Cricket

India's T20 World Cup triumph in 2024 was a testament to their resilience and composure under pressure. Skipper Rohit Sharma recently shed light on the nerve-wracking moments of the final against South Africa, revealing that he had to clear his mind to navigate the tense situation.With South Africa needing just 30 runs from 30 deliveries and six wickets in hand, India faced an uphill battle. Heinrich Klaasen's blistering half-century off 23 balls had put the Proteas in a commanding position. However, Rohit emphasized the importance of staying present and executing their plans."I was completely blank," Rohit said. "It's very important for me to stay in the moment and focus on the job at hand. We had to stay calm and try to execute our plans."India's composure was evident in the final five overs, where they conceded only 29 runs. Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, and Arshdeep Singh played pivotal roles in restricting South Africa's scoring. Bumrah's miserly six runs in the final over, including the crucial wicket of Marco Jansen, proved decisive.Arshdeep maintained the pressure in the penultimate over, giving away just four runs. Hardik's dismissal of Klaasen in the 17th over was a major turning point. He then took on the responsibility of bowling the final over and immediately dismissed David Miller on the first delivery, thanks to an unbelievable catch by Suryakumar Yadav.India's seven-run victory not only secured the T20 World Cup but also ended their 11-year-long ICC Trophy drought. Rohit's leadership and the team's ability to perform under pressure were key factors in their success.

Hardik Pandya's triumphant return to Vadodara after India's T20 World Cup victory was met with an outpouring of love and admiration from his hometown fans. The all-rounder, who played a pivotal role in India's title triumph, was greeted with a grand roadshow and a warm reception from the people of Vadodara.Pandya's journey to this moment has been marked by both adversity and triumph. After suffering a serious ankle injury during the 2023 50-over World Cup, he faced criticism and online trolling during his stint as captain of the Mumbai Indians in the 2024 IPL. However, he silenced his detractors with a stellar performance in the T20 World Cup, proving his resilience and determination.In the tournament, Pandya showcased his all-round abilities, scoring 144 runs at an average of 48.00 and taking 11 wickets at an average of 17.36. His crucial wicket of Heinrich Klaasen in the final and his economical final over, in which he dismissed David Miller, played a decisive role in India's victory.Pandya's redemption story is a testament to his character and unwavering belief in himself. Despite the challenges he faced, he remained focused on his goals and worked tirelessly to regain his form. His success in the T20 World Cup has not only brought joy to his hometown but has also inspired countless young athletes across the country.The roadshow in Vadodara was a fitting tribute to Pandya's achievements. Fans lined the streets, cheering and waving flags as the all-rounder made his way through the city. His brother, Krunal Pandya, also joined him in the celebration, sharing in the moment of pride and joy.Hardik Pandya's triumphant return to Vadodara is a reminder of the power of perseverance and the unwavering support of one's hometown. His journey is an inspiration to all who dare to dream big and never give up on their aspirations.

Indian cricket legends Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have bid farewell to their illustrious T20I careers after guiding India to a historic T20 World Cup victory in June. The triumph marked a fitting end to their remarkable journeys in the shortest format, where they have been instrumental in shaping India's cricketing destiny.Rohit, now 37, was part of the inaugural T20 World Cup-winning squad in 2007, while Kohli, 35, played a pivotal role in India's 2011 ODI World Cup triumph. Together, they have amassed a staggering 45,961 runs across all three international formats.Despite Kohli's struggles with form in the T20 World Cup, his match-winning 76 in the final against Pakistan earned him the Player of the Match award. Rohit, on the other hand, led the team from the front with three half-centuries, guiding India to an unbeaten run throughout the tournament.Former Indian spinner Amit Mishra has shed light on the contrasting personalities of Rohit and Kohli. According to Mishra, Rohit's open and approachable nature sets him apart from Kohli, who has undergone a noticeable change in demeanor since gaining fame and power."Rohit is very open with his players. He's the same person he was when I first met him," Mishra said. "On the other hand, Virat has changed a lot. There was hardly any talk between us."Mishra attributed this change to the pressures of captaincy and the accompanying fame and power. "When you get power, you feel everybody is talking to you for a reason," he explained.Despite their contrasting personalities, both Rohit and Kohli have left an indelible mark on Indian cricket. They will continue to play in Test and ODI formats, where they remain key figures in the team's success.The T20 World Cup triumph has been a moment of redemption for Rohit, who was stripped of his IPL captaincy from Mumbai Indians this year. Kohli, too, has proven his big-match credentials with his match-winning performance in the final.As they move on from T20I cricket, Rohit and Kohli leave behind a legacy of excellence and inspiration. Their contributions to Indian cricket will be remembered for generations to come.

