Cricket

Virat Kohli Expresses Gratitude to PM Modi for Congratulatory Call After T20 World Cup TriumphIndian cricket star Virat Kohli has extended his heartfelt thanks to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a congratulatory call following the team's historic T20 World Cup victory on Saturday. Kohli, who was named Player of the Match for his match-winning knock of 76 against South Africa in the final, took to social media to express his appreciation for the Prime Minister's kind words and encouragement."Dear @narendramodi sir, thank you so much for your very kind words and your support and encouragement always. It has been a privilege to be a part of this team which has brought the cup home. We are deeply touched & overwhelmed with the happiness it has bought the entire nation," Kohli wrote on Twitter.Earlier in the day, captain Rohit Sharma also thanked Modi for praising Team India for winning the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. "Thank you so much @narendramodi sir for your kind words. The team and I are very proud to be able to bring the cup home and are truly touched by how much happiness it has brought everyone back home," Sharma wrote on Twitter.Following India's victory, PM Modi called the team to congratulate them. He praised Rohit Sharma's leadership and impressive T20 career. Both Rohit and Kohli have announced their retirement from T20 Internationals after India snapped their 11-year ICC trophy drought."Time for the next generation to take the T20 game forward. It's been a long wait for us, waiting to win an ICC tournament. You look at someone like Rohit, he's played 9 T20 World Cups and this is my sixth. He deserves it," Kohli said."That was my last game as well. Honestly, I have enjoyed it since the time I started playing this format. There is no better time to say goodbye to this format. I have loved every moment of it. I started my India career playing this format. This is what I wanted to do. win the Cup and say (goodbye)," said Rohit.The T20 World Cup victory marks a significant milestone for Indian cricket, ending a long wait for an ICC trophy. The team's performance throughout the tournament was commendable, with key contributions from all players. The victory has brought immense joy and pride to the nation, and the players have been hailed as heroes.

Pakistan Cricket Legends Laud Kohli and Sharma's Retirement TimingFollowing India's triumph in the T20 World Cup, several Pakistani cricket greats have praised Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma for their impeccable timing in announcing their retirement from the format.Zaheer Abbas, a batting stalwart of yesteryear, expressed his admiration for Rohit Sharma's batting prowess and Kohli's exceptional records. He hailed Rohit's World Cup victory as a testament to his greatness.Javed Miandad, one of Pakistan's greatest batters, commended both players for retiring at the right time. He emphasized that their departure from T20 internationals in glory was a fitting end to their illustrious careers. Miandad also highlighted their role as role models for aspiring cricketers.Legendary pacer Waqar Younis lauded Rohit and Kohli for their ability to deliver in crucial situations and win matches for India. He also praised Jasprit Bumrah's exceptional bowling throughout the World Cup, crediting him as a match-winner for India.Rashid Latif attributed India's success and their three ICC event finals appearances in the past year to the team management's alignment with the players. He praised Rahul Dravid and his support staff for providing clear direction to the team.Shahid Afridi acknowledged Rohit's exceptional leadership and Kohli's consistent performance in big matches. He commended their decision to retire on a high after leading India to the World Cup title.Mohsin Hasan Khan, a former Test batter and chief selector, emphasized the importance of retiring in glory. He expressed his admiration for Rohit's leadership and Kohli's hunger for success. Khan also noted that India had the talent to fill the void left by their retirements.Rohit Sharma's unmatched five centuries in T20Is and two T20 World Cup titles have solidified his status as a legend in the format.

The Indian cricket team will require two to three years to regain its dominance in T20 cricket following the international retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, according to BCCI President Roger Binny.Kohli, 35, and Sharma, 37, played pivotal roles in India's second T20 World Cup triumph on Saturday, defeating South Africa by seven runs in a thrilling final. However, both players have now stepped away from the T20I format."There is so much talent in the IPL, and many cricketers are coming through, but it will take some time to bridge the gap after the retirement of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from T20Is," Binny said."They have contributed so much. It's going to take time. We will probably see in the next two-three years, the team coming back into its own without them."Sharma leaves T20Is with 4231 runs from 159 matches, including five centuries and 32 fifties. Kohli, in 125 T20I matches, scored 4188 runs at an average of 48.69, with his highest score being 122 against Afghanistan in 2022.Both players will continue to play in the IPL and represent India in ODIs and Tests.Binny, who was part of India's 1983 ODI World Cup-winning team, believes that the maiden World Cup victory transformed India from underdogs to contenders."In 1983, we went as underdogs. But after that, that tag was taken off us. Whenever we go into World Cup, people expect India to win. No one is taking us lightly anymore," he said.The conclusion of the T20 World Cup marks the end of Rahul Dravid's tenure as head coach. There is speculation that former opener Gautam Gambhir will replace him, but Binny declined to comment on the matter."Nothing concrete has come yet. Gautam Gambhir has a lot of experience. He has worked with teams. He played Test matches, ODIs, T20s. Let's see," he said.

