cricket

West Indies vs New Zealand Live Score Updates, T20 World Cup 2024

Danijones6 months ago01 mins

West Indies vs New Zealand, T20 World Cup 2024 LIVE Updates:© AFP West Indies vs New Zealand T20 World Cup 2024, LIVE Updates: Co-hosts West Indies have the chance to become the first team from Group C to seal a Super 8 spot, if they beat New Zealand at Trinidad’s Brian Lara Stadium. The Windies team battled to victory against Papua New Guinea, before a thumping win over Uganda where they bowled out the opposition for just 39. New Zealand were themselves dismantled by Afghanistan, and desperately need a win to stay alive in the tournament. It is also the first-ever T20 World Cup fixture at the stadium named after one of West Indies’s greatest cricket icons. (Live Scorecard | Points Table) Topics mentioned in this article

India’s Predicted XI Against USA: Rohit Sharma To Make 2 Changes; Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja Out?

Danijones6 months ago03 mins

India Predicted Playing 11 vs USA: India will be squaring off against co-hosts and debutants USA for their next T20 World Cup 2024, Group A match on Wednesday in New York. After pulling-off a stunning victory against Pakistan in a low-scoring thriller, Rohit Sharma and co would be eager to add another win to their brilliant World Cup campaign. On the other hand, USA, who are making their first appearance in the T20 World Cup, left everyone utterly impressed with a surprising Super Over win over Pakistan. The Monank Patel-led side, which is filled with some former Indian players, will look to put up a good show against the might India. In the first two games, India’s weakest link was Shivam Dube. The Chennai Super Kings’ most valued ‘Impact Player’ is finding it tough on two-paced tracks where the ball is gripping and coming late onto the bat. But unlike tactician-par-excellence MS Dhoni, who could bench him during CSK’s bowling in the IPL, national skipper Rohit Sharma doesn’t have such luxury and needs to hide him in areas of the field where the ball is expected to travel less. Dube is a monstrous hitter of spinners on good flat decks and his military medium seam-up stuff does give the Indian skipper cushion to manoeuvre with the bowling combination. But in a format like T20, the team management, which asked for Dube at the expense of Rinku Singh, would want him to come good. Else, there is Yashasvi Jaiswal in the 15, who is a way more rounded batter than the big-bodied Mumbaikar. Two wrist spinners, Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav, should be given some game time or else they might just enter the Super Eights a bit undercooked in the Caribbean where the pitches will be more spin-friendly. India’s Predicted XI against USA: Rohit Sharma (c), Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Suryakumar Yadav, Sanju Samson, Hardik Pandya, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh (With PTI Inputs) Topics mentioned in this article

India vs USA, T20 World Cup 2024: Match Preview, Players To Watch Out For

Danijones6 months ago04 mins

Match 25 of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, 2024, will see the USA facing India at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York on Wednesday. The USA and India have each played two matches in the tournament so far. USA are ranked second on the points table, while India are leading the standings. Both teams will be looking to solidify their positions as the competition heats up. In their last encounter, USA played a thrilling match against Pakistan, which ended in a tie. They triumphed in the Super Over, winning by five runs. Nosthush Kenjige was the standout player for the USA, amassing 91 fantasy points. India’s last match was also against Pakistan, where they secured a narrow victory by six runs. Jasprit Bumrah was the top fantasy performer for India, earning 97 fantasy points with his exceptional bowling. Key Players to Watch 1. Virat Kohli (IND): The prolific right-handed top-order batter has been a consistent performer. In his last five matches, Kohli has scored 85 runs. His ability to anchor the innings and play under pressure makes him a vital player for India. 2. Hardik Pandya (IND): An all-rounder with a knack for making significant contributions with both bat and ball, Pandya has scored 65 runs and taken six wickets in his last five matches. His right-arm medium-fast bowling and explosive batting can turn the game in India’s favour. 3. Jasprit Bumrah (IND): Known for his deadly accuracy and pace, Bumrah has been in excellent form, taking nine wickets in his last five matches. His ability to bowl in the death overs makes him a crucial asset for India. 4. Aaron Jones: A reliable top-order right-handed batter, Jones has scored 167 runs in his last five matches. His consistent performance at the top of the order will be key for the USA. 5. Harmeet Singh: Harmeet is a versatile left-handed batter and slow left-arm orthodox bowler. He has taken one wicket in recent matches and his dual skills add depth to the USA lineup. 6. Jasdeep Singh: Known for his right-arm medium pace, Jasdeep has taken two wickets in his last five matches. His ability to contain runs and take crucial wickets makes him a player to watch. The match between the USA and India promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams eager to secure a win and improve their standings in the tournament. Fans can expect an exciting game filled with competitive cricket and standout performances. Topics mentioned in this article

