Cricket

Suryakumar Yadav's Witty Banter with Yashasvi Jaiswal as Team India Prepares for T20 World CupAs the Indian cricket team gears up for the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup in New York, star batter Suryakumar Yadav couldn't resist engaging in some light-hearted banter with his young teammate, opener Yashasvi Jaiswal.Jaiswal, who arrived in New York as part of the second batch of the Indian contingent, shared a photo on Instagram showcasing his exploration of the city's streets. Yadav, known for his quick wit, seized the opportunity to comment, "Sambhaal ke. Garden me ghoomega toh pata hai na," referencing a popular line from a Bollywood film.The Indian team, which landed in New York in two batches, is currently undergoing preparations for the T20 World Cup, scheduled to take place in the USA and the West Indies from June 2. The first batch included captain Rohit Sharma, head coach Rahul Dravid, and pacer Jasprit Bumrah, while the second batch had Yuzvendra Chahal, Avesh Khan, and Jaiswal.India, placed in Group A, will face arch-rivals Pakistan, co-hosts USA, Ireland, and Canada. They will kick off their World Cup campaign against Ireland on June 5 in New York. Additionally, they have a warm-up match scheduled against Bangladesh on June 1.The team is aiming to bounce back after crashing out in the semi-finals of the previous edition, where they lost to eventual champions England. India's last T20 World Cup title came in the inaugural edition in 2007, when a young team led by MS Dhoni emerged victorious.

England and Pakistan's T20 World Cup preparations have been hampered by persistent rain, with their second match in Cardiff abandoned without a toss. The match was the second abandonment of the series, following the weather-ruined series opener in Leeds.England captain Jos Buttler, who left the squad on Saturday to be with his wife for the imminent birth of their third child, would have been replaced by Moeen Ali as captain. Mark Wood was set to make his first appearance for England since early March, while Sam Curran was also expected to feature. Jofra Archer was reportedly set to be rested as England manage his workload after a lengthy injury layoff.Buttler is expected to join the England squad in Barbados on Friday and could potentially return for the final match of the series at The Oval on Thursday. However, the weather forecast for south London is not promising, raising concerns about the possibility of a shortened match.Heavy rain throughout the day in Cardiff forced the umpires to repeatedly delay the toss. The rain eventually returned at around 5.15pm, leading to the abandonment of the match at 8.12pm.The lack of match practice is a concern for both England and Pakistan as they prepare for the T20 World Cup. England will hope to get some game time in the final match of the series, while Pakistan will have a warm-up match against Afghanistan on October 17 before the tournament begins.

Cricket, a sport once popular in America, is poised for a resurgence as the T20 World Cup brings the game to the United States. Sixteen of the 55 matches will be played in the country, with the aim of both introducing cricket to Americans and attracting financial support.The US recently defeated Bangladesh in a T20 series, marking the first time they have triumphed over a Test nation. Led by wicket-keeper Monank Patel, who played Under-19 cricket for Gujarat, the US team is generating excitement. The inaugural match will feature the US against Canada, a symbolic encounter as these countries played the first-ever international cricket match in 1844.However, cricket's history in America is complex. After the Civil War, baseball emerged as the dominant sport, leaving cricket to become a niche activity. Tom Melville, in his book "The Tented Field," attributes this shift to baseball's shorter, faster structure and alternating periods of excitement and dramatic pauses, which provided Americans with a cultural expression that cricket, with its traditional limitations, could not duplicate.Despite these challenges, the International Cricket Council (ICC) sees the US as a potential growth market. T20, with its shorter, quicker format, is seen as the ideal vehicle to attract American audiences. The ICC hopes to capitalize on the growing popularity of cricket among Indian immigrants in the US, who number around five million.However, relying solely on the expatriate community to popularize the sport may be unrealistic. To truly establish cricket in America, it must appeal to a broader audience. The ICC is aware of this and is working to promote the game among younger generations.The return of cricket to the Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028 provides another opportunity to showcase the sport to Americans. The T20 format is expected to be the preferred choice for the Olympics, further increasing its visibility.While the task of popularizing cricket in America is significant, the ICC is determined to succeed. The sport's potential financial benefits are undeniable, and the ICC is eager to reduce India's dominance in the cricketing world.

