Cricket

Sachin Tendulkar to Grace Cricket Field Again in International Masters LeagueLegendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar is set to return to the cricket field as he will participate in the inaugural International Masters League (IML), a six-team T20 competition scheduled to take place later this year across three venues in India. The IML will feature players from India, Australia, South Africa, West Indies, England, and Sri Lanka, and will be played in Mumbai, Lucknow, and Raipur.The T20 tournament, which will be held annually, is the brainchild of Tendulkar and former India captain Sunil Gavaskar, who will also serve as the league commissioner. Tendulkar and Gavaskar have collaborated with PMG Sports and SPORTFIVE, a sports marketing company, to establish a new company in India to organize the league.The IML aims to provide a platform for retired cricketers to showcase their skills once again and rekindle the memories of their illustrious careers. The league will also offer fans an opportunity to witness their cricketing heroes in action once more."In the last decade, T20 cricket has accelerated its adoption and has drawn new fans into the game," said Tendulkar. "There is now a strong desire among fans across ages to re-witness age-old battles in newer formats."Gavaskar added, "The International Masters League will bring fans closer to the legends they've admired for years, offering another golden chance to watch their heroes live in action."Parties interested in participating in the league through ownership of one of the franchise teams have been invited to submit expressions of interest. The IML is expected to generate significant interest among cricket enthusiasts and provide a unique opportunity for fans to relive the golden era of cricket.

Virat Kohli, the Indian cricket legend, has etched his name deeper into the annals of cricket history by becoming the fastest player to score 27,000 runs in international cricket. Kohli achieved this remarkable feat in just 594 innings, breaking the previous record held by Sachin Tendulkar, who reached the milestone in 623 innings.Kohli's journey to 27,000 runs has been a testament to his consistency and dominance across all formats of the game. He has amassed an impressive 13,906 runs in 295 ODIs, along with 8918 runs in Test cricket. In T20Is, he amassed 4,188 runs before announcing his retirement from the shortest format after India's triumphant campaign in the T20 World Cup.Kohli's achievement is even more remarkable when compared to other cricketing greats. Sachin Tendulkar, who held the record prior to Kohli, is regarded as one of the most complete batsmen to have ever played the game. His 27,000 runs came in a glittering career that spanned over 24 years, including 100 international centuries.Following Tendulkar on the list is Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara, who took 648 innings to reach the milestone. Sangakkara's elegance and precision with the bat made him one of the finest players of his generation.Ricky Ponting, the legendary Australian captain and one of the fiercest competitors, completed his 27,000 runs in 650 innings, further proving that this feat is a hallmark of cricket's elite players.For Kohli, surpassing these greats is yet another reminder of his unparalleled ability to rise to the occasion when the spotlight is brightest. From his early days as a prodigy in Indian cricket to becoming one of the most celebrated figures globally, Kohli's journey has been one of discipline, fitness, and an uncompromising desire for excellence.This milestone comes at a time when Kohli is in the latter stages of his career, yet continues to be a key pillar for Team India. Fans and analysts alike believe that there are still several more records for Kohli to break, with the legendary cricketer showing no signs of slowing down.

The Eden Gardens Test of 2001 between India and Australia remains etched in the annals of cricket history as a testament to the indomitable spirit of the Indian team. While the match is primarily remembered for the heroics of VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid, the bowling performance of Sachin Tendulkar played a pivotal role in India's historic victory.Australia, riding high on a record-breaking 16-match winning streak, seemed invincible. After enforcing the follow-on, they appeared to be cruising towards another triumph. However, Laxman and Dravid forged a monumental partnership, setting the stage for a thrilling final day.With Australia chasing a daunting target of 384, India needed quick wickets to seize the initiative. Captain Sourav Ganguly turned to Tendulkar, a part-time bowler known for his occasional breakthroughs.Tendulkar, justifying Ganguly's faith, delivered a remarkable spell. He dismissed the dangerous Adam Gilchrist for a duck, trapping him leg before wicket as he attempted a sweep. The in-form Matthew Hayden, another major threat, also fell victim to Tendulkar's leg-spin, going leg before wicket while attempting the same shot.Tendulkar's most significant scalp was that of legendary leg-spinner Shane Warne. With a cunning googly, he trapped Warne plumb in front of the wicket, giving Australia a taste of their own medicine.Tendulkar's bowling figures in the second innings were an impressive 3 wickets for 31 runs in 11 overs. His performance was instrumental in turning the tide in India's favor.India eventually bowled out Australia for 212, winning the match by 171 runs. This victory, considered one of the greatest comebacks in Test cricket history, marked only the third time a team had won after following on.Tendulkar's contribution with the ball, alongside the monumental batting performances of Laxman and Dravid, played a crucial role in breaking Australia's unbeaten streak and changing the momentum of the series, which India eventually won 2-1.

