December 23, 2024
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t20 world cup

Former Pak cricketer endorses Michael Vaughan's comment of 'IPL better than playing Pakistan' | Cricket News

Former Pak cricketer endorses Michael Vaughan’s comment of ‘IPL better than playing Pakistan’ | Cricket News

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NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal has endorsed Michael Vaughan‘s controversial remark that the Indian Premier League (IPL) is preferable to playing against Pakistan given the team’s performance in the recent past.Vaughan’s statement stirred debate, with the ex-Pakistan player aligning with his sentiment. While Vaughan’s comment drew criticism for its insensitivity towards international cricket, it also reflects the IPL’s stature as a premier T20 league.Former England skipper Vaughan’s comment was made in relation to the ongoing T20I series between Pakistan and England.He suggested that the England Cricket Board (ECB) should have permitted its players to participate in the IPL rather than returning for the Pakistan series.Vaughan argued that playing in the IPL would have provided better preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup. This perspective underscores the growing significance of franchise-based leagues like the IPL in shaping players’ skills and readiness for international tournaments, sparking discussions about the balance between league commitments and national team duties. In a recent video on his YouTube channel ‘Catch And Bat with Kamran Akmal’, he echoed Vaughan’s sentiments, expressing agreement with the notion that Pakistan’s recent performances have been disappointing. He went on to describe the IPL as “tough and quality cricket,” emphasising the competitive nature of the tournament.Akmal’s endorsement of Vaughan’s viewpoint further underscores the acknowledgment within the cricketing community of the IPL’s prominence and the challenges it presents.“Over the past few days, I have wondered why a former England captain is commenting and taking Pakistan cricket non-seriously. It has been a painful thought, but I think he was correct in his assessment,” Akmal said.“Everybody knows the level of Pakistan cricket. We are losing against smaller teams like Ireland and in that sense Vaughan said that it is not a tough series. So the fault is ours. Had it been any other team like New Zealand, South Africa and India then Vaughan would not have said it.We need to understand that in IPL, the best bowlers and batters are participating with crowds of 40 to 50,000. So it is tough cricket and quality cricket,” Akmal explained. Michael Vaughan Ki Statement se Mein Agree Karta Hon | Kamran Akmal Akmal additionally suggested that Pakistan should leverage Vaughan’s comments as ‘motivation’ heading into the T20 World Cup.“The state of Pakistan cricket may be in need of a revamp, but this also presents an opportunity for growth. How do we respond to Vaughan’s critique? By showing our mettle in the upcoming T20 series against England. Let’s use this as a catalyst to regain our confidence and competitiveness, lest even teams like the USA start to see us as an easy target.”“The Pakistan cricket Chairman is to blame for all of this as he has completely ruffled the system. For now it remains to be seen if Pakistan team rises to the situation or keeps playing in the same zone as they have done till now,” he concluded.

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'Biggest threat India have taken a risk with...': Michael Clarke warns Rohit Sharma & Co | Cricket News

‘Biggest threat India have taken a risk with…’: Michael Clarke warns Rohit Sharma & Co | Cricket News

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NEW DELHI: India’s decision of selecting four spinners in their squad for the T20 World Cup was questioned with skipper Rohit Sharma clarifying that there was a clear strategy behind the move. He emphasized that the decision was not made on a whim but rather as part of a carefully crafted plan.The decision to include four spinners alongside three pacers has elicited varied opinions.Among them, Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal represent the wrist-spin department, while Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel offer left-arm spin options along with their all-round abilities.Former Australian captain Michael Clarke also voiced his opinion on the issue saying India’s spin-heavy bowling lineup is going to play a decisive role in determining the outcome.“I think India have taken a risk with the squad they have picked – heavily reliant on spin, very different from Australia. But in the conditions that I have played in the Caribbean I think how you play spin is going to be a huge part of whether you succeed or not. India are the biggest threat for me with regards to who is going to win the World Cup,” said Clarke on ESPN.Clarke also noted that India are the favourites, citing the extensive amount of cricket their players have played leading up to the tournament.“If you look at the favourites for the World Cup it’s got to be India just because of the amount of cricket they have played, their preparation has been outstanding. Conditions are different to India but there are a lot of similarities so the players would be used to that,” he added.

