Cricket

The T20 World Cup final between India and South Africa on Saturday, November 26, 2023, drew a peak viewership of 5.3 crore on the Disney Hotstar OTT platform. While this fell short of the record 5.9 crore peak viewership set by the ODI final between India and Australia in November 2022, it still marked a significant milestone for the tournament.The India-Australia ODI final last year remains the most-watched live cricket match on any streaming platform. However, the T20 World Cup final's peak viewership of 5.3 crore indicates the growing popularity of the shorter format of the game.The knockout match between India and Australia in the T20 World Cup on June 24 had a peak concurrency of 3.9 crore, highlighting the intense interest in the tournament. Disney Star holds the exclusive broadcast and media rights for both linear and digital platforms.While the final match may not have reached the record-breaking viewership of the ODI final, it maintained a consistently high viewership throughout the match. According to Karan Taurani, SVP of Elara Capital, 4 to 4.5 crore viewers watched the match constantly due to its nail-biting finish.Even the post-match ceremony sustained a viewership of 2.5 to 3 crore, indicating the audience's engagement with the event. The T20 World Cup final's high viewership demonstrates the continued popularity of cricket in India and the growing importance of OTT platforms in delivering live sports content to fans.

The Indian cricket team's triumph in the T20 World Cup 2024 was a bittersweet moment, marked by the emotional farewell of two legendary players, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. The victory, which came after a heartbreaking loss in the ODI World Cup final, brought tears of joy to the faces of the experienced duo.However, the celebrations were tempered by the announcement that both Kohli and Rohit had played their final T20I matches for India. The news sent shockwaves through the cricketing world, signaling a significant shift in the landscape of Indian cricket.Rohit, the team's captain, broke down in tears on the ground after the victory, while Kohli's fist bumps and aggressive celebration showcased his competitive spirit. The retirement of these two stalwarts leaves a void in the Indian team, as they were the most experienced members and provided stability and leadership.The departure of Rohit means India will need a new captain in the T20 format. Hardik Pandya is the frontrunner, having led the side in multiple series and served as Rohit's deputy in the World Cup. However, other options have emerged, such as Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill.Rohit's absence also creates a vacancy in the opening partnership. He and Kohli opened the batting in every game of the T20 World Cup, and the team will now need to find new talents to fill their shoes. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad are potential candidates.Kohli's retirement poses an even greater challenge. He has been the backbone of the Indian batting lineup for over a decade, providing stability and leadership. The team will need to find a replacement who can fill his shoes at the crucial No. 3 batting spot.Apart from Kohli and Rohit, the T20 World Cup final also marked the end of Rahul Dravid's tenure as head coach. His contract expired after the tournament, and he has decided not to renew it. The search for his successor is underway, with Gautam Gambhir being the current frontrunner.The retirement of Kohli, Rohit, and Dravid marks the end of an era for Indian cricket. The team will now enter a new phase, with a younger and less experienced squad. The future is uncertain, but the T20 World Cup victory provides a glimmer of hope for the years to come.

Sanjay Manjrekar's impassioned defense of Hardik Pandya at the Wankhede Stadium stemmed from his unwavering belief in the all-rounder's ability to perform under pressure. Despite facing relentless jeers from the crowd following his appointment as Mumbai Indians captain, Pandya's subsequent heroics in India's T20 World Cup triumph have vindicated Manjrekar's stance.Manjrekar's intervention during the toss at a home match of MI at the Wankhede was met with mockery on social media. However, Pandya's crucial contributions to India's second T20 World Cup victory, with 144 runs and 11 wickets, have silenced the critics."What a turnaround for Hardik Pandya," Manjrekar told 'ESPNCricinfo'. "In IPL, there were people jeering him and booing him and I told them to behave because this is a big-stage player."Manjrekar's faith in Pandya's ability to perform under pressure was evident in his crucial wicket of Heinrich Klaasen, which turned the tide of the match in India's favor. "We have seen that umpteen times, wickets of Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller and right at the end, Rabada, so he was a champion and no surprise, to see him flourish on the big stage," Manjrekar said.Manjrekar also highlighted Pandya's importance to the Indian team, even during their disappointing loss to England in Adelaide during the 2022 tournament. "Even in that semifinal against England, he came in and gave India some hope with 60 off 33. So that's what he is all about.""You felt safe when he came to bowl in the last over, he was not going to lose his nerves, he was going to bowl sensibly," he concluded.Pandya's resurgence has not only silenced his critics but also cemented his status as a vital cog in the Indian team. His ability to perform under pressure and make match-winning contributions has proven Manjrekar's belief in him to be well-founded.

