Cricket

Suryakumar Yadav's Fine-Leg Dominance Earns Praise from Navjot Singh SidhuFormer Indian cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu has lauded Suryakumar Yadav for his unbeaten half-century against the United States in the ongoing T20 World Cup. Despite a slow start in the first two matches, Suryakumar bounced back with a 50-run knock off 49 balls, which included two fours and two sixes, at a strike rate of 102.04.Sidhu highlighted that a significant portion of Suryakumar's runs against the USA came in the fine-leg area. "He has made areas where playing shots was considered a crime. Almost 40 per cent of the runs in his innings were in the fine-leg area. He is playing in the reverse V. He is doing a 360-degree attack. So you cannot set a field. When you cannot set a field, you are left stunned," Sidhu said.The former Indian opener also emphasized Suryakumar's scoring pace, suggesting that if he surpasses the 50-run mark, he can lead his team to victory. "The pace at which he scores, if he scores more than 50, he will win the match. Very few players play at that pace. Maybe Hardik Pandya and Travis Head, that too with the new ball against the short ball. There are very few game-changers," the commentator added.India finished the first round atop Group A with seven points, having already secured their spot in the Super 8 after defeating the co-hosts USA. The Rohit Sharma-led team is set to face Afghanistan in their first Super 8 match on Thursday at Kensington Oval Barbados.

India's dominant performance in the T20 World Cup 2024 continued as they secured a comfortable victory against USA in their Group A match in New York. Opting to bowl first, India's bowlers put up a stellar display, restricting the co-hosts to a modest total of 110/8 in 20 overs.Pacer Arshdeep Singh emerged as the star performer for India, claiming four wickets with his incisive bowling. The Indian bowlers maintained a tight grip on the USA batters throughout the innings, preventing them from building any substantial partnerships.In response, India's batting lineup made light work of the chase, reaching the target in just 18.2 overs. Suryakumar Yadav played a pivotal role, scoring an unbeaten 50 and forging an unbeaten 72-run partnership with Shivam Dube (31*).Beyond his match-winning knock, Suryakumar Yadav also displayed his sportsmanship after the match. He approached USA stand-in skipper Aaron Jones, who was visibly disappointed after the loss, and offered him a warm hug and words of consolation. Jones expressed his appreciation for Yadav's gesture, acknowledging the challenges faced by his team.Despite the defeat, Jones praised his team's bowling effort, highlighting their discipline and ability to make India work hard for every run. He also provided an update on regular skipper Monank Patel, indicating that he should be fit for their final group match.Jones acknowledged the tricky nature of the pitch in New York, which favored seam bowling. He also expressed optimism about his team's chances in their upcoming match against Ireland, emphasizing the need for recalibration and strong performances.

India-born American medium pacer Saurabh Netravalkar's heartwarming reunion with Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav after the T20 World Cup match in New York was a testament to their shared past and the enduring bonds of cricket. Netravalkar, who has been a standout performer for the USA in the tournament, reminisced about his playing days with his former Mumbai teammates, recalling jokes, casual conversations, and dressing room banter.Netravalkar's journey to the international stage has been a unique one. After representing India in the 2010 Under-19 World Cup, he shifted his focus to pursue higher education in the US, where he now works as a software engineer at Oracle. However, his passion for cricket remained strong, and he found a new outlet in the USA national team, which comprises players from India, Pakistan, and the West Indies.Netravalkar's performances at the T20 World Cup have been nothing short of exceptional. He played a pivotal role in the thrilling Super Over victory against Pakistan and dismissed Virat Kohli for a golden duck, showcasing his skill and determination. Reflecting on his bowling strategy, Netravalkar credited the pitch conditions for assisting the bowlers, emphasizing the importance of hitting the top of the stumps and letting the pitch create the variation.Despite his success on the field, Netravalkar remains grounded and values his career at Oracle. He finds joy in balancing both aspects of his life, recognizing the importance of both his professional and sporting pursuits.Netravalkar's journey is a testament to the challenges and decisions that shape our paths. He made a practical call to pursue higher education when he wasn't making it big in India, but his love for cricket never waned. He is grateful for the opportunity to represent the USA and is determined to make the most of his second chance to pursue his passion.

