Cricket

Rahul Dravid, the legendary Indian cricketer, has etched his name in the annals of cricket history not only as a prolific batsman but also as a successful coach. Having witnessed countless standing ovations during his playing days, Dravid experienced a new level of adulation after guiding India to the T20 World Cup title in 2023.Dravid's journey as a coach has been marked by remarkable achievements. Under his stewardship, India ascended to the pinnacle of Test and ODI rankings, culminating in the T20 World Cup triumph. This victory served as a fitting farewell for Dravid, who had announced his decision to step down as coach after the tournament.Despite his illustrious playing career, Dravid's World Cup aspirations as a player remained unfulfilled. In the 1999 ODI World Cup, he emerged as the tournament's leading run-scorer with 461 runs. India reached the final of the 2003 ODI World Cup but fell short against Australia. Dravid captained India in the 2007 ODI World Cup, but the team suffered a heartbreaking defeat to Bangladesh.However, Dravid's legacy as one of the greatest batsmen of all time remained untarnished. As coach, he instilled a winning mentality in the Indian team, leading them to victory in the 2023 ODI World Cup on home soil. Despite the team's loss in the final, Dravid's contributions were widely recognized.Captain Rohit Sharma played a pivotal role in convincing Dravid to continue as coach until the T20 World Cup. Under Dravid's guidance, India became the world's top-ranked team in both Tests and ODIs. The T20 World Cup title victory served as the icing on the cake, marking a fitting end to Dravid's tenure with Team India.Dravid's humility and down-to-earth nature have earned him immense respect. A viral video captured the moment when he received a standing ovation at a cricket academy in Bengaluru. Sporting a simple t-shirt and shorts, Dravid was greeted with a bouquet of flowers and thunderous applause. As he moved through the academy, students lined up and raised their bats in his honor. Dravid, in his characteristic style, thanked the staff and students, asking them to lower their bats.

Indian cricket star Suryakumar Yadav, fondly known as SKY, has taken to social media to celebrate the eighth anniversary of his marriage to Devisha Shetty. In a heartwarming post, SKY revealed that the "most important catch" of his life was not the one he took to dismiss David Miller in the 2024 T20 World Cup final, but rather marrying his wife."Yesterday marked 8 days since THAT catch but my most important catch was actually 8 years ago!" captioned SKY on Instagram. "8 years ago, infinite years to go," he added.The post, which featured pictures of the couple cutting a giant cake, garnered over 700,000 likes in just six hours. Fans flooded the comments section with well wishes and admiration for the couple.SKY and Devisha first met in 2010 and tied the knot on July 7, 2016. Their marriage has been a source of inspiration for many, and SKY's recent post is a testament to the love and bond they share.SKY's role in India's T20 World Cup 2024 win cannot be overstated. As the world's no. 1 batter for nearly two years, he was a key player in India's triumph in the Caribbean and USA.After scoring two half-centuries earlier in the tournament, SKY produced the catch of a lifetime in the final. With South Africa needing 16 off the final over, SKY took an astonishing catch at long-off to dismiss the dangerous David Miller. SKY first had to keep the ball in play, and then came back from outside the boundary rope to claim a stunning catch.SKY's catch, along with a magnificent death bowling effort by Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh, and Hardik Pandya, led to India winning the final by seven runs, thereby clinching a second T20 World Cup title.SKY is currently rested for India's five-match T20I series in Zimbabwe. However, his impact on the team remains undeniable, and he will undoubtedly be a key player for India in the upcoming ICC events.

David Warner, the legendary Australian cricketer, has bid farewell to international cricket after a remarkable 15-year career. The 37-year-old announced his retirement via an emotional Instagram post, following Australia's disappointing exit from the 2024 T20 World Cup.Warner's international career has been a testament to his exceptional talent and unwavering determination. He has played over 100 matches in all three formats, amassing an impressive 18,995 runs. His 49 centuries place him second only to Ricky Ponting among Australian batters.In his final international appearances, Warner showcased his trademark aggression and power-hitting, scoring 178 runs in seven innings. Despite the anticlimactic end to his international career, Warner's legacy will endure.In his Instagram post, Warner expressed his gratitude to his family, teammates, and fans. He acknowledged the sacrifices made by his wife and daughters, and thanked the cricket community for their support.Warner also reflected on his impact on the game, particularly in Test cricket. He believes his aggressive approach has helped to revolutionize the format, making it more exciting and fast-paced.While Warner's international career has come to an end, he intends to continue playing franchise cricket. He has also left the door open for a potential return to the Australian team for the 2025 Champions Trophy.Warner's retirement marks the end of an era for Australian cricket. His dynamic playing style and infectious enthusiasm will be sorely missed. However, his contributions to the game will continue to inspire future generations of cricketers.

