Cricket

Former Pakistan skipper Sidra Nawaz has weighed in on the long-standing debate between fans of India and Pakistan regarding the superiority of Virat Kohli and Babar Azam. Nawaz expressed her preference for Kohli, citing his exceptional career and achievements.Kohli, a 35-year-old batting maestro, has established himself as one of the greatest batters in cricket history. With over 500 appearances across all three formats, he has amassed an impressive 13,906 runs in ODIs alone. His dominance in ODIs earned him the ICC Men's ODI Cricketer of the Year 2023 award.Nawaz acknowledged Babar Azam's rise to the top of the ODI rankings in April 2021, but noted that Kohli had held the number one spot for an extended period of 1258 days. Azam regained the top spot in December 2023, but Nawaz believes Kohli's legacy remains unmatched.With the Women's T20 World Cup underway, Nawaz expressed her belief that Pakistan's momentum could pose a challenge to India in their upcoming match. Despite India's historical dominance in the fixture, Pakistan's impressive victory over Sri Lanka in their opening encounter has given them an edge.Nawaz emphasized the importance of bilateral series between India and Pakistan, stating that it would benefit both teams. She urged India to visit Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy, highlighting that many countries have recently toured Pakistan, including England.Nawaz's career spanned from 2014 to 2023, during which she represented Pakistan in numerous ODI and T20 World Cups. She captained the Pakistan A team in 2021 and is widely regarded as a leader and icon of the national side.

Virat Kohli's tenure as India's captain across all formats ended without an ICC trophy, but former off-spinner Harbhajan Singh believes that doesn't diminish his legacy as a leader.Speaking to 'Sports Yaari,' Harbhajan emphasized that Kohli instilled a fighting spirit and a belief in taking on challenges head-on. He cited the heroic Border-Gavaskar Trophy triumph in Australia in 2020-21 as an example.Despite Kohli's absence for the final three Tests due to the birth of his child, the team's determination to chase down daunting targets and never give up was evident. Harbhajan attributed this mindset to Kohli's influence."The fire that he ignited in the team, like it may be a target of 400 in the fourth innings of a Test, we'll go for the chase, we won't panic. If we go down, we do it while chasing," Harbhajan said.He highlighted the performances of Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant in the fourth Test at the Gabba, where India chased down over 300 to clinch the series."That determination to fight till the end, which Shubman and Rishabh showed to win that Test in Gabba. It was because the way the team's thinking changed," Harbhajan concluded.While Kohli may not have led India to an ICC trophy, Harbhajan believes his legacy as a captain lies in the fire and belief he instilled in the team, which continues to reap benefits today.

India-Australia Rivalry Evolves into Respect, Says Virat KohliThe intense rivalry between India and Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy has undergone a significant transformation over the years, according to batting maestro Virat Kohli. Initially characterized by fierce competition and heated exchanges, the relationship has shifted towards mutual respect, particularly after India's consecutive Test series victories in Australia.Kohli, who has been at the forefront of this rivalry, believes that both teams have developed a deeper understanding and admiration for each other's abilities. "It was quite intense at the beginning, but I think since the time we had won two Test series in Australia, the rivalry has turned into respect," Kohli said in a Star Sports promo for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy."We are not taken lightly now as a Test team. The respect looks quite visible when you play against Australia since we have beaten them for back-to-back series wins at their own backyard," he added.The upcoming five-match Test series, which begins on November 22, will be the first between the two teams since 1991/92. It will be a crucial test for India, who currently sit atop the World Test Championship (WTC) standings.A 3-0 series win against New Zealand at home would secure India's place in the WTC final, scheduled for Lord's in June 2025. The Border-Gavaskar Trophy will then become a matter of pride for the world's No. 1 team.Kohli's comments reflect the changing dynamics of the India-Australia rivalry. While the intensity and competitiveness remain, there is now a greater sense of respect and camaraderie between the two teams. This evolution is a testament to the growth of both teams and the enduring legacy of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

