Cricket

Former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has expressed confidence in the Indian cricket team's ability to win the T20 World Cup final against South Africa, despite Virat Kohli's recent struggles with form.Kohli, who has been a key player for India in the past, has only managed to score 75 runs in seven matches during the tournament, averaging just 10.71. However, Manjrekar believes that the team's overall performance is more important than individual form."Not really concerned about Virat Kohli's form because the team's form is far more important," Manjrekar said. "India has discovered a new template, the modern template of playing T20 cricket, and it's paying rich dividends so far."India has won all of its matches in the tournament so far, and Manjrekar believes that the team's new approach could lead to a World Cup victory."Of course, India can lift the World Cup 2024," Manjrekar said. "India has discovered a new template, the modern template of playing T20 cricket, and it's paying rich dividends so far."Manjrekar also identified South Africa's fast bowlers and top-order batsmen as potential threats to India in the final."I would say one of the fast bowlers, either Anrich Nortje or Rabada," Manjrekar said. "In batting Quinton De Kock for sure."India will be looking to win its first ICC World Cup since 2011, and Manjrekar believes that the team has a good chance of doing so."India's journey to the final has been marked by a fearless approach under Rohit Sharma's leadership," Manjrekar said. "This newfound strategy could end India's hiatus from ICC World Cup victories."

The Indian cricket team has secured its progression into the T20 World Cup 2024 semi-finals, with a resounding victory against the mighty Australians. Riding on Rohit Sharma's 92 off 41 balls, India bagged a 24-run win to set up semi-finals date with England.While there were plenty of positives from the game against Australia, there were some negatives too, especially the poor form of Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja. India great Sunil Gavaskar, who has given his 2 cents on Virat time and again, suggested that Jadeja's place in the team shouldn't even be questioned.Jadeja, who is a marquee all-rounder, with ability to deliver with the bat, the ball and in field, has been going through a barren run for a while. However, Gavaskar feels that the fact that Jadeja saved 20-30 runs in the field, shouldn't be overlooked just because he hasn't been able to deliver with the bat and the ball."I am not at all concerned as he is very experienced. For whatever opportunities he's got, he's done well. And don't forget, in the field itself, he saved 20 to 30 runs with his fielding ability, taking catches, and getting the run out. So don't forget those 20-30 plus runs. Then he enters the field, with anything that he does with the bat and ball is an added value to his ability.""So I don't think we should even think about questioning (Jadeja). The problem with India and Indian fans is, 2 bad games and you go 'what to do with him, what to do with him?'," Gavaskar said on Star Sports.Gavaskar gave a sharp reply to fans asking whether the all-rounder deserves a place in India's XI, suggesting questions aren't raised of people make a couple of errors in other professions."You know that is the worry. Nobody who asks these questions even thinks about their own professions, whether they have made 2 errors and whether people are questioning their place in their own profession, whichever profession they are. This is just simply a good topic for television, you don't question Jadeja's place in the playing XI. He's a rock star," Gavaskar further added.Against Australia, Jadeja scored an unbeaten 9 off 5 balls. With the ball, he bowled only 1 over as Glenn Maxwell looked to take him to the cleaners.

India's T20 World Cup campaign has been a resounding success, with the team remaining undefeated heading into the final against South Africa. Captain Rohit Sharma has been a key contributor with 248 runs, while pacers Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah have been equally impressive with 15 and 13 wickets respectively.However, one area of concern for India has been the form of Virat Kohli, who has managed just 75 runs in seven matches. Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif believes that Kohli has the potential to turn his fortunes around in the final.Kaif drew parallels between Kohli's current situation and that of Mahendra Singh Dhoni in the 2011 ODI World Cup. Dhoni had also struggled for form during the tournament but played a match-winning knock in the final."Virat Kohli needs to remember that even Dhoni didn't have a great World Cup in 2011 but he found form in the final," Kaif said. "He is too good a player to slog, he can play ball on merit and dominate any bowling attack."Kaif suggested that Kohli should focus on playing the ball on merit and avoid slogging. He also emphasized the importance of Kohli playing until the end of the innings."He should play the ball on merit with proper cricket shots, he should not slog by exposing his wickets," Kaif said. "He's a great player. Players like Hardik Pandya, Rohit Sharma, and Suryakumar Yadav should play fast and Virat Kohli should play till the end the full 20 overs and play the ball on merit."Kohli has been dismissed without scoring twice in this tournament, his worst-ever performance in six T20 World Cups. India will be hoping that he can rediscover his form in the final and help them end their 11-year trophy drought in global cricket competitions.

