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Novak Djokovic Eyes 100th ATP Title Ahead of Geneva Open Final Against Hurkacz

May 24, 2025, 4:04 pm

After defeating Cameron Norrie in the semi-final of the Geneva Open, Novak Djokovic could see himself reach a 100 ATP titles, with a win on Saturday against Hubert Hurkacz. After a dominating three-set victory against Norrie, the Serbian could see himself reach the rank of legends like Jimmy Conors and Roger Federer with 100 ATP titles.

A Semi-Final To Remember

“It was the toughest match of the tournament for me so far, three sets, the second set, he was a break up, and I managed to come back to the tie-break, a match point, I got a little bit tight there. But I’m really glad how I regrouped in the third and played the best set of the tournament.” Djokovic said in a post-match interview, as the legend had a dicey performance in the second set. Djokovic trailed 5-2 in the second set, he mounted a comeback to push it to a tie-break, where he had a match point but failed to convert, allowing Norrie to take the set and force a decider. A fascinating fact, Djokovic has won more slams than Norrie has played in. Fans are betting on a Djokovic win as his serve looks ever so perfect, with Hurkacz not being an excellent returner either.

All Eyes on Novak Djokovic

In preparation for the French Open, where Novak could claim his fourth Roland-Garros title, Djokovic looks well conditioned as he approaches the final of the Geneva Open after losing his first matches on clay this season, it’s also his first tournament since the Paris Olympics which the Serbian also won.

Hubert Hurkacz, who defeated Austrian Sebastian Ofner 6-3, 6-4 to reach his first final since losing to Jannik Sinner in Halle last June, will now have a tough battle against the odds versus Novak Djokovic, who surely has his eyes set on the French Open to reach a 25th Grand Slam, he is currently tied with Margaret Court who also has 24 singles Grand Slam titles.

Paris Paralympics: Hokato Sema Wins Bronze for India in Men’s F57 Shot Put Final

September 7, 2024, 3:45 am

Indian para-athlete Hokato Hotozhe Sema won a bronze medal in the men’s shot put F57 final at the Paris Paralympics on Saturday. Hokato achieved a personal best with a throw of 14.65 meters. Iran’s Yashin Khosravi claimed the gold medal with a throw of 15.96 meters, while Brazil’s Thiago Paulino dos Santos took silver with a throw of 15.06 meters. Another Indian competitor, Soman Rana, finished fifth with his best throw of 14.07 meters.

In the women’s F46 javelin throw final, Indian para-athlete Bhavanaben Chaudhary finished in fifth place. She recorded a best throw of 39.70 meters but did not make it to the podium. Venezuela’s Naibys Daniela Morillo Gil won gold with a Paralympic record-breaking throw of 43.77 meters. Uzbekistan’s Shahinakhon Yigitalieva took silver with an Asian record throw of 43.12 meters, and Great Britain’s Hollie Arnold secured bronze with a throw of 40.59 meters.

Simran Sharma continued to shine in the women’s 200m T12 semifinals, securing first place with a time of 25.03 seconds, which earned her a spot in the finals scheduled for Saturday at 11:04 PM IST.

On Friday, Praveen Kumar brought home gold in the men’s high jump T64 final, setting a new Asian record with a jump of 2.08 meters. The USA’s Derek Loccident took silver with a jump of 2.06 meters, breaking the Paralympic record set by Japan’s Toru Suzuki in 2021. Uzbekistan’s Temurbek Giyazov earned bronze with a jump of 2.03 meters, achieving a personal best.

India’s medal tally at the Paris Paralympics has now reached 27, including six gold, nine silver, and 12 bronze medals. This surpasses the country’s previous best of five gold medals at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. Indian para-athletes have particularly excelled this year, contributing three golds, six silvers, and six bronzes to the total of 15 medals.

India has sent its largest-ever Paralympic contingent to Paris, with 84 athletes competing in 12 sports. This increased participation reflects the country’s growing commitment to para-sports. With 19 medals at the Tokyo 2020 Games, including five golds, eight silvers, and six bronzes, India is aiming to build on its past success and achieve even greater results in Paris.

