Cricket

Hardik Pandya's resurgence in the T20 World Cup has been a testament to his resilience and determination. After a tumultuous period marked by injuries, controversies, and poor performances, the all-rounder has rediscovered his form on the grandest stage.In the three World Cup games so far, Pandya has showcased his bowling prowess, registering impressive figures of 2-24, 3-27, and 2-14. Notably, he has excelled in bowling the crucial overs, such as the 17th over against Pakistan.Team India bowling coach Paras Mhambrey attributed Pandya's resurgence to his unwavering confidence and hard work. Despite facing setbacks in the IPL, Pandya remained committed to improving his rhythm and bowling difficult overs.Captain Rohit Sharma's support has also played a significant role in Pandya's revival. Despite alleged personal differences, Rohit recognized the importance of Pandya's all-round abilities and included him in the team.Pandya's determination to prove his worth has been evident in his training sessions. Mhambrey praised his work ethic, noting that he kept bowling despite facing challenges.While Pandya has impressed with the ball, he still needs to contribute with the bat. As India moves to the West Indies, where conditions favor batters, Pandya's ability to score runs will be crucial.With India topping Group A, they will face Afghanistan in the Super-8 stage. If Pandya can continue his impressive bowling form and make some valuable contributions with the bat, he could emerge as one of the heroes of this World Cup.

Team India's impressive start to the T20 World Cup, with three consecutive wins, has prompted former pacer Sreesanth to suggest a change in the playing XI. Sreesanth believes that wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson should be included in the lineup, potentially replacing all-rounder Shivam Dube.Samson, who opened in a warm-up match against Bangladesh, has not yet featured in India's World Cup campaign. However, Sreesanth believes that his versatility and current form make him a valuable asset."If Shivam Dube is not bowling, then Sanju should be given an opportunity; we know he is good enough," Sreesanth said. "The form he is in, and apart from wicketkeeping, he is a superman fielder."Sreesanth also highlighted Samson's ability to contribute in the lower order, alongside Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja. "I feel Sanju comes in last along with Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja. I think we can finish on a big score if we are chasing, with Virat being the chase master king."Dube's place in the team has come under scrutiny after he struggled with the bat against Pakistan and bowled only one over across three matches. Sreesanth believes that Samson could provide a more balanced option, especially if Dube is not contributing with the ball."If they [Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli] are opening, I don't see any reason to change the XI. Axar Patel is bowling well. If you look at Shivam Dube, yes, he hasn't played well in the first two games, but we know what he can do with the bat," Sreesanth said. "But I would like to see one change, and that is Sanju Samson coming into the team."Sreesanth's suggestion has sparked debate among cricket fans and experts. While some believe that Samson's inclusion would strengthen the team, others argue that Dube's potential with the bat should not be overlooked.

Former Indian pacer Sreesanth has heaped praise on Team India's T20 World Cup vice-captain Hardik Pandya, who has been in scintillating form with the ball in the ongoing tournament. Pandya has impressed with his blistering pace and wicket-taking ability, drawing comparisons to Australia's Marcus Stoinis.Sreesanth believes that Pandya's bowling has been exceptional, despite being considered a part-time bowler. "He doesn't look like a part-time bowler. He can pick the new ball, and he can bowl those cutters. I think he is doing what Stoinis is doing for the Australia team, getting those crucial wickets and bowling those crucial overs," Sreesanth told ANI.Pandya's performances have been a welcome sight for India, especially after facing criticism for his captaincy of the Mumbai Indians in the IPL. However, on the international stage, he has regained his form and showcased his prowess as a genuine all-rounder.Sreesanth also praised Pandya's ability to perform under pressure. "His performance gets better when the match is good. He keeps the players together. So that is a great quality," he said.Despite India's strong playing XI, there are still some top stars waiting for their chance, including Sanju Samson, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Kuldeep Yadav. Sreesanth is optimistic about India's chances of lifting the T20 World Cup for the first time since 2007, citing the team's depth and experience."Absolutely, if we talk about Virat and Rohit, what a great brotherhood, and one can learn a lot of things from them. They have a lot of experience, they can win matches from any position. We have Rishabh Pant. What a story, not just for cricket but even for life. He is such an inspirational guy," Sreesanth said."We have so much talent if you look at Arshdeep Singh, Bumrah with the way he is bowling, Hardik Pandya, and even Chahal, one of the best bowlers, sitting out. Sanju and even Kuldeep are missing out on games. We have such great bench strength," he concluded.