Afghanistan's Mohammad Nabi has ascended to the pinnacle of the ICC T20I all-rounder rankings, while India's Suryakumar Yadav maintains his dominance as the top-ranked batter.Nabi's remarkable performances in the ongoing T20 World Cup have propelled him to the summit. The 39-year-old's all-round brilliance, including two wickets against New Zealand, has earned him the coveted no. 1 spot.In a significant shake-up, Nabi has leapfrogged Australia's Marcus Stoinis, who now occupies the second position. Bangladesh's Shakib Al Hasan, the previous no. 1, has dropped to fifth.Suryakumar Yadav's consistent brilliance has kept him at the top of the T20I batter rankings. Afghanistan's Rahmanullah Gurbaz has achieved a career-high ranking of 12th, becoming the leading run-getter in the T20 World Cup with 156 runs.Pakistan's Babar Azam has moved up to third, while England's Jos Buttler has secured fifth place. Australia's Travis Head has entered the Top 10, rising six places to tenth.In the bowlers' rankings, England's Adil Rashid remains at the top, followed by Sri Lanka's Wanindu Hasaranga. Afghanistan's Rashid Khan and Fazalhaq Farooqi have moved to third and fourth spots, respectively, while South Africa's Anrich Nortje shares fourth place with Farooqi.Rashid Khan has six wickets in two matches, while Farooqi leads the tournament with nine wickets. Nortje is the second-highest wicket-taker with eight scalps.Bangladesh's trio of Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, and Rishad Hossain have made significant progress, moving to 13th, 19th, and 30th positions, respectively.

Indian batter Suryakumar Yadav faced intense criticism on social media following his underwhelming performance in India's T20 World Cup 2024 match against Pakistan in New York. Yadav's meager score of seven runs off eight balls contributed to India's dismal total of 119 at the Nassau County International Stadium. This lackluster display came on the heels of his equally disappointing two-run outing in India's tournament opener against Ireland.Yadav's failure against Pakistan sparked a torrent of criticism from fans, who took to social media to question his ability to perform in high-pressure matches. Many pointed to his impressive record in T20 cricket but argued that he consistently falters when it matters most."Suryakumar Yadav should only focus on Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Paytm series," tweeted one fan, highlighting Yadav's tendency to perform well against weaker opposition.Another fan drew comparisons between Yadav and South African batter Aiden Markram, known for his struggles under pressure. "Suryakumar Yadav is a carbon copy of Aiden Markram," the tweet read.The criticism extended to Yadav's batting technique, with some fans suggesting that he lacks the temperament and composure required to succeed at the international level."People judge you on your performances against your rivals," tweeted one fan. "Suryakumar Yadav, for all his greatness in T20 cricket, has not learned the art of performing under pressure."Despite the barrage of criticism, Yadav remains a key member of the Indian team. His ability to play unorthodox shots and score runs quickly makes him a valuable asset in the middle order. However, his recent performances have raised questions about his consistency and ability to handle the pressure of big matches.

The Indian cricket team enters the T20 World Cup 2024 clash against Pakistan as the overwhelming favorites, buoyed by Pakistan's embarrassing defeat to co-hosts USA in their opening match. While the batting unit boasts stalwarts like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, former Pakistan wicket-keeper batter Kamran Akmal has singled out Suryakumar Yadav, the world's No. 1 T20 batter, as a key player to watch.Despite his top ranking, Yadav's recent form has been underwhelming, including a lackluster performance in the Indian Premier League. Akmal has challenged Yadav to prove his worth against Pakistan, stating, "If he is No. 1, then he should come and score against Pakistan."Akmal also emphasized India's status as tournament favorites, citing their balanced squad of experienced and youthful players. He believes that if India fails to capitalize on their current form and talent, it will be increasingly difficult for them to win the title in the future."India looks very strong," Akmal said. "If India don't win the World Cup this time, then it will be very difficult for them in the future. They have talent, experience, and form. They have a big chance."Akmal praised the Indian selectors for prioritizing form over statistics in their team selection, particularly in the omission of KL Rahul and Shubman Gill. He also commended Rohit Sharma's leadership in building a formidable team."I am sure Rohit is having a severe headache trying to pick 11 from this team," Akmal said.

