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After a million dreams come true and India lifts a World Cup after 13 long years: Let’s have a look at India’s brief legacy in World Cups

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After a million dreams come true and India lifts a World Cup after 13 long years: Let’s have a look at India’s brief legacy in World Cups
A million dreams come true as India lifts a World Cup after 13 long years (image: Circle of Cricket)

Finally, the glory has come home, as India defeated the Proteas in a spine-chilling World Cup T20 final at Barbados. The hearts of millions of fans of the Men in Blue wrenched when Pandya bowled his last ball to Nortje.

Rohit Sharma and co. all seemed to be in tears when the glory finally came. So was Dravid, as the cricket god finally blessed the legend as he lifted the first ICC trophy of his career, not as a player but as a coach.

With all the smiles, cries, and expectations coming true, let’s take a look at India’s glorious run in the World Cups. Dating back to 1975, the first-ever Cricket World Cup played in England, India was the underdogs until 1983, when, for the first time against all odds, legendary Kapil Dev led the Indian time to a never-thought-of World Cup title at Lord’s in the 3rd edition of the game.

Despite England and Australia’s participation, the men with the tri-color flag declared that they were the future of the sport, as they were the second team to lift the World Cup even before the mighty Aussies. India, on their quest, defeated the West Indies, the two-time World champions, and proved that nothing is undoable for them.

After their exit from the 1987 World Cup in the semis, India faced a major backlash in the 92 Cup before they bounced back in the 1996 World Cup under Mohammed Azharuddin’s leadership.

Sourav Ganguly took over the captaincy from Azharuddin in 2003, where he led them to the finals only to lose against Australia in the final. Sachin Tendulkar played amazingly against all in the edition of the World Cup.

ALSO READ: India becomes again T20 World Champion, defeat South Africa by 7 runs to win T20 WC title 2nd time, end 11 years trophy dry period

India, under the young and dynamic Dhoni, was crowned World T20 champions in the very first edition of the Cup. Dhoni led a lesser-known team comprising of youngsters to a World Cup win for the first time in 24 years.

India emerged as the as the World title winner again in 2011, the home World Cup, as the hosts faced hurdles in their way and kept overcoming all to secure a famous victory at the Wankhede stadium. MS Dhoni’s finish with a six has been engraved in the hearts of Indian fans. This ended India’s drought in the World Cups after a long period of 28 years.



Leaving aside the wins, India never seemed to look back in the Dhoni era, as they repeatedly played semis in the 2015 and 2019 World Cups and also made it to repetitive semis in T20 World Cups in 2016, 2018, and 2022. They lost the 2014 T20 World Cup final to Sri Lanka and the 2023 World Cup to Australia at home.

Avenged all by the Indian men, Men in Blue lifted the World Cup in T20 World Cup 2024, paying a great tribute to the legends Dravid, Rohit, and Virat in their final T20 World Cup appearance. A wait of 13 years, and all accomplished by the legends as they part from the shortest format of the game. A brief sneak of India’s legacy in World Cups.

India becomes again T20 World Champion, defeat South Africa by 7 runs to win T20 WC title 2nd time, end 11 years trophy dry period

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India becomes again T20 World Champion, defeat South Africa by 7 runs to win T20 WC title 2nd time, end 11 years trophy dry period

Two unbeaten teams reached T20 World cup 2024 against each other for right to lift the title. After a amazing tournament, both teams met in Barbados in the ICC Men’s T20 World cup Final.

And finally it was won by India by close margin of just seven runs.

Virat Kohli (76) and Axar Patel’s (47) partnership helped India to a first-innings score of 176/7

Scoreboard: India Vs South Africa

Toss: India won the toss and choose to bat first.

