Cricket

Rohit Sharma, the Indian cricket team captain, has jokingly threatened to drop Suryakumar Yadav from the playing XI if he had dropped the crucial catch that dismissed David Miller in the 2024 T20 World Cup final.Yadav's spectacular catch at long-off in the first ball of the final over proved to be a game-changer. With South Africa needing 16 runs in six balls, Miller's dismissal effectively ended their hopes of victory."After Surya caught the ball, he told me that the ball sat in his hand. Thank goodness it did. Otherwise, I would have sat him out," Rohit quipped during a meeting with Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Friday.Yadav's catch required exceptional athleticism and quick thinking. Miller had swung hard at Hardik Pandya's delivery, and Yadav had to first take the catch, then throw it up, and finally run back from outside the boundary ropes to collect it.India eventually won the final by a narrow margin of seven runs, despite South Africa needing just 30 runs in 30 balls at one point.Chief Minister Shinde announced a prize of Rs 11 crore for Team India, in addition to the Rs 125 crore reward announced by the BCCI.

Ahmed Shehzad, the former Pakistan cricketer, has sparked controversy once again with his bold statements about Virat Kohli and Babar Azam. During the 2024 T20 World Cup, Shehzad has consistently expressed his admiration for Kohli, while simultaneously criticizing Azam.In a recent interview, Shehzad was asked about the comparisons made between him and Kohli during their early playing days. Shehzad acknowledged that Kohli's legacy is unmatched, not only compared to him but also to Azam."Comparisons are fine when it comes to appearances, but let's be honest, Virat Kohli has gone far ahead with his career and records," Shehzad said. "There's no one like Virat Kohli, let alone me or anyone else. Many like to compare Babar Azam with him, but even those don't make sense."Shehzad's comments come after Kohli's match-winning knock of 76 in the T20 World Cup Final against South Africa. The Indian star announced his retirement from T20Is after the tournament, leaving a void in the Indian cricket team."In my opinion, Virat Kohli is leaving behind a huge legacy for India and for the rest of the world," Shehzad said. "Good luck to the Indian cricket team to fill his shoes."Shehzad's criticism of Azam has been a recurring theme throughout the tournament. He has questioned Azam's batting and captaincy, arguing that he is not on the same level as Kohli.Despite Shehzad's criticisms, Azam remains one of the most highly-rated batsmen in the world. He has led Pakistan to numerous victories and is considered a future star of the game.However, Shehzad's comments have sparked a debate about the relative merits of Kohli and Azam. While Kohli has a more impressive record and has achieved greater success, Azam is still a young player with the potential to reach even greater heights.

Team India's triumph at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 is a testament to the unwavering support and vision of BCCI Secretary Jay Shah. Following the team's triumphant return to India, Shah expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his unwavering encouragement.Shah's instrumental role in facilitating the team's return from Barbados, where they were stranded due to Hurricane Beryl, underscores his commitment to the team's well-being. The squad, along with support staff and journalists, arrived in India on Thursday morning, greeted by a wave of euphoria and national pride.Upon their arrival, the team met with Prime Minister Modi, who has consistently supported #TeamIndia through both victories and setbacks. Shah acknowledged the Prime Minister's unwavering belief in the team's abilities, regardless of the outcome."We are glad that the World Cup victory has brought a wave of euphoria across the country and filled every Indian with a sense of pride," Shah wrote on Instagram.Shah's leadership has been instrumental in fostering a positive and supportive environment for the team. His vision for Indian cricket has played a crucial role in the team's success, both on and off the field.The team's return to India was marked by an open-top bus parade in Mumbai and a presentation ceremony at the Wankhede Stadium. The outpouring of support from the Indian public is a testament to the team's hard work and dedication, as well as the transformative power of sport in uniting a nation.

Maharashtra CM Announces Rs 11 Crore Reward for T20 World Cup-Winning Indian Cricket TeamMaharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has announced a cash reward of Rs 11 crore for the Indian cricket team that triumphed in the T20 World Cup. The announcement was made during a felicitation ceremony held in the central hall of the Vidhan Bhavan (state legislature complex) in Mumbai.Four Mumbai players from the victorious team – captain Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Shivam Dubey – were honored at the event. CM Shinde expressed his elation over the team's victory, particularly highlighting the remarkable catch taken by Suryakumar Yadav in the final match against South Africa.Shinde also acknowledged the contributions of support team members Paras Mhambre and Arun Kanade, who were also felicitated. He commended the Mumbai Police for their effective crowd management during the team's victory parade in south Mumbai on Thursday.The chief minister's announcement of the cash reward is a testament to the state's pride in the team's achievement. The victory has brought immense joy and inspiration to the people of Maharashtra and the entire nation.

Suryakumar Yadav's extraordinary catch in the T20 World Cup final against South Africa proved to be a pivotal moment in India's title triumph. With South Africa needing 16 runs from the final over, David Miller's powerful shot seemed destined to clear the boundary. However, Yadav's remarkable athleticism and quick thinking saved the day for India.Yadav, positioned at long-on, steadied himself on the ropes as Miller's shot soared towards him. As he reached the boundary, he released the ball just before crossing the line, then swiftly regained his balance and completed the catch. The crowd erupted in a mix of disbelief and jubilation as India's hopes were reignited.Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who hosted the victorious Indian team for breakfast in New Delhi, hailed Yadav's catch as a game-changer. He explained how it transformed the emotions of a billion Indians from despair to elation. Yadav himself expressed his gratitude for being able to make such a significant contribution to his country's victory.The catch not only showcased Yadav's exceptional fielding skills but also his unwavering determination and composure under pressure. It was a moment that will be etched in the annals of Indian cricket history and will forever be remembered as a turning point in the team's World Cup triumph.

