T20 World Cup 2024 : India’s Iconic Dairy Brand To Sponsor South Africa and USA for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024
In a recent announcement, Amul revealed that it will be the lead arm sponsor for South Africa and USA at the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. Amul, an iconic and trusted Indian dairy product brand will feature on the sleeves of the given teams during the tournament starting from 1st of June 2024. Amul has supported cricket teams before, like the Netherlands, South Africa, New Zealand and Afghanistan. Moreover, Amul has established itself as a well known dairy brand in the USA as well. Earlier Amul was associated with the South African cricket team during the 2019 ODI series and the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. This partnership with Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), which markets milk and milk products under the Amul brand, shows a big move to spread and promote cricket all over the country, said the company. Amul started supporting international cricket in 2011 with the Netherlands cricket team and has since supported many teams in different ICC events, showing their commitment to the sport. “The goodness of Amul Milk will empower the USA Cricket team to win hearts and laurels from across the world. We wish our best to the team for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024,” Jayen Mehta, Managing Director of Amul, said in a statement. “Amul has been associated with the South Africa team in the 2019 ODI series and 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup. We are proud to further strengthen our association with the South Africa men’s cricket team and wish them all the best for the T20 World Cup,” said Mehta on the association with the Proteas. (South Africa) Venu Pisike, chairman of USA Cricket, said, “We are pleased to have Amul on board as the lead arm sponsor for the upcoming and eagerly awaited ICC Cricket T20 World Cup 2024. Amul’s extensive track record of sponsoring cricket teams underscores its commitment to nurturing talent, encouraging sportsmanship, and uniting communities globally. Collaborating with esteemed brands like Amul inspires us to strive for excellence both on and off the field.” Just like Amul, a couple of other Indian brands such as Reliance, MRF Tyers, Mahindra Rise have been associated with some of the major international cricketing teams during most of the major ICC events. Investments in major ICC events help brands gain more visibility and credibility in the market. The USA will take on their neighbors, Canada, in their first game of the tournament on 2nd of June 2024. On the other hand the Proteas will kickstart their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 campaign against Sri Lanka on the 3rd of June, 2024. The Sportz Planet,Atharva Shetye.
IPL 2024 : Ruturaj Gaikwad’s ‘Mental’ Battle With The Coin Toss in IPL 2024
For CSK and Ruturaj Gaikwad, the coin toss has been the biggest horror story this season. The CSK skipper, for the umpteenth time, lost the toss against the Punjab Kings at Chepauk. Ruturaj has now lost 9 out of 10 tosses so far in the IPL 2024. Announcing Gaikwad as M.S. Dhoni’s successor at CSK has worked effectively so far; however, in terms of winning tosses, it hasn’t worked for the franchise or the captain as the luck hasn’t been in their favor. After his poor toss record in IPL 2024, Ruturaj revealed that losing tosses is putting him under pressure. The CSK skipper also admitted that he has been practicing flipping the coin during the team practice sessions. “I’ve practiced the tosses (during the practice sessions); it’s not going well in the match; I’m not sure what to do. To be truthful, I’m under pressure when I go to the middle (for the toss),” Ruturaj Gaikwad had said. The importance of tossing in cricket keeps on increasing as the format gets shorter. In T20s, where the game changes within a blink of an eye, it’s very crucial for the teams to be at least 5 steps ahead of the opposition. And by start, we mean right from the toss. Winning tosses in T20 cricket holds significant importance as it can directly influence the outcome of the match. The winner of the toss, as it has been seen in the IPL 2024 so far, gains the advantage of choosing whether to bat or bowl first, a decision that can be pivotal in shaping the game’s dynamics. In T20 cricket, where matches are fast-paced and every ball counts, setting a target or chasing one down can greatly affect the team’s strategy. Opting to bat first allows a team to set a competitive total, putting pressure on the opposition to match or surpass it. Conversely, choosing to bowl first provides the opportunity to exploit early pitch conditions and restrict the opponent’s scoring, placing them on the back foot from the start. Moreover, the dew factor in evening matches can make bowling second more challenging, further emphasizing the significance of winning the toss. Hence, winning the toss in T20 cricket offers teams the chance to dictate the course of the game, making it a crucial aspect of their overall strategy. Is Ruturaj Gaikwad disturbed by the