Cricket

Axar Patel's unsung heroics played a pivotal role in India's victory over Pakistan in the ongoing T20 World Cup. The allrounder's versatility and adaptability proved invaluable for the team.Patel's batting depth allowed India to promote him up the order to face the moving ball and protect more experienced batters. His crucial 20 runs off 18 balls in a partnership with Rishabh Pant helped stabilize the innings.Moreover, Patel's bowling flexibility was evident in the 16th over, where he effectively shut down a left-hand batter with the shorter leg-side boundary and favorable wind. His ability to bowl to both left- and right-hand batters gives India a tactical advantage.Patel's selection in the squad and starting XI was unconventional, as India typically opts for an offspinner instead of two left-arm spinners. However, the team's decision to field both Patel and Ravindra Jadeja has paid off, especially considering the limited number of left-hand batters faced so far.Despite Patel's impressive performances, the absence of Kuldeep Yadav, India's only left-arm wristspinner, has raised questions. Bowling coach Paras Mhambrey explained that Yadav's exclusion is not a reflection of his skills but rather a matter of team balance.The seam-friendly pitches in New York have necessitated the inclusion of three seamers, while the abundance of right-hand batters has reduced the need for a left-arm wristspinner. However, Mhambrey acknowledged that Yadav may be called upon later in the tournament, especially if India faces more left-hand batters or needs additional penetration in the spin department.The choice between Patel and Jadeja remains a difficult one. Patel's versatility as a T20 batter gives him an edge, but Jadeja's vast experience and proven match-winning abilities cannot be overlooked.

India's bowling coach, Paras Mhambrey, has emphasized the team's unwavering focus and intensity as they prepare to face the United States in the T20 World Cup. The team's remarkable victory over Pakistan, achieved through an exceptional bowling display, has set the tone for their upcoming matches.Despite posting a modest total of 119 runs in the first innings, India's bowlers, led by Jasprit Bumrah, orchestrated a dramatic turnaround in the low-scoring thriller against Pakistan. The six-run victory showcased the team's resilience and ability to defend even the most challenging totals.Mhambrey believes that India's bowling performance against Pakistan ranks among their finest to date. "In a game like this, especially when you have so much pressure in terms of the high intensity game, obviously a game against Pakistan is always going to be high intensity whatever you say," he said.While acknowledging that India could have accumulated a higher score, Mhambrey emphasized that the team's focus was on extracting the maximum performance from each bowler. "It's never going to be a normal game to be able to defend obviously when you're batting you expect in a situation that we were placed nicely to get more runs," he said. "But especially, when that doesn't happen, you're defending low scores and there's only way out there that you bowl at your best."Mhambrey cautioned against underestimating any team in the tournament, especially after the United States' thrilling Super-Over victory against Pakistan. "You can't take any game lightly. This is the World Cup," he said. "Every game matters. Your rhythm is important. Winning is a habit that you need to get into early. You need to get it early to form the context of the game. Every game is important."The Indian bowling coach acknowledged that the USA team might have an advantage due to their familiarity with the local playing conditions, but he emphasized that this factor would not create any significant disparity between the two sides. "We are used to the conditions like them. We have played enough out here. We know what kind of wicket it is," he said.Mhambrey expressed confidence in Ravindra Jadeja's batting abilities, stating that the team is not overly worried about his current form with the bat. "It's a team game, right? It's going to be eleven guys, you really don't expect all of them coming into form," he said. "It's a long tournament. Someone like Jadeja, who is so vastly experienced, he just needs a game of them to just kick his foot around and feel along and we know that the skills that he has and the the experience he's going to go ahead."Mhambrey remains unfazed by the differing characteristics of pitches and playing conditions between the Caribbean and the United States. "The good thing is that we have already been to the West Indies. We already had a couple of series out there prior to this," he said. "We know what kind of conditions you're going to encounter. As the team has so much experience, we will adapt, we know that. We have the skills, we have the temperament and the talent to adapt so I'm really not worried."Mhambrey conveyed his delight regarding the outstanding performance of Saurabh Netravalkar, who previously played for India U-19 and Mumbai, while representing the United States. "(I am) extremely happy. I've watched him play a couple Ranji Trophy games that he played. (It's) great for someone to leave out there, it must be a tough decision," he added.

