During the interaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India skipper Rohit Sharma revealed that spin duo Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav suggested the distinctive walk at the podium to receive the T20 World Cup trophy to make the moment memorable. When PM Modi mentioned Rohit’s distinctive walk saying, “I noticed two extreme things in which I could see emotion. When you are going to collect the trophy…” To which Rohit added, “It was such a huge moment for all of us. We all have been waiting for this for years. So, the boys told me ‘Don’t go just like that, do something different…” The Prime Minister jokingly asked, “Was it Chahal’s idea?”. Rohit replied “Chahal and Kuldeep” with a laugh around the room. Interestingly, Rohit Sharma’s unique walk up to the podium is similar to the way Argentina legend Lionel Messi received the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar.

Meanwhile, BCCI secretary Jay Shah’s vision and support have played a huge role in Team India’s victory in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. Following the team’s meeting with the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi on Thursday, Jay Shah thanked PM Modi for his support.

Rohit Sharma: “Everyone told me to not go to the stage in a simple manner”

PM Narendra Modi “Was this Chahal’s idea?

Rohit Sharma : “Both Chahal & Kuldeep’s idea”pic.twitter.com/Cv0woKf4fQ

— Farrago Abdullah Parody (@abdullah_0mar) July 5, 2024

“It was an absolute pleasure to meet and interact with the Honourable Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi Ji at his official residence upon our arrival from Barbados. Prime Minister Sir has stood by #TeamIndia through ups and downs and has always encouraged the team to give its best

irrespective of the result. We are glad that the World Cup victory has brought a wave of euphoria across the country and filled every Indian with a sense of pride,” read the post by Jay Shah on Instagram.

Shah played a pivotal part in helping the team reach the country after the Champions were left stranded in Barbados due to Hurricane Beryl. The squad, alongside the support staff and several Indian journalists, returned to the country in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Following their meeting with PM Modi, the team rushed to the airport and went to Mumbai for the open-top bus parade and the presentation ceremony at the Wankhede Stadium.

India head coach Rahul Dravid on Wednesday indicated that one among wrist spinners Kuldeep Yadav or Yuzvendra Chahal could be included in the playing XI in their T20 World Cup Super Eight match against Afghanistan on Thursday, looking at the conditions, which seem conducive for slow bowlers. India had relied predominantly on its pace bowling arsenal at the Nassau County Stadium in New York as the drop-in pitches there had uneven bounce, which aided the quicks.

“It’s tough to leave anyone out. New York had pace bowlers conditions… slightly different. We might need something different here (in Barbados). Yuzi (Chahal) or Kuldeep (Yadav) could be used here,” said Dravid, while interacting with the media on the eve of the Super Eight game.

“We are lucky to have players with all-round abilities. We had eight batters but we (also) had seven bowling options,” he added.

Dravid also added that India will be flexible with its batting order and change it as per the situation.

“Each situation is unique. Can’t set it in stone. I believe in flexibility. The Pakistan game we moved Axar (Patel), specifically thinking around it… Rishabh (Pant) up the order (at No. 3), lots of thinking goes into it. I don’t think in Tests (cricket), we will have that flexibility. In T20s where it is a lot about match-ups, you see it happening more (flexibility in batting position).” 

Match-up in cricketing lingo means when a bowler or a batter holds sway over a particular player in the opposition.

At a crucial moment when India were struggling at 19/2 with both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli back in the dressing room, Axar was promoted at No. 4 and he made a useful 20 off 18 balls against arch-rivals Pakistan in a league game.

Dravid added it felt nice coming to the West Indies for the Super Eights.

“Lovely to come to Caribbean and play cricket. Couple of practice sessions. We are prepared. Afghanistan are a very dangerous side. Their players play more in leagues than our players. They are not a team to be taken lightly. Deservingly in Super 8.”

India’s all-round performance in the ongoing T20 World Cup is earning them praise from all quarters with former India spinner Piyush Chawla calling the current bowling line-up “one of all-time great” as they prepare for the Super Eight challenge. Chawla asserted that India’s bowling attack has transformed in recent years to become top-notch in the world. The veteran bowler credited the pace quartet of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Arshdeep Singh and Hardik Pandya along with spinners Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal and Axar Patel for making it a great bowling unit.

Indian bowlers have stepped up to the occasion in the T20 World Cup so far in the low-scoring encounters including the mega clash against Pakistan.

“Over the past few years, India’s bowling attack has truly transformed. We now have one of the most complete and formidable bowling units in the world that has provided balance to the side allowing the batsmen with more freedom to play their natural game. In the game against Pakistan, our batting collapsed and it was our bowlers who got them over the line.

