Friday, March 29TRUSTED FEARLESS INTERNATIONAL & NATIONAL NEWS PORTAL

Tag: World Cup Final

Sports

In U-19 cricketers’ journey to WC final, meet those who laid ground for them

The flight from Mumbai to South Africa for India’s Under-19 cricketers was long and tiring. The trek to the final, where they will meet Australia on Sunday in a repeat of the senior men’s World Cup final, was also tough. Their real journey, though, was several years in the making. Many of these young cricketers left the comforts of their hometown, and the warmth of their relatives and friends, so that they could realise their cricketing dreams. Uday Saharan, the captain, was only 12 when he shifted from his home in Rajasthan’s Sri Ganganagar district to Punjab’s Fazilka district, 80 km away, so that he could get better training facilities. Vice captain Saumy Pandey and his parents moved from Bharatpur in Madhya Pradesh’s Sidhi district to a rented accommodation in Rewa, 40 km away, so t...
Sports

Series win in South Africa won’t ease pain of losing World Cup final: Rohit Sharma – Times of India

'Difficult to compare SA series to marquee event'Rohit Sharma showed his vulnerability and maturity in good measure ahead of the first day of the Test series in Centurion.He was understandably uncomfortable when talking about life after defeat to Australia in the World Cup final about one and a half months ago."If you had a World Cup (like that) until that point, you expect to go an inch further," he said in a tone of disappointment."Unfortunately, we could not do it. It was hard for all of us."Loss like that is hard. So much happening in life and cricket... you have to find that strength to move away (from the defeat). It takes time, it took time... you have to look forward."When suggested that the first-ever series win in South Africa and a World T20 title in West Indies in June next ...
Sports

The heartache that you have…like breaking up with a girlfriend: Faf du Plessis on India’s World Cup final loss

India was unbeaten in the recently concluded 50-over World Cup until the final hurdle. Throughout their campaign, they looked a class apart from the other sides. Former South African captain Faf du Plessis said it is going to be a “breaking up with a girlfriend” and compared it to the Proteas’ 2015 campaign when they lost a nail-biter in the semifinal. “I remember going through a similar experience as a cricketer when we went through the highs and lows of the 2015 World Cup. The heartache that you have to deal with takes a bit of time and it is a bit like breaking up with a girlfriend. You cannot just get over it straight away,”Faf du Plessis said on NDTV. “The South African player also said India was amazing in the tournament. “They were unbelievable the way they went about their busi...
Sports

Why blame Ahmedabad’s silence for India’s World Cup final loss to Australia

It’s more than a week since the World Cup final in Ahmedabad, but Australia’s captain Pat Cummins can’t get over the stillness of the “sea of blue” when Virat Kohli walked back to the dressing room. On his return home, Cummins recalled the surreal moment when a jam-packed one lakh-plus capacity stadium had the “feel of a library”. Since that day, Ahmedabad’s quietude has been part of cricket’s animated conversations that hasn’t allowed the World Cup din to die. It has meant so much for so many.For Cummins, it’s the blissful tranquility of reaching a higher leadership plane. For those struggling to process the shock loss of their odds-on favourite home team, the hush was the convenient excuse that explained the sudden anti-climactic end to the team’s never-seen-before majestic march. It ...
Sports

Ravichandran Ashwin tells how Rohit Sharma is different from MS Dhoni as captain | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: The pain of losing the ODI World Cup final last month will remain there for a while in the minds of Indian team, especially skipper Rohit Sharma who may not get another chance to emulate MS Dhoni's feat to win the World Cup as a skipper. In fact, Rohit has already hinted about his white-ball cricket plans, as he excused himself from the limited-overs leg for India's tour of South Africa. But the loss in the World Cup final against Australia takes nothing away from Rohit the skipper and the player, who led the time appreciably to reach the title match unbeaten in 10 games and ended up as the tournament's second highest scorer with 597 runs. Ravichandran Ashwin may have watched the majority of the World Cup from the dressing room, but having played under both Dhoni and Rohit, h...
Sports

Kapil Dev: We played very good cricket throughout World Cup but final day was not ours | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Legendary Kapil Dev on Tuesday lauded India's ten straight wins at the recently concluded World Cup but pointed out that excess hype surrounding an almost-certain third title was not needed.As Australia crushed over a billion dreams of India winning a third World Cup title, beating hosts handsomely by 6 wickets in the summit clash, Kapil conceded that the final day was not ours. The World Cup champion also said that fans should refrain from creating too much pressure on the players and treat cricket as just another sport."Don't keep so much hopes that people end up with broken hearts. We need to keep a balance. Other teams also came to India to compete in the World Cup. We shouldn't create so much hype. We need to look at sports as sports only. Whoever plays good on the day, ...
Sports