coin-toss results?Losing tosses seems to have affected Ruturaj Gaikwad mentally. Losing the toss and being forced into a less favorable position from the outset seems to have created a psychological challenge for him. Captains might feel pressured to adapt their strategies quickly to compensate for the disadvantage, which could affect their decision-making under pressure during the game. Additionally, if the toss-winning team goes on to win the match convincingly, the captain who lost the toss might face scrutiny or criticism for not capitalizing on the opportunity to gain an early advantage. However, seasoned captains often emphasize the need to stay focused and resilient regardless of the toss outcome, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and mental strength in high-pressure situations. Never had we imagined that a toss could affect a captain this badly. Gaikwad has been brilliant this season with his leadership and also with the bat. Currently, he sits at the top of the highest run-getters charts with the orange cap on his head, scoring 509 runs in the 10 games he has played so far. However, the question remains: whether luck will favor Ruturaj Gaikwad and CSK while winning tosses in the next 4 games they play, or will he be left with no choice when it comes to electing to bat or field? The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye.
As Rohit turns 37, how does the Hitman keep himself fit and healthy?
Birthday boy Rohit Sharma turns 37. Even at this age, the hitman still has that extra-second advantage to put the bowlers under immense pressure and also score heavily against them. One of the major reasons behind this is his adaptability, which comes from the fitness he possesses. While some people might disagree about Rohit’s fitness, he happens to be one of those rare players who represents India across three formats. Rohit Sharma sticks to a tough fitness plan to stay in top shape and perform his best on the field. His routine involves different exercises to keep him fit and energetic during matches. He does cardio workouts such as running and cycling, along with bodyweight training, to build muscles and maintain good health. Let’s explore the five exercises that the Indian captain enjoys doing. Strength TrainingRohit’s strong commitment to strength training keeps him incredibly fit and powerful. He concentrates on important exercises like pull-ups, deadlifts, squats, and bench presses to increase muscle mass. He opts for fewer repetitions with heavier weights to enhance muscle growth and overall strength. This gives him the advantage of hitting big sixes and clearing the fences with ease. Diverse WorkoutRohit Sharma keeps his fitness routine exciting by mixing things up with various activities each week. He enjoys running and cycling, which add spice to his workouts. This variety not only keeps him fit and enthusiastic but also ensures that his body encounters different challenges regularly. Cardiovascular Exercise for StaminaEndurance is crucial for athletes, including Rohit Sharma. Rohit spends 30 minutes on activities like swimming, cycling, and running to improve his endurance. Even though he appears bulky, he still presents tough competition to other cricketers. Recently, the BCCI revealed that Rohit Sharma achieved the highest score in the Yoyo test among all players. Exploring different sports for recreationThe Hitman keeps his body fit by including various sports in his fitness routine. Sports like badminton, tennis, football, and badminton help him enhance coordination and agility. Playing multiple sports allows him to enjoy his fitness journey and keeps him active, contributing to his overall well-being. We can surely figure out that Rohit is not just a cricketer but rather a complete athlete. Weight LiftingHaving strong shoulders and cores is vital for batting, while good stamina is key to top performance. To build these qualities, Rohit Sharma includes weightlifting exercises like chest flies, shoulder presses, and barbell squats in his routine. These exercises help him develop the necessary strength and endurance for his cricketing skills. In cricket, fitness involves a combination of physical strength, endurance, agility, and flexibility. Players need strength to generate powerful shots, endurance to sustain performance throughout long matches, agility to swiftly run between the wickets and fielding positions, and flexibility for efficient bowling and batting actions. Fitness also includes mental sharpness, quick decision-making, and resilience to handle the demands of the game. Good fitness helps players perform at their best, reduce the risk of injuries, and maintain consistency in their performance on the field. Rohit Sharma undoubtedly ticks all the boxes with his fitness regime. For those who might take a jibe at Rohit Sharma’s fitness levels, it’s worth reconsidering when you look at his achievements on the field. Though records are no benchmark to judge how great a player is, they certainly speak volumes about the special abilities of an athlete. In Hitman’s case, he is indeed special. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye.
