Cricket

Virat Kohli Lauds Glenn Maxwell's Historic Double Century in 2023 Cricket World CupIn the foreword of Glenn Maxwell's autobiography, "The Showman," Indian cricket legend Virat Kohli has heaped praise on the Australian all-rounder for his remarkable double century against Afghanistan in the 2023 Cricket World Cup.Chasing a daunting target of 292 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, Australia found themselves in dire straits at 91 for 7. However, Maxwell's heroic 201 not out turned the tide and secured an improbable victory for the Aussies.Kohli, who witnessed the extraordinary innings firsthand, described it as "compelling drama." He marveled at Maxwell's ability to hit sixes on one leg despite battling cramps. "Going down time and again with cramp, limping for singles - it was compelling drama and so Maxi," Kohli wrote.The Indian captain also acknowledged Maxwell's unique talent and his ability to single-handedly change the course of a match. "In my view, he is the only player in the world capable of doing what he did," Kohli stated.Maxwell's double century not only sealed Australia's victory but also capped an unparalleled knock. "Concluding with such a milestone was perfect, capping an unparalleled knock," Kohli wrote.Kohli also shared an anecdote from the World Cup final, where Maxwell's competitive spirit and camaraderie were on full display. "Twelve days later, in the final, when Maxi threw the ball back in, I instinctively stuck up a hand and blocked it," Kohli recalled. "Earlier in our careers, with so much on the line, you can guarantee there would have been an altercation. But now? We pretended to fight for a second before starting to laugh."Kohli's praise for Maxwell is a testament to the Australian's exceptional talent and his ability to inspire and entertain cricket fans worldwide.

Legendary Pakistani batter Zaheer Abbas has joined the chorus of former cricketers and pundits calling for the removal of Babar Azam from the national team. Abbas's criticism stems from Azam's underwhelming performances as both a batter and captain in recent major tournaments, including the 2023 Cricket World Cup and the 2024 T20 World Cup.Abbas dismissed comparisons between Azam and Indian batting stalwart Virat Kohli, highlighting the vast difference in their consistency levels. "The comparisons are pointless. Virat Kohli scores in every match, the other player (Babar) doesn't score in any match, so then how can you compare? The person who scores, he is the bigger player," Abbas said.After resigning from the captaincy following Pakistan's failure to reach the semifinals of the 2023 Cricket World Cup, Azam was surprisingly reinstated as captain ahead of the 2024 T20 World Cup. However, Pakistan's performance in the tournament was even more disappointing, as they failed to qualify for the Super 8s after losses to India and co-hosts USA.Abbas also expressed concern about the overall performance of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and the national team. "The performance of PCB and the team is not that good," he said.Abbas emphasized the importance of maintaining the India-Pakistan rivalry on the international stage. "If India don't come to Pakistan, that's no good for cricket. Maybe sometimes Pakistan can also refuse to go to India. But cricket without Pakistan and India playing together is not complete," he said.

Milind Kumar's Unique Record: First Batter to End ODI Innings with 155India-born USA cricketer Milind Kumar has etched his name in the annals of ODI cricket history with a peculiar record. He became the first batter ever to finish an innings with a score of 155.During a match against UAE in the ICC Cricket World Cup League Two, Kumar smashed a remarkable 155 off 110 deliveries. This unique feat marks the first time in the 53-year history of ODI cricket that a player has ended an innings with exactly 155 runs.Despite numerous instances of batters scoring between 150 and 159 in ODI innings, Kumar's knock stands out as the only one to conclude at precisely 155. This achievement highlights his exceptional batting prowess.Kumar, a seasoned campaigner in first-class cricket, boasts an impressive average of nearly 50. He has played for Delhi and Sikkim in the Ranji Trophy, emerging as the highest run-scorer in the 2018-19 season. His IPL experience includes stints with the Delhi Daredevils and Royal Challengers Bengaluru.The 33-year-old batter played a pivotal role in USA's stunning performance at the 2024 T20 World Cup, where they reached the Super 8s. His 155-run knock in the ICC Cricket World Cup League Two helped USA post a formidable total of 339/4, leading to a 136-run victory over UAE.USA currently occupies second place in the ICC CWC League Two table, ahead of established nations like Netherlands and Scotland. They trail league leaders Canada by just two points despite playing fewer games.With 14 teams vying for a spot in the 2027 Cricket World Cup, USA has an opportunity to qualify for the main stage. Kumar's unique record and consistent performances will undoubtedly be crucial to their aspirations.

