Ashok Travels & Tours (ATT), the travel division of India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC), has been selected as the official travel partner for Team India at the 2024 Paris Olympics. ATT will manage all travel logistics for the athletes, coaches, and the entire contingent, ensuring a smooth and comfortable journey. This partnership reflects ATT’s commitment to supporting Indian sports and their expertise in travel management.
The Indian T20 World Cup winning team has returned to India on a special Air India chartered flight. The flight, with a call sign signifying the upcoming T20 World Cup in 2024, has become the most tracked flight on the flightradar website. The team will be greeted by a packed schedule upon their arrival, including a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and a celebratory roadshow in Mumbai.
The Indian cricket team and their families have been stranded in Barbados since Sunday due to Hurricane Beryl. The storm caused widespread damage and disruptions, including power outages and airport closures. However, Prime Minister Mia Mottley has assured that the airport is expected to reopen within the next 12 hours, allowing the team to return to India. The hurricane, which has now intensified to Category 4, has caused one fatality and significant damage across the Winward Islands.
Legendary music composer and singer AR Rahman paid tribute to Team India’s T20 World Cup victory by releasing a celebratory video of his song ‘Team India Hain Hum’. The Oscar-winning singer expressed his joy for the team’s triumph, which ended a 17-year wait for the trophy.
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has hinted at a possible return to coaching, including a potential role in the Indian Premier League (IPL). During a conversation with Rajasthan Royals’ Ravichandran Ashwin on his YouTube channel, Shastri expressed his interest in contributing to youth development in cricket. Shastri’s successful tenure as India coach, during which the team registered historic Test series wins in Australia, could make him an attractive candidate for IPL franchises seeking experienced guidance.
Team India will likely have a new head coach after the T20 World Cup. Fans on X speculate VVS Laxman will replace Rahul Dravid due to his experience as stand-in head coach and current role as head of the National Cricket Academy. If Laxman applies, he may face competition from overseas applicants, as the BCCI is open to a foreign coach. The selection process will involve a thorough review of applications, interviews, and assessments.
Under Rohit Sharma’s captaincy, many young players have made their debuts for India, showcasing his guidance and camaraderie in the dressing room. Despite the traditional hierarchy between senior and junior players, Rohit and the emerging talents have a positive dynamic that is evident on and off the field. Rohit’s leadership was tested in the recent Test series against England, where he faced player absences due to injuries and personal commitments. However, his adept captaincy steered the team through challenges, demonstrating his ability to rally the squad even in adversity. Rohit’s camaraderie with the youngsters was reflected on the field, with several of his one-liners becoming talking points on social media. One such moment occurred when Rohit urged his players to put more effort on the field, telling them they weren’t walking in a garden. This line went viral on social media, and Rohit recreated the moment with Mumbai Indians’ youngster Tilak Varma. Tilak cleverly responded, pointing out that they were in Eden Gardens. Mumbai Indians will face Kolkata Knight Riders in their next match, aiming to reach double figures in the points table. KKR, on the other hand, is almost assured of a playoff spot and currently tops the table with 16 points.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the Indian squad for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2023. The squad features a blend of experienced players and exciting newcomers, with a few notable surprises and omissions.
Virender Sehwag has left Hardik Pandya out of his Team India’s Playing XI for the T20 World Cup 2024, opting instead for Shivam Dube or Rinku Singh at No. 6. The former India opener, who revealed his XI on the ‘Club Prairie Fire’ podcast, named Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav and Rishabh Pant as his top five. Sehwag’s exclusion of Pandya, who has had a poor IPL 2024 campaign, is a talking point, while Dube’s recent form has earned him a place in the XI. Rinku Singh, who has also done well for India lately, is the other option for the No. 6 spot. Sehwag’s XI also includes Sandeep Sharma, who has impressed with his bowling in this year’s IPL. With India set to be without Mohammed Shami for the World Cup, the veteran seamer could provide cover for Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj.
Former India batsman Ambati Rayudu, now an expert commentator, has selected his squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup. His picks include a mix of experienced players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja, along with promising talents such as Riyan Parag and Mayank Yadav. Rayudu has prioritized form and experience in his selections, opting for players who have been performing well in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL).
