Cricket

Fielding, often overshadowed by batting and bowling, is a game-changer in cricket. It can turn the tide of a match or even an entire tournament. In the 2024 Men's T20 World Cup final, India's victory was largely attributed to their exceptional fielding.In the final over, with South Africa needing just 16 runs to win, Hardik Pandya was entrusted with the daunting task of defending against David Miller. The weight of history hung heavy, as a stunning catch or a lightning-quick direct hit could seal India's fate.As Miller launched the first ball of the over, Suryakumar Yadav raced from wide long-off and plucked the ball with extraordinary precision, millimeters away from the boundary cushions. His momentum threatened to carry him past the ropes, but he had the presence of mind to throw the ball back in the air and complete one of the most important catches of his career.That catch not only saved India 16 runs but also boosted their morale. Five balls later, India was crowned world champion, and fielding coach T. Dilip's quiet hard work behind the scenes was recognized.Dilip's journey to the Indian dugout was not without its challenges. As an aspiring cricketer, he faced financial constraints and a lack of support. However, he found solace in imparting knowledge as a mathematics tutor.In 2004, Dilip enrolled in the BCCI Level-1 coaching program and quickly found an opportunity to share his expertise as a coach for the under-14 and under-16 teams at the Hyderabad Cricket Academy. His coaching career flourished under the guidance of R. Sridhar, one of India's top fielding coaches.In 2009, Dilip joined the National Cricket Academy (NCA) as a specialist fielding coach. He worked with players like Shubman Gill and Axar Patel during their formative years.When R. Sridhar concluded his seven-year stint as the Indian team's fielding coach, Dilip was entrusted with maintaining the high standard and ensuring effective player management. He has essayed this duty to perfection, creating a top-notch fielding outfit with a new intensity and openness to innovation.Dilip's extraordinary metamorphosis from a humble mathematics tutor to an influential mentor for prodigies and established superstars is incredibly heart-warming. His passion for the game is a thread that connects us all. While we continue to comment on cricket matches from our living rooms and armchairs, he is shaping future cricket stars in the team's dressing room.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a generous reward of Rs. 125 crore for the victorious Indian team after their triumph in the T20 World Cup 2024. However, amidst the celebrations, calls have emerged to extend financial support to former Indian cricketer and head coach Anshuman Gaekwad, who is currently battling blood cancer.Gaekwad, 71, played 40 Tests and 15 ODIs for India between 1974 and 1987. He also served as India's head coach during two spells in the late 1990s. During his first stint, India finished runners-up to New Zealand in the 2000 ICC KnockOut Trophy (later known as the Champions Trophy).Former BCCI chairman of selectors Sandeep Patil, who played alongside Gaekwad, has been vocal in urging the BCCI to provide financial assistance. Patil revealed that he had a conversation with BCCI treasurer Ashish Shelar regarding the issue and received assurances of support."Anshuman Gaekwad told me that he has received financial support from the cricket board, but more financial support is needed," Patil wrote in his column on Mid-Day. "I'm sure he will facilitate this and, at the risk of sounding macabre, save Anshu's life. Any cricketer from any country should be helped by his Board, but Anshu's case must be taken up on priority and treated as paramount."Patil also highlighted the fact that Sachin Tendulkar had been in his best form during Gaekwad's tenure as head coach. "Sachin Tendulkar was at his peak during Anshuman Gaekwad's tenure as coach," Patil wrote. "He was the one who gave Sachin the freedom to play his natural game."Gaekwad is currently receiving treatment at the King's College Hospital in London. His condition is said to be stable, but he requires ongoing medical care. The BCCI has previously provided financial support to Gaekwad, but more is needed to cover his ongoing expenses.The calls for financial assistance to Gaekwad have resonated with the Indian cricket fraternity. Former players and fans have expressed their support and urged the BCCI to step up and provide the necessary assistance.

Rahul Dravid's heartfelt farewell speech after India's T20 World Cup triumph in Barbados was a testament to the team's resilience and the sacrifices made by everyone involved. Dravid, who had initially planned to step down after the ODI World Cup heartbreak, was persuaded by skipper Rohit Sharma to continue until the T20 World Cup.Dravid's decision proved to be a masterstroke as India overcame a challenging chase by South Africa to secure a memorable victory. In his speech, Dravid praised the team's fighting spirit and the unwavering support they received from their families and coaches."The comeback the way you did, the way you fought, the way we worked as a team, the resilience," Dravid said. "There've been disappointments over the years. We have come close but we have never been able to cross the line, but what this bunch of boys has done, what all of you have done, what everyone in the support staff has done, the hard work that we have put in, the sacrifices that we have made, the whole country is really really proud of each and every one of you and what you have achieved."Dravid also acknowledged the sacrifices made by the players' families and the support staff, who have played a crucial role in their success. "So many of your family is back home. Just think about all the sacrifices each and every one of them has made since the time you were kids to be here in this dressing room today," he said.Dravid expressed his gratitude to Rohit Sharma for his support and guidance as captain. "Ro, thank you so much for making that call to me in November and asking me to continue," he said. "I think it's such a privilege and a pleasure to work with each of you but also to Ro, thanks for the time."Dravid emphasized the importance of teamwork and the collective effort that led to India's triumph. "It's not about any individual, it's about a team," he said. "We have won this as a team, we did everything we could for the last month as a team. It's about all of us."Dravid's speech was a fitting tribute to the team's hard work and dedication, and it will undoubtedly serve as an inspiration for future generations of Indian cricketers.

