Cricket

The T20 World Cup final between India and South Africa on Saturday, November 26, 2023, drew a peak viewership of 5.3 crore on the Disney Hotstar OTT platform. While this fell short of the record 5.9 crore peak viewership set by the ODI final between India and Australia in November 2022, it still marked a significant milestone for the tournament.The India-Australia ODI final last year remains the most-watched live cricket match on any streaming platform. However, the T20 World Cup final's peak viewership of 5.3 crore indicates the growing popularity of the shorter format of the game.The knockout match between India and Australia in the T20 World Cup on June 24 had a peak concurrency of 3.9 crore, highlighting the intense interest in the tournament. Disney Star holds the exclusive broadcast and media rights for both linear and digital platforms.While the final match may not have reached the record-breaking viewership of the ODI final, it maintained a consistently high viewership throughout the match. According to Karan Taurani, SVP of Elara Capital, 4 to 4.5 crore viewers watched the match constantly due to its nail-biting finish.Even the post-match ceremony sustained a viewership of 2.5 to 3 crore, indicating the audience's engagement with the event. The T20 World Cup final's high viewership demonstrates the continued popularity of cricket in India and the growing importance of OTT platforms in delivering live sports content to fans.

Sanjay Manjrekar's impassioned defense of Hardik Pandya at the Wankhede Stadium stemmed from his unwavering belief in the all-rounder's ability to perform under pressure. Despite facing relentless jeers from the crowd following his appointment as Mumbai Indians captain, Pandya's subsequent heroics in India's T20 World Cup triumph have vindicated Manjrekar's stance.Manjrekar's intervention during the toss at a home match of MI at the Wankhede was met with mockery on social media. However, Pandya's crucial contributions to India's second T20 World Cup victory, with 144 runs and 11 wickets, have silenced the critics."What a turnaround for Hardik Pandya," Manjrekar told 'ESPNCricinfo'. "In IPL, there were people jeering him and booing him and I told them to behave because this is a big-stage player."Manjrekar's faith in Pandya's ability to perform under pressure was evident in his crucial wicket of Heinrich Klaasen, which turned the tide of the match in India's favor. "We have seen that umpteen times, wickets of Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller and right at the end, Rabada, so he was a champion and no surprise, to see him flourish on the big stage," Manjrekar said.Manjrekar also highlighted Pandya's importance to the Indian team, even during their disappointing loss to England in Adelaide during the 2022 tournament. "Even in that semifinal against England, he came in and gave India some hope with 60 off 33. So that's what he is all about.""You felt safe when he came to bowl in the last over, he was not going to lose his nerves, he was going to bowl sensibly," he concluded.Pandya's resurgence has not only silenced his critics but also cemented his status as a vital cog in the Indian team. His ability to perform under pressure and make match-winning contributions has proven Manjrekar's belief in him to be well-founded.

Arshdeep Singh, the unassuming left-arm pacer, has emerged as a pivotal figure in India's T20 World Cup triumph. His ability to swing the new ball and bowl pinpoint yorkers in the death overs has been instrumental in India's success.Arshdeep's 17 wickets in the tournament, equal to Bangladesh's Fazalhaq Farooqi, placed him as the joint-highest wicket-taker. His composure under pressure was evident in the final against South Africa, where he delivered a crucial spell of 2 for 20.In a heartwarming moment, Arshdeep honored his parents by placing his winners' medal around their necks after the victory. India's competitive total of 176 for 7 was largely due to Virat Kohli's brilliant 76 and Axar Patel's valuable 47.South Africa's chase began with early setbacks, but Heinrich Klaasen and Quinton de Kock threatened to turn the tide. However, Hardik Pandya's dismissal of Klaasen and Jasprit Bumrah's exceptional 18th over swung the momentum back in India's favor.Arshdeep's penultimate over kept the pressure on South Africa, allowing only four runs. The defining moment came in the 20th over when Suryakumar Yadav took a spectacular catch at the boundary off Pandya's bowling. Pandya's impressive figures of 3 for 20 sealed the victory for India, who finished with a thrilling 169 for 8.Arshdeep's evolution as India's premier left-arm pacer in white-ball cricket has been remarkable. His ability to control the new ball and execute yorkers under pressure has made him an indispensable asset to the team.

