Cricket

Jasprit Bumrah's exceptional performance in India's commanding victory over Afghanistan in the Super Eight stage of the T20 World Cup has once again highlighted his crucial role in the team's success. Captain Rohit Sharma emphasized the importance of managing Bumrah wisely to maximize his effectiveness.Bumrah's exceptional spell of 4-0-7-3 was instrumental in India's 47-run win at Kensington Oval, Bridgetown in Barbados. His ability to restrict the opposition's scoring and take crucial wickets proved invaluable."We know Bumrah's class and what he can do," said Rohit after the match. "It is important for us to use him smartly. He is the one who is ready to take the responsibility (of leading the attack)."India's decision to drop seamer Mohammed Siraj and opt for Kuldeep Yadav created a three-pronged spin attack. Rohit explained that the team's bowling combinations are flexible and adaptable based on conditions and opposition."We have to assess conditions, opposition and based on that we're open to making changes if required," Rohit said. "We felt three spinners were good here. If it's seamer-friendly next time, we'll go with (three) seamers."India's next Super Eight match is against Bangladesh on Saturday. The team will be aiming to maintain their winning momentum and secure a place in the semi-finals.

India's T20 World Cup campaign got off to a flying start as they cruised to a 47-run victory over Afghanistan in their Super Eight opener. Despite a challenging pitch, Suryakumar Yadav's brilliance and Jasprit Bumrah's devastating bowling performance propelled India to a commanding total and a comfortable win.Suryakumar, batting at No. 4, played a masterful innings of 53 off 32 deliveries. His ability to adapt to the slow conditions and find gaps in the field was a testament to his exceptional skills. He played four sweeps for boundaries, smashed a six over the three Ws stand, and executed a stunning swipe shot to keep the scoreboard ticking.India's aggressive approach was evident from the start, with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli looking to hit boundaries early on. Kohli's dismissal for 29 was a setback, but the middle order stepped up to maintain the momentum. Suryakumar's innings was crucial in setting up a competitive total of 181 for 8.Afghanistan's chase was derailed by Bumrah's brilliance. The Indian pace spearhead bowled a devastating spell of 3-7, including two wickets in his first over. He exploited the slow pitch by bowling wide and slow, denying the Afghan batsmen the opportunity to hit straight.Kuldeep Yadav also impressed with his spin bowling, picking up 2 for 32. Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja contributed with a wicket each, while Arshdeep Singh almost completed a hat-trick in the final over.India's victory was a testament to their adaptability and aggressive mindset. They have shed their conservative approach and are now willing to take risks to score runs and take wickets. With Suryakumar in top form and Bumrah leading the bowling attack, India will be a formidable force in the tournament.

Afghanistan's chase of India's imposing 182-run target in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 match got off to a shaky start as they lost three wickets within the first six overs.Jasprit Bumrah, India's pace spearhead, struck twice in his opening spell to leave Afghanistan reeling at 28/3. Bumrah's first wicket was that of Rahmanullah Gurbaz, who was caught behind for 13 after mistiming a slower delivery.Bumrah then dismissed Hazratullah Zazai for a duck, inducing an edge that was safely taken by Ravindra Jadeja at point. Axar Patel, India's left-arm spinner, joined the party by trapping Ibrahim Zadran leg before wicket for 0.Afghanistan's top order collapse left them in a precarious position, with the onus now on Gulbadin Naib and Azmatullah Omarzai to rebuild the innings. However, the Indian bowlers maintained a tight line and length, making it difficult for the Afghan batters to score freely.Naib and Omarzai managed to add 28 runs for the fourth wicket before Naib was dismissed by Patel for 14. Omarzai remained unbeaten on 15, but Afghanistan's chase was dealt a further blow when Zadran was caught at extra cover off the bowling of Bumrah.With Afghanistan struggling at 61/6 after 10 overs, the task of chasing down India's total seemed insurmountable. The Indian bowlers continued to dominate, with Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Shami sharing the remaining wickets.In the end, Afghanistan were bowled out for 102, falling short of their target by 80 runs. Bumrah was the pick of the Indian bowlers, finishing with figures of 3/17, while Patel claimed 2/18.

