The T20 World Cup 2024-winning Indian cricket team will take part in an open bus road show followed by a felicitation ceremony at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday. The Indian team is expected to reach New Delhi on early Thursday morning (6:20am) after departing from Barbados' Grantley Adams International Airport in a chartered flight which has a special call sign 'AIC24WC' Air India Champions 24 World Cup. The departure of the Indian squad was delayed due to Hurricane Beryl. However, the team, its support staff, the players' families, some board officials and travelling Indian media finally managed to leave Barbados in the charter flight arranged by the BCCIearly on Wednesday morning (4:50am local time). "The team has left from Barbados on a special Air India flight hired by the BCCI. The Indian journalists who were stuck there (Barbados) are also coming on the same flight along with BCCI president (Roger Binny) and secretary (Jay Shah), who are looking after all the arrangements," BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla told PTI. "The flight will land at Delhi airport tomorrow 6 am. The team will meet PM Narendra Modi at 11 am at his residence. After this, the team will fly to Mumbai, where a ceremony has been organised. "There will be a road show from Nariman Point in an open bus and later we will honour and felicitate the players with the prize money of Rs 125 crore as announced," he added. Also Read: When will Team India return from hurricane-hit Barbados? Details inside While final plans are being drawn up by the local administration and cricket authorities here, it is expected that the team will take part in an open bus road show from the iconic Nariman Point to the Wankhede Stadium which also hosts the headquarters of the BCCI. A felicitation event at the Wankhede is also planned for the members of the Indian team. A similar road show was held here 14 years ago when MS Dhoni's team had beaten arch-rivals Pakistan in the final of the inaugural 2007 World T20 in South Africa. Rohit Sharma and his men won the title after pulling off a thrilling seven-run win over South Africa in the T20 World Cup 2024 final on Saturday at the Kensington Oval. (With agency inputs)
03 July,2024 05:46 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentThe Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has slotted its team's marquee Champions Trophy match against arch-foes India in Lahore on March 1 next year but the BCCI is yet to give its consent to the tentative schedule, a senior ICC Board member told PTI on Wednesday. The Champions Trophy tournament is slated from February 19 to March 9 with March 10 as Reserve Day. It is understood PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who was invited to watch the T20 World Cup final in Barbados, submitted a 15-match schedule with all of India's games kept in Lahore for security and logistical reasons. "The PCB has submitted the draft of the 15-match ICC Champions Trophy. Seven games in Lahore, three in Karachi and five in Rawalpindi," an ICC Board member said. "The opening match will be held in Karachi with two semifinals in Karachi and Rawalpindi, final in Lahore. All India matches (including semifinal, if the team qualifies) in Lahore," the source added. India have been clubbed with Pakistan, Bangladesh and New Zealand in Group A. Group B comprises Australia, South Africa, England and Afghanistan. Recently, ICC head of events Chris Tetley met PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi in Islamabad after the world body's security team inspected the venues and other arrangements. The last tournament that Pakistan hosted was the Asia Cup in 2023, conducted in a 'Hybrid Model' with India playing their matches in Sri Lanka as the government refused to permit the players' travel across the border. "All board chiefs of the ICC Champions Trophy participating countries (minus BCCI) have assured him of their complete support but BCCI will consult its government and update the ICC," the source added. The ICC, on its part, can't force any Board to go against its government policy and it will be interesting to see as to when BCCI takes a final call on the matter. (With agency inputs)
03 July,2024 04:13 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentBangladesh allegedly dropped vice-captain Taskin Ahmed from the crucial Super Eights clash against India at the T20 World Cup 2024 as he overslept and missed the team bus, a claim the pacer refuted, stating it was for team combination reasons. Bangladesh lost the game, held on June 22 in North Sound, Antigua by 50 runs with the Tigers making only one change, replacing Taskin with Jaker Ali. "I was a little late, but I reached at the ground before the toss," ESPN Cricinfo quoted Taskin as saying to Dhaka-based newspaper Ajker Patrika. "I arrived at the ground around 30-40 minutes before the toss. I missed the team bus. The bus left the hotel at 8.35am. I left for the ground at 8.43am. I almost reached the ground with the bus. It is not as if