Cricket

The Indian blind cricket team's participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup in Pakistan has been denied by the Indian government due to security concerns. The team was scheduled to cross the Wagah border on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, for the event, which is set to take place from November 23 to December 3.The Indian blind cricket team had received a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the sports ministry for participation but was unable to obtain clearance from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). According to Shailendra Yadav, General Secretary of the Indian Blind Cricket Association (IBCA), the team was unofficially informed that they would not be permitted to travel to Pakistan."We have been told unofficially that the blind team will not be permitted to travel to Pakistan. We were scheduled to travel to Wagah border tomorrow. But as of now no clearance has come from the ministry officials. So, we are a bit disappointed," Yadav said.Yadav expressed frustration over the late notice of the decision, stating that the team could have been informed earlier. "They are saying when the mainstream cricket team is not safe how can you be safe there. Of course, we will accept the decision, but why hold the decision till the last minute, why not inform us a month or 25 days back. There is a process," Yadav added.The Indian government's decision has drawn criticism from the blind cricket community. Former Indian blind cricket captain Ajay Reddy expressed his disappointment, saying that the team had been preparing for the World Cup for a long time. "We are very disappointed. We have been preparing for this World Cup for a long time. We had a good chance of winning the title. But now our dreams have been shattered," Reddy said.The Indian blind cricket team is one of the strongest in the world, having won the T20 World Cup twice in 2012 and 2017. The team was also the runner-up in the 2015 World Cup.The T20 World Cup for the Blind is an international cricket tournament for blind and visually impaired cricketers. The tournament is organized by the World Blind Cricket Council (WBCC) and is held every four years. The first T20 World Cup for the Blind was held in 2012 in India.

Rahul Dravid, the legendary Indian cricketer, recently bid farewell to his role as head coach of Team India. During his tenure, Dravid emphasized the importance of continuity and stability within the team, while also striving to be a supportive figure for captain Rohit Sharma.Dravid's coaching stint culminated in India's triumph at the T20 World Cup in Barbados, where they defeated South Africa to lift the trophy for the second time since 2007. Reflecting on his time as coach, Dravid expressed his belief in the value of continuity, stating that excessive chopping and changing can create instability and hinder team development."I'm someone who actually likes continuity and don't like to chop and change too many things because I believe that creates a lot of instability and doesn't create very good environment," Dravid said.Dravid also highlighted the importance of fostering a positive and supportive environment within the team, where players feel comfortable taking risks and expressing themselves. He emphasized the need to create a safe and secure atmosphere that encourages growth and development."I feel that I am a part of the team whose responsibility is to create the right professional, safe, secure environment that doesn't really have a fear of failure as such but is challenging enough to push people. That has always been my endeavour," Dravid said.During his tenure, Dravid faced the challenge of managing a large number of captains due to the COVID-19 pandemic and injuries. He worked with five or six different captains in the first eight to ten months of his coaching stint, which he described as an unexpected but organic development.Under Dravid's guidance, India achieved notable successes, including a Test series victory over England at home and reaching the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup. The pandemic, while posing challenges, also provided opportunities for young players to gain experience in the international arena."The other thing that happened, which was very nice to see is, because we played so much of cricket after Covid and we had to cram in a lot of series, it meant that we had to almost, at times, have two teams playing at the same time in different parts of the world," Dravid said.Dravid's relationship with Indian stalwarts like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli dates back to his playing days. He expressed his admiration for Sharma's growth as a leader and his contributions to the team. He also praised Kohli's professionalism and unwavering desire to improve."I've really enjoyed working with Rohit, someone I knew as a young boy. Just to see him grow as a person and grow as a leader in Indian cricket, what someone like him has been able to contribute to the team over the last 10-12 years, both as a player and now as a leader, has been a real tribute to him and the effort that he's put in," Dravid said.Dravid emphasized the importance of focusing on the process rather than solely on results. He believed that by creating a positive and supportive environment, and by focusing on the fundamentals of the game, the team would ultimately achieve success."For me that's (results), of course it's important. I keep saying and people think, 'Oh, I think result are not important'. Of course, results are important," Dravid said."I'm in the business to produce results. But it's always like, as a coach, to think about what is it that I can control to help the results and at the end of the day our responsibility should be to try and help the captain deliver his vision and his philosophy of how he wants the team to play."Dravid's departure from the coaching role marks the end of an era for Indian cricket. His legacy will be defined by his emphasis on continuity, stability, and the development of a positive and supportive team environment.

