Cricket

Rohit Sharma, the former captain of India's T20 team, has expressed his gratitude towards Rahul Dravid, Ajit Agarkar, and Jay Shah for their unwavering support during his tenure. He acknowledged their backing in his endeavor to bring out the best in his players without being overly concerned about the outcomes. This approach ultimately led to India's triumphant campaign in the T20 World Cup.India's journey in the ICC tournament culminated in a resounding victory against South Africa in the final, held in Barbados. This marked their second T20 world title, with the first being clinched in 2007. Rohit, who spearheaded the team's success, also announced his retirement from the shortest format following this remarkable achievement."It was my dream to transform this team and not worry too much about the stats, the results, to make sure that we create that environment where people can go out there and play freely without thinking too much," Rohit said, as quoted by PTI, after being named the men's international cricketer of the year at the CEAT Cricket Rating Awards."That is what was required. I got a lot of help from my three pillars, who are actually Mr Jay Shah, Mr Rahul Dravid (and the) chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar," he said."That was very critical for me to do what I did and obviously not to forget the players, who came in at different points in time and helped the team to achieve what we achieved," he said.Rohit expressed that the feeling of winning the World Cup, which ended India's decade-long drought in global tournaments, was beyond words to describe."(It was) a feeling that cannot come everyday. It was something that we were really hoping for. When we won the World Cup, it was important for all of us to enjoy the moment which we did pretty well and thanks to our nation as well for celebrating with us," he said."As much as it meant for us, it meant a whole lot to the entire nation as well. It felt really great to bring it (trophy) back home here and celebrate with everyone here.""(It is a) fantastic feeling that can never be put out in words. I don't think it's a feeling that can be expressed. It won't do justice to our effect when all that happened," Rohit said.The Mumbaikar mentioned that he doesn't worry about the exact weight of a bat, instead preferring to go by how it feels in his hands."The guys who spend time with me in the changing room where I put my stickers and I put the bat tape and all that, will tell you (that) whichever bat I pick up, I go and play with that," he said."The balance of the bat for me is very important. I have seen a lot of guys who are pretty much into 'how many grains the bat has', 'what is the weight of the bat' and 'how does it look from outside', but I am not that kind of a person. I will pick up the bat and if I feel this is the right bat, I will go and play with that," he said.Despite leading the Mumbai Indians to five IPL titles as captain, Rohit's hunger to add more trophies to his collection remains insatiable."There is a reason I won five IPL trophies. I'm not going to stop, because once you get the taste of winning games, winning Cups, you don't want to stop and we'll keep pushing as a team. We'll keep striving for better things in the future," he said.As an extension, he wanted more success with India too as their ODI and Test leader."We've got a couple of solid tours coming up, very challenging ones as well. For us, it never stops. Once you achieve something you always look forward to achieving more.""That is what I will be doing. I'm pretty sure my teammates will be thinking on the same line. What I've seen in the last two years in Indian cricket, there's some real excitement, some real good cricket is being played," he added.

Naseem Shah, the 21-year-old Pakistani speedster, has emerged as a rising star in the cricketing world. With 17 Tests, 14 ODIs, and 28 T20Is under his belt, Shah is widely regarded as the next big thing in Pakistan cricket. However, behind the scenes, Shah faces a personal challenge that weighs heavily on his mind.Shah's father, his biggest supporter, suffers from health issues. The pressure of playing cricket while knowing his father's well-being is at stake takes a toll on Shah. Before every major match, he instructs his brothers to ensure that his father does not watch the game, fearing it could lead to further health complications."It's like I'm playing two matches at once," Shah said. "The pressure is immense."The India vs Pakistan match at the T20 World Cup 2024 proved to be a particularly difficult moment for Shah. Pakistan failed to chase down a modest target of 120, losing by six runs despite being in a strong position."There are a lot of emotions attached to such matches," Shah said. "I didn't expect the result to turn out the way it did. A lot of things flashed in front of me at that point... I felt the need to have someone who could talk positively to me."Despite not being targeted by fans or media, Shah was deeply disappointed by the loss. "I'm a person who wants to win," he said. "I get disappointed even when I lose while playing at home or in my street. I play to win, and the World Cup exit pained me a lot."Shah is determined to win back the hearts of Pakistani fans with strong performances on the field. "People come up to me in restaurants and ask me why we lost," he said. "I understand their sentiments. As a player, all I can do is listen to them.""There are times when you feel that you cannot put up with it anymore," Shah added. "But, it also burns a desire for a comeback. We have an opportunity to win the hearts again by playing good cricket."

