Ahead of World Cup, Shreyas Iyer plays a crucial knock

If Shreyas Iyer wanted to find his bearings before the World Cup, he wouldn't have found a better pitch than the one on offer at the Holkar Stadium.
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Cricket is a popular sport played in many countries around the world, particularly in countries of the Commonwealth. It is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of eleven players each. The objective of the game is to score more runs than the opposition team. Cricket originated in England in the 16th century and has since spread to various parts of the world. It is played on a grass field, with a rectangular 22-yard-long pitch at the center. The pitch has two wickets, consisting of three stumps and two bails, at each end. The batting team's objective is to score runs by hitting the ball thrown by the bowler and running between the wickets. The bowler's objective is to dismiss the batsman by hitting the wickets or inducing the batsman to hit the ball in the air, allowing a fielder to catch it. The fielding team aims to restrict the batting team's scoring and dismiss their batsmen. Cricket matches are generally played in different formats, including Test matches, One Day Internationals (ODIs), and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). Test matches are the longest format, played over five days, while ODIs are limited to 50 overs per side. T20Is are the shortest format, with each team playing 20 overs. The International Cricket Council (ICC) governs the sport globally and organizes major tournaments like the Cricket World Cup. The World Cup is held every four years, with teams from different countries competing for the prestigious trophy. Cricket is known for its rich history, traditions, and rivalries among nations. Some of the prominent cricket-playing nations include India, Australia, England, Pakistan, South Africa, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, West Indies, and Bangladesh. In addition to international cricket, domestic cricket leagues are also popular, such as the Indian Premier League (IPL) in India, the Big Bash League (BBL) in Australia, and the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) in the West Indies. These leagues attract top players from around the world and have a significant following. Overall, cricket is a sport that combines skill, strategy, and athleticism, and it continues to captivate millions of fans worldwide. The upcoming Cricket World Cup is eagerly anticipated by fans and players alike, as it showcases the best talent from different countries competing for cricket's ultimate prize.