Cricket

Gloucestershire emerged victorious in a thrilling Vitality Blast South Group encounter against arch-rivals Somerset at Taunton, chasing down a target of 195 with just one ball to spare.The visitors' pursuit was spearheaded by Miles Hammond's 42 and Beau Webster's 39, while Ben Charlesworth's unbeaten 24 off 13 balls proved crucial in the closing stages. Somerset had earlier posted 194 for six, with Tom Banton's 77* and Tom Green's 47 providing the impetus.Somerset's innings got off to a solid start, reaching 58 for two in the powerplay. However, Gloucestershire's bowlers kept the pressure on, with Marchant de Lange's sharp spell proving particularly effective. The home side found themselves struggling at 148 for five at the end of the 18th over, but Green's late onslaught, including 16 runs off the final four balls of the innings, gave them a competitive total.Gloucestershire's reply began with a setback as Cameron Bancroft fell cheaply. However, James Bracey and Hammond quickly put the visitors in control, adding 66 for the second wicket. Hammond's dismissal triggered a mini-collapse, with Bracey and Jack Taylor following in quick succession.Webster and Taylor then steadied the ship, putting on 65 for the fourth wicket. Taylor's departure left Gloucestershire needing 44 from 27 balls, but Webster and Price kept the scoreboard ticking over. With Meredith unable to bowl his final two overs due to a back spasm, it fell to Green to defend 21 off the last two overs.Charlesworth smashed a six off the penultimate ball to seal a remarkable victory for Gloucestershire. The result leaves Somerset winless after two matches in the Vitality Blast, while Gloucestershire move up to second place in the South Group.

Glamorgan's impressive form in the Vitality Blast continued as they secured a 26-run victory over Essex at Cardiff, marking their second consecutive win in the tournament.After being invited to bat first, Glamorgan posted a competitive total of 182 for eight, with Colin Ingram leading the charge with a top score of 47. Marnus Labuschagne and Chris Cooke provided valuable support, contributing 30 and 38 runs respectively.Essex's chase got off to a promising start as Adam Rossington and Paul Walter forged an 83-run partnership. Walter was particularly impressive, scoring 53 runs off just 33 deliveries. However, the introduction of Labuschagne and Mason Crane into the attack proved decisive.Labuschagne and Crane's legspin wizardry stifled Essex's momentum, claiming five wickets between them. Rossington fell for 43, while the middle order struggled to keep up with the required run rate.Timm van der Gugten had earlier made a significant impact with the ball for Glamorgan, claiming three early wickets to leave Essex reeling at 27 for three. His dismissal of Dean Elgar, Michael Pepper, and Robin Das put Essex on the back foot.Despite Walter's heroics, Essex were eventually bowled out for 156, falling well short of the target. Glamorgan's bowlers maintained excellent discipline throughout the innings, with van der Gugten, Labuschagne, and Crane sharing the spoils.The victory consolidates Glamorgan's position in the Vitality Blast standings, while Essex's hopes of progressing to the knockout stages have suffered a setback.

India's women's cricket team, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, faced off against South Africa in the second T20I match of their three-match series in Chennai on July 7. South Africa had won the first match, giving them a 1-0 lead in the series.India made one change to their lineup, bringing in wicketkeeper-batter Uma Chetry in place of Richa Ghosh, who had suffered a concussion in the previous match. South Africa, on the other hand, fielded an unchanged eleven.India won the toss and elected to bowl first. The South African openers, Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits, got off to a solid start, putting on a 40-run partnership before Wolvaardt was dismissed by Deepti Sharma for 21. Brits continued to anchor the innings, scoring a well-paced 44 off 40 balls.Marizanne Kapp and Chloe Tryon then took over the scoring duties, adding 46 runs for the third wicket. Kapp played a blistering knock of 34 off 22 balls, while Tryon contributed with a steady 22 off 25 balls.Nadine de Klerk and Anneke Bosch provided some late fireworks, scoring 18 and 16 runs respectively, to help South Africa post a competitive total of 147/6 in their allotted 20 overs.In response, India's batting lineup struggled to get going. Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana were dismissed cheaply, leaving India reeling at 12/2. Jemimah Rodrigues and Deepti Sharma tried to steady the ship, but both fell in quick succession, leaving India in a precarious position at 43/4.Harmanpreet Kaur and Pooja Vastrakar then put on a brief partnership of 26 runs, but both were dismissed within a span of three overs, leaving India's hopes hanging by a thread.Arundhati Reddy and S Sajana showed some resistance in the lower order, but their efforts were not enough as India fell short by 27 runs, losing the match by 120/9.South Africa's Ayabonga Khaka was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3/19 in her four overs. Nonkululeko Mlaba and Sinalo Jafta also chipped in with two wickets each.With this victory, South Africa took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. The final match of the series will be played on July 9 in Chennai.