they didn't pick me because I arrived late. I wasn't going to play anyway," he added. Taskin made his way back into the playing XI for Bangladesh's next game in the T20 World Cup 2024, against Afghanistan on June 24. Also Read: Bumrah's impenetrable economy to record-low run-rate: Key metrics from WC 2024 Although Taskin apologised for his actions, veteran all-rounder and former captain Shakib Al Hasan said the pacer's late arrival made it "difficult" for him to be selected. "The bus usually leaves at a certain time. It is the rule that the team bus doesn't wait for anyone," Shakib told reporters on Tuesday. "If by chance someone misses the bus, they can arrive in the managers' car or a taxi. West Indies is a difficult place for transport. He arrived 5-10 minutes before the toss, so naturally it was difficult for the team management to select him. It was also a difficult situation for the player. Taskin apologised to the team, and everyone took it very normally. It was an unintentional mistake. It ended there." According to the report, there was no fine levied on Taskin for the incident. When questioned about the incident, Bangladesh Cricket Board president Nazmul Hassan, said, "When I saw that Taskin wasn't in the XI, I called (team manager) Rabeed (Imam), who told me that Taskin missed the team bus," Hassan said. "But (Rabeed said that) he is now in the field, he arrived a bit late. "I will read the report from the concerned department." (With agency inputs)
03 July,2024 03:16 PM IST | Dhaka | mid-day online correspondentHardik Pandya rose two places to go level with Sri Lankan star Wanindu Hasaranga as the top-ranked men's T20I all-rounder on Wednesday, as per the ICC official website. The all-rounder, who made a big contribution in the final with the crucial wickets of Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller, had a good T20 World Cup 2024 with bat and ball and became the first Indian man to reach No.1 in the category. Pandya made impactful cameos down the order with the bat and made breakthroughs with the ball when the team needed him to. He finished with 144 runs at a batting strike rate of over 150 and also took 11 wickets. His most important performance, though, came in the final when his decisive blow, the wicket of Klaasen, with South Africa on top of the game swung the contest. Hardik went on to bowl the tense final over and defended 16 runs to help India win the T20 World Cup 2024 title. There were other movements in the top 10 of the T20I all-rounder rankings, with Marcus Stoinis, Sikandar Raza, Shakib Al Hasan and Liam Livingstone rising up by one spot. Mohammad Nabi moved back by four spots to go out of the top five. Also Read: Bumrah's impenetrable economy to record-low run-rate: Key metrics from WC 2024 Among the men's T20I bowling rankings, Anrich Nortje rose up by seven places to a career-best second spot to go just behind top-ranked Adil Rashid with 675 rating points. India's star fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, who won the Player of the Tournament award at the T20 World Cup, for his 15 wickets, moved up by 12 spots to go just outside the top ten, his highest position since the end of 2020. Kuldeep Yadav entered the top ten of the bowling rankings, moving up by three spots to joint-eighth. Among other beneficiaries were Arshdeep Singh, who moved up by four spots to a career-best No.13 after topping the wickets chart at the T20 World Cup, and Tabraiz Shamsi, who moved up by five positions to reach the top 15. There wasn't too much movement in the top ten of the batting rankings with one minor change in South Africa skipper Aiden Markram dropping down by two points after an ordinary tournament with the bat. (With agency inputs)
03 July,2024 02:58 PM IST | Dubai | mid-day online correspondentThe T20 World Cup 2024-winning Indian cricket team finally departed for Delhi aboard a charter flight from the Grantley Adams International airport here on Wednesday after being stranded here for three days due to a category 4 hurricane. The Air India special charter flight AIC24WC -- Air India Champions 24 World Cup -- took off around 4:50am local time and will land in the Indian national capital on Thursday at around 6:20 am (IST). Team India will return to the country on July 4, a special flight carrying the team will land in Delhi early morningThe team's departure from stranded was delayed by Hurricane Beryl.The flight arranged by BCCI's Jay Shah will also carry the members of Indian media who were… pic.twitter.com/HqrAVHs7sL — ANI (@ANI) July 3, 2024 "Coming home," posted India captain Rohit Sharma on Instagram, posing with the trophy in the aircraft before it took off. The Indian squad, its support staff, the players' families and some board officials are aboard the flight along with members of the travelling media contingent. The flight has been arranged by the BCCI. The Rohit Sharma-led side won the title after pulling off a thrilling seven-run win over South Africa in the final on Saturday. The Boeing 777, which took off from New