India vs USA: A Clash of Cultures and Cricket's Global ExpansionThe United States, a nation traditionally known for its love of baseball, football, and basketball, is experiencing a surge in popularity for cricket. This newfound enthusiasm is largely attributed to the efforts of India, a cricketing powerhouse eager to tap into the vast American market.The upcoming match between India and USA in New York City is a testament to the growing appeal of cricket in the US. The game has garnered significant media attention, with The New York Times publishing articles and Drake profiting from its popularity.India's involvement in American cricket is evident through its ownership of three franchises in the USA's premier T20 competition. The LA Olympics organizing committee has also recognized the potential of cricket, citing Virat Kohli's massive social media following as a factor in their decision to include the sport in the 2028 Games.The USA team has played a pivotal role in fueling the excitement surrounding cricket in the country. Their impressive performance, including a stunning victory over Pakistan, has captivated the American public. The team's success has created a sense of anticipation for their upcoming match against India.While India remains the clear favorite, the USA team's undefeated record and the possibility of advancing to the Super Eights have ignited dreams among American cricket fans. The match promises to be a thrilling encounter, showcasing the skill and flair of both teams.

Pakistan's dismal performance against India in the ongoing T20 World Cup has drawn sharp criticism from former wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal. Akmal lambasted the team, calling them a "club team" and questioning their ability to handle pressure.After Naseem Shah's impressive bowling restricted India to 119, Pakistan seemed poised to chase down the target comfortably. However, a batting collapse triggered by Mohammad Rizwan's dismissal saw the team crumble. India's Jasprit Bumrah played a pivotal role in the victory, showcasing exceptional bowling skills.Akmal expressed his disappointment, stating that Pakistan's players appeared overwhelmed by the pressure. He emphasized that India would have chased the target effortlessly if they had been in Pakistan's position. "They were under pressure, and it felt like they didn't know how to play," Akmal said. "Very shameful performance from the Pakistan team."Akmal also praised India's Rishabh Pant, who played a crucial role in India's recovery from a middle-order collapse. Pant's 42 runs off 31 deliveries helped India reach a respectable total. Akmal used Pant's performance as an example to criticize Pakistan's selection process."You lost the chance to defeat a team like India just because of your mistakes," Akmal said. "The way Pant has come back is incredible. He worked hard, followed a process, and returned to the playing XI. This is how players should make a place in their team and not like ours."Akmal's comments highlight the growing concerns over Pakistan's performance in the T20 World Cup. With two wins from two matches, India is in a strong position, while Pakistan faces an uphill battle to qualify for the semi-finals.

India's batting stars are eager to break free from the constraints of the much-criticized drop-in pitch and unleash their full potential against an impressive but inexperienced USA team in their T20 World Cup group league match in New York on June 12. India, classified as A1, needs just one more win to secure their Super Eight berth. Despite the inconsistent nature of the Nassau County track, they are determined to avoid a repeat of their match against Pakistan, where they lost their last seven wickets for a mere 28 runs.Against USA, India's approach could be high-risk, similar to their strategy against Pakistan, but with potentially higher rewards. While their dreams of representing India remain unfulfilled, a spirited group of Indian Americans will take the field against their country of birth. Players like Saurabh Netravalkars and Harmeet Singhs will once again aim to be the proverbial David against the Goliaths of the game.Although the pitch has significantly reduced the gap between teams, the USA, a diverse mix of eight Indians, two Pakistanis, a West Indian, a New Zealander, a South African, and a Dutch player, may find the gulf with India too wide to bridge. They have not received significant airtime on American channels, nor have major newspapers devoted much attention to them, even after their Super Over victory over Pakistan. However, Wednesday could be the day when their adopted country takes note of their performance.Monank Patel, Harmeet, Netravalkar, Jessy Singh, and Noshtush Kenjige all have their own Indian stories to tell. While India boasts Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Rishabh Pant in its ranks, the USA team's presence adds a touch of endearment to the match.It's not every day that one gets the opportunity to bowl at Kohli and Sharma or face Bumrah, even if it's far from a pleasant experience. But it's an experience nonetheless, and one that will last a lifetime. For India, it will be their last match in the 'Big Apple' extension, and one where they wouldn't mind batting first. If India bowls first, there's a high chance that USA might not be able to reach the three-figure mark against Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Ravindra Jadeja.There will be some beautiful and emotional subplots as well. If Netravalkar gets a chance to bowl to his former Mumbai teammate Suryakumar Yadav, with whom he played in Mumbai U-15, Ranji, and Vijay Hazare Trophy, it will be a special moment. "It will be an emotional moment to play against India and especially Surya as we go back a long way," Netravalkar said recently.For the two left-arm spinners Harmeet and Kenjige, the challenge of trying to keep Rishabh Pant quiet will be on a completely different level. Both Harmeet and Kenjige will try to maintain dart-like accuracy, but that could well be dismantled by Pant, who is sure to use his feet.For Ali Khan, his extra pace and the bounce he extracts from even benign surfaces would certainly provoke Rohit to use his pull shot frequently. There's Nitish Kumar, who could be cheeky with his shot selection and prove to be a thorn in India's flesh.In the first game, India's weakest link was Shivam Dube. The Chennai Super Kings' most valued 'Impact Player' is finding it tough on two-paced tracks where the ball is gripping and coming late onto the bat. But unlike tactician-par-excellence Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who could bench him during CSK's bowling in the IPL, national skipper Rohit Sharma doesn't have such luxury and needs to hide him in areas of the field where the ball is expected to travel less. Dube is a monstrous hitter of spinners on good flat decks, and his military medium seam-up stuff does give the Indian skipper cushion to maneuver with the bowling combination. But in a format like T20, the team management, which asked for Dube at the expense of Rinku Singh, would want him to come good. Else, there is Yashasvi Jaiswal in the 15, who is a way more rounded batter than the big-bodied Mumbaikar.Two wrist spinners, Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav, should be given some game time or else they might just enter the Super Eights a bit undercooked in the Caribbean where the pitches will be more spin-friendly.