‘Accept your mistake too’: Wasim Akram feels ‘tv, social media, fans’ made India champions before World Cup final | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: India entered the World Cup final on the back of 10 successive wins and were favourites to win the summit clash against Australia. However, Aussies produced a top-notch all-round effort, outplaying the hosts to clinch a record-extending sixth title.As the nation of 1.4 billion people continue to heal their wounds of the final loss, Pakistan legend Wasim Akram on Tuesday pointed out that television, social media and fans are also to be blamed for India's loss.Sympathising with the Indian fans, Akram said that TV and social media already made India winners before the final and that in-turn raised pressure on players and increased the hopes of the people."I can understand that, as a nation, it will be tough to get over it because your team played so well throughout the tournamen...
Sports

‘It was as quiet as a library’: Pat Cummins recalls Virat Kohli’s World Cup final dismissal that shushed the crowd | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: As a set Virat Kohli chopped-on a Pat Cummins delivery in the World Cup Final in Ahmedabad at a crucial juncture of the game, a near 1,00,000 fans at Narendra Modi Stadium went into pin-drop silence mode.Recalling the moment, the Aussie skipper Cummins said at that time, the world's largest cricket stadium gave him and his team the vibe of a quiet library. Australia went onto beat India by 6 wickets in the final to grab a record-equalling 6th World Cup title. "We're in a huddle after the wicket of Kohli in the final & (Steve) Smith says,'Boys, listen to the crowd." And we just took a moment of pause, and it was as quiet as a library, 100,000-plus Indians there & it was so quiet. I'll savour that moment for a long time," Cummins told 'The Age' during an interaction.Lat...
Sports

Cricket World Cup: Andrew McDonald recalls the team meeting after South Africa match that turned Australia’s campaign around

Australia were written off after they lost their opening two matches of the ODI World Cup. But they showed their mental resilience, won nine games on the stretch and ended up winning the World Cup for a record sixth time. They defeated India by sox wickets in the final at the Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium in Ahmedabad. Australia coach Andrew McDonald revealed how the 134-run loss against South Africa turned Australia’s World Cup campaign around. “There was a get-together post-game (after the South Africa loss),” McDonald said on SEN Whateley. “But once again, that was really just to reinforce that we were on the right path. “It was about, ‘Let’s stick to it and believe in what we’ve set out to achieve’, and that it will come to fruition eventually, albeit it didn’t in the first couple...
Sports

Australia exposed India’s little chinks in World Cup final: Sanjay Manjrekar | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Former cricketer turned commentator Sanjay Manjrekar feels Australia superbly exploited 'little chinks' in India's batting line-up in the World Cup final to secure a record-extending sixth title. The absence of all-rounder Hardik Pandya highlighted a significant 'lack of depth' in India's batting during the final in Ahmedabad last Sunday.India faltered, losing half their side within the 36th over, ultimately getting to a modest 241 in the summit clash."India felt the pressure of not having depth; you know, those little chinks in India's armour came to the fore," Manjrekar told Star Sports.Pandya pulled out of the tournament following a twisted ankle in India's fourth league match against Bangladesh as India were forced to ring in two changes -- Suryakumar Yadav and Mohammed S...
Sports

‘If Hardik was there…’: Wasim Akram sheds light on KL Rahul’s painstaking knock in World Cup final | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: KL Rahul scored a painstaking 107-ball 66 in India's World Cup final loss against Australia and Pakistan legend Wasim Akram feels that the middle-order batter couldn't play fearlessly as the side had a long tail.Pointing out that after Ravindra Jadeja, India did not have not much batting to come, Akram said he understood why Rahul played in the way he did, thinking he had to bat deep. Batting first, India posted a modest total of 240 in which Rahul's knock had only a solitary boundary. Akram said India's middle-order could have batted more fearlessly and their extra-careful approach cost them the title. "If I have to pick any particular reason, I suppose the middle order should have played with a ‘do or die' mindset. I can understand what was going through Rahul's mind, that ...
Sports

R Ashwin on how Pat Cummins’ brilliance and Australia’s understanding of Ahmedabad conditions left him in awe

When Pat Cummins won the toss and opted to bowl first against India in the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, there was some surprise in the cricketing fraternity. While there was expectation of dew to play its part in the second innings it still was a brave call against the host in front of thousands of fans who were all rooting for Rohit Sharma’s men. And Australia have often relied on the mantra of ‘bat first and put runs on the board in a big game.’ However, the decision paid off big time for the Aussies as they won their sixth World Cup beating India by six wickets. Indian off-spinner Ashwin Ravichandran on his YouTube video revealed his conversation with the Australian chief selector George Bailey during the innings break. “I chatt...
Sports

‘When PM encourages you after loss, it raises your confidence’: Mohammed Shami | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Indian pacer Mohammed Shami emphasised the significance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with Team India after their loss to Australia in the ICC World Cup final. Shami noted that such gestures provide players with confidence and hold importance for the team.Adding another disappointment to the list for Indian fans, Australia secured a six-wicket victory over India in the final at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday.This extended the Men in Blue's ICC trophy drought since 2013, while Australia clinched their record-extending sixth World Cup title.PM Modi consoles team India in dressing room after World Cup final loss against Australia"Such gestures are important (PM Modi meeting players). When the Prime Minister encourages you after that, it gives you confide...
Sports

