Cricket

India's triumph in the T20 World Cup is a testament to the team's unwavering determination and meticulous preparation over the past three years. Skipper Rohit Sharma, overcome with emotion, expressed his gratitude for the team's collective effort and the unwavering support of the management and fans.The victory was not merely a culmination of a single match but a reflection of the team's resilience and adaptability. Rohit acknowledged the challenges they faced, including the heartbreaking loss in the ODI World Cup last year. However, these setbacks only fueled their resolve to emerge stronger.The team's success was not solely dependent on individual brilliance but on a collective mindset. Rohit praised the contributions of Virat Kohli, whose experience and composure proved invaluable. He also highlighted the crucial role played by Hardik Pandya, whose all-round performance was instrumental in the team's victory.Rohit emphasized the importance of the team's management, led by coach Rahul Dravid, in fostering a positive and supportive environment. He credited them for providing the players with the freedom and confidence to perform at their best.The skipper also acknowledged the unwavering support of the fans, who played a significant role in motivating the team. He expressed his gratitude for their passion and belief, which inspired the players to push their limits.Rohit's words echoed the sentiments of the entire team, who recognized the collective effort and unwavering support that had led to their triumph. The victory was not just a trophy but a testament to the team's spirit, resilience, and unwavering determination.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, two legendary Indian cricketers, have faced speculation about their future in T20 cricket. After Kohli's retirement from the format, the focus has shifted to Sharma, who has been an integral part of India's T20 journey since 2007.Sharma's return to T20Is after a break in 2022 was seen as a strategic move to prepare for the 2024 T20 World Cup. However, with the tournament now behind them, the question arises: what's next for Rohit Sharma?The 2026 T20 World Cup, to be held in India and Sri Lanka, will mark a new era for Indian cricket with a new coach, likely to be Gautam Gambhir. Gambhir may seek to utilize Sharma's experience, but the question remains whether it's wise to retain a 37-year-old player for two more years.One possibility is that Sharma will continue to be rested in T20Is, allowing him to be available when needed. However, if he decides to retire, he can be proud of his contributions as captain, leading India to numerous victories.The decision on Sharma's future will depend on several factors, including his fitness, form, and the team's needs. With the next T20 World Cup on the horizon, the Indian cricket board and Gambhir will have to carefully consider the best course of action for the team.

Ravi Shastri's electrifying commentary at the toss of the India vs South Africa T20 World Cup final in Barbados left the crowd in stitches. Known for his passionate monologues, Shastri delivered a roaring introduction that had Rohit Sharma, Aiden Markram, and even match referee Richie Richardson in splits.Shastri referred to Markram as a "potential punching bag" in the green corner, ready to land an uppercut for the first time. He then introduced Rohit Sharma as the one "punching all the way through the tournament."Shastri's humor extended to match referee Richie Richardson, who he described as "West Indies' very own, the one there to keep things calm and be the potential punching bag."The toss proceedings were held in bright sunshine and with a gusty wind blowing across the 28,000-capacity Kensington Oval, which was expected to be sold out for the game.India captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and opted to bat first. Both Rohit and his South African counterpart Markram named unchanged line-ups from the teams that won their respective semi-finals.

