Cricket

Virat Kohli, the batting maestro of Royal Challengers Bangalore, has etched his name in the annals of the Indian Premier League (IPL) history by becoming the first player to score 400 runs in a season for 10 different years. This remarkable feat was achieved during RCB's IPL 2024 match against Sunrisers Hyderabad.Kohli's consistency and longevity in the IPL are unparalleled. He has surpassed the likes of Suresh Raina and David Warner, who have managed to score 400 or more runs in a season nine times in their IPL careers. Kohli's achievement is a testament to his unwavering dedication and exceptional batting skills.In addition to the current IPL 2024 season, Kohli has achieved this milestone in 2023, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2013, and 2011. His most prolific season came in 2016 when he amassed a staggering 973 runs at an average of 81.08, including four centuries and seven fifties.Throughout his IPL career spanning 246 matches, Kohli has amassed 7,693 runs at an impressive average of 38.27. His tally includes eight centuries and 53 fifties, showcasing his ability to score big and consistently.Kohli's achievement is a significant milestone in the history of the IPL. It highlights his dominance as a batsman and his unwavering commitment to the tournament. As he continues to play, Kohli is poised to break even more records and cement his legacy as one of the greatest players to grace the IPL.

Rinku Singh Receives Second Bat from Virat Kohli After Breaking Previous OneKolkata Knight Riders' star batsman Rinku Singh has received a second bat from batting maestro Virat Kohli, marking the second time the Indian captain has gifted him a bat. The gesture comes after a viral video on social media showed Rinku requesting another bat from Kohli, who initially seemed less pleased when Rinku mentioned breaking the bat gifted to him earlier in the season.Following Kolkata Knight Riders' thrilling one-run victory over Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Eden Gardens, Rinku approached Kohli for another bat. In a video posted by KKR on social media, Rinku explained to Kohli that the bat he previously received broke while facing a spinner.However, it appears that Rinku has now received a new bat from Kohli. In a trending video on social media, the left-handed batter is seen showing the bat to a fan. "Rinku bhai, bat mila?" a fan asked Rinku. Rinku showed a bat and said, "Mil gya."Rinku's request for a second bat from Kohli highlights the high regard he holds for the Indian captain. Kohli is widely considered one of the greatest batsmen of all time, and his bats are highly sought after by aspiring cricketers.The gesture also underscores the camaraderie between the two players, who have played together for the Indian national team. Kohli's willingness to gift Rinku a second bat despite his initial displeasure shows his support for the young batsman.Rinku's performance for Kolkata Knight Riders this season has been impressive. He has scored 183 runs in seven matches, including two half-centuries. His contributions have played a crucial role in KKR's success, as they currently sit second in the points tally with five wins in seven matches.The two-time champions will next face Punjab Kings on Friday, and Rinku will be hoping to continue his good form with his new bat from Virat Kohli.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) are poised to make history as they prepare for their 250th Indian Premier League (IPL) match against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Thursday. This milestone marks a significant chapter in the franchise's journey, characterized by both triumphs and setbacks.Despite not yet claiming an IPL title, RCB has etched its name in the league's annals. The team has reached the finals three times (2009, 2011, and 2016) and the final four stage five more times. Their dedicated fanbase remains unwavering, despite the elusive championship.RCB's success has been built on the brilliance of its star players. Virat Kohli, the franchise's leading run-scorer, has amassed 7,642 runs with eight centuries and 52 fifties. Spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, the former RCB stalwart, holds the record for most wickets (139).Over the years, RCB has provided fans with unforgettable moments. AB de Villiers' rescue acts and 360-degree hitting, Chris Gayle's monstrous sixes, and Virat Kohli's record-breaking 2016 season are just a few examples.The current RCB squad, led by Faf du Plessis, features a blend of experience and youth. The team will be desperate for a victory against SRH, having suffered six consecutive losses. SRH, on the other hand, sits in third place with five wins and two losses.As RCB embarks on its 250th IPL match, the franchise looks to the future with optimism. With a talented roster and a passionate fanbase, they aim to break the title drought and etch their name in IPL history.

