Cricket

Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami has vehemently denied allegations that he took a dig at former teammate Amit Mishra in a recent interview. Shami took to social media to express his disappointment over "fake" media reports that claimed he had responded to Mishra's comments about Virat Kohli.Mishra had previously stated that Kohli had changed due to "fame and power," leading to speculation that Shami's comments about Kohli's friendship were a direct rebuttal. However, Shami has refuted these claims, emphasizing that he holds Mishra in high regard."Disappointed to see false information circulating about Amit Mishra. It's a humble request to verify news sources before publishing," Shami tweeted. He also urged the media outlet that published the false report to retract the story and issue a correction.In the interview, Shami had named Kohli and Ishant Sharma as his closest friends in the Indian team. "Virat Kohli and Ishant Sharma are my best friends. They constantly kept calling me when I was injured," he said.These comments were interpreted by some as a response to Mishra's earlier remarks. However, Shami has clarified that his statements were not intended as a criticism of Mishra or Kohli."I respect Amit Mishra a lot as a cricketer. I don't share the same equation with him as I used to, but that doesn't mean I have anything against him," Shami explained.He added that he has maintained a close relationship with Kohli despite the latter's rise to stardom. "Virat is still the same person I knew when we first started playing together. He's always been supportive and encouraging," Shami said.Shami's comments have put to rest any speculation about a rift between him and Mishra or Kohli. He has emphasized the importance of verifying information before publishing it and has urged the media to be responsible in their reporting.

Virat Kohli's Transformation: From Brash Youngster to Mature LeaderFormer India spinner Amit Mishra's recent comments on Virat Kohli have ignited a heated debate about the star batter's personality and relationships. Mishra claimed that Kohli's immense fame and power have altered his demeanor, leading to a strained relationship between them.However, Kohli's supporters have rallied to his defense, including former India batter Robin Uthappa. Uthappa hailed Kohli's evolution from a "brash young Delhi boy" to a "mature human being." He praised Kohli's unwavering self-belief and hard work, which have paid dividends over the years.Uthappa's sentiments were echoed by Punjab Kings batter Shashank Singh, who shared an anecdote from the IPL. Singh described a 40-minute conversation with Kohli, during which the latter generously shared his knowledge and insights on cricket. Singh was impressed by Kohli's approachability and willingness to help others.Kohli's transformation has been evident on and off the field. As a player, he has matured into a world-class batsman, known for his consistency and ability to perform under pressure. Off the field, he has become a respected leader and role model, using his platform to advocate for social causes.While Mishra's comments may have sparked controversy, they have also highlighted the complexities of Kohli's personality. He is a driven and ambitious individual who has achieved extraordinary success. However, his intense focus and competitive nature may have sometimes come across as aloof or arrogant.Ultimately, it is up to each individual to form their own opinion on Virat Kohli. Whether they view him as a changed person or a mature leader, there is no denying his immense talent and contributions to Indian cricket.