Hardik Pandya's journey to the pinnacle of cricket has been marked by both triumph and adversity. After celebrating India's ICC T20 World Cup victory, Pandya took to Instagram to share a message of resilience and perseverance.Pandya's path to glory has been paved with challenges. During the 50-over World Cup, he suffered an ankle injury that sidelined him for a significant period. Upon his return, he faced criticism as captain of Mumbai Indians in the IPL 2024. However, Pandya's determination and unwavering spirit have propelled him to overcome these setbacks.In the T20 World Cup, Pandya played a pivotal role in India's triumph. With the bat, he amassed 144 runs in six innings, including a half-century. His bowling was equally impressive, as he claimed 11 wickets in eight games, with an economy rate of 7.64.Pandya's performance in the tournament served as a redemption for the criticism he had faced during the IPL. His ability to bounce back from adversity and deliver on the biggest stage is a testament to his resilience and mental fortitude.Pandya's journey is an inspiration to fans and teammates alike. It demonstrates the power of perseverance and the importance of never giving up on one's dreams. His remarkable comeback is a reminder that even in the face of challenges, success can be achieved through hard work and determination.

The Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) is facing a potential squeeze on overseas player availability due to the tournament's proximity to the T20 World Cup. However, the reduced length of the competition will allow for more primetime games and increased use of technology.Nominations for the overseas draft are currently open, and Cricket Australia (CA) remains confident in attracting top international talent. However, the busy schedule may deter some players from participating. England's Nat Sciver-Brunt has already ruled herself out this season.To manage player workload, the WBBL has been trimmed to a 40-game regular season with three finals. However, the schedule faces pressure at both ends, with Australia and India starting an ODI series four days after the final and England facing South Africa during the finals.Despite the challenges, CA is optimistic about securing a strong contingent of overseas players. "We are excited about the players who have signed and think over the next month or two we'll get a sense from players as to how they are preparing for the World Cup and their appetite to come quickly to Australia," said Alistair Dobson, head of the BBL.The tournament's stadium series has been expanded and brought forward to replicate the crowd growth experienced in other leagues. A standalone match will be played at the Gabba for the first time, and there will be two games each at the MCG and SCG.To enhance the broadcast experience, a third umpire will be in operation at every game for line calls. There will also be an increase in matches with the Decision Review System (DRS) available.The full WBBL 2024-25 fixture list is as follows:[Insert fixture list here]

T20 World Cup Hero Kuldeep Yadav Meets Uttar Pradesh Chief MinisterIndian cricketer Kuldeep Yadav, a key member of the T20 World Cup-winning team, paid a courtesy visit to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in Lucknow on Monday. The meeting was a testament to Yadav's remarkable achievement and the pride he brought to his home state.Yadav, a wrist-spinner from Kanpur, expressed his gratitude for the warm reception he received upon his return to India. He described the World Cup triumph as an "unreal experience" and expressed his hope to continue contributing to such successes in the future.The Indian team's victory over South Africa in the final on June 29 marked the country's second T20 World Cup title. Yadav played a crucial role in the tournament, scalping 10 wickets and showcasing his exceptional bowling skills.Upon his arrival in Kanpur, Yadav was greeted by hundreds of enthusiastic fans who arranged fireworks, dhols, and music in his honor. The grand reception reflected the immense admiration and support he enjoys in his hometown.In an exclusive interview with NDTV, Yadav opened up about his personal life, revealing that he plans to marry soon but not to a Bollywood actress. He emphasized the importance of finding a partner who can care for him and his family.Yadav's meeting with Chief Minister Adityanath and the warm reception he received from his fans are a testament to his remarkable achievement and the pride he has brought to Uttar Pradesh. His success serves as an inspiration to aspiring cricketers and a reminder of the power of hard work and dedication.