Paris Olympics: Avinash Sable Places 11th in Men’s 3000m Steeplechase Final

August 8, 2024, 4:03 am

At the Paris 2024 Olympics on Wednesday, India’s Avinash Sable finished 11th in the men’s 3000m steeplechase final. Sable clocked a time of 8:14.18 at the Stade de France. Despite starting strong and holding a fourth-place position after the first 1000 meters, he gradually fell behind and slipped out of the top 10.

Morocco’s Soufiane El Bakkali claimed gold with a season-best time of 8:06.05, successfully defending his Olympic title. The silver medal went to Kenneth Brooks of the United States, who set a personal best of 8:06.41. Kenya’s Abraham Kibiwot took bronze.

Earlier in the competition, Sable had qualified for the final by finishing fifth in Heat 2 with a time of 8:15.43. In that heat, he was competitive early on but lost momentum after a stumble over one of the hurdles. The top finishers in Heat 2 included Morocco’s Mohamed Tindouft, Ethiopia’s Samuel Firewu, Kenya’s Abraham Kibiwot, and Japan’s Ryuji Miura.

In Heat 1, Soufiane El Bakkali led with a time of 8:17.90, followed by Uganda’s Leonard Chemutai, Ethiopia’s Getnet Wale, Spain’s Daniel Arce, and Tunisia’s Ahmed Jaziri, who also advanced to the final. Kenya’s Amos Serem, the winner of the national trials, struggled with the water jump and did not qualify for the final after a problematic attempt.

Sable’s performance at the Paris Games highlighted his competitive edge, though he ultimately fell short of a medal placement.

WCL Final: India Champions Defeat Pakistan Champions by 5 Wickets in a Thriller, Win WCL Inaugural Edition

July 14, 2024, 12:57 am

In a thrilling final of the World Championship of Legends 2024 held in Birmingham, India defeated Pakistan by five wickets. Chasing a target of 157 runs, India reached 159/5 in 19.1 overs. The standout performance came from Ambati Rayudu, who scored a crucial half-century, hitting 50 runs off 30 balls. Pakistan’s Sohail Tanvir was the leading bowler, taking three wickets.

Earlier in the match, Pakistan Champions posted a total of 156/6 in their allotted 20 overs. Shoaib Malik top-scored for Pakistan with 41 runs. India’s bowling was led by Anureet Singh, who took three wickets, while Vinay Kumar, Pawan Negi, and Irfan Pathan each claimed one wicket. This victory marked a memorable win for India in the World Championship of Legends 2024.

T20 World Cup Final: Prize Money, Awards and All You Need to Know

July 1, 2024, 1:07 am

India triumphed over South Africa by seven runs in a thrilling T20 World Cup final on Saturday, ending their 11-year wait for a global title. This victory marked India’s second T20 World Cup win, the first being in 2007 under MS Dhoni, and their first ICC trophy since the Champions Trophy in 2013.

T20 World Cup 2024 – Full Winner’s List

– Player of the Final: Virat Kohli

– Player of the Tournament: Jasprit Bumrah

T20 World Cup – Most Runs

Afghanistan’s Rahmanullah Gurbaz led the run charts, followed by India’s Rohit Sharma.

T20 World Cup – Most Wickets

Afghanistan’s Fazalhaq Farooqi and India’s Arshdeep Singh were the joint-highest wicket-takers.

Prize Money

– India (Winners): USD 2.45 million (approx. Rs 19.95 crore)

– South Africa (Runners-up): USD 1.28 million (approx. Rs 10.64 crore)

Key Moments

– Virat Kohli anchored India’s innings with a crucial 76 runs.

– Suryakumar Yadav made a stunning catch in the final over to dismiss David Miller.

– Hardik Pandya bowled a stellar final over, defending 16 runs and giving away just eight, ensuring India’s victory.

Post-Victory Plans

After their win, the Indian team faces logistical challenges due to Hurricane Beryl. They are currently stuck in Barbados and may need to take a charter flight directly to Delhi. Upon their return, a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi is planned, though players Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Shivam Dube will be absent due to their commitment to the upcoming T20I series against Zimbabwe starting on July 6 in Harare.

Despite the weather-related delays, the team and their fans are celebrating a historic win, marking a significant moment in Indian cricket history.

