Cricket

Virat Kohli's Birthday: Anushka Sharma's Heartfelt Post Melts HeartsOn the occasion of Indian cricket legend Virat Kohli's 36th birthday, his wife, Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma, shared a heartwarming post that sent social media into a frenzy. Despite Kohli's recent struggles on the field, Anushka's post brought joy to his countless fans.The post featured a captivating photograph of Kohli with his daughter, Vamika, and son, Akaay. The image exuded love and happiness, leaving fans gushing over the family's bond. Anushka's caption was simple yet profound, expressing her admiration for her husband's unwavering spirit.Kohli's illustrious career has been marked by numerous accolades and record-breaking performances. As the leading run-scorer in Indian Premier League (IPL) history, he has amassed an astonishing 8,004 runs for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). His consistent brilliance has earned him the Orange Cap for most runs in an IPL season twice, in 2016 and 2024.Beyond the IPL, Kohli has etched his name in the annals of international cricket. His stellar record includes over 25,000 runs across all formats, with 70 centuries and 128 half-centuries. He has led India to numerous victories, including the 2011 Cricket World Cup and the 2013 ICC Champions Trophy.Kohli's journey to the pinnacle of cricket has been a testament to his unwavering determination and hard work. From his early days as a prodigious young talent to his current status as a global icon, he has consistently raised the bar for himself and his team.Anushka Sharma's birthday post not only celebrated Kohli's achievements but also highlighted the strong bond between the couple. Their love and support for each other have been a constant source of inspiration for fans and a reminder that even the most successful individuals need a strong support system.As Kohli embarks on the next chapter of his career, he can count on the unwavering love and support of his family and fans. His legacy as one of the greatest cricketers of all time is secure, and his journey continues to inspire countless aspiring athletes.

Virat Kohli, the former Indian captain and batting maestro, has been facing a prolonged slump in form, raising concerns about his aura and impact on the opposition. Former India batsman Akaash Chopra believes that Kohli no longer possesses the intimidating presence that once characterized the likes of Vivian Richards and Sachin Tendulkar.Kohli's struggles have been evident in recent Test series against Bangladesh and New Zealand, where he managed only 99 runs in four innings and 93 runs in six innings, respectively. His overall record in the last 10 Test innings stands at a meager one fifty.Chopra attributes Kohli's decline to a combination of factors, including technical flaws and a lack of confidence. He points out that Kohli's body language and the reactions of opposing teams suggest that he is no longer the feared batsman he once was."Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar, or Sir Vivian Richards, these players have an aura that once they come to bat, they would dictate," Chopra said. "That sort of aura used to be there when Kohli used to come in. When Kohli comes in now, it seems like he can be dismissed without any issues."Chopra also highlights Kohli's repeated errors in judgment, such as missing full tosses and taking unnecessary risks. He believes that these mistakes indicate a lack of focus and concentration.Despite his struggles, Kohli remains a key player for India, and his half-century in the T20 World Cup final against South Africa earlier this year was a reminder of his class. However, Chopra warns that Kohli's overall performance in 2023 has been disappointing, and he needs to rediscover his form to regain his status as one of the world's best batsmen.

Pakistan's audacious short-ball strategy on the fast and bouncy MCG pitch nearly pulled off a remarkable upset in the first ODI against Australia. However, experts believe that the tactic may not be as effective at the Adelaide Oval, known for its batting-friendly conditions.Pakistan's pace attack, led by Haris Rauf, unleashed a barrage of short-pitched deliveries that rattled Australia's top order. Rauf's fiery spell, which included the dismissals of Marnus Labuschagne and Glenn Maxwell, had the pro-Pakistan crowd on their feet.Despite the success of the short-ball approach, Australia's captain Pat Cummins remained composed and guided his team to a two-wicket victory. However, the tactic is unlikely to be as effective at the Adelaide Oval, which has shorter square boundaries and a reputation for being a haven for batters."Pakistan's tactics [in Melbourne] bowling pretty short," said Australia opener Matt Short. "But I think they may have to change that a little bit at this ground with the shorter square boundaries which are the complete opposite to the 'G. It's always a nice ground to bat on."Short, who is vying to replace David Warner as Australia's permanent ODI opener, is eager to return to his home ground, where he has excelled for the Adelaide Strikers in the BBL. "It's going to feel quite comfortable down there opening the batting, that's for sure," said Short. "It's my favourite ground in the world to play at."Despite a disappointing start to the series, Short remains confident in his ability to cement his spot in the team. "I came into this series with high aspirations to try to cement my spot in the team," said Short. "I'm going to go out there and keep trying to be positive and play aggressive cricket. It should pay off at some stage."With Travis Head on paternity leave, Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk have formed a new opening duo. While Fraser-McGurk's aggressive style may complement Short's more measured approach, Australia's coaching staff is encouraging both players to play their natural game."The coaching staff give us both the licence to be free and play our shots," said Short. "Batting with Travis Head as well, if he goes [off] then I let him go and I do my thing."

