Rajasthan Royals (RR) edged out Chennai Super Kings (CSK) by six runs in a nail-biting match at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on Sunday, March 30. This victory marked RR’s first win of the IPL 2025 season, while CSK faced their second consecutive defeat.
CSK fails to chase the set target
The match was characterized by dramatic swings in momentum, with RR posting a competitive total of 182 runs for 9 wickets, thanks to a blistering 81 off just 36 balls from Nitish Rana. His explosive innings included 10 fours and 5 sixes, showcasing his aggressive batting style. Despite a valiant effort from CSK’s Ruturaj Gaikwad, who scored 63 runs, the team fell short of the target, finishing at 176 for 6.
MS Dhoni meets Rahul Dravid after a thriller
As the match concluded, the focus shifted from the field to a heartwarming moment off it. MS Dhoni, the CSK veteran, made headlines as he checked on RR coach Rahul Dravid, who was seen entering the field on crutches due to a leg injury sustained prior to the tournament. This touching interaction between two cricketing icons resonated with fans and quickly went viral on social media.
The match itself was a rollercoaster ride. CSK started their chase with high hopes but struggled against RR’s disciplined bowling attack. Wanindu Hasaranga was instrumental for RR, claiming four wickets for just 35 runs, effectively dismantling CSK’s middle order. His clever variations kept CSK’s batters guessing and ultimately led to their downfall.
As the game neared its climax, CSK needed 20 runs off the final over. Dhoni’s presence at the crease raised hopes among fans; however, he was dismissed by Sandeep Sharma on just his first legal delivery of the over. The final moments were tense as Ravindra Jadeja attempted to lead a late charge but could not secure victory for his team.
Niki Prasad is set to captain the Indian team in the highly anticipated inaugural U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025, kicking off with a clash against West Indies in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.
Malaysia set to host the U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2024
Malaysia’s hosting of the Women’s U19 T20WC will mark their first major cricketing event since the ICC U19 Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2008. The tournament will see 16 teams compete across a 16-day period, with matches taking place in various venues throughout the country. The competition is divided into four groups during the initial stage, with each team playing a series of exciting fixtures. A total of 41 matches will be played, making it a packed and highly competitive schedule. This marks a significant milestone for Malaysia as they welcome cricketing nations from across Asia, providing a platform for young talent to shine on an international stage.
Niki Prasad to lead India in the second edition U19 World Cup
Niki Prasad (Image Source: X)
Her appointment comes after a series of impressive performances, including leading India B to triumph in the U19 tri-series in Pune. Prasad has established herself as a versatile cricketer, excelling as both a top-order batter and an effective off-spin bowler. As the reigning champions, India will look to build on their success from the inaugural edition held in South Africa in 2023, where Shafali Verma guided the team to victory. Now, the responsibility of steering the team forward falls on Prasad, who also captained India to victory in the Women’s U19 Asia Cup held in Kuala Lumpur earlier.
1. Early beginnings and inspiration
Niki Prasad was born on October 25, 2005, in Bengaluru, Karnataka. From an early age, she was drawn to cricket, inspired by the sport while watching her brother play. At just six years old, she began playing with a tennis ball in her neighborhood, which soon evolved into a passion for leather-ball cricket. Her early fascination was nurtured by her cousin, fueling her desire to take the sport seriously.
2. Supportive family and early training
Niki’s parents quickly recognized her potential and provided unwavering support in her cricketing journey. Her mother, in particular, was a constant presence at her matches and training sessions, often accompanying her to various clubs and academies across Bengaluru. This encouragement laid the foundation for Niki’s commitment to the sport, allowing her to pursue her passion alongside her education.
3. Joining just cricket academy
In 2018/19, Niki joined the renowned Just Cricket Academy in Bengaluru. Under the guidance of experienced coaches, including Vinayak Sir, she began refining her cricketing techniques. The academy provided her with access to structured training, fitness routines, and facilities to develop her skills in both batting and bowling.
4. Transition to hard ball cricket
Niki’s transition from tennis-ball cricket to leather-ball cricket marked a significant turning point in her career. Recognizing her dedication and natural talent, her coaches at Just Cricket Academy emphasized technical development and match-readiness, enabling her to face more competitive challenges.
