Cricket

Rohit Sharma's exceptional leadership and batting prowess guided India to a historic T20 World Cup triumph in June, ending an 11-year title drought for the nation. Throughout the tournament, Sharma showcased his dominance, amassing 251 runs in eight matches with an impressive average of 36.71.In a recent "This or That" segment with Sportskeeda, former Indian all-rounder Yuvraj Singh expressed his admiration for Sharma's batting style, which he believes mirrors his own. "My batting style, I don't know. Probably a big hitter. Probably Rohit Sharma," Singh remarked.Meanwhile, the Indian team under Sharma's captaincy arrived in Chennai on Friday to commence preparations for the first Test against Bangladesh. Star players Jasprit Bumrah, Rishabh Pant, and KL Rahul were among those spotted at the airport. Sharma and Virat Kohli also joined the team in Chennai early Friday morning. Kohli returned from London, where he had been spending time with his family.Pacers Akash Deep and Yash Dayal received their maiden Test call-ups, while wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant made his Test comeback after recovering from a life-threatening accident in December 2022. Kohli will also return to Test cricket for the first time since India's tour of South Africa in January. He missed the home Test series against England due to the birth of his son.The two-match Test series between India and Bangladesh will commence on September 19 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The second Test will be played in Kanpur from September 27. Head coach Gautam Gambhir will aim to secure a series victory in his first Test assignment.

England and Australia Clash in T20I Opener Amidst Key AbsencesEngland and Australia will face off in the first T20I of their three-match series in Southampton, with both teams missing several key players due to injuries and other commitments.England, who are without captain Jos Buttler, will be led by explosive opener and keeper-batter Phil Salt. The hosts have named a youthful squad for the series, with batter Jordan Cox, 20-year-old allrounder Jacob Bethell, and Jamie Overton set to make their T20 international debuts.Australia, on the other hand, will be boosted by the return of senior pacer Josh Hazlewood, who sat out during last week's series sweep of Scotland. The visitors will also be without captain Aaron Finch, who is recovering from a knee injury.The match will be a crucial test for both teams as they prepare for the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia later this year. England will be looking to build on their recent success in the format, while Australia will be eager to prove their credentials as one of the favorites for the tournament.Key Players to Watch:* Phil Salt (England): The explosive opener will be looking to make a statement in his first match as captain.* Josh Hazlewood (Australia): The experienced pacer will be key to Australia's bowling attack.* Jordan Cox (England): The young batter will be hoping to impress on his international debut.* Jacob Bethell (England): The allrounder will be looking to contribute with both bat and ball.* Mitchell Marsh (Australia): The allrounder will be a key figure in Australia's middle order.

England and Australia are set to clash in a thrilling series of eight T20Is over the next 18 days, starting with the first match in Southampton. Despite a disappointing T20 World Cup campaign, England boasts a strong squad with a mix of experienced players and rising stars. Australia, too, is looking to make a statement after their early exit from the World Cup.The series marks the beginning of a new era for England's T20 team, with Brendon McCullum taking over as head coach in January. Marcus Trescothick will lead the team for this series and the upcoming tour of the West Indies. Phil Salt will captain the side in the absence of the injured Jos Buttler.Australia, on the other hand, is gradually transitioning its team with an eye towards the 2026 T20 World Cup. While some Test players are missing due to the busy schedule, the squad still features a blend of experience and youth. Josh Inglis and Cameron Green impressed in the recent matches against Scotland, while Josh Hazlewood has joined the squad after recovering from a minor injury.The spotlight will be on England's Jacob Bethell, an all-rounder who has generated buzz with his performances in the T20 Blast. Australia's Jake Fraser-McGurk, who has been given the opportunity to replace David Warner at the top of the order, will be eager to prove his worth.England has confirmed its XI for the first T20I, with Bethell and Jordan Cox making their debuts. Jamie Overton will also make his T20I debut as a batter-only. Australia has not yet named its XI, but Mitchell Marsh has confirmed that Hazlewood will return after his calf niggle.The match will be played on a surface with minimal grass and some of the largest boundaries in the country, which could favor Australia. The weather forecast is fair, although chilly in the evening. The match is a sellout, and Hampshire is installing 1000 solar panels at the Utilita Bowl before the game.

