Cricket

Jasprit Bumrah, the Indian pace spearhead, has emerged as the most dominant bowler of his generation, showcasing an unparalleled combination of skill, precision, and versatility. His exceptional performance in the recently concluded T20 World Cup cemented his status as a true maestro of the game.Bumrah's bowling technique is a marvel to behold. With a hyperextended right elbow and a braced left knee, he generates immense pace and momentum. His ability to shape the ball in the air, break away on pitching, and tail in late makes him a nightmare for batters. He can also grip and turn the ball, delivering it with a slight tweak of the fingers, making him equally effective against both right-handers and left-handers.In the T20 World Cup, Bumrah was the tournament's leading wicket-taker, claiming 15 wickets at an astonishing average of 8.26 and an economy rate of 4.17. His impact on India's campaign was immeasurable, as he consistently provided crucial breakthroughs and controlled the flow of runs.One of Bumrah's most memorable performances came in the final against South Africa. With India needing to defend 30 runs off 30 balls, Rohit Sharma turned to his ace bowler. Bumrah delivered a gun 16th over, conceding just four singles and putting immense pressure on the Proteas.In the 18th over, Bumrah produced another masterpiece, dismissing Marco Jansen with a pearler. This wicket tilted the balance in India's favor and paved the way for their eventual victory.Beyond his bowling prowess, Bumrah has also emerged as a leader and mentor within the Indian team. He was seen offering encouragement and guidance to his fellow bowlers, particularly Arshdeep Singh, who was the joint leading wicket-taker of the tournament alongside Bumrah.Former Indian pacer Lakshmipathi Balaji has hailed Bumrah as the second best Asian fast bowler ever after Wasim Akram, citing his ability to generate pace and power from the upper body rather than the lower body. Balaji also praised Bumrah's remarkable recovery from a career-threatening back injury last year.As Bumrah continues to dominate the world of cricket, his legacy as one of the greatest fast bowlers of all time is being cemented. His unique combination of skill, versatility, and leadership makes him a true force to be reckoned with.

Kate Cross, England's experienced seam bowler, remains hopeful of securing a spot in the T20 World Cup squad despite her recent absence from the format. Cross returned to the ODI side for England's emphatic victory over New Zealand, but her sights are set on the upcoming Hundred tournament as an opportunity to showcase her skills and earn a recall to the T20 team.Cross has not featured in a T20I since December 2019 and has not taken a wicket in the format since the Women's Ashes in 2019. However, she is determined to prove her worth to head coach Jon Lewis and convince him to include her in the squad for the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh in October."Lewy's said, 'never say never,' with T20 cricket, he's said he's definitely not ruled me out for future series or games," Cross said. "But I can just control what I can control and I know I've got the Hundred coming up where I'll be able to open the bowling and try and finish games off for the Superchargers."Cross acknowledges that the competition for places in the T20 team is fierce, but she is confident in her abilities and believes that the Hundred will provide her with the perfect platform to demonstrate her value."So for me, that's my opportunity to showcase to him what I can do and if that's good enough, it's good enough, and if it's not, then I'll obviously support the girls from quite a distance as I won't be in Bangladesh."If Cross is overlooked for the T20 World Cup, she will have the ODI World Cup in India next year to aim for. However, her focus remains on the immediate task of helping England win the current ODI series against New Zealand and continuing to develop her game."We are probably more focused on the T20 World Cup at the minute, obviously that's the one more in front of us, but we're still trying to evolve our 50-over game as well to make sure that we are as well prepared as we possibly can be when it gets to that Ashes series," Cross said.Cross believes that England's recent success in white-ball cricket is a testament to the team's growing maturity and ruthlessness. She is confident that the team can continue to improve and achieve even greater things in the future."That's where winning games of cricket, how we are at the minute, is really pleasing because we're playing what's in front of us and as we keep moving forward as a group and learning how best to play conditions, then hopefully what we're learning from these series, we'll travel over and we'll be able to keep that ruthless nature and take that into big ICC events and obviously that'll stand you in good stead to win trophies."

Star pacer Jasprit Bumrah and his wife Sanjana Ganesan celebrated Team India's T20 World Cup triumph with a sweet "ice cream" date in Barbados. Sanjana, who was part of the broadcasting team in the West Indies, shared a heartwarming video on her Instagram story, revealing their post-victory indulgence.In the video, Bumrah beamed with joy, flaunting victory signs while Sanjana captured his playful antics. "Took this World Champion for ice-cream in the morning," she captioned the video.The couple's celebration came after India's thrilling seven-run victory over South Africa in the final. Bumrah played a crucial role in the team's success, delivering a match-winning spell of 3/13 in the crucial encounter.After the final, Sanjana interviewed Bumrah, who expressed his overwhelming emotions. "I don't usually cry after a game, but this feels really special," he said. "We've been working really hard towards this, and we've come close and fell short last time, but we were able to go through this time."Bumrah's wife and son were present at the match, making the victory even more special for the family. "My son is here, my family is here, and I could do something special for India," he said. "There's no better feeling than that."The T20 World Cup triumph marked a significant milestone for Team India, healing the wounds of their ODI World Cup 2023 final defeat. Under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, the team displayed resilience and determination throughout the tournament, culminating in a memorable victory.

