Cricket

Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Virat Kohli, two legendary figures in Indian cricket, have forged an unbreakable bond that has left an indelible mark on the sport. Their contrasting personalities and leadership styles have complemented each other perfectly, contributing significantly to India's cricketing success.Dhoni, the enigmatic wicketkeeper-batsman, is known for his calm demeanor and astute decision-making. Kohli, on the other hand, is a fiery and passionate leader, renowned for his aggressive batting and unwavering determination. Despite their differences, they share a deep respect and admiration for each other.Their friendship extends beyond the cricket field, evident in their numerous interviews and social media interactions. Dhoni has often praised Kohli's batting prowess, while Kohli has expressed his gratitude for Dhoni's guidance and support.One memorable video that encapsulates their bond shows Dhoni answering questions from an audience. When asked about his relationship with Kohli, Dhoni responded, "We have been playing since 2008-09. There's still an age gap, so I don't know whether I would say like I am an older brother or colleagues or whatever name you give it. But at the end of the day we have been colleagues, you know, who played for India for a very long time. He (Virat Kohli) has been amongst the best when it comes to world cricket."Kohli has reciprocated Dhoni's admiration, acknowledging his calmness under pressure and his ability to handle the responsibilities of captaincy. He has credited Dhoni's support as crucial during his transition to the captaincy role.The transition from Dhoni to Kohli as captain was seamless, thanks to their mutual understanding and respect. Dhoni's decision to step down as captain in 2017 paved the way for Kohli to take over the reins, having already assumed the Test captaincy in 2014.Kohli has often mentioned that Dhoni continued to guide him even after stepping down as captain, especially during challenging times. He has referred to Dhoni as a mentor and someone he could always rely on for advice.On the field, Kohli and Dhoni have shared many memorable partnerships, both as captain and player and as teammates. Their understanding in the middle was often crucial in tight situations, especially in chasing targets. Dhoni's experience combined with Kohli's aggressive approach often made them a formidable pair in the limited-overs format.Kohli has mentioned in interviews that Dhoni will always have a special place in his heart because of the way he supported him throughout his career and that Dhoni will always remain his captain. Dhoni's influence on Kohli's career is undeniable. Kohli has often credited Dhoni for shaping his career and helping him develop as a leader.Their bond has been an example of how different generations of cricketers can work together for the greater good of the team. Even after Dhoni's retirement from international cricket, their friendship continues to be strong, with Kohli often speaking highly of Dhoni and the lessons he learned from him.Their friendship is a testament to the strong bond that can exist between teammates, transcending the boundaries of cricket and becoming a relationship of mutual respect, mentorship, and enduring camaraderie.

Mohammed Enaan, a rising star in Indian cricket, has earned a coveted spot on the under-19 national team for the upcoming multi-format home series against Australia. The announcement was made at the launch of the Kerala Cricket League (KCL), where Enaan's selection was met with thunderous applause.Enaan's journey to the national team has been marked by consistent performances and hard work. Last season, he played a pivotal role in Kerala's under-19 cricket team qualifying for the second stage of the Cooch Behar Trophy cricket tournament. As the team's leading wicket-taker and a valuable contributor with the bat, Enaan's all-round abilities caught the attention of selectors.In the Cooch Behar Trophy, Enaan's leg spin proved to be a formidable weapon, claiming 24 wickets. His batting prowess was equally impressive, as he scored over 200 runs. A memorable performance came in Kerala's victory against Rajasthan, where he took five wickets for 32 runs and scored an unbeaten 83.Enaan's selection to the national team is a testament to his talent and dedication. He credits his coaches, P. Balachandran and Dinesh at the Athreya Cricket Academy, as well as his supportive teammates, for his success."I am feeling a bit excited and happy," said Enaan, a first-year B. Com student at Sree Kerala Varma College. "I have been representing Kerala in junior cricket for the last couple of seasons and I am grateful to my coaches and teammates."Kerala's under-19 coach, S.S. Shine, believes Enaan has the potential to become a world-class bowler. "He is a bowler in the mould of Rashid Khan. His quick arm action makes it harder for the batters to pick him. I am not surprised at his selection," said Shine.Enaan is eager to make a mark for himself in the upcoming series against Australia. He is confident in his abilities and is determined to contribute to the team's success.