India Vs USA: EXCLUSIVE: 18 years later, USA all-rounder Nisarg Patel aims for reunion with Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja | Cricket News

Danijones6 months ago011 mins

NEW DELHI: USA all-rounder Nisarg Patel was a mere 18 years old when he travelled to Sri Lanka for the Under-19 World Cup in 2006. The tournament had prominent players from various nations, including the likes of current Indian captain Rohit Sharma and star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja.The USA team, placed in Group B with Australia, the West Indies, and South Africa, played three matches but unfortunately lost all of them, leading to an early exit from the tournament.T20 World Cup Schedule | Points TableDespite the disappointing outcome, Nisarg had the opportunity to meet the entire Indian squad, exchanging greetings with Rohit and Jadeja before returning to the United States.Now, 18 years later, Nisarg, who is part of the senior USA team, is eagerly anticipating a reunion with Rohit and Jadeja. India and the USA are set to face off in their ICC T20 World Cup 2024 match at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York on Wednesday.With two wins in two matches, India are well placed to make the Super Eights, while the USA will have to win one of the two remaining matches – vs India or Ireland – to move to the next stage of the mega event. TimesofIndia.com caught up with Nisarg, who played 41 ODIs and 21 T20Is for the USA so far and spoke about meeting young Rohit and Jadeja during the U-19 World Cup, cricket in the US, drop-in pitches, clash against India, and much more…The USA’s performance in the T20 World Cup has been remarkable…We are very excited. We have a big opportunity to represent the US on such a grand stage. There’s nothing bigger for players than representing their country in the World Cup, and we are doing just that. We have the chance to play against big teams – Pakistan and now India. We have played against Ireland many times and also against Canada. But this is a different experience altogether. This is special for us.How does cricket’s popularity fare in the USA, a nation renowned for its passion for NBA, Baseball, and NFL?People have come in huge numbers to witness our matches. There is a lot of buzz. It is an opportunity to bring the whole community together. As players, we just want to go and play cricket and enjoy every moment. That’s it. It’s the first time we have got the opportunity to play in such a big event like this, and we are giving our best. All I want to say is that we all (the US team) are enjoying our cricket. US cricket is doing really well. USA all-rounder Nisarg Patel (AFP Photo) After defeating Pakistan, the USA’s upcoming match is against India. Do you have your sights set on any specific Indian player’s wicket?I don’t specifically target players. As a player, I love to contribute to my team’s victory. It’s a very short format game. Whether it’s keeping it tight, bowling good overs, taking crucial wickets, putting brakes on runs, scoring runs, inflicting runouts, or keeping a batsman in check, I just love it. Obviously, I’d love to dismiss Virat Kohli or take Rohit’s wicket. But it all depends on when I’ll be bowling – in the Powerplay or after. I thrive in all situations. I met and interacted with Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja during the 2006 U19 World Cup and now look forward to meeting them again.Could you highlight two pivotal players from the Indian squad?Rohit Sharma. He can perform anywhere. And in bowling, none other than Bumrah. Give him any condition or situation, he will take wickets and win you the match. He’s that type of player.Your India connection?My cricketing journey started in India. I was born in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, and studied in a boarding school in Vapi. I played most of my cricket in Ahmedabad before relocating to the US in 2003. I began playing cricket in the US and received my first major opportunity to represent the USA in the Under-19 World Cup in Sri Lanka in 2006. I had the chance to compete against teams like Australia and South Africa, facing players such as David Warner, Aaron Finch, Matthew Wade, and many more. During the World Cup, I had the privilege of meeting and interacting with Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja as well. Experiencing international cricket at such a young age was invaluable. Subsequently, I was selected for the senior USA team and have since played around 70-80 matches for them. I aspire to continue representing the USA team for as long as possible.Who is your inspiration and why?I started playing during the era of Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, and Rahul Dravid. Initially, I admired Dada (Ganguly). He was my inspiration and a true leader. As time passed, I witnessed the era of players like MS Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh, and Virat Kohli. I greatly admire MS Dhoni. I appreciate the way he conducts himself on and off the field, how he handles players, and his ability to turn matches with his batting prowess. He is simply amazing and incredibly down-to-earth. He has contributed immensely to cricket.In cricket, being an all-rounder, I look up to Ravindra Jadeja. I play a similar role to him, being a left-arm spinner and a middle-order batsman. I closely watch and follow his game. I am eagerly looking forward to meeting him.Could you share insights from your meeting with batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar and the legendary Shane Warne?When the Legends Masters League took place in the USA, the great Shane Warne and the legendary Sachin Tendulkar were part of that league. We had the opportunity to meet them and learn valuable cricket lessons. I served as a net bowler in that league, bowling to the likes of Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, Matthew Hayden, and many other legendary players. I learned a lot from their experiences.What are your thoughts on the drop-in pitches?I’ve never played on drop-in pitches before. This is our first time. All I’ve heard is that they are true wickets. They benefit…

