Mandhana views England series as prep for the T20 World Cup
Being one of the most experienced members of the Indian setup, Smriti Mandhana expressed her excitement about the new-look pace attack set to feature against England. With regulars Renuka Singh Thakur, Pooja Vastrakar, and Titas Sadhu ruled out due to injury, the attack will be led by Arundathi Reddy. The responsibility of stepping up falls on Amanjot Kaur, Kranti Gaud, and Sayali Satghare, who will be eager to make their mark and fill some big shoes in the upcoming series.
"(We have) a new look pace-bowling unit because unfortunately, there are a few injuries which had happened over the last four to five months, but (it is) really exciting, I mean (the) WPL has been good in terms of finding new people and of course, the domestic system as well.
"The amount of matches the girls play nowadays - all these girls have a rich experience in the domestic format, so I'm really excited to see them.'
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Int'l Cricket Council
2 hours ago
- Int'l Cricket Council
Rohit Sharma reflects on India's T20 World Cup triumph ICC Men's T20 World Cup, 2024
The T20 World Cup success was on the back of years of planning and delivered a trio of India greats their most defining moment of their glorious career. For Rohit and fellow Indian legend Virat Kohli it marked their final T20I match prior to retirement, while for outgoing coach Rahul Dravid it was also his final game in charge. 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐢 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐫 𝐒𝐞 – WATCH NOW on #JioHotstar! Or on Star Sports Network from 26th-29th JUNE, 10 AM IST Uncharted territory in New York India's first tough test came against arch-rival Pakistan in New York and their chances looked forlorn when the side was just dismissed for 119 on a tricky pitch at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium. Pakistan were cruising at 80/3 in reply with Mohammad Rizwan and Imad Wasim at the crease, but Jasprit Bumrah made the key breakthrough and Hardik Pandya and Arshdeep Singh delivered in the clutch overs to ensure India's unbeaten start to the tournament continued. "This was a big wicket in the context of the game," Rohit recalled of Rizwan's dismissal. "With where the game was heading, a set batter and Rizwan is such a quality player for them who has got so many runs for them in the past and won them a lot of games. "So, it was very important to get him out at that time." Brilliant Bumrah rattles Rizwan's stumps | IND v PAK | T20WC 2024 While a victory over the arch-rival is always a big moment for India at any ICC tournament, Rohit knew sterner tests awaited his side. "The Pakistan win was a tick in the box to move ahead in the tournament and nothing else," Rohit said. "You want to reach Super Eights. It's a tick in a way where we know we are one step closer to Super Eights and nothing else. "I know you want to beat Pakistan and there is so much hoo-ha around it. But for us it's an opposition that we want to come up against and play well and win. We don't need to think more than that and I don't think we should look at, if we win this, then we've won the World Cup. It's not like that. 'If we beat Pakistan and don't win the World Cup, would everyone be happy witht that? No, right? 'Yes, It's an opposition that we want to beat to move forward in the competition. That's how I look at it." India bowlers shine in low-scoring thriller | Match Highlights | IND v PAK | T20WC 2024 India bowlers shine in low-scoring thriller in New York Orchestrating Australia's defeat India's strong start to the group stage didn't win them too many accolades, it meant they just progressed through to the Super Eights stage of the event where more difficult challenges remained. Consecutive victories against Afghanistan and Bangladesh meant they were on the brink of qualification for the semi-finals, but one key match remained as they took on Australia in St Lucia. Australia had just fallen against Afghanistan and needed to win themselves to reach the semi-finals and Rohit admitted his team still had scars from their loss to the Aussies in the final of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup in 2023. The skipper himself stood up when it mattered most to smash 92 of just 41 deliveries to help India post 205/5 and a clinical performance with the ball saw India register a 24-run victory and move through to the final four and eliminate Australia at the same time. "We knew that if we won this contest, then Australia would be out," Rohit recalled. 'That was a decent motivation for all of us: If we win this they can be out. But we can't play a cricket game thinking about what happened last time, and that we have to get back at them. 'It was in the back of our minds, that they spoiled our [prospective win on] 19th November (2023 World Cup Final), not just for us but for the entire country. 