Cricket

Jasprit Bumrah, India's pace spearhead, has been in scintillating form in Test cricket this year, amassing an astonishing 38 wickets in just seven matches at an incredible average of 14.42. His exceptional performances have propelled him to the top of the ICC Test bowling rankings.In the recently concluded two-Test series against Bangladesh, Bumrah was the joint-highest wicket-taker alongside spinner R Ashwin, claiming 11 scalps. His ability to swing the ball both ways and extract pace and bounce from any surface has made him a formidable force in the longest format.Bumrah's home Test record is equally impressive, with 44 wickets in just 10 games. His ability to adapt to different conditions and bowl with consistency has made him a vital cog in India's bowling attack.Former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik has hailed Bumrah as the team's "problem solver," highlighting his ability to deliver in any situation. "When in doubt, call Jasprit Bumrah," Karthik said. "He is the biggest asset for skipper Rohit Sharma."Bumrah's exceptional skills were on full display in the second Test against Bangladesh in Kanpur, where he bowled two unplayable deliveries to dismiss Mehidy Hasan. His ability to reverse swing the ball at high speeds has made him a nightmare for batsmen.Following his match haul of six wickets in Kanpur, Bumrah reclaimed the top spot in the ICC Test bowling rankings, replacing his teammate Ashwin. Spinner Ravindra Jadeja maintained his sixth place, while Kuldeep Yadav remained in 16th.Bumrah's rise to the top of the bowling rankings is a testament to his hard work, dedication, and exceptional talent. He has established himself as one of the most feared bowlers in world cricket and will undoubtedly continue to play a pivotal role in India's success in the years to come.

The ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 is set to ignite the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as the world's top 150 female cricketers gather for the ninth edition of this prestigious tournament. Ten teams will battle it out in 23 matches, vying for the coveted title of world champions.The tournament kicks off on October 3rd with a thrilling encounter between Bangladesh and debutants Scotland. The matches will be played across two iconic venues: Sharjah Cricket Stadium and Dubai International Stadium, each offering unique challenges for the players.Australia, the reigning champions, enter the tournament with a formidable squad and a hunger for a record-breaking fourth consecutive title. However, they face stiff competition from a host of talented teams, including India, South Africa, and New Zealand.India, led by the spin duo of Deepti Sharma and Radha Yadav, will pose a significant threat to Australia in their Group A clash on October 13th. South Africa, under the leadership of Laura Wolvaardt, will be eager to build on their impressive performance in the 2023 World Cup, where they reached the final.Group B promises to be equally competitive, with England, Bangladesh, the West Indies, and Scotland vying for the top two spots. England, known for their aggressive style of play, will be a formidable opponent for South Africa in their October 7th encounter.Only the top two teams from each group will advance to the semi-finals on October 17th and 18th, setting the stage for an unforgettable final on October 20th in Dubai. The world will be watching as two teams battle it out for the ultimate prize in women's cricket.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) held its 93rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Bengaluru on Sunday, where members urged incumbent secretary Jay Shah to expedite the process of finding his successor. Shah is set to step down from his post in late November to assume the role of ICC chairman for a three-year term beginning December 1.While the selection of a new secretary was not on the AGM agenda, attendees reportedly discussed the succession plan informally. "It was a normal request to keep all due processes in place at the earliest as [then] there will be clarity for us," said a state association representative who attended the meeting.Several candidates are reportedly in contention to succeed Shah, including Rohan Jaitley (president of Delhi and District Cricket Association), BCCI treasurer Ashish Shelar, joint-secretary Devajit Saikia, and Gujarat Cricket Association secretary Anil Patel.The AGM also focused on nominating India's two representatives to attend ICC meetings. Currently, Shah represents the BCCI on the ICC Board, while IPL chairman Arun Dhumal holds the same role in the Chief Executives' Committee. The AGM entrusted the general body members with recommending two names for these positions.Arun Dhumal and Avishek Dalmiya were elected to the IPL Governing Council (GC) as general body representatives, with Dhumal continuing as the league's chairman until at least IPL 2025. Former Andhra cricketer V Chamundeswarnath was nominated by the Indian Cricketers Association (ICA) as a player representative and inducted into the IPL GC.The AGM ratified the annual budget for the 2024-25 season and unanimously resolved to maintain BCCI's legal status as a society. "The members further resolved that the tournaments of the BCCI, including the IPL, shall not be converted into a company," a BCCI statement said.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India's (BCCI) 93rd Annual General Meeting (AGM), scheduled for September 29, 2024, in Bengaluru, is set to be a routine affair. However, behind the scenes, discussions have been abuzz with the impending "succession plan" for BCCI Secretary Jay Shah, who is set to take over as International Cricket Council (ICC) chair on December 1.With Shah's departure, the race for his successor has intensified. Three names have emerged as potential candidates: treasurer Ashish Shelar, IPL chairman Arun Dhumal, and Delhi and District Cricket Association chief Arun Jaitley. However, a surprise candidate from a west zone association could also emerge in the coming months.The BCCI hierarchy is reportedly gauging the affiliates' response to the possibility of a relative newcomer taking on major responsibility. However, formal discussions on the succession plan are expected to begin only after Shah steps down towards the end of November.Meanwhile, the AGM will focus on routine matters, including the unopposed election of Avishek Dalmiya and Dhumal as members of the IPL governing council. V Chamundeswarnath is also set to be re-elected as the Indian Cricketers' Association' nominee in the governing council.The AGM may also consider floating invitations for any of the men's junior selection committee posts. However, it is likely that the house will authorize office-bearers to finalize the cricket committees and sub-committees.In a separate development, the new National Cricket Academy (NCA) campus on the outskirts of Bengaluru was inaugurated on Saturday evening. The inauguration was followed by an exhibition cricket game among affiliates and BCCI office-bearers.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will hold its 93rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Sunday, with the primary agenda being the election of two representatives to the International Cricket Council (ICC) meetings. The meeting gains significance as the ICC is scheduled to hold a conclave in Dubai following the conclusion of the Women's T20 World Cup in the UAE.Incumbent BCCI secretary Jay Shah will take over as ICC chairman from December 1, leaving the position of BCCI representative vacant. While BCCI president Roger Binny is the Alternate Director who can represent the board at ICC meetings, he rarely performs this duty.With a year remaining in his tenure, it remains uncertain whether Binny will continue as Alternate Director or if someone else will be nominated at the AGM. Two names have emerged as potential candidates for the secretary position: Anil Patel, secretary of the Gujarat Cricket Association, and Rohan Jaitley, president of the Delhi and District Cricket Association. Patel is reportedly the current frontrunner for the post, which will be officially ratified at a Special General Meeting (SGM).The AGM will also ratify the induction of a representative from the Indian Cricketer's Association (ICA) and two from the General Body. Sub-committees such as the Cricket Committee will be appointed, and the annual budget for the 2024-25 season will be approved.Additionally, the AGM will consider the report submitted by the board's internal committee formed under the Prevention of Sexual Harassment Policy.

Aleem Dar, the legendary Pakistani umpire, is set to bid farewell to his illustrious career at the end of Pakistan's current domestic season. Dar, 56, has been a pillar of the cricketing world for nearly a quarter of a century, earning widespread recognition as one of the finest umpires of all time.Dar's journey began as a legspinner, playing 17 first-class and 18 List-A matches between 1986 and 1998. However, it was in umpiring that he found his true calling. He made his first-class umpiring debut during the 1998-99 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and quickly rose through the ranks.In 2002, Dar became the first Pakistani umpire to be appointed to the ICC's elite panel. He went on to establish himself as a respected and highly skilled official, standing in four World Cup finals and a record-breaking 145 Tests and 222 ODIs.Dar's reputation for fairness and accuracy earned him the ICC's David Shepherd Trophy for Umpire of the Year three years in a row from 2009 to 2011. He was known for his calm demeanor, clear communication, and unwavering commitment to upholding the spirit of the game.In recent years, Dar has gradually reduced his on-field role, focusing on mentoring and guiding the next generation of match officials. He has also established the Aleem Dar Foundation, a charity that provides a free ambulance service, blood bank, and transfusion for thalassemia patients.As Dar prepares to retire, he reflects on his remarkable career with gratitude and pride. "Umpiring has been my life for nearly 25 years, and I have cherished the privilege of officiating some of the most iconic matches involving the greatest players of this generation," he said.Dar's retirement marks the end of an era in cricket umpiring. He has set a high standard of professionalism and integrity, inspiring countless aspiring umpires around the world. His legacy will continue to shape the game for years to come.

