Cricket

Rohit Sharma Reassures Fans, Praises Pacers After India's T20 World Cup WinIndian cricket captain Rohit Sharma allayed concerns about his fitness after India's eight-wicket victory over Ireland in the 2024 T20 World Cup. Sharma, who retired hurt on 52 during the run-chase, said his arm was only slightly sore."It's a little sore, but nothing too serious," Sharma said at the post-match presentation ceremony. "I'll be fine for the next game."Sharma's injury scare had raised concerns among Indian fans, but his reassurance will come as a relief. The Indian skipper also praised his team's bowlers for their performance on a challenging pitch."The bowlers did a great job," Sharma said. "They bowled to their plans and made it difficult for the Irish batsmen to score."India's pacers shared nine of the 10 Irish wickets, with Hardik Pandya taking three, Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh claiming two each, and Mohammad Siraj chipping in with one."We knew the pitch was going to be difficult to bat on," Sharma said. "But our bowlers adapted well and executed their plans perfectly."Sharma also defended his decision to field four spinners in the squad, despite the pitch not being conducive to spin bowling."We wanted to have the balance in the team," Sharma said. "Spin will play a part later on in the tournament."India will face Pakistan in their next match on Sunday, June 9, on the same pitch. Pakistan will be coming from a game against USA in Dallas.Despite the challenging pitch, India's convincing performance with both bat and ball will give them a lot of confidence as they prepare to take on their arch-rivals.

India embarks on its T20 World Cup journey on Wednesday, carrying the weight of an 11-year ICC title drought. The Rohit Sharma-led team faces Ireland in their opening match at the Nassau County International Stadium in New York.Despite recent setbacks in knockout matches, head coach Rahul Dravid, who will step down after the tournament, expressed confidence in the team's performances. He acknowledged the team's inability to cross the final hurdle but emphasized their consistency and quality in major tournaments."We've played really well in these World Cup tournaments," Dravid said. "We've been consistent, making the semi-final in Australia and the final in the World Test Championship. In the 50-over World Cup, we had a great run and reached the final."Dravid urged his players to focus on their strengths and win matches rather than dwelling on the trophy jinx. "We haven't been able to get across the line in knockout games," he admitted. "We need to execute better in that last phase. But the important thing is to get into those positions and play good cricket on the day."Dravid's contract expires after the tournament, and the BCCI is reportedly considering former India batter Gautam Gambhir as his replacement.

Hardik Pandya's resurgence in the Indian blue jersey was a sight to behold as he played a pivotal role in India's T20 World Cup victory over Ireland. After enduring a tumultuous IPL 2024 season as Mumbai Indians skipper, Pandya showcased his versatility and effectiveness with the ball, claiming three crucial wickets.Pandya's fast-medium bowling proved to be a game-changer, with his precision and adaptability on a helpful track. He delivered 72 percent of his balls either on length or just short of good length, with 44 percent pitched on a good length to extract movement off the surface.The first wicket of Lorcan Tucker was a testament to Pandya's accuracy, as the ball tailed in and dislodged the middle stump. Curtis Campher fell victim to a delivery that pitched on length and seamed away, showcasing Pandya's ability to swing the ball.Pandya's return to form was a much-needed boost for skipper Rohit Sharma, who will rely on his versatility to balance the team combination in upcoming matches. The resounding cheer of approval from the crowd was a welcome change for Pandya, who had faced relentless trolling and booing during the IPL."It's always special to play for the country, WC is something I've been able to contribute," Pandya said during the innings break. "I really liked the first wicket. Generally, don't hit the stumps often, I have a tendency to bowl back of a length. But on this wicket, I needed to be a lot fuller to be in the game."Pandya's performance against Ireland underlined his importance to the Indian team, providing valuable support with the ball and offering a much-needed boost to his skipper. As India progresses through the T20 World Cup, Pandya's versatility and effectiveness will be crucial to their success.