Jersey, USA on July 2, landed in Barbados around 2am local time and the airport staff here stated that they had not seen a bigger plane land at the Grantley Adams International airport, which resumed its operations on Tuesday. Earlier, the Indian team was scheduled to leave around 6pm local time on July 2 and arrive at 7.45pm (IST) on Wednesday but the departure was delayed as the plane landed late. Also Read: Legends depart, doubts linger The players are set to be felicitated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi within hours of returning to the country. Plans are also afoot to have a road-show in Mumbai to honour the triumphant team, which ended a trophy drought of 11 years. In the final match of the tournament, India won the toss and opted to bat first. After being reduced to 34/3, a counter-attacking partnership between Virat (76) and Axar Patel (47 in 31 balls, with one four and four sixes) of 72 runs restored India's position in the game. A 57-run stand between Virat and Shivam Dube (27 in 16 balls, with three fours and a six) took India to 176/7 in their 20 overs. Keshav Maharaj (2/23) and Anrich Nortje (2/26) were the top bowlers for SA. Marco Jansen and Aiden Markram took a wicket each. In the run chase of 177 runs, Proteas was reduced to 12/2 and then a 58-run partnership between Quinton de Kock (39 in 31 balls, with four boundaries and a six) and Tristan Stubbs (31 in 21 balls, with three fours and a six) brought back SA into the game. A half-century by Heinrich Klaasen (52 in 27 balls, with two fours and five sixes) threatened to take the game away from India. However, Arshdeep Singh (2/18), Jasprit Bumrah (2/20) and Hardik (3/20) made a fine comeback in death overs, keeping SA to 169/8 in their 20 overs. (With agency inputs)
03 July,2024 02:33 PM IST | Barbados | mid-day online correspondentZimbabwe Cricket welcomed T20 World Cup 2024 champions India following their arrival at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport for the five-match IND vs ZIM T20I series starting on Saturday. The first match of the IND vs ZIM T20I series will be played on July 6 at the Harare Sports Club. The last T20I will be played on July 14 at the same venue, where all matches will be held. The head coach for India during this tour would be former cricketer and the National Cricket Academy (NCA) chief VVS Laxman. Zimbabwe Cricket took to social media and shared a video where the Men in Blue were seen coming out of the airport with their luggage. "We welcome T20 World Cup champions India," the Zimbabwe Cricket board wrote on X. ๐๐ ๐ฐ๐๐ฅ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฉ ๐๐ก๐๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ ๐๐ง๐๐ข๐ ๐ฎ๐ณ ! ๐ค#ZIMvIND pic.twitter.com/Oiv5ZxgzaS — Zimbabwe Cricket (@ZimCricketv) July 2, 2024 Opener Shubman Gill has been named as the captain for the tour. The squad features just two players from the main squad for the T20 World Cup: Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sanju Samson. The rest of the squad who are part of T20 WC has been rested. The likes of Rinku Singh, Avesh Khan and Khaleel Ahmed who are in the reserves player list of the T20 World Cup touring party, also have been added to the squad. Promising young players who have proven themselves in the Indian Premier League and domestic arena over the past 12 months have received multiple call-ups from India. Zimbabwe Cricket on Monday announced the squad for their upcoming series against the T20 World Cup 2024 champions, India. In the five-match T20I series, Zimbabwe have named a young squad to face India, who will miss a majority of their key players as well. The Belgian-born Antum Naqvi has been named in the squad, but his inclusion is subject to the confirmation of his citizenship status. In the domestic circuit, he boasts an impressive strike rate of 146.80 in the T20 format. In first-class cricket, he has an impressive average of 72.00, and in List-A cricket, he boasts an exceptional average of 73.42, which underlines his massive potential before he steps at the international level. After failing to qualify for the recently concluded T20 World Cup 2024, Zimbabwe will aim to rebuild under new head coach Justin Sammons. Zimbabwe have picked a young squad with an average age of 27, and that has a total of 558 T20I appearances under their belt. Sikandar Raza, at 38, will continue to lead the side. With 86 matches to his name, he is Zimbabwe's most experienced player, followed by 29-year-old Luke Jongwe, who has made 63 appearances. India's squad for T20I series against Zimbabwe: Shubman Gill (c), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Abhishek Sharma, Rinku Singh, Sanju Samson (wk), Dhruv Jurel (wk), Nitish Reddy, Riyan Parag, Washington Sundar, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Khaleel Ahmed, Mukesh Kumar and Tushar Deshpande. Zimbabwe Squad for T20I Series against India: Sikandar Raza (c), Akram Faraz, Bennett Brian, Campbell Johnathan, Chatara Tendai, Jongwe Luke, Kaia Innocent, Madande Clive, Madhevere Wessly, Marumani Tadiwanashe, Masakadza Wellington, Mavuta Brandon, Muzarabani Blessing, Myers Dion, Naqvi Antum, Ngarava Richard, Shumba Milton. (With agency inputs)
