Cricket

Rishabh Pant Recounts Suryakumar Yadav's Game-Changing Catch in 2024 T20 World Cup FinalIndia's wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has shared his light-hearted perspective on Suryakumar Yadav's extraordinary catch in the dying moments of the 2024 T20 World Cup final against South Africa. The catch proved pivotal in securing India's thrilling seven-run victory, preventing South Africa from snatching the game from their grasp.Speaking on Tanmoy Bhat's YouTube channel, Pant recalled the tense moment when South Africa's big-hitting finisher, David Miller, almost turned the tide in his team's favor. Pant admitted that he initially believed Miller's shot would sail over the boundary for a six."When the ball was in the air, it felt like everything was gone. When it hit the bat, it seemed like a sure-shot six. The ball didn't cross the boundary line because of the Indian fans' prayers," Pant joked.The catch swung the momentum back in India's favor, ultimately leading to their victory. Reflecting on the team's achievement, Pant expressed his joy at winning the World Cup, a cherished dream for any cricketer. However, he also emphasized the importance of focusing on future challenges."I am not thinking much about it now because I feel in India, people forget after 10-15 days what you have done. So, it is important for you to forget these things as well. That moment will always be there with me, but now we have to move on and focus on what's next," Pant said.After being sidelined from Test cricket for nearly 20 months, Pant is set to make his return for India in the upcoming two-match home Test series against Bangladesh, starting September 19.

Gautam Gambhir's tenure as head coach of the Indian cricket team has commenced with a resounding start, as the Suryakumar Yadav-led side has secured an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka. The two teams will face off in the series finale on Tuesday, followed by a three-match ODI series commencing on August 2.India's squad for the ODI series will witness the return of star batter Shreyas Iyer, who was dropped from the England Test squad earlier this year and subsequently omitted from the BCCI's central contract list. However, wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan remains absent from the team.Former Pakistan batter Basit Ali has attributed Kishan's prolonged absence to the player's preoccupation with fashion. "Ishan Kishan has fallen down the pecking order. He got into fashion a bit," Ali remarked on his YouTube channel.Kishan's last appearance for India was in the third T20I of a five-match series against Australia in November 2022. He was included in the subsequent tour of South Africa but withdrew from the Test series due to personal reasons. Kishan also opted out of Ranji Trophy matches, prompting the BCCI to remove him from the central contracts list.Sources indicate that Kishan's return to the team is contingent upon a full season of domestic cricket. His absence from the IPL is reportedly hindering his chances of selection. Rishabh Pant, KL Rahul, and Sanju Samson are currently the designated keepers in the two white-ball formats.

Suryakumar Yadav Ruled Out of Duleep Trophy Opener Due to Hand InjuryIndian batsman Suryakumar Yadav has been ruled out of the opening round of the Duleep Trophy due to a hand injury. The setback comes as a blow to both the player and his team, India C, as they prepare to face India D in Ananthapur on September 5th.Yadav sustained the injury during the Buchi Babu Invitational Tournament in Coimbatore last week while representing Mumbai. He was forced to miss the final day's play against TNCA XI, unable to participate in the second innings.The exact nature and severity of the injury remain undisclosed, but BCCI sources have confirmed Yadav's unavailability for the Duleep Trophy opener. The batsman has reported to the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru for further assessment and rehabilitation.Yadav's absence is a significant setback for India C, as he was expected to play a key role in their batting lineup. The team management will now need to reassess their strategy and potentially explore alternative options to fill the void left by the experienced batsman.The Duleep Trophy will proceed as scheduled, with India A and India B squaring off in the other opening-round match at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. This match, alongside the fixture in Ananthapur, will be closely monitored by the selection committee as they finalize the squad for the upcoming Bangladesh series.As for Suryakumar Yadav, the focus now shifts to his recovery and a swift return to full fitness. The timeline for his return remains uncertain, and updates are expected following his assessment at the NCA.

