Cricket

Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant Return to Delhi's Ranji Trophy Probables ListStar Indian batsmen Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant have been included in Delhi's probables list for the upcoming Ranji Trophy, scheduled to commence on October 11, 2024. The premier domestic red-ball event in Indian cricket has produced numerous Indian stars, including Kohli and Pant.Delhi will face Chhattisgarh in their Elite Plate Group D encounter on the opening day of the tournament. Other notable players on the probables list include Ayush Badoni, Anuj Rawat, Yash Dhull, and Navdeep Saini.Pant recently made a comeback to the Test team in the Duleep Trophy, where he scored a century in the opening match against Bangladesh. His return to form has been a welcome boost for the Indian team ahead of the home series against Bangladesh.The Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) announced the list of 84 probables, stating that a fitness test for the selected players will be held on September 26, 2024. Players on international duty are exempted from the fitness test.The Ranji Trophy match on October 11 precedes India's first Test match against New Zealand in Bengaluru, which begins on October 16. This match provides Kohli with an opportunity to gain valuable game time in home conditions before the international series.

Dhawal Kulkarni Emphasizes Importance of Domestic Cricket for Test AspirationsFormer India pacer Dhawal Kulkarni has underscored the paramount importance of domestic cricket for aspiring Test cricketers. Kulkarni, who retired last season after an illustrious 18-year domestic career, believes that consistent performances in domestic red-ball competitions are crucial for Test selection."Playing domestic cricket is very important if you want to play Test cricket for India," Kulkarni asserted. "It is not easy to perform consistently in domestic cricket, but it is essential for Test aspirations."Kulkarni highlighted the value of domestic cricket in providing players with a deep understanding of conditions and the challenges of playing in different environments. "You get the idea of conditions in domestic cricket," he explained. "There is no option other than domestic cricket to play Test."While acknowledging the importance of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Kulkarni emphasized that domestic cricket should take precedence for players aiming to represent India in Test matches. "IPL is also important, but I give more importance to domestic cricket," he said.Reflecting on his own career, Kulkarni expressed satisfaction with his achievements, which include five Ranji Trophy titles with Mumbai. He retired last season to make way for younger fast bowlers in the Mumbai team."I planned to retire well in advance last season," Kulkarni said. "I thought this was the right time for them [young fast bowlers] to come into the team and perform."Kulkarni's retirement coincided with Mumbai's Ranji Trophy triumph, a fitting end to his illustrious domestic career. "I bagged the first and last wicket in that match, so it was a proper send-off for me," he said.

Cheteshwar Pujara, the veteran Indian batter, is leaving no stone unturned in his preparations for the upcoming 2024-25 Ranji Trophy season. In a video shared on social media, the 36-year-old was seen honing his skills in the nets, accompanied by the caption, "Never stand still."Pujara, who has been out of the Indian team for over a year, will be eager to make a strong case for a national recall with a standout domestic season. His last competitive appearance was in May this year for Sussex in the County Championship, where he scored a patient 129 off 302 balls against Middlesex.Having last featured for India in the 2021-23 World Test Championship final against Australia at The Oval in June 2023, Pujara's international form has been under scrutiny. In that match, he scored 14 and 27 in India’s 209-run defeat, leading to his exclusion from the national side.As Saurashtra prepare to launch their Ranji Trophy campaign against Tamil Nadu on October 11, Pujara will be a key figure for the side. Known for his grit and determination, he will be looking to capitalize on the domestic platform to regain his spot in India's Test squad.Pujara’s career statistics speak volumes of his importance to Indian cricket. In 103 Tests, he has accumulated 7,195 runs at an average of 43.60, with 19 centuries and 35 half-centuries. His experience and hunger for runs make him one of the most dependable batters in Indian cricket, and a successful Ranji Trophy season could open the door for his return to the national team.Pujara's return to form will be crucial for India's Test ambitions. With the World Test Championship final scheduled for June 2025, the team will need all their experienced players to perform at their best. Pujara's ability to grind out runs and anchor the innings will be invaluable in the challenging conditions that await them.

