June 7, 2025
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t20 world cup

‘Leaving Rinku Singh out of T20 World Cup team toughest thing': Apologetic Ajit Agarkar finds no fault in KKR batter | Crickit

‘Leaving Rinku Singh out of T20 World Cup team toughest thing’: Apologetic Ajit Agarkar finds no fault in KKR batter | Crickit

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BCCI chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar said leaving Rinku Singh out of India’s 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup was one of the toughest decisions. India announced their squad on Tuesday (April 30) for the world event slated to take place in the USA and West Indies in June this year. The squad has a good mix of youth experience, but the non-selection of Rinku, one of India’s top performers in T20Is in the lead-up to the IPL, became one of the biggest talking points. India’s Rinku Singh plays a shot(BCCI Twitter) The 26-year-old Aligarh left-hander, who captured the cricketing world’s imagination with five sixes in an over during the previous IPL, made way for Shivam Dube in the main national squad while his name ended up being among the reserves. Unlock exclusive access to the latest news on India’s general elections, only on the HT App. Download Now! Download Now! Two days after naming the squad, Agarkar and captain Rohit Sharma answered queries from reporters in a press conference held in Mumbai. Agarkar said Rinku didn’t do anything wrong. The selectors couldn’t pick the dynamic left-hander in the final 15 as they wanted more bowling options. “(Not picking Rinku Singh) the toughest thing that we have to discuss. Rinku hasn’t done anything wrong, nor has Shubman Gill. It’s about the combinations. We are not quite sure about the conditions. So we wanted to have enough (bowling) options. We have picked a couple of wrist spinners, Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav, to give Rohit more options. There’s Axar (Patel), a bowling all-rounder. It’s just unfortunate,” Agarkar said on Thursday. ‘Not Riku Singh’s fault that he has missed out’: Agarkar News agency PTI quoted a BCCI source privy to the developments in the selection meeting to claim that Rinku may have paid the price of the Impact Player rule in the IPL, which prevented him from having many opportunities with the bat in this IPL for his franchise Kolkata Knight Riders. The Impact Player rule has allowed every IPL franchise to field an extra batter when they are batting and replace him with a bowler later. As a result, Rinku, who has made a name for himself as a finisher, has played only 82 balls in 9 matches in IPL 2024, scoring 123 runs at a strike rate of 150. KKR have not needed his finishing skills in most of the matches this year as their openers, Phil Salt and Sunil Narine, have been doing the bulk of the scoring. Agarkar, however, said the decision to leave out Rinku had nothing to do with him. It was because of the combination the team management wanted to find the right balance in the USA and West Indies. “I don’t think it has anything to do with him. It’s not Rinku Singh’s fault that he has missed out. With two keepers who are both terrific batters, there’s already an extra batter sitting. So we thought of having an extra bowling option. Rinku is a travelling reserve; that’s how close he was, it’s a little tough on him but at the end of the day, you can only pick 15,” Agarkar said. India start their campaign in the T20 World Cup against Ireland on June 5.

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'Nothing new to me, it's...': Rohit Sharma on his return to T20 captaincy | Cricket News

‘Nothing new to me, it’s…’: Rohit Sharma on his return to T20 captaincy | Cricket News

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NEW DELHI: Seasoned Rohit Sharma exuded confidence while embracing the familiar mantle of T20 captaincy, stating that it’s nothing new to him and it’s a part of his life during the media interaction post India’s T20 World Cup selection in Mumbai on Thursday.His words resonate with the calm assurance of someone well-versed in leadership’s ebbs and flows.Undeterred by the weight of responsibility, Rohit’s demeanour suggests a seasoned player ready to navigate the challenges ahead.“I was captain. Not being captain and then again captain. It’s part of life. Not everything will go your way. It’s been a great experience. Before in my life, I was also not captain and played under different captains. It’s nothing to me. I have always tried to do what’s required as a player and I have tried to do that in the last 1 month,” Rohit told reporters on his return to T20 captaincy.Rohit stressed upon the fact that the team management particularly looked at middle-order hitting since our top-order has been good.“Don’t know how the pitch will be in the USA. We are playing in the West Indies but at different venues. You have to look at the opposition combinations as well. One thing that we looked at was middle-order hitting. Our top-order hitting has been alright, not that bad.We wanted someone to play that role in the middle overs freely, without worrying about who is bowling. Shivam Dube was the guy who showed this in IPL. Again, no guarantee what our playing XI will be like. Will decide based on practice and the combination of our opposition,” Rohit added.With a past adorned by numerous captaincy stints, he steps back into the role with an air of nonchalance, as if slipping into a comfortable pair of shoes. Rohit’s return is not just a reinstatement; it’s a reaffirmation of his capability to steer the team through the choppy waters of T20 cricket with aplomb.

