Cricket

India's T20 World Cup Triumph: A Moment of Redemption for Rahul DravidFormer India cricketer VVS Laxman hailed the heartwarming gesture of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma handing over the T20 World Cup 2024 trophy to Rahul Dravid, a moment that encapsulated the significance of India's victory in Barbados.After a 13-year drought of an ICC World Cup, India's triumph was a cathartic experience for Dravid, who had captained the team in 2007 when they crashed out of the tournament in the West Indies. On the same soil, Dravid turned the nightmare into a day to remember, holding aloft the trophy for the first time in his illustrious career.Laxman praised the emotional outpouring from Dravid, known as "The Wall" for his stoic demeanor. "When he lifted the World Cup, I thought it was a great gesture by Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to hand over that trophy, and the way he celebrated lifting that trophy showed how much it meant to each one of them," Laxman said.The victory was a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire team. Rohit Sharma collapsed to the ground as the last wicket fell, while Hardik Pandya, who defended 16 runs in the final over, was overcome with tears. Rohit kissed Hardik on the cheek, a poignant display of affection and gratitude."Everyone showed their emotions," Laxman observed. "It showed how much it meant to each and every player of that sport. It's not only the playing 11, but even the support staff, the coaching staff, emotions were really high."Laxman also highlighted the significance of the victory for India, which had come close to winning the 50-over World Cup just six months earlier. "It's a special feeling, keeping in mind that we have come close," he said. "The entire country is rejoicing with this result."

India's triumphant T20 World Cup campaign was a testament to the exceptional leadership of Rohit Sharma and Rahul Dravid, according to physio Kamlesh Jain. In a heartfelt Instagram post, Jain praised the duo for their humility, respect, and unwavering commitment to improvement.Jain highlighted Rohit and Dravid's ability to foster a sense of unity and value within the team. "Team' is at the heart of every conversation and meeting that they are involved with," he wrote. "These individuals have hearts of gold and a mind of wisdom and spent countless memorable hours discussing how to continually improve our team."Despite the team's impressive unbeaten run, Rohit and Dravid remained focused on areas for improvement. "Even after significant victories, their focus remains on what we could have done better," Jain noted.Jain expressed his gratitude for the duo's contributions to Indian cricket. "Every member of our fraternity owes them immense gratitude for this triumph," he said. "Every Indian dreams of seeing their country win the prestigious ICC trophy. Personally, and on behalf of every Indian, this victory, this hard work and these memories will be cherished for years to come."Rohit and Dravid's leadership extended beyond the field. They created an environment where every individual felt valued and respected. "Their cricketing achievements are impressive, but what truly sets them apart is their respect for everyone's opinions and their ability to make each person feel valued," Jain wrote.The T20 World Cup marked the end of Dravid's tenure as head coach. He will be succeeded by Gautam Gambhir, while Rohit has retired from T20 internationals. However, their legacy will continue to inspire future generations of Indian cricketers.

The 2007 T20 World Cup final remains a haunting memory for Misbah-ul-Haq, Pakistan's captain at the time. Despite leading his team to the brink of victory, Misbah's mistimed scoop shot handed India a famous five-run win.Played at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on September 24, 2007, the short boundaries gave Pakistan confidence in chasing down India's 157 for 5. Gautam Gambhir (75 off 54 balls) and Rohit Sharma (30 off 16 balls) had set the platform for India, while Umra Gul's 3 for 28 led Pakistan's bowling effort."We were very confident because of the pitch and the short boundaries," Misbah said on a Star Sports show. "It was tough for India because they relied on their spin bowling, and it's difficult for spinners at the Wanderers."Pakistan's run-chase started poorly, with RP Singh dismissing both openers early. However, Imran Nazir's run-out proved to be a turning point. "Losing quick wickets and Nazir's run-out put pressure on us," Misbah analyzed.Despite partnerships between Misbah and Yasir Arafat, and Misbah and Sohail Tanvir, Pakistan found themselves needing 13 runs to win with one wicket remaining. India captain MS Dhoni handed the ball to Joginder Sharma."I was confident we could get the runs," Misbah recalled. "The four off Asif's edge gave us hope, and I hit a six at the start of the last over."However, Misbah's high-risk scoop shot off the third ball of the over landed in S Sreesanth's hands, sealing India's victory. "Cricket is like that," Misbah concluded. "When you have one wicket left, the bowling side has the advantage."

