Cricket

India's T20 World Cup semi-final against England proved to be another disappointing outing for star batter Virat Kohli, who once again failed to deliver a substantial performance. Batting first, India made a promising start with skipper Rohit Sharma and Kohli showing some intent. However, England pacer Reece Topley quickly struck, dismissing Kohli for nine in the third over of the innings. This marked Kohli's fifth single-digit score at the ongoing T20 World Cup, setting a new career low for the right-handed batter.Kohli's dismissal was particularly significant as it was the first time he had failed to score a half-century in a T20 World Cup knockout match. In previous knockout matches, Kohli had scored 72* off 44 balls against South Africa in the 2014 semi-finals, 77* off 58 balls against Sri Lanka in the 2014 final, 89* against West Indies in the 2016 semi-finals, and 50 against England in the 2022 semi-finals.The match was eventually interrupted by rain, with India reaching 65 for two in eight overs. Skipper Rohit and Suryakumar Yadav were batting on 37 and 13 respectively when the heavens opened up. Sent into bat after the start of the match was delayed by more than an hour, India lost Kohli early and Rishabh Pant cheaply, but Rohit remained positive and kept England on their toes with regular boundaries.Kohli's dismissal came as a blow to India's hopes of posting a competitive total. The right-handed batter has been struggling for form throughout the tournament, and his latest failure will raise further questions about his place in the team. With India's hopes of reaching the final now hanging in the balance, the team will need to find a way to overcome Kohli's poor form and produce a strong performance in the second half of the innings.

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan is mourning the tragic loss of his hairstylist, Faiyaz Ansari, who drowned in a swimming pool during their T20 World Cup 2024 trip. Ansari, who was Pathan's personal hairstylist, was accompanying him in the Caribbean for his commentary engagements.The incident occurred ahead of the Super 8 match between India and Australia. Pathan took to social media to express his grief, posting a collage of pictures and videos featuring Ansari and himself. The caption read, "In the past six years, Faiyaz became family to us. My children would run to greet him whenever he came over. He loved me like an elder brother, and I loved him like a younger one. The pain of losing him is indescribable; I've never experienced anything like it. His ever-smiling face and his constant 'ji bhai' will stay with me forever. I miss you dearly my brother my shadow, Faiyaz."Ansari hailed from Nagina in Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh, and had started his salon in Mumbai. According to reports, Ansari's cousin, Mohammad Ahmed, said that the news left his family devastated. Pathan is reportedly working on the formalities to get Ansari's body back to India.Meanwhile, former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly praised Rohit Sharma's leadership qualities for India's unbeaten run in the ongoing T20 World Cup. He urged the team to play with freedom in the final against South Africa to end their 11-year wait for an ICC trophy.India will face the Proteas in the title clash at Bridgetown, Barbados, aiming for their first global trophy since winning the Champions Trophy in 2013. Ganguly said, "I'm very happy for Rohit Sharma. Life comes full circle. Six months ago he was not even the captain of Mumbai Indians and the same man is now leading India to a World Cup final, unbeaten."

South Africa's sloppy fielding on the opening day of the one-off Test against India in Chennai on Friday highlighted the team's lack of preparation and attention to detail. The Proteas committed several uncharacteristic errors, including misfields, an unnecessary overthrow, and wayward deliveries down the leg side.The most glaring mistake came from Masabata Klaas, who threw a wild overthrow after Smriti Mandhana knocked a full delivery back to her. The ball sailed over the keeper's head and to the boundary, gifting India four extra runs.Other fielding lapses included a dropped catch by Laura Wolvaardt at slip and a misfield by Anneke Bosch at mid-off. These errors allowed India to build partnerships and put pressure on the South African bowlers.The Proteas' sloppy fielding was compounded by some wayward bowling. Shabnim Ismail, who is known for her accuracy, bowled several deliveries down the leg side, giving India's batters easy scoring opportunities.South Africa's fielding coach, Delmi Tucker, admitted that the team's performance in the field was below par. "It was really hot out there and tough," she said. "Definitely, we could be better on the field. Seeing an overthrow in most fields is not the best. But it's happening. I think with the overthrow, it's just staying positive, keeping everyone alive, just getting it back to the keeper. It just keeps you sharp. But yes, we can be better at it."The Proteas' fielding woes are a major concern, especially considering that they are playing in India, where the conditions are known to be challenging for fielders. If South Africa wants to compete in this Test match, they will need to improve their fielding significantly.

