Cricket

At the T20 World Cup in St Lucia, the wind has emerged as a formidable opponent, influencing every aspect of the game. The breeze, blowing diagonally across the ground, has created unique challenges for both teams.In the first two matches, the wind favored batters hitting towards the shorter boundary. However, in the subsequent games, the wind shifted, favoring shots hit towards the larger boundary. England's Phil Salt exploited this advantage, scoring 60 runs off 25 balls when the wind assisted his straight shots.On Friday, the wind intensified, affecting both batting and bowling strategies. South Africa and England used the wind to their advantage, bowling straight to batters at one end and wide at the other. England's costly overs were heavily influenced by the wind, as Quinton de Kock used it to flick boundaries over the fielders.South Africa's Ottneil Baartman's yorker plan was thwarted by the wind, as his deliveries were lifted into full tosses. David Miller, on the other hand, showcased his adaptability, hitting boundaries with the wind.The game's decisive moment came when Harry Brook's lofted shot was carried by the wind, only to be caught by Aiden Markram's diving effort. Markram's catch highlighted the importance of understanding the wind's trajectory.As the tournament progresses, Australia and India must prepare for the wind's impact. They must adjust their strategies to harness the wind's power or mitigate its effects. The wind has become an integral part of the T20 World Cup in St Lucia, adding an unpredictable element to the already thrilling competition.

West Indies' T20 World Cup campaign has suffered a major setback with the loss of opening batter Brandon King to a side strain. King sustained the injury during the team's Super Eight loss to England on June 19 and has been ruled out for the remainder of the tournament.King's absence is a significant blow to the West Indies, as he has been their leading run-scorer in T20Is since the start of 2023. He has amassed 651 runs in 23 innings, including four fifties. King was also the highest run-scorer in the team's 3-0 T20I series sweep over South Africa heading into the tournament.In King's place, left-hand opening batter Kyle Mayers has been called up to the squad. Mayers has played 37 T20Is and was considered unfortunate to miss the initial cut for the World Cup. He has had a decent 2024, scoring 367 runs in 11 T20 games at a strike rate of 155.50. Mayers is expected to join the squad on Saturday.King's injury occurred during the third over of West Indies' chase against England. He smashed a 101-metre six off Reece Topley but injured himself while attempting to charge down the track to hit Sam Curran through cover. King received treatment from the medical staff but was unable to continue and retired hurt on 23.West Indies went on to lose the match by eight wickets, and King did not field in the run-chase. He traveled to Barbados for the team's Super Eight fixture against USA on Friday, awaiting the results of his MRI scans. However, the scans revealed the extent of his injury, ruling him out of the tournament.The West Indies have won four out of four games in the group stage but started the Super Eight with a loss to England. After their USA fixture on Friday, they will play South Africa on Sunday in North Sound, Antigua.

In a thrilling encounter at the T20 World Cup in St Lucia, South Africa emerged victorious over England by a narrow margin of seven runs. Quinton de Kock's scintillating half-century and a valiant bowling performance from the Proteas proved decisive in securing the win.South Africa's innings got off to a blistering start, with de Kock leading the charge with a superb 65 off 42 deliveries. However, England's bowlers fought back admirably, restricting the Proteas to 163/6. David Miller's late resistance (43 off 28 balls) helped South Africa post a competitive total.England's chase began cautiously, with Phil Salt dismissed early on by a stunning catch from Reeza Hendricks. Jonny Bairstow and Jos Buttler also fell cheaply, leaving England at 61 for four around the halfway mark.Harry Brook and Liam Livingstone then combined for a 78-run partnership that brought England back into the game. However, South Africa's bowlers held their nerve, with Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen bowling tight lines in the final overs. Anrich Nortje removed Brook in the last over, sealing the victory for the Proteas.South Africa's strategy of taking the pace off the ball proved effective, as England struggled to find boundaries between the fifth and the 12th over. The Proteas' fielding was also exceptional, with Hendricks' catch and a direct hit from Aiden Markram proving crucial.England's defeat leaves them with a mountain to climb in their quest to reach the semi-finals. South Africa, on the other hand, remain unbeaten in the tournament and are well-positioned to advance to the knockout stages.

