Cricket

Former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly has lauded Rohit Sharma's captaincy skills, attributing them to India's undefeated streak in the ongoing T20 World Cup. Ganguly urged the team to approach the final against South Africa with an unrestrained mindset, aiming to end an 11-year drought without an ICC title.Ganguly praised Rohit's leadership qualities, highlighting his record of winning five IPL titles and his ability to lead India to two World Cup finals while remaining unbeaten. He believes that Rohit's hesitation to assume the captaincy initially has been overcome, and he has now become a confident and effective leader.Ganguly acknowledged that winning the IPL can be more challenging due to its extended length, but emphasized that the honor of winning a World Cup is greater. He expressed confidence in India's ability to secure the title, citing their dominant performance throughout the tournament.Despite India's near misses in major tournaments since their 2013 Champions Trophy triumph, Ganguly remains optimistic. He believes that reaching the finals is a positive sign, and that India's consistent dominance in the competition makes them the favorites.Ganguly also commented on South Africa's historic achievement of reaching the World Cup final for the first time since their reintegration into international cricket. He acknowledged the significance of this moment for South African cricket.Regarding Virat Kohli's average performance in the tournament, Ganguly believes that he should continue opening the batting. He emphasized that Kohli's past achievements and status as an institution for Indian cricket should not be diminished by a few poor matches.Ganguly dismissed claims that the ICC has given India an advantage by selecting a spin-friendly venue for the semifinal in Guyana. He also rejected allegations that broadcasters have favored India with the 8pm IST time slot for their matches.Ganguly asserted that India's dominance in world cricket is due to their performance, broadcast reach, and financial contributions. He believes that India's strong position in the sport is justified and reflects their status as a major force in international cricket.

Rahul Dravid, the outgoing head coach of the Indian cricket team, expressed his gratitude for the connections he has forged during his tenure as he prepares for his final match in charge against South Africa in the T20 World Cup finale on Saturday.Dravid, who endured a disappointing exit as India's captain in the 2007 ODI World Cup, is now on the verge of a memorable farewell as coach. He took over the reins from Ravi Shastri after the 2021 T20 World Cup and has been at the helm for nearly three years.In a promotional video released by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Dravid reflected on his time as coach, describing it as a transformative experience for both him and his family. He praised the professionalism exhibited by the team throughout his tenure, both in victories and defeats.Despite reaching the finals of both the World Test Championship and the 50-over World Cup last year, India fell short against Australia on both occasions. However, Dravid's legacy will be defined by the connections he has built and the impact he has had on the team's culture.Indian captain Rohit Sharma expressed his admiration for Dravid, calling him a "big role model." Sharma, who has played alongside and under Dravid for India, said he had tried unsuccessfully to convince him to stay on as coach."I've enjoyed every bit of it, working with him," Sharma said. "I tried convincing him to stay, but obviously there are a lot of things that he needs to look after as well.""I've personally enjoyed my time with him. I'm sure the rest of the guys will say the same. It's been great working with him."As Dravid prepares for his final match in charge, he will be remembered for his dedication, his ability to connect with players, and his unwavering belief in the team's potential.

Star Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah has etched his name in the history books of the T20 World Cup by becoming the second-highest wicket-taker for India in a single edition of the tournament. Bumrah's remarkable performance against England in the semi-final match of the 2024 T20 World Cup propelled him to this milestone.With two wickets against Jos Buttler's side, Bumrah now has 13 wickets in the ongoing marquee event. He trails only left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh, who has 15 wickets and holds the distinction of being the highest wicket-taker for India in a single edition of the T20 World Cup.Bumrah's achievement is a testament to his exceptional bowling skills and consistency throughout the tournament. He has been a key cog in India's bowling attack, providing crucial breakthroughs and economical spells.Former India cricketer RP Singh holds the third place in the chart with 12 wickets in the 2007 T20 World Cup.In the semi-final clash against England, India posted a competitive total of 171/7, thanks to half-centuries from Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav. Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja also made valuable contributions.England's chase faltered as they struggled to adapt to the surface, eventually being bowled out for 103 in 16.4 overs. Harry Brook and Jos Buttler were the only notable performers for the Three Lions.Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav were the stars of India's bowling attack, each claiming three wickets. Bumrah chipped in with two wickets, while defending the 172-run target.India's victory sets up a tantalizing final against South Africa, who have also remained unbeaten throughout the tournament. The two sides will clash in Barbados on Saturday for the coveted T20 World Cup trophy.

Shafali Verma Blazes to Record-Breaking Double Century in Women's Test CricketIndian opener Shafali Verma has etched her name in the annals of women's cricket history by smashing the fastest double-century in Test cricket. During the one-off match against South Africa in Lucknow, the 20-year-old prodigy surpassed Australia's Annabel Sutherland's previous record of 248 balls. Verma achieved the milestone in a mere 194 deliveries, showcasing her exceptional batting prowess.Verma's blistering knock propelled her to become the second Indian woman after former captain Mithali Raj to score a double century in Test cricket. Raj had achieved the feat in 2002, scoring 214 off 407 balls against England.Throughout her aggressive innings, Verma displayed her power-hitting abilities, striking 23 boundaries and eight towering sixes. She reached her double century with consecutive sixes off off-spinner Delmi Tucker, followed by a single. Her remarkable knock was eventually halted when she was run out for 205 off 197 balls.Verma's opening partner, Smriti Mandhana, also played a crucial role in India's dominant performance. Mandhana scored a brilliant 149 off 161 balls, including 27 boundaries and one six. Together, the duo formed a formidable opening partnership of 292 runs, which came off just 52 overs.India has been in complete control of the opening day against South Africa, scoring at a blistering pace close to a run-a-ball. Verma's record-breaking double century has set the tone for a potential Indian victory in the one-off Test match.

