Cricket

Virat Kohli's Heartwarming Gesture Inspires Rising Star Akash DeepIndian cricket legend Virat Kohli has extended a heartwarming gesture to promising pacer Akash Deep, gifting him a bat ahead of the Bangladesh Test series. The former India captain's act of kindness has not only motivated the young player but also highlights the camaraderie within the Indian cricket fraternity.Akash Deep, who made his Test debut against England last February, has been making waves with his consistent performances for Bengal in domestic cricket. His impressive tally of 41 wickets in the 2022-23 Ranji Trophy season, coupled with his strong outings in the Duleep Trophy and for India A, earned him a place in the Indian Test squad for the Bangladesh series.Kohli's gift to Akash Deep is a testament to the former's leadership qualities both on and off the field. The batting maestro has previously shown his generosity by gifting bats to rising stars like Rinku Singh, fostering a sense of mutual respect and support among the players.For Akash Deep, this act of kindness from one of India's greatest cricketers is a significant motivational boost as he prepares to make his mark in the upcoming series. The 27-year-old pacer has expressed his gratitude to Kohli on social media, marking a special moment in his career.Kohli's gesture not only inspires Akash Deep but also serves as a reminder of the importance of mentorship and support in the development of young athletes. As Akash Deep embarks on his journey in international cricket, he can draw inspiration from the guidance and encouragement of senior players like Virat Kohli.

The Indian cricket team's preparations for the upcoming first Test against Bangladesh, commencing on September 19, reached a fever pitch during an intensive practice session at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Monday. Led by captain Rohit Sharma, the entire 16-man squad participated in the rigorous training session.Virat Kohli, one of the team's batting stalwarts, was among the first to enter the nets, facing the pace of Jasprit Bumrah and the spin of R Ashwin, who is set to make his 101st Test appearance. Yashasvi Jaiswal, the left-handed opener, joined Kohli in the adjacent net.Following them, Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, and Sarfaraz Khan took their turns at the crease. Sarfaraz had recently arrived in Chennai after participating in the second round of the Duleep Trophy match in Anantapur. Rohit, known for his prowess against spin, focused on honing his skills against the Bangladeshi team's spin-heavy attack.Other team members, including all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant, and fast bowler Mohammed Siraj, also had their share of batting practice against local bowlers and faced a significant number of throwdowns.The practice pitch on the main square provided a reasonable level of bounce, giving the batsmen a good workout. India has scheduled two additional practice sessions before the series opener against Bangladesh, who are brimming with confidence following their clean sweep in Pakistan.The playing eleven for the first Test is largely self-selecting. The Chennai pitch typically assists spinners, and there's a good chance India will field three spinners and two pacers for the match. Ashwin, Jadeja, and Kuldeep Yadav are the likely spinners, while Bumrah and Siraj will handle the pace-bowling duties. Despite his impressive all-round performances across formats, Axar Patel may have to sit out this game.In the batting department, Pant is anticipated to make his Test comeback after a nearly two-year absence. In that case, Dhruv Jurel, who impressed in his debut series against England, will be on the bench.

The relationship between Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli, two prominent figures in Indian cricket, has been a complex one marked by both professional respect and occasional friction.During their early years as teammates, Gambhir played a significant role in mentoring Kohli, guiding him through the challenges of international cricket. However, their relationship has also been strained by moments of on-field aggression and differences in perspective.One notable incident occurred during the 2013 Indian Premier League (IPL) match between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), captained by Gambhir, and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), captained by Kohli. After Kohli's dismissal, a heated exchange ensued between the two captains, requiring the intervention of umpires and players to restore order.In 2023, Kohli and Gambhir were fined for a post-match altercation following the RCB-LSG game. Despite these incidents, there have also been moments of mutual respect and camaraderie between the two players.One such instance occurred during a 2009 ODI match against Sri Lanka, where Gambhir and Kohli shared a 224-run partnership. Gambhir, who remained unbeaten on 150, praised Kohli's contribution and handed over his Man of the Match award to him, acknowledging the importance of Kohli's maiden ODI century.This gesture highlighted Gambhir's leadership and recognition of Kohli's talent. Despite their occasional differences, both players have always acknowledged each other's contributions to the team.The relationship between Gambhir and Kohli has evolved over the years, from one of mutual respect to moments of on-field aggression and differences in perspective. However, both players have maintained a level of professionalism in their interactions, recognizing the importance of their contributions to Indian cricket.

