The dust has settled on a thrilling IPL 2024 season, which culminated in a splendid fashion on May 26. The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) were crowned the champions for the third time. The cricketing world now sets its sights on the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024, with warm-up matches already commenced. However, veterans like MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, and Hardik Pandya remain at the forefront of cricketing conversations for all different reasons. On that note, let us look back and skim through the eye-catching stories from Monday.
The T20 World Cup 2024 is officially underway!
The T20 World Cup fever has officially begun! The tournament kicked off with a bang on May 27th in Dallas, where Canada thrashed Nepal by a dominant 63 runs in the opening warm-up match. 16 such practice games will be played across various venues until June 1, allowing teams to fine-tune their strategies before the main event kicks off on June 2. Notably, India will play their solitary warm-up clash against Bangladesh on June 1.
MS Dhoni to fly Italy for Anant Ambani’s pre-wedding cruise party
The cricketing world may be exciting with the T20 World Cup warm-up matches, but off the field, the spotlight is on a different kind of celebration. After Chennai Super Kings’ early IPL exit, Dhoni was spotted departing for a pre-wedding bash. Thala, along with his family, will be attending Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s second pre-wedding festivities. This luxurious cruise party sets sail from Italy on May 28 and travels towards France, concluding on June 1. The event comes after the couple’s initial celebrations in Jamnagar. With the wedding set for July 12, this extravagant cruise marks another chapter in the high-profile Ambani pre-wedding extravaganza.
Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya to miss T20 WC match for India?
The T20 World Cup squad is assembling in the USA, but two key players are charting their own course. Hardik Pandya, reportedly in London, and Virat Kohli are expected to arrive in New York separately from the team. This solo arrival could mean both missing India’s only warm-up match against Bangladesh on June 1. While Kohli is expected to be there before the game, a decision on his participation will depend on whether the team management feels there’s enough time for him to acclimatize.
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Heartbroken Kavya Maran but encouraging Kavya Maran!
Heartbreak in the Orange Army camp! Despite reaching the IPL 2024 final, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) fell short against KKR. Even owner Kavya Maran was spotted shedding some tears while in the stands. However, recognizing the players’ dejection, Maran delivered a powerful speech in the dressing room. Praising their season turnaround after a last-place finish in 2023, highlighted, “Everyone’s talking about us and the style of cricket we played.” Urging them to hold their heads high despite the loss, Kavya Maran emphasized, “Thanks guys, take care. Don’t look like this. We played in the finals. It wasn’t just any other game. All the other teams have been watching us tonight.”
Team India’s head coach application deadline is now over!
While the hunt for India’s next head coach is heating up, the application window closed on May 27. The focus seems to be on domestic stalwarts despite initial reports suggested that Stephen Fleming might be on the radar. Gautam Gambhir, fresh off his IPL triumph with KKR, is a massive frontrunner. However, his lack of formal coaching experience raises questions. VVS Laxman, currently heading the National Cricket Academy, seems like a strong candidate as well. However, even he hasn’t showcased much excitement for the role. The BCCI has its work cut out in finding the right leader for Team India. Current head coach, Rahul Dravid’s tenure is about to end after the culmination of the T20 World Cup 2024.
INR 25L & INR 10L! BCCI’s reward to IPL groundsmen
The BCCI awarded groundsmen a bonus for their hard work during IPL 2024. Recognizing them as “unsung heroes,” BCCI secretary Jay Shah announced Rs 25 lakh each for groundsmen at 10 regular IPL venues and Rs 10 lakh each for those at 3 additional venues (Dharamsala, Guwahati, Vizag). This financial reward highlights the BCCI’s appreciation for their efforts in maintaining top-notch pitches throughout the tournament, even in challenging weather conditions.
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