Cricket

Shardul Thakur Undergoes Successful Foot Surgery, Sidelined for Three MonthsIndian fast bowler Shardul Thakur has undergone a successful foot surgery on Wednesday, which is expected to keep him out of competitive cricket for at least three months. The surgery was performed to address a recurring injury that has plagued Thakur for several years.Thakur shared a post-surgery photo on his Instagram account, captioned "operated successfully." This is his second foot surgery, having undergone a similar procedure in 2019. The injury resurfaced during India's tour of South Africa in December-January, forcing him to miss the second Test in Cape Town.Despite the injury, Thakur managed to return to action in the Ranji Trophy last season, helping Mumbai win their 42nd title. However, it is understood that he had requested the BCCI for longer breaks between matches to ensure adequate recovery and preparation time.In the recently concluded IPL season, Thakur played for Chennai Super Kings, but his performance was hampered by the injury. He managed only five wickets in nine outings at an economy rate of 9.75.As a Grade C annual contract holder of the BCCI, Thakur's treatment expenses were covered by the board. There is a possibility that he could return to action before or right on time for the upcoming domestic season.Thakur's absence will be a significant blow to the Indian team, as he has been a key member of the bowling attack in recent years. His ability to swing the ball both ways and generate pace makes him a valuable asset in all formats of the game.The BCCI and the Indian team management will be hoping that Thakur recovers fully from his surgery and returns to his best form as soon as possible.

Team India stars Rishabh Pant, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and their teammates enjoyed a memorable day off in New York City, engaging with enthusiastic children and creating lasting memories. The players, including Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube, Sanju Samson, Avesh Khan, Yuzvendra Chahal, Rinku Singh, and Kheleel Ahmed, reveled in the opportunity to relax and connect with the young fans. Head coach Rahul Dravid and fielding coach T Dilip accompanied the team, adding to the jovial atmosphere.Earlier, India's Consul General in New York, Binaya Srikanta Pradhan, hosted the team ahead of their match against co-hosts USA. Pradhan and the Indian diaspora in New York warmly welcomed the contingent led by skipper Rohit Sharma and head coach Dravid. BCCI president Roger Binny, vice president Rajeev Shukla, and secretary Jay Shah were also present, showcasing the support and camaraderie within the Indian cricket fraternity.Rohit Sharma and his team have maintained an impressive unbeaten streak in the tournament thus far, securing convincing victories over Ireland and Pakistan. Their eight-wicket triumph over Ireland and six-run win against Pakistan have solidified their position as a formidable force in the competition.The players' interaction with the children in New York highlighted their commitment to inspiring future generations of cricket enthusiasts. The young fans were thrilled to meet their idols and engage in playful activities, creating a heartwarming and memorable experience for all involved.

Jasprit Bumrah's remarkable resurgence has silenced critics who doubted his ability to return to form after a career-threatening injury. The Indian pace spearhead has reestablished himself as one of the world's leading fast bowlers, showcasing his resilience and determination.In 2022, Bumrah underwent surgery for a lower back stress fracture, sidelining him for over ten months. Skepticism arose about his ability to handle the workload of playing in all three formats. However, Bumrah has proven his doubters wrong with his exceptional performances in the past year."A year ago, people were saying I might not play again and my career is over," Bumrah said. "Now the question has changed."Bumrah's return to form has been characterized by his ability to handle pressure and focus on the controllables. "I'm not looking at whether I'm bowling at my best," he explained. "I try to solve the problem that's in front of me."Avoiding external pressure has been key to his success. "If I look at the outside noise, if I look at people and pressure and emotion takes over, then things don't really work for me," the 30-year-old said.Despite the challenging conditions for bowlers in the IPL, Bumrah and the Indian bowling unit have adapted well to the T20 World Cup pitches. "We didn't come here with that baggage," Bumrah noted.Bumrah's deep understanding with captain Rohit Sharma, developed over years of playing together for Mumbai Indians, has been crucial. "We were very clear in the huddle that we would focus on what's in our control," he said.In low-scoring matches, maintaining composure is essential. "If we go for magic deliveries and try to be too desperate, run-making becomes easy," Bumrah explained.Bumrah's advocacy for bowlers reflects his appreciation for their often under-recognized contributions. "We're very happy with the appreciation that bowlers have received," he said.With this victory, India leads Group A with two wins from two games, while Pakistan's chances of advancing look slim.