03 July,2024 02:12 PM IST | Harare | mid-day online correspondentThe recently-concluded edition of T20 World Cup 2024 will be memorable for a lot of reasons, be it for its overwhelmingly bowler-friendly conditions, nail-biting thrillers, unforgettable upsets, the rise of associate nation cricket and lastly Team India ending their 11-year-long ICC trophy drought. Many records have been established in the T20 World Cup 2024, be it in six-hitting, run-rate, bowling economy rate, etc. Here is a look at some numbers that truly made this tournament one of the best in a long while. 7.09 - The overall run rate in the tournament, the lowest at any men's T20 World Cup. It outdid the previous low of 7.43 runs per over in the 2021 edition, played in the UAE, as per ESPNCricinfo. 517 - The number of sixes smashed during the competition, the first time 500-plus sixes came in the competition, outdoing the previous best of 405 sixes back in the 2021 edition. The balls per six ratio is also the best ever, with 21.35. 1- India is the first team ever to have won the T20 WC without a loss, securing eight wins in a row, three in the group stage against Ireland, Pakistan, and the USA, three in Super Eights against Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Australia and one each against England and South Africa in the semifinal and final. 2 - Only the second ICC T20 WC without a single century scored, with the highest score being West Indies' Nicholas Pooran's 98 against Afghanistan. The last time this happened was back in 2009, with Sri Lanka's Tillakaratne Dilshan having the highest score of 96 against West Indies in the semis. 19 - A total of four-wicket hauls, the highest ever in a men's T20 World Cup, showcasing the level of dominance bowlers had in the tournament. The previous best was 14 four-fers in 2021. 4.17 -Pacer Jasprit Bumrah's economy rate, is the best-ever for anyone with 100-plus deliveries bowled in a single edition of T20 WC. Bumrah's most expensive spell was of 1/29 in four overs against Australia. Also Read: When will Team India return from hurricane-hit Barbados? Details inside 3- The difference between wickets taken and boundaries conceded by Bumrah during the tournament. While Bumrah took 15 wickets, only 12 boundaries, including two sixers could be scored against him. 14 - Number of dismissals by Rishabh Pant as a wicketkeeper, including 13 catches and a stumping. It is the highest-ever by a wicketkeeper in a single edition of men's T20 WC. 17 - Wickets for Arshdeep Singh and Fazalhaq Farooqi in this World Cup, the most by a bowler in a single edition of the competition, outdoing Sri Lanka's Wanindu Hasaranga's mark of 16 in 2021. 1 - Rohit Sharma is the first-ever player to have won the competition both as a player (in 2007) and as a captain this year. West Indies' Daren Sammy secured the title twice as a captain, in 2012 and 2016 and several players were a part of these two wins, including Marlon Samuels, Chris Gayle, Johnson Charles, Dwayne Bravo, Samuel Badree, Andre Russell and Denesh Ramdin. 0- Sixes hit during the match between New Zealand and Uganda, making it only the third men's T20 World Cup game with no sixes hit, besides, South Africa vs Zimbabwe in Hambantota in 2012 and Netherlands vs Pakistan in Perth in 2022. 171 - Runs scored by Pant during the competition are the second-highest in a single edition without a single fifty, falling short of Bangladesh's Anamul Haque, who scored 184 runs in the 2014 edition with the best score of 44*. Pant's best score was 42 against Pakistan. 96 - Number of deliveries Pakistan's veteran pacer Mohammad Amir bowled in this World Cup, the most without conceding a six. Amir has achieved the unique feat of being the first bowler to not concede a six in two different editions of the men's T20 World Cup (minimum of ten overs). Notably, he had bowled 139 balls without being hit for a six in 2010, the second-highest by a bowler in an edition behind Umar Gul's 147 balls in 2009. (With agency inputs)
03 July,2024 01:21 PM IST | Barbados | mid-day online correspondentThe departure of the Indian cricket team, triumphant in the T20 World Cup 2024, from the Caribbean island has faced delays due to the non-arrival of their chartered flight. The team, led by Rohit Sharma, clinched the title with a thrilling seven-run victory over South Africa in the final on Saturday. However, their return journey has been hampered by Hurricane Beryl, which disrupted normal operations at the Grantley Adams International Airport in Barbados, where they are stranded. To facilitate their return, Air India has arranged a special charter flight named AIC24WC, coined as Air India Champions 24 World Cup. This flight, which departed from New Jersey, USA on July 2, was expected to land in Barbados around 2 am local time. However, due to logistical challenges and the aftermath of the hurricane, its arrival