Cricket

Virat Kohli's Resurgence: A Milestone and a Lifeline for IndiaVirat Kohli, the former Indian captain and batting maestro, has finally broken his century drought in Test cricket, marking his return to form with a crucial half-century in the second innings of the first Test against New Zealand.Kohli's 52-run knock came at a time when India desperately needed a stabilizing force after losing early wickets. His innings was a testament to his resilience and determination, as he weathered the storm and played with the composure of a seasoned veteran.With this half-century, Kohli became the fourth Indian batter to surpass 9,000 runs in Test cricket, joining the illustrious ranks of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Sunil Gavaskar. However, Kohli's journey to this milestone was the longest among the quartet, taking him 197 innings to reach the coveted mark.Kohli's resurgence is a welcome sight for Indian cricket fans, who have been eagerly awaiting his return to his dominant form. His half-century has not only boosted India's chances in the ongoing Test but has also reignited hopes of a successful World Test Championship campaign.The Indian team has been struggling for consistency in recent months, and Kohli's return to form could be the catalyst they need to turn their fortunes around. His experience, leadership, and ability to score runs in all conditions make him an invaluable asset to the side.As India prepares for the second Test against New Zealand, Kohli will be expected to continue his good form and guide the team to victory. His return to form is a timely boost for India, who will be looking to secure a series win and consolidate their position in the World Test Championship standings.

Anil Kumble's Commentary Anecdote: A Close Call Before 300th Test WicketIndian bowling legend Anil Kumble, celebrating his 53rd birthday today, shared a captivating anecdote from his playing days while commentating on the second day of the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru.Kumble, who hails from Karnataka, recalled an incident that nearly prevented him from reaching a significant milestone on his home ground. In December 2001, he was bowling to Sachin Tendulkar in the nets ahead of a Test match against England."I was at 299 wickets and on the verge of reaching a milestone on my home ground," said Kumble. "A day before the match, I was bowling to Sachin in the nets. We generally don't go to pick up the ball until the other bowler has delivered, but somehow I went in after Sachin had played a shot off my last delivery."What happened next was a moment of panic for Kumble. "While I was picking up the ball, Harbhajan (Singh) had bowled a delivery to Sachin, which he drove fiercely and the shot ended up hitting me smack in the ribs. Sachin was like 'yeh maine kya kar diya, iska to home ground hai, iska 300 to gaya (what have I done; it's his home ground, his 300th wicket is surely gone now)," narrated Kumble."Luckily, nothing happened. I played the match and went on to complete my 300 wickets at my home venue (M Chinnaswamy Stadium)."Kumble became the first Indian spinner to take 300 Test wickets. He ended his career with 619 wickets in 132 Tests and 337 wickets in 271 ODIs.One of Kumble's most memorable achievements was taking all 10 wickets in a Test innings against Pakistan in 1999. This feat, known as a "perfect 10," is considered one of the greatest bowling performances in cricket history.Kumble's commentary anecdote not only entertained viewers but also highlighted the camaraderie and competitive spirit that existed within the Indian team during his playing days.

Team India's T20I captain, Suryakumar Yadav, is poised to make history as he stands on the cusp of equaling Virat Kohli's record as the second-fastest batter to reach 2500 runs in T20 Internationals. With just 39 runs separating him from the milestone, Suryakumar has the opportunity to match Kohli's feat in the same number of matches (73).Kohli, who retired from T20Is in 2024, achieved the milestone in a remarkable 73 matches. Suryakumar, on the other hand, has amassed 2461 runs in 72 T20I games, showcasing his exceptional consistency and ability to score runs at a rapid pace.If Suryakumar manages to score 39 runs in the second T20I against Bangladesh, he will etch his name alongside some of the greatest T20I batters in history. The overall record for the fastest to 2500 T20I runs is held by Pakistan's Babar Azam, who reached the milestone in a mere 67 matches.Fastest to 2500 runs in T20Is:1. Babar Azam (Pakistan) - 67 matches2. Virat Kohli (India) - 73 matches3. Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan) - 76 matches4. Aaron Finch (Australia) - 78 matches5. Martin Guptill (New Zealand) - 86 matchesSuryakumar's impressive T20I career has been marked by his ability to play high-impact innings at crucial moments. In the first T20I against Bangladesh, he played a quick-fire knock of 29 runs off just 14 balls, helping India secure a comfortable seven-wicket victory.With India leading the three-match series 1-0, all eyes will be on Suryakumar in the second T20I on Wednesday. If India manages to secure another win, they will wrap up the series and extend their dominant run following their recent 2-0 Test series sweep against Bangladesh.