India, facing a must-win situation to keep the T20I series alive against South Africa, opted to bowl first after winning the toss in a rain-affected Chennai. The hosts made several changes to their lineup, with Richa Ghosh ruled out due to a head injury sustained in the series opener.In Ghosh's absence, 21-year-old Uma Chetry made her international debut as wicketkeeper, becoming the second female Assamese cricketer to represent India. Arundhati Reddy replaced pace spearhead Renuka Singh, while Sajeevan Sajana was given an opportunity at No. 3 in place of D Hemalatha.India's bowling department also underwent a tweak, with allrounder Shreyanka Patil replacing legspinner Asha Sobhana to join the three-pronged spin attack. South Africa, on the other hand, fielded an unchanged XI from their victory on Friday.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the legendary Indian cricketer, celebrated his 43rd birthday with a grand midnight bash attended by his wife Sakshi, close friends, and Bollywood superstar Salman Khan. Beyond his exceptional cricketing skills, Dhoni has also become a style icon, known for his experimental hairstyles.Golden Locks:Dhoni's iconic long hair with gold streaks made him a style icon in his early days. The shoulder-length locks became a trend, with many fans emulating his look.Shaved Head:After India's triumph in the 2011 World Cup, Dhoni surprised everyone by shaving off his hair. While some fans missed his long locks, others admired his bold move.Samurai Ponytail:For the 2024 Indian Premier League, Dhoni grew his hair out again and debuted a samurai-inspired ponytail. The look sent the internet into a frenzy, with fans praising his battle-ready appearance.Short Wavy Do:After the IPL, Dhoni opted for a shorter wavy hairdo, giving him a youthful appearance. Fans commented on his fresh and rejuvenated look.Mohawk:Dhoni's most recent hairstyle, a mohawk, was another bold choice that received widespread approval. The modern and stylish look showcased his versatility and fashion sense.Dhoni's experimental hairstyles have not only set trends but also reflected his personality and confidence. From his golden locks to his mohawk, he has consistently pushed the boundaries of style. As he continues to inspire on and off the field, fans eagerly await his next hairdo.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a substantial prize of Rs 125 crore for the victorious Indian team that clinched the T20 World Cup title. However, this announcement has sparked a debate about the recognition and rewards given to the 1983 World Cup-winning squad, which brought immense pride and glory to the nation.In the 1983 World Cup final, India, under the captaincy of Kapil Dev, achieved a remarkable upset by defeating the formidable West Indies, who were the two-time defending champions, by a margin of 43 runs. The Indian team put up a total of 183 runs in their allotted 60 overs. In response, the Indian bowlers showcased exceptional skill and determination in defending the target. Madan Lal and Mohinder Amarnath were the standout performers, taking three wickets each, as they successfully bowled out the powerful West Indian side for a mere 140 runs.This momentous victory not only crowned India as the champions but also marked their emergence as a force to be reckoned with in international cricket. The triumph served as a turning point, signaling India's arrival on the global cricketing stage and paving the way for future successes.However, a former Indian cricketer, who was a member of the historic 1983 World Cup-winning squad, has urged the BCCI to also recognize and reward the team led by Kapil Dev. He highlighted the contrast between the current Indian team, captained by Rohit Sharma, and the victorious 1983 squad. He revealed that the 1983 champions were not given any financial rewards at the time, as the BCCI claimed they "don't have money." However, he acknowledged that the board is now in a position to announce prize money, given their current financial standing."Rs 125 crore is huge. Happy for Team India. Well, we were not given cash rewards at that time (after 1983 World Cup victory), because board (BCCI) had said 'we don't have money'. Now they can give, what is stopping them? Only a few players (of that team) are getting work, rest are struggling. BCCI should look into it," a member of the 1983 World Cup-winning Indian team told IANS on condition of anonymity.As a reward for their remarkable achievement, the BCCI presented each player with a modest cash prize of Rs 25,000. Upon learning about the relatively low amount given to the players, the renowned singer, the late Lata Mangeshkar, took it upon herself to honor the team's success. She organized a musical concert in Delhi with the purpose of raising funds for the World Cup-winning squad. Through her efforts, she awarded Rs 1 lakh to each player in the team.The BCCI's decision to award a substantial prize to the T20 World Cup-winning team has reignited the debate about the recognition and rewards given to the 1983 World Cup-winning squad. Many believe that the BCCI should also recognize and reward the team that brought immense pride and glory to the nation.