was delayed. The resumption of operations at Grantley Adams International Airport on Tuesday signaled hope for the stranded team members, their families, support staff, and accompanying officials from the Indian cricket board and media. Originally scheduled to depart on July 2 at 6 pm local time and arrive in Delhi at 7:45 pm IST the next day, their plans were thwarted by the adverse weather conditions. Also Read: Dravid reveals how a call from Rohit after ODI WC stopped him from quitting As Hurricane Beryl downgraded from a Category 5 to a Category 4 storm, it continued its path towards Jamaica, affecting regional air traffic and causing further uncertainty for the team's departure. Despite these challenges, the Indian cricket board remained optimistic about their safe return home. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is poised to felicitate the victorious team upon their return, though the exact timing of the ceremony remains to be confirmed. This recognition highlights the significance of their achievement in the T20 World Cup 2024, adding to the anticipation surrounding their arrival. The delay in their departure underscores the unpredictability of weather patterns in the Caribbean region during the hurricane season, which runs from June to November. Such challenges are not uncommon for international sporting events held in tropical climates, necessitating careful planning and flexibility in travel arrangements. Efforts are underway to ensure the timely departure of the team from Barbados to Delhi, with the charter flight expected to depart at 4:30 am local time, embarking on a 16-hour journey. Barring further complications, the team is anticipated to land in Delhi on Thursday at 6 am IST, marking the end of their eventful journey from victory on the field to challenges off it. In conclusion, while the Indian cricket team's celebration of their T20 World Cup triumph has been momentarily stalled by adverse weather conditions and logistical hurdles, their impending return promises a warm welcome and national acclaim for their sporting prowess and resilience in the face of adversity. (With agency inputs)
03 July,2024 12:14 PM IST | Barbados | mid-day online correspondentA young Indian cricket team led by skipper Shubman Gill and with National Cricket Academy chief VVS Laxman as coach arrived here to play a five-match IND vs ZIM T20I series beginning July 6. The team was seen exiting the airport with their luggage in a video posted by Zimbabwe Cricket on X. The entire squad had departed from Mumbai on Tuesday, while Gill, who was a travelling reserve with the T20 World Cup side in the Americas, arrived here from New York after a break. "We welcome T20 World Cup champions India," wrote ZC on Tuesday night in a post on 'X'. It's coming home ๐#TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/Pxx4KGASb8 — BCCI (@BCCI) July 3, 2024 Young top-order batter Riyan Parag, who will be making his India debut in the series, said in a video posted by BCCI that he had a childhood dream of travelling like this (with the national side). "The feel of donning India jersey, travelling with the side is different. Coming from Assam, I had this dream of playing for India. Really happy. There will be a special connection for Zimbabwe when I play my first match. "That will be a special moment for that ground and myself, which would be very sacred," he said. "After misplacing my passport, to phones, we are finally here after a 20 hour journey. Now, really looking forward to the tour," Parag added. Another newcomer, medium pacer Tushar Deshpande, said the feeling of being in the national setup is "slowly sinking in and it's like a dream come true for me. Playing for the country is a very special thing." Also Read: Legends depart, doubts linger "Travelling with the team is the most important and getting to know them, knowing the atmosphere of the team and most important for me is the fun we have during travel," added Deshpande. Big-hitting left-hander Abhishek Sharma said from the day he started playing cricket, he had only one dream, which was to play for the country. "I know if I continue working hard, I will get an opportunity but I didn't know I will get it outside India in Zimbabwe. I got a call from (skipper) Shubman after my name was announced in the squad. Everyone has been giving me so much of affection. For me it was a very big thing," added Sharma. "When I reached home after my name had been announced, I saw my family members giving interviews. So, I think, that was one moment I will always remember," he said. India will play their opening match against the Sikandar Raza-captained Zimbabwe on July 6 at the Harere Cricket Ground. The remaining four games will also be played at the same venue. The series will conclude on July 14. T20 World Cup travelling reserves Sanju Samson and Yashasvi Jaiswal along with all-rounder Shivam Dube were slated to join the Zimbabwe-bound group but are stranded in Barbados due to hurricane Beryl. Sai Sudharsan, Jitesh Sharma and Harshit Rana were on Tuesday named as replacements for trio in the Indian squad for the first two matches of the series. Samson, Jaiswal and Dube along with the other senior players will be arriving in India aboard a charter flight on Thursday morning. The players will later be felicitated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. Pacer Khaleel Ahmed and batter Rinku Singh, travelling reserves for the T20 World Cup, are also currently in Barbados. The BCCI has not named replacements for the duo even though they are in the squad for IND vs ZIM T20I series. (With agency inputs)
