Cricket

India, the inaugural T20 World Cup champions, maintain their dominance at the top of the ICC Men's T20I Team Rankings ahead of the upcoming tournament. With 264 rating points, India leads the pack, followed by Australia (257 points) and defending champions England (254 points).The West Indies, two-time winners, have surged to fourth position with 252 points, buoyed by their recent 3-0 series victory over South Africa. This triumph has pushed South Africa down to seventh place. New Zealand sits at fifth with 250 points, while Pakistan and South Africa are tied at 244 points, with Pakistan holding a slight edge.Individual performances have also been noteworthy. West Indies opener Brandon King has climbed to eighth position in the batting rankings after amassing 159 runs in the recent home series. Johnson Charles, named Player of the Match in the third T20I, has jumped 17 places to 20th. Kyle Mayers has moved up 12 places to 31st, and left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie has soared 84 places to 27th after taking eight wickets.In the latest weekly update, England captain Jos Buttler has moved up to seventh position, while Jonny Bairstow has risen eight places to 36th. Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman has advanced from 57th to 51st. In the bowling rankings, Shaheen Afridi has ascended three places to 11th, and Imad Wasim has climbed 14 places to 38th.For the USA, Steven Taylor has made significant progress, advancing 28 places to 109th in the batting rankings. Bangladesh's Rishad Hussain has moved up 38 places to 52nd in the bowling rankings.As the T20 World Cup approaches, these rankings provide a snapshot of the teams and players to watch. India's dominance, the West Indies' resurgence, and the individual brilliance on display promise an exciting tournament.

Virat Kohli, the former Indian skipper and one of the most prolific batsmen in the world, is gearing up for the upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup. In a recent interview, Kohli shared his thoughts on his journey leading up to the tournament and reflected on his emotions prior to his World Cup debut against Bangladesh in 2011.Kohli's debut performance was nothing short of spectacular. He formed a formidable 203-run partnership with Virender Sehwag, becoming the first and only Indian player to achieve a century in their World Cup debut match. His unbeaten 100 runs off 83 deliveries propelled Team India to a total of 370, ultimately securing an impressive 87-run victory."It was against Bangladesh in Dhaka, my first game and I was nervous. Yes, I will not lie. There is a different sense of excitement in the air when you come for a World Cup and I could obviously sense that. I was the youngest member of that team and I was getting to play with all these greats of Indian cricket in a World Cup game," Kohli said on Star Sports."For me it was definitely a moment where I was a bit nervous heading into the game and definitely the night before I was quite nervous but that is a good sign as well because your body is preparing you to enter a situation where you're alert, you're not taking things for granted. I think that nervousness helped me to be aware, be alert and be absolutely precise in the execution of my plans," he added.Kohli has been one of the best batsmen in all formats but his T20 World Cup exploits are second to none. He is the leading run scorer in the history of the tournament having scored 1141 runs in 25 innings taking his average to be an unbelievable 81.50.India will face Bangladesh in a warm-up game on June 1 as a part of their preparation in the T20 World Cup set to be held in the USA and West Indies.

The 2024 T20 World Cup, the ninth edition of the prestigious ICC event, is set to captivate cricket enthusiasts worldwide. Jointly hosted by the United States and the Caribbean islands, the tournament promises thrilling matches and intense competition.Teams and Format:The tournament will feature 20 teams, an increase from the 16 that participated in the previous edition. The teams have been divided into four groups of five each:* Group A: India, Pakistan, USA, Ireland, Canada* Group B: England, Australia, Namibia, Scotland, Oman* Group C: West Indies, New Zealand, Afghanistan, Uganda, Papua New Guinea* Group D: South Africa, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Netherlands, NepalIn the initial group stage, each team will play against the other teams in their group once. The top two teams from each group will advance to the "Super 8s" stage, while the remaining three teams will be eliminated.The "Super 8s" stage will see the eight qualified teams divided into two groups of four each. Again, each team will play against the other teams in their group once. The top two teams from each group will reach the semi-finals, and the winners of the semi-finals will qualify for the final.India's Fixtures:India, one of the tournament favorites, will face the following opponents in the group stage:* Ireland (June 5, New York)* Pakistan (June 9, New York)* USA (June 12, New York)* Canada (June 15, Florida)Warm-Up Fixtures and Playing Conditions:Seventeen teams will participate in warm-up games scheduled from May 27 to June 1. Teams can utilize all 15 members of their squad in these matches. India's only warm-up game is against Bangladesh on June 1.Tied games will be decided by a "Super Over." If the "Super Over" also results in a tie, it will continue to follow "Super Overs" until a winner can be decided.Only the first semi-final has a reserve day, in addition to 60 minutes of extra time to finish the match on June 26 itself. If not, the game moves to June 27. There will be 250 additional minutes available to finish the second semifinal on the scheduled day (June 27) itself. For the final on June 29, there is a reserve day in place on June 30.

