Cricket

Former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly has strongly advocated for the inclusion of Virat Kohli as an opener in the upcoming T20 World Cup. Ganguly believes that Kohli's exceptional form in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) warrants his promotion to the top of the order."Virat is playing exceptionally well. The way Kohli batted last night – 90 in quick time, you need to use him as an opener in the T20 World Cup," Ganguly told PTI.Ganguly expressed confidence in India's T20 World Cup squad, commending its balanced composition and expressing optimism about their trophy prospects after a 17-year gap."This is an excellent squad. I think they have picked the best possible squad. Apart from batting depth, bowling looks excellent," Ganguly remarked.Reflecting on the high-scoring nature of T20 cricket, Ganguly acknowledged the trend of power-hitting and its impact on the game's dynamics."This is going to be the trend in the years to come. T20 cricket has become a power-oriented game and that's what it is going to be," Ganguly observed.Ganguly identified the Impact Player rule and the aggressive mindset of modern-day batsmen as factors contributing to the surge in mammoth totals in the IPL."Now, in IPL we are seeing scores like 240, 250 regularly... That's how this game has gone and that's how the players have started approaching the game," Ganguly explained.Ganguly stressed the need for bowlers to upskill themselves to counter the dominance of batsmen in T20s, citing examples of skillful bowlers thriving across formats."I don't believe in formats. I believe in skills. These are exemplary players who will thrive in all formats," Ganguly noted.Referring to the selection of wicketkeeper-batsmen for the T20 World Cup, Ganguly backed the decision to prioritize Rishabh Pant and Sanju Samson over Dinesh Karthik."Dinesh played well but there are better players than Dinesh. I don't think you can leave Sanju or Rishabh out," Ganguly remarked.Ganguly refrained from commenting on the public reprimand of Lucknow Super Giants skipper KL Rahul, citing the need for a comprehensive understanding of the situation."It is not fair for me to make a comment based on a TV grab... So, I leave it at that," Ganguly concluded.

Star pacer Mohammed Shami has strongly condemned the public reprimand of his India teammate KL Rahul by Lucknow Super Giants team owner Sanjiv Goenka, calling it "shameful" and inappropriate for sports.Goenka's animated confrontation with Rahul after Lucknow Super Giants' record-breaking defeat to Sunrisers Hyderabad has sparked widespread criticism. Shami, the first Indian cricketer to speak out against the incident, expressed his disapproval in a recent interview."Crores of people are watching you and learning from you. If these things happen in front of cameras, and you see such reactions on screen, it's shameful," Shami said. "You should have boundaries in your communication, and this sends a very wrong message."Shami emphasized the importance of maintaining respect and professionalism in sports, regardless of the outcome of a match. He believes that such public confrontations undermine the integrity of the game and set a poor example for young players."It's a team game; it isn't a big thing if the plan isn’t successful. Anything is possible in the game. I understand there can be good or bad days, but every player has respect, and there's a way to talk," Shami said.He added that while disagreements and heated moments can occur in the heat of competition, they should be handled privately and not in front of the public."A player talking to another player is different, but someone from the outside discussing something with the player is different. We are only speculating from what we are seeing, and only KL Rahul can tell what the conversation was about, but these kinds of reactions do not have any place in sports," Shami said.Shami's comments have been widely supported by fans and fellow cricketers, who believe that Goenka's behavior was unacceptable. The incident has raised questions about the role of team owners in professional sports and the need for clear boundaries in player-owner interactions.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced the departure arrangements for the Indian team players participating in the upcoming T20 World Cup. BCCI Secretary Jay Shah has confirmed that players whose IPL teams fail to qualify for the playoffs will depart for the World Cup in two stages.The first batch, consisting of players and coaching staff, will leave on May 24. The remaining contingent will depart after the IPL final on May 26. Shah emphasized that the IPL serves as a valuable platform for players to hone their skills, even for those whose teams do not make the playoffs."Look at how well Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma played the other day. If [Jasprit] Bumrah gets to bowl to Head, what better opportunity is there to practice?" Shah said during a media interaction.Shah also provided an update on Lucknow Super Giants' Mayank Yadav, who is currently sidelined with an injury. Shah acknowledged Yadav's impressive performance earlier in the IPL season and revealed that the speedster will be under BCCI supervision.Yadav joins a group of emerging pace bowlers without annual retainers, including Akash Deep, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Umran Malik, Yash Dayal, and Vidwath Kaverappa. These bowlers will receive continuous monitoring and support from the National Cricket Academy (NCA) medical staff, reflecting the BCCI's commitment to nurturing young bowling talent in India.

