Cricket

The Indian cricket team's triumph in the T20 World Cup has garnered global acclaim, with former Pakistan cricketer Ahmad Shahzad hailing Virat Kohli's pivotal role in the victory.In a thrilling final against South Africa, Kohli showcased his match-winning prowess with a 59-ball 76, earning him the Man of the Match award. Despite a modest performance throughout the tournament, Kohli's timely contribution proved decisive.Shahzad emphasized Kohli's unwavering enthusiasm and his ability to inspire his teammates. He noted that Kohli's celebration of wickets from long-on and long-off demonstrated his unwavering commitment to the team's success."Virat Kohli is a legend of our generation," Shahzad declared. "He has always played his cricket with enthusiasm. Even in his last match, someone else was taking wickets and he was celebrating at long-on, long-off."Shahzad further asserted that Kohli's innings was indispensable to India's victory. "He didn't score runs in the whole World Cup but as destiny would have it, he scored runs in the final when one else scored and had Virat not scored in that final, India wouldn't have won."Shahzad dismissed comparisons between Kohli and other cricketers, including Babar Azam. "There is no one like Virat Kohli, let alone me, let alone anybody else," he stated. "He has an amazing strike rate and average in ICC tournaments. So he shouldn't be compared to anyone."Kohli's retirement from T20I cricket marks the end of an illustrious career in the shortest format. He amassed 4,188 runs in 125 matches, including one century and 38 half-centuries. In T20 World Cups, he accumulated 1,292 runs at an average of 58.72 and a strike rate of 128.81, making him the tournament's all-time leading run-scorer.

Rohit Sharma's Emotional Moment: Eating Soil from T20 World Cup PitchIn the aftermath of India's thrilling victory over South Africa in the T20 World Cup final, captain Rohit Sharma displayed an unexpected gesture that captured the emotions of the moment. As the celebrations unfolded at the Kensington Oval, Rohit walked to the pitch, knelt down, and picked up a speck of soil from the track, which he then ate.This act, reminiscent of tennis legend Novak Djokovic's habit of eating grass from the Wimbledon centre court, sparked curiosity and speculation. However, Rohit clarified that his move was not premeditated but rather an instinctive expression of his feelings."Nothing was scripted; it was all coming instinctively," Rohit said in a video recorded by the BCCI. "I was feeling the moment."The India captain explained that the pitch held special significance for him and his team. "That pitch gave us this (T20 World Cup), we played on that particular pitch and we won the game on that particular ground," he said. "I will remember that ground and that pitch forever in my life. So I wanted to have a piece of it with me."Rohit's emotional outburst reflected the immense joy and relief that the team felt after their hard-fought victory. India had come back from a precarious position, with South Africa needing just 30 runs from 30 balls to win. But crucial blows from Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah, aided by Suryakumar Yadav's stunning catch, turned the tide in India's favor."The feeling actually is surreal," Rohit said. "I would say it still hasn't sunk in totally. It's been a great moment, right from when the game got over till now. It feels like a dream...Although it has happened, it feels like it hasn't happened."The skipper revealed that the team celebrated their victory late into the night. "Last night, we were having a good time, had a blast with the teammates till very early morning," he said. "So I would say I didn't sleep properly, but that's absolutely fine for me."Rohit also announced his retirement from T20Is at the post-match press conference, a decision that followed Virat Kohli's similar announcement. "Like I said, this moment was very, very special for all of us, and I want to live it, each moment, each minute, each second that is passing by, I want to make the most of it," Rohit concluded, with the T20 World Cup trophy by his side.

Hardik Pandya's remarkable journey from crowd boos to World Cup glory is a testament to his resilience and unwavering determination. After facing ridicule and criticism for his captaincy of the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League 2024, Pandya silenced his detractors with a stellar performance in India's triumphant T20 World Cup campaign.Despite being subjected to boos from his own home crowd, Pandya remained composed and focused on his game. His unwavering belief in his abilities and the support of his teammates propelled him to deliver a match-winning performance in the tournament's final.Pandya's ability to bowl the crucial final over of the summit clash against South Africa showcased his mental fortitude and leadership qualities. His calm demeanor and precise execution under immense pressure led India to a thrilling victory.After the triumph, Pandya expressed his gratitude for the support he received from his teammates and the Indian fans. He emphasized the importance of grace and resilience in the face of adversity."I believe in grace. A lot was said by people who don't even know me one percent as a person. People have spoken, no issues, but I have always believed in life that you never respond with words, circumstances can respond," Pandya said.Former India batter Ambati Rayudu lauded Pandya's mental strength and praised his ability to overcome the challenges he faced."I think it is great on his part. Such great mental strength and now I dare anybody to boo him in India. You know, if you can. If you can try and do that, you will know you will know it and he is an amazing individual and I have played with him, you know, in my state team. And he's an amazing guy, an amazing human being, and that's why that's why he could come through this storm, get through this storm that he had just a few months back and to come back that strongly is unbelievable and you know he's a world champion now," Rayudu said.Pandya's journey from adversity to triumph serves as an inspiration to all aspiring athletes. His unwavering belief in himself and his ability to overcome challenges demonstrate the true spirit of sportsmanship.

