Cricket

Virat Kohli: A Global Superstar Transcending CricketFormer New Zealand captain Ross Taylor has hailed Virat Kohli as a "global superstar in the world of sports," whose influence extends far beyond the cricket field. Kohli's massive social media following and broader impact on sports culture have earned him admiration from fans and fellow athletes alike.Taylor, who has played 112 Tests and 236 ODIs for New Zealand, believes that social media has made cricketers more accessible to the public. He views this as a positive development, as it allows players to connect with their fans on a more personal level."Players are putting out posts endorsing products and things like that. Who would have thought of that in 2008? Someone like Kohli, who is a superstar in the world of cricket, but is also a global superstar in the world of sports. In terms of Instagram and social media, he's up there with Ronaldo and Messi!" Taylor said.Former Australian fast bowler Brett Lee, however, expressed mixed feelings about the impact of social media on players' privacy. While acknowledging its benefits, he also highlighted the drawbacks, particularly the constant scrutiny that players face."In the early 2000s, when the phones came in, people would take a photo with you. There was an autograph and a photo. In mid-2015 and 2020, what happens now is that the players are always on show now. Anyone that is playing in the Indian Premier League, they are always on show, they go out for dinner, and someone comes with a phone camera," Lee said."The phone camera was the best thing and the worst thing ever invented. The best thing is to capture beautiful memories with your family and friends, and as a spectator and lover of the sport, you also capture those moments. But also, the privacy now, for players, has been cut in half because you are on show everywhere."Former Australian cricketer Michael Bevan emphasized the potential impact of social media on young players' performance. He advised them to be mindful of the comments they read and to make informed decisions about their social media usage."The younger generation uses social media that would impact their situation and circumstance and career. They would have to make a decision on whether they want to read the comments, or how much they want to post," Bevan said."I could imagine it would be extra difficult for some of the modern-day players, with T20 cricket, with social media…but as a player, you've always got to make the decision on how you handle. Do you want to read things or do you not want to read things? That's the most important thing… to understand yourself, and to understand your game."

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), despite being a contender for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 playoffs, faces challenges within the franchise. Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis has rescued LSG in crucial moments, but the top-order, particularly skipper KL Rahul, has underperformed.In the match against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), LSG chased a target of 236, with Rahul scoring a sluggish 25 off 21. Cricket legend Brett Lee criticized Rahul's approach, stating that it puts immense pressure on the middle-order."KKR's openers start quickly and score runs, while Rahul gets a run a ball, pressurizing the back end," Lee said. "Rahul's strike rate has declined, and he's under pressure because he hasn't scored the runs he should."Rahul acknowledged LSG's poor performance in all aspects of the game. "We failed in batting, bowling, and fielding," he said. "We couldn't handle the pressure from Sunil Narine and Phil Salt, and our young bowlers struggled."LSG's struggles extend beyond Rahul's form. The team's bowling has been inconsistent, and the fielding has been error-prone. The franchise needs to address these issues to maintain its playoff aspirations.

Former Australian fast bowler Brett Lee has criticized the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) management and medical staff for mishandling Mayank Yadav's injury. Lee believes that the young pacer was rushed back into action too soon after suffering abdominal soreness, leading to a recurrence of the injury.Mayank, who had impressed with his express pace and two Man-of-the-Match awards in his first three IPL games, developed abdominal soreness during LSG's match against Gujarat Titans on April 7. He returned to action in LSG's win against Mumbai Indians on Tuesday but walked off the field without completing his fourth over after experiencing pain in the same area.Lee, who took 310 wickets in 76 Tests for Australia, believes that Mayank's initial injury would have required four to six weeks to heal, much more than the time period he spent on the sidelines."A side strain or whatever they're calling it, normally takes at least four to six weeks to even come right," Lee said. "We don't know the depths of how big a strain it was but for somebody who is pushing the limits of his body by bowling 150 kmph, that's not good management at all."Lee sympathized with Mayank, saying that he should have received the right advice. "The only person who has to pay this price is this poor young guy Mayank, who is just electric," Lee said. "Everyone in the IPL has loved seeing what he's brought... You wish he got the right advice, so he doesn't have to go through and absorb this."Mayank's injury is a major setback for LSG, who are currently in the top four of the IPL standings. It could also impact his chances of selection for India's squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup.Former India batter Suresh Raina believes that Mayank can learn from his experience and return stronger. "It was a fantastic gesture from Jasprit Bumrah to talk to the youngster," Raina said. "He has so much experience. When (Mayank) meets him, he will learn so much from Bumrah's words about looking after an injury."

The Mumbai Indians' (MI) captaincy saga has sparked intense debate among fans and pundits alike. After a decade-long reign, Rohit Sharma relinquished the captaincy to Hardik Pandya, a move that has drawn mixed reactions.Despite Pandya's impressive leadership at Gujarat Titans, MI's dismal start to IPL 2024 has raised concerns. Three consecutive defeats and Pandya's public booing at the Wankhede Stadium have cast a shadow over the team's prospects.However, Australian legend Brett Lee remains optimistic about MI's chances. He believes the team's slow starts are a recurring pattern and that both Pandya and Sharma enjoy strong support from their teammates."Based on my observations, it's evident that both Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya have garnered strong backing from their teammates in the IPL," Lee told Times of India. "Delving into the history of the Mumbai Indians, it's notable that they often start off matches at a measured pace, gradually building momentum."Lee emphasized that the team's success hinges on the rhythm of its key players. "However, once either Rohit or Hardik finds their rhythm, their performances tend to escalate rapidly, driving the team towards success," he said.Lee also dismissed concerns about the captaincy, stating that both Pandya and Sharma possess the leadership qualities to inspire their teammates. "Consequently, I find myself reassured, regardless of whether it's Rohit or Hardik, or anyone else leading the charge for the team, as both possess the capability to inspire and elevate their teammates to greater heights," he added.MI's recent defeat to CSK has added pressure on the team. They will face a crucial test against Punjab Kings on Thursday, where they will aim to bounce back and regain their winning ways.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan found himself the subject of hilarious trolling during a live podcast featuring Australian cricket legends Brett Lee and Adam Gilchrist. The incident, which has gone viral on social media, occurred when Vaughan's wife, Nichola, inadvertently turned on a printer near the recording area."Mrs. Vaughan has clearly decided to start to print something," Vaughan remarked during the podcast. The comment sparked a flurry of speculation among listeners, with one user quipping, "Divorce papers." The remark sent the chatroom into a frenzy of laughter.The incident has become a viral sensation, with many sharing the clip on Twitter. One user commented, "This has to go down as an ALL TIME moment on the show."Beyond the lighthearted banter, Vaughan also shared his thoughts on the recent captaincy change at Mumbai Indians. Five-time IPL champion Rohit Sharma was replaced by Hardik Pandya, a move that has drawn mixed reactions from fans."Hardik's going through a difficult time, and it's not his fault," Vaughan said on the BeerBiceps podcast. "He has been asked to captain Mumbai Indians; who is going to say no to that? He has been given a job that every single Indian cricketer would like to do."However, Vaughan believes the communication surrounding the captaincy change could have been handled better. "I personally would've captained Rohit," he said. "Hardik coming back to MI is big enough pressure in itself, and Rohit is obviously going to be the Indian T20 captain. The sensible move would've been for Rohit to carry as MI captain with Hardik in mind for next year or 2."Hardik's start as MI captain has been challenging, with the team losing their first three games. However, they have since rebounded with two consecutive victories.