Cricket

India Chases 111 in ICC T20 World Cup 2024 OpenerThe ICC T20 World Cup 2024 kicked off with a thrilling encounter between the United States and India. India, chasing a modest target of 111, found themselves in a spot of bother at 37/2 after 7.1 overs.Suryakumar Yadav and Rishabh Pant were at the crease, looking to steady the Indian innings. Yadav, known for his aggressive batting, played cautiously, defending and nudging the ball around. Pant, on the other hand, showed his characteristic flair, smashing a six over deep backward square leg.The Indian openers faced a disciplined bowling attack from the United States. Jessy Singh, in particular, impressed with his pace and accuracy. He bowled a tight line and length, making it difficult for the Indian batsmen to score freely.Despite the early wickets, India remained confident. They knew that the target was within reach if they could build partnerships and rotate the strike. Yadav and Pant were gradually finding their rhythm, and the Indian fans were hopeful of a strong comeback.The match was evenly poised at the end of the mandatory Powerplay, with India needing 74 runs from 84 balls. The United States bowlers were determined to keep the pressure on, while the Indian batsmen were looking to break free and accelerate the scoring rate.As the match progressed, the tension mounted. Every ball was crucial, and the crowd was on the edge of their seats. The outcome of the match hung in the balance, with both teams fighting tooth and nail for victory.

Arshdeep Singh, the young Indian left-arm fast bowler, has etched his name in the history books of the T20 World Cup by becoming the first player from India to claim a wicket on the very first delivery of a match in the tournament's history.Opening the bowling for India in their Group A match against USA in New York on Wednesday, Arshdeep struck on the very first ball to trap USA opener Shayan Jahangir plumb in front. The delivery was a tricky one, darting back sharply after pitching. It surprised Jahangir, who was caught in the crease. The ball struck him around the knee-roll, and the impact was clearly in front of the off-stump.Jahangir came in as a replacement for skipper Monank Patel, who missed out on this match with a left-shoulder injury. Arshdeep added to USA's woes with another strike in the same over by dismissing in-form Andries Gous.Apart from Arshdeep, only three other bowlers have reached this landmark in the T20 World Cup: Bangladesh's Mashrafe Mortaza, Shapoor Zadran of Afghanistan, and Namibia's Ruben Trumplemann.Bowlers to pick a wicket on first ball of a T20 WC Match:* Mashrafe Mortaza (BAN) vs AFG, 2014* Shapoor Zadran (AFG) vs HK, 2014* Ruben Trumplemann (NAM) vs SCO, 2021* Ruben Trumplemann (NAM) vs OMAN, 2024* Arshdeep Singh (IND) vs USA, 2024Arshdeep's accomplishment placed him alongside Trumplemann and Afghanistan's Fazalhaq Farooqi, who also managed to secure two dismissals in their respective first overs during the tournament.

USA Pacer Ali Khan Ready to "Play Fire with Fire" Against Virat KohliAs India and the United States prepare to face off in a T20 World Cup match in New York, USA pacer Ali Khan has expressed his determination to counter the aggression of Indian star Virat Kohli.Khan, who will be playing for the USA side, is not intimidated by Kohli's reputation and is eager to engage in a fiery battle on the field. "He's very passionate on the field, but so am I," Khan said. "On the field, if things get heated up, then they get heated up. I mean, you play fire with fire."Khan's confidence stems from his belief in his own abilities and the support of his team. "I'm not going to back down from anyone," he said. "I'm going to go out there and play my game. I'm going to try to get him out, and I'm going to try to win the game for my team."India, meanwhile, will be looking to bounce back from their disappointing loss to Pakistan in their opening match of the tournament. The team's batting lineup, led by Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, will be eager to prove their worth against an inexperienced USA side.However, the USA team has shown impressive form in the lead-up to the World Cup, and they will be confident of causing an upset. Khan, in particular, has been in excellent form, and he will be a key player for the USA if they are to pull off a victory.The match between India and the USA promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams determined to secure a win. Khan's fiery determination to face Kohli head-on adds an extra layer of intrigue to the match, and it will be fascinating to see how the battle between these two players unfolds.

