Cricket

T20 World Cup Final: Chris Gaffaney and Richard Illingworth to Officiate India vs. South Africa ClashThe stage is set for a thrilling T20 World Cup final between India and South Africa, and the International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the officiating team for the highly anticipated match. Chris Gaffaney of New Zealand and Richard Illingworth of England will take on the roles of on-field umpires, while Richard Kettleborough will serve as the TV umpire. Rod Tucker will be the fourth umpire, and Richie Richardson will act as the match referee.The final will be played at the iconic Kensington Oval in Barbados, which previously hosted the T20 World Cup final in 2010. India booked their place in the final with a commanding 68-run victory over defending champions England in the semifinal at Providence, Guyana. South Africa, on the other hand, secured their spot with a dominant nine-wicket triumph over Afghanistan at Tarouba, Trinidad.Chris Gaffaney is a highly experienced umpire with over 100 international matches to his credit. He has officiated in numerous high-profile matches, including the 2019 Cricket World Cup final. Richard Illingworth is another seasoned umpire with over 80 international matches under his belt. He has also officiated in several major tournaments, including the 2015 Cricket World Cup.Richard Kettleborough is a respected TV umpire with over 50 international matches to his name. He has been involved in some of the most controversial decisions in recent cricket history, including the infamous "Mankad" incident in the 2019 Cricket World Cup. Rod Tucker is a former Australian cricketer who has transitioned into umpiring. He has officiated in over 40 international matches and is known for his calm and composed demeanor.Richie Richardson is a former West Indies cricketer who has served as a match referee in over 100 international matches. He is highly respected in the cricket community and is known for his fair and impartial approach.The officiating team for the T20 World Cup final is a testament to the ICC's commitment to ensuring a fair and competitive match. With experienced and respected umpires and match officials in place, both India and South Africa can be confident that the final will be officiated to the highest standards.

India's head coach Rahul Dravid has expressed optimism about the team's chances of winning the T20 World Cup, citing their consistent performance in reaching three ICC finals within the past year. Dravid believes that a combination of intelligent gameplay and good fortune will enable India to secure a long-awaited ICC championship.Throughout the current T20 World Cup, India has demonstrated their superiority, mirroring their performance in the ODI World Cup held in their home country the previous year. However, in that tournament, they stumbled at the final obstacle against Australia.Rohit Sharma and his team are now set to face South Africa in the final at Barbados' Kensington Oval. They are determined to clinch a ICC title, a feat they last achieved during the 2013 Champions Trophy."It is a good thing we have been consistently playing good cricket. We have been in finals in all three formats and credit goes to the players. If we play well and rub of the green goes (our way) we will surely win," Dravid said.Despite the swift journey from Guyana to Barbados following their semifinal victory against England, Dravid expressed confidence in the team's mental readiness for the upcoming contest."In terms of our preparation, we've just got one day in the middle, so it's unlikely we're going to be having practice. It's just about all the guys getting into ensuring that physically, mentally, tactically we are ready for the game."Dravid emphasized his team's readiness for the crucial encounter at the top. "Those are the things that we can control, that we are fresh, that we've looked after all our niggles, if there are any. We've done all our tactical preparation and we're mentally relaxed and excited and looking forward to the game."In 2023, India suffered two devastating losses in ICC finals. They were defeated by Australia in both the World Test Championship (WTC) final and the ODI World Cup final. Dravid believes that the team has learned from these heartbreaking experiences."No, nothing. I thought we were very well-prepared in Ahmedabad (ODI WC). We ticked all the boxes and, on that day, the other team played better. That's part of the sport. The other team that's coming there to play has also obviously reached the final because they're a good team and they're playing very good cricket as well. So, they have as much right to win it as we do, but we hope that we'll play better cricket on the day," he said.Dravid also praised the team's collective effort in preparing for this prestigious event, highlighting their ability to adapt to various situations. He acknowledged the hard work put in by the entire squad leading up to the tournament."I think what's really important is that we've done really well as a group. This whole tournament we have shown the ability to adapt, to recognize what is a good score. We played very differently in New York, then we played in St. Lucia, then we played even in Barbados when I thought that the game was quite slow.""I'm just hoping that whatever we come up against, we will have the ability to recognize it and be able to play accordingly, as we've done in the last three games," said Dravid.

