Cricket

Rohit Sharma's Heartfelt Gesture Wins Hearts After India's T20 World Cup TriumphIndian cricket captain Rohit Sharma has garnered immense praise for his heartwarming gesture towards a super fan, Sudhir Kumar Chaudhary, following India's T20 World Cup victory in Barbados. Chaudhary, an ardent supporter of the Indian cricket team, was given the opportunity to hold the coveted trophy, which India had won after a 17-year drought.The moment was captured in a series of photographs that went viral on social media, with fans applauding Rohit's humility and kindness. "Respect," wrote one fan, while another commented, "Rohit winning hearts of million fans." A third user remarked, "A down-to-earth leader's humble act, showcasing gratitude and kindness, inspiring millions."India's victory over South Africa in the final match of the T20 World Cup 2024 was a historic moment for the nation. After a shaky start, India's batting lineup was anchored by Virat Kohli's gritty 76 off 59 balls. Axar Patel also contributed a valuable 47 off 31.In the second innings, South Africa looked poised to chase down India's total of 176/7. However, a remarkable bowling performance by India, led by Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya, turned the tide in India's favor. Bumrah conceded only six runs in his last two overs, while Pandya dismissed David Miller on the first ball of the final over, thanks to a sensational catch by Suryakumar Yadav.India's victory was a testament to the team's resilience and determination. After the historic win, both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli announced their retirement from T20I cricket.

Rohit Sharma's Emotional Moment: Eating Soil from T20 World Cup PitchIn the aftermath of India's thrilling victory over South Africa in the T20 World Cup final, captain Rohit Sharma displayed an unexpected gesture that captured the emotions of the moment. As the celebrations unfolded at the Kensington Oval, Rohit walked to the pitch, knelt down, and picked up a speck of soil from the track, which he then ate.This act, reminiscent of tennis legend Novak Djokovic's habit of eating grass from the Wimbledon centre court, sparked curiosity and speculation. However, Rohit clarified that his move was not premeditated but rather an instinctive expression of his feelings."Nothing was scripted; it was all coming instinctively," Rohit said in a video recorded by the BCCI. "I was feeling the moment."The India captain explained that the pitch held special significance for him and his team. "That pitch gave us this (T20 World Cup), we played on that particular pitch and we won the game on that particular ground," he said. "I will remember that ground and that pitch forever in my life. So I wanted to have a piece of it with me."Rohit's emotional outburst reflected the immense joy and relief that the team felt after their hard-fought victory. India had come back from a precarious position, with South Africa needing just 30 runs from 30 balls to win. But crucial blows from Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah, aided by Suryakumar Yadav's stunning catch, turned the tide in India's favor."The feeling actually is surreal," Rohit said. "I would say it still hasn't sunk in totally. It's been a great moment, right from when the game got over till now. It feels like a dream...Although it has happened, it feels like it hasn't happened."The skipper revealed that the team celebrated their victory late into the night. "Last night, we were having a good time, had a blast with the teammates till very early morning," he said. "So I would say I didn't sleep properly, but that's absolutely fine for me."Rohit also announced his retirement from T20Is at the post-match press conference, a decision that followed Virat Kohli's similar announcement. "Like I said, this moment was very, very special for all of us, and I want to live it, each moment, each minute, each second that is passing by, I want to make the most of it," Rohit concluded, with the T20 World Cup trophy by his side.