Jasprit Bumrah's stellar performance at the T20 World Cup culminated in him being crowned the Player of the Tournament. The Indian pace spearhead finished as the third highest wicket-taker with 15 scalps, playing a pivotal role in his team's undefeated run.In the thrilling final against South Africa, Bumrah claimed two crucial wickets as India restricted their opponents to 169/8. This victory marked an end to India's 11-year-long global trophy drought.In a heartwarming moment captured on camera, Bumrah shared his joy with his wife, Sanjana Ganesan, who was representing ICC Digital. He expressed his gratitude for the team's exceptional performance and the unwavering support they provided throughout the tournament.Bumrah praised his fellow bowlers, Arshdeep Singh and Hardik Pandya, for their confidence and execution on the big stage. He emphasized the importance of maintaining composure even in challenging situations, a trait that proved crucial in India's success.Bumrah's remarkable achievement is a testament to his skill, determination, and the unwavering support of his teammates. His performance has cemented his status as one of the world's leading fast bowlers and has inspired a new generation of cricketers.

Virat Kohli's Stellar Performance Leads India to T20 World Cup Victory, Anushka Sharma Pens Heartfelt TributeFollowing India's triumphant victory in the T20 World Cup, Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma expressed her immense pride and love for her husband, star batter Virat Kohli. In a touching Instagram post, Sharma hailed Kohli as "my home" and celebrated his exceptional performance in the tournament.Kohli, who was a member of the 2011 ODI World Cup-winning team, played a pivotal role in India's second T20 World Cup triumph. In the final against South Africa, he scored a magnificent 76 off 59 balls, including six fours and two sixes, helping India post a competitive total of 176 for seven.After leading the Men in Blue to victory and being named Player of the Match, Kohli announced his retirement from T20 Internationals. Anushka, who was cheering for her husband from home in India, took to Instagram to share her joy and admiration."AND... I love this man @viratkohli. So grateful to call you my home - now go have a glass of sparkling water for me to celebrate this!" she captioned a photo of Kohli holding the trophy.In a separate post, Anushka congratulated Team India on their incredible achievement. "Our daughter's biggest concern was if all the players had someone to hug them after she saw them cry on tv..... Yes, My darling, they were hugged by 1.5 billion people. What a phenomenal victory and what a legendary achievement!! CHAMPIONS - CONGRATULATIONS!!" she wrote.The couple, who have a three-year-old daughter named Vamika and a four-month-old son named Akaay, have been married since 2017. Their love and support for each other has been evident throughout Kohli's illustrious career.

Virat Kohli's illustrious career reached its zenith with the addition of the elusive ICC T20 World Cup title to his trophy cabinet. Having already conquered the ODI World Cup (2011), Champions Trophy (2013), and U19 World Cup (2008), Kohli's triumph in the 2024 T20 World Cup marked a historic milestone.Despite facing scrutiny over his place in India's T20 team, Kohli silenced his critics with a match-winning half-century against South Africa in the final. His gritty 59-ball 76 propelled India to a competitive total of 176, which Rohit Sharma's men defended resolutely.Kohli's achievement is unparalleled in the annals of cricket. He became the first player to win all four major ICC white-ball trophies: the ODI World Cup, T20 World Cup, Champions Trophy, and U19 World Cup. Even the legendary MS Dhoni, who holds all three ICC white-ball titles, did not manage to win the U19 World Cup.By adding the T20 World Cup trophy to his collection, Kohli joined Yuvraj Singh as the only players to have won all four ICC white-ball titles. However, Kohli's accomplishment is unique as he secured victory in all four titles, while Yuvraj shared the Champions Trophy in 2002.The only trophy missing from Kohli's collection is the Test Championship. He has been a part of two ICC Test Championship finals but has suffered defeats on both occasions. The talismanic batter will undoubtedly aim to complete his cricket legacy by winning the WTC title while donning the Team India whites.Kohli's T20 World Cup triumph is a testament to his unwavering determination and resilience. Despite facing criticism and doubts, he rose to the occasion and delivered a match-winning performance. His achievement is a source of inspiration for aspiring cricketers and a reminder that anything is possible with hard work and dedication.