England's recent T20 World Cup exit and Test series loss to India have drawn criticism from former cricketer Geoffrey Boycott. Boycott believes that the team's focus on entertainment over results is detrimental to their success.In a column for The Telegraph, Boycott expressed his disappointment with England's performance in the T20 World Cup, where they were eliminated in the semifinals by India. He also criticized the team's 4-1 Test series loss in India earlier this year.Boycott argued that England cricket fans expect a winning team that plays positive cricket. However, he believes that the team's recent performances have been characterized by "ego and hubris.""They came out with comments about being entertainers and how it was important to score quickly and thrill the crowds," Boycott wrote. "All that is laudable but they should never lose sight that there is a winner and a loser and losing isn’t much fun."Boycott emphasized that Test match cricket is not an exhibition and that players should not prioritize entertainment over results. He warned that if players start to think that results don't matter, they might as well "join a circus."Boycott also criticized England's recent batting approach, which he described as "Bazball strokeplay." While he acknowledged that this approach has produced some exciting moments, he believes it has also cost the team matches."I hope the coach, captain and players have taken stock and will now temper their batting with some common sense," Boycott wrote.England is currently involved in a three-match Test series against West Indies. Boycott's comments will likely put pressure on the team to perform well and prove that they are committed to winning.

Pakistan's captain Babar Azam has faced intense scrutiny following the team's dismal performances at the ODI and T20 World Cups. In the 2023 ODI World Cup, Pakistan failed to reach the semifinals, while in the recently concluded T20 World Cup, they failed to advance beyond the group stage.Despite his struggles, Babar Azam remains a highly respected figure in Pakistan cricket. All-rounder Hassan Ali has come to his defense, expressing unwavering support for the embattled batsman. In an interview with Cricket Pakistan, Ali hailed Azam as "the King of Pakistan.""He is my king, he is the king of Pakistan cricket, and he will always remain so because of the kind of batsman he is," Ali said. "I know maybe people will abuse me again and speak ill of me. But he is the best batsman of Pakistan, and he has proved it."Ali acknowledged that Azam has yet to lead Pakistan to a major trophy, but he emphasized that the batsman's talent is undeniable. "He should win trophies and series for Pakistan. But he is the best," Ali added.Ali also pointed out that Azam's emergence has elevated the "Fab Four" of Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson, Steve Smith, and Joe Root to the "Fab Five." "He is the king of Pakistan's batting lineup. He has performed everywhere, except in India where we went once last year and he didn't score a hundred there (in the World Cup)," Ali said. "You must have heard of the 'Fab Four', and now because of Babar Azam, it's the 'Fab Five'. Babar Azam is that fifth player."Despite Azam's poor form in the T20 World Cup, Ali believes that he will bounce back. "I still stand by that statement," Ali said. "He is the best."

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has overhauled its selection committee following the team's disappointing performance at the T20 World Cup. The new committee will include coaches of white-ball and red-ball formats, along with the captain of the relevant format. Former cricketers Mohammad Yousuf and Asad Shafiq will also join the panel.The decision comes after the Babar Azam-led side crashed out of the group stage of the T20 World Cup. The team's woeful performance prompted PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi to make changes in the team management.On Wednesday, the PCB confirmed that Abdul Razzaq and Wahab Riaz would no longer be part of the national selection committee. Razzaq was a member of both the men's and women's selection committees, while Riaz was a selector for the men's team.Riaz was also removed from his position as senior team manager along with team manager Rana Mansoor due to a lack of discipline.Sources have informed Geo News that Wahab and Mansoor were involved in providing undue favors to certain players. These players, who were included in the team based on their support, failed to perform. Other selection committee members reportedly opposed their inclusion.Following his removal from the committee, Riaz took to Twitter to express his disappointment. "There is a lot I can say, but I don't want to be part of the blame games," he wrote.The PCB has had six top selectors in the last four years, including Wahab, Mohammad Wasim, Shahid Afridi, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Haroon Rashid, and Misbah-ul-Haq. All of them had brief tenures.The new selection committee is expected to bring stability and consistency to the team selection process. The inclusion of coaches and the captain will provide valuable insights into the team's performance and needs.

