Cricket

Virat Kohli, the legendary Indian cricketer, has bid farewell to T20 International cricket after leading India to victory in the ICC T20 Cricket World Cup in Barbados. Kohli's illustrious career has not only earned him a massive fan following for his on-field brilliance but also for his stylish appearance.Once known for his fiery aggression on the field, Kohli has undergone a significant transformation in recent years. His more balanced approach has made him a role model for millions of fans, highlighting the importance of discipline and fitness both in sports and life. This shift reflects a broader cultural movement towards healthier lifestyles inspired by Kohli's example.Kohli's rise to captaincy began in 2014 when he was appointed Test captain during a series against Australia. Notably, in his first match as captain, he scored a century in both innings in Adelaide. In 2017, Kohli became the full-time captain of India's white-ball cricket team, succeeding MS Dhoni. Under his leadership, the team reached the finals of the Champions Trophy and the semi-final of the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup.Kohli's retirement from T20 International cricket marks the end of an era. He leaves behind a legacy of five key lessons that resonate with fans and aspiring athletes alike:1. Respect the opportunity life gives you: Kohli emphasizes the importance of cherishing opportunities and making the most of them.2. Trust God's plan: Kohli believes in the divine plan and encourages others to have faith in their journey.3. Work hard and make a comeback: Kohli's resilience and determination serve as an inspiration to overcome challenges and strive for success.4. Take risks: Kohli advocates for embracing risks and stepping outside of comfort zones to achieve growth.5. The night is darkest just before dawn: Kohli reminds us that even in the face of adversity, hope and triumph can emerge.Kohli's retirement from T20 International cricket is a bittersweet moment for Indian cricket fans. While they will miss his presence on the field, they will forever cherish the memories and lessons he has imparted.

Steve Smith, the veteran Australian batsman, has described Virat Kohli, the former Indian captain, as "Australian in thoughts and action." Smith made this observation in a video posted by Star Sports on 'X', as per IANS.Smith's comments come ahead of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which will feature India and Australia facing off in a crucial five-match series in Perth, Adelaide (pink-ball game), Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney, respectively. India has won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy the last two times it has been contested in Australia, in 2018-19 and 2020-21, respectively."I believe Virat Kohli is Australian in thoughts and action. The way he gets into a battle, the way he gets into the challenge and tries to get on top of the opposition. He's probably the most Australian of the Indian players, I'd say," Smith said.Smith further claimed that the two players share messages often and expressed enthusiasm to meet Kohli in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, starting from November 22."We get on quite well, share messages every now and then and look, he's a great guy and obviously a wonderful player. It's going to be nice to come up against him again this summer," said Smith.Smith's comments highlight the mutual respect between two of the greatest batsmen of their generation. Kohli is known for his aggressive and competitive approach on the field, while Smith is admired for his resilience and determination.The upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy promises to be a thrilling contest between two of the world's best cricket teams. With Kohli and Smith leading their respective sides, the series is sure to produce some memorable moments.

Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has predicted that Indian batting stalwart Virat Kohli will return to form with "big centuries" in the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh and New Zealand. Kohli, who missed the home Test series against England due to the birth of his son, will be eager to rediscover his prolific run-scoring form.Ali believes that Kohli will make a significant impact in the upcoming Tests, stating, "In the England series, Virat wasn't there. He didn't perform well in the Sri Lanka series. But in the Bangladesh and the New Zealand series, you will see big centuries (from Virat). Not 110 or 115, you may see a 200-run knock from him."Kohli's recent performances have been underwhelming, with a disappointing T20 World Cup and a poor showing in the ODI series against Sri Lanka. However, Ali is confident that the Indian batter will bounce back and regain his dominance in the Test format.India's Test squad for the Bangladesh series features a formidable batting lineup, including skipper Rohit Sharma, young openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill, and the experienced KL Rahul. The spin quartet of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav will provide balance to the team.Ali has named his preferred playing XI for the first Test against Bangladesh, opting for Kuldeep over Axar due to the presence of several left-handed batters in the opposition lineup. His team includes Rohit, Jaiswal, Gill, Kohli, Rahul, Pant, Jadeja, Ashwin, Kuldeep, Bumrah, and Siraj.With the Test series against Bangladesh and New Zealand on the horizon, fans will be eagerly anticipating Kohli's return to form. If Ali's predictions hold true, the Indian batter could be set for a prolific run-scoring spree that will delight cricket enthusiasts worldwide.