Virat Kohli's unwavering dedication to training has enabled him to overcome his limitations and maintain his status as one of the world's top batters, according to former Australian all-rounder Tom Moody.Despite being 35 years old, Kohli has showcased remarkable agility and fitness, as evidenced by his brilliant direct hit run-out against Punjab Kings. Moody praised Kohli's ability to execute such a challenging play, highlighting his exceptional focus and determination.Kohli's season total now stands at 634 runs at an average of 70.44, placing him among the leading run-scorers in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Moody attributed Kohli's success to his continued commitment to improving his skills, even if he may not train as intensely as he once did.Kohli's mastery of the slog-sweep has proven to be a potent weapon against spinners in the middle overs. Moody believes that Kohli's ability to adapt and innovate has been crucial to his success.With Kohli in top form, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have turned their season around, winning four consecutive games after a dismal start. Moody believes that RCB still have a chance of making the playoffs if they continue to play with the same intensity and determination.Kohli's exceptional performance has been a delight for fans, and Moody believes that his presence on the field is worth every penny. RCB will play their final two league games at home, and Kohli's continued brilliance will be key to their playoff hopes.

In a highly anticipated clash, two-time IPL champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will face off against the struggling Mumbai Indians (MI) in their final home match of the season on Saturday. KKR, under the guidance of former skipper Gautam Gambhir as team mentor, has found a winning formula this season, sitting atop the standings with eight wins from 11 matches.KKR's success has been largely attributed to the explosive opening partnership of Sunil Narine and Phil Salt. Narine, the Trinidadian all-rounder, has been a revelation with the bat, scoring 461 runs at a strike rate of 183.66, including a century and three fifties. Salt, the English batter, has also contributed significantly with 429 runs at a strike rate of 183.33.The duo's consistent performances have allowed KKR to post six 200-plus totals from eight matches batting first. Narine's 32 sixes are second only to Abhishek Sharma (35) in the tournament.In contrast, MI, under Hardik Pandya's leadership, has become the first team to be eliminated from the playoffs race. Despite a morale-boosting win over Sunrisers Hyderabad, MI will be looking to salvage some pride in their remaining matches.Suryakumar Yadav has been in scintillating form for MI, scoring 56 and 102 not out in his last two innings. His performances augur well for Team India ahead of the T20 World Cup next month. However, Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya have struggled for runs, with Pandya failing to cross 10 in his last six innings.Pandya's poor form is a concern for India, as he is a key all-rounder in their T20 World Cup squad.

The Indian Premier League's (IPL) "Impact Player" rule, introduced in 2023, has sparked debate. However, BCCI Secretary Jay Shah maintains that the board has received no feedback on the rule and will review it after the T20 World Cup.Shah emphasized the rule's benefits, stating that it provides opportunities for two additional Indian players. He highlighted the increased competitiveness it brings to the game. However, he acknowledged that if players express concerns, the board will address them."After the IPL and the World Cup, we will have a meeting and decide," Shah said. "It's not a permanent rule, nor am I saying we will move past it."Shah also clarified that the revival of the Champions League T20 tournament has not been discussed with the ICC, despite claims by Cricket Victoria CEO Nick Cummins.Regarding speculation about his potential candidacy for ICC chair, Shah remained evasive. "Let me be here in BCCI," he said. "Let there be speculation. But let me be here (in the BCCI). Am I not doing a good job?"

