Cricket

India's captain, Rohit Sharma, has praised the exceptional performance of his spin duo, Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel, in their semi-final victory over England in the ongoing T20 World Cup.After England's Jos Buttler had aggressively hit Arshdeep Singh for three boundaries in the third over, Axar Patel turned the tide with his first delivery. Patel dismissed Buttler by spinning the ball away from his usual skidding style, forcing the English skipper to attempt a reverse sweep that resulted in a catch for Rishabh Pant.Patel continued to trouble the English batters, while Kuldeep Yadav joined the fray to further increase their woes. Patel's influential spell of 3/23 included the removal of the opening order, while Kuldeep provided excellent support with figures of 3/19, effectively neutralizing England's middle order.Rohit Sharma lauded the left-arm spin duo, revealing their strategy to counter England's aggressive approach. "They (Axar and Kuldeep) are gun spinners. When the conditions like that are in front of them, it's difficult to play some shots. The pressure is on them as well to come and execute those balls, but they were calm and knew what to bowl. We had a little chat after the first innings - try and hit the stumps as much as possible, keep the stumps in play," Rohit said in the post-match presentation.The spinners played a crucial role in England's downfall, with Jasprit Bumrah adding the finishing touches. England, aiming to replicate their 2022 World Cup semi-final triumph, fell short and saw their title defense crumble.The challenging nature of the pitch, with some deliveries staying low and others taking flight, further hindered England's chase of 172. Rohit Sharma emphasized the importance of adapting to the conditions, which paved the way for India's first appearance in the final in ten years."Very satisfying to win this game. We worked really hard as a unit. To win this game like that was a great effort from everybody. We adapted to the conditions really well. The conditions were a little challenging, we had to adapt, and that's been the success story for us so far till this game. The bowlers and the batters, if they play according to the conditions, things fall in place, and that's exactly what happened for us today," Rohit said.After losing Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant early in their innings, India relied on Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav to build a competitive total. The duo's 73-run partnership took India to a respectable 171/7."Very pleasing to see how we came through this game. At one stage, we were feeling 140-150, and as the game went on, we got some runs in the middle, me and Surya. We got that partnership. I can set the target in my mind, but I don't want to let anyone know about it, to the batters ... because ... they are instinctive players, and I want them to go out there and play freely without thinking too much about what's the par score. We bat well, we understand the condition well, we will get to a good score, and that's exactly what happened. We got to 170, which I thought was a very good score on that pitch, and then the bowlers were fantastic," he added.England's failure to comprehend the pitch's nature led to their eventual collapse, with the team managing only 103 runs in 16.4 overs. The T20 World Cup final is now set to be a thrilling clash between the unbeaten sides, India and South Africa, in Barbados on Saturday.

The West Indies women's cricket team concluded their challenging tour of Sri Lanka on a triumphant note, securing a six-wicket victory in the third and final T20I in Hambantota. This victory sealed a come-from-behind 2-1 series win for the visitors.The West Indies' top three batters, Stafanie Taylor, Hayley Matthews, and Shemaine Campbelle, played pivotal roles in the chase. Taylor and Matthews formed a solid opening partnership of 60 runs, while Matthews and Campbelle added another 51 runs. Campbelle remained unbeaten on 41 off 30 deliveries, guiding her team to victory with just one ball to spare.Earlier, Sri Lanka had posted a competitive total of 141 for 7 after being put into bat. Chamari Athapaththu top-scored for the hosts with 38 runs, while Kavisha Dilhari contributed 26. However, the West Indies bowlers kept the Sri Lankan batters in check, with Aaliyah Alleyne and Chinelle Henry claiming two wickets each.The West Indies' victory was a testament to their resilience and determination. After losing the first T20I, they bounced back with a convincing win in the second match. In the final game, they showed their class by chasing down a challenging target with ease.Player of the Series Hayley Matthews played a key role in the West Indies' success. She scored 49 runs in the final match and took three wickets in the series. Her all-round performance was crucial in helping her team secure the series win.The West Indies' victory will give them confidence ahead of the upcoming ICC Women's T20 World Cup. They will be looking to build on this momentum and make a strong impact in the tournament.