IND vs PAK, T20 World Cup 2024: Jasprit Bumrah Shines As India Pip Pakistan In Low-Scoring Thriller

Danijones7 months ago08 mins

The latest chapter of the “greatest rivalry” wasn’t high on quality but still provided edge of the seat action as a gritty India, guided by the redoubtable Jasprit Bumrah, went past an imploding Pakistan by six runs in a low-scoring T20 World Cup contest in New York on Sunday. The Rohit Sharma-led side suffered a mid-innings collapse on a two-paced track to be all out for an underwhelming 119 in 19 overs despite a gutsy effort from Rishabh Pant (42 off 31 balls) after being put in to bat under overcast conditions. Pakistan, who can oscillate between the sublime and ridiculous, seemed to have the game in the bag needing 48 runs off as many balls with eight wickets in hand. However, the pace combination of the ever-effective Bumrah (3/14) and Hardik Pandya (2/24) brought India back from the dead with incisive spells that saw Pakistan lose wickets in a heap to end at 113 for seven in 20 overs. The equation came down to 18 off the last six balls and Arshdeep Singh held his nerve to defend it and ensure another famous win for India over Pakistan on the world stage. While Hardik used the short ball well, Bumrah got rid of a well-set Rizwan in the 15th over before dismissing Iftikhar Ahmed in the 19th over that went for just three runs. Having said that, India made plenty of errors in the game including the dropped catches of Rizwan (31 off 34) and Babar Azam (13 off 10) early in the Pakistan chase. It was India’s second win in as many games while Pakistan succumbed to another loss after a shock defeat against the USA in their opener. Earlier, India’s new number three Pant rode his luck en route a chancy knock but other batters in the star-studded line-up could not apply themselves on a challenging surface. Pakistan dismissed India with an over to spare courtesy an all-round bowling effort with Naseem Shah (3/21) and Mohammed Amir (2/23) being the most impressive. India lost seven wickets for just 28 runs after being 89 for three in the 12th over. Intermittent rain delayed the toss and subsequently the start of the game by 50 minutes. Under overcast skies, Babar expectedly put the opposition India in to bat. After the opening over from Shaheen Afrdi, in which Rohit played a sublime pick up shot for six over deep square leg, rain returned to halt the game gain by roughly 30 minutes. Virat Kohli (4 off 3), who has an exemplary record against Pakistan, hit a glorious cover drive off Naseem Shah on the first ball of his innings post the resumption before getting caught at point off a wide and short ball two balls later. Pakistan had India under the pump when Rohit (13 off 12) departed in the following over by Afridi. The India captain went for another pick up shot but this time mistimed it to be holed out at deep square leg. The drop-in pitch, which made headlines for the wrong reasons prior to the game, had enough for pacers as well as the spinners but there was not as much uneven bounce as seen in the previous games. With India feeling the heat at 19 for two, they decided to promote Axar Patel (20 off 18) to number four to shield Suryakumar Yadav, a surprising move considering India bat deep. However, to Axar’s credit, the southpaw did play some bold strokes, including a six over third man off Afridi, in his brief stay. New number three Pant and Axar shared a 39-run stand off 30 balls to ensure the runs kept coming after the loss of openers. Pant, who got two streaky fours off Mohammad Amir at the start of his innings, rode his luck to a play pivotal knock. The gutsy left-hander was also dropped on eight before he gained in confidence to come up with a series of fearless fours. Three of them came in the opening over from Haris Rauf before he unleashed the reverse slap off spinner Imad Wasim. A 31-run stand with Suryakumar Yadav (7 off 8) took India to a promising 81 for three in the 10 overs. However, Pakistan fought back between overs 11-15 with as many as four wickets while conceding only 15 runs to leave India struggling at 96 for seven. Dube’s was a rather soft dismissal as he hit one straight back to Shah while Suryakumar tried to dispatch Rauf through the line but was caught at mid-off. Seeing the wickets fall at the other end, Pant did not hold back and went for a straight aerial drive to give Amir his first wicket. He got rid of Ravindra Jadeja the next ball through a regulation catch at cover. Hardik (7 off 12) had to bat around the tail but he did not last long. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.) Topics mentioned in this article

