Cricket

Indian cricket legends Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have bid farewell to their illustrious T20I careers after guiding India to a historic T20 World Cup victory in June. The triumph marked a fitting end to their remarkable journeys in the shortest format, where they have been instrumental in shaping India's cricketing destiny.Rohit, now 37, was part of the inaugural T20 World Cup-winning squad in 2007, while Kohli, 35, played a pivotal role in India's 2011 ODI World Cup triumph. Together, they have amassed a staggering 45,961 runs across all three international formats.Despite Kohli's struggles with form in the T20 World Cup, his match-winning 76 in the final against Pakistan earned him the Player of the Match award. Rohit, on the other hand, led the team from the front with three half-centuries, guiding India to an unbeaten run throughout the tournament.Former Indian spinner Amit Mishra has shed light on the contrasting personalities of Rohit and Kohli. According to Mishra, Rohit's open and approachable nature sets him apart from Kohli, who has undergone a noticeable change in demeanor since gaining fame and power."Rohit is very open with his players. He's the same person he was when I first met him," Mishra said. "On the other hand, Virat has changed a lot. There was hardly any talk between us."Mishra attributed this change to the pressures of captaincy and the accompanying fame and power. "When you get power, you feel everybody is talking to you for a reason," he explained.Despite their contrasting personalities, both Rohit and Kohli have left an indelible mark on Indian cricket. They will continue to play in Test and ODI formats, where they remain key figures in the team's success.The T20 World Cup triumph has been a moment of redemption for Rohit, who was stripped of his IPL captaincy from Mumbai Indians this year. Kohli, too, has proven his big-match credentials with his match-winning performance in the final.As they move on from T20I cricket, Rohit and Kohli leave behind a legacy of excellence and inspiration. Their contributions to Indian cricket will be remembered for generations to come.

Team India's triumph at the T20 World Cup 2024 was bittersweet, marked by the retirement of three legendary players: Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja. The trio bid farewell to the shortest format after India's thrilling seven-run victory over South Africa in the summit clash.The World Cup also marked the end of head coach Rahul Dravid's tenure. Dravid, who guided India to the title, has been succeeded by Gautam Gambhir.Rohit Sharma, who is currently in the USA, recently gave a witty response to fans chanting the name of Australian pacer Mitchell Starc. At the launch of a cricket academy in Dallas, Rohit urged the fans to "calm down guys," eliciting laughter from the crowd.The chants were a reference to Starc's 29-run thrashing by Rohit during India's T20 World Cup clash against Australia. Rohit, with 4231 runs in 159 games, is the format's leading scorer. He also holds the record for most hundreds (five) in T20 internationals.Head coach Gambhir's first assignment will be the upcoming white-ball series against Sri Lanka. Reports suggest that Kohli and Rohit may be rested from the ODIs. Hardik Pandya is likely to lead Team India in the T20Is, while KL Rahul will captain in the ODIs.India's tour of Sri Lanka has been revised, with the start of the contest pushed back by a day to July 27. The Indians will play three T20 Internationals and as many ODIs in the island nation.

Virat Kohli vs. Rohit Sharma: A Tale of Two CaptainsVeteran Indian spinner Amit Mishra has shed light on the contrasting personalities of former captain Virat Kohli and current skipper Rohit Sharma. Mishra claims that Kohli's demeanor has changed due to "fame and power," leading to fewer friends within the team.Mishra draws a stark comparison between Kohli and Sharma, stating that Sharma remains approachable and jovial despite his elevated status. "I can talk and joke with Rohit in the same manner as before," Mishra said.Mishra attributes Kohli's lack of close friendships to his altered nature. "His and Rohit's natures are different," he explained. "I haven't been part of the Indian team in years, but when I meet Rohit, he's always joking with me."Mishra believes that Kohli's transformation stems from a perception that others approach him with ulterior motives. "When you get fame and power, some people think that others are reaching out to them only for a purpose," he said.Mishra's observations echo a previous statement by Yuvraj Singh, who noted a significant difference between the "Cheeku" he knew as a young player and the "star" Kohli.Mishra's comments have sparked discussions about the impact of fame and leadership on individuals. While Kohli's competitive spirit and drive have been instrumental in India's success, his interpersonal dynamics have come under scrutiny.In contrast, Sharma's ability to maintain close relationships and create a positive team environment has been praised. His leadership style has been credited with fostering a sense of unity and camaraderie within the squad.As India prepares for the upcoming challenges, the contrasting personalities of Kohli and Sharma will continue to be a topic of interest. Their respective approaches to captaincy and team dynamics will shape the future of Indian cricket.