Arshdeep Singh, the unassuming left-arm pacer, has emerged as a pivotal figure in India's T20 World Cup triumph. His ability to swing the new ball and bowl pinpoint yorkers in the death overs has been instrumental in India's success.Arshdeep's 17 wickets in the tournament, equal to Bangladesh's Fazalhaq Farooqi, placed him as the joint-highest wicket-taker. His composure under pressure was evident in the final against South Africa, where he delivered a crucial spell of 2 for 20.In a heartwarming moment, Arshdeep honored his parents by placing his winners' medal around their necks after the victory. India's competitive total of 176 for 7 was largely due to Virat Kohli's brilliant 76 and Axar Patel's valuable 47.South Africa's chase began with early setbacks, but Heinrich Klaasen and Quinton de Kock threatened to turn the tide. However, Hardik Pandya's dismissal of Klaasen and Jasprit Bumrah's exceptional 18th over swung the momentum back in India's favor.Arshdeep's penultimate over kept the pressure on South Africa, allowing only four runs. The defining moment came in the 20th over when Suryakumar Yadav took a spectacular catch at the boundary off Pandya's bowling. Pandya's impressive figures of 3 for 20 sealed the victory for India, who finished with a thrilling 169 for 8.Arshdeep's evolution as India's premier left-arm pacer in white-ball cricket has been remarkable. His ability to control the new ball and execute yorkers under pressure has made him an indispensable asset to the team.

Suryakumar Yadav's remarkable catch in the T20 World Cup final against South Africa has been hailed as a testament to his exceptional decision-making and awareness. India's fielding coach, T Dilip, praised Yadav's ability to assess the situation and execute a game-changing play.With South Africa needing 16 runs from the final over, David Miller hit a wide full toss from Hardik Pandya. Yadav, positioned near the boundary ropes, steadied himself, caught the ball, and released it just as he went over the boundary. He then quickly recovered and completed an astonishing catch."When the moment comes, it's his decision and awareness of the rope that's very important," Dilip said. "Knowing with confidence that he can throw and come back, it's a decision-making at that time, and he got on to that."Dilip, who introduced the innovative practice of awarding medals for best fielding performance at training, highlighted the strong bond between the young and experienced players in the Indian team. "They gel well together," he said. "They take responsibility and come for optional practice despite a tight schedule."Dilip's journey to the Indian team is a testament to his dedication and hard work. He has coached in various age-group programs and served as an assistant fielding coach in the IPL. His efforts have been evident in India's improved fielding performance.Dilip emphasized the challenges of tracking the white ball during daytime matches. "Especially under clear sky, it becomes really difficult," he said. "We say that track the ball so that you get that much anchor point."Dilip's familiarity with the younger players in the national set-up stems from his work at various Zonal Cricket Academy and NCA age-group camps. His good work did not go unnoticed by Rahul Dravid, who ensured that Dilip got regular India A assignments.

Jasprit Bumrah's stellar performance at the T20 World Cup culminated in him being crowned the Player of the Tournament. The Indian pace spearhead finished as the third highest wicket-taker with 15 scalps, playing a pivotal role in his team's undefeated run.In the thrilling final against South Africa, Bumrah claimed two crucial wickets as India restricted their opponents to 169/8. This victory marked an end to India's 11-year-long global trophy drought.In a heartwarming moment captured on camera, Bumrah shared his joy with his wife, Sanjana Ganesan, who was representing ICC Digital. He expressed his gratitude for the team's exceptional performance and the unwavering support they provided throughout the tournament.Bumrah praised his fellow bowlers, Arshdeep Singh and Hardik Pandya, for their confidence and execution on the big stage. He emphasized the importance of maintaining composure even in challenging situations, a trait that proved crucial in India's success.Bumrah's remarkable achievement is a testament to his skill, determination, and the unwavering support of his teammates. His performance has cemented his status as one of the world's leading fast bowlers and has inspired a new generation of cricketers.

