#ICC 2021 World Cup

[beardedmrbean]

The future of the French international women’s cricket team is in doubt after 17 players called for an investigation into allegations that its governing body staged fake matches to secure funding from the International Cricket Council. With cricket set to become an Olympic sport after the 2024 Paris Games, FRANCE 24 looked at the reasons behind the team's collapse.

Tara Britton turned up to training, held every Thursday for the men’s and women’s French national cricket teams, last November 16 as scheduled. It wasn’t a big turnout for the women’s side, as she was one of only two who showed.

A day earlier, she had joined 16 of her national side teammates in signing an open letter calling for an official investigation into France Cricket following allegations published by FRANCE 24 in November, including that the governing body was staging fake women’s matches to access more funding from the International Cricket Council (ICC).

“If the allegations are true, we condemn the actions as outrageous and, as players of the national Women’s team, we wish to strongly and firmly dissociate ourselves from the behaviour and actions of France Cricket,” the letter read.

France Cricket’s sporting director Saravana Durairaj arrived at the track in the 15th arrondissement (district) of Paris as they finished their session, Britton recounted.

Durairaj, who was recently made CEO of the association, had coached the women through the highs and lows of international tournaments since 2019. Their greatest success: promotion to Division One of the ICC 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup Europe Qualifier, beating Sweden, Turkey, Jersey and Germany along the way.  

That was the pinnacle of French women’s cricket, which has now arrived at its nadir. 

“He told us, ‘You’re not welcome anymore’ – that we’re suspended,” said Britton, a wicket-keeper and right-handed batter who has played 29 matches for France. “He was visibly quite angry. He wouldn't let us say anything, wouldn’t let us explain our side. He was basically saying he was disappointed in us. He felt let down that – after all the time and effort he put into us – that we have treated him like this.”

It is against France Cricket rules for national team players to criticise the governing body publicly at risk of being “excluded from the French national team”, reads a code of conduct signed by players.

“We dared to say that we knew there were some problems within the federation,” said Lara Armas, a left-handed batter who, like Britton, debuted in 2021. “Can you really say that that is criticism? It’s factual.”

From 2019 to 2023, Armas was on France Cricket’s committee and was appointed head of their commission for the women’s game.

“We didn’t accuse anyone in particular. We didn’t name anyone, we simply asked for clarifications,” said Magali Marchello-Nizia, a right-arm bowler who made her debut in 2019.

The team made France Cricket aware they were going to publish the letter before they did so. “Some of us were even pressured by France Cricket not to publish anything. You could even qualify some of these as threats,” said Alix Brodin, a left-handed batter who debuted after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Asked what exactly was threatened, Armas recalled that Durairaj told one of the players, “If you do that, I can’t protect you anymore.”

Contacted by FRANCE 24, Durairaj said that a decision about the women’s team would be published in May. He did not respond to more detailed allegations.

‘No communication’

Without any further communication from their governing body, players were removed from WhatsApp groups involving them. On November 19, they found out – via social media – that they would no longer be participating in the inaugural Women’s European Cricket Championship, scheduled to begin less than a month later on December 17.

The organisers, the European Cricket Network (ECN), announced that a team from England would be replacing France at the tournament in Malaga involving the national sides of Spain, the Netherlands, Italy and Austria.

“In a recent development, the French Cricket Federation, Association Française de Cricket, has unfortunately withdrawn their team’s participation,” read a press release. ECN declined to comment further.

“I’ve received no email, no communication from France Cricket explaining anything at all,” said Brodin.

Word spread in January that the women could only apply to be part of the national team this year if they apologised.

“We’ve done nothing wrong,” said Armas. “I’m not apologising for saying, ‘There’s an investigation going on, I want the truth’.”

To this day, the only written communication the women’s national team has received from France Cricket was an email sent on March 1 asking each of them to return their uniforms “for logistical reasons”.

Shut up and play cricket

FRANCE 24’s investigation last November raised questions over whether France was eligible to participate in ICC tournaments as it has done since 2021, given the difficulty of proving that the country has the requisite minimum of eight domestic women’s teams “competing in a minimum of five hard-ball matches for the previous two years”, as per ICC rules.

Players acknowledged having their suspicions.

“It’s always the same three or four clubs that provide women’s national team players,” said Brodin. “We know very well that what’s been written is true, we just never went looking for proof.”

Several said their decision to take part regardless came down to the lack of other opportunities to play cricket. Even for the women’s first division, for instance, only three match days were organised last season.

“The dilemma we’re faced with is absolutely unjust,” said all-rounder Poppy McGeown, who played 27 matches for France. “In France there are very few opportunities to play … either you shut your mouth and play cricket, or you decide to take a more ethical approach and speak up to condemn things that you find unfair or illegal, and that comes with being kicked out of the team.”

“You have to choose between the sport you love and the values you hold dear. So for two years I closed my eyes, and I’m not particularly proud of it,” she said.

Armas said she also turned a blind eye.

“I was egotistical,” she said. “I wanted to play, so yes, I did close my eyes on some things. I have to say thank you to all those girls who didn’t.”

More evidence of ‘ghost matches’ 

The women’s first- and second-division tournaments have disappeared from France Cricket’s plans for this year, replaced by a “France Women’s Cup” featuring 10 teams due to kick off this Saturday, April 13.