5. Leadership qualities shine at a young age
From a young age, Niki showcased strong leadership qualities, often taking responsibility for leading her team during U16 and U19 matches. Her calm demeanor, tactical awareness, and ability to handle pressure made her stand out as a captain. In 2022, she led Karnataka in the Women’s Under-19 T20 Trophy pre-quarterfinal against Bengal, where she strategically deployed her premier bowlers early, leading her team to a remarkable victory despite scoring only 59 runs.
6. A major setback – U19 Women’s T20 World Cup exclusion
In 2022, Niki faced her first major setback when she wasn’t selected for the inaugural Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup. This exclusion, based on concerns about her strike rate, fueled her determination to improve. She recognized the need to elevate her game, particularly her power-hitting, and underwent intensive training to refine her batting technique and enhance her strike rate.
Rather than being discouraged, Niki used this setback as a stepping stone to work harder. She joined Bengaluru’s Just Cricket Academy and worked closely with her coach to focus on power-hitting, developing strong bat speed, timing, and technique. She also adjusted her diet, eliminating junk food to improve her physical fitness.
8. Breakthrough performance in 2024 T20 Challenger Trophy
Niki Prasad (Image Source: X)
The dedication paid off during the 2024 T20 Challenger Trophy, where Niki emerged as the top scorer. She accumulated 162 runs in four matches at a strike rate of 125.58, showcasing her ability to clear the boundaries and play aggressive cricket effectively. Her performance helped Karnataka reach the finals and displayed her transition into a power-hitter, a crucial asset in modern T20 cricket.
9. Captaining India A to victory
Niki Prasad (Image Source: X)
Niki’s leadership reached new heights during the 2024 Women’s U19 T20 Asia Cup in Malaysia, where she captained India A. Her strategic brilliance was on full display as India dominated the group stages, chasing down totals comfortably. In the final against Bangladesh, her smart use of bowlers and tactical decisions led India to a comprehensive 41-run victory, reinforcing her skills as both a captain and a player.
10. Signing with Delhi Capitals in the WPL 2025
In late 2024, Niki’s impressive performances earned her a well-deserved contract with the Delhi Capitals (DC) in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025. She looks forward to learning from cricketing legends like Meg Lanning, Marizanne Kapp and Jemimah Rodrigues. This signing is a significant milestone in her career, opening the door to more exposure and high-level competition.
11. Admirers and mentors – Rahul Dravid, Mithali Raj and Harmanpreet Kaur
Niki is deeply inspired by Rahul Dravid, whose technique, discipline, and values she seeks to emulate. As she progressed in her cricket journey, she also developed a keen admiration for Mithali Raj, whose leadership and perseverance in women’s cricket motivated Niki to strive for greatness. Her batting style reflects a blend of Dravid’s technical precision and Raj’s tactical approach to the game.
Niki also idolizes Harmanpreet Kaur, mirroring her calm and calculated captaincy. Harmanpreet’s composure under pressure and ability to lead with fairness has deeply inspired Niki. She admires Kaur’s leadership philosophy, which focuses on keeping the team composed even in tense situations. Niki’s own leadership style is heavily influenced by Harmanpreet’s approach-valuing discipline, fostering unity, and promoting fairness among teammates. As a leader, Niki strives to earn respect through her composure and fair decision-making, ensuring her team stays focused, no matter the circumstances.
Ravichandran Ashwin’s shock retirement from international cricket has created a lot of buzz among the cricket fraternity, with many debating over the timing of his decision. He announced his retirement from international cricket right after the Gabba Test ended in a draw.
The off-spinner’s sudden exit after the third Test match between India and Australia at The Gabba in Brisbane has divided opinions, with some former cricketers questioning why he didn’t wait for the conclusion of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
Basit Ali feels Ravichandran Ashwin’s decision to retire is ‘Mysterious’
Ashwin, who bid farewell to his stellar 14-year career, headed back to the home the same day he called time on his international career. The star all-rounder landed back in Chennai just hours later on Thursday, December 19, raising many eyebrows.
