Cricket

Virat Kohli: A Global Superstar Transcending CricketFormer New Zealand captain Ross Taylor has hailed Virat Kohli as a "global superstar in the world of sports," whose influence extends far beyond the cricket field. Kohli's massive social media following and broader impact on sports culture have earned him admiration from fans and fellow athletes alike.Taylor, who has played 112 Tests and 236 ODIs for New Zealand, believes that social media has made cricketers more accessible to the public. He views this as a positive development, as it allows players to connect with their fans on a more personal level."Players are putting out posts endorsing products and things like that. Who would have thought of that in 2008? Someone like Kohli, who is a superstar in the world of cricket, but is also a global superstar in the world of sports. In terms of Instagram and social media, he's up there with Ronaldo and Messi!" Taylor said.Former Australian fast bowler Brett Lee, however, expressed mixed feelings about the impact of social media on players' privacy. While acknowledging its benefits, he also highlighted the drawbacks, particularly the constant scrutiny that players face."In the early 2000s, when the phones came in, people would take a photo with you. There was an autograph and a photo. In mid-2015 and 2020, what happens now is that the players are always on show now. Anyone that is playing in the Indian Premier League, they are always on show, they go out for dinner, and someone comes with a phone camera," Lee said."The phone camera was the best thing and the worst thing ever invented. The best thing is to capture beautiful memories with your family and friends, and as a spectator and lover of the sport, you also capture those moments. But also, the privacy now, for players, has been cut in half because you are on show everywhere."Former Australian cricketer Michael Bevan emphasized the potential impact of social media on young players' performance. He advised them to be mindful of the comments they read and to make informed decisions about their social media usage."The younger generation uses social media that would impact their situation and circumstance and career. They would have to make a decision on whether they want to read the comments, or how much they want to post," Bevan said."I could imagine it would be extra difficult for some of the modern-day players, with T20 cricket, with social media…but as a player, you've always got to make the decision on how you handle. Do you want to read things or do you not want to read things? That's the most important thing… to understand yourself, and to understand your game."

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has revolutionized the world of cricket, significantly impacting the careers of international players and reshaping the dynamics of the sport. Former Sri Lankan batsman Tillakaratne Dilshan and New Zealand's Ross Taylor have shared their perspectives on how the IPL has influenced players' priorities and provided financial security, allowing them to focus solely on cricket.Dilshan, who was part of the inaugural IPL in 2008, acknowledged the substantial financial rewards associated with playing T20 cricket in the league. He emphasized that the money earned from the IPL helped players set aside other concerns and concentrate exclusively on their cricketing pursuits. In many countries, the remuneration for cricketers is relatively modest, making the IPL an attractive proposition for players seeking financial stability."Playing T20 cricket involved a lot of money, and I know that our countries don't pay that much money, but that money helped him to keep other problems aside and focus only on cricket. That's an advantage, we can focus fully on cricket, everyone needs money to survive, and we're only playing cricket now, not doing any other jobs. I think it's a good deal, money is good for players and they can keep all problems aside and focus," Dilshan told the 180 Not Out podcast.Taylor echoed similar sentiments, recognizing the IPL's role in providing a platform for international players to interact with some of the best cricketers in the world. This exposure has undoubtedly shaped the future of cricket in their respective countries."IPL is providing a platform for international players to interact with some of the best cricketers in the world, ultimately shaping the future of the sport in their country," opined the former Kiwi batter.During their IPL careers, Dilshan represented the Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (now Royal Challengers Bengaluru), amassing 735 runs in 38 matches. Taylor, on the other hand, scored 1017 runs in 55 games while playing for four different franchises: RCB, Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Daredevils, and Pune Warriors India.The IPL has not only provided financial security for international players but has also allowed them to develop their skills and knowledge by playing alongside and against the world's best. This has had a positive impact on the overall quality of cricket globally, as players have been able to learn from each other and implement new techniques and strategies.

Neil Wagner, the veteran New Zealand fast bowler, has announced his retirement from international cricket, a decision that has raised questions about whether it was forced upon him. Wagner's former teammate, Ross Taylor, believes that the decision was not entirely voluntary.Wagner's retirement came after he was informed that he would not be part of the ongoing Test series against Australia. This news sparked speculation that Wagner's retirement was a result of a forced decision by the New Zealand Cricket (NZC) selectors.Taylor, speaking on ESPN's Around The Wicket podcast, expressed his belief that Wagner's retirement was "forced." He pointed to Wagner's press conference, where he stated that he was retiring after the Test match against Australia, indicating that he had made himself available for selection.However, Wagner was released from the squad after the first Test in Wellington. An injury to William O'Rourke led to talk of a potential recall for Wagner for the second Test in Christchurch. However, NZC opted to select the uncapped fast bowler Ben Sears instead.Taylor questioned this decision, stating that Wagner would have been a valuable asset in the must-win Test against Australia. He believes that Wagner's experience and intimidation factor would have prevented Australia from posting such a large total in their first innings.Aaron Finch, the former Australian captain, also expressed his surprise at Wagner's omission from the XI. He believes that Wagner's success against Australia, particularly against Steven Smith, would have made a significant difference in the match.Finch pointed to the record 116-run partnership between Josh Hazlewood and Cameron Green, which laid the foundation for Australia's victory. He believes that Wagner's presence would have disrupted this partnership and prevented Australia from reaching such a high total.Taylor echoed Finch's sentiments, emphasizing Wagner's experience and ability to intimidate opposition batters. He believes that Wagner's absence allowed Hazlewood and Green to play with more freedom and contribute to Australia's victory.Wagner's retirement marks the end of an era for New Zealand cricket. He was a key member of the team for over a decade, known for his aggressive bowling style and ability to extract reverse swing. His departure will leave a significant void in the New Zealand bowling attack.