David Warner, the seasoned Australian cricketer, recently shared his heartfelt experiences in an episode of the Delhi Capitals Podcast. The three-time World Cup winner, who recently became Australia's leading run-scorer in T20Is, spoke candidly about his time with the Delhi-based franchise, his love for India, and his last World Cup for Australia.Warner expressed his gratitude towards Delhi Capitals for giving him opportunities at both the beginning and end of his career. He recalled the guidance he received from legendary players like AB de Villiers, Glenn McGrath, and Daniel Vettori during his early days with the franchise.Reflecting on his last World Cup for Australia, Warner acknowledged the need for young talent to emerge and strengthen the team's future. He emphasized the importance of passing on his experience and knowledge to the younger generation.Warner's love for India is evident in his social media presence, where he often shares videos of himself dancing to Indian music and speaking in Hindi. He expressed his admiration for Indian culture, describing it as "organized chaos."Warner's passion for Indian cinema is also apparent. When asked to choose his favorite Indian film, he struggled to pick just one, citing the exceptional performances of actors in films like Baahubali, Pushpa, and KGF.Warner's commitment to the Delhi Capitals and his love for India have made him a fan favorite. His contributions on and off the field have left a lasting impact on the franchise and the country he has come to embrace.

Gautam Gambhir, the former Indian cricketer known for his serious demeanor, has often been stereotyped as a strict disciplinarian. However, beneath his stern exterior lies a complex and multifaceted individual.As a cricketer, Gambhir held his own in an illustrious Indian batting lineup that included legends like Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, and V.V.S. Laxman. Despite not possessing the flamboyant style of some of his teammates, Gambhir was a reliable and effective batsman, averaging 41.95 in Tests and 39.68 in ODIs. His contributions were crucial in India's victories in the 2007 ICC World T20 and the 2011 World Cup.However, it is Gambhir's fiery temperament that has often overshadowed his cricketing achievements. His on-field altercations with fellow Delhi player Virat Kohli are well-documented. Like former Australian captain Steve Waugh, Gambhir found solace in anger, using it as a tool to unleash his inner gladiator.Off the field, Gambhir has been equally outspoken. His involvement in political debates and his public spats with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal have raised eyebrows. Yet, beneath this tough exterior, there is a softer side to Gambhir. He has always been known for his loyalty and his willingness to mentor young players.As a coach, Gambhir has guided Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to three IPL titles, including the most recent one in 2023. His ability to motivate and inspire his team has earned him respect and admiration.Despite his success as a player and coach, Gambhir's name is often mentioned as a potential successor to Rahul Dravid as the Indian team's coach. However, his fiery nature and tendency to speak his mind may raise concerns among some.Ultimately, Gautam Gambhir is a complex and enigmatic figure. He is a fierce competitor on the field, but also a compassionate and loyal individual off it. His journey from a serious first-bencher to a successful player and coach is a testament to his resilience and determination.

Jasprit Bumrah's Maiden Masterclass Sets New T20I RecordIndia's pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah made a resounding start to his T20 World Cup 2024 campaign, etching his name in the record books with a remarkable feat against Ireland.In the Group A encounter at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York, Bumrah's exceptional bowling prowess was on full display. Introduced into the attack in the fifth over, he delivered a maiden, surpassing Bhuvneshwar Kumar's world record for the most maidens bowled by a player from a Test-playing nation in T20 Internationals.With this achievement, Bumrah's tally of maidens in T20Is has reached 11, setting a new benchmark for bowlers from full member nations in the shortest format of international cricket. Only two bowlers have bowled more maidens than Bumrah in T20Is: Frank Nsubuga from Uganda with 15 and Shem Ngoche from Kenya with 14.Bumrah's maiden was a testament to his exceptional control and accuracy. He consistently hit the right areas, troubling the Irish batsmen with his pace, swing, and seam movement. His performance was a key factor in India's comprehensive victory, as Ireland were restricted to a meager 96 runs.The Indian quartet of fast bowlers, including Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, and Hardik Pandya, were simply menacing on a pitch offering variable bounce and seam movement. They dismantled the Irish batting lineup, giving them no breathing space and exposing their technical deficiencies.Bumrah's record-breaking maiden is a testament to his status as one of the world's premier fast bowlers. His ability to consistently deliver match-winning performances makes him a vital asset for India in their quest for T20 World Cup glory.

