Cricket

Cameron Green, the Australian all-rounder, had an unforgettable experience during his first season with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. The opportunity to bat alongside the legendary Virat Kohli and share the dressing room with him was a highlight for Green.Green was initially acquired by the Mumbai Indians for a whopping Rs 17.5 crore during the IPL 2023 Auction. However, following the conclusion of the player retention deadline for the upcoming IPL 2024 season in November 2023, Green was traded to RCB after spending one season with Mumbai Indians.During his stint with Mumbai Indians in 2023, Green featured in 16 matches, scoring 220 runs at an average of 27.50 and taking 12 wickets at an economy rate of 8.50. Subsequently, he represented RCB in 13 games, accumulating 255 runs at an impressive average of 31.88 and claiming 10 wickets at an economy rate of 8.25.Speaking about Virat Kohli, Green said: "It's always pretty special when you look back at these times playing with Virat. He gave 110% every single time he plays, which is the beauty of him.""It's never towards a batter or anything, it's just pumping himself up, pumping the team up," he added.Green is currently part of Australia's squad for the T20 World Cup. The 25-year-old was part of the victorious Australia team that won the ODI World Cup title in 2023, beating India in the summit clash.Green's experience in the IPL has been invaluable for his development as a cricketer. He has learned from some of the best players in the world and has gained valuable experience in different conditions. He will be hoping to continue his good form in the T20 World Cup and help Australia defend their title.

Dinesh Karthik, the veteran Indian wicketkeeper-batter, has announced his retirement from the Indian Premier League (IPL) following Royal Challengers Bangalore's exit from the competition in 2024. Karthik, widely regarded as one of the finest Indian finishers in recent times, was once again a top performer for RCB, scoring 326 runs at a strike rate of 187.36.In an exclusive interview with Cricbuzz, Karthik revealed that his decision to retire was primarily driven by mental factors rather than physical limitations. Despite being physically fit to play for "another three years," Karthik admitted that he was doubtful about his ability to maintain the mental intensity required for such long tournaments."I think I am physically very much prepared to play for another three years. Especially with the Impact Player rule, it becomes that much easier. So in terms of playing the sport, easily I think I could've pushed for another cycle," Karthik said. "I don't have too many issues in my life. Touch wood, I have never missed a game because of an injury through my three decades. I've been blessed that way. I was never worried about my body or my fitness. It was all about the mental side of things, whether I'll be able to push as much in the lead-up to the tournament, whether if I don't play as many matches, will I be okay with it."Karthik further explained that he felt he was no longer able to push himself mentally to the same extent as before. The fact that he was unlikely to be selected for the Indian cricket team again also contributed to his decision."I am a big believer of whatever I look to do, I try to give it 100% commitment and do whatever I can to be the best in that. And I thought from hereon for me to play X amount of matches is going to be hard. Mentally pushing myself for so long in terms of doing everything in the lead-up, even if I falter a little bit I wouldn't be... even though from the outside people wouldn't know, but internally I would find it very hard and I would be living with guilt. I don't want that," he added."Taking all that into account, I thought this is the time [to retire]. And most importantly, the fact that no matter what I do, I cannot play for India again was very evident. So it was the last nail in the coffin."Karthik's retirement marks the end of an illustrious IPL career that spanned 16 seasons and saw him represent six different franchises. He played a key role in Kolkata Knight Riders' two IPL title triumphs in 2012 and 2014 and was also a member of the Mumbai Indians team that won the tournament in 2015.

Dinesh Karthik, the former Indian wicketkeeper-batsman, recently announced his retirement from all forms of cricket after Royal Challengers Bangalore's (RCB) exit from IPL 2024. As he reflects on his illustrious career, Karthik has shared some amusing anecdotes involving on-field banter with his India teammates during his IPL days.One of the most memorable exchanges occurred with Virat Kohli, the former RCB captain. "Every time I played against RCB and Virat caught my catch, 'Ben Stokes' came out of his mouth for sure," Karthik recalled in an interview with Cricbuzz. "But that was a send-off."Karthik also revealed a sledging incident with Hardik Pandya, the current Mumbai Indians skipper. "Hardik Pandya sledged me saying 'abhi legspinner aaya, iska thank you hi hai' (a legspinner will come and it is Thank You time]. Then I had to play a couple of shots and then he was like 'theek hai, thoda improve hogaya lag raha hai' (okay, looks like he has improved a little]. That was good. He's a good friend. He was also like 'Commentator banke bhi thoda kaam kar raha hai' (Even after becoming a commentator he's working on his game) That was fun."Karthik, who played 257 IPL matches and 60 T20Is, also mentioned a playful comment from Rohit Sharma, the former Mumbai Indians captain. "Rohit this year taunting me... unnecessarily giving me hopes," he said, referring to Sharma's "isko World Cup khelna hai" (he wants to play in the World Cup) remark.Besides his IPL career, Karthik represented India in 26 Tests, 94 ODIs, and 60 T20Is. He is also known for his insightful commentary, which has added a new dimension to his cricketing journey.

Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir's Reconciliation: A Heartwarming Moment in IPL 2024The 2024 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) witnessed a heartwarming moment between former teammates Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir. The alleged hostility between the two seemed to dissolve as they shared a warm embrace, demonstrating mutual respect and camaraderie.Kohli, the face of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Gambhir, mentor of the Kolkata Knight Riders, put their past differences aside. Gambhir's return to KKR as a mentor proved to be a masterstroke, guiding Shreyas Iyer's team to their third IPL title. KKR dominated the final, thrashing Sunrisers Hyderabad in Chennai, ending their 10-year title drought.Addressing the perceived rift with Kohli, Gambhir stated, "The perception is far away from the reality. My relation with Virat Kohli is something this country doesn't need to know. He has as much right as I do to express himself and help our respective teams win. Our relation is not to give masala to the public."Gambhir also praised Kohli's six-hitting prowess, acknowledging the RCB batter's batting excellence. Kohli had a stellar IPL 2024 season, topping the batting charts with 741 runs in 15 games and winning the prestigious Orange Cap.Kohli reflected on the moment with Gambhir during an event, saying, "People are very disappointed with my behaviour. I hugged Naveen, and then the other day, Gauti bhai (Gautam Gambhir) came and hugged me. Your masala is over so you're booing. We're not kids anymore."The reconciliation between Kohli and Gambhir is a testament to the power of sportsmanship and the ability to move beyond past conflicts. It serves as a reminder that even in the competitive world of cricket, respect and camaraderie can prevail.

Virat Kohli's Resurgence: Fueled by Criticism, RCB's Orange Cap WinnerThe Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) endured a dismal start to the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season, losing seven of their first eight matches. Amidst the team's struggles, Virat Kohli emerged as a beacon of consistency, scoring runs at a steady pace. However, his strike rate and intent came under scrutiny from critics.Undeterred by the criticism, Kohli transformed his game in the second half of the season. He not only improved his strike rate but also played with a renewed sense of purpose. Dinesh Karthik, RCB's wicketkeeper-batter, attributed Kohli's resurgence to the criticism he faced."Experts" spurred Kohli on by targeting him, Karthik said. "And you don't want to see that side of Virat Kohli. He thrives on that. He's someone who inadvertently wants to hold on to certain things to do well."Kohli's determination to prove his detractors wrong was evident throughout the season. He finished as the Orange Cap winner with 741 runs in 15 innings, averaging 61.75 and striking at 154.69.Thanks to Kohli's resurgence, RCB recorded six consecutive wins to qualify for the playoffs. However, their campaign ended in the Eliminator against the Rajasthan Royals.Karthik believes Kohli's ability to channel criticism into motivation is a testament to his competitive spirit. "He loves proving people wrong," Karthik said. "He's fiery and you don't want to be anywhere close to it because you're going to get burnt for sure."Kohli's performance in IPL 2024 is a reminder of his unwavering determination and ability to overcome adversity. Fueled by criticism, he emerged as a force to be reckoned with, leading RCB to a remarkable turnaround in the second half of the season.

Ambati Rayudu, the former Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians batter, has been making headlines with his critical comments about the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) franchise and its star player, Virat Kohli. Rayudu's remarks came after RCB's disappointing exit from the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 campaign.Rayudu took aim at RCB's management, suggesting that they prioritize individual brilliance over collective effort. He pointed out that while Kohli is a legendary player, it's unrealistic to expect every player to match his high standards. Rayudu emphasized the importance of nurturing young players and allowing them to develop their own identities and strengths."You can't expect somebody to win the game in the first season. You need to give him that leeway and time to grow into a match-winner," Rayudu said. "So I think the management has its task out, and even Virat Kohli needs to ease his standards a bit when it comes to youngsters, nurturing them, and letting them go."Rayudu's comments sparked a debate on social media, with some fans supporting his views and others defending Kohli and RCB. Former England captain Kevin Pietersen initially reacted to Rayudu's remarks by calling him a "joker," but later clarified that he was simply joking around."Come on guys! This tribalism with/against Indian players on social media needs to slow down! Example - @RayuduAmbati and I were messing around after the IPL final and all of a sudden that banter has turned into an avalanche of abuse towards Ambati. PLEASE stop it?" Pietersen wrote on social media.Rayudu's criticism of RCB and Kohli highlights the challenges faced by teams in balancing individual talent with team cohesion. It also raises questions about the role of experienced players in mentoring and supporting younger teammates. As the IPL continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how teams address these issues and strive for success in the highly competitive tournament.

