Cricket

Virat Kohli's Test Dominance in Australia Earns Him Unparalleled RespectIn the lead-up to the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy, former India cricketer Aakash Chopra has shed light on the immense respect Virat Kohli commands in Australia, attributing it to his remarkable performances in Test matches on Australian soil.Chopra believes that Test cricket holds a special place in Australia, and dominating in this format is the ultimate way to earn respect. He emphasized that Kohli's stellar Test record in Australia, with 1,352 runs at an impressive average of 54.08, has made him a celebrated figure among Australian fans and media alike.Chopra dismissed any suggestion that the hype surrounding Kohli is a result of media manipulation, stating that Kohli has "commanded" respect, not demanded it. He explained that Kohli's ability to conquer challenging Australian grounds and decimate their team has earned him the admiration of the Australian public.Chopra contrasted Kohli's achievements with those of current India captain Rohit Sharma, pointing out that despite Rohit's greatness in limited-overs cricket, especially against Australia, he hasn't had the same impact in Test matches Down Under. Rohit has scored 408 runs at an average of 31.38 in 14 Test innings in Australia, without a century to his name.Chopra also noted that the widespread recognition of Kohli is reminiscent of the respect shown to Sachin Tendulkar in Australia, where his Test exploits earned him lasting admiration. He emphasized that to earn respect in Australia and England, players must perform exceptionally in Test matches, and Kohli has undoubtedly achieved this.

Pakistan Cricket Legend Basit Ali Condemns On-Field Incident in Asia CupFormer Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has expressed his dismay over an unsavory incident involving Pakistan A's Sufiyan Muqeem and India A's Abhishek Sharma during the ACC Men's T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2024.In a video posted on his YouTube channel, Ali criticized Muqeem's behavior, emphasizing the importance of sportsmanship and respect for opponents, especially among young cricketers."The cricket was top-notch, but one thing that really upset me was the incident involving Sufiyan Muqeem and Abhishek Sharma," Ali said. "If I were sitting in the dugout or the team manager, I would have told Sufiyan, 'Son, pick up your things and go back.' You haven't even played proper cricket for Pakistan yet, and you're already using abusive language—what kind of behavior is this?"Ali referred to Muqeem's send-off gesture after dismissing Sharma, adding, "You're hurling abuses—did you take a hat-trick or something? You're not at that level yet. The management needs to teach young players how to respect the opposition."The incident occurred during a tense clash between India A and Pakistan A at Al Amerat. Sharma had gotten off to a flying start, scoring 35 off 22 balls, but his innings ended when he mistimed a shot off Muqeem's bowling.After the dismissal, Muqeem made a "silence gesture" toward Sharma, which infuriated the Indian opener, leading to a heated exchange. Umpires had to intervene to restore order.Despite the tension, India A held their nerve to secure a narrow 7-run win, posting 183/8 and restricting Pakistan A to 176/7.Ali's comments highlight the importance of maintaining a high standard of conduct on the field, especially for young players who are still developing their skills and character. Sportsmanship and respect for opponents are essential values that should be instilled in all cricketers.

India-Australia Rivalry Evolves into Respect, Says Virat KohliThe intense rivalry between India and Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy has undergone a significant transformation over the years, according to batting maestro Virat Kohli. Initially characterized by fierce competition and heated exchanges, the relationship has shifted towards mutual respect, particularly after India's consecutive Test series victories in Australia.Kohli, who has been at the forefront of this rivalry, believes that both teams have developed a deeper understanding and admiration for each other's abilities. "It was quite intense at the beginning, but I think since the time we had won two Test series in Australia, the rivalry has turned into respect," Kohli said in a Star Sports promo for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy."We are not taken lightly now as a Test team. The respect looks quite visible when you play against Australia since we have beaten them for back-to-back series wins at their own backyard," he added.The upcoming five-match Test series, which begins on November 22, will be the first between the two teams since 1991/92. It will be a crucial test for India, who currently sit atop the World Test Championship (WTC) standings.A 3-0 series win against New Zealand at home would secure India's place in the WTC final, scheduled for Lord's in June 2025. The Border-Gavaskar Trophy will then become a matter of pride for the world's No. 1 team.Kohli's comments reflect the changing dynamics of the India-Australia rivalry. While the intensity and competitiveness remain, there is now a greater sense of respect and camaraderie between the two teams. This evolution is a testament to the growth of both teams and the enduring legacy of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood faced an inappropriate question from a journalist during a press conference, prompting the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) media manager to intervene. The incident highlights the intense scrutiny and criticism faced by the Pakistan team, particularly after their recent 2-0 Test series loss at home to Bangladesh.The journalist's question, which called for "self-reflection" from Masood, was deemed disrespectful by PCB media manager Sami ul Hasan. Hasan firmly warned the journalist, stating, "One final request - in a humble manner - Pakistan's captain is sitting here. You can definitely ask questions, but please show respect."Hasan singled out the journalist, Javed Iqbal, and added, "That's not the appropriate way of asking a Pakistan captain the question that you asked."The incident occurred as Pakistan prepares for an upcoming home series against England. The team has been struggling for form, having not won a Test match at home since March 2022. They have lost home Test series to Australia, England, and Bangladesh during that period.Masood took over the Test captaincy in November 2023 after Babar Azam's resignation. Under his leadership, Pakistan has been whitewashed 3-0 in Australia and 2-0 at home by Bangladesh, winning only one series in Sri Lanka.The PCB's intervention in the press conference highlights the importance of respecting players and officials, even during challenging times. The incident also serves as a reminder of the intense pressure faced by the Pakistan team, who are eager to regain their winning ways.

