Cricket

Virat Kohli, the talismanic batter, has been the heart and soul of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) since the inception of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2008. His unwavering loyalty and exceptional performances have made him an icon for the franchise and a fan favorite.Kohli's journey with RCB has been a rollercoaster ride, marked by both triumphs and heartbreaks. He took over the captaincy in 2013 and led the team to four playoff appearances, including the final in 2016. However, the elusive IPL title has remained out of reach.Despite the lack of silverware, Kohli's contributions to RCB have been immense. He is the franchise's highest run-scorer and the all-time leading run-getter in IPL history, with over 8000 runs to his name. His ability to chase down targets, build innings, and score consistently has been crucial for RCB's success.Kohli's partnerships with AB de Villiers have produced some of the most memorable moments in IPL history. Their aggressive, fearless approach has set the tone for RCB's brand of cricket. Even after stepping down from the captaincy, Kohli remains a leader within the team, guiding young players and motivating teammates.In 2025, Kohli is set to return as RCB captain. The biggest question on everyone's mind is whether he can finally lead the franchise to their maiden IPL title. With his experience, leadership skills, and unwavering determination, Kohli is determined to make it happen.Kohli's legacy with RCB is undeniable. He has been the face of the franchise for over a decade, embodying their spirit and commitment. His loyalty and contributions have made him a symbol of RCB's identity. As he embarks on his second stint as captain, fans and analysts alike will be eagerly watching to see if he can achieve the one goal that has eluded him so far: an IPL title with RCB.

India's hopes of salvaging a win in the third and final Test against New Zealand hinge on the shoulders of their senior batters, particularly Virat Kohli. The Wankhede pitch has proven to be a spinner's paradise, with 24 of the 29 wickets falling to tweakers so far.New Zealand, who were bowled out for 171 in their first innings, hold a slender lead of 143 runs. India will likely chase around 150-160 when play resumes on Sunday.Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin have been India's standout performers with the ball, taking seven wickets between them. However, New Zealand's spin attack, led by Ajaz Patel, poses a significant threat.Kohli has endured a difficult series, but his experience and class could prove invaluable in a tense, low-scoring contest. The former Indian captain has struggled for consistency, but he has the ability to produce match-winning performances when it matters most.India's younger batters, such as Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant, have shown promise, but they may struggle against New Zealand's spin-heavy attack. Senior players like Kohli and Rohit Sharma will need to handle the pressure and guide India to victory.For Kohli, this match represents an opportunity to redeem himself and gain valuable form ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. A match-winning innings would not only give India a consolation win but also provide the veteran batter a much-needed confidence boost.With New Zealand having spun their way to victories in Bengaluru and Pune, India will need Kohli to dig deep and navigate a challenging pitch to prevent a rare series whitewash at home. The stage is set for a classic fourth-innings battle, and Kohli's experience could make all the difference.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) has retained star batter Virat Kohli ahead of the upcoming IPL 2025 auction, signaling their unwavering commitment to the talismanic player. In a heartfelt video message posted on social media, Kohli expressed his gratitude for the unwavering support from RCB fans and vowed to strive for the elusive IPL title during the next three-year cycle."I'm very excited about the chance to create a squad at this auction," Kohli said. "As a franchise, as a team, we're looking ahead in this cycle. In the next three years, one of the goals obviously is to win the IPL title at least once. We're going to give our best shot as always, and I'll try to make everyone proud with the way we play our cricket."Kohli's retention as the top pick, commanding a salary of INR 21 crore, was an expected move given his long-standing association with the team since the IPL's inception in 2008. In his video message, Kohli reflected on his journey with RCB, noting that by the end of this new three-year cycle, he will have completed 20 years with the franchise. He described this milestone as a matter of immense pride and a testament to his enduring commitment to the team.Despite RCB's lack of an IPL title, Kohli acknowledged the incredible support from the fans, which remains unwavering and is largely attributed to his dedication and performances over the years. Kohli also shared his excitement about the upcoming mega auction, expressing confidence in the RCB management's ability to make strategic decisions that will bolster the team. He assured fans that the primary goal remains to win the IPL trophy, a dream that has eluded the franchise thus far.RCB's decision to retain Kohli, Patidar, and Dayal while releasing key players like Mohammed Siraj and Glenn Maxwell signifies a strategic shift aimed at restructuring the squad. With a substantial auction purse of INR 84 crore and three Right to Match (RTM) cards at their disposal, RCB are well-positioned to make impactful additions to their roster.Kohli's video message resonated with fans, reinforcing their hope and anticipation for a successful IPL 2025 season. As RCB heads into the mega auction, the focus will be on assembling a balanced and formidable squad capable of finally clinching the IPL title.