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Pakistan targets right T20 combination against understrength New Zealand | Cricket

Pakistan Cricket Board chairman says strategy in place for T20 World Cup, urges fans to fully back team

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London [UK], : Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi has said that the team has a strategy in place for the T20 World Cup and appealed to supports and fans to back the team irrespective of whether it wins or loses matches. Pakistan Cricket Board chairman says strategy in place for T20 World Cup, urges fans to fully back team With two days left before the commencement of the tournament in the USA and the West Indies, Pakistan are gearing up for the marquee event. They are currently touring England for a four-match T20I series. Unlock exclusive access to the latest news on India’s general elections, only on the HT App. Download Now! Download Now! Ahead of the 4th T20I to be played in London on Thursday, Naqvi made an appeal to the fans to support the team through the tournament. “Support the team and assure them that we [the fans] are with you [the team] whether you win or lose. I just want to request one thing which we really need for the next four weeks. Let us all support our players,” the PCB chairman told the media in London, according to Geo News. The first and the third T20I matches of the ongoing series were washed away due to rain without a ball being bowled. In the second T20I England took a 1-0 lead with skipper Jos Buttler’s 84-run blitz playing a pivotal role. Pakistan have tweaked their team combination during their series against Ireland and England. Unlike other teams, who have opted to bring in more spinners, Pakistan decided to name a pace-laden 15-player squad for the tournament. With the combination undergoing constant changes, Naqvi was asked about Pakistan’s combination for the World Cup. He affirmed that a strategy is in place and the players need to give their best on the field. “Overall, a strategy is in place that they don’t have to panic and give their best [on the field],” Naqvi noted. Pakistan are placed in Group A and will play their first match against the co-hosts USA on June 6 at the Grand Prairie Stadium, Texas. Pakistan Squad for T20 World Cup: Babar Azam , Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.

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ICC Twenty20 World Cup a boost to sport’s American Dream

ICC Twenty20 World Cup a boost to sport’s American Dream

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A general view shows the Nassau county International Cricket Stadium for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in New York. | Photo Credit: AFP Cricket begins a campaign for the hearts and wallets of American fans this week, as the T20 World Cup kicks off on June 1 in Dallas, bringing the best of the sport to less familiar territory. The United States play Canada in the first match of the tournament co-hosted by the West Indies, while a temporary stadium in Nassau County, New York, hosts its first of eight fixtures on June 3. Lauderhill, Florida, will host four matches. Cricket boasts billion fans around the globe but few adherents in the lucrative North American market, where fans are more accustomed to watching New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge picking up a bat than Rohit Sharma or Jos Buttler. “This is the start of a journey,” International Cricket Council (ICC) CEO Geoff Allardice told Reuters. “The awareness that we’re bringing in more elite cricket to the USA is something that’s been a strategic priority for us.” This aerial photo shows the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium under construction in Eisenhower Park in East Meadow, New York | Photo Credit: AFP The journey started with Major League Cricket, which began play in the United States last year, and culminates with the 2028 Los Angeles Games, where cricket will be reintroduced to the Olympic programme for the first time since 1900. ICC Twenty20 World Cup 2024: Full schedule, venues and complete squads  “In the lead up to the Los Angeles Olympics, I think we’ll be continuing to try and raise the profile of cricket, not just for the established cricket fans in the USA but for new fans,” said Allardice. The tournament, which counts Jamaican track hero Usain Bolt as an ambassador, is a dream come true for U.S. immigrants, who comprise much of the sport’s U.S. fan base and are more used to watching the action on television than in their own backyard. “I mean, (India have) got some of the biggest names in world sport as part of their team,” said Allardice. “And to be able to get close to them and see them in action, I think it’s an opportunity that’s something that comes along (not) very often for cricket fans in the USA.” The ICC T20 World Cup runs from June 1-29. ICC ‘excited’ as cricket’s newest stadium launched in New York The newly-built Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, near New York, was launched on Wednesday with the sport’s world body “excited” to conquer new territories through the T20 World Cup in June. Legends of T20 World Cup: Leading run-getters and batters with best strike rates The 34,000-capacity stadium, with infrastructure from the Las Vegas Formula 1 circuit and drop-in pitches prepared in Florida, will host the hotly-anticipated India-Pakistan clash on June 9, among its eight scheduled World Cup games. Construction workers build the Nassau county International Cricket Stadium for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Eisenhower Park in East Meadow in New York. The 34,000-capacity stadium, with infrastructure from the Las Vegas Formula 1 circuit and drop-in pitches prepared in Florida, will host the hotly-anticipated India-Pakistan clash on June 9, among its eight scheduled World Cup games. | Photo Credit: AFP The showpiece 20-over event will be co-hosted by the West Indies and the United States starting June 1 with New York, Florida and Dallas as venues. The International Cricket Council (ICC) remains happy with the focus on the India-Pakistan clash and the Nassau project as part of bringing the game to the US. “Yeah, absolutely! We can run that game anywhere and the interest in the fixture would be immense,” Chris Tetley, the ICC’s head of events, told reporters in a media roundtable. “The news stories that we have seen and the media coverage in the US itself as well as amongst the cricket media around the world. I have not seen that before around an ICC event.” Tetley added: “We are really excited to bring the T20 World Cup cricket to the US and the opportunity that it presents to the sport and from what I can see there is an audience really waiting for us to come.” T20 Cricket will also feature as one of five new sports at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. A general view shows a media center the Nassau county International Cricket Stadium for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Eisenhower Park in New York | Photo Credit: AFP Making a cricket stadium in Nassau remained a huge challenge for the ICC, who got in Adelaide Oval curator Damian Hough for the job. Hough created the first drop-in pitch in Adelaide in 2013 and the latest strips at the Nassau County ground promise good cricket and balance between bat and ball. “People shouldn’t be concerned about drop-in pitches,” said Hough. “They are proven around the world, definitely in Australia. Some of the best cricket is played on drop-in pitches and are really successful.”