Pakistani YouTuber Shot Dead by Security Guard in New York Ahead of India-Pakistan T20 World Cup MatchA tragic incident has occurred in New York City, where a Pakistani YouTuber named Saad Ahmed was shot and killed by a security guard on June 9, 2024. The incident took place in the lead-up to the highly anticipated T20 World Cup match between India and Pakistan.According to reports, Ahmed was filming a video segment for his YouTube channel in Nassau County Stadium, where the match was scheduled to be played. He approached a security guard for an interview, but the guard refused to be filmed. Ahmed persisted, and the guard eventually lost his temper and shot him.Ahmed was rushed to the hospital but was pronounced dead upon arrival. A friend of Ahmed's stated that he was the sole breadwinner for his family.CCTV footage from the area shows Ahmed interacting with the guard before the shooting. The guard has been arrested by the police and is reportedly claiming that he fired in self-defense.The incident has sent shockwaves through the Pakistani community and the cricketing world. Pakistan lost the match to India by 6 runs, and are now on the brink of elimination from the T20 World Cup.

Axar Patel, the unsung hero of India's thrilling victory over Pakistan in the T20 World Cup, played a pivotal role with both bat and ball, despite his contributions going largely unnoticed.Promoted to the unfamiliar No. 4 spot with India reeling at 19-2, Axar steadied the innings with a crucial 20 off 18 balls, providing a much-needed platform for the middle order. His innings was particularly impressive considering the challenging pitch conditions.With the ball, Axar followed up Jasprit Bumrah's brilliant 15th over with a stingy one of his own, conceding only two runs and putting immense pressure on Pakistan's batters. His ability to control the run rate and prevent boundaries proved crucial in the context of the match.Despite his impressive performance, Axar remains humble and downplays his contributions. "I don't think my over was the turning point," he said. "Every over was important, and the captain's changes seemed to be working."However, Axar's tactical acumen was evident in his bowling strategy. He bowled a couple of deliveries wide outside the off-stump, forcing the batters to shuffle in, before pushing one in that kept them guessing."It was important to play with their minds," Axar explained. "When I bowled outside, I knew they would come in, so I pushed it in."Axar's batting prowess has often been overlooked, but the team management recognizes his importance. In the practice sessions leading up to the Pakistan match, Rohit Sharma emphasized the need for Axar to improve his batting form."The captain has said that no position is fixed apart from the openers," Axar said. "We have to go up and down as per the need of the hour."With India playing only four specialist batters, the role of the allrounders becomes even more crucial. Axar, with his ability to contribute with both bat and ball, is a vital cog in the team's balance."It is about the balance," Axar said. "We have batting till No. 8 and seven bowlers to fall back on. Having options are crucial."

