Cricket

The triumphant Indian cricket team's departure from Barbados has been delayed due to the absence of their charter flight. The Air India special charter flight, designated as AIC24WC, was scheduled to transport the squad, support staff, family members, and media personnel back to India after their historic T20 World Cup victory. However, the flight has yet to arrive in Barbados.The Rohit Sharma-led team secured the title with a thrilling seven-run triumph over South Africa in the final on June 29. The flight, which departed from New Jersey, USA on July 2, was initially expected to land in Barbados around 2 a.m. local time. However, the flight's arrival has been postponed, and it is now scheduled to depart from Barbados at 4:30 a.m. (local time).The Grantley Adams International Airport in Barbados resumed operations on July 2 after being closed due to Hurricane Beryl. The Indian team was originally scheduled to leave around 6 p.m. local time on July 2 and arrive in Delhi at 7.45 p.m. (IST) on July 3. However, the delays have pushed back their arrival time to 6 a.m. (IST) on July 4, assuming there are no further setbacks.The players are eagerly awaiting their return to India, where they will be felicitated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The schedule for this event has not yet been finalized. Meanwhile, Hurricane Beryl has weakened to a Category 4 storm and is moving towards Jamaica.

Pakistan's star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi has lauded Team India's triumph in the T20 World Cup 2024, despite Pakistan's disappointing group-stage exit.Afridi, who was stripped of his captaincy before the tournament, praised India's performance in the final against South Africa, which they won by a narrow margin. "Both teams played well. On the day, whichever team handles the pressure better wins. India played a good brand of cricket and deserved to win," he said.Afridi acknowledged India's late bowling heroics, led by Jasprit Bumrah, which turned the tide in their favor. He also expressed his admiration for India's overall performance throughout the tournament.Despite Pakistan's early exit, Afridi remained optimistic about the team's future. "Strong teams compete in the World Cup and they come after going through a process. I think we need to correct a few things and if we work hard, results will be with us," he said.Afridi's comments come amidst calls from former cricketers and fans for a major overhaul of the Pakistan team. However, he believes that the team has the potential to bounce back with the right approach."We have a lot of talent in Pakistan. We just need to find the right combination and work together as a unit. I am confident that we can achieve success in the future," he added.

India's triumph in the T20 World Cup 2024 marked a historic moment for the nation, as they secured their second title after a 17-year wait. Led by the enigmatic Rohit Sharma, the Men in Blue displayed unwavering determination and exceptional skill throughout the tournament.Rohit Sharma, the skipper, led from the front with his explosive batting, amassing 257 runs in eight matches. His three half-centuries and a strike rate of 156.70 propelled India to quick starts and set the tone for their victories. While Rohit maintained his form, Virat Kohli, his opening partner, faced initial challenges but delivered a match-winning knock of 76 in the final, marking a memorable farewell in his last T20 World Cup.Rishabh Pant, the wicketkeeper-batter, played crucial cameos with 171 runs in eight matches, while Suryakumar Yadav complemented him with 199 runs, including two fifties. Hardik Pandya, the vice-captain, excelled as an all-rounder, scoring 144 runs and taking 11 wickets. His wickets of Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller in the final proved pivotal.Axar Patel, another spin-bowling all-rounder, contributed 92 runs and nine wickets, with his 3/23 against England in the semi-final and 47-run knock in the final being key moments. Shivam Dube, a power-hitter, added depth to India's batting order, while Ravindra Jadeja's fielding played a crucial role in restricting opponents.The bowlers played a pivotal role in India's success. Jasprit Bumrah, with his unplayable yorkers, took 15 wickets, while Arshdeep Singh shone with 17 wickets, making him the joint-highest wicket-taker. Kuldeep Yadav's spin and unpredictable googlies restricted opponents, taking 10 wickets in five matches. Mohammed Siraj, despite limited opportunities, showed promise with a wicket in the opening match.India's T20 World Cup 2024 campaign was a testament to their resilience and teamwork. The standout performances of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, and Jasprit Bumrah, coupled with the all-round contributions, propelled India to victory. This triumph not only highlighted the depth and talent within the squad but also set a strong foundation for future success in international cricket.

