Cricket

Wicket-Keeper Pant's Enthusiasm and Captain Rohit's Laidback Style Create Humorous Moment in India-Afghanistan MatchWicket-keepers are renowned for their energetic presence on the field, often tasked with boosting team morale during challenging moments. Rishabh Pant, India's wicket-keeper, is particularly known for his exuberant nature behind the stumps, frequently requesting reviews and enthusiastically pursuing catches.In contrast, captain Rohit Sharma exudes a more relaxed demeanor, approaching the game with a laidback attitude that translates into his elegant batting style. This contrast was evident during the India-Afghanistan Super 8 T20 World Cup match, which India won by 47 runs.During the 11th over of Afghanistan's run chase, Kuldeep Yadav bowled a delivery that Gulbadin Naib mishit high into the air over the covers. Pant immediately sprinted from behind the stumps, exclaiming "mine, mine." Rohit, who could have also attempted the catch, remained stationary at his position, barely moving an inch.To Pant's credit, he made the catch appear effortless, despite having to cover a significant distance while keeping his eyes fixed on the ball. Rohit, in his characteristic style, chose not to interfere with Pant's pursuit of the catch, seemingly saying, "All yours."As Pant completed the catch, he playfully tossed the ball to his skipper, who still refrained from catching it. The International Cricket Council (ICC) shared a video of the amusing moment on their Instagram handle.The Indian cricket team will now travel to Antigua to face Bangladesh on Saturday.

Jasprit Bumrah's exceptional performance in India's commanding victory over Afghanistan in the Super Eight stage of the T20 World Cup has once again highlighted his crucial role in the team's success. Captain Rohit Sharma emphasized the importance of managing Bumrah wisely to maximize his effectiveness.Bumrah's exceptional spell of 4-0-7-3 was instrumental in India's 47-run win at Kensington Oval, Bridgetown in Barbados. His ability to restrict the opposition's scoring and take crucial wickets proved invaluable."We know Bumrah's class and what he can do," said Rohit after the match. "It is important for us to use him smartly. He is the one who is ready to take the responsibility (of leading the attack)."India's decision to drop seamer Mohammed Siraj and opt for Kuldeep Yadav created a three-pronged spin attack. Rohit explained that the team's bowling combinations are flexible and adaptable based on conditions and opposition."We have to assess conditions, opposition and based on that we're open to making changes if required," Rohit said. "We felt three spinners were good here. If it's seamer-friendly next time, we'll go with (three) seamers."India's next Super Eight match is against Bangladesh on Saturday. The team will be aiming to maintain their winning momentum and secure a place in the semi-finals.

India Skipper Rohit Sharma Praises Kensington Oval Pitch After Tough Group StageIndian skipper Rohit Sharma expressed satisfaction with the pitch at Kensington Oval in Barbados, a stark contrast to the challenging conditions faced by the team at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York during the Group stage of the T20 World Cup.In their opening Super 8 stage game against Afghanistan, Rohit opted to bat first after winning the toss, marking the first time India chose to bat first in the tournament. Assessing the pitch, Rohit anticipated that it might slow down as the match progressed."We are going to bat first. Looks alright at this moment, looks a good track. No grass on the pitch, I guess it will get slower. It's better than New York. We have to adapt to the conditions quickly," Rohit said after the toss.India made a strategic change to their Playing XI, bringing in left-arm chinaman Kuldeep Yadav in place of pacer Mohammed Siraj. Rohit emphasized the importance of adapting to the conditions and expressed confidence in the team's ability to perform well at Kensington Oval."We have been here for a couple of days, we have played a lot of cricket. It's about understanding what we need to do in conditions like these. It's an early start. Usually start in the evening elsewhere. We enjoy playing here. We have made one change, Kuldeep comes in for Siraj," Rohit added.The Kensington Oval pitch offers a more favorable surface for batting compared to the challenging conditions in New York, providing India with a better opportunity to showcase their batting prowess. Rohit's positive assessment of the pitch bodes well for the team as they aim to secure a victory in their opening Super 8 stage match.

