Cricket

Piyush Chawla, the veteran Indian leg-spinner, believes left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav is in prime form and ready to make a substantial impact for the Rohit Sharma-led side in their 2024 Men's T20 World Cup semifinal clash against England at the Providence Stadium in Guyana on Thursday night.After not featuring in Group A matches due to fast-bowling friendly conditions in New York, Kuldeep has yielded fruitful returns to be India's controller of proceedings in the middle overs, picking seven wickets at an average of 10.71, and economy rate of just 6.25 in India's Super Eights games in the Caribbean.With the venue in Guyana expected to aid spinners, Kuldeep is expected to bring his adaptability to the fore and lead India's charge against England through his subtle changes in pace, variations and using the crease well to bamboozle the batters."Kuldeep Yadav's resurgence has been one of the greatest comebacks in the history of Indian cricket. His absence in the 2022 semi-final was a significant miss for India, but this time, he's in prime form and ready to make a substantial impact. Kuldeep's unorthodox left-arm wrist spin and the ability to extract turn and bounce, coupled with his deceptive variations, can be a game-changer in the middle overs," said Chawla, an expert in 'Caught and Bold' show on Disney Hotstar, to IANS.Chawla also noted that Kuldeep has fared well against England on various occasions at the international level. He had also picked a six-fer against England in the Nottingham ODI in 2018, as well as five-fer in the Manchester T20I in the same tour. More recently, he took a five-fer in the final Test at Dharamshala, as India won the series 4-1.Kuldeep also has a good record against England skipper Jos Buttler, who he has dismissed three times in T20s. More recently, in IPL 2024, Kuldeep had trapped Buttler lbw on reverse-sweep during the Delhi Capitals-Rajasthan Royals game at Jaipur in March.In the 2023 Men's ODI World Cup game at Lucknow, the left-arm wrist spinner produced a magic moment when he pitched one outside the off-stump with a flatter trajectory and got the ball to turn sharply by nearly a mile to castle captain Jos Buttler through the gate with precision."He also has a good record playing against England. In the upcoming semi-final, Kuldeep will be crucial in disrupting England's aggressive batting mantra. He will be India's trump card against England's explosive batting order. Given his current form and confidence, Kuldeep Yadav is poised to be a significant threat, making the middle overs a challenging period for England batsmen," added Chawla, a member of India's 2011 ODI World Cup winning team.From England's bowling perspective, leg-spinner Adil Rashid shapes up as a crucial figure in controlling the middle overs. In the 2022 Men's T20 World Cup semi-final meet between England and India at Adelaide, Rashid picked 1-20 in his four overs, including taking out an in-form Suryakumar Yadav, as Buttler & Co won by ten wickets.Chawla reckons Rashid, who has picked nine wickets in the ongoing tournament with his immaculate control on pace and variations, will be an important bowler for England to control the middle overs and put the pressure on India in the highly-anticipated semi-final clash."Adil Rashid has been a crucial component for England in the middle overs. Rashid's variations, including his googly and subtle changes in pace, makes him a formidable threat on the West Indian pitches. In the upcoming semi-final against India, Rashid's role will be pivotal for England to win.""If he can maintain his discipline and keep the pressure on, he could very well be the key for England putting pressure on Indian batsmen. His knack for breaking partnerships is especially valuable in the middle overs, a phase where the game often shifts decisively. England will be counting on Rashid to deliver a spell that not only controls the run flow but also provides breakthroughs at crucial moments," he concluded.

