Cricket

Pakistan's skipper Babar Azam has identified two crucial factors that contributed to their disappointing six-run defeat against India in the T20 World Cup 2024 match in New York: underutilizing the batting powerplay and accumulating too many dot balls in the middle overs."Our plan was to play cautiously and make the most of the first six overs, which would have given us a strong foundation for victory," Babar explained. "However, we lost an early wicket and failed to capitalize on the powerplay, scoring only 35 runs."After restricting India to a modest total of 119, Pakistan's batting lineup struggled to gain momentum. They managed to reach 72 for 2 after 12 overs, but a collapse ensued as Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya claimed crucial wickets."In the middle overs, we played too many dot balls and lost wickets in quick succession," Babar said. "This put us under pressure and made it difficult to chase down the target."Pakistan's inability to rotate the strike effectively and score boundaries at regular intervals proved costly. "We needed to play more aggressively and take calculated risks," Babar admitted. "But we were too cautious and allowed the Indian bowlers to control the game."With two consecutive defeats to start the tournament, Pakistan's hopes of advancing to the next round are hanging by a thread. Babar acknowledged the team's struggles but remained optimistic about their chances."We have to win our remaining two matches and hope for favorable results in other games," Babar said. "We will analyze our mistakes and make necessary adjustments to improve our performance."Pakistan will face Canada on June 11 and Ireland on June 16 in their final two Group A matches. They will need to secure victories in both games and rely on other results to determine their fate in the tournament.

Pakistan Replaces Azam Khan with Imad Wasim for Crucial India ClashIn a highly anticipated Group A match of the Men's T20 World Cup, Pakistan won the toss and elected to bowl first against India at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium on Sunday. The toss was delayed by 30 minutes due to slight rain, with cloudy and windy conditions prevailing.Pakistan made a significant change to their playing eleven, bringing in all-rounder Imad Wasim in place of batter Azam Khan. Wasim returns after recovering from a side strain that kept him out of Pakistan's surprising loss to co-hosts USA in their tournament opener.Pakistan captain Babar Azam explained the decision to bowl first, citing the weather and moisture in the pitch. "We will bowl first because of the weather and moisture in the pitch," he said.India, led by Rohit Sharma, remained unchanged from their opening match victory against Ireland. Sharma also expressed his preference for bowling first, acknowledging the need to assess the conditions and determine a competitive score."We need to assess how conditions play and come up with an idea of what a good score is," Sharma said. "Those games have helped us assess conditions here."The match will be played on the same pitch that hosted the Netherlands-South Africa clash on Saturday, which the Proteas won by four wickets. India holds a 6-1 head-to-head record against Pakistan in Men's T20 World Cup meetings, with the last five matches being won by the chasing side.

Pakistan's head coach Gary Kirsten exudes confidence ahead of their highly anticipated clash against arch-rivals India in the T20 World Cup. Despite a disappointing start to the tournament, Kirsten believes his team will be fully motivated for the crucial encounter.The match, scheduled for Sunday at the Nassau County stadium in New York, holds immense significance for both teams. Pakistan, the finalists of the previous edition, will be eager to bounce back from their opening setback against the USA. India, on the other hand, will be looking to maintain their winning momentum after securing victories in their warm-up matches.Kirsten emphasized that the team's motivation is at an all-time high and that they are focused on putting their best foot forward against India. He acknowledged the challenging nature of the pitch at the venue but stressed that Pakistan will adapt and execute their game plan effectively.The former Indian coach also downplayed the potential advantage India may have due to their prior experience in New York. He stated that Pakistan will rely on their own skills and strategies to put pressure on the opposition.Kirsten highlighted the importance of a collective team effort, emphasizing that individual performances alone will not suffice. He expressed confidence in Pakistan's pace bowling strength but also emphasized the need for a balanced approach, covering all bases with spin options, seam options, and a deep batting line-up.Despite the setback against the USA, Kirsten remains optimistic about Pakistan's chances in the tournament. He believes that the team has learned from their mistakes and is determined to make a strong statement against India.

