Cricket

Cricket has made its grand debut in New York, captivating the hearts of thousands of Indian fans who flocked to the Nassau County ground on Wednesday morning. The usually quiet Westbury station transformed into a sea of blue as commuters were greeted by the unexpected sight of cricket enthusiasts.Buses arranged by the ICC to transport fans from the station were filled to capacity, carrying a diverse crowd from across the US and Canada. The Indian Diaspora, adorned in tri-color paint and waving flags, expressed their excitement for the arrival of their beloved sport."This is our very own, this is what we live for," exclaimed Abhay, a techie from Boston who had driven for hours to witness the historic moment.Among the crowd was Shyamali Chakraborty, an elderly woman from Kolkata who had traveled with a group of 17. "We came here for a picnic," she said, her voice filled with enthusiasm.The Indian team's captain, Rohit Sharma, had promised to "leave something" for the fans, and the bowlers delivered on that promise. The band played, the tri-color fluttered, and the crowd erupted in cheers as India's bowlers dominated the opposition.The atmosphere was electric as the Indian fans reveled in the celebration of their sport on a new shore. Despite the unavailability of tickets for the highly anticipated India-Pakistan match, fans remained optimistic, hoping to witness the magic of Virat Kohli's batting.Cricket's arrival in New York marks a significant milestone for the sport, bringing together a passionate community of fans and showcasing the global appeal of the game.

India embarks on its T20 World Cup journey on Wednesday, carrying the weight of an 11-year ICC title drought. The Rohit Sharma-led team faces Ireland in their opening match at the Nassau County International Stadium in New York.Despite recent setbacks in knockout matches, head coach Rahul Dravid, who will step down after the tournament, expressed confidence in the team's performances. He acknowledged the team's inability to cross the final hurdle but emphasized their consistency and quality in major tournaments."We've played really well in these World Cup tournaments," Dravid said. "We've been consistent, making the semi-final in Australia and the final in the World Test Championship. In the 50-over World Cup, we had a great run and reached the final."Dravid urged his players to focus on their strengths and win matches rather than dwelling on the trophy jinx. "We haven't been able to get across the line in knockout games," he admitted. "We need to execute better in that last phase. But the important thing is to get into those positions and play good cricket on the day."Dravid's contract expires after the tournament, and the BCCI is reportedly considering former India batter Gautam Gambhir as his replacement.

Rohit Sharma Shatters Records in India's T20 World Cup OpenerIndian skipper Rohit Sharma etched his name into the annals of cricket history on Wednesday, becoming the first batter to smash 600 sixes in international cricket. The prolific opener also achieved several other milestones in India's T20 World Cup tournament opener against Ireland.Chasing a modest target of 97, Rohit crossed the 4000-run mark in T20Is, becoming only the third batter after Virat Kohli and Babar Azam to reach the milestone. He then notched up 1000 T20 World Cup runs, joining Kohli and Mahela Jayawardhane as the only players to achieve this feat.Rohit's three sixes against Ireland propelled him to the unprecedented milestone of 600 sixes in international cricket. The Indian opener now boasts 4137 sixes in Tests, 10709 in ODIs, and 4001 in T20Is.The 35-year-old also joined Kohli as the only players to score 4000 runs across all three formats in international cricket. Rohit has amassed 8848 runs in Tests, 13848 in ODIs, and 4038 in T20Is.Rohit's superb knock of 52 was cut short when he retired hurt in the 11th over. However, India went on to win their tournament opener by 8 wickets, thanks to a solid all-round performance.

India's captain, Rohit Sharma, was forced to retire hurt after being struck on the arm during their opening match of the T20 World Cup 2024 against Ireland in New York. The incident occurred in the ninth over of India's chase, with Rohit having already scored a half-century. Despite the setback, India went on to win the match comfortably, thanks to their fast bowlers' impressive performance.Rohit was struck on the upper arm by a delivery from Ireland's Josh Little. He managed to hit the next two balls for sixes before walking off the field with India well on their way to victory. Rishabh Pant was also struck by Little in the 11th over, but he was able to continue batting after receiving medical attention.The pitch in New York proved to be a challenging one for batters, with the ball bouncing unpredictably. Former Zimbabwe batter and England head coach Andy Flower described the surface as "bordering on dangerous." He noted that the ball was bouncing both ways from a length, making it difficult for batsmen to play their shots.India's fast bowlers took advantage of the conditions to restrict Ireland to a total of 96 runs in 16 overs. Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Arshdeep Singh were the pick of the bowlers, taking three wickets each.Despite the victory, India will be concerned about Rohit's injury. The captain is a key player for the team, and his absence would be a major blow. The extent of his injury is not yet known, but he is expected to undergo further assessment.