Jasprit Bumrah: The Unstoppable Multi-Format Bowling ForceFormer Australian captain Ricky Ponting has hailed Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah as the best multi-format bowler in world cricket over the past five to six years. Despite concerns about his longevity, Bumrah has returned from injuries stronger than ever, impressing Ponting and the cricketing fraternity."He's probably been the best multi-format bowler there's been in world cricket for the last five or six years," Ponting said on the ICC review. "There might have been some fears a couple of years ago when the injuries came in and 'would he come back the same?', but I think he's actually come back better."Ponting emphasized the impact Bumrah has on opposition batsmen, who often describe him as a "nightmare" due to his unpredictable bowling style. "You never know what's going to happen. One's going to swing, one's going to seam, he's going to bowl an in-swinger, he's going to bowl an out-swinger," Ponting explained.Bumrah played a pivotal role in India's triumph in the T20 World Cup, taking 15 wickets. Ponting acknowledged Bumrah's exceptional performance during the tournament, noting that his pace and accuracy remain unchanged. "The skillset is all the same. He's getting better year on year. He would rank right up there," Ponting said.Ponting compared Bumrah to legendary bowlers like Glenn McGrath and James Anderson, highlighting their longevity and exceptional skills. "When you've got that skillset and the consistency that he has, then you're going to be a great player. Look at (Glenn) McGrath, look at (James) Anderson, these guys, their longevity and their skills being able to hold up for such a long period of time is what separates them from the rest," Ponting added.Bumrah's ability to adapt to different formats and conditions sets him apart from other bowlers. He has consistently performed at the highest level in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is, showcasing his versatility and adaptability.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has released its pitch ratings for the 2024 Men's T20 World Cup, revealing that the surfaces for two matches in New York and the semi-final in Trinidad were deemed "unsatisfactory."In New York's Nassau County Stadium, Sri Lanka was bowled out for 77 against South Africa, while Ireland was dismissed for 96 by India. The uneven bounce caused several players to suffer body blows, including Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, and Harry Tector.Former England captain Michael Vaughan labeled the New York pitch "shocking," while Andy Flower described it as "bordering on dangerous." The ICC acknowledged the substandard conditions and attributed them to the short turnaround time between matches.Remedial work was carried out, and the surfaces for subsequent fixtures in New York were rated as "satisfactory." However, the semi-final pitch at the Brian Lara Academy in Tarouba also received an "unsatisfactory" rating.Afghanistan was bowled out for a mere 56 on the surface, with some deliveries rolling along the ground and others rearing up from similar spots. Afghanistan head coach Jonathan Trott expressed his dissatisfaction, stating that it was not a suitable pitch for a semi-final.Overall, the surfaces at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy were challenging, producing several low scores. Even West Indies, who defended 149 against New Zealand, struggled at one point, tottering at 30 for 5.The ICC rates pitches on a scale from "very good" to "unfit." The surface at Providence for the India vs England semi-final was rated "satisfactory," while the Kensington Oval deck for the final between India and South Africa was rated as "very good."The ICC was generally satisfied with the state of the outfields, with only New York and Guyana receiving "satisfactory" ratings.

Australia's T20 World Cup captain, Alyssa Healy, has expressed concerns about hosting the tournament in Bangladesh due to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the country. Healy believes it would be inappropriate to divert resources from relief efforts to a sporting event.The International Cricket Council (ICC) is expected to announce the tournament's host this week, with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) considered the frontrunner. Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe are also potential options.Healy's comments reflect the concerns of several governments, including Australia, the UK, and India, which have issued travel warnings for Bangladesh. The country has been grappling with the aftermath of recent violence that has resulted in hundreds of deaths and the ousting of the government."I find it really hard to see a cricket event going on over there at the moment and taking resources away from a country that is really struggling," Healy said. "They're needing everyone they can possibly get in there helping people that are dying."Healy emphasized that her concerns are based on humanitarian grounds rather than safety issues. Australia toured Bangladesh earlier this year and played six matches without incident. However, she believes that hosting a major sporting event at this time would be insensitive."I'd find it hard to fathom playing there at the moment, as a human being, I feel like it might be the wrong thing to do," Healy said. "But I'll leave it to the ICC to work out."Allrounder Sophie Molineux confirmed that players have been kept informed about the situation and trust the ICC to make the right decision.Australia will name their World Cup squad next Monday, and Healy is confident they will be able to adapt to any host country. They gained valuable experience during their tour of Bangladesh earlier this year."I feel like we're so well balanced in the…players that we get to choose from, wherever the World Cup gets put, I think we're going to have the right squad to take it on," Healy said.The World Cup squad will also play three T20Is against New Zealand in September as preparation for the tournament.

