Cricket

India's historic triumph in the T20 World Cup has ignited a wave of inspiration and motivation among the country's rising stars. Abhishek Sharma, who witnessed the thrilling victory alongside mentor Yuvraj Singh, expressed his awe at the emotions displayed by the former all-rounder."Watching Yuvi paji get emotional after India's win was a profound moment," said Sharma. "It's a dream for all of us to win an ICC trophy, and he has done it multiple times. I will never forget that moment."The young cricketers set to represent India in the upcoming T20I series against Zimbabwe have expressed their admiration and determination to emulate their senior counterparts. Shubman Gill, leading the contingent for the first time, hailed the World Cup victory as a "feather in the cap" for the team."It's a special moment for all of them and for me," said Gill. "They have worked very hard for this."Ruturaj Gaikwad expressed his delight at witnessing the legendary trio of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja bid farewell to T20I cricket on a high note. "To have a win of this kind, where we were almost in the jaws of defeat, and then to come back and win is a special moment," said Gaikwad.Riyan Parag, set to make his T20I debut against Zimbabwe, termed India's victory as an inspiration for all budding cricketers in the nation. "It's motivating for all of us, and the young cricketers in India," said Parag.Fresh off an impressive IPL season with Sunrisers Hyderabad, Abhishek Sharma had the privilege of watching the final alongside the legendary Yuvraj Singh. Wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel employed an unconventional approach, reverse-jinxing the outcome to ensure India's victory.The pacers, Mukesh Kumar and Tushar Deshpande, described the win as a "miracle", while Avesh Khan celebrated the momentous occasion with local fans, vowing to maintain the high standards set by the World Cup-winning team. Ravi Bishnoi and Washington Sundar echoed similar sentiments, with Bishnoi expressing his joy through solitary celebrations in his hotel room.

Hardik Pandya, the star all-rounder who played a pivotal role in India's T20 World Cup triumph, shared an emotional video of the victory parade in Mumbai. The video captured the jubilant atmosphere as the Indian team celebrated their sensational victory with a sea of cricket-loving fans.Pandya, who has endured a challenging period in recent months, expressed his gratitude to the fans for their unwavering support. "India, you mean the world to me!" he wrote in an accompanying message. "From the bottom of my heart, thank you for all the love."The victory parade, organized by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), was a testament to the team's remarkable achievement. Pandya, who was instrumental in India's triumph, thanked the fans for their enthusiastic reception despite the heavy rains."Thank you for coming out to celebrate with us, despite the rains," he said. "We love you so much! Celebrating with you is why we do what we do!"Pandya's emotional breakdown after the victory in Barbados was a poignant moment. The all-rounder had faced criticism and setbacks in the past, but his resilience and determination ultimately paid off."We're all champions! All 1.4 billion of us!" Pandya exclaimed, holding the trophy aloft. "Thank you Mumbai, thank you India."The victory parade was a fitting tribute to the Indian team's hard work and dedication. Pandya's heartfelt message and the outpouring of support from the fans highlighted the special bond between the team and the nation.

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has consistently praised Jasprit Bumrah's exceptional bowling skills, particularly his unwavering commitment to Test cricket. Shastri has emphasized Bumrah's desire to break away from the stereotype of being labeled a "white-ball specialist."Shastri's admiration for Bumrah's journey is evident in a recent revelation about a compliment the pacer received from legendary West Indies fast bowler Andy Roberts. Speaking on Star Sports, Shastri disclosed that after Bumrah's devastating performance in a two-Test series in the Caribbean in 2019, Roberts and Curtly Ambrose approached the Indian pacer.In those two Tests, India defeated the West Indies in Antigua and Jamaica, winning both by a margin of more than 200 runs. Bumrah claimed 13 wickets in the matches, including a hat-trick."The ultimate compliment for Jasprit Bumrah came in 2019," Shastri said. "When I was coach here and we were playing a Test series and he dismantled the West Indies in 2-and-a-half or three days in the two Tests matches. And Andy Roberts walked up to him in Antigua. Andy and Curtly (Ambrose) together. Andy walked up to him and said 'You, young man could have taken the new ball in our era'.""You will not get a bigger compliment than that. Roberts was the leader of the pack that had Marshall, Garner, Croft, and Holding. No better compliment than that for Jasprit Bumrah. That was in 2019, he has come along leaps and bounds since then," Shastri added.Shastri also highlighted Bumrah's unique release point, which allows him to bowl a wide range of deliveries with exceptional accuracy."His release point. From where Mohammed Siraj releases the ball to where Jasprit Bumrah releases the ball is 48 cm. And with a straight wrist. Normally when you release the ball from ahead, it has to be a bouncer. When you release the ball from behind, it's pitched. But from there, to be able to yorker at will, to bowl the bouncer and bowl a hard length, that's amazing. That's what separates him from the rest. The pace might say 140 kph, but it's hitting the ball a lot harder," Shastri explained.Bumrah's exceptional skills were on display in the recent T20 World Cup, where he finished as the third highest wicket-taker with 15 wickets. He was adjudged the Player of the Tournament as India remained undefeated throughout the competition.In the final, Bumrah took two wickets as India turned the tables on South Africa, restricting them to 169/8 and emerging victorious to end an 11-year-long global trophy drought.

