Cricket

Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar has lauded captain Harmanpreet Kaur and the women's team for their valiant effort against Australia in their T20 World Cup 2024 match in Sharjah on Sunday. Despite a heartbreaking loss, Manjrekar praised the team's determination and Harmanpreet's leadership.The Indian women's team fell short by 14 runs in their pursuit of Australia's 150-run target, with Harmanpreet scoring an unbeaten 54 off 47 balls. Manjrekar believes that no other team could have come as close to the target on a challenging pitch."No other team other than India would have come so close to the big target Aus set on a difficult pitch. I say, well done India! And again what a star Harman is!" Manjrekar tweeted.However, fans expressed frustration with Manjrekar's comments, calling them an "excuse" for the team's failure to win. They argued that the team should be held accountable for their performance, regardless of the pitch conditions.Manjrekar defended his stance, stating that Harmanpreet's unbeaten knock showcased her caliber. "Harmanpreet Kaur showed in the end why she is so great. She almost won the match. The pitch was very tricky, the score was almost like chasing 250, and they reached so close. It's a matter of great pride for me," he said on Star Sports.He also praised the team's overall performance, highlighting their ability to score runs without Smriti Mandhana's contribution and their effective bowling."The Indian team touched new heights today. This was a very important match... the batters kept scoring without Mandhana's contribution, and the bowling was good," he added.Manjrekar believes that the team's performance against Australia is a testament to their progress and potential. "They set an excellent score on the tough pitch in Sharjah. They set 150 where the average score is around 115. India almost won this match. So they reached close to Mount Everest, they reached the third or fourth base," he explained.Despite the loss, Manjrekar remains optimistic about the team's future. He believes that they have the talent and determination to achieve success in the future.

India's T20 World Cup Triumph: Rohit Sharma and Teammates Share Hilarious Moments on 'The Great Indian Kapil Show'India's triumphant T20 World Cup 2024 squad, led by skipper Rohit Sharma, recently graced the stage of 'The Great Indian Kapil Show,' bringing laughter and entertainment to their adoring fans. The team's thrilling seven-run victory over South Africa in the summit clash marked the end of India's 11-year ICC title drought, sparking nationwide celebrations.To commemorate this historic achievement, Rohit, Arshdeep Singh, Suryakumar Yadav, Shivam Dube, and Axar Patel joined host and renowned comedian Kapil Sharma for a series of hilarious activities. One memorable moment occurred when Dube attempted to impersonate star batter Virat Kohli, leaving Rohit to guess the player's identity.Despite Dube's comical performance, Rohit couldn't resist teasing the Chennai Super Kings batter for his lackluster acting skills. "Maaf karna bohot hi ghatiya acting kari," (I'm sorry, but your acting was terrible) Rohit quipped, sending the audience into fits of laughter.Beyond the lighthearted banter, Rohit also shed light on a clever ploy devised by wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant during the World Cup final. With South Africa needing 30 runs off 30 balls, Pant feigned a knee injury, prompting a pause in the game. This strategic move disrupted South Africa's rhythm and allowed India to regain control."Pant used his intelligence to pause the game," Rohit explained. "He had his knee taped, which helped slow down the game. At that moment, all a batter wants is the ball to be bowled quickly. But we had to break the rhythm."Rohit acknowledged that Pant's ploy may not have been the sole reason for India's victory, but it certainly played a role in turning the tide in their favor.

Ahead of the highly anticipated ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024, India Women's opener Shafali Verma has expressed her admiration for Australia's Alyssa Healy, praising her batting performance during the powerplay. India will kick off their T20 World Cup campaign against New Zealand on October 4 at Dubai International Stadium. Prior to the tournament, India will play warm-up matches against the West Indies and South Africa."I would say Alyssa Healy, because whenever she is in good form, she makes the most of the powerplay and continues to build her innings afterward. She always looks to play the full 20 overs, so I would choose her," Shafali said in an interview with Star Sports.India reached their first-ever T20 World Cup final in 2020 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, a night filled with hope for clinching the elusive title. However, Harmanpreet's side was bowled out for 99 while chasing 185 against Australia.In the previous edition of the T20 World Cup in 2022, India once again came close to making history, reaching the semi-finals. However, Australia once more proved to be an obstacle in the final four.In the lead-up to the T20 World Cup, India has had mixed results. They lost the T20I series against Australia and England earlier this year, but Harmanpreet's side rebounded with two consecutive series wins against Bangladesh.In July, India's T20I series against South Africa ended in a draw. In the Asia Cup 2024, India lost the final to Sri Lanka, who remained unbeaten throughout the tournament.India's squad for the T20 World Cup includes:* Harmanpreet Kaur (c)* Smriti Mandhana (vc)* Shafali Verma* Deepti Sharma* Jemimah Rodrigues* Richa Ghosh (wk)* Yastika Bhatia (wk)* Pooja Vastrakar* Arundhati Reddy* Renuka Singh* Dayalan Hemalatha* Asha Sobhana* Radha Yadav* Shreyanka Patil* Sajana SajeevanTravelling reserves:* Uma Chetry (wk)* Tanuja Kanwer* Saima ThakorNon-travelling reserves:* Raghvi Bist* Priya Mishra

