Cricket

Team India embarks on its ICC T20 World Cup 2024 journey with a crucial opening match against Ireland on Wednesday. Led by the experienced Rohit Sharma, the team aims to shed the disappointment of last year's ODI World Cup final loss and make a strong start in this prestigious tournament.Rohit, now 36, is eager to add an ICC trophy to his illustrious career, a feat that has eluded India since 2013. The team's last T20 World Cup triumph came in the inaugural edition in 2007 under Mahendra Singh Dhoni's leadership. Since then, India has reached the final only once, in 2014, where they were defeated by Sri Lanka.Ahead of the tournament, star all-rounder Hardik Pandya has been in impressive form. In a warm-up match against Bangladesh, he showcased his power-hitting abilities with an unbeaten 40 off 23 balls, including four sixes. Pandya also claimed a wicket in the match.India's preparations for the World Cup have been thorough, including a comprehensive training camp and a warm-up match against Bangladesh. The team's confidence is high, and they are determined to make a strong statement in the tournament.The opening match against Ireland will be a crucial test for India. Ireland has emerged as a competitive force in recent years, and they will be looking to upset the Indian juggernaut. However, India's experience and quality should give them the edge in this encounter.As the tournament progresses, India will face other formidable opponents, including England, Australia, and Pakistan. The team will need to maintain their focus and execute their plans effectively to achieve their goal of lifting the T20 World Cup trophy.

India's vice-captain Hardik Pandya has silenced his critics with a match-winning knock against Bangladesh in the T20 World Cup warm-up fixture. Pandya's unbeaten 40 off just 23 balls helped India post a total of 182/5, striking two fours and four sixes.There had been a lot of talk surrounding Pandya's form in the lead-up to the T20 World Cup, as the star all-rounder had a below-par season in the IPL. His selection became a major talking point when India announced its squad for the T20 World Cup during the league stage of the cash-rich league.However, Pandya's knock against Bangladesh has shown that he is still a force to be reckoned with. Former India batter Navjot Singh Sidhu said, "There were many question marks over Hardik Pandya and they have been erased. The more you try to put Hardik Pandya down, the more he emerges and shines, just like a diamond shines after being continuously rubbed. Hardik Pandya is a great takeaway."Pandya has endured a tough couple of months in the IPL after returning to Mumbai Indians before the start of the season. He replaced Rohit Sharma as captain of the franchise, a decision which wasn't taken well by the fans. He was attacked by fans across the IPL venues with constant booing, including by the MI supporters.Since coming into the Indian team in 2016, Pandya excelled in his all-round roles in all formats, till a back injury in the 2018 Asia Cup and surgery post the 2019 World Cup stopped him from being back at his absolute best, resulting in him playing only as a batter in the 2021 T20 World Cup, where India didn't even enter the semifinals.In 92 T2OIs that he has played, Pandya has picked 73 wickets and has scored 1348 runs. India will lock horns against Ireland in their opening match in New York on Wednesday before playing arch-rivals Pakistan at the same venue on June 9.

Hardik Pandya's Caribbean Doppelgänger: A Hilarious Error in ICC T20 World Cup CoverageDuring the post-match coverage of the West Indies vs Papua New Guinea Group C game in the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup, a hilarious error occurred on Star Sports. After Roston Chase's unbeaten 42 guided West Indies to victory, viewers were surprised to see Hardik Pandya's image displayed instead of the West Indies batsman.The error sparked amusement among fans on social media, with the image quickly going viral. Many users drew comparisons between Hardik Pandya's appearance and the Caribbean lifestyle. A clip of Pandya's brother, Krunal, comparing him to a Caribbean person resurfaced."If you see a picture of Hardik as a child, you would think that this kid is from the Caribbean, not an Indian kid," joked Krunal in the clip from the YouTube series 'What The Duck'.Hardik Pandya's Caribbean likeness has been noted before. In an episode of Breakfast With Champions on YouTube, former India captain Sourav Ganguly remarked, "I met Hardik Pandya the other day, it seemed like he is Jamaican-born. He can't be from Baroda!"The error also provided a positive shift in social media's perception of Hardik Pandya, which had become increasingly negative since he replaced Rohit Sharma as captain of the Mumbai Indians ahead of IPL 2024.As vice-captain of the Indian team for the 2024 T20 World Cup, Pandya has a crucial role to play. He showcased his all-round abilities in India's warm-up match against Bangladesh, scoring 40 runs in 23 balls and taking a wicket.India will begin their quest for a second T20 World Cup title on June 5, facing Ireland in New York.

