Cricket

Jacques Kallis, the legendary South African all-rounder, has been hailed as the "most talented player" ever by former Australian captain Ricky Ponting. Ponting's admiration stems from Kallis' exceptional all-round abilities and impressive statistics throughout his illustrious career.Kallis, who played from 1995 to 2013, amassed 13,289 runs in 166 Test matches, averaging an impressive 55.37. He scored 45 centuries and 58 fifties, solidifying his place as South Africa's highest Test run-scorer. His highest score of 224 ranks him third globally behind Ricky Ponting and Sachin Tendulkar.As a bowler, Kallis claimed 292 wickets at an average of 32.65, with best figures of 6/54. He took five five-wicket hauls in Tests, making him South Africa's seventh-highest wicket-taker.In One-Day Internationals (ODIs), Kallis scored 11,579 runs in 328 matches, averaging 44.36. He hit 17 centuries and 86 fifties, with a top score of 139. He was South Africa's leading run-scorer in ODIs, ranking eighth globally.With the ball, Kallis took 273 wickets in ODIs at an average of 31.79, including five-wicket hauls. He stands as South Africa's second-highest wicket-taker in ODIs, behind Shaun Pollock.In 25 T20 Internationals, Kallis scored 666 runs at an average of 35.05 and took 12 wickets.Overall, Kallis scored 25,534 runs in 519 international matches, with 62 centuries and 149 fifties. His 577 wickets across all formats place him among South Africa's top bowlers.Despite his remarkable achievements, Ponting believes that Kallis is "one of the most underrated players ever" in cricket. He noted that Kallis' all-round abilities and impressive statistics should earn him a place among the all-time greats.

Gautam Gambhir's appointment as the new Indian cricket team head coach has triggered a chain reaction in the coaching landscape of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). With Gambhir's departure, KKR is actively seeking a replacement, and legendary South African cricketer Jacques Kallis has emerged as a potential candidate.Kallis, who was part of KKR's playing squad during his illustrious career, has a deep understanding of the franchise and its culture. He played a pivotal role in KKR's IPL triumphs in 2012 and 2014 under Gambhir's captaincy.After retiring from playing, Kallis served as KKR's batting consultant in 2015 and was subsequently appointed head coach in 2016. He held the position for four seasons until 2019, when he stepped down to join the South Africa cricket team as their batting consultant.With Gambhir's move to the Indian team, KKR is keen on bringing Kallis back into the fold. His experience and familiarity with the franchise make him an ideal candidate to lead KKR's coaching staff.According to a report by The Telegraph, Kallis's name is "doing the rounds" as a potential replacement for Gambhir. The report states that KKR is "on the lookout for a replacement for Gambhir, who was key to its third IPL crown this year."If Kallis does return to KKR, he will be tasked with building on the success achieved under Gambhir's leadership. KKR won the IPL title in 2024 under Gambhir's guidance, and the franchise will be hoping that Kallis can continue that winning momentum.

Jacques Kallis, the legendary South African all-rounder, is renowned for his exceptional talent and unwavering focus. A recent anecdote shared by former Pakistan spinner Imran Tahir sheds light on Kallis's remarkable abilities and the unique approach he adopted before batting.During an online chat with former Pakistan wicketkeeper Rashid Latif, Tahir recounted an incident from his early Test career. Playing against Sri Lanka in Cape Town, Tahir witnessed Kallis fast asleep in the dressing room just before he was due to bat at number three.Tahir's initial concern turned into astonishment as he observed Kallis's nonchalant demeanor. Despite the gravity of the situation, Kallis remained unperturbed. As soon as Alviro Petersen was dismissed, Kallis opened his eyes, grabbed his bat, and casually walked out to the crease.To Tahir's disbelief, Kallis proceeded to score an unbeaten 237, leaving him in a state of shock. Latif remarked that such behavior would have resulted in a hefty fine in the Pakistan dressing room, while Tahir quipped that the player would have been banned from playing altogether.Kallis's ability to remain calm and focused under pressure is a testament to his exceptional mental strength. His unique approach to batting, which involved sleeping before an innings, allowed him to clear his mind and enter the crease with a clear and composed mindset.This anecdote highlights the extraordinary talent and dedication that made Jacques Kallis one of the greatest all-rounders in cricket history. His ability to perform at the highest level, even in the most challenging situations, is a source of inspiration for aspiring cricketers worldwide.