Cricket

Arshdeep Singh's performance in India's opening match of the 2024 T20 World Cup against Ireland was a tale of two halves. The left-arm pacer started brilliantly, dismissing Paul Stirling and Andrew Balbirnie with his first two deliveries. However, his subsequent overs were less impressive, as he conceded 13 runs in his second over and a costly 16 runs in his final over.Arshdeep's wayward bowling allowed Ireland to post a respectable total of 97, despite being reduced to 50-8 at one stage. The Punjab Kings pacer's figures of 4-0-35-2 drew mixed reactions from fans on social media, with many questioning his ability to maintain his early momentum.Despite his inconsistent performance, Arshdeep remains India's highest wicket-taker in T20I cricket over the last 12 months. He also picked up 19 wickets for Punjab Kings in the recently-concluded IPL 2024, albeit with an economy rate of over 10.Experts have emphasized the importance of Arshdeep's variety in India's bowling attack, particularly given the slow nature of the pitches in the T20 World Cup so far. However, his ability to control his pace and accuracy will be crucial in India's upcoming matches, especially against arch-rivals Pakistan on June 9.Arshdeep will face a formidable challenge in Pakistan's own left-arm pacemen, Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Amir. If he can replicate his early brilliance and minimize his waywardness, he could play a pivotal role in India's quest for T20 World Cup glory.

Rishabh Pant's triumphant return to the Indian cricket team after a harrowing car accident in December 2022 was marked by a stellar performance in India's emphatic victory over Ireland in their T20 World Cup opener.Batting at number three, Pant showcased his resilience and skill, smashing an unbeaten 36 off 26 deliveries on a challenging pitch at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York. His innings played a crucial role in India's comfortable eight-wicket win.Earlier, Hardik Pandya led India's bowling attack with an impressive 3/27, dismissing Ireland for a mere 96 runs in 16 overs. Rohit Sharma's half-century (52 off 37 balls) set the tone for India's chase, which was completed in just 12.2 overs.Despite Jasprit Bumrah being named 'Player of the Match' for his economical spell of 2/6, Pant's contribution was equally significant. He took over the reins from Rohit, who retired hurt after being struck on the arm, and guided India to victory.Pant's return to international cricket was a testament to his unwavering determination and the support of his teammates and fans. He had previously made a comeback in the warm-up game against Bangladesh, but the Ireland match marked his first official international appearance since the accident.India's next challenge will be a highly anticipated clash against arch-rivals Pakistan in their second Group A game on June 9 at the same venue. Besides Ireland and Pakistan, co-hosts USA and Canada complete India's group.

India's captain, Rohit Sharma, was forced to retire hurt after being struck on the arm during their opening match of the T20 World Cup 2024 against Ireland in New York. The incident occurred in the ninth over of India's chase, with Rohit having already scored a half-century. Despite the setback, India went on to win the match comfortably, thanks to their fast bowlers' impressive performance.Rohit was struck on the upper arm by a delivery from Ireland's Josh Little. He managed to hit the next two balls for sixes before walking off the field with India well on their way to victory. Rishabh Pant was also struck by Little in the 11th over, but he was able to continue batting after receiving medical attention.The pitch in New York proved to be a challenging one for batters, with the ball bouncing unpredictably. Former Zimbabwe batter and England head coach Andy Flower described the surface as "bordering on dangerous." He noted that the ball was bouncing both ways from a length, making it difficult for batsmen to play their shots.India's fast bowlers took advantage of the conditions to restrict Ireland to a total of 96 runs in 16 overs. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Arshdeep Singh were the pick of the bowlers, taking three wickets each.Despite the victory, India will be concerned about Rohit's injury. The captain is a key player for the team, and his absence would be a major blow. The extent of his injury is not yet known, but he is expected to undergo further assessment.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has criticized the pitch at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York, calling it a "sub-standard surface" after India's dominant performance against Ireland in the T20 World Cup.On a pitch that offered excessive bounce and seam movement, India's pace attack, led by Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, and Arshdeep Singh, bundled out Ireland for a paltry 96. Vaughan expressed his disapproval on Twitter, stating that it was unacceptable for players to have to play on such a poor surface after working hard to qualify for the World Cup.Vaughan's criticism was echoed by former India opener Wasim Jaffer, who sarcastically suggested that the pitch was designed to introduce American audiences to Test cricket disguised as T20.The drop-in deck at the venue has been heavily criticized for favoring the pacers, as evidenced by South Africa's demolition of Sri Lanka for 77 in their previous match. Anrich Nortje's four-wicket haul for just seven runs in that match highlighted the excessive assistance the pitch provided to the bowlers.India will play their next two matches at the same venue, against Pakistan on June 9 and against co-hosts USA on June 12. The team's quartet of fast bowlers, who were in menacing form against Ireland, will be hoping for a more balanced surface in those matches.Despite the criticism of the pitch, India's performance was impressive. Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj, Jasprit Bumrah, and Hardik Pandya combined to restrict Ireland to a low total, with only Gareth Delany managing to reach 26 runs.

