Cricket

Gautam Gambhir, the former Indian cricketer and current head coach prospect, has revealed a poignant childhood memory that ignited his passion for winning the World Cup for his country. Recalling the heartbreaking loss to Australia in the 1992 World Cup, Gambhir shared that the defeat left an indelible mark on him, inspiring him to pursue his dream of lifting the coveted trophy.At the tender age of 11, Gambhir witnessed the agonizing one-run defeat at the Gabba in Brisbane. The match, which was reduced to 47 overs due to rain, saw India chasing a revised target of 235. With the equation down to five runs off four balls, Venkatapathy Raju's run-out in the final over shattered India's hopes.The defeat left a profound impact on Gambhir, who was deeply moved by the team's failure. "I remember the 1992 India-Australia World Cup game in Brisbane, which India lost by one run, and I actually remember that I cried the entire night," Gambhir recalled in an interview with Sportskeeda. "I have never cried like that before or after that, and I don't know why."Despite being only 11 years old at the time, Gambhir's determination was unwavering. "I was an 11-year-old at that time. I cried the entire night and said that I wanted to win the World Cup for India," he said. "I said that in 1992 and I was able to fulfill that dream in 2011."Gambhir's dream came to fruition in 2011 when he played a pivotal role in India's World Cup triumph. He was the team's leading run-scorer in the tournament, including a match-winning 97 against Sri Lanka in the final.Four years earlier, Gambhir had also played a key role in India's victory in the inaugural ICC World T20 in 2007. He was the team's top-scorer in the final against Pakistan.Gambhir's journey from a heartbroken 11-year-old to a World Cup winner is a testament to his resilience and unwavering belief. His story serves as an inspiration to young athletes and fans alike, reminding them that even the most challenging setbacks can be transformed into opportunities for growth and triumph.

Suryakumar Yadav's Miraculous Catch: A Moment of Redemption for Rohit SharmaIn the nail-biting final of the ICC T20 World Cup against South Africa, India's hopes seemed to dwindle as the ball soared towards the long-off stands. Captain Rohit Sharma's heart sank, but a moment of brilliance from Suryakumar Yadav ignited a spark of hope.With South Africa needing 16 runs off the final over and the dangerous David Miller at the crease, Hardik Pandya delivered a wide full toss. Miller unleashed a powerful strike, sending the ball hurtling towards the boundary. Rohit dropped to his knee, anticipating a six that could shatter India's dreams.However, Suryakumar Yadav, positioned at the boundary ropes, displayed remarkable composure. He leaped into the air, catching the ball just as he crossed the boundary line. With lightning-fast reflexes, he released the ball before re-entering the field of play to complete a spectacular catch.The Kensington Oval crowd erupted in a frenzy, and Rohit's expression transformed from despair to pure elation. Suryakumar's catch had not only saved a six but had also reignited India's hopes of securing the prestigious title."It was god's plan. I am just grateful to be in that moment to do something special for the country...god's plan it was," Suryakumar said after the match.For many old fans, Suryakumar's catch evoked memories of the legendary catch taken by Kapil Dev in the 1983 World Cup final against the formidable West Indies. Kapil had run sideways from mid-on to snatch a top edge from Viv Richards off Madan Lal's bowling, showcasing remarkable judgment and skill.Suryakumar's catch not only saved a crucial six but also boosted the morale of the Indian team. It was a moment of redemption for Rohit Sharma, who had been under immense pressure to deliver the title.

In the high-stakes T20 World Cup final in Barbados, India's batting maestro Virat Kohli played a pivotal role in guiding his team to a competitive total of 176 for 7. Despite losing three wickets early in the powerplay, Kohli stood firm, anchoring India's innings with a solid 76 off 59 deliveries.Kohli's innings was characterized by his ability to stabilize the Indian batting order and build partnerships. He forged a crucial 72-run stand with Axar Patel, followed by valuable contributions alongside Shivam Dube and others. However, former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has raised concerns about the pace of Kohli's knock, suggesting that it could have hindered India's chances of posting a more formidable total.Manjrekar argues that Kohli's conservative approach limited the opportunities for explosive batters like Hardik Pandya, who faced only two deliveries. He believes that Kohli's strike rate of 128 during the first half of his innings potentially put India in a tight corner.However, India's bowlers came to the rescue, orchestrating a remarkable turnaround in the chase. With 30 runs required off 30 balls and six wickets in hand, South Africa's batters faltered under pressure. Manjrekar credits the bowlers for saving Kohli's innings from scrutiny, as India ultimately secured a thrilling 7-run victory.This triumph marks India's second T20 World Cup title, ending an over-a-decade-long ICC title drought. The victory also serves as a testament to Kohli's resilience and his ability to perform under immense pressure.

