Former England captain Michael Vaughan is in love with Mumbai, the financial capital of India. He is currently in the Asian country for the ongoing ICC World Cup 2023.

Michael has watched a couple of games at the Wankhede Stadium and even visited Pune for England’s game against the Netherlands.

He liked the journey from Mumbai to Pune and Pune to Mumbai. In his most recent post on X, he opened up on his love for Mumbai.

“People always ask me why I love #Mumbai so much .. this is why .. the passion for life & more so cricket is so infectious .. the people all seem so happy & content .. Serious players on show btw .. #India Happy Diwali everyone x,” he wrote.

India and New Zealand will play the first semi-final at the Wankhede Stadium on November 15.

The post “The passion for life and all people seem so happy & content”: Michael Vaughan reveals why he loves Mumbai appeared first on Crictoday.

New Zealand is the toughest opponents to beat for India in the ICC event. It was after 20 years that the Men in Blue managed to thump the Kiwis in the World Cup. The previous win before the ongoing competition came in 2003.

Kane Williamson-led team has almost reached the semi-finals of the ICC World Cup 2023 and will face the host nation at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on November 15.

Former Kiwi player Mitchell McClenaghan took to X to write about the nervousness of the sub-continent outfit.

“India just got real nervous,” he wrote. In their encounter in the 2023 World Cup, India defeated the rivals by 4 wickets. It was a nervy wim for the 2011 champions as New Zealand managed to surprise them with their comeback.

The situation was getting out of control when Daryl Mitchell and Ravindra Jadeja were going strong at the time of batting. However, Mohammed Shami brought the team back into the game by sending back Ravindra to the dressing room and there was no looking back.

Virat Kohli stood up in the batting department with a fine 95. He had to bat deep along with Ravindra Jadeja to take India home at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Stadium.

The two sides have competed in 10 50-over World Cup matches; out of these, the Kiwis secured a win in 5 while India emerged came on top on 4 occasions. One match ended without a result.

The post “India just got real nervous”: Mitchell McClenaghan after New Zealand confirm semi-final match against Men in Blue appeared first on Crictoday.

The ICC World Cup 2023 is making significant strides, reaching a massive audience of 450 million, and showing an 18% increase in engagement until the 34th match. The total watch time for live broadcasts has reached an impressive 243.6 billion minutes, marking a 10% rise from 2019.

The ongoing World Cup has captured the attention of nearly 430 million viewers by the 34th match. BARC reports a 10% growth in total watch time on television compared to the 2019 edition. This showcases the enduring passion of cricket fans and the impact of Team India’s stellar performance.

Key highlights include all India matches achieving a peak live concurrency of over 50 million viewers. The India vs New Zealand match hit the highest peak concurrency at 80 million viewers. The Average Time Spent (ATS) per viewer for the tournament has seen a substantial 18% increase. It highlights the intense interest in the competition and the captivating coverage by Disney Star.

With India, South Africa, and Australia securing their spots in the semi-finals, the race for the coveted fourth spot heats up. Pakistan and New Zealand are fiercely competing for a place in the semi-finals, promising fans more memorable moments and thrilling performances. As the top four teams battle for the elusive trophy, the excitement continues to build.

The post ICC World Cup 2023: Fans captivated by the tournament, resulting in surging engagement and viewership appeared first on Crictoday.

Michael Vaughan has given up on Pakistan after New Zealand’s sensational performance against Sri Lanka in their last ICC World Cup 2023 game. The 2019 finalists are likely to face India in the semi-final at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

A win by big margin for New Zealand will eliminate Pakistan and Afghanistan from the semi-final race. Rachin Ravindra has been a revelation for the Kiwis and is the leading run-scorer in the global tournament.

He has amassed 565 runs with the help of three hundreds and two fifties at an average of 70.62 in 9 matches.

Vaughan is backing Rachin to score a century against India in the semis.

“Rachin is a superstar .. #CWC23 .. The Wankhede in the semis might be rather loud if he knocks a Ton .. Rachin Rachin,” he wrote on X.

In the previous meeting with the Men in Blue, Ravindra managed 75 runs off 75 runs off 87 balls, laced with 6 fours and 1 six.

Meanwhile, he was dismissed after scoring 42 runs off 34 balls, including 3 fours and as many sixes.

The post “The Wankhede in the semis might be rather loud if he knocks a Ton .. Rachin Rachin”: Vaughan backs New Zealand all-rounder to score a century against India appeared first on Crictoday.

The clash between India and New Zealand in the ICC World Cup 2023 created a historic moment, drawing a staggering 80 million peak concurrent TV viewers. The peak concurrency was achieved during Virat Kohli‘s remarkable innings of 95, making it the highest peak concurrency for the ongoing tournament.

This surpassed the viewership of the India vs Pakistan match, which registered 75.5 million concurrent viewers.