T20 World Cup 2024: 3 Key Takeaways from Team India’s Squad
After immense speculation and deliberation, the selection committee led by Ajit Agarkar finally revealed the Men’s national squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the US. Rohit Sharma will lead the team, with Hardik Pandya serving as his deputy. Veteran batter Virat Kohli has made it to the squad, despite the talks around a dip in his strike rate, beyond the powerplay in T20s. The team also comprises two wicket-keepers Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson in the squad, with Jasprit Bumrah as the leader of the attack. Here’s the complete squad: Team India’s 2024 T20 World Cup Squad: Rohit Sharma(C), Hardik Pandya(VC), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant(WK), Sanju Samson(WK), Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Md. Siraj Reserves – Shubman Gill, Rinku Singh, Khaleel Ahmed, Avesh Khan The social media was abuzz after the men’s squad was announced, with several fans questioning Rinku Singh’s omission from the main squad. Some also questioned, Team India’s bowling depth with Arshdeep Singh and Md. Siraj getting the nod over the likes of in-form Harshit Rana, Avesh Khan, and others. 3 Major Takeaways from Team India’s Squad Announcement: a) The return of the King – Virat Kohli Given the stature of the man, Virat Kohli should walk into any team, but this time things were different. Although he is the holder of the Orange Cap at the moment (till April 29, 2024), there was a lot of noise in and around the strike rate with which Kohli was batting in the IPL. He has 500 runs from 10 matches, with a strike rate of close to 148, yet fans were not convinced of having Kohli in the World T20, especially with batters who score at close to 170 or 180 strike rates. However, the selectors might have thought of the big-match temperament and the experience that he carries and drafted the great man into the squad. At 35, this could be Virat Kohli’s last shot at the T20 World Cup silverware. b) Rishabh Pant & Sanju Samon – The men behind the stumps: For multiple reasons, Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson’s selection deserves to be celebrated. After what happened in December 2022, Pant’s return to competitive cricket in IPL 2024 has been remarkable, to say the least. In Sanju Samson’s case, he left the selectors with no option but to pick him after his consistent and match-winning performances for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2024. With 385 runs from nine matches, Samson is the leading run scorer among all Indian wicketkeeper batters in the IPL 2024. His unbeaten 77 off 33 balls to guide the Rajasthan Royals home against the Lucknow Super Giants in a chase of 197 is probably the best of the lot. c) Kul-Cha & Dube make their mark The T20 World Cup squad also witnessed the return of wrist spinners – Kuldeep Yadav and Yuzvendra Chahal into the national team. Chahal last played for India in August 2023, and has been the pick of the bowlers in IPL 2024 with 13 wickets from 9 matches. He is the only spinner in the race for the purple cap this season. For Shivam Dube, the big man has been in tremendous form this season. He has played the role of a finisher for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL. The southpaw has smashed 350 runs from 9 matches, at a whopping strike rate of 172.41. However, the tall fellow is yet to prove his credentials at the international level. Team India will commence their T20 World Cup campaign against Ireland on June 05th in New York, followed by the big one against Pakistan at the same venue on June 09th. India’s last two fixtures are scheduled against the hosts USA and Canada on June 12th and June 15th.