Anrich Nortje's return to form is imminent, according to South Africa's white-ball coach Rob Walter. Despite underwhelming figures since his comeback from a six-month injury layoff, Walter remains confident in the fast bowler's abilities.Nortje's absence from September 2023 to March 2024, which included the ODI World Cup and South Africa's home summer, was due to a stress fracture. Since his return, he has played 11 T20 matches, claiming nine wickets at an economy rate of 11.22.Walter acknowledges the challenging conditions Nortje has faced, including facing a formidable West Indies side. He believes that these experiences will ultimately benefit the bowler. "He's not very far away," Walter said. "A world-class performer finds a way."Nortje's selection for the T20 World Cup squad over Lungi Ngidi, who has impressed in recent matches, was based on his raw pace. Walter emphasizes that Nortje's primary role is to "strike, break the game open, and then close it up."South Africa will also rely on Ottneil Baartman for slower-ball variations. Baartman, who made his debut against West Indies, has shown promise and is expected to play a significant role.Tabraiz Shamsi, who missed the West Indies series due to injury, has returned to training. However, South Africa's official warm-up match has been canceled due to logistical reasons.Despite the lack of a warm-up game, Walter believes that the team has had sufficient match practice. Three South Africans participated in the IPL final, while another was part of the Eliminator. South Africa will now focus on intra-squad scenario training before their first match against Sri Lanka on June 3.

Legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar is expected to grace the highly anticipated T20 World Cup clash between India and Pakistan on June 9 in New York. The 51-year-old icon, who has a long-standing association with a key ICC sponsor, is likely to be present at the Nassau County ground to lend his support to the Indian team led by Rohit Sharma.According to sources within the ICC, the stadium located on the outskirts of New York is anticipated to be packed to capacity for the morning clash between the arch-rivals. Tendulkar's presence will undoubtedly amplify the excitement and significance of this marquee encounter."Yes, if all goes well, Sachin will be watching the match in New York and cheering the Indian team," a source closely associated with the ICC revealed to PTI on condition of anonymity. "It is still uncertain whether he will meet the players before the game, but his mere presence in the stands will undoubtedly boost the morale of Rohit Sharma and his men in what will be their most crucial group league assignment."Tendulkar, widely regarded as the greatest Indian cricketer of all time, continues to hold the record for the highest run-scorer in both Test and ODI cricket. He has participated in six 50-over World Cups between 1992 and 2011.Notably, Tendulkar has previously served as the ICC's 'Brand Ambassador' during the 2015 ODI World Cup held in Australia and New Zealand. His presence at the T20 World Cup clash between India and Pakistan is expected to add an extra layer of excitement and anticipation to the already highly charged atmosphere.

Bangladesh's T20 World Cup preparations suffered a setback as their warm-up match against the United States in Dallas was canceled due to severe thunderstorms. The inclement weather caused flooding and damage to the Grand Prairie Stadium, rendering it unplayable."The conditions of the facilities following the adverse weather have forced us to cancel the match," said Bangladesh team manager Rabeed Iman. "We are disappointed, as this was a crucial opportunity to acclimatize to the venue."The cancellation leaves both teams without any warm-up matches ahead of the tournament. USA, who will host the tournament opener against Canada on June 1, will be particularly affected as they have never played a T20 World Cup match before.Bangladesh, who play their first game against Sri Lanka on June 7, will also be concerned about the lack of match practice. They have never won more than two matches in a T20 World Cup and will be hoping to improve on that record in the United States.The cancellation of the warm-up match adds to the pressure on Bangladesh, who were recently defeated 2-1 by the United States in a T20I series in Houston. The shock defeat raised questions about Bangladesh's form and ability to compete at the highest level.Bangladesh are in Group D of the T20 World Cup, alongside Sri Lanka, South Africa, Nepal, and the Netherlands. They will need to perform well in the group stage to reach the Super 12s, where the top two teams from each group will advance.The United States, meanwhile, are in Group A of the tournament, alongside Canada, India, Pakistan, and Ireland. They will be hoping to make a strong impression in their first T20 World Cup and will be confident of causing an upset or two.

