Cricket

India's T20 World Cup Triumph: Kuldeep Yadav Expresses Surreal JoyIndia's wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav has expressed his overwhelming joy and disbelief over India's historic victory in the T20 World Cup. The triumph holds special significance for Yadav, who played a pivotal role in the team's success throughout the tournament."It has been an unreal experience for me," Yadav said during a felicitation function in Kanpur. "I hope I keep experiencing such things henceforth."India clinched their second T20 World Cup title by defeating South Africa in a thrilling final in Barbados on June 29. Yadav was instrumental in the team's victory, securing 10 wickets in the tournament. He joined the ranks of Arshdeep Singh (17 wickets), Jasprit Bumrah (15 wickets), and Hardik Pandya (11 wickets) as the fourth Indian bowler to achieve this milestone."Feeling extremely happy as a player because it's the eighth year of my Team India career, and I had the good fortune of lifting an ICC trophy," Yadav added. "It's tough to explain in words about our experience in the last week."Yadav attributed the victory to the strong camaraderie and encouragement within the team, combined with their diligent efforts. "The team's bonding and support for each other throughout the tournament and how we have been playing for the last three to four years -- it is the result that we have achieved today," he said."The whole nation, along with our teammates and the support staff are extremely happy, and so am I," Yadav concluded.

Pakistan's disappointing T20 World Cup campaign has sparked criticism of captain Babar Azam's batting approach. Despite scoring 122 runs in four games, Azam's strike rate of 101.66 has been deemed too slow.Former Pakistani cricketer Mushtaq Ahmed defended Azam, comparing him to Indian star Virat Kohli. Ahmed argued that Azam's cautious approach is his strength, similar to Kohli's. He also highlighted the need for other Pakistani players to contribute more runs."If one person gives you a score, but the rest of our players don't go on to score in the remaining 7-8 overs, then there's a problem," Ahmed said.In response to the team's recent setbacks, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is prioritizing strategic planning for upcoming tournaments. The PCB aims to leverage the expertise of white-ball head coach Jason Gillespie and Gary Kirsten to formulate effective strategies for the ICC Champions Trophy in February-March next year.Pakistan will play a series of challenging fixtures in preparation for the Champions Trophy. They will host Bangladesh and England for five-Test series, tour Australia for white-ball matches, and travel to South Africa for a comprehensive series encompassing both Test and white-ball formats.

The Indian cricket team's victory parade in Mumbai was a spectacle to behold, with fans thronging the streets to catch a glimpse of their heroes. Amidst the sea of supporters, one fan's unique vantage point caught the attention of both players and spectators alike.A video has emerged on social media showing the fan perched high atop a tree, overlooking the open-top bus carrying the victorious team. As the bus passed by, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja couldn't help but notice the fan's daring feat. Kohli's surprised reaction was captured on camera, as he pointed out the sight to Jadeja.The fan's determination to get as close as possible to the parade was evident, as he climbed the tree despite the potential risks. His efforts paid off, as he enjoyed a bird's-eye view of the celebration.Similar scenes were witnessed elsewhere along the parade route, with another fan scaling a traffic signal post to get a better view. The parade took hours to cover the short distance to the Wankhede Stadium, where the team was felicitated.The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had earlier announced a generous prize money of Rs 125 crore for the players and support staff. This victory marked India's second T20 World Cup triumph, ending a 17-year wait since MS Dhoni's team lifted the trophy in 2007.It also broke an 11-year jinx since India's last ICC trophy win at the 2013 Champions Trophy. This was India's third appearance in an ICC event final in the past year, having lost to Australia in the World Test Championship final and the ODI World Cup final in 2023.The victory parade was a testament to the immense love and support that the Indian cricket team enjoys from its fans. The players were overwhelmed by the outpouring of affection, and the fan who climbed the tree became a symbol of the lengths to which fans will go to celebrate their heroes.