India's 2024 T20 World Cup: A Critical Juncture for Title GloryFormer Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has underscored the significance of the 2024 T20 World Cup for Team India, asserting that merely reaching the semi-finals will not suffice as a measure of success. India's campaign commences on Wednesday with a Group A encounter against Ireland in New York.Chopra, in a YouTube video, highlighted the tournament as a golden opportunity for India to break their title drought on the global stage. "We've had numerous chances, but we haven't lived up to expectations," he said. "We won the inaugural edition in 2007, but since then, we've only reached the final once in 2014 and the semi-finals multiple times. But reaching the semi-finals is no longer a sign of victory."Chopra emphasized the imperative for Rohit Sharma's team to not only reach the finals but to emerge victorious, particularly for the senior players who may be playing their last World Cup. "India must finish on the podium to be successful," he stated. "Reaching the top two is the bare minimum. Things may not go your way in the final, but at least make it to the finals. This could be the last World Cup for many players, so they deserve to have the trophy in their hands."Chopra anticipates India to adopt a cautious approach with the bat, similar to their strategy in the 2022 T20 World Cup. "The strategy won't change much from last year," he said. "The conditions are similar, with the new ball moving a lot, especially in New York. Some pitches in the West Indies have also been slow."While Rohit Sharma may adopt an aggressive stance, Chopra believes the overall approach will be conservative, prioritizing consistency over fireworks. "Rohit might come in aggressively, but even he may not, as we're trying to bat long," he explained. "We won't look to score 60 runs in the first six overs every time. Against teams like Pakistan and Ireland, their new-ball attack is decent."

Indian cricket team captain Rohit Sharma expressed his frustration during a pre-match press conference on Tuesday when asked about a pitch invader during the recent warm-up match against Bangladesh. The incident took place at the Nassau County International Stadium, where Team India is set to play its opening matches of the T20 World Cup.Rohit appeared visibly irritated when an Indian journalist inquired about the pitch invasion incident from the June 1 game. "During the warm-up game, a fan had suddenly come on the ground. The way the security caught him, you were requesting him to take it easy. Can you tell us about the emotion at that time?" the reporter asked.Rohit promptly made his disappointment known, emphasizing that such incidents should not be encouraged or given undue attention. "Firstly, I would like to say that no one should intrude onto the ground. It is not right, and this question should not have been asked. We should not promote such behavior where people run onto the field. The security of the players is important, as is the security of the spectators. It is crucial for those sitting outside to understand that every country has rules and regulations, and it is essential to follow them. Enjoy the match from the stands, we have built such a beautiful stadium. There is no need to run onto the ground," Rohit responded.Rohit elaborated on the need to respect the rules and regulations of the host country, encouraging fans to enjoy the game from the stands without disrupting the play. The incident occurred during Bangladesh's chase in the warm-up match, when a spectator breached security to meet Rohit. The fan managed to hug the Indian captain before being tackled and handcuffed by two policemen. Rohit was seen requesting the security personnel to handle the fan gently and not hurt him.When asked if such incidents act as a distraction for the players, Rohit dismissed the concern, stating: "It is not a distraction, our focus is on other things. It is on the match, so such acts don't distract players." Team India is set to play their opening match of the T20 World Cup against Ireland on Wednesday, followed by a high-profile clash against Pakistan on June 9.

India's T20 World Cup Journey Begins with Rohit Sharma at the HelmAs India embarks on its month-long T20 World Cup campaign, skipper Rohit Sharma is determined to leave a lasting impression on American soil. With half of the tournament taking place in the United States, Rohit aims to create unforgettable memories for the Indian fans who have traveled far and wide to support their team.While Rohit remains cautious about setting unrealistic expectations, he acknowledges an unspoken driving force within him. The impending departure of coach Rahul Dravid has left a bittersweet taste in his mouth. "I tried to convince him to stay on, but he has his priorities," Rohit said, expressing his deep admiration for Dravid. "Our relationship extends far beyond that of coach and captain. He was my first international captain and has had a profound influence on my career."Rohit's emotional attachment to Dravid is evident, but he is keen to keep his focus on the task at hand. "We don't want to look too far ahead," he said, hinting at a desire to honor Dravid's legacy with a successful World Cup campaign.India's opening match against Ireland presents a unique challenge, as the two teams have limited familiarity with each other. Rohit emphasizes the importance of internal communication and execution of plans. "It doesn't matter what their strengths are," he said. "It's about what we do and how we play. If we can execute our plans, we should be fine."Rohit acknowledges the challenging conditions in the United States, which will make high-scoring matches like those seen in the Indian Premier League unlikely. "IPL-like scores won't be possible here," he said. "We need to communicate effectively and get the little details right."With a wealth of experience in the Indian dressing room, Rohit is confident that his team can overcome any obstacles. "There is a lot of experience in the dressing room, and I hope that experience comes to the fore," he said.As India prepares to take on Ireland, Rohit Sharma's determination and the desire to honor Rahul Dravid's legacy will serve as a powerful motivator. The team is eager to make a statement and create lasting memories for their passionate fans.