The highly anticipated T20 World Cup is set to commence on June 2nd, with experts predicting a thrilling final between India and Australia. This would be a rematch of the 2019 ODI World Cup final, where Australia emerged victorious.According to cricket experts from Star Sports, India and Australia are the frontrunners to reach the summit clash on June 29th. Former India pacer Sreesanth expressed his belief that India will avenge their ODI World Cup defeat and claim their second T20 crown. Sreesanth was a crucial member of the 2007 T20 World Cup-winning team under MS Dhoni.The tournament will be co-hosted by the USA and West Indies from June 2nd to 29th. India has been placed in Group B alongside Pakistan, Ireland, USA, and Canada. Their campaign begins on June 5th against Ireland in New York, followed by the highly anticipated clash with Pakistan on June 9th at the same venue.Other experts who shared their predictions include Brian Lara, Sunil Gavaskar, Paul Collingwood, Chris Morris, and Matthew Hayden. They all agreed that India and Australia possess the strongest squads and are the favorites to reach the final.India will be eager to prove their dominance in the shortest format of the game, while Australia will be looking to defend their title and extend their reign as T20 World Champions. The tournament promises to deliver high-octane action and intense rivalry, with the best teams in the world vying for the coveted trophy.

The search for India's next men's cricket head coach is underway, but one prominent name, MS Dhoni, is ineligible for the role. The BCCI requires applicants to be retired from all forms of cricket, and Dhoni continues to play in the IPL for the Chennai Super Kings.Despite his retirement from international cricket in 2020, Dhoni's popularity and experience have made him a popular choice among fans. However, his IPL involvement disqualifies him from the head coach position.Dhoni's potential involvement with the team remains open. He previously mentored India during the 2021 T20 World Cup, and there are no indications that he will retire after the 2024 IPL season.The BCCI received over 3,000 applications for the head coach position, including some hoax applications. The final list of candidates has not been disclosed.Among the potential candidates mentioned in the media are Gautam Gambhir, Stephen Fleming, and Ricky Ponting. However, the BCCI has not confirmed any names.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has become a dominant force in cricket, often overshadowing the T20 World Cup. However, the IPL's influence on the World Cup squad selection has been limited, with selectors opting for a pragmatic and conservative approach.The 15-member World Cup squad, led by Rohit Sharma, includes experienced players like Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, and Ravindra Jadeja. While these players have proven their worth in the past, their recent IPL performances have raised questions about their current form.The absence of young players who impressed in the IPL, such as Abhishek Sharma and Harshit Rana, has sparked debate. Critics argue that the selectors should have given more weight to IPL performances, especially in a format that favors experimentation.However, the selectors have defended their decision, emphasizing the importance of experience and pedigree in a high-pressure tournament like the World Cup. They believe that the team's core was established before the IPL, and that individual performances in the league should not overshadow the overall balance and chemistry of the squad.The T20 World Cup format, with its unpredictable nature and knockout rounds, makes it difficult for even the best teams to dominate. India's goal is to win the title, and the selectors have opted for a safety-first approach to ensure a strong foundation.While experience is crucial, the question remains whether the selectors have overlooked the potential of in-form youngsters. The IPL has provided a platform for emerging players to showcase their skills, and some argue that their contributions should be valued more in the World Cup selection process.The performance of India in the tournament will determine the validity of the conservative approach. If the team succeeds, it will reinforce the importance of experience and stability. However, if they falter, it may lead to a reassessment of the role of IPL performances in future World Cup selections.