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan is mourning the tragic loss of his hairstylist, Faiyaz Ansari, who drowned in a swimming pool during their T20 World Cup 2024 trip. Ansari, who was Pathan's personal hairstylist, was accompanying him in the Caribbean for his commentary engagements.The incident occurred ahead of the Super 8 match between India and Australia. Pathan took to social media to express his grief, posting a collage of pictures and videos featuring Ansari and himself. The caption read, "In the past six years, Faiyaz became family to us. My children would run to greet him whenever he came over. He loved me like an elder brother, and I loved him like a younger one. The pain of losing him is indescribable; I've never experienced anything like it. His ever-smiling face and his constant 'ji bhai' will stay with me forever. I miss you dearly my brother my shadow, Faiyaz."Ansari hailed from Nagina in Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh, and had started his salon in Mumbai. According to reports, Ansari's cousin, Mohammad Ahmed, said that the news left his family devastated. Pathan is reportedly working on the formalities to get Ansari's body back to India.Meanwhile, former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly praised Rohit Sharma's leadership qualities for India's unbeaten run in the ongoing T20 World Cup. He urged the team to play with freedom in the final against South Africa to end their 11-year wait for an ICC trophy.India will face the Proteas in the title clash at Bridgetown, Barbados, aiming for their first global trophy since winning the Champions Trophy in 2013. Ganguly said, "I'm very happy for Rohit Sharma. Life comes full circle. Six months ago he was not even the captain of Mumbai Indians and the same man is now leading India to a World Cup final, unbeaten."

England's disappointing exit from the T20 World Cup has cast a shadow over Matthew Mott's tenure as white-ball head coach. Despite reaching the semi-finals, the team's lackluster performance against India has raised questions about Mott's ability to lead England forward.Mott, who is two years into a four-year contract, insists he is the right man for the job. However, his team's inconsistent performances, including a dismal showing at last year's 50-over World Cup, have raised concerns. England's only victory against a Test-playing nation during the T20 World Cup was against Afghanistan.With no major white-ball tournaments scheduled for the next year, England has a 10-week break before their next limited-overs series against Australia. This provides Managing Director Rob Key with an opportunity to assess the team's progress and make crucial decisions.Key faces a series of questions, including whether Mott can reinvigorate the team, if England is making genuine progress under his leadership, and if there is a suitable replacement. He must also consider the future of captain Jos Buttler, who may opt to retire from international cricket.England's performance in the T20 World Cup was a mixed bag. After a shaky start, they put together a strong performance against West Indies but struggled against South Africa. They secured their semi-final spot with a thrashing of USA, but their hopes were dashed by India's dominance on a low-bounce pitch.Mott acknowledged that England "weren't quite at our best" and that they "needed to peak at the right time." However, he believes the team has made progress under his leadership.Despite Mott's optimism, there is a sense that England has lost its aura. The team's identity under Mott remains unclear, and they have struggled to maintain consistency. Key must decide whether Mott has a clear vision for the future and whether he is the right person to lead England into the next phase.

Former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly has lauded Rohit Sharma's captaincy skills, attributing them to India's undefeated streak in the ongoing T20 World Cup. Ganguly urged the team to approach the final against South Africa with an unrestrained mindset, aiming to end an 11-year drought without an ICC title.Ganguly praised Rohit's leadership qualities, highlighting his record of winning five IPL titles and his ability to lead India to two World Cup finals while remaining unbeaten. He believes that Rohit's hesitation to assume the captaincy initially has been overcome, and he has now become a confident and effective leader.Ganguly acknowledged that winning the IPL can be more challenging due to its extended length, but emphasized that the honor of winning a World Cup is greater. He expressed confidence in India's ability to secure the title, citing their dominant performance throughout the tournament.Despite India's near misses in major tournaments since their 2013 Champions Trophy triumph, Ganguly remains optimistic. He believes that reaching the finals is a positive sign, and that India's consistent dominance in the competition makes them the favorites.Ganguly also commented on South Africa's historic achievement of reaching the World Cup final for the first time since their reintegration into international cricket. He acknowledged the significance of this moment for South African cricket.Regarding Virat Kohli's average performance in the tournament, Ganguly believes that he should continue opening the batting. He emphasized that Kohli's past achievements and status as an institution for Indian cricket should not be diminished by a few poor matches.Ganguly dismissed claims that the ICC has given India an advantage by selecting a spin-friendly venue for the semifinal in Guyana. He also rejected allegations that broadcasters have favored India with the 8pm IST time slot for their matches.Ganguly asserted that India's dominance in world cricket is due to their performance, broadcast reach, and financial contributions. He believes that India's strong position in the sport is justified and reflects their status as a major force in international cricket.

Rahul Dravid, the outgoing head coach of the Indian cricket team, expressed his gratitude for the connections he has forged during his tenure as he prepares for his final match in charge against South Africa in the T20 World Cup finale on Saturday.Dravid, who endured a disappointing exit as India's captain in the 2007 ODI World Cup, is now on the verge of a memorable farewell as coach. He took over the reins from Ravi Shastri after the 2021 T20 World Cup and has been at the helm for nearly three years.In a promotional video released by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Dravid reflected on his time as coach, describing it as a transformative experience for both him and his family. He praised the professionalism exhibited by the team throughout his tenure, both in victories and defeats.Despite reaching the finals of both the World Test Championship and the 50-over World Cup last year, India fell short against Australia on both occasions. However, Dravid's legacy will be defined by the connections he has built and the impact he has had on the team's culture.Indian captain Rohit Sharma expressed his admiration for Dravid, calling him a "big role model." Sharma, who has played alongside and under Dravid for India, said he had tried unsuccessfully to convince him to stay on as coach."I've enjoyed every bit of it, working with him," Sharma said. "I tried convincing him to stay, but obviously there are a lot of things that he needs to look after as well.""I've personally enjoyed my time with him. I'm sure the rest of the guys will say the same. It's been great working with him."As Dravid prepares for his final match in charge, he will be remembered for his dedication, his ability to connect with players, and his unwavering belief in the team's potential.