Unmukt Chand, the former India U-19 World Cup-winning captain, has expressed his disappointment over being left out of the USA's squad for the recently concluded T20 World Cup. Chand, who retired from Indian cricket in 2021, shifted base to the USA in search of better cricketing opportunities. After playing in the inaugural edition of the Major League Cricket (MLC) and other franchise tournaments, he became eligible to represent the USA.Chand had openly expressed his desire to play against India in the T20 World Cup, but his hopes were dashed when he was not selected for the squad. Speaking to Cricbuzz, Chand revealed that he was shocked and devastated by the omission."That wasn't an ideal situation to be in. Because personally for me, this was what I had dreamed for the last three years. Obviously, it was a big shock. And it took me time to sort of come to terms with it. It's never easy as a player, having lost all those things back home in India, to having this one goal, which had kept me going for the last three years not happening. So it is difficult. I won't say which just happened. But it was difficult. I was not my best self for some time," Chand said.Chand admitted that he struggled to cope with the disappointment and went through a period of inner turmoil. "That was a very internal battle and it's a sucker basically. It keeps sucking you inside and inside. That feeling would linger on for a day and then go away and then come back again. The reality would hit me in different phases. Once you keep going through that automatically you keep getting better. There comes a time when you're like it didn't happen, that's it. I'm not even thinking about it," he added.Despite the setback, Chand remains determined to prove his worth. He started the second season of the MLC with a swashbuckling half-century for his franchise, Los Angeles Knight Riders (LAKR). Ironically, LAKR is owned by the Knight Riders group, the same franchise that Chand played for in the IPL when his career took a downturn after being clean bowled by Brett Lee in the opening ball of IPL 2013.Chand's omission from the USA's T20 World Cup squad has raised questions about the selection process and the opportunities available to Indian-origin players in the USA. However, Chand remains optimistic about his future and is focused on performing well for LAKR in the MLC.

Rohit Sharma's iconic gesture of hoisting the Indian tricolour on the field in Barbados after India's thrilling T20 World Cup triumph has become a symbol of the team's historic achievement. The image of the Indian skipper planting the flag at the Kensington Oval has captured the hearts of the nation and has become his profile picture on his social media account.Rohit's decision to step down from T20 cricket after leading India to their second T20 World Cup title is a testament to his remarkable leadership. Under his captaincy, India has showcased their dominance by winning 10 consecutive matches, propelling them to the finals of both the World Test Championship and the ODI World Cup in the previous year.Despite their impressive streak, India fell short in the ultimate showdown of each tournament. However, Rohit's legacy as a captain will be defined by his ability to inspire his team to achieve greatness.Rohit's decision to dance his way to the dais to collect the World Cup trophy during the team's interaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi was a moment of pure joy and celebration. The idea, suggested by Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav, perfectly captured the team's spirit and the magnitude of their achievement.As Rohit continues to lead India in the ODI and Test formats, the nation will be eagerly anticipating more iconic moments and historic triumphs under his leadership.

The Indian cricket team, fresh from their triumph at the T20 World Cup in Barbados, has received an invitation to celebrate their victory in the picturesque Maldives. The invitation was extended by the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) and the Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI).The Indian team, led by Rohit Sharma, clinched the trophy on June 29 after a thrilling seven-run victory over South Africa in the final. The team's return to India was met with jubilant celebrations in Delhi and Mumbai, where a victory parade drew lakhs of enthusiastic supporters.Ibrahim Shiuree, CEO and Managing Director of MMPRC, and Ahmed Nazeer, Secretary General of MATI, expressed their eagerness to host the Indian team. They emphasized the strong cultural and sporting ties between the Maldives and India, and the honor it would be to share in the team's triumph."We would be honored to host you and ensure that your stay is filled with memorable moments, relaxation, and bespoke experiences," Shiuree and Nazeer said in a joint statement.The invitation highlights the Maldives' commitment to promoting tourism and its appeal as a destination for sports enthusiasts. The country's pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and luxurious resorts offer the perfect setting for the Indian team to unwind and celebrate their victory.The team is currently on a break before their next international assignment, a six-match limited-overs series against Sri Lanka beginning July 27. The series comprises three ODIs and as many T20 Internationals.