Hardik Pandya's Stellar Performance Leads India to Victory in T20 World Cup OpenerIn a crucial T20 World Cup Group A match at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York, India's all-rounder Hardik Pandya emerged as a savior, claiming three crucial wickets to restrict Ireland to a meager 96 runs.Pandya's impressive bowling display, along with the exceptional performances of Arshdeep Singh (2/35), Mohammed Siraj (1/13), and Jasprit Bumrah (2/6), left the Irish batters struggling to find their footing. The Indian bowlers maintained a disciplined line and length, leaving no room for the opposition to score freely.Despite a disappointing IPL 2024 campaign, Pandya expressed his delight with his performance, emphasizing his consistent contributions in World Cups. "It's always special to play for the country and for pride," he said. "I've been able to contribute in the World Cups, and I'm grateful for that."Pandya also praised the outstanding catch taken by Axar Patel, highlighting the importance of hand-eye coordination in such crucial moments.The Indian all-rounder further acknowledged the unwavering support of the Indian crowd in the USA, stating, "We Indians are everywhere, we rule the world."With this victory, India has made a strong start to their T20 World Cup campaign, showcasing their bowling prowess and the ability to perform under pressure.

Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar expressed surprise over the omission of Kuldeep Yadav from India's playing XI in their opening match of the 2024 T20 World Cup against Ireland. Gavaskar, speaking on Star Sports' pre-match coverage, said, "I'm surprised. Kuldeep bowled really well in the IPL. His exclusion came as a little surprise."Kuldeep, a left-arm wrist spinner, had been widely expected to start for India in the tournament. However, Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid opted for Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel as their two regular spinners.Kuldeep has impressive T20I statistics, with 59 wickets in 35 matches at an average of 14.1 and an economy rate of 6.75. He has also taken two five-wicket hauls, one against England in England and the other against South Africa in South Africa.In the recently concluded IPL 2024, Kuldeep picked up 16 wickets in 11 games for Delhi Capitals. His exclusion from the Indian team raised eyebrows on social media, with many fans and experts questioning the decision.Former India opener Wasim Jaffer tweeted, "No Kuldeep? #INDvIRE #T20WorldCup." Another fan account, @Delphy06, wrote, "Kuldeep Yadav dropped today by Team India. Axar Patel given chance to prolong batting line up vs Ireland."India's decision to leave out Kuldeep may have been influenced by the warm-up game against Bangladesh, where he failed to pick up a wicket in two overs. However, his IPL form and overall record suggest that he is a valuable asset to the team.Despite Kuldeep's absence, India fielded a strong team against Ireland. All three frontline seamers - Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, and Mohammad Siraj - were included, while Rishabh Pant edged out Sanju Samson as the wicket-keeper batsman. Virat Kohli returned to the opening slot alongside Rohit Sharma, while Yashasvi Jaiswal missed out.India began their 2024 T20 World Cup campaign with a match against Ireland on June 5, aiming to win their second World T20 title.