Hardik Pandya's journey to the pinnacle of cricket has been marked by both triumph and adversity. Coming into the T20 World Cup, he had endured a challenging period both on and off the field. However, in the tournament's grand finale, Pandya rose to the occasion, delivering a match-winning performance that etched his name in the annals of Indian cricket history.In the thrilling seven-run victory over South Africa, Pandya's all-around brilliance shone through. He bowled a miserly spell of 3 for 20, including a nerve-wracking final over where he defended 13 runs. His wickets included the crucial dismissal of Heinrich Klaasen, who had threatened to snatch victory from India's grasp.Pandya's emotions were evident after the triumph, as tears of joy streamed down his face. In a heartfelt social media post, he shared a video from his childhood, where a young Hardik expressed his dream of playing for India alongside his brother Krunal. "Playing for my country will always be the greatest honor," he wrote.The T20 World Cup victory marked a redemption for Pandya, who had faced criticism and setbacks in recent months. After being appointed captain of the Mumbai Indians, he endured a difficult season, with the team finishing at the bottom of the table. His own form also suffered, but he found his rhythm at the World Cup.In six innings, Pandya scored 144 runs at a strike rate of 151.57, including a half-century. With the ball, he took 11 wickets in eight matches, with an economy rate of 7.64. His performance earned him widespread praise, including the Player of the Match award in the final."It's very emotional," Pandya said after the match. "Especially for me, after six months, I haven't spoken a word, things have been unfair, but I knew there'd be a time I could shine."Pandya's match-winning performance not only brought India its second T20 World Cup trophy but also cemented his status as one of the most versatile and impactful players in the game today. His journey from a young boy in Baroda to a global cricket icon is a testament to his resilience, determination, and unwavering belief in his dreams.

As India emerged victorious in the T20 World Cup under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, the tenure of head coach Rahul Dravid draws to a close. Following the triumph, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Roger Binny expressed his admiration for the Men in Blue and suggested that former opener Gautam Gambhir would be a valuable asset as India's next coach.India's second T20 World Cup victory, achieved by a narrow seven-run margin over South Africa, has sparked speculation about the next head coach. With Dravid's contract expiring after the 2024 T20 World Cup in June, Gambhir has emerged as a strong contender, backed by several former cricketers.Gambhir has expressed his eagerness to coach the Indian team, stating that it would be an honor. However, he has remained tight-lipped about the possibility of replacing his former teammate Dravid. Binny emphasized the need for a head coach with experience in all formats of cricket."Gautam Gambhir has got a lot of experience, and if he takes the job, it's definitely going to be a good thing for Indian cricket," Binny said. "He is experienced, that's what India needs. India needs a coach who played the game, and he has played in all three formats of the game."Following India's World Cup victory, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli announced their retirement from T20 internationals. Binny acknowledged the difficulty of replacing such exceptional players but expressed hope that young players would step up to fill their shoes."They have been outstanding...it is going to be very difficult to replace them immediately...it is going to be a great loss at the moment," Binny said. "Hopefully, we should get some young cricketers, the IPL is full of talent. It's not going to be easy, but we can try and get some young cricketers to do what they have done."Under Dravid's guidance, Team India made significant strides, reaching the finals of the ODI World Cup and the 2023 World Test Championship before falling to Australia in both events. India's 11-year ICC title drought ended with their triumph in the 2024 T20 World Cup, a testament to the team's unity and meticulous planning."Rahul as a cricketer has been fantastic," Binny said. "His contribution to the team has been tremendous because of the experience he brought to the table...he really did a fantastic job with them. It's just unfortunate that he lost a few games, he lost the last World Cup."

Rohit Sharma's Emotional Triumph: India's T20 World Cup Victory and His RetirementOn a historic Saturday, India emerged victorious in the T20 World Cup, defeating South Africa by a nail-biting seven-run margin. The triumph marked a significant milestone for the Indian team, ending a 17-year drought in the tournament.At the helm of this momentous victory was captain Rohit Sharma, who led the team with unwavering determination. The win was particularly poignant for Sharma, who had previously endured the disappointment of losing two ICC finals within a year. However, this time, fate had a different plan in store for the skipper.As the match reached its climax, India's grip on the trophy seemed to be slipping away. But in a dramatic turn of events, the team managed to pull off a narrow victory, sending Sharma into a frenzy of joy.In the aftermath of the triumph, Sharma announced his retirement from T20Is, describing it as the perfect time to "say goodbye." This decision came shortly after his long-time teammate Virat Kohli also announced his retirement from the format."This was my last game as well. No better time to say goodbye. I wanted this (trophy) badly. It's very hard to put in words," Sharma said at the post-match press conference.Sharma's retirement marks the end of an illustrious T20I career, during which he amassed 4231 runs from 159 matches. He leaves behind a legacy of five centuries and 32 fifties in the format.The 37-year-old's decision to step away from T20Is is a testament to his desire to focus on the Test and ODI formats. He will continue to lead India in these formats, where he has also achieved significant success.Sharma's retirement and India's T20 World Cup victory will undoubtedly be etched in the annals of Indian cricket history. The triumph is a testament to the team's resilience and determination, while Sharma's decision to step away from the format is a fitting end to a remarkable career.