Mohammed Shami Unveils India's Playing XI for T20 World Cup Opener Against IrelandIndian pacer Mohammed Shami, currently sidelined with a knee injury, has shared his preferred playing XI for India's T20 World Cup opener against Ireland on Friday. In a video posted on his YouTube channel, Shami outlined his choices, providing insights into India's potential strategy for the tournament.Shami's XI features a formidable batting lineup, with captain Rohit Sharma and star batter Virat Kohli opening the innings. The middle order boasts the likes of Suryakumar Yadav, Sanju Samson, and Hardik Pandya, who will also serve as the team's sixth bowling option.In the bowling department, Shami opted for a balanced attack with two pacers and two spinners. Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh will lead the pace attack, while Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal will provide spin support. Ravindra Jadeja, known for his all-round abilities, will be the fifth bowling option.Shami emphasized the importance of a left-arm, right-arm combination in the pace department, with Arshdeep Singh partnering Bumrah. He also highlighted the crucial role of spinners in the conditions expected in the USA."I would personally go for the left arm-right arm combination in the pace department with Arshdeep Singh partnering Jasprit Bumrah. Kuldeep, Chahal, and Jadeja will be the spinners, while Hardik will be the sixth bowler," Shami explained.Meanwhile, concerns linger over the weather conditions in Nassau County, where the match will be played. With the England-Scotland game washed out due to rain in Barbados, fans are hoping for clear skies for India's tournament opener.Despite the unfamiliar conditions, India captain Rohit Sharma expressed confidence in his team's ability to adapt. "The conditions are quite unknown for a lot of teams. That is the same for all. You just have to play good cricket," Sharma said.

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma: A Dynamic Opening Duo for India's T20 World Cup CampaignAs India gears up for its T20 World Cup opener against Ireland, former New Zealand pacer Simon Doull has proposed a bold strategy: pairing Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma as the team's opening batsmen. This move would capitalize on the exceptional form of both players and provide India with a formidable start to their innings.Kohli, despite limited experience as an opener in T20Is, has proven his prowess at the top of the order for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL. In the recently concluded IPL 2024, he emerged as the leading run-scorer with an impressive tally of 741 runs in 15 matches. His ability to anchor the innings and accelerate the scoring rate makes him an ideal candidate for the opening role.Sharma, on the other hand, is a seasoned opener with a wealth of experience in the format. His aggressive style and ability to hit boundaries from the outset would complement Kohli's more measured approach. Together, they form a formidable duo that could set the tone for India's batting performance.Doull's suggestion also addresses the need for a left-handed batsman in the top order. Rishabh Pant, who has been in impressive form, could slot in at No. 3, providing a point of difference and disrupting the opposition's bowling plans.The inclusion of Yashasvi Jaiswal as an opener is another possibility that has been discussed. Jaiswal has a solid track record as an opener for India in T20Is, but his inconsistency in the IPL 2024 raises some concerns. Doull believes that if Jaiswal is selected, it would likely come at the expense of Shivam Dube, which would be a surprising move.Doull's proposed batting order, with Kohli and Sharma opening, Pant at No. 3, Suryakumar Yadav at No. 4, Dube at No. 5, Hardik Pandya at No. 6, and Ravindra Jadeja at No. 7, offers a balanced combination of experience, power, and versatility.As India prepares for their first match of the T20 World Cup, the potential opening combination and batting order remain a focal point. Doull's suggestion of Kohli and Sharma as openers is a bold but intriguing move that could give India a significant advantage in their quest for the title.

