Cricket

Virat Kohli's recent decision to stay in New Zealand after India's Test series loss has sparked speculation about his future with the team. Despite India's humiliating 0-3 whitewash, Kohli appeared in good spirits as he celebrated his 36th birthday with wife Anushka Sharma.Kohli's form has been a major concern for fans and experts alike. Despite India's T20 World Cup triumph in 2024, Kohli has struggled for runs in all formats. In the recent Test series against New Zealand, he failed to cross the 100-run mark cumulatively.Questions have been raised about Kohli's continuity in the team, particularly in the Test format. While he has already retired from T20 internationals, some wonder if his days in India's Test team could be numbered.Kohli has been selected for India's upcoming tour of Australia, where he will have a chance to prove his worth. However, his recent form has raised doubts about his ability to lead India's batting charge Down Under.Experts believe that Kohli has the potential to turn things around, but others worry that a Test retirement could be on the horizon if he fails to improve his performance.Kohli's future with the Indian team remains uncertain. His performance in Australia will be crucial in determining his fate. If he can regain his form and lead India to success, he will silence his critics. However, if he continues to struggle, his days in the Test team could be numbered.

Virat Kohli, the batting maestro, celebrates his 36th birthday today. While he may have wished to commemorate this special occasion with a Test victory over New Zealand, as he did on his 35th birthday during the ODI World Cup, he finds himself navigating a challenging period in his cricketing career.Despite the current setbacks, Kohli remains an unparalleled icon, having led India to numerous memorable victories and etched unforgettable moments in the hearts of cricket enthusiasts. As he prepares for the upcoming tour of Australia, where India will face five Tests for the Border Gavaskar Trophy, let's revisit some of his remarkable records:* Most ODI Centuries: Kohli surpassed Sachin Tendulkar's record of 49 ODI centuries with a magnificent 117 against New Zealand in the ODI World Cup semifinal last year.* Fastest to 13,000 ODI Runs: Kohli broke another Tendulkar record by reaching the milestone of 13,000 ODI runs in just 267 innings, while Tendulkar achieved it in 321 innings.* Most Runs in an ODI Series and World Cup: Kohli's 765 runs during the 2023 ODI World Cup stand as the highest tally in the tournament's history, earning him the 'Player of the Tournament' award.* Most Hundreds Against One Team: Kohli's 10 centuries across formats against Sri Lanka are the most by a batsman against a single team.* Most Player of the Series Awards (T20Is): Kohli's 7 'Player of the Series' awards in T20Is are the most by any cricketer.* Most Player of the Series Awards (All Formats): Kohli has won an impressive 21 'Player of the Series' awards across ODIs, T20Is, and Tests.* Most Fifties in T20Is: The batting icon has scored 39 T20I half-centuries, the highest by any batsman.As Kohli embarks on the challenging tour of Australia, his fans and the cricketing world eagerly await his return to form. His determination and resilience have always been his hallmarks, and he will undoubtedly strive to overcome this temporary setback and continue to inspire generations of cricketers.

India's recent Test series whitewash against New Zealand has raised concerns over the poor form of senior batters Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Rohit has managed only 133 runs in his last 10 Test innings, while Kohli has scored 192.Former India cricketer Pragyan Ojha has emphasized the need for these experienced players to take responsibility. "They need to take full responsibility because they are senior players. They are in bad form at the moment, and because of that India's collapse looks worse," Ojha said.Ojha, who played alongside both Rohit and Kohli, believes their poor form is particularly concerning given the young age of the rest of India's top 6. Kohli and Rohit are the only two players over 30 in the lineup, with Yashasvi Jaiswal (22), Shubman Gil (25), Rishabh Pant (27), and Sarfaraz Khan (27) completing the batting order.Ojha warned that Australia will not make it easy for Rohit and Kohli during the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. "The Australia series will be crucial for both of them. If they find form there, India will feel a little bit comfortable. Down Under, Australia will know that India are coming after losing a home series, and that too a whitewash. Australia will be ahead in mind games and make good use of it," he said.While India has won the last two Test series in Australia, their experienced batters have separate issues to deal with. Kohli did not play in three of the four Tests in 2020/21, while Rohit Sharma may miss the first Test at Perth due to an unconfirmed personal reason.

Legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has expressed his belief that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are currently experiencing a temporary slump in form, urging fans not to overreact. Despite their disappointing performances in the recent Test series against New Zealand, Gavaskar emphasized that both players have faced challenging batting conditions and have been unlucky at times."Even the best players go through bad patches," Gavaskar told the Indian Express. "These weren't easy pitches to bat on in all three matches. Sometimes you need a bit of luck... But when going through a bad patch, everything goes against you."Gavaskar also highlighted the importance of match practice for the Indian team, suggesting that the top batters should have participated in the Duleep Trophy prior to the New Zealand series. He noted that the New Zealand bowlers had a better understanding of the Indian pitches due to their experience in the Indian Premier League (IPL)."They should have had some practice, definitely," Gavaskar said. "It's a long gap. I know we beat Bangladesh and therefore it looked as if it's going to be a cakewalk against New Zealand. But New Zealand obviously had the better attack."Despite the recent setbacks, Gavaskar remains optimistic about the Indian team's prospects. He believes that the players will have time to prepare for the upcoming tour of Australia and will be ready to perform at their best."India's Test stars now have a few days off before they start preparations for the Australia tour," Gavaskar said. "I'm sure they will be working hard to improve their form and get ready for the challenges ahead."

Team India's batting woes continued in the second innings of the Wankhede Test, as New Zealand's spinners wreaked havoc, leaving India reeling at 29/5 in their pursuit of 147 runs. The Indian stalwarts, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, failed to deliver once again, falling prey to the guile of the Kiwi spinners.Rohit Sharma's reckless shot against Matt Henry drew criticism from commentator Harsha Bhogle, who questioned the Indian skipper's approach. "Trying to get my head round Rohit Sharma's approach. Struggling. That was a wicket on a platter and ends a disappointing home season for him with 133 in 10 innings," Bhogle tweeted.Kohli, who has struggled throughout the series, managed just a single run before being dismissed by Ajaz Patel. Bhogle highlighted the poor form of both Kohli and Rohit, stating, "Kohli 192 in 10 innings. Rohit 133. It has been a forgettable home season for the big two."India's batting has been a major concern throughout the series, with Rohit and Kohli failing to provide the necessary contributions. Their underwhelming performances have played a significant role in India's first Test series loss at home since 2012.The Indian team now faces an uphill task to salvage a draw in the Wankhede Test. With the spinners dominating, India's batsmen will need to show resilience and patience to navigate the challenging conditions.

Virat Kohli's RCB Captaincy Return Rumors Quashed by FranchiseAs the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 retention lists were unveiled, speculation ran rampant about Virat Kohli's potential return as captain of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). However, RCB's Director of Cricket, Mo Bobat, has dismissed these rumors, stating that no decision has been made regarding the team's captaincy.Kohli relinquished the RCB captaincy after the 2021 season, making way for a new leader. The franchise entrusted the responsibility to former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis, who led the team for three seasons. However, with Du Plessis released from the squad, the question of RCB's captaincy in 2025 remains unanswered."I am sorry to disappoint everybody listening. We have not made any decision related to captaincy or on that (Kohli returning as skipper) as yet. We are open to options. The only obvious decision we made was not to retain Faf. He did a great job last year and the year before that. So from our perspective, we will keep a very open mind when we head to the auction," Bobat told JioCinema after the IPL 2025 retentions were announced.Despite the lack of official confirmation, reports suggest that Kohli is eager to reclaim the team's captaincy. However, no concrete decision has been made on the matter.Meanwhile, RCB coach Andy Flower has explained the rationale behind retaining Kohli, Rajat Patidar, and Yash Dayal ahead of the new season."We are thrilled to retain Yash Dayal, an extraordinary talent whose career is on an upward trajectory. His unique ability as a left-arm bowler, capable of swinging the ball in both directions, adds a valuable dimension to our bowling attack - one that is increasingly rare in the auction landscape," he said."Rajat Patidar is a key member of our squad. His exceptional talent and resilience have already made a significant impact on our team, and he truly embodies the spirit of RCB. We are excited to see him continue to develop and shine in the upcoming season," the Zimbabwe legend added.