Indian cricket team's T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav is facing a potential setback as he may miss the upcoming Duleep Trophy due to an injury concern. According to a report by Times Of India, Yadav has checked into the National Cricket Academy (NCA) after suffering an injury to his right thumb during a match against TNCA XI on Thursday.The injury comes at an unfortunate time, with the Duleep Trophy scheduled to begin in less than a week. Yadav's absence would be a significant blow to the tournament, as he is one of the most in-form batters in the country.The injury also raises concerns for the Indian cricket team, who will be facing Bangladesh in a two-match Test series in September. Yadav has expressed his desire to earn a spot in the Test team, and his absence from the Duleep Trophy could hinder his chances.Yadav has played only one Test match for India, against Australia in February 2023, where he scored eight runs. However, he has an impressive record in first-class cricket, having scored 5,628 runs in 82 matches with an average of 43.62.With Shreyas Iyer, Sarfaraz Khan, KL Rahul, and Rajat Patidar also vying for a spot in the Test team, Yadav acknowledges the challenge ahead of him. "There are a lot of people who have worked really hard to earn their place and even I want to earn that spot again," Yadav said.The extent of Yadav's injury is not yet known, and it remains to be seen whether he will be fit enough to participate in the Duleep Trophy or the Test series against Bangladesh.

India's T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav's hopes of a Test comeback have been dealt a blow after he suffered a hand injury while fielding for Mumbai in the Buchi Babu tournament. The extent of the injury is yet to be determined, but it is a significant concern for the hard-hitting batsman with the Duleep Trophy set to commence on September 5.Yadav, who has played only one Test for India, was eager to impress the selectors in the red-ball format. He had expressed his excitement about the upcoming Duleep Trophy, which would have given him a chance to stake his claim for a place in the Test team.However, his injury has cast a shadow over his plans. The injury occurred while he was fielding in Mumbai's match against Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) XI. Mumbai could only manage 156 in reply to TNCA XI's 379, and now face a daunting target of 510 to win.Yadav is part of the Ruturaj Gaikwad-led Team C squad in the Duleep Trophy. India's home season kicks off with the two-Test series against Bangladesh in September-October. If Yadav's injury is serious, it could jeopardize his chances of making a comeback to the Test team.The injury is a setback for Yadav, who has been in excellent form in white-ball cricket. He was the leading run-scorer in the recently concluded T20I series against West Indies, and has also been impressive in the Indian Premier League (IPL).Yadav's injury is a reminder of the physical demands of cricket. Even the most talented players are susceptible to injuries, and it is important for them to manage their workload carefully. Yadav will be hoping that his injury is not serious, and that he will be able to recover in time for the Duleep Trophy and the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh.

South African spinner Tabraiz Shamsi has sparked a debate on social media after jokingly suggesting that a controversial catch in the 2024 T20 World Cup final could have been ruled not out if an unconventional method of measurement had been used.In a playful post on X (formerly Twitter), Shamsi shared a video from a local village game where a rope was used to determine whether a catch was legitimate. He quipped that if this method had been employed in the World Cup final, Suryakumar Yadav's decisive catch might have been deemed not out.Shamsi's comment stemmed from the final over of the T20 World Cup, where South Africa needed 16 runs off the last six balls. David Miller's powerful shot off a Hardik Pandya full-toss was caught by Yadav near the boundary cushion.Yadav, in a remarkable display of fielding brilliance, caught the ball, threw it in the air as he crossed the boundary line, and then quickly re-entered the field to complete the catch. This play proved pivotal in India's World Cup triumph and has since become a highlight of the tournament.However, Shamsi's joke drew mixed reactions on social media. Some users criticized him for downplaying the significance of Yadav's catch, while others defended his playful intent.In response to the backlash, Shamsi posted a clarification on X, stating, "In case some people don't understand that it's meant to be a joke and no one is crying... let me explain it to you like a 4-year-old child. It's A Joke."Despite the controversy, Yadav's catch remains a celebrated moment for Indian fans, encapsulating a key highlight of their victorious campaign. The debate over the catch, including suggestions that the boundary cushion may have been intentionally moved, only added to the high-octane drama of the World Cup final.

