“I don’t make decisions like this about my future. Whatever I feel is right from inside I try to do that. I don’t think much about the future or whether I would play this World Cup after the ODI World Cup last year,” the 37-year-old swashbuckler said. “I never thought that I would retire from T20s. But the situation is such, I thought it is the perfect situation for me. Nothing better than winning the cup and saying goodbye,” added Rohit when asked if would have retired from T20s earlier if India won the ODI World Cup at home seven months ago.

India could not cross the finishing line in the ODI showpiece despite being the most balanced team in the tournament. They also had to endure a loss to Australia at the World Test Championship final last June. Using a popular Hindi film line, Rohit said the triumph here was written in the stars.

“Jo likha hain who hone wala hain, ye likha tha but humko pata nahi hain kee kab likha hain. Nahi toh hum aaram se aate and bolte ‘likha hain’ aur ho jayega (I believe that what is written is going to happen. I think it was written. But obviously you don’t know before the match. Otherwise, we would have easily come and said, it’s written),” he quipped.

“Everything has to fall in place. As you saw, we were way behind the game. At one point, it seemed like they would win easily,” he said referring to South Africa gaining the upper hand courtesy Heinrich Klaasen’s blazing 52 off 27 balls. Life has come full circle for Rohit, who was part of the 2007 T20 World Cup win under Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s captaincy.

Talking about his T20 journey since then, he said: “I was told that I started in 2007, won the World Cup and I am leaving the game after winning the World Cup. So that’s a tailor-made situation for me. A proper full circle. So I’m very happy with this.”

“I was 20 years old at that time. I tell my players to try perform their role. I had a role at that time. I used to bat at 5 or 6 number. So, it was very important to finish well for us. “I understand the game much better now, having played for so many years. So, it’s been brilliant,” he said adding that it is a big challenge to play and captain in all three formats.

Considering the circumstances and India’s long wait for a title, the win on Saturday was one of the greatest of his career.”This has to be the greatest time I can say that. It’s only because how desperately I wanted to win this. So, all the runs, all the runs that I’ve scored in all these years, I think it does matter, but I’m not big on stats and all of that.

“Winning games for India, winning trophies for India, that is what I look forward to all the time. And having this now right beside me probably has to be, I don’t know, honestly, I don’t know if it’s the greatest or what but it is definitely one of the greatest,” said Rohit.

He went down on his knees after the victory was sealed. On that emotional moment, Rohit said he was desperate for the trophy. “…it was very emotional. I wanted this badly. So, it’s very hard to put it in words because that moment, I don’t want to say what I was thinking and what was going in my mind, but it was a very emotional moment personally for me. “And I’m going to, I wish I could capture that moment myself but not really, you can’t do that but I will always remember that,” he said.

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In reply, Australia were restricted to 181 for seven in the stipulated 20 overs. Travis Head top-scored for Australia with 76 off 43 balls. Among Indian bowlers, Kuldeep Yadav (2/24) performed brilliantly in the middle overs, while Arshdeep Singh ended with figures of 3/37.

Earlier, unperturbed by Virat Kohli’s early dismissal, Rohit went after pacer Mitchell Starc and bludgeoned him for 29 runs in his second over, setting the tone for India. Starc, who was taken to the cleaners by Rohit, returned to dismiss the India captain and give some relief to the Australian camp.

But Suryakumar Yadav (31 off 16 balls) and Shivam Dube (28 off 22) kept up the tempo with their big hits before Hardik Pandya (27 off 17) finished the India innings in style.

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Cricket has experienced rapid growth in the USA, driven by increasing participation and viewership over the past few years. The success of the USA cricket team in the ongoing T20 World Cup has ignited a new wave of enthusiasm and interest among cricket fans in the country.

The collaboration between Brosid Sports LLC-owned LIT20 and FCC will aim to boost cricket’s craze in the USA by connecting the passionate fans with seven participating teams: Indo Kings, Asian Avengers, Euro Rangers, American Mavericks, Trans-Tasman Titans, African Lions, and Caribbean Vikings. Fan Controlled Cricket will provide LIT20 with innovative digital fan engagement activities, including player-based video games, to attract a global fanbase.

Speaking about the partnership, Saurabh Bhambri, Director, Brosid Sports LLC, said, “With the USA team performing exceptionally well in the ongoing T20 World Cup, we believe the USA is a highly promising cricket market. The world is keenly following developments at LIT20, and this landmark partnership with Fan Controlled Cricket will help us reach millions of passionate cricket fans in the USA and worldwide. We look forward to a fruitful partnership with FCC as we bring a new era to modern-day cricket.”

Bhavik Kothari, Chief Advisor, Fan Controlled Cricket (FCC), added, “These are exciting times for the USA with cricket taking center stage. We are delighted to join hands with LIT20, where legendary cricketers will participate. With our innovative digital fan engagement initiatives, we will ensure LIT20 achieves significant reach and cultivates a great fanbase across the globe. We look forward to the inaugural season of LIT20 in Texas.”

The league, featuring legendary stars like Graeme Swann, TM Dilshan, and Liam Plunkett, among others from various continents, is scheduled to take place from August 16 to 28, 2024, at Moosa Stadium in Texas, USA. It will be played in a single round-robin format, with the top four teams at the end of the league stage advancing to the knockout stage. A total of 24 exhilarating matches will be played, with each day featuring double-headers.

The post Legends Intercontinental T-20 Set to Enthrall Cricket Fans in the USA; Partner, Teams, Venue and Dates revealed appeared first on Cricket Country.

