Cricket

Virat Kohli, the prolific Indian batter, has etched his name in the annals of cricket history by becoming the second-most-capped international cricketer for India across all formats. During the first Test against New Zealand at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Kohli marked his 536th international appearance, surpassing former captain MS Dhoni's tally of 535 matches.Kohli's illustrious international career began in 2008 with an ODI debut in Sri Lanka. Since then, he has amassed an astonishing 27,041 runs across 115 Tests, 295 ODIs, and 125 T20Is. His exceptional leadership skills have also been evident, as he has captained India in 213 matches, including 68 Tests, 95 ODIs, and 50 T20Is.Kohli's remarkable achievement places him behind only the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, who holds the record for the most international caps (664) for India. Among active cricketers, Kohli is followed by India captain Rohit Sharma (486 caps) and Ravindra Jadeja (346 caps).In terms of Test appearances for India, Kohli is tied for eighth with 116 caps. He has accumulated 8947 runs in the longer format, just 53 runs shy of becoming the fourth Indian to complete 9000 Test runs after Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and Sunil Gavaskar.Kohli's consistency and longevity have been remarkable. He became the fastest player to reach 27,000 international runs during the second Test against Bangladesh last month, surpassing Tendulkar's record of 623 innings. Kohli achieved this feat in just 594 innings, making him the only cricketer to reach 27,000 international runs in under 600 outings.Kohli's achievements are a testament to his unwavering dedication, exceptional talent, and unwavering determination. He continues to inspire generations of cricketers and fans alike, and his legacy as one of the greatest batsmen of all time is secure.

Indian cricket star Virat Kohli's struggles continued on Day 2 of the first Test against New Zealand in Bengaluru, as he was dismissed for a duck, equaling an embarrassing record. Kohli's dismissal marked his 38th international duck, tying him with New Zealand's Tim Southee for the most ducks among active cricketers. India skipper Rohit Sharma is third on the list with 33 ducks.Kohli's dismissal came off a short-length delivery from fast bowler Will O'Rourke. The ball flew off Kohli's gloves, and Glenn Phillips completed a good catch at leg gully. Kohli's poor form has been a concern for India, as he has failed to score a century in his last 10 Test innings.Earlier, India captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and elected to bat against New Zealand in the rain-truncated opening Test. India made two changes to their team, with Sarfaraz Khan replacing an injured Shubman Gill and Kuldeep Yadav replacing seamer Akash Deep.The first day's play was washed out due to persistent rain. India and New Zealand will play two more Tests, at Pune from October 24-28 and at Mumbai from November 1-5.

Virat Kohli, the Indian cricket superstar, has hailed AB de Villiers as the "absolute number one" after the South African legend was inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame. De Villiers, along with Sir Alastair Cook and Neetu David, was inducted into the Class of 2024.Kohli and De Villiers have been close friends on and off the field for years, and the former penned an open letter to congratulate "Mr. 360" on his induction. "You are thoroughly deserving of your place – after all, the Hall of Fame is a representation of your impact on the game, and yours has been truly unique," Kohli wrote.Kohli praised De Villiers' exceptional talent and unwavering belief in his abilities. "You are the most talented cricketer I have played with, the absolute number one," he stated. "But what truly stood out to me was your belief in that ability. You had a crazy amount of belief that you could execute whatever you wanted to on a cricket field, and you normally did."Kohli recalled an unforgettable incident during an RCB match in Kolkata in 2016, where De Villiers' extraordinary six off Sunil Narine left him in awe. "You played and missed a couple and told me during a timeout that you weren’t picking him too well. I felt I was, so I remember telling you to give me the strike and I would try and hit boundaries off him," Kohli wrote. "In the first over Narine bowled after the timeout, I was ready at the non-striker’s end thinking you were definitely giving me a single. So, imagine my surprise when you back away to the leg side, Sunil follows you and you slog sweep him over square leg for a 94-metre six!"Kohli also highlighted De Villiers' unwavering commitment to his team. "Your drive to want to be the guy to win the game for your team was tremendous and something I learned a lot from," he said. "I remember taking from you that it doesn’t matter what you have done in the last four games, it is about how you approach the game today. It is about always being positive, always taking the game on and finding a way to get the job done."Kohli concluded his letter by expressing his admiration for De Villiers' impact on the game. "A lot of players can have impressive numbers but very few have an impact on the psyche of those watching. For me, that is the highest value you can have as a cricketer and that is what makes you so special," he wrote. "You are in the Hall of Fame for the impact you have left on the game and I don’t think there is anything more special for a cricketer than to have that honour."

