Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah in ICC’s WC XI, no place for Kohli
London: Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah were the only two Indians to feature in the ICC’s World Cup 2019 Team of the Tournament, which didn’t have any place for Virat Kohli.
New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson was named the captain of the team while Alex Carey of Australia was appointed the wicketkeeper.
India vice-captain Rohit had a World Cup to remember where he not only finished as the highest run-getter (648 runs in nine innings), but also racked up a record five centuries, the most by any batsman in a single World Cup.
India lost to New Zealand in the semifinal where Rohit did not get runs, but personally the Mumbai batsman could not have asked for a better outing.
Coming to Bumrah, the best bowler in white ball cricket at the moment delivered in every single match relentlessly, without dropping his intensity. He took 18 wickets in nine matches, but more importantly returned with an amazing economy rate of 4.41.
Meanwhile, destructive England opener Jason Roy was named as Rohit’s opening partner.
Roy’s breathtaking batting at the top of the order was one of the main reasons why champions England were such a force in the World Cup. Roy missed three matches in the group stages due to an injury — against Afghanistan, Sri Lanka and Australia — and England lost two of them, against the Lankans and the Aussies.
Once Roy was back against India, there was no looking back for the dashing opener as he overall plundered 443 runs in seven innings with a highest score of 153 at an average of 63.28.
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Neymar helps Santos avoid relegation, says he will have knee surgery
Sao Paulo (AP): Neymar's Santos secured its survival in Brazil's Serie A on Sunday with a 3-0 win over Cruzeiro, and the 33-year-old soccer star later confirmed he will undergo surgery on his left knee.
Playing its last league match of the season, Santos — which achieved a global following with all-time great Pelé — avoided what would have been the club's second relegation in its history. Santos was relegated in 2023 for the first time almost a year after the death of Pelé.
Neymar struggled to recover from a torn ACL in October 2023 during a World Cup qualifier against Uruguay. But he proved key for Santos in its successful fight to avoid relegation in the Brazilian championship after its promotion last year.
Neymar, who returned to Santos in January, was decisive for the club where he started his professional career. In the last three rounds of the league, Neymar scored a goal against Sport Recife in a 3-0 win, netted a hat trick against Juventude on Wednesday in another 3-0 victory, and on Sunday was an effective playmaker.
Thaciano (26th and 28th minutes) and João Schmidt (60th) scored against Cruzeiro at Vila Belmiro Stadium as Santos finished 12th with 47 points.
Neymar played only 19 of the 38 rounds of the league, which started in April. He scored eight goals.
"I came for this, to try to help the best way I can. These have been tough weeks for me,” Neymar said after the game. "I thank those who were with me to lift me up. If it weren't for them, I wouldn't have played these matches because of these injuries, this knee problem. I need to rest and then we will have this knee surgery."
Neymar did not give more details about the knee injury and surgery. He still hopes to be included in Brazil's final squad for the 2026 World Cup, though coach Carlo Ancelotti is yet to pick the former captain since he took over in May.
Flamengo won its ninth Brazilian league title midweek after a 1-0 home victory against Ceara. The Rio de Janeiro club also won the Copa Libertadores last month. AP