Rohit Sharma's blistering assault on Mitchell Starc in the T20 World Cup has etched itself into cricketing history. The Indian captain's onslaught not only propelled India to victory over Australia but also shattered the Aussies' hopes of reaching the semifinals.Sharma's 92-run knock off just 41 deliveries was a masterclass in power-hitting. Starc, Australia's bowling spearhead, bore the brunt of the carnage, conceding 29 runs in a single over that included four sixes and a four.The Indian victory sparked jubilant celebrations both on and off the field. Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted the T20 world champions, followed by an open bus parade in Mumbai that drew massive crowds.Sharma's popularity soared even further after the tournament. During a promotional event in the US, fans greeted him with chants of "Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Starc." The captain responded with a smile and a request for calm.Starc, reflecting on the match in a podcast interview, acknowledged Sharma's brilliance. "He had a good tournament, especially at the back end," Starc said. "I think he targeted that wind in St Lucia as well. I think I had five bad balls and he hit them all for six."Sharma's performance against Australia was a testament to his exceptional talent and leadership. His ability to dominate world-class bowlers has made him one of the most feared batsmen in the game today.

Rohit Sharma, the charismatic captain of the Indian cricket team, has quashed rumors of his imminent retirement from international cricket. In a recent public appearance, Rohit addressed a question from the crowd regarding his retirement plans, eliciting a thunderous cheer from the audience.Rohit's emphatic response, "I don't look that far ahead," has put to rest speculation that he may be considering retiring from One-Day Internationals (ODIs) after his decision to step down from T20I cricket. "So clearly you will see me playing at least for a while," he added, reassuring fans of his continued presence on the international stage.Rohit's decision to retire from T20Is came after India's triumph at the T20 World Cup in Barbados in June 2023. The victory marked a historic moment for Indian cricket, and Rohit expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to have led the team to such a prestigious title."This was my last (T20I) game as well," Rohit had said after the thrilling seven-run win over South Africa in the final. "No better time to say goodbye to this format. I've loved every moment of this. I started my India career playing this format. This is what I wanted, I wanted to win the Cup. I wanted this badly. Very hard to put in words. It was a very emotional moment for me. I was very desperate for this title in my life. Happy that we eventually crossed the line."Rohit's legacy in T20I cricket is unparalleled. He holds the record for the most runs scored in the format, with an impressive tally of 4231 runs in 159 appearances. His exceptional batting prowess is further evidenced by his record-breaking achievement of scoring the most centuries (five) in T20 internationals.As Rohit continues his illustrious career in ODIs and Test cricket, fans can expect to witness more of his exceptional leadership and match-winning performances. His unwavering determination and passion for the game will undoubtedly inspire generations of cricketers to come.

India's long-awaited triumph at the T20 World Cup 2024 has sparked a wave of celebration across the nation. The victory, led by captain Rohit Sharma, marks India's first ICC title since the 2013 Champions Trophy under MS Dhoni.However, the path to this success was not without its challenges. When Rohit took over the captaincy from Virat Kohli, former BCCI president Sourav Ganguly faced intense criticism for the decision.Now, as India basks in the glory of its victory, Ganguly has reminded everyone that it was his foresight that led to Rohit's appointment as captain. "I was criticized when I handed over the captaincy to Rohit. And now that we've won a trophy under his captaincy, no one is abusing me. Everyone has forgotten that I made him the captain," Ganguly told Bangla newspaper AajKaal.Kohli's departure from the T20I captaincy was followed by his removal as ODI captain. He subsequently resigned as Test captain, paving the way for Rohit's promotion to the role in all three formats.The captaincy transition, particularly the manner in which it occurred, drew widespread criticism. Ganguly, who faced a barrage of abuse and trolling on social media, has now taken the opportunity to remind those who are celebrating India's triumph of their previous skepticism.Following the T20 World Cup victory, both Rohit and Virat have announced their retirement from T20 international cricket. India will now appoint a new coach for the shortest format, while Rohit will continue to lead in ODIs and Tests.

