Cricket

Cricket is poised for a significant expansion with the upcoming T20 World Cup in the United States and its re-entry into the Olympics in 2028. The success of cricket in the US market hinges on the highly anticipated India-Pakistan group league match on June 9 at the Nassau County Stadium.To cater to this pivotal event, the ICC and United States Cricket have meticulously constructed a state-of-the-art stadium in just six months. The Nassau County Ground, with a capacity of 34,000, was inaugurated by legendary sprinter Usain Bolt.Chris Tetley, head of events at the ICC, emphasized that the stadium meets international standards. Its dimensions are comparable to the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, and it boasts world-class drainage facilities.The stadium's four center wickets and six practice pitches were meticulously prepared in Florida under the supervision of Damian Hough, head curator of Adelaide Oval. The pitches were transported to New York in trucks and are designed to provide pace, bounce, and optimal batting conditions.The stadium's galleries are temporary structures brought in from the Las Vegas Formula One track. They will be removed after the tournament concludes.The India-Pakistan match is expected to be a major draw, with both teams boasting passionate fan bases. The success of this match and the overall tournament will be crucial in determining the future of cricket in the United States.

With the T20 World Cup looming on the horizon, overseas players have begun to withdraw from the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season to prioritize their national duties. England cricketers have led the exodus, leaving the league to prepare for the ICC tournament starting next month.Liam Livingstone, Jos Buttler (Rajasthan Royals), Will Jacks, and Reece Topley (Royal Challengers Bengaluru) have all departed the IPL to join the defending champion England squad ahead of their T20I series against Pakistan, commencing on May 22.The absence of Livingstone and Buttler was evident in Rajasthan Royals' recent defeat to Punjab Kings, while RCB will also feel the void left by Jacks and Topley in their crucial encounter with Chennai Super Kings on May 18.Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has expressed his displeasure with overseas players leaving the IPL during its crucial stages. "Either be available for the full season or don't come," Pathan stated on social media after the Royals' fourth consecutive loss.Legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has also called for decisive action from the BCCI and IPL franchises against players and their respective cricket boards for withdrawing from the IPL prematurely."I am all for players choosing a country before anything else, but having assured various franchises about their availability for the full season, if they pull out now, it will be letting down the franchises," Gavaskar wrote in his column for Mid Day.Gavaskar advocated for measures to hold players and cricket boards accountable for breaching their commitments.Punjab's stand-in skipper Sam Curran confirmed after Wednesday's game that he and Jonny Bairstow will return home on Thursday, missing their side's final league game of the season.

Eisenhower Park, located in Nassau County, New York, has undergone a remarkable transformation to become the first modular stadium in international cricket. This state-of-the-art venue, with a capacity of 34,000, is set to host eight matches of the upcoming T20 World Cup, including the highly anticipated clash between India and Pakistan on June 9.The construction of Eisenhower Park was a monumental undertaking, completed in just five months. The project involved erecting a stadium on what was previously park land, as well as preparing and transporting drop-in pitches from Florida. Ten drop-in pitches were installed in the main square, along with six additional pitches for practice. The pitches were meticulously prepared by Adelaide Oval Turf Solutions, while the outfield was constructed by LandTek Group, a renowned turf-making company.The ICC will conduct test events at Eisenhower Park in the lead-up to the World Cup, which begins on June 1. The first match at the venue will be played on June 3 between South Africa and Sri Lanka. Prior to the main tournament, a warm-up match between Bangladesh and India will be held on June 1.ICC's head of events, Chris Tetley, expressed his satisfaction with the progress of the project, stating that Eisenhower Park now resembles a world-class cricket stadium. He also emphasized that community cricket events will be held in May to test the infrastructure and operational demands.Tickets for the T20 World Cup matches in New York are still available, including for the India vs Pakistan match. Fans are encouraged to visit tickets.t20worldcup.com to secure their seats.

