Cricket

Mitchell Marsh, Australia's captain for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024, has revealed that he will not be bowling in the initial stages of the tournament due to a hamstring injury. However, he remains hopeful of being able to contribute with the ball later on.Marsh, who missed the Indian Premier League (IPL) due to the injury, has had a slower recovery than anticipated. He did not bowl in Australia's warm-up matches against Namibia and West Indies."I won't be bowling early on in the tournament," Marsh said. "I hope I won't bowl late in the tournament either. But I'll progress that slowly over the next 10-12 days and hopefully be available for them at the back end of the tournament."Australia's preparations for the World Cup have been hampered by the late arrival of several players who were involved in the IPL playoffs. However, Marsh believes that the players' time with their families was important."We really value a bit of family time," he said. "The guys have obviously been at the IPL, which I think is great preparation for a World Cup. And then, yeah, just the value of seeing their families and getting them in their own bed for one or two nights is really important."Marsh also expressed excitement about the expanded format of the T20 World Cup, which now includes 20 teams."I think it certainly feels like a World Cup," he said. "I got presented a Ugandan playing shirt the other day in our team hotel and that was a really special moment. It's not just about the cricket throughout these World Cups, it's about opportunity and teams have earned the right to be here."However, Marsh declined to comment on whether there should have been a longer break between the end of the IPL and the start of the T20 World Cup."I don't really have an answer to that question and I don't make those decisions," he said. "As a group, we're here to win. Things may look a little bit disjointed at the beginning, but that's the nature of international cricket these days."

The 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup has officially commenced, marking the ninth edition of the prestigious tournament and the first major ICC event to be hosted in the United States. The tournament, which will span 29 days, features an expanded format with 20 teams competing for the coveted title.For fans in Asia, the time difference with the US will present a unique challenge, as matches will be played at times that may not be convenient for their viewing schedules. However, the excitement and anticipation surrounding the tournament is palpable, especially among fans of the USA and Canada, who will witness their teams take on the world's best in their own backyard.The opening match of the tournament pits the neighboring nations of the USA and Canada against each other, setting the stage for a thrilling start to the competition. The tournament will feature a round-robin format in the group stage, followed by a knockout phase for the top teams.The United States, as the host nation, will be eager to make a strong impression on the world stage. Led by captain Monank Patel, the team boasts a blend of experienced players and rising stars. Canada, on the other hand, will be looking to build on their recent success in international cricket. With a talented squad led by captain Navneet Dhaliwal, they will be determined to make a mark in the tournament.The 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup promises to be a captivating spectacle of cricket, showcasing the skills and talents of the world's best players. With the tournament being held in the United States for the first time, it is expected to attract a global audience and further popularize the sport in the region.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai Hails ICC Men's T20 Cricket World Cup, Celebrates Global Growth of CricketGoogle CEO Sundar Pichai has expressed his enthusiasm for the ICC Men's T20 Cricket World Cup, highlighting the increased participation of teams this year. In a post on Twitter, Mr. Pichai shared his excitement for the global growth of his favorite sport, which is being celebrated with a dedicated Google Doodle.This year's ICC Men's T20 Cricket World Cup features a record 20 teams from around the world, showcasing the growing popularity of the sport. The tournament kicked off on June 2 in the USA and West Indies, with the first match between the United States and Canada.Mr. Pichai's enthusiasm for cricket reflects the sport's increasing global reach. The ICC T20 World Cup is one of the most prestigious events in the cricket calendar, attracting millions of fans worldwide. The tournament provides a platform for the best men's cricketers to showcase their skills and represent their nations.India, one of the cricketing powerhouses, will be aiming to end their ICC trophy drought in this tournament. Having last won the ICC Champions Trophy in 2013, India has come close to victory in recent years, reaching the 50-over World Cup final in 2023, the semifinals in 2015 and 2019, and the title clash of the ICC World Test Championship in 2021 and 2023.The Indian team, led by Rohit Sharma, boasts a formidable lineup of players, including Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, and Jasprit Bumrah. They will face stiff competition from other top teams such as England, Australia, and Pakistan.The ICC Men's T20 Cricket World Cup promises to be an exciting and competitive tournament, showcasing the best of cricket from around the globe. With a record number of teams participating and the support of fans worldwide, the tournament is set to be a memorable event in the history of the sport.

