused by the decision. "Just the match-up, they (team management) saw previous games on that ground in St Vincent with spin playing a part and obviously Ash (Ashton) and the left-armer enticing them to make a change," he added.This was the second occasion in a row where the Australian pacer was dropped for a T20 World Cup match against Afghanistan, with the previous one being in Adelaide in 2022 where also the hosts failed to reach the last four stage. Agar and the two Australian pace spearheads, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins, were unable to break the partnership between openers Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran, who ended up making 118 runs."I think Ash bowled pretty well in the powerplay. They probably played the spin quite well and batting first probably assessed the conditions a little bit better than we did, and had a couple of stumbles that in the end cost us the game," said Starc. "It was probably the fielding that cost us again that game. That meant we had to win against India and we fell short there as well."Australia then went on to lose to India in Super Eights and were later eliminated from the competition. Starc also expressed his displeasure with the scheduling of the tournament and pre seeding that saw them advance to the pre determined group despite topping the group stage. "We finished ahead of England (in the group stage) and end up where we were pre-seeded as the second side. All of a sudden, you're in a different group.""The argument was it was because it was so hard to get around the West Indies, so fans knew where your team was playing. "So then why don't you have the chock-a-block tournament at the front... and then spread it out at the back end? We had the two night games and the third was a day game, so it wasn't the best preparation. We had a delayed flight out of St Vincent, it was a 90-minute drive from the airport to the hotel in St Lucia, and then we had a 10 o'clock toss. He added that the travelling between venues in the West Indies is always difficult. "I think that was probably maybe a misread [by organisers], the fact that the front half of the tournament was more spread out, and then you hit the super eights and … travel around the West Indies is probably not the easiest thing to do, certainly not to travel home from.”

India Unlikely to Tour Pakistan for 2025 Champions Trophy, BCCI to Request ICC for Alternative VenueThe Indian cricket team is highly unlikely to travel to Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy, according to sources within the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The BCCI is expected to approach the International Cricket Council (ICC) with a request to host the matches in Dubai or Sri Lanka instead.India has not toured Pakistan since the 2008 Asia Cup, and the two nations have only faced each other in multi-team tournaments since then. Pakistan hosted the Asia Cup in 2022, but India was allowed to play all their matches in Sri Lanka under a "hybrid model" arrangement. India cited a lack of government clearance for their decision not to travel to Pakistan for the tournament.The eight-nation Champions Trophy is scheduled to be held in Pakistan from February 19 to March 9, 2025. It will be the first major cricket event hosted by Pakistan since the 1996 World Cup, which it co-hosted with India and Sri Lanka.The BCCI's decision is based on security concerns and the ongoing political tensions between India and Pakistan. The two countries have a long history of conflict, and there have been several terrorist attacks in Pakistan in recent years.The ICC is yet to make a decision on the BCCI's request, but it is likely to consider the security concerns and the precedent set by the Asia Cup. If the ICC agrees to the BCCI's request, it will be a major blow to Pakistan's hopes of hosting a successful Champions Trophy.

Avesh Khan Lauds Shubman Gill's Leadership as "Bowler's Captain"India's fast bowler Avesh Khan has heaped praise on captain Shubman Gill, describing him as a "bowler's captain" who provides immense support and freedom to his bowlers. Khan's comments come after India's 23-run victory over Zimbabwe in the third T20I match in Harare, where he played a crucial role with figures of 2 for 39.Gill's leadership style has been instrumental in Khan's success in the series, with the captain granting him the autonomy to set his own fields and execute his plans. "Shubman Gill is a bowler's captain. He gives a lot of freedom to the bowlers. He gives them a chance to set their own fields. He always backs you if you are executing your plans," Khan said in a post-match interview with Sony Sports.Khan also highlighted Gill's ability to intervene with his own plans when necessary, providing valuable guidance and support. "If things go slightly awry and you get hit, he brings his own plan and tells you what needs to be done. That always helps a lot. He has contributed to me getting one or two wickets," Khan added.Khan's praise for Gill's leadership is a testament to the positive and supportive environment he has created within the team. This has allowed Khan to thrive and showcase his skills, contributing significantly to India's success in the series.In addition to his leadership qualities, Gill has also impressed with his batting performances. In the third T20I, he top-scored with a 49-ball 66, setting a challenging target of 183 for Zimbabwe. His innings laid the foundation for India's victory and helped them take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series.Khan's own performances have been equally impressive, with the fast bowler securing six wickets at an economy rate of 7.54 in the first three games. His best performance came in the second game, where he achieved figures of 3/15, contributing significantly to India's 100-run victory.With two more matches remaining in the series, India will be looking to maintain their momentum and secure a series victory. Khan's bowling and Gill's leadership will be crucial to their success, as they aim to continue their dominance over Zimbabwe.

