Cricket

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced a staggering Rs 125 crore prize money for the victorious Indian T20 World Cup squad led by Rohit Sharma and coached by Rahul Dravid. This generous reward reflects the team's remarkable achievement of winning the tournament without losing a single match.Each of the 15 players in the squad, including Yashasvi Jaiswal, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Sanju Samson who did not play a single game, will receive a substantial Rs 5 crore. Head coach Rahul Dravid, whose tenure with Team India concluded with the T20 World Cup, will also receive Rs 5 crore.The coaching staff, comprising batting coach Vikram Rathour, fielding coach T Dilip, and bowling coach Paras Mhambrey, will each receive Rs 2.5 crore. The backroom staff, including physiotherapists, throwdown specialists, masseurs, and strength and conditioning coach Soham Desai, will each receive Rs 2 crore.Reserve players Rinku Singh, Shubman Gill, Avesh Khan, and Khaleel Ahmed, as well as the five members of the BCCI's Senior Selection Committee headed by chairman Ajit Agarkar, will reportedly receive Rs 1 crore each.The prize money distribution is as follows:* Rs 5 crore each: 15 players and head coach Rahul Dravid (16x5)* Rs 2.5 crore each: Batting, fielding, and bowling coaches (3x2.5)* Rs 2 crore each: Physiotherapists, throwdown specialists, masseurs, strength and conditioning coach (9x2)* Rs 1 crore each: Selectors and reserve players (9x1)The BCCI also announced that a share of the prize money will be awarded to the video analyst and BCCI staff members who were present at the World Cup.India's triumph in the T20 World Cup 2024 was a historic moment for the nation. The team's dominant performance throughout the tournament, culminating in a thrilling seven-run victory over South Africa in the final, showcased their exceptional skill and determination.

Abhishek Sharma, the Indian opener, has revealed that he used the bat of his childhood friend and current captain, Shubman Gill, in the second T20I against Zimbabwe. Sharma credited the bat as a "lucky charm" in a "pressure game" for him.After being dismissed for naught in the first match, Sharma hammered seven fours and eight sixes in his even hundred, laying the foundation for India's comprehensive 100-run win. He described his journey with Gill as "beautiful," starting from the under-12 category."It has been quite beautiful, starting as kids of 11-12 years. Yeah, we are playing together from Under-12. When I was selected for the country, the first call I received was from Shubman," said Sharma in the post-match press meet.Sharma said playing with Gill's bat has been a practice that he follows from the age-group cricket. "Today, I played with his bat, so special thanks to the bat. It happened from the under-12 days, as whenever I play a pressure game I ask him for a bat. It had happened in the IPL as well. Today was no exception as it went well as it usually happens," said Sharma.The left-hander also thanked former India batter Yuvraj Singh and his own father for the fearless cricket that he was able to play now. "Yuvi paaji (Yuvraj Singh) has made a big contribution. I don't consider myself as sixer-king or something like that. Special thanks to my dad for allowing me to play lofted shots. Generally, coaches don't allow a young batter to hit lofted shots. But my dad always said if you wanted to play a lofted shot then it should go out of the ground. So, I wanted to follow that," he elaborated.Despite the pressure of making his T20I international debut in the first game, Sharma remained composed. "I think the IPL plays a big role in this (handling pressure). We did not feel much pressure when we came here to represent the country as debutants. Unfortunately, we didn't start well in the first match. But my mindset and approach were pretty much similar – to show the right intent."Sharma was ousted in the opening over itself for a four-ball duck in the first match. But for him, it was not enough to transform his mindset or approach. "This is my game and I will go for the shot from the first ball if it's there in my slot. If it's my day then it works out, and if it does not, then I don't mind. I practice a lot for this mindset," he said.However, Sharma said he implemented his gameplan much better in the second match. "Of course, my execution was better today than yesterday. I was just calculating the risk that I should take in the first over, or whether to play according to the merit of the ball. Whenever I get boundaries or sixes in the first few balls then I believe that it's my day," he signed off.

India vs Zimbabwe 2nd T20I: Team India Aims to Bounce Back After Shock LossAfter a disappointing 13-run defeat in the first T20I against Zimbabwe, Team India, led by Shubman Gill, will be eager to make amends in the second match of the three-match series. The match will be played at the Harare Sports Club on Sunday, July 7, starting at 4:30 PM IST.With the first two T20Is being held on consecutive days, some changes to the Indian squad are expected. Harshit Rana and B Sai Sudharsan, who were included in the squad for only the first two matches, will be hoping to make their T20I debuts for India. Abhishek Sharma, Riyan Parag, and Dhruv Jurel, who failed to impress in the first T20I, will also be looking to make a mark in the second match.India will be keen to avoid a series defeat against Zimbabwe, who have been in impressive form in recent months. The hosts stunned India in the first T20I, thanks to a brilliant all-round performance from Sikandar Raza.India's batting lineup, which includes the likes of Gill, Ishan Kishan, and Sanju Samson, will need to step up and deliver in the second T20I. The bowlers, led by Bhuvneshwar Kumar, will also need to be more disciplined and consistent.Zimbabwe, on the other hand, will be confident after their victory in the first match. They will be looking to continue their momentum and secure a series win against a strong Indian team.The match will be telecast live on the Sony Sports Network and streamed live on the SonyLiv app and website.

