Cricket

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recently held an informal meeting with representatives of all its affiliates at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai. The meeting was chaired by BCCI secretary Jay Shah and aimed to exchange views on Indian cricket and discuss key issues.Shah expressed his satisfaction with the meeting, stating that it was a constructive dialogue that allowed for valuable contributions from the state associations. The meeting covered a wide range of topics, including the success of the 2023 World Cup, the Women's Premier League, and the Indian Premier League.Shah also shared updates on the development of the National Cricket Academy project in Bengaluru and proposed changes to the domestic season. The state associations welcomed the opportunity to provide their feedback and suggestions on these matters.The meeting was held at the recently renovated BCCI office, which has been upgraded with state-of-the-art facilities. The BCCI is committed to providing a modern and efficient work environment for its staff and stakeholders.The BCCI's focus on transparency and collaboration was evident in the meeting. By engaging with its affiliates, the BCCI aims to ensure that the interests of all stakeholders are considered in its decision-making process.The meeting was a positive step towards strengthening the relationship between the BCCI and its affiliates. It provided a platform for open dialogue and allowed for a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing Indian cricket.

Rohit Sharma's Historic Milestone: First Player to Hit 200 Sixes in T20IsIndian cricket captain Rohit Sharma has etched his name in the annals of T20 cricket history by becoming the first player to smash 200 sixes in international matches. This remarkable feat was achieved during a crucial T20 World Cup Super 8 encounter against Australia in St Lucia.Rohit's achievement is a testament to his exceptional power-hitting abilities and his dominance in the shortest format of the game. He has consistently cleared the boundary with ease, leaving his opponents in awe and delighting fans worldwide.The closest to Rohit's record is New Zealand's Martin Guptill, who has 173 sixes to his name. Despite Guptill's impressive hitting prowess, Rohit's ability to hit sixes with such regularity sets him apart as a true master of the T20 format.Following Guptill, England's Jos Buttler has hit 137 sixes. Known for his innovative shots and aggressive batting style, Buttler's tally, while impressive, is still a significant distance from Rohit's unprecedented figure.Australia's Glenn Maxwell, renowned for his explosive batting and ability to turn a game on its head, has amassed 133 sixes. His unorthodox style and fearless approach have made him a key player in the T20 format. Close behind Maxwell is West Indies' Nicholas Pooran, a rising star in international cricket, with 132 sixes. Pooran's flair and talent promise a bright future, but he too has a long way to go to catch up with Rohit.Rohit's 200 sixes highlight not only his power but also his longevity and consistency in T20 cricket. He has been a mainstay in the Indian team for over a decade, consistently delivering match-winning performances and inspiring his teammates.As Rohit continues to push boundaries and set new records, fans worldwide eagerly await what the 'Hitman' will achieve next in his illustrious career. His ability to hit sixes with such ease and regularity has made him one of the most feared and respected batsmen in the world.

The United States' World Cup journey has come to an end, but the team's aspirations for improvement remain strong. After two decisive defeats in Barbados, USA allrounder Harmeet Singh has emphasized the urgent need for enhanced outdoor infrastructure to elevate the team's performance.Singh believes that the lack of adequate outdoor training facilities has hindered the team's progress. "We need the whole system in place," he said. "Trainers need to be able to work with us all year even if remotely. We need a lot more outdoor set-ups, need good training facilities."The absence of outdoor infrastructure has particularly affected batters, who have struggled to adjust to slower pitches after training indoors. Singh highlighted the need for grassroots development and a strong bench strength, which can only be achieved through improved training facilities.While franchise cricket can provide opportunities for a select few, Singh emphasized the importance of investing in infrastructure to foster a cricket-playing nation. "The cricketing community is large, especially in Texas, New Jersey, and Seattle," he said. "But we don't have enough turf practice facilities everywhere."Singh also acknowledged the need for a shift in mindset among players. "Kids when they practice indoor, they go outdoors straight away on turf pitches, and there's no feet, nothing," he said. "So all that needs to change."The team's recent performances have generated excitement among the Asian diaspora, but Singh believes it is crucial to capitalize on this momentum by providing the necessary infrastructure. "The work starts now," he said. "Not tomorrow, the work starts now in our heads. We need to think how we are going to be at the 2026 World Cup."USA Cricket must provide the team with ample games and training opportunities, while players must commit to personal development. By addressing the infrastructure deficit and fostering a culture of excellence, the United States can aspire to achieve greater success in the future.

