Cricket

Virat Kohli Urges Fans to Embrace Positivity on Social MediaIn the era of social media, where fame and popularity come at a price, cricketers like Virat Kohli have faced unwarranted criticism and negativity online. However, in a recent video message, Kohli has appealed to fans to use social media for good and maintain a positive mindset."Use all your gadgets and use them positively," Kohli said. "You all have access to social media, use it for good things and keep a good positive mindset. Your gadgets give you access to gather information, but look at the world with a positive mindset. There should be no trolling, no negativity, no making fun of people, don't feed off negative things and if you keep a positive mindset, you will be rewarded accordingly."Kohli's message comes amidst his ongoing struggles with form. The former India captain has averaged a mere 22.72 in six matches in 2024, the lowest in his career. His last Test century came in July 2023 against the West Indies.As India prepares for the first Test against Australia in Perth on November 22, Kohli will be hoping to rediscover his batting prowess. He has played two Tests in Perth, scoring 44 and 75 in 2012 and becoming the first batsman to score a Test hundred at the new Perth stadium in 2018.India needs to win four Tests in Australia to qualify directly for the World Test Championships final scheduled for Lord's in June 2025. Kohli's return to form will be crucial for India's chances of achieving this goal.

Sourav Ganguly Files Complaint Against Cyberbullying and DefamationFormer Indian cricket team captain Sourav Ganguly has filed a complaint with the Kolkata Police, accusing a person named Mrinmoy Das of defamation and cyberbullying. The complaint was lodged via email to the Kolkata Police's cyber section on Tuesday night.In the email, Ganguly's secretary detailed the allegations against Das. According to the complaint, Das posted a video on a social media platform that contained abusive language and derogatory remarks targeting Ganguly. The secretary stated that the video not only attacked Ganguly's reputation but also violated his dignity and respect.The complaint requested the police to intervene and take appropriate legal action against Das for defaming and bullying Ganguly. The secretary expressed trust that the cyber department would take swift and necessary steps to address the issue and ensure justice.The Kolkata Police have confirmed receiving the email and are currently investigating the matter. No arrests have been made as of yet.Ganguly, who is currently the President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), has been a prominent figure in Indian cricket for over two decades. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest captains in the history of the game.Cyberbullying and defamation have become increasingly prevalent in recent years, with social media platforms providing a convenient avenue for individuals to spread malicious content. The Kolkata Police's investigation into this case is a reminder of the importance of holding individuals accountable for their online actions.

Former Indian cricketer Dinesh Karthik, renowned for his wicketkeeping and batting prowess, has recently retired from the sport. With an illustrious career spanning 180 international matches and 257 IPL games, Karthik has amassed an impressive 1025 runs in Tests, 1752 runs in ODIs, and 686 runs in T20Is.Beyond his cricketing achievements, Karthik is an active social media presence, engaging his fans with witty posts. Recently, he provided a humorous response to a fan's confusion, leaving everyone amused.A fan mistakenly congratulated Karthik on Twitter for his performance in the film "Phir Aayi Haseen Dilruba," mistaking him for actor Vikrant Massey. Karthik's witty reply, "Oh wow !!! Thanks," sparked laughter among his followers. The confusion may have stemmed from the similar bearded appearances of Karthik and Massey."Phir Aayi Haseen Dilruba," starring Vikrant Massey, Taapsee Pannu, and Sunny Kaushal, is a sequel to the 2021 romantic-thriller "Haseen Dilruba." It was released on Netflix on August 9.In a significant development, Karthik has been signed by Paarl Royals for the third season of the SA20, becoming the first Indian cricketer to participate in the South African league. He expressed his excitement about returning to competitive cricket and contributing to the Royals' success.Karthik's last T20 outing was for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL 2024, where he scored 326 runs in 14 matches with an impressive strike rate of 187.36. His final international appearance was against Bangladesh in the T20 World Cup in Australia in 2022.

