Cricket

India's batting stars are eager to break free from the constraints of the much-criticized drop-in pitch and unleash their full potential against an impressive but inexperienced USA team in their T20 World Cup group league match in New York on June 12. India, classified as A1, needs just one more win to secure their Super Eight berth. Despite the inconsistent nature of the Nassau County track, they are determined to avoid a repeat of their match against Pakistan, where they lost their last seven wickets for a mere 28 runs.Against USA, India's approach could be high-risk, similar to their strategy against Pakistan, but with potentially higher rewards. While their dreams of representing India remain unfulfilled, a spirited group of Indian Americans will take the field against their country of birth. Players like Saurabh Netravalkars and Harmeet Singhs will once again aim to be the proverbial David against the Goliaths of the game.Although the pitch has significantly reduced the gap between teams, the USA, a diverse mix of eight Indians, two Pakistanis, a West Indian, a New Zealander, a South African, and a Dutch player, may find the gulf with India too wide to bridge. They have not received significant airtime on American channels, nor have major newspapers devoted much attention to them, even after their Super Over victory over Pakistan. However, Wednesday could be the day when their adopted country takes note of their performance.Monank Patel, Harmeet, Netravalkar, Jessy Singh, and Noshtush Kenjige all have their own Indian stories to tell. While India boasts Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and Rishabh Pant in its ranks, the USA team's presence adds a touch of endearment to the match.It's not every day that one gets the opportunity to bowl at Kohli and Sharma or face Bumrah, even if it's far from a pleasant experience. But it's an experience nonetheless, and one that will last a lifetime. For India, it will be their last match in the 'Big Apple' extension, and one where they wouldn't mind batting first. If India bowls first, there's a high chance that USA might not be able to reach the three-figure mark against Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Ravindra Jadeja.There will be some beautiful and emotional subplots as well. If Netravalkar gets a chance to bowl to his former Mumbai teammate Suryakumar Yadav, with whom he played in Mumbai U-15, Ranji, and Vijay Hazare Trophy, it will be a special moment. "It will be an emotional moment to play against India and especially Surya as we go back a long way," Netravalkar said recently.For the two left-arm spinners Harmeet and Kenjige, the challenge of trying to keep Rishabh Pant quiet will be on a completely different level. Both Harmeet and Kenjige will try to maintain dart-like accuracy, but that could well be dismantled by Pant, who is sure to use his feet.For Ali Khan, his extra pace and the bounce he extracts from even benign surfaces would certainly provoke Rohit to use his pull shot frequently. There's Nitish Kumar, who could be cheeky with his shot selection and prove to be a thorn in India's flesh.In the first game, India's weakest link was Shivam Dube. The Chennai Super Kings' most valued 'Impact Player' is finding it tough on two-paced tracks where the ball is gripping and coming late onto the bat. But unlike tactician-par-excellence Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who could bench him during CSK's bowling in the IPL, national skipper Rohit Sharma doesn't have such luxury and needs to hide him in areas of the field where the ball is expected to travel less. Dube is a monstrous hitter of spinners on good flat decks, and his military medium seam-up stuff does give the Indian skipper cushion to maneuver with the bowling combination. But in a format like T20, the team management, which asked for Dube at the expense of Rinku Singh, would want him to come good. Else, there is Yashasvi Jaiswal in the 15, who is a way more rounded batter than the big-bodied Mumbaikar.Two wrist spinners, Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav, should be given some game time or else they might just enter the Super Eights a bit undercooked in the Caribbean where the pitches will be more spin-friendly.

Dale Steyn, the legendary South African fast bowler, recently found himself in an amusing situation during the T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and the Caribbean. While serving as a commentator for the tournament, Steyn encountered a member of the USA staff who, unaware of his identity, proceeded to give him bowling tips.The hilarious incident was captured on video and shared by Steyn on his Instagram account, quickly going viral on social media. In the video, the USA staff member can be seen instructing Steyn on how to keep his arm straight before delivering the ball. Steyn, known for his humility, patiently listens to the advice.Despite being a retired international cricketer, Steyn still displayed impressive pace in his delivery. However, his next ball crashed into the stumps, prompting further advice from the USA staff member. Steyn turned to the camera with a sarcastic smile, relaying the advice: "It's supposed to bounce before it hits the ground."Steyn's encounter highlights the growing popularity of cricket in the United States. The USA is co-hosting the 2024 T20 World Cup, marking its first appearance on the global stage. The tournament has witnessed some exciting matches, including South Africa's dominant victory over Sri Lanka and the USA's stunning Super Over win against Pakistan.Steyn's presence at the tournament adds to the star power, with both India and Pakistan competing in the same group. The American crowd will have the opportunity to witness some of the greatest cricketers in action.