Virat Kohli, India's star batter, is intensifying his preparations for the upcoming two-Test series against Bangladesh. After a brief hiatus from cricket, Kohli is determined to regain his form and contribute to India's success.During a practice session at Chennai's MA Chidambaram Stadium, Kohli showcased his exceptional batting skills. A video shared by Jio Cinema captured a moment when he unleashed a powerful six that shattered a wall near the Indian dressing room. The footage highlights Kohli's unwavering determination to excel in the upcoming series.Following his practice session, Kohli engaged in a lengthy discussion with head coach Gautam Gambhir, seeking guidance and feedback on his batting technique. Kohli's return to the Test format marks his first appearance since India's tour of South Africa in January. He missed the home Test series against England due to the birth of his son.Kohli's recent performances in the T20 World Cup and the tour of Sri Lanka have been underwhelming. However, he remains a key player for India and will be eager to prove his worth in the upcoming series.India will face a formidable challenge against Bangladesh, who recently defeated Pakistan 2-0 in a Test series. With crucial World Test Championship (WTC) points at stake, India is gearing up for a demanding 10-match Test season. This includes a three-Test home series against New Zealand and the five-match Border-Gavaskar series in Australia later this year.Currently, India leads the WTC table with 68.52 percentage points, closely followed by Australia at 62.50 percentage points. India's performance in the upcoming series will be crucial in maintaining their position at the top of the standings.

Tejashwi Yadav, the prominent Indian politician and son of former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav, has sparked a stir on social media by revealing his cricketing past. Yadav claims to have captained Indian cricket legend Virat Kohli during his domestic cricket days.Yadav's assertion has raised eyebrows, as his cricketing career has largely been forgotten despite his claims of being a star player. In an interview with Zee Media, he expressed his disappointment that his cricketing achievements have been overlooked."I was a cricketer and no one talks about it. Virat Kohli played in my captaincy - did anyone ever talk about it? Why don't they do so? As a professional, I played good cricket. Many Team India players are my batchmates," Yadav said.Yadav's statement has drawn mixed reactions from cricket fans. Some have questioned the veracity of his claims, while others have expressed amusement.According to Yadav, he played alongside Kohli for Delhi in domestic cricket. However, records show that Yadav played for Jharkhand in the domestic spectrum, making his First Class debut in 2009. He also represented the Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) from 2008 to 2012, but did not play a single game.Despite his limited playing time, Yadav insists that he was a talented cricketer who had to retire due to injuries. "I had to quit as my both ligaments were fractured. Let it be," he said.Yadav's cricketing claims have become a topic of discussion on social media, with many users expressing skepticism and humor. Some have even joked that Yadav's "captaincy" of Kohli was limited to the popular fantasy cricket game Dream11.Regardless of the validity of Yadav's claims, his revelation has brought attention to his cricketing past and sparked a debate about the recognition given to former players.

The Indian cricket team has commenced preparations for the upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh, scheduled to begin on September 19 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The team arrived at the venue on Thursday night and took to the field the following day under the guidance of head coach Gautam Gambhir and bowling coach Morne Morkel.The series marks the return of several key players to the Test fold. Virat Kohli, who last featured in the format during India's tour of South Africa in January, will be eager to regain his form after a disappointing T20 World Cup and Sri Lanka tour. KL Rahul, who missed the majority of the England Test series due to injury, has also made his comeback.The pace attack will be bolstered by the return of Jasprit Bumrah, who has been out of action since the T20 World Cup final. He will be joined by Mohammed Siraj and debutant Yash Dayal. The spin quartet of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav will provide balance to the team.Rohit Sharma will continue to lead the side, while Rishabh Pant returns to Test cricket for the first time since his life-threatening accident in December 2022. Pacers Akash Deep and Yash Dayal have received maiden call-ups, adding depth to the bowling department.The series against Bangladesh will be a crucial test for India as they prepare for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. The team will be looking to build momentum and find their rhythm ahead of the highly anticipated clash.

