Cricket

Indian Cricket Legends Retire from T20Is with Limited White-Ball SuccessFormer England captain Michael Vaughan has expressed his disappointment over the limited success of Indian cricket legends Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja in winning white-ball trophies. Despite their immense contributions to the team, the trio has only secured one ICC trophy, the 2024 T20 World Cup, in the last decade.Kohli, Rohit, and Jadeja announced their retirement from T20 Internationals following India's victory in the World Cup final. Vaughan believes that their underwhelming record in recent ICC tournaments is a cause for concern."They'll all agree that it is a perfect way to go, but they should have won more white-ball trophies amongst them," Vaughan said. "To think that he (Rohit) has taken another seventeen years to get another one in his hand, I think he will be the first one to admit that they should have won one or two more."Kohli, Rohit, and Jadeja have been integral to Indian cricket for many years. Kohli is the former captain of the team and one of the greatest batsmen of all time. Rohit is the current captain and a prolific run-scorer. Jadeja is a versatile all-rounder who has made significant contributions with both bat and ball.Despite their individual brilliance, the trio has failed to replicate their success in the white-ball format at the international level. India has not won an ICC trophy since the 2013 Champions Trophy.Vaughan acknowledged that the trio retired at an opportune time, allowing them to focus on other formats and the Indian Premier League. However, he believes that their legacy will be tarnished by their lack of white-ball success."What a way to go out with a win in Barbados and a trophy in your hand. Now they can sit back and play Test cricket, a bit of one-day cricket, and in the IPL like MS Dhoni, play on forever. In Indian cricket, they will be replaced as there's plenty of talent in that team," Vaughan added.Kohli, Rohit, and Jadeja's departure from T20Is marks the end of an era for Indian cricket. Their contributions, both individually and collectively, have left an indelible mark on the sport. As they transition to focus on Test and ODI formats, as well as the IPL, their legacy will inspire the next generation of Indian cricketers.

Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja, two stalwarts of Indian cricket, have bid farewell to T20I cricket after guiding India to a triumphant T20 World Cup 2024 victory over South Africa. Their illustrious careers in the shortest format culminated in a fitting farewell, with the World Cup trophy serving as a testament to their remarkable contributions.Kohli's match-winning knock in the final against South Africa propelled him to the 40th position in the ICC T20I batter rankings. However, a surprising twist emerged when Kohli also surpassed Jadeja in the latest ICC T20I all-rounders rankings.In their final ICC T20I all-rounders rankings, Kohli finished 79th while Jadeja placed 86th. Despite not bowling a single delivery in the T20 World Cup 2024, Kohli's 151 runs in the tournament proved decisive. Jadeja, on the other hand, endured a disappointing campaign with only 35 runs and a solitary wicket.Kohli's rise above Jadeja in the all-rounders rankings seems improbable, given that he has not bowled in international cricket for nearly eight years. Jadeja, in contrast, has consistently performed as a genuine all-rounder for India.However, the T20I rankings are subject to frequent fluctuations, particularly due to the inclusion of associate nations. In the case of all-rounders, both batting and bowling performances are considered.Kohli's bowling record in T20Is is modest, with 4 wickets in 13 innings at an average of 51 and an economy rate of 8.05. Jadeja, on the other hand, boasts an impressive 54 dismissals in 71 innings, averaging 29.85 with an economy of 7.13.However, when batting statistics are taken into account, the scenario shifts dramatically. Jadeja has accumulated 515 runs at an average of 21.45 and a strike rate of 127.16. Kohli, meanwhile, has amassed a staggering 4188 runs at an average of 48.69 and a strike rate of 137.04.As Kohli and Jadeja embark on the next chapter of their careers, their contributions to Indian cricket in the T20I format will be forever etched in the annals of the sport. Their retirement marks the end of an era, but their legacy will continue to inspire generations of cricketers to come.