Former Indian cricket team spinner Harbhajan Singh has sparked a debate by excluding current stars Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from his list of the top three batters in the world. Instead, he opted for legendary figures Sachin Tendulkar, Jacques Kallis, and Brian Lara.Harbhajan's choice has raised eyebrows, given Kohli and Sharma's dominance in modern cricket. However, the veteran spinner explained his reasoning, stating that he values consistency, longevity, and impact over a player's current form."Sachin is the greatest of all time," Harbhajan said. "Kallis was a complete all-rounder, and Lara was a match-winner."Former Indian batter Robin Uthappa echoed Harbhajan's sentiments, selecting Sir Vivian Richards, Tendulkar, and Lara as his top three.Meanwhile, former Australia captain Aaron Finch also included Tendulkar and Lara, with Ricky Ponting completing his trio.However, former India all-rounder Suresh Raina included both Kohli and Sharma in his top three, along with England's Joe Root.Harbhajan's exclusion of Kohli and Sharma has sparked a lively discussion among cricket fans. Some argue that the current Indian stars deserve to be recognized for their exceptional performances, while others maintain that the legendary players selected by Harbhajan have proven their greatness over a longer period.The debate highlights the subjective nature of ranking players and the different criteria that can be used to assess their contributions to the game. Ultimately, it is up to each individual to decide who they believe are the greatest batters of all time.

After leading Team India to a historic T20 World Cup 2024 triumph, skipper Rohit Sharma has embarked on a well-deserved vacation with his family in London. The victory marked an end to India's 11-year ICC title drought, with the team defeating South Africa by seven runs in a thrilling summit clash.Following the triumph, Rohit, along with star batter Virat Kohli and all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, announced their retirements from T20 cricket. The India skipper is now enjoying his time off in London, where he was spotted attending the Wimbledon men's singles semi-final match between Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev.Rohit's presence at Wimbledon was met with admiration and excitement. The official Wimbledon Twitter account welcomed him, while cricket fans shared images of the World Cup-winning captain soaking up the atmosphere.Meanwhile, former India cricketer and National Cricket Academy (NCA) chief VVS Laxman expressed his belief that Rohit, Kohli, and Jadeja will continue to make significant contributions to Indian cricket in the longer formats."I'm sure that they will continue to prepare the way they did so far in their career and continue to bring laurels to the country," Laxman said. "So big congratulations for excellent T20I career, but I'm sure that they're going to contribute in the longer version of the game and the 50-year format of the game."Rohit's vacation in London is a testament to the team's hard work and dedication that led to their T20 World Cup victory. The skipper's presence at Wimbledon further highlights the growing popularity of cricket and its global reach.

The India vs Australia T20 World Cup 2024 match at St Lucia will be etched in the annals of cricket history for Rohit Sharma's extraordinary batting display. In a Super Eight encounter, Rohit unleashed a barrage of boundaries against the Australian bowlers, amassing a blistering 92 runs off just 41 deliveries.Rohit's onslaught was particularly relentless against Mitchell Starc, the left-arm pacer brought into the Australian lineup to exploit the Indian captain's perceived weakness against left-armers. However, Rohit turned the tables on Starc, smashing him for four sixes and a four in the third over of India's innings. The over yielded a staggering 29 runs, including a wide.Rohit's first two sixes off Starc were exquisite aerial drives over extra cover, followed by a powerful blow into the cow corner region. The fourth maximum was a mishit that soared over the wicketkeeper's head.Starc, who has faced Rohit on numerous occasions, acknowledged the Indian's dominance in that match. "I've played a lot against him. He had a good tournament, especially in our game. I think he targeted that wind in St. Lucia as well. If you look at the runs from each end, one end went for a lot more than the other. I bowled from that end. I bowled five bad balls and he hit them all for six," Starc said on the LiSTNR Sport podcast.Australia had opted to field first, but Rohit's sublime knock, featuring seven fours and eight sixes, propelled India to a formidable total. The Indian captain also became the first player to score 200 sixes in T20 cricket.India ultimately emerged victorious by 24 runs, with Rohit's innings playing a pivotal role in their triumph. The match showcased the Indian captain's exceptional batting prowess and his ability to dominate even the most formidable bowlers.