Virat Kohli, the talismanic Indian batter, has endured a disappointing run in the ongoing T20 World Cup, with a string of single-digit scores in seven outings. This has raised concerns about his suitability for the shortest format of the game.Kohli, known for his dominance and consistency, has struggled to adapt to the bowler-friendly conditions in the United States and West Indies. The opening batsman has been uncharacteristically aggressive, attempting wild swings and failing to play late on sticky surfaces.His dismissal against England, where he was bowled after walking down the track and heaving across the line, highlighted his struggles. Kohli's inability to adjust his batting style has led to questions about his effectiveness in T20 cricket.However, head coach Rahul Dravid remains optimistic about Kohli's form. "I don't want to jinx it, but I think there's a big one coming up," Dravid said after India's semifinal victory over England.Kohli's return to form is crucial for India's chances in the final against Pakistan on Sunday. In the previous edition of the tournament, Kohli played a memorable knock against Pakistan, silencing critics who doubted his ability in T20 cricket.To regain his old form, Kohli needs to revert to his strengths of timing and neat batsmanship. These qualities were evident in his match-winning innings against Pakistan in the previous edition. Only a repeat performance can silence critics and prove his worth in the shortest format of the game.

India's T20 World Cup semi-final against England proved to be another disappointing outing for star batter Virat Kohli, who once again failed to deliver a substantial performance. Batting first, India made a promising start with skipper Rohit Sharma and Kohli showing some intent. However, England pacer Reece Topley quickly struck, dismissing Kohli for nine in the third over of the innings. This marked Kohli's fifth single-digit score at the ongoing T20 World Cup, setting a new career low for the right-handed batter.Kohli's dismissal was particularly significant as it was the first time he had failed to score a half-century in a T20 World Cup knockout match. In previous knockout matches, Kohli had scored 72* off 44 balls against South Africa in the 2014 semi-finals, 77* off 58 balls against Sri Lanka in the 2014 final, 89* against West Indies in the 2016 semi-finals, and 50 against England in the 2022 semi-finals.The match was eventually interrupted by rain, with India reaching 65 for two in eight overs. Skipper Rohit and Suryakumar Yadav were batting on 37 and 13 respectively when the heavens opened up. Sent into bat after the start of the match was delayed by more than an hour, India lost Kohli early and Rishabh Pant cheaply, but Rohit remained positive and kept England on their toes with regular boundaries.Kohli's dismissal came as a blow to India's hopes of posting a competitive total. The right-handed batter has been struggling for form throughout the tournament, and his latest failure will raise further questions about his place in the team. With India's hopes of reaching the final now hanging in the balance, the team will need to find a way to overcome Kohli's poor form and produce a strong performance in the second half of the innings.

As the sun sets on this Saturday afternoon in Barbados, Indian fans eagerly anticipate a memorable performance from Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in what could be their final T20I appearance for India. The nation yearns to see these two cricketing greats unite in a triumphant dance, leaving behind the heartbreaking memories of the ODI World Cup loss last year.The BCCI and national selectors recognize that the time has come for a new era in Indian cricket, with the 2026 T20 World Cup on the horizon. The Zimbabwe series next month will likely mark the beginning of this transition, as the core team for the upcoming global event must be established well in advance. Rohit, Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja, despite their immense contributions, may not fit into the long-term plans due to their age.While the sensitive topic of retirement looms, the focus remains firmly on the final. A victory against South Africa would serve as a fitting culmination to the illustrious careers of Rohit and Kohli in the shortest format. They will continue to be an integral part of the IPL, where they remain iconic figures alongside Mahendra Singh Dhoni.For Kohli, securing the T20 World Cup trophy would complete a remarkable cycle, having already won the 2011 ODI World Cup and the 2013 Champions Trophy. The decision to bid farewell to the format may come swiftly, as it did for Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara following their 2014 T20 World Cup victory against India.Kohli and Rohit, with their combined 8334 T20I runs, six centuries, 69 fifties, and 119 catches, represent the last bridge between the old and new generations of Indian cricket. This trophy would be a fitting testament to their legacy, rightfully belonging to them as they stand tall among the greats who came before them.The anguish in Kohli's eyes after his dismissal against England was palpable, and those who dare to dismiss the 'King' from the final do so at their own risk. For Rohit, despite his assertions of moving on and healed wounds, he yearns for closure.Had India emerged victorious in the 2023 ODI World Cup, Rohit's desperation to participate in this T20 World Cup edition would have been significantly diminished. He seeks closure in terms of white-ball global triumph, and a T20 World Cup victory would provide him with that.Rohit's popularity is genuine and organic. While Dhoni was revered as 'Mahi bhai' by his juniors and Kohli earned respect through his immense on-field achievements, Rohit receives pure, unadulterated love from both peers and juniors alike.Together, Rohit and Virat have witnessed the highs and lows of Indian cricket for over a decade. And fortunately for Rohit and Kohli, they have nothing left to prove. If Saturday truly marks their last appearance in a T20 international, the void they leave behind will be challenging to fill, not only in terms of quality but also, and perhaps more significantly, on an emotional level.