The United States is poised to make history as it co-hosts the Men's T20 World Cup for the first time, marking a significant milestone in the country's growing embrace of cricket. The tournament, which kicks off with the USA facing Canada at the Grand Prairie Stadium, presents a golden opportunity for the sport to penetrate the lucrative American market.The USA's hosting of the World Cup is the culmination of years of efforts to popularize cricket in a nation where traditional sports like basketball, baseball, and football dominate. The launch of Major League Cricket (MLC) last year and the inclusion of cricket in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics are further testaments to the sport's growing appeal.Despite the excitement surrounding the tournament, there are concerns about the lack of buzz in the country. While advertisements for the World Cup are visible in New York's Times Square and the Rockefeller Centre Building, there is little buzz outside of these areas. The opening game between the USA and Canada has not sold out, and tickets for the highly anticipated India-Pakistan match on June 9 are still available.Prasanna Balakrishnan, an ardent cricket fan and software developer in Dallas, believes that the tournament could have been marketed more effectively. "I don't think there is enough buzz for the World Cup here as compared to India," he said. "I feel they could have done a lot more in terms of build-up."USA Cricket's recent announcement of a 25% discount on tickets for the co-hosts' home matches further hints at a lack of enthusiasm. Balakrishnan believes that this move could damage the tournament's image. "When tickets don't actually get sold out, then you open them later at a lower price, which doesn't provide a good image," he said.Despite the challenges, the tournament remains a crucial opportunity for cricket to gain a foothold in the USA. The presence of non-cricket following locals at MLC games last year suggests that there is curiosity about the sport. However, more needs to be done to generate excitement and captivate the interest of the wider American population.

West Indies Aim for Redemption in T20 World Cup Opener Against Papua New GuineaWest Indies will kick off their Caribbean leg of the T20 World Cup 2024 with a match against Papua New Guinea in Providence, Guyana. The hosts will be eager to make a strong start after disappointing performances in the last two editions of the tournament.West Indies, who won the trophy in 2012 and 2016, have struggled in recent years. They managed only one win in five matches in 2021 and failed to reach the Super 12s in 2022. However, they come into this tournament in good form, having swept South Africa 3-0 at home and beating Australia in their only warm-up game.Key players for West Indies include Andre Russell, Nicholas Pooran, Rovman Powell, and Shimron Hetmyer. Russell boasts a strike rate of 207.89 in T20s this year, while Pooran has hit the most sixes in T20 cricket in 2024.Papua New Guinea, making their second appearance at the World Cup, will be looking to upset some calculations. They have a pace-dominated side with only Charles Amini as a frontline spinner. Veteran batters Assad Vala, Tony Ura, Lega Siaka, and Sese Bau will be crucial for PNG.The match will be played at Providence, where teams have been happier to bat second. However, there are chances of showers and even a thunderstorm early in the day, which could impact the game.West Indies will be hoping to start their campaign with a win and build momentum for the rest of the tournament. They will be aware of the threat posed by PNG, who have the experience and ability to cause an upset.

Former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly has advocated for Virat Kohli to open the batting alongside skipper Rohit Sharma in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup. Ganguly believes that Kohli's exceptional performance as an opener for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 2024 IPL season, where he won the Orange Cap, should be replicated in the international arena.Kohli's remarkable IPL campaign saw him amass 741 runs in 15 matches, averaging an impressive 61.75 with a century and five fifties. His highest score was an unbeaten 113, and his strike rate of 154.69 was the highest he has ever achieved in a single IPL season.Ganguly emphasized the importance of Kohli playing with the same freedom and aggression he displayed in the second half of the IPL. He believes that Kohli's ability to dominate the opposition and score at a rapid pace will be crucial for India's success in the T20 World Cup."I want Virat to bat the way he did for RCB in the second half of the IPL. He has to bat with freedom. Needless to say, he is a great player, but for India to do well, Virat will have to bat with freedom like he did in the IPL," Ganguly stated.Ganguly also praised wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant, who made a strong comeback to professional cricket after a serious car accident in December 2022. Pant's impressive performance in the IPL, where he scored 446 runs at an average of 40.54 and a strike rate of 155.40, has earned him Ganguly's admiration.Ganguly highlighted Pant's unique ability to find angles on the ground and expressed confidence in the 26-year-old's potential to make a significant impact in the T20 World Cup. "He is a very special talent. His keeping is good, but his batting really special. He is capable of picking some great angles in the ground, and that's his USP. Not every player will be able to do that, you see. And that's what makes Pant very important for India," Ganguly said.India will be eager to end their ICC trophy drought in the T20 World Cup, having last won an ICC event in 2013. The team has reached the finals and semifinals of various ICC tournaments since then but has failed to secure a major trophy. India will aim to win their first T20 World Cup title since their inaugural victory in 2007 in South Africa.