03 July,2024 11:54 AM IST | Harare | mid-day online correspondent
Thousands of fans flooded the streets, driving past the iconic Wankhede stadium, chanting patriotic slogans of ‘Long live India’ from their cars and bikes. Despite India's top rankings in T20s and ODIs and second place in Tests, their history of stumbling in ICC knockout stages persisted. Last year, Rohit Sharma and Co. came excruciatingly close to clinching the ICC World Cup on home turf, only to succumb to Australia in a tense final at Ahmedabad's grand Motera stadium. However, displaying remarkable composure, the team maintained their nerve in a tightly contested finale on Saturday, with pace bowler Hardik Pandya coolly defending 16 runs in the final over. South Africa, making their debut appearance in a World Cup final, appeared poised to chase down the target, needing 30 runs from the last five overs. However, Indian bowlers tightened the screws, causing South Africa to falter. On a Saturday that marked a historic triumph for Indian cricket, fans celebrated India’s World Cup glory while also grappling with the retirements from T20 cricket of two modern-day legends, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Both Rohit and Kohli bid farewell to T20 cricket for India, ending a remarkable era where they had carried the hopes and dreams of a cricket-loving nation for over 15 years. Kohli's pivotal innings of 76 not out in the final earned him the ‘Player of the Match’ award, while Rohit's leadership and three half-centuries throughout the tournament underscored his impact as captain. Under their stewardship, India remained unbeaten throughout the competition. "It has been an incredible journey playing alongside them for so many years. We will all miss them dearly, but this victory is the best farewell we could give them," remarked Hardik Pandya, Rohit's deputy during the tournament. Kohli secured his second World Cup crown following the 2011 ODI triumph under MS Dhoni's captaincy. Dhoni had also led India to victory in the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007, where a young Rohit had played a pivotal role in the final against Pakistan in Johannesburg. Together, Kohli and Rohit amassed an impressive 45,961 runs across all three international formats and will continue to contribute in Test and ODI cricket. The final showdown against South Africa also marked the swansong for coach Rahul Dravid, the former Indian captain whose illustrious playing career never included a World Cup victory. Dravid, 51, bid farewell with mixed emotions, emphasising that he would miss Rohit not only as a captain but also as a person who made significant contributions on and off the field. For Rohit, the World Cup victory was a redemption of sorts, especially after facing the disappointment of losing his captaincy for the Mumbai Indians in the IPL earlier that year. The leadership reins were handed to Pandya amidst some fan discontent, but Rohit's resilience and determination shone through in the World Cup triumph. Kohli, renowned for his ability to perform under pressure in crucial matches, demonstrated his big-match temperament with a match-winning innings of 76 runs off 59 balls in the final. This stellar performance came after a relatively subdued tournament where he had managed just 75 runs in seven innings leading up to the finale. Looking ahead, all-rounder Pandya appears to be the natural successor to Rohit as the leader in the T20 format, although batsman Suryakumar Yadav remains a contender for the role. Rohit had taken over as India's white-ball captain in 2021 and assumed the mantle of all-format captain shortly thereafter, amid growing impatience among BCCI officials and fans over India's drought of global titles since their Champions Trophy victory in 2013. This transition within the team may have been inevitable, but it is without an iota of doubt that their departure, along with coach Dravid's farewell, leaves a void that will challenge India's cricketing establishment to identify and nurture new talent.
03 July,2024 11:25 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentSports Journalists’ Association of Mumbai’s Lifetime Achievement awardees Milind Rege, Kishen Narsi, Souter Vaz, Dilip Vengsarkar, Arun Kedar, Raghunandan Gokhale and Maya Meher with Bombay Gymkhana President Sanjiv Saran Mehra at the Bombay Gymkhana yesterday. Also Read: Jimmy to mentor English pacers
03 July,2024 06:57 AM IST | Mumbai | A CorrespondentADVERTISEMENT
