Cricket

Rahul Dravid's Linguistic Skills and Humor Shine at T20 World Cup Press ConferenceAhead of India's T20 World Cup opener against Ireland, head coach Rahul Dravid showcased his linguistic prowess and sense of humor during a press conference. Responding to a question in Hindi about the potential for complacency against Ireland, Dravid used an Urdu word that delighted both himself and the audience."Iss format mein, ye format hi yehi hai ki aap kisi ko nazarandaaz ya lightly nahi le sakte (This format itself is such that you just cannot overlook anyone or take anyone lightly)," Dravid said.Pleased with his use of the word 'nazarandaaz,' Dravid added humorously, "Waah! Not bad. Well done, Rahul! (Laughs)."Dravid's linguistic skills and humor have become a hallmark of his tenure as India's head coach. He has often used Urdu and Hindi words in his press conferences, adding a touch of warmth and camaraderie to the proceedings.During the same press conference, Dravid confirmed that the T20 World Cup 2024 would be his final assignment as India's head coach. He announced that he would not be re-applying for the position, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to work with top-tier Indian players over his nearly three-year tenure.Dravid's departure marks the end of an era for Team India, with his tenure being noted for fostering a strong team culture and developing young talent. As Team India gears up for its opening match against Ireland, the team will be keen to send off their coach with a memorable performance in the tournament.

Former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull has sparked speculation about a potential change in India's opening combination for the T20 World Cup 2024. Doull, who is currently working as a commentator for the tournament, revealed that he has heard rumors suggesting that Yashasvi Jaiswal could be set to open alongside Rohit Sharma in India's opening match against Ireland.This would be a significant departure from the expected opening partnership of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. However, Doull believes that Jaiswal's recent form and his ability to provide a left-handed option at the top of the order could make him a valuable asset to the team."I've heard rumors today that Jaiswal was the first into the nets," Doull said on Cricbuzz. "They've given him plenty of opportunity. That would surprise me if they bring him in. Who do they leave out? Shivam Dube? That would surprise me a touch."Doull also expressed his preference for Rishabh Pant to continue batting at No. 3, a role he filled in India's warm-up game against Bangladesh."It was just a way of getting him into that side and splitting up that middle-order combination of left-left-left," Doull said. "I didn't know about Hardik Pandya at the start, so for me, it was where do I fit Rishabh Pant? Take away, let's say, him, Dube and Jadeja... all batting at 5, 6 and 7. And just giving the top order a little point of difference. I'm pleased they gave it a chance against Bangladesh. It worked well. Will they go with it again? I think they should."If Jaiswal does indeed open with Rohit Sharma, it would be a bold move by India. However, it could also pay off, as Jaiswal is a talented young batsman who has shown great promise in recent months.

Travis Head, the Australian batsman who played a pivotal role in his team's victory in the 2023 ODI World Cup final, is eagerly anticipating the possibility of another showdown with India in the upcoming T20 World Cup. Head's aggressive batting in last year's ODI World Cup final and the ICC World Test Championship final dashed India's hopes of an ICC title on home soil.India, led by Rohit Sharma, will begin their World Cup campaign against Ireland on Wednesday. The team boasts a star-studded lineup, including Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, and Ravindra Jadeja, making them one of the favorites for the tournament.Head, who has expressed his excitement about watching "The Test," the Amazon sports documentary on the Australian men's cricket team's dominance, believes that Rohit Sharma will face pressure to lead India to an elusive ICC title. However, he also acknowledges that India has a strong team with a balanced batting and bowling lineup.If both India and Australia reach the final, they will face off again on June 29 at the Kensington Oval in Barbados. Head, who has been in impressive form in all formats of the game, is confident in his team's ability to perform well in the T20 World Cup.He credits the continuity and confidence within the Australian team for their aggressive brand of cricket. Head also praises Pat Cummins' leadership, describing him as a relaxed and approachable captain who fosters a positive dressing room environment.

Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya Bury Differences Ahead of T20 World CupRumors of a rift between Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya have been circulating since the latter replaced the former as captain of the Mumbai Indians in the recent Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Both players endured a disappointing IPL campaign, with MI finishing at the bottom of the standings.However, as India prepares for the T20 World Cup, it appears that Sharma and Pandya have put their differences aside. In a photo shared by journalist Vimal Kumar, Sharma, the captain, was seen batting in the nets while Pandya, his deputy, bowled to him.The image suggests that the two players are committed to uniting for the common goal of winning the World Cup. India will begin their campaign on Wednesday against Ireland in New York.The equation between Sharma and Pandya has been a topic of discussion in the lead-up to the tournament. Sharma traveled with the first group of players to New York, while Pandya joined the team a few days later.Despite the rumors, it seems that the two players have resolved their issues and are focused on leading India to success. India will be aiming to end their ICC trophy drought, having last won the ICC Champions Trophy in 2013.