In addition to the peak concurrency, the overall tournament has amassed an impressive total of 182 billion minutes of watch time, indicating a remarkable 22% growth compared to the 2019 edition. The enthusiasm of cricket fans across India is evident, with the total viewership for the live broadcast of the World Cup exceeding 400 million viewers in the first 26 matches.

The overwhelming response underscores the immense popularity of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, with a particular focus on the exceptional achievements of Virat Kohli on the field. Fans are eagerly anticipating Kohli’s pursuit of his 49th and 50th ODI centuries to break Sachin Tendulkar’s record.

Star Sports, the official broadcaster, played a crucial role in enhancing the overall viewing experience by producing 11 feeds for the event. These feeds include broadcasts in nine different languages and two additional vertical feeds for Disney+Hotstar, known as Max View.

The broadcast of the tournament was not limited to live matches, as Star Sports offered a diverse range of non-live programming shows. Shows like ‘Follow the Blues,’ ‘Game Plan,’ ‘Match Point,’ and ‘Cheeky Singles’ provided in-depth analyses and captivating build-up to the tournament, allowing fans to delve deeper into the world of cricket.

Furthermore, the broadcaster launched a fan-centric campaign that fueled the dreams of millions, envisioning India winning the coveted World Cup trophy once again.

Renowned celebrities such as Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar, Ravi Teja, Shiva Rajkumar, Tiger Shroff, Kriti Sanon, Kangana Ranaut, and many more expressed their love and admiration for the sport and their favorite Indian cricketers on Cricket Live, India’s most-watched cricket show.

The post ICC World Cup 2023: India-New Zealand match beat India-Pakistan clash to become the most-watched cricket contest in history appeared first on Crictoday.

Former Indian wicketkeeper MS Dhoni recently shared insights into the heartbreak of the 2019 World Cup semi-final loss to New Zealand. Reflecting on the defeat in Manchester, Dhoni acknowledged the difficulty of controlling emotions after such close matches.

The Virat Kohli-led Team India was considered as one of the strongest sides in the 2019 World Cup. It faced a setback in the semi-finals against New Zealand, losing by 18 runs while chasing a target of 240. Despite a resilient recovery from a disastrous start, with a 116-run partnership between Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja, Dhoni’s run-out marked a turning point leading to India’s defeat.

In a candid revelation during an event in Bengaluru, Dhoni disclosed the emotional toll of the loss.

“It’s tough to handle emotions after close losses. I prepare plans for every game, and for me, that was my final match for India. Although I announced my retirement a year later, that day was the end of my playing career,” he said.

Dhoni also shed light on the behind-the-scenes moments, recalling a conversation with the trainer about gadgets.

“We received some gadgets from the trainer. Each time I returned them, he insisted me to keep it. I pondered how to convey that they weren’t necessary anymore. I wasn’t ready to make the announcement at that time,” he added.

The 2019 World Cup semi-final ultimately marked Dhoni’s last match for India. He officially announced his retirement from international cricket on August 15, 2020. Reflecting on the challenging phase of retirement, Dhoni acknowledged the emotional struggle of athletes who have dedicated their lives to the sport.

“Feeling emotions and having dedicated the past 12-15 years exclusively to playing cricket, athletes face a distinctive challenge when they realize there are no more opportunities to represent their country. After quitting cricket, there’s no chance to bring back that glory by representing your country again. It’s an emotional moment for sure,” he concluded.

Despite retiring from international cricket, Dhoni continued his cricket journey by captaining the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Under his leadership, CSK secured title triumphs in 2021 and 2023, further solidifying Dhoni’s legacy in the cricketing world.

The post “For me, that was my final match for India”: MS Dhoni opens up on retirement announcement appeared first on Crictoday.

After an emphatic and historic win against New Zealand on October 22 at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala, the Indian players and the management took two days off to relax and take their mind out of the game, as the Men in Blue next play England on October 29 at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow.

Virat Kohli paid a visit to the Ashram and several other stars also visited various places in Dharamsala. In the latest events, head coach Rahul Dravid along with his support staff trekked to Triund in Dharamsala.

England vs Sri Lanka Dream11 Team – VIDEO

BCCI shared the video of the same on Twitter and wrote, “A day off for the squad is a day well spent in the hills for the support staff.”

Other than the trek, Draivd, along with batting coach Vikram Rathour took a dip in the river, where KL Rahul was also present. KL shared these photos on social media and wrote “Nothing beats nature’s ice dip.”

India have got off to a positive start in this World Cup, as they won five out of the five games they played so far.

The post Watch: Rahul Dravid goes on a trek in Dharamsala ahead of India’s match against England appeared first on Crictoday.