Former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has identified Suryakumar Yadav as a potential game-changer for India in the ongoing Men's T20 World Cup. Despite a modest performance in India's opening match against Ireland, Yadav's impressive T20I record, with 2,143 runs in 61 matches, including four centuries and 17 fifties, makes him a formidable force.Harbhajan believes Yadav's ability to score quickly and consistently can be crucial for India's success. "He is someone who could be a game-changer for India throughout this tournament," Harbhajan said. "Even though he didn't get going the other day, when he plays those 10 or 15 balls, he will probably score those winning runs for team India."Other former Indian cricketers have also highlighted the importance of key players in the team. Navjot Singh Sidhu has picked fast-bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah as his key player, while Lakshmipathy Balaji has included both Bumrah and wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant.Bumrah, who was adjudged Player of the Match in India's win over Ireland, is known for his economical bowling and ability to take wickets at crucial moments. Pant, on the other hand, has shown his aggressive batting style in the top order, scoring 52 in the warm-up game against Bangladesh and 36 not out in the tournament opener against Ireland.Balaji believes Pant's aggressive approach and Bumrah's bowling prowess make them vital assets for India. "For me, as Rishabh Pant has shown, that kind of aggressive option in the top order, that is probably going to little bit take on the opposition with a number of aggressive options," Balaji said. "At the same time, Bumrah (too is a key player for India)."As India prepares for their highly-anticipated clash against Pakistan on Sunday, the team will be looking to their key players to deliver and guide them to victory. Yadav's ability to score quickly, Bumrah's economical bowling, and Pant's aggressive batting could prove to be decisive factors in India's quest for T20 World Cup glory.

Suryakumar Yadav's remarkable transformation since his return to competitive cricket has been attributed to a rigorous diet and strength training regimen. After undergoing ankle and sports hernia surgeries, the world's No. 1 T20 batter shed an impressive 12-14 kg.Dietitian Shwetha Bhatia, who has collaborated with Suryakumar on his nutrition, revealed that a strict diet plan was crucial in achieving his fitness goals. "We planned his diet with supplementation to enhance his recovery rate and muscle gain rate," she explained.Bhatia emphasized that Suryakumar's diet was tailored to his recovery and training needs. "Post-injury, we focused on vitamin supplements to aid his recovery. As his strength training increased, we adjusted his diet to match his calorie and protein requirements."Suryakumar's meal structure consisted of three to four meals per day, each containing high-quality protein sources such as eggs, meat, or fish. He avoided dairy products and opted for low-carb flours for his rotis. Vegetables, soups, and chaanch were also incorporated into his diet.Bhatia highlighted the importance of coordination between Suryakumar's recovery and diet plan. "We worked closely with the National Cricket Academy to ensure that his strength training and diet were aligned with his recovery progress."The trend of elite athletes hiring personal chefs is gaining popularity, as players become increasingly conscious of their nutrition. Suryakumar, Hardik Pandya, and Rishabh Pant are among those who have invested in their own chefs to ensure they have access to healthy and tailored meals while on tour.

Suryakumar Yadav, the world's top-ranked T20 batter, has made a remarkable comeback to competitive cricket, showcasing a leaner and fitter physique. This transformation is attributed to a rigorous diet plan and intense strength training, resulting in a significant weight loss of 12-14 kg.After undergoing ankle and sports hernia surgeries, Suryakumar was sidelined for nearly four months. Regaining peak fitness posed a challenge, and a strict diet became paramount. Dietitian Shwetha Bhatia, who has collaborated with Suryakumar on his nutrition, revealed that the plan aimed to achieve a leaner, stronger, and more muscular physique."We adjusted the diet and supplementation to achieve this goal in record time," Bhatia explained. "Overall, he has lost 14-15 kg, with a slight increase in weight after surgery due to natural medical reactions."At the National Cricket Academy (NCA), a Dexa machine confirmed that 13 kg of the weight loss was fat. This advanced device provides detailed information on muscle mass gain, fat loss, and abdominal fat.Bhatia emphasized the importance of a strict diet plan, especially during the recovery phase. "We increased his calorie intake, focusing on matching protein levels to his heightened activity," she said.Suryakumar's meal structure consisted of three to four meals per day, with a focus on high-quality protein sources such as eggs, meat, and fish. Carbohydrates were reduced during periods of lower activity, and he substituted rice with low-carb flours for his rotis. Vegetable and fluid intake were high, with soups and chaanch included in his plan.The trend of elite athletes hiring personal chefs on tours is gaining popularity. Players like Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, and Rishabh Pant are investing in their own chefs to ensure they have access to tailored meals. This practice is particularly common on long tours.