The Indian cricket team has made an impressive start to the T20 World Cup 2024, winning all three of their matches in the USA leg. However, two members of the traveling reserves, Shubman Gill and Avesh Khan, are set to return home after the USA leg ends on June 15.Gill and Khan were part of the traveling reserves in the side, which are sent for big events as it is not possible for the boards to send in reinforcements in case of injury. The other two traveling reserves, Rinku Singh and Khaleel Ahmed, will continue to stay with the Indian cricket team.Meanwhile, former India pacer Sreesanth expects to see a shift in the composition of the Indian bowling attack with the change of location. He believes that star spinner Yuzvendra Chahal should come into India's playing eleven once the 'Super 8s' stage of the ICC T20 World Cup begins in the Caribbean islands.India selected four spinners for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024, but pace has been the major component of their assault in the first three games of the tournament. India captain Rohit Sharma used only three overs of spin against the United States on Wednesday in the Group A match at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, as pace bowling proved most effective on the low-scoring New York pitch."Chahal could come in. Rahul [Rahul Dravid] Bhai knows what changes should be made in the West Indies that is why we have gone with four spinners. Even in the press conference, Rohit said that he doesn't want to reveal why they are taking four spinners. But there will be changes, especially in the spinning department. The way Axar is batting and bowling it wil be a big call for the team whom should they drop out. It will be a really difficult call," Sreesanth said.

Virat Kohli, the Indian cricket icon, has once again captured the hearts of fans with his heartwarming interactions during the ongoing T20 World Cup. Known for his passionate performances on the field, Kohli has also demonstrated his love for the game and his fans off it.In a recent match against the United States, Kohli's presence at the boundary line sparked a frenzy among the crowd. Fans erupted in enthusiastic cheers, chanting "10 rupay ki Pepsi, Kohli bhai s..y." The chants, a playful reference to a popular Indian snack, echoed through the stadium, creating a lively atmosphere.Not content with just one line of praise, the fans added another, declaring "Diwali ho ya Holi, Anushka loves Kohli." This affectionate tribute to Kohli's wife, Anushka Sharma, brought a smile to the star batsman's face. He waved to the crowd, acknowledging their love and support.Kohli's interactions with fans extend beyond the boundary ropes. He has often been seen dancing to tunes near the field, intervening to stop fans from booing other players, and encouraging them to cheer for Team India. These gestures have endeared him to fans worldwide, who appreciate his passion and dedication to the sport.On the field, Kohli's performance has been equally impressive. In the match against the United States, he played a crucial role in India's victory. Riding on Suryakumar Yadav's unbeaten half-century and left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh's career-best 4 for 9, Team India defeated the United States by seven wickets.With this win, Rohit Sharma's men secured their place in the Super Eights. Chasing a target of 111 in the Group A clash, India stumbled to 15-2 and then 44-3. However, Suryakumar (50) and Shivam Dube (31) formed an undefeated fourth-wicket partnership of 67 runs, securing a third consecutive victory for their team with 10 balls to spare.Kohli's contributions to Indian cricket, both on and off the field, have made him a true icon of the sport. His passion, dedication, and love for the game inspire fans and fellow players alike. As Team India continues its journey in the T20 World Cup, Kohli's presence will undoubtedly be a source of strength and motivation for the team.

Team India stars Rishabh Pant, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and their teammates enjoyed a memorable day off in New York City, engaging with enthusiastic children and creating lasting memories. The players, including Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube, Sanju Samson, Avesh Khan, Yuzvendra Chahal, Rinku Singh, and Kheleel Ahmed, reveled in the opportunity to relax and connect with the young fans. Head coach Rahul Dravid and fielding coach T Dilip accompanied the team, adding to the jovial atmosphere.Earlier, India's Consul General in New York, Binaya Srikanta Pradhan, hosted the team ahead of their match against co-hosts USA. Pradhan and the Indian diaspora in New York warmly welcomed the contingent led by skipper Rohit Sharma and head coach Dravid. BCCI president Roger Binny, vice president Rajeev Shukla, and secretary Jay Shah were also present, showcasing the support and camaraderie within the Indian cricket fraternity.Rohit Sharma and his team have maintained an impressive unbeaten streak in the tournament thus far, securing convincing victories over Ireland and Pakistan. Their eight-wicket triumph over Ireland and six-run win against Pakistan have solidified their position as a formidable force in the competition.The players' interaction with the children in New York highlighted their commitment to inspiring future generations of cricket enthusiasts. The young fans were thrilled to meet their idols and engage in playful activities, creating a heartwarming and memorable experience for all involved.