Former Pakistan captain Younis Khan has urged star batsman Babar Azam to emulate Indian cricketing icon Virat Kohli's approach to leadership and performance. Younis's comments come amid growing pressure on Babar, who has faced scrutiny both on and off the field.Younis emphasized that Babar's appointment as captain was based on his exceptional talent. However, he stressed that players must prioritize performance over social media presence. "Players should use social media wisely, but their real answers should come through their performances with the bat and ball," Younis said.He highlighted the importance of fitness and work ethic, noting that opportunities like Babar's captaincy do not come often. "He has achieved a lot at such a young age, but what he needs to know what he wants to achieve in the future. Captaincy is a small thing, performance is what matters," Younis added.Drawing a parallel with Kohli, Younis praised the Indian batsman's decision to step down from captaincy to focus on his performance. "Look at Virat Kohli. He chose to step down from captaincy on his own terms, and now he’s breaking records worldwide. This shows that playing for the country should be the priority. If there’s any energy left, then play for yourself."Babar's recent form has been a cause for concern, with his scores in the recent Test series against Bangladesh leading to his drop from the ICC top 10 rankings for batters. This slump has intensified scrutiny over his leadership in white-ball cricket, particularly after Pakistan's disappointing exit from the group stage of the T20 World Cup 2024.Younis urged Babar to focus on his fitness and work ethic, and to learn from the example of Kohli. "He needs to focus on his fitness and work ethic because opportunities like these don't come around often," Younis said.

The Indian cricket team has long been divided over the question of who is the fittest player in the squad. While Ravindra Jadeja has been praised by experts worldwide, Virat Kohli has consistently impressed over the years and remains a fan favorite. However, India's fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah's recent answer to this question has sparked a heated debate on social media.When asked to name the fittest cricketer in India, Bumrah acknowledged that Kohli is the expected choice but boldly put forward his own name. He explained that he always tries to promote fast bowlers in such situations.Bumrah's response has ignited a fierce war of words among fans. Some have criticized him for arrogance, pointing to his injury history and lack of success in major ICC tournaments. Others have defended Bumrah, praising his confidence and determination to stand up for himself.Meanwhile, India's fast bowler Akash Deep has heaped praise on Bumrah, describing him as "uniquely crafted by God." Deep, who recently made his Test debut, admitted that it is difficult to emulate Bumrah's actions due to their complexity.Deep also revealed that he draws inspiration from various bowlers, including Kagiso Rabada and Mohammed Siraj, but emphasized that he does not focus on following any one bowler too closely.The debate over Bumrah's fitness claims has highlighted the importance of physical conditioning in modern cricket. Fast bowlers, in particular, face immense physical demands, and their ability to maintain peak fitness is crucial for their success.

Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir: A Tale of On-Field Rivalry and Off-Field RespectVirat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir, two stalwarts of Indian cricket, have often been the subject of intense scrutiny due to their on-field clashes. However, beyond the heated exchanges, there lies a deep-seated respect between the two players.Despite their contrasting personalities and playing styles, Kohli and Gambhir share a common bond: their unwavering passion for the game. Both players have made significant contributions to Indian cricket, with Kohli emerging as one of the greatest batsmen of all time and Gambhir playing a pivotal role in India's 2011 World Cup triumph.While their on-field rivalry has been well-documented, Gambhir has consistently maintained his admiration for Kohli's abilities. "I have a lot of respect for Virat Kohli," Gambhir said after taking charge as coach of the Indian cricket team. "On the field, everyone has the right to fight for their own jersey, but off the field, we're representing India and we're going to be on the same page."Piyush Chawla, who has played with both Kohli and Gambhir, has witnessed firsthand the contrasting nature of their personalities. "Gauti bhai is very motivating and gives you a free hand," Chawla said. "He backs you even if you don't perform well, which is a brilliant thing for any player."Despite their on-field differences, Kohli and Gambhir have always put the team's interests first. In the 2011 World Cup, they played crucial roles in India's historic victory, showcasing their ability to set aside personal rivalries for the greater good.Off the field, Gambhir has been known for his generosity and support of young players. Chawla recalled an incident where Gambhir correctly answered a trivia question about Kohli's 50th century, demonstrating his deep knowledge of the game and his respect for his former teammate.The relationship between Kohli and Gambhir is a testament to the complexities of human nature. Despite their on-field rivalry, they share a deep-seated respect for each other's abilities and a common goal of representing India with pride.