Cricket

Ravichandran Ashwin, the renowned Indian spinner, is currently enjoying a well-deserved break from cricket while the T20 World Cup unfolds in the Americas. However, the 37-year-old has been keeping a close eye on the matches and engaging with fans on social media.During the highly anticipated clash between arch-rivals Australia and England, Ashwin's daughter posed an intriguing question that sparked a humorous exchange on Twitter. "How many Heads are there in the Australian team?" she asked, referring to Australian opener Travis Head.Ashwin, known for his wit and social media presence, shared the incident with his followers, recounting the entire conversation with his daughter. The exchange highlighted the lighthearted and engaging atmosphere surrounding the World Cup, even for those not directly involved.While Ashwin is not part of the Indian team in the tournament, he has been an ardent supporter, cheering them on from afar. He has also been sharing his insights and analysis on the matches, providing valuable perspectives for fans and followers.Currently, Ashwin and his family are enjoying a vacation in Europe, taking a break from the rigors of international cricket. The Indian team, meanwhile, is preparing for their third group game against co-hosts USA on Wednesday.With two wins in two games, India currently sits atop Group A with four points. USA is second with four points, followed by Pakistan with two points. Canada and Ireland round out the group standings.

Ravichandran Ashwin, India's seasoned spinner, has predicted the four teams he believes will advance to the semi-finals of the ongoing T20 World Cup in the UAE and West Indies. Notably, Pakistan, the 2009 champions and last season's runners-up, were not included in Ashwin's selections.Ashwin expressed his support for England, Australia, West Indies, and India to reach the semi-finals of the T20 extravaganza. He revealed his picks through a humorous video on social media that has gone viral.Pakistan has had their worst start in T20 World Cup history, losing their tournament opener to the United States in Dallas on June 6. The match's outcome was determined in a Super Over after both teams finished with tied scores after 40 overs.Babar Azam scored 44 off 43 as Pakistan posted 159 for 7 after being invited to bat first. Pakistan was 26 for 3 in 4.4 overs before Babar and Shadab Khan rescued the team with a 72-run partnership. Shaheen Afridi's unbeaten 23 off 16 also played a crucial role in Pakistan's competitive total. Nosthush Kenjige was the standout bowler, taking 3 for 30 in four overs.Chasing 160, the USA finished on 159 for 3 in their allotted 20 overs. With the hosts needing 5 runs to win off the final ball, Nitish Kumar hit Haris Rauf for a four to force a Super Over.The USA set Pakistan a target of 19 runs in the Super Over, but Pakistan could only manage 13 in response.

India's veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has made a significant move by returning to the India Cements group, where he will play a multifaceted role in Superking Ventures, a subsidiary of Chennai Super Kings (CSK). The 37-year-old, who previously played for CSK from 2008 to 2015, expressed his enthusiasm about the opportunity to contribute to the cricketing fraternity and nurture young talents.Ashwin's return to India Cements marks a homecoming of sorts, as he began his cricketing journey with the organization. K.S. Viswanathan, CEO of Chennai Super Kings Ltd., hailed Ashwin's return, emphasizing his exceptional cricketing abilities and commitment to the game. Viswanathan highlighted Ashwin's role in guiding the CSK High-Performance Centre and Super Kings academies, where he will share his vast experience and expertise with aspiring cricketers.The CSK High-Performance Centre, located in Navalur on the outskirts of Chennai, is a state-of-the-art facility that provides a comprehensive training environment for young players. Ashwin's involvement in the centre is expected to enhance its capabilities and foster a culture of excellence. The centre's ground is ready for use, and other infrastructure is under construction. CSK even held a practice session at the venue during the Indian Premier League (IPL), and it will also host TNCA first-division matches this year.While Ashwin's return to India Cements has sparked speculation about his potential return to the CSK playing XI, the path to a reunion is not straightforward. The IPL is set to undergo a mega auction in 2025, with retentions and no trade window before that. However, Ashwin remains eligible to play for the India Cements teams in the first division (2024-25) that starts on Thursday, although he is unlikely to feature in the first few rounds.Ashwin's return to India Cements is a testament to his enduring passion for cricket and his desire to give back to the game. His experience and leadership qualities will undoubtedly benefit the organization and the young cricketers under its wing.

