Cricket

The T20 World Cup 2024 final between India and South Africa witnessed a thrilling climax, with India emerging victorious by a narrow margin of 7 runs. However, the Player of the Match award, which went to Virat Kohli, has sparked a debate among cricket experts.Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar expressed his surprise at Kohli receiving the award, arguing that his knock of 76 runs off 59 balls had put India in a precarious position. Manjrekar believes that the Indian bowlers, particularly Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, and Arshdeep Singh, deserved the recognition for their exceptional death bowling that rescued India from the brink of defeat."By playing that innings, Hardik Pandya, one of their most devastating batters, had just two balls to face. So I thought India's batting was good, but Virat Kohli had potentially played an innings that would've put India in a tight corner. And it almost proved to be that, before these guys' bowlers came in the end," Manjrekar said.Manjrekar emphasized that India were in a losing position, with South Africa having a 90% chance of victory. He believes that the bowlers' remarkable turnaround saved Kohli's innings, which had a strike rate of 128 for nearly half of the innings."My Player of the Match would've been a bowler because they actually took the game from the jaws of defeat and won it for India," Manjrekar added.However, former Zimbabwe cricketer Andy Flower had a different perspective. He believes that India's batting performance was sufficient, with a total of 176 runs on the board. Flower acknowledged that if India had lost the match, Kohli would have faced significant criticism."If India had been pipped there, there would've been a lot of criticism going Virat Kohli's way, I'd reckon. At the halfway mark, I thought India had enough, and that it was going to be a very difficult chase for South Africa," Flower said.The debate over the Player of the Match award highlights the crucial role played by both the batters and bowlers in India's victory. While Kohli's innings provided a solid foundation, the bowlers' exceptional performance in the final overs ultimately secured the win.

India's women's cricket team stands on the cusp of a historic 3-0 series sweep against South Africa in the third and final ODI on Sunday. Despite facing challenges in the first two matches, India has emerged victorious, showcasing resilience and exceptional batting performances.In the opening match, India's batters overcame a precarious 99 for five to post a formidable 260-plus total. The bowlers then defended the target with determination. However, in the second game, the Indian bowlers faced a stern test against centurions Laura Wolvaardt and Marizanne Kapp. Despite conceding a heavy total, they held their nerve until the final ball to secure the win.Throughout both matches, Smriti Mandhana has been a standout performer, scoring consecutive centuries (117 and 136). She has become the first Indian woman batter to achieve this feat in ODIs and has equaled Mithali Raj's record of seven one-day centuries.Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur's timely return to form with an 88-ball 103 in the second match has also boosted India's confidence. However, the team will be eager to see a substantial contribution from opener Shafali Verma, who has endured a run of low scores.With the series already in hand, India may consider giving opportunities to fringe players such as bowlers Shreyanka Patil, Saika Ishaque, and top-order batter Priya Punia.South Africa, on the other hand, will be determined to salvage a win and earn valuable ICC Women's ODI Championship points, which are crucial for their qualification for next year's 50-over World Cup. A victory would also provide a much-needed confidence boost ahead of the Test and T20I series.The visitors will need a collective effort from their batters and bowlers to challenge India's dominance.