'We have to give them a good gift. All these things are in our mind but when I am batting, I don't think that we've to kick them out of the tournament. It's not like that. We do discuss such stuff lightly in the dressing room, but after toss, when the game is on, it's all about how you can do the best.' Rohit Sharma stars as India confirm semi-final spot | Match Highlights | AUS v IND | T20WC 2024 Rohit smashed eight massive sixes during his match-winning innings, attacking every bowler that the Aussies threw at him during his knock. "My plan was to attack everyone," Rohit said. "I know Mitchell Starc quite well and I have played against him for several years. 'I knew he would try to swing the ball after pitching it up, he tries to pitch it right at the top. I had my plans against him.' Discussing this knock, further, Rohit considered it as one of his finest T20I knocks. 'Hundreds are special. But some of the 70s, 60s that you get in the context of the game and the occasion of the game makes it even bigger. 'This was a World Cup and a World Cup has its own importance. So yes, I have to put it right up there (with my best innings)." Brilliant Rohit Sharma innings inspires India to 205/5 | Innings Highlights | AUS v IND | T20WC 2024 Familiar foe awaits in Guyana Rohit once again led the way in the cut-throat semi-final with his third half-century of the tournament, but 171/7 seemed a gettable score for England with their strong batting line-up. It was England openers Jos Buttler and Phil Salt that were causing much concern for Rohit and it was Bumrah that once again delivered on the biggest stage to remove the dangerman and put his side on the path to victory and a place in the final. "If you take early wickets in the Powerplay, half the job is already done as those early breakthroughs are vital,' Rohit said. "How you get them, and with which bowlers—that's a tactical decision. But the wickets themselves are non-negotiable. "Especially for a team like England, their openers—Buttler and Salt—are very strong players. They score most of their runs at the top, so getting them early was critical. Luckily, we got Buttler, who is their key batter. He's got so much experience and has played cricket all over the world. "And he's faced our Indian bowlers a lot—he knows how to play Axar (Patel), Kuldeep (Yadav), Bumrah... he knows all of them well. So getting his wicket was absolutely crucial. We managed to get him in the third over, I think. Then in the very next over, Salt got out and (Jonny) Bairstow followed shortly after. "At that point, we knew half the job was done. But we still had work to do. But these wickets were important, because their top three or four players can be very dangerous. "After that, we slowed the game down, brought in the spinners. Kuldeep came and picked up wickets in the middle. Axar bowled well, and so did Jaddu (Ravindra Jadeja). "The pitch was definitely helping the spinners, and my plan was to get the slower bowlers on as quickly as possible." A spectacular entry to the final | Match Highlights | SF2: IND v ENG | T20WC 2024 India were in sparkling form as they beat England comprehensively to set up a final with South Africa. Match Highlights from the second semi-final Keeping celebrations in check While India had qualified for the final in style, Rohit knew there was still work ahead and wanted to make sure his team kept their celebrations in check that night ahead of the title decider against the Proteas. "We hadn't won yet. We've played so many semi-finals over the years. Winning this one was important—but it wasn't something new for us. 'We'd lost against them [England] last time [2022] too, we lost to them in the semi-final in the 2019 World Cup. "In 2015, in Australia, again a semi-final loss. We've lost finals too. The 2023 World Cup final, we lost. In 2014, we lost the T20 World Cup final. In 2017, the Champions Trophy final. "So this whole cycle of losing in finals and semi-finals—it's been haunting us for years. That's why this time, we celebrated quietly. Nothing too loud, nothing over the top. Because we knew we had come here for something bigger. "Our intent was very clear—let's celebrate only when the real job is done. After the semi-final, we had a small get-together. But the challenge for us was that we had to leave that very night. We only had one day in between, and the final was the next day. "Even for that, our flight was really late. We reached Barbados well past midnight—I still remember it was around 1 or 2 AM. Flight delays are pretty normal in the West Indies. But before we reached, we had spoken to the players. We said—logistics are not in our control. "Let's not let that distract us. We're here for a job, so let's focus on doing it. No complaining, no irritation, no excuses. 