Rahul Dravid's Legacy: A Tribute from Rohit Sharma and FamilyRahul Dravid's tenure as head coach of the Indian men's cricket team came to an end with the appointment of Gautam Gambhir. Dravid's departure marks the end of an era for Indian cricket, as he led the team to triumph in the T20 World Cup 2024 after disappointments in the 2021 T20 World Cup and the 2023 ODI World Cup.Dravid's impact on the Indian team extended beyond the field. He fostered a culture of respect, humility, and hard work, earning the admiration of players and fans alike. His bond with Rohit Sharma's family, particularly his daughter Samaira, was particularly touching.In a heartfelt tribute on social media, Rohit Sharma's wife Ritika Sajdeh expressed the family's gratitude for Dravid's guidance and support. "So many emotions, you mean so much to our entire family. You will be missed so much. I think Sammy will miss you the most," she wrote.Rohit Sharma himself paid an emotional tribute to Dravid, calling him his "work wife." "My wife refers to you as my work wife and I am lucky to get to call you that too," Rohit wrote on Instagram. "You are an absolute stalwart of this game but you left all of your accolades and achievements at the door and walked in as our coach and came on a level where we all felt comfortable enough to say just about anything to you."Dravid's legacy as a coach will be defined by his ability to connect with players on a personal level while maintaining high standards of performance. His departure leaves a void in Indian cricket, but his influence will continue to shape the team for years to come.

India's young guns, led by skipper Shubman Gill and Ruturaj Gaikwad, put on a batting masterclass before the bowlers stepped up to secure a comfortable 23-run victory over Zimbabwe in the third T20I in Harare.Gill, who has been in scintillating form throughout the series, once again led the charge with a fluent 66 off 49 deliveries. The right-hander struck seven boundaries and two sixes, setting the tone for India's innings. Yashasvi Jaiswal, making his T20I debut, also impressed with a brisk 36 off 27 balls, while Gaikwad chipped in with a valuable 49 off 28 deliveries.Zimbabwe's bowlers struggled to contain India's aggressive batting, with Blessing Muzarabani being the only exception. The tall pacer extracted extra bounce from the pitch and finished with figures of 2/25.In response, Zimbabwe's chase got off to a shaky start as Avesh Khan removed opener Wessly Madhevere in the second over. The home team continued to lose wickets at regular intervals, with Washington Sundar and Avesh Khan sharing five wickets between them.Dion Myers provided some resistance with a gritty 65* off 49 balls, but his efforts were not enough to prevent Zimbabwe from falling short of the target. Clive Madande also contributed with a useful 37 off 26 deliveries, but the Indian bowlers maintained their discipline to restrict the hosts to 159/6.The victory gives India a 2-1 lead in the five-match series, with the next game scheduled for Saturday, July 13. The young Indian team has shown great resilience and adaptability throughout the series, and they will be confident of sealing the series in the upcoming matches.

Indian spinner Ravi Bishnoi showcased his exceptional fielding skills during the third T20I encounter against Zimbabwe, leaving fans and experts in awe. In the third over of Zimbabwe's innings, Brian Bennett attempted a powerful shot towards backward point, but Bishnoi was perfectly positioned and leaped into the air to grab the ball with both hands, completing a sensational dismissal. The video of the dismissal has gone viral, highlighting Bishnoi's athleticism and quick reflexes.India's batting lineup also impressed, with Shubman Gill, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Ruturaj Gaikwad contributing to a total of 182 for four against Zimbabwe. Gill led the charge with a stroke-filled 66 off 49 deliveries, while Jaiswal (36 off 27) and Gaikwad (49 off 28) provided valuable support.Zimbabwe's fielding was a major concern, as they conceded extra runs and dropped catches throughout India's innings. Pacer Blessing Muzarabani was the pick of the bowlers, claiming two wickets for 25 runs.Despite the fielding lapses, Zimbabwe skipper Sikandar Raza impressed with the ball, dismissing Jaiswal and Abhishek Sharma. However, Gaikwad's ability to rotate the strike and hit boundaries in the middle overs helped India maintain a healthy run rate.With the series already in India's favor, the fourth T20I will be played on Friday, July 12, in Harare. India will be looking to complete a clean sweep, while Zimbabwe will be determined to salvage some pride.