Cricket

Ravichandran Ashwin, India's premier spinner, has lauded Suryakumar Yadav's exceptional performance in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024. Ashwin hailed Yadav as one of the finest T20 batters globally, highlighting his remarkable consistency and ability to deliver under pressure.Yadav, batting at number four, has amassed 196 runs in seven matches at an impressive strike rate of 137.06, making him the ninth-highest run-getter in the tournament. Ashwin attributed Yadav's success to his unwavering intent and the confidence instilled in him by head coach Rahul Dravid."Suryakumar Yadav is one of the finest T20 batters in the world. He is playing extraordinarily well," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel. "He has shown his intent at number four, putting to bed any doubts about his ability to perform in knockout matches against big teams."Ashwin also praised Dravid's transformative role in shaping Team India's approach. He emphasized Dravid's meticulous planning and unwavering commitment to empowering each player."I know what Rahul Dravid has been doing with this team for the past 2-3 years. He has worked hard to change the approach, giving each player a clear role and instilling confidence in them," Ashwin added.India, under Rohit Sharma's leadership, has been dominant throughout the tournament, showcasing their prowess against formidable opponents like Australia, Pakistan, and England. South Africa, on the other hand, has navigated close encounters, narrowly escaping defeat against Bangladesh, Nepal, and the West Indies.Both teams will face off in the highly anticipated final at the Kensington Oval in Barbados on Saturday, with India aiming to end their ICC trophy drought since 2013 and claim their first T20 World Cup title since 2007.

Former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly has hinted that Gautam Gambhir is likely to succeed Rahul Dravid as the head coach of the Indian cricket team after the T20 World Cup."I think he will be the next coach (for Team India)," Ganguly told reporters.Dravid's tenure as head coach ends after the T20 World Cup, and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is in the process of making a decision on his replacement. Dravid has expressed his desire not to renew his contract."Every game I have coached for India is important. This is the last tournament in job. I have enjoyed coaching India, it is great to work with these boys. It is a special job. But there are schedules where I find myself that at this stage of my life, I won't be able to apply," Dravid had said earlier.Gambhir is considered a frontrunner for the role of head coach. He was a successful left-handed opener for the Indian team and has served as the team mentor of the Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League (IPL). KKR won their third IPL trophy this season under Gambhir's guidance.Ganguly praised the Indian team for reaching the T20 World Cup final. "To get to two World Cup finals in 7 months speaks volumes about the capability & strength of the team...They will not make any changes to the team and this is Rohit Sharma's leadership style. It will be the same team...I wish they win it tomorrow," the 51-year-old added.India will face South Africa in the T20 World Cup final on Saturday at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados.

The Indian cricket team's triumphant march in the T20 World Cup 2024 reached its zenith on Thursday as they secured a berth in the title clash against South Africa. The semi-final victory against England was a testament to India's all-round brilliance, with Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Hardik Pandya shining with the bat and the spinners dominating with the ball.Amidst the jubilation, wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant emerged as a standout performer, earning the coveted Best Fielder of the Match award. The honor was bestowed upon him by none other than veteran wicket-keeper Dinesh Karthik, who recently bid farewell to the game.Karthik's presence in the dressing room to present the award was a poignant moment, especially given Pant's remarkable journey. Just six months ago, his career was in jeopardy following a horrific car accident. However, his resilience and determination have seen him return to the field with renewed vigor."There are many stories in sport, but there are not many better than the person I am giving the medal to," Karthik said in a heartfelt speech. "What he's gone through a year ago, I think six months ago, no one expected him to be in this team, not many would have expected him to play this sport this early, but for him to come out here and play the way he has done, all are very happy for him and he has made millions happy by just being on the field - Rishabh Pant."While neither Pant nor Virat Kohli have reached the heights expected of them in this tournament, they have one more opportunity to prove their worth and help India break its ICC trophy drought. The summit clash against South Africa on Saturday promises to be a thrilling encounter, with India hoping to cap off their impressive campaign with a resounding victory.