Pakistan's disappointing T20 World Cup performance has prompted former captain Rashid Latif to issue an ultimatum to star batters Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. Latif believes that both players must adapt their batting approach or face being dropped from the team.Latif criticized Babar's decision to accept the captaincy again after resigning last year. He believes that the added responsibility has weakened Babar's batting and that he should focus solely on his role as a batsman."Babar Azam's biggest mistake was to accept the captaincy again," Latif said. "He shouldn't get involved in this politics. Pakistan has found a great batsman after so many years who is dominating the world."Latif also urged Babar and Rizwan to emulate the example of Indian veterans Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who recently announced their retirement from T20Is."Rohit has changed himself 190 degrees," Latif said. "His IPL strike rate used to be 130-140, but this year it went up to 160. He changed himself. Virat Kohli did the same thing. If these two batsmen can change, then anyone can."Latif gave Babar and Rizwan a five-match ultimatum to improve their batting approach. If they fail to do so, he believes they should be dropped from the team."I would give Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan 5 matches to change their batting approach in T20Is, and if they won't, then there should be no place in the team for them," Latif said.Latif's comments highlight the growing pressure on Babar and Rizwan to perform. Pakistan's recent T20 World Cup exit has raised questions about the team's direction and the role of its star players.

Team India captain Rohit Sharma's triumphant return home after India's T20 World Cup victory was marked by a heartwarming welcome from his childhood friends and family members.Upon arriving at his residence on Thursday, Rohit was greeted with a surprise celebration organized by his loved ones. In a viral video, his friends and family can be seen saluting him, mobbing him, and lifting him on their shoulders. India batter Tilak Varma was also present at the scene, adding to the joyous atmosphere.Rohit's return home was a culmination of a remarkable journey that saw him lead India to their second T20 World Cup title. The team's victory parade in Mumbai was met with an enthusiastic reception from fans, who lined the streets to celebrate the team's triumph.The BCCI also hosted a special felicitation ceremony at the Wankhede Stadium, where the board distributed prize money of Rs 125 crore to the team. The players and support staff members then departed for their respective homes, carrying with them the memories of their historic victory.Rohit's homecoming was particularly poignant as he recalled being a part of the 2007 T20 World Cup win parade in Mumbai as an up-and-coming star. He expressed his happiness at being able to lead the team to victory and bring joy to the people of India."2007 was a different feeling. We started off in the afternoon and this is in the evening. I cannot forget 2007, as it was my first World Cup. This is a little more special because I was leading the team. So it is a very proud moment for me. This is going to be mad. You can make out the excitement and it shows how much it means not just to us but also to the entire nation. It means a lot. So I am very happy that we could achieve something like this for them as well," said Rohit.Rohit's T20I retirement announcement hours after India's victory added a bittersweet note to the celebrations. However, his legacy as a successful captain and a prolific batter will continue to inspire future generations of cricketers.

Indian Cricket Team Receives Triumphant Welcome in MumbaiThe Indian cricket team, fresh from their historic T20 World Cup victory, was greeted with an outpouring of joy and adulation during their victory parade in Mumbai. The team, led by captain Rohit Sharma, paraded through the city aboard an open-top bus, waving to the throngs of fans who lined the streets.The parade commenced at Marine Drive, which was renamed "Mumbai's JAADU KI JHAPPI" by industrialist Anand Mahindra in honor of the team's triumph. The players, including star batsman Virat Kohli, proudly displayed the T20 World Cup trophy to the cheering crowd.Suryakumar Yadav, who played a pivotal role in India's victory with a match-changing catch in the final against South Africa, expressed his delight at Mahindra's suggestion. "Kya baat keh di sir," Yadav tweeted.The victory parade was a testament to the team's hard work and dedication, which culminated in India's first ICC trophy in 11 years. The team's triumph has sparked a wave of national pride and has been hailed as a major achievement for Indian cricket.