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma: A Pakistani Invitation for a Farewell TourVirat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, two of the most celebrated batters in modern cricket, have a massive fan following worldwide. However, Pakistan remains the only country where they have never played an international match. The political tensions between India and Pakistan have prevented bilateral cricket series since 2012-13.Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal has extended an invitation to Kohli and Sharma to visit Pakistan before they retire. Akmal believes that the love and appreciation they would receive in Pakistan would be unparalleled."Virat and Rohit should visit Pakistan before they retire," Akmal told Times of India. "These two are stars of world cricket, traveling across the globe to play the game. Every single fan loves them. They have a massive fan base due to their batting and match-winning performances. The fan following they will experience in Pakistan will surpass anything they've seen elsewhere."Kohli toured Pakistan in his U-19 days, but he was not as well-known then. Akmal believes that Kohli's popularity in Pakistan would be immense."Virat is a role model for many around the world, Rohit is the World Cup-winning captain, and Bumrah is currently the best pacer in the world," Akmal added. "When players like Virat, Rohit, and Bumrah visit Pakistan, it will evoke unique feelings in every fan."Akmal also claimed that Pakistani fans love Indian players more than their own players."If Virat visits Pakistan now, he will truly see his popularity here," Akmal said. "He will receive a different kind of support in Pakistan. No cricketer is more popular than Virat in Pakistan; he has a bigger fan-following than any other cricketer in the world. Pakistani fans love Virat, Rohit, and Bumrah more than any of their own cricket team players."

Suryakumar Yadav's sensational catch in the final of the 2024 T20 World Cup against South Africa in Barbados has sparked controversy and debate. The stunning grab from Suryakumar at the boundary line was so close that it led to a controversy.Needing 16 runs from the final over, South Africa had David Miller on the strike. The southpaw hit a wide full toss from Hardik Pandya but Suryakumar was able to catch the ball inside the ropes at long-off, realized it just as he went over the boundary, and then came back in to complete an astonishing catch.South Africa star Tabraiz Shamsi took a dig at the catch in a social media post on Thursday. "If they used this method to check the catch in the world cup final maybe it would have been given not out," he wrote in a post. Along with the post was a video showing a local cricket match.The post did not go down well with several social media users, with many saying Shami was 'crying' and that he was a sore loser. Then, Shamsi issued a clarification. "In case some people don't understand that it's meant to be a joke and no one is crying... let me explain it to you like a 4-year-old child. It's A Joke," he wrote.Meanwhile, Suryakumar Yadav expressed his desire to "earn a spot" in the Indian Test team, saying that red-ball cricket is a priority for him. India is scheduled to play 10 Tests over the next few months. Although a regular in India's white-ball setup, Suryakumar has played only one Test - against Australia in February 2023, scoring eight runs in his solitary Test inning. In the same year, he was named as one of the reserves in the ICC World Test Championship Final squad.With Shreyas Iyer, Sarfaraz Khan, KL Rahul, and Rajat Patidar also fighting for a spot, Suryakumar acknowledges the uphill task ahead of him. "There are a lot of people who have worked really hard to earn their place and even I want to earn that spot again," Suryakumar said as quoted by ICC."I made my debut for India in Tests. After that, I got injured as well. There were a lot of people who got an opportunity and have done well too. They deserve that opportunity right now," he added.The 33-year-old will return to play red-ball cricket in the Duleep Trophy - India's domestic tournament - for his home side Mumbai. Suryakumar will also make his appearance in the Buchi Babu tournament.

Jasprit Bumrah, India's pace spearhead, has established himself as one of the most formidable fast bowlers in international cricket. Known for his lethal pace, pinpoint accuracy, and exceptional yorker-bowling ability, Bumrah has played a pivotal role in India's recent successes.Bumrah's unique bowling action, characterized by a high-arm release and a slinging motion, generates immense pace and bounce. This, coupled with his ability to swing the ball both ways, makes him a nightmare for batsmen. His death bowling skills are particularly impressive, as he excels at containing runs and taking crucial wickets in the final overs.In a recent interview, Bumrah revealed his mindset when facing tough batsmen. Instead of focusing on the opposition, he emphasizes self-belief and execution. "I tell myself that if I do my job well, there's nobody in the world who can stop me," he said.Bumrah's impact on the Indian team has been undeniable. He played a key role in India's T20 World Cup triumph in 2022, taking 15 wickets at an astonishing economy rate of 4.17. He was named Player of the Tournament for his exceptional performance.Despite occasional injury setbacks, Bumrah remains a vital cog in India's plans, especially in major tournaments. His ability to bowl with pace, accuracy, and control makes him a formidable weapon for the Indian team.Bumrah's achievements extend beyond the international arena. He is the first bowler in history to be ranked Number One in the ICC Rankings in all three formats of the game. This testament to his versatility and dominance across the board.

Barinder Sran, the left-arm fast bowler who represented India in six ODIs and two T20Is, has announced his retirement from international and domestic cricket at the age of 31.Sran's international career was brief but memorable. He made his ODI debut in January 2016 against Australia in Perth, taking 3 for 56. He also played in the white-ball tour of Zimbabwe in June 2016, where he made his T20I debut and took 4 for 10 in the second game in Harare.Sran's journey to international cricket was a remarkable one. He started out as a boxer at the Bhiwani Boxing Club in Haryana before switching to cricket after seeing a Kings XI Punjab advertisement calling youngsters to take part in a trial.Despite not getting an IPL contract initially, Sran's talent was evident. He was picked up by Rajasthan Royals at the 2015 IPL auction and made his ODI debut for India a year later with only eight List A matches under his belt.Sran's retirement marks the end of a promising career. He was a talented bowler who represented India with distinction. He will be remembered for his brief but impactful international career and his journey from village cricket to the highest level.