The ninth edition of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup witnessed a plethora of record-breaking performances as India emerged victorious, claiming their second T20 world championship title.Unbeaten Finalists and Highest Final Total:India and South Africa reached the final undefeated, each boasting eight wins. India's 176 for 7 in the title clash surpassed Australia's previous record of 173 for 2 in the 2021 final.Rohit Sharma's Historic Triumph:At 37 years and 60 days, Rohit Sharma became the oldest captain to win a T20 World Cup. Both Sharma and Virat Kohli announced their retirement from T20Is following India's victory.Most Wickets in a Single Edition:Indian pacer Arshdeep Singh and Afghanistan's Fazalhaq Farooqi jointly topped the wicket-taking charts with 17 wickets each, setting a new record for most wickets in a single edition of the T20 World Cup.Bumrah's Bowling Dominance:Jasprit Bumrah, named Player of the Tournament, registered an impressive bowling average of 8.3, the best in T20 World Cup history. His economy rate of 4.17 was equally remarkable.Jordan's Strike Rate Record:England's Chris Jordan broke Jacques Kallis's record for the best bowling strike rate in a T20 World Cup. Jordan finished with a strike rate of 8.3, surpassing Kallis's previous mark of 9.4 set in 2012.Ferguson's Maiden Overs:New Zealand pacer Lockie Ferguson achieved an unprecedented feat by delivering all four of his overs as maidens against Papua New Guinea, becoming the first bowler to do so. He finished with figures of three wickets for zero runs.Boundary Bonanza:The 2024 edition of the T20 World Cup witnessed a record-breaking 1,478 boundaries, surpassing the previous record of 1,349 set in 2021. The 515 sixes hit in this edition also set a new high, eclipsing the 2021 record of 405.Pooran's Six-Hitting Prowess:West Indies' Nicholas Pooran smashed 17 sixes in the 2024 edition, surpassing Chris Gayle's previous record of 16 for most sixes in a single edition.Cummins' Hat-Trick Double:Australia's Pat Cummins became the first bowler to take hat-tricks in two consecutive matches.

The Indian cricket team, fresh from their triumph at the T20 World Cup, faced an unexpected delay in their return home due to Hurricane Beryl. The storm forced the closure of the airport in Barbados, leaving the team and their entourage stranded for two days.However, relief came on Tuesday evening when Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley announced that the airport was expected to resume operations within the next six to 12 hours. This news brought a sigh of relief to the Indian contingent, who have been eager to return home and celebrate their victory.The team's victory on Saturday was a historic moment for Indian cricket. After a title drought of 11 years, the Rohit Sharma-led squad defeated South Africa by seven runs in a thrilling final. The win sparked jubilation across India and cemented the team's status as one of the world's best.Despite the airport closure, the Indian team remained in high spirits, according to Prime Minister Mottley. She praised the team for their resilience and expressed her hope that they would be able to leave Barbados soon.The hurricane, which lashed Barbados and nearby islands on Monday, caused significant damage to coastal infrastructure. However, Mottley emphasized that the storm could have been much worse and expressed gratitude that it did not make landfall.The Indian team's departure from Barbados is now imminent, but they face a narrow window of opportunity as another hurricane is expected to approach on Wednesday. Prime Minister Mottley expressed her hope that the team would be able to leave before the next storm arrives.The Indian cricket team's victory at the T20 World Cup has been a source of immense pride for the nation. Their triumph has brought joy to millions of fans and has further cemented India's status as a cricketing powerhouse.

India's triumph in the 2024 T20 World Cup was a culmination of years of hard work and dedication. The team, led by Rohit Sharma, displayed exceptional skill and determination throughout the tournament, culminating in a thrilling victory over South Africa in the final.One of the most iconic moments of the victory celebration was the photograph of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma posing together with the Indian flag and the World Cup trophy. The image captured the camaraderie and mutual respect between the two star players, who have been instrumental in India's success in recent years.In an interview with Star Sports, Kohli revealed the story behind the iconic picture. He explained that he had noticed Rohit was staying behind during the victory lap and encouraged him to hold the trophy and take a picture together. "It was a very special thing for him as well," Kohli said. "His family is here, Samaira [Rohit's daughter] was on his shoulder. But I just felt like in the victory lap he was behind the whole time. I told him, you also hold the trophy for a while, for two minutes. We should take a picture together because this journey has been very long."The victory was particularly poignant for Rohit Sharma, who announced his retirement from T20Is shortly after the match. He leaves the format as a two-time World Cup winner and the leading run-getter, with 4231 runs in 159 matches. Virat Kohli also announced his retirement from T20Is after the match, having played a key role in India's victory with a match-winning 59-ball 76.India's triumph in the 2024 T20 World Cup is a testament to the team's hard work, dedication, and talent. The victory is a source of immense pride for the nation and will be remembered for years to come.

