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“It’s A Shame”: AB De Villiers On Racial Quota Chatter Around South Africa’s T20 World Cup Squad

Danijones5 months ago09 mins

AB De Villiers is not surprised that just days before South Africa renews its quest for an elusive World Cup, the talk back home is all about racial quota in the team. It’s a rinse-and-repeat sort of situation and de Villiers, who retired in 2018, is glad that he is a mere spectator to the situation now. “…it’s a shame going into a tournament to have the focus on that. I mean it’s nothing new, it’s just a shame,” lamented one of the greats of South African cricket. “Luckily this time around, I’ve had nothing to do with anything over there. I’m just a spectator,” the 40-year-old said in an interaction with PTI facilitated by ‘Jio Cinema’. The cause of outrage is the presence of just one black player in the squad for the T20 showpiece that will take place in the Americas from June 1. Considered the perennial bridesmaids, who tend to choke in crunch situations, South Africa somehow are always in the pre-tournament favourites bracket without actually living up to the tag. And having a deeply divisive topic take centre-stage just days before they begin their campaign is a far-from-ideal build-up for a country that has a troubled past when it comes to race relations. The Proteas will start off against the Netherlands in New York on June 8. Over the course of a season, six players of colour are required to be in the South Africa playing eleven including two from the black African community as per the policy introduced in 2016. With Kagiso Rabada being the only black African in the T20 World Cup squad, the national team is set to miss its target. Another black-African, Lungi Ngidi, is part of the travelling reserves. The other players of colour include Reeza Hendricks, Bjorn Fortuin, Keshav Maharaj, Tabraiz Shamsi and Ottniel Baartman. “There are controversial moments back home as per usual with the South African squad just before a World Cup,” de Villiers said. “I think it’s a good team. It’s a shame about Lungi… (he) lost a bit of form, had a couple of injuries. Otherwise, he most probably would have been in the squad and there wouldn’t have been any controversial stuff back home,” he added. At the moment, Cricket South Africa doesn’t have a committee of selectors and the team is picked by head coaches Shukri Conrad (Tests) and Rob Walter (white-ball cricket). “Sometimes these things happen and it puts you under a bit of pressure as a selection panel and as a coach and a captain,” de Villiers said. “From what I remember is with the quota system, it’s an average team, an average number over the season and they don’t really look at every series, but as journalists sometimes enjoy steaming up things a bit,” he tried to put things in context. Following the selection of the squad earlier this month, former Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula and former CSA and ICC president Ray Mali questioned the composition of the side. “Only one African player selected in the Proteas Team for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 Team. Definitely a reserval (reversal) of the gains of transformation and doesn’t reflect fair representation of all South Africans in the national cricket tea,” Mbalula wrote on X. On SABC Sport, Mali said the game is heading backwards in the country. “I believe a lot has been achieved, but I believe we have gone backwards in terms of cricket – we have taken a step backwards instead of going forward,” said Mali. But de Villiers was a bit more empathetic towards those who made the choices and said he does not see anything sinister in the process. “Maybe they are short. Maybe they are well within their right to do whatever they were needed to do in this World Cup. “Keeping in mind there were a couple of injuries, a couple of out of form players. It’s never easy,” he said. On the upside, South Africa’s IPL stars have displayed ominous form in the preceding T20 league and that would surely give them confidence to go the distance in the World Cup too. Impact Player rule in IPL needs to be relooked ============================ Talking about the recently-concluded IPL, de Villiers said the Impact Player rule , which helped teams amass 250-plus totals as many as eight times this season, needs to be revised. “…what I really didn’t enjoy about the rule is actually subbing players who have already taken part in the game. That part of the rule doesn’t make sense. I feel it needs to be a fair swap. “If someone hasn’t taken part in the game, he needs to be swapped. If you feel that you are going to lack in the bowling or batting department, it’ll just make it a bit harder to strategise and it’ll be more of a risk to swap someone.” He also wants more than two fielders outside the ring in the powerplay. “I still feel T20 cricket needs to be a batters game, that’s why the fans come to the parks. They want to see the ball flying all over the park and into the night sky,” he said. “But I still you still want to see the bowlers outsmart batters sometimes…in the first six overs by maybe easing up on the restrictions. “Whether that’s four or five outside, I don’t know exactly but at least the bowler can plan,” he reasoned. Topics mentioned in this article

“Chakkay Kyun Kha Rae Aap?”: Female Fan’s Bizarre Remark On Pakistan Star’s Form Is Viral