Virat Kohli's mastery of the sweep shot has emerged as a crucial scoring weapon for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL). After successfully countering the spin trio of Gujarat Titans with the sweep earlier this season, Kohli once again relied on this shot to dominate the bowling of Punjab Kings (PBKS).In RCB's recent victory over PBKS, Kohli's slog-sweep and slog accounted for 26 of his 92 runs off 47 balls. This shot opened up other scoring options for him, allowing him to maintain a strike rate of 195.74. Despite being dropped twice, Kohli remained aggressive and led RCB to a formidable total of 241 for 7."I've brought out the slog-sweep to the spinners," Kohli said after receiving the Player-of-the-Match award. "I just mentally put myself in that situation and I didn't practice it at all. I know I can hit it because I've hit it a lot in the past."Kohli's ability to execute the sweep shot has been a significant factor in RCB's recent success. It has allowed him to score runs against spinners and expose the off-side field."For me, that has been a massive factor in this IPL," Kohli added. "I think it just takes a bit more conviction and taking out that thought that props up: 'what if you get out'. I've been managing to stay ahead of that thought in this IPL and that's really helped me in the middle overs."Kohli's knock helped RCB secure their fourth consecutive win, keeping them in contention for the playoffs. The team had previously endured a six-game losing streak after their victory over PBKS in their second match of the season.RCB has since found a winning formula, both at home and away. Kohli believes that the one-run defeat to Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens was a turning point in their campaign."The only way to go through a long tournament is to be absolutely honest with yourself," Kohli said. "We were just not good enough in the first half of the tournament. We had an honest chat in the change room. That's not good enough. Playing at this level, we need to pull up our socks and be a bit more brave with the ball and bat."RCB captain Faf du Plessis echoed Kohli's comments, praising the team's batters and bowlers for adapting to the demands of the IPL."I think we've scored 200-plus in the last five-six games," du Plessis said. "Really the method and aggression has been good to see. We had some really good conversations halfway through the season where we felt like we were making the same mistakes over and over again. We changed a bit of the method in the way we approach the game and aggression with the bat was certainly one of them."

Virat Kohli's unwavering commitment to excellence was once again evident as he led Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) to a resounding 60-run victory over Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) match in Dharamsala. His emphatic statement, "For me, it's still quality over quantity," served as a resounding response to his critics.Kohli's performance was instrumental in RCB's triumph, showcasing his unwavering focus on delivering results when it matters most. His 92 runs off just 47 deliveries formed the backbone of RCB's innings, featuring crucial partnerships with Rajat Patidar (55 off 23 balls) and Cameron Green (46 off 27 balls).Kohli's response reflects his unwavering confidence and dedication to his team, underscoring his reputation as a player who prioritizes the success of his team over personal milestones. "For me, it's still quality over quantity. For me, it works really well. Also, the understanding of the game allows you to practice less, just try to replicate what I have done in the past. Still aiming to improve aspects of the game that you want to get better at. It's an evolving process," Kohli said at the post-match presentation.Kohli's commitment to improving his game was evident in his execution of the slogsweep against the spinners. "I didn't practice it, I know I have hit it in the past. Always looking to expose that side of the field against spin. I know I need to take risks, it needs a bit of conviction. I have been managing to stay ahead of that thought," he added.Kohli's determination to maintain a high strike rate for himself and his team was also evident. "I am trying to keep up with the strike rate for me and the team. The only way to go through a tournament is to be honest with ourselves. We had those losses on the trot, we just had an honest conversation. We needed to pull up our socks. That game against KKR went down to the wire. We wanted to play for our self-respect. We just can't go out there and play in such a way and disappoint our fans. The confidence is back, and we are on a roll. We wouldn't have to depend on several other aspects (had we played better earlier in the tournament)," Kohli said.This victory marks RCB's fourth consecutive win, elevating them to 10 points in the standings. On the other hand, Punjab Kings' hopes for a playoff berth were dashed, as they are now eliminated from contention, unable to surpass a maximum of 12 points from their remaining two fixtures.

Virat Kohli's scintillating 92 off 47 balls and Rajat Patidar's brisk half-century propelled Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) to a formidable total of 241/7 against Punjab Kings in a rain-affected Indian Premier League (IPL) match on Thursday.Kohli, dropped twice early in his innings, made Punjab pay with his precise timing, footwork, and wrist action, reaching his sixth IPL fifty of the season. Patidar, who was also given two lifelines, delivered early impetus with a rapid 23-ball 55 that included six sixes and three fours.Kohli and Cameron Green (46 off 27 balls) continued the assault, adding 92 runs off 46 balls, propelling RCB past the 200-run mark. Green's knock featured five boundaries and one six before he was dismissed on the final delivery of the innings, as RCB scored 77 runs in the last five overs.After his majestic knock, Kohli emphasized the importance of maintaining his strike rate throughout the innings. He acknowledged the tricky phase after Patidar's dismissal and the rain interruption, but credited his partnership with Green for settling the team.Kohli also praised the wicket, noting its two-paced nature and the skidding deliveries on the grassy patches. He expressed confidence in his bowlers' ability to make early inroads, given their recent successes.However, cricket icon Sunil Gavaskar delivered a strong rebuke to Kohli for his reaction to analysts and commentators who questioned his scoring rate before India's T20 World Cup squad was announced. Gavaskar criticized Kohli's outburst and the broadcaster for repeatedly showing the clip.Kohli had pushed back against the ongoing discussion about his strike rate against spin during the middle overs, asserting that he understands his own game better than his critics do.