India's triumphant return from the T20 World Cup 2024 was a memorable occasion, but it was also a sleepless one for the team and accompanying journalists.After a grueling tournament and a delayed departure due to a hurricane, the Indian team finally boarded a 16-hour flight from Barbados to Delhi. However, the flight was far from restful.According to a producer on the flight, no player slept for more than six hours. The atmosphere was lively, with players mingling with journalists and Star Sports engineers who had been stranded on the island.Even head coach Rahul Dravid was unable to find a comfortable spot to sleep. He reportedly moved to the economy section in search of a four-seater, where he managed to catch some shut-eye.Rohit Sharma, known for his jovial nature, was overheard jokingly scolding someone during the flight. Hardik Pandya and Rishabh Pant also engaged in conversations with the media.The constant chatter and excitement made it difficult for anyone to get a good night's sleep. The producer recalled, "I remember I was sleeping and I could suddenly hear Rohit scolding somebody. I saw and he was standing right there. But Rohit, in his style, was scolding jokingly."Despite the lack of sleep, the Indian team arrived home to a hero's welcome. Their victory in the T20 World Cup 2024 marked a significant milestone for Indian cricket, ending a decade-long drought in ICC events.

The T20 World Cup 2024 was a watershed moment for the Indian cricket team, marking the end of an 11-year ICC title drought. Despite facing adversity in the final against South Africa, India's resilience and determination shone through.After Axar Patel's costly 15th over, South Africa needed just 30 runs off 30 balls. Heinrich Klaasen's onslaught seemed to put the game beyond India's reach. However, Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya turned the tide with economical overs, restricting South Africa to just 10 runs in the 16th, 17th, and 18th overs.Arshdeep Singh's four-run 19th over set the stage for a thrilling finish. With 16 runs required off the last over, Pandya stepped up to bowl. Suryakumar Yadav's spectacular catch of David Miller in the final over sealed India's victory.Axar Patel, who had been under fire after his expensive over, revealed the mindset that fueled India's comeback. "For the first five seconds, I thought it was over," he admitted. "But Rohit bhai came to me and said, 'Match khatam nahi hua hai.' We were determined to fight until the end."Since the tournament, Axar has become an indispensable member of the Indian team, proving his worth as an all-format player. His performance in the T20 World Cup 2024 cemented his reputation as a match-winner.

Team India's triumph at the T20 World Cup 2024 was bittersweet, marked by the retirement of three legendary players: Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja. The trio bid farewell to the shortest format after India's thrilling seven-run victory over South Africa in the summit clash.The World Cup also marked the end of head coach Rahul Dravid's tenure. Dravid, who guided India to the title, has been succeeded by Gautam Gambhir.Rohit Sharma, who is currently in the USA, recently gave a witty response to fans chanting the name of Australian pacer Mitchell Starc. At the launch of a cricket academy in Dallas, Rohit urged the fans to "calm down guys," eliciting laughter from the crowd.The chants were a reference to Starc's 29-run thrashing by Rohit during India's T20 World Cup clash against Australia. Rohit, with 4231 runs in 159 games, is the format's leading scorer. He also holds the record for most hundreds (five) in T20 internationals.Head coach Gambhir's first assignment will be the upcoming white-ball series against Sri Lanka. Reports suggest that Kohli and Rohit may be rested from the ODIs. Hardik Pandya is likely to lead Team India in the T20Is, while KL Rahul will captain in the ODIs.India's tour of Sri Lanka has been revised, with the start of the contest pushed back by a day to July 27. The Indians will play three T20 Internationals and as many ODIs in the island nation.