Mohammed Shami, India's premier fast bowler, is determined to make a strong comeback to international cricket after recovering from an ankle injury. Shami, 34, last played in the 2023 ODI World Cup final and has been sidelined since then."I am working hard to make a comeback soon because I know I have been out of action for quite some time," Shami said at the Cricket Association of Bengal's (CAB) annual awards ceremony. However, he emphasized the importance of ensuring his fitness before returning to the field."I want to ensure there is no discomfort when I return. I've to work on my fitness, so that there is no discomfort," Shami said. "The stronger I return, the better it is for me. I don't want to rush and risk getting injured again."Shami has already started bowling but is not taking any chances until he is 100% fit. He is likely to make a comeback to competitive cricket for his domestic side Bengal in the Ranji Trophy, with a potential international appearance later in one of the Test matches against New Zealand."If I need to play domestic cricket to test my fitness, I will," Shami said. "What matters most is that I am fully ready for whatever comes next, regardless of the opposition or format."Shami is expected to be a key figure in India's preparations for the upcoming five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. "We are the favorites, they should be worried," Shami said confidently.

Musheer Khan's scintillating 181-run knock in the first innings propelled India B to a 76-run victory over India A in the opening round of the Duleep Trophy at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. The all-rounder's gritty performance laid the foundation for India B's triumph.Khan, who had impressed in the Ranji Trophy, seized the opportunity to showcase his talent in the Duleep Trophy. On the opening day, he displayed remarkable temperament and determination, scoring a magnificent 181 runs off 373 deliveries. His innings, which included 16 fours and five sixes, lifted India B from a precarious 94/7 to a respectable 321 in the first innings.This total proved crucial, giving India B a 90-run lead that ultimately proved decisive. Khan's partnership with Navdeep Saini was particularly noteworthy, with the all-rounder providing constant encouragement from the non-striker's end."My preparation was really good with my father. I had done well in Ranji so I knew I could get an opportunity here. Every ball I was encouraging him from the non-striker's end to play it out," said Khan after being named Player of the Match.India B skipper Abhimanyu Easwaran expressed his delight at his team's victory, which earned them six points in the Duleep Trophy. "We were looking to bowl first. Coming back from 90/7 to win the game is special. To be on the winning side is really good," he said.In contrast, India A captain Shubman Gill lamented his team's mistakes in terms of batting and bowling strategies. "Musheer and Saini played really well. Seeing that there's not much happening from the wicket, we could've gone to the bouncer option earlier to Saini," he said."But out there we went for the option we felt was the best. The intensity with which we bowled in the second innings was commendable. Until about lunch time we were talking that if we get a 100-run partnership we could've got the target," Gill added.India A will now face India D, while India B will take on India C in Anantpur from September 12.

Virat Kohli, the legendary Indian cricketer, is widely known by the affectionate nickname "Cheeku." The origin of this moniker dates back to his early days in the Ranji Trophy, where his chubby cheeks and prominent ears drew comparisons to the popular cartoon character "Cheeku the rabbit" from the comic book "Champak."According to Kohli, a coach during his Ranji Trophy stint bestowed upon him the nickname due to his youthful appearance. In 2007, after a haircut that accentuated his facial features, the name stuck.However, it was former Indian captain MS Dhoni who inadvertently popularized the nickname. While keeping wickets, Dhoni would often address Kohli as "Cheeku," which was picked up by the stump microphones and broadcast to the world.Kohli's nickname has since become synonymous with his persona, with fans affectionately calling out to him as "Cheeku" during public appearances. While he initially found it amusing, Kohli has come to embrace the moniker, recognizing its endearing nature."They call me 'Cheeku' like I am their neighbor or something like that in India," Kohli once said in an Instagram chat with former England batsman Kevin Pietersen. "I have a name. You people don't know me? You can't call me Cheeku."Despite his initial reservations, Kohli has grown fond of the nickname, which has become a testament to his popularity and the bond he shares with his fans.

