Cricket

India's impressive run at the T20 World Cup 2024 has evoked bittersweet memories for fans, reminiscent of the team's heartbreaking loss in the ODI World Cup 2023 final. Under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, India has remained undefeated in the tournament so far, mirroring their dominant performance in the previous World Cup.However, the recent cryptic post by former Indian batter Shikhar Dhawan has stirred up emotions among fans. Dhawan, who has been sidelined from the national team for some time, shared a billboard image with the caption, "Men can get over anything, but not 19th November." This date marks the day India lost the ODI World Cup final to Australia.Dhawan's post has reignited the pain of that defeat, which saw India's unbeaten run come to an abrupt end. The team's performance in the T20 World Cup 2024 has brought back memories of that fateful day, raising concerns among fans that history may repeat itself.Earlier this year, Dhawan hinted at his potential retirement from international cricket, suggesting that he may be nearing the end of his playing career. This has added to the sense of nostalgia surrounding India's current World Cup campaign.Despite the lingering memories of the ODI World Cup final, Team India remains focused on the task at hand. They kicked off their Super 8s campaign with a convincing victory over Afghanistan, posting a total of 181/8 and restricting their opponents to 134. Suryakumar Yadav was named Player of the Match for his impressive 53-run knock.India's next challenge will be Bangladesh in their upcoming Super 8s match on Saturday. The team will be determined to maintain their unbeaten streak and secure a spot in the semi-finals. However, the shadow of the ODI World Cup final loss continues to loom over their journey, serving as a reminder of the fragility of success in major tournaments.

Former Indian coach Ravi Shastri has emphasized the importance of focusing on each match individually for Team India in the upcoming T20 World Cup. He urged the players to avoid getting carried away by thoughts of lifting the trophy and instead concentrate on playing fearless cricket one game at a time.Shastri also heaped praise on Jasprit Bumrah, declaring him the best bowler across all formats in the world. He highlighted Bumrah's ability to read situations, adapt to different pitches, and execute a wide range of deliveries. Shastri cited Bumrah's impressive performance against Afghanistan, where he took three wickets and conceded only seven runs in four overs, as an example of his exceptional skills.According to Shastri, Bumrah's ability to quickly assess the batsman's intentions and adjust his bowling strategy sets him apart from other bowlers. He emphasized that Bumrah's versatility, including his mastery of the new ball, makes him a formidable competitor in all formats of the game.Shastri's advice to the Indian team aligns with the approach of playing one match at a time, which has been adopted by successful teams in the past. He believes that by focusing on the present task and not getting distracted by the ultimate goal, the team can perform at their best and increase their chances of reaching the final.

India's Playing XI Balance Crucial for Success, Emphasizes Sanjay ManjrekarFormer Indian cricketer and renowned commentator Sanjay Manjrekar has stressed the paramount importance of finding the optimal balance in India's playing XI to secure victories in different conditions. During the recently concluded T20 World Cup in the United States, India experimented with various combinations, opting for three frontline pacers and two spinners in the group stage. However, they altered their strategy in the Super 8 stage against Afghanistan, dropping Mohammed Siraj for Kuldeep Yadav to bolster their spin attack.Manjrekar believes that India's diverse pool of players provides them with ample options to choose from. However, he emphasizes that the team must prioritize selecting the best combination suited to the specific conditions they face. "It's always advantageous to have multiple options, but the key is to remain true to what would be the most effective playing XI to lead India to victory in a given situation," Manjrekar said.In the match against Afghanistan, Hardik Pandya assumed the role of the third pacer, while Shivam Dube provided an additional seam option. This shift demonstrated India's adaptability and willingness to adjust their balance based on the playing surface. Manjrekar's insights underscore the significance of flexibility and adaptability in team selection to suit varying conditions, which he believes will be crucial to India's success.

Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez has reiterated his criticism of Virat Kohli's performance in the ICC ODI World Cup last year, calling him "selfish."In the World Cup match against South Africa, Kohli scored 101 runs off 121 balls, maintaining a strike rate of 83.47. Despite hitting 10 fours and no sixes, his performance drew criticism from Hafeez.Speaking on the Club Prairie Fire podcast, Hafeez explained his reasoning: "Your intention and way of playing should always aim toward winning the game. But if someone is hesitating to play big shots in his 90s, I won't accept it. After 95, if someone takes five balls to get to his 100 and his intention changes after scoring 100, why can't he play the same shots he did at 95 or 92 runs? For me, the intent should always remain the same—to add the best possible value to your team's victory."Hafeez believes that Kohli's focus on personal milestones hindered the team's success: "I felt Virat took too many balls to get to his hundred, and he wasn't playing big shots. Personal milestones should be secondary to the team's success. As a fan of cricket, I don't appreciate 50s and 100s that aren't for a winning cause. In cricket, even one run can make the biggest difference."Kohli's recent performances in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup have been disappointing, with scores of 1, 4, and 0 in consecutive matches. As the tournament shifts to the Caribbean, Kohli will be hoping to regain his form and contribute to India's success.

Former Indian opener Gautam Gambhir is poised to take over as the head coach of the Indian men's cricket team, replacing Rahul Dravid. Gambhir and ex-India opener WV Raman were interviewed for the position on Tuesday via Zoom by the BCCI's Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC).Gambhir, who played a pivotal role in India's World Cup triumphs in 2007 and 2011, is expected to be formally announced as the new coach towards the end of the ongoing T20 World Cup. His tenure will commence in July 2024 and conclude in December 2027, after the 50-over World Cup.Gambhir's appointment marks a significant shift in the BCCI's approach, as he has no prior coaching experience at the international or domestic level. However, his success as a mentor for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), who won the IPL title in 2024, has convinced the decision-makers of his suitability for the role.The CAC, comprising Ashok Malhotra, Jatin Paranjape, and Sulakshana Naik, conducted the interviews with Gambhir and Raman. Sources indicate that the interview with Gambhir was largely a formality, as the BCCI bosses are confident in his ability to lead the team.Gambhir's appointment comes amid speculation that Dravid may join an IPL team as team director. The BCCI is also expected to appoint a new selector from the North Zone to replace Salil Ankola.

Shivam Dube, the Indian all-rounder, has been a prolific six-hitter in the Indian Premier League (IPL), averaging a six every eight balls. However, in his first 60 legal deliveries in the USA during the warm-up game, he failed to hit a single six.Despite his struggles, Dube remains confident in his abilities. He believes that the conditions in the USA, with unpredictable bounce and pace, demanded a different approach. Instead of trying to force sixes, he focused on playing according to the ball and finding ways to win matches for India.Dube's arrival in the West Indies has not been much different. The pitches at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados have also been challenging, with both seam and swing. Dube has spent more time bowling than batting in the nets, but he is confident that he will be ready when the time comes to hit sixes.India will need Dube's six-hitting ability in the Super Eight stage of the World Cup, where high-scoring grounds like Kensington Oval and St Lucia await. Dube has had two training sessions at Kensington Oval to adjust to the conditions, and he will rely on his instincts to determine when to go for big shots.While Dube may not have hit a six in his first 60 balls in the USA, he is confident that he will deliver when India needs him most. His ability to adapt to different conditions and his determination to succeed make him a valuable asset to the Indian team.

Team India, led by skipper Rohit Sharma, is gearing up for the Super 8s stage of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 with a renewed focus on honing their skills and executing their game plan.After an undefeated run in the group stage, India advanced to the Super 8s with victories over Ireland, Pakistan, and the United States. Their final group match against Canada was abandoned due to rain.In a video shared by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Rohit emphasized the team's determination to make a mark in the tournament. "There is real keenness in the group to go and do something special," he said. "We take our skill sets quite seriously. There is something to achieve in every skill set that you do."India will face Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Australia in the Super 8s, with matches scheduled in Barbados, Antigua, and St Lucia, respectively. Rohit acknowledged the hectic schedule but stressed the importance of focusing on their skills and team performance."We will look to focus a lot more on our skills and what we need to do as a team rather than all of this," he said. "Every session then really becomes very important and to make the best use of it."The Indian team has already begun training in Barbados, where they will play their first Super 8s match against Afghanistan on June 20. Rohit expressed confidence in the team's understanding of the conditions in Barbados, having played several matches there in the past."We have seen a lot of games here, we have played a lot of games here so everyone understands what one needs to do to get the result in our favour," he said. "Everyone is looking forward and quite excited as well at the same time."With a strong squad and a clear focus on their goals, Team India is poised to make a significant impact in the Super 8s stage of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.