India's dominance at home, built on the performances of Virat Kohli, R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, and Rohit Sharma, has come to an abrupt end with New Zealand's historic 3-0 Test series victory. This defeat has raised concerns about the future of these aging heroes, who have been instrumental in India's success over the years.Kohli, Rohit, Ashwin, and Jadeja have been the backbone of India's Test team, leading them to two World Test Championship finals and a 12-year winning streak in home Test series. However, their recent performances have raised questions about their ability to continue at the highest level.In the recent series against New Zealand, Kohli struggled to score runs, accumulating just 93 runs at an average of 15.50. Rohit's performance was also disappointing, with 91 runs in 3 Tests at an average of 15.17. Ashwin's bowling was inconsistent, allowing the New Zealand batsmen to score freely. Jadeja, while still a crucial part of the team, has seen his economy rate rise in recent matches.The upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia will be a crucial test for these senior players. If they fail to perform, it could signal the end of an era for Indian cricket.

India's Home Season Ends in Disappointment as Kohli and Rohit FalterIndia's once-unbeatable home record in Test cricket has been shattered, with the team suffering a disappointing defeat in the third Test against New Zealand in Mumbai. The loss marks the end of a dismal home season for star batsmen Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who have failed to live up to expectations.In the third Test, India's second innings collapsed cheaply, with Kohli and Sharma both falling for low scores. This followed a similar pattern in the first two Tests, where the Indian batting lineup struggled to cope with the New Zealand spinners on dustbowls.Kohli, who turns 36 next week, has not scored a Test century since July 2023. His average of 21.33 in the home season is a far cry from his usual high standards. Sharma, the Indian captain, has also endured a poor run of form, averaging just 13.30 with a highest score of 52.The diminishing returns of Kohli and Sharma are a major concern for India ahead of their upcoming five-Test series in Australia. The next couple of months will be crucial in determining whether the two stalwarts can extend their Test careers.The Indian team's home season has been a tale of two halves. After a dominant performance in the first Test against Bangladesh, India suffered a humiliating defeat in the second Test against New Zealand. The third Test ended with a whimper, leaving the team with a lot to ponder before their next assignment.

Virat Kohli's reckless run-out on Day 1 of the third Test against New Zealand has raised concerns among cricket experts. The former Indian captain, who has been struggling for form, threw his wicket away just minutes before stumps, leaving his team in a precarious position.Mohammad Kaif, a former India cricketer, expressed his dismay at Kohli's recent performances. "Virat Kohli in this series has been clean bowled to a full toss and now this error of judgment to be run out. This needs to change if India needs to reach the WTC final," Kaif tweeted.Anil Kumble, another former India great, echoed Kaif's sentiments. "You can't have this repeatedly happening in every game, so it's more than a concern at the moment," Kumble said. "Nobody expected the run-out. This was certainly not something that you expect of Virat Kohli getting run out in the last over or last few minutes of a day's play."Kohli's struggles in Test cricket have been evident in recent years. In 2024, he has scored only 249 runs in six Tests, with just one fifty. However, in the ongoing ICC World Test Championship, he has been more consistent, scoring 560 runs in nine Tests, including a century and three fifties.Despite his recent struggles, Kohli remains one of the most experienced and respected batsmen in the world. However, his form has become a major concern for India, who are aiming to reach the final of the World Test Championship.Kohli's run-out has also raised questions about his mental state. The former India captain has been under immense pressure in recent months, both on and off the field. His wife, Anushka Sharma, recently gave birth to their second child, and Kohli has been juggling his personal and professional commitments.It remains to be seen how Kohli will respond to the criticism and pressure. However, one thing is for sure: India need their star batsman to rediscover his form if they are to achieve their goals in the World Test Championship.