On June 15, there were supposed to be as many as four T20 World Cup 2024 fixtures, including the India vs Canada game. However, as expected, rain played a spoilsport for the Men in Blue as their players were left short for quality match practice. Apart from this, the blame game continued in Pakistan cricket fraternity after their humiliating exit from the tournament. South Africa and Nepal were also involved in probably the best T20 World Cup 2024 match so far.
Shubman Gill is NOT sent back home due to ill discipline!
Contrary to rumors, Shubman Gill’s exit from the T20 World Cup isn’t due to disciplinary issues. He and Avesh Khan are returning to India simply because India has enough backups. With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli locked as openers, and Yashasvi Jaiswal on the bench, Gill’s chances seem limited. The team’s strong showing and a full contingent of reserves make his presence less crucial.
Table-toppers India undercooked?
Despite topping their group, India’s T20 World Cup campaign faces a wrinkle. The washed-out final group match against Canada denied them valuable playing time. Concerns linger about form, particularly with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli not firing on all cylinders. Shivam Dube and Ravindra Jadeja’s recent performances also raise questions. This lack of match practice and some shaky form leave India feeling a touch underprepared for the Super 8s stage.
Why is everyone against Babar Azam?
Pakistan’s T20 World Cup flop seems to point fingers squarely at Babar Azam. Reports claim “groupings” within the team hampered his ability to unify them. Some sources suggest these factions were a major challenge for him. Adding fuel to the fire, former opener Ahmed Shehzad criticizes the PCB’s decision to reappoint Azam as captain, implying it was the ‘worst decision ever’ by PCB. The situation paints a bleak picture for Babar, with both media and potentially players seemingly against his leadership.
More on T20 WC
Trent Boult says ‘goodbye’ to T20 World Cups
Veteran New Zealand pacer Trent Boult has announced his retirement from the T20 World Cups. This comes after New Zealand’s disappointing exit from the ongoing tournament. Boult’s departure signifies a changing of the guard for the Kiwis as they will now look to younger bowlers. “This will be my last T20 World Cup,” Boult declared after their match against Uganda, where he impressed with 2/7.
Anil Kumble bats for Gautam Gambhir!
Former Indian captain Anil Kumble has endorsed Gautam Gambhir as a strong contender for the position of India’s next head coach. Gambhir, the current mentor for KKR, is a frontrunner for the role following Rahul Dravid’s tenure. Kumble, who coached the Indian team from 2016 to 2017, believes Gambhir’s strong demeanor would positively influence the Indian dressing room. He emphasized that Gambhir needs time to settle down and adjust to the role, stating, “You need somebody with a strong demeanor, and you want continuity.”
Match of the T20 World Cup 2024?
In a T20 World Cup 2024 upset alert, Nepal nearly toppled giants South Africa in Match 31. South Africa batted first, restricted by spin, and only managed a modest 115 runs. Nepal’s chase began strong, but Tabraiz Shamsi’s bowling spell put the brakes on. It came down to the final ball, with Nepal needing just two runs for victory. In a dramatic finish, they fell agonizingly short, losing by a single run. Though South Africa secured the win, Nepal’s valiant chase captured hearts and showed their growing potential on the international stage.
