Cricket

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has released additional tickets for highly anticipated matches in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024, including the blockbuster clash between India and Pakistan on June 9. The tournament, co-hosted by the USA and West Indies, has witnessed an overwhelming demand for tickets, prompting the ICC to make more available."Following a thrilling opening weekend, we are delighted to release additional tickets for key matches," said the ICC in a statement. "This includes a selection of General Admission tickets for the India-Pakistan encounter in New York."The ICC has collaborated with partners to ensure that as many fans as possible can experience the historic event. Additional tickets have also been released for other categories in Texas and Florida, the other two venues hosting matches in the USA."We have worked diligently to make these tickets available and provide fans with the opportunity to witness the world's best cricketers in action," said ICC Head of Events Chris Tetley. "We encourage fans to act quickly to secure their tickets for these unforgettable matches."India will kick off their World Cup campaign against Ireland on Wednesday before facing Pakistan on Sunday, both matches to be played at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium. The tournament promises to be a spectacle of cricket, with fans eager to witness the rivalry between India and Pakistan and the skills of the world's top players.

India's star-studded cricket team embarks on a quest to break their ICC trophy drought at the T20 World Cup, facing a spirited Ireland in their Group A opener on Wednesday. Despite being slightly underprepared and facing uncertainties about their optimal lineup, the "Men in Blue" are determined to shed their outdated approach.The team acknowledges the challenges of playing on an untested drop-in pitch, where scoring has been more difficult than in the recent Indian Premier League. However, their biggest concern lies in the burden of being favorites who have often failed to deliver under pressure.India's squad boasts experienced players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who have won global silverware, but other talented individuals like Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja are eager to lift a major trophy. The team's performance at last year's ODI World Cup was a reminder of their struggles to form a cohesive unit despite having exceptional players.Ireland, on the other hand, poses a significant threat with talented players like Paul Stirling, Josh Little, Harry Tector, and Andy Balbirnie. The condition of the Nassau County ground, with its slow track and subpar outfield, adds intrigue to how India will handle Irish left-arm spinner George Dockrell.India's spinners give them an edge over Ireland, but their pace attack seems weakened without Mohammed Shami. The team may need to sacrifice Yashasvi Jaiswal to accommodate Rohit and Kohli, while Rishabh Pant's performance at No.3 in a practice game has injected vitality. Hardik Pandya's bowling form could also impact India's prospects.Ireland's recent victory over Pakistan highlights their growing prowess in T20 cricket. Players like Little, Balbirnie, Stirling, and Tector pose a threat, and India will need to be at their best to overcome the challenge.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced a record-breaking prize pool of $11.25 million for the Men's T20 World Cup 2024, set to be held in the West Indies and USA. This marks a significant increase from the previous edition's prize money of $10 million.The tournament, scheduled for 28 days across nine venues, will feature 20 teams competing for the coveted trophy. The winners will receive a staggering $2.45 million, the highest prize amount in the event's history. The runners-up will secure $1.28 million, while the losing semi-finalists will take home $787,500 each.Teams eliminated in the second round will receive $382,500, while those finishing between ninth and 12th place will earn $247,500 each. Teams ranked from 13th to 20th place will each receive $225,000.Additionally, every team will be awarded an additional $31,154 for each match won during the tournament, excluding the semi-finals and finals. This incentive aims to encourage competitive play throughout the event.The tournament will commence with 40 matches in the first round, followed by the Super 8s and culminating in the semi-finals, which will be held in Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana. The final match will take place at the Kensington Oval in Barbados, where the champions of the 2024 men's edition will be crowned.ICC Chief Executive Geoff Allardice expressed his excitement for the upcoming event, stating, "This event is historic in so many ways, so it is fitting that the prize money for players reflects that. Hundreds of millions of fans around the world will be entertained by the players in what we’re hoping to be an Out of This World event."The increased prize money is a testament to the growing popularity and financial success of the T20 format. It is expected to attract top players from around the world and generate significant revenue for the ICC and participating teams.

Former Indian Test opener Wasim Jaffer has taken a savage dig at England cricketers over allegations that the T20 World Cup schedule favors Team India. An English cricket website claimed that India's semi-final match is scheduled for prime time in India, while the first semi-final starts at an inconvenient time. The website also alleged that there is no reserve day for the second semi-final, unlike the first.Jaffer responded with a witty tweet, saying, "It's one thing to know where your SF will be played, it's another thing to qualify for it. For example WTC Final have always been held in England but England have never qualified. #T20WorldCup."Jaffer's tweet highlights the fact that England has never qualified for the World Test Championship (WTC) final, despite the final always being held in England. This is a reference to England's poor performance in Test cricket in recent years.The T20 World Cup schedule has been a topic of debate, with some critics arguing that it favors certain teams. However, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has defended the schedule, saying that it was created to ensure that all teams have a fair chance of reaching the semi-finals.Team India, led by Rohit Sharma, will be looking to end their long-standing ICC trophy drought in this edition of the T20 World Cup. India last won a major ICC title in the 2013 Champions Trophy. They reached the final of the 2019 ODI World Cup but lost to Australia.In this year's T20 World Cup, India will face Ireland, Pakistan, the United States, and Canada in the group phase. They will be hoping to qualify for the semi-finals and have a chance to win their first T20 World Cup title since 2007.