Nitish Kumar Reddy, the breakout star of IPL 2024, has set his sights on emulating the iconic role of Hardik Pandya in the Indian cricket team. After a stellar season with Sunrisers Hyderabad, where he amassed 303 runs at a blistering strike rate of 142, Reddy was poised to make his India debut on the post-T20 World Cup tour to Zimbabwe. However, an untimely injury forced him to withdraw at the last moment.Undeterred, Reddy remains confident that his India debut is imminent. In an exclusive interview with NDTV, he revealed his aspirations to fill the void left by Pandya in the national setup. "There's a chance I'll get to play at no. 7 or no. 6, most likely a Hardik Pandya role," Reddy said. "I'm flexible to bat wherever I'm asked to, but as of now I'm preparing for the role that Hardik Pandya is playing."Reddy's versatility extends beyond his batting prowess. He has also showcased his skills as a handy pace bowler, recently becoming the most expensive player in the Andhra Premier League. This adaptability has made him a valuable asset for Sunrisers Hyderabad and has caught the attention of the Indian selectors.Despite his meteoric rise, Reddy remains grounded and realistic about his chances in the India setup. "If you ask me to open, I'll open as well," he said. "In the near future, I won't be getting the chance at the top order because there are more experienced players. I have to adapt to whatever role I'll get, and I've been prepared to adapt this way by domestic cricket."Reddy's selection for the Zimbabwe tour alongside a host of young players is a testament to the growing opportunities for emerging talent in Indian cricket. "I'm happy that there is a progression for youngsters who are performing well," he said. "After Rohit bhai (Rohit Sharma), Virat bhai (Virat Kohli) and Jaddu bhai (Ravindra Jadeja)'s retirements, there will be opportunities for youngsters. We need to grab them."At just 21, Reddy has already achieved significant milestones in his career. He is now a brand ambassador for Puma, the same brand as his idol, Virat Kohli. "My inspiration is Virat Kohli, so I'm really proud to be a part of Puma," Reddy said. "Puma really supported me through the IPL, and the greatest thing is that they're providing opportunities to youngsters like myself and Riyan Parag."With his exceptional talent, unwavering determination, and the support of a major brand, Nitish Kumar Reddy is poised to become a mainstay in the Indian cricket team for years to come.

After India's triumphant T20 World Cup victory, the players have returned home to celebrate with their loved ones. Captain Rohit Sharma arrived late Thursday night, while star batter Virat Kohli flew to London to reunite with his family.Hardik Pandya, India's vice-captain, received a surprise visit from young keeper-batter Ishan Kishan. A viral video captured the heartwarming moment as the two shared a hug and Kishan kissed Pandya on both cheeks."Good meri jaan. Very good, love you," Kishan exclaimed, while Pandya laughed in amusement.The bromance between Pandya and Kishan has become a social media sensation. During a recent interaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pandya reflected on the past six months, revealing that he had maintained his composure despite facing adversity."The last 6 months have been very entertaining for me, there have been a lot of ups and downs and the public booed me. A lot of things happened and I always felt that if I give any answer, it would be through sports... So I believed that I would stay strong, will work hard," Pandya said.Despite being mercilessly trolled during the Indian Premier League, Pandya played a pivotal role in India's World Cup victory, notably dismissing Heinrich Klaasen.Meanwhile, Kishan, who is currently without a BCCI central contract, was omitted from the T20 World Cup and Zimbabwe T20I squads. He was reportedly dropped from the central contracts list after refusing to play domestic cricket.

India's Women's Asia Cup title defense will rely on a familiar core group. The squad selected for the tournament mirrors the 17-member roster currently facing South Africa in the ongoing T20I series, with Amanjot Kaur and Shabnam Shakil being the only omissions.Shweta Sehrawat, Saika Ishaque, Tanuja Kanwar, and Meghna Singh will serve as traveling reserves as India embarks on its journey to Sri Lanka, the host nation and the team they defeated in the 2022 edition.India's batting lineup boasts a formidable top order, featuring the explosive Shafali Verma and the experienced Smriti Mandhana, with captain Harmanpreet Kaur providing stability in the middle order. Richa Ghosh and Uma Chetry will share wicketkeeping duties.Pooja Vastrakar and Deepti Sharma's all-round abilities offer versatility to the team management, allowing them to adjust the XI based on conditions. India's first match in the Asia Cup will be against arch-rivals Pakistan on July 19. They will also face UAE and Nepal in the group stage, aiming to secure a spot in the knockout rounds.Dambulla will host all 15 matches of the tournament, including the semi-finals and the final. The Asia Cup serves as a crucial preparation for India ahead of the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh later this year.