Indian Team Stranded in Barbados Due to Hurricane Beryl: Report

July 1, 2024, 12:37 am

Following their triumphant T20 World Cup victory, the Rohit Sharma-led Team India finds themselves in a precarious situation in Barbados due to the impending Hurricane Beryl. The team is currently stranded at their Hotel Hilton in Barbados, as the hurricane threatens to hit the island with significant risks of flight cancellations.

The team was originally scheduled to depart Barbados on Monday at 11 AM local time (8:30 PM IST), heading to New York, followed by a connecting flight to Dubai and then back to India. However, the approaching hurricane, expected to make landfall around midnight on Sunday or early Monday morning, has forced the Barbadian authorities to take precautionary measures. Prime Minister Mia Mottley announced that Grantley Adams International Airport would close by nighttime on Sunday, preventing any flights from landing or taking off.

The team’s hotel, Hilton Barbados Resort, is located close to the coast and is likely to be impacted by the Category 3 hurricane. This could potentially leave the team stranded in Barbados for 36 to 48 hours if they are unable to board their scheduled flight.

According to a report by news agency PTI, the current plan is to arrange a charter flight directly from Barbados to Delhi. This would circumvent the need for the original route through New York and Dubai, ensuring the team’s safe return to India. Additionally, a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi is being considered once the team is back in the country.

The team and their management are closely monitoring the situation, and further updates will depend on the developments regarding Hurricane Beryl and the reopening of the airport.

Team India Players Might Meet PM Modi on Arrival from West Indies After World Cup Glory: Report

July 1, 2024, 12:21 am

Team India players are likely to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi upon their return to the country after their triumphant T20 World Cup campaign in the West Indies. According to sources, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) officials are planning a meet-up with PM Modi, with most of the players expected to attend, except for Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Shivam Dube. These three players are part of India’s squad for the upcoming T20I series against Zimbabwe, set to begin on July 6 in Harare.

Following India’s seven-run victory over South Africa in the T20 World Cup final, PM Modi spoke to head coach Rahul Dravid, captain Rohit Sharma, and veteran batter Virat Kohli to congratulate them on their win. This victory marks India’s first T20 World Cup title since 2007 and their first ICC trophy since the Champions Trophy in 2013 under MS Dhoni’s captaincy.

India’s final against South Africa saw them opting to bat first after winning the toss. Despite a shaky start at 35/3, Virat Kohli’s 76 and Axar Patel’s 47 helped stabilize the innings with a 72-run partnership, leading India to a total of 176/7. In response, South Africa’s Heinrich Klaasen (52), Quinton de Kock (39), and Tristan Stubbs (31) fought valiantly, but India’s fine death bowling by Hardik Pandya (3/20), Jasprit Bumrah (2/20), and Arshdeep Singh (2/18) secured the win.

A highlight of the final was Suryakumar Yadav’s spectacular catch to dismiss David Miller off Hardik Pandya’s bowling in the final over. This catch shifted the momentum in India’s favor, and Hardik Pandya successfully defended 16 runs, allowing just eight runs in the over to clinch the title for India.

“Champions!”: PM Modi Congratulates Indian Team for Winning the Coveted ICC T20 World Cup Trophy

June 30, 2024, 12:19 am

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the Indian men’s cricket team for their T20 World Cup victory against South Africa. “CHAMPIONS! Our team brings the T20 World Cup home in STYLE! We are proud of the Indian Cricket Team. This match was HISTORIC,” PM Modi said on the social media platform X, along with a video containing a congratulatory speech praising the Men in Blue for their seven-run win.

CHAMPIONS!

Our team brings the T20 World Cup home in STYLE!

We are proud of the Indian Cricket Team.

This match was HISTORIC. ?? ? ? pic.twitter.com/HhaKGwwEDt

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 29, 2024

In a thrilling final at the Kensington Oval in Barbados, India secured their second ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title.

Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, also praised Team India. “Congratulations to Team India on a spectacular World Cup Victory and a phenomenal performance throughout the tournament! Surya, what a brilliant catch! Rohit, this win is a testament to your leadership. Rahul, I know team India will miss your guidance. The spectacular Men in Blue have made our country proud,” the Congress leader said.

Congratulations to Team India on a spectacular World Cup Victory and a phenomenal performance throughout the tournament!