India-born Estonian batter Sahil Chauhan has etched his name in cricket history by smashing the fastest century in all T20 cricket, eclipsing the previous record held by Chris Gayle. Chauhan's blistering 41-ball 144 not out, adorned with 18 sixes and six fours, propelled Estonia to a resounding victory over Cyprus.Chauhan's journey to this remarkable feat began in the humble village of Manakpur Devilal in Haryana, India. Inspired by the exploits of Rohit Sharma, Chauhan's passion for cricket led him to Estonia, where he discovered the sport anew."I've been a big Rohit Sharma fan since I watched him play," Chauhan said. "He's a brilliant player who doesn't take any pressure. I have learned a lot from him."Chauhan's uncle played a pivotal role in his move to Estonia, where he found employment in a small restaurant business. In 2019, he stumbled upon a cricket team in Estonia and joined their ranks."I started playing here in 2019. I was really bored so I started searching on Google for cricket in Estonia and I found a team's contact information and called them," Chauhan recalled.Despite his humble beginnings, Chauhan's talent shone through. He honed his skills in the Estonian cricket league, patiently awaiting an opportunity to showcase his abilities on a grander stage.That opportunity came in the T20 International match against Cyprus. Chasing a target of 192, Estonia found themselves in a precarious position at 40 for three. Chauhan, batting at No. 5, rose to the occasion."I was just thinking about the innings and the target we had to chase. I just played to the merit of the ball, and that's it," Chauhan said.Chauhan's innings was a masterclass in power-hitting. He dispatched the Cyprus bowlers to all corners of the ground, sending the ball soaring over the boundary with effortless ease. His sixes were a testament to his raw power, while his fours demonstrated his exquisite timing.Estonia eventually chased down the target with six wickets and seven overs to spare, thanks in large part to Chauhan's heroics. His record-breaking century has not only brought him international recognition but has also inspired countless aspiring cricketers around the world.

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, two of India's most prolific batters, are on the cusp of a significant milestone as the T20 World Cup enters the 'Super 8s' stage. Both players are just 104 runs away from surpassing Pakistan captain Babar Azam as the leading run-scorer in T20 internationals.Kohli, who has played 120 T20Is, has amassed 4042 runs in 112 innings. Sharma, on the other hand, has scored the same number of runs in 146 innings across 154 matches.India will resume their campaign with their opening 'Super 8s' game against Afghanistan in Barbados on Thursday. This will be their first match in the Caribbean after playing three group-stage matches in New York.The 'Men in Blue' qualified for the 'Super 8s' as Group A toppers, defeating Ireland, Pakistan, and USA. They will face Afghanistan on June 20, Bangladesh on June 22, and Australia on June 24 in the 'Super 8s'.Kohli and Sharma's pursuit of the T20I run-scoring record adds an extra layer of intrigue to India's quest for their second T20 World Cup title. The team last lifted an ICC trophy in 2013 when MS Dhoni's side won the Champions Trophy.India came close to ending their ICC trophy drought last year, reaching the final of both the World Test Championship and the ODI World Cup. However, they fell short on both occasions.With Kohli and Sharma in prime form, India will be hoping to break their 11-year wait for another ICC trophy. The 'Super 8s' stage provides them with a perfect opportunity to showcase their skills and make a statement on the global stage.

Rohit Sharma's journey to becoming one of the world's premier batters has been marked by challenges and triumphs. After making waves in the domestic circuit and winning the T20 World Cup in 2007, Rohit's performances dipped, leading to his omission from the 2011 ODI World Cup squad.This setback proved to be a turning point for Rohit. Determined to regain his place in the team, he embarked on a rigorous fitness regimen. Kolkata Knight Riders assistant coach Abhishek Nayar played a pivotal role in motivating Rohit to transform his physique.Nayar recalled an incident that sparked Rohit's determination. "When Rohit was not picked for the 2011 World Cup, I told him to work hard because he had gained weight," Nayar said. "There was an ad that showed Rohit and Yuvraj Singh standing, with a circle marked around Rohit's tummy. Rohit said he had to change that perception."After the World Cup announcement, Rohit's approach to his career underwent a dramatic shift. He became known as "Hitman" due to his aggressive batting style and unwavering determination."People used to say a lot of things about him, like 'two-minute Maggi-man,'" Nayar added. "But he said to me, 'I'll do whatever you say, but when the IPL gets over, people should say he is not the same Rohit Sharma.'"Rohit's hard work and dedication paid off. He established himself as a key member of the Indian team, leading them to victory in the 2013 Champions Trophy and the 2019 ODI World Cup. He also became the first Indian to score three double centuries in ODIs.Rohit's transformation serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes and anyone facing adversity. It demonstrates the power of perseverance, determination, and the ability to overcome challenges to achieve success.