The stage is set for an epic clash between India and South Africa in the final of the Men's T20 World Cup 2024. This will be the first time these two teams have met in the final of an ICC tournament, making it a historic occasion for both sides.India and South Africa have both been in impressive form throughout the tournament, remaining unbeaten and topping their respective groups. South Africa has faced tougher opposition, including a nail-biting win over West Indies in the Super Eight, while India has overcome challenges from Pakistan, Australia, and England.For South Africa, this final represents a chance to make history by winning their first-ever men's World Cup title. They have come close in the past, reaching the semi-finals of five ODI World Cups and two T20 World Cups, but have never reached the final.India, on the other hand, is looking to end a title drought that has lasted since 2013. They won the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007 but have not won an ICC trophy since then. They came close in 2014, reaching the final of the T20 World Cup, but fell short.The match will be played at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, which has hosted eight matches in the tournament so far. The pitch has been favorable to teams batting first, with three of the first four completed matches won by the chasing team. However, the last two matches have seen comfortable chases by West Indies and England.Wind could be a factor in the final, with gusts predicted at up to 45 kmph. However, it is unlikely to have as much of an impact as it did in Gros Islet during India's match against Australia.Rain is also a possibility, with showers expected throughout the day. There is a 50% chance of precipitation in the morning, decreasing to 30% around the scheduled toss time. However, the forecast improves later in the day, with a 20% chance of rain during match hours.If the match is interrupted by rain, there is a reserve day scheduled for Sunday. However, if the match cannot be completed on either day, both teams will be declared joint-winners.

Rohit Sharma's Stump Mic Banter: "Uppar Dega Toh Deta Hoon Na"Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma has once again provided entertainment for fans with his candid stump mic conversations. In a recent match against England, Rohit was caught on camera engaging in a playful exchange with his batting partner Suryakumar Yadav.As England bowler Liam Livingstone prepared to deliver the last ball of the 11th over, Rohit turned to SKY and said, "Uppar dega toh deta hoon na" (If he pitches it up, I'll hit him for a six). True to his word, Livingstone obliged, and Rohit duly dispatched the ball over the long-on boundary.The video of the exchange quickly went viral on social media, showcasing Rohit's relaxed and confident approach to batting. It also highlighted the camaraderie between the Indian players, who have been in impressive form throughout the tournament.Rohit's six not only entertained the crowd but also helped him reach his half-century and bring up India's 100th run. He eventually fell for 57, but his contribution played a crucial role in India's victory.The Indian team will now face South Africa in the final of the tournament on Saturday. The Proteas have also been in excellent form, having crushed Afghanistan by nine wickets in their semifinal. The final promises to be a thrilling encounter between two evenly matched teams.

South Africa's maiden T20 World Cup final berth has been secured after a dominant nine-wicket victory over Afghanistan in the semifinals. Despite the challenging pitch at the Brian Lara Academy stadium, the Proteas' quicks delivered a stellar performance, bowling out Afghanistan for a mere 56 runs.Captain Aiden Markram expressed his relief at not having to play on the same pitch again, acknowledging its unpredictable nature. However, he praised his team's ability to adapt and find a way to win on a difficult surface."It's hard to tell that a wicket is not good because it can't just always be a batter's game," Markram said. "But finding a way to win is probably the most important thing."The Proteas' victory was built on a strong bowling performance, with Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje leading the charge. Afghanistan's batters struggled to cope with the movement and pace, managing only 56 runs in 10.4 overs.Markram highlighted the importance of winning close games in the group and Super Eights stages, which boosted their confidence. He also acknowledged the team's past failures in global events but emphasized that the current squad is focused on the present opportunity."We feel and believe that we can compete with the best in the world and we can win trophies," Markram said. "It's nice for us to now have that opportunity."The Proteas will now face either India or England in the final in Barbados. Markram emphasized the need to adapt to the different conditions and play to their strengths."We'll try to find ways to always take wickets with the ball and from a batting point of view try to get to a score that's defendable," he said. "Both teams have to play on the same wicket."Markram also praised Afghanistan's impressive run in the tournament, acknowledging their talented players and the inspiration they have provided."They have some of the best (players) in the world at the moment," Markram said. "I'm sure it's not going to be the end of them making knockout cricket."