Out of the four first-division teams from last year, only Lille Cricket Club and Paris Université Club are slated to participate, with Nantes Cricket Club not renewing its affiliation with France Cricket in the wake of the scandal and Lisses Cricket Club planning to do the same for its women’s team.

The other eight clubs include seven from last year’s Division Two, which was the subject of November’s FRANCE 24 report.

Since its publication, more evidence of irregularities in this division has come to light.

On April 16, six Division Two matches were scheduled to take place on Chantilly cricket ground. All six were subsequently rubber-stamped as having taken place by France Cricket’s sporting commission.

Edward Hoyle, captain of Chantilly Cricket Club, said he arrived just before 2pm to renovate the wicket, only to be told a women’s match was about to start.

“That match did take place, but it was all over in 20 minutes. That’s 10 minutes an innings,” recalled Hoyle. “Whether that constitutes a match or not, I don’t know.”

Once the short match was over, Hoyle proceeded to strip and relay the wicket, a process that took several hours.

It is clear that the fourth, fifth and sixth matches did not happen at the time and place for which they were certified.

In its response to FRANCE 24’s November report on women’s ghost matches, France Cricket said “the results shown on its website are those communicated via the match reports handed in by the umpires at the end of each match”.

The chair of one of the clubs that was responsible for umpiring on April 16 denied his club was involved in matches that did not actually take place. He said he had delegated responsibility for the women’s team to the club captain and wasn’t aware of specific events that day.

When asked how his club planned to field a women's team this year, he acknowledged it would be a challenge. “We have women’s teams, but they’re students – you have to organise it during school holidays. It’s a bit difficult.”

France Cricket did not respond to a request for comment.

On November 16, Nantes Cricket Club sent a request to state prosecutors and police asking for an investigation into alleged fraudulent activity by the association.

In April 2022, the Versailles public prosecutor dismissed defamation charges brought by France Cricket against Hoyle, which he said were brought after he wrote a letter to clubs criticising the organisation.

“The ICC has investigated the allegations in relation to France Cricket and are satisfied that the issue is now closed,” a spokesperson for the sport's global administrator told Alison Mitchell of the BBC’s "Stumped" podcast. “Each Member is wholly responsible for the participation data that is submitted per the census and accuracy of these records remains of utmost importance and are audited by the ICC.”

From New Caledonia with cricketers

During a meeting with the France Cricket board while she was head of the women’s commission, Armas recalled pushing for a recognition of the reality on the ground. “Come on, among us we can admit it,” she said. “There are only four women’s teams in cricket. We know there are only four teams in Division One, and Division Two is fake.”

In response, she recalled, “I was almost insulted. Like, ‘How can you say this?’ I got shut down badly.”

She also remembered conversations with Durairaj in which he shared his conviction that the way to develop women’s cricket in France was not via domestic competitions, but “to have a strong national team”.

But now, France Cricket must assemble an entirely new one – notably ahead of another ECN tournament in December to which France has been invited, according to one source, but not confirmed by ECN.

The governing body emailed clubs on January 16 asking for candidates for both national teams, but none of the previous women’s squad who spoke to FRANCE 24 have put their names forward.

One avenue that France Cricket is exploring to bolster its women’s team lies far from the French mainland, in New Caledonia. A traditional form of cricket, played mostly by indigenous Kanak women, has been popular in the French overseas territory since the sport was introduced by English missionaries.

France Cricket chairman Prebagarane Balane visited the southwest Pacific islands in March, accompanied by Durairaj, where he signed an agreement with New Caledonia’s sports minister Mickaël Forrest and cricket committee head Jean-Marc Ihily. The deal obliges the committee to register all of its players with France Cricket by August 31, which could add some 3,000 to the 1,800 players that the association currently claims are on its books.

It also grants France Cricket the right to call up players in New Caledonia for the French national team, but not if they play the non-standard form of the game.

On March 30, at France Cricket’s annual general meeting at their office in Saint-Maurice near Paris, Balane was joined by Ihily in person to announce plans for a women’s tournament in Nouméa, the capital of New Caledonia, this September. Balane stressed the importance of recruitment ahead of the 2025 ICC Women’s World Cup in India.

Marchello-Nizia said that two years ago, Durairaj told her about looking to New Caledonia for potential women’s national team players. “Things might have accelerated, given recent developments,” she said.

Death of a national team?

Asked if the current national team was dead, Britton was equivocal. “The team obviously doesn't stop with us. But as far as the players are concerned, I feel like we've been asked not to come back.”

McGeown lamented the state of French cricket. “When you have the honour and pride of playing for your country, no matter what the sport, it’s a huge motivator. And now we’ve lost it because we’re not ready to play as part of this system.”