On the seam-friendly pitches of the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, Axar Patel's left-arm spin has taken a backseat to the pacers. However, Patel has emerged as a valuable asset with the bat. Promoted to No. 4 in the Pakistan outing on Sunday, he anchored the Indian innings with an 18-ball 20.Patel's primary task was to navigate the PowerPlay safely. By hanging around long enough to neutralize the new ball, he paved the way for the likes of Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, and Shivam Dube to bat with greater ease. "Rohit (Sharma) bhai has made it clear that the only fixed batting positions are those of the openers. Everything below that is flexible," Patel explained. "I got a brief—I don't have to slog wildly. The plan was to bat as long as possible and make the new ball a bit older. This would make it easier for batters coming after me."Patel's 39-run third-wicket partnership with Rishabh Pant proved crucial in the low-scoring affair. "The partnership with Rishabh was crucial. We got to a good position after 10 overs. We knew that batting second on this pitch would not be easy, so we remained positive even though we scored only 119," Patel said.Despite bowling only three overs in India's two matches, the 30-year-old left-arm spinner has made an impact. He trapped Usman Khan leg-before off the first ball he bowled and later tightened the screws on Pakistan by conceding just two runs in the 16th over. Left-hander Imad Wasim, expected to have it easy against a left-arm spinner, was beaten three times in a row. "Some pressure built up because I bowled a tidy over. There is not much in the wicket for the spinners. I did not want to let them free their arms and go for big shots," Patel said.

MS Dhoni's legacy continues to inspire players and fans worldwide, despite India's lack of major ICC trophies since his retirement. Australian legend Matthew Hayden, who played under Dhoni for three years at Chennai Super Kings, has heaped praise on the former Indian captain.Hayden, a member of Australia's dominant teams in the early 2000s, believes Dhoni could have easily led an Australian dressing room. "He believes that he is not bigger than anyone else," said Hayden. "He'll collect bags, he'll throw cricket balls."Hayden's compliments are particularly significant in light of recent incidents at the 2024 T20 World Cup. Australia's ODI World Cup-winning captain Pat Cummins was seen carrying drinks for his teammates in their T20 World Cup opener against Oman, despite not playing. Hayden believes Dhoni would have been equally selfless."He's a very humble individual," stated Hayden. "Dhoni finds a way to galvanise people, where it's nothing about ego, nothing about self-promotion."Chennai Super Kings face a daunting task in replacing Dhoni's leadership. Despite winning the title in 2023 under Dhoni's captaincy, CSK failed to qualify for the play-offs this season with Ruturaj Gaikwad at the helm."Dhoni will remain the iconic leader of CSK forever," said Hayden. "That's his charm, but also his X-factor."Team India continues to search for its first T20 World Cup title since 2007, when Dhoni led a young Indian team to victory. Dhoni's legacy as a selfless and inspiring leader serves as a reminder of the qualities needed to achieve success at the highest level.

India's Rohit Sharma Emphasizes Importance of Good Cricket Ahead of Pakistan ClashAs India gears up for its highly anticipated T20 World Cup match against Pakistan, captain Rohit Sharma has stressed the paramount importance of playing good cricket. Speaking ahead of the clash, Rohit emphasized that the team's focus should be on their own performance rather than being overly concerned about the opposition or the pitch conditions."We believe that playing good cricket holds the key, not opposition, not pitch," Rohit stated confidently. He highlighted the team's recent encounters with Pakistan in the Asia Cup and World Cup, noting that the familiarity between the two sides would make for a competitive match."Nothing changes, we played against them seven months back in Asia Cup and World Cup," he said.Rohit also addressed concerns about facing tough moments during the match, emphasizing the team's resilience and commitment to the collective cause. "We thrive in difficult moments. Blows are secondary, team cause is first," he said, referring to being hit during India's T20 World Cup opener against Ireland.Considering the influence of playing conditions, especially in New York where the match is scheduled, Rohit expressed his intention to adapt his game accordingly while maintaining a balanced approach. "I want to play my game in a balanced way, depending on conditions. Conditions do matter, especially in New York," he said.Rohit's emphasis on good cricket and the team's resilience bodes well for India as they prepare to face Pakistan in what is sure to be a thrilling encounter. The match promises to be a test of both teams' skills and mental fortitude, and Rohit's leadership will be crucial in guiding India to victory.