Aaron Jones, the standout performer for USA at the T20 World Cup 2024, has secured a contract in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL). The Barbadian-born Jones, who qualifies as a local player, was snapped up by the St Lucia Kings in Monday's draft for the 2024 season, which runs from August 29 to October 4.Jones' impressive performances at the World Cup, including a match-winning 94 not out against Canada and a crucial 36 not out in USA's tie against Pakistan, caught the attention of CPL franchises. He has previously represented Barbados and Combined Campuses and Colleges in the West Indies regional setup and was an unused member of the St Kitts and Nevis Patriots squad in CPL 2019.The six CPL 2024 franchises had already completed most of their recruitment through retentions and pre-signings. Kyle Mayers was the first player to be signed in Monday's draft, joining the Patriots. Mikyle Louis, who made his Test debut for West Indies at Lord's last week, will also play for Patriots, along with Ryan John and Veerasammy Permaul.Isai Thorne, the fast bowler who has represented West Indies at the last two Under-19 World Cups, has earned a contract with Barbados Royals. He is currently in the UK with West Indies' Test squad as a net bowler and "development player." Royals have also drafted Kadeem Alleyne and Nathan Sealy.Raymon Reifer, who played T20I cricket for West Indies as recently as last year, joined Guyana Amazon Warriors along with Ronaldo Alimohamed and Matthew Nandu. Khari Campbell, Johann Jeremiah, Mikkel Govia, and Akeem Auguste are part of the Kings' squad alongside Jones.Antigua and Barbuda Falcons, who will replace Jamaica Tallawahs in CPL 2024, have signed Roshon Primus, Justin Greaves, Jahmar Hamilton, Teddy Bishop, and Kofi James. Trinbago Knight Riders have brought in Nathan Edward and Shaquere Parris to fill their emerging player spots.

Brett Lee Lauds Gautam Gambhir's Appointment as Team India Head CoachAustralian bowling legend Brett Lee has expressed his admiration for the appointment of Gautam Gambhir as the new head coach of the Indian cricket team. Lee believes that Gambhir's on-field aggression and game awareness will be invaluable assets for the Men in Blue.Gambhir, who guided the Kolkata Knight Riders to their third IPL title in 2024 as a mentor, has taken over the reins from Rahul Dravid, who stepped down after India's T20 World Cup triumph. Gambhir's coaching tenure will commence with an away white-ball series against Sri Lanka, featuring three T20Is and three ODIs, starting on June 27.Lee, who played 76 Tests, 221 ODIs, and 25 T20Is for Australia between 1999 and 2012, praised Gambhir's leadership qualities and his ability to unite his players. "He's always been there, always at the top of his game. He finds a way to unite his players and graft his team together. He builds a solid structure," Lee said.Lee also commended India's T20 World Cup victory, highlighting the team's strong performance and Rohit Sharma's leadership. "India played the perfect style of cricket in the T20 World Cup. They looked like a strong side, to be very honest. Massive congratulations to Rohit Sharma and the Indian team," Lee said.Regarding Suryakumar Yadav's stunning catch in the final, Lee remarked, "Catches win you matches, don't they? I mean, Surya plucked the ball out of the sky. It was a brilliant, title-winning catch."Lee emphasized the importance of fitness for fast bowlers and revealed that he is fitter now than he was during his playing days. "I'm probably fitter now than I was when I was playing, to be perfectly honest," he said.On the topic of Australia's performance in the T20 World Cup, Lee acknowledged the team's challenges but expressed optimism for the future. "We're at a bit of a crossroads now with the Australian cricket team. It's time for the next generation of young cricketers to come through and flourish," he said.