India's recent 0-3 Test series defeat against New Zealand at home has raised concerns about their chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship Final. Despite the setback, former opener Shikhar Dhawan remains optimistic about India's prospects in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia.Dhawan believes that India has a strong chance of completing a hat-trick of series wins in Australia, having triumphed in the previous two tours under Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane. He highlights the experience of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Jasprit Bumrah, who have played extensively in Australia and can guide the younger players.Dhawan also praises the confidence and motivation of the current Indian team, which includes a mix of experienced and emerging stars. He believes that the batters are well-prepared to handle the pace and bounce of Australian pitches.Regarding Rishabh Pant, Dhawan notes that the wicketkeeper-batter has returned to the field with renewed gratitude and positivity after his car accident in 2022. He commends Pant's mental strength and his ability to bring joy to fans with his fearless batting.Despite the recent loss to New Zealand, Dhawan remains confident in India's ability to bounce back and secure a historic victory in Australia. He believes that the team has the talent, experience, and determination to overcome the challenges and emerge victorious.

India's recent loss to New Zealand in the World Test Championship (WTC) has raised concerns about the team's batting performance. Former Pakistan cricketer Danish Kaneria believes that India captain Rohit Sharma should consider changing his batting position to address the team's struggles.Kaneria, in an exclusive interview with TimesofIndia.com, expressed his concern over the form of India's top order, particularly Rohit and Virat Kohli. He suggested that Rohit should move down to the middle order, possibly at number three, to improve his performance."Rohit has been struggling with the track in India. In the recent series, Southee got him out twice, and the ball will move more over there in Australia, so you have to see how you go with that," said Kaneria.Kaneria believes that the Indian top order should consist of Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill as openers, followed by Rohit at number three and Kohli at number four. He emphasized that the success of the team depends on the performance of the top order."Indian batters need to click; that's the only concern. If the bowlers take wickets, then the batters need to click. A Test is won by bowlers, so Indian batting needs to click as their top order, where Rohit and Kohli are struggling with runs," explained Kaneria.Kaneria also pointed out that the rise of T20 cricket has negatively impacted Indian batters' ability to face spin bowling. He believes that the team needs to address this issue to improve their performance in Test cricket.India's loss to New Zealand has dropped them to second place in the WTC standings. To secure a spot in the next WTC final, India will need to win at least four matches in their upcoming five-match Test series against Australia.

Former Indian cricket team spinner Anil Kumble has expressed surprise over the BCCI's decision to cancel the practice game ahead of the first Test match against Australia in Perth starting November 22. The Indian cricket team was going to play a practice match against India A, but following the Test series whitewash against New Zealand, the BCCI decided to scrap the encounter.Kumble, during a discussion on JioCinema, said that the practice match would have been ideal preparation for Rohit Sharma and Co. He added that such match practice cannot be achieved by just net sessions."I'm a bit surprised that India don't have a practice match going into the first Test because that would have been an ideal preparation. No matter how much you practice in the nets, going out in the middle and facing a few bowlers in the match is totally different," he said.Right-handed batter KL Rahul and wicketkeeper-batter Dhurv Jurel are on their way to link up with the India A squad ahead of their second four-day game against Australia A, set to begin at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) from November 7.Sources told IANS that Rahul and Jurel left for Melbourne on Sunday night after the third Test ended at the Wankhede Stadium, which India lost by 25 runs to New Zealand and suffered a 3-0 series defeat.As per the sources, Rahul and Jurel will join the India 'A' squad by Tuesday and get to play in the second four-day game, with an eye to give them some game time before linking up with the main Test team to prepare for the all-important Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, starting on November 22 in Perth. It will be followed by games in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney till January 7, 2025.Rahul played three Tests in the Indian home season, with his last game coming via the hosts' series opener against New Zealand at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. After making scores of 0 and 12 in that game, where India lost by eight wickets, he didn't feature in the remainder of the series.On the other hand, Jurel didn't get a game to play in the five Tests India played at home, though he did get to feature as a substitute wicketkeeper in the first Test at Bengaluru after Rishabh Pant hurt his knee while being on keeping duties.The first four-day game saw India A, captained by Ruturaj Gaikwad, suffer a heavy seven-wicket defeat at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay, Queensland, with left-handed batters B Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal along with pacer Mukesh Kumar being the standout performers.