Virat Kohli, the Indian cricket legend, has etched his name deeper into the annals of cricket history by becoming the fastest player to score 27,000 runs in international cricket. Kohli achieved this remarkable feat in just 594 innings, breaking the previous record held by Sachin Tendulkar, who reached the milestone in 623 innings.Kohli's journey to 27,000 runs has been a testament to his consistency and dominance across all formats of the game. He has amassed an impressive 13,906 runs in 295 ODIs, along with 8918 runs in Test cricket. In T20Is, he amassed 4,188 runs before announcing his retirement from the shortest format after India's triumphant campaign in the T20 World Cup.Kohli's achievement is even more remarkable when compared to other cricketing greats. Sachin Tendulkar, who held the record prior to Kohli, is regarded as one of the most complete batsmen to have ever played the game. His 27,000 runs came in a glittering career that spanned over 24 years, including 100 international centuries.Following Tendulkar on the list is Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara, who took 648 innings to reach the milestone. Sangakkara's elegance and precision with the bat made him one of the finest players of his generation.Ricky Ponting, the legendary Australian captain and one of the fiercest competitors, completed his 27,000 runs in 650 innings, further proving that this feat is a hallmark of cricket's elite players.For Kohli, surpassing these greats is yet another reminder of his unparalleled ability to rise to the occasion when the spotlight is brightest. From his early days as a prodigy in Indian cricket to becoming one of the most celebrated figures globally, Kohli's journey has been one of discipline, fitness, and an uncompromising desire for excellence.This milestone comes at a time when Kohli is in the latter stages of his career, yet continues to be a key pillar for Team India. Fans and analysts alike believe that there are still several more records for Kohli to break, with the legendary cricketer showing no signs of slowing down.

Adil Rashid, the English leg-spinner, has reached a significant milestone in his career by becoming the first England spinner to take 200 ODI wickets. This achievement came during the second game of the five-match series against Australia at Leeds, the same ground where he made his Test debut in 2006.Rashid's journey to this milestone has been marked by his unique style and determination. Growing up, he was inspired by his father, who introduced him to leg-spin at a young age. Despite leg-spin not being a popular choice in England at the time, Rashid persevered and developed his skills.His talent was recognized early on, and he made his international debut in 2009. However, it was not until the 2015 World Cup that Rashid truly made his mark on the international stage. He played a crucial role in England's victory, taking 17 wickets in the tournament.Since then, Rashid has been a mainstay in the England ODI team. He has been praised for his ability to turn the ball sharply and his deceptive variations. His success has also inspired a new generation of young spinners in England.In an interview with The Hindu, Rashid spoke about the importance of nurturing young spinners and the bright future of spin bowling in England. He also reflected on his time under Eoin Morgan, who he described as "the ultimate package as a captain."Rashid's achievement of 200 ODI wickets is a testament to his skill, dedication, and the growing popularity of spin bowling in England. As he continues to play, he will undoubtedly inspire more young spinners to take up the craft and contribute to the success of the English cricket team.

Adil Rashid, England's premier spinner, etched his name in the history books on Saturday by becoming the first English spinner to reach the milestone of 200 ODI wickets. This remarkable achievement came during the second ODI against Australia at Leeds.In his 10 overs, Rashid displayed his exceptional skills, claiming the wickets of Glenn Maxwell and Adam Zampa while conceding only 42 runs at an economical rate of 4.20. With this performance, Rashid has now taken 201 wickets in 137 ODIs since his debut in 2009. His impressive average of 32.22 and best figures of 5/27 are a testament to his consistency and effectiveness.Rashid's eight four-wicket hauls and two five-wicket hauls in ODIs further highlight his ability to make a significant impact on matches. He is now England's third-highest wicket-taker in ODIs, behind only pace bowlers James Anderson (269 wickets) and Darren Gough (234 wickets).In the match against Australia, England won the toss and elected to field first. Matthew Short and Travis Head provided a solid start with a 46-run opening partnership. However, Rashid and his fellow bowlers quickly turned the tide in England's favor.After the early dismissals of Short and Head, Mitchell Marsh and Marnus Labuschagne steadied the Australian innings with a 56-run stand. But England's bowlers continued to apply pressure, and wickets fell at regular intervals.Alex Carey emerged as a lone warrior for Australia, scoring a valiant 74 off 67 balls. However, his efforts were not enough to prevent Australia from being bowled out for 270 in 44.4 overs.Brydon Carse was the pick of the English bowlers, claiming 3/75. Rashid, Jacob Bethell, and Matthew Potts also contributed with two wickets each.With this victory, England leveled the five-match series 1-1. The third ODI will be played on Tuesday at Manchester.