The Indian cricket team's triumph in the T20 World Cup has garnered global acclaim, with former Pakistan cricketer Ahmad Shahzad hailing Virat Kohli's pivotal role in the victory.In a thrilling final against South Africa, Kohli showcased his match-winning prowess with a 59-ball 76, earning him the Man of the Match award. Despite a modest performance throughout the tournament, Kohli's timely contribution proved decisive.Shahzad emphasized Kohli's unwavering enthusiasm and his ability to inspire his teammates. He noted that Kohli's celebration of wickets from long-on and long-off demonstrated his unwavering commitment to the team's success."Virat Kohli is a legend of our generation," Shahzad declared. "He has always played his cricket with enthusiasm. Even in his last match, someone else was taking wickets and he was celebrating at long-on, long-off."Shahzad further asserted that Kohli's innings was indispensable to India's victory. "He didn't score runs in the whole World Cup but as destiny would have it, he scored runs in the final when one else scored and had Virat not scored in that final, India wouldn't have won."Shahzad dismissed comparisons between Kohli and other cricketers, including Babar Azam. "There is no one like Virat Kohli, let alone me, let alone anybody else," he stated. "He has an amazing strike rate and average in ICC tournaments. So he shouldn't be compared to anyone."Kohli's retirement from T20I cricket marks the end of an illustrious career in the shortest format. He amassed 4,188 runs in 125 matches, including one century and 38 half-centuries. In T20 World Cups, he accumulated 1,292 runs at an average of 58.72 and a strike rate of 128.81, making him the tournament's all-time leading run-scorer.

Hardik Pandya's remarkable journey from crowd boos to World Cup glory is a testament to his resilience and unwavering determination. After facing ridicule and criticism for his captaincy of the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League 2024, Pandya silenced his detractors with a stellar performance in India's triumphant T20 World Cup campaign.Despite being subjected to boos from his own home crowd, Pandya remained composed and focused on his game. His unwavering belief in his abilities and the support of his teammates propelled him to deliver a match-winning performance in the tournament's final.Pandya's ability to bowl the crucial final over of the summit clash against South Africa showcased his mental fortitude and leadership qualities. His calm demeanor and precise execution under immense pressure led India to a thrilling victory.After the triumph, Pandya expressed his gratitude for the support he received from his teammates and the Indian fans. He emphasized the importance of grace and resilience in the face of adversity."I believe in grace. A lot was said by people who don't even know me one percent as a person. People have spoken, no issues, but I have always believed in life that you never respond with words, circumstances can respond," Pandya said.Former India batter Ambati Rayudu lauded Pandya's mental strength and praised his ability to overcome the challenges he faced."I think it is great on his part. Such great mental strength and now I dare anybody to boo him in India. You know, if you can. If you can try and do that, you will know you will know it and he is an amazing individual and I have played with him, you know, in my state team. And he's an amazing guy, an amazing human being, and that's why that's why he could come through this storm, get through this storm that he had just a few months back and to come back that strongly is unbelievable and you know he's a world champion now," Rayudu said.Pandya's journey from adversity to triumph serves as an inspiration to all aspiring athletes. His unwavering belief in himself and his ability to overcome challenges demonstrate the true spirit of sportsmanship.

