Cricket

Sri Lanka's T20 World Cup campaign has been marred by logistical challenges, with captain Wanindu Hasaranga and spinner Maheesh Theekshana expressing their dissatisfaction over the team's hectic travel schedule.After a disappointing 6-wicket defeat to South Africa in their tournament opener, Sri Lanka faced a grueling post-match routine. They had to rush back to their hotel in Brooklyn, pack, check out, and head to the airport for a 6 pm flight to Dallas for their next game against Bangladesh.Theekshana voiced his frustration, stating, "It's unfair for us. We have to leave every day because we're playing at four different venues. We had to wait eight hours in the airport for our flight from Miami. It's really unfair."Sri Lanka is one of only two teams in the tournament playing their first-round matches at four different venues. Theekshana revealed that the team had to cancel their training session due to travel fatigue and had to wake up at 5 am to reach the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium for their game against South Africa."We had to wake up around 5 am to come here," Theekshana said. "I think everyone will rethink about next year because I know that this year, nothing will change."Hasaranga also acknowledged the impact of the travel schedule, saying, "We had a tough time the last few days. All four games in four venues. It's hard. We didn't know anything about the conditions here."Sri Lanka's logistical challenges have added to their on-field struggles. After being bundled out for 77 against South Africa, they will need to regroup quickly for their crucial match against Bangladesh.

Cameron Green, the Australian all-rounder, has expressed his eagerness to play in the T20 World Cup despite a staggered arrival in the Caribbean after the Indian Premier League (IPL). Green, who has endured extensive travel in 2023, said he is accustomed to the long journeys, having experienced a 38-hour flight to join the Australian squad.Green's journey to Barbados was relatively smooth compared to some of his teammates, with only one lost bag. He was given a few days at home in Perth after RCB's elimination from the IPL a week ago."Just one bag lost - my cricket bag but it came the next day. My trip was about 38 hours while Starcy's (Mitchell Starc) was about 60 hours. So overall happy," Green told reporters after Australia's training session on Monday.Green's comfort in living out of a suitcase helped him find his rhythm late in the IPL campaign. After early struggles, he played an important role with bat and ball for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).Green was dropped by RCB five games into the competition but regained his footing during the team's late charge into the playoffs. He increased his strike rate from 107.93 in his first five games to 170.21 in his last seven.While Green may not be in Australia's XI for the match against Oman on Thursday, he could potentially bat anywhere in the top eight if needed."That's the beauty of what I've been exposed to in the last few years. It's not always been a consistent spot that I've locked into. But at the same time, I'm also thankful for that. I feel like I can jump in at many different roles. I think that's where I see myself this tournament, maybe plugging holes in the team," he added.Green admitted to feeling a touch sore after spending more time on the net than any of his colleagues since joining the group. However, he believes his preparation couldn't have been better.Balancing Green's workloads across different formats has been a concern for Australian management, given his rapid rise as a sought-after player."Talking to the other guys, it's been quite ridiculous the amount of travel and the lack of days at home, compared to normal years. I think you weirdly get used to it, been doing it for two years now. This is the most prepared I've been for some sort of tour. I think you (often) go from a Test tour into a T20 or straight into a Test tour - it's pretty extreme. But that's the beauty of the IPL this year. You actually got some unbelievable practice leading into this. So a lot of the guys in our team are pretty confident and hopefully, we can start the tournament off well," Green said.The World Test Champion and ODI World Cup winner will kickstart its tournament against Oman on Wednesday.

New Zealand's T20 World Cup campaign is set to begin with a challenging start, facing Afghanistan and West Indies in their first two matches. Despite a late start and jetlag, head coach Gary Stead remains optimistic about their chances.The squad has had limited training sessions due to rain and the absence of warm-up matches. However, Stead believes the time leading up to their first game will be sufficient for preparation and gathering intel from other matches.Stead emphasized the importance of adaptability in the squad, given the potential for different conditions and the challenges of DLS in shortened games. He also highlighted the need to monitor the weather, as rain could impact qualification.Finn Allen has recovered from a back injury and is training fully, giving New Zealand a clean bill of health. Stead will be closely observing the Afghanistan-Uganda match to assess the dew factor, which could affect the ball's movement.New Zealand's squad includes players who have demonstrated adaptability in the past, and Stead is confident in their ability to adjust to different roles and situations. He anticipates a difference in playing conditions between daytime and evening matches, with a higher dew factor expected in the evenings.Despite the challenges, Stead remains hopeful that New Zealand's late start will provide them with enough time to prepare and gain an advantage from observing other teams' performances.