The CEAT Cricket Rating Awards 2024 celebrated the exceptional achievements of Indian cricketers, both men and women. Amidst the accolades bestowed upon stalwarts like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Rahul Dravid, a heartwarming moment between two India stalwarts captured the hearts of fans.During the event, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain and India's ODI middle-order pillar Shreyas Iyer displayed a remarkable gesture of respect towards India's Test and ODI captain Rohit Sharma. As the venue filled with stars, Rohit Sharma found himself without a seat. Without hesitation, Shreyas Iyer rose from his seat and offered it to Rohit, who gratefully accepted.The heartwarming moment was captured on camera and quickly went viral on social media, eliciting praise from fans and commentators alike. Whether Shreyas Iyer proactively offered the seat or Rohit Sharma requested it remains unclear, but the exchange of smiles between the two players spoke volumes about their mutual respect and camaraderie.Rohit Sharma was honored with the prestigious 'International Cricketer of the Year' award at the ceremony. As CEAT's brand ambassador, Rohit played a pivotal role in India's historic triumph at the 2024 T20 World Cup, emerging as the nation's leading run-scorer.Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer, who led KKR to a dominant IPL 2024 title victory, received the 'T20 Leadership' award. His astute captaincy and exceptional batting performances throughout the tournament earned him widespread recognition.The CEAT Cricket Rating Awards 2024 also recognized the outstanding contributions of other Indian cricketers. Yashasvi Jaiswal was named 'Test Batter of the Year,' while R Ashwin claimed the 'Test Bowler of the Year' award. Virat Kohli and Mohammed Shami were honored as 'ODI Batter of the Year' and 'ODI Bowler of the Year,' respectively.In the T20I category, Phil Salt and Tim Southee were recognized as 'T20I Batter of the Year' and 'T20I Bowler of the Year,' respectively. Rahul Dravid, the former India captain and current head coach, received the 'Lifetime Achievement' award for his immense contributions to Indian cricket.The awards ceremony also celebrated the achievements of women cricketers. Harmanpreet Kaur was recognized for her record-breaking feat as the player with the most matches as captain in women's T20I history. Deepti Sharma was named 'Women's Indian Bowler of the Year,' while Shafali Verma received the award for the 'Fastest Double-Century in Women's Test.'

Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli has been embroiled in a social media storm following controversial comments made by veteran spinner Amit Mishra. Mishra's remarks, made during a podcast, sparked a debate about Kohli's character and behavior.Mishra alleged that Kohli has undergone a transformation due to "fame and power," accusing him of abusing his Lucknow Super Giants teammates during an IPL 2023 match. However, Kohli's supporters have vehemently defended him, citing his enduring camaraderie with former teammates like Ishant Sharma.Amidst the online discourse, an old video from India's 2014 tour of Australia has resurfaced. In the series, Kohli became a target for the Australian team, particularly Mitchell Johnson, with whom he engaged in heated verbal exchanges.When asked about these confrontations in a press conference, Kohli asserted that his primary focus was on playing cricket, not earning respect. "I am out here to play cricket, not to earn anyone's respect. As long as I'm scoring runs, I'm happy with it," he stated.Kohli further emphasized that he did not care about the opinions of those who disrespected him. "I don't really care what they think as far as respecting me or me respecting them. I've got a nice friendship with a few of them. But someone who says anything that comes to his mouth, I don't respect," he said.Mishra's comments have reignited the debate about Kohli's personality and leadership style. Some have questioned whether his success has led to a change in his demeanor, while others have defended his competitive nature and unwavering determination.The controversy has also highlighted the importance of respect in sportsmanship. Kohli's assertion that he does not play for respect has sparked discussions about the role of mutual respect in fostering a healthy and competitive environment on the field.

Kuldeep Yadav's Humble Gesture Highlights Respect for Senior AshwinIn a heartwarming display of respect and camaraderie, left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav deferred to his senior teammate Ravichandran Ashwin to lead the Indian team off the field after the first day of the fifth Test against England in Dharamshala.Yadav had been the star performer for India, claiming a five-wicket haul to bowl out England for 218. However, he showed immense humility by asking Ashwin, who had taken four wickets in his 100th Test, to lead the team off.Ashwin, known for his team-first attitude, initially declined the offer and tossed the ball back to Yadav. But after some gentle persuasion from Mohammed Siraj, Ashwin relented and allowed Yadav to take the honor.The moment was captured on video by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and shared on social media. It showcased the deep respect and admiration that Yadav has for Ashwin, who has been a mentor and guide to him throughout his career.Later, when asked about the incident, Yadav revealed that Ashwin had already collected 35 balls and asked him to keep the one he had taken. This gesture further highlighted the bond between the two spinners and the importance of senior players in the Indian team.Yadav's humble act has been widely praised by fans and experts alike. It is a reminder of the values of respect and humility that are deeply ingrained in Indian cricket culture. It also serves as a testament to the strong bond between the players in the Indian team, who are united by a common goal of success.