Batting legend Vivian Richards, a revered figure in the cricketing world, recently visited the Indian team's dressing room and expressed his unwavering support for Rohit Sharma and his men. Richards, who is known for his aggressive batting style and charismatic personality, shared his insights and offered words of encouragement to the Indian squad.During his visit, Richards witnessed India's impressive victory over Bangladesh in the Super Eights match at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium. After the match, he presented the fielding medal to Suryakumar Yadav for his brilliant catch in the outfield. Richards also took the opportunity to commend "pocket rocket" Rishabh Pant on his return to action after a challenging period.Richards' presence in the dressing room was met with great enthusiasm by the Indian players. He shared his admiration for the team's current form and expressed his belief that they have the potential to win the T20 World Cup. "If the guys in maroon don't get it done, I will be backing you," Richards declared, referring to the West Indies team.Richards' visit not only boosted the morale of the Indian team but also highlighted the strong bond between the two cricketing nations. The West Indian legend has always been a vocal supporter of Indian cricket, and his words of encouragement will undoubtedly inspire the team as they navigate the challenges of the tournament.India currently sits atop their group with 4 points from two games and a healthy net run rate. They will next face Australia in their final Super Eights clash, a match that will determine their fate in the tournament. With Richards' support behind them, the Indian team will be confident in their ability to overcome any obstacles and emerge victorious.

Afghanistan's stunning 21-run victory over Australia in the Super Eight stage of the Twenty20 World Cup has reignited their hopes of reaching the semi-finals. The win was orchestrated by a brilliant opening partnership between Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Ibrahim Zadran, who shared a 118-run stand to set the platform for a competitive total of 148-6.Gurbaz and Zadran dominated the Australian bowlers in the early overs, showcasing crisp batting and aggressive running. Their partnership put pressure on the Australians, who made uncharacteristic fielding errors under the lights at the Arnos Vale Ground. Gurbaz reached his half-century before being dismissed for 60, while Zadran contributed 51.Australia's chase got off to a disastrous start as Naveen-ul-Haq dismissed Travis Head for a duck in the opening over. Mitchell Marsh and David Warner also fell cheaply, leaving the Australians struggling at 32-3. The explosive Glenn Maxwell provided some hope with a battling 59 off 41 balls, but his dismissal by Gulbadin Naib sealed the fate of the former champions.Naib emerged as the pick of the Afghan bowlers, claiming 4-20, while Naveen-ul-Haq bagged 3-20. Pat Cummins, who had taken two hat-tricks in the tournament, became the first bowler to take two hat-tricks in a single T20 World Cup. However, his efforts were not enough to prevent Australia's defeat.The win keeps Afghanistan alive in the tournament, with India and Australia still in contention for the semi-finals. India currently tops Group 1 with four points, followed by Australia and Afghanistan with two points each. Bangladesh remains in last place with no points.India and Australia will face off in St. Lucia on Monday, while Afghanistan will play Bangladesh in the final Super Eight match later that day.

The highly anticipated Super Eights clash between an undefeated India and a struggling Bangladesh in the T20 World Cup promises to be a captivating encounter. The two South Asian rivals have a long history of on-field rivalry and off-field drama, adding an extra layer of intrigue to this crucial match.India, a formidable cricketing power, enters the game with a professional performance against Afghanistan in their opening Super Eights match. However, the team's batting stars, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, have yet to deliver defining knocks. Shivam Dube, who was expected to provide power-hitting in the middle and death overs, has also failed to impress.Bangladesh, on the other hand, finds themselves in a must-win situation after their loss to Australia. Their batting has been a major concern throughout the tournament, with openers Litton Das and Tanzid Khan underperforming. The lack of power-hitters is also hurting their chances.Despite their struggles, Bangladesh has shown resilience in the past. They will need to find a way to tackle India's formidable bowling attack, led by the sensational Jasprit Bumrah. The pacers, led by Mustafizur Rahman, have done alright, but leg-spinner Rishad Hossain needs more support in the spin department.The match is expected to be a close contest, with both teams desperate for a victory. India will be looking to solidify their position as a title contender, while Bangladesh will be fighting to keep their hopes alive. The outcome of this clash could have a significant impact on the tournament standings and the eventual winner.