[sportwizbynavneetoberoi]

BCCI’s Lollipop to the IOC - Turning Cricket into a Global Sport

Cricket, a sport with a staggering fan base of 2.5 billion people worldwide (According to Sport Pledge) is making significant strides towards Olympic inclusion. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has been actively pushing for cricket's inclusion in the Olympic Games, with the ambition to debut at the LA28 Games. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), led by Jay Shah, has played a pivotal role in this endeavor. The Sportwiz explores the journey of cricket towards becoming a global sport, driven by the aspirations of the ICC and the strategic efforts of the BCCI.

source - IOC

Cricket has been making notable appearances in various multi-sport events, such as the Birmingham Commonwealth Games in 2022 and the Asian Games in 2010, 2014, and the upcoming 2023 edition in Hangzhou, Even this years African Games hosted in Ghana will consist of cricket where it will be played in the T20 format. These inclusions highlight the growing recognition and acceptance of cricket as a global sport.

source - ICC

The question arises: Does the Olympics need cricket, or does cricket need the Olympics? Cricket's immense popularity, with a fan base of 2.5 billion people and its status as the second most-watched sport globally, demonstrates the sport's strength and appeal. However, Olympic inclusion would provide an unparalleled platform for cricket to reach new audiences and further boost its global recognition.

source - business today

The ICC's bid for Olympic inclusion emphasized the massive viewership cricket attracts. The 2022 T20 World Cup garnered a staggering 1.2 billion unique viewers globally. Additionally, the 2020 Women's World Cup saw 89 million viewers tuning in, showcasing the increasing popularity of women's cricket. These statistics exemplify cricket's potential as a major draw for broadcasters, sponsors, and fans alike.

India's significance as a cricket powerhouse cannot be overlooked. The country accounts for a substantial portion of cricket's global viewership, with 76% of the 113.5 million viewing hours recorded during major tournaments coming from India. The BCCI, backed by India's massive cricket market, has offered the International Olympic Committee (IOC) a chance to tap into this unique viewership, potentially elevating the Olympic Games' viewership in the Indian subcontinent.

source - InsideSport.in

The BCCI's main revenue stream, broadcasting rights, presents a compelling proposition for the IOC. Currently held by JIO and Viacom 18 for $31 million, these rights contribute to the ongoing profits of the Olympics. If cricket is included in the Olympics, the ICC estimates potential revenue of $130-260 million. These figures highlight the financial gains that could be achieved through cricket's Olympic participation.

The number $31 million USD is larger than the previous years in terms of Olympics in India but if we compare it to a similar number showcasing the money that’s involved in cricket, in the next financial cycle of the BCCI the Pakistan Cricket board ( PCB ) who hold a share of 5.75% is approximately valued at $34.5 million USD.

PCB Chairperson Mr Najam Sethi

source - The Express Tribune

Cricket's economic value has witnessed a remarkable surge, as evidenced by the 300% increase in media rights value for ICC and IPL. The media rights for ICC and IPL soared from ₹16,347 crores to a staggering ₹48,390 crores. This exponential growth further solidifies cricket's position as a lucrative sporting asset.

source - Sportskeeda

With the Indian Premier League (IPL) now ranked as the second most valued sporting league globally, cricket's future looks promising. The IPL's substantial viewership of 380 million domestic TV viewers in the 2021 season and cumulative viewership of 383 billion minutes for the 2020 campaign across TV and digital platforms indicate cricket's enormous potential according to Jay Shah. As cricket continues to captivate audiences, its inclusion in the Olympics could propel the sport to new heights.

The bid to include cricket in the Olympics is anticipated to be decided in the final session of the IOC, scheduled to take place in Mumbai in October. Brisbane 2032 Olympics presents a realistic opportunity for cricket's inclusion, given Australia's cricketing heritage. Surprisingly, Los Angeles may also be a potential host, thanks to the approval of the bid by former Mayor Eric Garcetti, now the US Ambassador to India, fostering stronger relations between India and the USA.

BCCI Secretary Jay Shah ( left ) with US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti ( right )

Source - @USAmbIndia/Twitter

Cricket's journey towards becoming a global sport is gaining momentum, with the ICC and BCCI leading the way. The sport's immense viewership, economic value, and potential for growth make it an attractive addition to the Olympic Games. As the IOC contemplates cricket's inclusion, the world awaits a decision that could redefine the sport and pave the way for a future where cricket becomes truly global.

By Navneet Oberoi

Sources -

ICC

The Economic Times

Espncricinfo

Sports Pro Media

The Guardian

Crictracker

Sawera Pasha

[mohammad74nayeem]

An Innocent Cricket Player

Kane Stuart Williamson, is a great cricketer from New Zealand. He was born on August 8, 1990. Now he serves as captain of the country's limited-overs squad. Kane is most run scorer for New Zealand in a test match on February 27, 2023. He is a right handed batsman and per time right arm off spinner. 

In the year of December 2007, Williamson made his first-class cricket debut.That same year, he visited Indian U-19 squad in his U-19 debut, and he was selected as the team's captain for the 2008 U-19 Cricket World Cup. He made his debut in abroad in 2010. At the 2011, 2015, and 2019 Cricket World Cups as well as the 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2021 ICC World Twenty20s, Williamson has highlighted New Zealand.

In ICC World Twenty20,2016 he led New Zealand on a full-time basis for the first time. At the 2019 Cricket World Cup, he led New Zealand as their captain, guiding them to the championship game and earning Player of the Tournament honors. He top up Virat Kohli and Steve Smith to become the top-ranked Test batsman in the world on December 31, 2020, when he attained a Test batting rating of 890.[3][4] Both the accolade for Test cricketer of the decade and the Sir Garfield Sobers accolade for ICC Male Cricketer of the Decade were nominated for him.Along with Joe Root, Steve Smith, and Virat Kohli, Ian Chappell and Martin Crowe place Williamson among the best four or five Test cricket batters of the present. 5,6,7.