Stadium: Kensington Oval Barbados

Player of the Tournament : Jasprit Bumrah(India)

Player of the Match : Virat Kohli(India)

Important wickets fall early

India 176/7(20)

Run Rate : 8.80

South Africa 169/8(20)

Virat Kohli-76 (59) Keshav Maharaj-2/23(3)

Axar Patel-47(31) Anrich Nortje-2/26(4)

Shivam Dube-27(16) Kagiso Rabada-1/36(4)

Fall of wickets

1-23(Rohit Sharma,1.4 overs)

2-23(Rishabh Pant,2 overs)

3-34(Suryakumar Yadav, 4.3 overs)

4-106(Axar Patel,13.3 overs)

5-163(Virat Kohli,18.5 overs)

6-174(Shivam Dube, 19.4 overs)

7-176(Ravindra Jadeja, 20 overs)

BOWLINGOMRW
Jasprit Bumrah40182
Arshdeep Singh40202
Axar Patel40491
Kuldeep Yadav40450
Hardik Pandya30203
Ravindra Jadeja10120

Virat Kohli announced retirement from T20 internationals after winning World cup title and Rohit Sharma joins Virat Kohli in announcing retirement from T20 internationals after winning T20 World cup 2024 title.

T20 World cup final: History make a gesture South Africa, India wants to erase recent history to lift a World cup

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T20 World cup final: History  make a gesture South Africa, India wants to erase recent history to lift a World cup

The final match of ICC T20 World cup between India and South Africa will be play today which will start from 8:00 pm (IST).After focusing on strengths and Weaknesses of both T20 World cup finalists, India and South Africa both teams have with identical flaws and powers. It is sensitively and sportingly fair that the both have unbeaten sides of the tournament are in the final too. Both team a left-arm wrist spinner, and both teams desire their hands on an ICC silverware. India have not transformed revenues to trophies since 2011.

The most interesting is the coming together of two origination fast bowlers, Jasprit Burmah and Kagiso Rabada, the collision of the most natural bowling action and the most unnatural one in the modern sport, of athletic grace and far out explosiveness.

Rabada is not counted among the modern significant of whispering breeze his music more classical than reggae version, he has the tools to torment the best of batsmen in this format too. The nip-backer, leg-cutter with of which he knock out the Afghanis, and the change-up accounting for 80 percent of his slower stunned the Afghanis, and the adjust accounting for 80 percent of his slower balls, is a thing of refine beauty.

Rabada would be more happy if he could pull out the rampaging Rohit Sharma which he has four times in 15 meetings in T20Is, picking his crown once every 19 balls. Rohit Sharma has managed to score 90 runs off 76 balls with the strike rate of 118.42.Kagiso Rabada would rather skittle his wicket than keep him shut, adding to his already superb tally of 12 wickets. So would Bumrah when he lines up against his Ex. Mumbai Indians buddies Quinton de Kock. But across 13 innings over formats, he has swallow him five times, striking once every 30 balls. De Kock figures him ” as good as Dale steyn”,and his effect in this tournament has been like Pomp Steyn. An economy rate of 4.12, striking once every 11th ball for his 13 wickets, bowling like raging wind, taking wickets in critical moments. If India were to hoist the trophy, it would have his name engraved in bold.

Fast bowling talent, just like Arshdeep Singh and Amrich Nortje, the highest wicket-takers of India and South Africa. The left-hander has coaxed the tiniest hint of help from the surface, swinging and seaming the ball in both direction with the new ball, reverse swinging the ball in New York, and impacting at the death with his slower-ball off-cutter.

From the history South Africa have never played a final. In the same layer, India have contrived to freeze when at the final difficulty. or the one before. The basic structures laugh from the cupboard of the past. In the last 10 years they have trip in the finals four times, and in semi-finals thrice. Proteas look to engrave history, and India to kick the butt of a bad habit.

Top 10 innings of Indian batters in T20 World Cup

Top 10 innings of Indian batters in T20 World Cup
India's three most consistent performers in T20 World Cups (image: LatestLY)

The T20 World Cup has only a single outing left, as the Men in Blue take on South Africa at Bridgetown on Saturday. India has been a consistent performer in the history of the World Cups.

From winning the cup in the first-ever T20 World Cup under great Indian captain MS Dhoni to being led to several other semis and finals of the T20 World Cup, following a group stage exit in 2021, India has seen it all in the history of the tournament.

Before Rohit and co. set foot at the iconic Kensington Oval to play the final against the Proteas, let’s have a look at the Top 10 iconic innings played by Indian batters across all editions of the T20 World Cup.

Yuvraj Singh: 70 off 30 balls against Australia

Yuvraj Singh did continue his spark into the semis, the first-ever semi-final India played against the Aussies. After a slow start, he landed 5 in the crowd and scored a quickfire 70 off just 30 deliveries alongside Dhoni’s 36, which took India to 188.

