Drake, a Canadian rapper and artist, made headlines by betting a huge Rs 5 crore on the highly anticipated India versus Pakistan T20 World Cup 2024 match. This cricket mania has spread well beyond Asia, attracting the attention of international superstars. The International Cricket Council (ICC) hopes to reach a new and varied audience by hosting the T20 World Cup in the United States and the West Indies.
Drake announced his big bet on the Indian cricket team in a now-deleted Instagram story, captioned “We are 1 for 1 on cricket bets.” Let us start the run.” Drake has wagered on cricket before. He earlier earned Rs 3.73 crore by betting on the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) final. According to Mashable India, he staked $250,000 on Shah Rukh Khan’s side, earning a profit of Rs 1.7 crore.
As the match approaches, Pakistan has got a major boost with the return of all-rounder Imad Wasim, who has been deemed fit to play. Imad had missed Pakistan’s opening game against the United States owing to a rib ailment, as well as the last match of their pre-tournament series with England. However, Pakistan’s coach, Gary Kirsten, indicated that Imad would be eligible for selection.
Kirsten, who took over as Pakistan’s coach in April, would not reveal the final lineup, citing ongoing fitness examinations for additional players. Despite this, he showed faith in his team’s will to recover from their setback against the United States. “It’s never fun for a cricketer to lose a game. They’re doing their best. “I don’t believe I needed to motivate this team for this game,” he stated.
Kirsten emphasized the significance of cooperation, saying, “I believe the most essential thing for us is that we really work as a team. Yes, we need people to do well, but in games like today, I believe it’s a true team effort. It’s a major game, so we’ll approach it like any other. But we’ll surely give it our best attempt. The squad is motivated. Two days ago is forgotten. We cannot take it back. It’s gone. So let’s go on.”
The India versus Pakistan match is scheduled for Sunday, June 9, at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York. The Indian lineup, which includes Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Virat Kohli, and Rishabh Pant, is expected to provide a great performance. The match will commence at 8 p.m. IST.
Drake’s high-stakes wager reflects the rising worldwide interest in cricket. His choice to wager on India not only demonstrates his belief in the squad but also provides a fascinating storyline for the T20 World Cup. As fans and bettors across the world anxiously await this historic match, all eyes will be on whether Drake’s wager on India comes off.
In related news, Drake has made headlines for his rap fight with Kendrick Lamar at the Hollywood Bowl. Seth Rogen, a comedian and actor, presided over the dramatic fight and declared Kendrick the winner while referencing Drake’s defensive lyrics during the conflict.
The T20 World Cup 2024 continues to attract fans worldwide, with high-profile bets and celebrity appearances adding to the tournament’s intrigue.