Mohammed Shami Aspires for Bengal Comeback, Eyes Border-Gavaskar Trophy TriumphThe Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) recently held its Annual Award Ceremony, honoring exceptional achievements in cricket. Among the celebrated individuals was India's star fast bowler, Mohammed Shami, who received a special award for his outstanding performance during the Cricket World Cup 2023.During his acceptance speech, Shami expressed his desire to return to the Bengal team. The fast bowler, who has been sidelined from international cricket, aims to regain his place in the national squad by showcasing his skills in domestic tournaments."I definitely want to play for Bengal next season. I am looking forward to playing two to three matches for Bengal in Ranji. It will help me to make a comeback in international cricket. I have been training at the NCA and I want to play as and when I am 100 percent fit," Shami said, as quoted by IANS.Shami, who hails from Uttar Pradesh, was discovered while playing first-class cricket for Bengal. After debuting in 2011, he played 15 first-class and 15 List A matches before being selected for India's ODI squad to face Pakistan in Delhi in January 2013.Expressing his gratitude towards Bengal, Shami said, "I can't thank Bengal enough. I was born in a family in UP where there was no opportunity. So I often say I was born in UP but made in Bengal. This is a journey of 22 years and I am so grateful to Bengal for making me what I am. The love and warmth Bengal has shown will never be forgotten."Shami also shared his thoughts on the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, set to begin in December. He believes that India are the favorites to defeat Australia in the five-match Test series later this year."I think India are favorites to win the series. In the last series in Australia, we played with a young team with a lot of senior players missing. But we proved we were the best. So I feel the next series will be competitive one and India will be victorious," Shami added.

Marnus Labuschagne, the prolific Australian batter, has bid farewell to a cherished piece of cricket memorabilia: the bat he wielded in Australia's triumphant 2023 World Cup final against India. The retirement of this bat, now bearing the scars of battle, has stirred memories for both Australian and Indian fans.In the pulsating final, Labuschagne played a pivotal role, anchoring Australia's chase of 241 with an unbeaten 58 off 110 deliveries. His resolute innings, alongside Travis Head's blistering 137, steered Australia to their sixth World Cup title.The bat, a Kookaburra, has witnessed countless hours of practice and competition. Its willow, once pristine, now bears the marks of countless deliveries faced. The middle and bottom of the bat have been worn down, a testament to Labuschagne's unwavering determination.Labuschagne shared an image of the bat on social media, evoking a range of emotions from fans. Indian supporters expressed their dismay, recalling the pain inflicted by Labuschagne's match-winning knock. "We hate that bat and that innings Marnus," lamented one fan.However, others acknowledged the sentimental value attached to such a significant piece of equipment. "Attachment is something like this," remarked another fan. "The favorite bat cannot be easily left behind."Labuschagne's performance in the 2023 World Cup was nothing short of remarkable. In 10 innings, he amassed 362 runs, showcasing his exceptional batting prowess. His retirement of the World Cup bat serves as a poignant reminder of the unforgettable moments he created on the grandest stage of cricket.

Indian pace spearhead Mohammed Shami is determined to make a strong comeback to international cricket after a brief injury layoff. The veteran fast bowler has been diligently training in the nets, showcasing his unwavering determination to regain his place in the Indian team.Shami's last competitive appearance was in the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup final against Australia, where he played through pain but still managed to impress with his pace and swing. He finished the tournament with an impressive 24 wickets in just seven matches, including three five-wicket hauls.Despite his exceptional performance, Shami was forced to miss the South Africa tour and the T20I series against Afghanistan due to an Achilles tendon injury. He underwent successful recovery surgery in February, which ruled him out of the IPL and the ICC T20 World Cup.With 448 wickets in 188 international matches, Shami is one of the most successful fast bowlers of the modern era. His ability to generate pace and swing makes him a formidable threat to any batting lineup.Shami's return to the Indian team will be a major boost for the side, especially with the upcoming ICC Cricket World Cup in 2027. His experience and skill will be invaluable as India looks to reclaim the coveted trophy.

