Cricket

The 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup has officially commenced, marking the ninth edition of the prestigious tournament and the first major ICC event to be hosted in the United States. The tournament, which will span 29 days, features an expanded format with 20 teams competing for the coveted title.For fans in Asia, the time difference with the US will present a unique challenge, as matches will be played at times that may not be convenient for their viewing schedules. However, the excitement and anticipation surrounding the tournament is palpable, especially among fans of the USA and Canada, who will witness their teams take on the world's best in their own backyard.The opening match of the tournament pits the neighboring nations of the USA and Canada against each other, setting the stage for a thrilling start to the competition. The tournament will feature a round-robin format in the group stage, followed by a knockout phase for the top teams.The United States, as the host nation, will be eager to make a strong impression on the world stage. Led by captain Monank Patel, the team boasts a blend of experienced players and rising stars. Canada, on the other hand, will be looking to build on their recent success in international cricket. With a talented squad led by captain Navneet Dhaliwal, they will be determined to make a mark in the tournament.The 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup promises to be a captivating spectacle of cricket, showcasing the skills and talents of the world's best players. With the tournament being held in the United States for the first time, it is expected to attract a global audience and further popularize the sport in the region.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai Hails ICC Men's T20 Cricket World Cup, Celebrates Global Growth of CricketGoogle CEO Sundar Pichai has expressed his enthusiasm for the ICC Men's T20 Cricket World Cup, highlighting the increased participation of teams this year. In a post on Twitter, Mr. Pichai shared his excitement for the global growth of his favorite sport, which is being celebrated with a dedicated Google Doodle.This year's ICC Men's T20 Cricket World Cup features a record 20 teams from around the world, showcasing the growing popularity of the sport. The tournament kicked off on June 2 in the USA and West Indies, with the first match between the United States and Canada.Mr. Pichai's enthusiasm for cricket reflects the sport's increasing global reach. The ICC T20 World Cup is one of the most prestigious events in the cricket calendar, attracting millions of fans worldwide. The tournament provides a platform for the best men's cricketers to showcase their skills and represent their nations.India, one of the cricketing powerhouses, will be aiming to end their ICC trophy drought in this tournament. Having last won the ICC Champions Trophy in 2013, India has come close to victory in recent years, reaching the 50-over World Cup final in 2023, the semifinals in 2015 and 2019, and the title clash of the ICC World Test Championship in 2021 and 2023.The Indian team, led by Rohit Sharma, boasts a formidable lineup of players, including Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, and Jasprit Bumrah. They will face stiff competition from other top teams such as England, Australia, and Pakistan.The ICC Men's T20 Cricket World Cup promises to be an exciting and competitive tournament, showcasing the best of cricket from around the globe. With a record number of teams participating and the support of fans worldwide, the tournament is set to be a memorable event in the history of the sport.

The United States is poised to make history as it co-hosts the Men's T20 World Cup for the first time, marking a significant milestone in the country's growing embrace of cricket. The tournament, which kicks off with the USA facing Canada at the Grand Prairie Stadium, presents a golden opportunity for the sport to penetrate the lucrative American market.The USA's hosting of the World Cup is the culmination of years of efforts to popularize cricket in a nation where traditional sports like basketball, baseball, and football dominate. The launch of Major League Cricket (MLC) last year and the inclusion of cricket in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics are further testaments to the sport's growing appeal.Despite the excitement surrounding the tournament, there are concerns about the lack of buzz in the country. While advertisements for the World Cup are visible in New York's Times Square and the Rockefeller Centre Building, there is little buzz outside of these areas. The opening game between the USA and Canada has not sold out, and tickets for the highly anticipated India-Pakistan match on June 9 are still available.Prasanna Balakrishnan, an ardent cricket fan and software developer in Dallas, believes that the tournament could have been marketed more effectively. "I don't think there is enough buzz for the World Cup here as compared to India," he said. "I feel they could have done a lot more in terms of build-up."USA Cricket's recent announcement of a 25% discount on tickets for the co-hosts' home matches further hints at a lack of enthusiasm. Balakrishnan believes that this move could damage the tournament's image. "When tickets don't actually get sold out, then you open them later at a lower price, which doesn't provide a good image," he said.Despite the challenges, the tournament remains a crucial opportunity for cricket to gain a foothold in the USA. The presence of non-cricket following locals at MLC games last year suggests that there is curiosity about the sport. However, more needs to be done to generate excitement and captivate the interest of the wider American population.