Virat Kohli, the former Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper, silenced critics and proved his T20 prowess in the 2024 Indian Premier League season, securing the Orange Cap and leading RCB to the playoffs.Despite facing criticism for his strike rate, Kohli emerged as the tournament's top run-scorer, amassing 741 runs in 15 innings at an average of 61.75 and a strike rate of 154.69. His tally included one century and five fifties, marking the second time he has claimed the Orange Cap after his record-breaking 973 runs in 2016.Kohli's performances were a timely reminder of his T20 dominance. He faced scrutiny over his strike rate throughout the league phase, but he addressed the criticism head-on after a stellar knock against Gujarat Titans. Former New Zealand pacer Simon Doull advised Kohli to disregard the "rubbish" criticism, while batting legend Sunil Gavaskar criticized broadcasters for repeatedly airing Kohli's on-air rant against pundits.RCB icon Dinesh Karthik credited Doull for motivating Kohli. "He started okay but thanks to people like Simon (Doull) and a few others, they just really spurred him on," Karthik said. "He is someone who inadvertently wants to hold on to certain things to do well."Kohli's fierce determination and ability to prove his detractors wrong have been central to his success. "He loves proving people wrong, and even though he might not come out and say it, it really fuels his passion," Karthik added.Kohli's remarkable form and ability to perform under pressure make him a key player for India as they aim for World Cup glory. His performances in the IPL have silenced critics and underlined his status as one of the greatest T20 batsmen of all time.

Former England batter Kevin Pietersen's suggestion that Virat Kohli consider leaving Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) to win an IPL trophy has sparked a debate among cricket pundits. Pietersen believes that Kohli, despite his individual brilliance, has been unable to lead RCB to an IPL title and may need to seek greener pastures to fulfill his dream.Pietersen cited examples of great athletes in other sports who have changed teams to achieve their goals. He argued that Kohli, who has won the Orange Cap for most runs in the IPL multiple times, deserves to play for a team that can provide him with the support and resources to win a championship.However, former Pakistan skipper Wasim Akram strongly disagreed with Pietersen's suggestion. Akram emphasized that the decision to continue playing with RCB is ultimately Kohli's own. He pointed out that if Kohli is determined to win with RCB, then leaving the team would not make sense.Akram also expressed his belief that foreign commentators should refrain from commenting on internal matters of Indian cricket. He argued that such discussions are not particularly relevant and that Kohli is capable of making his own decisions about his future.Kohli has been a loyal servant to RCB since joining the franchise in 2008. He has led the team to the IPL final three times but has yet to win the coveted trophy. Despite his individual success, RCB has often struggled to perform as a unit, failing to reach the playoffs in recent seasons.Pietersen's suggestion has reignited the debate about whether Kohli should consider leaving RCB. Some fans believe that he has outgrown the franchise and needs a fresh start, while others argue that he should remain loyal to the team that has supported him throughout his career.Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to leave RCB is a personal one for Kohli. He will need to weigh the pros and cons of staying with the franchise against the potential benefits of joining a team with a better chance of winning an IPL title.

Virat Kohli, the legendary Indian cricketer and former Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) captain, has hinted at his post-retirement plans, expressing his desire for an extended break from the sport. In a recent conversation with RCB, Kohli emphasized his determination to avoid regrets after hanging up his boots.However, former England captain Michael Vaughan has raised eyebrows with a bold prediction, suggesting that Kohli may retire sooner than anticipated. Vaughan believes that Kohli's priorities have shifted since the birth of his second child, Akaay, and that he may prioritize a quieter life away from the limelight."He just absolutely adored that normal life. I think that may take Virat away from cricket, like he just wants to go and have a quiet time for a while," Vaughan said on Cricbuzz.Kohli's absence from the five-match Test series against England earlier this year, due to the birth of his son, has been cited as evidence of his changing priorities. Vaughan believes that Kohli's time away from the game may have given him a taste of a different lifestyle, one that he may find more appealing than the rigors of international cricket.Despite Vaughan's speculation, Kohli remains one of the most formidable batters in the world. He ended the IPL 2024 season as the leading run-scorer with 741 runs in 15 matches. However, his rare failure with the bat in the Eliminator, which resulted in RCB's elimination from the tournament, has raised questions about his current form.Kohli will now turn his attention to the T20 World Cup, which begins on June 2 in the Americas. The tournament will provide him with an opportunity to prove that he is still a force to be reckoned with on the international stage.