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  • T20 World Cup 2024: 85% anticipate Virat Kohli to have major impact during the T20 tournament, reveals Wise’s survey | Cricket News

    Mumbai, June 06, 2024: A new survey by Wise, the global technology company building the best way to move and manage the world’s money, reveals cricket’s growing significance in fostering connection, cultural engagement, and financial activity amongst Indians worldwide.

    The research, which polled over 1,000 people based in India, found that cricket-related activities such as watching and discussing matches (39%) rank among the top three activities that help Indian respondents stay connected with their family and friends overseas. Other top activities include engaging in food-related topics such as sharing new recipes (42%), sending money for special occasions (40%), and sharing music recommendations (39%).

    Key Findings

    – 85% of respondents anticipate Virat Kohli to have a major impact during the T20 tournament. – 44% of respondents in India are keen to travel to catch the upcoming T20 World Cup matches live. – 72% believe the T20 World Cup will provide more bonding opportunities with family and friends based in the US – Over 60% noted having at least 3 loved ones establishing roots overseas, suggesting a more globalized Indian community. – Top ways Indians stay connected with loved ones overseas include food-related topics (42%), sending money for special occasions (40%), cricket-related activities (39%), and sharing music recommendations (39%).

    This finding highlights the importance of shared experiences, especially as the number of Indians with family and friends abroad continues to rise. Indeed, 77% of respondents have family living overseas, and 61% observed at least 3 to 4 loved ones relocating internationally in the past 5 years.

    Financial Ties that Bind

    The survey also reveals the vital role financial transactions play in strengthening family and cultural bonds with loved ones who live internationally. About 55% of respondents send money abroad at least once a month, with top reasons being gifts for special occasions like birthdays (49%), education endeavors (17%), and daily life expenses (10%).

    T20 World Cup: A Unifying Force

    The survey found the upcoming T20 World Cup as a significant factor in strengthening connections across borders. 44% of respondents would go the extra mile and travel internationally to attend matches, and 72% of respondents believe the tournament provides more bonding opportunities with their loved ones based in the US.

    Influential Players: Kohli, Sharma, and Bumrah Lead Expectations

    The charisma and performance of players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah fuel the excitement surrounding the T20 World Cup. Virat Kohli is anticipated by 85% of respondents to have a major impact during the tournament, followed by Rohit Sharma (67%) and Jasprit Bumrah (38%). Fans also have high hopes for India, with 54% of respondents believing India will win the T20 World Cup.

    A Call for Transparency in Financial Services

    Despite frequent interactions with financial services, Indians still struggle to understand the true cost of sending money abroad. Traditional methods of sending money abroad often involve high charges and hidden costs, and a lack of transparency in fee structures and exchange rates makes it hard for people to know the actual cost. Indeed, 88% of respondents were not aware that there could be a markup on the exchange rate, an often unknown fee which costs people extra when they send money abroad. This underscores an urgent need for transparency in the cross-border payments space so consumers can make informed decisions.

    “This survey unveils the power of cricket in uniting Indians and their loved ones abroad. Beyond being a sport, cricket fosters cultural connections, strengthens family bonds, and even influences financial activities, as seen by increased travel intent during key tournaments,” says Shrawan Saraogi, APAC Head of Expansion, Wise.

    “At Wise, we understand the importance of shared experiences in staying connected to loved ones abroad. So, whether you’re traveling or sending money for daily expenses, education, or for special occasions, it’s important to consider the exchange rate you’re getting, whether there are hidden fees, and the speed of these transactions. Use Wise to ensure your money arrives with your loved ones on time and without hidden fees,” he added.

    Wise x The Grade Cricketer

    In celebration of the T20 World Cup, Wise has collaborated with the good folks at The Grade Cricketer. The duo will embark on a classic road trip across America, utilizing their Wise account and cards to illustrate the ease of managing finances internationally while showcasing how cricket connects people across borders. Keep a look out for the video series, with the first one dropping in the first week of June.

    About the Survey [Playing on a Global Stage: Cricket, Community, and Money Habits]

    Wise conducted a survey to examine the impact of cricket in connecting Indians and their global communities, as well as sentiments around the upcoming T20 World Cup. The survey was carried out on an online platform in April 2024, polling over 1,000 participants based in India.