Virender Sehwag's iconic "Sultan of Multan" innings, a triple century scored in the 2004 Test match against Pakistan, remains etched in the annals of Indian cricket history. This monumental knock not only showcased Sehwag's aggressive batting style but also highlighted his camaraderie with batting legend Sachin Tendulkar.Sehwag's 309-run masterpiece, achieved in just 364 balls, made him the first Indian to score a triple century in Test cricket. His blistering innings featured a 336-run partnership with Tendulkar, who played a crucial role in Sehwag's success.In a recent viral video, Sehwag shared an amusing anecdote from his partnership with Tendulkar. After hitting a six off Saqlain Mushtaq, Tendulkar jokingly warned Sehwag against hitting another six, saying, "If you hit another six, I'll pull your bat away."Undeterred, Sehwag reached 295 and declared his intention to hit a six off Mushtaq's first ball. Tendulkar, initially hesitant, eventually gave his blessing. Sehwag stepped out and dispatched Mushtaq for a six, reaching the historic milestone of 300 runs.Sehwag's knock helped India post a massive 675/5 declared in the first innings, leading to an innings and 52-run victory. His fearless batting against a formidable Pakistani bowling attack, including Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Sami, and Saqlain Mushtaq, cemented his status as one of India's greatest batsmen.Beyond their on-field exploits, Tendulkar and Sehwag shared a close friendship. Despite their contrasting personalities, their mutual respect and camaraderie created a unique partnership that benefited the Indian team for many years.Their bond extended off the field as well, with Sehwag often sharing humorous anecdotes about his time with Tendulkar. Their friendship stands as a testament to the spirit of Indian cricket during their playing days and continues to be celebrated even after their retirement.

Despite retiring in 2013, Sachin Tendulkar remains the undisputed king of Test cricket, holding the record for most runs scored in the format. With 15,921 runs to his name, Tendulkar's legacy continues to inspire aspiring cricketers worldwide.Among active players, India's Virat Kohli, Australia's Steve Smith, and England's Joe Root stand as the top three batters with the most Test runs. Root leads the pack with 12,402 runs, followed by Smith (9685 runs) and Kohli (8871 runs).Kohli, Smith, and Root have been hailed as potential successors to Tendulkar's throne, with many experts predicting they could break his record. However, Smith and Kohli have recently experienced a significant dip in form.Former Australian star Brad Hogg has expressed doubts about Kohli's ability to reach Tendulkar's heights. "I just don't think Virat is going to get there," Hogg said. "He's lost his momentum, and he needs to turn it around in the next 10 Test matches or he's going to drop off."In contrast, Hogg believes Root has the potential to surpass Tendulkar's record. "Joe Root has 146 Test matches with 12,000 runs," Hogg said. "Sachin Tendulkar made nearly 16,000 runs in 200 Test matches. That's 4,000 runs in 66 Tests. I think Joe Root can go close to toppling that."Root's consistent performance in Test cricket has earned him widespread admiration. "Watch out, Joe Root is on the move to beat Sachin Tendulkar," Hogg added. "I think quietly he'll have that in the back of his mind to try and topple that little unique stat."

Virat Kohli's recent struggles in the first Test against Bangladesh have reignited the debate about his status as one of the greatest batsmen of all time. Former Australian spinner Brad Hogg believes that Kohli's chances of surpassing Sachin Tendulkar's record of 15,921 Test runs are slim.Hogg's assessment is based on Kohli's recent form, which has seen him score only 319 runs in 17 innings across formats this year. In contrast, Joe Root has scored 986 runs in 20 Test innings this year, including four centuries and as many fifties.Hogg believes that Root is the only batsman who has a realistic chance of breaking Tendulkar's record. The 33-year-old Englishman has scored 12,402 runs in 146 Tests, and is 3519 runs behind Tendulkar. Kohli, who will turn 36 in November, has 8871 runs in 114 Tests."I just don't think Virat is going to get there," said Hogg. "I think he's lost his momentum, and the momentum that he's lost has been for a number of years now. He's got to turn around in the next 10 Test matches, or he's going to drop off."Kohli's Test form has been on a downward trend since 2020. In 52 Test innings across 30 Tests between 2020 and 2024, he has scored only 1669 runs at an average of 32.72, including 2 hundreds and 8 half-centuries.Hogg believes that Kohli's struggles are due to a combination of factors, including age, injuries, and a change in technique. He also believes that Kohli is putting too much pressure on himself to perform."He's trying to do too much," said Hogg. "He's trying to be the best batsman in the world, and he's trying to do it all himself. He needs to relax and let the game come to him."Kohli has a crucial 10-Test run in the next four months, starting with the ongoing series against Bangladesh. If he can regain his form and score some big runs, he may still have a chance of surpassing Tendulkar's record. However, if he continues to struggle, it is unlikely that he will ever reach the same heights as the legendary Indian batsman.

