Cricket

The West Indies cricket team has suffered a setback ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup, with star all-rounder Jason Holder ruled out due to an injury sustained while playing in the County Championship. The Cricket West Indies (CWI) announced the news on May 26, stating that Holder will require a recovery period and will not be available for the tournament.Holder's absence is a significant blow to the West Indies, as he is a key player in both their batting and bowling lineups. He has been a consistent performer for the team in recent years, and his experience and leadership will be missed.In Holder's place, the CWI has named Obed McCoy as his replacement. McCoy is a left-arm fast bowler who has impressed in recent matches for the West Indies. He has taken 10 wickets in his last five T20 internationals, and his ability to swing the ball both ways makes him a valuable asset to the team.In addition to McCoy, the CWI has also named five reserve players for the tournament: Kyle Mayers, Fabian Allen, Matthew Forde, Andre Fletcher, and Hayden Walsh. These players will be on standby in case of any further injuries or unforeseen circumstances.The T20 World Cup will be co-hosted by the Caribbean nations and the USA from June 2. The West Indies will be looking to make a strong impression on home soil, and they will be hoping that McCoy can step up and fill the void left by Holder's absence.

Mitchell Starc's Early Strike Sets Tone for Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2024 FinalIn a pulsating IPL 2024 final at the iconic Chepauk Stadium, Kolkata Knight Riders' star pacer Mitchell Starc showcased his big-match temperament with a crucial early breakthrough against Sunrisers Hyderabad. The left-arm seamer struck in the very first over of the match, dismissing the in-form opener Abhishek Sharma, dealing a significant blow to Hyderabad's hopes of a strong start.Starc, the IPL's most expensive player, left the Chennai crowd in awe with a peach of a delivery that breached Sharma's defenses and clipped the outside of his off-stump. The length ball, pitched on middle stump, deviated away at the last moment, leaving Sharma helpless.The early strike set the tone for the match, as Kolkata Knight Riders tightened their grip on the proceedings. Sunrisers Hyderabad skipper Pat Cummins had won the toss and elected to bat first, hoping to capitalize on the momentum gained from their virtual semi-final victory over Rajasthan Royals two days prior.However, Starc's early breakthrough put Hyderabad on the back foot, and they struggled to recover. The Knight Riders bowlers maintained a disciplined line and length, restricting Hyderabad's scoring rate and forcing them to take unnecessary risks.Kolkata Knight Riders, under the guidance of former India batsman Gautam Gambhir, are seeking their third IPL title after victories in 2012 and 2014. Sunrisers Hyderabad, on the other hand, are aiming for their second title, having won their maiden crown in 2016 under Australian David Warner.As the match progressed, the Knight Riders continued to dominate, with their bowlers keeping the Hyderabad batsmen in check. The Sunrisers were unable to build any substantial partnerships, and their innings eventually folded for a below-par total.Kolkata Knight Riders, in response, chased down the target with relative ease, thanks to a solid batting performance led by their skipper, Shreyas Iyer. The victory marked a memorable triumph for the Knight Riders, who had endured a challenging season but rose to the occasion when it mattered most.

In an unprecedented display of flair, Kolkata Knight Riders captain Shreyas Iyer introduced a novel twist to the coin toss ritual during the IPL Final against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Chennai on Sunday. As Iyer prepared to flip the coin, he executed an unexpected pirouette, completing a full circular motion before the coin descended to the ground.The bizarre incident drew amused reactions from commentators and viewers alike, with Iyer himself sporting a wry smile. However, the unconventional toss did not favor the Knight Riders, as Sunrisers Hyderabad captain Pat Cummins emerged victorious and elected to bat first.The match marked the culmination of a thrilling IPL season, with both teams seeking to add to their trophy cabinets. Kolkata Knight Riders have previously won the title twice, while Sunrisers Hyderabad are aiming for their second IPL triumph.Sunrisers Hyderabad made a single change to their lineup, bringing in Shahbaz Ahmed in place of Abdul Samad. Kolkata Knight Riders, on the other hand, retained the same eleven that had secured their victory in Qualifier 1.The playing XIs for the Final were as follows:Sunrisers Hyderabad:* Pat Cummins (c)* Travis Head* Abhishek Sharma* Rahul Tripathi* Aiden Markram* Nitish Reddy* Heinrich Klaasen (w)* Shahbaz Ahmed* Bhuvneshwar Kumar* Jaydev Unadkat* T NatarajanKolkata Knight Riders:* Shreyas Iyer (c)* Rahmanullah Gurbaz (w)* Sunil Narine* Venkatesh Iyer* Rinku Singh* Andre Russell* Ramandeep Singh* Mitchell Starc* Vaibhav Arora* Harshit Rana* Varun ChakaravarthyThe match promised to be a thrilling encounter between two evenly matched teams. With the unique coin toss adding an element of intrigue, the IPL Final was set to provide a memorable conclusion to the tournament.