India's batting coach, Vikram Rathour, has acknowledged the challenges faced by star batsman Virat Kohli during the ongoing T20 World Cup. However, Rathour believes that Kohli's struggles have provided an opportunity for the team's less experienced players to step up and make valuable contributions.Despite India's unbeaten run in the tournament, Kohli has struggled to find his rhythm, particularly during the powerplay. In the match against Afghanistan, he managed only 24 runs off 24 balls."I'm not happy. I would love it if he gets going and scores more runs," Rathour said. "But yeah, it is good when you are challenged at times."Rathour pointed out that the team's success has been due to the contributions of other players, such as Rishabh Pant and Suryakumar Yadav. Pant played a key role in the victory over Afghanistan, while Yadav's half-century proved to be the turning point in the match."The guys who are not getting too much of batting in India sometimes, they are the ones who put up scores today and our middle-order came to play," Rathour said.India is set to face Bangladesh in Antigua on Saturday. Rathour believes that the team's depth and the conditions in the Caribbean will give them an edge in the upcoming encounter."We've always had depth as a team," Rathour said. "But yeah, these conditions maybe suit us more because we can afford to play two or three spinners at times."Rathour also emphasized that India will not take Bangladesh lightly."They're a good unit. They have a lot of guys who can spin the ball and they are good in certain conditions," Rathour said. "But again, in this format I think every team is a tough team."

England's title defense in the T20 World Cup 2024 got off to a flying start as they comprehensively defeated West Indies in the opening match of the Super Eight stage.Batting first, West Indies posted a competitive total of 180/4 in 20 overs, thanks to a solid innings from Brandon King (56) and Rovman Powell (48). However, England's batting lineup proved too strong, chasing down the target with ease in just 17.3 overs.Phil Salt was the star of the show for England, smashing an unbeaten 87 off just 47 balls. His innings was a display of power and precision, featuring seven boundaries and five maximums. One of his sixes, a 100-meter blast off Andre Russell's bowling, became the highlight of the match.Jonny Bairstow provided valuable support to Salt, scoring an unbeaten 48. The duo put on a 122-run partnership for the second wicket, effectively sealing the victory for England.England's victory was a testament to their depth and experience in T20 cricket. They showed no signs of complacency after their dominant performance against Afghanistan in the group stage.West Indies, on the other hand, will be disappointed with their performance. Despite posting a competitive total, they were unable to contain England's aggressive batting. They will need to regroup quickly for their upcoming match against USA.England will now face South Africa in their next Super 8s clash on Friday, while West Indies will take on USA on Saturday.

The Afghanistan cricket team faced an unexpected dietary challenge during their stay in Bridgetown for the T20 World Cup Super Eights match against India. The absence of halal meat, a crucial component of their dietary requirements, at their hotel left them in a predicament.Accustomed to the abundant hospitality they experienced in India during the previous year's 50-over tournament, the Afghanistan team found themselves in a different situation. To address the issue, some team members took it upon themselves to temporarily assume the role of chefs.While halal meat is available in the Caribbean region, it is not guaranteed to be a standard offering at all hotels and restaurants. This lack of certainty posed a significant challenge for the Afghanistan team, who adhere to specific dietary guidelines."Halal meat is not available in our hotel. Sometimes we cook on our own or sometimes we go out. In the last World Cup in India, everything was perfect. Halal beef is an issue here," a player told PTI."We had it in St. Lucia but it is not there at all venues. A friend arranged it for us and we cooked on our own."Despite the dietary challenges, India secured a resounding 47-run victory against Afghanistan at the Kensington Oval on Thursday, marking a perfect beginning to their Super 8 campaign.The Super 8 stage presents a grueling schedule for the teams, requiring them to participate in three matches across various countries with just a single day for travel in between. Given the restricted air travel options available in these islands, the logistics pose a significant challenge.An additional Afghanistan team member highlighted that the demanding Super 8 schedule has also taken a toll on their team's readiness and preparations for the matches."There is uncertainty over flights and training schedule. We are often informed about it at the last minute. We understand that the organisers are doing their best considering logistical challenges, which are bigger in the Caribbean than anywhere else," he said.Afghanistan next face Australia in St Vincent on Saturday.Meanwhile, Indian fans continue to flock to the Caribbean to support their team. Despite the Kensington Oval being only partially filled during the India-Afghanistan match, a significant portion of the crowd donned the iconic blue jersey, proudly displaying their allegiance to the Indian side.The Caribbean's close proximity to the United States and Canada has facilitated the journey for Indian expatriates, allowing them to witness the matches in person. Additionally, Indians residing in the United Kingdom have embarked on the trans-Atlantic voyage to support their team."I have come here from Toronto. There was no direct connectivity so I went to Miami and then came to Barbados. I have tickets for all India games, I just want one for the final here," said Paresh.The Caribbean locals are also caught up in the excitement surrounding the event. Everyone, from the cab driver to the hotel's front desk manager, is engrossed in the tournament, hoping for the West Indies to clinch an unprecedented third championship.