Mohammed Shami Unveils India's Playing XI for T20 World Cup Opener Against IrelandIndian pacer Mohammed Shami, currently sidelined with a knee injury, has shared his preferred playing XI for India's T20 World Cup opener against Ireland on Friday. In a video posted on his YouTube channel, Shami outlined his choices, providing insights into India's potential strategy for the tournament.Shami's XI features a formidable batting lineup, with captain Rohit Sharma and star batter Virat Kohli opening the innings. The middle order boasts the likes of Suryakumar Yadav, Sanju Samson, and Hardik Pandya, who will also serve as the team's sixth bowling option.In the bowling department, Shami opted for a balanced attack with two pacers and two spinners. Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh will lead the pace attack, while Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal will provide spin support. Ravindra Jadeja, known for his all-round abilities, will be the fifth bowling option.Shami emphasized the importance of a left-arm, right-arm combination in the pace department, with Arshdeep Singh partnering Bumrah. He also highlighted the crucial role of spinners in the conditions expected in the USA."I would personally go for the left arm-right arm combination in the pace department with Arshdeep Singh partnering Jasprit Bumrah. Kuldeep, Chahal, and Jadeja will be the spinners, while Hardik will be the sixth bowler," Shami explained.Meanwhile, concerns linger over the weather conditions in Nassau County, where the match will be played. With the England-Scotland game washed out due to rain in Barbados, fans are hoping for clear skies for India's tournament opener.Despite the unfamiliar conditions, India captain Rohit Sharma expressed confidence in his team's ability to adapt. "The conditions are quite unknown for a lot of teams. That is the same for all. You just have to play good cricket," Sharma said.

India Faces Pitch Challenge in T20 World Cup Opener Against IrelandThe Indian cricket team will face a stern test in their ICC Men's T20 World Cup opener against Ireland on Wednesday at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium. The pitch at the makeshift New York stadium has raised concerns due to its low bounce and slow nature, posing a significant challenge for the Indian batters.The warm-up match against Bangladesh on Saturday provided a glimpse of the drop-in pitches, but the real test awaits India in their first competitive match. In the opening match of the venue between South Africa and Sri Lanka, the latter were bowled out for a mere 77, highlighting the potential difficulties of batting on this surface.The Indian team, fresh from the grueling Indian Premier League (IPL) season, will be eager to get off to a winning start in their World Cup campaign. However, they will need to adapt quickly to the conditions and find ways to score runs on a pitch that is expected to favor the bowlers.The match against Ireland will also give India a clearer picture of their preparations ahead of their highly anticipated clash with arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday at the same venue. The two teams have a long history of intense rivalry, and the match is sure to generate immense excitement and attention.India will be relying on their experienced batting lineup, led by captain Rohit Sharma and star batsman Virat Kohli, to overcome the challenges posed by the pitch. The bowling attack, featuring Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Yuzvendra Chahal, will also need to be at their best to restrict Ireland's scoring.Ireland, on the other hand, will be looking to cause an upset and make a statement in their World Cup opener. They have a talented squad led by captain Andrew Balbirnie and will be determined to prove their worth on the big stage.The match between India and Ireland promises to be a fascinating contest, with both teams eager to start their World Cup campaigns on a positive note. The pitch conditions will undoubtedly play a crucial role, and it will be interesting to see how the teams adapt and overcome the challenges it presents.

Rahul Dravid's Linguistic Skills and Humor Shine at T20 World Cup Press ConferenceAhead of India's T20 World Cup opener against Ireland, head coach Rahul Dravid showcased his linguistic prowess and sense of humor during a press conference. Responding to a question in Hindi about the potential for complacency against Ireland, Dravid used an Urdu word that delighted both himself and the audience."Iss format mein, ye format hi yehi hai ki aap kisi ko nazarandaaz ya lightly nahi le sakte (This format itself is such that you just cannot overlook anyone or take anyone lightly)," Dravid said.Pleased with his use of the word 'nazarandaaz,' Dravid added humorously, "Waah! Not bad. Well done, Rahul! (Laughs)."Dravid's linguistic skills and humor have become a hallmark of his tenure as India's head coach. He has often used Urdu and Hindi words in his press conferences, adding a touch of warmth and camaraderie to the proceedings.During the same press conference, Dravid confirmed that the T20 World Cup 2024 would be his final assignment as India's head coach. He announced that he would not be re-applying for the position, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to work with top-tier Indian players over his nearly three-year tenure.Dravid's departure marks the end of an era for Team India, with his tenure being noted for fostering a strong team culture and developing young talent. As Team India gears up for its opening match against Ireland, the team will be keen to send off their coach with a memorable performance in the tournament.