India's vice-captain Hardik Pandya has silenced his critics with a match-winning knock against Bangladesh in the T20 World Cup warm-up fixture. Pandya's unbeaten 40 off just 23 balls helped India post a total of 182/5, striking two fours and four sixes.There had been a lot of talk surrounding Pandya's form in the lead-up to the T20 World Cup, as the star all-rounder had a below-par season in the IPL. His selection became a major talking point when India announced its squad for the T20 World Cup during the league stage of the cash-rich league.However, Pandya's knock against Bangladesh has shown that he is still a force to be reckoned with. Former India batter Navjot Singh Sidhu said, "There were many question marks over Hardik Pandya and they have been erased. The more you try to put Hardik Pandya down, the more he emerges and shines, just like a diamond shines after being continuously rubbed. Hardik Pandya is a great takeaway."Pandya has endured a tough couple of months in the IPL after returning to Mumbai Indians before the start of the season. He replaced Rohit Sharma as captain of the franchise, a decision which wasn't taken well by the fans. He was attacked by fans across the IPL venues with constant booing, including by the MI supporters.Since coming into the Indian team in 2016, Pandya excelled in his all-round roles in all formats, till a back injury in the 2018 Asia Cup and surgery post the 2019 World Cup stopped him from being back at his absolute best, resulting in him playing only as a batter in the 2021 T20 World Cup, where India didn't even enter the semifinals.In 92 T2OIs that he has played, Pandya has picked 73 wickets and has scored 1348 runs. India will lock horns against Ireland in their opening match in New York on Wednesday before playing arch-rivals Pakistan at the same venue on June 9.

India's T20 World Cup Team Balance Raises Concerns, Says Scott StyrisFormer New Zealand all-rounder Scott Styris has expressed concerns about the balance of the Indian team participating in the ongoing T20 World Cup. While acknowledging the talent within the squad, Styris highlighted weaknesses that could hinder their progress."India has got a lot of talent, but they have holes as well," Styris said. "They don't field really well. The balance of the team could be a problem."Styris's comments come as India prepares for their tournament opener against Ireland on June 5. The team has been criticized for its lack of all-rounders and its reliance on spin bowling in conditions that may not favor them.Former Australian captain Shane Watson, however, believes that Indian skipper Rohit Sharma can overcome concerns surrounding his form and lead the team to success. Watson drew a comparison between Rohit and David Warner, who was named Player of the Tournament in 2021."Great players find a way to step up and get things together at the right time," Watson said. "Rohit Sharma knows how to turn it on when he needs to."Watson also acknowledged the potential threat posed by India, depending on the playing conditions. "If things come about nicely and their spinners have the impact they think they'll have in the conditions, there's no question they can go on a big run," Watson added.India's team balance will be put to the test in their opening match against Ireland. A strong performance could silence critics and boost their confidence, while a disappointing result could raise further questions about their chances of success in the tournament.

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.

Rahul Dravid, India's head coach, has expressed dissatisfaction with the practice facilities provided for the T20 World Cup in New York. The teams are practicing at Cantiague Park, a public park, while the matches will be played at the Nassau County Cricket Stadium, located five miles away.Dravid criticized the unusual practice arrangements, saying, "It's a bit strange to be practicing in a park. Obviously at the World Cups you'd be in big stadiums or you'd be at cricket stadiums traditionally."The use of drop-in pitches at the Nassau County stadium has also raised concerns. Sri Lanka was bowled out for their lowest T20I total of 77 on one of these pitches, fueling the debate about their suitability.Dravid also noted the lack of excitement surrounding the tournament in the United States, where cricket is not a major sport. "It's obviously slightly different. It's obviously exciting that it's coming to a new country, it's coming to a new place. (It) feels slightly different in terms of, I guess, typically the buzz that you have around these events, with cricket not being one of the major sports in this country," he said.Despite these challenges, Dravid emphasized that the team's preparations and focus remain unaffected. "But I think from a preparation perspective and from what we want to get out of it, I don't think that's changed. Our preparation, our professionalism, the way we are trying to approach things, it's pretty, pretty similar to what we would normally do," he said.India will play three of their four group matches at the Nassau County stadium, including the highly anticipated clash against Pakistan on June 9. Dravid will be hoping to end his tenure as head coach on a high note by guiding India to their first ICC trophy since the 2013 Champions Trophy.

India's T20 World Cup Opening Combination Remains a MysteryAhead of India's T20 World Cup opener against Ireland on June 5, head coach Rahul Dravid has remained tight-lipped about the team's opening combination. While Rohit Sharma is expected to partner with Virat Kohli at the top of the order, there is speculation that Yashasvi Jaiswal could also be an option."We've got options, so we are obviously not going to reveal our cards just yet," Dravid said. "We have Rohit and Jaiswal, and Virat opened in the IPL as well."The playing surface at the Nassau County ground has drawn attention due to its inconsistent bounce and sluggish outfield. However, Dravid refused to complain about the pitch conditions."We had three practice sessions here. From the third session onwards, the wicket became better," Dravid said. "But a wicket is a wicket. We don't want to label it as bad or good. It is a wicket and you have to manage and you have to adjust to it."Dravid emphasized that his squad will focus on adapting their game to suit the current state of the ground. "We will not complain about the wicket," he said. "A score of 200 was considered a par in the recently concluded IPL, but here at this venue, it appears to be more than just a par score; it seems like a winning score.""As we talk about T20 cricket, maybe we won't be able to play like that in this tournament," Dravid added. "Maybe in this venue. We will hopefully play in many venues. So, it will be different there. So, it will be important to adapt."Dravid also defended the performance of the players in recent ICC events, acknowledging the team's efforts despite falling short at crucial moments. "To be very honest with you, I think we've actually played really well in these World Cup tournaments," Dravid said. "In terms of our consistency, we've been very consistent.""Yes, we probably haven't been able to get across the line in the knockout game," Dravid admitted. "So, we just probably haven't been able to execute in that last phase. So, hopefully we play good cricket to get ourselves into those positions again and then maybe play good cricket on the day to cross the line."