Pakistan's Tactical Blunders Cost Them in Shock Defeat to USAFormer Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh has criticized Pakistan's tactical shortcomings in their surprising defeat to T20 World Cup debutants USA. Pakistan, after setting a target of 160, failed to defend it, leading to a Super Over where they ultimately fell short.Yuvraj questioned Pakistan's decision to exclude Fakhar Zaman from the strike during the crucial Super Over. "I don't understand why dint @FakharZamanLive take strike to a lefty seamer - when it is easier for a left hander to hit through the angle that bowler is tryin to create," Yuvraj posted on Twitter.Yuvraj also praised the USA's smart decisions under pressure, particularly captain Monank Patel's leadership. He emphasized that Pakistan's upcoming match against India is now a must-win.Pakistan captain Babar Azam expressed disappointment in his team's failure to capitalize during the powerplay and middle overs. "First 6 overs while batting we didn't capitalise. Back to back wickets always put you on the back foot, as a batter you need to step up and build partnerships. We were not up to the mark in the first 6 overs with the ball. Our spinners also did not take wickets in the middle overs so these things cost us," Babar stated after the loss.Pakistan's next challenge is against arch-rivals India in a high-stakes T20 World Cup Group A match on Sunday in New York.

Pakistan's T20 World Cup campaign got off to a disastrous start with a shock Super Over defeat to USA, leaving captain Babar Azam visibly shaken and disappointed. Azam admitted that his team had underestimated their opponents, leading to a lackluster performance across all aspects of the game.Azam's post-match comments reflected the collective disappointment and frustration within the Pakistani camp. He acknowledged that the team's complacency had cost them dearly in a crucial tournament opener. However, his public criticism of his players did not go well with former Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik.Karthik believes that a skipper should find ways to support his players, even in the face of adversity. He argued that Azam's comments in the press conference would undoubtedly demoralize the players ahead of their high-octane encounter against arch-rivals India on Sunday."As a leader, you need to find a way to be diplomatic in press conferences, somehow find a way to back your players," Karthik told Cricbuzz. "Inside the four walls of the dressing room, you can say what you want and have a go at a few people, but you need to find a way to back your players."Karthik pointed out that Azam's comments in the press conference would undoubtedly demoralize the players ahead of their high-octane encounter against arch-rivals India on Sunday."I fear Pakistan players reading it, which they will be, will feel he's 'letting us down'," Karthik said. "The way he's conducted himself at the field, having a go after the boundaries or his shoulders dropping, isn't a sign of a good leader."Karthik believes that Azam needs to find a way to find body language to suggest he's fine with whatever's happening, and they can come around. "Yes, showing disappointment is fine, but there's a way to show it where the players don't get even more nervous than they already are," he said.

Nitish Kumar: A Rising Star in Cricket and PoliticsThe name Nitish Kumar has become synonymous with success in both the political and cricketing arenas. In the recent T20 World Cup 2024, the USA cricketer Nitish Kumar played a pivotal role in his team's victory against Pakistan, while his namesake in Indian politics, Nitish Kumar, emerged as a key figure in the formation of the central government.USA's Nitish Kumar: A Cricketing ProdigyBorn in Scarborough, Ontario, Nitish Kumar began his cricketing journey with Canada, representing the country in various tournaments, including the Under-15s and Under-19 World Cup qualifiers. He made history as the youngest player to debut for Canada in a first-class match and the second-youngest to feature in an ODI match.In 2011, Nitish became the youngest player to play in the ODI World Cup, where he was Canada's top-scoring batter in the qualifying stage. He also emerged as the second-highest run-scorer in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers.At the age of 30, Nitish switched allegiance to the USA, seeking more opportunities to play cricket. He made his T20 World Cup debut for the USA in 2024, becoming the latest player to represent two countries in the tournament.India's Nitish Kumar: A Political HeavyweightNitish Kumar, the Indian politician, has been a prominent figure in Bihar politics for over two decades. He has served as the Chief Minister of Bihar multiple times and is known for his development initiatives and focus on good governance.In the recent Lok Sabha elections, Nitish Kumar's party, the Janata Dal (United), played a crucial role in the formation of the central government. His support was instrumental in ensuring a stable majority for the ruling coalition.Parallels Between the Two Nitish KumarsThe rise of both Nitish Kumars has drawn comparisons between the cricketing and political worlds. Both individuals have demonstrated determination, resilience, and a commitment to excellence in their respective fields.Just as the USA's Nitish Kumar played a key role in his team's victory against Pakistan, India's Nitish Kumar is seen as a stabilizing force in the country's political landscape. Both men have shown that they are capable of making a significant impact in their chosen spheres.