Indian cricket star Virat Kohli showcased his playful side during the third Test match against New Zealand in Mumbai on Friday. As fans erupted in song with the Bollywood hit "My Name is Lakhan," Kohli couldn't resist joining in, performing the hook step on the field. This lighthearted moment captured on camera highlights Kohli's infectious energy and love for the game.Meanwhile, India's bowlers dominated the opening day, with Ravindra Jadeja claiming his 14th five-wicket haul and Washington Sundar bagging four wickets. The duo exploited the turning Wankhede Stadium pitch to their advantage, bowling out New Zealand for 235.Will Young and Daryl Mitchell provided some resistance for the visitors, sharing an 89-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Young scored a patient 71, while Mitchell top-scored with 82, hitting three fours and three sixes. However, the Indian bowlers maintained their grip, with only four New Zealand batters reaching double figures.India's Playing XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Sarfaraz Khan, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Ravichandran Ashwin, Akash Deep, Mohammed SirajNew Zealand's Playing XI: Tom Latham (c), Devon Conway, Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (wk), Glenn Phillips, Ish Sodhi, Matt Henry, Ajaz Patel, William O'Rourke

Virat Kohli's Return as RCB Captain: A Critical AnalysisAs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) prepares for the upcoming IPL 2025 mega auction, the question of who will lead the franchise has become a topic of intense speculation. While Virat Kohli's name has been prominently mentioned, former Indian cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has raised concerns about the wisdom of such a move.Manjrekar argues that fans should set aside their admiration for Kohli and objectively assess his recent performances. He points out that Kohli's T20 batting has declined in recent years, and his captaincy record with RCB has been mixed."Just because he is Virat Kohli, 95% of fans want him to be the captain," said Manjrekar. "But if you just go by his performances, it is not that impressive."Manjrekar suggests that RCB fans consider the possibility of a different captain, someone who may be better suited to the demands of T20 cricket. He emphasizes that Kohli's past achievements should not overshadow the need for a critical evaluation."I just have one question from the fans," Manjrekar added. "If instead of Virat Kohli, there was someone else, you just remove Virat Kohli from your mind, and just look at his performance in the IPL, his batting and captaincy performance. Then you think whether it is the right decision to make him the captain."Kohli led RCB from 2013 to 2021, guiding the team to one IPL final in 2016. However, his batting form suffered a significant dip between 2020 and 2022. In the last two seasons, he has regained some of his old form, scoring over 600 runs and winning the Orange Cap in 2024.Despite his recent resurgence, Manjrekar believes that Kohli's overall T20 record does not warrant an automatic return to the captaincy. He suggests that RCB should explore other options, including younger players who may be better equipped to handle the challenges of modern T20 cricket.

The Indian cricket team's recent Test series loss to New Zealand has raised concerns about the aging of key players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Former Australian cricketers Ian Chappell and Mark Taylor have expressed their views on the matter, highlighting the need for India to address its batting problems.Chappell pointed out that Kohli and Sharma are both in their late 30s and may be starting to feel the effects of age. He noted that both players have not been performing to their usual standards in recent times, which has put pressure on the younger players in the team.Taylor echoed Chappell's sentiments, stating that India's decision to move on from experienced batsmen like Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane has left a void in the team. He emphasized that Kohli and Sharma, as the team's best players, need to step up and make significant contributions.The former Australian captain also highlighted the importance of senior players making "bulkier runs," which has been lacking in India's batting lineup over the past year or so. He pointed to the contributions of Rishabh Pant, Ravindra Jadeja, and Ravichandran Ashwin, but stressed that the team needs its top batsmen to perform consistently.Chappell and Taylor's comments come at a time when India is facing a transitional phase in its Test team. The team has lost its last three Test series, including a humiliating defeat to New Zealand at home. The selectors have been experimenting with different combinations, but have yet to find a settled lineup.The upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia will be a major test for India's aging stars. If Kohli and Sharma fail to deliver, it could further intensify the debate about their future in the Test team.