Adding fuel to the fire, former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has expressed his disappointment over the timing of the announcement, as he suggested that Ravichandran Ashwin’s decision to retire was premature. He sensed there was not something well in the Indian dressing room.
The former Pakistani selector also believes that had Virat Kohli been the Team India captain, he would have convinced Ashwin to postpone his announcement until the end of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, especially with two crucial Tests still left in Australia.
If Virat Kohli was captain, he wouldn’t have let Ashwin retire: Basit Ali
Furthermore, Basit Ali also stated that if Rahul Dravid or Ravi Shastri were there as the head coach, they would have urged the legendary spinner to wait and finish the Australia Test series, especially with India still having a chance to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
With the ongoing five-match Test series level at 1-1 and key matches scheduled in Melbourne and Sydney, Basit slammed the current Indian head coach, Gautam Gambhir, and captain, Rohit Sharma, for not convincing Ashwin not to retire at least at the end of the BGT 2024-25.
Basit Ali said on his YouTube channel: “I guarantee if Virat Kohli was captain, he wouldn’t have let Ashwin retire and would have told him to announce it after two matches. Why? Because India will need him in Sydney. If Rahul Dravid or Ravi Shastri were India’s coach, they also would not have let Ashwin retire at this moment. It’s bad that Rohit and Gambhir could not convince him and say, ‘Not at this time; these two Test matches you are needed’ especially in Sydney.”
Body language tells everything: Basit Ali
The former Pakistani cricketer feels there’s something mysterious about the decision, saying Ravichandran Ashwin’s body language said a lot of things. He pointed out that Ashwin’s hug with Virat Kohli in the dressing room spoke volumes.
However, Basit admitted that Ashwin may not be at his peak anymore but believes he’s still a valuable bowler and should not be under pressure for retirement. He also mentioned Ashwin’s record of being the second-highest wicket-taker in Tests.
Basit signed off by saying, “There are some things you can’t speak but are still understood. Body language tells everything; the way he (Ravichandran Ashwin) hugged Virat Kohli (in the dressing room). I agree he is not the same bowler, but not that bad that you put him under so much pressure… 537 (Test) wickets are a lot.”
The 30-year-old left-handed batsman Nitish Rana has revealed that the Rajasthan Royals (RR) head coach Rahul Dravid has promised him of his India National Cricket Team comeback.
Nitish Rana said that the former India head coach, Rahul Dravid, had told him that he would do everything possible to help him get back into the scheme of things of the Indian team.
Nitish Rana bought by Rajasthan Royals at the IPL 2025 mega auction
Nitish Rana, who was a Knight Rider in the Indian Premier League since 2018, was bought by the Rajasthan Royals (RR) for ₹4.20 crore at the IPL 2025 mega auction in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
It came as a major shock to everyone because the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) didn’t use the Right To Match option to retain their former captain. He was reportedly one of the contenders for captaincy of KKR after the franchise parted ways with Shreyas Iyer.
However, Knight Riders did not show interest in buying back Nitish Rana, and it left his wife Saachi Marwah quite furious, who took to social media to post a cryptic message that said, “Loyalty is very expensive, not everyone can afford it”.
I just told him, I want to make a comeback to the Indian team – Rahul Dravid
In a video shared by Rajasthan Royals (RR) on their official social media channels, Nitish Rana spoke about his interactions with head coach Rahul Dravid. He said:
“Sometimes, we create stories in our minds, thinking that if I ask this question, will I be judged? But, in all my time working with him, the common fear many players have—that if they speak to someone, they’ll be judged—was never a concern for me from the very first day.”
Rana revealed that he directly told Dravid that he is aiming for India comeback through his stint with Rajasthan Royals (RR). He further said that Dravid offered him full support and assured him that he would do everything possible for the franchise and his career. He stated:
“I just told him that I played under him in my first series and I want to make a comeback to the Indian team. I will need your help because your guidance matters a lot to me. He accepted and said, ‘We will do the hard work. ‘Franchise or tere career ke liye jo possible cheez hogi wo karenge’. (“We will do everything possible for the franchise and your career.”)