'Let's keep our heads in the right space and play the game and play it well.' India are into the finals | Winning Moment | IND v ENG | T20WC 2024 The big day against South Africa The stage was set for India to break the drought in style and defeat South Africa in the title decider, but the Proteas had other ideas. Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller were cruising at 147/4 and South Africa only needed to score at a run a ball across the final five overs to break their own trophy drought at ICC tournaments. But Rohit still had two overs from Bumrah up his sleeve and the champion fast bowler picked up a key wicket and kept runs to a minimum as the asking rate slowly began to rise and pressure on the batting side followed suit. There was still hope for South Africa when they needed 16 from the final over and with Miller still at the crease, but Surykumar Yadav delivered a moment of immense skill that will live in Indian folklore for years to come when he held on to a superb outfield catch on the boundary to all but clinch the victory. Rohit recalls the moment Suryakumar took the catch on the boundary to dismiss Miller. "I thought it was gone, and it was a six because I was on the long off. I was standing right opposite Surya," Rohit said. "I saw this and thought 'Oh shit', (they now need) 10 (runs) off five balls. But then I saw that the ball is coming into Surya's hands. "It would have taken a lot of effort to take that catch because when it was in the air it looked like it would cross the rope easily. Maybe the wind pulled the ball a bit into the ground. "I was standing with Surya. When the umpires were checking the catch and I said 'Surya, tell me. You tell me. I don't want to look there. And he said I have caught it. "Surya is honestly one of the safest catchers in the team—without a doubt. I haven't seen him drop many catches. He's got incredibly safe hands. "Even in that game against Australia—not the final—he pulled off that stunning catch of David Warner, diving in the slips. And again, in the match against Pakistan in New York, he took that sharp one at first slip to dismiss Babar Azam." India script stunning title win | Match Highlights | SA v IND | T20WC 2024 Final Victory celebration alongside Virat Kohli The celebrations on the field commenced almost immediately after the final ball was delivered by Hardik Pandya and the Indian players didn't hold back. There were tears of joy, plenty of hugs and even some impromptu dancing from India's host of stars as Rohit held aloft the trophy he so dearly wanted. "It meant a lot to all of us, to that group actually, which had seen so much and gone through so much. "That's why it was so special for us. Because we worked really hard and we planned really hard day in, day out. Just thinking about how we can win the World Cup. "The emotion of every player came out during that celebration. Because through our eyes they've also realised that winning a World Cup is not easy. 'Especially for the guys who've not played a lot of World Cup matches or were playing for the first time. They also realise how important it is and nothing can be taken for granted." 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐖𝐚𝐥𝐢 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐫 𝐒𝐞 – WATCH NOW on #JioHotstar! Or on Star Sports Network from 26th-29th JUNE, 10 AM IST ICC Men's T20 World Cup, 2024NewsIndia
The National
6 hours ago
- The National
Carlos Alcaraz chases history, Coco Gauff eyes rare double: Wimbledon talking points
The draw is out, the players are putting the finishing touches to their games, and Wimbledon officially kicks off on Monday. Here are some of the main storylines to look out for at the third Grand Slam of the season. History on the line It's difficult to look beyond Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic as favourites for the men's Wimbledon crown, and each one of them has a shot at history this upcoming fortnight. Alcaraz is the two-time defending champion and will be gunning for a three-peat at the All England Club. If he retains his title, he would become just the second man – behind Bjorn Borg – in Open Era history to achieve the Roland Garros-Wimbledon double in consecutive seasons. Having successfully defended his French Open title earlier this month, can the Spaniard do the same and rule SW19 once again? His first assignment is knocking out Italian veteran Fabio Fognini in round one. Meanwhile, top-seeded Sinner is looking to become the first Italian to win a Wimbledon singles trophy. He opens his campaign against his compatriot Luca Nardi and could face another Italian, last year's semi-finalist Lorenzo Musetti, in the quarter-finals. Sinner shares a half of the draw with Djokovic, who is seeded No 6 at these Championships. The seven-time Wimbledon winner is vying for an all-time record 25th Grand Slam title, which would send him one clear of Margaret