Cricket

Security Heightened for India-Pakistan T20 World Cup Match in New YorkIn response to reported threats, security measures will be significantly enhanced at the Eisenhower Park stadium in New York for the highly anticipated India vs Pakistan match in the 2024 T20 World Cup. The governor's office has issued a statement assuring that the situation is being closely monitored and that there is currently no credible public safety threat.The Eisenhower Park stadium, located approximately 25 miles east of Manhattan, will host eight matches from June 3 to June 12, including the high-profile India-Pakistan contest. New York Governor Kathy Hochul has emphasized that her administration has been collaborating with law enforcement agencies for months to ensure the smooth and safe conduct of these games."I have directed the New York State Police to implement elevated security measures, including an increased law enforcement presence, advanced surveillance, and thorough screening processes," Governor Hochul stated. "Public safety is my top priority, and we are committed to ensuring that the Cricket World Cup is a safe and enjoyable experience for all."While the authorities have not yet found any corroborative evidence to support the reported threat, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has assured that security will be "robust" throughout the tournament, including at the New York venue. An ICC spokesperson emphasized, "The safety and security of everyone at the event is our number one priority. We have a comprehensive and robust security plan in place. We work closely with authorities in our host countries and continually monitor and evaluate the global landscape to ensure appropriate plans are in place to mitigate any risks identified to our event."India will play four matches in New York, including their first against Canada (June 5), the highly anticipated clash with Pakistan, and a meeting with the USA on June 12. They are also scheduled to play a warm-up game against Bangladesh there. The Indian team arrived in the US on Tuesday and has begun training, although Virat Kohli is yet to join the squad after being granted some time off.Earlier this month, the ICC and Cricket West Indies, who will co-host the World Cup along with the US, expressed confidence that they are taking every possible measure to ensure the safety of fans and players.

England and Pakistan are set to face off in the second match of their three-match T20I series at the Kennington Oval in London. The hosts England won the first match by 45 runs, and will be looking to seal the series with another victory.The pitch at the Kennington Oval is known for its good batting conditions, with an average first innings score of 164 runs in the last 20 matches. The surface is expected to provide assistance to both batters and bowlers, making it a balanced contest.The weather forecast for the match is cloudy, with a temperature of around 15.18 degrees Celsius and humidity of 69%. Winds are expected to blow at a speed of 3.91 m/s, which could aid the pacers.Statistically, pacers have been more successful at the Kennington Oval, taking 80% of the wickets. Fantasy experts predict that the pitch will continue to favor the pacers in this match.In the head-to-head record between England and Pakistan, the all-rounders have been the most valuable players for their respective teams in terms of fantasy points.For England, Shaheen Afridi is a key player to watch. The left-arm fast bowler has an average of 87 match fantasy points in the last 10 games and is a consistent performer. Babar Azam, the Pakistan captain, is another top pick for fantasy teams. The right-handed batter has an average of 55 match fantasy points in the last 10 games.Other players to consider for your fantasy team include Shadab Khan, Sam Curran, Mohammad Rizwan, Will Jacks, Chris Jordan, Jos Buttler, Phil Salt, Saim Ayub, Harry Brook, Imad Wasim, and Adil Rashid.

Former New Zealand fast bowler and commentator Simon Doull has revealed the backlash he has faced for criticizing Virat Kohli's strike rate. Despite praising Kohli's skills and achievements, Doull's comments on the Indian batsman's need to improve his strike rate have drawn negative reactions from passionate fans.Doull believes that Kohli, a phenomenal player, should be dominating more than he has been. He points to Kohli's strike rate as an area for improvement, suggesting that the former RCB captain is afraid to get out and is worried about what is behind him rather than focusing on his own abilities.Doull has also made similar comments about Pakistan's Babar Azam, who has since acknowledged that his coaches have expressed the same concerns. However, Doull emphasizes that his main point has always been that Kohli shouldn't have to worry about getting out, as he is too good for that.Despite his positive comments about Kohli, Doull's criticism of his strike rate has led to death threats. He expresses disappointment that his constructive criticism has been met with such hostility.Doull believes that with the introduction of the impact substitute rule in the IPL, a strike rate of 130-135 is no longer sufficient. Kohli's impressive performance in the IPL 2024, where he finished as the highest run-getter with a strike rate of 154.69, demonstrates that he has taken Doull's criticism to heart.