T20 WC 2024 : The 3 P’s Behind Sanju Samson’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 Selection
The BCCI selectors on Tuesday (April 30th, 2024) announced Team India’s 15-member squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. The tournament will be held in the USA and the West Indies and will commence on the 01st of June 2024. Rohit Sharma will lead the team, with all-rounder Hardik Pandya as his deputy. However, all eyes are on Kerala wicketkeeper Sanju Samson, who is also leading the Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2024. Even before the team was announced, Sanju Samson’s name was trending on social media platforms. From former cricket players to pundits to journalists, everyone was speculating whether the Royals skipper would be on that plane to the Caribbean or not. It seems that the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee finally decided to reward Samson with a well-deserved spot in the Indian T20 squad. Maybe his stellar form in the ongoing IPL 2024 has played a significant role in his selection. Samson, Rajasthan’s leading run-getter in the IPL 2024The Rajasthan Royals are sitting pretty at the top of the table in IPL 2024, with eight wins from nine matches. Samson, the skipper, has led the team well and is also their leading run-getter this season. Till the game against the Lucknow Super Giants in Lucknow (played on April 27), Samson has smashed 385 runs from nine matches at a strike rate of 161.08 with the help of four half-centuries. It’s not just the runs that Samson has scored in the IPL that caught the attention of the selectors. It is the way he has scored those runs, in a winning cause, under extreme pressure cooker situations that has made the difference. He has made batting at the number 3 spot look easy and scored runs against top-quality bowlers that literally forced the selectors to not overlook him this time around. Samson made his debut in 2015.Sanju Samson is not a youngster anymore. He is a 29-year-old experienced batter who made his debut for India way back in 2015 under MS Dhoni’s leadership. Not the tallest of guys on the cricket field, Samson packs a punch and relies more on hand-eye coordination, timing, and finding the gaps on the field. Over the past nine seasons, Sanju Samson has been the biggest mystery in Indian cricket. Not that he wasn’t scoring runs, but his selection into the team and later forcing him to warm the benches irked his fans considerably. If selected, he wasn’t included in the playing XI, despite some big names failing considerably and consistently over the last couple of seasons, which sometimes made Sanju Samson’s fans wonder: what more can he do to make it into the playing XI? This time around, Samson isn’t just knocking on the selector’s doors; he left no stone unturned to ensure he was there on the flight to the West Indies. In July 2015, Samson played his first T20I against Zimbabwe in Harare. The smiles didn’t last long, as he had to wait four and a half years to don the Indian Blues again. Overall, the right-handed batter has scored 374 runs in 25 T20I matches at an average of 18.7 and a strike rate of 133.1. Samson has played 16 ODIs and 25 T20Is for India so far. Inconsistency was one area where Sanju Samson lacked, but not any more. Was it just the performances that kept Samson’s hopes alive? Definitely not. Here are the 3 P’s that kept his hopes alive. Patience: Nine years after Samson made his international debut, he could never seal a spot in the playing XI. What did the man do? He never gave up on his dreams of playing for the country. Every time Samson was dropped, he went into the domestic circuit and the IPL and scored a plethora of runs. Persistence: Over the years, Samson has stayed true to his goals. Every time he was ignored, he went back to the drawing board, figured out the loopholes in his technique, and came back stronger with some scintillating domestic and IPL performances. Performance: Samson has been the mainstay for the Rajasthan Royals for a couple of years now. With 385 runs from nine matches, Samson is the leading run scorer among all Indian wicketkeeper batters in the IPL 2024. His unbeaten 77 off 33 balls to guide the Rajasthan Royals home against the Lucknow Super Giants in a chase of 197 is probably the best of the lot. While speaking about domestic T20 performances, Samson’s 122 off just 56 deliveries for Kerala still remains one of the greatest displays in the Indian domestic setup. With the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup coming up, all the participating 20 teams will be eyeing the coveted prize come June 29th. For India to lift the trophy after a gap of 17 long years, they need an X-factor. Believe it or not, just like Yuvraj Singh in 2007, Samson has all the qualities to be India’s X-factor in the Caribbean. Sanju Samson’s story epitomizes the virtue of patience. His perseverance has proven that talent, coupled with resilience, ultimately earns its deserved place in the limelight. India’s squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Hardik Pandya (Vice Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (WK), Sanju Samson (WK), Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohd. Siraj. Traveling Reserves : Shubhman Gill, Rinku Singh, Khalel Ahmed, Avesh Khan. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye.