India's star pacer Jasprit Bumrah experienced an amusing moment after India's triumph over England in the semi-final of the T20 World Cup 2024. A viral video captured Bumrah's awkward attempt to shake hands with the umpire, who inadvertently overlooked him. The incident sparked laughter among fans on social media.Bumrah's performance in the tournament has been exceptional, earning him accolades as the "best player in the team." The video of his handshake mishap has gone viral, providing a lighthearted moment amidst the intense competition.In the match, England elected to field first, but India's openers Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav put up a formidable partnership, scoring 57 and 47 runs respectively. Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja also contributed to India's total of 171/7.England's chase faltered as they struggled to adapt to the pitch conditions, managing only 103 runs in 16.4 overs. Harry Brook and Jos Buttler were the only notable performers for England.Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav were the standout bowlers for India, claiming three wickets each. Bumrah also chipped in with two wickets, helping India secure a convincing 68-run victory.The T20 World Cup final will witness an exciting clash between undefeated India and South Africa in Barbados on Saturday.

Axar Patel's masterful bowling performance in the fourth over of England's chase of 172 proved pivotal in India's victory in the semi-final of the T20 World Cup. Patel's captain, Rohit Sharma, had informed him of the pitch's low and skidding nature, making big shots difficult.Patel's plan was to keep things simple and force the batters to take risks. His first delivery, a reverse sweep attempt by England captain Jos Buttler, resulted in a wicket. Patel then dismissed Jonny Bairstow and Moeen Ali in quick succession, leaving England reeling at 46 for 4.Patel's strategy was based on the difficulty of batting on the pitch. He knew that the batters would try to attack him early on, so he opted for accuracy and consistency. His first delivery to Buttler was not particularly quick, but it was accurate and skidded on with low bounce, knocking over the off stump.Patel's third wicket came after he had conceded just 11 runs in his first two overs. Moeen Ali attempted to clip a delivery off his pads but only deflected it towards wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant, who whipped off the bails.Patel's performance was a testament to his skill and adaptability. He recognized the conditions and adjusted his bowling accordingly, forcing the England batters to make mistakes. His 3 for 23 earned him the Player-of-the-Match award.

Tasmanian offspinner Jarrod Freeman has taken an indefinite break from cricket to prioritize his mental well-being. The 23-year-old has been a mainstay in Tasmania's Sheffield Shield team for the past two seasons, claiming 40 wickets at an average of 46.00. He played a pivotal role in the team's run to the final in the 2023-24 campaign.Freeman's decision to step away from the game highlights the growing awareness of mental health issues in professional sports. Cricket Tasmania has expressed its support for Freeman during this challenging time, emphasizing the importance of mental well-being. The organization hopes to see him return to cricket in the future.Tasmania has taken steps to bolster its spin bowling resources in the off-season, signing Test left-armer Matt Kuhnemann from Queensland and Australia Under-19 offspinner Raf MacMillan on a rookie contract. Kuhnemann, who was recently on standby for Australia's T20 World Cup squad, has moved states to gain more red-ball experience. He has only played four first-class matches since featuring in the Test series against India early last year.Legspinner Mitchell Swepson was Queensland's primary spin option in the Sheffield Shield last season, but the pair played together as a key part of Brisbane Heat's BBL title-winning side. Kuhnemann will remain with Heat for the 2024-25 season.Cricket Tasmania continues to prioritize mental health training and education for its athletes, recognizing the challenges they face throughout their careers. The organization's support for Freeman serves as a reminder of the importance of prioritizing mental well-being in the sporting world.