Court's tally. Victory for the 38-year-old Djokovic would also see him tie Roger Federer's Open Era men's record of eight Wimbledon crowns. Gauff eyeing a rare double After winning her second major at Roland Garros earlier this month, Coco Gauff will attempt to pull off the 'Channel Slam', clinching the trophies in Paris and London in the same season. Only seven women have achieved the French Open-Wimbledon double in the Open Era, with Serena Williams being the most recent to do it in 2015. If Gauff plans on ending that 10-year drought, the world No 2 will have to navigate a tricky draw that includes an opening round against recent Nottingham finalist Dayana Yastremska and a possible clash with the likes of five-time major winner Iga Swiatek or 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in the quarter-finals. Wimbledon is where Gauff had her first breakthrough as a 15-year-old qualifier, storming into the fourth round back in 2019. Draper leading home hopes Briton Jack Draper is seeded No 4 at Wimbledon, and as one of the best players on tour this season will experience the weight of expectations on home soil like never before. After reaching the fourth round at Roland Garros, Draper enjoyed a smooth transition to the grass and made the semi-finals at Queens. The draw gods have done him no favours at Wimbledon, though. His path includes the following possible scenarios: A second round against former finalist and recent Nottingham Challenger champion Marin Cilic, a third round against Halle champion and No 28 seed Alexander Bublik, a fourth round against big-hitting 15th seed Jakub Mensik, a quarter-final against Djokovic, and a semi-final against Sinner. On the women's side, home favourite Katie Boulter was handed a daunting opener against ninth-seeded Paula Badosa, while Emma Raducanu could face recent Berlin champion and 2023 Wimbledon winner Marketa Vondrousova in round two and top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka in round three. Sabalenka seeks redemption Sabalenka has made amends with Gauff after the world No 1 made some regrettable comments in the post-final press conference at Roland Garros. The French Open runner-up told reporters she played horribly against Gauff in the final, giving little credit to her opponent and even saying Gauff would have lost the match had she faced Swiatek instead of her. Sabalenka apologised both publicly and privately to Gauff, and the pair officially buried the hatchet when they practised together on Centre Court on Friday at Wimbledon, even filming a couple of TikTok videos to prove it. Sabalenka, a three-time Grand Slam champion and a two-time semi-finalist at Wimbledon, will likely face her first big test at these Championships in the third round against either Nottingham champion McCartney Kessler or Vondrousova, who knocked Sabalenka out last week en route to the Berlin trophy. Two Arabs in singles action Tunisia's Ons Jabeur and Egypt's Mayar Sherif will be the sole players representing the Arab world in singles this year after Lebanon's Benjamin Hassan fell just one victory short of qualifying for the men's main draw (Lebanon's Hady Habib and Tunisia's Aziz Dougaz lost in round two and round one respectively in qualifying). Jabeur, a two-time Wimbledon finalist and former world No 2, arrives at these Championships ranked No 59 and searching for form. She will take on Bulgarian Viktoriya Tomova in the opening round on Monday and could face 20th-seed Jelena Ostapenko in round two, and 12th-seed Diana Shnaider in the third round. Incidentally, Jabeur and Shnaider practised together at Aorangi Park on Friday. Meanwhile, Sherif will be making her third consecutive Wimbledon main draw appearance and will be seeking a first victory on the lawns of the All England Club when she takes on seventh-seed Mirra Andreeva in the opening round on Tuesday.
Int'l Cricket Council
a day ago
- Int'l Cricket Council
Mandhana views England series as prep for the T20 World Cup
Being one of the most experienced members of the Indian setup, Smriti Mandhana expressed her excitement about the new-look pace attack set to feature against England. With regulars Renuka Singh Thakur, Pooja Vastrakar, and Titas Sadhu ruled out due to injury, the attack will be led by Arundathi Reddy. The responsibility of stepping up falls on Amanjot Kaur, Kranti Gaud, and Sayali Satghare, who will be eager to make their mark and fill some big shoes in the upcoming series. "(We have) a new look pace-bowling unit because unfortunately, there are a few injuries which had happened over the last four to five months, but (it is) really exciting, I mean (the) WPL has been good in terms of finding new people and of course, the domestic system as well. "The amount of matches the girls play nowadays - all these girls have a rich experience in the domestic format, so I'm really excited to see them.'