Happy Birthday Rohit Sharma – Know team India Captain’s Business Investments, Net Worth and More
Our very own Captain, Hitman, Mumbai Cha Raja Rohit Sharma is now 37. They say, Age is just a number, and in the Hitman’s case, numbers have been an integral part of his life – the standout one being 264. We are sure, the fans understood what we are referring to here. Rohit Sharma, initially an enigma, who later turned into an emotion for cricket fans in India and around the world. Be it with the bat, or his catchy stump-mic one liners, Rohit has shown he can ace it all, with a smile on his face. On his 37th birthday, the cricketing fraternity came together to wish Rohit Sharma. Here are some reactions: BCCI tweet https://twitter.com/BCCI/status/1785147300983033857?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1785147300983033857%7Ctwgr%5Ec3c19d92f440b6911bfb458d0409a69464c31c14%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.india.com%2Fsports%2Fhappy-birthday-rohit-sharma-wishes-pour-in-for-indian-captain-amid-t20-world-cup-squad-announcement-buzz-6894197%2F Rohit Sharma’s Business Investments, Properties & moreRohit Sharma started his entrepreneurial journey in 2015 when he put money into Rapidobotics, a company that makes robots to help with tasks. Then in 2021, he invested in Veiroots Wellness Solutions, a healthcare company, to spread out his investments. According to a leading journalistic news portal, the 37-year-old cricketer has invested a whopping Rs 89 crore into startup companies. CricKingdomRohit Sharma has opened his own cricket school called CricKingdom in Mumbai. It has grown and now operates in several countries around the world like Singapore, Japan, the USA, and Bangladesh. Brand EndorsementsRohit boasts a diverse portfolio featuring 24 renowned brands. Adidas, Hublot, Oakley, Ceat, Nissan, Oppo, La Liga, Dream11 are some of the well-known brands the Hitman promotes. As per sources, Rohit Sharma charges around INR. 5 crore to endorse a brand. BCCI Annual ContractUnder the Grade A+ contract with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Rohit Sharma makes Rs 7 crore every year. Alongside him are the likes of Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja. Mumbai Indians (IPL)In the IPL 2011 auction, Mumbai Indians bought Rohit Sharma from Deccan Chargers for INR. 9.2 crores. Since then, the 37-year-old has achieved many great things with the Mumbai Indians. Rohit led Mumbai Indians to five IPL titles in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020. In the IPL 2024, Mumbai Indians kept Rohit Sharma on their team for INR. 16 crores. During his remarkable 17-year career in the IPL, Rohit Sharma has accumulated an impressive total earnings of almost Rs 1,946,000,000, as reported by Sportskeeda. PropertiesShifting focus to his personal life, Rohit Sharma lives in a luxurious 6000 sq. ft. apartment at Worli in Mumbai with his wife Ritika Sajdeh and daughter Samaira Sharma. The lavish home, which cost a whopping Rs 30 crores, provides stunning views of the Arabian Sea and the Mumbai skyline. Car CollectionRohit Sharma’s love for cars is evident in his collection, which features impressive vehicles like the Skoda Laura, Toyota Fortuner, BMW X3, Mercedes GLS 400d, and a special BMW M5 (Formula One Edition). Adding to his collection, in March 2022, he acquired a Lamborghini Urus worth Rs 3.15 crore. Rohit Sharma has a significant net worth estimated at about Rs 214 crore as of March 25, 2024, as reported by Sportskeeda. Apart from cricket, Rohit indeed has made a name in investments and planning. His investments clearly indicate the far-sightedness both on and off the field. Well someone has well and truly said, “One sun, one moon and one Rohit Sharma.” Happiest birthday to one of the greatest ever to grace the game. The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye. NOTE – The facts and figures presented in the above article are researched and identified by The Sportz Planet team via Google and other verified online platforms. However we do not claim the above mentioned information to be true. The numbers are as of March 25, 2024 and are subject to change.