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Twenty20 World Cup: Rishabh Pant eager to wear ‘India Blue’ jersey; hopes to make it count

Twenty20 World Cup: Rishabh Pant eager to wear ‘India Blue’ jersey; hopes to make it count

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Wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant and teammates during a training session ahead of their ICC T20 World Cup opening match against Ireland on June 5, in New York. | Photo Credit: ANI It would be 527 days since his life-threatening accident when Rishabh Pant dons the India jersey on June 5 at the Nassau County ground for the opening T20 World Cup match against Ireland and he can’t wait for it. On March 23 this year, Pant wore the blue of Delhi Capitals while making an emotional comeback after the horrific car crash in 2022 but he is more eager to wear a different shade of blue — the ‘India Blue’ to be specific. ICC Twenty20 World Cup 2024: Full schedule, venues and complete squads  “Getting back on the field with an Indian jersey on is a different feeling altogether. this is something I missed a lot…Hopefully I (can) make it count and make it better from here,” Pant told BCCI.TV on the sidelines of India’s first net session ahead of the warm-up game against Bangladesh on June 1. Pant, who underwent an intense 15-month rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy, had teammate Suryakumar Yadav for company during this interaction and recalled the time how his presence helped him cope with the loneliness of his injury management programme in the NCA. “Seeing the team here and meeting them again, spending time, having fun with them, having a conversation with them, I really enjoyed,” a beaming Pant said. Legends of T20 World Cup: Leading run-getters and batters with best strike rates  Having scored 446 runs in 13 IPL games, Pant is slowly getting back into the groove. The leaner and fitter Pant looked in nice touch at the India nets at the Cantiague Park on the outskirts of New York City. Pant also spoke about the prospects of cricket gaining popularity in the USA going forward. He felt the T20 World Cup could be the start of an eventful chapter. “We are used to playing in certain countries but this is a different prospect. It has opened up a different channel for sport because I feel cricket is growing around the world and…getting the exposure here would be nice for cricket as well as USA cricket,” he said. He spoke about the drop-in pitches that will be used during the tournament and also the bright sunshine that he and the rest of the team is getting used to. “New pitches are there. I’m just getting used to the conditions. The sun is a little bit brighter here, so just getting used to the conditions over here. Let’s see how it goes,” Pant concluded.

