Cricket

Despite a devastating leg injury that shattered his IPL 2024 and World Cup aspirations, Australian pacer Jason Behrendorff remains unyielding in his pursuit of success. The 34-year-old's journey in 2024 has been a rollercoaster of setbacks and triumphs.In March, just days before his scheduled departure for the IPL, a freak accident at the WACA nets left Behrendorff with a broken fibula. The injury came at a cruel time, as he was in peak form and considered a contender for Australia's T20 World Cup squad.Undeterred, Behrendorff refused to let the setback define him. He opted out of his state contract with Western Australia and embarked on a freelance career in global T20 leagues. This bold move saw him go from representing Australia, WA, and Mumbai Indians to becoming an uncontracted freelancer overnight.Despite the uncertainty, Behrendorff's return to cricket has been nothing short of spectacular. He lifted the Lanka Premier League trophy with Jaffna Kings and helped the Toronto Nationals win the Global T20 Canada title, earning player-of-the-match honors in the final.Behrendorff's success as a freelancer has led him to believe that more players will follow in his footsteps, choosing to forgo state contracts in favor of the lucrative opportunities offered by T20 leagues.While the pinnacle of cricket remains the Baggy Green, Behrendorff believes that success is not solely defined by Test cricket. He has made a significant impact in the game through his contributions in limited-overs formats.Behrendorff's T20 journey is far from over. As T20 leagues continue to expand, he is confident that he can continue to make a mark on the global stage. His determination and resilience serve as an inspiration to all who face adversity in their pursuit of success.

India's Triumphant 2011 World Cup Victory: A Legacy of Dhoni's LeadershipThe 2011 Cricket World Cup final remains etched in the hearts of Indian cricket fans, a moment of unparalleled triumph that ended a 28-year wait for the coveted trophy. Led by the enigmatic Mahendra Singh Dhoni, India scripted a historic victory against Sri Lanka at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.Despite battling back pain, Dhoni rose to the occasion, guiding India to their second ODI World Cup title. His iconic six over mid-on off Nuwan Kulasekara sealed the victory, sending a nation into raptures.Dhoni's leadership was instrumental in India's success. He had previously led the team to victory in the 2007 T20 World Cup, signaling the global rise of the shortest format of the game. In 2011, he became the first captain to win both the T20 and ODI World Cups.In the 2011 final, Dhoni promoted himself up the batting order, ahead of the in-form Yuvraj Singh, to handle the immense pressure. His unbeaten 91 off 79 deliveries showcased his exceptional composure and shot selection.The defining moment came in the 49th over when Dhoni launched a magnificent six off Kulasekara, a shot that has since become legendary in Indian cricket history. The victory sparked wild celebrations across the country, with Dhoni hailed as a national hero.Since that unforgettable evening, India has been unable to recapture the ODI World Cup. Despite reaching the semi-finals in 2015 and 2019, and the final in 2023, the coveted third title has remained elusive.Dhoni's 2011 achievement remains a testament to his leadership and the resilience of the Indian team. He stands alone as the only captain in cricket history to secure all three major ICC trophies: the T20 World Cup, ODI World Cup, and ICC Champions Trophy.

Tom Moody, the former Australian all-rounder and current coach of Oval Invincibles, recently revisited Lord's Stadium, the site of his 1999 Cricket World Cup triumph. As he prepared his team for The Hundred final, Moody reflected on Australia's dominant campaign 25 years ago.Despite being favorites entering the tournament, Australia faced early setbacks with losses to New Zealand and Pakistan. However, they rallied to secure a Super Six berth, setting the stage for a remarkable run to the title."We came in as favorites, but we played poorly for the first half of the tournament," Moody admitted. "We basically had to win seven in a row to be crowned champions. Being part of that journey for those seven games was pretty special."Australia's resurgence culminated in a resounding eight-wicket victory over Pakistan in the final. Chasing a modest target of 133, Australia cruised to victory in 20.1 overs, powered by Shane Warne's four-wicket haul and Adam Gilchrist's blistering half-century. Moody himself contributed with the wickets of Abdul Razzaq and Azhar Mahmood.The victory sparked jubilant celebrations in the Australian dressing room, a moment etched in Moody's memory. "We had a long period of time in the dressing room to enjoy the experience of the journey and the occasion," he recalled. "All sorts of people came through, from family to famous cricket fans, but we were in our own bubble."Moody's 1999 World Cup performance was instrumental in Australia's success. He scored 117 runs at an impressive average of 117.00, including a half-century, and chipped in with seven crucial wickets.As he aimed to guide Oval Invincibles to victory at the home of cricket, the memories of his own triumph at Lord's served as a potent reminder of the power of resilience and teamwork on the biggest stage.