India's all-rounder Krunal Pandya has penned an emotional tribute to his brother Hardik Pandya, who played a pivotal role in India's historic T20 World Cup triumph. In a heartfelt Instagram post, Krunal expressed his admiration for Hardik's resilience and unwavering commitment to the Indian team.Krunal acknowledged the criticism that Hardik faced, particularly during the IPL 2024 season. He emphasized that Hardik's priority has always been to represent India with distinction. Despite the negativity, Hardik remained focused on his goal of winning the World Cup."The last six months have been the toughest for Hardik," Krunal wrote. "He didn't deserve what he went through. He kept working hard and focusing on what he needed to do to get the World Cup."Krunal praised Hardik's ability to channel the criticism into motivation. "He passed through all of this with a smile, though I know how hard it was for him," Krunal said. "He kept working hard and focusing on what he needed to do to get the World Cup since that was his ultimate objective."Krunal also highlighted Hardik's unwavering patriotism. "For Hardik, it has always been country first, and it will always be that way," he wrote. "For a young boy coming from Baroda, there can be no bigger achievement than helping his team win the World Cup."Krunal concluded his post with a heartfelt message of love and admiration for his brother. "Hardik, I am so, so proud of you," he wrote. "I love you so much, and you deserve every bit of happiness and all the good things that are coming your way."Hardik Pandya has also acknowledged the challenges he faced in recent months. "The last 6 months have been very entertaining for me, there have been a lot of ups and downs and the public booed me," he said. "But I always felt that if I give any answer, it would be through sports."

India's T20 World Cup Triumph Celebrated at Ambani Sangeet CeremonyIndia's triumphant T20 World Cup team was honored at the sangeet ceremony of Anant and Radhika Ambani in Mumbai. Captain Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, and Suryakumar Yadav were recognized for their exceptional contributions to the team's victory.Led by Rohit Sharma, India secured a thrilling seven-run victory over South Africa in the final in Barbados. The win marked India's first global tournament triumph since the 2013 Champions Trophy.Nita Ambani and Akash Ambani, the hosts of the sangeet ceremony, celebrated the achievements of the Indian cricketers. They acknowledged the team's hard work, dedication, and resilience throughout the tournament.Rohit Sharma expressed his gratitude for the recognition and praised the team's efforts. "The team and I are very proud to be able to bring the cup home and are truly touched by how much happiness it has brought everyone back home," he said.Hardik Pandya, who played a crucial role with both bat and ball, echoed Rohit's sentiments. "It was an incredible experience to be part of this team and contribute to our victory. We are grateful for the support we received from our fans and the entire nation," he said.Suryakumar Yadav, who emerged as one of the tournament's standout performers, expressed his joy at being honored. "It's a great feeling to be recognized for our achievements. We worked hard as a team and it's wonderful to see our efforts being appreciated," he said.The Indian team's victory in the T20 World Cup has brought immense joy to the nation. The players' recognition at the Ambani sangeet ceremony further highlights the significance of their achievement and the pride they have brought to India.

India's triumph in the T20 World Cup has sparked controversy, with former England captain Michael Vaughan accusing the organizers of favoritism towards the Indian team. Vaughan highlighted the flight delay faced by Afghanistan players traveling to Trinidad for the semi-final, alleging a lack of respect and an India-centric scheduling.However, former India head coach Ravi Shastri has dismissed Vaughan's claims, questioning his credentials and India's proven track record of lifting World Cups. Shastri pointed out that India has won the T20 World Cup four times, while England has won it twice.Shastri also addressed the controversial catch taken by Suryakumar Yadav in the final, silencing critics who questioned its legitimacy. He emphasized that India's victory will be etched in the record books, regardless of any sour grapes.Vaughan's allegations have been met with mixed reactions. Some have supported his claims, citing the scheduling issues faced by Afghanistan. Others have defended the organizers, arguing that the tournament was fair and well-organized.The controversy has raised questions about the fairness of international sporting events and the potential for bias towards certain teams. It also highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in tournament scheduling and decision-making.