The Indian cricket team's recent T20 World Cup victory marked a significant shift in the approach to player fitness and injury prevention. In the past, standard fitness tests were used as a selection criterion, but the National Cricket Academy (NCA) has now adopted a more comprehensive approach that prioritizes injury prevention and performance optimization.The NCA has developed three proformas: National Fitness Testing Criteria (NFTC), Performance Testing Battery, and Prevention Testing Battery. NFTC, conducted every 12-16 weeks, includes tests like sprint tests, standing long jump, and yo-yo tests. Performance Testing Battery, conducted every six weeks, assesses specific skills related to the player's role. Prevention Testing Battery, conducted every two weeks, focuses on identifying potential injury risks through tests like overhead squats and glute bridge holds.Notably, the yo-yo test, once a key selection criterion, is now rarely used for centrally contracted players. Instead, the focus has shifted to injury prevention and performance tests. The NCA's team of physios and strength and conditioning coaches has played a crucial role in keeping players fit and available for selection.The Prevention Testing Battery has become particularly important. It helps identify players at risk of injury, allowing the medical team to intervene early and prevent potential setbacks. GPS vests and whoop bands provide additional data on running-bowling metrics and off-field activities like sleep and recovery.In February 2022, head coach Rahul Dravid and captain Rohit Sharma devised a blueprint for player rotation and fitness management. They identified a pool of players and ensured they were available and in optimal shape for major tournaments. This approach allowed the team to rest players when necessary and avoid injuries.Despite injuries to key players like Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja, the team management stuck to their plan of protecting and preparing players. This strategy ultimately paid off, with India lifting the T20 World Cup trophy in Barbados.

India's triumph in the 2024 T20 World Cup was a culmination of years of hard work and dedication. The team, led by Rohit Sharma, displayed exceptional skill and determination throughout the tournament, culminating in a thrilling victory over South Africa in the final.One of the most iconic moments of the victory celebration was the photograph of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma posing together with the Indian flag and the World Cup trophy. The image captured the camaraderie and mutual respect between the two star players, who have been instrumental in India's success in recent years.In an interview with Star Sports, Kohli revealed the story behind the iconic picture. He explained that he had noticed Rohit was staying behind during the victory lap and encouraged him to hold the trophy and take a picture together. "It was a very special thing for him as well," Kohli said. "His family is here, Samaira [Rohit's daughter] was on his shoulder. But I just felt like in the victory lap he was behind the whole time. I told him, you also hold the trophy for a while, for two minutes. We should take a picture together because this journey has been very long."The victory was particularly poignant for Rohit Sharma, who announced his retirement from T20Is shortly after the match. He leaves the format as a two-time World Cup winner and the leading run-getter, with 4231 runs in 159 matches. Virat Kohli also announced his retirement from T20Is after the match, having played a key role in India's victory with a match-winning 59-ball 76.India's triumph in the 2024 T20 World Cup is a testament to the team's hard work, dedication, and talent. The victory is a source of immense pride for the nation and will be remembered for years to come.

Harbhajan Singh's Hilarious Reaction to Babar Azam vs. Brian Lara ComparisonFormer Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh has sparked laughter on social media with his reaction to a question comparing Pakistan batter Babar Azam to West Indies legend Brian Lara. In a video clip from Star Sports' Caught & Bold show, Harbhajan was asked to choose between Lara and Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara. He promptly picked Lara.However, when asked to compare Lara to Babar, Harbhajan erupted into laughter, along with other panelists. The clip has gone viral, with fans sharing it widely.Babar Azam's Pakistan team recently suffered a disappointing exit from the T20 World Cup, losing to debutants USA and India. After the tournament, Babar admitted that the team had made mistakes in batting and failed to execute their plans."We made few mistakes in the matches against the USA and India. When you lose wickets, the pressure is on you," Babar said.He also acknowledged that the team had not played as a unit. "We didn't play as a team. This is not because of an individual as we lost as a team. It's not just the captain. I cannot play for every player as there are 11 players," Babar added.Harbhajan's laughter at the comparison between Babar and Lara highlights the vast gap in their respective achievements. Lara is widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of all time, with a Test average of over 52 and a record 400 not out in a single innings. Babar, while a talented player, is still relatively young and has yet to establish himself as a legend of the game.

India's Second-String Team Embarks on Zimbabwe Tour for T20I SeriesA second-string Indian cricket team, led by Shubman Gill, has departed for Zimbabwe to participate in a five-match T20I series beginning on July 6. The tour marks a significant opportunity for India to assess its T20 future following the retirements of senior players Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja.The Indian squad boasts a strong contingent of openers, including Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Abhishek Sharma. Gill and Jaiswal are expected to form the opening partnership in the first T20I in Harare on Saturday.The series will also provide a platform for several T20 World Cup standbys to showcase their skills. Pacers Avesh Khan, Khaleel Ahmed, and finisher Rinku Singh, along with Sanju Samson and Yashasvi Jaiswal, are all part of the touring party.The Indian team will be eager to make a strong impression in Zimbabwe, particularly with the T20 World Cup scheduled for later this year. The series will offer valuable experience for the younger players and help the team identify potential replacements for the departed veterans.The Zimbabwean team, led by Sikandar Raza, will be looking to put up a strong fight against the Indian visitors. The series will be played entirely in Harare, with the first T20I scheduled for July 6.