T20 World Cup Trivia: A Journey Through the Tournament's HistoryThe T20 World Cup, a global extravaganza of cricket, has captivated fans worldwide since its inception in 2007. Over the years, the tournament has witnessed thrilling matches, unforgettable performances, and the rise of cricketing legends. Here's a comprehensive look at some intriguing trivia from the tournament's rich history:Unique Players:Rohit Sharma and Shakib Al Hasan stand out as the only players to have participated in all eight editions of the T20 World Cup. Remarkably, they will continue their streak in the upcoming ninth edition, representing their respective teams, India and Bangladesh.Captaincy Triumphs:Daren Sammy, the former West Indies captain, holds the distinction of being the only player to have led his team to victory in two editions of the T20 World Cup. He guided the Caribbean side to triumphs in 2012 and 2016.Wicket-Keeper Captains:MS Dhoni and Jos Buttler have etched their names in history as the only wicket-keeper captains to lift the T20 World Cup trophy. Dhoni led India to victory in 2007, while Buttler captained England to the title in 2022.Tied Matches:The 2012 edition of the T20 World Cup witnessed two thrilling tied matches, both involving New Zealand. The Black Caps lost both matches in the subsequent one-over eliminators, a testament to the tournament's unpredictable nature.Semi-Final Dominance:Pakistan has established itself as the most consistent team in the T20 World Cup, reaching the semi-finals six times, more than any other nation. Their ability to perform under pressure has made them a formidable force in the tournament.International Representation:Dirk Nannes, Roelof van der Merwe, David Wiese, and Mark Chapman share a unique distinction in T20 World Cup history. They have represented two different countries in the tournament: Nannes for Netherlands and Australia, van der Merwe for South Africa and Netherlands, Wiese for South Africa and New Zealand, and Chapman for Hong Kong and New Zealand.Non-Test Nation Bowler:Ahsan Malik, a Pakistani bowler, made history in the 2014 T20 World Cup by becoming the first player from a non-Test playing nation to claim a five-wicket haul in an inning. His impressive performance highlighted the tournament's ability to showcase talent from all corners of the cricketing world.Umpiring Milestone:Aleem Dar, a renowned Pakistani umpire, holds the record for officiating in the most T20 World Cup matches. With 45 appearances to his name, Dar has witnessed countless moments of cricketing brilliance and controversy.

Pakistan Skipper Babar Azam's Frustration with Selfie-Seeking FansPakistan cricket team captain Babar Azam recently expressed his frustration with fans who persistently sought selfies and invaded his privacy. A video circulating online shows Azam being followed and surrounded by fans on the streets of Cardiff, England.Despite being accompanied by security personnel, Azam appeared visibly irritated by the constant requests for meet-ups and photo opportunities. He was heard telling the fans, "Do minutes doge? Sar par nahi chado," (Give me two minutes, don't get on my head) before asking the security to remove them.However, Azam later showed humility by taking pictures with the fans. The incident occurred during Pakistan's ongoing four-match T20I series against England in preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup.Pakistan's preparations for the World Cup have been marked by turmoil, with Azam replacing Shaheen Shah Afridi as captain just three months before the tournament. The team drew 2-2 against New Zealand in a T20I series at home and lost the opening match in Ireland before winning the series 2-1.In the T20 World Cup, Pakistan is placed in Group A alongside India, the United States, Canada, and Ireland. The top two teams from the group will advance to the Super Eight round, which will be held in the West Indies. The final will take place in Barbados on June 29.