Milind Kumar's Unique Record: First Batter to End ODI Innings with 155India-born USA cricketer Milind Kumar has etched his name in the annals of ODI cricket history with a peculiar record. He became the first batter ever to finish an innings with a score of 155.During a match against UAE in the ICC Cricket World Cup League Two, Kumar smashed a remarkable 155 off 110 deliveries. This unique feat marks the first time in the 53-year history of ODI cricket that a player has ended an innings with exactly 155 runs.Despite numerous instances of batters scoring between 150 and 159 in ODI innings, Kumar's knock stands out as the only one to conclude at precisely 155. This achievement highlights his exceptional batting prowess.Kumar, a seasoned campaigner in first-class cricket, boasts an impressive average of nearly 50. He has played for Delhi and Sikkim in the Ranji Trophy, emerging as the highest run-scorer in the 2018-19 season. His IPL experience includes stints with the Delhi Daredevils and Royal Challengers Bengaluru.The 33-year-old batter played a pivotal role in USA's stunning performance at the 2024 T20 World Cup, where they reached the Super 8s. His 155-run knock in the ICC Cricket World Cup League Two helped USA post a formidable total of 339/4, leading to a 136-run victory over UAE.USA currently occupies second place in the ICC CWC League Two table, ahead of established nations like Netherlands and Scotland. They trail league leaders Canada by just two points despite playing fewer games.With 14 teams vying for a spot in the 2027 Cricket World Cup, USA has an opportunity to qualify for the main stage. Kumar's unique record and consistent performances will undoubtedly be crucial to their aspirations.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Apex Council will convene on Wednesday to address various matters pertaining to the Board's operations. However, the appointment of a new secretary to succeed Jay Shah, who was recently elected as the next ICC Chairman, is not on the agenda.This meeting marks the final Apex Council gathering before the Board's 93rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Bengaluru, scheduled to take place in five days. The appointment of a new secretary has become imperative following Shah's unanimous election as ICC Chairman. However, he will continue in his current role as BCCI Secretary during the upcoming AGM, as he is set to assume his new position only from December 1.Despite the need for a new secretary, the eight-item agenda for the Apex Council meeting does not include any discussion on the nomination process. Instead, the agenda focuses on other matters, including an update on the Byju's matter. The BCCI has an outstanding payment settlement issue with its former title sponsor, Byju's, which ended its sponsorship deal in March 2023.The Apex Council will also discuss the inauguration of the state-of-the-art National Cricket Academy (NCA) on the outskirts of Bengaluru. Currently, the NCA operates from the M Chinnaswamy stadium premises, where it has been based for over two decades.Other agenda items include approval for the commencement of renovation work on the exteriors of the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai and the North East development project.

ICC Unveils Theme Song for 2024 Women's T20 World Cup: 'Whatever It Takes'The International Cricket Council (ICC) has unveiled the official theme song for the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup, set to kick off on October 3 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The song, titled "Whatever It Takes," is a powerful and inspiring anthem created by the Indian girl band W.i.S.H.W.i.S.H, a rising star in the music industry, consists of four talented members: Riya Duggal, Simran Duggal, Zoe Siddharth, and Suchita Shirk. The band's name, "World Inka Stage Hai," reflects their global aspirations and passion for performing. Since their debut in March 2023, they have amassed over 100K followers on Instagram, showcasing their growing popularity and connection with fans.The theme song, "Whatever It Takes," embodies the determination and spirit required to compete at the highest levels of cricket. Its lyrics and melody aim to inspire and energize fans worldwide, creating an emotional connection with the tournament. The song highlights the challenges and sacrifices that athletes face in their pursuit of excellence, while also celebrating the joy and camaraderie that comes with playing the sport.As the Women's T20 World Cup approaches, the theme song will undoubtedly become an integral part of the event's identity. It will be played at matches, during broadcasts, and in promotional materials, helping to build excitement and anticipation for the tournament. Fans can expect a thrilling and memorable competition, with "Whatever It Takes" serving as a constant reminder of the passion and determination that drives the athletes on the field.