Suryakumar Yadav's sensational catch in the final of the 2024 T20 World Cup against South Africa in Barbados has sparked controversy and debate. The stunning grab from Suryakumar at the boundary line was so close that it led to a controversy.Needing 16 runs from the final over, South Africa had David Miller on the strike. The southpaw hit a wide full toss from Hardik Pandya but Suryakumar was able to catch the ball inside the ropes at long-off, realized it just as he went over the boundary, and then came back in to complete an astonishing catch.South Africa star Tabraiz Shamsi took a dig at the catch in a social media post on Thursday. "If they used this method to check the catch in the world cup final maybe it would have been given not out," he wrote in a post. Along with the post was a video showing a local cricket match.The post did not go down well with several social media users, with many saying Shami was 'crying' and that he was a sore loser. Then, Shamsi issued a clarification. "In case some people don't understand that it's meant to be a joke and no one is crying... let me explain it to you like a 4-year-old child. It's A Joke," he wrote.Meanwhile, Suryakumar Yadav expressed his desire to "earn a spot" in the Indian Test team, saying that red-ball cricket is a priority for him. India is scheduled to play 10 Tests over the next few months. Although a regular in India's white-ball setup, Suryakumar has played only one Test - against Australia in February 2023, scoring eight runs in his solitary Test inning. In the same year, he was named as one of the reserves in the ICC World Test Championship Final squad.With Shreyas Iyer, Sarfaraz Khan, KL Rahul, and Rajat Patidar also fighting for a spot, Suryakumar acknowledges the uphill task ahead of him. "There are a lot of people who have worked really hard to earn their place and even I want to earn that spot again," Suryakumar said as quoted by ICC."I made my debut for India in Tests. After that, I got injured as well. There were a lot of people who got an opportunity and have done well too. They deserve that opportunity right now," he added.The 33-year-old will return to play red-ball cricket in the Duleep Trophy - India's domestic tournament - for his home side Mumbai. Suryakumar will also make his appearance in the Buchi Babu tournament.

South African Spinner Tabraiz Shamsi's Humorous Take on Suryakumar Yadav's Controversial Catch in 2024 T20 World Cup FinalSouth African spinner Tabraiz Shamsi has sparked a humorous debate on social media by revisiting the controversial catch that decided the 2024 T20 World Cup final between India and South Africa. In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), Shamsi shared a video of an unconventional method of measuring a catch during a local village game, where ropes were used to determine if the ball had crossed the boundary line."If they used this method to check the catch in the World Cup final, maybe it would have been given not out," Shamsi quipped in his post.The catch in question occurred during the final over of the match, with South Africa needing 16 runs off the last six balls to secure their first T20 World Cup title. David Miller, known for his powerful hitting, launched a full-toss from Hardik Pandya down the ground, only for Suryakumar Yadav to intercept it with a remarkable catch.In a stunning display of athleticism, Yadav caught the ball near the boundary cushion, tossed it in the air as he crossed the rope, and quickly returned inside to complete the catch. The catch not only sealed India's victory but also sparked widespread debate and controversy.Social media was flooded with posts showing footage that appeared to suggest the boundary cushion had been intentionally moved further back, raising questions about the legitimacy of the catch. Despite the controversy, the catch remains a highlight of the tournament and is celebrated by Indian fans as a key moment in their team's triumphant campaign.Shamsi's humorous post has reignited the debate, with many fans and experts weighing in on the issue. Some have argued that the use of ropes in the village game provides a more accurate way of measuring a catch, while others have defended the decision of the umpires in the World Cup final.Regardless of the ongoing debate, Shamsi's post has brought a lighthearted touch to a controversial moment in cricket history. It also highlights the passion and humor that can be found in the sport, even in the most intense of matches.

Suryakumar Yadav, renowned for his explosive batting in limited-overs cricket, has recently turned heads with his unexpected bowling exploits. During Mumbai's Buchi Babu tournament match against TNCA XI, Yadav experimented with off-spin, delivering a high full toss that nearly resulted in an injury. The incident highlighted Yadav's willingness to contribute in all aspects of the game.Yadav's bowling adventure didn't end there. In a T20 match against Sri Lanka last month, he surprised many by bowling and even completing a Super Over. However, his bowling exploits in the Buchi Babu tournament were overshadowed by Mumbai's struggles against a dominant TNCA XI.Despite Himanshu Singh's five-wicket haul, TNCA XI posted a commanding first innings total exceeding 350 runs. R Sai Kishore then spearheaded the bowling attack, dismantling Mumbai's batting lineup, which folded for a paltry 156 runs.While the team's performance was underwhelming, the tournament holds significant weight for Suryakumar Yadav's Test aspirations. Having made his Test debut earlier this year against Australia, Yadav is aiming for a recall to the Indian Test squad for the upcoming Bangladesh series.With his inclusion in the Duleep Trophy squad, Yadav views the Buchi Babu tournament and the upcoming first-class competition as crucial opportunities to showcase his red-ball prowess and solidify his position in the Test team. Whether Yadav can replicate his limited-overs success in the longer format remains to be seen, but his participation in the Duleep Trophy indicates a clear intention to excel in red-ball cricket.