In 2016, Virat Kohli led the Indian cricket team to a resounding 3-0 Test series victory over New Zealand. During the second Test in Kolkata, Kohli etched his name in history by scoring his highest Test score against the Kiwis – a magnificent double century.The Indian innings got off to a shaky start as openers Gautam Gambhir and Murali Vijay departed early, leaving the team at 60/2. However, Kohli, batting at number four, steadied the ship with a crucial partnership with Cheteshwar Pujara (43).Kohli then joined forces with Ajinkya Rahane, and the duo forged a mammoth 365-run stand, the highest partnership for India in Tests against New Zealand. Kohli played aggressively against the likes of Trent Boult, Mitchell Santner, and Matt Henry, amassing 211 runs with 20 fours. Rahane, too, contributed handsomely with 188 runs, including 18 fours and 4 sixes.Rohit Sharma's quickfire half-century after Kohli's dismissal helped India post a formidable 557/5 before declaring. New Zealand's response was promising initially, but they collapsed after losing their first wicket at 118. Ashwin wreaked havoc with the ball, claiming six wickets as the Kiwis were bowled out for 299.In India's second innings, Pujara's century ensured a solid score of 216/3 before another declaration. New Zealand faced an even more daunting task in the fourth innings and were bundled out for 153, handing India a comprehensive victory.Ashwin was adjudged Player of the Match for his match-winning performance, while Kohli received the ICC Test Championship mace, a testament to his exceptional batting throughout the series.

Virat Kohli, the legendary Indian batsman, has shifted his focus from personal milestones to team success, according to Mike Hesson, the former Director of Cricket for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Hesson believes that this mindset could prove dangerous for opposing teams, as Kohli's natural ability will lead to big scores regardless.Hesson, speaking on Jio Cinema ahead of India's Test series against New Zealand, praised Kohli's desire to win games for his country. He noted that Kohli's focus on team success rather than individual statistics could be a major advantage for India."I think Virat Kohli is at that stage in his career where he just wants to try and win games for India," Hesson said. "And I think that's a dangerous stage for other sides, because if he is doing that rather than focusing on numbers, the big scores will come naturally."Hesson emphasized the importance of Kohli's ability to control the tempo of an innings and counter-attack when necessary. He believes that Kohli's presence at the crease will prevent the game from drifting away from India."The ability to hold a tempo in Australia is so important--being able to counter-attack and knowing the right moments to do so," Hesson said. "As mentioned, from 30 to 60 overs is a key phase. If Kohli is batting at that point, he won't let the game drift. It is about finding gaps, hitting gaps, getting ones and twos, and then, if they try and attack him, then he can counterattack."Hesson also commented on Kohli's recent struggles against Bangladesh, noting that the former captain appeared to be in good form despite not making many runs. He expressed confidence that Kohli will thrive in the upcoming series against New Zealand and Australia."He looked like he was moving well and getting into good positions," Hesson said. "After playing in New Zealand, heading to Australia will suit him, as he thrives in those conditions."

The highly anticipated first Test match between India and New Zealand at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru was marred by incessant rain on Day 1, delaying the toss and preventing any on-field action. However, the crowd found solace in the appearance of local hero Virat Kohli, who emerged on the field under an umbrella, sparking thunderous applause from the stands.Kohli, a beloved figure in Bengaluru due to his long association with the Royal Challengers Bangalore franchise in the Indian Premier League (IPL), has a special connection with the city's fanbase. His presence on the field, albeit briefly, provided a much-needed boost to the spirits of the rain-soaked spectators.The heavy showers, which began overnight, continued throughout the morning, forcing the ground staff to keep the pitch covered. The scheduled 9:30 AM (0400 GMT) start time was pushed back indefinitely, with rain forecast to disrupt play for the first two days of the match.The inclement weather also affected preparations for the series opener. Training sessions for both teams were canceled on Tuesday, leaving them with limited time to acclimatize to the conditions.Despite the weather setbacks, India remains the firm favorite in the three-Test series. Rohit Sharma's in-form side is coming off a 2-0 sweep of Bangladesh, while New Zealand will be without injured leading batsman Kane Williamson for at least the first match.New Zealand, who lost both Tests in Sri Lanka last month, will be led by Tom Latham for the first time in a full-time capacity after Tim Southee stepped down as captain following the Sri Lanka series.The second Test of the series will begin in Pune on October 24, while the third and final Test will be played in Mumbai from November 1.