Virender Sehwag's 'This or That' Challenge: Rohit Sharma Emerges as the Chosen OneFormer Indian opener Virender Sehwag recently ignited a firestorm of debate among cricket enthusiasts with his 'this or that' challenge at the Delhi Premier League T20. Sehwag's choices, which pitted current Indian captain Rohit Sharma against cricketing legends, revealed his unwavering belief in Rohit's exceptional talent and leadership abilities.In the challenge, Sehwag first selected MS Dhoni over Ben Stokes, acknowledging his loyalty to his former captain. However, when faced with the choice between Dhoni and AB de Villiers, Sehwag opted for the South African star, citing his unparalleled batting prowess. The challenge continued with Sehwag choosing Virat Kohli over ABD and Pat Cummins, highlighting Kohli's consistency and match-winning capabilities.However, the pivotal moment came when Sehwag was asked to choose between Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Without hesitation, Sehwag declared Rohit as his preferred choice, emphasizing his belief in the current Indian captain's superior leadership qualities and all-around abilities.Sehwag's selection of Rohit over David Warner and Dale Steyn further underlined his conviction in the Indian opener's exceptional talent. Rohit's aggressive yet calculated style of play has revolutionized the Indian team's approach, leading them to numerous victories across all formats.Rohit's leadership was instrumental in India's triumph in the 2024 T20 World Cup, ending an 11-year drought for a major ICC trophy. His consistent performances as an opener have consistently placed him among the world's best, making him a formidable force in international cricket.Sehwag's challenge has sparked lively debates among fans, showcasing a wide range of opinions on his selections. However, it is clear that Rohit Sharma has emerged as a dominant figure in Indian cricket, earning the admiration and respect of both his peers and the cricketing world at large.

Virat Kohli: The Un-Auctioned Star of the IPLVirat Kohli, the batting maestro and former captain of the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), holds a unique distinction in the Indian Premier League (IPL): he has never been sold in an IPL auction. This intriguing fact stems from his early association with RCB, which dates back to the inaugural season of the IPL in 2008.As a young emerging player, Kohli was not eligible to participate in the inaugural IPL auction. Instead, he was selected by RCB through a pre-season draft, recognizing his exceptional talent showcased in the U-19 World Cup. RCB's decision to retain Kohli over the years has kept him from entering the IPL auction.Kohli's loyalty to RCB and their unwavering trust in his abilities have fostered a strong relationship. The IPL allows teams to retain a certain number of players ahead of each auction, and Kohli has been a constant fixture in RCB's retained list. His consistent performances and leadership qualities have made him indispensable for the franchise.As captain, Kohli guided RCB to four playoff appearances, showcasing his tactical acumen and ability to inspire his team. While the elusive championship remained out of reach, Kohli's individual accomplishments in the IPL are remarkable. He is the tournament's all-time leading run-scorer with 8004 runs in 252 matches, boasting an impressive average of 38.67.Kohli's 2016 campaign was particularly memorable, as he amassed a staggering 973 runs, setting the record for the most runs scored in a single IPL season. His exceptional batting prowess is further highlighted by his unparalleled feat of scoring 8 centuries in the tournament, more than any other player.The combination of Kohli's consistent performances, leadership role, and marketability made him indispensable for RCB. The franchise has always prioritized his retention, preventing him from entering the IPL auction. Kohli's dedication to RCB and his deep connection with the fans have ensured that he remains one of the few players in IPL history never to have been auctioned, making his journey unique and significant in the league's history.

Smriti Mandhana, India's star batter, is preparing for the upcoming Women's T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates. Known for her aggressive batting and consistency, Mandhana has been a cornerstone of the Indian women's cricket team.In a recent interview with Star Sports, Mandhana revealed that Virat Kohli is her favorite cricketer. She praised Kohli's batting prowess and mindset, stating that she had sought his advice on batting techniques and handling expectations."When I met Kohli, I asked him a lot of things about batting," Mandhana said. "I wanted to know his mindset, especially since I had a problem with my grip changing. He told me that he doesn't view expectations as pressure, but rather as a motivation to perform for his team."Mandhana acknowledged that she had struggled with handling expectations in the past, but Kohli's advice helped her develop a more positive mindset. "After hearing it from him, I realized that I needed to focus on my own performance and not let expectations weigh me down," she said.Both Mandhana and Kohli represent Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in their respective leagues, the Women's Premier League (WPL) and the Indian Premier League (IPL). They are both iconic figures in Indian cricket, inspiring fans worldwide with their exceptional skills and leadership qualities.Mandhana's admiration for Kohli highlights the respect and camaraderie within the Indian cricket fraternity. Her willingness to seek guidance from a senior player like Kohli demonstrates her commitment to continuous improvement and her desire to become one of the best batters in the world.