As the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup kicks off in the USA, Indian cricket fans are eagerly anticipating whether Team India can finally end their long-standing ICC trophy drought. The team has commenced their preparations with an emphatic victory over Bangladesh in their sole warm-up match in New York.Former cricketers Sanjay Manjrekar and Navjot Singh Sidhu have emphasized the importance of backing experienced players to triumph in the tournament's crucial matches. Manjrekar expressed confidence that the time is ripe for Team India to break their ICC trophy drought, highlighting Virat Kohli's exceptional record in the tournament. However, he lamented the lack of a trophy to show for it."The expectations have shifted from merely playing well to winning pivotal matches," Manjrekar remarked. "It's time for India to back experience and win the big matches."Sidhu echoed Manjrekar's sentiments, stating that the ending of the story is most important. "You don't read a book to reach the middle," he said. "It's the ending that matters. We need to finish strong."As the tournament unfolds, Indian fans hope their team will not only make it to the semi-finals but also clinch the trophy, ending a dry spell that has lasted since their 2013 Champions Trophy win. The focus is clear: it's time for India to win the big matches and bring home the coveted ICC trophy.

India's quest for an elusive ICC trophy continues at the upcoming T20 World Cup, with the Rohit Sharma-led team aiming to break a decade-long drought. Since their 2013 Champions Trophy triumph under MS Dhoni, India has failed to lift an ICC title.Rahul Dravid, whose tenure as head coach concludes after the tournament, faces a crucial test in guiding India to glory. Last year's ODI World Cup final defeat to Australia remains a bitter memory for Dravid and his team.Former West Indies captain Brian Lara has offered advice to Dravid, emphasizing the need for a concrete plan to navigate the knockout stages. "India lacks that final plan in terms of how they are going to go about winning this World Cup," Lara said. "It doesn't matter how many superstars you have; it matters how you are going to structure your innings or attack."India will face Bangladesh in a warm-up match on Saturday before their Group A campaign begins. They are grouped alongside Pakistan, Ireland, Canada, and co-hosts USA.India's squad boasts a blend of experience and youth, with Rohit Sharma leading the charge. Hardik Pandya, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, and Rishabh Pant form the core of the batting lineup, while Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav provide spin options. Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Siraj, and Arshdeep Singh spearhead the pace attack.India's path to the semifinals is not without challenges. Pakistan, their arch-rivals, pose a formidable threat, while Ireland and Canada have proven to be competitive in recent years. The co-hosts USA will be eager to make an impact on home soil.Dravid and his team will need to find the right balance between aggression and caution, and execute their plans with precision. If they can overcome the mental hurdles that have plagued them in past ICC tournaments, India has the potential to end their trophy drought and cement their status as one of the world's leading cricket nations.

Virat Kohli, the legendary Indian cricketer, has been honored with the ICC ODI Player of the Year award and named in the ICC Men's ODI Team of the Year for 2023. This recognition is a testament to his exceptional performance throughout the year, which has seen him regain his form and establish himself as one of the most dominant batters in the world.At 35, Kohli has experienced a resurgence in form, marking a significant high point in his career after a period of fluctuating performances. Over the course of 27 One Day Internationals (ODIs) in 2023, he amassed 1,377 runs, boasting an average of 72.47 and a strike rate of 99.13. His remarkable consistency was highlighted by scoring six centuries and eight half-centuries across 24 innings, with his highest score being an unbeaten 166.Kohli's instrumental role in India's victory at the Asia Cup 2023 was underscored by a memorable innings of 122 not out off 94 balls against Pakistan during the Super Four stage. His abilities continued to shine at the ODI World Cup hosted by India, where he led an extraordinary campaign. Accumulating 765 runs in 11 matches, he averaged 95.62, with his tally including three centuries and six fifties. His top score in the tournament was 117.His outstanding performance not only crowned him as the leading run-scorer of the tournament but also set a new record for the most runs scored in a single World Cup edition, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar's previous record of 673 runs set in 2003. Additionally, Kohli broke Tendulkar's record of 49 ODI centuries by scoring his 50th in the semifinal against New Zealand.Kohli's resurgence has been attributed to several factors, including a renewed focus on his fitness and a change in his batting technique. He has also benefited from the support of his teammates and the guidance of head coach Rahul Dravid.Looking ahead, Kohli is set to represent India in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup hosted by the West Indies and the USA. He enters the tournament on the back of winning the Orange Cap for the most runs in the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he scored 741 runs in 15 matches at an average of 61.75 and a strike rate of over 154.Kohli's return to form is a welcome sight for Indian cricket fans and a reminder of his immense talent and determination. As he continues to break records and inspire his team, he is poised to cement his legacy as one of the greatest cricketers of all time.

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.