Cricket

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has summoned white-ball head coach Gary Kirsten to discuss the team's future in the wake of their disappointing T20 World Cup campaign. The meeting will review Kirsten's report on the team's performance, which includes assessments of player discipline, game awareness, and fitness.A key topic of discussion will be the future of Babar Azam as white-ball captain. Azam's leadership has come under scrutiny following Pakistan's early exit from the World Cup. Former players have criticized his decision-making and tactical acumen.Naqvi has previously stated that no decision has been made regarding Azam's captaincy. However, the PCB is expected to consider the feedback from Kirsten and other stakeholders before making a final determination.The meeting will also address the broader issue of Pakistan's domestic cricket structure. Around 30-35 international cricketers are scheduled to meet with Naqvi to provide their input on how to improve the system.Pakistan's T20 World Cup campaign was a major disappointment. They lost their opening match to the USA in a Super Over and were then defeated by arch-rivals India in a low-scoring thriller. Despite victories over Canada and Ireland, Pakistan failed to qualify for the Super 8 stage.The PCB has a significant gap before Pakistan's next white-ball series against Australia in November. This provides ample time for the management to make necessary changes and address the team's weaknesses.

Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has hailed Rohit Sharma as a "people's captain" after leading India to victory in the 2024 Men's T20 World Cup. Gavaskar drew parallels between Rohit and former Indian captains MS Dhoni and Kapil Dev, who also led the team to World Cup triumphs.Rohit, who had been a part of India's 2007 T20 World Cup and 2013 Champions Trophy victories, finally achieved his dream of captaining India to a World Cup title. India's unbeaten run in the tournament culminated in a thrilling seven-run victory over South Africa at Kensington Oval.Shortly after announcing his retirement from T20Is, Rohit described the 2024 T20 World Cup win as the greatest achievement of his playing career. Gavaskar echoed this sentiment, writing in his column for mid-day, "Rohit Sharma joins those other two cricketing giants, Kapil Dev and Dhoni in captaining India to a World Cup trophy. Like the duo were, Rohit is also a people's captain."Gavaskar praised Rohit's leadership style, noting his popularity among his teammates and the Indian cricketing community. He also highlighted Rohit's tactical acumen, stating that his surprising moves often led to positive outcomes for the team.In the tournament, Rohit led from the front with the bat, amassing 257 runs at a strike rate of 156.70. His crucial fifties against Australia and England provided India with solid starts."He led from the front, showing a complete disregard for personal milestones and instead looked to get the team off to a flying start every time. India are blessed to have him as their captain," added Gavaskar.Gavaskar also lauded the captain-coach combination of Rohit and Rahul Dravid, crediting them for India's elusive trophy glory. He described the duo as "totally team-oriented, completely selfless, and prepared to do anything and everything for Team India."

India's T20 World Cup triumph has been a testament to the unwavering support of the nation's fans, according to star spinner Kuldeep Yadav. In a heartfelt message to his countrymen, Kuldeep hailed the fans as the team's "biggest strength," acknowledging their role in propelling Rohit Sharma's men to victory in the Caribbean.India's 17-year wait for a second T20 World Cup trophy ended on June 29, as they defeated South Africa by seven runs at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados. The victory parade in Mumbai last week drew lakhs of fans onto the streets, a testament to the outpouring of love and support for the team.Kuldeep, who played a crucial role in India's unbeaten run to the title, expressed his gratitude to the fans for their unwavering belief. "Together, we accomplished a dream that we were chasing for long," he wrote on social media. "I would like to thank my teammates, the support staff, media and of course our biggest strength, the fans who kept supporting us throughout the tournament."Despite not featuring in the group-stage matches held in the US, Kuldeep became a regular in the playing eleven once the team qualified for the 'Super 8s'. His left-arm spin proved effective on the slow tracks in the Caribbean, as he replaced paceman Mohammed Siraj in the lineup.Kuldeep's five matches in India's eight-match unbeaten run yielded 10 wickets, with a best of 3 for 19 at an economy rate of 6.95. His contributions were instrumental in India's success, and he expressed his hope that the team had brought joy to the nation."I hope we have entertained you all and given you moments of joy that you, your family and friends will cherish with us for a lifetime," Kuldeep wrote. "The cup is home guys, we all did it."