Pakistan's most experienced umpire, Aleem Dar, has shared the heartbreaking story of how his family concealed the death of his seven-month-old daughter from him during the early stages of his international career in 2003.The 56-year-old umpire recounted on a Pakistani television channel that his wife and family chose not to inform him about the tragic loss while he was officiating in the 2003 World Cup. "It was the beginning of my career as an ICC panel umpire, and it was a crucial assignment for my career," Dar said. "They knew that if I learned about my daughter's passing, I would immediately return home."Dar, who has officiated in 145 Tests, 231 ODIs, and 72 T20 Internationals, said that when he eventually discovered the truth, it was the most devastating moment of his life. "I was kept in the dark for almost a month after her passing, and I only found out by chance in Johannesburg when a Pakistani man from my hometown of Sialkot came to offer his condolences," he said."It was a huge shock to me at that time, and I immediately informed the ICC and returned home," Dar added. He recalled that when he called his wife, she broke down in tears over the phone.Dar's family had strictly instructed the media not to report the news, fearing it would affect his performance on the field. "I came to know later that my father had strictly told the media friends not to print the story," he said.Despite the immense personal tragedy, Dar continued to excel in his umpiring career, earning widespread respect for his integrity and professionalism. He is considered one of the most respected umpires in the world and has officiated in some of the most high-profile matches in cricket history.

Sanjay Manjrekar's recent comments on the role of coaches in the Indian cricket team's success have sparked a heated debate on social media. Manjrekar, a former India cricketer, suggested that there is no direct correlation between the presence of a coach and the team's ability to win World Cups.Manjrekar's remarks came just as Gautam Gambhir, another former India cricketer, prepares to take over as the head coach of the Indian men's national team. Manjrekar argued that India's success in cricket is more dependent on the overall functioning of the system rather than the individual coach.He pointed out that India won its first ODI World Cup in 1983 without a designated head coach. The team also enjoyed successful stints under MS Dhoni in 2007 and 2011, despite having different coaches on both occasions.Under Rahul Dravid's mentorship, India lifted the T20 World Cup 2024 title in Barbados, ending their 11-year-long ICC title drought. India also came close to winning the World Test Championship final and ODI World Cup final against Australia last year.Manjrekar believes that the focus should be on the players and the system, rather than the coach. He emphasized that India's success in cricket is a result of the collective efforts of the players, the support staff, and the overall cricketing ecosystem."No coach, Lalchand Rajput, Gary Kirsten & Dravid. Coaches when India won WCs in 1983, 2007, 2011 & 2023. It's really about Indian cricket, not who the coach is. Time we stop thinking there is a direct correlation," Manjrekar wrote on Twitter.Many fans took to social media to criticize Manjrekar's comments, especially considering the timing. Gambhir's first coaching assignment will begin in Sri Lanka later in the day as Suryakumar Yadav-led India will take on the hosts in the first T20I of the three-match series in Pallekele.

Jasprit Bumrah, the Indian cricket team's star fast bowler, has received widespread acclaim for his exceptional performances, including his pivotal role in India's T20 World Cup 2024 triumph. However, in a recent interview with Shubhankar Mishra on YouTube, Mohammed Shami, another Indian fast bowler, boldly declared himself as the best bowler in India at present.When asked, "Who is the best bowler in India?", Shami confidently replied, "Right now? I think it is me."Shami elaborated on his belief, stating, "The unit we had, me, Bumrah, Ishant, Bhuvneshwar, and Umesh Yadav, I don't think any unit in the world has enjoyed as much as we did. As a person, as a sportsman, the unit we had of 5-6 people was one of the best ever."Despite his self-assessment, Shami acknowledged the contributions of his fellow bowlers, saying, "I don't believe in No. 1 or No. 2. We all played our part."Shami also expressed his disappointment over not playing in the 2019 World Cup semifinal despite his impressive performances leading up to it. "In 2019, I didn't play the first 4-5 games. But when I got the chance, I took a hat-trick, then a five-wicket haul, and then four wickets in the next game," he said."A similar thing happened in 2023. I didn't play in the first few games, but then I picked up a fifer, then four wickets, and then a five-wicket haul again," he added.Shami questioned the team's decision-making, saying, "I took 13 wickets in three matches. What more do you expect from me? I neither have questions nor do I have answers. I can only prove myself when I get the opportunity."Despite his frustrations, Shami remains committed to the team and eager to prove his worth. "You gave me a chance, and I took 13 wickets in three matches. Then we lost to New Zealand. I played four matches overall and picked 14 wickets. In 2023, I picked 24 wickets in seven matches," he said.