India Intensifies Preparations for T20 World Cup Super 8s in CaribbeanThe Indian cricket team has arrived in the Caribbean for the Super 8s stage of the T20 World Cup, determined to make a strong impact after a mixed performance in the group stage. The team held an intense practice session in New Delhi, with key players Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, and Kuldeep Yadav putting in extra effort to prepare for the crucial matches ahead.Kohli, who struggled for form in New York, scoring only 1, 4, and 0 in the group stage, was seen working on his batting technique in the nets. He focused on lofted drives and pull shots, aiming to regain his rhythm and make a significant contribution in the Super 8s.Jadeja, who has yet to make a notable impact with either bat or ball, also participated in the practice session. The all-rounder was only required to bat once and was not heavily relied upon for his bowling in New York, but he is expected to play a more prominent role in the Caribbean conditions, which favor spinners.Kuldeep, who has not featured in the playing eleven thus far, is also likely to be included in the team for the Super 8s. The left-arm spinner is expected to be a key weapon for India in the Caribbean, where pitches have traditionally favored spinners.The entire Indian squad participated in the practice session, eager to make the most of the opportunity after not having played since completing the New York leg on June 12. Poor weather conditions in Fort Lauderdale prevented any training or play, making this session all the more important.The pitches in New York were heavily criticized for being slow and unresponsive, but the surfaces in the Caribbean are expected to be more conducive to high-scoring matches. In the tournament so far, a score of 200, considered par in the IPL, has only been surpassed twice, both times in the Caribbean. Even a total of 150 has often proven to be competitive.Indian captain Rohit Sharma was seen inquiring about the condition of the training pitches, given the importance of adapting to the local conditions. Kohli and Jadeja spent a significant amount of time in the nets, working on their batting techniques. Rishabh Pant, India's most impressive batter in the tournament so far, also faced deliveries from Bumrah, Hardik, Kuldeep, and Axar Patel in the nets.With the breeze blowing across the facility, Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh managed to generate significant swing with the ball, indicating that the conditions in the Caribbean could be favorable for swing bowlers as well.

Indian Cricketers Unwind with Volleyball on Barbados BeachThe Indian cricket team is enjoying a relaxed atmosphere in the Caribbean as they prepare for the Super Eights stage of the T20 World Cup. A video shared by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on their social media handles shows players like Virat Kohli, Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, and Arshdeep Singh unwinding with a game of volleyball on a beach in Barbados.The video also features reserve player Khaleel Ahmed, who says, "We have pretty good players in our team (of volleyball) like Rinku Singh and Yashasvi Jaiswal."India advanced to the Super Eights stage of the T20 World Cup undefeated, with victories against Ireland, Pakistan, and the United States. Their last group match, against Canada, was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to a wet outfield at Broward County Stadium in Lauderhill, Florida on Saturday.The Indian team will hit the nets in Barbados on June 17 to prepare for their game against Afghanistan. They will face Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Australia in Barbados, Antigua, and St Lucia respectively in the Super Eights.The relaxed atmosphere and team bonding activities are a positive sign for India as they look to continue their winning ways in the Super Eights. The team has shown great depth and versatility, with different players stepping up in different matches.Kohli, who has been in excellent form with the bat, will be looking to lead from the front once again. Pandya has been a key all-rounder, contributing with both bat and ball. The bowling attack has also been impressive, with Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Yuzvendra Chahal all performing well.India will be confident of their chances in the Super Eights, but they will need to be at their best to overcome the challenges posed by Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Australia.