India's T20 World Cup triumph was celebrated with a grand parade in Mumbai, bringing the city to a standstill. The parade, delayed by two hours due to crowd chaos, began after Rohit Sharma and his team arrived around 5 pm on Thursday.The Wankhede Stadium, the iconic venue that witnessed India's 2011 ODI World Cup triumph, was packed with passionate fans within minutes of the gates opening. The stadium's capacity was quickly reached, forcing the authorities to close the gates around 5 pm, leaving thousands of fans outside.Inside the stadium, fans braved the rain, humidity, and a scarcity of food and water, determined to celebrate their team's victory. Despite the intermittent rain, the fans remained in their seats, entertained by a DJ playing a variety of songs, creating an atmosphere akin to a rain-dance party with speakers blaring popular anthems like "To Brazil" by Vengaboys and the unofficial sports anthem "Chak de India."The stadium erupted with chants of "Sachin… Sachin," "Mumbaicha Raja, Rohit Sharma!" and "India… India," reflecting the unwavering support and passion of the Indian cricket fans.Upon their arrival at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport's Terminal 2, Rohit Sharma and his team received a water salute. The team then made their way to the Wankhede Stadium, where they were welcomed by the roaring crowds.Prior to the parade, the team had a breakfast meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi before flying to Mumbai at 3:42 pm, having returned from Barbados earlier that morning.The parade, which was delayed due to crowd chaos, began after Rohit Sharma and his team arrived around 5 pm on Thursday. A viral video shows quite a few slippers lost by the fans, who had gathered in large numbers to witness the victory parade. The chaos left debris and lost footwear scattered along the parade route.Despite the challenges, the parade was a fitting tribute to India's T20 World Cup victory, a moment that will be etched in the memories of Indian cricket fans for years to come.

Team India's Triumphant Return: A Grand Celebration and Monetary RewardOn July 5, 2024, Team India returned to a hero's welcome after their historic T20 World Cup victory in Barbados. The team's journey began with a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, followed by a grand felicitation ceremony organized by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.The day commenced with a victory parade from Marine Drive to the Wankhede Stadium, where thousands of fans lined the streets to cheer on their champions. The team's arrival at the stadium was met with thunderous applause and a vibrant atmosphere.During the felicitation ceremony, BCCI President Sourav Ganguly presented the team with a staggering Rs 125 crore prize money, as promised after their triumph. Team captain Rohit Sharma, coach Rahul Dravid, and star players Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah took to the podium to express their gratitude and share their emotions with the crowd.The ceremony was filled with moments of joy and celebration. The players danced enthusiastically to the tune of "Chak De India," led by Kohli, Sharma, and Suryakumar Yadav. The team also interacted with fans, signing balls and taking selfies, creating unforgettable memories for the supporters.Earlier in the day, Team India had landed in New Delhi from Barbados and proceeded to the Prime Minister's residence for a scheduled meeting. The players were greeted with warmth and congratulations by Prime Minister Modi, who lauded their achievements and wished them continued success.The team's return and celebration marked a significant milestone in Indian cricket history. The T20 World Cup victory was a testament to the team's hard work, dedication, and unwavering spirit. The grand reception and monetary reward served as a fitting tribute to their remarkable accomplishment.

Rahul Dravid's tenure as India's head coach has been a rollercoaster of emotions, culminating in the team's triumph at the T20 World Cup in Barbados. However, the journey was not without its setbacks, including the disappointing loss in the ODI World Cup final.After the ODI World Cup defeat, Dravid's future as head coach was uncertain. But a phone call from captain Rohit Sharma changed everything. Sharma urged Dravid to continue until the T20 World Cup, a gesture that deeply moved the former Indian cricketer."I wasn't sure if I was going to continue after the 50-Over World Cup," Dravid said. "But for Rohit to pick up the phone and say, 'Rahul, let's have one more crack at it,' was one of the best phone calls I've received in my life."Dravid's decision to stay on proved to be a masterstroke. Under his guidance, India played with renewed determination and resilience, eventually lifting the T20 World Cup trophy. The victory was a culmination of hard work, dedication, and a never-say-die attitude."These boys are like family," Dravid said. "Their level of hard work, resilience, and fighting spirit is incredible. It's been a privilege to coach them."Dravid's admiration for his players was evident in his words. He praised their unwavering commitment to excellence and their ability to overcome adversity. The coach-player bond was a key factor in India's success.As Dravid reflects on his time with the team, he expresses gratitude for the opportunity to work with such talented and dedicated individuals. He also acknowledges the unwavering support of the Indian fans, who played a vital role in the team's triumph."What we've seen today is absolutely phenomenal," Dravid said. "The love of these people and fans is what makes cricket the greatest game in the world."