Virat Kohli, the talismanic Indian batter, is enduring a prolonged lean patch that has raised concerns ahead of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. In the recent three-Test series against New Zealand, Kohli managed a paltry 93 runs, averaging a mere 15.50. His struggles extended to six Tests, where he has accumulated only 250 runs at an average of 22.72.Despite Kohli's recent struggles, former World Cup winner Krishnamachari Srikkanth believes it is premature to write him off. Srikkanth highlighted Kohli's exceptional record against Australia, where he has amassed 2042 runs in 25 Tests at an average of 47.48, including eight centuries.On Australian soil, Kohli's numbers are even more impressive, with 1352 runs in 13 Tests at an average of 54.08, including six centuries. Under Kohli's leadership, India became the first Asian team to win a Test series in Australia during the 2018-19 tour.The upcoming India-Australia series, commencing on November 22, will provide Kohli with an opportunity to rediscover his form. The series will feature five Tests, starting with the first Test in Perth, followed by a day-night encounter in Adelaide, a Test at The Gabba in Brisbane, the iconic Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, and the final Test in Sydney.Kohli's return to form is crucial for India's chances of retaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. His experience and leadership will be invaluable as the team aims to overcome the challenges of playing in Australian conditions.

The dominance of left-arm spinners in Test cricket against India has become increasingly evident in recent years, with the likes of Ajaz Patel and Mitchell Santner wreaking havoc on Indian batters. While the quality of pitches and the advent of DRS have contributed to this trend, there are also fundamental flaws in the technique of modern-day batsmen that have exacerbated the problem.Former India batter WV Raman attributes the decline in batsmanship against left-arm spin to the T20 mindset, which emphasizes hard hands and a bat that doesn't come down straight. This makes the outside edge more vulnerable to balls that turn away. Rahul Dravid was a notable exception, but his ability to adjust his bat at the point of contact is a rare skill.Sunil Subramaniam, another former left-arm spinner, believes that the tendency to play beside the line and jab at the ball is making modern-day batters susceptible to left-arm spin. This is in contrast to the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, who rarely struggled against the ball turning away playing a defensive shot.Subramaniam also highlights the importance of playing spinners from the hands, rather than trying to read them from the pitch. This becomes particularly challenging on sharp turners.The absence of Cheteshwar Pujara, who possessed the correct technique to deal with left-arm spin, has further weakened India's batting lineup.

Virat Kohli, the batting maestro, celebrates his 36th birthday today. While he may have wished to commemorate this special occasion with a Test victory over New Zealand, as he did on his 35th birthday during the ODI World Cup, he finds himself navigating a challenging period in his cricketing career.Despite the current setbacks, Kohli remains an unparalleled icon, having led India to numerous memorable victories and etched unforgettable moments in the hearts of cricket enthusiasts. As he prepares for the upcoming tour of Australia, where India will face five Tests for the Border Gavaskar Trophy, let's revisit some of his remarkable records:* Most ODI Centuries: Kohli surpassed Sachin Tendulkar's record of 49 ODI centuries with a magnificent 117 against New Zealand in the ODI World Cup semifinal last year.* Fastest to 13,000 ODI Runs: Kohli broke another Tendulkar record by reaching the milestone of 13,000 ODI runs in just 267 innings, while Tendulkar achieved it in 321 innings.* Most Runs in an ODI Series and World Cup: Kohli's 765 runs during the 2023 ODI World Cup stand as the highest tally in the tournament's history, earning him the 'Player of the Tournament' award.* Most Hundreds Against One Team: Kohli's 10 centuries across formats against Sri Lanka are the most by a batsman against a single team.* Most Player of the Series Awards (T20Is): Kohli's 7 'Player of the Series' awards in T20Is are the most by any cricketer.* Most Player of the Series Awards (All Formats): Kohli has won an impressive 21 'Player of the Series' awards across ODIs, T20Is, and Tests.* Most Fifties in T20Is: The batting icon has scored 39 T20I half-centuries, the highest by any batsman.As Kohli embarks on the challenging tour of Australia, his fans and the cricketing world eagerly await his return to form. His determination and resilience have always been his hallmarks, and he will undoubtedly strive to overcome this temporary setback and continue to inspire generations of cricketers.