Fielding, often overshadowed by batting and bowling, is a game-changer in cricket. It can turn the tide of a match or even an entire tournament. In the 2024 Men's T20 World Cup final, India's victory was largely attributed to their exceptional fielding.In the final over, with South Africa needing just 16 runs to win, Hardik Pandya was entrusted with the daunting task of defending against David Miller. The weight of history hung heavy, as a stunning catch or a lightning-quick direct hit could seal India's fate.As Miller launched the first ball of the over, Suryakumar Yadav raced from wide long-off and plucked the ball with extraordinary precision, millimeters away from the boundary cushions. His momentum threatened to carry him past the ropes, but he had the presence of mind to throw the ball back in the air and complete one of the most important catches of his career.That catch not only saved India 16 runs but also boosted their morale. Five balls later, India was crowned world champion, and fielding coach T. Dilip's quiet hard work behind the scenes was recognized.Dilip's journey to the Indian dugout was not without its challenges. As an aspiring cricketer, he faced financial constraints and a lack of support. However, he found solace in imparting knowledge as a mathematics tutor.In 2004, Dilip enrolled in the BCCI Level-1 coaching program and quickly found an opportunity to share his expertise as a coach for the under-14 and under-16 teams at the Hyderabad Cricket Academy. His coaching career flourished under the guidance of R. Sridhar, one of India's top fielding coaches.In 2009, Dilip joined the National Cricket Academy (NCA) as a specialist fielding coach. He worked with players like Shubman Gill and Axar Patel during their formative years.When R. Sridhar concluded his seven-year stint as the Indian team's fielding coach, Dilip was entrusted with maintaining the high standard and ensuring effective player management. He has essayed this duty to perfection, creating a top-notch fielding outfit with a new intensity and openness to innovation.Dilip's extraordinary metamorphosis from a humble mathematics tutor to an influential mentor for prodigies and established superstars is incredibly heart-warming. His passion for the game is a thread that connects us all. While we continue to comment on cricket matches from our living rooms and armchairs, he is shaping future cricket stars in the team's dressing room.

In the high-stakes T20 World Cup final in Barbados, India's batting maestro Virat Kohli played a pivotal role in guiding his team to a competitive total of 176 for 7. Despite losing three wickets early in the powerplay, Kohli stood firm, anchoring India's innings with a solid 76 off 59 deliveries.Kohli's innings was characterized by his ability to stabilize the Indian batting order and build partnerships. He forged a crucial 72-run stand with Axar Patel, followed by valuable contributions alongside Shivam Dube and others. However, former cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has raised concerns about the pace of Kohli's knock, suggesting that it could have hindered India's chances of posting a more formidable total.Manjrekar argues that Kohli's conservative approach limited the opportunities for explosive batters like Hardik Pandya, who faced only two deliveries. He believes that Kohli's strike rate of 128 during the first half of his innings potentially put India in a tight corner.However, India's bowlers came to the rescue, orchestrating a remarkable turnaround in the chase. With 30 runs required off 30 balls and six wickets in hand, South Africa's batters faltered under pressure. Manjrekar credits the bowlers for saving Kohli's innings from scrutiny, as India ultimately secured a thrilling 7-run victory.This triumph marks India's second T20 World Cup title, ending an over-a-decade-long ICC title drought. The victory also serves as a testament to Kohli's resilience and his ability to perform under immense pressure.

Rahul Dravid's tenure as India's head coach came to an end after the team's triumph at the T20 World Cup 2024. Dravid's initial two-year term concluded after the ODI World Cup last year, where India finished as runners-up. However, a call from Rohit Sharma, the team's captain, prompted Dravid to reconsider.Under Dravid's guidance, India achieved significant success. They reached the final of the World Test Championship in June 2023 and the ODI World Cup final in November 2023. The pinnacle of their achievements came with the T20 World Cup victory, which Dravid described as a "privilege and a pleasure."Dravid emphasized the importance of teamwork and the support he received from the players and staff. He expressed gratitude for the respect and kindness shown to him and his team. The coach-captain relationship between Dravid and Rohit Sharma was crucial in India's success.During the victory celebrations, Dravid shared a special message with Virat Kohli, who had been a part of India's previous white-ball triumphs. Dravid reminded Kohli of the three "whites" (ODI World Cup, Champions Trophy, and T20 World Cup) they had ticked off and encouraged him to complete the set with the "red" (Test Championship).Dravid's successor is expected to be announced soon. VVS Laxman is currently coaching the second-string side in Zimbabwe, while Gautam Gambhir is considered the frontrunner for the head coach position.