India's bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, hailed as a "once in a generation" talent by his teammate Virat Kohli, has expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming love and support the team has received since their triumph in the T20 World Cup.Bumrah's exceptional performance throughout the tournament, culminating in India's victory over South Africa in the final, earned him the prestigious 'Player of the Tournament' award. His 15 wickets, many of which came at crucial junctures, played a pivotal role in India's second T20 World Cup title and their first in 17 years.In a heartfelt post on social media, Bumrah expressed his joy and gratitude for the outpouring of appreciation. "I am so thankful for the last few days. I've been living a dream and it has filled me with happiness and gratitude," he wrote.During the felicitation ceremony at the Wankhede Stadium, Kohli delivered a rousing speech praising Bumrah's contributions. "What I would like everyone to do is to applaud a guy who brought us back into games again and again and again. It was phenomenal. He is a once in a generation bowler. I am so glad he plays for us," Kohli said.In the final, Bumrah and Hardik Pandya orchestrated a remarkable turnaround for India. Their game-changing spells ensured that South Africa fell short by seven runs, despite needing just 30 runs from the remaining 30 deliveries.Bumrah's exceptional skills and unwavering determination have made him a cornerstone of India's bowling attack. His ability to swing the ball both ways, generate pace, and execute yorkers with precision has made him one of the most feared bowlers in world cricket.As India celebrates their T20 World Cup triumph, Bumrah's performance will be remembered as one of the key factors in their success. His "once in a generation" talent and unwavering commitment to the team have earned him the admiration and respect of fans and fellow players alike.

Mumbai's iconic Wankhede Stadium erupted in a symphony of voices as thousands of jubilant fans gathered to witness Team India's triumphant victory parade following their T20 World Cup triumph. The stadium reverberated with the stirring strains of "Vande Mataram" as the Indian cricket team, led by captain Rohit Sharma, embarked on a victory lap to express their gratitude to the unwavering support of their loyal fans.The atmosphere at Wankhede Stadium was reminiscent of the iconic 2011 ODI World Cup final, where chants of "Vande Mataram" accompanied MS Dhoni's match-winning six against Sri Lanka. The victory parade, which commenced from Nariman Point and culminated at Wankhede Stadium, brought traffic to a standstill as thousands lined the streets to catch a glimpse of their cricketing heroes.For Rohit Sharma, who made his debut as the youngest member of Mahendra Singh Dhoni's historic 2007 squad, leading his own T20 World Champion Indian cricket team on a victory lap at age 37 was a surreal experience. Prior to the victory lap, a viral video on social media captured Virat Kohli instructing Team India players to join in singing "Vande Mataram" with the crowd, sparking speculation about whether it was Kohli's initiative to include the anthem during the victory celebrations.The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) honored the Men in Blue with a prize money of Rs 125 crore for their victorious campaign in the T20 World Cup. Following their monumental contributions to India's second T20 World Cup triumph, skipper Rohit Sharma and superstar Virat Kohli announced their retirements from T20 Internationals. Kohli, awarded player of the match for his sublime 76 in the final against South Africa, was the first to announce his decision, followed shortly by Rohit, who stated that having achieved his goals, it was time to step aside.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a staggering Rs 125 crore prize money for the victorious Indian T20 World Cup squad led by Rohit Sharma and coached by Rahul Dravid. This generous reward reflects the team's remarkable achievement of winning the tournament without losing a single match.Each of the 15 players in the squad, including Yashasvi Jaiswal, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Sanju Samson who did not play a single game, will receive a substantial Rs 5 crore. Head coach Rahul Dravid, whose tenure with Team India concluded with the T20 World Cup, will also receive Rs 5 crore.The coaching staff, comprising batting coach Vikram Rathour, fielding coach T Dilip, and bowling coach Paras Mhambrey, will each receive Rs 2.5 crore. The backroom staff, including physiotherapists, throwdown specialists, masseurs, and strength and conditioning coach Soham Desai, will each receive Rs 2 crore.Reserve players Rinku Singh, Shubman Gill, Avesh Khan, and Khaleel Ahmed, as well as the five members of the BCCI's Senior Selection Committee headed by chairman Ajit Agarkar, will reportedly receive Rs 1 crore each.The prize money distribution is as follows:* Rs 5 crore each: 15 players and head coach Rahul Dravid (16x5)* Rs 2.5 crore each: Batting, fielding, and bowling coaches (3x2.5)* Rs 2 crore each: Physiotherapists, throwdown specialists, masseurs, strength and conditioning coach (9x2)* Rs 1 crore each: Selectors and reserve players (9x1)The BCCI also announced that a share of the prize money will be awarded to the video analyst and BCCI staff members who were present at the World Cup.India's triumph in the T20 World Cup 2024 was a historic moment for the nation. The team's dominant performance throughout the tournament, culminating in a thrilling seven-run victory over South Africa in the final, showcased their exceptional skill and determination.