India vs Bangladesh Warm-Up Match: A Prelude to the T20 World CupIndia and Bangladesh will face off in a crucial warm-up match on Saturday, June 1, at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York. This encounter will serve as a vital preparation for both teams ahead of the highly anticipated T20 World Cup 2024.India, led by Rohit Sharma, will be eager to test their squad and fine-tune their strategies before the tournament begins. Star batter Virat Kohli, who recently joined the team, may miss the warm-up match due to a minor injury. However, the likes of KL Rahul, Suryakumar Yadav, and Hardik Pandya will be keen to make an impact.Bangladesh, on the other hand, will be looking to bounce back from their disappointing T20I series defeat against the United States. Led by Shakib Al Hasan, the Tigers will be determined to prove their mettle against a formidable Indian side.The match will be telecast live on the Star Sports Network in India and streamed on Disney plus Hotstar. The toss will take place at 7:30 PM IST, with the match scheduled to start at 8:00 PM IST.Key Details:* Date: Saturday, June 1* Venue: Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York* Time: 8:00 PM IST* TV Channels: Star Sports Network* Live Streaming: Disney plus HotstarSignificance:This warm-up match will provide both India and Bangladesh with an opportunity to assess their strengths and weaknesses. It will also allow them to experiment with different combinations and tactics before the high-stakes World Cup.For India, the match will be a chance to build momentum and confidence ahead of their tournament opener against Pakistan. Bangladesh, meanwhile, will be keen to regain their form and prove that they are capable of competing with the best in the world.

Yuvraj Singh Introduces Cricket to America on 'Good Morning America'Former Indian all-rounder Yuvraj Singh graced the popular TV show 'Good Morning America' to shed light on the intricacies of cricket for the American audience. Joining host Michael Anthony Strahan and weathercaster Sam Champion, Yuvraj highlighted the key differences between cricket and baseball, a beloved sport in the United States.As the T20 World Cup ambassador, Yuvraj expressed his surprise at the presence of cricket in America and predicted its growing popularity in the years to come. "Never imagined that cricket would be played in America. It's very exciting. The ICC has built a couple of new stadiums, I would like to see the Americans watching the sport," said Yuvraj, who played a pivotal role in India's inaugural T20 World Cup triumph.Yuvraj drew parallels between cricket and baseball, explaining the similarities in the swing and the concept of hitting the ball out of the park. However, he emphasized the differences in the number of strikes and the ability to hit the ball behind square in cricket."In baseball, you can swing at everything. In cricket, you keep your bat down because the ball bounces and comes to you," Yuvraj said. "In baseball, there is less time -- after three strikes, you are out. In cricket, you have got to think probably quicker. In baseball, you have to hit everything straight, in cricket you can hit behind square."Yuvraj's appearance on 'Good Morning America' serves as a testament to the growing global appeal of cricket. As the sport continues to gain traction in new territories, Yuvraj's insights and enthusiasm will undoubtedly contribute to its popularity in America.

The highly anticipated first-round clash between archrivals India and Pakistan in the T20 World Cup is set to take place on June 9 at the newly constructed Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York. Both teams are considered favorites to advance to the Super 8 stage from Group A, which also includes Ireland.India, led by experienced captain Rohit Sharma and star batter Virat Kohli, is aiming to reclaim the title they won at the inaugural tournament in South Africa in 2007. Former Indian captain and BCCI president Sourav Ganguly believes that India has a strong chance of winning the World Cup, but he cautions that Pakistan will pose a formidable challenge in the Twenty20 format."Our record against Pakistan has been very good over a long period of time," Ganguly said. "In the T20 format, probably Pakistan is more dangerous compared to 50-overs (format). We beat them in Ahmedabad when they came to India and we beat them easily."However, Ganguly emphasized that India must play with freedom and without fear to maximize their chances of success. "Just put all the cobwebs behind. Don't worry about winning or losing. Don't think about winning the World Cup. Just go and play every game," he advised.Ganguly also praised India's talented squad, which includes Kohli, Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Shivam Dubey, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, and Sanju Samson. "That's why I say everyone is capable of winning it for India and the only way they will do it is (if they) just play with freedom," he said.Regarding the drop-in pitches that will be used in the USA leg of the World Cup, Ganguly expressed optimism that they will be batting-friendly. "I am very keen to see how the conditions are in the US. (The Nassau County Cricket Stadium is a) new ground, new stadium. I know there have been drop in pitches from Adelaide," he said."The ICC has spent a lot of money to bring in the drop-in pitches to America," he added. "(The) drop-in pitches are normally very good, very batting friendly. And they don't change much over a period of time because they are different from natural pitches. So we are expecting the pitches to be very good."