Cricket

India's head coach Rahul Dravid faced a barrage of questions about his past performances in Barbados during a press conference ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024 match against Afghanistan. Dravid, who had a forgettable outing in Barbados as a player in 1997, was visibly irked by the reporter's query."Geez, thanks a lot buddy! I have had some other decent memories here as well," Dravid retorted sarcastically.The reporter persisted, asking if it was an opportunity for Dravid to create new and better memories. Dravid's patience snapped."God man! I am not trying to make new anything man!" he exclaimed.Dravid emphasized that he had moved on from his past performances and was solely focused on his current role as coach."I move on from things very quickly. That's one of my things. I don't look back on things. I try and look at what I am doing now, at the moment. I am not concerned about what happened in 97 or some other year," he said.Dravid acknowledged that his past performances would remain on the scorecard, but he refused to dwell on them."Even if we win this match tomorrow, unfortunately, that is still going to remain 80 on the scorecard, however much I try and will it. No I don't think about any retribution. I move on from things. What's in front of me, good or bad?"Dravid reiterated that he no longer identified with his past as a player."I don't think of myself much as a player anymore. Yeah, just move on. Focus on tomorrow, and try and get a good result tomorrow," he concluded.

India's head coach Rahul Dravid has hinted at the possibility of including wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav in the team for the Caribbean leg of the T20 World Cup. Dravid acknowledged the impact of wrist spinners in the Caribbean conditions, citing Adam Zampa's success as an example."It might be slightly different here. You might need an extra spinner, and then someone like Kuldeep or Yuzi can come into play," Dravid said ahead of India's Super 8 opener against Afghanistan.Dravid also expressed satisfaction with India's batting approach, noting that the team has become more aggressive in recent times. "We have actually been able to push the needle forward in terms of our batting," he said.However, Dravid cautioned against being overly aggressive in all conditions. "Cricket is a very condition-specific game," he said. "Sometimes we just get carried away with pushing the needle forward in T20 cricket."Dravid expects the wind to be a factor at the Kensington Oval in Barbados, which could favor Afghanistan's fast bowlers, including tournament leading wicket-taker Fazalhaq Farooqi."Afghanistan is a very dangerous team in this format of the game," Dravid said. "They play a lot of T20 cricket, and their cricketers are very prominent members of their IPL teams."Dravid also praised the cricket culture in the Caribbean and expressed his excitement for the business end of the tournament.

ENG vs WI Live Score: West Indies' Stellar Performance and England's Redemption QuestThe highly anticipated Super Eight clash between England and West Indies promises to be a thrilling encounter at the T20 World Cup. Both teams are vying for an unprecedented third title, and the match is expected to be a high-scoring affair given the flat pitches and short boundaries at the Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium.West Indies have been in impressive form, winning eight consecutive matches. Their batters have taken responsibility, with Shane Rutherford and Nicholas Pooran leading the charge. Their bowlers have also performed admirably, keeping the opposition in check.England, on the other hand, had a shaky group stage, relying on Australia's help to qualify for the Super Eight. However, they have the opportunity to start afresh and prove their mettle against a formidable West Indies side.The West Indies will rely on their left-arm spin duo of Akeal Hosein and Gudakesh Moti to counter England's predominantly right-handed batting lineup. Obed McCoy's left-arm medium pace will also be crucial, as the extra bounce on the pitch provides an advantage for the quicks.England will need their batters to negotiate the cross winds that can send balls flying unexpectedly for six. Jos Buttler and his men will also need to be wary of the West Indies' spin attack, which has been effective in the tournament so far.The match promises to be a close contest between two evenly matched teams. West Indies will be keen to continue their winning streak, while England will be determined to redeem themselves after a disappointing group stage.