Mohammed Shami, the Indian pacer, has expressed his ardent desire to win the World Cup, inspired by his teammates' recent triumph in the T20 World Cup. The Indian team broke an 11-year ICC trophy drought by defeating South Africa in the T20 World Cup final. Shami lauded the team's patience and resilience throughout the tournament and shared his personal reflections on missing out on the ODI World Cup title.In an interview with Shubhankar Mishra's podcast, Shami praised the Indian team's performance in the T20 World Cup. He highlighted the team's unwavering confidence and belief in their abilities. "Even in 2023, you wouldn't have heard anyone say that India will lose," Shami said. "The feeling was the same as when we had nabbed three wickets in the beginning. There were no doubts on if India are winning the World Cup or not."Shami drew parallels between the team's dominance in the T20 World Cup and their undefeated run in the 2023 ODI World Cup. He expressed a sense of nostalgia while watching the T20 games, recalling the team's remarkable achievement in the ODI World Cup. "I'd felt the same watching this World Cup. I was feeling the same watching it from the outside, as I was on the ground that day. In 2023, when we won 10 games in a row, all the teams were thinking how to beat India. When that happens, we should pray. When you make a mountain out of a molehill, that sows doubts and overconfidence. I think the boys showed great patience this time around."Shami expressed his admiration for his teammates' achievements and his own ambition of winning the World Cup. He emphasized the importance of contribution and support for the team, irrespective of one's current role. "I believe that whoever took part in that competition, whoever was part of the team, deserved to win it. If I'm unfit today and sitting at home, I can only watch the sport as a fan. Those players are my friends and colleagues, I can only let them know what I feel from the outside to help them play better. There isn't much in our hands. As far as the winners' medal is concerned, I also dream of winning the World Cup."Despite India's historic unbeaten run in the 2023 ODI World Cup, they fell short in the final against Australia. However, India made history by becoming the first team to win the T20 World Cup undefeated.

Mohammed Shami, India's premier fast bowler, has expressed his bewilderment over the team management's decision to bench him during crucial stages of the 2019 and 2023 ODI World Cups. In an interview with Shubhankar Mishra on his YouTube show, 'Unplugged,' Shami shared his frustration and questioned the rationale behind his exclusion.Shami's record in ODIs is impeccable, with 195 wickets in 100 innings at an average of 23.68. His World Cup stats are even more impressive, with 55 wickets in just 18 games, making him India's leading wicket-taker in the ICC event and placing him fifth overall globally.Reflecting on the 2019 World Cup, Shami recalled, "In 2019, I did not play the first 4-5 games. In the next game, I took a hat-trick, then picked up a five-wicket haul, and then four wickets in the next game." Despite his impressive performance, he was benched for the final league match against Sri Lanka and the semi-final against New Zealand, which India lost by 18 runs.Shami's confusion was evident as he continued, "I neither have questions nor do I have answers. I can only prove myself when I get the opportunity. You gave me a chance, and I took 13 wickets in three matches. Then we lost to New Zealand. Played four matches overall and picked 14 wickets."A similar situation unfolded in the 2023 World Cup. Shami was initially left out of the playing XI but was included after all-rounder Hardik Pandya was ruled out due to injury. He emerged as the tournament's highest wicket-taker with 24 scalps in seven games, including two five-wicket hauls.Shami's consistent performance when given the opportunity underscores the importance of utilizing players to their full potential, especially in critical tournaments like the World Cup. His exclusion from the team in crucial matches has raised questions about the team management's decision-making process.

Gautam Gambhir, the newly appointed head coach of the Indian cricket team, is renowned for his ability to inspire players and lead them to victory, according to his childhood coach Sanjay Bharadwaj. Gambhir's unwavering determination and willingness to embrace challenges make him an ideal candidate to guide the national team to new heights.Bharadwaj, who has also mentored other notable cricketers such as Amit Mishra and Unmukt Chand, believes that Gambhir possesses the qualities of a top-notch coach. "Gautam has the ability to bring out the best in his players," he said. "He knows them well and can effectively utilize their strengths."Gambhir's competitive spirit and unwavering belief in his abilities have been evident throughout his career. "He always played with a challenge," Bharadwaj recalled. "He had a winner's mentality from a young age and never doubted his ability to succeed."Bharadwaj also highlighted Gambhir's keen observation skills and his ability to identify potential in players. "He predicted Rohit Sharma's resurgence when he was going through a lean patch," he said. "His observation about Rohit proved accurate."Gambhir's unwavering commitment to his decisions and his focus on team success are also key attributes that will serve him well as head coach. "If he feels something is right for the team, he will be firm on that decision," Bharadwaj said. "He doesn't believe in favouritism; the only thing that is his favourite is cricket."Bharadwaj's advice to Gambhir as he embarks on this new chapter is to remain true to his principles. "Be honest in your approach," he said. "You have a habit of taking up challenges and conquering them; repay the country's faith in you."With his proven track record of success as a player and his unwavering determination, Gautam Gambhir is poised to make a significant impact as the head coach of the Indian cricket team. His ability to inspire players, embrace challenges, and focus on team success will undoubtedly lead to a new era of dominance for Indian cricket.