Cricket

Netherlands Triumph Over Nepal in T20 World Cup Group D EncounterIn a thrilling T20 World Cup Group D match at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas, the Netherlands emerged victorious over Nepal by six wickets. Max O'Dowd's unbeaten 54 off 48 balls proved pivotal in the Dutch chase, while Nepal's chances were hampered by three crucial dropped catches.The Netherlands' bowling attack had earlier restricted Nepal to a modest total of 106 all out. Logan van Beek and Tim Pringle shared six wickets between them, while Paul van Meekeren and Bas de Leede claimed two each.Chasing a target of 107, the Netherlands got off to a steady start, with Vikram Singh contributing 22 runs. However, it was O'Dowd who anchored the innings, guiding his team to victory with a composed half-century. Sybrand Engelbrecht also chipped in with 14 runs.Nepal's fielding woes proved costly, as they dropped three catches that could have potentially changed the course of the match. The most glaring error came in the 18th over when captain Rohit Paudel failed to dismiss O'Dowd, who went on to score the winning runs."Our bowlers were awesome up top," said Netherlands captain Scott Edwards after the match. "All five of our bowlers were brilliant. Ideally we would have got the runs a little quicker, but it was great the way Max batted, and Bassie finished it off well."Nepal captain Paudel acknowledged the challenging conditions and the Netherlands' superior bowling performance. "The conditions while batting were really challenging," he said. "Netherlands bowled really well."With this victory, the Netherlands have boosted their chances of qualifying for the Super 12 stage of the T20 World Cup. They will next face the United Arab Emirates on Thursday, while Nepal will take on Namibia.

The T20 World Cup match between England and Scotland in Bridgetown, Barbados, was abandoned due to persistent rain on Tuesday, resulting in both teams sharing a point each. The game was initially reduced to 10 overs per side, with Scotland reaching an impressive 90 for no loss in their innings. England's revised target, according to the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method, was set at 109 runs off 10 overs.The Scottish openers, Michael Jones and George Munsey, showcased an attractive array of strokes, keeping the English bowlers under pressure throughout their innings. Jones remained unbeaten on 45 off 30 balls, hitting two sixes and four fours, while Munsey scored an unbeaten 41 off 31 deliveries, also striking four boundaries. Munsey had a stroke of luck when Mark Wood overstepped the crease after seemingly dismissing him, with skipper Jos Buttler taking a fine catch running behind.The match experienced several rain interruptions, starting with a delay in the commencement of the game due to a wet spot on the pitch caused by a passing shower. The longest break occurred right after the powerplay, with Scotland in a commanding position at 51 for no loss in 6.2 overs. The lengthy interruption prompted officials to reduce the game by 10 overs each in the two innings.England's bowling attack, particularly Chris Jordan (0/24) and Adil Rashid (0/26), struggled to maintain control and failed to trouble the Scottish opening pair in their first outing of the tournament. Scotland will now focus on their upcoming match against Namibia at the Kensington Oval on Friday, while England will prepare to face their arch-rivals Australia at the same venue on Saturday.

Shivam Dube, India's versatile all-rounder, is poised to showcase his multifaceted abilities at the upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup. Despite limited bowling opportunities in the recent IPL, Dube has received assurances from the team management that his bowling skills will be utilized.Dube's bowling prowess was recognized during India's T20I series against Afghanistan in January, where he impressed the team's senior players. However, the Impact Player rule in the IPL restricted his chances to hone his all-round capabilities."Rahul bhai (Rahul Dravid) and Rohit bhai (Rohit Sharma) have told me that I might get to bowl 2-3 overs at any point," Dube revealed to Star Sports.Despite bowling only one over in the IPL, Dube made a positive impact by claiming a wicket. He acknowledged the need to improve his bowling and worked diligently in the nets.Dube's explosive batting, which saw him score 369 runs at a strike rate of 162.29 in the IPL, secured his place in the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup. His bowling skills now offer an additional dimension to the team, providing flexibility to include an extra batsman.Dube's inclusion in the playing XI could potentially lead to the omission of Axar Patel. Rohit Sharma's decision to select four spinners in the Indian squad, considering the slow tracks in the West Indies, could be influenced by Dube's handy off-spin.India, one of the favorites for the T20 World Cup, will begin their campaign on June 5 against Ireland. Dube's versatility and potential to contribute with both bat and ball will be a valuable asset for the team as they aim to lift the coveted trophy.