Virat Kohli: 82* off 53 against Pakistan

India needed to be rescued against Pakistan, and who stood up again was India’s most trustworthy aid, Virat Kohli. He provided semblance to the innings alongside Hardik Pandya until he won it for India with sixes off Haris Rauf.

Rohit Sharma: 92 off 41 balls against Australia

Rohit’s great innings against Australia let India have their revenge over the side, as he played a ferociously stout innings against the Aussie attack, inching close to a World Cup hundred before Starc got the big wicket of his.

Virat Kohli: 82* off 51 balls against Australia

Trailing back to 2016, came Virat’s yet another splendid knock against the Aussies at Mohali. The hosts were slow until Kohli switched gears first against Coulter-Nile, followed by a 19-run over to Faulkner.

Virat Kohli: 72* off 44 against South Africa

Kohli once again stepped up for India in the sub-continent conditions, as Kohli helped India’s chase against the Proteas at Mirpur. This took India to the finals, where he scored a great 77 against Malinga-led Sri Lanka. However, the Men in Blue could not win the cup.

Gautam Gambhir: 75 off 54 against Pakistan

Gambhir’s innings still remain one of the finest ever in the history of the tournament, as he turned out to be among the scoresheets for India in the finals of the World Cup T20 against Pakistan. Though Irfan Pathan was declared the man of the match in the first-ever T20 World Cup final, it was Gambhir’s innings that set the stage for India.

Suresh Raina: 101 off 60 balls against South Africa

The first-ever World Cup hundred for India came in the very year 2010 when Raina took over the Proteas and scored a stunning 101 standing apart from all. India secured the match with 14 runs to spare.

Yuvraj Singh: 58 off 16 against England

The innings of a lifetime, which the cricketing world has not forgotten yet; many might have done it now, but who did it first? One and only Yuvraj Singh for the Men in Blue. 6 balls and 6 sixes, this remained a record in the books of cricket for over a decade and a lifelong nightmare for English pacer Stuart Broad, who had just then set his foot onto international cricket.

ALSO READ: T20 World Cup 2024: Decoding the Best XI of the tournament

Rohit Sharma – 79* off 46 against Australia

This remains the only inning on our list that could not secure a win, yet Rohit’s brilliance is worth a thousand praises as he single-handedly battled for his 79 runs off just 46 deliveries, chasing a total of 185 against the lethal pace of Dirk Nannes, Johnson, and Tait.

Suryakumar Yadav: 68 off 40 against South Africa

India once again struggled in a group-stage match against South Africa in the T20 World Cup 2022. SKY stepped onto some different gears while the entire team collapsed. Indian bowlers too made some great efforts to let SKY be crowned the POTM; however, with South Africa’s win, his hopes shattered. Yet SKY’s innings remain to have its own place in the hearts of Indian fans.

T20 World Cup 2024: Decoding the Best XI of the tournament

T20 World Cup 2024: Decoding the Best XI of the tournament
Several Indians in the Best XI of the tournament (image: India TV News)

The T20 World Cup has reached its final game, and no true fan could deny that this has been one of the most competitive tournaments in recent years. India and South Africa, both teams undefeated, have advanced into the finals.

However, several teams like Afghanistan and the USA shocked all with their terrific performances, while some greats like Australia and the West Indies could not proceed further in the cup. Alongside teams, some great players like Virat Kohli and inform Henrich Klaasen could not produce anything special in the tournament.

However, some newbies have been performing stunningly, with the likes of Gurbaz, Zadran, Pooran, and Farooqi performing significantly well.

Let’s take a look at the best possible playing XI of the tournament picked from all teams across the competition.

Opening Batsmen: Rohit Sharma and Rahmanullah Gurbaz

The Indian skipper would not be a name unknown to anyone, as he has rescued his teams in all situations. The veteran batter has pulled off 3 half-centuries and has scored nearly 250 runs at a great strike rate. His fearless attitude makes him a must in the best XI.

Gurbaz, the young and prolific Afghan opener, has stood up to the high expectations of his skipper Rashid and coach Trott, as he scored brilliantly as Afghanistan reached their first-ever World Cup semi-final.