India's T20 World Cup Journey: A Saga of Triumphs and HeartbreaksSix months after the bittersweet ODI World Cup campaign, Indian cricket fans eagerly anticipate the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, hoping to end the country's 11-year ICC trophy drought. India's journey in the T20 World Cup has been a rollercoaster ride, marked by both triumphs and heartbreaks.Inaugural Triumph (2007)India etched its name in history as the inaugural T20 World Cup champions in 2007. Gautam Gambhir's heroic 75 in the final propelled India to a defendable total of 157 against Pakistan. Despite a late surge by Pakistan, Joginder Sharma's iconic catch sealed India's victory.Struggles to Reach KnockoutsIn the eight editions of the tournament played so far, India has failed to reach the knockouts in four. In 2009, the defending champions failed to win a single game in the Super Eight. The following year, they suffered another Super Eight elimination. In 2012, India missed out on the semifinals despite winning two matches in the Super 8.Knockout HeartbreakIndia has also experienced heartbreak in the knockout stages. In 2014, Virat Kohli's brilliant 319 runs in the tournament went in vain as India lost to Sri Lanka in the final. In 2016, India reached the semifinals but was defeated by West Indies. In 2022, England handed India a crushing 10-wicket defeat in the semifinals.Virat Kohli's DominanceVirat Kohli has been a force to reckon with in the T20 World Cup. In five editions, he has amassed 1141 runs, including 14 half-centuries. He is the only player to win the Player of the Tournament award twice.Spinners Lead the WayRavichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja have been India's most successful bowlers in the tournament. Ashwin has taken 32 wickets, while Jadeja has 21. Irfan Pathan is India's highest wicket-taking pacer with 16 wickets.Rohit Sharma's ConsistencyRohit Sharma is one of only two players to have played in every edition of the tournament. He has scored 963 runs in 39 matches, providing stability to the Indian batting lineup.As India gears up for the 2024 T20 World Cup, fans will be hoping for a repeat of the 2007 triumph. With a talented squad led by Rohit Sharma, India has the potential to end its ICC trophy drought and bring home the coveted title.

Rajasthan Royals' Photoshopped Group Photo Sparks Fan OutrageNew Delhi: The Rajasthan Royals (RR) franchise faced a barrage of criticism on Sunday after sharing an allegedly photoshopped group photo on social media. The image, taken after the team's 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) campaign ended with a defeat in Qualifier 2 against the Sunrisers Hyderabad, drew attention for its apparent alterations.Fans quickly noticed that veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who was originally absent from the photo, had been added to the left corner. However, his appearance raised eyebrows as his biceps appeared to be significantly larger than in previous images. Additionally, his face seemed to be cropped over the body of teammate Sandeep Sharma.The unusual photo quickly went viral on social media, with users mocking the Royals' apparent Photoshop fail. Many pointed out the obvious differences in Ashwin's physique and questioned why the team would resort to such a clumsy attempt at editing.The incident highlighted the growing trend of teams using social media to engage with fans. However, it also raised concerns about the authenticity and credibility of such content. Fans expressed disappointment that the Royals would share an altered image, especially after a disappointing end to their season.Earlier, Royals' Director of Cricket Kumar Sangakkara admitted that fatigue played a significant role in the team's poor run at the back end of the IPL. RR, who won eight of their opening nine matches, were firmly in contention to finish in the top two. However, the Sanju Samson-led side endured a four-match losing streak and a washout tie, forcing them to settle for a third-place finish.Although they bounced back with a win over Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Eliminator, the Sunrisers Hyderabad proved too strong in Qualifier 2 in Ahmedabad on Friday.

Ravichandran Ashwin, the star spinner, has emerged as a crucial player for the Rajasthan Royals in the ongoing IPL season. After battling an abdomen injury, Ashwin has regained his form and is now a key figure in the team's quest for an IPL title.Ashwin's journey in the IPL has been a tale of two halves. In the first half of the tournament, he struggled with an abdomen injury that hindered his performance. However, as the tournament progressed, the injury healed, and Ashwin began to find his rhythm.The Chepauk pitch, where the Royals will face the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the qualifier, is expected to favor spinners. Ashwin's experience and understanding of the conditions will be invaluable to the Royals.In the match against Royal Challengers Bangalore, Ashwin showcased his versatility by employing a variety of variations, including the slower off-break, the faster off-break, and the drifter. His ability to control the flow of runs and pick up crucial wickets has made him a formidable force in the Royals' bowling attack.Ashwin's resurgence has coincided with the emergence of Yuzvendra Chahal, India's No. 1 T20 leggie. The duo has formed a formidable spin partnership, providing the Royals with a potent weapon in the middle overs.With the Chepauk pitch offering assistance to spinners, Ashwin and Chahal will be looking to make a significant impact in the qualifier. If they can replicate their recent performances, they could lead the Royals to a memorable victory and a place in the final.