India’s T20 World Cup opener wasn’t even warm-up as Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah seal comfortable win over Ireland

Danijones7 months ago010 mins

If this T20 World Cup is supposed to be an advertisement for cricket and appeal to unfamiliar viewers trickling into the venues in the United States, it isn’t fulfilling that purpose in its opening week. For the second successive game at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in Long Island, New York, the team batting first was bowled out for a total below 100. On Monday, Sri Lanka were bundled for 77 as South Africa’s Anrich Nortje led the way with a four-for. On Wednesday, Ireland folded up for 96 after a collective bowling effort by India. Hardik Pandya took 3/27 while player-of-the-match Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh claimed two each. India’s Jasprit Bumrah and teammates celebrate the dismissal of Ireland’ Harry Tector (ICC- X) The gulf in quality meant India cruised to the target with 46 balls in hand to open their campaign with an eight-wicket win. But both matches have been played on tricky drop-in pitches which are far from desirable for this format. The slow outfield hasn’t helped matters either. The only concern for India, however, was skipper Rohit Sharma retiring hurt on 52 after 10 overs due to a blow on his right forearm off left-arm pacer Josh Little. The incident had occurred in the ninth over, to which he responded by pulling the next two balls for sixes. India will hope Rohit is fine for their next game in Group A against Pakistan on Sunday. 3.6 Crore Indians visited in a single day choosing us as India’s undisputed platform for General Election Results. Explore the latest updates here! ALSO READ: IND vs IRE Live Score, T20 World Cup 2024: Kohli’s position under the spotlight While there isn’t much else to mull over from this fixture, India’s playing combination was interesting nevertheless. Yashasvi Jaiswal’s omission was apparent from the warm-up game against Bangladesh. But the composition of India’s bowling attack entailed surprises on two counts. One, they chose to go in with all three specialist pacers available in the squad with Pandya providing the fourth seam-bowling option. Two, left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav, a match-winner in white-ball cricket over the past couple of years, was left out for Axar Patel. The pace-heavy attack was appropriate for Wednesday given the early start, the presence of cloud cover and uncertainty about the nature of the surface. After opting to bowl, India’s pace battery quickly hit their stride too. Arshdeep and Mohammed Siraj set the tone by capitalising on the lateral movement that was available right through. There was also variable bounce – a delivery from Arshdeep in the opening over went on the bounce to the wicketkeeper while a few rose steeply from a length – to keep the batters guessing. Arshdeep struck twice in a two-run third over. Ireland skipper Paul Stirling departed when he only managed a top edge on an attempted pull. It helped Rishabh Pant, returning for India after last playing at the highest level in December 2022 due to a car accident, quickly get into the thick of the action as he ran back a few metres to settle under a skier and complete the catch. Five balls later, Andy Balbirnie, the other opening batter for Ireland, was bowled by his own doing. The ball wasn’t threatening, but Balbirnie paid the price for trying to open the face of his bat and run it through third man. At 9/2 after three overs, this was far from the ideal start for Ireland. If they were under the impression that the pressure would ease up, they were grossly mistaken of course. Charging in was Bumrah in the sixth over, instantly getting the ball to jag in and away in an opening over that didn’t cost a run. Another bowling change was effected in the seventh over as Rohit – he played under Pandya at Mumbai Indians in the recently-concluded IPL — brought the all-rounder into the attack. Pandya hadn’t had much to cheer about during MI’s bottom-placed finish, but early signs are that a change in jersey and surroundings may just uplift the 30-year-old’s fortunes. Having smashed an unbeaten 40 off 23 balls in India’s warm-up game against Bangladesh a few days ago, he had a good outing with the ball on this occasion. Just five balls into his first over, he breached the gap between Lorcan Tucker’s bat and pad with a nip-backer that hit the woodwork. Tucker had scooped Siraj and cut Arshdeep for two fours, but erred in his shot selection against Pandya. “I really liked the first wicket. Generally, I don’t hit the stumps often, I have a tendency to bowl back of a length, but on this wicket, I needed to be a lot fuller to be in the game,” Pandya would say at the mid-innings break. Bumrah followed it up by dismissing Harry Tector in the next over. Having pushed and prodded for 4 off 15 balls, Tector’s misery ended when a brute of a bouncer from Bumrah rushed him. Targeted at his head, Tector thought of pulling but was a fraction late in his response, the ball hitting his glove and deflecting onto his helmet before lobbing to Virat Kohli at cover. From 36/4, Ireland slid further to 44/5, 46/6 and 49/7 in quick succession as Pandya added to his tally. The pitch wasn’t favourable for strokeplay, but Ireland didn’t help themselves with some reckless options in the circumstances. Axar, too, joined in on the act with a caught and bowled in the 12th over – his only over of the innings – to claim Ireland’s eighth wicket. Only two batters had reached double figures till then, but Gareth Delany and Josh Little swung the bat towards the end and managed to help Ireland reach 96 before a run out brought an end to their innings.

