The T20 World Cup 2024 kicked off with a bang on June 2, with both co-hosts securing opening day wins. The USA overpowered Canada in the tournament-opener, while the West Indies edged out Papua New Guinea. But the day wasn’t just about World Cup action. June 2 also saw big stories emerge from the Indian cricketing scene, with Hardik Pandya and MS Dhoni grabbing the headlines. On that note, let us look back and skim through the eye-catching stories from Sunday.
MS Dhoni has no technique but only talent? Nitish Kumar clarifies
SRH youngster Nitish Kumar Reddy sparked outrage after a video clip showed him saying MS Dhoni has talent but lacks technique compared to someone like Virat Kohli. Fans slammed him for disrespecting the CSK legend. Reddy clarified on social media, claiming his admiration for Dhoni and that his words were misinterpreted. He explained the full question was about skill vs. mindset, and he used Dhoni as an example of a champion mindset. He apologized for the cropped video creating negativity and urged fans to hear the full story.
Hardik Pandya eyes to roar back after a difficult phase
Hardik Pandya has endured a rough few months. As Mumbai Indians’ new captain, he faced fan backlash and poor performance, leading to the team’s last place finish. With batting average of 18.00 runs and economy of more than 10, his on-field struggles were evident. To add to the woes, rumors of a strained relationship with Rohit Sharma and personal life issues swirled. However, Pandya demonstrates resilience. In a recent interview, he acknowledges the challenges but remains focused, emphasizing hard work and a positive attitude. By accepting the need for improvement and focusing on the game, Pandya exemplifies how to bounce back from adversity. With a positive attitude, he believes he can overcome these challenges.
USA thumps rivals Canada in tournament-opener
The T20 World Cup 2024 commenced superbly as co-hosts USA shocked Canada in a thrilling encounter. Batting first, Canada posted a competitive 194 runs on the board thanks to fifties from Navneet Dhaliwal and Nicholas Kirton. However, the American chase was spearheaded by a magnificent 94* off just 40 balls from Aaron Jones. Jones, alongside Andries Gous’ steady 65, steered USA to a comfortable seven-wicket victory with more than two overs to spare. This historic win for the American team sets the tone for an exciting World Cup on home soil.
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West Indies avoid PNG scare!
While the hosts West Indies did get those two crucial points in front of them, they didn’t look convincing at all. Minnows Papua New Guinea, who were put to bat first, were quite impressive as they give the Caribbean outfit a run for their money. After making 137 in the first innings on the back of Sese Bau’s 50, PNG bowlers stifled West Indian chase. Had Roston Chase not played a solid 42*, things could’ve turned somber for them. All in all, while West Indies got the win, Papua New Guinea were impressive in their first T20 World Cup game.
Empty Stadium even when hosts are playing?
The West Indies’ T20 World Cup 2024 win in Guyana was overshadowed by empty seats. This low turnout is unusual for such a prestigious event. Two factors seem to be to blame. The morning match time catered to viewers in other time zones but clashed with local fans’ weekend routines. Additionally, ticket prices were reportedly high, possibly discouraging locals, especially considering the PNG’s lower ranking. This lack of attendance raises questions about the ICC’s approach to fan engagement and on the global event as a whole.
Gautam Gambhir would ‘love’ to coach the Indian team
It now seems that India’s underrated 2-time World Cup match-winner Gautam Gambhir is all to succeed Rahul Dravid as the Men in Blue’s head coach. While all the speculations are about him being the frontrunner, the current KKR mentor has now himself stated that there no bigger honor than being the head coach of the Indian cricket team. He said this when a young sports enthusiasts in Abu Dhabi. The major highlight from Gambhir’s statement was certainly when he said that he would ‘love’ to become the head coach of the Indian team, possibly a preview of what is going to come!
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