Amit Mishra Questions Sanju Samson's Inclusion in 2026 T20 World Cup SquadFormer India spinner Amit Mishra has sparked a debate by expressing doubts over Sanju Samson's chances of featuring in the 2026 T20 World Cup squad. Mishra, who last played for India in 2017, believes that Samson's age and the emergence of younger players could hinder his selection."I don't think that Samson will play the next World Cup because he is now 34 years old," Mishra said on Shubhankar Mishra's podcast 'Unplugged.' "There are many young players, and Virat Kohli brought forth this concept that young players perform more in T20 cricket."Samson, 29, was part of India's 2024 T20 World Cup-winning team but did not play a single match, with Rishabh Pant preferred as the wicketkeeper-batter. Mishra acknowledged that an exceptional performance could earn Samson a spot in the 2026 squad, but he emphasized the need for consistency."He can play the next World Cup, but he will have to perform extraordinarily well in order to be selected," Mishra said. "Either he is now in the team, so he should maintain his position until the next World Cup, otherwise, it will be very difficult."Mishra pointed to the emergence of young players like Ishan Kishan, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant as potential threats to Samson's selection. He also highlighted the importance of experience in T20 cricket, despite the emphasis on youth."The mindset of T20 cricket is around young players, but it is the seniors who win you the game in T20s as experience matters in the shortest format," Mishra said.Mishra's comments come amid a changing landscape in Indian cricket. Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja have all retired from T20Is, leaving the team with a mix of experienced and young players. Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, and Jasprit Bumrah are among the senior players who will be expected to guide the team in the coming years.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) fast bowler Yash Dayal has publicly expressed his admiration and respect for former Indian captain Virat Kohli, following controversial allegations made by ex-leg spinner Amit Mishra.Mishra had claimed that Kohli's aggressive nature has alienated him from others, including Afghanistan cricketer Naveen-ul-Haq, during an IPL match between RCB and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). However, Dayal's social media post suggests a different perspective.In an Instagram post, Dayal shared a photo with Kohli, captioning it, "It's an honor to stand beside you, bhaiya @virat.kohli." He also shared the post on his Instagram story, using audio from Kohli's final game as RCB captain, where Kohli expressed his unwavering commitment to the franchise.Mishra's allegations have sparked debate about Kohli's leadership style and personal conduct. However, Dayal's message of support indicates that Kohli still commands respect within the RCB team.Meanwhile, Kohli has been enjoying a break after India's triumph in the 2024 T20 World Cup. He was recently spotted attending a kirtan in London with his wife, Anushka Sharma.Kohli's future with the Indian team remains uncertain, but his legacy as one of the greatest cricketers of all time is secure. His leadership and passion have inspired countless young players, including Yash Dayal.

Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli has been embroiled in a social media storm following controversial comments made by veteran spinner Amit Mishra. Mishra's remarks, made during a podcast, sparked a debate about Kohli's character and behavior.Mishra alleged that Kohli has undergone a transformation due to "fame and power," accusing him of abusing his Lucknow Super Giants teammates during an IPL 2023 match. However, Kohli's supporters have vehemently defended him, citing his enduring camaraderie with former teammates like Ishant Sharma.Amidst the online discourse, an old video from India's 2014 tour of Australia has resurfaced. In the series, Kohli became a target for the Australian team, particularly Mitchell Johnson, with whom he engaged in heated verbal exchanges.When asked about these confrontations in a press conference, Kohli asserted that his primary focus was on playing cricket, not earning respect. "I am out here to play cricket, not to earn anyone's respect. As long as I'm scoring runs, I'm happy with it," he stated.Kohli further emphasized that he did not care about the opinions of those who disrespected him. "I don't really care what they think as far as respecting me or me respecting them. I've got a nice friendship with a few of them. But someone who says anything that comes to his mouth, I don't respect," he said.Mishra's comments have reignited the debate about Kohli's personality and leadership style. Some have questioned whether his success has led to a change in his demeanor, while others have defended his competitive nature and unwavering determination.The controversy has also highlighted the importance of respect in sportsmanship. Kohli's assertion that he does not play for respect has sparked discussions about the role of mutual respect in fostering a healthy and competitive environment on the field.

Amit Mishra Admits to Age Fudging in Candid Podcast RevelationVeteran Indian spinner Amit Mishra, a renowned figure in the Indian Premier League (IPL), has made a startling admission regarding his age. In a candid conversation on a podcast, Mishra, who currently plays for Lucknow Super Giants, revealed that he had reduced his age by one year at the behest of his coach when he was a young player.Mishra's revelation has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world, as it exposes a potential age fraud scandal. The spinner admitted that he was actually 22 years old when he made his debut for India in 2003, not 21 as officially recorded."Let me tell you, I have a one-year discrepancy, and my coach helped with that. I didn't even know about it. The coach called my home and asked for one more year for me. It was quite an emotional story. I was surprised and asked, 'How?' He said, 'From today, you are one year younger; now you have two more years.' I agreed," Mishra said on Shubhankar Mishra's podcast.The revelation came to light after a playful exchange between Mishra and Rohit Sharma during an IPL 2024 match between Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giants. Sharma had joked about Mishra's age, asking if he was really 41."You made your debut when we in our nappies. That's when you made your debut. You made your debut when you were 20?" Sharma had said.Mishra responded by saying he was 20-21 at the time of his debut. However, when asked about the conversation with Sharma, Mishra revealed that he had also questioned the Indian captain's age."I told him, 'I also watched someone play when I was young.' Many people start playing early; it doesn't mean they are now 45 or 50. He laughed and said, 'I'm 37.' I later confirmed and said, 'Are you really 37?' He laughed and didn't say anything," Mishra said.Mishra's admission has raised concerns about the prevalence of age fraud in cricket. It is unclear whether the spinner's age discrepancy was known to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) or other cricketing authorities.The revelation has also sparked a debate about the ethics of age fudging in sports. Some argue that it is a form of cheating that gives players an unfair advantage, while others believe it is a harmless practice that allows young players to compete at a higher level.