Pakistan targets right T20 combination against understrength New Zealand | Cricket

Cricket in uncharted territory as T20 World Cup starts in Texas

Danijones7 months ago07 mins

Cricket ventures into uncharted territory on Saturday as the first ever major tournament to be staged in the United States gets under way in Texas with the opening game of the T20 World Cup. Cricket in uncharted territory as T20 World Cup starts in Texas A month-long festival of the fastest and most explosive form of the sport which is being shared between venues in Texas, Florida, New York and the Caribbean begins with the US taking on Canada at the Grand Prairie Stadium on the outskirts of Dallas on Saturday. Unlock exclusive access to the latest news on India’s general elections, only on the HT App. Download Now! Download Now! It marks the opening skirmish of the first ever major International Cricket Council event to be held in part in the United States. While the bulk of the tournament will be played out in the Caribbean, 16 group stage games in the 20-team tournament will be played on American soil, including the highlight of the group stage a clash between India and Pakistan. That match is due to be played at a 34,000-capacity temporary venue in Long Island, New York on June 9. The rest of the tournament will be held in the West Indies, including the Super Eight stage, the semi-finals and the final, which will be played at Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados. While cricket is widely played at a recreational level in the United States, with strong presences in all three of the states that have been chosen for games, organisers are realistic about the chances of “converting” mainstream American sports fans. USA batsman Aaron Jones said the hosts are aiming to impress American fans both on and off the field. “Obviously what you do on the field is very important,” Jones said. “We want to get a lot more support from the American born-and-raised people. “I think we could only do that by playing good on the field and obviously interacting with the fans or the growing fans off the field as well.” The ICC also sees the tournament as a launch pad towards the sport’s return to the Olympics for Los Angeles 2028, when the T20 format will be used. Major League Cricket, a T20 tournament, was launched last year and also stands to benefit from any growth in interest in the big-hitting, spectacular shortest form. But it is not only the American market that the ICC is focused upon the expansion of the tournament has opened up opportunities for newer cricket nations to compete on the big stage. In recent years, the sport has been able to expand outside of its traditional strongholds with Ireland and Afghanistan earning places in the 12-strong elite with full Test status. But the ICC see the T20 format as the perfect vehicle for growing the game and this year’s edition will feature three T20 World Cup debutants in the USA, Canada and Uganda. Nepal, Papua New Guinea and Oman are among the other nations who are relatively new to the big stage and who will be looking to make their mark and grab some attention with an upset win. With the teams drawn in four groups of five teams, with just the top two advancing, none of the smaller nations are expected to progress beyond the group stage and there is a danger the pool stage could mainly be a ‘weeding out’ process. India, winners of the first edition in 2007, are the favourites, with their lineup packed with players from the annual Indian Premier League. Australia, winners of the ODI World Cup last year along with the World Test Championship, opted to leave out their veteran batsman Steve Smith but big-hitting David Warner and pacemen Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins provide plenty of experience. Other possible contenders include defending champions England, who will be without the star of their 2022 triumph Ben Stokes, who is managing his fitness after a knee operation. England warmed up for the tournament with a seven-wicket rout of Pakistan in London on Thursday. Co-hosts West Indies won the tournament in 2012 and 2016 and are hoping that they can benefit from familiarity with the surfaces in the region. South Africa, New Zealand and Pakistan will all fancy their chances of making an impact in a tournament which always produces surprises. sev/rcw/js This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.