Heather Knight, England's T20I captain, has hailed Dani Gibson's "bravery" and "clarity" as essential qualities for the team ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup. Gibson's explosive nine-ball innings of 22, featuring five boundaries, transformed the Hundred final at Lord's, propelling London Spirit to their maiden title.Knight praised Gibson's ability to impact the game in all facets, despite her recent struggles with the ball. "She's a great ball-striker with a clear understanding of her game plan," Knight said. "Her willingness to take risks and express her talent is exactly what we need in the England side."Gibson's innings came at a crucial juncture, with Spirit needing 60 runs off 44 balls after Knight's dismissal. She immediately hit her first five balls for boundaries, reducing the required run rate to a manageable level. "I was thinking yesterday that our middle order hadn't faced many balls recently," Knight explained. "Dani's innings was a standout example of bravery and taking the game on."Gibson's performance also highlighted the depth of England's batting lineup. "It's great to see the rest of the girls contributing," Knight said. "Nat [Sciver-Brunt] has been unbelievable, and I'm very excited to meet up again in a couple of weeks."With the T20 World Cup approaching, Knight believes that England's dominant performances in the Hundred have instilled confidence in the team. "I'm really pleased with how we've played," she said. "It's important to have players who can step up and take responsibility."However, there is uncertainty surrounding the tournament's location due to security concerns in Bangladesh. "It's out of our hands," Knight said. "Hopefully, there will be a decision soon so we can plan accordingly."

Hardik Pandya's appointment as Mumbai Indians' captain in 2024 sparked controversy among fans, leading to frequent booing and criticism. However, India and MI pacer Jasprit Bumrah has revealed the team's unwavering support for Pandya during this challenging period.Bumrah emphasized that the team strongly disapproves of the negative behavior directed towards Pandya. "We don't encourage or promote that. We don't think it's warranted," he stated. The team rallied around Pandya, providing him with support and encouragement.The situation took a dramatic turn after India's triumph in the 2024 T20 World Cup. Pandya's match-winning performance in the final, where he dismissed key South African batsmen, earned him widespread praise and admiration. The narrative shifted, and the fans who had once booed him now cheered him on."The narrative just changed when we won the World Cup," Bumrah said. "This is part of the journey. It's us against the world. We will try to give as much support as we can."Pandya's impressive performance in the T20 World Cup, where he scored 144 runs at a strike rate of over 150 and claimed 11 wickets, further solidified his position as a valuable asset to the team.Bumrah's comments highlight the importance of team unity and support, especially in the face of adversity. The Mumbai Indians' unwavering belief in Pandya's leadership and abilities ultimately helped him overcome the initial backlash and establish himself as a respected captain.

The Irish government has approved the construction of a permanent international cricket stadium and High Performance Centre at the National Sports Campus in Dublin. This ambitious project is a significant step towards Ireland's goal of hosting the 2030 T20 World Cup alongside England and Scotland.Currently, Ireland lacks a permanent home stadium, relying on club cricket grounds with temporary seating. This has hindered the country's ability to host major international matches, including the recent postponement of a bilateral series against Australia.The new stadium will address this issue, providing a dedicated venue for Ireland's national cricket team. The first phase of the project will include a main cricket oval with a permanent seating capacity of 4000, a high-performance center, and facilities for players and officials. Completion is scheduled for 2028.The proposed facilities will include both indoor and outdoor practice and training areas, enhancing the development of Ireland's cricketers. The stadium will also increase the number of pitches available, allowing Ireland to host more international and domestic matches.Warren Deutrom, CEO of Cricket Ireland, hailed the announcement as a "huge tribute" to the sport's growth in Ireland. He believes the new facilities will "drive the sport forward" and assist Ireland's players in achieving success on the world stage.The stadium will not only benefit the national team but also provide opportunities for women's cricket, youth development, and provincial competitions. It is expected to become a hub for cricket in Ireland, fostering the sport's growth and popularity.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has yet to release official ratings for the pitch and outfield conditions of the 54 matches played during the T20 World Cup in the United States and West Indies, despite the tournament concluding over seven weeks ago.Particular scrutiny surrounds the eight matches held at the Nassau County ground in New York state. The fresh drop-in pitches, prepared by Adelaide curator Damian Hough, resulted in an average first innings score of just 107.6 runs across the eight games played at this venue.The ratings for the matches held in the West Indies are also awaited, but the focus remains on the performance of the pitches at the Nassau County ground. The ICC website, which provides ratings for pitch and outfield conditions, appears to have neglected updating this information since May 31, 2024, for both men's and women's international matches.The cricket venue in New York faced severe criticism from around the globe due to its unpredictable bounce and sluggish outfield. These conditions made run-scoring a challenging task, with even modest totals of 120 proving to be difficult to chase down.The delay in updating pitch and outfield ratings on the ICC website, now spanning 46 days, is unusual given that during the 50-over World Cup in India, such assessments were typically posted within a week of a match's conclusion.The match referees for the eight matches in New York were Ranjan Madugalle (3 games), David Boon (3 games), Jeff Crowe, and Richie Richardson. Given the rating categories of very good, good, satisfactory, average, and below average, it's likely that New York will receive an average or below average rating for both the pitch and outfield if assessed fairly.With cricket being included in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, the ICC is eager to avoid any negative findings regarding pitch quality during the global event in the US. Over the next four years, the ICC will need to develop the necessary sporting infrastructure to support cricket's Olympic debut, as New York's performance did not provide a strong example for the sport's entry into the Games.