Cricket

India's bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, hailed as a "once in a generation" talent by his teammate Virat Kohli, has expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming love and support the team has received since their triumph in the T20 World Cup.Bumrah's exceptional performance throughout the tournament, culminating in India's victory over South Africa in the final, earned him the prestigious 'Player of the Tournament' award. His 15 wickets, many of which came at crucial junctures, played a pivotal role in India's second T20 World Cup title and their first in 17 years.In a heartfelt post on social media, Bumrah expressed his joy and gratitude for the outpouring of appreciation. "I am so thankful for the last few days. I've been living a dream and it has filled me with happiness and gratitude," he wrote.During the felicitation ceremony at the Wankhede Stadium, Kohli delivered a rousing speech praising Bumrah's contributions. "What I would like everyone to do is to applaud a guy who brought us back into games again and again and again. It was phenomenal. He is a once in a generation bowler. I am so glad he plays for us," Kohli said.In the final, Bumrah and Hardik Pandya orchestrated a remarkable turnaround for India. Their game-changing spells ensured that South Africa fell short by seven runs, despite needing just 30 runs from the remaining 30 deliveries.Bumrah's exceptional skills and unwavering determination have made him a cornerstone of India's bowling attack. His ability to swing the ball both ways, generate pace, and execute yorkers with precision has made him one of the most feared bowlers in world cricket.As India celebrates their T20 World Cup triumph, Bumrah's performance will be remembered as one of the key factors in their success. His "once in a generation" talent and unwavering commitment to the team have earned him the admiration and respect of fans and fellow players alike.

Sourav Ganguly, the former Indian cricket captain and current Director of Cricket for the Delhi Capitals, celebrated his 52nd birthday on July 8th. The legendary cricketer received heartfelt wishes from his former teammates, Manoj Tiwary and Munaf Patel, as well as his former IPL franchise, Kolkata Knight Riders.Tiwary, who played under Ganguly's captaincy at KKR, expressed his admiration and love for the birthday boy. "You are, you were, and you will always be an inspiration. Love you Dada and wishing you a very happy birthday," he tweeted.Patel, a former Indian fast bowler, praised Ganguly's contributions to Indian cricket. "A big hand of this guy in the development of #IndianCricketTeam where we are today. A very #HAPPYBIRTHDAY legend @SGanguly99. Wishing you a healthy life ahead #Dada," he wrote.KKR, where Ganguly led the team to two IPL titles, also extended their wishes. "Maharaja. Dada. The Prince of Kolkata. Happy Birthday, Sourav Ganguly," they tweeted.Ganguly's illustrious career spanned over two decades, during which he established himself as one of the most successful captains in Indian cricket history. Known for his aggressive leadership style, he led India to numerous victories, including the historic NatWest Trophy triumph in 2002.As a batsman, Ganguly was renowned for his elegant strokeplay and ability to score runs in all conditions. He made his Test debut in 1996 and quickly became a mainstay in the Indian batting lineup. He scored over 18,000 international runs, including 38 centuries and 107 half-centuries.After retiring from international cricket, Ganguly continued to play in the IPL and served as a mentor and coach for various teams. He is currently the Director of Cricket for the Delhi Capitals, where he plays a key role in shaping the team's strategy and performance.Ganguly's birthday celebration was a testament to his enduring legacy in Indian cricket. His contributions as a player, captain, and administrator have left an indelible mark on the sport, and he continues to inspire generations of cricketers and fans alike.

Indian women's cricket superstar Smriti Mandhana and music composer Palash Muchhal have sparked dating rumors for years, but their recent social media posts have seemingly confirmed their relationship. On Instagram, Muchhal shared a series of photos with Mandhana, celebrating their 5th anniversary with a cake. The caption simply featured the number "5" and a heart emoji.Mandhana's rumored boyfriend, Muchhal, is a 29-year-old music composer and filmmaker. His sister, Palak Muchhal, is a renowned Bollywood singer. Palash has composed over 40 music videos and directed a web series and a film.Mandhana, on the other hand, is a 27-year-old cricketer who holds the record as the most expensive player in Women's Premier League history. She was acquired by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Women's team) for a staggering Rs 3 crore 40 lakh.The couple's anniversary post has garnered much attention on social media. Palak Muchhal commented, "My cuties," while actor Parth Samthan and Rubina Dilaik also expressed their support.Earlier, Muchhal had shared a video of Mandhana learning to play the piano under his tutelage. The couple's public display of affection has fueled speculation that they are indeed in a relationship.While neither Mandhana nor Muchhal has officially confirmed their relationship, their social media posts and the reactions from their friends and family suggest that they are more than just friends. The couple's fans are eagerly awaiting further updates on their rumored romance.

