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India vs. Pakistan T20 World Cup Match at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium

News on MEA 1 ArdorComm Media Group India vs. Pakistan T20 World Cup Match at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium

India faces Pakistan in a highly anticipated T20 World Cup match at Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, Eisenhower Park, New York. The pitch conditions and security measures are crucial for the event. When the old rivals square off on Sunday, a confident and well-adjusted India will attempt to exploit Pakistan’s unpredictability and lack of familiarity with the challenging conditions in New York. The flagship match is expected to draw the tournament’s largest crowd at the recently constructed 34,000-seat stadium. The stadium’s 22-yard pitch has been a hot topic due to its unpredictability, which the ICC has acknowledged. In the three games played so far, teams have struggled to score more than 100 runs in six innings. Concerns have been raised about whether the low-scoring format can help promote cricket in the United States. Damian Hough, the Adelaide Oval groundskeeper, oversaw the installation of the venue’s four drop-in pitches in April, but they have not yet fully settled. The uneven bounce of the pitch has raised safety concerns, particularly after Indian captain Rohit Sharma had to stop batting during the opening match against Ireland due to a shoulder injury. “I don’t know what to expect from the pitch, to be honest. We will prepare as if the conditions are going to be like this (for the Pakistan game). This is going to be a game where all XI of us will need to contribute,” Rohit said after the match against Ireland. The ICC issued a statement acknowledging the issues with the pitches: “The ICC recognises that the pitches used so far at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium have not played as consistently as we would have all wanted.” Pakistan has not yet adjusted to the stadium’s conditions. After losing to tournament newcomers USA, they flew into New York and took a rest day. Babar Azam and his team have had little time to adapt, which could be a disadvantage in this crucial match. A loss to India could severely impact their chances of qualifying. India may maintain their strategy of including an additional specialist fast bowler, but they might consider including Kuldeep Yadav due to his recent performance and favorable matchups against Pakistani batters. If included, one of Ravindra Jadeja or Axar Patel might miss out. The batting order is expected to remain with Rohit and Virat Kohli as openers and Rishabh Pant at No. 3. Pakistan will aim to recover from their loss to the USA. Babar Azam will need to improve his performance, as his 43 runs from 44 deliveries were below the expected strike rate for T20 cricket. The team will hope for a strong performance from their bowling attack, led by Shaheen Afridi.  

West Indies Display Dominance with Convincing Victory over Australia in Warm-up Match

News on MEA ArdorComm Media Group West Indies Display Dominance with Convincing Victory over Australia in Warm-up Match

The West Indies showcased their strength ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup with a commanding 35-run triumph over Australia in a warm-up encounter in Trinidad. Led by Nicholas Pooran’s explosive 75, the Caribbean side posted a formidable total of 257/4, setting the stage for a resounding victory. Pooran’s blistering knock, embellished with eight sixes, set the tone for the West Indies’ power-packed batting display. Supported by captain Rovman Powell (52), Sherfane Rutherford (47*), and opener Johnson Charles (40), the West Indies treated their home crowd to a spectacle of aggressive stroke-play, amassing a staggering 18 sixes in total. Despite a valiant effort from Australia’s Josh Inglis (55), Nathan Ellis (39), and Ashton Agar (28), the target proved insurmountable for the 2021 T20 World Cup champions. The West Indies bowlers, spearheaded by Gudakesh Motie (2/31) and Alzarri Joseph (2/44), restricted Australia to 222/7, securing a convincing victory. In another warm-up fixture, Namibia clinched a narrow three-run win over Papua New Guinea in a rain-affected encounter. Despite Papua New Guinea’s Assad Vala’s inspired spell (2/17), Namibia managed to edge past their opponents, reaching 93/6 before rain halted play at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy. The West Indies’ dominant performance against Australia signals their readiness for the upcoming T20 World Cup, bolstering their confidence as they aim to make a strong impression in the tournament.  

Australia Captain Clarifies IPL Star’s Absence from T20 World Cup Selection

News on MEA 11 ArdorComm Media Group Australia Captain Clarifies IPL Star's Absence from T20 World Cup Selection

Australia’s newly appointed T20I captain, Mitch Marsh, has shed some light on why explosive batter Jake Fraser-McGurk missed out on selection for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, despite his stellar performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Fraser-McGurk, who has been in scintillating form for the Delhi Capitals in the ongoing IPL, was widely expected to be included in Australia’s squad for the T20 World Cup. However, his omission, along with former captain Steve Smith, surprised many cricket enthusiasts. Marsh acknowledged Fraser-McGurk’s outstanding talent and impressive performances in the IPL but emphasized that incumbent openers Travis Head and David Warner have been consistent performers for Australia and deserve their spots in the squad. While speaking on an Australian radio station, Marsh praised Fraser-McGurk’s contributions and expressed confidence in Australia’s current squad composition, stating, “We feel like we’ve got all bases covered within our team. Heady and David Warner have been fantastic for us, not only for a long period of time but over the last 18 months building towards this (T20) World Cup.” Fraser-McGurk’s remarkable strike rate and prolific run-scoring in the IPL have showcased his potential as a top-order performer in T20 cricket. Marsh acknowledged his rapid progress and predicted a bright future for the young talent, expressing optimism about his eventual return to the national team. With three half-centuries and a striking batting strike rate of 233.33 in the IPL, Fraser-McGurk’s dynamic batting style has caught the attention of cricket fans worldwide. Marsh highlighted his aggressive approach to the game and anticipated his continued success in the white-ball format. Despite missing out on the T20 World Cup selection this time, Fraser-McGurk’s impressive performances in domestic and franchise cricket suggest that he is a player to watch out for in the future, with Marsh expressing confidence in his potential to make a significant impact on the international stage.  