Virat Kohli's redemption in the T20 World Cup final against South Africa was a testament to his resilience and unwavering determination. Despite a string of low scores throughout the tournament, Kohli rose to the occasion when it mattered most, guiding India to a memorable victory.In a candid conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Kohli admitted that he had struggled with self-doubt during the World Cup. However, he found solace in the words of his teammate, Rahul Dravid, who assured him that he would deliver when the time came.As India stumbled early in the final, Kohli took charge, anchoring the innings with a masterful 76-run knock. His innings was a perfect blend of aggression and composure, providing the platform for India's eventual triumph.Kohli's performance was a reflection of his unwavering belief in himself and his team. Despite the setbacks he had faced, he never lost sight of his goal. His ability to overcome adversity and perform under pressure is a testament to his mental fortitude.The T20 World Cup victory was a culmination of years of hard work and dedication for Kohli and his teammates. It was a moment of immense pride for the nation, and Kohli's contribution will forever be etched in the annals of Indian cricket history.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted the triumphant Indian T20 World Cup-winning team in New Delhi on Thursday, where star batter Virat Kohli shared his insights on his remarkable performance in the tournament.Kohli, who was adjudged 'Player of the Match' for his match-winning 76-run knock in the final, had endured a lean patch before the title clash, scoring just 75 runs in the tournament. However, he rose to the occasion when it mattered most, guiding India to victory in Barbados.During his interaction with PM Modi, Kohli expressed his gratitude to head coach Rahul Dravid for his unwavering faith in him, even when his confidence was at its lowest. "I told Rahul Dravid bhai that I hadn't done justice to the team and myself so far," Kohli revealed. "But he told me that when the opportunity arrives, I am sure you will perform."Kohli admitted that he lacked confidence before the final, but a blistering start with three boundaries in the first over gave him a much-needed boost. "I told Rohit [Sharma] that I don't have enough confidence," he said. "But when I got those boundaries, I felt like something was happening."With India losing early wickets in the final, Kohli's focus shifted to surrendering himself to the team's cause. "My only focus was to surrender myself to the team and focus on what's best for the team," he said. "I felt that I was thrown into the situation. It's hard to explain the feeling. Some things are bound to happen."Kohli's match-winning knock was a fitting end to a tournament that had been a rollercoaster of emotions for him. "It was a fairytale end for me in the tournament," he said. "Especially with the way I batted after India had lost early wickets."Despite his retirement from T20I cricket, Kohli emphasized that he will continue to play the longer formats. "I am still hungry to play for India in Tests and ODIs," he said. "I want to contribute to the team's success in any way I can."

Sunil Gavaskar, the legendary Indian batsman, has heaped praise on Rohit Sharma's captaincy after India's triumph at the T20 World Cup. Rohit's leadership has earned him a place among the elite group of Indian captains to lift a World Cup, joining Kapil Dev and MS Dhoni.Gavaskar believes that Rohit's captaincy was the standout performance for India in the tournament. He highlighted Rohit's composure and body language, even in tense situations. "Rohit's captaincy is something that has to be admired because never once during tense situations did his body language go down," Gavaskar said.The former India captain pointed to Rohit's handling of the team when India faced adversity. "The way he handled the situation when it was not looking good for India, that is deserving of the highest praise," Gavaskar added.Rohit's leadership was instrumental in India's success. He guided the team to victory in the final against Pakistan, a match in which Virat Kohli played a starring role with the bat. Jasprit Bumrah, who was named Player of the Tournament, was also a key contributor with his exceptional bowling performances.At the felicitation event in Mumbai, Rohit expressed his gratitude to the fans and dedicated the trophy to the entire nation. "This trophy is for the entire nation. Along with all the players who have represented the country, we want to dedicate it to our fans, who have waited for 11 years," Rohit said.Gavaskar's praise for Rohit's captaincy is a testament to the impact he has had on the Indian team. Rohit's leadership has helped India achieve success on the international stage and has cemented his place as one of the most successful captains in Indian cricket history.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi has stated that no decision has been made regarding Babar Azam's future as captain. The board will consult with former players and head coach Gary Kirsten before determining the best course of action.Naqvi plans to meet with Kirsten and his assistant Azhar Mahmood to discuss the team's disappointing performance at the T20 World Cup. He emphasized the need for a thorough analysis before making any hasty decisions.Following Pakistan's elimination from the Super 8 stage, Naqvi had criticized the team and called for a "major surgery." He believes that the team's recent losses, including humiliating defeats against India and the United States, necessitate a comprehensive overhaul."I have asked Kirsten and Mahmood to provide a detailed report on the World Cup," Naqvi said. "Their insights will be invaluable in shaping our future plans."Regarding Babar Azam's captaincy, Naqvi stated that no decision has been made. He has received a comprehensive report from a former player outlining areas for improvement in Pakistan cricket. However, he stressed that he will not make any decisions based on emotions or social media commentary."Decisions made in haste often lead to complications," Naqvi said. "I want to avoid that in our cricket."Naqvi has been consulting with former players and seeking their suggestions. He emphasized that he is only interested in working with those who genuinely care about the betterment of Pakistan cricket."I have been with the board for four months and have identified areas that need improvement," Naqvi said. "However, I will not rush into any conclusions or make hasty decisions."