Virat Kohli, the legendary Indian batter, has been struggling to find his form in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024. However, during the Super 8 match against Afghanistan on Thursday, he provided a moment of brilliance that evoked memories of his iconic shot from the previous edition of the tournament.In the fifth over of India's innings, Kohli faced a delivery from Naveen-ul-Haq that was short and wide. Seizing the opportunity, he unleashed a powerful stroke, sending the ball soaring straight down the ground for a massive six.This shot instantly went viral on social media, drawing comparisons to his famous six off Haris Rauf during India's memorable victory over Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2022 at the Melbourne Cricket Stadium. In that historic encounter, Kohli produced a similar feat, smashing Rauf for a colossal six straight down the ground before guiding his team to a thrilling victory with an unbeaten knock of 82 runs off 53 deliveries.The International Cricket Council (ICC) later recognized Kohli's straight drive six against Rauf during that India-Pakistan clash as the "Shot of the Century."Kohli's six against Afghanistan was not just a reminder of his past glory but also a sign that he is slowly regaining his touch. He played a crucial role in India's victory, scoring 24 runs off 24 balls and forming a crucial partnership with Suryakumar Yadav, who top-scored with 51 runs off 36 balls.India posted a total of 181-8 in their 20 overs during their T20 World Cup Super 8 match against Afghanistan. Rohit Sharma, the Indian captain, provided a brisk start with 13 runs off 8 balls before being caught by Rashid Khan off Fazalhaq Farooqi. Virat Kohli contributed 24 runs, maintaining a run-a-ball pace, but fell to Rashid Khan, who also dismissed wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant for a quickfire 20 off 11 balls.Despite the regular fall of wickets, India managed a competitive score, but it was the disciplined bowling from Afghanistan, particularly from Rashid, who conceded only 26 runs in his four overs, that kept India's scoring in check.

India Skipper Rohit Sharma Praises Kensington Oval Pitch After Tough Group StageIndian skipper Rohit Sharma expressed satisfaction with the pitch at Kensington Oval in Barbados, a stark contrast to the challenging conditions faced by the team at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York during the Group stage of the T20 World Cup.In their opening Super 8 stage game against Afghanistan, Rohit opted to bat first after winning the toss, marking the first time India chose to bat first in the tournament. Assessing the pitch, Rohit anticipated that it might slow down as the match progressed."We are going to bat first. Looks alright at this moment, looks a good track. No grass on the pitch, I guess it will get slower. It's better than New York. We have to adapt to the conditions quickly," Rohit said after the toss.India made a strategic change to their Playing XI, bringing in left-arm chinaman Kuldeep Yadav in place of pacer Mohammed Siraj. Rohit emphasized the importance of adapting to the conditions and expressed confidence in the team's ability to perform well at Kensington Oval."We have been here for a couple of days, we have played a lot of cricket. It's about understanding what we need to do in conditions like these. It's an early start. Usually start in the evening elsewhere. We enjoy playing here. We have made one change, Kuldeep comes in for Siraj," Rohit added.The Kensington Oval pitch offers a more favorable surface for batting compared to the challenging conditions in New York, providing India with a better opportunity to showcase their batting prowess. Rohit's positive assessment of the pitch bodes well for the team as they aim to secure a victory in their opening Super 8 stage match.

India vs Afghanistan: Kohli's Form and Kuldeep's Inclusion in Focus as Super 8 BeginsAs the T20 World Cup enters its Super 8 stage, all eyes will be on India's opening clash against Afghanistan in Barbados. The match will be a crucial test for the Indian team, particularly for star batsman Virat Kohli, who is yet to score a double-digit total in the tournament.Kohli's struggles in New York have raised concerns, but he is expected to bounce back on the more favorable wickets in the Caribbean. The 35-year-old is known for his unwavering intensity, and his performance in training sessions suggests that he is determined to make a statement.Another key factor to watch will be the inclusion of left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav. With the pitch at Kensington Oval expected to offer assistance to spinners, Kuldeep's case for a place in the starting lineup has strengthened. The gentle breeze blowing across the ground could also provide swing for the pacers in the powerplay.The Indian team combination is a major talking point ahead of the game. Skipper Rohit Sharma has previously expressed his desire to field all four all-rounders - Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, and Ravindra Jadeja - in the playing eleven. However, the inclusion of Kuldeep may force a rethink of that strategy.Afghanistan, on the other hand, will be looking to cause an upset against the tournament favorites. The team has shown impressive form in recent matches, and they will be confident of their chances against India.The match promises to be an exciting contest between two talented teams. Kohli's return to form and the potential inclusion of Kuldeep Yadav will be key factors to watch as India aims to start their Super 8 campaign with a victory.