Surya, what a brilliant catch! Rohit, this win is a testament to your leadership. Rahul, I know team India will miss your guidance.

The spectacular Men in… pic.twitter.com/lkYlu33egb

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) June 29, 2024

T20 World Cup Final: India Wins Trophy After 17 Years, Beats South Africa by 7 Runs

June 29, 2024, 11:40 pm

India pulled off a stunning victory to end their 11-year ICC trophy drought, winning the T20 World Cup for the second time in their history. In a thrilling final against South Africa at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, India set a formidable total of 176/7, the highest ever team total in the history of the T20 World Cup final. Virat Kohli played a crucial innings, scoring 76, with support from Shivam Dube, who added 27 runs towards the end.

South Africa’s chase began disastrously as Jasprit Bumrah cleaned up Reeza Hendricks in the second over, followed by Arshdeep Singh dismissing Aiden Markram in the third, leaving them reeling with two quick wickets down. Earlier, India’s top order had struggled against Keshav Maharaj, who took the wickets of Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant, and Kagiso Rabada, who dismissed Suryakumar Yadav, leaving India at a precarious position inside the powerplay. Axar Patel provided stability with a well-played 47 before being run out by a brilliant throw from Quinton de Kock.

India’s bowlers held their nerve, securing a memorable win and the coveted T20 World Cup trophy, bringing joy to Indian cricket fans worldwide.

WATCH: Axar Patel’s Brain Fade Moment Leading to His Run Out, Rohit’s Reaction Tells It All

June 29, 2024, 10:32 pm

Axar Patel missed out on a half-century in the 2024 T20 World Cup Final against South Africa, getting run out on 47 due to a misjudgment. Axar, who was at the non-striker’s end, believed a run was possible when the ball deflected off Virat Kohli’s thigh pad towards the leg-side. However, he was slow to return to his crease, and a direct hit by South African wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock caught him short. This moment was notable, with India captain Rohit Sharma visibly unimpressed by the nature of Axar’s dismissal.

? WICKET ??
Rabada to Kohli, out Axar Run Out!! *Axar run out (de Kock) 47(31) [4s-1 6s-4] ? ? ?️ ?#INDvSA #T20WorldCup2024 pic.twitter.com/U6EYSjLAHA

— Sayyab Mirza (@SayyabMirza) June 29, 2024

Axar had been sent in to bat at a precarious 34/3 after early dismissals of Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, and Suryakumar Yadav. He played a crucial role in stabilizing India’s innings, scoring 47 off 31 balls with four sixes and one boundary, helping to relieve pressure from Virat Kohli. Axar’s departure left India at 106/4 after 13.3 overs, with Shivam Dube coming in to replace him.

Rohit Sharma's reaction on Axar Patel's dismissal #INDvSA | #INDvsSA | #INDvsSAFinal | #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/NU3UE8B814

— David (@GeekerzXAnime) June 29, 2024

Despite this setback, Kohli continued to anchor the innings, reaching his fifty in 48 balls by the 17th over and accelerating thereafter. India aims for their second T20 World Cup title, having first won in 2007, while South Africa, playing in their first T20 World Cup Final, seeks their inaugural title.

“Cricket Is a Game of Ups and Downs”: Markram on Kohli’s Form in ICC T20 WC 2024

June 29, 2024, 3:24 am

Ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 final against India at Kensington Oval, South Africa’s captain Aiden Markram addressed concerns over Virat Kohli’s recent struggles in the tournament. Markram acknowledged Kohli’s greatness but stressed that cricket involves fluctuations in form, stating, “I don’t think it worries me. He’s a great player, as we all know.” He highlighted the depth in India’s batting lineup beyond Kohli and emphasized his team’s focus on planning and preparation to counter India’s strengths.

Kohli, who had a stellar IPL 2024 with RCB, scoring 741 runs including a century and five half-centuries, has found the T20 World Cup challenging. In seven matches, he has managed only 75 runs at an average of 10.71, struggling to replicate his IPL form. Despite moments of promise, such as a powerful shot off Reece Topley, Kohli has faced difficulties, culminating in dismissals that have thwarted his efforts.