Shah Rukh Khan's Kolkata Knight Riders Triumph in IPL 2024, Clinching Third ChampionshipBollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan expressed his elation and gratitude as his team, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), emerged victorious in the IPL 2024 final. KKR's dominating eight-wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) marked their third IPL championship title.Khan, the principal owner of KKR, hailed the team's "stars" for their exceptional performance. He acknowledged the contributions of Gautam Gambhir, the team's mentor, Abhishek Nayar, the assistant coach, and Chandrakant Pandit, the head coach."To my boys... my team... my champs... 'these blessed candles of the night'... My Stars...of KKR. I cannot do a lot of things and you cannot do them all either...but together we manage most of them," Khan wrote in a heartfelt social media post.He emphasized the team's unity and collaboration, stating that KKR is "not built on hierarchy but pure respect for collaboration." Khan praised the players' understanding of the team's vision and their dedication to the cause."The Trophy is not a testament of having the best players in the team... but a proof of each player being the best for the team. Boys you are all made of Star stuff!!" he exclaimed.Khan also expressed his gratitude to the KKR fans who had patiently waited 10 years for this victory. He urged them to continue their support and encouraged youngsters to learn from the team's resilience."Love you all and don't let the dancing stop! Also, so happy and thankful for each and every KKR fan and I hope all around the world youngsters learn that tough times don't last..." he wrote.Despite suffering from a heat stroke last week, Khan was present at the final in Chennai's Chepauk Stadium. He appeared in a mask throughout most of the match but removed it as KKR approached victory.KKR's first IPL title came in 2012, followed by another triumph in 2014. The team's latest victory is a testament to their determination and the leadership of Shah Rukh Khan, who has been a constant source of inspiration for the players and fans alike.

Former India opener Aakash Chopra has predicted that Rohit Sharma has played his last match for the Mumbai Indians (MI) franchise in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Chopra believes that either Rohit himself will not want to be retained or the franchise will decide to let him go.Rohit was removed as MI captain at the start of IPL 2024, with Hardik Pandya taking over the leadership. Chopra also predicts that MI will let Ishan Kishan go, despite using the 'Right to Match' card, as his price tag of 15.5 crores is too high.Chopra acknowledges that he might be wrong in his prediction, but he foresees a scenario where Rohit doesn't want to be retained or the franchise decides to let him go. He believes that Rohit's patchy performance in IPL 2024, where he finished with 417 runs including a century, may have influenced the decision.Rohit, nicknamed "Hitman" for his attacking play and big-scoring, signed off in his last league match of the year with a 28-ball fifty. However, his previous seven innings had produced just 88 runs.If Chopra's prediction is correct, it will mark the end of an era for MI. Rohit has been a key player for the franchise since its inception in 2008, leading them to five IPL titles. He is also the all-time leading run-scorer for MI in the IPL.

Virat Kohli, the former Indian skipper and one of the most prolific batsmen in the world, is gearing up for the upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup. In a recent interview, Kohli shared his thoughts on his journey leading up to the tournament and reflected on his emotions prior to his World Cup debut against Bangladesh in 2011.Kohli's debut performance was nothing short of spectacular. He formed a formidable 203-run partnership with Virender Sehwag, becoming the first and only Indian player to achieve a century in their World Cup debut match. His unbeaten 100 runs off 83 deliveries propelled Team India to a total of 370, ultimately securing an impressive 87-run victory."It was against Bangladesh in Dhaka, my first game and I was nervous. Yes, I will not lie. There is a different sense of excitement in the air when you come for a World Cup and I could obviously sense that. I was the youngest member of that team and I was getting to play with all these greats of Indian cricket in a World Cup game," Kohli said on Star Sports."For me it was definitely a moment where I was a bit nervous heading into the game and definitely the night before I was quite nervous but that is a good sign as well because your body is preparing you to enter a situation where you're alert, you're not taking things for granted. I think that nervousness helped me to be aware, be alert and be absolutely precise in the execution of my plans," he added.Kohli has been one of the best batsmen in all formats but his T20 World Cup exploits are second to none. He is the leading run scorer in the history of the tournament having scored 1141 runs in 25 innings taking his average to be an unbelievable 81.50.India will face Bangladesh in a warm-up game on June 1 as a part of their preparation in the T20 World Cup set to be held in the USA and West Indies.

