Page 31 - Cricket

India among most active nations for Meta's Threads; active users hit 175 mn

India is one of the most active countries for Threads, which has notched over 175 million monthly active users globally, according to social media giant Meta. The update assumes significance as it marks the completion of nearly one year since Meta officially launched rival to Twitter (now X). "With a 175 million actives, we're seeing Threads become a place where people feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and ideas. India is one of the most active countries for Threads globally," Meta said in a release. In India, some of the most popular tags and topics on Threads are centred around film, TV and OTT content, celebrity-related conversations and sports. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced that Threads has over 175 million monthly active users as the social media giant asserted that Threads was launched with the belief that "everyone has something valuable to say". "It's been a year now, and we're seeing it become a place where people feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and ide

Indian cricket team remains stranded in Barbados due to severe hurricane

The victorious Indian cricket team remains stranded in Barbados after a Category 4 hurricane hit the Caribbean islands here in the wee hours of Monday, delaying its departure back home by at least another day. The Rohit Sharma-led side has stayed put in a five-star hotel since its triumph over South Africa in the T20 World Cup final here on Saturday. As per the forecast, life-threatening winds and storm lashed Barbados and nearby islands on Monday. The country, with a population of close to three lakh, has been in a lockdown since Sunday evening. The main international airport is shut until further notice with water and electricity supply also getting disrupted. "Like you people, we are also stuck here. First we need to see how to get the players and everyone out of here safely and then we will think about the felicitation upon arrival in India," said BCCI secretary Jay Shah, who got here ahead of the big final. The squad, along with top BCCI officials including Jay Shah, was supp

Both Houses of Parliament laud Indian cricket team's T20 World Cup win

Both Houses of Parliament on Monday congratulated the Indian cricket team for winning the T20 World Cup. In the Lok Sabha, Speaker Om Birla said the country's youngsters and sportspersons would derive inspiration from the victory. Birla congratulated the team led by Rohit Sharma on the feat. Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar lauded the team for the historic win. "Such historic accomplishments inspire every citizen to dream big, work hard and achieve eminence," Dhankhar said. The Chair also lauded the South African cricket team for a spirited fight during the T20 World Cup final in Barbados on Saturday. India lifted the T20 World Cup after a 17-year gap, beating South Africa by seven runs in the final on June 29.

From shy child to cricket legend: Inside Jasprit Bumrah's life journey

Jasprit Bumrah's neighbour, a senior journalist, wrote an emotional post for the India star after his stunning performance in the T20 World Cup Final in Barbados

New head coach to take charge from Sri Lanka series, says Jay Shah

The Indian cricket team will have a new head coach from the limited-overs series in Sri Lanka starting later this month, BCCI secretary Jay Shah said on Monday but did not reveal who has been finalised to succeed the outgoing Rahul Dravid. Former opener Gautam Gambhir is expected to succeed Dravid as the India head coach. The Cricket Advisory Committee has also conducted the interviews for the high-profile job and short-listed Gambhir and former India women's coach W V Raman. The appointment of a selector will also be made soon, said Shah, who is in the Caribbean with the India squad that won the T20 World Cup title on Saturday, beating South Africa by seven runs in the final. "Both coach and selector appointment will be made shortly. CAC has interviewed and shortlisted two names and after reaching Mumbai whatever they have decided we will go by that. VVS Laxman is going to Zimbabwe but new coach will join from Sri Lanka series," Shah tld select media, referring to the Zimbabwe tour

BCCI announces Rs 125 crore prize money for Indian team for T20 WC triumph

BCCI secretary Jay Shah on Sunday hailed India's epochal title win in the T20 World Cup and announced a prize money of Rs 125 crore for the team for its monumental feat in the just-concluded ICC showpiece. India defeated South Africa by seven runs in a tense final at Bridgetown, Barbados, to land their second world title in the T20 format. Under the exceptional leadership of Rohit Sharma, this team has shown remarkable resolve and resilience, becoming the first team in the history of the ICC T20 World Cup to win the tournament unbeaten, said Shah in a statement. "They have faced and silenced their critics with stellar performances time and again. Their journey has been nothing short of inspirational, and today, they join the ranks of the greats. Shah later took to social media to announce a cash reward of Rs 125 crore for the team. "I am pleased to announce prize money of INR 125 Crores for Team India for winning the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024," Shah wrote on 'X' "The team has

Attracting Netravalkars

Mumbai-born software engineer-turned-international cricketer Netravalkar embodies the hardworking Indian immigrants who make the US their home through talent, grit, and hard work

How the Bumrah-Hardik duo could lock T20 World Cup title for India

Rohit Sharma captains a potent lineup as the magical duo of Bumrah and Pandya team up for their first full World Cup campaign, poised to bring home the T20 title for India.

