India’s campaign began with a dominant performance against Ireland in New York, where the bowlers dismantled their opponents for just 96 runs. Hardik Pandya’s three-wicket haul and a solid 52 from Rohit Sharma ensured an easy eight-wicket win. Jasprit Bumrah, with a miserly spell of two wickets for six runs, earned the Player of the Match award.

The second group-stage match saw India take on arch-rivals Pakistan. In a thrilling encounter, Pakistan was restricted to 113 in their chase of 119, thanks to an exceptional performance by the Indian bowlers. Jasprit Bumrah once again stood out and was named Player of the Match.

India continued their dominance by defeating hosts USA in Nassau County. Arshdeep Singh’s four wickets for nine runs restricted the USA to 110 for 8, a target that India chased comfortably in 18.2 overs. Rain played spoilsport in India’s match against Canada in Florida, but with seven points, India topped Group A and advanced to the Super 8 stage.

Moving to the Caribbean for the Super 8 stage, India registered a commanding victory over Afghanistan in Barbados. Suryakumar Yadav’s blistering 53 off 28 balls and a combined six-wicket haul by Bumrah and Arshdeep ensured a 47-run win. Against Bangladesh in Antigua, Hardik Pandya’s all-round display, including a quickfire fifty and a crucial wicket, helped India secure a 50-run victory and a semi-final berth.

In a high-stakes match against Australia, Rohit Sharma delivered a sensational captain’s knock, scoring 92 off 41 balls. India posted 205 for 5 and restricted Australia to 181 for 7, knocking the defending champions out of the tournament.

India’s semi-final clash against England in Guyana was a showcase of teamwork and precision. Rohit Sharma led with a 57-run knock, while Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav took three wickets each to bowl England out for 103. India stormed into the final with a resounding 68-run victory.

The final at Kensington Oval, Barbados, was a battle of nerves against South Africa. Virat Kohli’s steady 76 off 59 balls anchored India to a competitive total of 176 for 7. South Africa fought valiantly but fell short, managing 169 for 8, handing India a thrilling seven-run win. Kohli was named Player of the Match, and Jasprit Bumrah’s consistent brilliance earned him the Player of the Series title.

Arshdeep Singh emerged as the tournament’s joint-highest wicket-taker alongside Afghanistan’s Fazalhaq Farooqi, both claiming 17 wickets. Rohit Sharma, with 257 runs, finished as India’s top scorer, second only to Afghanistan’s Rahmanullah Gurbaz.

This historic win made India the third team after West Indies and England to clinch the T20 World Cup twice. For Rohit Sharma, the triumph was especially momentous as he became only the second Indian captain, after MS Dhoni, to lift the T20 World Cup.

India’s 2024 T20 World Cup victory is a celebration of resilience, teamwork, and exceptional leadership, ending an 11-year ICC trophy drought and etching a golden chapter in Indian cricket history.

The post India’s Long ICC Trophy Drought Ends with 2024 T20 World Cup Victory appeared first on FolksTimes.

The announcement took many by surprise when Ashwin walked out alongside India’s captain, Rohit Sharma, signaling the end of his illustrious cricketing career. The emotional moment was made even more poignant when a camera captured Ashwin sharing a heartfelt exchange with Virat Kohli on the final day of the Test match. Kohli’s embrace made it evident that something significant was about to unfold.

In a video shared by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Ashwin spoke of the emotional weight of the moment. “I don’t know how to go about this honestly… It is truly a very emotional moment for me. It feels just like 2011-12 when I toured here, my first Australian tour and I saw a transition. Rahul (Dravid) bhai left, Sachin (Tendulkar) paaji left. Trust me guys, everybody’s time comes and today was truly my time,” Ashwin reflected, recalling how he witnessed the departure of greats in the past.

Ashwin went on to confirm that although he would be returning home, he would continue to follow the team’s progress. “I will be taking a flight back home but will tune in to see how well you guys do in Melbourne. The international cricketer in me might have come to an end, but the cricket nut in me will never come to an end. I will be looking forward to each one of your performances and all the very best. For all you guys, if you need anything, I am just a call away,” Ashwin added.

Ashwin’s retirement marks the end of an era in red-ball cricket. Making his Test debut in 2011 against the West Indies, Ashwin quickly became one of the game’s finest spinners. Throughout his career, he played 106 Tests, claiming an impressive 537 wickets, including 37 five-wicket hauls, and scoring 3,503 runs. Ashwin’s formidable record includes 115 wickets in 23 matches against Australia, with an economy rate of 2.71.

The 38-year-old is also the record-holder for most wickets taken in a single Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, having picked up 29 wickets in the 2020-21 edition. He is India’s second-highest wicket-taker in Tests, a feat that underscores his exceptional contributions to the game.

While Ashwin’s international cricket career has come to a close, his love for the sport remains undiminished, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations.

The post Ravichandran Ashwin Delivers Emotional Farewell Speech After Announcing Retirement appeared first on FolksTimes.

Earlier today, rain interrupted play during the third session of Day 3 at The Gabba, with India trailing Australia’s total by a significant 394 runs. At stumps, India was struggling at 51/4, with KL Rahul (33*) and skipper Rohit Sharma (0*) unbeaten at the crease.

India resumed the third session at 48/4, with Rahul and Rohit holding on after scoring 30 (52) and 0 (1), respectively. However, rain washed out most of the session, allowing only three overs, during which India added just three runs.

In the second session, rain had briefly interrupted play before resumption saw Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul attempting to build momentum. Pant picked up runs from loose deliveries, but the partnership was short-lived as Australian skipper Pat Cummins dismissed Pant (9) with a beautifully pitched delivery that nicked the batter’s outside edge and landed safely in Alex Carey’s gloves.

Rahul, undeterred, played a stunning cover drive off Cummins and continued the fight with a four off Mitchell Starc. However, rain once again intervened, stalling India’s attempt to build a recovery.

Earlier in the first session of Day 3, Australia dominated proceedings despite rain interruptions. Jasprit Bumrah removed Mitchell Starc early, who had looked dangerous after a powerful slog-sweep six off Ravindra Jadeja. Bumrah forced an edge from Starc, sending the ball to Rishabh Pant for a crucial dismissal.

Mohammed Siraj then broke through Nathan Lyon’s defense, clean bowling him. Australia’s innings finally ended at 445 when Alex Carey mistimed a shot off Akash Deep.

In reply, India’s batting lineup crumbled under the pressure of Australia’s pace attack, led by Mitchell Starc. Yashasvi Jaiswal was dismissed for 1 after a brief boundary, handing an easy catch to Mitchell Marsh. Shubman Gill (1) and Virat Kohli (3) followed soon after, falling to Starc and Josh Hazlewood, respectively.

Brief Scores:
Australia 445 (Travis Head 152, Steven Smith 151; Jasprit Bumrah 6-76)
India 51/4 (KL Rahul 33; Mitchell Starc 2-25)*

Rain looms as a major factor heading into the final two days of the Test, threatening to disrupt the game further and possibly prevent a result.

The post Rain Likely to Spoil Final Two Days of IND-AUS Brisbane Test appeared first on FolksTimes.