Indian cricket all-rounder Hardik Pandya and his wife Natasa Stankovic have sparked reconciliation rumors after Natasa restored their wedding pictures on Instagram. The couple had faced separation speculations in recent weeks, with reports suggesting a possible divorce before Hardik's departure for the T20 World Cup 2024.The rumors gained traction when a Reddit user noticed that Natasa had archived her wedding photos and had not attended any Mumbai Indians matches during the recently concluded IPL 2024. However, the reappearance of the wedding pictures on Natasa's social media has brought relief and joy to fans.The reconciliation rumors were further fueled by Hardik's recent performance in India's T20 World Cup 2024 warm-up match against Bangladesh. The all-rounder smashed a blistering 23-ball 40, showcasing his explosive batting prowess. After the match, Hardik opened up about the "difficult" times he had faced in the past few months."Eventually, I believe, you have to stay in the battle. Sometimes life puts you in situations where things are tough, but I believe that if you leave the game or the field, the battle that is, you won't get what you want from your sport, or the results you are looking for," Hardik said."So, yeah, it has been difficult, but at the same time, I have been process-driven, I have tried to follow the same routines I used to follow earlier," he added. "At the same time these things happen; there are good times and bad times, these are phases that come and go. That is fine. I have gone through these phases many times and I will come out of it as well."The reconciliation rumors have been met with positive reactions from fans and well-wishers, who have expressed their support for the couple. The restoration of the wedding pictures on Natasa's Instagram and Hardik's strong performance on the field have given hope that the couple has overcome their recent challenges.

India's T20 World Cup preparations culminated in a resounding 60-run victory over Bangladesh at the Nassau County International Stadium in New York. In the absence of Virat Kohli, who arrived in New York shortly before the match, Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya shone with the bat.Pant, making his first India appearance in over 18 months, top-scored with a blistering 53 off 32 deliveries, including four boundaries and four sixes. Hardik, silencing critics about his form, smashed an unbeaten 40 off just 23 balls.During Bangladesh's chase of 183, a photoshopped image of India captain Rohit Sharma sparked controversy. The image, which depicted Sharma as out of shape, was later debunked by fans who shared genuine screenshots of his physique.Sharma, who had participated in an official photoshoot for the T20 World Cup a few days prior, appeared in good shape in those pictures. However, he struggled to time the ball on a two-paced track, scoring only 23 off 19 balls.India surprised by opting to bat first, with Sanju Samson opening alongside Sharma. Pant, returning from a horrific car accident in December 2022, retired after scoring 53.India's bowlers dominated Bangladesh's chase, with left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh leading the charge. Bangladesh was restricted to 122 for nine, despite a brief fightback from Mahmudullah Riyaz (40 retired out) and Shakib Al Hasan (28).

Despite Hardik Pandya's underwhelming performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL), former India cricketers Sanjay Manjrekar and Sanjay Bangar have defended his selection for the T20 World Cup 2024.Manjrekar highlighted Pandya's exceptional record in World Cups, particularly his performances in the 2019 World Cup. He emphasized Pandya's all-round contributions, including his match-winning knock in the India-Pakistan clash and his crucial innings in the semi-final against New Zealand."Hardik Pandya has consistently performed well in World Cups," Manjrekar said. "He has the ability to rise to the occasion and deliver on the big stage."Bangar echoed Manjrekar's sentiments, stating that Pandya's IPL performances should not overshadow his contributions to the Indian team. He pointed out Pandya's impressive record in all three formats of the game, including Test cricket, ODIs, and T20Is."Pandya's record in World Cup cricket is exceptional," Bangar said. "He has given fantastic performances whenever he has played for India."Bangar acknowledged that Pandya had faced some challenges due to injuries, but he expressed confidence that the all-rounder would regain his form and contribute significantly to the Indian team's success in the T20 World Cup."Pandya's presence improves the balance of the Indian team," Bangar said. "He is a valuable asset, and I am confident that he will deliver for India in the upcoming World Cup."