Pakistan Women, seeking redemption after their defeat in the first ODI, have opted to bat first against England Women in the second ODI at Taunton. Despite overcast skies and the threat of rain, the match commenced on time with an unchanged Pakistani lineup.England, on the other hand, made two alterations to their squad. Lauren Filer replaced Lauren Bell as a seamer, while Danni Wyatt returned from illness to bolster the batting lineup. Leg-spinner Sarah Glenn was omitted to accommodate Wyatt's return.Pakistan's batting lineup remains unchanged from the first ODI, which they lost by 37 runs. Sidra Ameen, Sadaf Shamas, Muneeba Ali, Ayesha Zafar, Nida Dar, Aliya Riaz, Fatima Sana, Najiha Alvi, Umm-e-Hani, Diana Baig, and Nashra Sandhu will take to the crease.England's batting order features Maia Bouchier, Tammy Beaumont, Heather Knight, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Alice Capsey, Danni Wyatt, Amy Jones, Charlie Dean, Sophie Ecclestone, Kate Cross, and Lauren Filer.Sophia Dunkley, who has been in impressive form for South East Stars in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, has been added to England's ODI squad for the remaining two games. However, she has been named as the 12th player for the Taunton match.With the series on the line, both teams will be eager to secure a victory. Pakistan will be determined to level the series, while England will aim to extend their lead and clinch the series. The match is expected to be a closely contested affair, with both teams possessing talented players capable of turning the tide in their favor.

Shah Rukh Khan Recovers from Heat Stroke, Departs for IPL Final in ChennaiBollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has made a swift recovery from a heat stroke and was spotted at the Mumbai airport on Sunday, departing for Chennai with his family. The actor, who is a co-owner of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) cricket team, is set to attend the IPL final between KKR and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at Chepauk Stadium.Khan, who has been a regular presence at cricket grounds this season, has been passionately supporting his team. His energetic presence, whether cheering from the stands or engaging with players from both teams, has made him a standout co-owner. His support during KKR's Qualifier 1 match against SRH significantly boosted the morale of the "men in purple."Earlier, Khan had to be hospitalized due to a heat stroke caused by the severe heatwave in Ahmedabad. Fortunately, he was discharged a few hours later. Although Khan has not publicly addressed the incident, his manager Pooja Dadlani provided an update on Instagram, expressing gratitude on his behalf."To all of Mr Khan's fans and well-wishers - he is doing well. Thank you for your love, prayers, and concern," Dadlani captioned her post.Khan's KKR business partners Juhi Chawla and her husband Jay Mehta visited him at the Ahmedabad hospital, ensuring that he received the best care and support.As the Khan family arrives in Chennai, their presence is expected to further invigorate the KKR team ahead of the highly anticipated IPL final. The match promises to be a thrilling encounter between two evenly matched teams, and Khan's support will undoubtedly be a major boost for KKR.