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Ricky Ponting predicts these two players as leading wicket-taker and run-getter in T20 World Cup | Cricket News

Ricky Ponting predicts these two players as leading wicket-taker and run-getter in T20 World Cup | Cricket News

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NEW DELHI: Former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting has predicted India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah and Aussie batting sensation Travis Head to emerge as the leading wicket-taker and run-getter, respectively, in the upcoming T20 World Cup.Ponting, renowned for his cricketing acumen, believes Bumrah’s exceptional pace and skill in delivering crucial breakthroughs will make him the tournament’s top wicket-taker.On the batting front, he expects Head’s aggressive and consistent performances to earn him the most runs.Both players have shown remarkable prowess in T20 cricket, and Ponting’s prediction underscores their potential to shine on the world stage, setting high expectations for their contributions in the tournament.Bumrah is coming off a sensational IPL season, where he took 20 wickets in 13 games and maintained an impressive economy rate of 6.48, despite the high-scoring nature of the tournament.“My leading wicket-taker for the tournament will be Jasprit Bumrah,” Ponting told The ICC Review.“I just think an outstanding performer, contributor for a number of years now. He’s just come off an outstanding IPL.“What he can do with the new ball, he swings the new ball, he has the seam up. But at the end, his economy rate at the end of the IPL was less than seven runs an over.“He takes wickets. He does bowl a lot of the hard overs too. When you bowl the hard overs in T20 cricket, it gives you a chance to pick up a lot of wickets along the way. So, I’m going with him,” added Ponting.Ponting selected fellow Australian Head as his pick for the top run-scorer in the upcoming tournament.“My prediction for the leading run-scorer will be Travis Head,” Ponting said.“I just think everything he’s done, whether it be red-ball or white-ball in the last couple of years, has been of the highest quality. I think he’s playing fearless cricket at the moment.”Head suffered an injury at the beginning of the ICC World Cup last year. However, Australia‘s belief in his abilities was so strong that they kept him with the squad until he recovered.In his return match against New Zealand during the tournament, Head repaid the team’s trust with a blistering century. He concluded the World Cup with an impressive record, scoring two hundreds and a fifty, maintaining an average above 50, and striking at a remarkable rate of 127.52.Head’s exceptional form persisted in the current IPL 2024 season, where he played a crucial role as an opener in Sunrisers Hyderabad’s journey to the final. Throughout the tournament, he amassed 567 runs in 15 matches, maintaining an extraordinary strike rate of 191.55.Despite Head’s underwhelming conclusion to the IPL season, Ponting anticipates that he will continue to display his explosive batting prowess during the upcoming matches in the Caribbean and the United States.“His IPL had its ups and downs, but when it’s been good, it’s been very good. And it has won games of cricket for his team,” Ponting noted.“And it’ll be exactly the same for Australia. So, look, he might not be the most consistent on the way through this tournament, but he’ll be right up there, I’m sure, with the leading run scorers. And as I’ve said, if he spends any amount of time at the wicket for Australia, he’ll win more games than ever,” Ponting concluded.The T20 World Cup 2024 will begin on June 1 in the West Indies and USA.

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Legends of T20 World Cup: Leading run-getters and batters with best strike rates

Legends of T20 World Cup: Leading run-getters and batters with best strike rates

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Despite being the highest run-getter, Virat Kohli holds the record for most runs in a single edition of the tournament — 319 in 2014. | Photo Credit: Vijay Soneji With cricket’s slam-bang version set for its ninth World Cup, PTI gives a rundown on the leading run-getters and the ones with best strike rates in the T20 showpiece. Leading run getters *Virat Kohli: 1141 runs Who else at No. 1 but the King himself? The talismanic Indian batter has been an absolute beast in the marquee event, scoring over a thousand runs across five editions. His ability to thrive under pressure and deliver match-winning performances has cemented his reputation as one of the finest batters in T20 cricket. He holds the record for most runs in a single edition of the tournament — 319 in 2014. He was also sensational in the 2016 edition, scoring 296 runs. *Mahela Jayawardene: 1016 runs The now retired Jayawardene’s performances in T20 World Cups have been instrumental in former champions Sri Lanka’s success in the tournament. He was a consistent scorer across the five editions he played. *Chris Gayle: (965 runs) One of the most prolific and entertaining hitters in cricket history, Gayle is widely regarded as one of the most destructive batters, particularly in T20s. No longer competing for the West Indies, his performances in T20 World Cups have been nothing short of spectacular, making him a fan favourite and an important player for the West Indies when they won their maiden title in 2012. *Rohit Sharma: (963 runs) The current India skipper has been a key player for his team in the T20 World Cups, especially after taking on the opening position. His ability to score big runs and provide stability at the top of the order has been crucial for India’s success in the tournament. He has played all editions, scoring 963 runs, including 91 fours at a strike rate on 127.88. *Tillakaratne Dilshan: (897 runs) The leading run-scorer in the 2009 edition with 317 runs from seven matches, the retired Dilshan, with his aggressive batting style and ability to provide quick starts at the top of the order, was a vital cog in the Sri Lankan team’s lineup across six editions. Highest strike rates *Jos Buttler: (144.48) Regarded as one of the most dynamic and destructive batters, Buttler’s greatest strength lies in his ability to score rapidly and that is why he has the best strike rate in the T20 World Cup history that fetched him 799 runs in 27 matches. *AB de Villiers: (143.40) The now retired South African has had an outstanding strike rate in T20 World Cups. His ability to score quickly and decisively made him one of the most feared batters. De Villiers collected 717 runs in 29 innings with the help of 51 fours and 30 sixes. *Chris Gayle: (142.75) Gayle’s unparalleled level of fearlessness and confidence helped him to an amazing 142.75 strike rate in the T20 World Cups. The Jamaican always backed himself to take on any bowler. Gayle is the only player to have scored two centuries in the event, both of which were match-winning efforts. *Mahela Jayawardene: (134.74) Jayawardene had an impressive average of 39.07 and a strike rate of 134.74, a fine reflection of his ability to score quickly while maintaining consistency. *David Warner: (133.22) Warner’s aggressive approach will once again be crucial for Australia. His ability to score runs quickly and efficiently has made him one of the most exciting and effective batters in T20 World Cups.