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Hardk Pandya should ignore negativity in IPL, play like a leader ahead of T20 World Cup: Pragyan Ojha

Hardk Pandya should ignore negativity in IPL, play like a leader ahead of T20 World Cup: Pragyan Ojha

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Former India cricketer Pragyan Ojha wanted Hardik Pandya to play the role of a true leader in the games leading up to the T20 World Cup and in the showpiece event, starting June 2. The BCCI announced India’s 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup and Hardik was named as the vice-captain of the team. The selectors showcased faith in Hardik and entrusted him with the responsibility of being the deputy to Indian captain Rohit Sharma. Ojha, while speaking to Jio Cinema, pointed out that it would be important for Hardik to shake off all the negativity around him and perform like a true leader, adding that Hardik should be mentally prepared to captain the side in case of an unfortunate injury to Rohit Sharma. “I expect him to play like a leader because he is next in command. If something happens to Rohit, we don’t want that, if anything happens, he (Hardik) will be leading the side, so he has to be prepared, he has to take that responsibility when he is batting,” Ojha said. T20 World Cup press conference: Live updates Hardik last featured in an international match for India during the ODI World Cup match against Bangladesh in October 2023. He recovered from an ankle injury well in time ahead of IPL 2024 and was named as the captain of the 5-time champions — a decision that has invited a lot of criticism and seemingly affected the confidence of the Baroda all-rounder. Meanwhile, Ojha praised Hardik for the balance that he offers the senior national team. Despite his ordinary form in the IPL, there was very little debate around Hardik’s place in the side and it was not a surprise to see his name in the 15-man squad. “HARDIK SHOULD FOCUS ON WORLD CUP” “For me, he is someone who will create that balance for the side. Every time we talk about Indian team selection, Hardik’s name always comes in. He creates that balance, he will give you that cushion. That you can have an extra batter or a bowler, wherever he is needed. That’s what we want him to do, to be mentally ready for the World Cup and just forget what is happening in IPL and focus on the World Cup, that is more important,” Ojha added. It was not a fairytale return for Hardik in IPL 2024. He was not only booed by the crowds across venues but was also criticised by the experts for his captaincy. Hardik has not been able to impress with either the bat or the ball. In 10 matches, he has managed to score 197 runs at an average of 150.38. The all-rounder has picked only 6 wickets at an economy rate of 11.00. MI stand at the 2nd last position in the points table with just 3 wins in 10 games. Published By: Diya Kakkar Published On: May 2, 2024

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'The carrot's there...': Mitchell Marsh on leading Australia to an incredible treble | Cricket News

‘The carrot’s there…’: Mitchell Marsh on leading Australia to an incredible treble | Cricket News