Rohit Sharma Fan Interrupts T20 World Cup Warm-Up MatchIn an unfortunate incident during India's T20 World Cup warm-up match against Bangladesh at Nassau Stadium in New York, a Rohit Sharma fan breached security and entered the field to meet the Indian skipper. The incident occurred during Bangladesh's chase of 183, when the fan bypassed security and ran onto the field to approach Rohit.Security personnel swiftly intervened, apprehending the fan and escorting him out of the stadium. Play resumed after a brief interruption. This incident highlights the ongoing issue of fan intrusions during cricket matches, with players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli frequently encountering such behavior.Earlier in the match, Rishabh Pant strengthened his case for a starting berth in India's T20 World Cup squad as the first-choice wicketkeeper-batter. Pant, returning to the Indian team after a horrific car accident in December 2022, scored a fluent 53 (32b, 4x4, 4x6) on a slow pitch.Suryakumar Yadav (31, 18b, 4x4) and Hardik Pandya (40 not out, 23b, 2x4, 4x6) also made significant contributions, helping India reach a competitive total of 182 for five despite the absence of any substantial partnerships.

Jonny Bairstow's versatility has earned him a crucial role in England's T20 World Cup defense. Despite missing the 2022 triumph due to injury, Bairstow is set to play a key role in the middle order, a position he has ample experience in.Bairstow's adaptability is evident in his ability to open the batting or bat at No. 4, where he has scored a career-best 90. His experience at No. 4, where he has batted most frequently outside of opening, makes him a valuable asset to England's lineup.The rise of Phil Salt has pushed Bairstow down the batting order, but he remains confident in his ability to contribute. He believes his skillset allows him to bat effectively at No. 4, where he can utilize his experience in Test cricket to recall his skills.Bairstow's recent performances have been encouraging. He played a key role in England's victory over Pakistan at The Oval, helping finish off the chase with an unbroken stand of 46 off 27 balls alongside Harry Brook.Despite a grueling winter program, Bairstow is confident heading into the T20 World Cup. He achieved significant milestones during the winter, playing his 100th ODI and 100th Test, and roared back into form with a scintillating 108 not out from 48 balls in the IPL.Bairstow downplayed the significance of England's failed World Cup campaign in India last year, emphasizing the different format, conditions, and group. He expressed optimism about England's chances in the upcoming T20 World Cup.

India's T20 World Cup preparations took an unexpected turn as Sanju Samson opened the batting alongside Rohit Sharma in their warm-up match against Bangladesh in New York. Samson's brief stay at the crease ended with an lbw dismissal for 1, leaving India's opening combination still up for debate.With regular openers Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Virat Kohli in the squad, Samson's inclusion at the top of the order raised eyebrows. Kohli, who arrived in New York on the eve of the match, was unavailable for the warm-up game. Samson, one of two wicketkeeper-batters in the squad alongside Rishabh Pant, replaced Samson at the crease at No. 3.The opening combination has been a topic of discussion for India, with Rohit expected to take one of the two slots. Kohli, despite his successful IPL campaign as an opener, has traditionally batted at No. 3 in T20Is. Jaiswal, on the other hand, provides a left-handed option and can prevent oppositions from bowling left-arm spin in the powerplay, a style of bowling that has troubled both Rohit and Kohli in the past.However, given that this is a warm-up match where both teams can use their entire squads, the choice of Samson as opener and Pant at No. 3 should not be overanalyzed. India may be looking to assess both their keepers before deciding on their opening combination for their tournament opener against Ireland on June 5.