England emerged victorious in the second T20I against Pakistan at Edgbaston, Birmingham, securing a 1-0 lead in the four-match series. The first match was abandoned due to rain.Pakistan's captain, Babar Azam, played a valiant innings, scoring 32 runs off 26 deliveries at a strike rate of 123.08, including four boundaries. However, his efforts proved insufficient to secure a win for his team.With his knock, Babar surpassed India's Rohit Sharma to become the second-highest run-scorer in T20Is. Rohit has amassed 3974 runs in 151 matches for India, while Babar now boasts 3987 runs in 118 matches for Pakistan. India's Virat Kohli remains the leading run-scorer in T20Is, with 4037 runs from 117 matches.After the match, Babar expressed his admiration for his bowlers, acknowledging their exceptional performance. He noted that he and Fakhar Zaman had formed a significant partnership, but subsequent batters failed to capitalize on their momentum."It was a par score, our bowlers bowled very well. In the batting, there were moments, but we didn't finish well. Small partnership between me and Fakhar and later on, there was no big partnership," Babar said.He emphasized the adaptability and role clarity within the team, stating that if he and Fakhar had remained at the crease for a few more overs, the outcome could have been different."We are flexible, everyone knows their role. We have decided each player's role. If you are not in good form, we are flexible. The way Fakhar dominated after wickets fell ... if me and Fakhar had batted for three more overs, it would have been a different ball game," he added.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 final is set to witness a thrilling clash between two formidable teams: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). Both teams have a rich history in the tournament and will be vying for their third and second IPL titles, respectively.KKR's Title Triumphs:KKR has emerged victorious in two previous IPL editions, both under the leadership of Gautam Gambhir. In 2012, they defeated Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by 5 wickets in Chennai, while in 2014, they overcame Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) by 3 wickets in Bengaluru.SRH's Title Victories:SRH has also tasted IPL glory, winning the title in 2016 under the captaincy of David Warner. They defeated Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) by 8 runs in Bengaluru. As Deccan Chargers, the Hyderabad-based franchise had previously won the title in 2009, beating RCB by 6 runs in Johannesburg under Adam Gilchrist's leadership.Captains' Records:Shreyas Iyer has led KKR to an impressive season, winning 10 out of 14 matches with a winning percentage of 76.92. Pat Cummins, on the other hand, has guided SRH to 9 victories and 6 defeats from 15 matches, with a winning percentage of 60.Top Performers:Sunil Narine has been a standout performer for KKR with the bat, amassing 482 runs from 14 matches, including a century and 3 fifties. Varun Chakaravarthy has been equally impressive with the ball, claiming 20 wickets.For SRH, Travis Head has been the leading run-scorer with 567 runs, including a century and four half-centuries. Thangarasu Natarajan has been the most successful bowler, taking 19 wickets.KKR's Advantage:KKR holds a slight advantage over SRH, having defeated them twice this season. They won by 4 runs in their first encounter and by 8 wickets in Qualifier 1. Mitchell Starc, KKR's most expensive player, has also had the upper hand against Head in Australian domestic cricket.Conclusion:The IPL 2024 final promises to be a captivating contest between two evenly matched teams. KKR's recent dominance and SRH's title-winning experience make this a highly anticipated clash. The outcome will hinge on the performances of key players and the tactical acumen of the captains.

Virat Kohli's Departure for T20 World Cup Delayed Due to Paperwork IssueIndian cricket legend Virat Kohli's departure for the T20 World Cup in the United States has been postponed due to a delay in paperwork, according to reports. The first batch of players from India's squad, led by captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Rahul Dravid, departed for the USA on Sunday.Kohli was not among the players who left on the first flight. Batting coach Vikram Rathour, Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube, Mohammed Siraj, and Arshdeep Singh, along with traveling reserves Shubman Gill and Khaleel Ahmed, were also spotted at the Mumbai airport.Team vice-captain Hardik Pandya was also absent from the group. Pandya is reportedly in London and will fly to the US from there.The delay in Kohli's departure is believed to be related to a paperwork issue. The Indian cricket board (BCCI) is working to resolve the matter as soon as possible.Kohli is a key member of the Indian team and his absence from the first batch of players departing for the USA is a concern. However, the BCCI is confident that the issue will be resolved soon and Kohli will join the squad in time for the tournament.The T20 World Cup is scheduled to be held in the United States from October 16 to November 13. India is one of the favorites to win the tournament, and Kohli's presence in the squad will be crucial to their chances of success.

Bangladesh salvaged some pride by defeating the United States by 10 wickets in the final match of their three-game T20I series in Houston on Saturday. The victory came after the Americans had surprised their higher-ranked opponents by winning the first two games.Mustafizur Rahman was the star for Bangladesh, taking a career-best 6-10 as the USA were restricted to a mere 104-9 in their 20 overs. The visitors then chased down the target in just 11.4 overs without losing a wicket.The American innings started well with Shayan Jahangir and Andries Gous putting on 46 runs before Gous was caught by Soumya Sarkar off Shakib Al Hasan's bowling. Jahingir followed soon after, caught by Tanzim Hasan Sakib while attempting to pull a delivery from Mustafizur.The hosts struggled to maintain their momentum, scoring only 14 runs while losing three more wickets. Mustafizur, bowling his second spell at the death, finished with his career-best T20I figures of 6-10.Bangladesh's chase was comfortable, with Tanzid Hasan scoring 58 off 42 balls and Soumya contributing 43 off 28 deliveries. The American bowlers failed to exert any significant pressure on the Bangladeshi batsmen.Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto expressed satisfaction with his team's response to the two previous losses. "I think the boys showed a lot of character today. I think the plan we made before this match, everyone executed," he said.He acknowledged the disappointment of losing the series but emphasized the importance of finishing on a positive note and gaining valuable experience ahead of the World Cup.USA vice-captain Aaron Jones attributed the loss to poor shot selection by the American batsmen. The USA will play two warm-up games against Bangladesh and Nepal in Grand Prairie, Dallas, before facing Canada in the opening game of the T20 World Cup on Saturday. Jones stressed the significance of these matches in finalizing the team's combination for the tournament.