Former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull has sparked speculation about a potential change in India's opening combination for the T20 World Cup 2024. Doull, who is currently working as a commentator for the tournament, revealed that he has heard rumors suggesting that Yashasvi Jaiswal could be set to open alongside Rohit Sharma in India's opening match against Ireland.This would be a significant departure from the expected opening partnership of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. However, Doull believes that Jaiswal's recent form and his ability to provide a left-handed option at the top of the order could make him a valuable asset to the team."I've heard rumors today that Jaiswal was the first into the nets," Doull said on Cricbuzz. "They've given him plenty of opportunity. That would surprise me if they bring him in. Who do they leave out? Shivam Dube? That would surprise me a touch."Doull also expressed his preference for Rishabh Pant to continue batting at No. 3, a role he filled in India's warm-up game against Bangladesh."It was just a way of getting him into that side and splitting up that middle-order combination of left-left-left," Doull said. "I didn't know about Hardik Pandya at the start, so for me, it was where do I fit Rishabh Pant? Take away, let's say, him, Dube and Jadeja... all batting at 5, 6 and 7. And just giving the top order a little point of difference. I'm pleased they gave it a chance against Bangladesh. It worked well. Will they go with it again? I think they should."If Jaiswal does indeed open with Rohit Sharma, it would be a bold move by India. However, it could also pay off, as Jaiswal is a talented young batsman who has shown great promise in recent months.

Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma expressed his frustration during a pre-match press conference on Tuesday when asked about a pitch invader during the recent warm-up match against Bangladesh. The incident took place at the Nassau County International Stadium, where Team India is set to play its opening matches of the T20 World Cup.Rohit appeared visibly irritated when an Indian journalist inquired about the pitch invasion incident from the June 1 game. "During the warm-up game, a fan had suddenly come on the ground. The way the security caught him, you were requesting him to take it easy. Can you tell us about the emotion at that time?" the reporter asked.Rohit promptly made his disappointment known, emphasizing that such incidents should not be encouraged or given undue attention. "Firstly, I would like to say that no one should intrude onto the ground. It is not right, and this question should not have been asked. We should not promote such behavior where people run onto the field. The security of the players is important, as is the security of the spectators. It is crucial for those sitting outside to understand that every country has rules and regulations, and it is essential to follow them. Enjoy the match from the stands, we have built such a beautiful stadium. There is no need to run onto the ground," Rohit responded.Rohit elaborated on the need to respect the rules and regulations of the host country, encouraging fans to enjoy the game from the stands without disrupting the play. The incident occurred during Bangladesh's chase in the warm-up match, when a spectator breached security to meet Rohit. The fan managed to hug the Indian captain before being tackled and handcuffed by two policemen. Rohit was seen requesting the security personnel to handle the fan gently and not hurt him.When asked if such incidents act as a distraction for the players, Rohit dismissed the concern, stating: "It is not a distraction, our focus is on other things. It is on the match, so such acts don't distract players." Team India is set to play their opening match of the T20 World Cup against Ireland on Wednesday, followed by a high-profile clash against Pakistan on June 9.

India's T20 World Cup Journey Begins with Rohit Sharma at the HelmAs India embarks on its month-long T20 World Cup campaign, skipper Rohit Sharma is determined to leave a lasting impression on American soil. With half of the tournament taking place in the United States, Rohit aims to create unforgettable memories for the Indian fans who have traveled far and wide to support their team.While Rohit remains cautious about setting unrealistic expectations, he acknowledges an unspoken driving force within him. The impending departure of coach Rahul Dravid has left a bittersweet taste in his mouth. "I tried to convince him to stay on, but he has his priorities," Rohit said, expressing his deep admiration for Dravid. "Our relationship extends far beyond that of coach and captain. He was my first international captain and has had a profound influence on my career."Rohit's emotional attachment to Dravid is evident, but he is keen to keep his focus on the task at hand. "We don't want to look too far ahead," he said, hinting at a desire to honor Dravid's legacy with a successful World Cup campaign.India's opening match against Ireland presents a unique challenge, as the two teams have limited familiarity with each other. Rohit emphasizes the importance of internal communication and execution of plans. "It doesn't matter what their strengths are," he said. "It's about what we do and how we play. If we can execute our plans, we should be fine."Rohit acknowledges the challenging conditions in the United States, which will make high-scoring matches like those seen in the Indian Premier League unlikely. "IPL-like scores won't be possible here," he said. "We need to communicate effectively and get the little details right."With a wealth of experience in the Indian dressing room, Rohit is confident that his team can overcome any obstacles. "There is a lot of experience in the dressing room, and I hope that experience comes to the fore," he said.As India prepares to take on Ireland, Rohit Sharma's determination and the desire to honor Rahul Dravid's legacy will serve as a powerful motivator. The team is eager to make a statement and create lasting memories for their passionate fans.