Hardik Pandya's redemption arc reached its peak at the T20 World Cup, where he played a pivotal role in India's triumph. Despite facing relentless criticism and trolling for his poor form and leadership of the Mumbai Indians, Pandya silenced his detractors with a match-winning performance in the final.Prior to the tournament, Pandya's inclusion in the Indian team was questioned by some fans. However, he proved his worth with consistent performances throughout the tournament, culminating in a brilliant all-round display in the final. His 33 runs and 3 wickets helped India secure a thrilling victory over Pakistan.The turnaround in Pandya's fortunes has been remarkable. Just months earlier, he was the target of intense scrutiny and abuse. But his resilience and determination have paid off, earning him the admiration of fans and critics alike.India wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan, who has witnessed Pandya's journey firsthand, revealed the vice-captain's unwavering belief in his abilities. "He told me, 'Once I start performing, those who are abusing me will be clapping for me,'" Kishan said.Pandya's composure and focus during the difficult times impressed Kishan. "He never lost his cool," Kishan said. "He took it in a very sporting manner and just focused on the game."Pandya's message of resilience and perseverance resonated with Kishan, who has also faced his share of criticism. "He said, 'Let people talk, we will do our best and give 100 percent to the game we love,'" Kishan said.Pandya's redemption story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of staying true to oneself. Despite the adversity he faced, he never lost sight of his goals and ultimately emerged as a hero for his country.

Pakistan's former captain and PCB chairman, Ramiz Raja, has staunchly defended the opening partnership of Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam despite Pakistan's disappointing performance in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024.In a video posted on his YouTube channel, "Ramiz Speaks," Raja expressed unwavering support for the duo, stating, "The Rizwan-Babar opening pair—we kept insisting on removing them without any real reason. I know there is nothing else after them. When there's nothing, if not them, don’t mess with what is already working."Raja emphasized the duo's crucial contributions, highlighting their roles in Pakistan's journey to the final of previous tournaments. "Their techniques might need some fine-tuning, but you can't split them up because they took us to the final in Australia and the Asia Cup—it was these two who did that," he asserted. "So, what led to these doubts about them? (Bohot zyada khich khich hua hain) There has been too much unnecessary fuss, and that's why we saw these results in the World Cup."During the T20 World Cup 2024, Babar Azam scored 122 runs from four matches, while Mohammad Rizwan amassed 110 runs in the same number of innings.Following Pakistan's early exit from the tournament, both Babar Azam and the team as a whole have faced significant criticism from various quarters. The scrutiny has been particularly intense, questioning the team's strategy and individual performances.Looking ahead, Pakistan's schedule includes challenging fixtures. They are set to host a five-Test series against Bangladesh and England, followed by a white-ball tour of Australia. Subsequently, the team will embark on a tour to South Africa, where they will compete in a comprehensive series featuring both Test and white-ball formats.

Jasprit Bumrah's triumphant return to India after the T20 World Cup victory was met with an outpouring of adoration and celebration. The star pacer, who played a pivotal role in India's title triumph, was greeted with a grand welcome at his residence, where he was showered with petals and cheered by enthusiastic fans.Bumrah's exceptional performance throughout the tournament earned him the Man of the Tournament accolade. He claimed 15 wickets from eight matches with an impressive economy rate of 4.17, including a crucial spell in the final against South Africa that helped India secure a seven-run victory.Despite the retirement of three of India's most prominent players - Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja - from T20I cricket, Bumrah has made it clear that he has no plans to step away from the shortest format of the game anytime soon."It's (my retirement) a long way away. I have just started. Hopefully, it is far away now," Bumrah declared during a felicitation ceremony at Wankhede Stadium, putting to rest any speculation about his potential retirement from T20I cricket.Bumrah's unwavering commitment to continue his journey in the shortest format of the game is a reassuring sign for Indian cricket fans. His exceptional skills and leadership qualities will be crucial as India looks to build a new era of success in T20I cricket.