Virat Kohli's struggles in the ongoing T20 World Cup have been a major talking point, with the star batter managing just five runs in his first three matches. However, his performance against Afghanistan, where he scored 24 off 24 balls, has given hope that he is finding his form.Kohli, who was the leading run-scorer in the 2022 IPL with 741 runs, has been criticized for his lack of impact in the tournament. His scores in the group stage matches were underwhelming, with knocks of 1, 4, and 0.Despite the criticism, batting legend Brian Lara has come to Kohli's defense. Lara believes that the time Kohli spent at the crease against Afghanistan, despite not scoring big, will serve as a confidence booster for the Indian batsman."24 off 24, you can say that's not great but the most important thing is that he spent some time out there. India has got one step closer to winning this trophy. I believe that Virat Kohli is just gonna go from strength to strength as he comes down to the Caribbean. He's going to Antigua next, you're gonna see him go out there and plough and plough, he's gonna get runs," Lara said on Star Sports.The Indian team management's decision to persist with Kohli as Rohit Sharma's opening partner has backfired badly and drawn significant criticism, with many questioning the wisdom of Kohli's current batting position.However, Lara holds a contrasting viewpoint on the matter. He believes that patience is crucial when dealing with a player of Kohli's caliber, given his reputation as a big match performer."When he gets into full swing, it's a different story. We just have to be very patient with him, we're gonna see a lot of him there's still a lot of games left in this World Cup," he added.Kohli's performance in the remaining matches of the tournament will be crucial for India's chances of winning the T20 World Cup. If he can find his form and start scoring runs, India will be a formidable force.

Sunil Gavaskar, the legendary Indian cricketer, has lauded Rishabh Pant's performance in India's emphatic victory over Afghanistan in the ongoing T20 World Cup. While acknowledging Pant's quickfire 20 runs off 11 balls, Gavaskar's praise extended beyond the immediate statistics, focusing on the wicketkeeper-batsman's improved fitness and growing maturity.Gavaskar's comments came after India secured a comfortable 47-run win, maintaining their unbeaten streak in the tournament. Suryakumar Yadav's blistering half-century and Jasprit Bumrah's three-wicket haul were instrumental in the victory, but it was Pant's overall contribution that caught Gavaskar's eye.Reflecting on Pant's journey back from a severe car accident, Gavaskar expressed relief and delight at the player's remarkable recovery. "It's a miracle, you know? I mean, we all were so concerned when we heard about the accident. We heard about the severity of the injuries and we were all praying for him just to be ok. But not only has he been ok, he's come back so strongly. He's lost a little bit of weight, which was probably needed and it looked at one stage that he was just maybe getting a little overweight. He's lost a bit of weight and he's looking so good, so fit," Gavaskar told Star Sports after the match.Gavaskar emphasized the significance of Pant's decision to prioritize wicketkeeping over relying on Rohit Sharma, despite the latter's renowned fielding prowess. "Look at his mobility. Those two catches that he took, he was. He ran about 20-30 yards. I know the ball was up in the air, but there was Rohit Sharma there, one of the safest pairs of hands in the game. But wicketkeeper's gloves are always much safer than ordinary hands, you know, plain hands. So he was there and again recognising the situation."Gavaskar drew parallels between Pant's development and Hardik Pandya's evolution as a cricketer, emphasizing the importance of maturity and situational awareness. "This is the maturity that is so important. We've seen it with Hardik Pandya, we are seeing it in Rishabh Pant's cricket. The maturity of understanding conditions. Yes, batting wise, he will still continue to play the game. That's exactly what you want because he's a naturally attacking player and he can upset the bowler totally. That's what he did. He didn't score too many runs. He got 20 in about 10 deliveries at a SR of 200 but that is exactly what you want at that stage," remarked the Indian batting icon.Unbeaten so far in the tournament, India next take on Bangladesh in the Super 8 match of the T20 World Cup 2024 at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in North Sound, Antigua on Saturday.

Australia's Test and ODI captain, Pat Cummins, is relishing his role after being relieved of the T20 captaincy burden. He expressed confidence in his team's preparedness for the ongoing 2024 T20 World Cup, stating that they have "ticked off everything" they could have so far.In their opening Super 8 match, Cummins claimed a hattrick and leg-spinner Adam Zampa bowled economically to restrict Bangladesh to 140/8. In response, veteran opener David Warner led the chase with his second fifty of the tournament, guiding Australia to a 28-run victory via the DLS method.Cummins praised the team's overall performance, saying, "It was a fairly polished performance, which is kind of what you want in Super Eights." He emphasized the team's versatility and adaptability, noting that they have used 12 or 13 players so far and everyone has had a chance to contribute.He also highlighted the longevity and impact of Mitchell Starc, who became the highest wicket-taker in ODI and T20 World Cups combined. "He's just a class bowler who takes lots of wickets and has played for a while," Cummins said.Regarding Warner's impending retirement from international cricket, Cummins praised his insatiable appetite for runs in big tournaments. "He looks in great form and continues to play with that freedom, which is great," Cummins said.