[pct-zindabad]

Pakistan’s Babar Azam in T20I

When Babar Azam takes the field on Friday, 14 April for the match against New Zealand, he will become the third Pakistan player to feature in 100 Men's T20Is

Shoaib Malik (123) and Mohammad Hafeez (119) are the two other Pakistan players to reach this milestone in men's T20Is.

The level-headed Pakistan captain is well known for his flamboyant batting style and along with Mohammad Rizwan forms an intimidating opening pair in T20Is.

As we celebrate his 100 T20Is, let's have a look at some of Babar's top innings in the format.

122 off 59 v South Africa, Centurion, 2021 — Babar and Rizwan are a force to reckon with. While Rizwan plays the role of an aggressor more often, there have been times when Babar has blown away the opposition with his explosive shots. The third T20I against South Africa in 2021 was one such example.

Chasing a formidable 204, Babar took the lead almost right from the start. After taking a couple of overs to adjust, he started pummelling the bowlers all over the park. His 50 came in just 27 balls and he accelerated after that with aplomb. He ended up with 122 off just 59 deliveries but unfortunately was dismissed with Pakistan needing just 7 to win, nevertheless having brought his side to the brink of victory. Pakistan then chased the total with two overs to spare. It was also Babar's first century in the format.

110* off 66 v England, Karachi, 2022 — Babar's second T20I century was no less impressive and this time it came at home. After losing the first T20I, Pakistan needed to hit back. England batted first and scored 199/5. Chasing another 200 score was not going to be easy but both Babar and Rizwan were in a different mood altogether. Babar, in particular, led the charge, smashing 110* off just 66 deliveries as Pakistan registered a 10-wicket victory over England. It was Babar who hit the winning runs, an inside-out four through covers celebrating a dominating win.

97* off 58 v West Indies, Karachi, 2018 — Babar's first Karachi masterclass came in 2018, four years before his hundred; an almost century innings against West Indies at home. Batting first, Pakistan lost Fakhar Zaman early, who had opened the innings with Babar. The 24-year-old Babar Azam had only hit three fifty-plus scores in his career then and came close to scaling three figures when he took on the Windies bowling attack single-handedly. Pairing with Hussain Talat at No.3, Babar hit 13 fours and a six on his way to 97* off 58 deliveries. Pakistan put up a huge total of 205/3 and defended it easily with their strong bowling attack.

79* off 53 v New Zealand, Christchurch, 2022 — Babar's 79* was not in an high-scoring encounter but a low-scoring chase against New Zealand's celebrated bowling attack in their own backyard. The Pakistan bowlers had done their job keeping the Black Caps down to 147/8 in their 20 overs. But the hosts were not going down without a fight. They removed Rizwan early and crippled Pakistan further with a second wicket, leaving them at 37/2 in the sixth over. But Babar kept going. He rebuilt the Pakistan innings, first patiently stabilizing them, then pouncing on the bad balls to put them away. He formed crucial partnerships with the middle order and though New Zealand got a couple of more wickets, they had no answer to Babar. The Pakistan captain remained not out as the visitors claimed a six-wicket victory in the 19th over.

68* off 52 v India, Dubai, 2021 — The famous ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2021 match. While there were many heroes in the game, Babar's contribution to it cannot be forgotten. After India were restricted to 151/7, Pakistan went all out with the bat to bamboozle the Indian bowlers. Rizwan was sensational and Babar played the perfect fiddle for him. Both batters complemented each other and pummelled the Indian attack without any rest. Babar hit the winning runs helping Pakistan to their first victory over India in the history of the tournament.

[cricketbazaar]

The Best All-Rounder In The World Right Now

The fundamental principles of sports include giving it your all, pushing yourself to become a better version of yourself, and continuously cheering your team on to success. In cricket, in particular, scoring runs is equally as important as defending a cricket score. On a good day, a bowler may devastate the opposition's batting lineup with a single stroke, while a batsman can overwhelm the bowling assault and record a massive total. To change the course of the game, a talented fielder may also unpredictably induce a runout or make an amazing catch. On the other hand, a great cricket all-rounder who can do all duties to the highest quality is created when you combine the abilities of a fielder, bowler, and batter. In cricket, a player who always gives the team their best effort is known as an all-rounder. An all-around player is the best asset a team can have. Whether it's taking crucial wickets or scoring those crucial runs to aid the team in winning, an all-around cricket team's performance on the field is determined by the quality of its players.

Leading Candidates for the Best All-Rounder In The World Currently

These days, some of the most valued players in cricket are all-rounders who can play all three formats as a bowler and batsman. They are unquestionably the rarest treasures in contemporary cricket. Players that play all three game forms and perform a range of responsibilities in modern international cricket must take extreme efforts to stay physically fit and prolong their careers due to the rigorous schedule. Let's examine some of the top all-round players of our era right now.