India's T20 World Cup preparations got underway with a warm-up match against Bangladesh at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York on Saturday. Captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and elected to bat, citing challenging conditions. Notably, Virat Kohli missed out on the game, as confirmed by Sharma.The match provided India with a valuable opportunity to acclimatize to conditions similar to those they will encounter in their group stage matches against Ireland, Pakistan, and the United States. Bangladesh, on the other hand, sought to find their winning formula after a disappointing series defeat to the USA.Sharma explained Kohli's absence, stating that he had only arrived the previous day and needed time to adjust. He also revealed that the rest of the squad was available for selection. Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto expressed his desire to bowl first, but acknowledged the need to adapt to the conditions.India's playing XI featured a mix of experienced and emerging players, including Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Sanju Samson, and Shivam Dube. Bangladesh fielded a strong side led by Litton Das, Shakib Al Hasan, and Mahmudullah.The match was a closely contested affair, with both teams showcasing their strengths and weaknesses. India's batting lineup struggled to find consistency, while Bangladesh's bowlers impressed with their accuracy and variations.In the end, India emerged victorious by a narrow margin, providing them with a much-needed confidence boost ahead of the T20 World Cup. The match also highlighted areas for improvement, which the team will undoubtedly address in their remaining preparations.

West Indies Aim for Redemption in T20 World Cup Opener Against Papua New GuineaWest Indies will kick off their Caribbean leg of the T20 World Cup 2024 with a match against Papua New Guinea in Providence, Guyana. The hosts will be eager to make a strong start after disappointing performances in the last two editions of the tournament.West Indies, who won the trophy in 2012 and 2016, have struggled in recent years. They managed only one win in five matches in 2021 and failed to reach the Super 12s in 2022. However, they come into this tournament in good form, having swept South Africa 3-0 at home and beating Australia in their only warm-up game.Key players for West Indies include Andre Russell, Nicholas Pooran, Rovman Powell, and Shimron Hetmyer. Russell boasts a strike rate of 207.89 in T20s this year, while Pooran has hit the most sixes in T20 cricket in 2024.Papua New Guinea, making their second appearance at the World Cup, will be looking to upset some calculations. They have a pace-dominated side with only Charles Amini as a frontline spinner. Veteran batters Assad Vala, Tony Ura, Lega Siaka, and Sese Bau will be crucial for PNG.The match will be played at Providence, where teams have been happier to bat second. However, there are chances of showers and even a thunderstorm early in the day, which could impact the game.West Indies will be hoping to start their campaign with a win and build momentum for the rest of the tournament. They will be aware of the threat posed by PNG, who have the experience and ability to cause an upset.

Pakistan's wicketkeeper-batter Azam Khan has faced criticism for his poor performance in the recent T20I series against England. Despite his inclusion in the T20 World Cup squad, his form and fitness have raised concerns among fans and experts.Khan scored only 11 runs in two matches and dropped several catches, leading to questions about his selection. Former selectors have suggested that he is out of shape for international cricket.However, Pakistan captain Babar Azam has defended Khan, urging fans to support the team's selections. He emphasized the need to back players who have been chosen for the World Cup.During the fourth T20I, Khan appeared visibly dejected after dropping catches. Babar consoled him, a gesture that has been praised on social media.Khan's struggles are not isolated. Captain Babar and star batter Mohammad Rizwan have also faced scrutiny for their low strike rates.Pakistan faces a challenging task in the T20 World Cup, placed in Group A alongside India, Canada, USA, and Ireland. They will open their campaign against USA on June 6, followed by the highly anticipated clash with India on June 9.The Pakistan squad for the T20 World Cup includes:* Babar Azam (c)* Abrar Ahmed* Azam Khan* Fakhar Zaman* Haris Rauf* Iftikhar Ahmed* Imad Wasim* Mohammad Abbas Afridi* Mohammad Amir* Mohammad Rizwan* Naseem Shah* Saim Ayub* Shadab Khan* Shaheen Shah Afridi* Usman KhanPakistan will need to improve their performances significantly to advance from their group and make a deep run in the tournament.