Cricket

Ravichandran Ashwin, India's seasoned spinner, has predicted the four teams he believes will advance to the semi-finals of the ongoing T20 World Cup in the UAE and West Indies. Notably, Pakistan, the 2009 champions and last season's runners-up, were not included in Ashwin's selections.Ashwin expressed his support for England, Australia, West Indies, and India to reach the semi-finals of the T20 extravaganza. He revealed his picks through a humorous video on social media that has gone viral.Pakistan has had their worst start in T20 World Cup history, losing their tournament opener to the United States in Dallas on June 6. The match's outcome was determined in a Super Over after both teams finished with tied scores after 40 overs.Babar Azam scored 44 off 43 as Pakistan posted 159 for 7 after being invited to bat first. Pakistan was 26 for 3 in 4.4 overs before Babar and Shadab Khan rescued the team with a 72-run partnership. Shaheen Afridi's unbeaten 23 off 16 also played a crucial role in Pakistan's competitive total. Nosthush Kenjige was the standout bowler, taking 3 for 30 in four overs.Chasing 160, the USA finished on 159 for 3 in their allotted 20 overs. With the hosts needing 5 runs to win off the final ball, Nitish Kumar hit Haris Rauf for a four to force a Super Over.The USA set Pakistan a target of 19 runs in the Super Over, but Pakistan could only manage 13 in response.

The highly anticipated India-Pakistan match at the T20 World Cup has sparked a frenzy in the ticket resale market, with one seat in Section 252 listed for an astronomical $175,400 on Stubhub. However, this exorbitant price is an outlier, with most tickets on the secondary market ranging between $700 and $1,000.The demand for tickets to this marquee clash has far exceeded supply, with the International Cricket Council (ICC) reporting that the 34,000-capacity stadium was oversubscribed by 200 times. This has led to a surge in profiteering on resale platforms, where some individuals are attempting to cash in on the desperation of fans.Stubhub, Viagogo, and other resale sites act as intermediaries, charging fees to both buyers and sellers based on the ticket value. Despite the hype surrounding the $175,400 listing, the majority of asking prices on these platforms are significantly lower.The second most expensive listing on Stubhub is for $18,000 in Section 101, followed by a $13,496 ticket in the Diamond section, which includes VIP parking and unlimited food and drinks. Viagogo has a $6,700 listing for a Diamond Club seat, while most other tickets on the platform are priced between $500 and $700.On Vividseats, the costliest listing is $8,013, while the cheapest is $693. It's important to note that these prices are subject to change and may not reflect the actual transaction prices.The ICC initially sold tickets through a "public ballot," where fans applied for tickets and some were randomly selected to purchase them. Those who were successful in obtaining tickets are now attempting to make a profit by reselling them on the secondary market.While the resale of tickets is legal, it's essential to be aware of the potential risks involved. Resale platforms may charge additional fees, and there's always the possibility of fraud or counterfeit tickets. Fans are advised to purchase tickets from reputable sources and to be cautious of inflated prices.

Rohit Sharma Reassures Fans, Praises Pacers After India's T20 World Cup WinIndian cricket captain Rohit Sharma allayed concerns about his fitness after India's eight-wicket victory over Ireland in the 2024 T20 World Cup. Sharma, who retired hurt on 52 during the run-chase, said his arm was only slightly sore."It's a little sore, but nothing too serious," Sharma said at the post-match presentation ceremony. "I'll be fine for the next game."Sharma's injury scare had raised concerns among Indian fans, but his reassurance will come as a relief. The Indian skipper also praised his team's bowlers for their performance on a challenging pitch."The bowlers did a great job," Sharma said. "They bowled to their plans and made it difficult for the Irish batsmen to score."India's pacers shared nine of the 10 Irish wickets, with Hardik Pandya taking three, Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh claiming two each, and Mohammad Siraj chipping in with one."We knew the pitch was going to be difficult to bat on," Sharma said. "But our bowlers adapted well and executed their plans perfectly."Sharma also defended his decision to field four spinners in the squad, despite the pitch not being conducive to spin bowling."We wanted to have the balance in the team," Sharma said. "Spin will play a part later on in the tournament."India will face Pakistan in their next match on Sunday, June 9, on the same pitch. Pakistan will be coming from a game against USA in Dallas.Despite the challenging pitch, India's convincing performance with both bat and ball will give them a lot of confidence as they prepare to take on their arch-rivals.