Anil Kumble, the legendary spinner who scaled unprecedented heights in international cricket, recently shared his memories of being acquired by the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the inaugural Indian Premier League (IPL) auction in 2008.Despite being the captain of the Indian Test team at the time, Kumble was not included in the initial list of icon players. However, former RCB owner Vijay Mallya intervened at the auction, declaring that "nobody" was to bid on Kumble, as he was "my Bangalore boy."Kumble, who holds the record for taking all ten wickets in a single Test innings, was subsequently picked up by RCB at his base price. He recalled the moment, saying, "Mr. Vijay Mallya just stood up and said he's my Bangalore boy. Nobody is touching him."During his three-year stint with RCB, Kumble made 42 appearances, claiming 45 wickets at an average of 23.51 and an economy of 6.58. The transition from Test cricket to the shorter T20 format posed a challenge for Kumble, who was accustomed to bowling long spells."For me, it was quite a challenge to get my mind around to bowl just four overs," he said. "I needed four overs to warm up. But it became very evident that the best way to approach my four overs would be try and choose the most challenging ones."In the second season of the IPL, RCB reached the final but lost to the Deccan Chargers. Kumble's experience with RCB was a memorable one, and he remains grateful for the opportunity to have played for the franchise.

Virat Kohli's impressive run-scoring form in IPL 2024 has earned him the Orange Cap, but his team, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), has struggled to win matches. While Kohli's individual performance is commendable, it raises questions about the true measure of his contribution to RCB's success.In the modern era of T20 cricket, the ability to provide impactful knocks at a reasonable strike rate is crucial for winning matches. Kohli's strike rate of 150.39 this season is higher than his overall IPL strike rate of 130.63, but it remains a concern.Despite Kohli's three 50-plus scores in IPL 2024, RCB has lost two of those matches. His unbeaten knocks of 83 and 113 against Kolkata and Rajasthan, respectively, led to reasonable totals, but the bowlers failed to defend them.RCB's struggles highlight the need for a more holistic approach to batting in T20 cricket. While Kohli has anchored the team's batting unit, his knocks have not been enough to secure victories.Kohli's contribution to RCB's wins over the years has been significant, but it is important to recognize that cricket is a team sport. RCB's lack of success cannot be solely attributed to Kohli, but his role as the team's poster boy and constant presence since its inception in 2008 raises questions about his impact on the team's overall performance.The fast-paced nature of T20 cricket demands more from batters than just run accumulation. Strike rates have become increasingly important, and Kohli's 67-ball hundred against Rajasthan Royals this season was the slowest in IPL history.As RCB enters the final stretch of IPL 2024, Kohli must recognize the need to go beyond run accumulation and boast good averages. His contribution to the team must include a higher strike rate and the ability to provide match-winning knocks.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) has endured a dismal IPL 2024 campaign, suffering a narrow one-run loss to Kolkata Knight Riders on Sunday. This defeat marked their seventh loss in eight matches, leaving them languishing at the bottom of the points table.Despite boasting a loyal fanbase and a roster of star players, RCB has consistently failed to lift the IPL trophy. Former India cricketer Robin Uthappa believes the franchise needs to rectify its strategy by bringing back some of the match-winners they have let go over the years.Uthappa's primary recommendation is to re-acquire star spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, who is currently the most successful bowler in IPL history. RCB released Chahal after the 2021 season, and he has since joined Rajasthan Royals."I would do anything to bring Yuzi back from RR," Uthappa said. "I would even bring Harshal Patel back and prepare wickets that are conducive for bowlers to succeed."Uthappa also highlighted the need for RCB to retain their big players, citing the departures of Shivam Dube and Devdutt Padikkal as examples of players who have flourished with other franchises."RCB has let go of so many talented domestic players," Uthappa said. "They need to invest more in bowling and the middle order, and they need to sustain their faith in their players."Uthappa pointed out that RCB has used a staggering 25 players in this IPL season alone, indicating a lack of stability in the team."RCB needs to make it harder for opponents to score runs," Uthappa said. "They need to exercise more faith in their players and create a more consistent team."