Pat Cummins, the Australian fast bowler, is set to make his return to the United States for the Major League Cricket (MLC) tournament. Cummins, who last played in the T20 World Cup in the Americas, has signed a four-year deal with the San Francisco Unicorns.Cummins, 31, has previously played in only one overseas T20 league, the Indian Premier League (IPL), and has not featured in Australia's Big Bash League since the 2018-19 season due to his international commitments.The Unicorns have won only one of their three games so far this year and will welcome the boost that Cummins will provide. He made history by picking up back-to-back hat-tricks at the T20 World Cup and led Sunrisers Hyderabad to the final in the IPL.Cummins' arrival coincides with Sherfane Rutherford's departure. The West Indies allrounder has not played any of the Unicorns' matches so far and will miss the rest of the MLC due to a bereavement in the family.There were changes among the other teams as well with Ottneil Baartman replacing Gerald Coetzee (injury) at Texas Super Kings and Lungi Ngidi taking over from Wayne Parnell (player withdrawal) at Seattle Orcas.Baartman, the South Africa fast bowler, was ruled out of the T20 Blast in England due to visa delays. He has 107 wickets from 76 T20s and is known for his variations and death-bowling ability.Ngidi suffered a back injury during the SA20 but has since recovered and was part of South Africa's squad at the T20 World Cup.

Rohit Sharma's blistering assault on Mitchell Starc in the T20 World Cup has etched itself into cricketing history. The Indian captain's onslaught not only propelled India to victory over Australia but also shattered the Aussies' hopes of reaching the semifinals.Sharma's 92-run knock off just 41 deliveries was a masterclass in power-hitting. Starc, Australia's bowling spearhead, bore the brunt of the carnage, conceding 29 runs in a single over that included four sixes and a four.The Indian victory sparked jubilant celebrations both on and off the field. Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted the T20 world champions, followed by an open bus parade in Mumbai that drew massive crowds.Sharma's popularity soared even further after the tournament. During a promotional event in the US, fans greeted him with chants of "Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Starc." The captain responded with a smile and a request for calm.Starc, reflecting on the match in a podcast interview, acknowledged Sharma's brilliance. "He had a good tournament, especially at the back end," Starc said. "I think he targeted that wind in St Lucia as well. I think I had five bad balls and he hit them all for six."Sharma's performance against Australia was a testament to his exceptional talent and leadership. His ability to dominate world-class bowlers has made him one of the most feared batsmen in the game today.

Sanju Samson, India's vice-captain for the T20I tour of Zimbabwe, reminisced about his experience as part of the T20 World Cup-winning team last month. The emotions from the victorious scenes in Barbados still linger in his mind, describing it as an unforgettable experience."The emotions are still fresh. The photos are still around. It was an incredible experience. I couldn't stop smiling. I feel very fortunate to have been part of that team. Credit goes to everyone who contributed. It was a complete team effort," Samson expressed to broadcasters.Regarding the changes in the team, including the inclusion of Mukesh Kumar and Riyan Parag, and his role as deputy to Shubman Gill, Samson commented, "There will be some adjustments in the batting order, and I hope to get some time in the middle. I've been leading Rajasthan Royals for the past four years.""I've had the privilege of working with legends and mentoring young players. As a captain, you gain a deeper understanding of the game and consider the team's needs. I've been improving in that aspect," he added.Zimbabwe fast-bowler Richard Ngarava expressed his recovery from fitness issues. "I've worked hard over the past month. I had a knee problem, but I'm happy to be back in the team. I've learned a lot from playing in the T20 leagues. You encounter various coaches and fitness trainers, which helps you improve. Ultimately, it's about executing the basics well."When asked about the effectiveness of his bowling partnership with Blessing Muzarabani, Ngarava said, "We've been in the same academy for a long time. He's someone who motivates me when I'm down, and I do the same for him. We hope to continue taking wickets and aim for a five-wicket haul in the same match."

Jasprit Bumrah's stellar performance at the T20 World Cup 2024 propelled India to an unprecedented triumph. The pacer's 15 wickets earned him the Player of the Tournament award, solidifying his status as one of the world's greatest fast bowlers.Bumrah's fiery pace and pinpoint yorkers proved instrumental in India's undefeated run throughout the tournament. His ability to extract wickets from seemingly impossible situations repeatedly rescued the team from the brink of defeat.Beyond T20Is, Bumrah's prowess extends to ODIs and Tests. Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja hailed him as a "legend of all three formats," citing his exceptional skills and unwavering determination.Raja's praise echoes the sentiments of India's new head coach, Gautam Gambhir, who advocates for all-format players. Gambhir believes that elite cricketers should strive to excel in all three formats, rather than being pigeonholed as specialists.In the wake of the World Cup, Team India is undergoing a transition in the T20I format. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja have retired, making way for a fresh-looking squad led by Shubman Gill.The new team features promising debutants such as Riyan Parag, Abhishek Sharma, and Dhruv Jurel. As they face Zimbabwe in a five-match series, the young guns aim to prove their mettle and cement their place in the future of Indian cricket.