As India prepares to face the United States of America in a crucial Group A clash of the T20 World Cup 2024, the threat of rain looms over the contest. New York has witnessed frequent rain interruptions in recent matches, including the Pakistan vs. India encounter. While a complete washout is unlikely, rain could still impact the proceedings.According to Accuweather, there is a 25% chance of rain at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday. However, during the match hours, the probability drops to a mere 7%.India's batting lineup will be eager to break free from the limitations of the drop-in pitch and unleash their full potential against the inexperienced USA. Despite the unpredictable nature of the track, India will aim to avoid a repeat of their collapse against Pakistan, where they lost seven wickets for just 28 runs.Against the USA, India may adopt a high-risk approach similar to Pakistan's, but with potentially greater rewards. The USA team, a diverse mix of players from various backgrounds, will face a significant challenge in bridging the gap with India.For the Indian-American players on the USA team, such as Saurabh Netravalkar and Harmeet Singh, this match represents a chance to prove themselves against their country of origin. While the track has leveled the playing field to some extent, the USA may find it difficult to overcome the gulf in experience and talent against India.

Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has advised Virat Kohli to adopt a more conservative approach on hard wickets in New York ahead of India's ICC T20 World Cup match against the USA.Kohli, the tournament's all-time leading run-scorer, has had a slow start to the competition, scoring just one and four runs against Ireland and Pakistan, respectively. Both times, he was dismissed while playing aggressively.Manjrekar believes that Kohli's aggressive approach, which has been effective on flat pitches, may not be suitable for the hard wickets in New York, where it has been difficult to score runs."The problem with Virat Kohli is that there has been a lot of talk about his strike rate over the last two years, and he completely changed that during this IPL season," Manjrekar said. "His strike rate had reached 150, although others had almost 200, but that is a different topic. He probably must have come to the T20 World Cup with that same mindset, but given the pitches, the old Virat Kohli would have been much better."Manjrekar added that Kohli should consider reverting to his previous style of play, which was more cautious and focused on building an innings."So, I feel someone should tell him to bring back that earlier version of himself and then change again when the pitches become flat," he said.Kohli's struggles have been a concern for India, who are looking to win their first T20 World Cup title since 2007. The team will need Kohli to find his form if they are to have a successful tournament.

The T20 World Cup Group A is set for a thrilling conclusion as India and USA face off in a crucial match that will determine the fate of both teams. India, the 2007 champions, are aiming for a hat-trick of wins to secure their place in the 'Super 8' phase, while USA, the tournament debutants, have stunned the cricketing world with their giant-killing performances.USA's remarkable run began with a historic bilateral series win over Bangladesh, followed by an upset victory against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup. They continued their winning streak by defeating Canada in the tournament opener. With two wins in two matches, USA are unbeaten in the tournament and pose a significant threat to India's qualification hopes.However, India's victory over Pakistan in a thrilling contest has put them in the driver's seat. The win propelled India to the top of Group A, followed by USA, Pakistan, Canada, and Ireland.Impact of India vs USA Match on 'Super 8' Qualification:If India Wins:* India will advance to the 'Super 8s', joining South Africa and Australia.* Pakistan's campaign will receive a lifeline, but they will need India to win by a significant margin to improve their net run rate.* USA will have a chance to qualify for the 'Super 8s' with a win over Ireland in their last match.If USA Wins:* USA will qualify for the 'Super 8s'.* Pakistan, Canada, and Ireland will be eliminated from contention.* India will need to win their last match against Canada to join USA in the 'Super 8s'.The India vs USA match is a must-win for both teams, and the outcome will have a significant impact on the qualification scenario for the 'Super 8' phase.

Pakistan's T20 World Cup Super 8 hopes suffered a major setback after their disappointing loss to arch-rivals India in New York. Despite restricting India to a modest total of 119, Pakistan's batting lineup faltered, falling short by six runs.Former PCB chairman Ramiz Raja expressed his frustration over Pakistan's inability to chase down the small target. He believes India's poor batting performance inadvertently benefited Pakistan by preventing them from reaching a more challenging total.Raja criticized wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan for his reckless shot selection at a crucial moment. With Pakistan in control of the chase, Rizwan attempted a risky pull shot over midwicket, resulting in his dismissal.Raja emphasized the importance of temperament in such situations, stating that Pakistan only needed a solid partnership to secure victory. He believes Rizwan's unnecessary shot-making cost Pakistan the match.Pakistan now face a must-win scenario in their upcoming game against Ireland. A defeat would eliminate them from the group stage, while India needs a win against USA to advance to the next round.