The Indian cricket team's triumph in the T20 World Cup has garnered global acclaim, with former Pakistan cricketer Ahmad Shahzad hailing Virat Kohli's pivotal role in the victory.In a thrilling final against South Africa, Kohli showcased his match-winning prowess with a 59-ball 76, earning him the Man of the Match award. Despite a modest performance throughout the tournament, Kohli's timely contribution proved decisive.Shahzad emphasized Kohli's unwavering enthusiasm and his ability to inspire his teammates. He noted that Kohli's celebration of wickets from long-on and long-off demonstrated his unwavering commitment to the team's success."Virat Kohli is a legend of our generation," Shahzad declared. "He has always played his cricket with enthusiasm. Even in his last match, someone else was taking wickets and he was celebrating at long-on, long-off."Shahzad further asserted that Kohli's innings was indispensable to India's victory. "He didn't score runs in the whole World Cup but as destiny would have it, he scored runs in the final when one else scored and had Virat not scored in that final, India wouldn't have won."Shahzad dismissed comparisons between Kohli and other cricketers, including Babar Azam. "There is no one like Virat Kohli, let alone me, let alone anybody else," he stated. "He has an amazing strike rate and average in ICC tournaments. So he shouldn't be compared to anyone."Kohli's retirement from T20I cricket marks the end of an illustrious career in the shortest format. He amassed 4,188 runs in 125 matches, including one century and 38 half-centuries. In T20 World Cups, he accumulated 1,292 runs at an average of 58.72 and a strike rate of 128.81, making him the tournament's all-time leading run-scorer.

Rohit Sharma's Emotional Moment: Eating Soil from T20 World Cup PitchIn the aftermath of India's thrilling victory over South Africa in the T20 World Cup final, captain Rohit Sharma displayed an unexpected gesture that captured the emotions of the moment. As the celebrations unfolded at the Kensington Oval, Rohit walked to the pitch, knelt down, and picked up a speck of soil from the track, which he then ate.This act, reminiscent of tennis legend Novak Djokovic's habit of eating grass from the Wimbledon centre court, sparked curiosity and speculation. However, Rohit clarified that his move was not premeditated but rather an instinctive expression of his feelings."Nothing was scripted; it was all coming instinctively," Rohit said in a video recorded by the BCCI. "I was feeling the moment."The India captain explained that the pitch held special significance for him and his team. "That pitch gave us this (T20 World Cup), we played on that particular pitch and we won the game on that particular ground," he said. "I will remember that ground and that pitch forever in my life. So I wanted to have a piece of it with me."Rohit's emotional outburst reflected the immense joy and relief that the team felt after their hard-fought victory. India had come back from a precarious position, with South Africa needing just 30 runs from 30 balls to win. But crucial blows from Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah, aided by Suryakumar Yadav's stunning catch, turned the tide in India's favor."The feeling actually is surreal," Rohit said. "I would say it still hasn't sunk in totally. It's been a great moment, right from when the game got over till now. It feels like a dream...Although it has happened, it feels like it hasn't happened."The skipper revealed that the team celebrated their victory late into the night. "Last night, we were having a good time, had a blast with the teammates till very early morning," he said. "So I would say I didn't sleep properly, but that's absolutely fine for me."Rohit also announced his retirement from T20Is at the post-match press conference, a decision that followed Virat Kohli's similar announcement. "Like I said, this moment was very, very special for all of us, and I want to live it, each moment, each minute, each second that is passing by, I want to make the most of it," Rohit concluded, with the T20 World Cup trophy by his side.

Virat Kohli's Match-Winning Knock Overshadows Axar Patel's Crucial Contribution in India's T20 World Cup TriumphAs India emerged victorious in the T20 World Cup 2024, defeating South Africa in a thrilling final, the spotlight shone brightly on Virat Kohli, who was awarded the Player of the Match for his pivotal 59-ball 76. However, former India opener Wasim Jaffer believes that Kohli's performance, while undoubtedly significant, was not the most impactful in securing India's victory.Jaffer, who played as an opening batter for India, contends that Axar Patel played an even more crucial role in India's triumph. "Virat Kohli hadn't scored many runs in the tournament, but he chose the right moment to come good," Jaffer acknowledged on his YouTube channel. "His knock of 76 made a lot of difference and kept one end intact."However, Jaffer emphasizes that Patel's contribution was paramount. "The most important part I thought was played by Axar Patel," he asserted. "The cameo that he played ensured that the run rate from India never dropped below eight runs per over. He took the attack to the South African bowlers and didn't let them settle, forming a crucial partnership with Kohli."Patel's aggressive batting, Jaffer argues, prevented South Africa from gaining control of the match. "He took the pressure off Kohli and allowed him to play his natural game," Jaffer explained. "Without Patel's contribution, India would have struggled to reach a defendable total."While acknowledging Kohli's match-winning knock, Jaffer believes that Patel's performance was equally, if not more, deserving of the Player of the Match award. "Both Kohli and Patel played crucial roles in India's victory," Jaffer concluded. "But for me, Patel's contribution was slightly more significant."