Sachin Tendulkar, the legendary cricketer revered as the "God of Cricket," has always been known for his exceptional talent and his ability to connect with fans on a personal level. Recently, Tendulkar took to social media to share a light-hearted moment with his followers, showcasing a side of his life that fans rarely get to see."Since retiring from cricket, I don’t mind ducks," Tendulkar quipped in his post, accompanied by a picture of him feeding ducks near a serene lake. The witty remark was a playful nod to the term "duck" in cricket, which refers to a batsman being dismissed without scoring any runs.For a player of Tendulkar's stature—who holds the record for the most runs in both Test and ODI cricket—the concept of getting out for a duck was a rare occurrence. However, the humor in his statement wasn't lost on his millions of fans.The post quickly went viral, with fans and fellow cricketers alike flooding the comments section with laughter and admiration. Many praised Tendulkar for his ability to find humor in situations and for staying connected with his fans in such a relatable way.Some even reminisced about the few times he was dismissed for a duck during his illustrious career, but they all agreed that his contributions to the game far outweighed any such moments.A few months back, Wimbledon’s Centre Court was graced with a memorable moment when the announcer introduced Sachin Tendulkar, highlighting his status as a cricketing icon, World Cup winner, and the sport’s highest run-scorer. As the announcer's voice echoed through the historic venue, declaring, "Joining us today is a legend of the game from India, another World Cup winner and the highest run-scorer in cricket history—please welcome Sachin Tendulkar!", the crowd erupted into applause, offering a momentous and unforgettable reception for the cricket legend.Tendulkar's social media post and his appearance at Wimbledon are just two examples of his enduring popularity and the special bond he shares with his fans. Even after retiring from the game, Tendulkar remains an inspiration to millions around the world, both on and off the field.

Former Cricketers Face Police Complaint for Mocking DisabilitiesA police complaint has been filed against former Indian cricketers Harbhajan Singh, Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh, and Gurkeerat Mann for allegedly mocking people with disabilities in a video posted on Instagram. The complaint was lodged by Arman Ali, the executive director of the National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP), with the SHO of the Amar Colony police station in Delhi.The video, which was uploaded after India Champions beat Pakistan Champions in the World Championship of Legends final, shows the cricketers limping and holding their backs to depict the physical toll taken by the matches. The caption of the video read, "Body ki Tauba Tauba ho Gayi in 15 days legends cricket... Every part of the body is sore. Straight competition to our brothers @vickykaushal09 @karanaujla our version of Tauba Tauba dance. What a SONG."Disability activists have condemned the video as being in poor taste. The National Platform for the Rights of the Disabled called it "totally disgraceful." The complaint alleges that Instagram, which is owned by Meta, violated the Information Technology Act, 2000, by allowing such content to be posted.A police officer confirmed that the complaint had been received and would be shared with the district's cyber cell for further investigation.The complaint states that Instagram failed to adhere to its user guidelines, thus enabling the dissemination of derogatory content. "This video is a blatant violation of Article 21 of the Constitution of India, which guarantees every person the right to life with dignity," Ali said. "It also breaches Section 92 of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, and contravenes the Supreme Court's guidelines established in the case of Nipun Malhotra v. Sony Pictures Films India Private Limited (2004 SCC Online SC 1639)."Ali urged the authorities to take immediate and appropriate action against the individuals involved and emphasized the need to hold public figures accountable for their actions, especially when they undermine the dignity of vulnerable communities.Speaking to PTI after lodging the complaint, Ali said a simple apology from these cricketers would not suffice. "They must be penalized for their actions," he said.