The ninth edition of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup witnessed a plethora of record-breaking performances as India emerged victorious, claiming their second T20 world championship title.Unbeaten Finalists and Highest Final Total:India and South Africa reached the final undefeated, each boasting eight wins. India's 176 for 7 in the title clash surpassed Australia's previous record of 173 for 2 in the 2021 final.Rohit Sharma's Historic Triumph:At 37 years and 60 days, Rohit Sharma became the oldest captain to win a T20 World Cup. Both Sharma and Virat Kohli announced their retirement from T20Is following India's victory.Most Wickets in a Single Edition:Indian pacer Arshdeep Singh and Afghanistan's Fazalhaq Farooqi jointly topped the wicket-taking charts with 17 wickets each, setting a new record for most wickets in a single edition of the T20 World Cup.Bumrah's Bowling Dominance:Jasprit Bumrah, named Player of the Tournament, registered an impressive bowling average of 8.3, the best in T20 World Cup history. His economy rate of 4.17 was equally remarkable.Jordan's Strike Rate Record:England's Chris Jordan broke Jacques Kallis's record for the best bowling strike rate in a T20 World Cup. Jordan finished with a strike rate of 8.3, surpassing Kallis's previous mark of 9.4 set in 2012.Ferguson's Maiden Overs:New Zealand pacer Lockie Ferguson achieved an unprecedented feat by delivering all four of his overs as maidens against Papua New Guinea, becoming the first bowler to do so. He finished with figures of three wickets for zero runs.Boundary Bonanza:The 2024 edition of the T20 World Cup witnessed a record-breaking 1,478 boundaries, surpassing the previous record of 1,349 set in 2021. The 515 sixes hit in this edition also set a new high, eclipsing the 2021 record of 405.Pooran's Six-Hitting Prowess:West Indies' Nicholas Pooran smashed 17 sixes in the 2024 edition, surpassing Chris Gayle's previous record of 16 for most sixes in a single edition.Cummins' Hat-Trick Double:Australia's Pat Cummins became the first bowler to take hat-tricks in two consecutive matches.

India's triumph in the 2024 T20 World Cup was a culmination of years of hard work and dedication. The team, led by Rohit Sharma, displayed exceptional skill and determination throughout the tournament, culminating in a thrilling victory over South Africa in the final.One of the most iconic moments of the victory celebration was the photograph of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma posing together with the Indian flag and the World Cup trophy. The image captured the camaraderie and mutual respect between the two star players, who have been instrumental in India's success in recent years.In an interview with Star Sports, Kohli revealed the story behind the iconic picture. He explained that he had noticed Rohit was staying behind during the victory lap and encouraged him to hold the trophy and take a picture together. "It was a very special thing for him as well," Kohli said. "His family is here, Samaira [Rohit's daughter] was on his shoulder. But I just felt like in the victory lap he was behind the whole time. I told him, you also hold the trophy for a while, for two minutes. We should take a picture together because this journey has been very long."The victory was particularly poignant for Rohit Sharma, who announced his retirement from T20Is shortly after the match. He leaves the format as a two-time World Cup winner and the leading run-getter, with 4231 runs in 159 matches. Virat Kohli also announced his retirement from T20Is after the match, having played a key role in India's victory with a match-winning 59-ball 76.India's triumph in the 2024 T20 World Cup is a testament to the team's hard work, dedication, and talent. The victory is a source of immense pride for the nation and will be remembered for years 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.

Pakistan Cricket Legends Laud Kohli and Sharma's Retirement TimingFollowing India's triumph in the T20 World Cup, several Pakistani cricket greats have praised Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma for their impeccable timing in announcing their retirement from the format.Zaheer Abbas, a batting stalwart of yesteryear, expressed his admiration for Rohit Sharma's batting prowess and Kohli's exceptional records. He hailed Rohit's World Cup victory as a testament to his greatness.Javed Miandad, one of Pakistan's greatest batters, commended both players for retiring at the right time. He emphasized that their departure from T20 internationals in glory was a fitting end to their illustrious careers. Miandad also highlighted their role as role models for aspiring cricketers.Legendary pacer Waqar Younis lauded Rohit and Kohli for their ability to deliver in crucial situations and win matches for India. He also praised Jasprit Bumrah's exceptional bowling throughout the World Cup, crediting him as a match-winner for India.Rashid Latif attributed India's success and their three ICC event finals appearances in the past year to the team management's alignment with the players. He praised Rahul Dravid and his support staff for providing clear direction to the team.Shahid Afridi acknowledged Rohit's exceptional leadership and Kohli's consistent performance in big matches. He commended their decision to retire on a high after leading India to the World Cup title.Mohsin Hasan Khan, a former Test batter and chief selector, emphasized the importance of retiring in glory. He expressed his admiration for Rohit's leadership and Kohli's hunger for success. Khan also noted that India had the talent to fill the void left by their retirements.Rohit Sharma's unmatched five centuries in T20Is and two T20 World Cup titles have solidified his status as a legend in the format.

