Cricket

Brett Lee: Fast Bowlers Struggling to Master Yorkers, Except for BumrahLegendary Australian fast bowler Brett Lee has expressed concern over the lack of proficiency in executing yorkers among fast bowlers, with the exception of India's Jasprit Bumrah. Lee believes that mastering this crucial delivery is essential in the modern cricketing landscape, where high scores are becoming increasingly common."On a general rule, other than Bumrah, we haven't seen enough fast bowlers nailing their yorkers recently," Lee said at the launch of the Legends Intercontinental T20 league. "I want to see fast bowlers bowl more yorkers. I still don't reckon they execute enough yorkers at the death."Lee emphasized the effectiveness of yorkers in the Indian Premier League (IPL), where they have consistently proven to be economical, with an average strike rate of less than 100. However, he acknowledged the challenges posed by innovative batsmen who can scoop the ball over the head."I'm all for batters smoking the ball all over, but there has got to be something for the bowlers too," Lee added. "I'm not asking for a green top, where teams bowled out for 110, because that's not good for cricket either."Lee believes that a good total in T20 cricket is around 185 to 230 runs, but recent scores have reached as high as 277. This makes it difficult for bowlers to contain the opposition, as they often concede 45 to 50 runs in their four overs.Regarding Australia's T20 World Cup squad, Lee believes that David Warner has earned the right to retire on his own terms. Despite the impressive performance of young batter Jake Fraser-McGurk in the IPL, the selectors have opted for the experienced Warner, Travis Head, and Mitchell Marsh in the top order. McGurk has been named as a traveling reserve.Lee advised McGurk to be patient and not rush his career. "I think if you go over there as a reserve batsman, you definitely have a chance to get an opportunity," Lee said. "But the advice to him, and he articulated it beautifully to say that he's only 22 years of age (araam se araam se). He's got time. There's no point rushing it."

The highly anticipated T20 World Cup is set to commence on June 2nd, with experts predicting a thrilling final between India and Australia. This would be a rematch of the 2019 ODI World Cup final, where Australia emerged victorious.According to cricket experts from Star Sports, India and Australia are the frontrunners to reach the summit clash on June 29th. Former India pacer Sreesanth expressed his belief that India will avenge their ODI World Cup defeat and claim their second T20 crown. Sreesanth was a crucial member of the 2007 T20 World Cup-winning team under MS Dhoni.The tournament will be co-hosted by the USA and West Indies from June 2nd to 29th. India has been placed in Group B alongside Pakistan, Ireland, USA, and Canada. Their campaign begins on June 5th against Ireland in New York, followed by the highly anticipated clash with Pakistan on June 9th at the same venue.Other experts who shared their predictions include Brian Lara, Sunil Gavaskar, Paul Collingwood, Chris Morris, and Matthew Hayden. They all agreed that India and Australia possess the strongest squads and are the favorites to reach the final.India will be eager to prove their dominance in the shortest format of the game, while Australia will be looking to defend their title and extend their reign as T20 World Champions. The tournament promises to deliver high-octane action and intense rivalry, with the best teams in the world vying for the coveted trophy.

Kolkata Knight Riders' young paceman Harshit Rana has shared a heartwarming story involving franchise co-owner Shah Rukh Khan following KKR's victorious IPL 2024 campaign. Rana, who had a breakthrough season, played a pivotal role in KKR's third title victory, taking 19 wickets in 13 matches.However, Rana's season was not without controversy. He was handed a one-match ban for a Level 1 offence under Article 2.5 of the IPL's Code of Conduct during a match against Delhi Capitals at Eden Gardens. The young pacer made an animated gesture towards DC's Abhishek Porel after taking his wicket, marking his second penalty of the season. Earlier, Rana had been fined 60% of his match fees for giving a flying-kiss send-off to Sunrisers Hyderabad's batter Mayank Agarwal.Reflecting on his emotions after the ban, the 22-year-old disclosed a special interaction with Shah Rukh Khan. Feeling dejected, Rana received a pep talk from the Bollywood superstar, who made a heartfelt promise to lift his spirits."Oh Yes! After I got banned for one match, I was very sad and then Shah Rukh sir came to me and said 'Tu tension mat le ye waali celebration Trophy ke saath karenge' (Don't worry, we will celebrate this with the trophy). He promised me and made sure that we did that with the trophy and our team," Harshit told the Indian Express.True to his word, Shah Rukh Khan led the entire KKR team in a flying kiss celebration after they clinched the IPL trophy. This gesture not only fulfilled a promise but also united the team in a moment of shared joy and camaraderie.Rana's performance in the final against Sunrisers Hyderabad was outstanding. He claimed two wickets for just 24 runs in his four overs, including a rare maiden over in the summit clash. His contributions were crucial in securing KKR's victory.After the final, KKR's left-arm seamer Mitchell Starc lauded the young pacer's efforts, highlighting his growth and confidence throughout the season."Harshit is learning what his skills are capable of throughout this IPL. He seems pretty confident in his abilities. He started his season with the second-best team in this season (SRH). The right-arm seamer has bowled some tough overs and also crucial last overs and has taken a good amount of wickets this season as well," Starc said.Rana's journey in the IPL has been a testament to his hard work and determination. Despite facing setbacks, he has shown resilience and a willingness to learn. His performances have not only helped KKR achieve success but have also earned him the respect of his teammates and opponents.