With both India and South Africa entering the final unbeaten, the stage is set for a compelling clash. Rohit Sharma’s India, boasting a formidable lineup including Kohli, faces Aiden Markram’s South Africa, known for their resilience and strategic play. The final promises to be a showdown of contrasting fortunes and tactical acumen, as both teams vie for the prestigious T20 World Cup title.

Unbeaten India Look to End on a Fairytale Ending, With South Africa Looking to Spoil the Party

June 29, 2024, 2:12 am

India and South Africa are set for a historic showdown at the Kensington Oval in the T20 World Cup final. This match marks the third ICC tournament final in a year for the duo of head coach Rahul Dravid and skipper Rohit Sharma, following heartbreaks in the ODI World Cup and the World Test Championship finals at the hands of Australia. This time, however, Australia will not be there to spoil the party. Instead, it will be Aiden Markram-led South Africa looking to challenge India’s dominance and ensure they do not leave with the trophy.

India has had an impressive run in the tournament, showcasing dominance against formidable opponents like Australia, Pakistan, and England. On the other hand, South Africa has had a more challenging path to the final, narrowly escaping defeat on several occasions. They faced tough competition from Bangladesh and Nepal in the group stage and almost exited the tournament in their final Super 8 game against co-hosts, the West Indies. However, they managed to break their semi-final jinx by defeating Afghanistan comprehensively in the semi-final at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad and Tobago.

Throughout the tournament, spinners have played a crucial role in the Caribbean conditions, but the Kensington Oval has been more favorable to pacers. Fast bowlers have taken 59 wickets at an average of 20.22 and an economy rate of 7.88 on this pitch, suggesting that pace might play a significant role in the final.

The threat of rain looms over the final, but a reserve day is in place to ensure the match reaches its conclusion. Regardless of which team wins, history will be made, as the T20 World Cup has never seen an undefeated champion. Both India and South Africa have the chance to create history by becoming the first team to go unbeaten throughout the tournament.

As the two unbeaten teams prepare for this ultimate clash, cricket fans around the world eagerly anticipate a thrilling and memorable finale to the T20 World Cup.

T20 World Cup 2024: Virat Kohli to Score a Century in the Final? Ex England Star Predicts This…

June 28, 2024, 10:24 pm

Former England spinner Monty Panesar has backed the Indian team to end their ICC World Cup trophy drought and win the coveted T20 World Cup title. Panesar also made a bold prediction regarding Virat Kohli’s performance, stating that Kohli will score a century against South Africa in the final. “India will win the T20 World Cup final, and Virat Kohli will score 100,” Panesar told ANI.

Despite enjoying an impressive run with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL 2024, where he secured the Orange Cap by amassing 741 runs at an average of 61.75 and a strike rate of 154.69, Kohli has struggled for form in the ongoing T20 World Cup. Opening alongside skipper Rohit Sharma, Kohli has managed just 75 runs at an average of 10.71 in seven matches.

Kohli momentarily showed signs of returning to form with a powerful six over mid-wicket off Reece Topley, but was soon dismissed by the English pacer. Despite his recent struggles, both Panesar and Rohit Sharma have expressed confidence in Kohli’s ability to shine in the final.

Rohit Sharma, speaking after India’s 68-run win over England in the semi-final, emphasized Kohli’s quality and importance in big games. “He (Kohli) is a quality player. Any player can go through that. We do understand his class, and we do understand his importance in all these big games. Form is never a problem. When you’ve played cricket for 15 years, form is never a problem. He’s looking good, the intent is there, and he’s probably saving for the final. Absolutely (backing Kohli for the final),” said Rohit.

As India prepares to face South Africa in the final, fans and experts alike are eager to see if Kohli can deliver a match-winning performance and help India lift the T20 World Cup trophy.

PKL Final 2023-2024: Puneri Paltan crowned champions as Haryana couldn’t bring their best game on the night of the Final

March 1, 2024, 9:39 pm

The much-anticipated final of the Pro Kabaddi League 2023-2024 ended with Puneri Paltan lifting the cup against a very strong Haryana Stealers. The match ended in the favour of Puneri Paltan who won 28-23 against the Haryana Stealers.

Puneri Paltan got off the mark, courtesy of a good tackle by Sanket Sawant. Following this, Puneri’s Mohit Goyat collected another point on the do-or-die raid. Puneri seemed to be taking the upper hand before Haryana showed some good defence and made it 3-2.