Fire in his belly and the hunger to go big under Rahul Dravid’s mentorship – This is Nitish Rana, Rajasthan Royals
Rana has played for the Mumbai Indians (MI) and the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He started his journey with the Mumbai Indians (MI) before switching bases to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
Overall, he has played 107 matches in the league. In those matches, he has scored 2636 runs at an average of 28.65 and a strike rate of 135.04 to go with 18 half-centuries.
Talking about his journey with India National Cricket Team, he has played two T20Is, scoring 15 runs, and one ODI, scoring 7 runs.
In the tapestry of domestic cricket, where the spotlight often shines on international superstars, there exists a constellation of unsung heroes who illuminate the regional circuit with their brilliance. Obaid Kamal, a luminary of Uttar Pradesh cricket, is one such celestial body, whose brilliance has consistently captivated the hearts of fans and experts alike. Renowned for his masterful ability to sway the ball through the air, Kamal has been the cornerstone of his state’s cricketing triumphs.
In this exclusive interview, we embark on a journey through the annals of his illustrious career, exploring the challenges he has surmounted, the aspirations he harbours as the current bowling coach of the Kashi Rudras franchise in the UP T20 league and the indelible mark he has left on the cricketing landscape.
Q: How was it like defeating an invincible team like Bombay on their home turf, that too in the semi-final of Ranji Trophy 1998-99?
Obaid Kamal: Beating Bombay was a dream with domestic cricket stalwarts present in the Mumbai team of that era, and beating Bombay in Bombay was a tough nut to crack, but our team was indeed a capable one with Ashish Winston Zaidi, Gyanendra Pandey as the captain. I still remember in the first innings Zaidi went through Mumbai’s batting line-up like a hurricane, bagging a six-wicket haul in the first innings. Though Mumbai were a capable team that could change the tide of the game in the fourth innings, so when it came down to the fourth innings we as a team were boosting to prove ourselves and win the match and I claimed to my media pals before going onto the field that I will make sure that we’ll be winning the match and I will make sure that we win it comprehensively.
(Obaid Kamal gave a blistering performance against Mumbai at the Wankhede stadium, picking up 5 wickets for 58 runs)
Q: There was this incident you had with Rahul Dravid, running after the match before the final in Bangalore about you doing something fishy with the ball, would you like to clear it?
Obaid Kamal: Look this incident is a funny one, as people thought that I tampered with the ball, and I don’t blame them for thinking of such a story. To reverse swing an old ball is a hard task, especially a ball that was 60 to 70 overs old, but there’s a catch, these rumours were after the semi-final with Mumbai, and Wankhede built closer to the seashore had one end opened for some sea breeze that helped us with the reverse swing. These stories reached Rahul Dravid, and he being the gentleman asked me, “What are these things, I am getting to here Obaid?” (with a smile). I replied if that’s the case you can yourself look into the match (laughing out loud).
Q: Allahabad (Prayagraj) is a place that produces brilliant players and many players are from Allahabad too, tell us something about your journey.
Obaid Kamal: Indeed, my motherland is magical, there is something in the water of Prayagraj I guess, a place where three rivers meet. Talking about myself, I come from a family where my elder brothers love this sport, my elder brothers Javed Kamal and Parvez Kamal used to play cricket but were not in the favour of me playing this game, the reason being I was one of the youngest and a notorious chap. But when they saw I was focused and worked hard on my game, they came forward to help me with my game, and other requirements.
Q: You are currently, the bowling coach of the Kashi Rudras franchise, there are new young prospects in the team as well kindly share your comments on those players.
Obaid Kamal: Yes, we do have young players and good players in fact, we have last year’s hero with us, Atal Rai, working by his name, he is strong and diligent in his ethics and hard work. He had injuries last year but he managed them all and played like a champion player and that too after being a fast bowler.
Q: The reigning champions of UP T20 league, how confident are you, that you all will be able to defend your title?