India's T20 World Cup squad boasts an impressive quartet of all-rounders, and captain Rohit Sharma has emphasized their crucial role in the team's success. The squad includes pace-bowling all-rounders Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube, as well as left-arm spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel, who can all contribute significantly with the bat.Rohit acknowledged the versatility and balance that these all-rounders bring to the team. He stated, "In fast-bowling all-rounders we have Hardik and Dube while Jadeja and Axar give us options in the spin department." The captain emphasized the need to utilize these players effectively throughout the tournament, depending on the conditions and the team's needs.The spin attack also features wrist spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal, adding to the team's potency. Rohit acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the conditions and emphasized the importance of finding the best combination that suits the team's needs, whether it involves playing all three spinners or relying on the seamers.India had the benefit of playing a warm-up match against Bangladesh before facing Ireland, Pakistan, and the USA in the tournament proper. Rohit cautioned against expecting high scores similar to those witnessed in the recent IPL, given the behavior of the pitch at Nassau County ground on Monday.The team carries the weight of immense expectations, having not won an ICC title since 2013. Rohit shared his thoughts on the team's mindset entering the tournament, emphasizing the importance of focusing on the present and playing as a cohesive unit. He said, "I am just going to go and play the way I can and get everyone together to play as a team."Rohit is also excited about playing in New York for the first time. He expressed, "From the time you arrived in New York, pending only 10 minutes at immigration, which is very rare, doesn't happen. So you can make out that the buzz is there, even the locals here are quite intrigued by a cricket tournament happening, a world cup happening here."

Australian cricket legend Steve Smith has predicted that Indian batting maestro Virat Kohli will emerge as the leading run-scorer in the upcoming 2024 ICC T20 World Cup. Kohli's recent stellar performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he won the Orange Cap, has solidified his status as one of the favorites to dominate the run charts in the West Indies and the USA.Smith, who was not selected for the Australian squad, believes that Kohli's exceptional form and experience will propel him to the top of the scoring charts. "My top run-scorer of the tournament will be Virat Kohli," Smith told the ICC. "He is coming off a terrific IPL and he is bringing in some great form. I think he will be the leading run-getter."Kohli, who is already the highest run-scorer in T20 World Cup history with 1141 runs in 25 innings, is poised to extend his record even further. His compatriot and captain, Rohit Sharma, is not far behind, ranking fourth in the all-time run-getters list. Sharma has the potential to climb up to second place this year.The Indian duo is expected to open the batting for their team, which will face Ireland in New York on June 5. Kohli's impressive record against Pakistan, with 308 T20 World Cup runs and only one dismissal, bodes well for his chances of accumulating runs in the tournament. The arch-rivals are scheduled to clash on Sunday, June 9.While Kohli and Sharma are expected to lead India's batting charge, Indian legend Sunil Gavaskar has suggested that young Yashasvi Jaiswal could be a valuable addition to the lineup at number three.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has released additional tickets for highly anticipated matches in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024, including the blockbuster clash between India and Pakistan on June 9. The tournament, co-hosted by the USA and West Indies, has witnessed an overwhelming demand for tickets, prompting the ICC to make more available."Following a thrilling opening weekend, we are delighted to release additional tickets for key matches," said the ICC in a statement. "This includes a selection of General Admission tickets for the India-Pakistan encounter in New York."The ICC has collaborated with partners to ensure that as many fans as possible can experience the historic event. Additional tickets have also been released for other categories in Texas and Florida, the other two venues hosting matches in the USA."We have worked diligently to make these tickets available and provide fans with the opportunity to witness the world's best cricketers in action," said ICC Head of Events Chris Tetley. "We encourage fans to act quickly to secure their tickets for these unforgettable matches."India will kick off their World Cup campaign against Ireland on Wednesday before facing Pakistan on Sunday, both matches to be played at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium. The tournament promises to be a spectacle of cricket, with fans eager to witness the rivalry between India and Pakistan and the skills of the world's top players.