Haryana showed some fight but only managed the score of 13-7 in favour of Puneri. But it wasn’t long before they came back strong and secured a super raid to make it 13-10. The tussle continued but Puneri led the charge and got the score to 25-19.

With just a minute to go, the game was going Puneri’s way as they stretched their lead and made it 28-21 and a super effort was needed from Haryana to stop the inevitable. A rare mistake from the Puneri, followed by some good recovery meant the Puneri took the match 28-25 and were fittingly crowned as champions.

The end-of-season awards showed Ashu Malik (Dabang Delhi) as the best raider and Mohammadreza Chiyaneh Shadloui (Puneri Paltan) as the best defender.

Wimbledon 2023: Novak Djokovic to face Carlos Alcaraz in men’s final

July 16, 2023, 4:24 pm

The grand finale of Wimbledon 2023 will be held at Centre Court on Sunday between two in form players. World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz is set to take on World No. 2 Novak Djokovic.

Whoever wins the final, it is clear that history and records will be created. If Novak Djokovic lifts the title, he will equal the record of Roger Federer’s eight titles in London, and this would be his 24 Majors.

Currently, the Serbian star has 23 big titles in his kitty, including seven Wimbledon, 10 Australian Open, 3 French Open, and 3 US Open titles. Djokovic has been bossing the Centre Court at Wimbledon since 2015. It will be a tough ask for the Spanish tennis sensation.

The 20-year-old has been playing superb tennis in recent years; before the start of Wimbledon, Alcaraz emerged victorious in the Queen’s Club Championship, which was his first title on grass.

Alcaraz has already bagged 11 ATP Tour-level titles. He has already lifted the 2022 US Open and four Masters 1000 titles. Beating Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon final would not be easy for the Spaniard. He needs to punch above his weight to surpass Grand Slam specialist Novak Djokovic.

In the 2023 French Open semi final Novak Djokovic easily defeated Carlos Alcaraz, moved into the final, and defeated Casper Ruud in the final.

An entertaining match is on the cards. Both players are gearing up to produce tremendous tennis in the final. Novak Djokovic is a favourite, but uncertainty always looms in sports. The crowd will get a chance to watch some fine tennis in the final.

MS Dhoni set to play 250th IPL match of his career

May 28, 2023, 5:58 pm

On Sunday, the last league final match of the TATA IPL 2023 is set to play between Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Titans in Ahemdabad. CSK’s lead captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, is set to play his 250th IPL match.

The D-day approaches, as the CSK will be playing against the Gujarat Titans in the finale of the Indian Premier League 2023. The match will take place at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday. To make this occasion even more memorable, “Captain Cool’ will be making his 250th IPL appearance, his 11th final as a player, and his 10th as a skipper.

No other player has played 250 IPL matches, and Dhoni is the first player to do so. Dhoni has made the most appearances in IPL finals as a player and as a captain.

In the IPL, Mahendra Singh Dhoni has played for the Chennai Super Kings and Rising Pune Supergiant. In 249 IPL matches so far, Dhoni has scored 5,082 runs at an average of 39.09 and a strike rate of 135.96 in 217 innings. His best score is 84, and he has scored 24 half-centuries. He is the seventh-highest run scorer in the league’s history.