Amit Mishra, the 41-year-old Indian cricketer, has opened up about his experiences and challenges while being out of the national team. Despite not officially announcing his retirement, the spinner revealed how injuries and team combinations kept him from securing a permanent spot in the national squad.Mishra played 22 Tests, 36 ODIs, and 10 T20Is for India, taking a total of 156 wickets across formats. However, his career ended on a sour note, leaving him with several bitter memories. He explained that personal rapport and team selection dynamics significantly influenced his career progression."Being liked matters a lot in team selection. Just playing good cricket isn't enough. The captain always decides the Playing XI. I had an excellent rapport with MS Dhoni. I asked him twice why I wasn't getting picked, he told me that I don't fit the combination," Mishra revealed.He recalled being told that he was being given rest, although he never asked for it. "I was told that I was being given a rest. I never asked for it. I hadn't even played 10 Test matches by then, why would I ask for a rest or break? If I have to tell you honestly, I wasn't in a position [to question Dhoni]. Yes, I asked the coach, and he told me to go ask Dhoni, but like I said, I wasn't in that position to go and ask Dhoni. I asked the coach again and he just said we are giving you rest," he said.Mishra's situation did not improve even after Virat Kohli succeeded Dhoni as captain. Despite his good performances, he found himself sidelined again. "The worst I've felt in my career was when I picked up a knee injury five years ago. It happened in between the match. The series before I was the Man of the Series and the Man of the Match against New Zealand. And this used to be the rule back then, not sure if it still happens, but if you get injured while playing, you are given an automatic comeback. It happened with Wriddhiman Saha, Anil Kumble, and Hardik Pandya, but I never got it," Mishra shared.He also mentioned an incident during the IPL when he tried to get clarity on his future from Kohli. "During the IPL, our last match was against RCB. I asked him to give a clear picture about my career. He said 'Mishy bhai, I'll ask and let you know'. Virat Kohli helped me in my comeback series against Sri Lanka – 2016. I was doing well and India needed a leg-spinner who could bowl in Sri Lanka. When I came back, he said, 'from today, you will train for fitness with me'. I told him I can't lift weights like you but I can run and whatever else you want. Then I got injured so I asked him again, but I never got a clear answer. I messaged him. He read the text and said 'I'll let you know' but never did," Mishra revealed.These revelations from Mishra highlight the intricate dynamics within a cricket team and the emotional battles that players undergo in their professional journeys.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season was marred by a controversial incident involving Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) owner Sanjeev Goenka and skipper KL Rahul. Following LSG's humiliating 10-wicket loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Goenka was caught on camera having a heated confrontation with Rahul.LSG spinner Amit Mishra, in an interview with YouTuber Shubhankar Mishra, shed light on the incident. Mishra revealed that Goenka's anger stemmed from LSG's consecutive heavy defeats. "He was disappointed. We lost two back-to-back matches very badly," Mishra said. "It felt like we were bowling them during a net practice session."Mishra clarified that Goenka's criticism was directed at the team's lack of fight and poor bowling performance. "He said that the bowling was very bad and the team should have shown some fight," Mishra explained. "It looked like you have completely surrendered."However, Mishra downplayed the severity of the incident, attributing it to the media's sensationalism. "It was not a huge deal," he said. "But I later came to know that he said that the bowling was very bad and the team should have shown some fight. It looked like you have completely surrendered. But I feel people and media hyped it up a bit."Amidst rumors of Rahul's potential departure from LSG, Mishra expressed his belief that the team should prioritize a captain with a strong T20 mentality and a commitment to the team's success. "It does not matter if he is in the Indian team or not," Mishra said. "But a person who has the right mentality for T20s should be the captain. Someone who plays for the team should be captain. I am sure LSG will look for a better captain."