Arshdeep Singh, the left-arm fast bowler from India, received a grand reception upon his return to his hometown of Chandigarh. His fans and loved ones celebrated his arrival with traditional bhangra dance, flower garlands, and a lively procession.Arshdeep's outstanding performance in the recent T20 World Cup was instrumental in India's victorious campaign. He emerged as the joint-highest wicket-taker of the tournament, claiming 17 wickets alongside Afghanistan's Fazalhaq Farooqi."I want to play all formats but at the moment I just want to enjoy the moment and spend time with my family," Arshdeep told PTI Videos while travelling in an open vehicle."I am feeling very happy. I thank everyone for giving me so much love," added Arshdeep.The streets of Chandigarh were filled with jubilant fans, proudly wearing their Team India jerseys and waving the national flag as they celebrated the arrival of Arshdeep. The young cricketer had just returned from Mumbai, where he participated in a victory parade alongside his teammates, following their triumphant win at the T20 World Cup.In a nail-biting final held at Bridgetown, Barbados on Saturday, the Indian team, led by captain Rohit Sharma, secured a thrilling seven-run victory over South Africa. This remarkable achievement also marked India as the first team to win the T20 World Cup without suffering a single defeat throughout the tournament.India celebrated a momentous victory as they clinched their first global title in over a decade and secured their second T20 World Cup win after a 17-year wait.The team's journey back home faced an unexpected hurdle when they found themselves stranded in Barbados due to the looming threat of hurricane Beryl.Upon finally touching down in New Delhi via a chartered flight, the triumphant Men In Blue were honored with a grand reception hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself. The celebration took place over breakfast at the Prime Minister's official residence at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg.As the day progressed, the city of Mumbai witnessed an outpouring of love and support from fans. A massive crowd gathered along Marine Drive to welcome the team, cheering them on as they made their way to the Wankhede Stadium in an open bus, basking in the glory of their victory parade.

Team India's triumphant return from Barbados with the 2024 T20 World Cup trophy sparked a nationwide celebration. The world champions were greeted with a warm reception from the Prime Minister to a victory parade and felicitation ceremony in Mumbai.Upon arriving at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad, pacer Mohammed Siraj received a grand welcome from his hometown fans. The heartwarming moment came when Siraj shared a picture of his mother proudly wearing his T20 World Cup medal on Instagram."We had to wait 11 years for this moment so I am really happy," Siraj expressed to reporters.In Mumbai, the Rohit Sharma-led team embarked on an open-top bus parade from Marine Drive. Fans lined the streets, dancing and cheering as the players held the coveted trophy aloft. The parade culminated at the Wankhede Stadium, where the team danced to the rhythm of 'dhol' amidst thunderous applause.The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) presented the team with a cheque of Rs 125 crores at the Wankhede Stadium. The victory celebration was a testament to the unwavering support of Indian cricket fans and the team's remarkable achievement.

India's T20 World Cup Triumph: Kuldeep Yadav Expresses Surreal JoyIndia's wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav has expressed his overwhelming joy and disbelief over India's historic victory in the T20 World Cup. The triumph holds special significance for Yadav, who played a pivotal role in the team's success throughout the tournament."It has been an unreal experience for me," Yadav said during a felicitation function in Kanpur. "I hope I keep experiencing such things henceforth."India clinched their second T20 World Cup title by defeating South Africa in a thrilling final in Barbados on June 29. Yadav was instrumental in the team's victory, securing 10 wickets in the tournament. He joined the ranks of Arshdeep Singh (17 wickets), Jasprit Bumrah (15 wickets), and Hardik Pandya (11 wickets) as the fourth Indian bowler to achieve this milestone."Feeling extremely happy as a player because it's the eighth year of my Team India career, and I had the good fortune of lifting an ICC trophy," Yadav added. "It's tough to explain in words about our experience in the last week."Yadav attributed the victory to the strong camaraderie and encouragement within the team, combined with their diligent efforts. "The team's bonding and support for each other throughout the tournament and how we have been playing for the last three to four years -- it is the result that we have achieved today," he said."The whole nation, along with our teammates and the support staff are extremely happy, and so am I," Yadav concluded.