The 2022 T20 World Cup semifinal loss to England proved to be a pivotal moment for Team India, according to former cricketer and commentator Sanjay Manjrekar. The humiliating 10-wicket defeat served as a "wake-up call" that has transformed the team into a formidable force.In the Adelaide encounter, India's star batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli failed to deliver, contributing to the team's unexpected exit. Rohit managed a 27-ball 27, while Kohli scored a 40-ball 50 as India posted a modest 168 for 6. England chased down the target with ease in just 16 overs.Manjrekar believes that neither Rohit nor Kohli have acknowledged the loss as a turning point, but it has undoubtedly been a catalyst for the team's resurgence in T20 cricket. "India is completely changed as a T20 side. That (2022 T20 WC semis loss) was a wake-up call for India. They may not admit it. Both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have never confessed that they helped India lose the semifinals, but this new India is a completely different India," Manjrekar said on ESPNCricinfo.He added that England's current form, which is slightly weaker than in previous years, further strengthens India's chances.However, Kohli's recent struggles have raised concerns ahead of the semifinal clash against England. The former Indian captain has scored just 1, 4, 0, 24, 37, and 0 in six matches. Manjrekar acknowledges Kohli's form as a worry but expects him to rise to the occasion."Virat Kohli is a little bit of a worry because he hasn't got the runs, but he stayed committed to this approach of taking risks and doesn't worry about getting out. Whether he'll continue to do that in the semifinal, because this is a guy who has taken up the responsibility on the big stage, he feels that he's the guy who's got to do it. Plus he's short of runs. The thing to look for is if he's hit a four or a six and if he picks a single, then you know that he's batting a little differently," Manjrekar said.Team India is determined to break its decade-long drought of major titles and prove its mettle in knockout matches. Rohit's team enters Thursday's semifinal in Guyana on a six-match winning streak and is eager to emulate the success of the 2007 side that won the inaugural T20 World Cup.

India's first World Cup-winning captain Kapil Dev believes that collective performance, not individual brilliance, will be crucial for Rohit Sharma's team to end their trophy drought at the T20 World Cup in the West Indies.Kapil emphasized that every player has a role to play in winning a tournament, rather than relying solely on star performers like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, or Kuldeep Yadav. He pointed out that in his 1983 World Cup-winning team, he wasn't the only one who performed exceptionally."Roger Binny, Mohinder Amarnath, Kirti Azad, Yashpal Sharma all came out with match-winning performances. If you start depending on one player, it means you are not going to win tournaments more often," Kapil observed.He lauded Bumrah's performance in the tournament so far, but downplayed the role of a captain. "Everybody can do captaincy. Hardik, Virat, Rohit everyone can do captaincy. When you give ball to somebody, the bowler has to do the job. Yes captain is there to help you out but it's not like if you don't win he is not a good captain."Kapil expressed his optimism for India's chances in the semifinal against England and wished them luck. He highlighted the importance of India being perceived as title contenders in every global event."We should be happy that we are able to think that we can win. 20 years back, you weren't thinking. It's important that in every tournament India is going as a favourite. That's a big thing. We never thought about that. That's enough encouragement for a youngster to take up the sport. I am very happy to see where Indian cricket has reached wonderfully well," he emphasized.

Team India's quest for an elusive ICC trophy continues as they enter the semifinals of the T20 World Cup 2024. Led by Rohit Sharma, the team has maintained an unbeaten streak, including a resounding victory over Australia.India's last ICC triumph came in 2013 under the leadership of Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who guided the team to victory in the ICC Champions Trophy. Since then, India has come close but failed to secure a major title, including a heartbreaking loss in the 2019 ODI World Cup final.Rohit Sharma, now 36, is determined to break this drought and lead India to glory. He has the experience and leadership qualities necessary to guide the team to success.Former India pacer S Sreesanth, who was part of India's 2007 T20 World Cup and 2011 ODI World Cup victories, believes Rohit has the capabilities to achieve this goal. He praised Rohit's ability to unite the team and his understanding of each player's strengths.Sreesanth also highlighted the importance of all-rounder Hardik Pandya, who has been in exceptional form in the tournament. Despite a disappointing season with the Mumbai Indians in the IPL, Pandya has emerged as a key player for India, contributing with both bat and ball.India's semifinal clash against England will be a crucial test. In their previous encounter at this stage in the 2022 edition, England dominated an outdated Indian team. However, with Rohit Sharma at the helm and a talented squad at his disposal, India has a real chance of reaching the final and potentially lifting the trophy on June 29th.