David Warner passes baton to Fraser McGurk after announcing retirement

Warner took to Instagram, sharing a picture with Jake, writing to him, "All yours now champion"

Vihari to continue playing cricket for Andhra after assurance from TDP

Indian all-rounder Hanuma Vihari has committed to represent Andhra following assurance from the state's ruling party, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) that his grievances with the state association would be addressed. The 30-year-old had announced in February that he would "never play for Andhra again" as he had lost his "self-respect" after being forced to quit as the team's captain. In March this year, PTI had reported that the Andhra Cricket Association (ACA) had served Vihari a show-cause notice after he alleged that the governing body had unceremoniously removed him as captain. Soon after Vihari announced his decision to leave Andhra, he was approached by the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA). Vihari was granted No-Objection Certificate (NOC) by ACA earlier this month but he changed his mind, leaving the MPCA aggrieved. A report in ESPNCricinfo said that Vihari had held meetings with TDP officials on Monday before confirming that he would continue to play for Andhra. "I'm so

Co-inventor of DLS method, English statistician Frank Duckworth dies at 84

English statistician and one of the inventors of the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method, Frank Duckworth died at the age of 84, according to a report. Duckworth passed away on June 21, according to a report in ESPNcricinfo.com. The Duckworth-Lewis method, devised by Duckworth and fellow statistician Tony Lewis, was introduced to determine results in rain-affected cricket matches. The method was first used in international cricket in 1997 and was formally adopted by the ICC as the standard method for setting revised targets in truncated games in 2001. The method was renamed the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method after the retirement of Duckworth and Lewis, followed by some modifications by Australian statistician Steven Stern. Duckworth and Lewis were both awarded MBEs (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in June 2010. The DLS method is based on a complex statistical analysis that considers many factors like wickets remaining and overs lost, among others, to set a revised target

Sri Lanka sports minister denies night club visit caused team's T20 WC exit

Sri Lankan Sports Minister Harin Fernando on Monday challenged the critics to prove that the alleged night club visit had caused the cricket team's premature exit in the ongoing T20 World Cup in the Americas. Sri Lanka could not progress to the Super 8s stage, finishing third in Group D behind South Africa and Bangladesh, who made the grade. "I challenged them (critics) to prove it, and I will resign if they can prove it," Fernando said referring to a comment reportedly made by his predecessor. It has been alleged that the team was late for a practice session due to their late night-out. Fernando had taken over the ministry in November 2023 from Roshan Ranasinghe, who was removed from the post by president Ranil Wickremesinghe following his action to sack the Sri Lanka Cricket management and appoint an interim committee. The International Cricket Council had subsequently suspend Sri Lanka's membership due to government interference. Fernando said all the facilities were provided

Rashid's bravehearts show fortitude, hunger in inspiring T20 WC campaign

Ravaged by war, almost no infrastructure or stadium of their own, also weighed down by the politics of sports and yet Afghanistan have managed to punch way above their weight in the ongoing T20 World Cup in the West Indies. Though the Afghanistan Cricket Board was formed in 1995, it became an affiliate member of ICC in 2001, and a decade later, earned Test status and a full ICC membership in 2017. Cut to the 2024 T20 World Cup and the Afghans have not only announced their arrival -- taking the tournament by storm by reaching the Super 8 stage --, they are now on the verge of making the semi-finals after stunning former champions Australia. This has been primarily due to some audacious and electrifying individual and collective performances. So, what has been the reason for their sudden rise? Is it the format that allows them the freedom to excel, or is it due to their full utilisation of the recent international exposure in different T20 leagues? Former India cricketer Vijay Dahiya

Party over, reality dawns: West Indies rue another missed opportunity

It was a depressing Monday morning in the Caribbean after the West Indies crashed out of the men's T20 World Cup it was hosting after a 14-year gap. A collective dream of millions in the region came crashing after Marco Jansen deposited a full ball from Obed McCoy for a six down the ground to seal a nervy win for South Africa over the tournament co-hosts. It is difficult to match the frenzied fan following that cricket enjoys in India but if there is any region that comes close to the Asian country, it is the Caribbean. Across the six World Cup venues, the buzz around the tournament was palpable but the loss on Sunday night has sent the happy-go-lucky fans into their shell. "It is depressing but the West Indies had it coming. They were poor in all departments last night," said Papios, a police officer who was guarding an almost empty Darren Sammy Stadium ahead of the India-Australia game here. The stage was set for the West Indies to win a record third T20 World Cup and part of th

England spinner Bashir makes unwanted history, concedes 38 runs in 1 over

England spinner Shoaib Bashir made unwanted history on Monday when he conceded 38 runs in a single over in an English county championship match. The 20-year-old Bashir, playing for Worcestershire, was put away for five straight sixes by England teammate Dan Lawrence, playing for Surrey. The sixth ball of Bashir's over was sent so far down the leg side that it went for five wides, and there was worse to follow for Bashir when he overstepped with his next delivery, giving away a no-ball and therefore two runs along with a single for Lawrence. With Lawrence off strike, Bashir actually managed a dot ball with his last delivery. It tied the most expensive over in County Championship history. Alex Tudor also conceded 38 runs for Surrey against Lancashire in 1998, with former England allrounder Andrew Flintoff hitting 34 of the runs on that occasion. It was only the 12th first-class match for Bashir, who made his England test debut on the tour of India in February and March.