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NEW DELHI: Mitchell Marsh, who will lead Australia in their quest for an unprecedented treble of major global titles in the T20 World Cup in June, takes great pride in being the team’s captain.With the squad announced on Wednesday, Marsh was officially named captain, capping an incredible recovery for the reserved all-rounder since his recall in the Ashes last season.Leading the squad to series victories over New Zealand and the co-hosts of the Twenty20 World Cup, the West Indies, the 32-year-old has already proven to be a popular and effective captain.His easygoing style fits in well with an Australian team that has accomplished remarkable things since losing fiery head coach Justin Langer.Marsh claimed that his leadership will not significantly alter despite the selectors’ faith in him.“One of the biggest things I’ve learnt is to not change too much,” he told reporters on Wednesday.“Obviously, there’s a lot of preparation and planning that goes into a World Cup and that’ll happen over the next month.“But once we get there it’s (about) keeping everything nice and relaxed, keeping the environment good.”As a result of his outstanding performances in the Ashes and Australia’s sixth one-day World Cup victory in India last year, Marsh was awarded Australia’s highest cricket accolade in January-the Allan Border medal.With another victory in the United States and the Caribbean, Australia hopes to make history once more by becoming the first country to hold the worldwide T20, one-day, and Test championships simultaneously.Despite being lighthearted during the news conference on Wednesday, Marsh donned a somber captain’s hat in response to a question regarding the triple bid.“It’s not something we necessarily focus on as a group,” he said.“It would never have been done before so that will be special but there’s so many things you’ve got to get through at a World Cup before you can even get a crack at that.“That’s probably for the external noise … but I guess the carrot’s there.”(With Reuters inputs)

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Rishabh Pant: EXCLUSIVE - 'If India wants to win...': Former World Cup winner reveals the X-factor of Rohit Sharma-led team at T20 World Cup | Cricket News

Rishabh Pant: EXCLUSIVE – ‘If India wants to win…’: Former World Cup winner reveals the X-factor of Rohit Sharma-led team at T20 World Cup | Cricket News

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NEW DELHI: After BCCI unveiled the 15-member Indian team for the upcoming T20 World Cup on Tuesday, former Indian cricketer Madan Lal has named the potential game-changer in Rohit Sharma‘s side. India could dominate in the World Cup, set to be hosted in West Indies and USA between June 2 and June 29, if they can perform well in the initial overs upfront.In an exclusive chat with TimesofIndia.com, the 1983 World Cup winner hailed Rishabh Pant, dubbing him as the team’s X-factor. Lal stated, “In a word, it (Pant’s comeback) is superb. If India wants to win (the T20 World Cup), he needs to perform well. It is as simple as that. He is a class act. At the moment, he is one of the top batsmen in the world. It depends on him, what position the team gives him, and how they use him.” Having seen Shivam Dube flourish in the Indian Premier League this season, Lal has supported the selection of the Chennai Super Kings all-rounder over Rinku Singh, who has failed to make the headlines, somewhat due to limited opportunities, at Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2024.Thus, Lal stated, “I think Shivam Dube has done quite well recently. And thus, the selection is ideal for me. He is the best hitter of the ball (at the moment). And that’s why I think they have picked Dube ahead of Rinku Singh.” Despite questioning KL Rahul’s complete exclusion from the T20 World Cup squad, Lal has expressed his satisfaction with Sanju Samson‘s selection as he told TimesofIndia.com, “I am happy with Sanju Samson’s selection because he has worked quite hard. He has been very consistent. The only thing that has gone against him is that he has not had enough chances at the international level. Otherwise, look at his batting, he is quite strong. KL is also very talented, and there is no doubt about that. It (not selecting Rahul) is another mysterious case.”“The game is won on the front when the top batsmen and bowlers play well. For the bowlers, if you don’t get wickets early on and then allow opponents to score runs against you, then that haunts you all the game. The same goes with the batsmen. The first six and last three-four are very important overs. That is the position where you would have to cash in. If you are not good during that phase, you may pay the price,” opined the former all-rounder.India’s schedule for the T20 World Cup 2024 includes matches against Ireland (June 5), Pakistan (June 9), the USA (June 12), and Canada (15), all to be played in New York and Florida.