Indian spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has been a lively presence in the Indian team's camp at the T20 World Cup 2024, despite not yet featuring in a match. In a video shared by the BCCI on social media, Chahal was seen imitating a bus conductor, enthusiastically shouting "ground, ground, ground" as the team bus approached the stadium. He also tapped the side of the bus and peered out the window, adding to the jovial atmosphere.Chahal's inclusion in the Indian squad was based on his impressive performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. However, he has not yet been given an opportunity to showcase his skills in the T20 World Cup.The match between India and Australia was crucial for the Australian team, as a defeat could have put them on the brink of elimination. Australia had only one win from two matches in the Super 8s before facing India. A loss to Rohit Sharma's men made it two defeats and just one victory from three matches.Following their defeats to India and Afghanistan, if Bangladesh lose their final Super 8 match on Tuesday, Afghanistan will advance to the semi-finals. India, on the other hand, have secured a spot in the top four after victories over Australia, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh. They will next face England.

India's emphatic 50-run victory over Bangladesh has propelled them towards a semifinal berth in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024. The team's batting has finally found its rhythm, complementing the exceptional bowling unit led by Jasprit Bumrah.Skipper Rohit Sharma, despite a brief stay at the crease against Bangladesh, remains a key player for India. His 99 runs in five innings, including an unbeaten 52 against Ireland, highlight his dominance over Australia in T20Is. Virat Kohli, despite a slow start, has shown signs of improvement with 61 runs in the last two matches.Rishabh Pant, with 152 runs in five innings, has emerged as a reliable wicketkeeper-batter. Suryakumar Yadav's back-to-back fifties have solidified India's middle order, while Shivam Dube's inclusion has added depth to the batting lineup.Hardik Pandya's resurgence has been a major boost for India. His 89 runs and eight wickets have showcased his all-round abilities. Ravindra Jadeja, despite limited opportunities, remains a valuable asset with his all-round skills.Axar Patel's contributions with both bat and ball have been crucial, while Kuldeep Yadav's five wickets in two matches have strengthened India's spin attack. Jasprit Bumrah's exceptional economy rate and 10 wickets make him a formidable force, and Arshdeep Singh's 12 wickets have established him as a reliable wicket-taker.As India prepares to face Australia in their final Super Eight fixture, skipper Rohit Sharma faces a crucial decision regarding the team's composition. The overcast conditions and likelihood of rain in Antigua could influence his choices.

Gautam Gambhir, the former Indian opener, has emerged as the frontrunner to become the next head coach of Team India. This speculation has been fueled by his recent success as mentor of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), who won the IPL 2024 title under his guidance.Gambhir's appointment would mark a significant shift in the Indian team's coaching philosophy. Known for his aggressive and competitive nature, Gambhir is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the team. His ability to inspire and motivate players, as evidenced by his support for Ravichandran Ashwin during his early days in the Indian team, is seen as a key asset.Ashwin, in his recent book launch event, spoke highly of Gambhir's character. He described him as a "very misunderstood person" who is often unfairly labeled as a villain. Ashwin emphasized Gambhir's unwavering desire to win and his ability to bring out the best in his players.Gambhir's potential appointment has also sparked comparisons with former India women's coach WV Raman, who is also in contention for the role. Interestingly, Gambhir and Raman worked together at KKR in 2014, when the franchise won the IPL title.However, Gambhir has remained coy about his future plans. Speaking at an event hosted by the Indian Chamber of Commerce, he said, "I just finished a brilliant journey (with KKR), let's enjoy that."Despite his reluctance to confirm his intentions, Gambhir's credentials and the support he has garnered from within the Indian cricket fraternity make him a strong candidate for the head coach position. His appointment would be a bold move by the BCCI, but it could potentially usher in a new era of success for Team India.