Bangladesh's disappointing T20 World Cup 2024 campaign can be attributed primarily to poor batting form, according to vice-captain Taskin Ahmed. Despite a 47-day tour of the Americas, the batting unit failed to deliver, resulting in the lowest collective average among the Super Eight teams.Bangladesh's top three batters struggled to provide a solid start, with Litton Das being the only one to score a fifty. Towhid Hridoy emerged as the team's best performer with 153 runs, but Shakib Al Hasan and Mahmudullah Riyad failed to provide adequate support.Taskin acknowledged the impact of the senior players' poor form, but emphasized that it did not affect team unity. "They are great team men," he said. "We stayed as a team for 47 days. Everything was fine off the field."The batters found better pitches in the West Indies, but Taskin admitted that he had never witnessed such a prolonged batting slump in his international career. "I haven't seen such a long bad patch for the batters in my ten years playing for Bangladesh," he said.Despite the batting struggles, Bangladesh's bowling unit performed well. Taskin, Tanzim Hasan, and Rishad Hossain led the bowling charts, proving that talented cricketers are emerging from the country.Taskin expressed disappointment with the team's performance in the final match against Afghanistan, where they failed to chase down the target in 12.1 overs to reach the semi-finals. "We could have done a lot better," he said. "We were all quite disappointed with the last match."Despite the negatives, Taskin highlighted some positives from the campaign, including qualifying for the Super Eight, winning three matches in the T20 World Cup for the first time, and the emergence of promising bowlers. "We are disappointed like the rest of you," he said. "We didn't play up to expectations."

The stage is set for an epic clash between India and South Africa in the final of the Men's T20 World Cup 2024. This will be the first time these two teams have met in the final of an ICC tournament, making it a historic occasion for both sides.India and South Africa have both been in impressive form throughout the tournament, remaining unbeaten and topping their respective groups. South Africa has faced tougher opposition, including a nail-biting win over West Indies in the Super Eight, while India has overcome challenges from Pakistan, Australia, and England.For South Africa, this final represents a chance to make history by winning their first-ever men's World Cup title. They have come close in the past, reaching the semi-finals of five ODI World Cups and two T20 World Cups, but have never reached the final.India, on the other hand, is looking to end a title drought that has lasted since 2013. They won the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007 but have not won an ICC trophy since then. They came close in 2014, reaching the final of the T20 World Cup, but fell short.The match will be played at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, which has hosted eight matches in the tournament so far. The pitch has been favorable to teams batting first, with three of the first four completed matches won by the chasing team. However, the last two matches have seen comfortable chases by West Indies and England.Wind could be a factor in the final, with gusts predicted at up to 45 kmph. However, it is unlikely to have as much of an impact as it did in Gros Islet during India's match against Australia.Rain is also a possibility, with showers expected throughout the day. There is a 50% chance of precipitation in the morning, decreasing to 30% around the scheduled toss time. However, the forecast improves later in the day, with a 20% chance of rain during match hours.If the match is interrupted by rain, there is a reserve day scheduled for Sunday. However, if the match cannot be completed on either day, both teams will be declared joint-winners.

Inzamam-ul-Haq's allegations regarding India's reverse-swinging tactics in the T20 World Cup have sparked a heated debate. The former Pakistan captain questioned how India, particularly Arshdeep Singh, managed to reverse-swing the ball in the 16th over of Australia's innings.Rohit Sharma, India's skipper, dismissed Inzamam's claims, stating that reverse-swing is a natural occurrence in hot and dry conditions. However, Inzamam has retorted, cautioning Rohit not to lecture Pakistan, the originators of reverse-swing, on the technique.Inzamam clarified that he never accused India of ball-tampering, but rather intended to alert the umpires to the unusual reverse-swing. He emphasized that umpires should remain vigilant, as reverse-swing can occur even in the early overs.Meanwhile, India has advanced to the final of the T20 World Cup after defeating England by 68 runs in the second semifinal. South Africa, who defeated Afghanistan by nine wickets, will face India in the championship match.

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.

Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has heaped praise on Indian captain Rohit Sharma, calling him a "selfless captain" who prioritizes the team's interests. Akhtar's comments came after India's convincing 68-run victory over England in the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup 2024.Sharma led from the front with a crucial 57-run innings off 39 balls, including 6 fours and 2 sixes. His knock helped India set a challenging target of 171/7. Other notable contributions came from Suryakumar Yadav (47 runs from 36 balls), Hardik Pandya, and Ravindra Jadeja.Akhtar, in his analysis on his YouTube channel, expressed his support for the Indian team, suggesting they were deserving of the T20 World Cup title, especially under Sharma's captaincy."Rohit Sharma has repeatedly said he wants to make an impact and win the trophy and so, deserves to win the cup. He is a big player, and it should end on a big note. He is a selfless captain, plays for the team and is a complete batter," said Akhtar.Akhtar also shared his disappointment over India's failure to secure the ODI World Cup in 2023, indicating his ongoing support for the team in international tournaments."I was always in favour of India winning the tournament. I was hurt last year when India could not win the World Cup as they should not have lost it because they deserved to win," he added.England's chase was hampered by a lack of adaptation to the pitch conditions, culminating in a total of 103 all out in 16.4 overs. Harry Brook and Jos Buttler were the main contributors for England, but their efforts were insufficient against the Indian bowling lineup. Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav were instrumental for India, each taking three wickets, with Jasprit Bumrah also adding two wickets to the tally.Akhtar's praise for Sharma is a testament to the Indian captain's leadership qualities and his ability to inspire his team to perform at their best. With Sharma at the helm, India will be confident of their chances of lifting the T20 World Cup trophy.