Chennai Supers Kings Through to the Finals After Defeating Gujarat

May 24, 2023, 3:42 am

Chennai Super Kings have qualified for the IPL 2023 finals. They have done it again. Dhoni & Co have a knack for making superb comebacks following every flop season. In 2020, they were at the bottom of the table and then in 2021, they won the title for the 4th time. 2022 was underwhelming and they bounced back stronger in 2023 and are now through to the finals once again.
Batting first on their home ground, Chennai Super Kings got off to a strong start, thanks to their opening batsmen who provided an early advantage against Gujarat. Ruturaj Gaikwad played a crucial role in CSK’s aggressive batting display by smashing yet another half-century. He faced 44 deliveries and scored 60 runs before becoming the first CSK batsman to be dismissed. Gaikwad’s innings had a strike rate of 136.36 and included seven boundaries and one six. Devon Conway also contributed with 40 runs off 34 balls.
Gujarat Titans’ bowlers made some breakthroughs with Mohammed Shami and Mohit Sharma taking two wickets each, while Darshan Nalkande, Rashid Khan, and Noor Ahmed claimed one wicket each. Their efforts aimed to restrict CSK’s scoring and create opportunities for a comeback.
Chennai Super Kings faced off against Gujarat Titans, and midway through the second innings, the MS Dhoni-led team took control of the game. The CSK bowlers displayed disciplined bowling, restricting the Gujarat Titans batters. In the 14th over, Deepak Chahar even considered mankading Vijay Shankar as a strategic move to put more pressure on the Gujarat Titans. However, Chahar decided against it, withdrawing with a smile, to maintain the competitive spirit of the game.
In the same over, Deepak Chahar had already made a significant impact by taking a wicket. He dismissed the dangerous batsman Shubman Gill, who was caught by Devon Conway at deep square leg. Gill had been the only shining light in Gujarat’s struggling batting lineup, scoring 42 runs before his departure. It was a crucial breakthrough for Chennai Super Kings.
Earlier in his spell, Chahar had also struck in the second over to dismiss Wriddhiman Saha, providing an early setback to the Gujarat Titans’ innings. Chahar’s contributions with the ball were instrumental in CSK’s dominant position in the match. Chennai Super Kings’ bowlers, led by Deepak Chahar, Maheesh Theekshana, and Ravindra Jadeja, put up a stellar performance to dismantle Gujarat’s chase. The Gujarat batting lineup kept losing wickets at regular intervals, eventually surrendering the match to Chennai.
Chahar was particularly impressive, finishing his four-over quota with figures of 4/29. Theekshana and Jadeja also made significant contributions, each claiming two wickets.
Theekshana conceded 28 runs in his four overs, while Jadeja was even more economical, giving away only 18 runs. Their combined efforts played a crucial role in restricting Gujarat and securing a commanding position for Chennai Super Kings.
Vijay Shankar, initially left out of the starting playing XI, was brought back in the second innings as Gujarat’s Impact Player. Shankar had made a significant impact in the previous match against Royal Challengers Bangalore, where he played a crucial role alongside Shubman Gill in guiding Gujarat to a resounding victory.

BCCI unveils squad for WTC 2023 final; Rahane returns

April 25, 2023, 2:56 pm

The BCCI made an announcement of the Indian side for the upcoming World Test Championship Final against Australia on Tuesday, which is scheduled to start on 7 June at The Oval, London. Indian middle order batter Ajinkya Rahane made a comeback in the squad after a long absence.

Not to mention Rahane, several other players have been surprisingly included in the side, like KS Bharat and Jaydev Unadkar.

The international career of Rahane was considered dead in all formats of the game, but the Mumbai batter came back strongly in the ongoing 2023 IPL. He changed his gear and has been scoring runs at a brisk pace for CSK. Currently, he has been scoring at a rate of 199.04, which is unusual for a player of the nature Rahane.

MS Dhoni, once his captain for Team India, showed faith in Rahane, saying that his old warhorse still has a lot of cricket left.

Bharat has been included in the team due to the absence of Rishabh Pant, who continues to recover after suffering a life-threatening injury in a car accident.

Australia has already unveiled the names of its squad for the WTC final.

Pat Cummins will lead the side after leaving the tour of India for personal reasons. Steve Smith took over the captaincy of the team in the absence of Cummins.

The inclusion of opener David Warner has surprised cricket pundits because his recent form has been patchy, but despite this, he is part of the team in the WTC final.

India’s Test squad WTC final: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, K L Rahul, KS Bharat (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat.

India confirms its place in WTC final after New Zealand’s dramatic victory

March 13, 2023, 2:22 pm

India become the first team to reach the final for the second time in a row of the World Test Championship, following New Zealand’s thrilling victory over Sri Lanka in Christchurch on Sunday.

India will take on Australia in the final for the title clash, which will be held at the Oval in London starting on 7 June. In the previous cycle, India went down to New Zealand in the WTC final.

Sri Lanka had a ray of hope to reach the final, but they needed to beat the Kiwis in both the Tests, and India has to draw or lose the ongoing Ahmedabad Test against Australia. The Test is heading towards a drab draw.