Pakistan's historic victory over India in the 2021 T20 World Cup marked a significant turning point for the team. Prior to that triumph, Pakistan had never defeated India in a World Cup match, either in the 50-over or T20 format.Mohammad Rizwan, a key member of the victorious Pakistan squad, recently shared his insights into the impact of that win. He recalled how former Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) president Ramiz Raja instilled a belief in the team that they could overcome their Indian rivals."He had started developing this thought in the team from right then," Rizwan said. "As we got closer to the World Cup, he said, regardless of whether you win the trophy or not, just don't lose to India."Rizwan also revealed the message from then-coach Matthew Hayden ahead of the high-profile clash. "He put his arms around me and the captain and asked how we are feeling. The captain said that we have worked hard and now we leave it all in the hands of God."The victory had a profound impact on the Pakistani players and the nation as a whole. Rizwan described how people refused to let him and his teammates pay for goods and services, expressing their gratitude for the team's achievement."In Pakistan, say I go for shopping somewhere, people won't take money. Then I stopped going out for shopping because they just weren't taking money from us, they were all commending us for beating India. Everyone I met was commending us for the win."The India-Pakistan rivalry is one of the most intense in world cricket, and the 2021 T20 World Cup match was no exception. Rizwan acknowledged the pressure that comes with playing in such a high-stakes encounter."India vs Pakistan always comes with pressure. People may not watch all matches in a tournament but this is a game everyone sits down to watch, regardless of which country they belong to."Pakistan and India are set to face off again in the 2024 T20 World Cup on June 9. The match promises to be another thrilling chapter in the storied rivalry between these two cricketing giants.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 witnessed the remarkable return of Rishabh Pant and the newfound consistency of Sanju Samson, bolstering India's wicketkeeping options for the upcoming T20 World Cup.Pant's resilience in overcoming a harrowing accident was evident in his improved fitness and agility, particularly his wicketkeeping skills. Samson, on the other hand, showcased a remarkable transformation, leading the Rajasthan Royals with consistent performances.Starting with a match-winning 82 not out against Lucknow Super Giants, Samson maintained his momentum throughout the tournament, finishing with 531 runs in 16 matches at an average of 48.27. His improved game awareness and leadership skills impressed selectors and team management alike.Samson's consistency earned him a spot in the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup, pipping experienced wicketkeeper-batsman KL Rahul. However, the debate remains over who will be India's first-choice wicketkeeper-batsman between Pant and Samson.Former India wicketkeeper Saba Karim believes that Samson's role in the team is as a batter at No. 3, while Pant's left-handedness gives him an edge in the lower order. However, Karim also acknowledges that both players could potentially play in the XI, given their different skill sets.Despite his impressive IPL form, Samson's international record remains modest. However, his inclusion in the World Cup squad could be a game-changer for India, providing a reliable option at the top of the order.Whether Samson can cement his place as India's first-choice wicketkeeper-batsman ahead of Pant remains to be seen. However, his inclusion in the World Cup squad is a testament to his newfound consistency and the belief that he can make a significant contribution to India's title aspirations.

India-Pakistan T20 World Cup Clash Sparks Massive Security Operation in New YorkThe highly anticipated clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan in the group stage of the T20 World Cup on Sunday has prompted an unprecedented security operation in Nassau County, New York. The temporary 34,000-seat stadium in East Meadow is expected to host thousands of passionate fans, leading officials to prepare for an event dubbed the "Super Bowl on steroids."The intense rivalry between India and Pakistan is one of the most captivating in sports, and the match is projected to attract millions of viewers worldwide. Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman acknowledged the significance of the event, stating, "India vs Pakistan is like the Super Bowl on steroids. We had no idea how huge it was. We want to put our best foot forward."To ensure a safe and secure environment, an extraordinary security effort has been implemented. Law enforcement personnel from various levels are collaborating within the county, which is adjacent to New York City. New York State Governor Kathy Hochul has also announced enhanced security measures for the World Cup, citing reported threats, including those specifically related to the India-Pakistan fixture.Blakeman expressed confidence in the security arrangements, stating, "I'm very confident that this is a safe environment - if it wasn't, then I wouldn't hold it."The high demand for tickets reflects the intense rivalry and passion surrounding the match. As of Monday afternoon, the least expensive ticket available on the resale website StubHub was priced at $790.The United States is co-hosting the T20 World Cup with the West Indies, with matches also taking place in Texas and Florida. This event is seen as an opportunity for cricket to gain a foothold in the American market and pave the way for its return to the Olympic program in 2028.