Rohit Sharma Reveals the Most Formidable Bowler He Has FacedIndian cricket captain Rohit Sharma has named South African pace legend Dale Steyn as the most formidable bowler he has encountered throughout his illustrious career. As India gears up for the upcoming T20 World Cup, Rohit's revelation has sparked intrigue among cricket enthusiasts worldwide.Rohit, who has amassed over 15,000 international runs across all formats, has faced some of the greatest bowlers in the game. However, it is Steyn who stands out as the most challenging opponent he has faced."I have gone and watched his videos like 100 times before I went in to bat. That was Dale Steyn. He is an absolute legend of the game. And what he has achieved in his career is just superb to watch. And I have faced him many times," Rohit said.Steyn, who retired from international cricket in 2020, was renowned for his express pace, lethal swing, and unwavering competitiveness. He claimed 699 wickets in 265 international matches for South Africa, establishing himself as one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time."He is quick. He used to swing the ball at that pace, which is not easy. It is quite tough. And he was a fierce competitor. He just went out there wanting to do everything, to win every game and every session, so it was nice to come up against him," Rohit added.Rohit's admiration for Steyn is a testament to the South African's exceptional skills and the impact he had on the game. Steyn's ability to consistently bowl at high speeds with pinpoint accuracy made him a formidable opponent for even the most accomplished batsmen.As India prepares for the T20 World Cup, Rohit's experience in facing Steyn will undoubtedly be invaluable. The Indian skipper will be hoping to lead his team to glory in the tournament, and his insights into Steyn's bowling will be crucial in helping India overcome any challenges they may face.

India's T20 World Cup Semifinal Fate: Guyana Bound on June 27India's quest for an elusive ICC trophy will take a crucial turn on June 27, as they are set to play the second semifinal of the T20 World Cup in Guyana if they qualify for the last four stage. According to the ICC's playing conditions for the tournament in the USA and Caribbean, a reserve day is only allocated for the final in Barbados on June 29.The decision to schedule India's potential semifinal in Guyana was made considering the timing of the semifinals in Trinidad and Guyana. The first semifinal in Trinidad on June 26 is a night affair, while the knock-out game in Guyana is a day game, which aligns better with the Indian TV audience's viewing preferences.The second semifinal will commence at 8.30 PM IST and will have an additional 250 minutes of playing time if the match is affected by weather. The added time for the first semifinal will be spread over two days."The Final on 29 June will have a reserve day on 30 June. The semi-finals will each have additional time added in order to complete the match which will total 250 minutes," the playing conditions state."For the first semi-final on 26 June, 60 minutes will be available at the end of the day's play with the remaining 190 minutes scheduled for 2pm on 27 June.""Whilst the additional 250 minutes for the second semi-final scheduled on 27 June will be utilised if needed through extended playing hours on the scheduled day," the playing conditions further explain.India will be eager to break their ICC trophy drought and will commence their campaign against Ireland in New York on June 5. They will then face arch-rivals Pakistan at the same venue on June 9.

Bangladesh's batting woes have been a concern for captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and coach Chandika Hathurusinghe, but they have opted against making any last-minute changes to their T20 World Cup squad. Despite Litton Das's recent struggles, scoring only 79 runs in his last six T20Is, he has retained his place in the team.Hathurusinghe acknowledged that the top and middle order did not perform as expected against Zimbabwe, but he believes they have the potential to improve. He emphasized the importance of the top order scoring consistently to relieve pressure on the other batters.Shanto expressed confidence in the team's bowling attack, led by vice-captain Taskin Ahmed, who is recovering from a side strain. He believes the bowlers can win them games at the World Cup, especially in conditions that may favor spin.Both Shanto and Hathurusinghe highlighted the importance of senior players Mahmudullah and Shakib Al Hasan, who are expected to share their experience with the younger players. Mahmudullah has been in good form lately, while Shakib remains a key figure in the team.Hathurusinghe is cautiously optimistic about Bangladesh's chances at the World Cup. He recognizes the challenges of their group, which includes South Africa and Sri Lanka, but believes they can qualify for the Super 12 stage.