India vs Zimbabwe 2nd T20I: Team India Aims to Bounce Back After Shock LossAfter a disappointing 13-run defeat in the first T20I against Zimbabwe, Team India, led by Shubman Gill, will be eager to make amends in the second match of the three-match series. The match will be played at the Harare Sports Club on Sunday, July 7, starting at 4:30 PM IST.With the first two T20Is being held on consecutive days, some changes to the Indian squad are expected. Harshit Rana and B Sai Sudharsan, who were included in the squad for only the first two matches, will be hoping to make their T20I debuts for India. Abhishek Sharma, Riyan Parag, and Dhruv Jurel, who failed to impress in the first T20I, will also be looking to make a mark in the second match.India will be keen to avoid a series defeat against Zimbabwe, who have been in impressive form in recent months. The hosts stunned India in the first T20I, thanks to a brilliant all-round performance from Sikandar Raza.India's batting lineup, which includes the likes of Gill, Ishan Kishan, and Sanju Samson, will need to step up and deliver in the second T20I. The bowlers, led by Bhuvneshwar Kumar, will also need to be more disciplined and consistent.Zimbabwe, on the other hand, will be confident after their victory in the first match. They will be looking to continue their momentum and secure a series win against a strong Indian team.The match will be telecast live on the Sony Sports Network and streamed live on the SonyLiv app and website.

Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma Eye Olympic Glory as Cricket Returns to Games in 2028Indian cricket legends Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have bid farewell to international T20 cricket, but their journey is far from over. The duo, along with head coach Rahul Dravid, recently met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where a surprising revelation emerged.Dravid hinted that Kohli and Sharma could represent India in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, where cricket will make its much-anticipated return after a 128-year absence. The shortest format of the game will be featured in the Olympics.Kohli's reaction to Dravid's suggestion was priceless, as he couldn't help but laugh. However, Dravid remained confident, stating, "I am confident that the BCCI and the players and the coaches at that time will be prepared. I am confident that from this team, a lot of people will be part of the team."Dravid emphasized the significance of winning an Olympic gold medal, saying, "Winning a gold in the Olympics is a great matter of pride and happiness. We need to fully prepare for that."Kohli and Sharma, who will continue playing T20 cricket in the Indian Premier League, have shifted their focus to ODI and Test cricket on the international stage. However, the prospect of representing India in the Olympics has undoubtedly sparked their interest.The return of cricket to the Olympics is a major development for the sport, and it will provide a unique opportunity for cricketers to showcase their skills on a global stage. Kohli and Sharma, with their immense experience and talent, could play a pivotal role in India's quest for Olympic glory.

MI New York Faces Washington Freedom in Major League Cricket MatchMorrisville, North Carolina - Defending champions MI New York will face off against Washington Freedom in the third match of the 2024 Major League Cricket season at the Church Street Park in Morrisville.MI New York secured their first win of the season in their previous match, while Washington Freedom is looking to bounce back from a loss in their opening game.The match is expected to be a close contest, with both teams boasting talented rosters. MI New York will rely on the experience of captain Kieron Pollard and the explosive batting of Ishan Kishan. Washington Freedom, on the other hand, will look to their young stars, including Dewald Brevis and Rovman Powell.The match will be played on a wicket that is expected to favor the batsmen. The weather forecast is clear, with temperatures in the mid-70s.Fans can expect a high-scoring encounter with plenty of sixes and fours. The match will be streamed live on ESPN+ and the Major League Cricket website.