Rohit Sharma's Heartfelt Gesture Wins Hearts After India's T20 World Cup TriumphIndian cricket captain Rohit Sharma has garnered immense praise for his heartwarming gesture towards a super fan, Sudhir Kumar Chaudhary, following India's T20 World Cup victory in Barbados. Chaudhary, an ardent supporter of the Indian cricket team, was given the opportunity to hold the coveted trophy, which India had won after a 17-year drought.The moment was captured in a series of photographs that went viral on social media, with fans applauding Rohit's humility and kindness. "Respect," wrote one fan, while another commented, "Rohit winning hearts of million fans." A third user remarked, "A down-to-earth leader's humble act, showcasing gratitude and kindness, inspiring millions."India's victory over South Africa in the final match of the T20 World Cup 2024 was a historic moment for the nation. After a shaky start, India's batting lineup was anchored by Virat Kohli's gritty 76 off 59 balls. Axar Patel also contributed a valuable 47 off 31.In the second innings, South Africa looked poised to chase down India's total of 176/7. However, a remarkable bowling performance by India, led by Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya, turned the tide in India's favor. Bumrah conceded only six runs in his last two overs, while Pandya dismissed David Miller on the first ball of the final over, thanks to a sensational catch by Suryakumar Yadav.India's victory was a testament to the team's resilience and determination. After the historic win, both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli announced their retirement from T20I cricket.

Rahul Dravid's heartfelt farewell speech after India's T20 World Cup triumph in Barbados was a testament to the team's resilience and the sacrifices made by everyone involved. Dravid, who had initially planned to step down after the ODI World Cup heartbreak, was persuaded by skipper Rohit Sharma to continue until the T20 World Cup.Dravid's decision proved to be a masterstroke as India overcame a challenging chase by South Africa to secure a memorable victory. In his speech, Dravid praised the team's fighting spirit and the unwavering support they received from their families and coaches."The comeback the way you did, the way you fought, the way we worked as a team, the resilience," Dravid said. "There've been disappointments over the years. We have come close but we have never been able to cross the line, but what this bunch of boys has done, what all of you have done, what everyone in the support staff has done, the hard work that we have put in, the sacrifices that we have made, the whole country is really really proud of each and every one of you and what you have achieved."Dravid also acknowledged the sacrifices made by the players' families and the support staff, who have played a crucial role in their success. "So many of your family is back home. Just think about all the sacrifices each and every one of them has made since the time you were kids to be here in this dressing room today," he said.Dravid expressed his gratitude to Rohit Sharma for his support and guidance as captain. "Ro, thank you so much for making that call to me in November and asking me to continue," he said. "I think it's such a privilege and a pleasure to work with each of you but also to Ro, thanks for the time."Dravid emphasized the importance of teamwork and the collective effort that led to India's triumph. "It's not about any individual, it's about a team," he said. "We have won this as a team, we did everything we could for the last month as a team. It's about all of us."Dravid's speech was a fitting tribute to the team's hard work and dedication, and it will undoubtedly serve as an inspiration for future generations of Indian cricketers.

Pakistan's disappointing performance in the T20 World Cup has drawn widespread criticism, with captain Babar Azam facing the brunt of the backlash. Former cricketer Shoaib Malik has added to the chorus of disapproval, questioning Azam's place in the top international teams.Malik, speaking on a talk show after the India-England semifinal, asserted that Azam's current form and leadership do not meet the standards of elite teams. "Who is our best player? Our best player is Babar Azam," Malik said. "I am just talking about the top 4-5 teams. Can Babar fit in the playing XI of those teams? Of Australia, of India, or of England in just this particular format? The answer is NO!"Azam's performance in the tournament has been underwhelming. In four matches, he scored 122 runs with a highest score of 44, averaging 40.66 and striking at 101.66. His captaincy has also been criticized, particularly for his handling of the match against India, where Pakistan collapsed after a promising start.Malik's comments have sparked a debate about Azam's suitability as captain and his place in the team. Some have defended Azam, citing his past achievements and the challenges he faced in the tournament. Others have argued that his recent form and leadership have not been up to par and that he needs to improve or risk losing his position.The criticism of Azam reflects the frustration of Pakistani fans and experts with the team's performance. Pakistan has struggled in recent years to maintain its status as a top cricketing nation, and the T20 World Cup debacle has only added to the concerns.Whether Azam can turn things around and lead Pakistan to success remains to be seen. However, the criticism he has faced serves as a reminder that he and the team have a lot of work to do to regain the respect and admiration of their supporters.