    The methodology involved targeted questions to assess the viewership habits, emotional connections, and financial activities related to cricket. It also explored respondents’ family and friend network, including whether they have loved ones residing abroad, along with their international money transfer habits.

  • How Cricket Stars Reacted To India’s Comeback Win At MCG

    Indian cricket fraternity, led by Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli, on Tuesday hailed the national team for the “resilience and character” it showed to redeem itself after the Adelaide debacle to win the second Test in Melbourne. India, led by Ajinkya Rahane, levelled the four-match Test series 1-1 after defeating Australia by eight wickets in the second match at the MCG. Rahane led from the front with a match-winning 112 in India’s first innings.

    “To win a Test match without Virat, Rohit, Ishant & Shami is a terrific achievement. Loved the resilience and character shown by the team to put behind the loss in the 1st Test and level the series. Brilliant win. Well done TEAM INDIA,” tweeted Tendulkar.

    Kohli, who returned home on paternity leave after leading the side in the first Test, praised Rahane and the team for the win. “What a win this is, absolutely amazing effort by the whole team. Couldn”t be happier for the boys and specially Jinks who led the team to victory amazingly. Onwards and upwards from here,” Kohli said in a tweet.

  • ICC selected Virat Kohli as the best cricketer of the decade

    The International Cricket Council (ICC) has selected Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli as the best cricketer of the decade. In view of Kohli’s amazing performance in all three formats in this decade, the ICC has given him the Sir Garfield Sobers Award, the best cricketer of the decade.

    During this ICC Awards period, Kohli was the highest run-scorer in international cricket. With this, he also scored the most centuries and the most fifties in this period. In this decade, 20,396 runs came off Kohli’s bat, which included 66 centuries and 94 half-centuries.

    Earlier, the ICC selected Kohli as the best ODI cricketer of the decade. In this decade, Kohli has been the only cricketer in ODI cricket to have scored more than 10,000 runs.

    On the other hand, on Sunday, ie, the ICC gave Virat Kohli a place in the teams of all three formats of this decade. Apart from this, the ICC also made Kohli the captain of the Test team of this decade.

  • Ajinkya Rahane Leads From The Front, Scores An Impactful 50 In Ind-Aus Boxing Day Test

    Skipper Ajinkya Rahane turned up when his team needed him the most with a vital half-century on Day 2 of the ongoing Boxing Day Test match against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Rahane is India’s stand-in captain not only for this match, but also for the remainder of the series as regular skipper Virat Kohli has flown back to India on paternity leave. 

    Coming back to the contest, ‘Jinx’ has shown that he is not being burdened with the added responsibility of leading the Indian side in a must-win contest after being completely outplayed in the first Test at the Adelaide Oval last week

    As the Mumbai batsman scored his 23rd half-century in the game’s longest format, netizens came forward to laud him for playing a captain’s knock under pressure. Here are some of the reactions.

  • Ravindra Jadeja becomes the 34th Indian player to play 50 Tests

    Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja completed his 50 Tests as he landed his second Boxing Day Test against Australia on Saturday. Jadeja became the 34th Indian to play 50 Tests. Jadeja suffered a hamstring injury in the first T20 match in Canberra and a few balls later Mitchell Starc’s bouncer hit his helmet causing him to suffer a concussion.

    After three weeks of rehabilitation, Jadeja became fully fit and was included in the team in place of Indian captain Virat Kohli for the second Test. Left-arm spin all-rounder Jadeja has so far taken 214 wickets in addition to scoring 1869 runs in 50 matches.

  • Ajinkya Rahane says that he apologized to Virat Kohli after the Adelaide run out

    Ajinkya Rahane on Friday said he had apologised to Virat Kohli after his horrible mix-up with him led to the India captain’s game-changing run out in the first Test against Australia in Adelaide. Kohli was looking solid before the comical run out for 74 on the opening day at Adelaide Oval. Upon realising that there was no run in it, Rahane decided to send back Kohli but it was too late by then. What followed in the second innings was an inexplicable batting collapse, due to which the visitors crumbled to their lowest Test score of 36/9.