Danijones5 months ago04 mins

Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan’s form has been a point of concern for the team heading into the T20 World Cup in the Americas. In his last two T20I outings, Shadab has leaked 109 runs at an economy rate of over 12, while also remaining wicketless. Before their opening game of the tournament against USA on June 6, Pakistan only have one official game left to play as the first and third T20Is of their four-match series against England were washed out. On Tuesday, Shadab had an awkward interaction with a female fan in Cardiff. In a viral video, the fan questioned Shadab regarding his recent form. In the video, the female fan urged Shadab that he needs to take wickets and stop leaking runs. “Aap chakkay kyun kha rahe hain? Form mein wapis aayein. Wicketein leni hai aapne (Why are you conceding sixes? Get your form back. You need to pick wickets),” a female fan can be seen asking Shadab in a viral video. “ap chakay kyun kha rahe hain form mein wapis ayein wicktein leni hain ap ne” so real pic.twitter.com/5DmS5kfXx3 — noor (@pctobssessed) May 28, 2024 Meanwhile, Pakistan’s World Cup preparations were again dented by bad weather as the third international in Cardiff on Tuesday was abandoned without a ball being bowled. The woeful scenes in the Welsh capital followed another complete washout in the first of this four-match T20 series at Headingley. England remain 1-0 up with one to play at The Oval on Thursday after a 23-run win in at Edgbaston but this latest abandonment came just a week before they begin their T20 World Cup title defence against Scotland in Barbados on June 4. Rain in Cardiff on Tuesday started to fall steadily an hour before the scheduled 11:30 PM (IST) start, with a capacity 15,600 crowd expected at Sophia Gardens. But the bad weather delayed the toss, with the pitch and square at Sophia Gardens remaining fully covered. And minutes after a 1:10 AM (IST) inspection, the umpires abandoned the match due to a saturated outfield and persistent rain. The teams will now travel to London for Thursday’s finale at The Oval in the hope of one last chance for competitive action ahead of the T20 World Cup. Pakistan, the 2009 T20 World Cup winners, start this year’s tournament against co-hosts the United States in Dallas on June 6. (With AFP Inputs) Topics mentioned in this article

Shah Rukh Khan “Won’t Be Successful…”: Gautam Gambhir’s Intriguing Revelation After KKR Heroics In IPL

Danijones5 months ago05 mins

Gautam Gambhir with Sunil Narine, Shah Rukh Khan and the IPL 2024 trophy.© Twitter Gautam Gambhir is now the cynosure of Kolkata Knight Riders after the IPL 2024 win. There is every reason for him to get all the adulation. He transformed a team that had been waiting for an IPL title for a decade into a champion side. Since joining KKR as a mentor. Gambhir had one mission. That mission – to take KKR to third IPL win – is successful. The joy of the entire KKR team knew no bounds after the IPL 2024 triumph on Sunday. Even KKR co-owner Shah Rukh Khan, who has been a constant presence in his team’s IPL 2024 matches, was happy. Shah Rukh even said in his dressing room speech that he now intends to se Gautam Gambhir on the dance floor, an offer which was declined by the latter. Gambhir, in a recent interview was asked, after his dance prospect after KKR win. His reply was intersting. “Aap galat aadmi se pooch rahe hai. Na mein dance kar sakta hu, na mein ga sakta hu. Lekin ha doosro ko dance karte hue dekh zaroos sakta hu and usko enjoy kar sakta hu. Wo maine zaroos kia. Shah Rukh bhai apne zindagi mein bahut successful rahe hai, aur bahut successful rahenge bhi. Lekin ek jagah jaha pe woh unsuccessful hai ki woh mujhe dance nahi kara paye. Mujhe lagta hai aage aane wale time mein bhi successful hone. Pas iss jagah pe woh successful nahi ho paenge kiuki main dance aur gaana ga hi nahi sakta (You are asking this to the wrong person. Neither can I dance, nor can I sing. Yes, I love to watch others dance and enjoy. Shah Rukh bhai has been very successful in his life and he will continue to be successful. But I think he won’t be successful in this aspect as I can’t dance or sing),” Gautam Gambhir said on Sportskeeda. Several reports have claimed that Gambhir is one of the front-runner for the post but in a recent interview, after he mentored KKR to IPL 2024 title, he indicated something unique. He was asked about KKR now being a ‘trophy-winning dressing room’. “Today you are saying this because we have won our third trophy. But if you ask me, we are still two trophies away from MI and CSK. Today I am content, but again that hunger (is there) that you are still not the most successful team in the IPL, for that to happen you need to win the IPL three more times, which will require a lot of hard work. So I think, the next mission is that, if we can make KKR the most successful team in the IPL. There won’t be any bigger feeling for me. But the journey abhi shuru hui hai (the journey has just started),” Gautam Gambhir said on Sportskeeda. The official deadline for application submission for the post of Indian cricket team coach selection is over. Monday was the last date to submit the google sheets to be the next India coach. Topics mentioned in this article

