Following the T20I retirements of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja, the Indian cricket team has already began its hunt to replace the important pillars of Indian cricket. Kohli, Rohit and Jadeja have been part of the Indian set up across formats for more than a decade. However, the trio won’t be available in the shortest formats of the game after bidding adieu after the T20 World Cup final last month. While finding replacements for Kohli and Rohit may be an improbable task, the void left by Jadeja could be an even bigger headache for India, considering that the veteran was equally dependable with both bat and ball.

While Axar Patel is likely to fulfill that role, Washington Sundar is another contender to replace Jadeja, not literally. Currently on the tour of Zimbabwe, Sundar was quizzed whether he is ready to seal the spot in the absence of Jadeja. 

To this, Sundar said: “I need to do well where I am good at and what I am capable of, especially with my preparation. I need to give my 100 per cent every single day. That’s something that I have not compromised on.”

“It (preparing well) keeps me in the present and obviously I am very confident as well (about his skills). It’s a great opportunity for me to play for India, and I am blessed with it. I need to keep my job consistently and keep preparing and keep getting better. That way everything will be taken care of,” he added.

Sundar returned figures of 3/15 as India defeated Zimbabwe to go 2-1 up in the five-match series in Harare. 

Recapping the match, India opted to bat first. A fine 67-run partnership between Yashasvi Jaiswal (36 in 27 balls, with four boundaries and two sixes) and skipper Shubman kickstarted things for India. Later Shubman (66 in 49 balls, with seven fours and three sixes) had a 72-run partnership with Ruturaj Gaikwad (49 in 28 balls, with four boundaries and three sixes). India scored 182/4 in their 20 overs.

In the run-chase of 183 runs, India had Zimbabwe struggling at 39/5. Later, a 77-run partnership between Dion Myers (65* in 49 balls, with seven fours and a six) and Clive Madande (37 in 26 balls, with two fours and two sixes) gave Zimbabwe’s innings a new lease of life. However, Indian bowlers bounced back on time to keep Zimbabwe at 159/6 at the end of their 20 overs.

(With ANI Inputs)

India spinner Kuldeep Yadav believes that the stalwart trio of Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja and Virat Kohli’s decision to retire from the T20I format is “personal,” and their absence will open a window of opportunity for the youngsters. The T20 World Cup final carried a mixed bag of emotions for the Indian fans. While there were tears of joy as India ended their ICC World Cup drought that lasted for 13 years, there were tears of sorrow as well with the three star players bidding adieu to the shortest format of cricket.

While announcing his retirement, Kohli said that it was time for him to pass the baton on to the younger generation.

Sharing similar views about giving an opportunity to the younger generation, Kuldeep told ANI, “It is their personal decision. They have achieved a lot for India. I hope that youngsters will get good opportunities. They announced their retirement after winning the T20 World Cup and there is no better achievement than that.”

India were stuck in a peculiar situation when the required run rate came down to six. South Africa needed 30 runs in the final five overs to walk away with the trophy.

However, the pace trio of Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya made the opposition batters sweat hard for each run.

Their efforts helped India end their 13-year-long T20 World Cup drought with a 7-run win in Barbados.

“It was a good approach. We were desperate to win the World Cup. We achieved what we wanted to,” Kuldeep added.

Recently, there have been rumours around Kuldeep’s marriage. The ‘Chinaman’ spinner remained tight-lipped about his future partner and said, “There is still time in that and hopefully you will get to know about it.”

On Thursday morning, the T20 World Cup-winning Indian team touched down in the national capital, Delhi, to a rousing welcome from fans eagerly waiting for a glimpse of their favourite heroes and the trophy.

Following their meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the players had an open bus victory parade in Mumbai, from Marine Drive to the iconic Wankhede Stadium.

The champion team was also felicitated with the prize money of Rs 125 crore by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) office-bearers.

Kuldeep Yadav has dedicated the team’s T20 World Cup triumph to Rohit Sharma.© X (Twitter)

Ravindra Jadeja (L) and Virat Kohli© AFP

File photo of Ravindra Jadeja.© AFP

Indian cricket team after winning the T20 World Cup 2024 trophy© AFP

File photo of Ravindra Jadeja.© AFP

Legendary Pakistan bowler Shoaib Akhtar has slammed the England cricket team’s decision to elect to bowl after winning the toss against India in the 2024 T20 World Cup semi-final. India piled up 171 runs in their 20 overs, a total that always seemed like an uphill climb for the English batters. Ultimately, England fell short by a whopping 68 runs. After the game, Akhtar wondered what had inspired England to choose to bowl, given the might and variety of India’s bowling lineup.

“Someone please tell me which Einstein adviced England to bat second. What scientist do they have?” questioned a puzzled Akhtar after the game on his YouTube channel.

“Against a team that has Axar Patel, a match-winner like Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja. Then they have Jasprit Bumrah. So who advised you to win the toss and bowl?” continued Akhtar.

England’s batting unit could not deal with the firepower of India’s bowling. Only three batters crossed the 20-run mark, and one more managed to hit double digits.

Axar Patel was the star of the show, dismantling the English top order with three wickets (3/23 in 4 overs). Spin partner Kuldeep Yadav also picked up three wickets, while Bumrah added two wickets to his tally.