Paris 2024 : IOC’s Innovations for Paris Olympics 2024: Equal Representation, AI, and Enhanced Fan Experience
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) keeps up with changes and innovations. They’re making sure there’s equal representation of men and women in the Paris 2024 Olympics. They’re also introducing Electronic Sports Games. Recently, they’re diving into Artificial Intelligence (AI) with the Olympic Agenda for AI. The AI program aims to enhance athletes’ performance and fans’ experience. For instance, during competitions, AI helps create quick highlights. This will be handy for broadcasters during Paris 2024. They can customize these highlights based on sports, countries, or competition instances. At the Winter Youth Games, they tested AI-operated robotic cameras. The Paris 2024 app, available on mobile devices, will feature cool tech like augmented reality. It lets users see how places looked in 1924. There’s also a map feature showing sports results and cultural events. Improving the spectator experience is a big goal. They’re adding 360-degree replays and detailed athlete performance analysis. But they’re not replacing humans with tech; they’re supporting them. The other goals include finding talent better, improving training, refining arbitration, and promoting safe sports environments. Paris 2024 is expected to attract billions of viewers worldwide. While TV remains popular, the IOC is adapting to new audiences online. They use many social media platforms to reach different regions. During Paris 2024, they expect around 12 trillion interactions online. They plan to post about 50,000 times and broadcast 11,000 live hours of content. It’s a big effort to engage viewers and fans worldwide. Paris 2024 will be the first Olympics with spectators since Rio 2016. They’re cautious about sharing content online to respect rights holders. However, they know people will still share moments on social media, like the opening ceremony. They’re also keen on interaction. The “Social Media Wall” will feature posts from athletes and people sharing their experiences in Paris. It’s all about bringing the Olympics closer to everyone, whether they’re in the stadium or watching from afar. The Sportz Planet Desk.Atharva Shetye.
Sports Audience in India, beyond cricket
In India, sports entertainment is a booming industry, with an estimated revenue of INR 1,25,000 crore. A recent study conducted by Ormax Media, the first of its kind, sheds light on the immense popularity of sports among Indians. According to the study, an astonishing 678 million people, or 67.8 crore, in India watch sports annually. To put this in perspective, India’s television audience is close to 900 million (90 crore), and the total online streaming audience ranges from 480 to 500 million (48-50 crore). Unsurprisingly, cricket reigns supreme as the most-watched sport in India with 90% of the sports audience being addicted to the game, followed by football with 45% of the audience viewership and kabaddi with 41% of the audience watching the sport. What’s intriguing is the significant viewership for boxing and car racing, each attracting nearly 100 million viewers. This presents an opportunity for advertisers to tap into these audiences more effectively. The study also reveals the top eight favorite sports stars in India, listed in descending order: Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, Rohit Sharma, Cristiano Ronaldo, Sachin Tendulkar, Lionel Messi, Neeraj Chopra, and Sunil Chhetri. It’s worth noting that despite cricket’s dominance, other sports personalities also command significant fan followings. It’s essential to understand that the term ‘sports audience’ refers to individuals who have watched sports content on television or on online platforms for at least 30 minutes in the past year. The study, based on a sample size of 12,000 people, encompasses 21 sports, 53 sports tournaments, and over 52 clubs and franchises. Source: Ormax Media The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye.