Virat Kohli's Match-Winning Knock Overshadows Axar Patel's Crucial Contribution in India's T20 World Cup TriumphAs India emerged victorious in the T20 World Cup 2024, defeating South Africa in a thrilling final, the spotlight shone brightly on Virat Kohli, who was awarded the Player of the Match for his pivotal 59-ball 76. However, former India opener Wasim Jaffer believes that Kohli's performance, while undoubtedly significant, was not the most impactful in securing India's victory.Jaffer, who played as an opening batter for India, contends that Axar Patel played an even more crucial role in India's triumph. "Virat Kohli hadn't scored many runs in the tournament, but he chose the right moment to come good," Jaffer acknowledged on his YouTube channel. "His knock of 76 made a lot of difference and kept one end intact."However, Jaffer emphasizes that Patel's contribution was paramount. "The most important part I thought was played by Axar Patel," he asserted. "The cameo that he played ensured that the run rate from India never dropped below eight runs per over. He took the attack to the South African bowlers and didn't let them settle, forming a crucial partnership with Kohli."Patel's aggressive batting, Jaffer argues, prevented South Africa from gaining control of the match. "He took the pressure off Kohli and allowed him to play his natural game," Jaffer explained. "Without Patel's contribution, India would have struggled to reach a defendable total."While acknowledging Kohli's match-winning knock, Jaffer believes that Patel's performance was equally, if not more, deserving of the Player of the Match award. "Both Kohli and Patel played crucial roles in India's victory," Jaffer concluded. "But for me, Patel's contribution was slightly more significant."

India's T20I Veterans Retire, Making Way for Young GunsFollowing India's triumphant victory in the T20 World Cup 2024, legendary batsmen Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, along with all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, have announced their retirement from the shortest format of international cricket. This move signals a significant transition for the Indian team, paving the way for emerging talents to showcase their abilities.Despite their departure from T20Is, Kohli, Sharma, and Jadeja remain committed to representing India in ODIs and Tests. BCCI secretary Jay Shah acknowledged the team's transition phase but hinted that the veteran players could still feature in the Champions Trophy 2025."The transition has already happened with three greats retiring," Shah stated. "The way this team is progressing, our target is to win the World Test Championship final and Champions Trophy. There will be a similar squad playing there. The seniors will be there."With Sharma's departure, Hardik Pandya emerges as the frontrunner to lead the Indian T20I team. The all-rounder has proven his leadership capabilities by guiding the Gujarat Titans to victory in the Indian Premier League."Captaincy will be decided by the selectors and we will announce it after discussing with them," Shah said. "You asked about Hardik, there were lot of questions over his form but the selectors showed faith in him and he proved himself."The BCCI has awarded the Indian cricket team a substantial prize money of 125 crores following their T20 World Cup triumph. This victory marks the end of an 11-year ICC trophy drought for India.

Team India's triumph in the T20 World Cup 2024 has brought immense joy to the nation, healing the wounds of the ODI World Cup 2023 final defeat. Under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, India emerged victorious in the tournament, defeating South Africa by seven runs in a thrilling final.Throughout the tournament, India showcased exceptional performance, remaining unbeaten in all eight matches. Pacer Jasprit Bumrah played a pivotal role in India's success, delivering magnificent spells that propelled the team to victory in crucial games.After clinching the World Cup, celebrations erupted at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown. Amidst the jubilation, Bumrah's wife, Sanjana Ganesan, who is also an ICC presenter, conducted an on-field interview with her husband.During the interview, Bumrah maintained a professional demeanor, answering all questions with composure. However, as soon as the interview concluded, he couldn't contain his emotions and embraced Sanjana in a tight hug.This heartwarming moment between the couple left fans delighted. Bumrah and Ganesan are known for sharing such "couple goals" moments with their fans.Bumrah's outstanding performance in the tournament earned him the Player of the Tournament award, with 15 wickets in eight matches. He played a crucial role in India's victory in the summit clash against the Proteas."Usually, I try to keep my emotions in check, but today, the emotions are taking over," said Bumrah during the post-match presentation. "I don't usually cry after a game, but this feels really special.""My son and family are here, and I could do something special for India. We've been working hard towards this, and we've come close and fallen short last time, but we were able to go through this time," he added.India's victory in the T20 World Cup 2024 is a testament to the team's hard work, dedication, and resilience. It is a moment of pride for the nation and a fitting tribute to the memory of the late BCCI President, Sourav Ganguly, who passed away earlier this year.