Ben Stokes

Ben Stokes, one of the best all-rounders in the world right now, is the most useful player for England in all three formats of the game. When bowling, the 31-year-old may end crucial partnerships. He bats and bowls as well. He is also capable of batting against the world's top bowling combinations. The term "Clutch-Player" has been used to describe Ben Stokes, a player who comes through for the team when they need him the most. In the 2021 T20 World Cup Final, the 2019 Headingley Test match against Australia, and the 2019 Cricket World Cup Final, he pulled his team from sticky situations. His international career still has a long way to go, as the stalwart is showing no sign of slowing down.

Ravindra Jadeja

Although Ravindra Jadeja was previously referred to as a "bits and pieces player," he has consistently shown his critics and haters that he is capable of contributing to a squad without always being the star. He was the first Indian bowler to top the ICC ODI bowling rankings since Anil Kumble in 2013, and he became the fastest left-arm bowler to reach 200 Test wickets in 2019. Currently, the veteran is the best all rounder in the world when it comes to Test cricket. Together with Ravichandran Ashwin, Jadeja has established himself as one of the Test team's all-time best spin bowlers, chipping away at hitters with remarkable accuracy and consistency. He has also become a better hitter, as seen by his recent performances, especially in white-ball cricket. In addition, he is one of the best fielders in the whole cricket globe and has a left arm that can be used like a slingshot.

Ravichandran Ashwin One of the most talented and cunning bowlers in cricket right now, Ravichandran Ashwin observes his opponents better than anybody else. Ashwin may be the Indian bowler who has taken the most Test wickets, given his impeccable Test career. So far, he has taken 527 wickets in the longest format of the sport. Furthermore, he has scored 3423 runs including 6 centuries. Moreover, four times in Test matches, Ashwin has taken a fifer and hit a century in the same game. He is only second to Ian Botham, the great English all-rounder who did it five times throughout his Test career.

[news365timesindia]

[ad_1] Indian cricket (Men’s and Women’s) in UAE in recent years (PC: BCCI/X) New Zealand thrashed Pakistan to secure their spot in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup semi-finals from Group A, alongside Australia. This meant that India suffered a group-stage exit with only two wins from four games. The UAE continues to be a tough hunting ground for Indian cricket, both men and women, in recent times. The men’s team faced a group-stage exit in the 2021 T20 World Cup and failed to win the Asia Cup the following year. Now, the women’s team has also had a disappointing World Cup campaign. The struggle to crack the UAE code continues. The UAE’s pitches are similar to subcontinent ones, with balls spinning, gripping, and coming slowly on to the bat. Subcontinent teams like India are expected to do well here, but the opposite has been true. In this campaign, batters like Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana struggled to time the ball. Both players thrive when the ball comes on to the bat, allowing them to play their natural game. But when the spinners were introduced early, even in powerplays, they could not rotate the strike. India’s spin bowling unit consisted of Shreyanka Patil, Asha Sobhana, Radha Yadav, and Deepti Sharma. Apart from Asha, the others struggled, especially Shreyanka and Deepti, who could not find the right pace for the Dubai and Sharjah surfaces. For example, against Australia in Sharjah, where bowlers were getting spin and low bounce, Shreyanka still went for 32 runs in her four overs at an economy of 8, which was well above par for such conditions. For the Latest Sports News: Click Here India Women vs Australia (Image: ICC) Both the men’s and women’s teams have struggled against top sides in the UAE. The men lost to Pakistan and New Zealand in the T20 World Cup, and to Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the ‘Super 4’ stage of the Asia Cup. Similarly, the women’s team lost to New Zealand and Australia, though they managed wins over weaker sides like Pakistan and Sri Lanka. What is the solution? The quality of India’s players is unquestionable. So, is there a need to adapt their techniques? Probably not. The issue may be in the mind. The team needs to strengthen its mindset, especially in crunch moments. India’s players, though suited to these conditions, could not exploit them when it mattered most. Teams like Australia and New Zealand have this mental edge, and it shows in critical games. Building this mentality comes from consistently winning such matches. It is the process that instills belief. This World Cup was another wasted opportunity for the Indian women’s team to start building that winning mentality. But Indian fans hope that it will only be a matter of time before the team overcomes this UAE jinx. With the right mindset, future tournaments could finally bring success. Also Read: India’s defeat to Australia: 5 Talking Points The post Indian cricket’s UAE jinx continues with this Women’s T20 World Cup exit appeared first on Sports News Portal | Latest Sports Articles | Revsports. [ad_2] Source link

[news365times]