Rohit Sharma's Stump Mic Banter: "Uppar Dega Toh Deta Hoon Na"Indian cricket captain Rohit Sharma has once again provided entertainment for fans with his candid stump mic conversations. In a recent match against England, Rohit was caught on camera engaging in a playful exchange with his batting partner Suryakumar Yadav.As England bowler Liam Livingstone prepared to deliver the last ball of the 11th over, Rohit turned to SKY and said, "Uppar dega toh deta hoon na" (If he pitches it up, I'll hit him for a six). True to his word, Livingstone obliged, and Rohit duly dispatched the ball over the long-on boundary.The video of the exchange quickly went viral on social media, showcasing Rohit's relaxed and confident approach to batting. It also highlighted the camaraderie between the Indian players, who have been in impressive form throughout the tournament.Rohit's six not only entertained the crowd but also helped him reach his half-century and bring up India's 100th run. He eventually fell for 57, but his contribution played a crucial role in India's victory.The Indian team will now face South Africa in the final of the tournament on Saturday. The Proteas have also been in excellent form, having crushed Afghanistan by nine wickets in their semifinal. The final promises to be a thrilling encounter between two evenly matched teams.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the legendary Indian cricketer, has unveiled a new hairstyle that has sent social media into a frenzy. The iconic wicketkeeper-batsman's latest cut, revealed by renowned hair stylist Aalim Hakim, has garnered over 50,000 likes on Instagram within the first hour.Dhoni's previous long hairstyle, which he sported during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, has been replaced by a shorter, more wavy version. The Chennai Super Kings star, known for his low-key profile outside of the IPL, has given his fans a rare glimpse into his personal life."Our Young, Dynamic and Handsome Mahendra Singh Dhoni," wrote Hakim in the caption to the post. "It's a pure joy to cut and style our Thala's hair and he is always courteous enough to let me click his pictures."Dhoni, affectionately known as 'Thala' (leader) by Chennai Super Kings fans, has been out of the limelight since the conclusion of IPL 2024. However, this new haircut comes just weeks after a video of Dhoni relaxing at his farmhouse in Ranchi went viral.In that video, Dhoni was still sporting his long hairstyle. However, this time, India's iconic No. 7 is flaunting a shorter cut, styled with different shades of brown.Fans of Dhoni are eagerly anticipating his return to the IPL in 2025. Having relinquished the captaincy to Ruturaj Gaikwad and with a mega auction on the horizon, it remains uncertain whether Dhoni will continue playing.However, his impressive form in IPL 2024 suggests that he should certainly consider continuing his career. Dhoni scored 161 runs at a strike rate of 220, often batting at a lowly no. 8 position.Presently, Team India is focused on winning the 2024 T20 World Cup, a tournament that Dhoni first won in 2007 with a young Indian unit. Dhoni's experience and leadership could prove invaluable as India looks to reclaim the coveted trophy.

The Indian cricket team's triumphant march in the T20 World Cup 2024 reached its zenith on Thursday as they secured a berth in the title clash against South Africa. The semi-final victory against England was a testament to India's all-round brilliance, with Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Hardik Pandya shining with the bat and the spinners dominating with the ball.Amidst the jubilation, wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant emerged as a standout performer, earning the coveted Best Fielder of the Match award. The honor was bestowed upon him by none other than veteran wicket-keeper Dinesh Karthik, who recently bid farewell to the game.Karthik's presence in the dressing room to present the award was a poignant moment, especially given Pant's remarkable journey. Just six months ago, his career was in jeopardy following a horrific car accident. However, his resilience and determination have seen him return to the field with renewed vigor."There are many stories in sport, but there are not many better than the person I am giving the medal to," Karthik said in a heartfelt speech. "What he's gone through a year ago, I think six months ago, no one expected him to be in this team, not many would have expected him to play this sport this early, but for him to come out here and play the way he has done, all are very happy for him and he has made millions happy by just being on the field - Rishabh Pant."While neither Pant nor Virat Kohli have reached the heights expected of them in this tournament, they have one more opportunity to prove their worth and help India break its ICC trophy drought. The summit clash against South Africa on Saturday promises to be a thrilling encounter, with India hoping to cap off their impressive campaign with a resounding victory.