The search for India's next men's cricket head coach is underway, but one prominent name, MS Dhoni, is ineligible for the role. The BCCI requires applicants to be retired from all forms of cricket, and Dhoni continues to play in the IPL for the Chennai Super Kings.Despite his retirement from international cricket in 2020, Dhoni's popularity and experience have made him a popular choice among fans. However, his IPL involvement disqualifies him from the head coach position.Dhoni's potential involvement with the team remains open. He previously mentored India during the 2021 T20 World Cup, and there are no indications that he will retire after the 2024 IPL season.The BCCI received over 3,000 applications for the head coach position, including some hoax applications. The final list of candidates has not been disclosed.Among the potential candidates mentioned in the media are Gautam Gambhir, Stephen Fleming, and Ricky Ponting. However, the BCCI has not confirmed any names.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has become a dominant force in cricket, often overshadowing the T20 World Cup. However, the IPL's influence on the World Cup squad selection has been limited, with selectors opting for a pragmatic and conservative approach.The 15-member World Cup squad, led by Rohit Sharma, includes experienced players like Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Ravindra Jadeja. While these players have proven their worth in the past, their recent IPL performances have raised questions about their current form.The absence of young players who impressed in the IPL, such as Abhishek Sharma and Harshit Rana, has sparked debate. Critics argue that the selectors should have given more weight to IPL performances, especially in a format that favors experimentation.However, the selectors have defended their decision, emphasizing the importance of experience and pedigree in a high-pressure tournament like the World Cup. They believe that the team's core was established before the IPL, and that individual performances in the league should not overshadow the overall balance and chemistry of the squad.The T20 World Cup format, with its unpredictable nature and knockout rounds, makes it difficult for even the best teams to dominate. India's goal is to win the title, and the selectors have opted for a safety-first approach to ensure a strong foundation.While experience is crucial, the question remains whether the selectors have overlooked the potential of in-form youngsters. The IPL has provided a platform for emerging players to showcase their skills, and some argue that their contributions should be valued more in the World Cup selection process.The performance of India in the tournament will determine the validity of the conservative approach. If the team succeeds, it will reinforce the importance of experience and stability. However, if they falter, it may lead to a reassessment of the role of IPL performances in future World Cup selections.

Suryakumar Yadav's Witty Banter with Yashasvi Jaiswal as Team India Prepares for T20 World CupAs the Indian cricket team gears up for the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup in New York, star batter Suryakumar Yadav couldn't resist engaging in some light-hearted banter with his young teammate, opener Yashasvi Jaiswal.Jaiswal, who arrived in New York as part of the second batch of the Indian contingent, shared a photo on Instagram showcasing his exploration of the city's streets. Yadav, known for his quick wit, seized the opportunity to comment, "Sambhaal ke. Garden me ghoomega toh pata hai na," referencing a popular line from a Bollywood film.The Indian team, which landed in New York in two batches, is currently undergoing preparations for the T20 World Cup, scheduled to take place in the USA and the West Indies from June 2. The first batch included captain Rohit Sharma, head coach Rahul Dravid, and pacer Jasprit Bumrah, while the second batch had Yuzvendra Chahal, Avesh Khan, and Jaiswal.India, placed in Group A, will face arch-rivals Pakistan, co-hosts USA, Ireland, and Canada. They will kick off their World Cup campaign against Ireland on June 5 in New York. Additionally, they have a warm-up match scheduled against Bangladesh on June 1.The team is aiming to bounce back after crashing out in the semi-finals of the previous edition, where they lost to eventual champions England. India's last T20 World Cup title came in the inaugural edition in 2007, when a young team led by MS Dhoni emerged victorious.