Former England captain Eoin Morgan has declared India as the frontrunners to win the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup, set to commence on June 1 in the West Indies and the USA. Morgan, speaking on a Sky Sports podcast, expressed his belief in India's chances, stating, "For me, the strongest side even with injuries throughout the tournament is India without a doubt."Morgan highlighted the exceptional quality and depth of the Indian squad, emphasizing their potential to overcome any opposition in the tournament. He remarked, "The strength and depth is absolutely incredible at the moment. We are talking about the players who missed out on the squad of 15 because of the quality they possess."India's T20 World Cup journey will begin on June 5 against Ireland at the newly built Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York. The highly anticipated clash between India and Pakistan is scheduled for June 9. Subsequently, India will face tournament co-hosts USA on June 12 and Canada on June 15 to conclude their Group A matches.The Indian team will be determined to end their ICC trophy drought, with their last major triumph being the ICC Champions Trophy in 2013. Since then, India have reached the finals of the 50-over World Cup in 2023, the semifinals in 2015 and 2019, the title clash of the ICC World Test Championship in 2021 and 2023, and the T20 WC final in 2014 and semifinals in 2016 and 2022. However, they have fallen short of securing a significant ICC trophy.India's primary objective will be to secure their first T20 WC title since their inaugural victory in 2007 in South Africa. In the previous edition held in Australia in 2022, India suffered a 10-wicket defeat against England in the semifinals.With a formidable squad and a proven track record in ICC events, India will be the team to beat in the upcoming T20 World Cup. Their journey to the title will be closely watched by fans around the world, as they aim to end their ICC trophy drought and reclaim their status as the world's leading cricket nation.

Virat Kohli's Departure for T20 World Cup Delayed Due to Paperwork IssueIndian cricket legend Virat Kohli's departure for the T20 World Cup in the United States has been postponed due to a delay in paperwork, according to reports. The first batch of players from India's squad, led by captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Rahul Dravid, departed for the USA on Sunday.Kohli was not among the players who left on the first flight. Batting coach Vikram Rathour, Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube, Mohammed Siraj, and Arshdeep Singh, along with traveling reserves Shubman Gill and Khaleel Ahmed, were also spotted at the Mumbai airport.Team vice-captain Hardik Pandya was also absent from the group. Pandya is reportedly in London and will fly to the US from there.The delay in Kohli's departure is believed to be related to a paperwork issue. The Indian cricket board (BCCI) is working to resolve the matter as soon as possible.Kohli is a key member of the Indian team and his absence from the first batch of players departing for the USA is a concern. However, the BCCI is confident that the issue will be resolved soon and Kohli will join the squad in time for the tournament.The T20 World Cup is scheduled to be held in the United States from October 16 to November 13. India is one of the favorites to win the tournament, and Kohli's presence in the squad will be crucial to their chances of success.

Australia's triumph in the World Test Championship (WTC) final against India in June 2023 was a testament to their resilience and determination. Despite India's formidable batting lineup, led by the legendary Virat Kohli, Australia emerged victorious by 209 runs at The Oval.The road to victory was not without its challenges. India, seeking their first ICC trophy in a decade, had reduced Australia to 164/3 at stumps on Day 4, needing 280 runs with Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane at the crease.However, the Australian bowlers, led by Pat Cummins, staged a remarkable comeback on the final day. They dismissed Kohli for 63 and bundled out India for 234, denying them the coveted ICC trophy.Speaking on the third season of 'The Test,' a popular cricket documentary series on Amazon Prime Video, Australian cricketers expressed their admiration for Kohli's batting prowess."If you look at people chasing the total, Virat Kohli is up there with the best, if not the best," said Steve Smith."He's been a killer against Australia," added Justin Langer.Nathan Lyon praised Kohli's competitive spirit, saying, "He is super competitive and doesn't give you an inch. No one comes close to him."Despite the setback in the WTC final, India's batting lineup remains a force to be reckoned with. Travis Head, who won the Player of the Match award in the WTC final, believes that the seeds of Australia's success were sown during their hard-fought Test series in India in 2023."I think a lot of that has come from the Test tour last year, spending time here and working on things," said Head.With the ODI World Cup 2023 title also under their belt, Australia has established themselves as a dominant force in world cricket. Their victory in the WTC final is a testament to their unwavering spirit and the depth of their talent.