Cricket

India's T20 World Cup triumphs have been built on the foundation of exceptional bowling performances. Throughout the tournament's history, Indian bowlers have stepped up to deliver match-winning spells, showcasing their talent on the global stage.Arshdeep Singh's recent career-best spell of 4/9 against USA in New York stands as the best bowling figures for India in the tournament's history. His two wickets in the first over dismantled the co-host's batting lineup, restricting them to a below-par total.Before Arshdeep's heroics, R Ashwin's memorable performance against Australia in Mirpur in 2014 held the record. Ashwin's 4 wickets for 11 runs were crucial in India's victory, as he spun a web around the Australian batsmen, leaving them struggling to find runs.Harbhajan Singh also showcased his skills in 2012 against England in Colombo, taking 4 wickets for 12 runs. His experience and guile were too much for the English batsmen, securing a vital win for India.Other notable bowling performances for India in T20 World Cups include:* RP Singh's 4 wickets for 13 runs against South Africa in Durban in 2007* Zaheer Khan's 4 wickets for 19 runs against Ireland in Nottingham in 2009* Pragyan Ojha's 4 wickets for 21 runs against Bangladesh in Nottingham in 2009These remarkable bowling performances underline India's strength in the bowling department across different T20 World Cups. Each bowler brought their unique style and skill, contributing significantly to India's successes in the tournament.

USA Cricket Sets Dismal Record in T20 World Cup Powerplay Against IndiaThe United States cricket team etched an unfortunate record in the annals of T20 World Cup history during their match against India in New York on Wednesday. The American side managed a paltry 18 runs for the loss of two wickets in the first six overs, marking the lowest powerplay score against India in the tournament's history.This dismal performance also stands as the USA's lowest powerplay total in T20 Internationals. The Indian bowling attack, led by left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh, proved too formidable for the American batters. Singh struck twice in his opening over, dismissing Shayan Jahangir and Andries Gous for ducks.India has a history of stifling opponents during the powerplay in T20 World Cups. In 2014, the West Indies team managed only 24 runs in their powerplay without losing any wickets. Similarly, South Africa was restricted to 24 runs for three wickets in their powerplay against India in the 2022 T20 World Cup. Ireland also struggled against India in the 2024 T20 World Cup, scoring just 26 runs for two wickets in their powerplay overs.These instances of low powerplay scores against India highlight the effectiveness of the Indian bowling unit in T20 World Cups. The bowlers have consistently applied early pressure, restricted scoring opportunities, and captured key wickets, leading to India's success on the global stage.The USA's dismal powerplay performance against India underscores the challenges faced by the American team in the tournament. Despite their spirited efforts, the USA batters were unable to penetrate the Indian bowling attack and establish a solid foundation for their innings.

Arshdeep Singh, the young Indian left-arm fast bowler, has etched his name in the history books of the T20 World Cup by becoming the first player from India to claim a wicket on the very first delivery of a match in the tournament's history.Opening the bowling for India in their Group A match against USA in New York on Wednesday, Arshdeep struck on the very first ball to trap USA opener Shayan Jahangir plumb in front. The delivery was a tricky one, darting back sharply after pitching. It surprised Jahangir, who was caught in the crease. The ball struck him around the knee-roll, and the impact was clearly in front of the off-stump.Jahangir came in as a replacement for skipper Monank Patel, who missed out on this match with a left-shoulder injury. Arshdeep added to USA's woes with another strike in the same over by dismissing in-form Andries Gous.Apart from Arshdeep, only three other bowlers have reached this landmark in the T20 World Cup: Bangladesh's Mashrafe Mortaza, Shapoor Zadran of Afghanistan, and Namibia's Ruben Trumplemann.Bowlers to pick a wicket on first ball of a T20 WC Match:* Mashrafe Mortaza (BAN) vs AFG, 2014* Shapoor Zadran (AFG) vs HK, 2014* Ruben Trumplemann (NAM) vs SCO, 2021* Ruben Trumplemann (NAM) vs OMAN, 2024* Arshdeep Singh (IND) vs USA, 2024Arshdeep's accomplishment placed him alongside Trumplemann and Afghanistan's Fazalhaq Farooqi, who also managed to secure two dismissals in their respective first overs during the tournament.