Virat Kohli's disappointing run in the T20 World Cup continued in the semi-final against England, as the star batter was dismissed for a mere 9 runs. This marked yet another single-digit dismissal for Kohli in the tournament, leaving fans and experts alike questioning his form.Kohli's struggles in the knockout stages of the T20 World Cup stand in stark contrast to his impressive record in the group stages. In previous editions of the tournament, Kohli has consistently delivered match-winning performances in the semi-finals. However, in this year's edition, he has failed to replicate his past heroics.In 2014, Kohli played a pivotal role in India's victory over South Africa, scoring an unbeaten 72 off 44 balls. Two years later, he once again showcased his brilliance with an explosive 89 not out off 47 balls against the West Indies, although India ultimately fell short in that match.In the 2022 semi-final against England, Kohli managed only 50 runs off 40 balls, a valiant effort but not enough to secure the win. Despite these setbacks, Kohli's contributions in these critical matches have left an indelible mark on T20 World Cup history.Kohli's dismissal against England came in the third over of India's innings. He pulled Reece Topley for six but two balls later, the left-arm paceman bowled him as he knocked over the leg stump. Kohli has now scored just 75 runs in seven innings this tournament at an average of 10.71.The Indian team will be hoping that Kohli can rediscover his form in the upcoming matches. With the T20 World Cup final just around the corner, India will need their star batter to step up and deliver a match-winning performance.

The 2022 T20 World Cup semifinal loss to England proved to be a pivotal moment for Team India, according to former cricketer and commentator Sanjay Manjrekar. The humiliating 10-wicket defeat served as a "wake-up call" that has transformed the team into a formidable force.In the Adelaide encounter, India's star batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli failed to deliver, contributing to the team's unexpected exit. Rohit managed a 27-ball 27, while Kohli scored a 40-ball 50 as India posted a modest 168 for 6. England chased down the target with ease in just 16 overs.Manjrekar believes that neither Rohit nor Kohli have acknowledged the loss as a turning point, but it has undoubtedly been a catalyst for the team's resurgence in T20 cricket. "India is completely changed as a T20 side. That (2022 T20 WC semis loss) was a wake-up call for India. They may not admit it. Both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have never confessed that they helped India lose the semifinals, but this new India is a completely different India," Manjrekar said on ESPNCricinfo.He added that England's current form, which is slightly weaker than in previous years, further strengthens India's chances.However, Kohli's recent struggles have raised concerns ahead of the semifinal clash against England. The former Indian captain has scored just 1, 4, 0, 24, 37, and 0 in six matches. Manjrekar acknowledges Kohli's form as a worry but expects him to rise to the occasion."Virat Kohli is a little bit of a worry because he hasn't got the runs, but he stayed committed to this approach of taking risks and doesn't worry about getting out. Whether he'll continue to do that in the semifinal, because this is a guy who has taken up the responsibility on the big stage, he feels that he's the guy who's got to do it. Plus he's short of runs. The thing to look for is if he's hit a four or a six and if he picks a single, then you know that he's batting a little differently," Manjrekar said.Team India is determined to break its decade-long drought of major titles and prove its mettle in knockout matches. Rohit's team enters Thursday's semifinal in Guyana on a six-match winning streak and is eager to emulate the success of the 2007 side that won the inaugural T20 World Cup.

India's legendary cricketer Kapil Dev has ignited a fresh debate between current skipper Rohit Sharma and former captain Virat Kohli. Dev praised Sharma's leadership style, highlighting his ability to recognize his limitations and maintain team harmony.Ahead of India's crucial T20 World Cup semi-final against England, Dev drew comparisons between the two players. He noted that Sharma, unlike Kohli, remains composed and focused on his strengths. "He knows his limitations, but within those limitations, he performs the best," Dev said.Dev also commended Sharma's ability to foster a positive team environment. "A big tick in favor of Rohit Sharma is that he keeps the entire team happy," he said. "There are many great players who play for themselves, take the captaincy for themselves, but not him."Dev's comments sparked mixed reactions on social media. Some fans expressed concern that the "Virat vs Rohit" debate could hinder India's progress in the tournament. Others defended Dev's assessment, arguing that Sharma's leadership style is more conducive to team success.Sharma enters the semi-final against England in impressive form, having scored a blistering 92 off 41 balls against Australia in the Super 8 stage. Kohli, on the other hand, has struggled for runs, scoring only 66 in six innings.India will face England in the semi-final on June 27, hoping to avenge their 10-wicket defeat in the 2022 T20 World Cup final. The match will be played at Guyana's Providence Stadium.