Jasprit Bumrah: India's Sixth Fast Bowler to Reach 400 International WicketsIndian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has etched his name in the annals of Indian cricket history by becoming the sixth Indian fast bowler to capture 400 international wickets. This remarkable milestone was achieved on Day 2 of the first Test against Bangladesh at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.Bumrah's journey to 400 wickets has been marked by exceptional pace, unorthodox action, and an uncanny ability to deliver under pressure. Since his debut, he has been a cornerstone of India's bowling attack, contributing significantly to the team's success across all formats.In limited-overs cricket, Bumrah's pinpoint yorkers at the death have been a game-changer for India. His consistency and control with the new ball and at the death have made him a formidable force in both ODIs and T20Is. Bumrah holds the record for being the fastest Indian bowler to reach 100 wickets in ODIs and 50 wickets in T20Is.Bumrah's Test bowling has also been equally impressive. His ability to extract bounce and swing the old ball has made him a threat on all types of surfaces. His Test bowling average is among the best for Indian pacers, highlighting his effectiveness in the longest format of the game.Bumrah's rise to prominence has been meteoric. He made his international debut in 2016 and has quickly established himself as one of the world's leading fast bowlers. His unique skill set, combined with his ability to perform under pressure, makes him an indispensable asset for India, particularly in challenging overseas conditions.As India's bowling attack continues to evolve, Bumrah is expected to lead the charge in the years to come. His exceptional pace, control, and ability to adapt to different conditions make him a formidable weapon in India's quest for success on the international stage.

Ehsan Khan, the seasoned Hong Kong spinner, has etched his name in the annals of cricket history by becoming the first bowler from his country to claim 100 wickets in T20 Internationals. This remarkable achievement was accomplished during the ongoing Malaysia Tri-Nation T20 Cup Tournament, where Khan's 4-28 against hosts Malaysia propelled Hong Kong to a seven-run victory.Khan's journey to this milestone has been marked by memorable performances. In the 2018 Asia Cup, he stunned the cricketing world by dismissing Indian legend M.S. Dhoni for a duck and claiming the wicket of Rohit Sharma, who later led India to the T20 World Cup title. In the same tournament, Khan also dismissed Pakistan's Fakhar Zaman and Babar Azam, the current captain.Khan's ability to deceive batsmen with his off-break deliveries has been instrumental in his success. His best bowling figures of 4-22 highlight his consistency and effectiveness. In the match against Malaysia, Khan's four wickets played a crucial role in restricting the hosts to 146/7, despite Hong Kong's modest total of 153/6.Hong Kong Cricket celebrated Khan's historic achievement with heartfelt messages on social media. "100 T20I wickets for the inspirational Ehsan Khan! Congratulations on such a legendary achievement!" the organization posted on Instagram and Twitter.Khan's achievement is a testament to his skill, determination, and the growing strength of cricket in Hong Kong. As an Associate Member of the International Cricket Council, Hong Kong's success on the international stage is a source of pride and inspiration for the nation.

Shubman Gill's 100th IPL match, a milestone in his illustrious career, ended in a narrow defeat for the Gujarat Titans against the Delhi Capitals. Despite the loss, Gill expressed gratitude for the opportunity to reach this significant milestone.The match was a high-scoring thriller, with both teams showcasing their batting prowess. The Delhi Capitals posted a formidable total of 224/4, thanks to a blistering century from David Warner. In response, the Gujarat Titans fought valiantly, with Gill leading the charge with a well-crafted 84 off 46 deliveries.However, the Titans' chase ultimately fell short by four runs, as Rashid Khan's late surge in the final over proved insufficient. Khan struck consecutive boundaries and a six off the first three balls, but Mukesh Kumar held his nerve to restrict the Titans to 220/8.Despite the defeat, Gill praised his team's resilience and determination. "We showed great character in the chase," he said. "We fought till the end, and that's what matters."Gill's 100th IPL match marked a significant achievement for the young batsman. At 24 years and 229 days old, he became the second-youngest player to reach this milestone, behind only Afghanistan's Rashid Khan.Gill's journey to 100 IPL matches has been marked by consistent performances and a remarkable ability to adapt to different conditions. He has established himself as one of the most promising young batsmen in the world, and his future in the game looks incredibly bright.