New Zealand's women's cricket team has received a major boost with the return of fast bowler Rosemary Mair for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024. Mair, who missed the recent home series against England due to a back injury, will bolster a pace attack that already includes experienced campaigners Lea Tahuhu, Jess Kerr, Hannah Rowe, and Molly Penfold.The return of Mair, who has 18 wickets in 24 T20Is, adds depth to New Zealand's bowling options. She will be joined by all-rounders Suzie Bates and Brooke Halliday, who can also contribute with the ball. The spin department will be led by Leigh Kasperek, Melie Kerr, Fran Jonas, and Eden Carson.Captain Sophie Devine and Bates will be making their ninth T20 World Cup appearance, a testament to their longevity and experience in the international arena. The squad also includes wicketkeeper-batter Izzy Gaze, who will be making her World Cup debut."I'm really pleased with this squad; I think these are our best 15 players to adapt to what will likely be varied conditions," said New Zealand head coach Ben Sawyer. "Soph [Devine] and Suze [Bates] have a huge amount of tournament experience from World Cups to franchise leagues, so we'll certainly be leaning on that knowledge in what's going to be a pretty intense competition."New Zealand will face a tough challenge in the World Cup, which will be held in the United Arab Emirates from October 4-14. They have been drawn in Group A alongside India, Australia, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan.Before the World Cup, New Zealand will tour Australia for three T20Is in September. They will also play warm-up games against South Africa and England before the start of the tournament proper.The T20 World Cup will be Devine's last assignment as New Zealand's T20I captain. She has led the team to numerous successes, including the 2018 Commonwealth Games gold medal and the 2020 T20 World Cup final.

Rishabh Pant Recounts Suryakumar Yadav's Game-Changing Catch in 2024 T20 World Cup FinalIndia's wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has shared his light-hearted perspective on Suryakumar Yadav's extraordinary catch in the dying moments of the 2024 T20 World Cup final against South Africa. The catch proved pivotal in securing India's thrilling seven-run victory, preventing South Africa from snatching the game from their grasp.Speaking on Tanmoy Bhat's YouTube channel, Pant recalled the tense moment when South Africa's big-hitting finisher, David Miller, almost turned the tide in his team's favor. Pant admitted that he initially believed Miller's shot would sail over the boundary for a six."When the ball was in the air, it felt like everything was gone. When it hit the bat, it seemed like a sure-shot six. The ball didn't cross the boundary line because of the Indian fans' prayers," Pant joked.The catch swung the momentum back in India's favor, ultimately leading to their victory. Reflecting on the team's achievement, Pant expressed his joy at winning the World Cup, a cherished dream for any cricketer. However, he also emphasized the importance of focusing on future challenges."I am not thinking much about it now because I feel in India, people forget after 10-15 days what you have done. So, it is important for you to forget these things as well. That moment will always be there with me, but now we have to move on and focus on what's next," Pant said.After being sidelined from Test cricket for nearly 20 months, Pant is set to make his return for India in the upcoming two-match home Test series against Bangladesh, starting September 19.

India's T20 World Cup Triumph: Nida Dar's Delayed Congratulatory Message Sparks ControversyOn June 29, 2024, India emerged victorious in the T20 World Cup, defeating South Africa in a thrilling final. The triumph marked the end of a 13-year wait for an ICC title for the Indian team. However, over two months later, a post by former Pakistan women's cricket team captain Nida Dar has sparked controversy.In her post, Dar congratulated the Indian men's cricket team on their victory and praised star players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. However, the timing of the post raised eyebrows, as it came more than two months after the final.Dar later clarified that she had initially made the post on June 30, 2024, but due to restrictions on Twitter in Pakistan, it was posted on August 11 instead. Despite her explanation, Indian fans were not impressed and proceeded to troll the former Pakistan captain.The controversy surrounding Dar's post highlights the intense rivalry between India and Pakistan in cricket. The two nations have a long history of political and sporting tensions, and any interaction between them is often met with scrutiny and criticism.Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are set to return to action in the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh. The series opener will take place at Chennai's MA Chidambaram Stadium on September 19, followed by the second Test at Kanpur's Green Park Stadium on September 27.