Babar Azam: ‘Babar Azam should bat at…’: Shoaib Malik wants change in Pakistan skipper’s batting order | Cricket News

Danijones7 months ago03 mins

NEW DELHI: After Pakistan’s seven-wicket loss to England in the fourth T20I at Kennington Oval, former cricketer Shoaib Malik suggested that skipper Babar Azam should bat at number three. Babar scored 36 runs off 22 balls with a strike rate of 163.64, hitting 5 fours and 1 six. Malik, on his official X account, acknowledged the tough series and emphasized the need for a batsman who can rotate the strike in the middle overs, suggesting Babar as the best option.He also encouraged Azam Khan and Shadab Khan to maintain their confidence as vital players for the team.Malik wrote: “Tough series! Remember: we’ve been in tough spots before & came out stronger! IMO Babar should bat at no 03! We need someone in the middle overs to rotate strike, you are our best option. Azam & Shadab, you two are vital for our team, don’t lose confidence, play with heart, you are match winners. Going into the World Cup, keep your morale high, we’ve got this.” In the match, England chose to field first. Babar Azam (36 off 22) and Mohammed Rizwan (23 off 16) started strong, but Adil Rashid (2/27) and Moeen Ali (1/23) applied pressure, reducing Pakistan to 86/5. Contributions from Usman Khan (38 off 21) and Iftikhar Ahmed (21 off 18) helped Pakistan reach 157/10 in 19.5 overs. England’s bowlers Mark Wood (2/35) and Liam Livingstone (2/17) also performed well.In the chase, England’s openers Phil Salt (45 off 24) and Jos Buttler (39 off 24) dominated, making 78 runs in the powerplay. Despite a brief fightback by Haris Rauf (3/38), Jonny Bairstow (28* off 16) and Harry Brook (17* off 14) finished the match in 15.3 overs, securing a seven-wicket win for England.(Inputs from ANI)

‘Fair character’, ‘has the fire’, ‘can infuse winning culture’: Gautam Gambhir can be the kind of coach India need | Cricket News