India's batting coach Vikram Rathour has confirmed that wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant will continue to bat at No. 3 in the T20 World Cup following his impressive performance against Ireland. Rathour also expressed his satisfaction with having a fully-fit Hardik Pandya back in the squad, both of whom played crucial roles in India's victory over Ireland on Wednesday.Pant and Pandya, who made their return to international cricket after a long hiatus due to injuries, showcased their skills in India's eight-wicket triumph in their opening game of the tournament. On a challenging pitch with uneven bounce, Pant's unbeaten 36 included a stunning reverse-scoop six, highlighting his return to form after a horrific car accident in December 2022."Yes, he has been batting really well. The two games (warm-up and Ireland) he has played, he has looked really, really good," Rathour told the media after the match at the Nassau County Cricket Stadium. "At the moment, he is our No. 3 and it helps that he is a left-hander," Rathour added, confirming Pant's spot in the lineup alongside skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli at the top.Both Pant and Pandya demonstrated their fitness and form during the IPL, paving their way back into the India squad for the T20 World Cup. Despite a challenging season as captain for Mumbai Indians, Pandya's skills as an all-rounder were highly valued by India's chief selector Ajit Agarkar.In the match against Ireland, Pandya's performance with the ball was remarkable. He delivered a precise spell, taking three wickets for 27 runs in his four overs, marking his first match since October 2023 when he had to leave the field due to an ankle injury during a game against Bangladesh."Hardik looked really good. Hardik has been — I mean, even in the practice game and even in the practice — bowling really well," Rathour noted. "He looks fit enough to go through four overs and he's been bowling with some pace and some accuracy, so yeah, it's great," he added.India's positive start to the T20 World Cup, bolstered by the return of Pant and Pandya, sets a promising tone for their campaign as they continue to navigate the challenges of the tournament.

Gautam Gambhir, known for his stoic demeanor, was recently caught in a rare moment of laughter as former teammate Dinesh Karthik shared a hilarious anecdote from their playing days. In a viral clip, Karthik labeled Gambhir the "laziest athlete" he had ever encountered, recounting an incident that left the entire panel in stitches.During an interaction with former India stalwarts, Karthik recalled Gambhir's extreme laziness, stating that he would refuse to change a song on the music player because he didn't want to reach for the fast forward button. The incident that truly sent the panel into fits of laughter involved Gambhir asking Karthik to change the TV channel in his own room."I was walking past his room, and he was lying down on his bed," Karthik reminisced. "He said, 'DK, come here, change the channel for me please.'""You can be lazy, but that's a bit too much," Karthik said, laughing. "He could've walked two steps, but he wasn't even willing to change the TV channel.""Of all the people I have seen in my life, he is by far the laziest athlete," Karthik concluded.Gambhir and Karthik were part of the victorious 2007 T20 World Cup team, with Gambhir playing a pivotal role in the final against Pakistan. Now, after guiding the Kolkata Knight Riders to their third IPL title in 2024 as mentor, Gambhir has emerged as a potential candidate for the role of India's head coach after the 2024 T20 World Cup.Gambhir has expressed his willingness to take on the role, stating that there is "no bigger honor" than coaching the Indian national cricket team.

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma: A Dynamic Opening Duo for India's T20 World Cup CampaignAs India gears up for its T20 World Cup opener against Ireland, former New Zealand pacer Simon Doull has proposed a bold strategy: pairing Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma as the team's opening batsmen. This move would capitalize on the exceptional form of both players and provide India with a formidable start to their innings.Kohli, despite limited experience as an opener in T20Is, has proven his prowess at the top of the order for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL. In the recently concluded IPL 2024, he emerged as the leading run-scorer with an impressive tally of 741 runs in 15 matches. His ability to anchor the innings and accelerate the scoring rate makes him an ideal candidate for the opening role.Sharma, on the other hand, is a seasoned opener with a wealth of experience in the format. His aggressive style and ability to hit boundaries from the outset would complement Kohli's more measured approach. Together, they form a formidable duo that could set the tone for India's batting performance.Doull's suggestion also addresses the need for a left-handed batsman in the top order. Rishabh Pant, who has been in impressive form, could slot in at No. 3, providing a point of difference and disrupting the opposition's bowling plans.The inclusion of Yashasvi Jaiswal as an opener is another possibility that has been discussed. Jaiswal has a solid track record as an opener for India in T20Is, but his inconsistency in the IPL 2024 raises some concerns. Doull believes that if Jaiswal is selected, it would likely come at the expense of Shivam Dube, which would be a surprising move.Doull's proposed batting order, with Kohli and Sharma opening, Pant at No. 3, Suryakumar Yadav at No. 4, Dube at No. 5, Hardik Pandya at No. 6, and Ravindra Jadeja at No. 7, offers a balanced combination of experience, power, and versatility.As India prepares for their first match of the T20 World Cup, the potential opening combination and batting order remain a focal point. Doull's suggestion of Kohli and Sharma as openers is a bold but intriguing move that could give India a significant advantage in their quest for the title.

