Cricket

Indian Cricket Team's Triumphant Return to Delhi Amidst Tight SecurityNEW DELHI: The Indian cricket team, fresh from their historic T20 World Cup victory, is set to arrive in the national capital on Thursday morning, prompting extensive security measures by the Delhi Police.The team is expected to land at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) around 6 am on a chartered flight from Barbados. From the airport, they will be escorted to the ITC Maurya Hotel in a convoy of vehicles accompanied by armed policemen.To ensure the team's safety and manage the anticipated crowds, the police have deployed a robust security apparatus along the route from the airport to the hotel. Two companies of paramilitary personnel will be stationed around the hotel and key routes in central Delhi.Fans are expected to gather along the travel routes and outside the hotel to celebrate the team's triumph. The police have advised the public to avoid large gatherings and maintain social distancing norms.After arriving at the hotel, the team will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence at 11 am. They are scheduled to depart for Mumbai at 4 pm.In Mumbai, the team will participate in an open bus road show followed by a felicitation ceremony at the Wankhede Stadium. The event is expected to draw a massive crowd of fans eager to witness the victorious team.The Delhi Police have urged the public to cooperate with the security arrangements and avoid any inconvenience. They have also requested fans to refrain from using drones or other flying objects near the team's convoy or the hotel.

Team India, fresh from their triumph at the T20 World Cup 2024, is set to embark on a five-match T20I series against Zimbabwe, commencing on July 6. The Indian contingent, led by opening batter Shubman Gill, features a blend of experienced and uncapped players as the team looks to nurture future talent in the shortest format.The series marks the international debut for Abhishek Sharma, Riyan Parag, and Tushar Deshpande, who have impressed with their performances in domestic cricket. Parag, who emerged as the third-highest run-getter in the recent IPL season, expressed his excitement and admitted to misplacing his passport and phones due to his overwhelming enthusiasm."So excited that I've forgotten my passport. I've forgotten my phone. I've not forgotten, I've misplaced them. But I have it now," Parag said in a video posted by the BCCI.Abhishek Sharma, another debutant, revealed that he received a congratulatory call from his Punjab teammate Shubman Gill after his selection. "I felt very good. Before my interview, when I reached home, my parents were giving interviews. I felt proud," Sharma said.The Indian squad for the first two T20Is against Zimbabwe has undergone some changes due to the delayed departure of the T20 World Cup-winning players from Barbados. Sai Sudarshan, Jitesh Sharma, and Harshit Rana have been added as replacements for Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, and Yashasvi Jaiswal.The series against Zimbabwe provides an opportunity for India to experiment with new combinations and assess the potential of emerging players. As the team transitions into a new era following the retirement of senior stalwarts like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja, the focus will be on identifying and grooming future stars.

Rishabh Pant Flaunts T20 World Cup Medal, Teammates Respond with HumorIndian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant took to social media on Wednesday to share his joy over winning the T20 World Cup. Pant posted selfies with the coveted medal hanging around his neck, accompanied by the caption "This medal hits you differently."The post quickly went viral, garnering thousands of likes and comments. Pant's teammates, Axar Patel and Mohammed Siraj, couldn't resist teasing him with hilarious responses."Bhai same mere pass bhi hai," commented Axar, indicating that he also possessed the medal. Siraj joined in the fun, writing "bhai mere pass bhi h same."The Indian team, including Pant, Patel, and Siraj, had been stranded in Barbados for three days due to Hurricane Beryl. However, they finally departed on Wednesday on a special Air India flight.Pant's medal-flaunting post serves as a reminder of India's triumph at the T20 World Cup. The team defeated South Africa in a thrilling final on Saturday, securing their second T20 World Cup title.Pant played a crucial role in India's victory, scoring valuable runs and providing stability to the middle order. His performances throughout the tournament earned him praise from fans and experts alike.The T20 World Cup medal is a testament to Pant's hard work and dedication. It is a symbol of his contribution to India's historic triumph and will undoubtedly hold a special place in his heart.