“Can I Bring My Girlfriend To IPL?”: Gautam Gambhir Reveals KKR Star’s First Words

Danijones5 months ago04 mins

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) mentor Gautam Gambhir has showered big praise on star all-rounder Sunil Narine who helped the franchise win their Indian Premier League (IPL) title last week. Narine was named ‘Most Valuable Player’ of IPL 2024 as KKR defeated SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the final last Sunday. Under Gambhir’s mentorship, Narine regained his magical touch, scoring 488 runs and picking up 17 wickets. In a recent interaction, Gambhir opened up on his camaraderie with Narine, and recalled the latter’s early days in the KKR camp. Gambhir was the captain of KKR when they won the IPL in 2012 and 2014, respectively, with Narine playing a crucial role in both the triumphs. “Me and Narine are similar characters, and so are our emotions. I still remember that when Narine first came into the IPL in 2012, it was in Jaipur, and we were going for practice, and I told him to come join for lunch. He was so shy that he did not say a single word during lunch, and the first question that he eventually asked was, ‘Can I bring my girlfriend to the IPL?,” Gambhir told Sportskeeda in an interview. Gambhir suggested that Narine and him are similar persons, and also termed the all-rounder as a brother. “He was so quiet that first season, but now, we can talk about anything. He is like a brother to me. I don’t see him as a friend, I don’t see him as a teammate, I see him as a brother. If I need him or he needs me, I think we are just one call away, that is the sort of relationship that we have built. We do not get excited much, we do not show too many emotions, we are not flamboyant, we just do the job and come back,” he added. Gambhir insisted that Narine has always been KKR’s ‘MVP’. “What can I say about him? Even if he didn’t win the ‘most valuable player award’ he would have still been the MVP. You are looking at his stats but he was KKR’s MVP even before the season got underway. The world has seen his talent as an all-rounder and i’m sure that Narine still has plenty of to give to KKR and world cricket,” he further explained. Topics mentioned in this article

ICC Breaks Silence Over Terror Threat To India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup Game

Danijones5 months ago04 mins

Ahead of the high-octane India versus Pakistan clash in the ICC T20 World Cup on June 9, security cover will be raised at New York’s Eisenhower Park stadium following reports of threats to the match, reported ESPNCricinfo. As per a statement by the governor’s office, the situation is being monitored and according to their intel “there is no credible public safety threat at this time.” Eisenhower Park Stadium, located 25 miles east of Manhattan, is the host of eight ICC T20 WC matches from June 3 to 12, including the battle between two Asian arch-rivals. The governor of New York, Kathy Hochul, said that she is working with the law enforcement authorities to make sure these games go on smoothly. “I have also directed the New York State Police to engage in elevated security measures, including an increased law enforcement presence, advanced surveillance, and thorough screening processes,” she said as quoted by ESPNCricinfo. “Public safety is my top priority and we are committed to ensuring the Cricket World Cup is a safe, enjoyable experience,” she added. ESPNCricinfo has learnt that no corroborative evidence has been found by authorities to back the reported threat. But the International Cricket Council (ICC) has said that security will be “robust” throughout the tournament across all venues. An ICC spokesperson said, “The safety and security of everyone at the event is our number one priority and we have a comprehensive and robust security plan in place. We work closely with authorities in our host countries and continually monitor and evaluate the global landscape to ensure appropriate plans are in place to mitigate any risks identified to our event.” India will be playing four games in the US, including their campaign opener against Ireland (June 5), the match against Pakistan (June 9), against the USA (June 12) and the final group stage game against Canada (in Florida on June 15). The Men in Blue have arrived in New York since Tuesday and have been training, though star India batter Virat Kohli is yet to reach as he has been given a break following a brilliant Indian Premier League (IPL) campaign for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), securing the Orange Cap for most runs with 741 runs in 15 games. Earlier this month, the ICC and Cricket West Indies, the co-hosts of the World Cup along with the US, reassured that every measure possible is being taken to ensure the safety of the fans and the players. (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

Ruturaj Gaikwad’s Honest Revelation On Captaining MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja In IPL 2024

