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.

England all-rounder Chris Woakes has revealed that his recent absence from cricket was due to the tragic loss of his father. In a heartfelt Instagram post, Woakes shared that he had spent the past few weeks with his family, grieving and trying to cope with the immense loss.Woakes, who has been a key member of England's World Cup-winning teams in both T20 and one-day internationals, expressed his gratitude for the support he has received during this difficult time. He emphasized that he will return to the sport when he and his family feel ready.The 35-year-old has played 48 Tests, 122 ODIs, and 33 T20Is for England, taking 353 international wickets. His absence from the recent Indian Premier League (IPL) and England's squad for the T20 World Cup in the United States and West Indies has been a significant blow to both his team and the sport.Woakes's decision to prioritize his family during this time has been met with widespread support from the cricket community. Former England captain Michael Vaughan praised Woakes for putting his family first, saying, "It's a reminder that there are more important things in life than cricket."The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has also expressed its support for Woakes, stating that they will give him all the time he needs to grieve and recover. ECB chief executive Tom Harrison said, "We fully understand and support Chris's decision to take time away from cricket. Our thoughts are with him and his family at this difficult time."Woakes's return to cricket will be a welcome boost for England, who are preparing for a busy summer of international fixtures. The team will face New Zealand in a three-match Test series in June, followed by a limited-overs series against India in July.

Virat Kohli, the legendary Indian batter, recently shared personal anecdotes and provided an update on his newborn son, Akaay, during an interview with Mr. Nags, played by Danish Sait.Kohli revealed that his daughter, Vamika, has developed a keen interest in cricket. "My daughter has picked up the cricket bat and she's enjoying swinging the bat. I'm not sure, their choice is final," he said.When asked about his baby boy, Kohli expressed his joy and gratitude. "Baby is good, healthy. Everything is fine, thank you!" he exclaimed.Kohli is currently playing for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL). He has been instrumental in the team's pursuit of a playoff spot.In the IPL season, Kohli leads the race for the orange cap with 661 runs in 13 innings. His impressive tally includes five fifties and a century.RCB currently stands sixth in the IPL table with 12 points from 13 matches. They face a crucial match against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Saturday.To secure a playoff berth, RCB must win and improve their net run rate (NRR) to surpass CSK's NRR.After the IPL, Kohli will represent India in the T20 World Cup, which begins in June in the USA and the West Indies. India is placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, Ireland, Canada, and the USA.

Rinku Singh, the Kolkata Knight Riders' star batter, recently shared a deeply personal story on the Knights Dugout Podcast. He revealed the profound significance of the tattoo on his right arm, which serves as a constant reminder of the transformative moment that changed his life forever.The tattoo, etched into his skin at the pivotal moment of his selection for the KKR team, bears the word "family" along with a rose and a peace symbol. It represents the profound impact that his entry into the IPL had on his family's fortunes."This was made when I was picked for KKR. I think it was 2:20 PM. My family's life changed from that very point. I was auctioned for Rs 80 lakh. So the money solved all the family problems. We could repay all the debt. So my life changed from then," said the 26-year-old batter.Rinku's journey to becoming a professional cricketer has been marked by both challenges and triumphs. His tattoo serves as a poignant reminder of the struggles he has overcome and the success he has achieved."I have inked the word family here, a rose, and a symbol of peace," Rinku explained, adding a touch of sentimentality to his explanation.On a lighter note, Rinku also shared an amusing anecdote involving a monkey. He humorously recounted how a monkey bit him six times, suggesting that the animal may have developed an unusual fondness for him."Monkey had bitten me six times. It was the same monkey. I think he fell in love with me," he admitted with a chuckle.Despite the occasional monkey encounters, Rinku remains a crucial asset for his team. With a total of 112 runs from eight innings, he continues to be a force to be reckoned with. KKR fans eagerly anticipate his contributions in the upcoming matches.Following their defeat to the Punjab Kings, the Kolkata Knight Riders are set to face the Delhi Capitals in their next IPL 2024 season match at the Eden Gardens Stadium on Monday.

Punjab Kings skipper Shikhar Dhawan has taken to social media to express his love for his son, Zoraver, amidst a challenging IPL season for his team. Dhawan posted a heartwarming picture on Instagram, wearing a jersey with his son's name and number.Dhawan's gesture comes after a difficult period in his personal life, following his separation from his former wife, Ayesha Mukherjee, in 2021. The family court of Delhi granted them a divorce on grounds of cruelty. Dhawan had previously expressed his frustration at being blocked from contacting his son.Despite the personal challenges, Dhawan has remained focused on his cricket. In five matches of IPL 2024, he has scored 152 runs at an average of 30.40, including a half-century. However, he missed the previous game against Rajasthan Royals due to a shoulder injury.Punjab Kings Cricket Director Sanjay Bangar has provided an update on Dhawan's injury, stating that he could be ruled out for at least seven to ten days. This is a significant blow to the team, as Dhawan is an experienced opener with a proven track record in the IPL.Dhawan is the second-highest run-getter in IPL history, with 6768 runs in 222 matches. His absence will be a major concern for Punjab Kings, who are currently struggling in the tournament with two wins and four losses.Despite the setbacks, Dhawan remains a key figure for Punjab Kings. His leadership and experience will be crucial as the team looks to turn their fortunes around in the remaining matches of the IPL.

Australian Test captain Pat Cummins has opened up about the emotional turmoil he endured during the India tour last year, as he grappled with the impending loss of his mother to cancer.Cummins, who was in India for a Test series, made the difficult decision to return home to be by his mother's side as she received palliative care. "Flying away... That's the hardest time of my life, easily," Cummins said in an interview for the Imperfects podcast.The captaincy weighed heavily on Cummins' mind during that period. "I remember my manager and a couple of other people around me who I normally listen to were calling me and being like, 'I think we need to give a little bit of a reason why you've gone home', and I'm like, 'Nah, don't care'," he recalled.Cummins' mother, Maria, passed away last year. The cricketer said he tried to keep her final days as private as possible and didn't explain to her why he flew home after playing in two Tests in India."But that time in particular – because we knew roughly the timeline, and knowing Mum and Dad as well; how much joy they get, sitting together, watching me play – that gave me enough confidence to go and play, and they were desperate for me to go and play, and I knew I could hop on a flight at any time and come back," Cummins said.Despite his determination to play, Cummins admitted that his mind was not fully on the game. "But for those couple of weeks I was in India, especially now I look back on it, my mind was not in India, it was back home the whole time," he said.Cummins even considered quitting as Australia captain at one point, as his desire to be with his mother intensified. "I honestly do not care what people think," he said. "After about six or seven days when I knew I wasn't going to come back to India, we said Mum's in palliative care. But I literally could not have cared less what people were saying about me."Cummins' decision to prioritize his family over cricket was met with understanding and support from his teammates and Cricket Australia. The captain's resilience and determination to balance his personal and professional life serves as an inspiration to many.