Cricket

Australia's T20 World Cup 2024 campaign came to an abrupt end after Afghanistan's thrilling victory over Bangladesh in their final Super 8 match. The Mitchell Marsh-led side had earlier suffered a shocking loss to Afghanistan, followed by a defeat to India, effectively eliminating them from the tournament.India's 24-run victory over Australia was a significant moment for their fans, who celebrated it as a form of "revenge" for their loss in the 2023 Cricket World Cup final in Ahmedabad. During the match, Australia's ODI captain Pat Cummins faced sledging from a fan as he walked back to the pavilion after his dismissal. The incident was captured on video and has since gone viral on social media.In the match between India and Australia, Rohit Sharma played a crucial role, scoring a brilliant 92 to guide India to a formidable total of 205 for 5. Travis Head was once again Australia's top scorer, but Arshdeep Singh's three wickets and Kuldeep Yadav's two wickets proved decisive in India's victory.After the match, Rohit Sharma expressed his satisfaction with India's performance. "We know the opposition and the threat they bring. As a team, we did well, kept doing the things we needed to do. Gives us good confidence as a team," he said.Rohit also praised Kuldeep Yadav's contribution, saying, "We know the strength he has, but we need to use him when necessary. In New York, there were seamer-friendly wickets."With Australia's elimination, India and Afghanistan have secured their places in the semi-finals. India will face England in the first semi-final, while Afghanistan will take on the winner of the match between Pakistan and New Zealand.

Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez has hailed India's skipper Rohit Sharma as the most deserving candidate to lift the World Cup trophy, citing his exceptional leadership and selfless approach to batting.Hafeez lauded Rohit's match-winning 92 off 41 balls against Australia in the T20 World Cup Super Eight, which propelled India to a 24-run victory and eliminated the defending champions. He emphasized Rohit's transformation from a talented player to a true great, attributing it to his unwavering selflessness."It was a Rohit show. We witnessed one of the best innings from a captain," Hafeez remarked. "Leading from the front, there was one thing that no one could overlook, and that was Rohit's quality of selflessness."Hafeez believes that Rohit's selfless approach has been a key factor in his success over the past year, including his standout performance in the 2023 ODI World Cup. "He has been planning this innings for over a year now, and he has executed it perfectly," Hafeez said. "In the last 50-over World Cup, he was the standout performer for India. He always played selflessly, regardless of the situation."Hafeez highlighted Rohit's clarity of goals, which extend beyond personal milestones to winning ICC trophies for India. "When you set your goals high, your pedigree increases," he stated. "In Rohit's case, India's leadership deserves to win this World Cup. The way he plays unconditionally, like a champion, is remarkable."Hafeez expressed his belief that Rohit's leadership and dedication make him the ideal candidate to bring World Cup glory to India. "Rohit is the only person at the moment who deserves to win this World Cup for India," he asserted. "His selfless dedication and leadership make him the perfect choice."

Former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq has ignited a fresh controversy by accusing the Indian cricket team of ball tampering during their T20 World Cup 'Super 8s' match against Australia. Inzamam's allegations stem from the unusual reverse swing extracted by left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh, who was brought back for his second spell in the 16th over.Reverse swing typically occurs with an older ball, and Inzamam questioned how the Indian bowlers managed to achieve it with a ball that remains relatively new for the duration of an innings in a T20 game. "When Arshdeep Singh was bowling the 15th over (16th), he was getting reverse swing. With a (relatively) new ball, is it too early to get reverse swing? Was the ball ready for reverse swing by the 12th or 13th over? Because when he came to bowl, the ball started reversing. Umpires ko aanhein khuli rakhni chahiye (the umpires should keep their eyes open)," Inzamam said while talking on a Pakistani TV channel.Inzamam's claims have sparked a debate on the legality of India's bowling tactics. Reverse swing is a legitimate technique in cricket, but it requires the ball to be altered in some way, such as by scuffing it on the ground or applying a foreign substance. If the umpires believe that the ball has been tampered with, they can penalize the bowling team.The Indian team has denied any wrongdoing, and captain Rohit Sharma has dismissed Inzamam's allegations as "baseless." However, the controversy has cast a shadow over India's impressive performance in the tournament so far.India posted a formidable total of 205-5 in their 20 overs, thanks to captain Rohit Sharma's blistering 92 off 41 balls, and Suryakumar Yadav's rapid 31. Contributions from Shivam Dube (28) and Hardik Pandya (27 not out) further bolstered India's innings. Australia's bowlers, led by Mitchell Starc (2-45) and Marcus Stoinis (2-52), struggled to contain the Indian batsmen on a batting-friendly pitch.Chasing 206, Australia managed 181-7 in their 20 overs. Travis Head top-scored with 76. However, the Indian bowlers, particularly Arshdeep, who took 3-37, and Kuldeep Yadav, who claimed 2-24, kept the Australian batsmen in check. Jasprit Bumrah and Axar Patel also chipped in with crucial wickets, ensuring India maintained their grip on the match.With a strong all-round performance, India once again showcased their potential as tournament favourites and secured a place in the semi-finals, where they will take on defending champions England on Thursday at the Providence Stadium in Guyana.