Danijones5 months ago03 mins

Ruturaj Gaikwad with MS Dhoni in IPL 2024© BCCI/Sportzpics It could become difficult for a young player to lead a team that has veterans like MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, and Ajinkya Rahane. Yet Ruturaj Gaikad impressed many with his leadership qualities as he led the Chennai Super Kings squad in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. It was right before the start of the tournament that CSK announced a captaincy change, with Dhoni passing on the baton to Gaikwad. When the CSK skipper was asked about the difficulty in leading such players, he gave an honest response. “I felt good right from the start (of the tournament). I am very approachable for all teammates whenever needed and they always support the team in whatever way the team requires,” Gaikwad said of the captaincy challenge, to Times of India. “I wouldn’t say it’s difficult as all of them are very understanding. All the senior players that are a part of the team are great to be with. Their experience always helps with match situations,” he added. Gaikwad also displayed a similar calm and composure on the field that people have seen from MS Dhoni for years. The CSK captain revealed that ‘being neutral’ is something he learned from Dhoni, and now he doesn’t get too excited about wins, or too low about losses. “Being neutral is something that I have learnt from Mahi bhai. Not getting too excited about anything or being down by anything is the right approach that I have picked up,” Ruturaj said. “While batting irrespective of being captain or not, my approach is always the same. Doesn’t really change a lot. You cannot plan to become leaders so being good team players and putting the team first will always stand a good chance to be one,” the CSK skipper explained. Topics mentioned in this article

‘I Will Not Lie…’: Virat Kohli Recalls Feelings Before World Cup Debut Match In 2011

Danijones5 months ago04 mins

Virat Kohli the first and only Indian to score a century on his World Cup debut.© AFP Virat Kohli is the global face of Indian cricket and will be ready to take on the new challenge that the 2024 T20 World Cup will bring with it. As part of the build up to the upcoming competition, Kohli talked about how he felt before making his World Cup debut against Bangladesh in the 2011 World Cup. The star Indian batter certainly made his debut in style as he stitched on a 203-run partnership with Virender Sehwag on his way to becoming the first and only Indian to score a century on his World Cup debut. He scored an unbeaten 100 in 83 deliveries and took Team India’s score to 370 which ultimately led to a 87 run victory. “It was against Bangladesh in Dhaka, my first game and I was nervous. Yes, I will not lie. There is a different sense of excitement in the air when you come for a World Cup and I could obviously sense that. I was the youngest member of that team and I was getting to play with all these greats of Indian cricket in a World Cup game. “For me it was definitely a moment where I was a bit nervous heading into the game and definitely the night before I was quite nervous but that is a good sign as well because your body is preparing you to enter a situation where you’re alert, you’re not taking things for granted. I think that nervousness helped me to be aware, be alert and be absolutely precise in the execution of my plans,” said Kohli on Star Sports. The former Indian skipper has been one of the best batsmen in all formats but his T20 World Cup exploits are second to none. He is the leading run scorer in the history of the tournament having scored 1141 runs in 25 innings taking his average to be an unbelievable 81.50. India will face Bangladesh in a warm-up game on June 1 as a part of their preparation in the T20 World Cup set to be held in the USA and West Indies. (This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Topics mentioned in this article

India Hold Top Spot In ICC Rankings Heading Into T20 World Cup 2024

Danijones5 months ago04 mins

Inaugural T20 World Cup winners India held the top spot in the men’s T20I team rankings ahead of the upcoming edition of the tournament, which the West Indies and USA are co-hosting from June 1-29. India have 264 rating points. Two-time champions West Indies have moved up to fourth position, their players showing some great form ahead of the T20 showpiece. The winners of the 2012 and 2016 editions of the tournament are ahead of New Zealand and South Africa after their 3-0 win over South Africa, who were pushed down to seventh position in the list led by India. 2021 champions Australia are second with 257 points, defending champions England third with 254 points and the West Indies two points behind them on 252. New Zealand are on 250 while Pakistan and South Africa are both on 244 points with Pakistan slightly ahead on decimal points. The West Indies players too have reaped the benefits of their superb performances in the home series not long before their tournament opener against Papua New Guinea in Guyana on June 2. Opening batter Brandon King is up five places to eighth position after topping the series aggregate with 159 runs and Johnson Charles, who hammered 69 off 26 balls to be named Player of the Match in the third T20I, is up 17 places to 20th. Kyle Mayers is another batter to move up, gaining 12 places to reach 31st position with an aggregate of 102 runs while left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie has advanced a whopping 84 places to 27th after finishing with eight wickets in the series. In the latest weekly update that also considers performances in the last two matches of the Bangladesh-USA series and the ongoing series between England and Pakistan, England captain Jos Buttler has inched up to seventh position, Jonny Bairstow is up eight places to 36th while Pakistan opener Fakhar Zaman has advanced from 57th to 51st. In the bowling rankings, Shaheen Afridi is up three places to 11th while Imad Wasim is another Pakistan player to gain, up 14 places to 38th. For the USA, Steven Taylor has made big gains, progressing 28 places to 109 in the batting rankings while for Bangladesh, Rishad Hussain has moved up 38 places to 52nd in the bowling rankings. (This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Topics mentioned in this article