India's T20 World Cup Triumph: Victory Parade and Celebrations in MumbaiAfter their historic victory in the T20 World Cup 2024, the Indian men's cricket team will be celebrated with an open bus parade and a small function at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The team, led by Rohit Sharma, defeated South Africa by seven runs in a thrilling final in Barbados, ending their 11-year wait for an ICC trophy and 17-year wait for the T20 World Cup title.The team's arrival in India was delayed by three days due to Hurricane Beryl in Barbados. However, they arrived in Delhi on Thursday morning and are expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi for breakfast. They will then board a chartered flight to Mumbai for the victory celebrations.The victory parade will begin at the Mumbai airport, where the team will be driven to near the Wankhede Stadium. From there, they will take an open bus parade to the stadium, where a small presentation ceremony will be held. Rohit Sharma is expected to hand over the World Cup trophy to BCCI secretary Jay Shah.The celebrations will be reminiscent of the victory parade held in Mumbai after India's triumph in the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007. The team's victory has brought immense joy to the nation and is a testament to their hard work and dedication.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was compelled to make three alterations to the Indian squad for the T20I series against Zimbabwe due to several members being stranded in Barbados. Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shivam Dube, and Sanju Samson, who were all part of India's T20 World Cup 2024 campaign, were unable to depart the island nation sooner due to a hurricane threat that prompted the government to suspend all flights.For the first two matches, the selectors named Harshit Rana, Jitesh Singh, and Sai Sudharsan as replacements. Harshit and Sudharsan were rewarded for their outstanding performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, while Jitesh has been in contention for a few years.However, their inclusion raised questions about the omission of other Team India stars. Ishan Kishan, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Varun Chakravarthy, Mayank Yadav, Umran Malik, and Yash Dayal were among those who were overlooked.Ishan Kishan's case is particularly intriguing. He was a regular member of the Indian team across all formats until the tour of South Africa, where he requested a break from the BCCI. Between that series and the T20 World Cup 2024 squad selection, several events occurred, leading the selectors to sideline the Mumbai Indians wicket-keeper batter.Kishan was reportedly asked to play Ranji Trophy for Jharkhand and other domestic tournaments to be considered for selection, but he opted to train with Hardik Pandya for the IPL 2024 campaign. This decision appears to have displeased the BCCI and selectors, who did not select him for the Zimbabwe series despite Sanju Samson's absence for the first two matches. The current pecking order suggests that Kishan is not even the fourth-choice option in the shortest format, with Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson, Dhruv Jurel, and Jitesh Sharma ahead of him.Kishan's case is not isolated, as similar questions can be raised about seven other players, including KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer, two experienced Indian players who were also not selected for the Zimbabwe tour.In the bowling department, the absence of Varun Chakravarthy, Mayank Yadav, Umran Malik, and Yash Dayal also raises questions, while many believe that an all-rounder like Venkatesh Iyer could have been considered.

India's T20 World Cup Champions to Return Home on Air India FlightAfter their historic victory in the T20 World Cup, the Indian cricket team is set to return home on an Air India aircraft with call sign AIC24WC. The flight, which originated in New Jersey, will make a stopover in Bridgetown, Barbados, where the team will board.The aircraft is expected to touch down in Barbados at approximately 2 am local time. The team will then depart at 4:30 am, with an estimated flight duration of 16 hours. If all goes according to plan, the team is expected to arrive in Delhi on Thursday at 6 am Indian Standard Time (IST).The original departure time was scheduled for 6 pm local time on July 2, but was delayed due to Hurricane 'Beryl', which caused the cancellation of flights and the closure of the Grantley Adams International Airport.In addition to the team, the Indian media contingent that covered the tournament will also be on the same flight, as part of a special arrangement by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).The T20 World Cup final, held at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, saw India defeat South Africa by seven runs. The victory marked India's second T20 World Cup title, after their triumph in 2007.