Hardik Pandya's inclusion in the elite club of Indian cricketers with 100 T20 International appearances is a testament to his exceptional all-round abilities and unwavering determination. This milestone, achieved during the T20 World Cup final against South Africa, places him alongside legendary figures Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who have played 159 and 125 T20Is respectively.Pandya's journey to this landmark has been marked by his versatility and impact on the Indian team. Since his debut in 2016, he has consistently delivered with both bat and ball, contributing to India's success in numerous matches. His aggressive batting style and ability to hit big shots have made him a formidable force in the middle order, while his medium-pace bowling has provided crucial breakthroughs.Prior to the T20 World Cup final, Pandya had amassed 1487 runs at an average of 26.55 and claimed 81 wickets in T20I cricket. His all-round performances have earned him a reputation as one of the most valuable players in the Indian team.Rohit Sharma, the Indian skipper, leads the pack with 159 T20I appearances. Known for his explosive batting and ability to anchor the innings, Rohit has been a cornerstone of India's T20 setup. His leadership and experience have been crucial in shaping the team's strategy and performance over the years.Virat Kohli, with 125 T20Is to his name, is renowned for his aggressive batting style and extraordinary consistency. Kohli's ability to chase down challenging targets and his remarkable fitness have set new benchmarks in international cricket. His passion and dedication to the game have inspired a generation of cricketers.Hardik Pandya's entry into this prestigious club highlights his importance to the team and his resilience as a player. Despite facing injuries and challenges throughout his career, Hardik has always bounced back stronger, showcasing his determination and skill. His journey from a promising youngster to a seasoned campaigner reflects his hard work and dedication.As Hardik continues to represent India in T20Is, his contributions will undoubtedly play a crucial role in the team's pursuit of future victories. His all-round abilities and unwavering spirit make him an invaluable asset for the Indian team.

India's captain, Rohit Sharma, stands on the cusp of a historic milestone as his team prepares to face South Africa in the T20 World Cup final on Saturday. With just six runs separating him from surpassing Virat Kohli's record of 1,216 runs, Rohit Sharma is poised to become the highest run-getter in T20 World Cup history. This achievement would coincide with India's potential triumph in the tournament, marking their first T20 World Cup title under Sharma's leadership.Rohit Sharma's impressive T20 World Cup record boasts 1,211 runs, including 248 runs in the ongoing edition. His consistent performances have yielded 12 half-centuries and a century across the tournaments. In the recent matches, he has played a pivotal role with two crucial fifties against Australia and England, making him the third-highest run-scorer in this tournament.Under Sharma's guidance, India has reached their third consecutive ICC final in less than 13 months. Despite falling short against Australia in the World Test Championship and ODI World Cup finals, India has remained unbeaten in this tournament, showcasing their resilience and skill under Sharma's leadership.The final on Saturday presents India with an opportunity to end their 11-year-long ICC title drought, with their last victory coming in the 2013 Champions Trophy. Rohit Sharma aims to join MS Dhoni as the second Indian captain to lift the T20 World Cup trophy.

Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma has received high praise from former England captain Nasser Hussain, who lauded his batting prowess and leadership qualities. Hussain described Sharma as an "iron fist in a velvet glove," highlighting his calm demeanor and ability to balance authority with compassion.Sharma's leadership style has been a key factor in India's recent success, with the team winning the Asia Cup and reaching the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup under his guidance. Hussain believes that Sharma's ability to create a positive and supportive environment has been crucial to the team's performance."Rohit is like that iron fist in a velvet glove," Hussain said. "You do not mess around with Rohit, but he is also a big brother that will put his arm around you and look after you."Hussain also praised Sharma's batting, noting his consistency and ability to score runs in all formats of the game. Sharma is currently the third-highest run scorer in the T20 World Cup, with 248 runs in seven matches."I have been a fan of Rohit for a very long time, as a batter, as a captain, and as a person," Hussain said. "He seems to have a very calming influence."Sharma's leadership and batting skills have made him one of the most respected players in world cricket. His ability to inspire his teammates and perform under pressure has been instrumental in India's recent success.

Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah has heaped praise on skipper Rohit Sharma, hailing his leadership qualities and proactive approach. In the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024, Rohit has emerged as the tournament's third-highest run-getter, amassing 248 runs at a strike rate of 155.97 in seven matches.Bumrah, in a video shared by the ICC, lauded Rohit's leadership style, particularly his ability to empower his players. "Rohit Sharma has been absolutely phenomenal," Bumrah said. "Even in the previous World Cup, he was very proactive. He gives a lot of freedom to his players, lets them express themselves. When he feels the right time, he shares his own experience during the match. It feels really great and I feel very happy playing under him."Former England captain Nasser Hussain also expressed his admiration for Rohit, describing him as an "iron fist in a velvet glove." Hussain praised Rohit's calming influence and ability to balance authority with empathy. "I have been a fan of Rohit for a very long time," Hussain said. "He seems to have a very calming influence. He is like that iron fist in a velvet glove. You do not mess around with Rohit, but he is also a big brother that will put his arm around you and look after you."India's contrasting fortunes in the tournament compared to South Africa have also been highlighted. While India has dominated every opponent they have faced, including Australia, Pakistan, and England, South Africa has narrowly escaped defeat on several occasions. Bangladesh and Nepal gave them a run for their money in the group stage, and they nearly sealed their exit in their final Super 8 game against the West Indies.The Indian squad for the tournament includes Rohit Sharma (C), Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (WK), Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal, Sanju Samson, Mohammed Siraj, and Yashasvi Jaiswal.

The Indian cricket team has secured its progression into the T20 World Cup 2024 semi-finals, with a resounding victory against the mighty Australians. Riding on Rohit Sharma's 92 off 41 balls, India bagged a 24-run win to set up semi-finals date with England.While there were plenty of positives from the game against Australia, there were some negatives too, especially the poor form of Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja. India great Sunil Gavaskar, who has given his 2 cents on Virat time and again, suggested that Jadeja's place in the team shouldn't even be questioned.Jadeja, who is a marquee all-rounder, with ability to deliver with the bat, the ball and in field, has been going through a barren run for a while. However, Gavaskar feels that the fact that Jadeja saved 20-30 runs in the field, shouldn't be overlooked just because he hasn't been able to deliver with the bat and the ball."I am not at all concerned as he is very experienced. For whatever opportunities he's got, he's done well. And don't forget, in the field itself, he saved 20 to 30 runs with his fielding ability, taking catches, and getting the run out. So don't forget those 20-30 plus runs. Then he enters the field, with anything that he does with the bat and ball is an added value to his ability.""So I don't think we should even think about questioning (Jadeja). The problem with India and Indian fans is, 2 bad games and you go 'what to do with him, what to do with him?'," Gavaskar said on Star Sports.Gavaskar gave a sharp reply to fans asking whether the all-rounder deserves a place in India's XI, suggesting questions aren't raised of people make a couple of errors in other professions."You know that is the worry. Nobody who asks these questions even thinks about their own professions, whether they have made 2 errors and whether people are questioning their place in their own profession, whichever profession they are. This is just simply a good topic for television, you don't question Jadeja's place in the playing XI. He's a rock star," Gavaskar further added.Against Australia, Jadeja scored an unbeaten 9 off 5 balls. With the ball, he bowled only 1 over as Glenn Maxwell looked to take him to the cleaners.

The Indian cricket team, led by Rohit Sharma, is poised to make history as it faces South Africa in the final of the T20 World Cup 2024 on Saturday. This marks the second World Cup final for India in just eight months, following their heartbreaking loss to Australia in the 2023 Cricket World Cup.Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has expressed his confidence in Rohit's leadership, stating that he has "gone into the final unbeaten" in both World Cup finals he has played. Ganguly credits Rohit's captaincy and leadership qualities for India's success, highlighting his role in guiding the team to the summit clash.Ganguly also acknowledged the challenges of winning an IPL title, emphasizing that it can sometimes be more difficult due to the tournament's duration. However, he stressed that the honor of winning a World Cup is greater, and he hopes Rohit can lead India to victory."I don't think he can lose two World Cup finals in seven months," Ganguly said. "He will probably jump into the Barbados ocean if he loses two finals under his captaincy in seven months."Ganguly praised Rohit's batting prowess and leadership from the front, expressing his hope that India will play with freedom and finish on the right side. He also acknowledged the importance of luck in winning big tournaments and wished the team well.India has been the dominant force in the T20 World Cup 2024, winning all their matches in the tournament. They will be aiming to extend their unbeaten streak and claim their first ICC title since 2013.