Cricket

Virat Kohli, the former Indian skipper, has been facing intense scrutiny over his struggles against spin bowling. In the past 28 Test matches, he has been dismissed by spinners on 21 occasions, primarily by off-spinners. Despite the mounting criticism, Kohli remains determined to rediscover his form.At the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, where Kohli first showcased his fourth-innings heroics against New Zealand in 2012, he spent considerable time facing spinners in the nets. While there were moments of hesitation, he also displayed his trademark cuts and hoists over the infield, executed with impeccable footwork.Kohli's comfort at the Chinnaswamy Stadium stems from his early success in red-ball cricket. In 2012, he scored a century and an unbeaten 51 against New Zealand, playing a crucial role in India's victory. However, in recent years, he has struggled against New Zealand's spinners, including Jeetan Patel, Ajaz Patel, Mitchell Santner, and Rachin Ravindra.The recent series against Bangladesh further highlighted Kohli's vulnerability against spin. In four innings, he managed only 99 runs and was dismissed by off-spin twice. His tendency to play early or against the spin has contributed to his struggles.Despite the setbacks, Kohli has found support in head coach Gautam Gambhir. Gambhir emphasized the importance of backing players and selecting the best playing XI, regardless of their recent form. He also highlighted Kohli's hunger to excel, stating that he is "as hungry as when he made his debut."As Kohli looks to regain his form, he is approaching the 9,000-run mark in Test cricket. While the 10,000-run milestone is already being discussed, Gambhir believes that Kohli's focus is on scoring runs in the upcoming series against New Zealand and Australia.

Former Indian head coach Rahul Dravid made a special appearance at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Sunday, reuniting with captain Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, and Virat Kohli ahead of the first Test against New Zealand. Dravid's presence brought a sense of nostalgia and inspiration to the practice session, as he shared lighter moments with the players and offered his guidance.Dravid, known for his astute cricketing mind and calm demeanor, remains a revered figure in Indian cricket. His presence at the practice session added motivation to Team India as they prepare for the challenging three-match Test series against New Zealand. The series will serve as a crucial test for India before their all-important five-match Test series against Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.The second Test against New Zealand will take place in Pune starting October 24, while the third and final Test will be held in Mumbai from November 1. The series will also mark the first tour for newly-appointed Kiwi Test skipper Tom Latham as a full-time leader against India. Latham, 32, has led the team in nine matches till date, but this will be his first series as a permanent captain.India's pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has been named Rohit's deputy for the New Zealand series, indicating his potential promotion to a leadership role when the team heads to Australia next month. Young pace sensation Mayank Yadav, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Harshit Rana, and Prasidh Krishna were also named as traveling reserves for the NZ series.The Indian team is determined to put up a strong performance against New Zealand and gain momentum ahead of their highly anticipated series against Australia. Dravid's presence at the practice session served as a reminder of the team's rich cricketing heritage and the importance of unity and preparation.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) head coach Andy Flower has emphasized the need for skilled bowlers and power-hitters in the team's future strategy, following their exit from the IPL Eliminator.Flower acknowledged that raw pace alone is insufficient to succeed at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, where bowlers with specific plans and skills are required. He highlighted the team's struggles with pace bowlers, none of whom have performed exceptionally well in the tournament."You need skilful, intelligent bowlers and people that can bowl to really specific plans at Chinnaswamy," Flower said. "I don't really want to talk about that stuff yet, but I do think as part answer to your question the Chinnaswamy has some particular qualities that we need to be able to exploit."On the batting front, Flower emphasized the importance of power-hitters who can maintain the tempo of the game. "We have all seen how the power game has affected T20 cricket recently. On the batting front, you certainly need to recruit batsmen with that sort of power that can keep up that sort of tempo," he added.Flower expressed support for the 'Impact Player' rule, which allows two Indian players to participate in a game. He believes it has catalyzed batsmen to play more aggressively. "It has got a few positives about it absolutely. Now there's an extra Indian playing and that's a good thing for Indian cricket. It has catalysed the batsmen," Flower said.Despite Glenn Maxwell's struggles, Flower backed the Australian all-rounder to turn things around. "He's had an amazing couple of years actually. It was a surprise to everyone but I really wish him well. He's going to the World Cup now and I don't see any reason why he can't turn this around or turn his own personal form around in the World Cup for Australia," Flower said.Flower also hinted at the possibility of veteran India player Dinesh Karthik playing his last IPL game. "Possibly. He's been an absolute pleasure to work with this year. He hadn't played a lot of cricket leading into this tournament and what he's done for us, runs wise, attitude wise and contributing to the team in the dressing room and out on the field has been really special and I respect him for it," Flower said.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) must prioritize acquiring skilled bowlers who can navigate the compact boundaries of their home ground, the Chinnaswamy Stadium, according to head coach Andy Flower. This strategy is crucial for the team's success in the upcoming mega auction.Flower emphasized the need for bowlers with exceptional skills and intelligence, as mere pace will not suffice at the Chinnaswamy. He also highlighted the importance of recruiting batsmen with power-hitting capabilities to keep up with the evolving T20 landscape.RCB's struggles in the first half of the season, winning only one of seven games, were largely attributed to their bowling deficiencies. Captain Faf du Plessis acknowledged that the team lacked "as many weapons" in their bowling arsenal.Despite a remarkable six-match winning streak that propelled them into the playoffs, RCB's home record remained underwhelming, with only one victory in four games during the first half. However, they managed to turn things around, winning their last three home matches.Flower expressed concern about the impact of international commitments on T20 leagues, citing the example of Will Jacks, who was recalled by England for the T20 World Cup. He emphasized the importance of maintaining the integrity of competitions by ensuring that players are available for the playoffs and finals.Despite the absence of Jacks, Cameron Green stepped up and performed admirably in the middle order. Flower acknowledged the challenges posed by the busy cricket calendar but expressed his understanding of England's decision to recall their players.

