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31 COVER STORY July 5, 2024 www.desitalkchicago.com – that’s all you need to know T he Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) General Secretary Jai Shah on Sunday, announced the prize of Rs 125 crore for Team India for winning the ICC T20World Cup 2024. He took to social media and also praised the talent, determination, and sportsmanship of the Indian Team. “I am pleased to announce prize money of INR 125 Crores for Team India for win- ning the ICC Men’s T20World Cup 2024. The team has showcased exceptional talent, determination, and sportsmanship throughout the tournament. Congratu- lations to all the players, coaches, and support staff for this outstanding achieve- ment!” Jay Shah wrote on X. A fine exhibition of death bowling by trio of Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya and stupendous knocks by Virat Kohli and Axar Pa- tel helped India end their ICC trophy drought, securing their second ICC T20 World Cup title by beating South Africa by seven runs in a thrilling final at Barbados on Saturday. Proteas are once again left heartbroken, yet to win an ICC title. Meanwhile, India has ended its 11-year long ICC trophy drought, winning their first ICC title since the Champions Trophy in 2013. India is the first team to have captured the title undefeated. Virat secured the ‘Player of the Match’ for his performance. Now, by securing their first ICC title since the Champions Trophy in 2013, India has ended their ICC trophy drought. Shortly after the winning match, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli announced they were ending their T20I careers Saturday. Both also announced their retirement from the short format after winning the trophy. After managing just 75 runs in the first seven innings of the competition, Virat stepped up when it mattered the most, scoring 76 in 59 balls, with six fours and two sixes. His runs came at a strike rate of 128.81. Virat ended the ongoing edition with 151 runs in eight innings at an average of 18.87 and a strike rate of 112.68, with one fifty. In 35 T20World Cup matches, Virat has scored 1,292 runs at an average of 58.72 and a strike rate of 128.81, with 15 half-centuries. His best score is 89*. He is the highest run-scorer in the history of the tournament. In 125 T20I matches, Virat scored 4,188 runs at an average of 48.69 and a strike rate of 137.04. He scored a century and 38 fifties and a best score of 122*. He ends the format as the second-highest run-getter of all time. Rohit also ended the tournament with a career-best performance with the bat with 257 runs in eight games at an average of 36.71 and a strike rate of over 156. His best score was 92 and scored three half- centuries in the competition to become the second-highest run-getter. Rohit retires as a double T20WC champion, winning the title back in 2007 as a young up-and-coming prodigy. In 151 T20I matches, Rohit has scored 4,231 runs at an average of 32.05 with a strike rate of over 140. He scored five centuries and 32 fifties in his career, with the best score of 121*. Rohit is also the leading run-scorer in the format. Rohit’s leadership skills in the tourna- ment, fine rotation of bowlers and Virat’s ability to overcome a lean patch and deliver when it mattered the most helped Men in Blue in ending their 11-year-long ICC trophy drought. Star India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja also annonced his retirement from the T20 Internationals after clinching the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 title on Saturday. “With a heart full of gratitude, I bid farewell to T20 internationals. Like a steadfast horse galloping with pride, I’ve always given my best for my country and will continue to do so in other formats. Winning the T20World Cup was a dream come true, a pinnacle of my T20 Interna- tional career. Thank you for the memories, the cheers, and the unwavering support,” Jadeja posted on Instagram. Jadeja made his T20I debut in February 2009 against Sri Lanka. The all-rounder played a total of 74 matches where he managed to snap 54 wickets at an average of 29.85 and went on to score a total of 515 runs at a strike rate of 127.16 in the short- est format of the game. The 35-year-old’s best bowling per- formance came against Scotland in the 2021’s ICC T20World Cup where he took three wickets and conceded just 15 runs in his spell of four overs at the Dubai International Stadium. On the other hand, with the bat, his best knock came against England in 2022 where he smashed 46 runs off 29 balls which helped the Men in Blue to a victory by 49 runs. -ANI NEWS DISPATCHES BCCI Announces Prize Money For Team India After T20 WC Triumph, Multiple Stars Announce Retirement Photo:REUTERS/AndrewKelly/File Photo Photo:REUTERS/AndrewKelly/File Photo Cricket – ICC T20 World Cup 2024 – Group A – India v Pakistan – Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York, United States – June 9, 2024 India players celebrate after winning the match. Cricket – ICC T20 World Cup 2024 – Group A – India v Pakistan – Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York, United States – June 9, 2024 India players celebrate after winning the match. I ndian-American Akshay Bhatia, already a two-time winner on the PGA Tour at the age of 22, continued his rise on the Tour, as he shot 8-under 64 at Detroit Golf Club to take the lead at the Rocket Mortgage Championship on the PGA Tour. The wiry left-hander, who won the Valero Texas Open this season just before the Masters, was Tied-fifth last week at the Travelers and played in the final group along- sideWorld No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who won the event in a playoff with Tom Kim of Korea. Bhatia, who missed the cut in Detroit last year, had a fantastic finish with birdie-eagle-birdie in his last four three holes, according to a release. On his birdie-eagle-birdie finish, Bhatia said, “Yeah, it’s always nice to finish like that. This tournament’s always kind of a birdie-fest, so birdies and eagles help a lot. It’s nice to finish that way.” He went on, “I putted great. I missed one green today, so I got that up and down. All in all, I hit it pretty nice with the irons and I made some putts. Driver, 3-wood didn’t feel too good, but I’ve got some time to go work on that. On his recent run, he said, “I’ve been playing good the last three weeks. I feel like the results haven’t been where I’ve wanted them to be, but I’ve been playing pretty solid. I’ve been right there for, you know, over 40 holes I would say the last couple weeks. It’s just I’m having some hic- cups either Saturday or Sunday.” The highlight for Bhatia was the chip-in for eagle from 83 feet on the 17th hole and he closed with a birdie for an 8-under 64. England’s Aaron Rai, whose parents have an Indian- Kenyan connection, shot 66 and was Tied-fourth. Tom Kim, playing his ninth straight week he shot 73 and was T-115 needing a strong second round to make the cut. Taylor Montgomery and Michael Kim were a stroke behind Bhatia. Montgomery had a 6-under 30 on his front nine and added one more birdie on the back in a bogey-free round. Defending champion Rickie Fowler shot 66, closing with three straight birdies. Will Zalatoris, Eric Cole, Matti Schmid and Rai also were at 66. Born in Northridge, Los Angeles, California, Jan. 31, 2002, the 6ft 1inch tall, 22 year old Bhatia credits his par- ents Sonny and Renu Bhatia with his success. He began playing at a very young age and has several champion- ships to his credit over the years. He became a PGA player in 2019. Rhea Bhatia, his older sister, is also a professional golfer. He currently lives in North Carolina. Indian-American Akshay Bhatia Takes Lead In Detroit On PGA Tour Photo:screenshotfromYouTubevideo @AkshayBhatia Akshay Bhatia, Indian American golf phenom, practicing on the course. By ANI,with addon by News India Times SPORTS