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Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli given 'last chance' to win World Cup: 'Just 2-3 years more. Don't know where they'll be in...' | Crickit

Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli given ‘last chance’ to win World Cup: ‘Just 2-3 years more. Don’t know where they’ll be in…’ | Crickit

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At 37 and 35 years old, the T20 World Cup 2024 may be the last chance for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to lay their hands on an ICC trophy. The two stalwarts of Indian cricket have been World Cup winners before – Rohit winning the 2007 T20WC and Kohli lifting the ODI World Cup 2011, but the two are yet to win a World Cup together. Since the 2013 Champions Trophy, Kohli and Rohit have played seven World Cups – three 50-overs and four T20s- but have been unable to win the big one. The closest they came to doing so was seven months ago, at the ODI World Cup in India, where despite putting up the performance of a lifetime, Team India lost to Australia in the final. Is this the last time we are seeing Rohit Sharma (L) and Virat Kohli playing a World Cup for India? (Getty) With the wounds of November 19 still afresh, Kohli, Rohit and their legion of fans want the Indian team to go the distance and break the 11-year-lond hoodoo. Having said that, it could well be the last World Cup Kohli and Rohit play – together or individually. The next World Cup after this is in 2026 – another T20 World Cup, followed by an ODI World Cup the following year – and while there is the Champions Trophy and the World Test Championship final in between next year, this is possibly the last throw of the World Cup dice for Rohit and Kohli to finish their careers with a World Cup. Unlock exclusive access to the latest news on India’s general elections, only on the HT App. Download Now! This is why former India batter Mohammad Kaif reckons Kohli and Rohit will be fiercely motivated to right the wrongs of the past. “Rohit Sharma knows he isn’t going to play for too long now. Just 2-3 years more. Same with Virat Kohli. So this is the last chance for Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli [to win a World Cup]. They lost the World Cup final in Ahmedabad. They played as if they had the cup snatched away from them. Hearts were broken, and fans were devastated. They won 10 matches before losing the one that mattered the most. And it’s going to be similar here as well. India hardly have competition in the group stage. There are only 2 main matches – the semifinal and the final. It’s not the IPL that you’ll get 14 opportunities. Are you ready for those 2 days? That’s the biggest test for Rohit Sharma,” Kaif said on Star Sports. The suspense surrounding India’s team combination was put to rest on Tuesday when the BCCI announced the squad of 15 that will play the T20 World Cup. While Rohit’s place was nowhere in question, given that BCCI secretary Shah confirmed him as captain during a public event, there were speculations about Kohli’s future. But once he began scoring runs in the IPL for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, which has now swelled to 500 runs, it was only a matter of time before Kohli’s berth was guaranteed. Rohit, on the other hand, may not have enjoyed a blistering season like Kohli, but the former Mumbai Indians captain has scored a century to show for his form in an otherwise forgettable campaign by the five-time champions. With Kohli showing marauding form and Rohit expected to replicate his touch during the World Cup back home, neither batter would want to leave any room for error. “He is taking all the experience with him. Look at Rohit’s own form. He is playing well, giving starts in the Powerplay. I feel that Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will be extra motivated. By 2026, we don’t know where they will be. But this is a chance when players are heading right after the World Cup, have been playing regularly, and are in flow and rhythm. They would want to rectify the mistake against Australia,” pointed out Kaif.

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Watch: 'If a guy from Kerala has to cement his place in the Indian team...' - Sanju Samson ahead of India comeback | Cricket News

Watch: ‘If a guy from Kerala has to cement his place in the Indian team…’ – Sanju Samson ahead of India comeback | Cricket News