Rohit Sharma's Devastating Assault on Mitchell Starc in T20 World CupIn a Super 8 encounter during the T20 World Cup in St Lucia, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma unleashed a blistering assault on Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc, leaving spectators in awe of his extraordinary batting prowess.Facing Starc's left-arm pace, Rohit made a mockery of the Australian pace spearhead, amassing an astonishing 29 runs in a single over. The over witnessed Rohit's effortless boundary-clearing ability, as he smashed four towering sixes and a boundary. The over also included a wide and a dot ball.Recalling the match on the LiSTNR Sport podcast, Starc admitted, "I have played against him (Rohit) a lot. He had a really good tournament, especially the back end. I think he targeted the wind in St. Lucia as well. There was that one end where we conceded a lot more than others. And I was bowling from that very end (laughs). I had 5 bad balls and he hit all for sixes (four 6s and one 4s)."Despite Starc eventually dismissing Rohit with a yorker-length ball that shattered his stumps, the damage had already been done. Rohit had amassed an impressive 92 runs from just 41 deliveries, setting the stage for India's eventual victory in the T20 World Cup.Starc's over against Rohit became a defining moment in the tournament, showcasing the Indian skipper's exceptional batting skills and the Australian team's struggles in the competition. The match sparked discussions about team selection and the challenges faced by Australia in the tournament.

Rahul Dravid's Noble Gesture and Rohit Sharma's Leadership in T20 World Cup TriumphFormer Indian cricket team head coach Rahul Dravid's decision to forego half of his prize money from the T20 World Cup 2024 victory has garnered widespread admiration. However, a recent report has revealed that it was India captain Rohit Sharma who initiated the move to ensure fair compensation for the support staff.Initially, the prize money distribution plan of Rs 125 crore allocated Rs 5 crore to Dravid and Rs 2.5 crore to other coaches. However, Rohit expressed his dissatisfaction with the disparity and offered to give up his own share to bridge the gap."Rohit was unhappy with the disparity in the prize money and was willing to give up his own share to make sure everyone got paid well," said a team member on the chartered flight back from Barbados to India.Dravid, known for his humility and leadership qualities, followed Rohit's lead and decided to take the same amount as his support staff, including bowling coach Paras Mhambrey, fielding coach T Dilip, and batting coach Vikram Rathore.The BCCI subsequently revised the distribution plan, allocating Rs 2 crore each to strength and conditioning coaches, physios, analysts, and other support staff.Rohit's gesture not only ensured fair compensation for the support staff but also highlighted his exceptional leadership skills. Under his captaincy, India became the first team to win the T20 World Cup without losing a single game, showcasing their dominance and resilience.Dravid's decision to match the support staff's prize money further cemented his reputation as a coach who values teamwork and recognizes the contributions of all members of the team.

Haryana CM Honors Yuzvendra Chahal for T20 World Cup TriumphNew Delhi: Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini bestowed a special honor upon leg spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, who played a pivotal role in India's triumphant T20 World Cup campaign. The Chief Minister expressed his gratitude for the team's victory and presented Chahal with a scarf and an idol.Despite being part of the 15-man squad, Chahal did not feature in any of India's matches during their undefeated run. However, his contributions to the team's success were acknowledged by the Chief Minister.India's team management opted for a change in their playing XI after their impressive victory in the Super 8 match on a challenging New York surface. In the West Indies, Kuldeep Yadav was preferred over Chahal due to the dual-faced nature of the pitches.However, following Mohammed Siraj's removal, Kuldeep Yadav emerged as a match-winner, claiming 10 wickets at an impressive economy rate of 6.95 in five games.India's dominant performance culminated in a resounding victory over South Africa in the final at Barbados. The team became the first to win the T20 World Cup without losing a single match, a testament to their exceptional skill and teamwork.