The cricketing world was abuzz with activity on May 29 as the T20 World Cup fever continues to rise. With the marquee tournament inching closer, several big stories unfolded, including the development of India’s chances of going to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy next year. Also, Gautam Gambhir, who is the frontrunner to become India’s next head coach has revealed what he is planning to do after his IPL 2024 win as KKR mentor. On that note, let us look back and skim through the eye-catching stories from Wednesday.
IND vs PAK at Champions Trophy in Lahore?
Despite media whispers of India skipping the Champions Trophy in Pakistan, the PCB is forging ahead with preparations. They’re confident India will come, even refusing a “hybrid model” where another country hosts India’s matches. This mirrors the 2023 Asia Cup situation. PCB’s optimism extends to Lahore hosting all India’s games. Renovations are underway in Lahore, Karachi, and Rawalpindi to be ready by December. The final call rests with the Indian government nevertheless.
Rohit Sharma and co kickstart their prep in New York
India’s T20 World Cup 2024 challenge has begun! Led by skipper Rohit Sharma, the first batch of players, including Hardik Pandya, landed in New York two days ago. Wasting no time, they’ve ditched the nets for a focus on physical fitness. Strength and conditioning drills were the order of the day, highlighting the team’s commitment to peak performance at the mega event. The Men in Blue eyed to acclimatize first across the Atlantic city.
Gautam Gambhir and his future plans!
Gautam Gambhir, the highly rumored India’s preferred choice of next head coach, has decided to take a break from cricket after leading his team to their third IPL title in 2024. Despite being a strong contender for the position to replace Rahul Dravid, Gambhir has prioritized spending quality time with his family, stating, “For me what is next is the vacation with my girls and my wife. I am looking forward to it. Because that is the one thing from which you can rejuvenate and not think about cricket.“ Gambhir’s decision to take a break comes after a successful stint with KKR, where he played a crucial role in shaping the team’s culture and instilling a winning mentality.
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Ambati Rayudu and his family faces death threats!
The first IPL season as a broadcaster turned sour for Ambati Rayudu. While criticism and debate are part of the game, things spiraled out of control after Rayudu’s comments on Virat Kohli. What began as online flak towards Rayudu himself has taken a horrifying turn. A friend close to the player shared disturbing details – Rayudu’s wife and their young children, ages 1 and 4, have been targeted with threats of violence and vile personal attacks. Why all this? Just because Rayudu said that Kohli sets his standards so high a player at RCB, other players feel forced to match the mark made by him!
Want to watch T20 World Cup 2024? Check here’s how you can!
The much-anticipated Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 kicks off on June 1st, and you won’t miss a moment of the action. The ICC has released information on how you can watch the mega event in your country. From June 1st to 29th, witness high-voltage matches as 20 teams vie for the championship title across the United States and the West Indies. In India, catch all the action live on Star Sports Network or stream the matches on Disney+ Hotstar. Meanwhile, Pakistan and Sri Lankan fans can witness the action on PTV Sports, Ten Sports and Maharaja TV, respectively.
Dutch the real dark horses
The Netherlands sent shockwaves through the T20 World Cup with a convincing 20-run victory over Sri Lanka in their opening warm-up match. Batting first, the Dutch posted a strong 181 runs on the board, with Teja Nidamanuru’s blistering 48 (24) leading the charge. Sri Lanka’s chase faltered despite a decent showing, falling short at 161. This win against a traditionally strong Sri Lankan side puts the Dutch in the spotlight. While they aren’t new contenders, their dominant performance raises questions about them being potential dark horses in the tournament.