Anrich Nortje, who bowled South Africa to victory in a crucial World Cup match in New York, believes the low-scoring game was still entertaining despite criticism of the pitch and outfield.Nortje, who took career-best T20I figures of 4-10, said he thought the game was "great" and that the entertainment was there."It doesn't always mean, correct me if I'm wrong, there needs to be 20 sixes in a game to make it entertaining," Nortje said. "There's still a lot of strategy that goes into the game. There's a lot of skill that goes into the game, whether it's sixes or fast bowlers or spinners, however it might be. So, I thought the game was a brilliant game. It was still a close game at the end of the day, another wicket or two, and things might have been different. We might have been in a little bit more trouble."Nortje's comments come after Sri Lanka managed to make just 77 runs in their innings, with South Africa also struggling to chase down the target. The pitch was criticized for being uneven and the outfield for being slow, making scoring difficult.However, Nortje said he didn't think there was anything wrong with the pitches."I don't think there's anything wrong with the wickets," he said. "It's [allowed to be] nice for bowlers as well. We are also allowed to get some sort of assistance. It's different to what guys have been used to for the last few months or years. There's a little bit more in the wicket for the bowlers and I don't see anything wrong with that."Nortje's teammate Heinrich Klaasen agreed that the game was entertaining, but said he didn't think the pitch was ideal for T20 cricket."I don't think it's ideal for T20 cricket, but it's still a good entertaining game," Klaasen said. "Nevertheless our bowlers bowled extremely well. The margin for error for the bowlers is also not as big as you think. It's not easy for the batters. It took like almost a mixture of Test cricket, one-day, batting-wise to get over the line. Luckily we didn't chase 120. That would've been very interesting."Despite the criticism of the pitch, both Nortje and Klaasen were happy with the atmosphere in New York."I said to the coach the DJ was on point, there was no interruptions from his side and the crowd was fantastic," Klaasen said. "You can see the people are excited for the competition."

India's T20 World Cup Opening Combination Remains a MysteryAhead of India's T20 World Cup opener against Ireland on June 5, head coach Rahul Dravid has remained tight-lipped about the team's opening combination. While Rohit Sharma is expected to partner with Virat Kohli at the top of the order, there is speculation that Yashasvi Jaiswal could also be an option."We've got options, so we are obviously not going to reveal our cards just yet," Dravid said. "We have Rohit and Jaiswal, and Virat opened in the IPL as well."The playing surface at the Nassau County ground has drawn attention due to its inconsistent bounce and sluggish outfield. However, Dravid refused to complain about the pitch conditions."We had three practice sessions here. From the third session onwards, the wicket became better," Dravid said. "But a wicket is a wicket. We don't want to label it as bad or good. It is a wicket and you have to manage and you have to adjust to it."Dravid emphasized that his squad will focus on adapting their game to suit the current state of the ground. "We will not complain about the wicket," he said. "A score of 200 was considered a par in the recently concluded IPL, but here at this venue, it appears to be more than just a par score; it seems like a winning score.""As we talk about T20 cricket, maybe we won't be able to play like that in this tournament," Dravid added. "Maybe in this venue. We will hopefully play in many venues. So, it will be different there. So, it will be important to adapt."Dravid also defended the performance of the players in recent ICC events, acknowledging the team's efforts despite falling short at crucial moments. "To be very honest with you, I think we've actually played really well in these World Cup tournaments," Dravid said. "In terms of our consistency, we've been very consistent.""Yes, we probably haven't been able to get across the line in the knockout game," Dravid admitted. "So, we just probably haven't been able to execute in that last phase. So, hopefully we play good cricket to get ourselves into those positions again and then maybe play good cricket on the day to cross the line."

Rahul Dravid, the esteemed coach of the Indian cricket team, has officially announced that the 2024 T20 World Cup will mark his final assignment with the national side. The former Indian captain, who has helmed the team since 2021, has decided not to re-apply for the post.Dravid's decision comes as the BCCI has already advertised for the top coaching position, with the new coach set to take over from July 1. The 2024 T20 World Cup concludes on June 29, aligning with Dravid's departure.Speaking ahead of India's opening match against Ireland at the T20 World Cup 2024, Dravid expressed his gratitude for his time as coach. "Every tournament is important. Every game that I've coached for India has been very important for me. So for me this is no different just because it is going to be the last one that I'm in charge of," he said.Dravid also addressed India's opening combination, stating that Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal were the current choices, with Virat Kohli also a potential option.Reflecting on his coaching tenure, Dravid expressed his enjoyment and fulfillment. "I love doing the job. I've really enjoyed coaching India and I think it's a truly special job to do. I enjoyed working with this team and it's a great bunch of boys to work with," he said.However, Dravid acknowledged the demanding schedule and his personal circumstances as factors in his decision not to re-apply. "I don't think I'll be able to reapply," he said.Despite his departure, Dravid emphasized that his commitment to the team remains unwavering. "From the first day I took the job, I always felt that every game was important and every game mattered and that will not change," he asserted.India will be aiming to secure an elusive ICC trophy at the 2024 T20 World Cup, providing a fitting farewell for their departing coach.