Rahul Dravid, the former Indian cricket team head coach, recently reflected on his tenure with the team, sharing his experiences and insights in a heartfelt video released by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).Dravid, who had a stellar playing career but never won a World Cup, guided India to the top of the Test and ODI rankings during his coaching stint. The icing on the cake was the T20 World Cup title victory in 2022."Coaching is not just about coaching cricket," Dravid said. "It's about building connections with people and creating an environment that allows success." He emphasized the importance of fostering a safe and supportive atmosphere where players can thrive without fear of failure.Dravid expressed his admiration for Rohit Sharma, who retired from T20Is after the World Cup triumph. "I've really enjoyed working with Rohit," he said. "To see him grow as a person and a leader has been a real tribute to him."He also praised Virat Kohli, who also retired from T20Is, for his professionalism and commitment. "His desire to improve is simply fascinating for me to watch," Dravid said.Reflecting on his coaching journey, Dravid highlighted the connections he built with the players and staff. "The friendships that I've built will last long after I forget some of the good results and bad results," he said.Dravid's tenure was marked by both successes and setbacks. He acknowledged that not all results were favorable, but emphasized that they are part and parcel of being a coach."I've really enjoyed myself," Dravid said. "I loved connecting with the team and the players. I've got to know them a little more, personally, and it's been quite fantastic."Former India batsman Gautam Gambhir is reportedly set to succeed Dravid as the Indian team coach.

Pakistan's cricket team has come under fire after a video emerged showing batting stalwarts Mohammad Rizwan and Iftikhar Ahmed struggling against a local net bowler. The video, which has gone viral on social media, has reignited calls for a major reshuffling in the team.Rizwan and Iftikhar, who were key members of Pakistan's squad at the 2024 T20 World Cup, have been criticized for their poor form in recent months. Rizwan, in particular, has been under scrutiny for his slow strike rate and inability to guide Pakistan to victory in crucial matches. Iftikhar, on the other hand, has failed to make a significant impact with the bat.The video, which was captured during a practice session, shows Rizwan and Iftikhar being beaten by pace and bounce multiple times by local bowler Nouman Khan Khaira. The footage has sparked outrage among fans, who have called for the duo to be dropped from the team."These local boys should be taken into the Pakistani team and those playing for the side should be rested," said one user on Twitter."They even struggled against part-time software engineers of USA," joked another user on Instagram.Rizwan's struggles at the 2024 T20 World Cup were particularly disappointing. Despite finishing as Pakistan's second-highest run-scorer, he batted at a strike rate of just 90. Most notably, Rizwan failed to guide Pakistan to a victory against India despite being well set during the run chase.Iftikhar, on the other hand, made just 23 runs in two games and was dropped from the playing XI.Pakistan's early exit from the 2024 T20 World Cup has led to widespread criticism of the team's performance. Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi has promised a "major surgery" in the wake of the team's disappointing campaign.However, recent reports have suggested that Naqvi is unlikely to make large-scale changes in order to avoid conflict with the senior players.

Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has heaped praise on India's young pace sensation Arshdeep Singh, who emerged as a key figure in India's T20 World Cup triumph. Arshdeep's impressive performance, which saw him finish as the joint-highest wicket-taker with 17 scalps, has earned him plaudits from the legendary left-arm pacer.Akram believes that Arshdeep has the potential to become a world-class bowler, but he urged the youngster to focus on playing Test cricket to cement his legacy. "If you have to leave a legacy, you have to think about long-format cricket," Akram said. "People should be talking about you even 10-20 years after your retirement that no such bowler came in cricket history."Akram rated Arshdeep's performance in the T20 World Cup as an "8," highlighting his swing, pace, and ability to move the ball both ways. However, he emphasized the importance of Test cricket for Arshdeep's long-term success. "He should be focusing on four-day cricket too because he has swing and pace," Akram added. "I think he has got the potential to be a regular bowler for India. I hope he has Test cricket on his mind."Arshdeep's impressive showing in the T20 World Cup has seen him rise to a career-best No. 13 in the latest T20I rankings. He was also named in the ICC's team of the tournament, alongside fellow Indian players Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, Suryakumar Yadav, and Jasprit Bumrah.