Mitchell Marsh has declared himself fit to bowl in the Super Eight stage of the T20 World Cup 2024, providing Australia with an additional option ahead of their clash with Bangladesh in Antigua. The all-rounder has been sidelined with a hamstring injury since leaving the IPL, but has recovered sufficiently to be available for selection.Marsh's return to bowling will bolster Australia's bowling attack, which has been led by Marcus Stoinis in his absence. The team has also utilized 12 overs of spin against Scotland, indicating a potential shift in strategy for the Super Eight."I'll be available to bowl," Marsh said. "With the line-up that we've got, I don't really necessarily see a need for me to bowl, but I think it's really important in this format to have options and we're blessed with plenty of those."While Marsh's bowling role remains uncertain, he is confident in his ability to contribute with the bat. Despite a slow start to the World Cup, Marsh and Glenn Maxwell believe they are close to making a significant impact."For me and Mitch, we got a lot of confidence out of that England game for the role we played," Maxwell said. "Even though it's a small sample size we still feel like we played out role; we set the innings up for the lower order to then go nuts."Maxwell acknowledged his own struggles with form, but expressed optimism about his chances of regaining his rhythm. "I've been hitting the ball pretty well, but...it's just been really hard to, I suppose, get that rhythm and momentum," he said.Australia will face Bangladesh in Antigua on October 29th, with the Super Eight stage of the tournament set to begin on November 1st. The team will be hoping to secure a place in the semi-finals and continue their quest for a second T20 World Cup title.

Former Australian cricket captains Michael Clarke and Aaron Finch have expressed concerns over the timing of David Warner's recent remarks regarding the impact of the 2018 ball-tampering scandal. Warner, who is nearing the end of his international career, stated that he has faced the brunt of criticism since the incident.Clarke believes that Warner's comments are fair but poorly timed. He argues that other players, such as Cameron Bancroft, have also faced significant consequences. Clarke suggests that Warner's remarks may have been more appropriate after the World Cup rather than during the tournament.Finch echoed Clarke's sentiments, expressing surprise at Warner's timing. He believes that Warner's comments could potentially distract the team during a crucial stage of the competition.Warner's remarks have sparked a debate about the lasting impact of the ball-tampering scandal. Clarke acknowledges that the incident will always be part of Warner's legacy, but he believes that his brilliance as a cricketer will ultimately overshadow it.Warner's close friend, Usman Khawaja, has previously suggested that some of Warner's behavior before the ban was influenced by team instructions. Khawaja believes that Warner has changed his approach since his return to the team in 2019.Despite the controversy surrounding his comments, Warner remains a key player for Australia in the T20 World Cup. If the team wins the tournament, he could become one of only four players to have played in three finals across all three formats.

Afghanistan's head coach, Jonathan Trott, exudes confidence ahead of his team's Super 8 clash against India in Bridgetown on Thursday. Trott believes that day games favor Afghanistan, and he is eager to face the formidable Indian squad.Afghanistan has impressed in the tournament so far, winning three of their four league games. Their only defeat came against West Indies. Trott dismisses the notion of Afghanistan being underdogs, emphasizing their progress and strong performances."We've had a lot of players playing a lot of T20 cricket around the world," Trott said. "It's about putting that together as a side. In the past, we've had some good individual players, but we need all those players playing together as a side."Traditionally known for their spin bowling, Afghanistan has showcased a more balanced attack in this tournament. Left-arm pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi has emerged as a standout performer, leading the tournament in wickets."We've got a lot of spinners with experience in T20 cricket," Trott said. "But one of our seamers is a leading wicket-taker in the tournament. We've seen a more rounded side over the last couple of years."Trott recalled the thrilling double Super Over match between India and Afghanistan in Bengaluru earlier this year. He believes it highlighted the narrowing gap between teams."What I take away from that match is we should have won it," Trott said. "But it also shows how the gap is closing with regards to our side. Our players have the ability to chase in T20 cricket."Afghanistan will face a stern test against India, one of the tournament favorites. However, Trott is confident in his team's abilities and believes they can challenge the Indian giants.