Pakistan's Test captain Babar Azam's omission from the second Test against England has sparked a debate about his form and comparisons with India's Virat Kohli. Azam's last half-century in the format came in December 2022, and his average in his last 17 Test innings is a meager 20.70.On Ravichandran Ashwin's YouTube channel, the former India spinner weighed in on the discussion. "Definitely, if he is given a chance, he will score runs. If there is class, that's okay. I feel we should end this debate once and for all," Ashwin said.However, Ashwin drew a clear distinction between Azam and Kohli. "First of all, across the border, Babar Azam and Virat Kohli shouldn't be mentioned in the same line," he asserted. "I am very sorry, I really rate Babar Azam as an outstanding player, but Virat Kohli's credentials are something else. Across terrains, across times, across pressure situations, the kind of heists he has done, no one has done that in world cricket."Ashwin's comments highlight the immense respect he holds for Kohli's achievements. Kohli has amassed over 25,000 international runs across all formats, including 71 centuries. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of all time.Pakistan's Test struggles have extended beyond Azam's form. They have not won a Test at home since 2022, losing six out of ten matches and drawing four. In the first Test against England, they became the first team to lose a Test match by an innings after scoring over 500 runs in the first innings.Ahead of the second Test, Pakistan made the surprising decision to drop Azam, along with pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah. Azam's scores of 30 and five in the first Test were not enough to save his place in the team.Pakistan will be desperate to end their winless streak in the second Test. However, they will face a formidable England side that is brimming with confidence after their dominant performance in the first match.

Indian cricket legend Virat Kohli has set social media ablaze with his exceptional fielding skills in the lead-up to the highly anticipated first Test between India and New Zealand. A recent video showcases Kohli's remarkable reflexes and dedication as he engages in intense slip-catching drills alongside KL Rahul.During the practice session, Kohli displayed his agility and precision by pulling off a stunning low catch to his right, eliciting laughter from both players. The video highlights the focused preparation of India's key players as they gear up for the three-match Test series, commencing on October 16 at the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.Kohli and Rahul, both eager to regain their peak form, have demonstrated their commitment to fielding excellence, leaving no stone unturned in their quest to maintain India's dominance in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings.However, the team's preparations encountered a setback as heavy rain washed out India's practice session on Tuesday morning. With forecasts predicting continued rainfall throughout the week, the weather could significantly impact the series opener.The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert across parts of Karnataka, warning of potential disruptions during the first two days of the match. The weather could play a crucial role, especially considering recent matches. India's previous Test in Kanpur against Bangladesh was marred by rain delays but ultimately resulted in a home victory.New Zealand, on the other hand, faced similar challenges during their tour of the subcontinent, with their scheduled game against Afghanistan in Greater Noida abandoned due to poor drainage.India enters the series with momentum, having secured a 2-0 series win over Bangladesh, while New Zealand aims to bounce back from a 2-0 defeat in Sri Lanka. The hosts currently lead the WTC table, while the Kiwis, the reigning 2021 WTC champions, are eager to regain their footing.

Virat Kohli, the former Indian skipper, has been facing intense scrutiny over his struggles against spin bowling. In the past 28 Test matches, he has been dismissed by spinners on 21 occasions, primarily by off-spinners. Despite the mounting criticism, Kohli remains determined to rediscover his form.At the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, where Kohli first showcased his fourth-innings heroics against New Zealand in 2012, he spent considerable time facing spinners in the nets. While there were moments of hesitation, he also displayed his trademark cuts and hoists over the infield, executed with impeccable footwork.Kohli's comfort at the Chinnaswamy Stadium stems from his early success in red-ball cricket. In 2012, he scored a century and an unbeaten 51 against New Zealand, playing a crucial role in India's victory. However, in recent years, he has struggled against New Zealand's spinners, including Jeetan Patel, Ajaz Patel, Mitchell Santner, and Rachin Ravindra.The recent series against Bangladesh further highlighted Kohli's vulnerability against spin. In four innings, he managed only 99 runs and was dismissed by off-spin twice. His tendency to play early or against the spin has contributed to his struggles.Despite the setbacks, Kohli has found support in head coach Gautam Gambhir. Gambhir emphasized the importance of backing players and selecting the best playing XI, regardless of their recent form. He also highlighted Kohli's hunger to excel, stating that he is "as hungry as when he made his debut."As Kohli looks to regain his form, he is approaching the 9,000-run mark in Test cricket. While the 10,000-run milestone is already being discussed, Gambhir believes that Kohli's focus is on scoring runs in the upcoming series against New Zealand and Australia.