Former Pakistan women's cricket team captain Nida Dar's belated social media post congratulating the Indian men's team on their T20 World Cup victory has sparked amusement and confusion among fans.On September 5, 2024, Dar posted on Twitter, "Congrats to India on winning the @T20WorldCup 2024! A special shoutout to @ImRo45 @imVkohli for their immense contributions to world cricket. Your leadership, skill, and dedication have inspired millions around the world. Happy retirement, legends!"The post, which included photos of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Rahul Dravid, caught everyone by surprise as the T20 World Cup had been won by India on June 29, 2023.Dar's post was met with a flurry of comments, with many users questioning her tardiness. "Nida Dar travelled back in time and got stuck there?" tweeted Saba S. Sheikh. "Nida Dar has just now landed from Mars!!" exclaimed Amitava.Dar later deleted the post from her social media account.Meanwhile, in men's cricket, Pakistan's Test team has dropped two places in the ICC rankings to eighth position after a 0-2 series defeat at home to Bangladesh. This is Pakistan's lowest rating points in the Test rankings since 1965.Pakistan was ranked sixth before the series against Bangladesh, but back-to-back losses on home soil have seen them slide below the West Indies. Pakistan has now lost six and drawn four of their last ten home Tests, with series defeats against Australia, England, and Bangladesh.

Rahul Dravid's cricketing journey has been a remarkable tale of resilience and triumph. Known as "The Wall" for his unwavering defense, Dravid was a batting maestro who played countless match-winning innings for India. Despite his illustrious 16-year playing career, Dravid's trophy cabinet lacked an ICC title.However, destiny had a special plan for him. After retiring as a player, Dravid took over as coach of Team India. Under his guidance, Rohit Sharma and his team clinched the T20 World Cup 2024 trophy, India's first ICC title in 11 years.The World Cup final, where India defeated South Africa, was Dravid's last game as coach. The team rewarded him with the ultimate farewell gift, and during the trophy collection, fans witnessed a rare sight: the usually composed Dravid immersed in a wild celebration.The 51-year-old, known for his calm demeanor, opened up about the moment at the CEAT Awards. "We strived to achieve something together. When you come at the end of it, you have moments like that. It's great to celebrate," he said.However, Dravid admitted that he tries to hide his exuberant celebrations from his sons, Samit and Anvay. "I try to avoid showing that to my children, thinking I've gone mad or something," he said."But yeah, I was always telling the boys we got to maintain our balance, and remain cool, not go up and down with results. Thank god it was my last game, otherwise after that, they would have said 'you're saying one thing but doing something else'," he added.Dravid's son, Samit, recently earned a spot in India's Under-19 squad for the Australia series. The three-match one-day series will be held in Puducherry in September.

Rohit Sharma's Iconic 'Walk' Trophy Celebration: A Global PhenomenonRohit Sharma's unforgettable "walk" trophy celebration at the T20 World Cup has left an indelible mark on cricket history. Inspired by Lionel Messi's iconic walk after Argentina's FIFA World Cup triumph, Rohit's slow and deliberate stride to collect the trophy after India's victory over South Africa captivated the world.The gesture, a symbol of triumph and confidence, has since become a global phenomenon. Cricket teams worldwide have adopted the "walk" as a way to celebrate their victories. Hayley Matthews, captain of the Barbados Royals Women, recently recreated the walk after leading her team to victory over Trinbago Knight Riders Women, paying homage to Rohit's iconic moment.Rohit's celebration not only showcased his leadership and determination but also highlighted the growing influence of football on cricket. The "walk" has become a bridge between the two sports, uniting fans and players alike.Beyond its symbolic significance, Rohit's walk has also sparked a conversation about the importance of mental strength in sports. The slow and deliberate pace of the walk represents the focus and composure required to succeed at the highest level.As the second Indian captain to win the ICC T20 World Cup title, Rohit has etched his name in cricket history. His iconic "walk" trophy celebration has become a testament to his leadership, confidence, and the enduring power of sport to inspire and unite.