[ad_1] Indian cricket (Men’s and Women’s) in UAE in recent years (PC: BCCI/X) New Zealand thrashed Pakistan to secure their spot in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup semi-finals from Group A, alongside Australia. This meant that India suffered a group-stage exit with only two wins from four games. The UAE continues to be a tough hunting ground for Indian cricket, both men and women, in recent times. The men’s team faced a group-stage exit in the 2021 T20 World Cup and failed to win the Asia Cup the following year. Now, the women’s team has also had a disappointing World Cup campaign. The struggle to crack the UAE code continues. The UAE’s pitches are similar to subcontinent ones, with balls spinning, gripping, and coming slowly on to the bat. Subcontinent teams like India are expected to do well here, but the opposite has been true. In this campaign, batters like Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana struggled to time the ball. Both players thrive when the ball comes on to the bat, allowing them to play their natural game. But when the spinners were introduced early, even in powerplays, they could not rotate the strike. India’s spin bowling unit consisted of Shreyanka Patil, Asha Sobhana, Radha Yadav, and Deepti Sharma. Apart from Asha, the others struggled, especially Shreyanka and Deepti, who could not find the right pace for the Dubai and Sharjah surfaces. For example, against Australia in Sharjah, where bowlers were getting spin and low bounce, Shreyanka still went for 32 runs in her four overs at an economy of 8, which was well above par for such conditions. For the Latest Sports News: Click Here India Women vs Australia (Image: ICC) Both the men’s and women’s teams have struggled against top sides in the UAE. The men lost to Pakistan and New Zealand in the T20 World Cup, and to Pakistan and Sri Lanka in the ‘Super 4’ stage of the Asia Cup. Similarly, the women’s team lost to New Zealand and Australia, though they managed wins over weaker sides like Pakistan and Sri Lanka. What is the solution? The quality of India’s players is unquestionable. So, is there a need to adapt their techniques? Probably not. The issue may be in the mind. The team needs to strengthen its mindset, especially in crunch moments. India’s players, though suited to these conditions, could not exploit them when it mattered most. Teams like Australia and New Zealand have this mental edge, and it shows in critical games. Building this mentality comes from consistently winning such matches. It is the process that instills belief. This World Cup was another wasted opportunity for the Indian women’s team to start building that winning mentality. But Indian fans hope that it will only be a matter of time before the team overcomes this UAE jinx. With the right mindset, future tournaments could finally bring success. Also Read: India’s defeat to Australia: 5 Talking Points The post Indian cricket’s UAE jinx continues with this Women’s T20 World Cup exit appeared first on Sports News Portal | Latest Sports Articles | Revsports. [ad_2] Source link

[secretstalks]

Rohit Sharma finally shares his secrets to effective leadership, emphasizing, “It’s important to…

The Indian captain, Rohit Sharma, ended India’s ICC title drought last month by winning the T20 World Cup. India did win its second T20 World Cup trophy, the first having elapsed 17 years earlier.

Playing in every T20 World Cup tournament, Rohit Sharma became the first player to win the trophy both as a player and a skipper. He guided the squad to the 2022 T20 World Cup semifinal when they were defeated by England.

Before experiencing his first taste of victory as the captain of the Indian cricket team with the T20 World Cup title win, he also lost the WTC 2023 final and the ODI World Cup final.

Speaking on The Aldar Experts podcast, Rohit Sharma offered some leadership advice that has enabled him to grow into the prosperous captain he is now.

Rohit Sharma highlighted the importance of leading by example, stating, “As a leader, it’s essential to set a standard for your team by leading from the front. It’s not just about performance on the field but also how you conduct yourself off it. I strive to be a role model for my colleagues in every aspect.”

He also mentioned treating the team’s members like brothers. When talking about Rohit, a lot of young players, like Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal, have frequently mentioned how much of a big brother he is to them. They mentioned how he is the older brother on the squad and treats everyone fairly.

“And I treat them like family, like brothers, you know, because they have the same responsibilities and shares in the team as you do, which makes them equal members of that team. Thus, you must give them a sense of belonging and make them feel as though they are wanted here, Rohit Sharma continued.

After India won the T20 World Cup, Rohit, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja announced their retirement from the T20I format. As captain, Rohit still has goals to achieve since he is eager to win both the World Test Championship and the ODI World Cup. At the moment, Team India is leading the WTC points standings. They have already competed in two WTC finals, losing both of them in 2021 and 2023.

“Rohit Sharma Reflects on His Strong Desire for T20 World Cup Victory”

After winning the T20 World Cup, Rohit was obviously quite emotional and expressed how much he wanted to win this championship for India.

“I really wanted this. In an emotive tone, Rohit remarked following India’s victory in the T20 World Cup, “It’s very hard to put it in words because of that moment.”

He was spotted at Wimbledon and is currently taking a sabbatical from the game. According to some speculation, he and Virat Kohli may also get a rest during the series against Sri Lanka.

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[7forthereson]

DHONI THE UNTOLD STORY

Mahendra Singh Dhoni, popularly known as MS Dhoni, is an Indian professional cricketer. Born on July 7, 1981, in Ranchi (which was part of Bihar and is now in Jharkhand), Dhoni has left an indelible mark on the cricketing world. Let’s delve into his remarkable journey

Personal information Full name Mahendra Singh Dhoni Batting Right-handed Bowling Right-arm medium RoleWicket-keeper-batter

Accidental introduction to cricket

As a child, Dhoni was always into sports. He was a district-level badminton and football player. His football coach sent him to fill the position of a wicketkeeper on the school cricket team. He played well and soon bagged a permanent place in the group. This ignited his passion for cricket. Dhoni started focussing more on cricket after his 10th grade. He was very passionate about cricket and wanted to prove himself in this sport His father was not very fond of his son’s growing interest in cricket. He was of the view that there is no future in sports. However, Dhoni was clear-sighted about what he wanted for himself. He struggled against the rigid opposition from his father for prioritizing cricket over studies. But he was confident about chasing his dreams. So, going against his father’s wishes, Dhoni fulfilled his dreams instead. After that, he became a part of the Commando Cricket Club and an Under-16 championship. After this point, he pursued cricket seriously, but life had other plans for him. 