Obaid Kamal: We can’t really say about the future right now, as cricket is a funny game but speaking about preparation and last year’s experience, we played as a unit and were gifted by the almighty for our hard work. Hopefully, we can this time too go ahead to lift the coveted trophy with our new side.
The 33-year-old England National Cricket Team batsman Joe Root has achieved a massive milestone as a fielder in the second Test of the three-match series against Sri Lanka National Cricket Team at the Lord’s Cricket Ground in London.
Sri Lanka were set a target of 483 runs to chase to win the Lord’s Test and level the series. To achieve the humongous score, Sri Lanka needed their openers Dimuth Karunaratne and Nishan Madushka to bat well and get off to a great start.
However, they were not able to do that and Nishan Madushka fell in the 8th over itself. On the first ball of the over, Gus Atkinson bowled a back-of-a-length delivery and the ball took the outside edge of Madushka’s bat to land into Root’s hands at first slips. He was dismissed for 13 runs off 25 balls.
The catch of Madushka was his 199th in Test cricket and he didn’t take too much time to make it 200.
Joe Root achieved the historic milestone on the last ball of the 14th over when he caught Pathum Nissanka off Olly Stone’s delivery. The pacer bowled a back of a length delivery and Nissanka while trying to defend it, got the edge and the ball flew towards Root at first slip. Pathum Nissanka got out after scoring 14 runs off 24 balls, with 3 fours.
Meanwhile, Root became the first-ever England fielder to take 200 catches in the history of Test cricket. He is just 33 at the moment and there will be no surprise if he breaks Rahul Dravid’s record for most catches by a non-wicketkeeper in Test cricket history.
Most catches in Test cricket history by non-wicketkeepers/fielders:
Rahul Dravid (Ind/ICC) – 210
Mahela Jayawardene (SL) – 205
Jacques Kallis (SA/ICC) – 200
Joe Root (Eng) – 200
Ricky Ponting (Aus) – 196
He is just ticking off records this week – Michael Vaughan on Joe Root
Former England National Cricket Team captain Michael Vaughan was on-air when Root grabbed his 200th catch in Test and looking at this he stated that the star cricketer is just ticking off records in the ongoing Test against Sri Lanka.
“Joe Root was in mid-air when he took the catch. It was a good ball from Olly Stone, it had that bit of extra bounce.200 Test match catches for Joe Root. He is just ticking off records this week,” Michael Vaughan said, as quoted by BBC Test Match Special.
Michael Vaughan also opined that Root would become dangerous with the ball for Sri Lankan left-handers.
“I think Joe Root against the left-handers from the Nursery End is a real threat. I wonder if it is worth Dan Lawrence having a bowl. He has an unorthodox action, a bit different to Joe Root. It would be good to get him back in the game.”
Meanwhile, earlier in the innings, Root smashed twin centuries to break Alastair Cook’s all-time record for most Test tons by an Englishman in history. Root now has 34 Test tons to his name.
Also, he became the fourth batter in history to smash twin tons at the Lord’s in Tests. He has been in tremendous form in Test cricket in the last few years as he has smashed 17 tons since 2021, which is as many as he smashed since his debut till 2021.
Root also completed 50 tons in international cricket, becoming 9th batter to achieve this feat. Looking at Root’s ton, Nasser Hussain was left in awe, and speaking on Sky Sports, he said that the way he gets his runs is absolutely phenomenal.
Former India head coach Rahul Dravid is all set to attend the panel discussions on the inclusion of cricket in the Olympics. The event will be there to celebrate cricket’s inclusion in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics titled: ‘Cricket at the Olympics – Dawn of a New Era.
The panel discussion is scheduled to take place on 28th July in the evening at India House, situated at Parc de Lavillette. The India House notably is India’s first-ever country house at the Olympics. It is brought by Dream Sports and has been conceptualized by Reliance Foundation in association with the Indian Olympic Association
The panel discussions on the inclusion of cricket in the Olympics will be attended by the CEO of the International Cricket Council, Geoff Allardice, T20 World Cup 2024 winning coach, and former India head coach Rahul Dravid. Accompanying them will be Harsh Jain, CEO & Co-Founder of Dream Sports.