    “After the end of day’s play I went and said sorry to him (Kohli) but he was all okay, he was okay about it,” Rahane said on the eve of the second Test in Melbourne. “We both understood that the situation we were in, we were going well at that point, but such things happen in cricket, you got to respect that and you got to move forward.”

    Stand-in skipper Rahane admitted that the run out handed Australia the momentum as they recorded an eight-wicket win inside two and half days. “It was a really tough one, obviously we were going really well that moment, our partnership was good, and I could actually see that momentum going towards Australia after that run out,” Rahane said.

  •  Rahane makes a statement as he looks to stabilise Indian ship

    Ajinkya Rahane might not be an extrovert like Virat Kohli, but he too knows how to give it back to the opposition both on the field and off it. After Australian coach Justin Langer said that he would like to put some pressure on India’s stand-in captain, Rahane said he would let the Australians play mind games and would continue to focus on his team and its individuals.

    “Australians are very good at playing mind games and I will let them do that. We are focussing on ourselves, what we want to do as a unit and we are going to back our every individuals,” Rahane said on the eve of the match.

    He was very clear that he wouldn’t take any additional pressure of captaining the team but will make the most of this opportunity. “It is a proud moment for me leading India, obviously it is a great opportunity, responsibility as well but I don’t want to take any pressure.

    “I think what I want to do is back my team. So focus is not on me, it is all about team and how we want to do well as a team. We are focussing on that,” the middle order batsman said.

  • After pep talk, expectant father Virat Kohli leaves Australian shores for India

     Indian captain Virat Kohli left Australian shores on Tuesday after a pep talk with his beleaguered teammates, handing over the mantle of leading the side to Ajinkya Rahane in the remaining three Tests.
    Kohli is coming back to India for the birth of his first child in January.
    Before boarding his flight back home, the star batsman met his teammates and encouraged them to give their all in the remainder of the series, which the visitors trail 0-1 after the heavy defeat in the opening Test.

    Long before setting foot on Australia, Rahane had been entrusted with the responsibility of leading in the team in Kohli’s absence after the star had approached the BCCI for paternity leave.
    The idea behind organising the pep talk was to boost the confidence of the players and keep them in a positive frame of mind heading into the crucial Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.
    India lost the lung-opener here inside three days after crumbling to their lowest Test score of 36.

  • It’s Ajinkya Rahane’s time to step up, says Virat Kohli

    Team India displayed clarity of mind ahead of what is expected to be a tough pink-ball challenge by naming their XI a day ahead of the first Test in Adelaide, even as Australia decided to keep their line-up “in-house” until the game.
    India didn’t fall for the most talked-about swap, deciding to stick with Prithvi Shaw at the top of the order to partner Mayank Agarwal instead of handing a Test cap to Shubman Gill.

    India also chose to persist with offie Ashwin, shelving the idea of an all-pace line-up, and opted for the more skilled Wriddhiman Saha as wicketkeeper.

    Whether this advance announcement will set a trend for the series is unknown, since the team’s real challenges may begin after this Test with ‘bedrock’ Virat Kohli leaving for home. Vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane will lead the side but it will be hard to replace both Kohli’s constant leadership presence and ability as batsman.
    Kohli, however, gave the impression that India’s plans for the series had largely been set, and Rahane merely had to execute those plans.

  • Playing test with pink ball is the opposite of playing with red ball: Virat Kohli

    Indian team captain Virat Kohli has said that playing a Test match with a pink ball is generally the opposite of a Test match played with a red ball. The four-match Test series between Australia and India starts on Thursday. The first Test match of the series will be played in the day and night format at the Adelaide Oval ground.

    Kohli said that preparing to play with pink ball is very difficult, because it has many aspects. The captain said that he will have to play according to the condition of the Adelaide Oval ground. Kohli said on Wednesday, “I don’t think you can plan things in Test cricket. Test cricket always happens in the same way that you have to play according to the situation you face and use your best ability. You have to understand when you have to attack, when to defend, when to wicket.

    The pink ball test match brings with it many things, such as evening time, when it is very difficult to bat. It is difficult to bowl in the first session and then the bowlers get help at night. He said, “When you compare it with a common Test match, it is very different. We are ready to go on the field with our plan in every situation. Planning is necessary, but you cannot plan anything in advance. In particular, there is a day-night test in which many things happen.