Rohit Sharma doesn’t need to be taught to score hundreds: Ravichandran Ashwin backs skipper | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin on Thursday came to the defense of Rohit Sharma, stating that the captain "doesn't need to be taught to score hundreds."Ashwin strongly supported Rohit following criticism over his inability to convert a strong start into a substantial score in the World Cup final against Australia.Throughout the tournament, Rohit's dynamic performances were instrumental in India's quick starts, amassing an impressive 597 runs in 11 matches at a remarkable strike rate of 125.Despite his impactful contributions, Rohit faced scrutiny from some quarters for his aggressive attempt to hit Glenn Maxwell out of the park in the final, resulting in his dismissal for a 31-ball 47. While this set a solid foundation, the team struggled to capitalise on it."Everybody say...
Sports

‘Cricket won and India lost. Had India won the World Cup…’: Abdul Razzaq continues to spit venom against India | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Former Pakistani cricketers degrading and questioning Indian cricketers is nothing new. Be it out of jealousy and hatred, cricketers who have played for Pakistan at the international level continue to berate Indians, Indian cricketers and the Indian cricket board, just to stay relevant.Not long after making a highly objectionable and uncalled for remark against Indian actress Aishwarya Rai, former Pakistan all-rounder Abdul Razzaq has again made negative comments about Indian cricket.In a clip that is viral on social media, Razzaq, talking about India's defeat to Australia in the ODI World Cup final, says on a talk show that "it's great for cricket that India lost."When asked by the anchor about Australia’s victory against India who were unbeaten before the final, Razzaq said...
Sports

‘World Cup final result means that cricket won’: Ex-Pakistan cricketer Abdul Razzaq in India’s defeat to Australia

Former Pakistan cricketer Abdul Razzaq has implied that Australia’s victory over India in the World Cup final was a win for the sport of cricket, because of how lopsided the advantage was towards the Men in Blue, who were hosting the showpiece event. The all-rounder’s comments came just days after he had to apologise to making disparaging comments about an Indian actress on stage at an event. “Indians were over-confident (in the final),” Razzaq started as he analysed India’s performance in the World Cup final and what went wrong for the overwhelming favourites. Australia won the toss and against conventional wisdom, chose to field first. But Pat Cummins was proved right in the big decision as Australia, who were rare underdogs in a World Cup final, claimed their sixth trophy. “Aga...
Sports

David Warner reveals process that led to Australia opting to field first in the World Cup final | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Australia emerged victorious against India in a thrilling ODI World Cup final showdown on Sunday, and opener David Warner has shed light on the unorthodox decision-making process that saw the Aussies opt to field after winning the crucial toss.Speaking on AB de Villiers' YouTube channel, the left-handed batter disclosed that despite statistical indicators favouring batting first, the Australian squad, after a lengthy discussion the night before, opted to chase.Warner shared insights into the team's thought process, stating, "We were discussing it the night before for a good hour-and-a-half or two hours about what to do. All the stats coming through were saying, bat first and put runs on the board. But for once, when we asked that question, I think a majority of us said let's ...
Sports

‘I think that’s a lesson they will learn’: Suresh Raina on Team India’s loss in the World Cup final | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: India had only one bad day at the recently concluded ODI World Cup and unfortunately it came in the final that ended their 10-match winning streak after going down to Australia in the summit clash.India's perennial problem of faltering in the finals came to the fore again and their agonising wait to win an ICC trophy continued. While India's defeat left the entire nation disappointed but former player Suresh Raina was buoyed by the performance of the team.Raina is optimistic about the prospect of rectifying their performance in the upcoming edition of the tournament, set to take place in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia in 2027."We will see the Indian team doing well again because they know how to reach the latter stages of tournaments now," Raina said in his column for th...
Sports

Between hope and hubris: Innocence, glumness, despair, gratitude

India players look dejected after losing the ICC Cricket World Cup final to Australia in Ahmedabad on November 19, 2023 | Photo Credit: Reuters The World Cup has gone from being an event in the future with its administrative confusions, to one in the past, full of might-have-beens. In between it showed the best the 50-over game has to offer, suggesting the format isn’t ready to roll over and die yet. Had India won, we could have said this with greater confidence, for what India thinks today others do tomorrow. The script was hammered out by everyone from the ruling party and the cricket board to the broadcasters and fans, some of whom were willing to pay up to five lakh for tickets, air fare and hotel rooms. There is an innocence in believing that the best team always wins and that hal...
Sports

Mohammed Shami: When you play for the country, you forget everything | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Team India's fairy-tale journey concluded with a billion hearts shattered as Australia secured their sixth title with a six-wicket victory in Ahmedabad on Sunday.The tournament's standout bowler, pacer Mohammed Shami made a bold statement right from the start by dismissing David Warner with his very first ball. Despite this promising start, India couldn't capitalise on the momentum.Finishing as the most remarkable performer in the tournament with an impressive tally of 24 wickets from seven games, including three notable five-wicket hauls, Shami's journey since 2015 reads like a script straight out of a movie.Shami, who's also the PUMA brand ambassador, spoke his heart out in an extensive interview during his visit to the sports brand's headquarter in Bengaluru."Nobody knew t...