The Indian cricket team embarks on a grueling Test season, with a packed schedule that includes a three-Test series against New Zealand, a tour of Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, and a five-match series against England in 2025.India's last Test series victory in England came in 2007, and the Rohit Sharma-led side is determined to break the drought. Former England paceman Stuart Broad believes this could be Virat Kohli's final tour of England."This could be Virat's last tour of England," Broad said. "They've got so much talent and depth, and England are slightly more youthful and less experienced but have a huge amount of talent and play this front-foot style of cricket."Broad predicts a close series, with both teams possessing formidable strengths. "I don't think it will be a five-nil or a four-nil, it will probably be going down to the last Test. If the weather plays ball, I think it will be 2-2."He emphasizes the significance of India's victory at Lord's in 2021, which left a lasting impact on the England team. "It was an aggressive test match, Mohammed Siraj bowled fantastically well on the final day, a drier pitch and just getting that bit of movement.""It was an amazing, emotional Test match to watch, and I know how much that hurt the England dressing room. Equally, it was very joyous for India to come here - we saw the joy on Kohli's face and how much that meant to him. I think it's going to be an absolute crackerjack of a series."

Former Pakistan opener Mudassar Nazar has hailed Virat Kohli as one of the greatest cricketers in history, dismissing comparisons between the Indian superstar and Pakistan's Babar Azam. Nazar's comments come amidst Babar's recent resignation as Pakistan's white-ball captain and the ongoing turmoil within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).Nazar believes that Babar, despite his impressive batting record, still has a long way to go to match Kohli's legacy. "There is a hell of a difference between the two players," Nazar said. "Virat will be remembered as one of the greatest who has graced the game. Babar has still got to make a name for himself."Nazar also praised India's Rohit Sharma, calling him a joy to watch when in form. "I love to watch Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli," he said. "When they are at the peak and playing well, it is fantastic to watch them. You could sit in front of the TV for hours and just watch those two play."Nazar's comments come as the PCB faces criticism for its handling of the Pakistan cricket team. He believes that the board's constant tinkering with the captaincy has contributed to the team's recent struggles. "It is our own doing (the friction between Babar and Shaheen)," Nazar said. "We shouldn't have messed around with the set-up."Nazar urged the PCB to provide more support to its captain, regardless of who it may be. "There was one set captain, we should have given him a longer term and if somebody else had been made a captain, then he should have had a decent go at it. And not been thrown out straight away."The PCB is yet to name a new white-ball captain following Babar's resignation. Pakistan's next assignment is the home Test series against England, which commences on October 7 in Multan.

Virat Kohli, India's batting maestro, has etched another remarkable milestone in his illustrious career by becoming the first active batter to amass over 1000 fours in both Test and One-Day International (ODI) cricket. This achievement solidifies his status as one of the greatest batsmen of all time.Kohli reached the 1001-four mark in Test cricket during India's emphatic victory over Bangladesh in the second Test at Kanpur. With this feat, he joined an elite group of batters, including Sachin Tendulkar, Kumar Sangakkara, and Ricky Ponting, who have achieved this rare distinction.Kohli's journey to this milestone has been marked by consistency and brilliance. In ODI cricket, he has amassed 1302 fours, making him one of the most prolific boundary hitters in the format. His ability to find gaps and time the ball with precision has been a hallmark of his batting.In Test cricket, Kohli has been equally impressive. His 1001 fours have come in just 99 Tests, highlighting his exceptional longevity and ability to adapt to different conditions. His cover drives, flicks, and pull shots have become synonymous with his aggressive and stylish batting style.Kohli's achievement is a testament to his unwavering dedication and hard work. He has consistently pushed the boundaries of batting excellence, setting new records and inspiring generations of cricketers. His ability to perform under pressure and deliver match-winning performances has made him a true icon of the sport.Beyond his statistical achievements, Kohli's impact on Indian cricket has been profound. He has led the team to numerous victories, including the 2011 World Cup and the 2013 Champions Trophy. His leadership and passion have been instrumental in India's rise to the top of the cricketing world.As Kohli continues to grace the cricket field, fans can expect more milestones and unforgettable moments. His unwavering determination and relentless pursuit of excellence will undoubtedly leave an enduring legacy in the annals of the game.