The Royal Dutch Cricket Association (KNCB) has admitted to fielding an ineligible player in the Netherlands' 94-run victory over Italy in the first T20I of their four-match series on Tuesday.The KNCB self-reported the error to the International Cricket Council (ICC) after realizing that the player in question did not meet the ICC's player eligibility regulations. The board has not yet disclosed the identity of the player.The ICC has not yet publicly commented on the breach, but possible sanctions include a suspension for the player and an adjustment, overturning, or amendment of the match result.The Netherlands fielded two T20I debutants against Italy: Madison Landsman, who took a hat-trick for South Africa at the inaugural Under-19 Women's T20 World Cup last year, and Sanya Khurana.The KNCB has expressed its commitment to developing the Netherlands Women's Cricket team and its ambition for the team to continue progressing in ICC T20I and ICC 50-over World Cup pathway competitions.After their T20I series against Italy, the Netherlands are scheduled to face Papua New Guinea, Scotland, and Hong Kong next month. They are currently ranked 15th in the ICC's Women's T20I rankings.The KNCB's error highlights the importance of adhering to player eligibility regulations to ensure fair play and the integrity of the game. The ICC's investigation into the matter will determine the appropriate consequences for the Netherlands and the ineligible player.

Kolkata Knight Riders' Triumph Illuminates Burj Khalifa in Purple GloryIn a spectacular display of celebration, the world's tallest building, Burj Khalifa in Dubai, was adorned in the vibrant purple hues of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to commemorate their third Indian Premier League (IPL) title victory.KKR's triumph over Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL final on May 26 at Chennai's MA Chidambaram Stadium sparked jubilation among their fans and cricket enthusiasts worldwide. In Dubai, the iconic Burj Khalifa became a beacon of celebration, its facade illuminated with purple lights and videos of the moment going viral on social media.The franchise shared a captivating video on social media, capturing the breathtaking spectacle. "View from the top. It's all PURPLE," they captioned the post. The building's towering structure showcased images of the KKR squad and their co-owner, Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, alongside the message: "Congratulations KKR. Congratulations SRK."KKR's previous IPL triumphs came in 2012 and 2014 under the leadership of Gautam Gambhir. Coincidentally, Gambhir now serves as the team's mentor and is a frontrunner to become the new coach of the Indian men's cricket team, replacing Rahul Dravid after the T20 World Cup in June.The Burj Khalifa's tribute to KKR's victory not only celebrated their achievement but also highlighted the global reach and popularity of the IPL. The tournament has become a major sporting event, attracting fans from around the world and showcasing the talent and skill of Indian cricketers.

The search for India's next head coach is underway as Rahul Dravid's tenure nears its end after the T20 World Cup 2024. Reports suggest that Kolkata Knight Riders mentor Gautam Gambhir is the frontrunner for the position, with Ashish Nehra and VVS Laxman also in contention.The BCCI has reportedly received few applications from foreign coaches, preferring candidates with experience in the domestic circuit. Despite the May 27 application deadline, the BCCI may delay the decision as players focus on the T20 World Cup.After the World Cup, the Indian team will tour Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. The BCCI may send National Cricket Academy (NCA) coaches for these tours. "The deadline is fine, but the BCCI brass wouldn't mind taking some more time before reaching a decision," a BCCI source told PTI.Cricbuzz reports that a "very high-profile owner of an IPL franchise" close to the BCCI top brass has indicated that Gambhir's appointment is a "done deal." However, negotiations are ongoing, and no official announcement has been made.Gambhir faces challenges if he accepts the role. As a successful IPL mentor and TV expert, he would have to give up these roles. The demanding schedule of the Indian cricket team coach, requiring extensive travel, may also be a factor for Gambhir, who has a young family.