Ahead of the highly anticipated T20 World Cup semi-final clash between India and England, Indian captain Rohit Sharma addressed the media in a pre-match press conference. While the focus should have been on the exciting match-up between the two cricketing giants, the weather and pitch conditions have dominated the headlines.In the previous edition of the T20 World Cup, England outplayed India in the semi-finals, with Jos Buttler and Alex Hales leading the charge. However, the pitch in Guyana is expected to favor spinners, a skill that India has traditionally been known to handle better.Despite this perceived advantage, Rohit Sharma downplayed any notion of India having an upper hand. He emphasized that both teams have played in various conditions and that the key to victory lies in playing good cricket.The weather has been a major concern in Georgetown, with rain interrupting play in recent days. The ICC has not allocated a reserve day for the semi-final, meaning that a washout would result in India advancing to the final while England would be eliminated.This has led to accusations from former England players that the ICC is favoring India. However, Rohit Sharma dismissed these claims, stating that the Indian team is focused on winning the match rather than worrying about the weather."We don't know what's going to happen. The only thing I'm worried is if the game goes on until pretty late, we have a charter flight. We might miss that flight," Rohit said. "But that's OK. It's the ICC' and the Cricket West Indies' headache to get us to the next venue."With two strong teams set to face off, the semi-final promises to be a thrilling encounter. Despite the weather concerns, both India and England will be determined to put on a memorable performance and secure a place in the final.

Jasprit Bumrah's Stellar T20 World Cup Performance Earns Praise from Kapil DevIndian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has been in scintillating form during the ongoing T20 World Cup, drawing admiration from legendary former India all-rounder Kapil Dev.Bumrah's impressive performance has caught the attention of Dev, who believes the young pacer is far superior to what he was at his prime. "Jasprit Bumrah is a '1000 times better' bowler than what I was at my prime," Dev stated.Throughout the tournament, Bumrah has showcased his prowess, claiming 11 wickets in just 23 overs. His outstanding economy rate of 4.08 demonstrates his ability to maintain control and precision while consistently taking wickets."Bumrah is 1000 times better than me. These young boys are far better than us. We had more experience. They are better," Dev told 'PTI Videos'.Bumrah, widely regarded as the premier fast bowler in international cricket today, has represented India in 26 Test matches, claiming 159 wickets at an impressive economy rate below three runs per over. In the ODI format, he has taken 149 wickets across 89 appearances, while his tally in T20Is stands at 85 wickets from 68 games.Dev, who retired with a then world record of 434 Test wickets, is regarded as one of the greatest all-rounders in the history of the sport. He also achieved success in the ODI format, securing 253 wickets during his career.The 65-year-old World Cup-winning captain, who led India to their first-ever title in 1983, also expressed admiration for the overall fitness standards maintained by the current Indian team. "They are very good. Outstanding. They are fitter. They are much more hardworking. They are fantastic," he said.Bumrah's exceptional performance in the T20 World Cup has further cemented his status as one of the most formidable bowlers in the world. His ability to swing the ball both ways, generate pace, and maintain accuracy has made him a nightmare for batsmen.As India continues its quest for a second T20 World Cup title, Bumrah's contributions will be crucial. His ability to strike early and restrict the opposition's scoring will be key to India's success.

India's first World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev believes that collective performance, not individual brilliance, will be crucial for Rohit Sharma's team to end their trophy drought at the T20 World Cup in the West Indies.Kapil emphasized that every player has a role to play in winning a tournament, rather than relying solely on star performers like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, or Kuldeep Yadav. He pointed out that in his 1983 World Cup-winning team, he wasn't the only one who performed exceptionally."Roger Binny, Mohinder Amarnath, Kirti Azad, Yashpal Sharma all came out with match-winning performances. If you start depending on one player, it means you are not going to win tournaments more often," Kapil observed.He lauded Bumrah's performance in the tournament so far, but downplayed the role of a captain. "Everybody can do captaincy. Hardik, Virat, Rohit everyone can do captaincy. When you give ball to somebody, the bowler has to do the job. Yes captain is there to help you out but it's not like if you don't win he is not a good captain."Kapil expressed his optimism for India's chances in the semifinal against England and wished them luck. He highlighted the importance of India being perceived as title contenders in every global event."We should be happy that we are able to think that we can win. 20 years back, you weren't thinking. It's important that in every tournament India is going as a favourite. That's a big thing. We never thought about that. That's enough encouragement for a youngster to take up the sport. I am very happy to see where Indian cricket has reached wonderfully well," he emphasized.