Afghanistan's remarkable journey in the T20 World Cup has been a testament to their growing prowess in the shortest format of the game. After a stunning victory over New Zealand, the Afghans find themselves atop both the leading run-scorers' and wicket-takers' charts, a testament to their all-round strength.Fazalhaq Farooqi, a 23-year-old left-arm quick, has emerged as a key figure for Afghanistan. With 12 wickets in four matches, he has been the tournament's most prolific wicket-taker, showcasing his ability to swing the ball and generate pace. His performance against New Zealand, where he claimed three early wickets, was instrumental in Afghanistan's 84-run victory.Afghanistan's batting has also been impressive, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz leading the way. The fearless opener has amassed 167 runs, including a blistering 80 against New Zealand. His aggressive approach and ability to clear the boundary with ease have made him a dangerous force at the top of the order.The emergence of Gurbaz and Farooqi has complemented Afghanistan's traditional strength in spin bowling. Rashid Khan, the talismanic captain, and Mohammad Nabi have been their usual reliable selves, while Noor Ahmed has shown promise as a rising star.Afghanistan's success is not merely a matter of individual brilliance. Under the guidance of former England batter Jonathan Trott, the team has developed a collective mindset and a belief in their own abilities. They have shed their underdog status and are now seen as a genuine threat to the established cricketing nations.The Afghans' performance in the Super Eight stage will be a true test of their mettle. They face formidable opponents in India, Australia, and Bangladesh, but they will be confident of making a strong push for a semifinal berth.

South Africa's T20 World Cup campaign received a much-needed boost as they edged past a spirited United States of America by 18 runs in a thrilling Super Eight encounter.Quinton de Kock, in what could be his final international appearance, finally found his rhythm, smashing 74 off 43 deliveries to set the platform for South Africa's 194-4. The Proteas' innings was characterized by a slow start, but de Kock's explosive knock, which included three sixes off Jasdeep Singh, propelled them to a competitive total.However, USA fought back valiantly, with Saurabh Netravalkar and Harmeet Singh sharing three wickets between them. The duo's economical spells kept South Africa in check, but Heinrich Klaasen and Tristan Stubbs' 53-run partnership ensured a challenging target for the Americans.USA's chase got off to a promising start, with Steven Taylor leading the charge. However, Kagiso Rabada's double strike in the Powerplay put the brakes on their momentum. Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi applied further pressure through the middle overs, but Andries Gous emerged as an unlikely hero for USA.Gous' unbeaten 80, coupled with his 91-run stand with Harmeet, brought USA within touching distance of victory. However, Rabada and Anrich Nortje held their nerve in the final overs, restricting USA to 176-6 and securing South Africa's first Super Eight points.Despite their victory, South Africa's bowling performance raised some concerns. While Netravalkar and Harmeet impressed, the rest of the attack struggled to contain USA's batters. The Proteas will need to address these issues if they are to progress further in the tournament.

Pakistan's disappointing exit from the 2024 T20 World Cup has drawn sharp criticism from former PCB chairman and cricketer Ramiz Raja. Raja has identified several glaring deficiencies that contributed to the team's failure to advance beyond the group stage.One of the most glaring issues, according to Raja, was the lack of consistency in selection. The team experimented with different opening combinations, leaving out promising young players like Saim Ayub. This indecisiveness created uncertainty and disrupted the team's rhythm.Compounding the selection woes was the recall of retired players like Mohammed Amir. Raja questioned the logic behind this move, suggesting that it was a sign of desperation.Raja also pointed to the frequent changes in the PCB leadership and captaincy as contributing factors to the team's struggles. He believes that these disruptions have created instability and hindered the development of a cohesive unit.During Pakistan's tenure under Raja's chairmanship, the team reached the semi-finals and final of consecutive T20 World Cups. Raja's criticism, therefore, carries significant weight.Raja's analysis extends beyond selection and leadership issues. He also criticized the team's game awareness and mentality. He highlighted the decision to let left-hander Fakhar Zaman face left-arm seamer Saurabh Netravalkar in the Super Over against USA as an example of poor decision-making.Raja believes that Pakistan's players need to improve their understanding of the game and develop a winning mindset. He emphasized the importance of clear thinking and strategic decision-making in high-pressure situations.Despite wins over Canada and Ireland, Pakistan's early defeats to USA and India proved insurmountable. The team's failure to qualify for the Super 8 stage has also put their qualification for the 2026 T20 World Cup in jeopardy.Raja's criticism serves as a wake-up call for the Pakistan Cricket Board and the team. It is clear that significant changes are needed to address the team's shortcomings and restore their status as a competitive force in international cricket.