Danijones7 months ago06 mins

While it has been widely reported that former India opener Gautam Gambhir as the new India coach is a ‘done deal’, an official announcement on the team’s new boss replacing Rahul Dravid might take a few more days to come. But experts have no doubt left that Gambhir is the kind of character who has the fire inside him to take the Indian team to new heights.Among his most recent successes, Gambhir took over the role of Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) mentor just before IPL 2024 and turned out to be the chief architect of KKR’s third triumph in the T20 league. It only added to his credentials as a mentor, after he had taken Lucknow Super Giants to the playoffs in two successive editions, before making a move to join KKR in a similar role. “What a record he has had as a coach!” said the former wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik, who announced his retirment after IPL 2024, on Cricbuzz. “Being a mentor for LSG, two years on the bounce qualifying (for playoffs), comes to KKR and they say, ‘Please, you got to do something special for us’. Ends up winning the trophy.” It was effectively Gambhir’s third IPL title in KKR colours. When the team won its two titles in 2012 and 2014, Gambhir was the KKR captain. “He has been at the helm, taken all the decisions (for KKR), be it sending (Sunil) Narine opening or getting Mitchell Starc in the auction — in all of those big recruits and getting the right team, the right balance, and then taking all the shots,” Karthik, who has previously played for KKR in the IPL, said.“I am seeing in the news that he could be part of the Indian team (chief coach) as well, and I really wish he does. He has that fire in him,” Gambhir added. Gambhir’s track record as a player and coach/mentor reflects that he knows what it takes to win big tournaments. Besides three IPL titles with KKR, Gambhir was part of the team under MS Dhoni when India won the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 ODI World Cup.Karthik believes that Gambhir has put things in such proper order at KKR that even if he has to leave the job and take up the role of India’s chief coach, KKR remain well placed to excel in the next IPL season as well. “I think he has really built a good (KKR) team, one that will have a lot of players retained and he has left them in a very, very good place. And if he gets the opporunity (India coach), I really wish he takes it. Being part of the national team and the patriotism that he has, I think he will definitely be tempted to take it and I really wish he comes in because he will infuse that winning culture he has infused here (at KKR),” reckoned Gambhir. “India would do very well under him because I feel he has that fire that is required.“When it comes to KKR, whenever he is back (after stint as India coach), they will take him back with open arms. But I do believe he has left Shreyas Iyer and the team in a much better place than it was when he took it (mentorship role).” Former New Zealand pace Simon Doul was also part of the discussion on Cricbuzz, and fully agreed with Karthik’s opinion.“Those (Gambhir) are the kind of people you want at the helm — highly respected, tough. He is a tough character, but I think he is very fair character and I think he’ll do a great job if he were to take over, if he were to accept the role,” said Doull.The tenure of current India coach, Rahul Dravid, will end after the T20 World Cup in June.

Sandeep Lamichhane: Sandeep Lamichane set to miss T20 World Cup 2024 after denied US visa for second time despite Cricket Association of Nepal’s efforts | Cricket News

Danijones7 months ago03 mins

NEW DELHI: Nepalese leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane will be absent from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled for June in the West Indies and the United States. This setback comes after the US Embassy rejected Lamichhane’s visa application for the second time, effectively barring him from participating in the tournament.Lamichhane’s initial application was denied the previous week, prompting swift action from the Cricket Association of Nepal (CAN) and the Nepali government. ALSO SEE: T20 World Cup Schedule Despite their combined efforts, including diplomatic interventions and communication with the International Cricket Council (ICC), the US Embassy remained resolute in its decision.The CAN, in an official statement, expressed disappointment at the outcome, highlighting the extensive measures taken to secure Lamichhane’s travel permission. It reads, “Despite taking necessary initiatives, along with the diplomatic note, from the government of Nepal, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Youth and Sports, National Sports Council, CAN, and International Cricket Council (ICC), for cricketer Sandeep Lamichhane’s visit to participate in the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in the United States and West Indies, the US Embassy has expressed its inability to give travel permission (visa) to national player Lamichhane to play in the World Cup.” The US Embassy, while acknowledging the significance of the tournament and the efforts made to facilitate travel for participating athletes, maintained its stance on confidentiality regarding individual visa cases.This development is a significant blow to Nepal’s T20 World Cup aspirations. Lamichhane, a key player in the Nepali squad, brings a wealth of experience and skill to the team. His absence will undoubtedly be felt as Nepal faces stiff competition in Group D, which includes formidable opponents such as Bangladesh, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and the Netherlands.Nepal’s campaign is set to begin on June 4th against the Netherlands in Texas. The team will need to regroup and strategize effectively to overcome the challenge of competing without their star spinner.(Inputs from ANI)