Abhishek Sharma's blistering century in his second T20I match against Zimbabwe has etched his name in the annals of Indian cricket history. The 23-year-old left-hander not only became the highest scorer for India against Zimbabwe in T20Is but also set a new record for the quickest century by an Indian batsman in this format, achieved in just two innings.Sharma's century came off just 46 balls, studded with seven fours and eight sixes. He reached his milestone with three consecutive sixes, scoring his first 50 runs in 33 balls and his next 50 in a mere 13 balls. His aggressive batting put immense pressure on Zimbabwe's bowlers, who struggled to contain his onslaught.With this knock, Sharma has joined an elite list of young Indians to score a century in T20Is. He is now the fourth-fastest Indian to reach this milestone, behind Deepak Hooda (three innings), KL Rahul (four innings), and Suresh Raina (five innings).Sharma's innings was particularly impressive considering the pressure he was under. India had lost Shubman Gill early in the innings, and the onus was on him to provide stability and momentum. He did so with aplomb, taking the attack to the Zimbabwean bowlers from the outset.His partnership with Ruturaj Gaikwad flourished, crossing the 100-run mark. Gaikwad played a supporting role, rotating the strike effectively and allowing Sharma to dominate the proceedings.Sharma's innings came to a dramatic end when he tried to cut Wellington Masakadza and edged the ball to Dion Myers. However, his contribution had already secured India a comfortable victory.Sharma's century is a testament to his talent and potential. He has shown that he has the ability to play with aggression and flair, and he could be a valuable asset to the Indian team in the future.

Jasprit Bumrah's triumphant return to India after the T20 World Cup victory was met with an outpouring of adoration and celebration. The star pacer, who played a pivotal role in India's title triumph, was greeted with a grand welcome at his residence, where he was showered with petals and cheered by enthusiastic fans.Bumrah's exceptional performance throughout the tournament earned him the Man of the Tournament accolade. He claimed 15 wickets from eight matches with an impressive economy rate of 4.17, including a crucial spell in the final against South Africa that helped India secure a seven-run victory.Despite the retirement of three of India's most prominent players - Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja - from T20I cricket, Bumrah has made it clear that he has no plans to step away from the shortest format of the game anytime soon."It's (my retirement) a long way away. I have just started. Hopefully, it is far away now," Bumrah declared during a felicitation ceremony at Wankhede Stadium, putting to rest any speculation about his potential retirement from T20I cricket.Bumrah's unwavering commitment to continue his journey in the shortest format of the game is a reassuring sign for Indian cricket fans. His exceptional skills and leadership qualities will be crucial as India looks to build a new era of success in T20I cricket.

Ishan Kishan, the prodigious wicket-keeper batter, has endured a challenging period in recent months, losing his place in the Indian team across all formats and the BCCI central contract. In an exclusive interview with the Indian Express, Kishan candidly shared his experiences and aspirations.Kishan's absence from the Indian team stemmed from a combination of factors, including travel fatigue and mental exhaustion. He sought a break from the tour of South Africa in December 2023, a decision that was met with mixed reactions."I don't want to be sad about anything. I'll keep giving my best," Kishan said, reflecting on the setbacks. He acknowledged the emotional toll of the past few months, questioning why such adversity had befallen him."It was depressing. I don't want to say that everything was fine. It was not easy for me at all. You go through a lot. Questions like what happened, why me, with me. All these things happened when I was performing," he confided.Kishan emphasized that his break was primarily due to travel fatigue, but he also recognized that his mental well-being was compromised. He lamented that his decision was not fully understood by many."I was scoring runs and then I found myself on the bench. These things do happen in a team sport. But I experienced travel fatigue. It meant there was something wrong, I was not feeling well or right and so I decided to take a break. However, sadly, barring my family and few close people no one understood that," he said.Kishan believes that his break was necessary and that he is now ready to make a comeback. He understands the importance of performing in domestic cricket to earn a recall to the national team."I took a break and I think it was normal. There is a rule that if you want to make a comeback you must perform in domestic cricket. It is as simple as that. Now, it was very different for me to play domestic cricket as it was not making any sense. I was not in a frame of mind to play and that is why I took a break from international cricket. It doesn't make sense that you take a break from international cricket and then you go and play domestic matches. Then I could have continued playing for India," he asserted.Kishan remains determined to regain his place in the Indian team and is confident that he can overcome the challenges he has faced. His resilience and unwavering belief in his abilities will undoubtedly serve him well in his pursuit of excellence.