The T20 World Cup 2024 final between India and South Africa witnessed a thrilling climax, with India emerging victorious by a narrow margin of 7 runs. However, the Player of the Match award, which went to Virat Kohli, has sparked a debate among cricket experts.Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar expressed his surprise at Kohli receiving the award, arguing that his knock of 76 runs off 59 balls had put India in a precarious position. Manjrekar believes that the Indian bowlers, particularly Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, and Arshdeep Singh, deserved the recognition for their exceptional death bowling that rescued India from the brink of defeat."By playing that innings, Hardik Pandya, one of their most devastating batters, had just two balls to face. So I thought India's batting was good, but Virat Kohli had potentially played an innings that would've put India in a tight corner. And it almost proved to be that, before these guys' bowlers came in the end," Manjrekar said.Manjrekar emphasized that India were in a losing position, with South Africa having a 90% chance of victory. He believes that the bowlers' remarkable turnaround saved Kohli's innings, which had a strike rate of 128 for nearly half of the innings."My Player of the Match would've been a bowler because they actually took the game from the jaws of defeat and won it for India," Manjrekar added.However, former Zimbabwe cricketer Andy Flower had a different perspective. He believes that India's batting performance was sufficient, with a total of 176 runs on the board. Flower acknowledged that if India had lost the match, Kohli would have faced significant criticism."If India had been pipped there, there would've been a lot of criticism going Virat Kohli's way, I'd reckon. At the halfway mark, I thought India had enough, and that it was going to be a very difficult chase for South Africa," Flower said.The debate over the Player of the Match award highlights the crucial role played by both the batters and bowlers in India's victory. While Kohli's innings provided a solid foundation, the bowlers' exceptional performance in the final overs ultimately secured the win.

India's Triumph and the Rise of Underdogs: A Recap of the T20 World Cup 2024On June 29, 2024, India etched their name in cricket history once again by lifting their second T20 World Cup title. The victory, a thrilling seven-run triumph over South Africa, marked a special moment for the team as they bid farewell to legendary players Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja.The tournament witnessed a captivating blend of established stars and emerging talents. Afghanistan and the USA cricket teams made significant strides, while the former champions, West Indies, showcased a remarkable resurgence. However, the early exits of New Zealand, Pakistan, and Australia left a void in the competition.As the tournament progressed, it became evident that bowlers held the upper hand. The best-playing XI of the tournament reflects this trend, featuring a formidable lineup of both batters and bowlers.Team of the Tournament:Rohit Sharma (Captain): The Indian skipper led his team to victory with a tournament-high 257 runs, including a match-winning 92 against Australia.Rahmanullah Gurbaz: The Afghan opener emerged as the tournament's leading run-scorer with 281 runs, showcasing his explosive batting prowess.Nicholas Pooran (Wicket-keeper): The West Indian wicket-keeper batsman enjoyed a stellar tournament, amassing 228 runs at a strike rate of 146.15.Suryakumar Yadav: The world's No.2 T20I batter lived up to his reputation with 199 runs, including two crucial half-centuries.Heinrich Klaasen: The South African middle-order batter impressed with 190 runs, including a quick-fire fifty in the final.Marcus Stoinis: The Australian all-rounder continued his impressive form, scoring 169 runs and taking 10 wickets.Hardik Pandya: The Indian all-rounder transformed into a superstar, contributing 144 runs and 11 wickets.Rashid Khan: The Afghan captain led his team to the semi-finals, scalping 14 wickets with his exceptional leg-spin bowling.Fazalhaq Farooqi: The Afghan fast bowler emerged as the tournament's highest wicket-taker with 17 wickets, including a career-best 5/9.Kuldeep Yadav: The Indian left-arm spinner played a crucial role with 10 wickets, providing breakthroughs at key moments.Jasprit Bumrah: The Indian pacer was named Player of the Tournament, taking 15 wickets at an exceptional economy rate of 4.17.

Ravichandran Ashwin, India's premier spinner, has lauded Suryakumar Yadav's exceptional performance in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024. Ashwin hailed Yadav as one of the finest T20 batters globally, highlighting his remarkable consistency and ability to deliver under pressure.Yadav, batting at number four, has amassed 196 runs in seven matches at an impressive strike rate of 137.06, making him the ninth-highest run-getter in the tournament. Ashwin attributed Yadav's success to his unwavering intent and the confidence instilled in him by head coach Rahul Dravid."Suryakumar Yadav is one of the finest T20 batters in the world. He is playing extraordinarily well," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel. "He has shown his intent at number four, putting to bed any doubts about his ability to perform in knockout matches against big teams."Ashwin also praised Dravid's transformative role in shaping Team India's approach. He emphasized Dravid's meticulous planning and unwavering commitment to empowering each player."I know what Rahul Dravid has been doing with this team for the past 2-3 years. He has worked hard to change the approach, giving each player a clear role and instilling confidence in them," Ashwin added.India, under Rohit Sharma's leadership, has been dominant throughout the tournament, showcasing their prowess against formidable opponents like Australia, Pakistan, and England. South Africa, on the other hand, has navigated close encounters, narrowly escaping defeat against Bangladesh, Nepal, and the West Indies.Both teams will face off in the highly anticipated final at the Kensington Oval in Barbados on Saturday, with India aiming to end their ICC trophy drought since 2013 and claim their first T20 World Cup title since 2007.