Virat Kohli Should Open with Rohit Sharma in T20 World Cup, Says Sunil GavaskarLegendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has suggested that Virat Kohli should open the batting alongside skipper Rohit Sharma in India's T20 World Cup match against Ireland on Wednesday. Gavaskar believes that this move would allow Kohli to utilize his aggressive style of play and provide a solid foundation for the team's innings.Kohli has been India's designated number three batter in the white-ball format for a long time. However, he has been in excellent form lately, scoring 741 runs in 15 matches for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the recent IPL season. Gavaskar believes that Kohli's current form warrants a promotion to the opening slot."Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to open the batting along with Yashasvi Jaiswal at three," Gavaskar said on 'Star Sports' while giving his preferred line-up for the game.Gavaskar also picked Rishabh Pant ahead of Sanju Samson for wicketkeeping duties and Mohammed Siraj ahead of left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh. He believes that Pant's aggressive batting style and Siraj's ability to swing the ball both ways make them better options for the team."Suryakumar Yadav at four, Rishabh Pant at five. At number six, I would have Hardik Pandya, number seven would be Ravindra Jadeja, number eight, not necessarily in that batting order, Shivam Dube. Number nine Kuldeep Yadav, number 10 Jasprit Bumrah and number 11 will be Siraj," he said.India will face Ireland in their opening match of the T20 World Cup on Wednesday. They will then take on arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday.

Pakistan's historic victory over India in the 2021 T20 World Cup marked a significant turning point for the team. Prior to that triumph, Pakistan had never defeated India in a World Cup match, either in the 50-over or T20 format.Mohammad Rizwan, a key member of the victorious Pakistan squad, recently shared his insights into the impact of that win. He recalled how former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) president Ramiz Raja instilled a belief in the team that they could overcome their Indian rivals."He had started developing this thought in the team from right then," Rizwan said. "As we got closer to the World Cup, he said, regardless of whether you win the trophy or not, just don't lose to India."Rizwan also revealed the message from then-coach Matthew Hayden ahead of the high-profile clash. "He put his arms around me and the captain and asked how we are feeling. The captain said that we have worked hard and now we leave it all in the hands of God."The victory had a profound impact on the Pakistani players and the nation as a whole. Rizwan described how people refused to let him and his teammates pay for goods and services, expressing their gratitude for the team's achievement."In Pakistan, say I go for shopping somewhere, people won't take money. Then I stopped going out for shopping because they just weren't taking money from us, they were all commending us for beating India. Everyone I met was commending us for the win."The India-Pakistan rivalry is one of the most intense in world cricket, and the 2021 T20 World Cup match was no exception. Rizwan acknowledged the pressure that comes with playing in such a high-stakes encounter."India vs Pakistan always comes with pressure. People may not watch all matches in a tournament but this is a game everyone sits down to watch, regardless of which country they belong to."Pakistan and India are set to face off again in the 2024 T20 World Cup on June 9. The match promises to be another thrilling chapter in the storied rivalry between these two cricketing giants.

Former England cricket captain Eoin Morgan has expressed his preference for Shubman Gill over Yashasvi Jaiswal in India's squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024. Jaiswal was included in the 15-member squad along with Rohit Sharma as designated openers, while Gill was named in the reserves.Morgan, who played alongside Gill in the Indian Premier League (IPL), believes that Gill's leadership qualities and ability to perform in big moments would have made him a valuable asset to the team. "The only decision I probably would have had differently if I was selecting a squad was - I have would have had Shubman Gill over Yashasvi Jaiswal," Morgan said during an interaction on Sky Sports."Because I played alongside Shubman Gill. I know how he thinks. I know how he works. For me, he is a future leader within that side and I think in big moments, you need the more leaders the better. Even if he is just sitting on the sideline, you need inspiration from here and there and everywhere," he added.Gill had a successful IPL 2024 season, scoring 426 runs for the Gujarat Titans. Jaiswal, on the other hand, scored 435 runs for the Rajasthan Royals. However, the selectors opted for Jaiswal, citing his recent form and ability to play spin bowling.Meanwhile, Rinku Singh, who was also overlooked for the World Cup squad, expressed his disappointment but vowed to continue working hard. "Yes, anyone feels a little bad if he is not selected despite good performance. However, this time I could not get selected due to the team combination. It is okay, one should not think too much about things that are not in one's hands," he told Dainik Jagran."Yes, I was a little upset in the beginning. Whatever happened is fine. Whatever happens happens for good. Rohit Bhaiya did not say anything special. He only said that just keep working hard. There is a World Cup again after two years. There is no need to worry too much. This is what he said to me," he added.