The ninth edition of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup witnessed a plethora of record-breaking performances as India emerged victorious, claiming their second T20 world championship title.Unbeaten Finalists and Highest Final Total:India and South Africa reached the final undefeated, each boasting eight wins. India's 176 for 7 in the title clash surpassed Australia's previous record of 173 for 2 in the 2021 final.Rohit Sharma's Historic Triumph:At 37 years and 60 days, Rohit Sharma became the oldest captain to win a T20 World Cup. Both Sharma and Virat Kohli announced their retirement from T20Is following India's victory.Most Wickets in a Single Edition:Indian pacer Arshdeep Singh and Afghanistan's Fazalhaq Farooqi jointly topped the wicket-taking charts with 17 wickets each, setting a new record for most wickets in a single edition of the T20 World Cup.Bumrah's Bowling Dominance:Jasprit Bumrah, named Player of the Tournament, registered an impressive bowling average of 8.3, the best in T20 World Cup history. His economy rate of 4.17 was equally remarkable.Jordan's Strike Rate Record:England's Chris Jordan broke Jacques Kallis's record for the best bowling strike rate in a T20 World Cup. Jordan finished with a strike rate of 8.3, surpassing Kallis's previous mark of 9.4 set in 2012.Ferguson's Maiden Overs:New Zealand pacer Lockie Ferguson achieved an unprecedented feat by delivering all four of his overs as maidens against Papua New Guinea, becoming the first bowler to do so. He finished with figures of three wickets for zero runs.Boundary Bonanza:The 2024 edition of the T20 World Cup witnessed a record-breaking 1,478 boundaries, surpassing the previous record of 1,349 set in 2021. The 515 sixes hit in this edition also set a new high, eclipsing the 2021 record of 405.Pooran's Six-Hitting Prowess:West Indies' Nicholas Pooran smashed 17 sixes in the 2024 edition, surpassing Chris Gayle's previous record of 16 for most sixes in a single edition.Cummins' Hat-Trick Double:Australia's Pat Cummins became the first bowler to take hat-tricks in two consecutive matches.

India's triumph in the 2024 T20 World Cup was a culmination of years of hard work and dedication. The team, led by Rohit Sharma, displayed exceptional skill and determination throughout the tournament, culminating in a thrilling victory over South Africa in the final.One of the most iconic moments of the victory celebration was the photograph of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma posing together with the Indian flag and the World Cup trophy. The image captured the camaraderie and mutual respect between the two star players, who have been instrumental in India's success in recent years.In an interview with Star Sports, Kohli revealed the story behind the iconic picture. He explained that he had noticed Rohit was staying behind during the victory lap and encouraged him to hold the trophy and take a picture together. "It was a very special thing for him as well," Kohli said. "His family is here, Samaira [Rohit's daughter] was on his shoulder. But I just felt like in the victory lap he was behind the whole time. I told him, you also hold the trophy for a while, for two minutes. We should take a picture together because this journey has been very long."The victory was particularly poignant for Rohit Sharma, who announced his retirement from T20Is shortly after the match. He leaves the format as a two-time World Cup winner and the leading run-getter, with 4231 runs in 159 matches. Virat Kohli also announced his retirement from T20Is after the match, having played a key role in India's victory with a match-winning 59-ball 76.India's triumph in the 2024 T20 World Cup is a testament to the team's hard work, dedication, and talent. The victory is a source of immense pride for the nation and will be remembered for years to come.

India's Second-String Team Embarks on Zimbabwe Tour for T20I SeriesA second-string Indian cricket team, led by Shubman Gill, has departed for Zimbabwe to participate in a five-match T20I series beginning on July 6. The tour marks a significant opportunity for India to assess its T20 future following the retirements of senior players Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja.The Indian squad boasts a strong contingent of openers, including Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Abhishek Sharma. Gill and Jaiswal are expected to form the opening partnership in the first T20I in Harare on Saturday.The series will also provide a platform for several T20 World Cup standbys to showcase their skills. Pacers Avesh Khan, Khaleel Ahmed, and finisher Rinku Singh, along with Sanju Samson and Yashasvi Jaiswal, are all part of the touring party.The Indian team will be eager to make a strong impression in Zimbabwe, particularly with the T20 World Cup scheduled for later this year. The series will offer valuable experience for the younger players and help the team identify potential replacements for the departed veterans.The Zimbabwean team, led by Sikandar Raza, will be looking to put up a strong fight against the Indian visitors. The series will be played entirely in Harare, with the first T20I scheduled for July 6.