The stage is set for a thrilling clash between India and Pakistan at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, and the excitement extends beyond the players on the field. Cricket fans were treated to a special appearance by a galaxy of cricket legends who graced the Nassau County Cricket Stadium in New York for the much-awaited match.
Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, Yuvraj Singh, Ravi Shastri and Chris Gayle were among the stars of yesterday who were spotted at the venue, adding to the electrifying atmosphere. The ICC gave an insight into the interactions of these legends with the Indian players ahead of the rain-postponed match.
Ponting leads fans into the Indian dressing room
For a touch of exclusivity, Ricky Ponting shared a sneak peek into the Indian dressing room and gave viewers a behind-the-scenes look. Later, the ICC released a video of the Australian legend meeting key Indian players like Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Rohit Sharma, Kuldeep Yadav and Rishabh Pant.
Tendulkar is revered by young people
The legendary Sachin Tendulkar, fondly called ‘Little Master’, was spotted interacting with the Indian team. A heartwarming moment was captured when a young Yashasvi Jaiswal touched Tendulkar’s feet, showing the immense respect that the younger generations have for the legendary cricketer.
Gayle receives signatures from both teams
Chris Gayle, known for his flamboyant personality, was busy collecting autographs on his blazer. He secured signatures from Indian and Pakistani stars, including Virat Kohli, Babar Azam and legendary fast bowler Wasim Akram.
Yuvraj Singh carries the World Cup trophy
Yuvraj Singh, himself a world champion and brand ambassador of the current tournament, had the honour of carrying the glittering trophy onto the pitch.
Pakistan wins coin toss and decides to bowl first
After the coin toss finally took place following a rain delay, Pakistan captain Babar Azam opted to field first to take advantage of the early bowling conditions. He explained: “The conditions suit us, we have four fast bowlers. We will try to make the best use of them. Past is past, we are looking forward to today’s game, we are ready and will give 100 percent.”
Rohit Sharma agrees with Bowling First
Indian captain Rohit Sharma revealed that he too would have chosen to bowl first as he wanted to assess the pitch before setting a target. “Could have bowled first too. We have to assess what the conditions are like and get an idea of what a good score is. We have talked about what we need to do as a batting side to get a good score and then we need to defend ourselves with the bowling side. In a World Cup, every game is important, you can’t just turn up. Anything can happen,” said Sharma.
Game postponed due to rain, but promises excitement
The much-anticipated clash had to be postponed due to rain, but with the legends in attendance and both teams ready to battle, cricket fans can look forward to an exciting encounter when play resumes.
Stay updated with all cricket action, follow Cricadium At Whatsapp, Facebook, Þjórsárden, telegram And Instagram