India's long-awaited triumph at the T20 World Cup 2024 has sparked a wave of celebration across the nation. The victory, led by captain Rohit Sharma, marks India's first ICC title since the 2013 Champions Trophy under MS Dhoni.However, the path to this success was not without its challenges. When Rohit took over the captaincy from Virat Kohli, former BCCI president Sourav Ganguly faced intense criticism for the decision.Now, as India basks in the glory of its victory, Ganguly has reminded everyone that it was his foresight that led to Rohit's appointment as captain. "I was criticized when I handed over the captaincy to Rohit. And now that we've won a trophy under his captaincy, no one is abusing me. Everyone has forgotten that I made him the captain," Ganguly told Bangla newspaper AajKaal.Kohli's departure from the T20I captaincy was followed by his removal as ODI captain. He subsequently resigned as Test captain, paving the way for Rohit's promotion to the role in all three formats.The captaincy transition, particularly the manner in which it occurred, drew widespread criticism. Ganguly, who faced a barrage of abuse and trolling on social media, has now taken the opportunity to remind those who are celebrating India's triumph of their previous skepticism.Following the T20 World Cup victory, both Rohit and Virat have announced their retirement from T20 international cricket. India will now appoint a new coach for the shortest format, while Rohit will continue to lead in ODIs and Tests.

India's historic triumph in the T20 World Cup 2024 has sent shockwaves across the nation, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of cricket enthusiasts. After an 11-year drought, India emerged victorious in the tournament's final match, defeating South Africa by a narrow margin of 7 runs at the Kensington Oval in Barbados. This victory marked India's second T20 World Cup title, the first since 2007.Upon their return to India, the victorious team was greeted with an outpouring of love and admiration. Among the many unforgettable moments was the iconic image of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, two legendary figures in Indian cricket, holding the trophy aloft during a victory parade in Mumbai.A recent video shared by the Mumbai Indians franchise, captured by World Cup-winning team member Suryakumar Yadav, reveals the heartwarming story behind this iconic photograph. In the clip, Kohli can be seen persuading Sharma to join him in posing with the trophy before the adoring fans."Come on, Rohit, let's go," Kohli urges his teammate. "Let's give them a picture."Sharma initially hesitates, but Kohli's persistence prevails. Together, they walk towards the edge of the open bus, holding the trophy high for the crowd to see.The image of Sharma and Kohli, two stalwarts of Indian cricket, united in victory, has become a symbol of the team's triumph. It is a testament to their camaraderie and the spirit of sportsmanship that has always defined the Indian cricket team.Following India's T20 World Cup triumph, Kohli and Sharma announced their retirement from the T20I format, while Ravindra Jadeja also decided to step away from the shortest format of the game. Former England captain Michael Vaughan hailed the tournament as a fitting farewell for these veterans, acknowledging the abundance of talent waiting to take their place."It was a perfect way for Kohli, Rohit, and Jadeja to bow out of T20I cricket," Vaughan said. "They've been incredible servants to the game, and they've left a legacy that will inspire future generations."

India's triumph at the T20 World Cup 2024 has etched itself into the annals of cricket history as a moment of unparalleled glory. Led by the indomitable Rohit Sharma, Team India remained undefeated throughout the tournament, culminating in a thrilling seven-run victory over South Africa in the grand finale. This victory not only ended India's 11-year ICC trophy drought but also marked a remarkable resurgence for the team.Despite a challenging tournament for star batter Virat Kohli, he rose to the occasion in the final, smashing a match-winning 76 runs and earning the Player of the Match award. Kohli's Instagram post celebrating the victory, featuring him posing with the trophy and his jubilant teammates, has become a viral sensation, garnering over 21 million likes. This post has not only become India's most liked picture on Instagram but also the most liked post in Asia, surpassing the records set by Bollywood stars and Korean pop sensations.Kohli's post has also made him the first Asian to receive over 21 million likes on an Instagram post. In a candid interaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Kohli revealed that he had entered the final with zero confidence. However, the unwavering support and motivation from head coach Rahul Dravid and captain Rohit Sharma helped him overcome his doubts.Kohli emphasized the importance of humility and respect for the game, acknowledging that his arrogance had hindered his performance in the past. He expressed his gratitude for being able to contribute to the team's success in such a crucial match.India's victory at the T20 World Cup 2024 is a testament to the team's resilience, determination, and unwavering spirit. It has reignited the passion for cricket in India and inspired a new generation of players.