India's 17-year wait for T20 World Cup glory came to an end in emphatic fashion as they defeated South Africa in the final of the 2024 edition in Barbados. The victory marked a historic moment for Indian cricket, with veterans Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma playing pivotal roles in the triumph.Kohli, who had announced his retirement from T20I cricket after the tournament, anchored India's innings in the final with a match-winning knock. His 82 runs off 53 balls provided the foundation for India's total of 195/6. Rohit Sharma, who had also stepped down as T20I captain after the tournament, contributed with a crucial 47 runs.South Africa's chase faltered in the face of India's disciplined bowling attack. Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Yuzvendra Chahal shared seven wickets between them to restrict South Africa to 168/8.The victory sparked jubilation across India, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi leading the chorus of congratulations. In a telephonic conversation with Kohli, Sharma, and head coach Rahul Dravid, Modi praised their contributions to Indian cricket."You are excellence personified. Your aggressive mindset, batting, and captaincy have given a new dimension to the Indian team. Your T20 career will be remembered fondly," Modi said to Rohit Sharma.To Kohli, Modi hailed his anchoring role in the final. "Like the innings in the Finals, you have anchored Indian batting splendidly. You've shone in all forms of the game. T20 Cricket will miss you, but I am confident you'll continue to motivate the new generation of players," he said.Modi also acknowledged Dravid's guidance as head coach, saying, "Rahul Dravid's incredible coaching journey has shaped the success of Indian cricket. His unwavering dedication, strategic insights, and nurturing the right talent have transformed the team."The Indian team will now take a short break before regrouping for the Zimbabwe T20I series, which will feature a young crop of stars.

Virat Kohli's Stellar Performance Leads India to T20 World Cup Victory, Anushka Sharma Pens Heartfelt TributeFollowing India's triumphant victory in the T20 World Cup, Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma expressed her immense pride and love for her husband, star batter Virat Kohli. In a touching Instagram post, Sharma hailed Kohli as "my home" and celebrated his exceptional performance in the tournament.Kohli, who was a member of the 2011 ODI World Cup-winning team, played a pivotal role in India's second T20 World Cup triumph. In the final against South Africa, he scored a magnificent 76 off 59 balls, including six fours and two sixes, helping India post a competitive total of 176 for seven.After leading the Men in Blue to victory and being named Player of the Match, Kohli announced his retirement from T20 Internationals. Anushka, who was cheering for her husband from home in India, took to Instagram to share her joy and admiration."AND... I love this man @viratkohli. So grateful to call you my home - now go have a glass of sparkling water for me to celebrate this!" she captioned a photo of Kohli holding the trophy.In a separate post, Anushka congratulated Team India on their incredible achievement. "Our daughter's biggest concern was if all the players had someone to hug them after she saw them cry on tv..... Yes, My darling, they were hugged by 1.5 billion people. What a phenomenal victory and what a legendary achievement!! CHAMPIONS - CONGRATULATIONS!!" she wrote.The couple, who have a three-year-old daughter named Vamika and a four-month-old son named Akaay, have been married since 2017. Their love and support for each other has been evident throughout Kohli's illustrious career.

Virat Kohli's illustrious career reached its zenith with the addition of the elusive ICC T20 World Cup title to his trophy cabinet. Having already conquered the ODI World Cup (2011), Champions Trophy (2013), and U19 World Cup (2008), Kohli's triumph in the 2024 T20 World Cup marked a historic milestone.Despite facing scrutiny over his place in India's T20 team, Kohli silenced his critics with a match-winning half-century against South Africa in the final. His gritty 59-ball 76 propelled India to a competitive total of 176, which Rohit Sharma's men defended resolutely.Kohli's achievement is unparalleled in the annals of cricket. He became the first player to win all four major ICC white-ball trophies: the ODI World Cup, T20 World Cup, Champions Trophy, and U19 World Cup. Even the legendary MS Dhoni, who holds all three ICC white-ball titles, did not manage to win the U19 World Cup.By adding the T20 World Cup trophy to his collection, Kohli joined Yuvraj Singh as the only players to have won all four ICC white-ball titles. However, Kohli's accomplishment is unique as he secured victory in all four titles, while Yuvraj shared the Champions Trophy in 2002.The only trophy missing from Kohli's collection is the Test Championship. He has been a part of two ICC Test Championship finals but has suffered defeats on both occasions. The talismanic batter will undoubtedly aim to complete his cricket legacy by winning the WTC title while donning the Team India whites.Kohli's T20 World Cup triumph is a testament to his unwavering determination and resilience. Despite facing criticism and doubts, he rose to the occasion and delivered a match-winning performance. His achievement is a source of inspiration for aspiring cricketers and a reminder that anything is possible with hard work and dedication.