Harbhajan Singh's Hilarious Reaction to Babar Azam vs. Brian Lara ComparisonFormer Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh has sparked laughter on social media with his reaction to a question comparing Pakistan batter Babar Azam to West Indies legend Brian Lara. In a video clip from Star Sports' Caught & Bold show, Harbhajan was asked to choose between Lara and Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara. He promptly picked Lara.However, when asked to compare Lara to Babar, Harbhajan erupted into laughter, along with other panelists. The clip has gone viral, with fans sharing it widely.Babar Azam's Pakistan team recently suffered a disappointing exit from the T20 World Cup, losing to debutants USA and India. After the tournament, Babar admitted that the team had made mistakes in batting and failed to execute their plans."We made few mistakes in the matches against the USA and India. When you lose wickets, the pressure is on you," Babar said.He also acknowledged that the team had not played as a unit. "We didn't play as a team. This is not because of an individual as we lost as a team. It's not just the captain. I cannot play for every player as there are 11 players," Babar added.Harbhajan's laughter at the comparison between Babar and Lara highlights the vast gap in their respective achievements. Lara is widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of all time, with a Test average of over 52 and a record 400 not out in a single innings. Babar, while a talented player, is still relatively young and has yet to establish himself as a legend of the game.

South Africa's journey in the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 ended in heartbreak as they fell short in the final against India. Despite an impressive run throughout the tournament, the Proteas were unable to overcome a formidable Indian team in the title clash.The match was a tale of two halves. South Africa, chasing a modest target of 134, started strongly with Quinton de Kock and Rilee Rossouw putting on a 50-run partnership. However, the Indian bowlers, led by Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh, tightened their grip on the game.As wickets fell at regular intervals, the pressure mounted on South Africa. David Miller, who had been in excellent form throughout the tournament, was dismissed for 19 by a sensational catch from Suryakumar Yadav. With the required run rate climbing, the Proteas' hopes dwindled.In the end, South Africa fell 30 runs short, handing India their second T20 World Cup title. While the result was disappointing, the Proteas can take solace in their impressive performance throughout the tournament.Under the leadership of Aiden Markram, South Africa remained unbeaten until the final. They defeated defending champions England, a resurgent Afghanistan, and other strong teams with ease. This run of success is a testament to the team's growth and development in recent years.Despite the absence of veterans like AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis, and Dale Steyn, South Africa has emerged as a force to be reckoned with in global tournaments. The team's young players, such as Heinrich Klaasen, Kagiso Rabada, and Anrich Nortje, have stepped up and played key roles.The Proteas' performance in the T20 World Cup is a reminder of their resilience and determination. While they may have fallen short of the ultimate prize, they have shown that they are capable of competing with the best in the world. As they look ahead to future tournaments, South Africa will be confident that they can build on this success and achieve their long-awaited ICC trophy.

Suryakumar Yadav's remarkable catch in the T20 World Cup final against South Africa has etched his name into Indian cricket history. The 33-year-old's athleticism, balance, and game awareness were on full display as he secured a crucial catch that helped India secure a thrilling seven-run victory.Speaking to PTI, Yadav remained modest about his contribution, attributing it to divine intervention. "I am just grateful to be in that moment to do something special for the country...god's plan it was," he said.The catch came at a pivotal moment in the match. South Africa needed 16 runs from the final over, with David Miller on strike. Hardik Pandya bowled a wide full toss, which Miller connected with. Yadav, positioned near the boundary, steadied himself, caught the ball, released it as he went over the boundary, and then re-entered the field to complete an astonishing catch.The catch evoked memories of Kapil Dev's legendary catch in the 1983 World Cup final against the West Indies. Dev had sprinted from mid-on to dismiss Viv Richards with a spectacular catch off Madan Lal's bowling.India's fielding coach, T Dilip, praised Yadav's decision-making and awareness. "When the moment comes, it's his decision and awareness of rope, that's very important, and knowing with confidence that he can throw and come back, it's decision-making at that time, and he got on to that," Dilip said.Yadav's catch was a testament to India's exceptional fielding throughout the tournament. "We fielded like a pack of wolves, as Rahul bhai and Rohit keep saying... Everybody knew their roles but together we hunted every opportunity which came our way leaving no stone unturned," Dilip added.India's T20 World Cup victory marked the end of an 11-year wait for an ICC title. However, the team is currently stranded in Bridgetown due to a category 4 hurricane that has caused widespread disruption, including a complete shutdown of air services on the island.