Rishabh Pant, India's star wicket-keeper batter, is determined to make a strong comeback after his horrific accident. During a practice session in New York ahead of the World Cup opener, Pant displayed an unwavering commitment to perfecting his hook shot.Despite the unpredictable pitch and uneven bounce, Pant spent over an hour practicing the hook, relentlessly requesting the throwdown expert to deliver bouncers. This meticulous preparation suggests that Pant may be promoted to the No. 3 position to maintain the left-right batting combination.Pant's determination was evident as he faced several bouncers that whizzed past his face. While top batters typically avoid such risks so close to a major tournament, Pant's unwavering spirit drove him to push his limits."Get it right, brother, I have to play bouncers," Pant demanded, even as the throwdown expert showed signs of fatigue. Despite being hit a few times, Pant remained undeterred.Pant's spectacular performance against Bangladesh on Saturday hinted at his readiness for the World Cup. His intense practice session on Tuesday further underscores his commitment to delivering a memorable performance for India.

Team India captain Rohit Sharma has set realistic expectations for fans regarding scoring at the Nassau County International Stadium, where the Men in Blue will play their first three group matches in the T20 World Cup.Addressing the media ahead of India's opening game against Ireland on Wednesday, Rohit emphasized that the surfaces at the venue will pose significant challenges for batters, unlike the high-scoring pitches of the IPL."Certainly it doesn't look like a place where you can score easily. So we've got to be a little mindful of that and see what best we can do. That is what the experience in the dressing room is all about and we have got a lot of that," Rohit stated.India's warm-up match against Bangladesh at the same venue, which they won by 60 runs, provided insights into the difficult batting conditions. Rohit pointed out the necessity of adapting quickly to these surfaces."We are all coming off playing in IPL where a lot of runs were scored, so it's important to have that balance, understand what is required here. It's certainly not going to be IPL kind of scores here, so we are very mindful of that and we just need to assess as quickly as possible and then bring your game into the picture," he added.The Indian skipper also highlighted the importance of finding the right team composition, particularly the balance between seamers and spinners. Reflecting on their match against Bangladesh, Rohit noted the effectiveness of spin on these pitches."When we played the game with Bangladesh, all three spinners bowled two overs. It wasn't that easy to hit them. And in yesterday's match (SA versus SL), the spinners also took wickets. No one knows the conditions," Rohit explained.As Team India prepares to face Ireland on Wednesday, the talk of breaking their ICC title drought since 2013 has resurfaced. Reflecting on this, Rohit stressed the importance of staying focused on the present."I have thought a lot about this thing. I am just going to go and play the way I can and get everyone together to play as a team. I will be focusing on that. Everyone in the team has their own way of dealing with tournaments like World Cup and I'm sure they'll take the right calls as well. But for me, it's important not to look too far ahead. Just think about what we need to do tomorrow, play the game well and then take it from there. Not think too much and put pressure on yourself," Rohit said.Following their opener against Ireland, India will take on arch-rivals Pakistan in New York on June 9.

Shivam Dube, India's versatile all-rounder, is poised to showcase his multifaceted abilities at the upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup. Despite limited bowling opportunities in the recent IPL, Dube has received assurances from the team management that his bowling skills will be utilized.Dube's bowling prowess was recognized during India's T20I series against Afghanistan in January, where he impressed the team's senior players. However, the Impact Player rule in the IPL restricted his chances to hone his all-round capabilities."Rahul bhai (Rahul Dravid) and Rohit bhai (Rohit Sharma) have told me that I might get to bowl 2-3 overs at any point," Dube revealed to Star Sports.Despite bowling only one over in the IPL, Dube made a positive impact by claiming a wicket. He acknowledged the need to improve his bowling and worked diligently in the nets.Dube's explosive batting, which saw him score 369 runs at a strike rate of 162.29 in the IPL, secured his place in the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup. His bowling skills now offer an additional dimension to the team, providing flexibility to include an extra batsman.Dube's inclusion in the playing XI could potentially lead to the omission of Axar Patel. Rohit Sharma's decision to select four spinners in the Indian squad, considering the slow tracks in the West Indies, could be influenced by Dube's handy off-spin.India, one of the favorites for the T20 World Cup, will begin their campaign on June 5 against Ireland. Dube's versatility and potential to contribute with both bat and ball will be a valuable asset for the team as they aim to lift the coveted trophy.