India's T20I Veterans Retire, Making Way for Young GunsFollowing India's triumphant victory in the T20 World Cup 2024, legendary batsmen Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, along with all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, have announced their retirement from the shortest format of international cricket. This move signals a significant transition for the Indian team, paving the way for emerging talents to showcase their abilities.Despite their departure from T20Is, Kohli, Sharma, and Jadeja remain committed to representing India in ODIs and Tests. BCCI secretary Jay Shah acknowledged the team's transition phase but hinted that the veteran players could still feature in the Champions Trophy 2025."The transition has already happened with three greats retiring," Shah stated. "The way this team is progressing, our target is to win the World Test Championship final and Champions Trophy. There will be a similar squad playing there. The seniors will be there."With Sharma's departure, Hardik Pandya emerges as the frontrunner to lead the Indian T20I team. The all-rounder has proven his leadership capabilities by guiding the Gujarat Titans to victory in the Indian Premier League."Captaincy will be decided by the selectors and we will announce it after discussing with them," Shah said. "You asked about Hardik, there were lot of questions over his form but the selectors showed faith in him and he proved himself."The BCCI has awarded the Indian cricket team a substantial prize money of 125 crores following their T20 World Cup triumph. This victory marks the end of an 11-year ICC trophy drought for India.

Ravindra Jadeja's exceptional fielding prowess has been a crucial factor in India's success in the ongoing T20 World Cup. Despite not making significant contributions with the bat or ball, Jadeja's fielding brilliance has saved numerous runs and taken stunning catches.In India's 47-run victory over Afghanistan in their Super Eights opener, Jadeja showcased his fielding skills with two spectacular catches in the deep. He grabbed Mohammad Nabi's catch at deep mid-wicket off Kuldeep Yadav in the 17th over and then took the catch of Afghanistan captain Rashid Khan at deep third man in the next over, giving Arshdeep Singh his first wicket.Jadeja's fielding efforts were recognized by the Indian cricket board (BCCI), which shared a video on its official Twitter handle showing fielding coach T Dilip presenting the 'fielder of the match medal' to Jadeja in the Indian dressing room after the match.Dilip praised the team for adapting to the conditions in Barbados and showing tremendous attention to details. He highlighted the readiness and lightning skills of Arshdeep Singh, the sharp instincts of Jadeja, and the consistency and effort of Axar Patel.Dilip also lauded Rishabh Pant for his determination and focus. He then announced that India head coach Rahul Dravid would present the medal, which was met with cheers from the cricketers. Dravid presented the medal to Jadeja, who lifted him up in his arms.Jadeja expressed his gratitude for the medal, saying, "This medal is very important, I am very happy to get this medal today and I am very very inspired from Mohammad Siraj. Thank you Siraj, cheers!"The Indian cricket team now heads to Antigua to face Bangladesh on Saturday.

India Intensifies Preparations for T20 World Cup Super 8s in CaribbeanThe Indian cricket team has arrived in the Caribbean for the Super 8s stage of the T20 World Cup, determined to make a strong impact after a mixed performance in the group stage. The team held an intense practice session in New Delhi, with key players Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, and Kuldeep Yadav putting in extra effort to prepare for the crucial matches ahead.Kohli, who struggled for form in New York, scoring only 1, 4, and 0 in the group stage, was seen working on his batting technique in the nets. He focused on lofted drives and pull shots, aiming to regain his rhythm and make a significant contribution in the Super 8s.Jadeja, who has yet to make a notable impact with either bat or ball, also participated in the practice session. The all-rounder was only required to bat once and was not heavily relied upon for his bowling in New York, but he is expected to play a more prominent role in the Caribbean conditions, which favor spinners.Kuldeep, who has not featured in the playing eleven thus far, is also likely to be included in the team for the Super 8s. The left-arm spinner is expected to be a key weapon for India in the Caribbean, where pitches have traditionally favored spinners.The entire Indian squad participated in the practice session, eager to make the most of the opportunity after not having played since completing the New York leg on June 12. Poor weather conditions in Fort Lauderdale prevented any training or play, making this session all the more important.The pitches in New York were heavily criticized for being slow and unresponsive, but the surfaces in the Caribbean are expected to be more conducive to high-scoring matches. In the tournament so far, a score of 200, considered par in the IPL, has only been surpassed twice, both times in the Caribbean. Even a total of 150 has often proven to be competitive.Indian captain Rohit Sharma was seen inquiring about the condition of the training pitches, given the importance of adapting to the local conditions. Kohli and Jadeja spent a significant amount of time in the nets, working on their batting techniques. Rishabh Pant, India's most impressive batter in the tournament so far, also faced deliveries from Bumrah, Hardik, Kuldeep, and Axar Patel in the nets.With the breeze blowing across the facility, Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh managed to generate significant swing with the ball, indicating that the conditions in the Caribbean could be favorable for swing bowlers as well.

Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has hinted at the potential use of spinners in the death overs during India's ICC T20 World Cup Super Eights campaign. India will face Afghanistan in their opening Super Eight match on June 20 in Barbados.Jadeja believes that the slow and dry wickets in the West Indies will provide assistance to spinners, particularly in the middle overs. "Spinners will have help here in the middle overs. You could see spinners being used in the death overs as well," he said.Chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav echoed Jadeja's sentiments, emphasizing the importance of bowlers' lengths in T20I cricket. "The spinners do get help in the West Indies... In this format, the bowlers' length becomes crucial," he said.India's squad includes four spinners: Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and Yuzvendra Chahal. This selection suggests that the team is prepared to utilize spin bowling throughout the tournament.India will be aiming for big wins against Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Australia in the Super Eights to qualify for the semifinals. The team is eager to end its drought for an ICC trophy since 2013's Champions Trophy and win its first T20 World Cup since the inaugural edition in 2007.

Ravindra Jadeja, India's star all-rounder, has been bestowed with the honor of being named in the ICC Test Team of the Year 2023. This prestigious recognition was announced earlier this year during the ICC awards ceremony. Jadeja, along with fellow Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin, earned their spots in the elite team due to their exceptional performances in red-ball cricket throughout the year.Jadeja took to his official Instagram handle to share photos of the special moment when he received the ICC Test Team of the Year cap from Team India's head coach, Rahul Dravid. The images capture Dravid presenting the cap to Jadeja, who expressed his gratitude in the post's caption: "Special cap from special person."The ICC Test Team of the Year 2023, led by Australia's Pat Cummins, features prominent cricketers from around the world. The team includes Usman Khawaja, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kane Williamson, Joe Root, Travis Head, Ravindra Jadeja, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (captain), Ravichandran Ashwin, Mitchell Starc, and Stuart Broad.Jadeja and Ashwin's inclusion in this prestigious lineup highlights their significant contributions to Test cricket. Both players have been instrumental in their performances, showcasing exceptional skill and consistency. Jadeja's all-round abilities, including his left-arm spin bowling and aggressive batting, have made him a formidable force in the longest format of the game. Ashwin, on the other hand, has established himself as one of the world's leading off-spinners, with his variations and control proving to be a nightmare for batsmen.Jadeja is set to return to action in the upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup, which will be held in the USA and the West Indies. As he prepares for this major tournament, his recent recognition serves as a testament to his enduring excellence and impact on the sport.

Ravindra Jadeja's excitement for Team India's upcoming T20 World Cup debut in New York is palpable. The tournament, scheduled from June 1 to 29 in the West Indies and USA, will see India face Bangladesh in a warm-up game on June 1 at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York."First time we gonna play cricket in New York, it's gonna be fun," Jadeja exclaimed in a video shared by the BCCI.The Indian team's first training session in the US revealed that the players are adjusting to the new time zone and easing into their routines. Strength and conditioning coach Soham Desai said, "We came in the day before yesterday and we just eased into our routines here, the players are just getting used to the time zone. Today we are having our first ground session."Star pacer Jasprit Bumrah commented on the pleasant weather and expressed his anticipation for the upcoming matches. "We have not yet played cricket, came here for a team activity today. Hopefully, it will be good. The weather is really good, so we are looking forward to it."Vice-captain and allrounder Hardik Pandya praised the vibrant atmosphere in New York, while Suryakumar Yadav highlighted the growing popularity of cricket in the US. "Very exciting to be here in New York, has a good vibe, bright sun out," Pandya said. "I heard the cricket is growing here in the US, so we are really excited and the first day here was amazing, so very excited for the few days coming up," Yadav added.India's T20 World Cup journey begins on June 5 against Ireland at the newly built Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York. The highly anticipated clash between India and Pakistan is scheduled for June 9, followed by matches against tournament co-hosts USA (June 12) and Canada (June 15) to conclude their Group A fixtures.The Indian team will be determined to end their ICC trophy drought, having last won the ICC Champions Trophy in 2013. Despite reaching the finals and semifinals of various ICC tournaments since then, including the 50-over World Cup, ICC World Test Championship, and T20 World Cup, India has yet to secure a major ICC trophy in recent years.