Hardik Pandya, the enigmatic Indian all-rounder, has endured a tumultuous few months. Since his transfer to the Mumbai Indians as captain, he has faced intense scrutiny, particularly after the team's dismal performance in the Indian Premier League 2024. However, Pandya's recent resurgence in form, including a blistering 23-ball 40 in India's T20 World Cup 2024 warm-up match against Bangladesh, has reignited hopes of a return to his former glory.In the aftermath of India's 50-run victory, Pandya candidly reflected on the "difficult" times he has navigated. "You have to stay in the battle," he emphasized. "If you leave the field, you won't get what you want."Despite the challenges, Pandya has remained steadfast in his approach. "I have tried to follow the same routines I used to follow earlier," he said. "These are phases that come and go. I have gone through these phases many times and I will come out of it as well."Pandya's resilience stems from his refusal to dwell on either success or failure. "I don't take my successes too seriously," he admitted. "I have forgotten about them immediately and moved forward. Same with difficult times."Instead, he focuses on embracing the challenges and working tirelessly to improve. "I don't run away from it," he said. "I face everything with [my] chin up."Pandya's message is one of perseverance and optimism. "Coming out [of these phases] is simple: just play the sport, accept that [you need to] maybe get better at your skillset, keep working hard - hard work never goes to waste - and keep smiling."As India embarks on its T20 World Cup campaign, Pandya's return to form is a welcome boost. His experience, versatility, and unwavering determination will be crucial if India is to lift the coveted trophy.

The recent IPL season witnessed a tumultuous change in leadership at Mumbai Indians, with Rohit Sharma stepping down as captain and Hardik Pandya taking over. This decision sparked widespread controversy, with fans expressing their disapproval of Pandya's captaincy style.Despite Mumbai Indians' disappointing 10th place finish, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan believes that the internal issues within the franchise should not be discussed in the national dressing room. He emphasizes that the focus should be on Rahul Dravid's expectations for each player and ensuring their alignment with the team's goals.Australian batting legend Matthew Hayden echoes Pathan's sentiments, stating that the issue should not be addressed at all during the World Cup. He highlights the importance of a strong and unified dressing room where leadership is evident without explicit communication.Pathan also draws attention to the celebrity culture in Indian cricket, which he believes can sometimes hinder the team's performance. He compares it to the Australian cricketing culture, which lacks such a celebrity element. Pathan suggests that finding a balance between the two cultures would benefit Indian cricket.As India prepares for their first T20 World Cup game against Ireland on June 5, Pathan emphasizes the need for a clear understanding of roles and responsibilities within the team. He believes that the players should focus on executing Dravid's plans and maintaining a positive and supportive environment.

The T20 World Cup 2024 is set to kick off on Sunday with a match between USA and Canada. For India, the tournament begins on June 5 with a clash against Ireland. The highly anticipated match against Pakistan is scheduled for June 9.Ahead of the tournament, former players Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan, and Misbah Ul Haq shared their insights on the event. Misbah Ul Haq named Australia and Pakistan as the top contenders for the title."Australia knows how to win. They come to Asia and win by playing with just one spinner. You can't write off Australia from any World Cup," said Misbah. "The second team is very difficult. We have to back Pakistan because we live in Pakistan. India's team is very strong, they have everything."Irfan Pathan believes that Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube will play crucial roles for India in the tournament. "Hardik will have a set role to finish the game, and Shivam Dube will play as a floater, acting as an enforcer against the spinners," said Pathan.Pandya had a disappointing IPL season, but Pathan believes he will regain his form before the Super 8 stage. "The good thing about the Indian team now is that they will get a chance to be in form before the Super 8, as we will play teams who are not at the top level apart from Pakistan," said Pathan.Dube, on the other hand, had a strong IPL season, scoring 396 runs at a strike rate of 162.29. Pathan believes he will be a valuable asset in the knockout stages."Shivam Dube will play that kind of role," said Pathan. "He will play as an enforcer against the spinners in the playoffs."With a strong squad and a favorable schedule, India will be among the favorites to win the T20 World Cup 2024.