Pakistan's star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi has lauded Team India's triumph in the T20 World Cup 2024, despite Pakistan's disappointing group-stage exit.Afridi, who was stripped of his captaincy before the tournament, praised India's performance in the final against South Africa, which they won by a narrow margin. "Both teams played well. On the day, whichever team handles the pressure better wins. India played a good brand of cricket and deserved to win," he said.Afridi acknowledged India's late bowling heroics, led by Jasprit Bumrah, which turned the tide in their favor. He also expressed his admiration for India's overall performance throughout the tournament.Despite Pakistan's early exit, Afridi remained optimistic about the team's future. "Strong teams compete in the World Cup and they come after going through a process. I think we need to correct a few things and if we work hard, results will be with us," he said.Afridi's comments come amidst calls from former cricketers and fans for a major overhaul of the Pakistan team. However, he believes that the team has the potential to bounce back with the right approach."We have a lot of talent in Pakistan. We just need to find the right combination and work together as a unit. I am confident that we can achieve success in the future," he added.

Star pacer Jasprit Bumrah and his wife Sanjana Ganesan celebrated Team India's T20 World Cup triumph with a sweet "ice cream" date in Barbados. Sanjana, who was part of the broadcasting team in the West Indies, shared a heartwarming video on her Instagram story, revealing their post-victory indulgence.In the video, Bumrah beamed with joy, flaunting victory signs while Sanjana captured his playful antics. "Took this World Champion for ice-cream in the morning," she captioned the video.The couple's celebration came after India's thrilling seven-run victory over South Africa in the final. Bumrah played a crucial role in the team's success, delivering a match-winning spell of 3/13 in the crucial encounter.After the final, Sanjana interviewed Bumrah, who expressed his overwhelming emotions. "I don't usually cry after a game, but this feels really special," he said. "We've been working really hard towards this, and we've come close and fell short last time, but we were able to go through this time."Bumrah's wife and son were present at the match, making the victory even more special for the family. "My son is here, my family is here, and I could do something special for India," he said. "There's no better feeling than that."The T20 World Cup triumph marked a significant milestone for Team India, healing the wounds of their ODI World Cup 2023 final defeat. Under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, the team displayed resilience and determination throughout the tournament, culminating in a memorable victory.

India's triumph in the T20 World Cup 2024 marked a historic moment for the nation, as they secured their second title after a 17-year wait. Led by the enigmatic Rohit Sharma, the Men in Blue displayed unwavering determination and exceptional skill throughout the tournament.Rohit Sharma, the skipper, led from the front with his explosive batting, amassing 257 runs in eight matches. His three half-centuries and a strike rate of 156.70 propelled India to quick starts and set the tone for their victories. While Rohit maintained his form, Virat Kohli, his opening partner, faced initial challenges but delivered a match-winning knock of 76 in the final, marking a memorable farewell in his last T20 World Cup.Rishabh Pant, the wicketkeeper-batter, played crucial cameos with 171 runs in eight matches, while Suryakumar Yadav complemented him with 199 runs, including two fifties. Hardik Pandya, the vice-captain, excelled as an all-rounder, scoring 144 runs and taking 11 wickets. His wickets of Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller in the final proved pivotal.Axar Patel, another spin-bowling all-rounder, contributed 92 runs and nine wickets, with his 3/23 against England in the semi-final and 47-run knock in the final being key moments. Shivam Dube, a power-hitter, added depth to India's batting order, while Ravindra Jadeja's fielding played a crucial role in restricting opponents.The bowlers played a pivotal role in India's success. Jasprit Bumrah, with his unplayable yorkers, took 15 wickets, while Arshdeep Singh shone with 17 wickets, making him the joint-highest wicket-taker. Kuldeep Yadav's spin and unpredictable googlies restricted opponents, taking 10 wickets in five matches. Mohammed Siraj, despite limited opportunities, showed promise with a wicket in the opening match.India's T20 World Cup 2024 campaign was a testament to their resilience and teamwork. The standout performances of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, and Jasprit Bumrah, coupled with the all-round contributions, propelled India to victory. This triumph not only highlighted the depth and talent within the squad but also set a strong foundation for future success in international cricket.