This would be the best-ever opening pair who could manifest something special out of each other’s abilities.

Middle-order batters: Suryakumar Yadav and Brandon McMullen

India’s special batter, Suryakumar Yadav, who is considered a specialist in the format, was not considered to perform so greatly in the tournament considering his weak form in the IPL. However, SKY once again delivered everything he could as he played brilliantly against the USA, Australia, Afghanistan, and England in the semis. A must-include name in the XI.

Scottish big-hitter McMullen is a surprise inclusion in the list; he might not be seen among the top five scorers, and neither would his team be seen among the very best. Despite all, he has impressed all with his fearless and stunning way of hitting the ball out of the park, the thing that is a demand of the shortest format.

ALSO READ: David Warner confirms international retirement post-World Cup exit

All-rounders: Marcus Stoinis, Hardik Pandya, and Roston Chase

This is probably the most formidable section of a T20 game, which includes Australian star Marcus Stoinis, who has produced a special tournament with both the bat and ball.

Pandya stepped up on every occasion for India, as he helped with either bat or ball to rescue India from every tough situation in the World Cup.

Though Windies could not advance in their soil, Chase had a memorable tournament with the bat and ball, and his all-round excellence has been highly praised.

Bowlers: Kuldeep Yadav, Rashid Khan, Jasprit Bumrah, and Fazalhaq Farooqi

The tournament has been splendid for bowlers, as they have been the main foundation behind the team’s ultimate success. Rashid Khan, the Afghan skipper, has led his team to glory with his stunning bowling. Equally magnificent has been Farooqi, the young pacer who has been the Afghan lead pacer and the highest wicket-taker in the tournament.

While the other two inclusions are obvious, as they are from the Men in Blues lineup, the world’s greatest Bumrah has been splendid alongside Kuldeep Yadav, who has spun the web since his first appearance for India.

What are the chances for South Africa to end their trophy drought in World Cups?

What are the chances for South Africa to end their trophy drought in World Cups?
The Proteas take on Men in Blue in World T20 final (image: myKhel)

The 2024 World Cup has been thrilling, and the two giants of the game, England and Australia, have been denied spots in the final two. South Africa are in turn playing their first-ever final in an ICC tournament.

South Africa, led by Aiden Markram, are undefeated in the tournament so far as they advanced through many tough oppositions, which included the West Indies and England in the Super-8. They advanced to the finals after a comfortable victory over the first-ever semi-finalists, Afghanistan, at Trinidad.

On the other hand, India advanced into the finals of yet another World Cup under the leadership of Rohit Sharma. He led by example as his team shattered the hopes of Jos Buttler’s England to defend their title in 2022.

ALSO READ: Rohit sets an example as he guides India to consecutive World Cup finals

The two teams will go head-to-head at Bridgetown on Saturday, eyeing the T20 World Cup. The Men in Blue have been the dominators over the proteas, as they have secured 4 wins over six occasions the two teams faced each other in the T20 World Cup. India has also won the only semi-final game the two teams played in a T20 World Cup in 2014.

South African maestro Hashim Amla also took pride in claiming his team’s chances in the cup. He remained hopeful that finally, South Africans have a high chance of ending their trophy drought in World Cups.

With inform players like Quinton de Kock, Klassen, and Miller, and the great bowling unit led by Rabada alongside Nortje, Shamsi, and Maharaj, they will be this World Cup’s most eligible opponents against the unstoppable Men in Blue.



However, despite all their excellence, the cricketing legends around the world and even spectators are largely inclined towards team India to secure their second-ever T20 World Cup title. Let’s await some thrilling action in Kensington Oval at Barbados this coming Saturday.

What’s next for Brazil and Dorival Jr. after a lifeless draw against Los Ticos?

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What’s next for Brazil and Dorival Jr. after a lifeless draw against Los Ticos?
Brazil's awful draw in Copa 2024 opener (Image: Los Angeles Daily News)

When it comes to international football, the adjective ‘best’ often brings conjecture to the Latin superstar’s Brazil, who withheld an immense legacy in the sport. The Selecao have always instilled a feeling of fear in their opponents with their skilful football.

However, only one word can describe their recent outing against Costa Rica in their opening match of Copa America 2024, and that is disappointing. The Brazilians are known for producing a romance between their feet and the ball; however, the team lacked synchronization alongside individual excellence, and it never seemed as if they were the same powerful horses of Latin soccer.