Thanks to their wins over neighbours Canada and heavyweights Pakistan in their first two outings, the USA joined India in the Super Eight stage of the T20 showpiece after their final group match was washed out. The washout meant heavyweights Pakistan bowed out of the tournament which they won way back in 2009, even as the USA fuelled the game’s growth in the land of opportunities by advancing to the next stage.

USA ended group league campaign with five points from four games and Pakistan even if they win their last match against Ireland can maximum reach four points. Pakistan went down to India in New York on Sunday in a close game, failing to chase a target of 120. Before that, in their opening game in Dallas, they suffered a shock Super Over loss to USA.

The back-to-back defeats meant Pakistan’s chances of advancing to the Super Eight were already out of their own hands. It is yet another global tournament where the unpredictable Pakistanis again left it too late. As part of the ICC’s ambitious plan to promote the sport in this part of the world, the US is co-hosting the tournament along with the West Indies, and if their performance so far in the event is any indication, the home team is making a sincere attempt at getting the NFL, MLB and NBA-loving Americans to consider watching cricket in near future.

The USA began the tournament with a convincing win over Canada chasing nearly 200 runs, shocked Pakistan in one of T20 World Cup’s greatest upsets, and then gave formidable title contenders India a run for their money, but the starting point of the team’s upsurge in the game was the morale-boosting T20I series victory over Bangladesh just prior to the showpiece.

The US team comprises eight cricketers of Indian descent, most of them on temporary H1-B visas that allow companies to hire overseas employees, who are trying to revive the sport 180 years after the country hosted the first-ever international cricket match, between USA and Canada at the St George’s Cricket Club in New York way back in 1844, 33 years before England and Australia played in their first Test match.

The chances of Friday’s match taking place were always bleak as the state of Florida, where Lauderhill is situated, had been hit by a tropical thunderstorm, leading to incessant rain and flash flooding. But, even if the match had taken place, the USA, buoyed by the two big wins and their spirited effort against India, would have certainly backed themselves to overcome Ireland and progress to the Super Eights.

The post First-timers USA knock out Pakistan join India in T20 World Cup Super Eight appeared first on Cricket Country.

The new hyper local cricket tournament to be played in 10 cities of UP, will give everyone chance to play premium quality cricket in the mentorship of legendary cricketers. The first leg will be played in Varanasi, Prayagraj, Meerut, Aligarh, Noida, Ghaziabad, Lucknow, Kanpur, Agra and Gorakhpur followed by other states of India. The matches will be played with tennis ball cricket for greater fan inclusion and participation. With this objective, contributing to ‘FIT INDIA’ initiative of government, providing ample opportunities to cricket fans across India, to come out and play premium cricket.

Harbhajan Singh, great Legendary Indian Cricketer said, “Cricket has given me so much, I was like that ‘khotasikka’ and cricket has made me what I am today. Now it is the time to give it back to cricket. This is our responsibility to give it back to the fans and talent and work on the future of cricket together”

“Indians love cricket and cricketers. India has been a second home to me throughout. The love and affection I have got from Indian fans is unmatchable. I look forward to mentor some of the cricketers” said Brett Lee, former Australian Cricket Star.

An 80-day long cricket saga will be the Cricket Carnival in each city to engage cricketing fans. LLC T10 is an initiative by Legends League Cricket for the fans and players, which will help give brands a greater exposure and chance to build a strong foothold through cricket. The star mentors on board will not only pull fans but also bring in the professional touch to the game.

Raman Raheja, Co-founder of Legends League Cricket, said, “Our clear vision is to promote cricket at the grassroots level, which is why we are bringing cricket to tier 2 and tier 3 cities. Our franchise cricket model has created a huge fan following that continues to grow. This opportunity to engage with fans and cricket enthusiasts will strengthen our bond with them. It is our endeavour to provide a platform for young talent to train with legendary cricketers.”

Jonty Rhodes, Legendary Cricketer from South African said, “This is a noble idea of engaging fans and training youngsters at the same time. I am happy to participate as a mentor in LLC T10.”

The post Harbhajan Singh Brett Lee and Jonty Rhodes to Mentor LLC Ten10 Teams appeared first on Cricket Country.

Rohit Sharma-led India will take on Pakistan on Sunday and Pandya will be eager to repeat his past success against the cross-border opponents. “Standing in big games is very exciting for me. I find it extra special and Pakistan has been one team where I have been very fortunate, I have been able to do well in a lot of games,” Pandya told ‘Star Sports’.

Pandya has played six T20Is against Pakistan so far. While his outings with the bat largely remained moderate, having scored just 84 runs with a highest of 40, the Baroda man has fared better with the ball in hand. The pace-bowling all-rounder has taken 11 wickets from six matches at a very good economy of 7.5 with 3/8 being his best analysis.

“It all comes down to the vibe. Hold your breath, this is a request. This is not a fight, this is going to be history,” said Pandya. India began the ICC marquee event with a facile eight-wicket win over Ireland, but Pakistan were stunned by the USA via super over here on Thursday.

While underlining the riches in India’s bowling unit, Pandya said they needed to remain disciplined against Pakistan. “India-Pakistan has always been very exciting, lot of cheer and buzz, a lot of emotion and a lot of excitement but at the same time, I hope we will be disciplined in that game, one goal as a group is we go and kind of hunt. “So, if we can do that, I think it will be a one more nice day for us,” Hardik had told the BCCI.

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