Ravichandran Ashwin, India's premier spinner, believes that the evolution of batters, rather than the impact player rule, is the primary reason for the high scores witnessed in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL). Ashwin also emphasized the need for bowlers to develop their batting skills to meet the demands of modern cricket.Despite the introduction of the impact player rule, which allows teams to substitute a player during the match, Ashwin maintains that the high scores are a result of batters becoming more confident and pitches being standardized across venues. He believes that the game is moving towards a point where all bowlers will need to be capable batters.While some critics, including Indian captain Rohit Sharma, have argued that the impact player rule hinders the development of all-rounders, Ashwin believes that it is a necessary adaptation to the changing landscape of the game. He points out that bowlers need to be able to contribute with the bat, regardless of how well they bowl.Ashwin, who recently recovered from an abdominal injury, has been in impressive form in the latter stages of the IPL. He was adjudged man-of-the-match in the Eliminator against Royal Challengers Bangalore, where his miserly 2/19 restricted the opposition to 172/8.Ashwin also praised the maturity of Riyan Parag, who has emerged as a key player for Rajasthan Royals this season. He believes that Parag has come a long way since his debut as an 18-year-old in 2019 and has the potential to achieve great things in the future.

Ravichandran Ashwin, the veteran Indian off-spinner, has revealed that he battled an abdominal injury during the first half of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season, which hindered his bowling performance.In his initial nine matches, Ashwin managed only two wickets at an economy rate of 9.00. However, in the subsequent four games, he has claimed seven wickets at a much-improved economy of 6.81. This includes his impressive 2 for 17 in four overs against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the Eliminator, which helped Rajasthan Royals (RR) secure a thrilling victory."To be honest, in the first half of the season, my body wasn't moving at all," Ashwin admitted after being named Player of the Match. "I felt like I couldn't complete my action properly on many occasions. I had a bit of an abdominal injury as well, so I couldn't really get through it."Despite the injury, Ashwin remained committed to his team and pushed through the pain. "I put my body on the line in many of the games," he said. "For me, it was more about finding the rhythm and hitting the right lengths. Coming from Test-match mode, your body needs to adjust... I mean, I'm aging, so it's not that easy anymore."As the tournament progressed, Ashwin gradually found his rhythm through consistent practice. "The amount of repetitions I need for the T20 game is a lot," he explained. "I actually bowl a lot off the game time as well. I needed that amount of bowling time to get into the groove."RR's victory over RCB ended their five-match winless streak. After a strong start with eight wins in nine games, the team's form dipped, coinciding with injuries to Shimron Hetmyer and the departure of Jos Buttler for national duty."We haven't done incredibly well over the last few games," Ashwin acknowledged. "Our batting has struggled to put up par-plus scores. We lost Jos Buttler, Shimron Hetmyer was injured - some crucial blows at the top of the order and in the middle. It's not easy for any team to come out of that. I thought we were a bit rusty chasing 173, but that confidence will come right back into the dressing room now."RR will now face Sunrisers Hyderabad in Qualifier 2 in Chennai. Ashwin expressed confidence in his team's ability to bounce back. "The greatest strength of our team is the exuberance of youth and the balance of the senior players," he said. "Now that Hettie is back and Rovman [Powell] also got a few boundaries away, which is very critical for us, we would be going confident into that game. We've got a decent spin attack, we've got Keshav [Maharaj] sitting outside. If you can get off to a good start against SRH, you never really know."RR captain Sanju Samson, who is not in the best of health, praised his team's character for overcoming adversity. "We will have some great phases and we'll have some really bad phases," he said. "But we need to have the character to think that we can bounce back at the crucial moment. Looking at the last four-five games, we have not had any momentum. We had been completely losing all the games and coming here at the knockouts, we were definitely asking ourselves some questions, but the character the team showed, the way we fielded, the way we batted, the way we bowled, I am really happy."

Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings: A Rivalry of SimilaritiesThe Indian Premier League (IPL) has witnessed some epic rivalries over the years, and one of the most intense has been between the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Out of their 31 head-to-head encounters, CSK holds a commanding 19-11 advantage, with one match ending in a no result.Former KKR mentor Gautam Gambhir, who recently spoke to Ravichandran Ashwin on his YouTube channel, believes that the two teams have always shared a similar approach to the game. "I always felt that CSK and KKR were very, very similar in the way they approached the game," said Gambhir.Gambhir highlighted the similarities in their strategies, particularly in their use of spinners. "The way MS Dhoni used the spinners and we had three quality spinners as well. CSK had three quality spinners and probably the conditions, whether it was in Chepauk or in Eden at that time, were very similar," he explained.The former left-hander added that the tactical battles between the two sides were always intense. "Our strategies were very similar to each other. That is the reason KKR had to be at our best from the tactical point of view to be able to beat CSK. That's the reason why I always felt that CSK and KKR during those times were very very similar teams," said Gambhir.Gambhir, who returned to KKR as a mentor last year, has a wealth of experience in the IPL, having played for both Delhi Capitals and KKR. He led the Knight Riders to two IPL titles in 2012 and 2014.KKR will be looking to add to their trophy cabinet when they face Sunrisers Hyderabad in Qualifier 1 of IPL 2024 on Tuesday. The match will be a crucial test for the Knight Riders, who will be aiming to reach the final and challenge for the championship.