In the lead-up to India's T20 World Cup opener against Ireland, captain Rohit Sharma displayed an uncharacteristic candor, shedding the burden of past defeats. He boldly declared that the opening partnership would remain unchanged throughout the tournament, signaling a shift in his approach.Rohit's newfound freedom was evident in his blistering 92 off 41 balls against Australia in St. Lucia. His onslaught, particularly the 28 runs he plundered off Mitchell Starc in the third over, set the tone for India's victory."He's a world-class player," said Josh Hazlewood, Starc's pace-bowling partner. "He targeted the boundary with the wind and then hit a few on the other side as well. He's a class act."Rohit's uninhibited style of play, a hallmark of his early career, has resurfaced in his twilight years. "The idea is to be not just one-dimensional," he explained. "I was thinking to hit the ball everywhere possible."Despite the challenging conditions in St. Lucia, Rohit's effortless batting kept the Indian dugout relaxed. "When he hits those long sixes, it doesn't feel like he is hitting the ball," said pacer Arshdeep Singh. "He handles the ball with love, yet it goes far."Rohit's relaxed demeanor and positive attitude have permeated the Indian team. "We just enjoyed it a lot," said Singh. "The pressure-cooker situation of opening and leading India in an ICC tournament hasn't bothered him."As India prepares for its final two matches, Rohit's leadership and batting prowess will be crucial. The team will look to him to continue his inspired form and guide them to a perfect ending to this World Cup drama.

India's captain, Rohit Sharma, has received widespread acclaim for his exceptional performance in the T20 World Cup Super Eight match against Australia. His blistering 92 off 41 balls, featuring eight towering sixes and seven boundaries, propelled India to a commanding total of 205 for 5. The Indian bowlers then restricted Australia to 181 for 7, securing a 24-run victory that played a pivotal role in eliminating the reigning ODI World Cup champions from the tournament.Rohit's innings was marked by an explosive over against Mitchell Starc, where he amassed 29 runs. Former India cricketer Mohammad Kaif highlighted the significance of this over in shifting the momentum in India's favor. He emphasized Rohit's ability to perform on the big stage and his strategic batting against Starc."Rohit Sharma knows how to play an attacking game," Kaif said. "He played shots with a straight bat in the crucial match. The two cover drives for sixes off Starc were beautiful shots. There was precise timing, and they were played with a high elbow behind the ball. He didn't hit it hard; he played with the full face of the bat."India legend Sunil Gavaskar also praised Rohit's performance and leadership during the crucial juncture of the game. "Rohit Sharma, leading from the front, hitting those big sixes. Despite losing Kohli in the previous over, it just tells you the intent the captain of the Indian team has," Gavaskar noted.Rohit's influence and leadership have been instrumental in India's progression to the semi-finals, where they will face defending champions England. His ability to perform under pressure will be crucial as Team India continues its pursuit of the title.

England will face their toughest challenge yet in the T20 World Cup 2024 semi-final against India, according to all-rounder Moeen Ali. The two teams will meet in Guyana on Thursday, with England hoping to repeat their 10-wicket thrashing of India at the same stage in the 2022 tournament.England have been in impressive form throughout the tournament, but they have yet to face a team of India's caliber. India, on the other hand, have been in dominant form, winning all of their completed matches in the last three weeks.Moeen believes that England will need to be at their best to beat India, but he is confident that they can draw on their previous success against the same opponents."They're just a brilliant side," Moeen said. "They've got everything covered, so we're going to have to be at our best to beat them. I'm looking forward to it, actually: it's a great challenge, similar to the last time we played them in the semi-final in Australia."That Adelaide semi-final is best remembered for Jos Buttler and Alex Hales' unbroken 170-run partnership which led England to victory with four overs to spare, but was set up by their bowlers. India managed only 62 for 2 off their first 10 overs after being asked to bat first, and Hardik Pandya's late hitting was not enough to get them to a winning total.Moeen said his main memories of the game were "just how clinical" England were in their preparation. "But [also] the way we took them on, and we were unbelievable with the bat. We set the game up on that wicket with the ball. Even when they got away from us a little bit at the end, it was a bit late. That was a great day, and a great performance."India will be looking to avenge that defeat and reach the final for the second time in a row. They will be led by Rohit Sharma, who has been in excellent form throughout the tournament.The match is sure to be a close and exciting affair, with both teams having a chance to reach the final.