Virat Kohli's century drought, spanning 1020 days and 83 innings, came to an end on September 8, 2022, during the Asia Cup Super 4 match against Afghanistan in Dubai. The Indian batting maestro, who had been struggling to find his rhythm in recent times, silenced his critics with a masterful knock of 122 off just 61 balls.Kohli's innings was a testament to his class and resilience. Opening the innings for India in the absence of Rohit Sharma, he seized the opportunity and played with a freedom that had been missing from his game for some time. His knock was a blend of power and finesse, as he effortlessly dispatched the Afghan bowlers to all parts of the ground.The century was Kohli's first in T20Is and his 71st across all formats internationally. It was also his first century since November 2019, when he scored a hundred against Bangladesh in a Test match.Kohli's unbeaten knock propelled India to an imposing total of 212 for 2, a target that proved insurmountable for Afghanistan. The Indian bowlers, led by Bhuvneshwar Kumar's five-wicket haul, restricted Afghanistan to 111 for 8, securing a comfortable 101-run victory.Kohli's return to form is a major boost for India ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia. The former Indian captain has been a key figure in India's success in the shortest format of the game, and his return to form will give the team a much-needed confidence boost.

Virat Kohli vs. Joe Root: Dinesh Karthik's Choice for the Best Test BatterFormer Indian wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik has sparked a debate by choosing Virat Kohli over Joe Root as the best Test batter of the current generation. Despite Root's superior statistical record, Karthik's preference stems from his close association with Kohli and his unwavering belief in his ability to perform under pressure.Karthik, who has shared the dressing room with Kohli for over a decade, acknowledges Root's impressive statistics but expresses a personal bias towards Kohli. He highlights Kohli's exceptional ability to excel in crucial moments and big series."Numbers will tell you it's Joe Root, but my heart, the fact that he (Kohli) is someone that I've seen play in close quarters for the longest time now, over a decade. I know how he loves playing those big moments, big series. And if somebody asks him questions, he will come back to you with answers so strong that you will be like, 'Wow, why did I even ask that question'," Karthik explained.While Root has recently surpassed Alastair Cook to become England's leading century-maker in Test cricket with 34 centuries, Kohli has faced a decline in form. However, Karthik's admiration for Kohli is rooted in his ability to perform when it is most needed."If I were given a choice of who would bat for my life, it would be Kohli. No doubt," Karthik added, emphasizing Kohli's dependability under pressure.Kohli's aggressive style and leadership in key matches have earned him widespread praise. Despite recent challenges, Karthik's support reflects a belief in Kohli's capability to win matches.

The term "Fab Four" was coined by Martin Crowe to describe the exceptional batting prowess of Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, Joe Root, and Kane Williamson. These four players have dominated Test cricket for the past decade, captivating audiences with their skill and consistency.In recent years, Williamson and Root have been in particularly impressive form, while Smith and Kohli have struggled to maintain their previous dominance. Root's recent twin centuries against Sri Lanka highlight his continued appetite for runs, while Williamson's average of 67.54 since 2020 is a testament to his batting prowess.Williamson has expressed his admiration for Root's performances, calling him "phenomenal" and praising his ability to convert fifties into centuries. He also acknowledged the contributions of Kohli and Smith, stating that they have "moved the game forward in a big way."Despite the comparisons and discussions about who is the best among the Fab Four, Williamson downplayed the idea that their performances serve as motivation for him. He emphasized that his primary motivation is to perform for his country and team.New Zealand, the reigning World Test Championship champions, will face a challenging schedule of six Tests in the sub-continent over the next two months. Williamson expressed excitement about the upcoming matches, viewing them as a tournament-like experience within the World Test Championship.