Dorival Junior, who has been assigned newly with the Latin powerhouse, will have to be better tactically to organize the superstars of the side.

Against Costa Rica in the tournament opener, the Brazillian goalkeeper who did not have much of a role to play was the only player who seemed to do what he had to on the field. The defense remained disorganized; only for an opponent like Los Ticos, Dorival’s side was spared without much threat to their goal.

Danilo with the armband was too casual despite the responsibility, while the PSG and Madrid stars, Marquinhos and Militao, remained firm in central defense and posed a major threat ahead, though Marquinhos’s stunner was denied due to interference from a Brazilian offside.

The Brazilian midfielder has always led an example to world football; however, Paqueta, despite several chances on the ball, could not find the back of the net, though he remained Brazil’s only possible threat at the opposition penalty box. Newcastle central midfielder Gumaires played the role of controlling midfielder, and hence his presence was felt though competence was severely lacking.

ALSO READ: Copa America 2024: Uruguay is on the charge from the first game as they rush past puny Panama

Brazil lost the game primarily in the forward line as the three giants of La Liga were completely out of touch, having not a single shot at goal. Vinicius and Raphinha seemed incompatible down the two flanks. Dorival Jr. would have to make some tough choices and dare to choose class over fame, including Endrick and Martinelli over the La Liga greats Rodrygo and Raphinha.



The lack of Neymar and Richarlison, which was felt in the game against the Los Ticos, should be overcome against Paraguay so that the Latin American giants can break the shackles to enter a spree of goalscoring like southern neighbours Uruguay, who have scored 8 in the tournament so far.

Rohit sets an example as he guides India to consecutive World Cup finals

Rohit sets an example as he guides India to consecutive World Cup finals
Rohit Sharma leads from the front, as India advance into the finals (image: NDTV Sports)

India has made it to the T20 World Cup finals, defeating England at Guyana. This is Rohit and co.’s second consecutive advancement into the finals of an ICC tournament after losing the World Cup final to Australia at home back in 2023.

Rohit Sharma was declared India’s captain across all formats after removing Virat Kohli from the position, which likely sparked immense displeasure among Indian fans. The then BCCI president, Sourav Ganguly, was also criticized for this move.

However, Rohit soon made a place of his own in the hearts of cricket fans, as he stood by an example as the skipper of the national side. Rohit captained India and led them to the second World Test Championship, though they lost a one-sided game to the Aussies.

His second advancement was when he led the Men in Blue to a World Cup final, the first time since 2011. India set high standards and records, going undefeated into the finals; however, they could not survive the Aussie turbulence.

After Rohit took to the captaincy of the Indian side, he turned heads for Indian cricket as they qualified for the semis. After their humiliating group stage exit in the 2021 T20 World Cup, this was a great comeback, though it was Jos Buttler’s English side who put on a masterclass and went on to win the World Cup 2022 in Australia.

ALSO READ: T20 World Cup 2024: One-sided domination of South Africa over underdogs in the semis

The Adelaide loss was avenged by the Rohit-led Indian side at Guyana. Put on to bat first, India posted a total of 171 in their 20 overs, led by skipper Rohit’s 57 and Suryakumar’s standout 47-run knock. Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav performed as supposed by all greats of the game; they went on to pick six wickets alongside Indian maestro Bumrah.



India won over England by 68 runs and has entered roaring into the finals of the T20 World Cup to play against first-time finalists South Africa at Bridgetown. Rohit will be hopeful to secure his first-ever victory as captain and lead India to their second T20 World Cup title.

David Warner confirms international retirement post-World Cup exit

David Warner confirms international retirement post-World Cup exit
David Warner retires from all forms of international cricket (image: ANI News)

Australia is out of the T20 World Cup 2024 from the group stages, and what’s more disheartening is that this ended David Warner’s illustrious cricketing career.

Warner is ending his career slowly, as he played his last tests against Afghanistan in January 2023 and Odi against India in the World Cup final in 2023. His teammates paid the veteran great honor, as they won the World Test Championship 2023 and then their 6th World Cup title.