The panel featuring Rahul Dravid, Geoff Allardice, and Harsh Jain will be discussing the perspectives on the inclusion of cricket in the LA 2028 Olympics. The major topic of discussion would be the growth and opportunity for cricket in existing and newer markets and building on the worldwide passion of cricket fans.
ICC CEO Geoff Allardice talked about the panel, stating that their focus is on the development of cricket. He highlighted that adding cricket to the Olympics is an important step for the game. Speaking about the same, he commentated (as quoted by TOI):
“We continue to focus on the development of cricket across the world, bringing in more fans to the game, opportunities for players to compete at the highest level and now taking cricket to the Olympic stakeholders. The inclusion of cricket in the Olympics marks an important step, and we look forward to Paris 2024 as an added impetus to the journey.”
We are very excited to have the world’s second-largest spectator sport finally included in the next Olympics – Harsh Jain
Harsh Jain, CEO & Co-Founder of Dream Sports, said that making sports better is their prime objective and to see cricket in the Olympics is a positive step. While talking about the development, he explained:
“Dream Sports and Dream11’s mission is to Make Sports Better’ by providing world-class fan engagement experiences. We are very excited to have the world’s second-largest spectator sport finally included in the next Olympics.
“This is sure to take the Olympics’ global viewership to an all-time high and encourage more countries to develop cricket programs, promoting the sport’s growth and diversity.”
Cricket recently was included in the Olympics. The game will be marking its long-awaited Los Angeles edition in 2028. It was in 1900 when cricket was part of the Olympics. The inclusion of cricket in the Olympics will be a massive step going forward. ICC has been taking every step possible to make the game popular in all parts of the world. They recently staged the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA and it saw a positive response from the fans.
Former Team India bowling coach Paras Mhambrey has opened up about his experience working with Rahul Dravid and Rohit Sharma during his tenure with the national cricket team. Paras Mhambrey praised Rahul Dravid for his selflessness, adding that the former Indian skipper never liked to take credit.
Paras Mhambrey worked with Rahul Dravid at the national cricket team from late 2021 to the T20 World Cup 2024. Mhambrey played a role in helping the team secure the title during the T20 World Cup. Notably, he also worked with Dravid at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) before joining the Indian team.
Gautam Gambhir takes over the change of the Indian team as head coach during the white-ball tour of Sri Lanka, which is set to begin on July 27. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is yet to finalize the bowling coach. Abhishek Nayar and Ryan ten Doeschate have been appointed as assistant coaches.
Rahul Dravid Is Always Behind The Players – Paras Mhambrey
Paras Mhambrey said that he worked closely with Rahul Dravid across various roles, including India A, U19s, the NCA, and the senior team. Mhambrey stated that Dravid always focused on supporting the players. Mhambrey added that Dravid stayed in the background to allow the players and captain to be in the forefront.
“My association with Rahul is a long one. I worked with him for India A, U19s, NCA and then finally Team India. That’s eight-nine years of interaction and understanding what the requirements are, what the vision is. I knew what Rahul wanted. As a coach, Rahul was never in front, he is always behind (the players),” Mhambrey said.
“That speaks a lot about the individual himself. A lot of focus was on the players. It’s all about the players, never about him. He never liked to take credit. You always see him in the background. A legend of a game. But to be able to say that, okay, I’m going to take a backseat and allow the captain and the team to be in the forefront, it’s phenomenal,” he added.
Paras Mhambrey stated that he previously worked with Rohit Sharma for the Mumbai Indians (MI) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Mhambrey added that Rohit was involved in the team and attended every meeting. Mhambrey pointed out that Rohit’s wife used to say Dravid was his “work wife.”
Rahul Dravid was appointed as head of the India men’s cricket team after the T20 World Cup 2021. He guided the team to the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup 2022 the finals of the ODI World Cup 2023 and the World Test Championship (WTC). However, the team failed to secure the title in these ICC tournaments.
The BCCI decided to grant an extension to Dravid until the T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and the USA. The 51-year-old concluded his coaching tenure on a high note by winning the trophy. Notably, he did not win an ICC trophy as a player. He decided not to apply for a second term as head coach of the team.