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Sanju Samson‘s consistency has always kept him in contention to represent India, but stiff competition for places in the Indian batting line-up and Rishbah Pant being the first-choice wicketkeeper meant that Samson was in and out of the national squad. However, he has been given another opportunity, this time alongside Pant, to wear the India jersey with a recall to the T20 World Cup squad.IPL 2024: Results | Points Table Samson is currently leading Rajasthan Royals in the ongoing Indian Premier League season, and it’s his consistent performance in the league, both as a captain and as a batsman, that has earned him a recall ahead of KL Rahul. Speaking on Star Sports show ‘Captains Speak’, the 29-year-old Samson opened up on how he looks at his career graph and the change in approach he has adopted to enhance his chances of cementing a place in the Indian team.WATCH VIDEO “When you are playing cricket in the world’s best (cricket-playing) country, I think India is number one in the whole world (in terms of) the number of players who play and the number of talent we have and the competition we have, a guy from Kerala, if he has to come and cement his place in the national side, he has to do something special,” Samson said.He made his international debut in a T20I against Zimbabwe in July 2015 but played his first ODI only six years later in 2021. In nine years since wearing the India jersey for the first, Samson has played only 16 ODIs and 25 T20Is. In 14 ODI innings he has scored 510 runs with a century and three fifties, while in 22 T20I innings he has accummulated 374 runs with one fifty at a strike rate of 133.09.However, Samson has re-invented his game lately, which shows in his current IPL numbers. Under Samson’s captaincy, Rajasthan presently top the points table with a remarkable 8 wins in 9 matches. The skipper ranks 7th in the list of leading run-scorers of IPL 2024, accumulating 385 runs in 9 matches, including four half-centuries. He maintains an impressive strike rate of 161.08 and an average of 77.0. “I just always wanted to be special, always wanted to stand out the way I bat. I just wanted to create my own style of batting. No matter even if it’s the first ball, I want to go out there and hit a six,” said Samson. “So that’s the shift in the mindset, which I had. I just wanted to do something different, like why do we have to wait for 10 balls to hit a six? So I just walk in and if I feel like, I do that the first ball. That was the motive behind development of my power stroke.” The T20 World Cup, slated from June 2 to 29, will be jointly hosted by the West Indies and the USA. India are set to kick off their campaign against Ireland on June 5 in New York.“I think I put in lots and lots of effort during the Covid time. A lot of people did help me. A lot of things go behind the scenes, which actually I only know and my close people know. So, very happy, things are coming on nice. The grind keeps on going. I am never satisfied. I just want to go on and keep on doing something spectacular for the side I play for,” said Samson. But before he wears the India jersey again at the T20 World Cup, Samson has a job to do for the Royals, who aim to win their second IPL trophy after lifting it in the inaugural edition of the league. Rajasthan are gearing up to face Sunrisers Hyderabad in their next IPL 2024 match on Thursday in Hyderabad.

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'Tu jaisa hai waisa hi rahiyo': Rajasthan Royals family congratulates 'Chintu bro' for India comeback | Cricket News

‘Tu jaisa hai waisa hi rahiyo’: Rajasthan Royals family congratulates ‘Chintu bro’ for India comeback | Cricket News

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If you have to pick one player who has never stopped knocking on the doors of BCCI selectors, it has to be Sanju Samson; and the 29-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman has deservingly been rewarded with a place in India’s T20 World Cup squad.IPL 2024 STANDINGS: Points table | Orange Cap | Purple Cap The Rajasthan Royals captain, who has been leading the team by example in this IPL, has been picked in India’s squad as the second wicketkeeper-batsman besides Rishabh Pant, but both Samson and Pant have the batting credentials to be in the playing eleven as pure batsmen as well. Talking about Samson, under whom RR top the points table currently with a staggering 8 wins in 9 matches, the Kerala man sits at No. 7 on the list of top run-getters of IPL 2024 with 385 runs in 9 matches, including four half-centuries, at a strike rate of 161.08 and average of 77.0. Hailing his recall to India colours, RR posted a video on social media where Samson’s teammates are congratulating him for his T20 World Cup selection. “Congratulations my Chintu bro,” said RR leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, who incidentally will also make his India comeback at the T20 World Cup. “Tu jaisa hai waisa hi rahiyo (stay the way you are). Enjoy this success. I want you to play for India for another 10 years, as well as for RR. Whatever you are doing, we are so proud of you.”Here’s what Samson’s other RR teammates had to say: The T20 World Cup is scheduled for June 2 to 29 and will be co-hosted by the West Indies and USA. India play their opening match against Ireland on June 5 in New York. Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals will take on Sunrisers Hyderabad in their next match in IPL 2024 on Thursday in Hyderabad.