Star Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah has etched his name in the history books of the T20 World Cup by becoming the second-highest wicket-taker for India in a single edition of the tournament. Bumrah's remarkable performance against England in the semi-final match of the 2024 T20 World Cup propelled him to this milestone.With two wickets against Jos Buttler's side, Bumrah now has 13 wickets in the ongoing marquee event. He trails only left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh, who has 15 wickets and holds the distinction of being the highest wicket-taker for India in a single edition of the T20 World Cup.Bumrah's achievement is a testament to his exceptional bowling skills and consistency throughout the tournament. He has been a key cog in India's bowling attack, providing crucial breakthroughs and economical spells.Former India cricketer RP Singh holds the third place in the chart with 12 wickets in the 2007 T20 World Cup.In the semi-final clash against England, India posted a competitive total of 171/7, thanks to half-centuries from Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav. Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja also made valuable contributions.England's chase faltered as they struggled to adapt to the surface, eventually being bowled out for 103 in 16.4 overs. Harry Brook and Jos Buttler were the only notable performers for the Three Lions.Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav were the stars of India's bowling attack, each claiming three wickets. Bumrah chipped in with two wickets, while defending the 172-run target.India's victory sets up a tantalizing final against South Africa, who have also remained unbeaten throughout the tournament. The two sides will clash in Barbados on Saturday for the coveted T20 World Cup trophy.

Bangladesh's disappointing T20 World Cup 2024 campaign can be attributed primarily to poor batting form, according to vice-captain Taskin Ahmed. Despite a 47-day tour of the Americas, the batting unit failed to deliver, resulting in the lowest collective average among the Super Eight teams.Bangladesh's top three batters struggled to provide a solid start, with Litton Das being the only one to score a fifty. Towhid Hridoy emerged as the team's best performer with 153 runs, but Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah Riyad failed to provide adequate support.Taskin acknowledged the impact of the senior players' poor form, but emphasized that it did not affect team unity. "They are great team men," he said. "We stayed as a team for 47 days. Everything was fine off the field."The batters found better pitches in the West Indies, but Taskin admitted that he had never witnessed such a prolonged batting slump in his international career. "I haven't seen such a long bad patch for the batters in my ten years playing for Bangladesh," he said.Despite the batting struggles, Bangladesh's bowling unit performed well. Taskin, Tanzim Hasan, and Rishad Hossain led the bowling charts, proving that talented cricketers are emerging from the country.Taskin expressed disappointment with the team's performance in the final match against Afghanistan, where they failed to chase down the target in 12.1 overs to reach the semi-finals. "We could have done a lot better," he said. "We were all quite disappointed with the last match."Despite the negatives, Taskin highlighted some positives from the campaign, including qualifying for the Super Eight, winning three matches in the T20 World Cup for the first time, and the emergence of promising bowlers. "We are disappointed like the rest of you," he said. "We didn't play up to expectations."

The stage is set for an epic clash between India and South Africa in the final of the Men's T20 World Cup 2024. This will be the first time these two teams have met in the final of an ICC tournament, making it a historic occasion for both sides.India and South Africa have both been in impressive form throughout the tournament, remaining unbeaten and topping their respective groups. South Africa has faced tougher opposition, including a nail-biting win over West Indies in the Super Eight, while India has overcome challenges from Pakistan, Australia, and England.For South Africa, this final represents a chance to make history by winning their first-ever men's World Cup title. They have come close in the past, reaching the semi-finals of five ODI World Cups and two T20 World Cups, but have never reached the final.India, on the other hand, is looking to end a title drought that has lasted since 2013. They won the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007 but have not won an ICC trophy since then. They came close in 2014, reaching the final of the T20 World Cup, but fell short.The match will be played at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, which has hosted eight matches in the tournament so far. The pitch has been favorable to teams batting first, with three of the first four completed matches won by the chasing team. However, the last two matches have seen comfortable chases by West Indies and England.Wind could be a factor in the final, with gusts predicted at up to 45 kmph. However, it is unlikely to have as much of an impact as it did in Gros Islet during India's match against Australia.Rain is also a possibility, with showers expected throughout the day. There is a 50% chance of precipitation in the morning, decreasing to 30% around the scheduled toss time. However, the forecast improves later in the day, with a 20% chance of rain during match hours.If the match is interrupted by rain, there is a reserve day scheduled for Sunday. However, if the match cannot be completed on either day, both teams will be declared joint-winners.