At the tender age of 18, Saurabh Netravalkar's dream of representing India in international cricket seemed within reach. However, as fate would have it, that aspiration remained unfulfilled. Now, at 32, Netravalkar finds himself on the cusp of an extraordinary opportunity to bowl against his nation of birth at the prestigious Twenty20 World Cup.When India and the United States clash on Wednesday at Long Island's Nassau County International Stadium, a billion ardent cricket enthusiasts back in India will be watching the left-arm United States pacer with bated breath. Netravalkar, who hails from Mumbai, will be joined by another U.S. player of Indian lineage, Alabama-born Nosthush Kenjige, as they face off against India's illustrious batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.Despite being the tournament favorite, India will approach the match with cautious optimism, having witnessed the U.S. orchestrate a stunning upset in world cricket by vanquishing Pakistan on Thursday. Netravalkar, who showcased his skills at the junior level for India, is now a key member of the U.S. team that has taken the tournament by storm.Netravalkar's journey to the U.S. was driven by a well-defined strategy. After failing to secure a lucrative Indian Premier League contract, he embarked on a master's degree in computer engineering at Cornell University in 2015. A decade later, his prowess with the ball propelled his team to a thrilling Super Over victory against former champions Pakistan.Kenjige's path to success was equally challenging. Despite failing to secure a contract in a local T20 league in Karnataka, India, he ventured to the U.S. to further his education while nurturing his cricketing ambitions. His perseverance paid off as Kenjige claimed three crucial wickets against Pakistan, showcasing his crafty left-arm spin.American batter Aaron Jones has also made a significant impact in the tournament, amassing a scintillating 94 off a mere 40 deliveries as the U.S. effortlessly chased down Canada's formidable total of 194.India and the U.S. currently sit atop Group A, having secured two victories apiece. The U.S. requires just one more win in its remaining two fixtures—against India and Ireland—to cement its place in the Super Eight. Such an achievement would mark a significant milestone for the sport in the country and wholly vindicate the ICC's bold decision to grant co-hosting rights to the U.S..India, on the other hand, is acutely aware that one more victory will guarantee its progression to the next round. The stage is set for an epic showdown between two nations with a shared cricketing heritage, as Netravalkar and Kenjige prepare to face off against their former countrymen.

Nisarg Patel, a seasoned all-rounder for the USA cricket team, is eagerly anticipating a reunion with Indian cricket icons Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja at the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. Patel, who met the duo during the 2006 U-19 World Cup, is now part of the senior USA team that will face India in a crucial match.Patel's journey in cricket began in India, where he was born and raised. He relocated to the US in 2003 and made his international debut for the USA in the 2006 U-19 World Cup. Despite the team's early exit, Patel had the opportunity to interact with Sharma and Jadeja, who were then rising stars in Indian cricket.Now, 18 years later, Patel is excited to face India once again. He believes that the USA team has the potential to cause an upset, similar to their victory over Pakistan. "We are a balanced side with experienced players who can perform under any situation and condition," he said.Patel's admiration for Sharma and Jadeja is evident. He considers Sharma a versatile performer and Bumrah an exceptional bowler. He also draws inspiration from MS Dhoni, praising his leadership skills and batting prowess.Patel's meeting with batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar and legendary spinner Shane Warne during the Legends Masters League was a memorable experience. He served as a net bowler and learned valuable lessons from these cricketing greats.Regarding the drop-in pitches used in the T20 World Cup, Patel expressed excitement. "All we've heard is that these are true wickets and really exciting ones," he said.Patel's passion for cricket is evident in his words. He believes that the sport is gaining popularity in the US, with large crowds attending matches. "It's an opportunity to bring the whole community together," he said.As the USA team prepares to face India, Patel is confident in their abilities. "We know how to handle it. They know how to perform in any situation," he said.