Terror Attack on Vaishno Devi Pilgrims Draws Global Attention, Pakistan Pacer Hassan Ali ReactsA horrific terror attack on a bus carrying pilgrims in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district has sent shockwaves across the world. The incident, which occurred on Sunday evening, claimed the lives of nine people and injured 41 others.The 53-seater bus was en route from the Shiv Khori temple to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra when terrorists opened fire, causing it to veer off the road and plunge into a deep gorge near the Teryath village of the Poni area.The attack has been widely condemned by world leaders and international organizations. Pakistan cricket team pacer Hassan Ali, whose wife Samiya hails from India, expressed his condolences on Instagram, saying, "All eyes on Vaishno Devi attack."In response to the attack, the Jammu and Kashmir Police have released a sketch of a terrorist involved and announced a reward of ₹20 lakh for information leading to his arrest. Extensive efforts are underway to track down the perpetrators, with 11 teams of security personnel deployed on the ground.The attack has cast a shadow over the ongoing T20 World Cup, where Pakistan's performance has been under scrutiny. The team has lost two out of three matches, including a defeat to India, and its hopes of advancing to the Super 8 stage appear slim.Hassan Ali, who has represented Pakistan in 24 Tests, 66 ODIs, and 51 T20Is, is not part of the team at the World Cup. He has been vocal in his criticism of Pakistan's performance, calling for accountability and a change in strategy.The terror attack on the Vaishno Devi pilgrims has highlighted the ongoing security challenges in Jammu and Kashmir. The incident has also raised questions about the role of Pakistan-based terror groups in fueling violence in the region.

USA Pacer Ali Khan Ready to "Play Fire with Fire" Against Virat KohliAs India and the United States prepare to face off in a T20 World Cup match in New York, USA pacer Ali Khan has expressed his determination to counter the aggression of Indian star Virat Kohli.Khan, who will be playing for the USA side, is not intimidated by Kohli's reputation and is eager to engage in a fiery battle on the field. "He's very passionate on the field, but so am I," Khan said. "On the field, if things get heated up, then they get heated up. I mean, you play fire with fire."Khan's confidence stems from his belief in his own abilities and the support of his team. "I'm not going to back down from anyone," he said. "I'm going to go out there and play my game. I'm going to try to get him out, and I'm going to try to win the game for my team."India, meanwhile, will be looking to bounce back from their disappointing loss to Pakistan in their opening match of the tournament. The team's batting lineup, led by Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, will be eager to prove their worth against an inexperienced USA side.However, the USA team has shown impressive form in the lead-up to the World Cup, and they will be confident of causing an upset. Khan, in particular, has been in excellent form, and he will be a key player for the USA if they are to pull off a victory.The match between India and the USA promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams determined to secure a win. Khan's fiery determination to face Kohli head-on adds an extra layer of intrigue to the match, and it will be fascinating to see how the battle between these two players unfolds.

Ravichandran Ashwin, the renowned Indian spinner, is currently enjoying a well-deserved break from cricket while the T20 World Cup unfolds in the Americas. However, the 37-year-old has been keeping a close eye on the matches and engaging with fans on social media.During the highly anticipated clash between arch-rivals Australia and England, Ashwin's daughter posed an intriguing question that sparked a humorous exchange on Twitter. "How many Heads are there in the Australian team?" she asked, referring to Australian opener Travis Head.Ashwin, known for his wit and social media presence, shared the incident with his followers, recounting the entire conversation with his daughter. The exchange highlighted the lighthearted and engaging atmosphere surrounding the World Cup, even for those not directly involved.While Ashwin is not part of the Indian team in the tournament, he has been an ardent supporter, cheering them on from afar. He has also been sharing his insights and analysis on the matches, providing valuable perspectives for fans and followers.Currently, Ashwin and his family are enjoying a vacation in Europe, taking a break from the rigors of international cricket. The Indian team, meanwhile, is preparing for their third group game against co-hosts USA on Wednesday.With two wins in two games, India currently sits atop Group A with four points. USA is second with four points, followed by Pakistan with two points. Canada and Ireland round out the group standings.