Afghanistan's Gulbadin Naib's Dramatic Fall Raises Questions of SportsmanshipIn a controversial incident during the T20 World Cup match between Afghanistan and Bangladesh, Gulbadin Naib's sudden collapse on the field sparked both amusement and outrage. The incident occurred in the 12th over, with Bangladesh trailing on the Duckworth-Lewis par score.As Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott signaled to his players to slow down the game, Naib, fielding in the slip cordon, complained of cramps. However, commentators and former players questioned the genuineness of his discomfort, as it coincided with Trott's request to slow down the pace."The coach sends a message out to say slow it down, slow it down and the first slip just dives on the ground needlessly. That is unacceptable," said commentator Simon Doull.Zimbabwean commentator Pommie Mbangwa quipped, "Oscar, Emmy?"Social media erupted with reactions, with many accusing Naib of feigning injury to avoid Bangladesh's victory on the DLS method. "This is cheating from Afghanistan," tweeted Imran Siddique.Naib was treated and taken off the field, but returned after a rain delay. He even dismissed Tanzim Hasan in the 15th over, reducing Bangladesh to 92 for 8.The incident drew criticism from former players. India's Ravichandran Ashwin tweeted, "Red card for Gulbadin Naib." Michael Vaughan wrote, "Great to see Gulbadin become the first cricketer in the history of the game to get a wicket 25 mins after being shot..."Ian Smith added, "I've a dodgy knee for the last 6 months, I am gonna see Gulbadin Naib's doctor straight after the game. He's the 8th wonder of the world right now."Despite the controversy, Afghanistan eventually prevailed by eight runs to enter their maiden World Cup semifinal. However, the incident has raised questions about the spirit of the game and the ethics of using tactics to manipulate the Duckworth-Lewis method.

Ravichandran Ashwin, the Indian all-rounder, has come to the defense of Afghanistan's Gulbadin Naib, who has faced criticism for his actions during the T20 World Cup Super 8 match against Bangladesh. Afghanistan made history by reaching the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup for the first time.During the match, Naib allegedly faked an injury after coach Jonathan Trott signaled for him to slow down. Afghanistan was ahead on DLS when rain interrupted the match. Naib immediately collapsed to the ground. While his antics initially sparked laughter, fans and experts later accused him of cheating.However, Ashwin, who had initially joked that Naib should receive a red card, has now defended the player. He emphasized that Naib was playing for the entire nation of Afghanistan. "Gulbadin Naib fell that way. Everyone said that is a penalizable offense. But what the hell, man? The guy is playing for his country, trying to win a World Cup, qualify," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.Ashwin further argued that all the players in the Afghanistan team were playing for each other and for their country. He praised their unity, saying, "In Afghanistan, it is not just momentum. It is a country with so much hope. They are playing for one another. This playing for one another, we can say a thousand things about it. We can say it to so many people. Doesn't India play for one another? For the badge? Of course. But Afghanistan, at this stage of their cricketing journey, are playing for one another like I have never seen anything like this."Ahead of Afghanistan's first T20 World Cup semi-final appearance, head coach Jonathan Trott expressed confidence in his team. "We go into the semifinal with no scarring or no history. This is uncharted territory for us. But, by no means, do we feel like we're going into the semifinal just to compete. We're there to win the semifinal. We've beaten some major teams," Trott said after the victory over Bangladesh.