Kane Williamson’s heroic knock of 121 in a nervous situation short-circuited the Sri Lankans’ remaining hope to reach the final.

India’s journey for the second cycle of the WTC got underway with the 2021 Test series in England under the captaincy of Virat Kohli. India emerged victorious 2-1 in four Tests. The fifth Test could not be held due to the spread of Covid-19. But India lost the fifth Test played in 2022, and the series ended in a 2-2 draw.

After that, India overpowered New Zealand by 1-0 in the two match series. The first Test played in Kanpur ended in a draw, but Team India came back strongly and outplayed the Back Caps in the Mumbai Test.

India surpassed visiting Australia in the first two Tests of the ongoing four-match Border Gavaskar Trophy. Australia won the third and last Test is set to end in a draw.

India has a chance to lift the ICC trophy, which has eluded them since 2013. But beating Australia in English conditions is not a cakewalk for any team.

India’s WTC final berth hangs in balance after losing Indore Test

March 3, 2023, 3:01 pm

Australia cemented its place in the final of this year’s ICC World Test Championship after a remarkable nine-wicket victory against India in the third Test at Indore. But the place for the other finalist is wide open.

Australia has performed amazingly under the captaincy of Pat Cummins. The side emerged victorious in 11 out of the 18 Tests they featured in. The latest victory against India assured the team’s place in the WTC final. In fact, Steve Smith was captaining the side in the third Test in the absence of Cummins.

Veteran spinner Nathan Lyon grabbed 11 wickets at Indore and never allowed the Indian batters to settle down on the turning track.

On the third day of the third Test, the visitors easily crossed the finish line with the loss of Usman Khawaja, who returned to the pavilion without disturbing the scorecard. Travis Head (49*) and Marnus Labuschagne (28*) negotiated the Indian bowlers without any hue and cry and crossed the paltry total with ease.

The victory means Australia will remain on top in the WTC standings with 68.52 points; the last Test result in the ongoing series against India won’t change the arithmetic for the visitors. However, India has been occupying the second spot with 60.29 points and is looking to win the decider of the series to be played in Ahmedabad and ensure a berth in the final. The final of WTC is scheduled to be played at the Oval in England in June.

If India fails to register a victory or draw in the fourth Test, it will open the door for Sri Lanka or South Africa to be the other finalist. In fact, Sri Lanka has to play some remarkable cricket to beat New Zealand on their home turf by 2-0, and then the islanders can qualify for the final.

South Africa is also in the race to reach the final; if they beat the West Indies in the second Test and Sri Lanka goes down to New Zealand, then the Proteas will qualify for the final.

France or Argentina, who will grab the trophy ?

December 18, 2022, 2:22 pm

France and Argentina will face off in the FIFA World Cup final, making it the largest football game to take place at the Lusail Stadium in Doha, Qatar, in the past four years. France and Argentina will square off in their second straight FIFA World Cup final. Kylian Mbappe will play for France. Last time, the opposition to Les Blues was Luka Modric’s Croatia; this time, it is Messi and his teammates, who have won the Ballon d’Or seven times.

In Messi and company’s opening game of the Qatar tournament, Saudi Arabia ended Argentina’s 36-game unbeaten record. However, they made a stunning comeback and are now just one victory away from winning the World Championship. Argentina must defeat the defending champions, who are aiming for a historically high number of consecutive World Cup victories for their nation, in order to claim the title. Notably, France has participated in more FIFA World Cup finals than any other country over the past 24 years.

This will be Argentina’s fifth game at the Lusail Stadium in this tournament (out of a total of seven games). The Albicelestes’ opening match against Saudi Arabia was lost at the same location. Additionally, Lionel Scaloni’s guys have continued to win there ever since. With the exception of the World Cup, which is the biggest of them all, Messi has accomplished nearly every item on his football bucket list.

In this competition, Les Bleus will play in the Lusail Stadium for the first time, and they’ll want to make a lasting impression. Thanks to their 2-0 victory over Morocco, they will be the first defending champions in 24 years to play in a World Cup final. The best thing for France is that its two main players, Kylian Mbappe and Olivier Giroud, have both been in excellent form and have a chance to win the Ballon d’Or by scoring in the championship game.