However, Shoaib Akhtar reserved more praise for India’s batting. Courtesy of a half-century by Rohit Sharma, and sizeable efforts from Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya, India reached a total of 171/7 in 20 overs.

Rohit accelerated early, scoring a 39-ball 57 on a tough Guyana pitch. Suryakumar Yadav made 47 off 36, and Hardik contributed a quickfire 13-ball 23, with two sixes.

“I’m very happy to see India win,” said Akhtar. “They have a good range of batting. There are no batsmen like Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya,” said Akhtar.

India will take on South Africa in the 2024 T20 World Cup Final in Barbados on June 29. Both sides are yet to lose a game so far in the tournament.

Former England captain Paul Collingwood believes the Jos Buttler-led side will play four spinners against India in the second semifinal of the T20 World Cup in Guyana on Thursday. The veteran cricketer said Adil Rashid is a “golden nugget” for England and will pose a challenge against Indian batters on a spin-friendly pitch at Providence Stadium amid the prediction of rain in the encounter. “He is a golden nugget for the England cricket team. He comes on naturally in the sixth over, I think the one thing about Rashid is, that his wrong’uns seem to be so difficult to pick. And he’s got real good deception. Now in T20 cricket, deception is key. Whether it’s slower balls or being able to turn the ball both ways. And he is looking really comfortable at the moment.”

“Indian batsmen generally play spin very well, but I think Adil Rashid, the way that he is bowling at the moment, we just have to wait and see what the conditions are like. There’s a chance that England could actually go with four spinners themselves,” Collingwood said during the Star Sports Press Room.

“Obviously, Moeen Ali and Liam Livingstone, who is actually an all-rounder who can bowl leg-spin and off-spin. And you never know, if the wickets are so dry, you can go with Will Jacks as well. So, plenty of options, but I think Adil Rashid is on top of his game, and this is the beauty of the World Cup. You’re gonna have a leg spinner now at the top of his game, confident, up against some of the best batters in the world. And that’s why it’s gonna be such a good spectacle, and we’re all down to see it,” he added.

On the other hand, former Australia spinner Brad Hogg said India would not bring Yuzvendra Chahal in the playing 11 and will stick to Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav in the spin department.

“It’s a day game, so the wicket might be a little bit dry. But this is the good thing about the Indian squad—they’ve got depth in spin. They knew that when they got to the West Indies, they were going to play more spin than pace. But they’ve still got Siraj there that they can bring in, and they’ve got Hardik Pandya, so they’ve got more pace options if they want up their sleeve. Will they bring in Chahal? I wouldn’t bring in Chahal right now. I’d stick with Jadeja. You’ve got to stick with the playing XI that you’re going with,” Hogg said.

He added that Kuldeep and Axar will be crucial against left-handers while Jadeja would be a better option than Chahal if it’s not turning.

“I love the thought of the question, though. Chahal against England would be okay. But there are a couple of left-handers in the batting lineup for England as well, which could do a little bit of damage. Kuldeep Yadav has been bowling exceptionally well, and Axar Patel has been going well. Jadeja hasn’t been that flash, but he gives you so much in the field, as well as with the bat. And he’s a player that, in the right conditions, he can also lift with the ball. If it’s not turning and if it suits pace, I reckon Jadeja is a better option than Chahal as well. So, I’d stick with Jadeja,” Hogg added.

The Indian cricket team ‘settled score’ of some sort as they defeated Australia in the T20 World Cup 2024 Super 8 clash. The victory for Rohit Sharma‘s men was deemed by many a revenge for the defeat they faced in the ODI World Cup final against the Aussies, especially as the Super 8 result left Australia on the brink of exit. As Indian cricket fans cherished the much-needed win against Australia, that propelled Rohit’s men to the semi-finals, Ravindr Jadeja’s wife Rivaba shared a brilliant post in which she also paid tribute to the India captain.

Australia lost their second consecutive match of the campaign, having previously lost to Afghanistan in the Super 8s, as India rode on Rohit’s 92 to secure a 24-run victory. Rivaba, taking to X (formerly Twitter), reflected what the win meant for her and all Indian fans.

“Scores Settled. In the ongoing T20 Cricket World Cup, India has recorded a stunning victory against Australia. Congratulations to the team for this remarkable achievement! Rohit Sharma’s explosive innings will be remembered for ages,” she posted on X.

Scores Settled

In the ongoing T20 Cricket World Cup, India has recorded a stunning victory against Australia. Congratulations to the team for this remarkable achievement!

Rohit Sharma’s explosive innings will be remembered for ages #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/EyCSPvn942

— Rivaba Ravindrasinh Jadeja (@Rivaba4BJP) June 24, 2024

Rohit was named the Player of the Match for his explosive knock in the high-profile contest. Speaking at the post-match presentation ceremony, Rohit gave insights into what India’s approach is going to be in the semi-final against England.

“We don’t want to do anything different, play the same way and understand what each person has to do. Play freely and not think too much on what’s lying ahead. Not think about the opposition. We have been doing it consistently, just need to continue. (On playing England in semi) It will be a nice match, nothing changes for us as a team,” he said on the last 4 contest.

Rohit also lauded India spinner Kuldeep Yadav who has been a revelation for the team of late.

“We know the strength he has, but we need to use him when necessary. In New York, there were seamer-friendly wickets. He had to miss out but we knew he had a big role to play out here,” said Rohit.