In a recent 2023 World Cup clash between India and New Zealand, Virat Kohli‘s remarkable innings of 95 left former Pakistan speedster Shoaib Akhtar in awe. The match took place in Dharamshala on Sunday, October 22, where Kohli showcased his prowess in chasing down targets.

Despite narrowly missing out on equalling Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 49 ODI hundreds, Kohli’s impactful knock played a pivotal role in India’s victory over New Zealand, marking their first win against the Kiwis in an ICC event in two decades.

“He (Kohli) was going strong, similar to the last match in Pune. I really wished he could reach his hundred and match Sachin’s record. Someday, it will happen. I’m out of words to describe his greatness.” – Shoaib Akhtar said on his YouTube channel.

“Virat Kohli puts himself in pressure situations, and from there, he seizes the opportunity to score a hundred, secure the win for his team, and thus becomes a chase master,” he added.

After a well-deserved week-long break, India will face England in Lucknow on October 29.

The post “I can’t describe his greatness”: Shoaib Akhtar hails Virat Kohli appeared first on Crictoday.

Mohammed Shami’s exceptional performance, securing 5 for 54 in India’s recent game against New Zealand, has sparked a selection debate. With Virat Kohli’s crucial 95 leading India to a four-wicket victory in Dharamsala, attention now turns to whether Shami will retain his spot in the XI when the all-rounder Hardik Pandya returns from injury.

Shami, who was sidelined for the first four matches of the tournament, was drafted into the playing XI. This move came in after Hardik Pandya suffered an ankle injury against Bangladesh on October 19. This forced Shardul Thakur to make way for Shami.

Former India opener Aakash Chopra expressed his delight with Shami’s performance. He advocated for the veteran pacer to continue in the XI for upcoming matches.

“I’ve been saying from the beginning that Shami deserves a spot in the playing XI. Unfortunately, Hardik Pandya’s injury led to an unexpected situation, and Mohammed Shami had to step in. In his first tournament match, Shami impressed by taking five wickets,” Aakash Chopra said on JioCinema.

“Shami delivered a performance similar to what he did against Australia in Mohali on a challenging pitch. His statistics in Mohali and Dharamsala are remarkably alike. His accuracy is impressive, and his wrist position is so good,” he added.

Shami’s stellar entry into the World Cup 2023 saw him claim a wicket on the very first ball, dismissing Will Young at 17 in the 9th over of the innings. While New Zealand dominated the middle overs with a 159-run partnership between Daryl Mitchell and Rachin Ravindra, Shami’s crucial breakthroughs ensured they didn’t amass a formidable total.

Aakash Chopra highlighted Shami’s pivotal role in restricting New Zealand to only 54 runs in the last 10 overs.

“Shami’s five-wicket haul is the main reason they didn’t reach the 300-plus mark. His effort deserves praise,” he further added.

As the cricket fraternity celebrates Shami’s remarkable comeback, the lingering question remains whether he will secure a permanent spot in the XI once Hardik Pandya recovers from his injury. The upcoming clash against England on September 29 will likely provide insights into India’s selection strategy for the remainder of the World Cup.

The post Mohammed Shami vs. Hardik Pandya: Aakash Chopra weighs in on Team India’s selection debate appeared first on Crictoday.

Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar is confident that India should clinch the World Cup title. In the recent match against New Zealand on October 22, Virat Kohli’s performance in the match against New Zealand earned massive praise from Akhtar. The former fast bowler commended Kohli for thriving under pressure and delivering match-winning knocks.

“He excels in high-pressure situations, where opportunities arise for him. These opportunities include scoring a century, delivering match-winning performances, and gaining followers on Instagram. And rightfully so! This guy truly deserves it,” Akhtar said on his YouTube channel.

Akhtar emphasized India’s batting prowess, stating that players like Shubman Gill, Rohit Sharma, and KL Rahul make the team formidable.

“Shubman Gill alone poses a significant challenge for the New Zealand team. Even if Rohit Sharma hadn’t been dismissed carelessly, he alone could handle it. If KL Rahul moves up the order to 3 or 4, he too is sufficient. India’s batting lineup is exceptionally deep,” he said.

“While Kohli’s performance today is well-known, Rahul also carried the burden. Suryakumar would have done the same if he hadn’t been dismissed,” he explained.

Akhtar further praised Mohammed Shami, who played a crucial role in restricting New Zealand.

“In preventing New Zealand from reaching 300-350 runs, Shami played a crucial role. Despite being a bit expensive, it’s acceptable because he took five wickets. He has showcased his talent, and India should stick with the same bowling attack. With a comprehensive batting and bowling lineup, there’s no reason India shouldn’t win the World Cup,” he concluded.

Looking ahead, India is set to face England on October 29 at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow.

The post “There is no reason India shouldn’t win the World Cup”: Shoaib Akhtar appeared first on Crictoday.