Brad Hogg, a former Australian cricketer, has criticized the Australian team's lack of preparation for their match against India in the T20 World Cup Super Eights. Hogg specifically pointed out the ineffectiveness of Mitchell Starc, the pace bowler, who struggled to contain Rohit Sharma's onslaught.Rohit Sharma unleashed a blistering 41-ball 92, which included an over where he plundered 29 runs off Starc's bowling. This explosive innings propelled India to an imposing total of 205 runs. India's formidable score proved to be too much for Australia, as they fell short by 24 runs in their chase.Hogg believes that Australia's lack of preparation was evident in their poor fielding display. He described their efforts on the field as "terrible," expressing his disappointment with their subpar display.In addition to Rohit's explosive batting performance, Hogg also pointed out that the subpar fielding display by the Australian team played a role in their loss against India.Hogg also slammed the Australian team's fielding performance in their match against Afghanistan during the Super 8s stage. He described their efforts on the field as "terrible," expressing his disappointment with their subpar display.In a stunning turn of events, Afghanistan managed to secure a 21-run victory over Australia, defying expectations. The Afghan team then proceeded to defeat a resilient Bangladesh side, securing their spot in the semifinals. This remarkable achievement sent the people of Afghanistan, a nation afflicted by conflict, into a state of euphoria and celebration.Hogg believes that South Africa, often labeled as chokers, are finding their rhythm at the crucial stages of the T20 World Cup. He praised Aiden Markram's team, calling them "amazing," and suggested they have the potential to overcome their historical struggle of never securing an ICC trophy.Given their history of strong performances, Hogg is confident that South Africa has what it takes to overcome the challenge posed by Afghanistan and advance to the championship match.

The T20 World Cup 2024 has reached its thrilling semi-final stage, with four teams vying for the coveted title. After a nail-biting Super Eight phase, South Africa, Afghanistan, India, and England have emerged as the semi-finalists.In the first semi-final, Group 2 winners South Africa will face Afghanistan, who stunned Australia in a dramatic finish. The match will take place at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba on June 26 at 8.30pm local time.The second semi-final will pit Group 1 leaders India against England. This match will be held at Guyana's Providence Stadium on June 27 at 10.30am local time. India was pre-assigned the second semi-final in Guyana, regardless of their Super Eight performance.The playing conditions for the semi-finals differ. The second semi-final between India and England will not have a reserve day due to the short gap between the match and the final. However, both semi-finals have 250 minutes of additional time available. The first semi-final will have 60 minutes of extra time on the day of the match and 190 minutes on the reserve day, starting at 2pm local time. The second semi-final will have the entire 250 minutes available on the scheduled day.To constitute a complete game in the semi-finals and final, both teams must bat a minimum of 10 overs per innings, unlike the five overs per innings rule in the rest of the tournament. This is crucial considering the possibility of rain at both venues. In case of a washout, the team that finished higher in their respective Super Eight groups (India and South Africa) will advance. If the final is abandoned due to weather, the two finalists will be declared joint winners.

India's captain, Rohit Sharma, has revealed the tactical adjustments he made to overcome the challenging conditions and lead his team to a crucial victory against Australia in their final T20 World Cup Super Eight match.Despite losing his opening partner Virat Kohli early on, Rohit played a match-winning knock of 92 runs off just 41 deliveries, showcasing his skill with seven boundaries and eight sixes. His impressive performance helped India post a formidable total of 205/5, which proved to be a challenging target for Australia. The Indian bowlers then restricted Mitchell Marsh's team to 181/7, securing a 24-run victory and advancing to the semifinals.The persistent wind at the venue posed a significant challenge for the batsmen, prompting Rohit to adapt his batting style. He revealed that he had to play more strokes on the off side to minimize the wind's impact on his shots, ultimately leading to his match-winning contribution."I thought right from over number one, there was a strong breeze blowing across. They (Australia) changed their plan, bowling against the breeze, so I realized I had to open up the off side as well," Rohit said after the match. "You've got to factor in the breeze and understand that the bowlers are smart as well and open up all sides of the field. When you keep an open mind and not just think of one shot, you can access all areas of the field."Rohit also expressed his confidence in Kuldeep Yadav's ability to perform exceptionally well in the West Indies, following the wrist-spinner's experience with seamer-friendly conditions in the United States. Kuldeep returned excellent figures of 2/24 in his four overs."Kuldeep, we understand the strengths he has, but you have to use it when you need it. The pitches in New York were seamer-friendly, but we knew he would play a big role later," Rohit said.Rohit remained focused on the game's rhythm, asserting that his primary goal was to sustain the "tempo" of the match. He made it clear that personal milestones, such as reaching a century, were not his concern at that moment."It was a good wicket, and you want to try and back yourself to play those kinds of shots. I've been trying to do that for a few years now, and I'm glad it came off today. The fifties and hundreds don't matter, I wanted to bat with the same tempo and carry on," he added.Rohit expressed his desire for the Indian team to maintain their current style of play as they progress into the knockout stages of the tournament."We don't want to do anything different (in the knockouts). We want to play the same way, understand what the individuals need to do in a given situation, and play freely," Rohit said. "So far we've been doing that consistently, and semifinals, we have to try and do the same thing. It'll be nice (to play England in the semifinal). Nothing changes for us, we want to focus on what we can do as a team, and take the game on."