Virat Kohli's Costly Run-Out Marred India's Day One in Mumbai TestIndia's hopes of salvaging a consolation win in the third and final Test against New Zealand suffered a major setback on Friday as they stumbled to 86 for four at stumps on the opening day in Mumbai. The hosts found themselves in a precarious position, trailing the Kiwis by 149 runs, after a series of unfortunate events, including a crucial run-out of star batter Virat Kohli.With just minutes remaining in the day's play, Kohli made a fatal error in judgment that resulted in his dismissal. Attempting to steal a single off a flighted delivery from Rachin Ravindra, Kohli pushed the ball towards mid-on and set off for a run. However, Matt Henry's quick reflexes and accurate throw caught Kohli short of his crease.The run-out was a major blow to India, who had already lost Yashasvi Jaiswal and nightwatchman Mohammed Siraj in the penultimate over of the day. Jaiswal was bowled around his legs by Ajaz Patel, while Siraj was trapped plumb in front for a golden duck.Earlier in the day, India's bowlers had put up a strong performance to dismiss New Zealand for 235. Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar shared nine wickets between them, with Jadeja claiming 4 for 44 and Sundar taking 5 for 45. Daryl Mitchell top-scored for the BlackCaps with a gritty 82.With New Zealand already holding an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, India will need to produce a remarkable turnaround in the remaining two days to avoid a clean sweep. However, the loss of Kohli and the team's fragile batting lineup make that task appear daunting.

India's batting woes continued on the opening day of the third and final Test against New Zealand in Mumbai, as they slumped to 86 for four at the close of play. The hosts, already trailing 0-2 in the series, had earlier bowled out the visitors for 235, thanks to impressive performances from Ravindra Jadeja (5/65) and Washington Sundar (4/81).However, India's batting collapsed in the final 20 minutes of the day, with Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma all falling cheaply. Jaiswal was dismissed for 18, attempting an extravagant reverse slog-sweep, while Kohli was run out for 4 after a lapse in judgment. Sharma, playing his second Test at the Wankhede Stadium, failed to capitalize on an early chance and was caught for 18.India's batting collapse highlighted their shaky confidence, with Shubman Gill (31 not out) and Mayank Agarwal (17 not out) the only batsmen to show any resistance. The hosts ended the day still 149 runs behind New Zealand's first innings total.Earlier, Jadeja and Sundar had combined for nine wickets to restrict New Zealand to 235. Jadeja achieved his 14th five-for in Tests, surpassing Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma to move up to fifth on India's all-time Test wicket-taker list.Will Young (71) and Daryl Mitchell (82) played well for New Zealand, but they struggled against India's spinners on a spin-friendly pitch. Young looked poised for a century, but Jadeja ended his knock with a turning delivery that clipped the bat's shoulder. Mitchell, the highest scorer with 82 off 129 balls, showed resilience and hit three fours and three sixes in his fighting knock.India desperately need a win in this Test to stay in contention for the World Test Championship final, but their batting collapse on the opening day has put them in a challenging position.

Virat Kohli's Infectious Dance Moves Light Up Wankhede StadiumIndian cricket superstar Virat Kohli brought a touch of Bollywood flair to the third Test against New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Friday. Amidst the intense competition, Kohli couldn't resist showcasing his playful side by dancing to the iconic Bollywood number "My Name is Lakhan" from the 1988 film Ram Lakhan.Kohli's infectious dance moves were captured on camera and quickly went viral on social media, delighting fans and teammates alike. The moment provided a lighthearted respite from the high-stakes match, showcasing Kohli's ability to find joy even in the most competitive of environments.The dance came just a day after Kohli was retained by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for the next three IPL seasons. The Rs 21 crore contract makes Kohli the joint-second costliest retained player in the IPL 2025 retention list, alongside Nicholas Pooran of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Heinrich Klaasen of Sunrisers Hyderabad leads the list with a Rs 23 crore retention.Kohli's retention by RCB is a testament to his enduring value as a player and leader. The former Indian captain has been a cornerstone of the franchise since 2008, leading them to two IPL titles and numerous other accolades.Kohli's dance at the Wankhede Stadium is a reminder that even the most accomplished athletes can find moments of joy and levity amidst the pressures of competition. His infectious enthusiasm and playful spirit are a testament to his love for the game and his ability to connect with fans on a personal level.