In his long-spanned career, Warner has seen all with the Men from the Kangaroo Islands. With 2 World Cups, a first-ever T20 World Cup, and a World Test Championship, he has done it all with the Aussies.

David Warner made his debut against South Africa in 2009, which marked the beginning of a 15-year-long international career, followed by an ODI debut 8 days later, against the South Africans.

Playing over 160 ODIs and 110 T20Is, he has scored more than 10000 runs in limited-overs cricket and can be said to be the modern-day great of the game. Undoubtedly, he has always stood up to his status of a pocket dynamite, as he is one of the most dangerous cricketers who has commanded the white ball.

ALSO READ: T20 World Cup 2024: One-sided domination of South Africa over underdogs in the semis

One of Australia’s legendary Red Ball cricketers, Warner went on to score a record 8500+ runs in the longest format of the game. The legend bid goodbye to international cricket with 49 centuries next to his name, going past many greats of the game.



Even on domestic levels, Warner remains a legend, as he has been an unstoppable player across global leagues, especially bossing the Indian Premier League, the one he has featured the most in his long-spanning career.



Warner’s career did end the very day after Afghanistan defeated Bangladesh in a neck-to-neck contest, knocking the World Cup champions out of the race to the semis. The Australians paid due respect to the veteran after a low-scoring knock in the final game against India.

Finally, Warner’s absence is what has been dealt well, as said by Josh Hazelwood. He adds that it’s always hard to go without someone who has been there for so long, but they have some great quality in their bench and playing around leagues globally, so there is nothing drastic going to happen with the departure of the veteran.

Steady India stands more of a chance than the defending champions, having a campaign full of hiccups

Steady India stands more of a chance than the defending champions, having a campaign full of hiccups
India takes on England at Guyana eyeing their revenge for Adelaide's humiliation (image: The Indian Express)

India is once again through to the semi-finals of another World Cup; this has now been a regular event for Indian spectators. However, once again the Men in Blue take on the defending champions, just like their semi-final at Adelaide in 2022.

However, is this the same English side that poses an equal threat to the in-form Indian side? The answer would be a clear no. England lacked competence in a very shaggy title defense in the 50-over World Cup late in 2023 in India.

Though conditions were blamed for their shacky run in the World Cup last year in the subcontinent, what is to be blamed for their inconsistent performance in the Caribbean tournament as well?



Though India has also been put to the test several times in the tournament, their response has been highly impressive, while England has only been creeping slowly at the back of associate opponents and has managed a low-profile entry into the semis, only having earned a firm victory over co-hosts the West Indies.

Except for Buttler, all of England’s batters from Salt, Bairstow, to Moeen have not shown any major revival of form. However, Brook and Livingstone, though not put much into the test yet, have put in good efforts, and England would hence pin their hopes more on their bowling deck led by spinner Adil Rashid.

ALSO READ: T20 World Cup 2024: One-sided domination of South Africa over underdogs in the semis

Spinners from either team will have a major role to play, as Adil Rashid remains to be a top choice against veteran Indian batters Rohit, Virat, and Suryakumar Yadav. While Archer would find his best groove against India’s lower-order finishers Dube and Pandya. With likely either side making no changes ahead of the semis, Kuldeep Yadav, alongside Axar, will have a huge role to play against the troubled English middle order.

Indian skipper Rohit Sharma, however, still keeps up with his one-game-at-a-time theory and denies thinking too far ahead of the game. He keeps insisting on keeping it simple, maintaining a low profile, and facing whatever the conditions are when they get out on the field at Guyana on the 27th.



“See, we want to treat this game as another game that we have played in this tournament. We don’t want to think about what lies ahead, what is the context of the game, and all of that. Everyone knows in the back of their mind it’s a semi-final. But you don’t want to keep talking about it again and again and again. And not to think about what has happened in the past,”

He said on the eve of the match

England would pin their hopes on the skipper and their bowlers, while the Men in Blue would look at their captain Rohit after his splendorous display against the Aussies. However, India would also look at SKY, Hardik and Bumrah. The winners face the World Cup final debutants South Africa at Kensington Oval on Saturday.

Lastly, the veteran’s Virat return to form would be a deep desire of every cricket fan before they take on the defending champions. Everyone would hope the legendary batter to have a great go if this turns out to be his last dance in the World Cup of this format.