Ian Bishop, a renowned cricket commentator, has strongly advocated for Yashasvi Jaiswal to open the batting for India in the upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup. Despite concerns about Jaiswal's recent form in the IPL, Bishop believes his left-handedness and quality make him an ideal choice for the top order.Bishop's endorsement comes amidst speculation that Jaiswal may be overlooked in favor of experienced veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. However, Bishop argues that Jaiswal's left-handedness would provide diversity to the batting lineup and pose different challenges for opposing bowlers."If Jaiswal is in that XI, he brings quality when he is in form, and also the left-handedness. So you're asking different questions of the bowling opposition," Bishop explained.Bishop's opinion differs from that of Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar, who has suggested Jaiswal bat at number three. However, Bishop maintains his preference for Kohli as an opener."I like Virat Kohli at the top, I have said that for the last couple of years, not just for this tournament," Bishop said.Bishop also emphasized the importance of diversity in the batting order, selecting Rishabh Pant over Sanju Samson as the wicket-keeper batsman due to Pant's left-handedness. Despite Samson's impressive IPL performance in 2024, Bishop believes Pant's recent form and higher strike rate make him a more suitable choice.India's quest for a second T20 World Cup title begins on June 5 against Ireland in New York. Bishop's insights and analysis provide valuable perspectives on the team's potential lineup and strategies for success in the tournament.

Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has outlined his ideal bowling combination for India for the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup. Manjrekar believes that the team should select their bowlers based on the opposition and the size of the ground.Manjrekar said that leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal may struggle to make the playing XI if the grounds are on the smaller side. He explained that Chahal thrives on bigger grounds, while Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav can be more effective on smaller grounds.Despite Chahal's impressive performance in IPL 2024, where he picked up 18 wickets, Manjrekar emphasized that he would prefer to see all three frontline pacers in the side. He gave the edge to Arshdeep Singh over Mohammed Siraj, if only one can play alongside Jasprit Bumrah."Arshdeep offers you more variety; a left-arm seamer, who has a great range as a bowler," Manjrekar said.Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan agreed with Manjrekar's assessment, pointing out that Arshdeep has the most T20I wickets in the last year among Indians."Don't underestimate the power of a left-arm fast-bowler," Pathan joked.Arshdeep Singh scalped 19 wickets in IPL 2024, but had an expensive economy rate over 10. However, Manjrekar believes that his variety and range make him a valuable asset to the team.

Representing one's nation on the international stage is an unparalleled honor for any athlete. The experience of standing before a packed stadium, united in song during the National Anthem, is an indescribable sensation.Ahead of India's opening match in the T20 World Cup against Ireland, former captain Virat Kohli shared his profound experience of singing the National Anthem in a packed stadium.Kohli's first encounter with the National Anthem being sung in a stadium was during the 2011 ODI World Cup. He recalls the overwhelming sense of unity and energy that permeated the atmosphere. "The force of it was something I have never experienced in my life," he said. "It gave me goosebumps all over because everyone is singing and everyone is just focused on one goal that India has to win."Kohli has witnessed the power of the National Anthem on numerous occasions, including the 2016 T20 World Cup in India and the 2011 ODI World Cup, where India reached the final. "There is no other thought in anyone's mind at that stage," he said. "And that energy is so powerful that if you are tuned to it, if you are involved in it, you can feel the energy of the crowd."Kohli believes that the energy of the crowd can be a driving force for athletes. "It's a very special thing when you feel the force of so many people behind you, pushing you towards winning the game for your team," he said.In the upcoming T20 World Cup, India will face Ireland, Pakistan, United States, and Canada in the group phase. Kohli's experience and leadership will be crucial as India aims to reclaim the World Cup title.