Cricket, a sport once popular in America, is poised for a resurgence as the T20 World Cup brings the game to the United States. Sixteen of the 55 matches will be played in the country, with the aim of both introducing cricket to Americans and attracting financial support.The US recently defeated Bangladesh in a T20 series, marking the first time they have triumphed over a Test nation. Led by wicket-keeper Monank Patel, who played Under-19 cricket for Gujarat, the US team is generating excitement. The inaugural match will feature the US against Canada, a symbolic encounter as these countries played the first-ever international cricket match in 1844.However, cricket's history in America is complex. After the Civil War, baseball emerged as the dominant sport, leaving cricket to become a niche activity. Tom Melville, in his book "The Tented Field," attributes this shift to baseball's shorter, faster structure and alternating periods of excitement and dramatic pauses, which provided Americans with a cultural expression that cricket, with its traditional limitations, could not duplicate.Despite these challenges, the International Cricket Council (ICC) sees the US as a potential growth market. T20, with its shorter, quicker format, is seen as the ideal vehicle to attract American audiences. The ICC hopes to capitalize on the growing popularity of cricket among Indian immigrants in the US, who number around five million.However, relying solely on the expatriate community to popularize the sport may be unrealistic. To truly establish cricket in America, it must appeal to a broader audience. The ICC is aware of this and is working to promote the game among younger generations.The return of cricket to the Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028 provides another opportunity to showcase the sport to Americans. The T20 format is expected to be the preferred choice for the Olympics, further increasing its visibility.While the task of popularizing cricket in America is significant, the ICC is determined to succeed. The sport's potential financial benefits are undeniable, and the ICC is eager to reduce India's dominance in the cricketing world.

Legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar is expected to grace the highly anticipated T20 World Cup clash between India and Pakistan on June 9 in New York. The 51-year-old icon, who has a long-standing association with a key ICC sponsor, is likely to be present at the Nassau County ground to lend his support to the Indian team led by Rohit Sharma.According to sources within the ICC, the stadium located on the outskirts of New York is anticipated to be packed to capacity for the morning clash between the arch-rivals. Tendulkar's presence will undoubtedly amplify the excitement and significance of this marquee encounter."Yes, if all goes well, Sachin will be watching the match in New York and cheering the Indian team," a source closely associated with the ICC revealed to PTI on condition of anonymity. "It is still uncertain whether he will meet the players before the game, but his mere presence in the stands will undoubtedly boost the morale of Rohit Sharma and his men in what will be their most crucial group league assignment."Tendulkar, widely regarded as the greatest Indian cricketer of all time, continues to hold the record for the highest run-scorer in both Test and ODI cricket. He has participated in six 50-over World Cups between 1992 and 2011.Notably, Tendulkar has previously served as the ICC's 'Brand Ambassador' during the 2015 ODI World Cup held in Australia and New Zealand. His presence at the T20 World Cup clash between India and Pakistan is expected to add an extra layer of excitement and anticipation to the already highly charged atmosphere.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has expressed its gratitude to the ground staff for their tireless efforts in providing exceptional pitches throughout the 17th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). In recognition of their dedication, the groundsmen and curators at the 10 regular IPL venues will receive INR 25 lakhs each, while those at the 3 additional venues will get INR 10 lakhs each.BCCI secretary Jay Shah took to social media to convey his appreciation, stating, "The unsung heroes of our successful T20 season are the incredible ground staff who worked tirelessly to provide brilliant pitches, even in difficult weather conditions."The ground staff's efforts were particularly crucial in the recently concluded final between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at Chennai's Chepauk Stadium. Despite challenging weather conditions, the pitch remained in excellent condition, allowing for an exciting and competitive match.KKR emerged victorious in the final, securing their third IPL title and their first in 10 years. Mitchell Starc and Andre Russell played pivotal roles with their fiery spells, while Venkatesh Iyer's half-century helped KKR chase down the target of 114 runs in just 10.3 overs.The BCCI's gesture of appreciation highlights the importance of the ground staff in ensuring the success of cricket matches. Their hard work and dedication create a safe and conducive environment for players to perform at their best.