Pakistan's former captain, Misbah-ul-Haq, has expressed concerns about his team's ability to overcome India in the upcoming T20 World Cup. He believes that Pakistan faces a "mental block" when facing their arch-rivals in ICC events.Historically, India has dominated encounters between the two teams in T20 World Cup tournaments, with Pakistan securing victory only once in seven meetings. Misbah attributes this to a combination of India's superior skill and Pakistan's mental fragility."India has quality fast bowlers in (Jasprit) Bumrah, (Mohammed) Siraj, and Hardik (Pandya). The Indian cricket team's quality has risen many folds. It will be difficult to break, mental attitude matters a lot," Misbah said.He also highlighted the threat posed by Virat Kohli, who has a history of performing well against Pakistan. "Kohli is going to be a big factor. He has damaged Pakistan many times. He enjoys supremacy over Pakistan mentally. He takes motivation from big occasions and not pressure," he said.Misbah recalled his infamous scoop shot in the inaugural T20 World Cup final against India in 2007, which ultimately cost Pakistan the match. However, he believes that tournament played a pivotal role in the growth of T20 cricket."The way T20 cricket flourished, I feel whatever we achieved and the current players are now plying their trade in different leagues and IPL is something great," he said.Pakistan will need to overcome their mental block and play to their full potential if they want to challenge India in the upcoming T20 World Cup. The match between the two teams is scheduled for June 9 in New York and is expected to be one of the most eagerly awaited matches of the tournament.

Rinku Singh, the rising star of Indian cricket, has captivated fans with his exceptional batting skills and infectious personality. From his humble beginnings to his current status as a reserve player for Team India, Rinku's journey has been marked by both triumphs and challenges.Rinku's love for cricket began at a young age, and his talent was evident from the start. He honed his skills on the streets of Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, and eventually caught the attention of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) franchise in the Indian Premier League (IPL).In the IPL, Rinku quickly made a name for himself as a fearless batsman with a penchant for hitting sixes. His memorable request for a bat from Virat Kohli during a match showcased his confidence and determination. However, despite his impressive strike rate, Rinku has struggled to consistently meet expectations in the IPL.Off the field, Rinku is known for his jovial nature and infectious smile. A recent video shared by KKR on social media captured a lighthearted moment during a photo and video shoot. In the video, Rinku playfully expressed his inability to dance, despite the director's attempts to convince him.Despite his struggles in the IPL, Rinku's talent has not gone unnoticed. He has been selected as one of the reserve players for India in the upcoming T20 World Cup. This selection is a testament to his potential and the belief that he can make a significant contribution to the team.As Rinku prepares for the World Cup, he will be determined to prove his worth and cement his place in the Indian cricket team. His journey has been an inspiration to many, and his infectious personality and unwavering determination are sure to continue to win him fans both on and off the field.

Rohit Sharma's underwhelming IPL 2024 campaign has raised concerns among fans and experts alike. The Indian skipper has struggled to find his form, averaging just over 29 with a strike rate of around 145 in 13 matches. This has contributed to Mumbai Indians' dismal performance, with the team winning only 4 out of 13 matches and being the first to be eliminated from the playoffs race.However, former India captain Sourav Ganguly remains unfazed by Rohit's recent form. Ganguly believes that the veteran batter has a proven track record in big tournaments and will deliver for the national side in the upcoming T20 World Cup. "India is a very good team. Rohit will play well in the World Cup. He plays well in big tournaments. At the big stage, he will be fine," Ganguly said at a recent event.Rohit's loss of captaincy to Hardik Pandya at Mumbai Indians has also been a topic of discussion. There have been reports of a possible rift between the two Indian cricket team stars. Legendary Pakistan fast bowler Wasim Akram even predicted that Rohit may not be at Mumbai Indians next season. "I have a feeling, he won't be at Mumbai Indians next season. I would love to see him at KKR. Imagine him open there, Gauti as a mentor, Iyer as a captain. They will have a very strong batting, at that wicket (Eden Gardens). He bats very well on any wicket, he is that great a player. But it will be good to see him at KKR," Akram said.Despite the concerns surrounding Rohit's form and the rumors of a rift with Pandya, Ganguly remains confident in the Indian skipper's ability to lead the team to success in the T20 World Cup. Rohit's experience and big-match temperament will be crucial for India's chances of lifting the trophy.