BCCI officials, state association reps convene ahead of domestic season

The BCCI office bearers including secretary Jay Shah and representatives of the state associations met here on Monday for an informal meeting to "exchange ideas" and discuss the revamped domestic cricket structure. India's domestic season 2024-25 will begin with the Duleep Trophy on September 5 followed by the Irani Cup and then the Ranji Trophy, which has been split into two halves for the first time. This has been done to counter inclement weather during winter season in the north and give players more time for rest and recovery between matches. In the meeting held here at the BCCI headquarters at the Wankhede Stadium, the board also sought feedback from the state associations on the new format. The new format has been implemented on the recommendations of National Cricket Academy (NCA) head VVS Laxman, India head coach Rahul Dravid, chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar and skipper Rohit Sharma. The BCCI aims to review the same after one year. "The meeting highlighted the commenda

Election for new president of Mumbai Cricket Association on July 23

Election for a new president of the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) will be held on July 23 after the incumbent Amol Kale died earlier this month, said the association on Monday. Kale, 47, died of a cardiac arrest in New York after attending the T20 World Cup match between arch rivals India and Pakistan on the intervening of June 9 and 10. Kale was elected as the president of the powerful association after defeating former India cricketer Sandeep Patil in October 2022. To fill the vacant post, the MCA on Monday announced the election programme, according to which the period between June 25 and July 2 has been kept for inviting names of representatives from 'member clubs and from former international players'. Nominations can be filed from July 4 to 10 at the electoral officer's office at the MCA Lounge in the Wankhede Stadium in south Mumbai between 11 am and 5 pm, a release from electoral officer JS Saharia stated. A scrutiny of nominations will take place on July 11 which has to

'I don't see that far, difficult to answer': Gambhir on coaching role

Evading queries on whether he is set to be the next head coach of the Indian cricket team, former opener Gautam Gambhir on Friday said he doesn't "see that far ahead". Gambhir was speaking at an Indian Chambers of Commerce event here. He appeared in a virtual interview with BCCI's Cricket Advisory Committee earlier this week and is widely perceived to be India's next head coach after the end of the incumbent Rahul Dravid's tenure following the ongoing T20 World Cup. However, the 42-year-old, who recently played a crucial role in KKR's third title win in the IPL as team mentor, was tight-lipped when he was asked about his prospects. "I don't see that far ahead. You are grilling me, asking me all tough questions," he said. "It is difficult to answer right now. All I can say is that I'm happy being here, just finished a brilliant journey (and) let's enjoy that. I'm in a very happy space right now," Gambhir said at a 'Rise To Leadership' seminar here.

Pakistan's new red-ball head coach Jason Gillespie to arrive next month

Pakistan's new red-ball head coach Jason Gillespie is set to land in the country next month to supervise a training camp for the home series against Bangladesh in August. According to a reliable source in the Pakistan Cricket Board, the camp will be set up in Karachi from July 24 for the probables for the national team as well as the Pakistan Shaheen side (A Team). "Gillespie will be supervising the camp with the support staff and Shan Masood (Pakistan's Test captain) will also return early from England to prepare for the Bangladesh series in which two tests are to be played," he said. He said some senior players are likely to be given rest from the series as Gillespie also wants to look at the back-up talent in the country. The source said that Masood has already indicated to the PCB that he wants Babar Azam in the Test team for the coming series but other senior players will be given a break. Mohsin Naqvi is expected to hold a press conference next week to outline the major ...

Big margin between Bumrah and rest, India fortunate: Sanjay Manjrekar

India are fortunate to have a bowler of the calibre of Jasprit Bumrah, who is head and shoulders above the rest in international cricket, feels former batter Sanjay Manjrekar. Bumrah bowled an incisive spell (3/7) to guide India to a convincing 47-run victory over Afghanistan in their opening Super Eights fixture of the T20 World Cup here. With the bat, Suryakumar Yadav was the star performer as he slammed a 28-ball 53 to power India to 181 for eight in 20 overs. "There were many matches when we had not conceded the boundary and look at the difference between him and the couple of other seamers," Manjrekar told ESPNcricinfo. "They were also international standard, but quite rightly I mean, he's looking even better and when you look at all the top-class bowlers around the world. "There's a big margin between them and Bumrah and India is so fortunate to have him in your playing 11," Manjrekar added. Former India captain Anil Kumble also lauded Bumrah's performance. "The kind of ..