The T20 World Cup is poised to surpass the 50-over World Cup as the most coveted ICC event among players worldwide, according to a recent survey conducted by the World Cricketers Association (WCA).In 2019, 85% of players ranked the 50-over World Cup as the most important ICC event, while only 15% chose the T20 World Cup. However, in 2024, the preference shifted dramatically, with only 50% selecting the 50-over World Cup, compared to 35% who opted for the T20 World Cup and 15% who chose the World Test Championship.Among players under 26, the trend is even more pronounced. In 2019, 86% picked the 50-over World Cup, while only 14% chose the T20 World Cup. In 2024, just 49% said the 50-over World Cup, while 41% picked the T20 World Cup and 10% chose the World Test Championship.The survey also revealed a broader shift in preferences across the game. Five years ago, 82% of respondents picked Test cricket as the most important format, while 11% chose T20. This year, only 48% of players chose Test cricket compared to 30% who said T20.The WCA's survey included responses from around 330 professional players from 13 different countries, the majority of whom are current internationals. The data is skewed by a higher proportion of female respondents in 2024, but the WCA says the trends hold true when isolating responses from male players.Tom Moffat, WCA's chief executive, believes that the rapid evolution of the game presents challenges of leadership and scheduling. He emphasizes the need for collective discussions involving players to address these issues."The players drive and are invested in the game's success, and their decisions are shaping its future," Moffat said. "The WCA and the ICC recently renegotiated players' squad terms for the next four years of ICC events, which cover commercial and image rights. A deal was struck in the days leading up the T20 World Cup after many months of negotiations and the WCA believe the new collective model will benefit players from smaller nations."

South Africa's maiden T20 World Cup final berth has been secured after a dominant nine-wicket victory over Afghanistan in the semifinals. Despite the challenging pitch at the Brian Lara Academy stadium, the Proteas' quicks delivered a stellar performance, bowling out Afghanistan for a mere 56 runs.Captain Aiden Markram expressed his relief at not having to play on the same pitch again, acknowledging its unpredictable nature. However, he praised his team's ability to adapt and find a way to win on a difficult surface."It's hard to tell that a wicket is not good because it can't just always be a batter's game," Markram said. "But finding a way to win is probably the most important thing."The Proteas' victory was built on a strong bowling performance, with Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje leading the charge. Afghanistan's batters struggled to cope with the movement and pace, managing only 56 runs in 10.4 overs.Markram highlighted the importance of winning close games in the group and Super Eights stages, which boosted their confidence. He also acknowledged the team's past failures in global events but emphasized that the current squad is focused on the present opportunity."We feel and believe that we can compete with the best in the world and we can win trophies," Markram said. "It's nice for us to now have that opportunity."The Proteas will now face either India or England in the final in Barbados. Markram emphasized the need to adapt to the different conditions and play to their strengths."We'll try to find ways to always take wickets with the ball and from a batting point of view try to get to a score that's defendable," he said. "Both teams have to play on the same wicket."Markram also praised Afghanistan's impressive run in the tournament, acknowledging their talented players and the inspiration they have provided."They have some of the best (players) in the world at the moment," Markram said. "I'm sure it's not going to be the end of them making knockout cricket."

India's star pacer Jasprit Bumrah experienced an amusing moment after India's triumph over England in the semi-final of the T20 World Cup 2024. A viral video captured Bumrah's awkward attempt to shake hands with the umpire, who inadvertently overlooked him. The incident sparked laughter among fans on social media.Bumrah's performance in the tournament has been exceptional, earning him accolades as the "best player in the team." The video of his handshake mishap has gone viral, providing a lighthearted moment amidst the intense competition.In the match, England elected to field first, but India's openers Rohit Sharma and Suryakumar Yadav put up a formidable partnership, scoring 57 and 47 runs respectively. Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja also contributed to India's total of 171/7.England's chase faltered as they struggled to adapt to the pitch conditions, managing only 103 runs in 16.4 overs. Harry Brook and Jos Buttler were the only notable performers for England.Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav were the standout bowlers for India, claiming three wickets each. Bumrah also chipped in with two wickets, helping India secure a convincing 68-run victory.The T20 World Cup final will witness an exciting clash between undefeated India and South Africa in Barbados on Saturday.

Former England captain Nasser Hussain has hailed Indian skipper Rohit Sharma as a "brutal elegance at its best" for his explosive knocks in the ICC T20 World Cup. Hussain believes that a shift in India's game and mentality in T20Is occurred after their ten-wicket loss to England in the 2022 T20 World Cup semis.Rohit's 92 against Australia in the Super Eights match was a testament to this change. He smashed Pat Cummins for a 100m six on the first ball of the fifth over and took 29 runs off Mitchell Starc in the third over, including four sixes.Hussain praised Rohit's focus on the team's score and strike rate rather than a potential maiden T20 WC century. He also admired Rohit's takedown of Australian pacers, calling it "elegant, absolute brutal elegance at its best."Rohit's 92 helped India post 205/5 and restrict Australia to 181/7, despite Travis Head's counter-attacking 76. Australia's elimination from the tournament after Bangladesh's loss to Afghanistan highlights the impact of Rohit's leadership and the team's newfound aggression.In six matches of the tournament, Rohit has scored 191 runs at an average of 38.20, with a strike rate of 159.16 and two half-centuries. His best score is 92.