Former Pakistan cricket captain Shahid Afridi has revealed that he had a conversation with Suresh Raina regarding Raina's social media post that took a dig at Afridi. The post was made after Afridi was announced as an ambassador for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024.In the post, a Twitter user wrote, "ICC has named Shahid Afridi as ambassador for ICC T20 World Cup 2024. Hello Suresh Raina." Raina responded by saying, "I'm not an ICC ambassador, but I have the 2011 World Cup at my house. Remember the game at Mohali? Hope it brings back some unforgettable memories for you."Afridi addressed the post on his YouTube channel, stating that he had spoken to Raina about it and that everything was fine between them. "Suresh Raina and I have shared many cricketing moments, and he's a good person," Afridi said. "Sometimes, lighthearted banter happens. After seeing his post on social media, I spoke with him, and he understood the situation like a younger brother. He agreed to delete the tweet. It's all good; these things happen. Great individuals acknowledge and rectify their mistakes."Earlier, Raina had taken a humorous dig at Afridi during the IPL 2024 while answering a question from commentator Aakash Chopra. When asked if he had any plans to reverse his retirement decision, Raina joked, "I am Suresh Raina, not Shahid Afridi."Afridi's appointment as an ambassador for the T20 World Cup 2024 places him alongside other notable ambassadors such as Yuvraj Singh, Chris Gayle, and Usain Bolt. Afridi has been a key figure in Pakistan's T20 World Cup history, playing a pivotal role in their journey to the final in the inaugural tournament in 2007 and their triumph in the 2009 edition.

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."

Umar Akmal's KKR Blunder Sparks Social Media FrenzyPakistan wicketkeeper-batter Umar Akmal became the subject of social media ridicule after he misspelled Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) while congratulating the franchise on their third Indian Premier League (IPL) title.KKR emerged victorious in the IPL 2022 final on Sunday, defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad by 8 wickets in Chennai. As congratulatory messages poured in from all corners, Akmal joined the chorus, but his misspelling of KKR as "KKL" triggered a wave of hilarious reactions on social media."Congratulations to IPL for winning 3rd KKR," joked one user."Winning to third KKL conhrjulation trophy," wrote another, mocking Akmal's grammatical errors."KKL to congratulations on IPL third winning trophy. Lord Umar," quipped another.Akmal's blunder also drew criticism, with some users urging him to improve his spelling before using hashtags."Daru pike twitter mt chalao bhai," wrote one user, suggesting that Akmal was under the influence of alcohol."KKR likhna sikh jaao pehle fir hashtag banana," said another."Bhai ye KKL kaunsi team hai? Lord Umar Akmal is being Umar Akmal," remarked another user.Despite the social media backlash, Akmal's message was well-intentioned, as he praised KKR's title triumph. The franchise's victory was largely due to the sensational bowling performance of Mitchell Starc, who claimed 2 for 14 in the opening spell.Starc's brilliance helped KKR restrict Hyderabad to a paltry 113, the lowest total in an IPL final. Kolkata's batsmen then chased down the target with ease, with Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Venkatesh Iyer contributing valuable innings.

Rajasthan Royals' Photoshopped Group Photo Sparks Fan OutrageNew Delhi: The Rajasthan Royals (RR) franchise faced a barrage of criticism on Sunday after sharing an allegedly photoshopped group photo on social media. The image, taken after the team's 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) campaign ended with a defeat in Qualifier 2 against the Sunrisers Hyderabad, drew attention for its apparent alterations.Fans quickly noticed that veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who was originally absent from the photo, had been added to the left corner. However, his appearance raised eyebrows as his biceps appeared to be significantly larger than in previous images. Additionally, his face seemed to be cropped over the body of teammate Sandeep Sharma.The unusual photo quickly went viral on social media, with users mocking the Royals' apparent Photoshop fail. Many pointed out the obvious differences in Ashwin's physique and questioned why the team would resort to such a clumsy attempt at editing.The incident highlighted the growing trend of teams using social media to engage with fans. However, it also raised concerns about the authenticity and credibility of such content. Fans expressed disappointment that the Royals would share an altered image, especially after a disappointing end to their season.Earlier, Royals' Director of Cricket Kumar Sangakkara admitted that fatigue played a significant role in the team's poor run at the back end of the IPL. RR, who won eight of their opening nine matches, were firmly in contention to finish in the top two. However, the Sanju Samson-led side endured a four-match losing streak and a washout tie, forcing them to settle for a third-place finish.Although they bounced back with a win over Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Eliminator, the Sunrisers Hyderabad proved too strong in Qualifier 2 in Ahmedabad on Friday.