Author: Ishaan Shahane

In a thrilling encounter at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala, the Netherlands, whose only two World Cup wins in 22 previous games had come against Namibia (2003) and Scotland (2007) pulled the rug from under South Africa’s feet in one of the biggest upsets in the competition’s 48-year history. After emphatic victories over Sri Lanka and Australia, South Africa were being talked of as serious contenders for the big prize, but in a match reduced to 43 overs a side by rain, the Netherlands eased to a 38-run victory. In truth, it wasn’t even that close, with a…

Netherlands face a formidable challenge as they gear up to confront a red-hot South African side in Dharamsala on Tuesday (October 17). Riding a wave of good form, the South Africans would look to extend their winning streak in this World Cup to three in three matches. Against a Dutch side struggling to find its feet in the tournament, South Africa are a supremely confident lot, following a 134-run win against Australia in their previous match. Once again, their batting will revolve around Quinton de Kock and Aiden Markram. Perched at a higher altitude, the venue offers the…

In the grand theatre of cricket, where passion knows no boundaries, the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 has emerged not just as a contest of skills but as a battleground for corporate giants. In India, cricket is more than a sport. It is an emotion that reverberates throughout the nation. With the World Cup having well and truly arrived after India’s victory against Pakistan, large corporates are orchestrating a symphony of advertising campaigns, each with a unique note. Understanding the mood of the country is the first guideline in the playbook of these corporate giants. Brands are using this event…

In the grand theatre of cricket, where passion knows no boundaries, the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 has emerged not just as a contest of skills but as a battleground for corporate giants. In India, cricket is more than a sport. It is an emotion that reverberates throughout the nation. With the World Cup having well and truly arrived after India’s victory against Pakistan, large corporates are orchestrating a symphony of advertising campaigns, each with a unique note. Understanding the mood of the country is the first guideline in the playbook of these corporate giants. Brands are using this…

After the crushing seven-wicket defeat to India at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Mickey Arthur, Pakistan’s team director, bemoaned a ‘timid’ performance, and also took issue with the partisan atmosphere inside the ground, bizarrely pointing out the DJ’s choice of tunes. “Look, I’d be lying if I said it did not (affect us),” said Arthur of a near-capacity crowd that was a heaving sea of blue. “It didn’t seem like an ICC event to be brutally honest. It seemed like a bilateral series. It seemed like a BCCI event. I didn’t hear Dil Dil Pakistan coming through the microphones too often…

India-Pakistan World Cup games are a unique treat for fans everywhere because they bring to life one of the fiercest rivalries in sports. These matches are as intense as any sporting contest, setting hearts racing and pulses pounding. It’s a match that transcends cricket and goes to the core of national identity and pride for millions. The energy is palpable from the moment the first ball is bowled. The stadiums become a sea of colour as fans cheer for their teams while flying their respective national flags and singing national anthems. Fans are glued to their seats, eagerly awaiting every…

Limca Sportz, designated the official sports drink for the prestigious ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, has come up with a drinks trolley that will bring back memories of an earlier World Cup held in the subcontinent. With most of the matches being played in intense heat and humidity, the LED-backlit trolley will help the players hydrate. Limca Sportz, which has Neeraj Chopra, Olympic javelin champion as a brand ambassador, provides glucose, electrolytes and ION 4 to take care of rehydration, revitalisation and the replacement of nutrients. On closer examination, the drinks trolley is far more than just…

Sensational centuries from Abdullah Shafique and Muhammad Rizwan helped Pakistan pull off the biggest run chase in World Cup history, as they overhauled a target of 345 with 10 balls to spare, leaving Sri Lanka winless after their first two games. A dazzling 77-ball 122 from KusalMendis and SadeeraSamarawickrama’s accomplished 108 had given Sri Lanka an incredible platform, but they added only 115 in the final 20 overs as Pakistan’s bowlers rebounded after a ragged start. In the end, the 176-run partnership between Rizwan, who remained unbeaten on 131 (121 balls) at the end, and Shafique was the difference, as…