Sachin Tendulkar, the legendary Indian cricketer, embarked on an extraordinary journey that transformed him into the revered "Little Master." Born in Mumbai on April 24, 1973, Tendulkar's passion for cricket ignited at a tender age, inspired by his elder brother, Ajit.At the age of eleven, Tendulkar joined the MRF Pace Foundation with aspirations of becoming a fast bowler. However, his true calling was discovered by his mentor, coach Ramakant Achrekar, who recognized his exceptional batting abilities. Under Achrekar's watchful eye, Tendulkar spent countless hours honing his technique at Shivaji Park, playing back-to-back matches across Mumbai to develop his mental and physical resilience.Tendulkar's international debut came at the age of 16 in 1989 against Pakistan, a formidable bowling attack at the time. Despite his diminutive stature and youthful inexperience, his courage and technique captivated the world. In one memorable match, he was struck on the face by a bouncer from Waqar Younis, but instead of succumbing to pain, he continued to bat, scoring crucial runs. His unwavering determination earned him immense respect.The nickname "Little Master" was a testament to his short stature and extraordinary skill, reminiscent of another Indian cricketing legend, Sunil Gavaskar. Tendulkar's ability to execute every shot with precision, combined with his calm temperament and insatiable hunger for runs, solidified his status as one of cricket's greatest batsmen.Throughout his illustrious career, Tendulkar shattered numerous records, including becoming the first cricketer to score 100 international centuries. His consistency, humility, and mastery over the game made him a global icon, forever etching his name as the "Little Master" of cricket.

Sachin Tendulkar, the legendary Indian cricketer, was renowned for his exceptional batting prowess. However, his bowling skills often went unnoticed, despite his significant contributions as a part-time bowler. Tendulkar's versatility extended to his bowling, as he could bowl medium pace, off-spin, and leg-spin, making him a valuable asset to the Indian team.In Test cricket, Tendulkar claimed 46 wickets in 200 matches. While his primary role was as a batsman, he often played a crucial role in breaking partnerships or providing relief to the main bowlers. His best bowling figures in Tests were 3/10, showcasing his ability to strike at crucial moments.One memorable instance of Tendulkar's bowling prowess occurred during India's tour of Pakistan in 2004. In the first Test in Multan, Tendulkar played a pivotal role in dismissing Pakistan's Moin Khan. Before the game, Tendulkar had playfully challenged Khan, saying, "I will take your wicket for sure."With Pakistan struggling at 5 wickets down in their first innings, Tendulkar was bowling the last over of Day 3. He deliberately moved fielders back to allow Abdul Razzaq to take a single, bringing Khan to the crease. Khan, visibly nervous, was clean bowled by a brilliant googly from Tendulkar, sending the ball between his legs and into the stumps.Tendulkar's dismissal of Khan was a testament to his bowling skills and his ability to execute under pressure. It also highlighted his knack for breaking partnerships, earning him the title of "golden arm." Captains often turned to Tendulkar when they needed a breakthrough, and he rarely disappointed.While Tendulkar may not have been a frontline bowler, his contributions to India's bowling strategy were significant. His ability to provide crucial wickets and handy overs made him a valuable asset to the team. Tendulkar's versatility and all-round abilities made him one of the greatest cricketers of all time, not only as a batsman but also as a bowler.

Former Indian cricketer and renowned commentator Sanjay Manjrekar has drawn an intriguing parallel between batting stalwarts Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar. Manjrekar observed that Kohli, like Tendulkar, appears to perform better away from home.Kohli's recent return to Test cricket against Bangladesh was underwhelming, with scores of 6 and 17. Manjrekar attributed this to Kohli's discomfort batting in India. "He's not enjoying batting in India as much. Like (Sachin) Tendulkar, I think he feels more at home away from home," Manjrekar said on the ESPNCricinfo YouTube channel.Manjrekar pointed to Kohli's impressive performance in South Africa, where he was India's standout batter. "We saw in South Africa how well he played. He was by far India's best batter," Manjrekar added.In the second innings of the Bangladesh Test, Kohli was controversially given out LBW despite replays showing the ball had hit his bat. However, Kohli declined to review the decision, a move that Manjrekar found puzzling. "Felt bad for Virat today. He obviously didn't think he had hit it. Just wanted to know from Gill if the ball was hitting stumps. Despite Gill encouraging him to go for the review anyway, he walked away dejected wanting to keep the 3 reviews for his team," Manjrekar tweeted.Kohli's absence from Test cricket since January 2024 may have contributed to his struggles. He missed the home series against England due to the birth of his second child. Despite his low scores, Kohli reached a significant milestone, becoming the second Indian to score 12,000 runs on home soil, behind only Tendulkar.Manjrekar's comparison between Kohli and Tendulkar highlights the unique challenges faced by elite batters. While Tendulkar was known for his exceptional performances overseas, Kohli has also shown a remarkable ability to adapt to different conditions. However, Manjrekar's observation that Kohli may be more comfortable batting away from home raises questions about his mindset and the pressure he faces when playing in India.