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Rishabh Pant: Playing for India is not a destination, it's a journey: Rishabh Pant | Cricket News

Rishabh Pant: Playing for India is not a destination, it’s a journey: Rishabh Pant | Cricket News

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NEW DELHI: Rishabh Pant delved into the profound intricacies of ambition, dreams, and the perpetual journey of cricket, offering a glimpse into his remarkable resilience and unwavering determination.In a candid interview on Star Sports, Pant’s reflections on the evolution of dreams resonated deeply as he articulated, “You have some dreams which you have been seeing since childhood…Then there are some dreams which, as your life goes on, you have to give dreams to yourself.” This introspective perspective shed light on the transformative nature of aspirations, evolving from childhood fantasies to self-motivated milestones.Drawing from personal experience, Pant emphasized the necessity of setting new goals to sustain motivation and growth, stating, “As a kid I always thought I have to play for India… So I played for India, now what? You have to give yourself different dreams.” His words echoed the sentiment of continuous self-challenge and reinvention, crucial for navigating the complexities of life and sport.While acknowledging the significance of focusing on the process, Pant underscored the importance of establishing small, attainable targets in life to fuel motivation. “It is important to give yourself these small goals in life… So that we remain motivated. And this is a constant journey,” he remarked, highlighting the perpetual quest for personal and professional excellence.In a poignant analogy, Pant likened the cricketing journey to a dynamic progression rather than a static destination, asserting, “I feel cricket is not a destination. Playing for India is not a destination. It’s a journey.” His profound insight underscored the enduring commitment and continuous evolution inherent in the pursuit of sporting excellence. Pant’s introspective musings come against the backdrop of his remarkable resurgence in the cricketing arena, marked by his triumphant return to the Indian squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup. This milestone follows a tumultuous period during which Pant faced a near-fatal car crash, resulting in a severe knee injury that threatened his career.Undeterred by adversity, Pant’s resilience and determination shone through as he staged a remarkable comeback to competitive cricket, dazzling fans with his explosive batting displays in the ongoing Indian Premier League. With 398 runs in 11 innings at a blistering strike rate of 158.56, Pant’s performances underscored his indomitable spirit and unwavering commitment to excellence.

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'Get your spikes ready': Chris Gayle challenges Usain Bolt to 100m sprint showdown. Watch viral video |

‘Get your spikes ready’: Chris Gayle challenges Usain Bolt to 100m sprint showdown. Watch viral video |

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NEW DELHI: Usain Bolt, the iconic sprint king, boasts a fervent passion for cricket. Ever since his playful moment of taking Chris Gayle‘s wicket in a friendly match years ago, Bolt’s affinity for the sport has been undeniable.Now, with the upcoming T20 World Cup set to be co-hosted by the West Indies and the USA, Bolt has been bestowed with the prestigious title of official ambassador for the event.Recently, the ICC delighted fans with a humorous video circulating on social media. In this delightful clip, Bolt finds himself facing a lighthearted challenge from none other than Gayle himself—a showdown in a 100m race. The playful banter between these two sporting giants adds an extra layer of excitement to the upcoming cricket extravaganza.“Till this day, he’s still afraid of me. Doesn’t want to see me on a 100m track,” Gayle said in the video.“Of course I’m a sprinter. All Usain Bolt will be seeing is a lot of dust and the Universe Boss just going down the stretch,” Gayle further said. Later, Bolt playfully trolled Gayle with his characteristic charm and wit, “We all know Chris can’t run. We have seen him. We know Chris doesn’t do quick singles or anything. We’re not worried about Chris.”With a playful smirk, Gayle counters Bolt’s banter by labelling his statement as a ‘lie’, retorting, “That’s a big lie. I run a lot of ones, twos, threes, you name it… sometimes even fours. So Bolt, get your running spikes ready. And if you want to bring any other athlete along, you know, Yohan Blake, Asafa Powell, anybody. Somebody gonna come fourth. And it’s not me!”Reflecting on their past encounter on the cricket field, Gayle reminisced about the memorable moment when he faced off against Bolt. “After the bouncer I said to myself, it’s a fun game. What am I doing? So I start smashing him. Hit him for one or two sixes and probably for a few fours. Then, eventually, I get an inside edge onto the stumps,” he said.Bolt’s ambitions extend beyond just his love for cricket. Leveraging his immense popularity, particularly in the USA, he aims to propel the T20 World Cup into the limelight on American soil. His illustrious track record as an Olympic legend, clinching three consecutive gold medals from 2008 to 2016, has firmly etched his name into the annals of sporting history.

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