Former Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq has launched a scathing critique of the team's management following their narrow six-run defeat to India in the T20 World Cup match on Sunday. Despite a strong bowling performance that restricted India to just 119 runs, Pakistan's batting lineup failed to capitalize, jeopardizing their chances of progressing in the tournament.Misbah pointed out critical errors in Pakistan's approach during the run chase, particularly the underutilization of middle-order batter Iftikhar Ahmed. Ahmed, the lone specialist batter in the middle order, came in to bat at No. 7, despite his proven ability to anchor the innings."There is no confidence in the middle order," Misbah said on Hum Sport. "We don't use them properly. Iftikhar is there, and whoever else plays in the middle order, we don't send them in when their number comes up, even if they're scoring at a run-a-ball. They only get a chance once or twice a year, and even then, we put them in difficult situations."Misbah questioned the rationale behind sending all-rounders ahead of Iftikhar on a challenging pitch in New York. He stressed that on such surfaces, where power hitting is less effective, situational assessment is crucial."Iftikhar is a batsman," Misbah said. "Imad [Wasim] went in before him, then Shadab [Khan] went in before him, and he was the last. You're sending him in at No. 7, and this has been going on throughout. On a pitch where you know power hitting is not needed, you need to assess the situation."Misbah also criticized Pakistan's inability to learn from India's innings, where their power hitters struggled to score."You saw India's innings," Misbah said. "Once you have to score over a run-a-ball in the last 10 overs, it's very difficult. We should have kept Iftikhar back. He wouldn't have been able to hit at the end. If you're not going to send him in when you're scoring at 6 or 7 an over, what's the point of sending him in when you're scoring at 9 or 10? If you had to send him in, okay, fine, Shadab was scoring at a run-a-ball, he performed well in the last match, so send him up. Then Iftikhar comes in."Misbah further questioned the decision to send Imad Wasim ahead of Iftikhar and criticized the team for playing fewer batters on a bowling-friendly pitch."You're sending in Imad, okay, that's fine, but this is not a pitch where you can hit at the end," Misbah said. "You sent in a left-hander, and he played a whole over of dot balls. Basically, you're building pressure and not giving your batsman any confidence. Then it's simple, you're playing with only three specialist batsmen on a bowling pitch. India played with six batsmen and two all-rounders. On a difficult pitch, who's going to be under pressure? The batting. We have fewer batting resources."Misbah's critique underscores the need for better tactical decisions and confidence in the batting order to optimize performance in crucial matches.

Jasprit Bumrah's exceptional adaptability and unique skillset make him a crucial player for India's success in the T20 World Cup, believes legendary Indian cricketer Anil Kumble. Bumrah's ability to perform consistently, regardless of the conditions, sets him apart from other bowlers.In the highly anticipated match against Pakistan in New York, Bumrah showcased his match-winning capabilities by delivering a stellar performance, taking 3 wickets for just 14 runs. His efforts played a vital role in India's thrilling six-run victory over their traditional rivals.Despite India being bowled out for a modest 119 on a challenging two-paced track at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, the pace duo of Bumrah and Hardik Pandya (2/24) brought the team back into the game with their incisive bowling spells. Pakistan, in response, could only manage 113 for seven in their allotted 20 overs, falling short of the target."We saw that with that 15th over where he got that wicket (of Mohammad Rizwan), and then the 19th over, when you knew that in that over if he had given a couple of boundaries, then last over 10 runs, 12 runs, possible," Kumble said on ESPNCricinfo."But once it gets to that 18 runs, 19 runs, on a surface like this, (it's) impossible for the tail-enders to come and get those runs. So Jasprit Bumrah, if India go on to win this tournament, he would have to play a major role," Kumble said.Pandya's effective use of the short ball was complemented by Bumrah's crucial wickets in the latter stages of the innings. Bumrah removed the dangerous Mohammad Rizwan in the 15th over and followed it up by dismissing Iftikhar Ahmed in the penultimate over, which yielded only three runs.With Pakistan requiring 18 runs off the final six deliveries, Arshdeep Singh displayed remarkable composure under pressure to secure yet another memorable victory for India against their arch-rivals on the global stage.Kumble was full of praise for Bumrah, emphasizing his importance to the team. "Jasprit Bumrah should be your number one in your team list. Forget about the format, Jasprit Bumrah is your number one. Yes, this is a pitch where it was not easy for the bowlers but the variations and also the kind of pressure he puts on the batters..." Kumble said."Knowing that it's not going to be easy, forget the surface, any surface, we have seen that right throughout his career, it's not easy. Any batter coming in front of Bumrah knows that it's going to be tough, and on a surface like this, he just builds the pressure," he added.Bumrah's exceptional skills and adaptability make him a key player for India in the T20 World Cup. His ability to perform consistently, regardless of the conditions, gives India a significant advantage in their quest for the title.