India's skipper, Rohit Sharma, expressed his disappointment over Rahul Dravid's decision to step down as head coach after the T20 World Cup. Sharma revealed that he had attempted to persuade Dravid to remain in his position, but the latter had made up his mind to move on.Dravid's departure marks the end of a successful three-year tenure, during which India has achieved significant victories. Despite not winning a major trophy under his leadership, Dravid's contributions have been widely acknowledged.Sharma praised Dravid's unwavering determination and his ability to guide the team through challenging situations. He highlighted Dravid's role in shaping the team's direction and his willingness to embrace new ideas."He's shown a lot of great determination throughout his career," said Sharma. "And that is something that when he came here as a coach, I wanted to learn from him."Sharma also acknowledged Dravid's influence on his own career, having made his international debut under Dravid's captaincy in 2007. He described Dravid as a role model and a source of inspiration for the entire team."He was my first international captain when I made my debut in Ireland," said Sharma. "Then I've seen him play while I was just coming into the team (for) Test matches when he was captain. And such a big role model for all of us."While the team has not yet planned a formal farewell for Dravid, Sharma expressed his gratitude for the coach's contributions. He emphasized that Dravid's legacy will continue to inspire the team in the years to come.

Team India embarks on its ICC T20 World Cup 2024 journey with a crucial opening match against Ireland on Wednesday. Led by the experienced Rohit Sharma, the team aims to shed the disappointment of last year's ODI World Cup final loss and make a strong start in this prestigious tournament.Rohit, now 36, is eager to add an ICC trophy to his illustrious career, a feat that has eluded India since 2013. The team's last T20 World Cup triumph came in the inaugural edition in 2007 under Mahendra Singh Dhoni's leadership. Since then, India has reached the final only once, in 2014, where they were defeated by Sri Lanka.Ahead of the tournament, star all-rounder Hardik Pandya has been in impressive form. In a warm-up match against Bangladesh, he showcased his power-hitting abilities with an unbeaten 40 off 23 balls, including four sixes. Pandya also claimed a wicket in the match.India's preparations for the World Cup have been thorough, including a comprehensive training camp and a warm-up match against Bangladesh. The team's confidence is high, and they are determined to make a strong statement in the tournament.The opening match against Ireland will be a crucial test for India. Ireland has emerged as a competitive force in recent years, and they will be looking to upset the Indian juggernaut. However, India's experience and quality should give them the edge in this encounter.As the tournament progresses, India will face other formidable opponents, including England, Australia, and Pakistan. The team will need to maintain their focus and execute their plans effectively to achieve their goal of lifting the T20 World Cup trophy.

England, the defending T20 World Cup champions, will kick off their title defense against Scotland at the historic Kensington Oval in Barbados. The match marks the first-ever meeting between the two nations in the shortest format of the game.England enters the tournament with mixed form in white-ball cricket. After winning the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia, they endured a disappointing ODI World Cup campaign in India, finishing seventh. Their struggles continued with a series of defeats to West Indies in both the 50-over and 20-over formats.However, England has fond memories of Kensington Oval, where they won their first-ever T20 World Cup title in 2010 under Paul Collingwood's captaincy. They will be hoping to replicate that success in this year's tournament.Scotland, on the other hand, will be making their debut in the T20 World Cup. They qualified for the tournament by winning the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe.England will be the overwhelming favorites in this match. They have a star-studded lineup led by Jos Buttler, who is in excellent form after a successful Indian Premier League campaign. Phil Salt, who was in red-hot form for Punjab Kings in the IPL, will be looking to continue his momentum.Scotland will need to play out of their skins to upset England. They will be relying on their experienced players, such as Kyle Coetzer, Richie Berrington, and Calum MacLeod, to lead the way.The match is expected to be a close contest, with both teams having their strengths and weaknesses. England will be looking to start their title defense with a win, while Scotland will be determined to make a statement on their World Cup debut.