Pakistan's dismal performance in the ongoing T20 World Cup has drawn sharp criticism from former players, including Salman Butt. The team's hopes of reaching the 'Super 8' stage now hinge on favorable results from other matches.After a shocking defeat to USA in their opening match, Pakistan lost to India despite being in a commanding position for much of the game. They managed to beat Canada in their third match, but with only two points from three games, they need to win their remaining match against Ireland and hope for other results to go their way.Butt has slammed captain Babar Azam and his team for their lackluster performances. He questioned their self-proclaimed status as "king" and "world's best fast bowler," referring to Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi, respectively."Are you able to win a match on your own? Is there a standing of our team?" Butt asked. "It's similar to those YouTube thumbnails that you are enticed to click and open once."Butt also criticized the influence of social media campaigns on decision-making in Pakistan cricket. "Besides its good things, one bad thing about social media is that you can get anything done by paid campaigns...your decisions are based on paid campaigns," he said.He urged the team to "stay who they are" and focus on winning matches before making grand proclamations. "First win a match, a big tournament, fight it out to win against a big team, finish a match single-handedly, then think what you want to proclaim," Butt added.Butt highlighted the mental toughness of the Indian team, which he believes Pakistan lacks. "India is very different from us...Their mental superiority is winning them matches...They don't feel the pressure now like they used to earlier," he said."But we haven't grown. There are changes in cricket every year, but we are not growing with that, so we are getting weaker. The other teams are growing, mentally as well."

Bangladesh and Netherlands Clash in Kingstown for Super 8s BerthOn June 13th, at 10:30am local time, Bangladesh and Netherlands will face off in Kingstown, St. Vincent, in a crucial T20 World Cup match. The winner will remain in contention for a spot in the Super 8s.Bangladesh's ChallengesBangladesh has endured a challenging journey to Kingstown, with a delayed flight and canceled training session. They are also reeling from a heartbreaking loss to South Africa, where they failed to capitalize on Keshav Maharaj's full-tosses in the final over.Their top-order batting has been a concern, with neither opening pair managing a double-digit stand. Litton Das has shown some form, but only Towhid Hridoy and Mahmudullah have consistently performed.Netherlands' StrengthsNetherlands has impressed with their bowling in the T20 World Cup, beating Nepal and pushing South Africa close. Logan van Beek, Bas de Leede, and Tim Pringle have formed a formidable partnership alongside Vivian Kingma and Paul van Meekeren.However, their batting has been a weakness. Max O'Dowd has scored their only half-century, while Michael Levitt, their form player leading up to the tournament, has struggled.Key PlayersTaskin Ahmed (Bangladesh): The pace spearhead has taken crucial wickets and maintained a low economy rate.Logan van Beek (Netherlands): The accurate bowler has bowled the ball of the tournament and has been Netherlands' best performer.Match PredictionThis match promises to be a tense battle, with both teams desperate for a win. Bangladesh's bowling attack will be a challenge for Netherlands, but their batting woes could prove costly. Netherlands will need their batters to step up and support their bowlers.

Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has advised Virat Kohli to adopt a more conservative approach on hard wickets in New York ahead of India's ICC T20 World Cup match against the USA.Kohli, the tournament's all-time leading run-scorer, has had a slow start to the competition, scoring just one and four runs against Ireland and Pakistan, respectively. Both times, he was dismissed while playing aggressively.Manjrekar believes that Kohli's aggressive approach, which has been effective on flat pitches, may not be suitable for the hard wickets in New York, where it has been difficult to score runs."The problem with Virat Kohli is that there has been a lot of talk about his strike rate over the last two years, and he completely changed that during this IPL season," Manjrekar said. "His strike rate had reached 150, although others had almost 200, but that is a different topic. He probably must have come to the T20 World Cup with that same mindset, but given the pitches, the old Virat Kohli would have been much better."Manjrekar added that Kohli should consider reverting to his previous style of play, which was more cautious and focused on building an innings."So, I feel someone should tell him to bring back that earlier version of himself and then change again when the pitches become flat," he said.Kohli's struggles have been a concern for India, who are looking to win their first T20 World Cup title since 2007. The team will need Kohli to find his form if they are to have a successful tournament.