David Warner, the veteran Australian opener, has passed the torch to 22-year-old Jake Fraser-McGurk, expressing confidence in his ability to fill Warner's shoes in both white-ball formats and potentially even the Test team.Warner has taken Fraser-McGurk under his wing, mentoring him during their time together at the Delhi Capitals in the IPL and at the recent T20 World Cup, where Fraser-McGurk served as a traveling reserve. With Warner's international career coming to an end, a new era is dawning at the top of the order for Australia in limited-overs cricket."All yours now champion," Warner captioned an Instagram post of himself and Fraser-McGurk sharing a drink.Speaking to reporters after Australia's exit from the T20 World Cup, Warner endorsed Fraser-McGurk's credentials as an opener in T20s and ODIs."Every time I put something out there I become a selector [but] I think he's definitely got the ability to definitely do that," Warner said. "He can lock it in. And a bit like myself, you [have to learn] how to play…50-over cricket. That's one thing that I learnt from Twenty20. I got dropped after seven games because I didn't really understand how to play the game of one-day cricket."Fraser-McGurk, who has played two ODIs for Australia and scored a world-record 29-ball one-day century in the Marsh Cup earlier this season, is likely to be included in Australia's upcoming tours of Scotland and England.However, Fraser-McGurk has downplayed the prospect of following Warner as a red-ball opener, having found an experiment at the top of the order for South Australia in the Sheffield Shield unsuited to his style.Warner acknowledged the competing demands that Fraser-McGurk will face from the franchise scene but expressed encouragement at his desire to pursue first-class cricket."Will he play Test cricket? I think he'll have to have a breakout year in the next 12-18 months to prove himself," Warner said. "I think we've all had to score hundreds to get your name up there [to] warrant that.""Hopefully when it comes to Shield cricket this year, he sticks at that. There's going to be a lot of money thrown around to him for these Twenty20 leagues and it's upon him and his management to keep him focused and aligned with what he wants to do. But I hope he does - I know he's thinking like that. He wants to play red-ball cricket."

The first semi-final of the 2024 T20 World Cup, played at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, was marred by a controversial pitch that drew sharp criticism from observers and participants alike. The pitch exhibited extreme unevenness, with balls rolling along the ground and others rearing off a similar length, making it a nightmare for batsmen.Afghanistan coach Jonathan Trott expressed his disappointment, stating that the pitch was not suitable for a World Cup semi-final. He emphasized the importance of a fair contest and criticized the excessive bounce and seam movement that made it difficult for batsmen to play with confidence.South Africa captain Aiden Markram echoed Trott's concerns, acknowledging that while T20 cricket should be entertaining, the wicket was excessively challenging. He suggested that the pitch may have been better suited for a different game.Tom Moody, speaking on ESPNcricinfo's analysis show Timeout, condemned the pitch as unfit for any level of cricket. He stressed the need for consistent bounce, which was lacking on this surface. Moody also pointed out the "crazy paving" effect, where dense grass around cracks created unpredictable bounce.Andy Flower, another commentator on Timeout, agreed with Moody's assessment. He described the pitch as "very, very tough" for batsmen and expressed concern about the safety of players. He suggested using a previously used pitch to ensure more consistent bounce.The Brian Lara Cricket Academy pitch has been the site of several low-scoring matches in this World Cup, including scores of 40 all out, 78 all out, and 95 all out. The only competitive match on this pitch was West Indies' narrow defense of 149, but even they struggled early on.The controversy surrounding the pitch raises questions about the suitability of the Brian Lara Cricket Academy for international cricket. Despite being a newer venue, it has failed to provide a consistent and fair playing surface. The lack of a suitable pitch in Trinidad, home to the legendary Queen's Park Oval, is also a concern.

Afghanistan's historic journey in the T20 World Cup 2024 culminated in a bittersweet semi-final defeat to South Africa. Despite securing their maiden semi-final berth, the Afghan team expressed disappointment and a determination to improve.Head coach Jonathan Trott acknowledged the challenges of playing back-to-back matches with limited rest, but emphasized that it was not an excuse for their performance. He praised the team's resilience and fighting spirit throughout the tournament, but admitted that they were outplayed in the semi-final.Trott highlighted the need for the batters to learn from the experience and develop strategies for playing on difficult pitches against strong bowling attacks. He emphasized that the team's overall achievement should not be overshadowed by the semi-final defeat, but that it should serve as a catalyst for improvement.The Afghan players expressed a sense of hurt and disappointment after the loss. They acknowledged the sacrifices made by the entire team and felt that they had not given a good account of themselves. However, they remained proud of their accomplishments and vowed to work on their weaknesses.Trott emphasized the importance of identifying reliable batters who can consistently deliver in pressure situations. He expressed confidence that the team could become more competitive in the future by addressing these areas of improvement.