India's dominance in Test cricket continued as they registered a resounding 2-0 clean sweep against Bangladesh in the recently concluded two-match series. The second Test in Kanpur, despite being rain-hit, witnessed a stellar performance from Team India, who chased down a target of 95 with seven wickets in hand on Day 5.The victory marked India's 18th consecutive Test series win at home, a testament to their unwavering dominance on home soil. Under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, the Indian team has scaled new heights, with Sharma himself attributing his success to the support of former head coach Ravi Shastri and star batter Virat Kohli.In a recent interview with renowned commentator Jatin Sapru, Sharma revealed that Shastri and Kohli played a pivotal role in his transformation as an opening batter in Test cricket. He described it as his "second birth" in the format."In the second innings, I was very grateful to Ravi Shastri and Virat Kohli for giving me the opportunity to bat up the order," Sharma said. "It wasn't an easy decision to promote me in Tests. They trusted me. They asked me to play one practice match, which I did. I got out on the very first ball, but I realized that I didn't have any other choice. It felt like a second birth in Test cricket. I knew I had to grab this opportunity."Sharma's gratitude towards Shastri and Kohli stems from their unwavering belief in his abilities. Despite his initial struggles as an opener, they encouraged him to play his natural game and not succumb to the pressure of survival."My response to them was clear: I'll play my natural game and won't take the pressure of trying to survive. I'm going to play freely. If the ball is there, whether it's the first ball of the Test or not, I'm going to hit it. They gave me the freedom to do what I wanted," Sharma added.Shastri's eagerness for Sharma to open in Tests dates back to 2015, but the decision ultimately rested with the team management. However, with the support of Shastri and Kohli, Sharma has flourished in his new role, becoming one of the most prolific openers in Test cricket.Following the successful completion of the Test series, India will face Bangladesh in a three-match T20I series, commencing on October 6 in Gwalior.

Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli, two of India's most celebrated cricketers, have etched their names in the annals of the sport. Their exceptional performances have sparked a perpetual debate about who reigns supreme.Tendulkar, the "Master Blaster," dominated both Test and ODI cricket for over two decades. His unwavering determination and impeccable technique made him a formidable force against the likes of Wasim Akram, Glenn McGrath, and Shane Warne. His ability to adapt to different conditions and handle pressure situations cemented his status as a true legend.Kohli, the "Run Machine," has emerged as a modern-day icon. His aggressive batting style and exceptional chasing abilities have made him a nightmare for bowlers. He has excelled in all three formats of the game, showcasing his versatility and adaptability. His ability to handle pressure and lead the Indian team to numerous victories has further enhanced his reputation.While Tendulkar's longevity and record-breaking feats are unmatched, Kohli's dominance in the contemporary era and his versatility across formats make him a formidable contender. The debate between these two cricketing giants is a testament to the rich history and enduring legacy of Indian cricket.In a recent video, the late spin legend Shane Warne weighed in on the debate. Warne, who had many memorable duels with Tendulkar, expressed his admiration for the "Little Master." He stated that Tendulkar's performances in the mid-90s were unparalleled, and that he could not imagine anyone playing better than him during that period.Warne acknowledged Kohli's exceptional abilities but emphasized that Tendulkar's impact on the game was unmatched. He believes that the comparisons between the two players are flattering for Kohli, but that Tendulkar remains the greatest player he has ever witnessed.Ultimately, the greatness of Tendulkar and Kohli depends on the specific criteria used for evaluation. If longevity and records are the primary factors, Tendulkar stands tall. However, if modern-day dominance and versatility across formats are considered, Kohli may have the edge. Both players have left an indelible mark on the sport, and their legacies will continue to inspire generations of cricketers to come.

Indian cricket legend Virat Kohli extended a heartwarming gesture to Bangladesh's retiring all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan after India's 2-0 Test series sweep in Kanpur on October 1, 2024. Shakib, who played his last overseas Test in Kanpur, has expressed concerns about his ability to leave Bangladesh for the upcoming home series against South Africa due to ongoing legal issues.After the second Test concluded with India's seven-wicket victory, Kohli approached the Bangladesh team and presented Shakib with a signed bat. The duo exchanged pleasantries and shared a laugh as Shakib playfully swung the willow. Shakib is a popular figure in India, having played 71 IPL matches for Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad.However, Shakib's career has been marred by a murder charge stemming from the civil unrest that led to the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Shakib was a member of parliament from Hasina's Awami League party. The current regime in Bangladesh has expressed reluctance to grant Shakib a farewell, with Bangladesh Cricket Board president Farukh Ahmed stating that his organization is not a security agency.Given these circumstances, Kanpur could potentially be Shakib's final Test match. He is expected to retire from international cricket after the Champions Trophy next year. Currently residing in the United States, Shakib's future in Bangladesh remains uncertain.