Virat Kohli, the legendary Indian batter, has etched his name in cricket history by becoming the first player to amass 3,000 runs across both the 20-over and 50-over Cricket World Cups. This remarkable feat was achieved during India's T20 World Cup Super Eights clash against Bangladesh in Antigua.Kohli's journey to this milestone has been marked by consistent brilliance. In the T20 World Cup, he stands as the leading run-scorer with 1,207 runs in 32 matches. His average of 63.52 and strike rate of 129.78 are a testament to his dominance in the shortest format. Kohli has also notched up 14 half-centuries and won the 'Player of the Tournament' award twice, in 2014 and 2016.In the 50-over World Cup, Kohli's record is equally impressive. He is the second-highest run-scorer in tournament history, with 1,795 runs in 37 matches. His average of 59.83 and strike rate of 88.20 highlight his ability to anchor the Indian innings. Kohli has scored five centuries and 12 fifties in the 50-over World Cup, with his highest score being 117.Kohli's most memorable performance in the 50-over World Cup came in 2023, when he won the 'Player of the Tournament' award. He scored a staggering 765 runs in 11 matches, including three centuries and six fifties. His average of over 95 and best score of 117 were instrumental in India's success.Overall, across both competitions, Kohli has amassed 3,002 runs in 67 innings. His average of 61.26, five centuries, and 26 fifties are a testament to his exceptional batting prowess.

West Indies captain Rovman Powell believes his team has an advantage over an "undercooked" New Zealand side in their upcoming World Cup Group C clash. Both teams have faced disrupted preparations due to heavy rain and poor practice facilities at the Brian Lara Stadium.New Zealand's afternoon training session was cut short due to slippery practice strips, while West Indies' floodlit session was canceled altogether. The rainy season in Trinidad has brought adverse weather alerts, with thunderstorms likely.Powell sees this as an opportunity for West Indies to exploit New Zealand's lack of preparation. "If there's a good time to play New Zealand, I think it's now," he said. "They're a little bit undercooked. The pressure is really on them."New Zealand coach Gary Stead acknowledged the challenges his team has faced. "The practice wickets got wet out in the middle," he said. "The balls were going through the top of the surface, so we had a good fielding training instead."New Zealand's batters have struggled to face fast bowling in the nets due to the limited preparation. Stead expects a low-scoring game on Wednesday, unlike England's 267-run total at the same venue in December.Powell also hinted at a low-scoring match, citing the impact of rain on wicket preparation. "With the rain around, that can play a part in the scores," he said.New Zealand is expected to make changes to their lineup, with Ish Sodhi and James Neesham potential inclusions. Stead emphasized the importance of matching up well against West Indies' weaknesses.Despite their poor start, New Zealand needs to win their remaining three matches to qualify for the Super 8s. "We know what's in front of us: we have to win three games and win them well," Stead said. "We know things are stacked against us at the moment, but that's the challenge."

England's World Cup hopes are hanging in the balance after a disappointing start to their campaign. With just one point from two matches, they face a must-win clash against Oman on Thursday. Captain Jos Buttler insists that the team's focus is solely on victory, and they will worry about net run-rate only if they earn the right to do so.England's opening match against Scotland was washed out, and they suffered a 36-run defeat to Australia in their second game. Scotland's subsequent thrashing of Oman has put them in a strong position, with a significant advantage in net run-rate.England have another must-win match against Namibia on Saturday, but their fate could be sealed before then. If Scotland and Australia close out the group stage with a narrow defeat for the Scots, England's hopes will be dashed.Buttler is determined to avoid such an ignominious exit, but he acknowledges the challenges ahead. England need to defeat Oman and Namibia by a combined margin of 117 runs or more to improve their net run-rate ahead of Scotland's.However, Australia's head coach, Andrew McDonald, has hinted that he may rest key players if they secure their Super Eights berth before the Scotland showdown. Additionally, NRR in the group stage is not carried over into the next round, which means Australia would have no incentive to stage a go-slow to eliminate England.Buttler insists that England will not be distracted by such permutations. He believes that the team needs to focus on winning the game against Oman and then assess their situation.Despite their poor start, Buttler remains confident in the team's ability. He admits that they were outplayed by Australia, but he believes that they have only played one-and-a-quarter games and still have plenty of cricket to play.Buttler is also unfazed by the growing frustration from England's fans. He understands that people care about the team and want them to perform well. However, he emphasizes that the team's focus is on their own performance and that they will make their fans happy if they play to their potential.