India-Pakistan T20 World Cup Match: Navjot Singh Sidhu Analyzes Team Composition and Game-ChangersFormer Indian cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu has shared his insights on India's team composition and the concept of "game-changers" in T20 cricket, following the thrilling India-Pakistan match in the T20 World Cup.Sidhu believes that while he would have preferred Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal to open the innings, he understands the rationale behind Virat Kohli's decision to pair with the captain. He explains that this combination allows Shivam Dube and Axar Patel to play, creating a balanced team with Axar batting at number 8 on a pitch that favors bowlers.However, Sidhu emphasizes that the term "game-changer" should be used judiciously in T20 cricket. He believes that only players who can consistently score at least two runs per ball deserve this designation. He points out that while strike rates of 1.5 or 1.7 are respectable, true game-changers are those who can score 2.5 or even three runs per ball.Sidhu identifies Shivam Dube and Axar Patel as potential game-changers for India, citing their ability to score at a high pace. He also highlights the importance of a high strike rate in T20 cricket, particularly in low-scoring matches like the ones witnessed in the ongoing T20 World Cup.Sidhu further explains that game-changers in T20 cricket possess a unique skill to clear the ground and score quickly. He compares this to the exceptional finishing abilities of MS Dhoni, who has a strike rate of 2.5 or even 4 per ball.In conclusion, Navjot Singh Sidhu believes that India's team composition for the India-Pakistan match was well-balanced, considering the pitch conditions. He also emphasizes the importance of identifying true game-changers in T20 cricket, who can consistently score at a high pace and make a significant impact on the outcome of matches.

Australia and England Clash in Match 17 of ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024The highly anticipated Match 17 of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 will witness a thrilling encounter between Australia and England at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, on June 8 at 10:30 PM IST.Match PreviewAustralia, currently ranked second on the points table, will face England, ranked fourth, in a crucial match that could shape their tournament destiny. Both teams have played one match each, with Australia emerging victorious and England suffering a defeat.Pitch and Weather ConditionsThe Kensington Oval pitch is known for its balanced nature, with an average first innings score of 155 runs. The team batting first has a 65% win rate at this venue. Weather forecasts predict a cloudy day with light rain, which could favor pacers.Fantasy PicksTop Captain and Vice-Captain Picks:* Matthew Short (Australia): All-rounder with high fantasy points average and rating.* Sam Curran (England): Consistent performer with both bat and ball.Other Fantasy Picks:* Jos Buttler (England): Wicket-keeper batter with impressive recent form.* Chris Jordan (England): Reliable fast bowler with a strong record against Australia.* Mitchell Marsh (Australia): All-rounder with high-risk, high-returns potential.* Mark Wood (England): Fast bowler with a proven track record against Australia.* Adam Zampa (Australia): Leg-spinner with a good record against England.* Travis Head (Australia): Explosive batter with a solid fantasy points average.SquadsAustralia: Matthew Wade, Josh Hazlewood, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Mitchell Starc, Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh, Pat Cummins, Ashton Agar, Adam Zampa, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Cameron Green, Tim David, Nathan EllisEngland: Adil Rashid, Moeen Ali, Jos Buttler, Jonny Bairstow, Chris Jordan, Mark Wood, Reece Topley, Ben Duckett, Liam Livingstone, Jofra Archer, Sam Curran, Phil Salt, Harry Brook, Will Jacks, Tom HartleyConclusionThe clash between Australia and England promises to be a captivating encounter, with both teams eager to secure a crucial victory. The balanced pitch and unpredictable weather conditions add an element of intrigue to the match. Fantasy cricket enthusiasts will have a wide range of options to choose from, with several players in both squads boasting impressive fantasy points averages and ratings.

India vs Pakistan: A Clash of Titans with High StakesThe highly anticipated clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan in the T20 World Cup is set to take place on Sunday, promising an electrifying encounter that will captivate cricket enthusiasts worldwide.Pakistan's recent upset defeat against the United States has heightened the stakes for this match, as they now face a must-win situation to maintain their hopes of advancing to the Super 8s stage. India, on the other hand, secured a comfortable victory against Ireland, but concerns linger over the challenging batting conditions at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York.Former India opener Wasim Jaffer emphasizes the importance of selecting the right combination for both teams. India's decision to open with Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma against Ireland left Yashasvi Jaiswal on the sidelines, while Axar Patel was preferred over Kuldeep Yadav for his lower-order batting abilities.Jaffer believes India may stick with the same playing eleven against Pakistan, despite the possibility of Jaiswal opening. He highlights the need for Axar's batting skills, given the unpredictable nature of the pitch and the likelihood of increased fast bowling usage."You also want Kuldeep to play, but the kind of pitch it is, according to me, you will need Axar's batting because here you will see fast bowlers being used more," Jaffer said. "So Kuldeep won't have much effect. It will be the fast bowlers doing the damage."Jaffer anticipates that the pitch may improve slightly for the India-Pakistan encounter, but he predicts that fast bowlers will continue to dominate.