IPL 2024 Rule Book: Two Bouncers Per Over, Two Referrals, No Stop Clock

News on MEA 4 ArdorComm Media Group IPL 2024 Rule Book: Two Bouncers Per Over, Two Referrals, No Stop Clock

The upcoming 2024 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) will see significant changes in its rule book, maintaining the allowance of two bouncers per over for bowlers, a departure from previous seasons where only one short ball was permitted. Earlier introduced in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), a national T20 championship in the BCCI domestic calendar, the second bouncer rule will now be a part of the IPL playing conditions as well. In contrast to T20 Internationals, where only one short ball is allowed, the IPL and other domestic T20 competitions will permit two bouncers per over, akin to Test and One Day International (ODI) matches. Former India pacer and Chennai Super Kings’ ex-bowling coach Laxmipathy Balaji hailed this decision as a positive move, citing its potential to enhance the bowlers’ arsenal and balance the contest between bat and ball. Balaji emphasized the significance of the second bouncer, particularly in the death overs, offering bowlers an additional strategic option. With the participation of top-class fast bowlers in the IPL, he anticipates thrilling contests between bat and ball. In another notable change, the IPL will continue with the rule of checking for a catch while a referral is made for stumping, differing from ICC regulations. BCCI officials justify this decision, stating that failing to check for a catch before reviewing a stumping could unfairly disadvantage the fielding side. Teams will retain two referrals and the ability to review wides and no balls, a rule introduced last year. However, the IPL will not adopt the stop clock rule, a recent addition to ICC playing conditions for white-ball international games.  

Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 to Grace Indian Shores Amidst Elections

News on MEA 2 ArdorComm Media Group Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 to Grace Indian Shores Amidst Elections

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to host the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 in India, despite the coinciding general elections. The cricket extravaganza is slated to kick off on March 22, synchronizing with the announcement of election dates, presenting a unique challenge for organizers. A BCCI source has quashed speculations of moving the tournament abroad, asserting, “There are no plans to shift the tournament outside the country, considering the general elections will also take place during that time. However, if any state provides valid reasons for not hosting matches, contingency plans include relocating matches to alternative venues.” The IPL 2024 auction, held in Dubai last month, witnessed unprecedented fervor as Australian speedster Mitchell Starc smashed records to become the highest-paid player in IPL history, securing a jaw-dropping Rs 24.75 crore deal with the Kolkata Knight Riders. The auction, boasting a 57% surge in viewership compared to the previous edition, garnered a total of 22.8 million viewers, according to BCCI Secretary Jay Shah. Defending champions, the Chennai Super Kings, led by the iconic MS Dhoni, are gearing up to retain their title. Kasi Viswanathan, CEO of the franchise, expressed confidence in Dhoni’s return, stating, “He has recovered well from his knee injury, undergoing rehabilitation programs and has commenced training. I am confident he will be fit to play by the start of the next IPL”.

Hotstar Breaks Records with 59 Million Concurrent Viewers for World Cup Final, Surpassing Previous Milestone

News on MEA 20th Nov 2023 ArdorComm Media Group Hotstar Breaks Records with 59 Million Concurrent Viewers for World Cup Final, Surpassing Previous Milestone

Disney’s Hotstar achieves a groundbreaking milestone with 59 million concurrent viewers during a highly anticipated World Cup final cricket match in India. This surpasses the previous record of 53 million viewers set just a week earlier. With no significant cricket events in the near future, Hotstar is poised to maintain this record for at least six months. The platform now holds a substantial lead in concurrent viewership over its competitor, JioCinema, which peaked at 32 million earlier this year. This achievement occurs against the backdrop of Disney facing challenges in the Indian market, including a decline in digital subscribers. Disney CEO Bob Iger expressed a commitment to the Indian market but acknowledged the need to evaluate options. Preliminary talks with potential partners, including Reliance and private equity firms, have taken place. However, the dynamics of Star India have evolved, with market conditions prompting a shift in focus to core businesses. Hotstar’s subscriber base has experienced a decline of more than 23 million in the past year, according to Disney. The platform faces competition, notably from Viacom18’s JioCinema, led by Mukesh Ambani, who has attracted top executives from Star India and invested $3 billion to stream the IPL cricket tournament for five years. Despite these challenges, Disney had high expectations for the ICC Cricket World Cup, projecting over 50 million concurrent viewers and aiming to reach 82% of India’s total annual video users during the 50-day series.