India's journey through the Group A stage of the T20 World Cup 2024 in the United States was a tale of resilience and tactical brilliance. The team's opening match against Ireland was a straightforward affair, but the subsequent clash against arch-rivals Pakistan tested their mettle.Recognizing the challenging conditions on the New York pitch, India employed clever tactics. They promoted Axar Patel up the batting order to provide stability, while Jasprit Bumrah was brought back into the attack at a crucial juncture to neutralize Pakistan's momentum. These strategic moves proved effective, as India secured a hard-fought victory.The match against the United States was a gritty affair, with India digging deep to overcome a determined opposition. However, a washout in the final group match against Canada left the team disappointed. The Central Broward Park & Broward County Stadium was expected to host a shortened game, but the outfield remained unfit for play due to inadequate ground coverage.India's batting coach, Vikram Rathour, expressed his frustration at the lack of match practice. He emphasized the importance of getting a game ahead of the Super 8 stage in the West Indies, especially considering Virat Kohli's poor form. Kohli, who has managed only five runs in three outings, was expected to find his rhythm in the West Indies, where pitches are more conducive to batting.Rathour, however, expressed confidence in Kohli's ability to bounce back. He stated that Kohli is "hungrier than ever" to prove his worth and is eager to make a significant contribution to the team's success.

England's defense of their Twenty20 World Cup title remained alive after a hard-fought victory over Namibia in a rain-affected match on June 15. The match, which was reduced to 11 overs and then 10 overs due to persistent showers, saw England rally to a score of 122-5 before restricting Namibia to 84-3.England's innings was anchored by Harry Brook, who remained unbeaten on 47 off 20 balls. Jonny Bairstow also contributed with 31 off 18 balls, while Moeen Ali and Liam Livingstone provided late impetus with 21 runs off the final over.Namibia's chase was led by Michael van Lingen, who scored 33 off 29 balls before retiring hurt. David Wiese, who had earlier taken two wickets for 12 runs, chipped in with 27 off 12 balls, but it was not enough to prevent England from securing a 41-run victory.The result meant that England advanced to the Super Eight stage of the tournament, where they will face Afghanistan on Thursday in Barbados. India, who had already qualified for the Super Eight as the Group A winner, had their match against Canada abandoned without a ball bowled due to a wet outfield.

In the opening match of the T20 World Cup 2024, two-time champions West Indies restricted Papua New Guinea to a modest 136 for eight in Georgetown on June 2. Despite the gulf in experience and skill, PNG's Sese Bau put up a spirited fight with a fine half-century.PNG, playing in their second T20 World Cup, were reeling at 50 for four before Bau (50 off 43 balls) shared a 44-run stand with Charles Amini (12) to salvage their innings. Expecting the pitch to turn, the West Indies opted for three spinners and put PNG in to bat after winning the toss.The spinners made an early impact, with Akeal Hosein removing Tony Ura in the first over. Romario Shepherd then dismissed Lega Siaka, while Alzarri Joseph sent back PNG skipper Assad Vala (21 off 22 balls). Vala had shown some promise with a couple of crisp hits before being caught by Roston Chase at backward point.Bau then took charge, smashing left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie for a six and a couple of fours to give PNG's innings some momentum. After his departure, the associate nation did well to reach close to the 140-run mark.In reply, the West Indies chased down the target with ease, reaching 137 for two in 17.2 overs. Brandon King (52 off 35 balls) and Kyle Mayers (43 off 30 balls) led the charge with fluent half-centuries.

India's T20 World Cup Preparations Intensify with Warm-Up Match Against BangladeshAs the countdown to the ICC Twenty20 World Cup 2024 draws near, the Indian cricket team has arrived in New York to acclimatize to the conditions and fine-tune their preparations. Skipper Rohit Sharma emphasized the importance of getting used to the pitch and conditions ahead of their tournament opener against Ireland on June 5.India's lone warm-up match before the marquee event will be against Bangladesh on June 1. This game will provide the team with a crucial opportunity to test the nature of the pitch and overall conditions. It is also significant because India's matches will start at 10.30 AM local time, requiring the players to adjust to day-time matches after playing under lights in the IPL for the past two months."We're looking to understand the conditions more importantly (before the tournament proper) as we haven't been here before," Rohit told ICC. He stressed the need for his side to get into a "rhythm" before the real action starts, using this warm-up match as a springboard.The challenge for the Indians will be to adapt to the drop-in turf, something they don't encounter often in international cricket. "It's just about getting into that rhythm of getting the feel of the ground, pitch and stuff like that," Rohit said.Bangladesh skipper Najmul Hossain Shanto also expressed his excitement about the warm-up match, despite Bangladesh's recent shocking series defeat against the USA. He praised the excellent construction of the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, noting that it looks "crazy" and "feels great."The warm-up match is expected to draw a large crowd, as fans in New York are eager to witness the World Cup action. Rohit expressed his hope that the stadium will be packed for their matches. "People in New York will be very interested in coming and watching the World Cup, as it is happening for the first time here," he said.