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Virat Kohli: T20 World Cup 2024: Virat Kohli tops the list of leading run-getters, Jos Buttler leads batters with best strike rates | Cricket News

Virat Kohli: T20 World Cup 2024: Virat Kohli tops the list of leading run-getters, Jos Buttler leads batters with best strike rates | Cricket News

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NEW DELHI: The T20 World Cup has become a premier event in the world of cricket, exhibiting the best of the game’s shortest format. As the ninth edition of the tournament approaches, it is an opportune moment to examine the leading run-getters and the batters with the highest strike rates, who have left an indelible mark on the competition.Virat Kohli stands out as the leading run-scorer in the T20 World Cup history.With 1141 runs across five editions, Kohli has consistently delivered match-winning performances under immense pressure, cementing his reputation as one of the finest batters in T20 cricket. His record of 319 runs in the 2014 edition and his impressive tally of 296 runs in 2016 further underscore his dominance in the tournament. SEE ALSO: T20 World Cup Schedule Mahela Jayawardene, the retired Sri Lankan legend, follows closely with 1016 runs, having played a pivotal role in his country’s success in the T20 World Cup. His consistent scoring across five editions has been instrumental in Sri Lanka’s triumphs.Chris Gayle has amassed 965 runs in the T20 World Cup, establishing himself as one of the most destructive and entertaining hitters in the game’s history. His performances, particularly during the West Indies’ maiden title win in 2012, have made him a fan favourite and a crucial player for his team.Indian captain Rohit Sharma has been a key player for his team in the T20 World Cups, scoring 963 runs, including 91 fours, at a strike rate of 127.88. His ability to score big runs and provide stability at the top of the order has been crucial for India’s success in the tournament.Tillakaratne Dilshan was the leading run-scorer in the 2009 edition with 317 runs from seven matches. His aggressive batting style and ability to provide quick starts at the top of the order made him a vital cog in the Sri Lankan team’s lineup across six editions, accumulating 897 runs. When it comes to the highest strike rates in the T20 World Cup, Jos Buttler of England leads the pack with an impressive 144.48. Regarded as one of the most dynamic and destructive batters, Buttler’s ability to score rapidly has fetched him 799 runs in 27 matches.AB de Villiers, the retired South African legend, boasts a remarkable strike rate of 143.40, reflecting his ability to score quickly and decisively. With 717 runs in 29 innings, including 51 fours and 30 sixes, de Villiers was one of the most feared batters in the tournament.Chris Gayle’s unparalleled fearlessness and confidence translated into an amazing strike rate of 142.75 in the T20 World Cups. The Jamaican always backed himself to take on any bowler, becoming the only player to score two centuries in the event, both of which were match-winning efforts.Mahela Jayawardene’s impressive average of 39.07 and a strike rate of 134.74 reflect his ability to score quickly while maintaining consistency, making him a valuable asset for Sri Lanka.David Warner’s aggressive approach has been crucial for Australia, with his ability to score runs quickly and efficiently earning him a strike rate of 133.22 in the T20 World Cups. His explosive batting has made him one of the most exciting and effective batters in the tournament.(Inputs from ANI)