India‘s triumphant journey in the T20 World Cup 2024 concluded with a thrilling victory over South Africa, ending a more than decade long wait for a World Cup title. The Men in Blue displayed exceptional skill and determination throughout the tournament to clinch the coveted trophy.
This victory marked Rahul Dravid‘s last stint as head coach, as his Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) contract ended with the culmination of the global showpiece event. Before his departure, Dravid gave India’s talismanic batter Virat Kohli a special and final task to complete.
Virat Kohli’s stellar performance
Kohli was a standout performer in the final, playing a crucial innings of 76 off 59 balls to help India set a competitive total of 176/7. The bowlers, led by Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh and Hardik Pandya, then restricted South Africa to 169/8, registering a 7-run win for India.
Rahul Dravid’s final assignment to Virat Kohli
After the summit clash, as the players reveled in their hard-earned triumph, the Indian dressing room was filled with jubilation and celebrations. A heartwarming video shared by the ICC on its Instagram handle captured the joyous moments, with Indian players taking turns to pose with the trophy.
Amid the celebrations, outgoing head coach Dravid delivered a special task to Kohli, saying, “All three white ticked off, one red to go.” This cryptic message was a nod to Kohli’s achievements in the three white-ball formats – winning the ODI World Cup 2011, the Champions Trophy 2013, and now the T20 World Cup. Dravid’s message underscored the next big challenge for Kohli and the team: winning the World Test Championship (WTC) title, thereby completing a clean sweep of all three major ICC tournaments.
Kohli’s illustrious career is already adorned with remarkable achievements, but the one trophy that continues to elude him and the Indian team is the World Test Championship mace.
Kohli, who was instrumental in India’s victories in the ODI WC 2011 and CT 13, now has the T20 WC triumph added to his illustrious list.
Despite this, the WTC remains a significant goal. India reached the finals of the ultimate event in both 2021 and 2023 but fell short against New Zealand and Australia, respectively. Kohli’s batting and the team’s resolve will be crucial as they aim to qualify for the WTC Final next year in England, with the ultimate goal of securing the coveted Test Championship mace.
West Indies bowling legend Sir Wesley Hall met Indian skipper, Rohit Sharma, star batter Virat Kohli and head coach Rahul Dravid at the Kensington Oval in Barbados.
The Indian team is in the Caribbean for the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2024. The three shared a special moment with the 86-year-old West Indian great after a practice session. Hall also gifted them a signed copy of his autobiography “Answering the Call, The Extraordinary Life of Sir Wesley Hall”, which the Indian stars gratefully accepted.
While Kohli has had a rough tournament so far, scoring just five runs in three matches, Rohit has smashed 68 runs in three. Meanwhile, Dravid is on his last assignment as the coach of the Indian team.
I think the India bowlers are top-class: Sir Wesley Hall
The Men in Blue gear up for the Super Eight stage, with the first game against Afghanistan on June 20 at Kensington Oval.
Meanwhile, West Indies legend Sir Wesley Hall heaped praise on India’s fiery pace attack that has troubled batters in the marquee event so far. The trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Arshdeep Singh and Mohammed Siraj have combined disciplined lines and pace to dismantle the opposition batters.
“Some bowlers are very fast, very tough bowling bouncers, and then there are players who are getting the right line and before you say it, you are out. The point is I would rather get you out than hit you. I think the India bowlers are top-class,” Hall was quoted as saying by India Today.
The 6’2 Hall was a fearsome sight in his playing days, picking 192 wickets in 48 Tests and 546 wickets in 170 first-class matches with his furious pace and accuracy.
Meanwhile, no team has crossed 120 against India’s pacers in the group stage. Bumrah’s spell was the game-changer against Pakistan, as he removed Mohammad Rizwan with a perfect off-cutter when Pakistan seemed headed for victory. His 3/14 turned the match as India managed to win by six runs. Against co-hosts USA, it was young Arshdeep Singh who stole the show as his 4/9 rattled the American batters in the Powerplay to set up an easy seven-wicket win.
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