Former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi has lauded the leadership of Indian captain Rohit Sharma, crediting his positive attitude for India's triumph in the T20 World Cup. Afridi believes that Rohit's aggressive style of play instills confidence in his team, leading to their success.In contrast, Afridi expressed concerns about Babar Azam's captaincy during Pakistan's disappointing performance in the tournament. He questioned the decision-making process and suggested that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) should empower the national selection committee to appoint the team captain.Afridi emphasized the importance of a strong foundation at the grassroots level for Pakistan cricket. He believes that investing in youth development will produce better players in the future.Afridi's comments come after India's thrilling seven-run victory over South Africa in the T20 World Cup final. Rohit Sharma played a crucial role in India's success, leading from the front with his aggressive batting and positive body language.Afridi's analysis highlights the importance of leadership in sports. A captain who sets a positive example and instills confidence in his team can make a significant difference in their performance.

India's Triumphant Captain Rohit Sharma Celebrates T20 World Cup Victory on Barbados BeachOn the heels of India's exhilarating victory in the 2024 T20 World Cup, skipper Rohit Sharma took a moment to bask in the glory on the picturesque beaches of Barbados. The official photoshoot captured the skipper's jubilation as he posed with the coveted trophy, a testament to India's second triumph in the tournament's history.India's victory was hard-fought, with the team overcoming a spirited South African side in a thrilling final at the Kensington Oval on June 29. After posting a challenging 176 for 7, thanks to Virat Kohli's 76 and Axar Patel's 47, India's bowlers stepped up to defend the total.Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, and Arshdeep Singh combined to restrict South Africa to 169/8, with Pandya claiming three wickets and Bumrah and Singh taking two each. A crucial catch by Suryakumar Yadav on the boundary line to dismiss David Miller proved to be a turning point in the match.The victory marked a significant milestone for Indian cricket, as it was their first T20 World Cup triumph since the inaugural edition in 2007 under MS Dhoni's leadership. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) shared images of Sharma's photoshoot on social media, captioning it with a message of pride and accomplishment: "A billion dreams, a billion emotions, and a billion smiles! Mission accomplished. World Cup conquered. We are World Champions. Hey, Captain! You've done it."Sharma's leadership and the team's collective effort played a pivotal role in India's success. The victory is a testament to the team's resilience, determination, and unwavering spirit.

The Indian cricket team will require two to three years to regain its dominance in T20 cricket following the international retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, according to BCCI President Roger Binny.Kohli, 35, and Sharma, 37, played pivotal roles in India's second T20 World Cup triumph on Saturday, defeating South Africa by seven runs in a thrilling final. However, both players have now stepped away from the T20I format."There is so much talent in the IPL, and many cricketers are coming through, but it will take some time to bridge the gap after the retirement of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from T20Is," Binny said."They have contributed so much. It's going to take time. We will probably see in the next two-three years, the team coming back into its own without them."Sharma leaves T20Is with 4231 runs from 159 matches, including five centuries and 32 fifties. Kohli, in 125 T20I matches, scored 4188 runs at an average of 48.69, with his highest score being 122 against Afghanistan in 2022.Both players will continue to play in the IPL and represent India in ODIs and Tests.Binny, who was part of India's 1983 ODI World Cup-winning team, believes that the maiden World Cup victory transformed India from underdogs to contenders."In 1983, we went as underdogs. But after that, that tag was taken off us. Whenever we go into World Cup, people expect India to win. No one is taking us lightly anymore," he said.The conclusion of the T20 World Cup marks the end of Rahul Dravid's tenure as head coach. There is speculation that former opener Gautam Gambhir will replace him, but Binny declined to comment on the matter."Nothing concrete has come yet. Gautam Gambhir has a lot of experience. He has worked with teams. He played Test matches, ODIs, T20s. Let's see," he said.