Fans Trend “Sorry Kavya Maran” On Social Media As SRH Suffer Heartbreaking IPL Final Defeat

Danijones5 months ago03 mins

Kolkata Knight Riders clinched the IPL 2024 title after defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad in the summit clash by eight wickets. Asked to bat first, SRH had a horrendous day as they were bundled out for 113 with Andre Russell and Mitchell Starc scalping three and two wickets respectively. Later, KKR chased down the target in just 10.3 overs and lifted their third IPL trophy. After the victory, celebrations began in camp KKR but the mood was exactly opposite in camp SRH as their owner Kavya Maran could not hide tears. Kavya, who always supported SRH with a beautiful smile on her face, left many hearts broken with her crying face. As soon the video of her crying went viral on social media, many memes started circulating. However, few fans shared some posts, apologizing her for SRH’s defeat. Will never forgive KKR for making Kavya Maran Cry pic.twitter.com/wbswAh0Vrn — Mohit (@mohit12j) May 26, 2024 Sorry Kavya Ma’am But This Was About Silencing Pat Cummins Again pic.twitter.com/zeDnzwe576 — Dr Khushboo 🇮🇳 (@khushbookadri) May 26, 2024 Feeling sad for her 🥹 #kavyamaran pic.twitter.com/Dlz4gOchuI — VIKAS JHA (@vikasnisu_007) May 26, 2024 “They bowled fantastically. Unfortunately, old mate Starcy turned it on again. Not enough tonight, totally outplayed. You hope you get a few boundaries away but they bowled fantastically well, didn’t really give us anything. Similar to last week in Ahmedabad where they bowled really well, so full credit. It was a bit of a tricky wicket. If we got 160, it would have felt we were in the game. Didn’t feel like a 200+ wicket,” said SRH skipper Pat Cummins after the heartbreaking loss. “Great season. It was fantastic, hadn’t worked with many of the guys before at all. It was a real pleasure to work with some of the older, experienced guys like Bhuvi. Bhuvi, Nattu, Jaydev were great and lots of young talent throughout. Really great squad, the support staff were amazing, had a great couple of months. We play a lot over here in India but it’s normally a sea of blue,” he added. Topics mentioned in this article

Trent Boult Embracing Indian Culture As Rajasthan Royals Look To End IPL Title Drought

Danijones6 months ago03 mins

Rajasthan Royals pacer Trent Boult is a superstar, a central figure in the franchise’s team for the IPL 2024 season. In India for the 17th edition of the campaign, Boult isn’t just enjoying delivering the good for the Royals on the field but is also embracing Indian culture. Not long after reaching India, Boult celebrated Holi. “My first time I celebrated Holi and I’m still getting the pink dye off my hair and off my face but yeah, amazing experience. Always fun to experience the culture in India,” Boult had said at the start of the IPL season. An out-and-out performer, the Kiwi pacer also give insights into his surname which indeed has a cricketing connection. “I, well my parents chose my name and I chose my career so I’m lucky to have a name like Boult when it comes to bowling. It’s always a funny pun when Lightning Boult comes out.” On the pitch, Boult impressed yet again as Rajasthan restricted Bengaluru to 172-8, a total they overhauled with six balls to spare in the do-or-die play-off at the world’s biggest cricket stadium on Wednesday. Bengaluru and Virat Kohli extend their wait for a first IPL title. Rajasthan will face Sunrisers Hyderabad in the last play-off on Friday in Chennai to decide Kolkata Knight Riders’ opponent in the final on May 26. Kolkata made their fourth IPL final after they hammered Hyderabad in the first play-off on Tuesday in Ahmedabad’s intense heat. Rajasthan, who won the inaugural edition of the IPL in 2008 under late Australian legend Shane Warne, bounced back from four losses in five matches including a washout. Bengaluru’s dream run ended after they rose from the bottom of the table after eight matches to win six in a row and make the play-offs. With AFP inputs Topics mentioned in this article