South African cricket legend Dale Steyn has stirred up the T20 World Cup 2024 conversation by naming his four semi-finalists, surprisingly excluding the reigning champions England. In a video shared on Instagram, Steyn revealed his picks for the last four: India, South Africa, West Indies, and Australia.Steyn's omission of England raised eyebrows, considering their recent dominance in the format. The English team won the 2022 T20 World Cup and defeated the West Indies in their Super 8 clash. However, Steyn's reasoning may lie in England's inconsistent performances in the Super 8s so far.Steyn's inclusion of India and South Africa is unsurprising, given their strong recent form. India has been in impressive form, winning all their Super 8 matches so far. South Africa, on the other hand, has shown resilience and determination, overcoming a slow start to their campaign.The West Indies' inclusion is also understandable, considering their home advantage and the support of their passionate fans. The Caribbean side has a formidable batting lineup and a potent bowling attack, making them a dangerous opponent for any team.Australia's presence in Steyn's semi-final predictions is based on their consistent performances in the format. The Aussies have a balanced team with experienced players and rising stars, making them a formidable force in any tournament.While Steyn's predictions have sparked debate, it's important to note that the T20 World Cup is still in its early stages. The Super 8s are set to provide more clarity on the teams' strengths and weaknesses, and the semi-finalists will ultimately be determined by their performances in the knockout rounds.

India's batting woes in the USA leg of the ICC T20 World Cup have raised concerns, but former all-rounder Robin Singh believes a change in conditions in the Super Eights in the West Indies could provide a boost.Captain Rohit Sharma and star player Virat Kohli have struggled to find form, with Sharma scoring just one significant innings of 52 against Ireland and Kohli managing only 1, 4, and 0 in the three matches.However, Singh is optimistic that the duo will come together for a strong opening partnership in Barbados, where Australia previously recorded a score above 200."I don't think that's really an issue, and it's not only Virat and Rohit. I think everyone who has opened innings in every team really struggled in the conditions provided during the World Cup so far," Singh said."But I think this is a different format. I mean, they have three games to play. They know exactly where they stand. These guys are seasoned and top of the line players. So, I'm pretty sure one of them is going to deliver. If not both, to be honest. It'd be nice to see both of them actually putting a really good partnership together."Singh also highlighted the importance of having a left-hander in the top three, which India has in Rishabh Pant."I've always advocated that you have a left-hander in the top three, even if he's not an opener. So, that makes a huge difference. If you see most of the bowlers, they're right-arm bowlers. They're not left-arm bowlers, so it changes the line totally. In T20, most people struggle a little bit with the lines if you have left and right combinations."Singh also cautioned against underestimating Afghanistan, who have a strong bowling attack led by left-arm fast-bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi, the tournament's leading wicket-taker."No, I don't think you can underestimate the Afghanistan team. Their bowlers have done very well. Farooqi has been bowling really well and they have a couple of seasoned fast bowlers as well. But I think in general, they have been a pretty confident team.""So, they are probably the dark horses of the tournament. So, it's really important to be at the top of the game against them, and you have to expect everyone to deliver. So, you can't take anyone for granted."

South Africa's narrow defeat in the second ODI against India has instilled immense confidence in the team, according to Marizanne Kapp. Despite falling short by just four runs, the Proteas displayed a fighting spirit that bodes well for their future prospects, particularly with the 50-over World Cup in India next year.After a shaky start, losing three wickets for 67 runs, South Africa rallied behind Laura Wolvaardt's unbeaten 134 and Kapp's crucial contribution. The duo forged a 184-run partnership, bringing the Proteas within striking distance of the 325-run target."To get that close is obviously a massive confidence booster," said Kapp. "We know we can reach that total."Kapp highlighted the team's intent to play an aggressive brand of cricket, a departure from their previous performance in the series opener. "We had a meeting with the batting coach after our first ODI," she explained. "He said that if we had scored 100 in 20 overs in that ODI, he would have been happy even if we got bowled out."During the chase, Wolvaardt surpassed 4000 ODI runs, becoming South Africa's highest run-getter in the format. Kapp also reached the 3000-run mark, solidifying her status as one of the team's most prolific batters.Kapp's batting has flourished in recent months, with two centuries and four half-centuries in her last 15 innings. She attributes her success to a positive mindset and a natural partnership with Wolvaardt."The way my batting has gone in the last couple of years, I have been striking at close to 100," said Kapp. "I have found that if I am being positive, I usually score runs more often than not."Despite the narrow defeat, Kapp believes that games like these bring out the best in her and Wolvaardt. "I pride myself in performing in those situations," she said. "Wolfie and I, we enjoy that."