Rohit Sharma to Lead India in Champions Trophy and World Test ChampionshipBCCI Secretary Jay Shah has confirmed that Rohit Sharma will continue as India's captain for two major tournaments in 2024: the Champions Trophy in Pakistan and the World Test Championship (WTC) final in London.Shah expressed confidence in Sharma's leadership, stating, "I am confident that under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma, we will win the WTC Final and Champions Trophy."Sharma, who recently retired from T20Is after leading India to victory in the T20 World Cup, will turn 38 in April 2024. Despite his age, Shah believes he is the right man to lead India to success.In a video message, Shah congratulated the Indian team on their T20 World Cup triumph and dedicated the victory to Sharma, Virat Kohli, outgoing head coach Rahul Dravid, and Ravindra Jadeja.Shah highlighted the importance of the final five overs of South Africa's innings, crediting Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, and Hardik Pandya for their contributions."Now, our next target is the WTC final and the Champions Trophy," Shah declared.It was Shah who had previously announced in February that Sharma would lead India in the 2024 T20 World Cup, predicting that India would win the championship.

Rohit Sharma, the captain of India's victorious 2024 Men's T20 World Cup team, has been hailed as a "people's captain" by legendary Indian batsman Sunil Gavaskar. Gavaskar drew parallels between Rohit and former Indian captains MS Dhoni and Kapil Dev, who also led India to World Cup triumphs.Rohit's journey to World Cup glory has been marked by both success and setbacks. As a member of the Indian team, he won the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2013 Champions Trophy. However, he narrowly missed out on the 2023 World Test Championship and ODI World Cup titles as captain.The T20 World Cup victory in South Africa last month was a defining moment for Rohit. India remained unbeaten throughout the tournament, showcasing their dominance and Rohit's astute leadership.Gavaskar praised Rohit's ability to connect with his team and the Indian cricketing community. He described Rohit as "well-liked" and "laconic," with a sharp tactical mind."Some of his moves can surprise you and make you scratch your head as to the reason, but the end result is more often than not exactly what the team needed at that moment," Gavaskar wrote.Rohit's contributions on the field were equally impressive. He scored 257 runs at a strike rate of 156.70, providing India with crucial early runs. His fifties against Australia and England were particularly significant.Gavaskar also acknowledged the role of coach Rahul Dravid in India's World Cup triumph. He described the duo of Rohit and Dravid as "totally team-oriented, completely selfless, and prepared to do anything and everything for Team India."Rohit's victory as captain has cemented his legacy as one of India's greatest cricketers. His leadership style and tactical acumen have earned him the respect and admiration of fans and experts alike.

Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has proposed that Rahul Dravid be honored with the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, for his exceptional contributions to Indian cricket. Dravid's tenure as head coach of the Indian cricket team culminated in a triumphant victory at the 2024 T20 World Cup in the West Indies.During his coaching stint, India achieved remarkable milestones, including finishing as runners-up in both the 2023 Men's ODI World Cup and the 2023 World Test Championship final. The team also emerged victorious in the Asia Cup in the same year.Prior to his role as head coach, Dravid had already made significant contributions to Indian cricket. He served as the head of cricket at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) and led the Indian U19 team to victory in the 2018 U19 World Cup as their head coach.With an impressive tally of 24,177 runs in international cricket during his playing career, Dravid's impact on Indian cricket has been immense both on and off the field. Gavaskar believes that Dravid's achievements deserve the highest recognition that the country can bestow.Gavaskar praised Dravid's unwavering commitment and selflessness throughout his career, both as a player and now as the head coach of the Indian cricket team. He highlighted Dravid's willingness to put the team's needs above his own, recalling instances from his playing days."Not for him a night watchman for the simple reason that if he, as a top-order batter, couldn't play those last few minutes of the day, how can one expect a lower-order batter to do so? When asked to keep wickets, he would do so because that helped the team think-tank pick an extra batter or bowler according to the pitch and the opposition," Gavaskar wrote.Gavaskar believes that Dravid's team-oriented attitude has been instilled in the team, contributing to their success in close games and their overall calmness under pressure. He concluded by expressing the gratitude of a cricket-crazy nation for Dravid's exceptional contributions.