R. Sai Kishore, the left-arm spinner from Tamil Nadu, is determined to enhance his red-ball skills to seize opportunities that come his way. His impressive performances in the previous Ranji Trophy (53 wickets) and the ongoing Buchi Babu tournament (14 wickets so far) are a testament to his dedication and talent.Sai Kishore believes that being prepared will increase his chances of selection. "If I am ready for something, the opportunity will come my way. In terms of confidence, I think that I am ready. I consider myself a tool, the tool is doing its best to be ready. If there is an opportunity somewhere, they could call me," he said after the third day's play against Mumbai in the Buchi Babu tournament.The Tamil Nadu player will have a significant role in the upcoming Duleep Trophy for India-B, as fellow left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja will not be participating. Sai Kishore expressed his satisfaction with his decision to play in the Buchi Babu tournament before the more challenging assignments."There was an option to go to the NCA in Bengaluru for a spinners camp. I felt ‘if I cannot handle the pressure in Buchi Babu, how will I handle it in Duleep Trophy’. So I looked at Buchi Babu as a good preparation. No practice is equal to playing a match. Luckily, it has panned out very well," he said.Sai Kishore's determination and hard work are paying off. He is eager to prove his worth and contribute to his team's success. With his impressive performances and unwavering focus, he is well-positioned to make a mark in the upcoming Duleep Trophy and beyond.

Punjab Kings and Railways batter Ashutosh Sharma's maiden First Class century on his Ranji Trophy debut was made possible by a bat gifted to him by Shikhar Dhawan, who had been impressed by his batting during the pre-season camp for the 2024 Indian Premier League in Mumbai.Sharma, who smashed eight sixes and twelve fours in his 84-ball 123 against Gujarat in January, revealed that Dhawan's gesture had a profound impact on his performance. "The best thing was when I met him for the first time for the (IPL 2024) pre-season camp. The first time he watched my batting, he gave me a bat. I made my maiden First Class hundred with that bat!" Sharma exclaimed.Dhawan's support extended beyond the gift of a bat. Before Sharma's first IPL game against Gujarat Titans, Dhawan offered words of encouragement. "I know you will do it for the team. This cricket is the same as domestic cricket. Just calm your nerves," Dhawan advised.Sharma's composure under pressure was evident in his 17-ball 31 (3x4, 1x6) in the final overs of that match, helping PBKS chase down 200 with three wickets and a ball to spare.Sharma's admiration for Dhawan extends beyond his batting prowess. "I've spoken a lot with Shikhar Paaji (at PBKS). He taught me about visualization and manifestation, to always think positively," Sharma said. "I learnt how a legend like him and a foreign player like Sam Curran perform in tough situations. The main thing is that I learnt how to handle pressure."Sharma's journey from a promising young cricketer to a First Class centurion is a testament to the power of mentorship and self-belief. The bat gifted by Dhawan served as a physical reminder of his potential, while Dhawan's guidance provided the emotional support and technical insights that helped him unlock his talent.

Jharkhand skipper Ishan Kishan made a triumphant return to red-ball cricket, leading his team to a thrilling two-wicket victory over Madhya Pradesh in the Buchi Babu fixture. Kishan's stellar performance, including a century in the first innings and an unbeaten 41 in the second, proved instrumental in Jharkhand's success.In the first innings, Kishan showcased his aggressive batting style, smashing a 107-ball 114. His innings included 12 fours and 4 sixes, setting the tone for Jharkhand's strong start. In the second innings, with Jharkhand needing 12 runs to win with two wickets remaining, Kishan took the responsibility upon himself. He smashed two sixes off Akash Rajawat in the 55th over, guiding his team to a memorable victory.Kishan's return to the Ranji Trophy fold is a significant development for Jharkhand. After being omitted from the initial long list, Kishan expressed his desire to participate, leading to his inclusion in the squad. His decision to prioritize domestic cricket is a testament to his commitment to the team.Kishan's last domestic first-class game was in December 2022. His absence from the Ranji Trophy towards the end of the 2023-24 season cost him a place on the central contract list. However, his impressive performance in the Buchi Babu tournament has reignited hopes of a successful return to the Ranji Trophy in the upcoming season.The 26-year-old made his Test debut in 2023, filling in for an injured Rishabh Pant. Despite being selected for the South Africa series, he opted out due to mental fatigue. Kishan has featured in two Tests, 17 ODIs, and 11 T20Is in 2023, showcasing his versatility across formats.The Buchi Babu tournament, revived after a six-year hiatus, provides a valuable platform for teams to prepare for the upcoming domestic season. The four-day red-ball format mirrors the Ranji Trophy league stages, offering teams a chance to fine-tune their skills and strategies.