Delhi Capitals' Lalit Yadav, a promising all-rounder, has expressed his confidence in filling the void left by Ravindra Jadeja's retirement from T20I cricket. Yadav, who has been in impressive form for his IPL franchise, believes he has the skills and determination to step into the role."I definitely see myself in the race for the all-rounder slot," Yadav told PTI Videos. "Playing for India and wearing the jersey is my biggest motivation."Yadav, 27, has been playing for Purani Dilli 6 in the ongoing Delhi Premier League (DPL). While his batting performance has been underwhelming so far, he remains optimistic about his abilities."I'm not satisfied with my performance in the DPL, but I'm hungry for the next few games," he said. "I consider this an average performance."Despite his recent struggles, Yadav is confident in his ability to perform at the highest level. He believes the IPL is a platform for talented cricketers to showcase their skills."There are many talented players in our state," Yadav said. "If I perform better, people will notice. I focus on what I can control."As captain of Purani Dilli 6, Yadav feels no pressure in leading the side. He believes the team has the potential to qualify for the playoffs."We have a positive gut feeling that we will qualify," he said. "We're looking to carry the momentum from our last win."Yadav also praised the DPL for providing a platform for young players to develop their skills. He believes the tournament will continue to improve in the future."The players are starting to become professionals gradually," Yadav said. "They're getting used to playing at a high level."

Karun Nair, the Indian batter who has faced numerous challenges throughout his career, is currently engaged in a rigorous rebuilding process. However, he remains focused on the present, recognizing that dwelling on the future can hinder his progress.Despite not playing for India in seven years, Nair has demonstrated glimpses of his former brilliance in recent times. He has amassed runs for Vidarbha in domestic cricket and Northamptonshire in English county cricket. "It's about preparing for the grind and focusing on the next game. I'm not looking too far ahead because it can lead to overthinking," Nair explained.Nair's resurgence began with his stint at Northamptonshire in early 2023, where he scored 249 runs in three matches, including a century against Surrey. This year, he has accumulated 487 runs in seven matches, including a century against Glamorgan. While these numbers may not be extraordinary, they have instilled confidence in a batsman who had been struggling to find his purpose."Playing in England with a different ball has taught me a lot about myself as a batsman. I've learned to find ways to score runs and believe in myself," Nair said.His move to Vidarbha from Karnataka during the last domestic season proved to be a turning point. Frustrated by the lack of opportunities in his home state, Nair found a new lease of life in Vidarbha. He scored 690 runs in 10 matches, including two centuries, helping his team reach the Ranji Trophy semifinals."I'm grateful to Vidarbha for giving me the opportunity to play first-class cricket. My aim is to improve on last year and go one step further," Nair stated.Despite missing a full season of first-class cricket, Nair has found a positive in the adversity. "It taught me to value each game and practice harder. That non-playing season has made me stronger and more determined," he said.Nair's recent performances have rekindled his dream of representing India again. "Everyone plays this game to represent their country. My only aim now is to play Test cricket again. I know I'm good enough," he asserted.Currently, Nair is focused on winning the ongoing KSCA Maharaja T20 with the Mysore Warriors. "We've qualified for the semis, which was our goal from the start," he said.

Venkatesh Iyer, the Indian all-rounder, is set to return home after completing his stint with Lancashire in England. Iyer has played five List A matches and one first-class game for the County side, but his performances have been underwhelming.In the One-Day Cup, Iyer scored 15, 4, 9, 15, and 25, while taking three wickets. In the County Championship match against Surrey, he registered scores of 4 and 15.Despite his lackluster performances, Iyer remained in good spirits during a fun video session with Lancashire. When asked to choose between two players, Iyer consistently picked his Kolkata Knight Riders teammate Phil Salt.However, when faced with the choice between Brendon McCullum and MS Dhoni, Iyer毫不犹豫地选择了Dhoni。Dhoni的名字随后与Virat Kohli相提并论，但Iyer仍然选择了Dhoni。当Dhoni的名字与Sachin Tendulkar一起出现时，Iyer犹豫了几秒钟，然后微笑着说：“MS Dhoni。”Iyer在2021年印度超级联赛赛季中确立了自己作为一名强大的顶级击球手的身份。他在那届比赛中的出色表现帮助他获得了印度白球国际赛的征召。除了击球能力外，Iyer还作为一名缝合球手带来了宝贵的技能。