Royal Challengers Bangalore's (RCB) dismal performance in the ongoing IPL 2024 has raised concerns among fans and experts alike. Former RCB player Aaron Finch has pinpointed several key issues that have plagued the franchise's campaign, highlighting the importance of strategic planning and player utilization.Finch emphasized the need for a balanced approach at the auction, stating that RCB's overemphasis on their batting lineup has left them vulnerable in the bowling department. He pointed out the lack of a world-class spinner, a glaring weakness that was exposed in their recent defeat against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).Another area of concern for Finch is the team's decision to play Cameron Green out of position in the middle-order. Green, a highly-rated all-rounder, is more comfortable batting at the top of the order, where he can make a significant impact. Finch questioned the logic behind this move, especially considering the hefty price tag RCB paid to acquire Green.Finch also expressed disappointment over Glenn Maxwell's underwhelming form. Maxwell, known for his match-winning abilities, has failed to deliver for RCB this season. Finch attributed this to a lack of consistency and impact on the game.With just one win in eight matches, RCB's playoff hopes are hanging by a thread. Finch's analysis provides valuable insights into the team's struggles and highlights the need for a comprehensive reassessment of their strategy and player utilization.

RCB's Decision to Release Chahal: A Strategic Gamble with Mixed ResultsFormer Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) director of cricket, Mike Hesson, has shed light on the franchise's decision to release leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal ahead of the IPL 2022 season auction. Chahal, who recently achieved the historic milestone of 200 IPL wickets, was a key member of RCB for eight seasons.Hesson explained that the decision to not retain Chahal was primarily driven by financial considerations. By retaining only three players, RCB gained an additional four crore rupees to spend in the auction, which they hoped to use to acquire both Chahal and pacer Harshal Patel.However, RCB's plans were disrupted when Chahal's name emerged late in the auction, coinciding with their pursuit of Sri Lankan spin all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga. RCB prioritized Hasaranga, who was available earlier in the auction, and inadvertently missed out on Chahal."Yuzi (Chahal) is one I will be frustrated with until I have finished my career and probably beyond. He is an outstanding bowler," Hesson admitted.Chahal's departure from RCB has been a mixed bag for both the player and the franchise. Chahal has continued to excel with the Rajasthan Royals, claiming 61 wickets in 39 matches. RCB, on the other hand, have struggled to find a consistent replacement for Chahal, with their spin attack often proving to be a weak link.Despite the strategic rationale behind Chahal's release, Hesson acknowledged that it was a difficult decision to make. "It's a tough one because you're losing a quality player," he said. "But at the end of the day, you have to make decisions that you think are best for the team."

Dinesh Karthik's Missed Singles Cost RCB Dearly in Narrow IPL Defeat, Says Harbhajan SinghFormer India spinner Harbhajan Singh has criticized Dinesh Karthik's decision to decline singles in the final over of Royal Challengers Bangalore's (RCB) narrow one-run defeat to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the Indian Premier League (IPL).RCB appeared poised for victory after Will Jacks and Rajat Patidar forged a century partnership. However, Karthik's reluctance to take singles proved costly, as he ultimately fell to Andre Russell on the final ball of the over."I feel DK was a very important player in this match," Harbhajan said on his YouTube channel. "Karn (Sharma) came in and struck three sixes, while they were batting Karthik missed two to three singles and I feel that it proved costly for RCB."Harbhajan believes that Karthik's missed singles could have made a significant difference in the outcome of the match. "If he had taken those singles then maybe this situation wouldn't have unfolded," he said. "They only needed one run, small things matter."RCB skipper Faf du Plessis had won the toss and elected to field first. Phil Salt's explosive 48 in 14 balls gave KKR a strong start, but wickets fell regularly at the other end. Shreyas Iyer (50), Rinku Singh (24), Andre Russell (27*), and Ramandeep Singh (24*) contributed valuable runs to take KKR to 222/6.RCB lost Virat Kohli (18) and du Plessis (7) early, but Jacks (55) and Patidar (52) revived their hopes with a 102-run partnership. However, their efforts proved insufficient as Karthik's missed singles ultimately cost RCB the match.