Breakthrough

The next match was his shot. Luck played in his favor the next time as he was selected for the Pakistan series. In the second match of the series, he scored a massive 148 off 123 to finally establish himself as a known face of the team. After that, there was no looking back. There were a lot more to come. This was the start, and he went ahead to make the most of his hard work and talent. His immense talent gained recognition, and he led the Indian team to the ICC World Twenty 20 Trophy in South Africa. Team India successfully won the trophy by defeating the Pakistani team. He accomplished his talent and made a mark for him self. Dhoni is the only captain to win the ICC Trophy, ODI World Cup, and Champions Trophy. His leadership is something that is celebrated across the country. Fans regard Dhoni as one of the greatest captains the team has seen. Despite his massive popularity, people knew him as a calm, cool, and composed persona. It must be because he has seen life getting hard and that aggression does not lead to rational decisions.

MS Dhoni’s achievements

In 2009, Dhoni was also awarded the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian honor. In 2011, Dhoni etched his name on the list of 100 most influential people in the world through his persistent efforts and hard work. He was also awarded the Padma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian award in the country, on Apr. 2, 2018.After winning the Cricket World Cup in 2011, film director Neeraj Pandey decided to make a biopic on the life and achievements of Mahendra Singh Dhoni. The film, titled MS Dhoni: Untold Story – MS Dhoni The Untold Story, became a blockbuster hit and won the heart of many fans.Besides being a great cricketer, MS Dhoni is also a connoisseur of cars and bikes. He has a collection of many expensive cars and bikes. Some of his luxurious cars are Ferrari 599 GTO, Audi Q7, SUV Hummer H2, Land Rover Freelander 2, and Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk. Apart from this, Dhoni also has a collection of expensive bikes including Confederate Hellcat X132 and Superbike Kawasaki Ninja H2. On Aug. 15, 2020, Dhoni retired from all forms of International Cricket.MS Dhoni is also the Captain of Chennai Super Kings in IPL and has already won the trophy four times. He was rumored to play his last IPL game in 2021, but he brushed those rumors away. Recently, in 2022 he stepped down from the captaincy of CSK and handed it over to Jadeja. He is expected to play T20 cricket in 2023 too.

[a2zsportsnews]

Afghanistan women cricketers urge ICC to set up refugee team in Australia

With the dream of once again donning the Afghanistan jersey at the international level, 17 women cricketers from the country living in self-imposed exile in Australia have written to the ICC (International Cricket Council) to help set up a team, which was disbanded after the Taliban takeover in 2021. While the Afghanistan men’s team has set new benchmarks and recently made it to the T20 World Cup…

[cricketbazar]

"Love To Look At Things In Positive Manner": Sanju Samson Ahead Of ICC T20 WC 2024 Opener

Ahead of their opener against Ireland in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, India wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson said that he positively looks at things while reflecting on failures and successes in his career.

Samson, who made his international debut in 2014 in a T20I match, has had ups and downs, having played just 25 T20Is and 16 ODIs for India over the last decade.

His T20 stats have been disappointing as he has scored just 374 runs at an average of 18.70 with one half-century. a strike rate of 133.09 and the best score of 77.

Samson has made his way into the T20 WC squad after a career-best Indian Premier League (IPL) which helped take Rajasthan Royals (RR) to the playoffs. He scored 531 runs at an average of 48.27 and a strike rate of 153.46, with five half-centuries. His best score was 86*.

The Kerala-born cricketer asserted that at the time when a cricketer is young and successful, he tries to skip a few lessons.

"I love to look at things in a more positive manner. If it's a failure or setback, you learn through it. When you are young and successful, you skip a few lessons. I am blessed with my talent, which comes naturally to me as a batter" Samson said in a video posted by BCCI.

The 29-year-old further stated that right from the moment he arrived in the United States, he had taken out all the things regarding Indian Premier which is in his mind.

"Right from the moment I landed here, IPL has been away from my mind. I tell myself that I am somewhere where people dream of going. Then I was like, what else do I need to do? Mentally I did not have to motivate myself. Things happen automatically. When you meet Rohit and Virat, you get inspired and there is no looking back. How can Sanju help India win more games, what it is like to be a WC player for India? I am very grateful for the support wherever I go," the wicketkeeper added.

In the end, Samson said that he loves to change and adapt according to the conditions.

"The biggest lesson as a cricketer and human is that the change is constant. You cannot say that this is the only way to play. I love to change and adapt as per conditions. You can't be the same Sanju Samson," the right-hand batter concluded.

India will start their T20 World Cup campaign on June 5 against Ireland at the newly constructed Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York.

The blockbuster clash between India and Pakistan will take place on June 9. India will later play tournament co-hosts USA (June 12) and Canada (June 15) to wrap up their Group A matches.

In the tournament, India will be aiming to end their ICC trophy drought, having last won the ICC Champions Trophy in 2013. Since then, India has reached the 50-over World Cup final in 2023, semifinal in 2015 and 2019, the title clash of the ICC World Test Championship in 2021 and 2023, T20 WC final in 2014, semifinals in 2016 and 2022 but failed to secure a big ICC trophy.

India squad: Rohit Sharma (C), Hardik Pandya (VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (WK), Sanju Samson (WK), Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. SirajReserves: Shubman Gill, Rinku Singh, Khaleel Ahmed and Avesh Khan. 