Team India, led by skipper Rohit Sharma, is gearing up for the Super 8s stage of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 with a renewed focus on honing their skills and executing their game plan.After an undefeated run in the group stage, India advanced to the Super 8s with victories over Ireland, Pakistan, and the United States. Their final group match against Canada was abandoned due to rain.In a video shared by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Rohit emphasized the team's determination to make a mark in the tournament. "There is real keenness in the group to go and do something special," he said. "We take our skill sets quite seriously. There is something to achieve in every skill set that you do."India will face Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Australia in the Super 8s, with matches scheduled in Barbados, Antigua, and St Lucia, respectively. Rohit acknowledged the hectic schedule but stressed the importance of focusing on their skills and team performance."We will look to focus a lot more on our skills and what we need to do as a team rather than all of this," he said. "Every session then really becomes very important and to make the best use of it."The Indian team has already begun training in Barbados, where they will play their first Super 8s match against Afghanistan on June 20. Rohit expressed confidence in the team's understanding of the conditions in Barbados, having played several matches there in the past."We have seen a lot of games here, we have played a lot of games here so everyone understands what one needs to do to get the result in our favour," he said. "Everyone is looking forward and quite excited as well at the same time."With a strong squad and a clear focus on their goals, Team India is poised to make a significant impact in the Super 8s stage of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.

Former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffer has urged the team management to retain the opening batting combination of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma for the Super Eight phase of the ongoing T20 World Cup. Despite their underwhelming performances in the tournament so far, Jaffer believes the experienced duo will bounce back and find their rhythm in the crucial matches ahead.Kohli, who entered the World Cup in impressive form after a stellar IPL 2024, has struggled to make an impact, scoring only five runs in three innings. Rohit, too, has been inconsistent, accumulating 68 runs in three matches with a solitary half-century against Ireland.However, Jaffer emphasized the importance of sticking with the experienced pair, even though they have encountered difficulties in their recent performances. He explained that altering the batting lineup could create additional issues and hinder the effectiveness of crucial players such as Rishabh Pant and Suryakumar Yadav."Now that you are stuck with both of them, I don't think it's gonna make sense because you're gonna split both of them up," Jaffer said. "You might probably think of playing Yashasvi Jaiswal. That's probably what you're thinking, and then Rishabh Pant, who has done so well at number three, he has to bat even lower down the order, probably at number four. Then where does Suryakumar Yadav bat? So it's going to mess up the whole batting order, so I think they'll probably stick with that."Jaffer stressed that Pant has excelled at the number three position, while Yadav performs best when batting higher in the order. He believes that altering the batting lineup could disrupt the team's rhythm and hinder the performance of key players."Rishabh has done well at number three. Suryakumar, you don't want to bat him any lower than that, so I think they'll stick with that. But yeah, they have to go really hard in the powerplay. We've seen when Australia have done that against England, they were so ahead in the powerplay, getting that 74 runs. That's where you can make a mark. So Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, the way they are batting, you could see that happen in the powerplay in West Indies."India secured their spot in the Super Eight with a resounding seven-wicket victory against co-hosts USA. As they gear up for their Caribbean clash with a formidable Afghanistan side, the Men in Blue will heavily rely on the resilience and skill of Kohli and Rohit to regain their form and lead the team to success.

Sanjay Manjrekar, a renowned cricket commentator and former India player, believes that the experience of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma could prove invaluable in the knockout stages of the T20 World Cup, even if they have struggled in the group stage.Manjrekar emphasized the importance of senior players delivering in crucial matches, stating, "You want to take your experienced players in World Cup to deliver when it really matters." He added that while it would be a bonus if younger players step up, the primary responsibility lies with the veterans.Regarding the future of Kohli and Sharma in T20 internationals after the World Cup, Manjrekar suggested that the decision would be made by the selectors and the players themselves. He noted that there is still a significant portion of the tournament remaining before such discussions begin.Manjrekar also commented on Shivam Dube's performance, expressing concerns about his ability to adapt to the Caribbean tracks. He highlighted the challenges of hitting through the line on pitches that may not be as conducive to power-hitting.Manjrekar praised the move to promote Rishabh Pant to No. 3, calling it a "brilliant move." He believes that Pant has been India's best batter in the tournament so far, showcasing his class on difficult pitches.Regarding India's spin bowling options, Manjrekar speculated that the team might opt for finger spinners (Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel) instead of wrist spinners (Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal) if the pitches in the West Indies offer significant turn. He explained that finger spinners are often more effective on rank turners.