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Watch: Virat Kohli says Team India should 'take motivation and energy from...' | Cricket News

Watch: Virat Kohli says Team India should ‘take motivation and energy from…’ | Cricket News

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India will embark on yet another journey on the global cricket stage, hoping to end the ICC title jinx when Rohit Sharma leads the team at the T20 World Cup in the US and West Indies, beginning June 2.Afer a heartbreaking defeat in the ODI World Cup final on home soil against Australia last year, India’s wait for another ICC trophy extended past a decade. ALSO SEE: T20 World Cup Schedule The last time India won an ICC tournament was the 2013 Champions Trophy under the captaincy of MS Dhoni, who also led India to winning titles at the 2007 T20 World Cup and the 2011 ODI World Cup. In a video shared by Star Sports on Thursday, Rohit, Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant weighed in India’s chances, fans’ expectations and responsibilty as a player. ROHIT SHARMA“We won it in 2007, the inaugural T20 World Cup. Since then, we have made it but we haven’t won it. So I think we have a great chance here to come across and be the champion.”WATCH VIDEO VIRAT KOHLI“Expectations to hamesha rehne wali hai, India jahan pe be khelegi (expectations will always be there wherever India plays). I won’t say it’s not realistic to expect that people don’t have hope or expectations from us. Cricket is looked at differently in our country; it’s our strength as well. It will become weakness if we pay excessive attention to it. I think we should look at it as our strength and take motivation and energy from it, that we have so many fans behind us who want us to do well.” RISHABH PANT“I am always enjoying the responsibilty because when you come into the team, when you feel important in the team, that’s when responsibilty comes to you. But when you get the responsibilty and you can do well for your team in that situation, that’s the best as a player you can do for the team. So looking forward to the responsibility.”India will open their T20 World Cup campaign against Ireland on June 5 in New York.

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'MS Dhoni has opposite intensity to Virat Kohli': Former Australian all-rounder compares the two Indian cricket icons | Cricket News

‘MS Dhoni has opposite intensity to Virat Kohli’: Former Australian all-rounder compares the two Indian cricket icons | Cricket News

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NEW DELHI: Former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson has identified Indian cricket icons Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni as the most mentally resilient players he has encountered throughout his extensive career. Watson, who has had a prolific career himself, highlighted Kohli’s mental toughness and unparalleled intensity on the field. Kohli, a right-handed batsman, recently topped the scoring charts in the IPL 2024, amassing 741 runs for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. “There’s only really a couple of other people that I’ve played with or played against who had that consistent intensity every moment of every game. So that’s something about Virat, that we’ve seen in this IPL, just how engaged he is. That’s why he’s been able to sustain such high performances for such a long period of time,” said Watson.On the other side, former Indian captain MS Dhoni is praised for his different approach to the game. Despite a lower intensity level compared to Kohli, Dhoni’s ability to trust his intuition and simplify complex situations into manageable concepts stands out. Even at 42, Dhoni’s strategic acumen and leadership qualities continue to shine.“But then you’ve got on the other side of the fence is MS Dhoni, who is opposite of that intensity from Virat. He doesn’t need to be like nine out of 10 with his intensity level; he needs to be at around six. Even at the ripe of age of 42, he still knows how to be able to let his mind be free to be able to access his skills that are so deeply ingrained,” praised the former Austalia international.Watson also discussed the mental preparation necessary for players transitioning from IPL conditions to international tournaments, such as the Men’s T20 World Cup. He commented, “These are world-class cricketers who are going from an IPL, for example, and they’re gonna have to make little adjustments to the conditions and pitches that they’re gonna be facing. Also, whether it’s temperature, and a new team environment as well. That’s where by understanding these mental skills deeply and applying those into just who you are, you build a really strong, like a bulletproof cocoon around you.”Furthermore, Watson commended Australian captain Pat Cummins for his leadership qualities, particularly his ability to foster an environment where players can express themselves freely and perform without fear of failure. “He gives you the right information to be able to clear your mind so you can, and are getting the best chance of executing your skills. That’s what Pat Cummins does so incredibly well. The reason why in my mind, he’s had so much success is that it’s just natural, which is who he is, how he is and he’s not trying to be someone else,” said Cummins’s compatriot.(Inputs from IANS)

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