“There have been many such occasions where our bowlers stepped up and contributed more than our batters. With the lethal pace quad of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Siraj, Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh and top-notch spinners like Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal and Axar Patel this is surely one of all time great bowling attack of India.” said Chawla on the ‘Caught & Bold’ show on Disney Hotstar.

With three wins and a washout against Canada, India topped Group A with seven points and will face Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Australia in the Super Eight.

In their first Super Eight clash, Men in Blue will take on Afghanistan in Barbados on Thursday, June 20.

There was a lot of speculation surrounding Hardik Pandya‘s selection for the T20 World Cup 2024 but the Indian cricket team selectors showed their trust in the all-rounder by naming him vice-captain. They also opted for four spin options – Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja – which resulted in the exclusion of Rinku Singh. In an interview with Times Of India, former India manager and Tamil Nadu left-arm spinner Sunil Subramanian said that he believes India could have picked one less spin-bowling all-rounder and played Rinku instead. He further said that playing fast bowler Khaleel Ahmed in place of Hardik Pandya would have provided more balance to the side in the World Cup.

“India may have picked one spin-bowling allrounder too many. Rinku Singh for Axar and Khaleel Ahmed for vice-captain Hardik would have balanced the side better. There is no way both wrist spinners will play, especially in Nassau County in New York. It is a mickey mouse ground with the straight boundary being 55 meters only. Also, it is a drop-in pitch. Against Pakistan, they may play with only one spinner and that could be Jadeja as they may want to pack the side with pacers who can execute yorkers,” he said.

There has been a lot of excitement surrounding Kuldeep and Chahal playing together but Subramanian believes that it is highly unlikely that they will be picked together in the side.

“Only if they are in a must-win situation. If Hardik is unable to bowl four overs and if one of the pacers gets hit, that may happen. But only in the West Indies leg of the tournament. The only other way to play both wrist spinners is by dropping Jaiswal and opening with Kohli and Rohit. They will not do that. They will err on the side of caution,” he further added.

SRH vs RR IPL 2024 Qualifier 2, Live Updates: Sunrisers Hyderabad will be squaring off against Rajasthan Royals in the Qualifier 2 match of IPL 2024 on Friday in Chennai. The Pat Cummins-led side, who had a brilliant outing in the league stage, was brutally thrashed by Kolkata Knight Riders in the Qualifier 1. However, SRH still have another chance of making it to the final, unlike Royal Challengers Bengaluru, who were knocked out of the tournament by Rajasthan Royals in the Eliminator. Sanju Samson and Co. regained their momentum with the win against RCB and will now look to repeat their heroics against SRH. RR’s Sanju Samson needs is 91 runs away from 4500 runs in IPL, while SRH’s Bhuvneshwar Kumar needs one wicket to complete 300 T20 scalps. (Live Scorecard | IPL 2024 Playoffs Schedule)

Here are the Live Updates of SRH vs RR IPL 2024 Qualifier 2 match –

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Rajasthan Royals were handed a 5-wicket defeat by Punjab Kings in their IPL 2024 game at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on Wednesday. A hilarious incident took place during PBKS’ chase when when a seemingly nervous Yuzvendra Chahal took a good catch to dismiss opener Prabhsimran Singh. The batter top-edged the ball of Trent Boult in the first over of PBKS’ chase of 145 runs. Chahal ran behind from short third man and didn’t look in complete control before he somehow managed to take the catch.

While Chahal was going for the catch, Boult kept himself composed and hopeful. As soon as Chahal managed to complete the catch, Boult had a priceless reaction on his face.

Watch the catch here:

Boult strikes in the first over, for the th time! #RRvPBKS #TATAIPL #IPLonJioCinema pic.twitter.com/JkfDRcrK0E

— JioCinema (@JioCinema) May 15, 2024

Trent Boult’s reaction on Yuzi Chahal’s catch. pic.twitter.com/PRnNv47xJx

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) May 15, 2024

Captain Sam Curran starred as Punjab Kings beat Rajasthan Royals by 5 wickets to dent their hopes of a top-two finish in IPL 2024 points table.

Chasing a modest target of 145 on a tricky surface at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, PBKS reached home in 18.5 overs, thanks to Curran’s unbeaten 63 off 41. Avesh Khan and Yuzvendra Chahal picked two wickets apiece but failed to win the game for their side.

“When I went in, Jonny (Bairstow) said it was quite tough. It was holding a little bit. Didn’t need to take too much risk. Knew on a ground like this, we just needed a couple of sixes. Me and Jonny are leaving tomorrow. Obviously nice. Have thoroughly enjoyed the season, have enjoyed captaining. Atmosphere around the group has been really good,” said Curran after the game.

In the first innings, Riyan Parag’s fighting knock of 48 off 34 steered RR to 144 for 9 in 20 overs after the side opted to bat first. For PBKS, Sam Curran, Rahul Chahar and Harshal Patel all picked two wickets each.