Disney+ Hotstar Sets New Peak Concurrent Viewership Record During India vs. South Africa Cricket Match

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Digital concurrent viewership records were shattered during the India vs. South Africa cricket match when Virat Kohli achieved his 49th ODI century, tying with Sachin Tendulkar’s record. Disney+ Hotstar, the official streaming platform for the ongoing ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, reached a peak of 44 million concurrent viewers during this game. The World Cup has consistently seen new peak concurrent viewership records, and Disney+ Hotstar is offering free mobile access to these matches, including the India vs. South Africa and India vs. New Zealand clashes, which drew 43 million and 44 million peak concurrent viewers, respectively. This is a significant shift, as Disney+ Hotstar had previously put cricket content behind a paywall for several years. The strategy to provide free access to cricket matches seems to be paying off for Disney+ Hotstar, as they continue to break their own records. Prior to the ICC Cricket World Cup, JioCinema set a record with 32 million viewers during the Indian Premier League final between the Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Titans. Sajith Sivanandan, Head of Disney+ Hotstar India, expressed gratitude for the unwavering support of users and their passion for cricket streaming. The platform is excited to see where this support takes them as the tournament progresses. Media experts believe that the growing popularity of streaming for sports events is due to the convenience of watching matches on mobile devices. As smartphone usage increases, digital viewership for cricket is expected to rise further. Disney+ Hotstar is also encouraging viewers to purchase subscriptions to enjoy ad-free entertainment content, although even premium subscribers will see ads during live sports broadcasts. To enhance the viewing experience, Disney+ Hotstar has collaborated with the International Cricket Council (ICC) to introduce MaxView, allowing cricket enthusiasts to watch matches in a vertical mode (9×14 portrait view). According to BARC data for the All India 2+ audience, the India vs. New Zealand match had 80 million peak concurrent viewers on Disney Star channels and Doordarshan, surpassing the 75.5 million viewers for the India vs. Pakistan match. Disney Star claims that the total viewership for the live broadcast of the World Cup has exceeded 400 million viewers for the first 26 matches. The TV viewership specifically for Disney Star channels in the All India 2+ audience is reported at 310 million.

Cricket’s Olympic Re-entry to Reshape the Sporting Landscape

Article on MEA 16th Oct 2023 ArdorComm Media Group Cricket’s Olympic Re-entry to Reshape the Sporting Landscape

For a long time, cricket was considered a sport with a vast global following, but its stronghold remained limited to Commonwealth countries. India alone accounted for around 70 percent of its 2.5 billion fans and a significant portion of TV revenues, making it second only to football in terms of worldwide appeal. However, this scenario is set to change as T20 cricket re-enters the Olympic arena for the 2028 Los Angeles Games, marking a mutually beneficial partnership from both a sporting and commercial perspective. From a sporting viewpoint, the Olympics offer an unparalleled stage for cricket, possibly even more significant than a World Cup. Winning an Olympic medal is a dream come true for any athlete, signifying a connection with a history that dates back to 1896. Keith Joseph, President of the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC), strongly supports the ICC’s efforts to include cricket in the LA Olympics. He believes that the T20 format, known for its brevity and appeal to younger audiences, will help cricket’s global image, especially since the USA will co-host the T20 World Cup in 2024. However, it would be naive to expect cricket to suddenly rival the universal appeal of football merely because of its inclusion in the Olympics. For instance, the ICC’s T20 ranking list includes 87 men’s teams and 66 women’s teams, while FIFA’s ranking list covers 207 men’s teams and 186 women’s teams, indicating a substantial disparity between the two sports. Nonetheless, the T20 format has helped cricket expand into previously uncharted territories in Africa, Europe, and Latin America. Bringing cricket to a global audience is a positive first step, particularly due to the substantial market and strong subcontinent crowd presence in the USA. Cricket’s inclusion in Los Angeles is essential, and there’s hope it will feature in Brisbane in 2032. Australia’s rich cricketing tradition could provide a significant boost to the sport and potentially pave the way for permanent Olympic status. Cricket had to overcome several self-imposed obstacles to return to the Olympics. Both officials and players were initially reluctant to adhere to certain clauses, such as the whereabouts requirement for random drug testing, set by the IOC, IOA, and WADA. Even England, the champion side when cricket last featured in the Olympics in 1900, had reservations. Nevertheless, the BCCI, ICC, and a few other boards found common ground to take cricket to a global stage. Beyond the playing field, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) may have considered cricket’s crowd-pulling power, particularly in the USA, with its sizable Asian diaspora. An industry insider estimated that cricket’s massive viewership would significantly impact the sale of broadcasting rights for the LA Olympics. To sum up, cricket’s return to the Olympics marks a historic moment for the sport, presenting opportunities for both athletes and businesses to thrive on a global stage.