Saurabh Netravalkar, a former India U-19 left-arm pacer, played a pivotal role in the United States' stunning victory over Pakistan in the T20 World Cup. Despite the team's historic achievement, Netravalkar remains grounded and focused on the next game.Netravalkar's journey is a testament to his dedication and passion for cricket. While pursuing a prestigious degree at Cornell University and working as a senior techie at Oracle, he seamlessly balanced his academic and athletic pursuits."I have never felt the pressure," Netravalkar said. "When you love something, it is never a job for you."In the Super Over against Pakistan, Netravalkar's brilliant bowling helped secure the victory for the United States. He credits his success to the team's strategy and the support of his teammates."The plan was simple," Netravalkar explained. "I would try and bowl wide yorkers to the right-handers and keep it out of their range."Despite the team's success, Netravalkar acknowledges that pursuing a full-time cricket career in the United States remains a challenge. However, he is optimistic about the future of cricket in the country."The best part is that I have got very supportive bosses at Oracle," Netravalkar said. "I am allowed to work remotely when I am on tour, playing for the United States."Netravalkar's story is an inspiration to aspiring cricketers in the United States. He demonstrates that with hard work, dedication, and a supportive environment, it is possible to achieve success in both sports and professional life.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has raised concerns with the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding the pitch conditions at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York ahead of India's highly anticipated match against Pakistan on June 9.The issue arose after Indian captain Rohit Sharma suffered a blow to his thumb during a practice session. Sharma had also experienced discomfort in his arm during India's match against Ireland, forcing him to retire hurt. Notably, Sharma was not the only player affected by the unpredictable bounce of the pitch. Star batter Virat Kohli also faced difficulties while batting in the nets.The pitch has been a major talking point in the tournament, with teams struggling to score runs consistently. In the six innings played at the stadium so far, only two teams have managed to cross the 100-run mark. Former players have expressed concerns that the low-scoring conditions may hinder the promotion of cricket in the American market.The four drop-in pitches at the venue, installed under the supervision of Adelaide Oval groundsman Damian Hough, have yet to settle down properly. The uneven bounce has raised safety concerns for batters, particularly after Sharma's injury."I don't know what to expect from the pitch to be honest. We will prepare as if the conditions are going to be like this (for Pakistan game). This is going to be a kind of game where all XI of us will need to contribute," Sharma said after the Ireland match.The ICC has acknowledged the concerns and released a statement addressing the issue. "The ICC recognize that the pitches used so far at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium have not played as consistently as we would have all wanted," the statement read.Meanwhile, the Pakistan team is yet to acclimatize to the conditions at Nassau Stadium. They arrived in New York after their surprising defeat to tournament debutants USA and took the next day off.

India and Pakistan, two cricketing giants, are set to clash in a highly anticipated T20 World Cup Group A match at the Nassau County Cricket Stadium in New York on Sunday. The match promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams eager to prove their dominance.India, led by Rohit Sharma, enters the match with a strong performance against Ireland, securing an 8-wicket victory. Pakistan, captained by Babar Azam, suffered a disappointing loss against the US in a super-over finish. Despite Pakistan's recent setback, India cannot afford to underestimate their arch-rivals.However, the weather forecast for New York on Sunday casts a shadow over the match. Accuweather predicts a 51% chance of rain at 11 AM local time (8:30 PM IST), which is half an hour after the scheduled start of the match. If rain interrupts the proceedings, extra time will likely be allotted.Despite the weather concerns, fans remain hopeful for a full 20-overs-a-side match. India's captain, Rohit Sharma, has sustained a blow to his left thumb during a net session but has resumed practice after receiving medical attention.The pitch at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium has been under scrutiny for its uneven and slow outfield. However, India began their campaign on a positive note, registering an 8-wicket win against Ireland on the same pitch.The International Cricket Council (ICC) has acknowledged the inconsistent pitch conditions and has assured that groundsmen are working diligently to improve the surfaces for the remaining matches.With the stage set for a blockbuster clash between India and Pakistan, the outcome remains uncertain. Both teams possess talented players and a deep-rooted rivalry, making this match a must-watch event for cricket enthusiasts worldwide.