Cricket

KL Rahul Reveals Virat Kohli as the Most Famous Person in His Contact ListAhead of the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) conducted a light-hearted Q&A session with Indian batter KL Rahul. Among the questions posed, Rahul was asked to name the most famous person in his contact list. Without hesitation, Rahul promptly replied, "Virat Kohli," eliciting laughter and amusement from fans and fellow cricketers.Rahul's response is a testament to the enduring friendship between the two cricketing icons. Kohli, widely hailed as one of the greatest modern-day cricketers, has not only dominated Indian cricket but has also left an indelible mark on the global cricketing landscape. His influence extends far beyond the sport, making him a household name.Rahul's answer underscores the deep bond they share, having played together in countless international matches and sharing both triumphs and setbacks on and off the field. Their camaraderie and mutual respect were evident throughout the Q&A session, with Rahul's candid response highlighting the admiration he holds for Kohli.During the same session, pacer Mohammed Siraj posed a question to Kohli, asking him to select his favorite knock in Australia. Kohli reminisced about his remarkable century in Perth during the 2018-19 series, describing it as his top pick.Despite India's heavy defeat by 146 runs in that match, Kohli's innings stood out as a beacon of brilliance. He was the lone Indian batter to shine, showcasing his resilience and determination in challenging conditions. His century remains a testament to his exceptional talent and unwavering spirit.As Kohli responded to questions from the BCCI's Social Media team, both Sarfaraz and Mohammed Siraj were heard enthusiastically exclaiming "Legend, Legend," a clear indication of the profound respect he commands from his teammates.

Former Indian cricketer VVS Laxman has expressed confidence that the legendary trio of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja will continue to excel in the longer formats of cricket despite their retirement from T20Is.Laxman, who is currently serving as the head coach of the Indian team for their T20I tour of Zimbabwe, paid tribute to the contributions made by the veteran players over the past decade. He highlighted their passion, pride, and exemplary performances as role models for young cricketers."My message to these three stalwarts of the game, you know, Virat, Rohit, and I consider Ravindra Jadeja also an extremely talented player who has contributed immensely to the development of the Indian and the progress of the Indian cricket team. A big congratulations. Thank you for all the contribution they've given to this great game and set an example for the youngsters to follow," Laxman said in a video posted by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).Laxman believes that the trio's retirement from T20Is will not diminish their impact on Indian cricket. He expects them to continue their exceptional performances in Test and One-Day International (ODI) cricket."So while they've retired from this format, 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. 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," Laxman added.The Indian squad for their upcoming tour against Sri Lanka is yet to be announced. The series will mark the first assignment of the newly appointed head coach Gautam Gambhir, who succeeded Rahul Dravid after India's successful T20 World Cup campaign.

KL Rahul's T20 Evolution: Guidance from the GreatsLucknow Super Giants skipper KL Rahul has attributed his growth as a T20 cricketer to the invaluable mentorship he received from some of the game's legends. In an interview with Star Sports' Captains Speak, Rahul acknowledged the profound impact of Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, and Kane Williamson on his understanding of the format.Rahul's journey to T20 mastery was not without its challenges. It took him several years to fully grasp the nuances of the game. However, his time spent with Kohli and de Villiers at Royal Challengers Bengaluru proved to be a transformative experience."T20 gets over very quickly, you don't get much time," Rahul explained. "It took me 2-3 years to understand how I can bat in T20 and how I can be successful. Just being around really great players in the IPL helped me."While he may not have engaged in extensive conversations with Kohli and de Villiers, Rahul's keen observation of their preparation, mindset, and approach to the game proved invaluable. "I was with them in RCB. I used to see how they prepared, how they were playing their cricket, and what their mindset was. Sometimes I would go and talk to them, ask them questions. That really helped me," he said.Rahul also highlighted the influence of Kane Williamson during his stint with Sunrisers Hyderabad. "Kane Williamson is another guy. With Sunrisers, I spent a lot of time with him. And just by talking to people, I found my own way. Earlier, I used to feel nervous about the game, but I ended up getting my highest score."In the ongoing IPL 2024 season, Rahul has been in scintillating form, amassing 378 runs in nine matches, including three half-centuries and a highest score of 82. His performances have not only been impressive with the bat but also behind the stumps, solidifying his credentials as a potential wicket-keeping option for India in the upcoming T20 World Cup.As the captain of LSG, Rahul has led his team to five victories, proving his leadership qualities and determination to guide his side to the playoffs. The right-hander's next challenge lies ahead as LSG prepare to face Mumbai Indians in the 48th match of IPL 2024 at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.