India's World Cup Hopes Soar with Gautam Gambhir as Potential Head CoachFormer India opener Gautam Gambhir's name has emerged as a strong contender for the role of head coach of the Indian men's cricket team. Sanjay Bhardwaj, Gambhir's former coach, believes that under Gambhir's leadership, India has a high chance of securing a World Cup victory.Bhardwaj's optimism stems from Gambhir's proven track record as a player and his astute cricketing mind. As a player, Gambhir was known for his aggressive batting style and his ability to perform under pressure. He was a key member of the Indian team that won the 2011 World Cup.As a coach, Gambhir has already demonstrated his capabilities with the Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Under his guidance, the Capitals have consistently performed well, reaching the playoffs in multiple seasons.Bhardwaj believes that Gambhir's experience and understanding of the game would be invaluable to the Indian team. He said, "If Gautam Gambhir will be the coach of the team for 3-4 years, India will surely win a World Cup. It will be a very good feeling if my student coaches Team India."Gambhir's potential appointment has received support from several former cricketers, including Virender Sehwag and Harbhajan Singh. They believe that Gambhir's passion, determination, and tactical acumen make him an ideal candidate for the role.The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is currently searching for a new head coach, with Rahul Dravid's tenure concluding after the T20 World Cup 2024. Gambhir's name is high on the list of potential candidates, and his appointment would be a significant development for Indian cricket.

West Indies, aiming to secure a home World Cup victory, have identified a crucial area for improvement: their batting performance in the middle overs. Their average and run-rate during this phase have been the lowest in the tournament, with a wicket lost every 20 balls despite scoring only 123 runs per 100 balls.The team's struggles in the middle overs were evident in their defeat to England, where they scored just 40 runs from overs seven to 11. Recognizing this weakness, they resolved to improve in subsequent matches.Roston Chase, a key member of the West Indies squad, acknowledges the team's shortcomings in this phase. "We struggled in that period after the powerplay against England," he admits. "We've discussed it, and the guys executed well today."Chase's role in the middle overs may involve providing stability and keeping the strike rotating. "My job is to give the hitters the strike and let them hit it for six," he explains. "I'm there to transition between boundaries and keep the strike moving."In the absence of Brandon King, Shai Hope is likely to open the batting for West Indies. Hope has the potential to bat through the middle overs without getting bogged down.South Africa, the undefeated team in the tournament, poses a significant challenge for West Indies. South Africa has been known to choke out opponents in the middle overs, as they did against England in their previous match.Therefore, the outcome of the upcoming contest between West Indies and South Africa may hinge on the teams' performances in the middle overs. West Indies must address their weaknesses in this phase to secure a victory and recreate the joy they experienced at Kensington Oval against USA.

Justin Sammons, a renowned South African cricket coach, has been appointed as the new head coach of the Zimbabwe national cricket team. Sammons brings a wealth of experience to the role, having worked extensively in South African cricket over the years. He will be assisted by former Zimbabwe international Dion Ebrahim.Sammons' appointment comes at a crucial time for Zimbabwe cricket, as the team has failed to qualify for three out of the last four World Cups. The new coach is expected to bring a fresh perspective and help the team improve its performance on the international stage.Sammons has a proven track record of identifying, nurturing, and developing young talent. He has worked with several domestic sides in South Africa and was part of the South Africa men's technical team as batting consultant between 2021 and 2023."We are delighted to confirm Justin as head coach of the Zimbabwe senior men's national team," said Zimbabwe Cricket chairman Tavengwa Mukuhlani. "He brings a wealth of coaching experience and a reputation of identifying, nurturing and developing some of the best young talent in South Africa."Sammons expressed his excitement about the opportunity to coach Zimbabwe. "I look forward to the road ahead and I am excited to start working with this talented group of players," he said.Dave Houghton, the former Zimbabwe captain, had served as the national team's head coach for 18 months before resigning after Zimbabwe's failure to qualify for the T20 World Cup 2024. Walter Chawaguta, who coached Zimbabwe in 2008, took over as interim coach after that.Ebrahim, meanwhile, has represented Zimbabwe in 29 Tests and 82 ODIs between 2001 and 2005. He has been a part of the backroom staff with the New Zealand senior men's team more recently.The rest of the support staff for the Zimbabwe team will be appointed in consultation with Sammons. Elton Chigumbura, the former captain of Zimbabwe, has been appointed head coach of the nation's Under-19 team. Norbert Manyande and Paul Adams will serve as assistant and bowling coach, respectively.