[seo-vasudev]

India vs Pakistan ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024

The cricketing world is abuzz with excitement as the arch-rivals, India and Pakistan, gear up for an epic showdown at the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup. And Yarana restaurant in Singapore is giving you the ultimate front-row experience to witness this monumental clash.

Get ready for an exhilarating cricket showdown as India takes on Pakistan in a highly anticipated match. Join us at the Private Room in Yarana restaurant, Singapore, and catch all the action streaming live on our big screens.

Date: 9 June 2024

Time: 10 pm onwards

Whether you're a die-hard cricket fan or simply looking for an exciting evening with friends, this event promises to be a memorable one. Immerse yourself in the electric atmosphere as you witness the two cricketing giants clash on the field.

The Rivalry and History: The June 9 fixture will mark the eighth occasion when the two teams will be locking horns at the ICC T20 World Cup. India have won 5 of the 7 matches played between the two sides so far. Pakistan's only victory against India in the tournament came during the 2021 T20 World Cup.

The Teams and Squads: India will be led by the charismatic Rohit Sharma, while the talented Babar Azam will captain the Pakistani side. Both teams boast formidable squads, packed with star players and emerging talent.

Indian Squad: Rohit Sharma (C), Hardik Pandya (VC), Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant (wk), Sanju Samson (WK), Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah.

Pakistani Squad: Babar Azam (C), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Usman Khan.

The Experience: Best of all, entry is absolutely free! But don't wait too long – reserve your spot today to ensure you don't miss out on this thrilling experience. To book your place, call us at +65 92777519.

Get ready to cheer, celebrate, and experience the excitement at Yarana's Private Room! Don't miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be a part of the monumental India vs Pakistan clash at the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup. Gather your friends and family, grab your favorite snacks, and immerse yourself in the thrilling world of cricket like never before!

[playermagic23]

Shah Rukh Khan emerges as biggest brand magnet; inks more than 10 brand deals since January 2023 after the release of Pathaan

Shah Rukh Khan is a name that needs no introduction. King Khan not only dominated the silver screen with three blockbuster films Pathaan, Jawan, and Dunki, respectively within the past year but has also surged back into the advertising world with newfound vigour. The actor's charm and appeal have translated into a burgeoning list of brand endorsements, marking a significant ascent. With all three films combined, the superstar has breached Rs. 2600 crores at the worldwide box office and has continued to dominate the No. 1 position.

While the superstar has long blockbusters and box office records, Shah Rukh Khan also leads the brand world by a margin. The superstar has inked more than 10 brands in January 2023. Recently, the detergent brand Tide announced Shah Rukh Khan as their brand ambassador. Besides this, he endorsed several brands, which include Everest Spices, Rungta Steel, Sunfeast Dark Fantasy, FabriCare, the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, Realme, Myntra, D'YAVOL X, and Ultratech Cement.

According to recent research by TAM Media Research, the superstar has become the face of a significantly greater number of products on television. SRK was observed promoting a whopping twenty-one brands between January and July of 2023 - a stunning increase of twenty-four percent over the same time in 2022 and an astonishing thirteen percent from 2021. This trend not only represents a quantitative increase but also demonstrates "King Khan's" ongoing appeal in the advertising world. The actor's successful run at the film office has translated to success in advertising with ease.

[nfliplnews]

[ad_1] The three-match series against Afghanistan, beginning here on Thursday, will be India’s last series in the shortest format before the T20 World Cup in June. The players and the team management understand that it’s perhaps not a perfect build-up to yet another ICC tournament. But then, with a busy home season - a five-match Test series against England, followed by the Indian Premier League - they need to ‘adapt and be flexible’.Head coach Rahul Dravid, too, is of a similar opinion. Ever since taking over as the head coach in November 2021, the team has featured in three ICC events under him, and every time, there has been sufficient preparation time. “This T20 World Cup is slightly different, in the sense that there isn’t a lot of time to prepare for it. We have to rely on the cricket that we have and also a bit on the IPL,” Dravid said.ALSO READ: Rahul Dravid denies Shreyas, Ishan were left out of Indian team due to disciplinary reasons“The boys will be playing T20 cricket here and in the IPL. We might not get many opportunities to play together, so we will have to work around that. You just have to adapt and be flexible. We had good preparation leading into the ODI World Cup and also for the T20 World Cup 2022. This time, we probably won’t have that and we have to adapt to that and go with it…”Over the last few years, India opted for horses for courses policy, according to the format of the event. “At various stages over the last couple of years, we have had to prioritise certain formats, certain tournaments, simply because of the amount of cricket being played and in terms of managing the players, it’s impossible to make all players play all the time. So, we had to prioritise what’s important. Even in this series, people like Siraj, Jadeja and Bumrah have missed out, keeping in mind the five-Test matches,” Dravid said. “So, you are always playing the juggling act over the last couple of years…”With the IPL set to begin on March 22 and finish by the third week of May, there would hardly be any time for India to get into the groove for the T20 World Cup. And, keeping the different conditions in mind in the USA and the West Indies, it would be a daunting task for sure.Only time will tell whether the seniors and team management will be able to come up with a foolproof plan in a bid to end the team’s decade-long trophy drought in ICC events. [ad_2] Source link