Australia, the reigning Test and ODI World Champions, embark on their quest to become the first team to hold all three major cricket titles simultaneously as they face Oman in their T20 World Cup opener. The Aussies boast a wealth of experience, with several veterans preparing for their international farewell.Despite their T20 trophy drought ending in 2021, Australia failed to progress beyond the group stage on home soil last year. However, they possess an abundance of match-winners, including newly-appointed skipper Mitchell Marsh, who will be crucial at No. 3. Travis Head, the star performer in the WTC and ODI World Cup finals, is also in red-hot form.Australia may experiment with their lineup during the group stage to find their optimal XI. Leg-spinner Adam Zampa and left-arm spinner Ashton Agar are expected to play key roles, while the pace attack will be led by the reliable trio of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood.Oman, on the other hand, lost their opening game to Namibia. While their bowlers performed admirably, their batters need to step up to pull off an upset against the mighty Australians.In the day's other match, Pakistan, last edition's runners-up, face co-hosts USA. Despite being favorites on paper, Pakistan's recent form has raised concerns. They lost a T20I in Ireland and suffered a 0-2 defeat in England.Pakistan's preparations have been chaotic, with changes in captaincy, top-order shuffling, and players coming out of retirement. Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan are their most consistent performers, but their strike rate has been a concern.However, Pakistan is known for its unpredictability and can surprise or implode at any moment. They will rely heavily on their fiery pace department, featuring Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, and Mohammad Amir.USA will be confident after their seven-wicket win over Canada in the tournament opener.The third match of the day pits Papua New Guinea against Uganda. PNG impressed against the West Indies, while Uganda suffered a heavy defeat to Afghanistan. PNG will fancy their chances, while Uganda will aim to improve their batting and fielding to register their first-ever T20 World Cup win.

Pat Cummins, the Australian Test and ODI captain, has made a groundbreaking move by signing a four-year contract with the San Francisco Unicorns of Major League Cricket (MLC). This marks a significant departure for Cummins, who has previously only played in the Indian Premier League (IPL) overseas and has not featured in Australia's Big Bash League since 2018-19.Cummins' decision to join the MLC is a testament to the growing stature of the league and the potential of cricket in the United States. "MLC is developing at a rapid rate, and the US market potential is huge for cricket," Cummins said. "While cricket is integral to my involvement, the global network and long-term possibilities offered by the owners specifically, and Silicon Valley more broadly, presented a unique opportunity for me and my life beyond cricket."The MLC is set to take place from July 6 to 29 this year, and Cummins' availability for Australia's tour of the West Indies in June-July next year remains uncertain. However, he does not lead in T20I cricket, so his participation in the MLC could be possible.Cummins will be joined at the San Francisco Unicorns by fellow Australian Jake Fraser-McGurk. Other high-profile signings for the 2024 MLC season include Shakib Al Hasan (Los Angeles Knight Riders), David Miller (Los Angeles Knight Riders), Anrich Nortje (MI New York), Romario Shepherd (MI New York), Aiden Markram (Texas Super Kings), Daryl Mitchell (Texas Super Kings), Nandre Burger (Seattle Orcas), and Obed McCoy (Seattle Orcas).In its second season, the MLC has acquired List A status from the ICC, making it an official T20 league with records counting towards official T20 statistics. This is a significant step for the league and further enhances its credibility.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has released additional tickets for highly anticipated matches in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024, including the blockbuster clash between India and Pakistan on June 9. The tournament, co-hosted by the USA and West Indies, has witnessed an overwhelming demand for tickets, prompting the ICC to make more available."Following a thrilling opening weekend, we are delighted to release additional tickets for key matches," said the ICC in a statement. "This includes a selection of General Admission tickets for the India-Pakistan encounter in New York."The ICC has collaborated with partners to ensure that as many fans as possible can experience the historic event. Additional tickets have also been released for other categories in Texas and Florida, the other two venues hosting matches in the USA."We have worked diligently to make these tickets available and provide fans with the opportunity to witness the world's best cricketers in action," said ICC Head of Events Chris Tetley. "We encourage fans to act quickly to secure their tickets for these unforgettable matches."India will kick off their World Cup campaign against Ireland on Wednesday before facing Pakistan on Sunday, both matches to be played at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium. The tournament promises to be a spectacle of cricket, with fans eager to witness the rivalry between India and Pakistan and the skills of the world's top players.

The 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup has officially commenced, marking the ninth edition of the prestigious tournament and the first major ICC event to be hosted in the United States. The tournament, which will span 29 days, features an expanded format with 20 teams competing for the coveted title.For fans in Asia, the time difference with the US will present a unique challenge, as matches will be played at times that may not be convenient for their viewing schedules. However, the excitement and anticipation surrounding the tournament is palpable, especially among fans of the USA and Canada, who will witness their teams take on the world's best in their own backyard.The opening match of the tournament pits the neighboring nations of the USA and Canada against each other, setting the stage for a thrilling start to the competition. The tournament will feature a round-robin format in the group stage, followed by a knockout phase for the top teams.The United States, as the host nation, will be eager to make a strong impression on the world stage. Led by captain Monank Patel, the team boasts a blend of experienced players and rising stars. Canada, on the other hand, will be looking to build on their recent success in international cricket. With a talented squad led by captain Navneet Dhaliwal, they will be determined to make a mark in the tournament.The 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup promises to be a captivating spectacle of cricket, showcasing the skills and talents of the world's best players. With the tournament being held in the United States for the first time, it is expected to attract a global audience and further popularize the sport in the region.