Shivam Dube, the Indian all-rounder, has been a prolific six-hitter in the Indian Premier League (IPL), averaging a six every eight balls. However, in his first 60 legal deliveries in the USA during the warm-up game, he failed to hit a single six.Despite his struggles, Dube remains confident in his abilities. He believes that the conditions in the USA, with unpredictable bounce and pace, demanded a different approach. Instead of trying to force sixes, he focused on playing according to the ball and finding ways to win matches for India.Dube's arrival in the West Indies has not been much different. The pitches at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados have also been challenging, with both seam and swing. Dube has spent more time bowling than batting in the nets, but he is confident that he will be ready when the time comes to hit sixes.India will need Dube's six-hitting ability in the Super Eight stage of the World Cup, where high-scoring grounds like Kensington Oval and St Lucia await. Dube has had two training sessions at Kensington Oval to adjust to the conditions, and he will rely on his instincts to determine when to go for big shots.While Dube may not have hit a six in his first 60 balls in the USA, he is confident that he will deliver when India needs him most. His ability to adapt to different conditions and his determination to succeed make him a valuable asset to the Indian team.

Nepalese cricket sensation Sandeep Lamichhane has etched his name in the annals of T20I history by becoming the second-fastest bowler to reach the milestone of 100 wickets. During Nepal's T20 World Cup match against Bangladesh in St. Vincent, Lamichhane's two-wicket spell propelled him to this remarkable achievement.Prior to this match, Lamichhane had amassed 98 wickets in 53 T20I appearances, boasting an impressive average of 12.58 and an economical rate of 6.29. His latest feat places him just behind Afghanistan's Rashid Khan, who achieved the 100-wicket mark in one game fewer.Lamicchane's return to international cricket has been a triumphant one. After facing an eight-year prison sentence for a rape conviction, he was cleared and made his comeback in the match against South Africa last week. Despite not playing a competitive match since late last year, Lamichhane's rigorous training at Kathmandu's TU Ground has paid dividends.His arrival in the USA was initially delayed due to visa issues, but the ICC granted him a late addition to Nepal's World Cup squad. "We had tried hard to secure a US visa for Lamichhane, but it didn't work out," said CAN president Chatur Bahadur Chand. "We requested the ICC to allow him to be added to the World Cup squad as a late entry, and they have now approved his inclusion for the last two group stage matches."Lamicchane expressed his gratitude for the support he received in securing his visa and joining the squad. "I would like to thank the Government of Nepal, Foreign Ministry, Sports Ministry, National Sports Council, and Cricket Association of Nepal for their support," he said. "I am now joining the National team for the last two matches in the West Indies and look forward to fulfilling my dreams and the dream of all cricket lovers."In the match against Bangladesh, Nepal fell short by 21 runs, but Lamichhane's historic achievement overshadowed the result. His remarkable journey from facing adversity to reaching the pinnacle of T20I bowling is a testament to his resilience and determination.

Netherlands Opt to Bowl First Against Bangladesh in Kingstown ClashIn a crucial Group D encounter at the Arnos Vale Ground in Kingstown, Netherlands captain Scott Edwards elected to field first against Bangladesh. The toss was delayed due to morning drizzle, but the weather forecast predicts clear skies for the remainder of the day.Netherlands made a single change to their lineup, bringing in offspinner Aryan Dutt for Teja Nidamanuru. Edwards expressed his team's eagerness to capitalize on their familiarity with the conditions.Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto, while not opposed to batting first, acknowledged the importance of navigating the new ball cautiously. Bangladesh retained the same playing XI that faced South Africa in their previous match.Both teams enter this contest with identical records of one win and one loss. Netherlands defeated Nepal in their opener before falling to South Africa, while Bangladesh triumphed over Sri Lanka but succumbed to South Africa in a thrilling last-over finish.A victory in this match is paramount for both sides as they aim to advance to the Super Eight stage. South Africa has already secured a berth from Group D, leaving Netherlands and Bangladesh to battle for the remaining spot.Netherlands Playing XI:1. Max O'Dowd2. Michael Levitt3. Vikramjit Singh4. Scott Edwards (c & wk)5. Bas de Leede6. Sybrand Engelbrecht7. Logan van Beek8. Aryan Dutt9. Tim Pringle10. Paul van Meekeren11. Vivian KingmaBangladesh Playing XI:1. Tanzid Hasan2. Litton Das (wk)3. Najmul Hossain Shanto (c)4. Towhid Hridoy5. Shakib Al Hasan6. Mahmudullah7. Jaker Ali8. Rishad Hossain9. Tanzim Hasan10. Taskin Ahmed11. Mustafizur Rahman