Virat Kohli, the talismanic batter of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), has etched his name in the annals of Indian Premier League (IPL) history by becoming the first player to amass an astounding 3000 runs at a single venue. This extraordinary achievement underscores Kohli's unparalleled consistency and dominance in the tournament.Kohli achieved this remarkable feat during the IPL 2024 match against Chennai Super Kings at the iconic M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday. He reached the landmark with a towering six over long leg off the bowling of Tushar Deshpande. The next highest run-scorer at a single venue is former Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma, who has accumulated 2295 runs at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.Kohli's accomplishment is a testament to his exceptional batting skills, unwavering focus, and ability to perform consistently under pressure. His record at the Chinnaswamy Stadium is a source of pride for the RCB, which has benefited immensely from his prolific run-scoring.It is worth noting that Kohli's long-time teammate and South African legend, AB de Villiers, is third on the list of most runs scored at a single venue in the IPL. De Villiers has scored 1960 runs at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, further highlighting the formidable partnership that he and Kohli have forged over the years.Kohli's achievement is not only a personal milestone but also a reflection of the RCB's dominance at their home ground. The Chinnaswamy Stadium has been a fortress for the team, and Kohli's contribution has been instrumental in their success.As Kohli continues to rewrite the record books, his legacy as one of the greatest batters in IPL history is further cemented. His ability to consistently perform at the highest level is a testament to his unwavering dedication and passion for the game.

The stage is set for a thrilling encounter between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday. This match holds immense significance as it could potentially be the last IPL match for legendary cricketer MS Dhoni if CSK loses.CSK currently holds the advantage in the race for the fourth playoff spot. A victory against RCB would secure their place in the playoffs. However, if Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) lose their respective matches against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Punjab Kings, CSK could even finish in the top two with a superior net run rate.Even if CSK loses to RCB, they can still qualify for the playoffs if the margin of defeat is not significant. This would ensure that their net run rate remains better than RCB's, allowing them to finish above their rivals in the final points table.Adding to the intrigue, Dhoni holds two impressive statistical records against RCB. He has hit the most sixes (43) against any opponent in the IPL, and his highest IPL score of 84* also came against RCB in 2019.Former Indian pacer Varun Aaron believes that Dhoni will be the star of the show on Saturday. "I have a feeling it's going to be the MS show this game," Aaron said. "He loves the Chinnaswamy Stadium and has played some epic innings there."Aaron also highlighted Dhoni's resilience and determination. "He's one of those guys who has a really high pain threshold and bites the bullet to make sure he forgets about his injury," Aaron added.With the stakes high and the emotions running deep, the RCB vs CSK clash promises to be a captivating spectacle that will keep cricket fans on the edge of their seats.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Face Punjab Kings in High-Scoring Chinnaswamy ClashRoyal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will host Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Monday, April 10, in a highly anticipated Indian Premier League (IPL) encounter.After a disappointing loss to Chennai Super Kings in their opening match, RCB will be eager to bounce back on their home turf. However, they face a formidable challenge in PBKS, who boast a powerful batting lineup and are brimming with confidence after their victory over Delhi Capitals.The Chinnaswamy Stadium is renowned for its flat pitches and high-scoring games, which suits PBKS's aggressive batting style. Shikhar Dhawan, Jonny Bairstow, and Liam Livingstone are all capable of explosive innings, while Sam Curran provides all-round balance.RCB's batting, on the other hand, struggled against CSK's left-arm seamer Mustafizur Rahman. PBKS also possess a left-arm seamer in Arshdeep Singh, who has developed an effective legcutter. However, the ball is unlikely to grip at the Chinnaswamy, especially under lights.Anuj Rawat's impressive performance against CSK provides a glimmer of hope for RCB. His ability to accelerate the scoring rate in the death overs could be crucial for the team's success.RCB may consider bringing in Reece Topley for Alzarri Joseph, while PBKS is expected to field an unchanged lineup.Impact Player Strategy:RCB will likely start with Dinesh Karthik if they bat first, with Yash Dayal coming in as Impact Player in the second innings. If they bowl first, Dayal will feature in the playing XI, with Karthik replacing him during the chase.PBKS will slot in Prabhsimran Singh if they bat first, with Arshdeep Singh replacing him in the second innings. Vice versa, if they bowl first.Key Stats:* Kagiso Rabada has a strong record against RCB batters, particularly Faf du Plessis, Virat Kohli, and Glenn Maxwell.* Harpreet Brar has been PBKS's most economical bowler in the middle overs, with a favorable matchup against Maxwell.* Jonny Bairstow has a high strike rate against Mohammed Siraj, Karn Sharma, and Maxwell.* Kohli has enjoyed success against Arshdeep and Harshal Patel, but Rahul Chahar has been able to contain him.* Karthik has a strong record against Sam Curran.Pitch and Conditions:The Chinnaswamy Stadium has the highest scoring rate of any IPL venue, with teams averaging 9.42 runs per over since 2018. The temperature on Monday is expected to be around 28C, with no dew anticipated.