Ruturaj Gaikwad: Soaring High Amidst Challenging Chepauk Heat
One could see it: Ruturaj Gaikwad was running out of energy after batting for nearly 20 overs in the energy-sapping conditions at Chepauk on Sunday. He was gasping for breath on his haunches, barely able to stand on his two feet, let alone bat, towards the end of the CSK innings. A tired shot in the final over resulted in Ruutraj perishing for 98 runs, but not before taking his team to a competitive total against Sunrisers Hyderabad. The entire CSK dugout was on its feet, saluting what was truly a masterclass from Ruturaj. It was not just about the number of runs he scored, but the way he weathered the challenging Chepauk heat was commendable. Do not forget that he also batted for the complete 20 overs against the Lucknow Super Giants at the same venue and then captained the side for the entire duration. “These conditions are too hot and humid. Last game I was out fielding for 20 overs and 19 overs today. I was never even thinking about the hundred. I was just trying to make sure we get to 220 or whatever extra runs possible. Even in the last game I wasn’t thinking about the hundred. I was upset I missed a few shots,” Ruturaj said at the end of the match against Sunrisers Hyderabad Why batting at Chepauk is a challenge? The hot and humid conditions made life tough for Ruturaj, but he managed to weather the storm thanks to his supreme fitness levels. What makes batting so tough in Chennai is not the pitch, but first the heat, and then losing out on energy makes it extremely tough for batters to bat for longer periods. Being a coastal city adds more humidity to the air, and thus the batters lose out on energy while batting for longer periods. Ruturaj, being only 27, was able to recover well in time, potentially filling in a lot of fluids inside his system, and keeping himself hydrated helped him quite a lot. Chennai Super Kings have entered a new era, with Ruturaj leading the side post-MS Dhoni. He is also leading them from the front, having scored 447 runs in nine matches, and is in the race to win the Orange Cap for the second time in his career. He has taken over the CSK baton from MS Dhoni and is now making a statement both with the bat and his fitness levels. Ruturaj is raising the bar for the rest, and if Chennai needs to do well and defend its IPL crown, they will need every ounce of sweat and blood from their captain to emerge victorious for the record sixth time.
T20 World Cup 2024 : Experience over Youth – New Zealand banks on Old Guards to deliver maiden T20 WC Silverware
New Zealand has shown faith in their seasoned campaigners, Kane Williamson, Tim Southee and Trent Boult for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the West Indies and the USA, starting June 01, 2024. Williamson, aged 33 is set to play in his sixth T20 World Cup out of which he has captained the Black Caps in four of them. Southee, aged 35 will be featuring in his seventh edition, and Boult aged 34 his fifth. This could possibly be the last time they feature in a T20 World Cup for New Zealand. What’s the fitness mantra?Despite being on the other side of 30’s, their extreme level fitness have earned them their seats on the plane to the USA and the Caribbean. Williamson had broken his knee in the 2023 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and since then had been training closely with the medical team back home in New Zealand. His successful recovery is serving as an inspiration to his teammates and supporters, reaffirming his status as a key player not just at the IPL but also for the Kiwis. What was the recovery like?Under the guidance of medical experts and team physiotherapists, Kane Williamson diligently followed a rehabilitation program tailored to his injury. This involved a combination of rest, physiotherapy sessions, and targeted exercises to strengthen the affected area. Williamson displayed determination and patience throughout his recovery process, prioritizing his health and well-being. As he gradually regained fitness, Kane returned to training and eventually back to the field, showcasing his resilience and commitment to the game. What about Trent Boult & Tim Southee?Similarly, Trent Boult and Tim Southee being two of the premium quick bowlers with age not on their side have developed high risk of injuries. Their fitness regime includes rest and recovery after every game to get themselves the time to heal. Boult and Southee, over a couple of years have worked closely with physiotherapists and trainers who have been helping them with exercises to strengthen their muscles and improve flexibility. Post games, they also have treatments like massages or ice baths to reduce swelling and pain. Once they start feeling better, they gradually ease back into training and bowling, taking it step by step to avoid reinjuring themselves. Considering their age, It’s important for them to listen to their bodies and not rush the recovery process, so they can come back stronger and ready to play again. In an era where T20 cricket is often associated with youngsters, New Zealand is challenging the notion by including the seasoned veterans like Williamson, Southee, and Boult in their roster, reshaping the perceptions of the game. New Zealand’s T20 World Cup campaign kicks off against Afghanistan in Guyana on June 7th, 2024. Following this exciting opener, they will face off against co-hosts West Indies, Uganda, and Papua New Guinea in subsequent Group C fixtures. New Zealand’s squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024: Kane Williamson (C), Finn Allen, Trent Boult, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee. Travelling Reserve: Ben Sears New Zealand ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 squad announcement: The Sportz Planet Desk,Atharva Shetye.