Rahul Dravid, India's former head coach, set a final goal for star batter Virat Kohli after the team's triumph in the T20 World Cup. Dravid urged Kohli to conquer the World Test Championship, referencing Kohli's impressive collection of limited-overs global trophies."All three white ticked off, one red to go. Tick it," Dravid told Kohli, referring to Kohli's victories in the T20 World Cup, ODI World Cup, and Champions Trophy. Dravid repeated warmly, "Go tick it."Dravid's tenure as India's coach ended on a high note after his appointment in 2021. India secured their second T20 World Cup title by defeating South Africa by seven runs, the first being in 2007 under Mahendra Singh Dhoni.India's cricket achievements include ODI World Cup victories in 1983 and 2011, along with Champions Trophy titles in 2002 and 2013.The celebratory video also featured Suryakumar Yadav, who made a remarkable catch to dismiss David Miller in the final. Yadav expressed his overwhelmed feelings, saying, "No feelings right now, I don't know what to say."Pacer Arshdeep Singh proudly showed polaroid photos taken before and after the final, illustrating his belief in the team's success. "This is what belief can do," he said.With India celebrating this significant achievement, the focus now shifts to future goals, inspired by the legacy of its cricketing legends.

The T20 World Cup 2024 final between India and South Africa witnessed a thrilling climax, with India emerging victorious by a narrow margin of 7 runs. However, the Player of the Match award, which went to Virat Kohli, has sparked a debate among cricket experts.Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar expressed his surprise at Kohli receiving the award, arguing that his knock of 76 runs off 59 balls had put India in a precarious position. Manjrekar believes that the Indian bowlers, particularly Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, and Arshdeep Singh, deserved the recognition for their exceptional death bowling that rescued India from the brink of defeat."By playing that innings, Hardik Pandya, one of their most devastating batters, had just two balls to face. So I thought India's batting was good, but Virat Kohli had potentially played an innings that would've put India in a tight corner. And it almost proved to be that, before these guys' bowlers came in the end," Manjrekar said.Manjrekar emphasized that India were in a losing position, with South Africa having a 90% chance of victory. He believes that the bowlers' remarkable turnaround saved Kohli's innings, which had a strike rate of 128 for nearly half of the innings."My Player of the Match would've been a bowler because they actually took the game from the jaws of defeat and won it for India," Manjrekar added.However, former Zimbabwe cricketer Andy Flower had a different perspective. He believes that India's batting performance was sufficient, with a total of 176 runs on the board. Flower acknowledged that if India had lost the match, Kohli would have faced significant criticism."If India had been pipped there, there would've been a lot of criticism going Virat Kohli's way, I'd reckon. At the halfway mark, I thought India had enough, and that it was going to be a very difficult chase for South Africa," Flower said.The debate over the Player of the Match award highlights the crucial role played by both the batters and bowlers in India's victory. While Kohli's innings provided a solid foundation, the bowlers' exceptional performance in the final overs ultimately secured the win.

Virat Kohli, the legendary Indian cricketer, has bid farewell to the shortest format of the game, Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). His decision marks the end of an era for Indian cricket, as Kohli has been a pivotal figure in the team's success over the past decade.Kohli's T20I journey began in 2010, and he quickly established himself as one of the most prolific batters in the format. His aggressive style of play and ability to chase down targets earned him the moniker "ultimate chase master." Kohli's most memorable T20I performance came in the 2016 World Cup final, where he scored an unbeaten 82 off 52 balls to guide India to victory.However, in recent years, Kohli's T20I form has declined. The rapid evolution of the format, with its emphasis on higher strike rates and a less risk-averse approach, has posed challenges for the veteran batter. Despite occasional flashes of brilliance, Kohli has struggled to maintain his previous level of consistency.Kohli's decision to retire from T20Is is a testament to his understanding of the changing landscape of the game. He recognizes that the demands of modern T20 cricket may not be best suited to his current skillset. By stepping away from the format, Kohli can focus on his other commitments, including Test and One-Day International (ODI) cricket.Kohli's legacy in T20Is is undeniable. He is the leading run-scorer in the format, with over 3,300 runs at an average of 50.80. He has also scored 30 half-centuries and one century. Kohli's aggressive batting style and unwavering determination have inspired a generation of cricketers.As Kohli embarks on the next chapter of his career, he leaves behind a void in the Indian T20I team. His experience, leadership, and ability to perform under pressure will be sorely missed. However, his contributions to the format will continue to be celebrated for years to come.

Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar has sparked controversy after failing to mention star batter Virat Kohli in his post celebrating the team's T20 World Cup triumph. Manjrekar credited captain Rohit Sharma, head coach Rahul Dravid, and chief selector Ajit Agarkar for the team's success, but his omission of Kohli, who was named 'Man of the Match' in the final, has drawn criticism from fans.Kohli's exclusion from Manjrekar's post is particularly notable given his significant contributions to the team's victory. After a slow start to the tournament, Kohli stepped up when it mattered most, scoring a crucial 76 in the final against South Africa. His innings helped India post a competitive total and ultimately secure the title.Kohli's performance in the tournament was a testament to his resilience and determination. Despite facing criticism for his recent form, he remained focused and delivered when his team needed him most. His innings in the final was a reminder of his class and ability to perform under pressure.Manjrekar's omission of Kohli from his post has raised questions about his objectivity as a commentator. Fans have accused him of bias and hypocrisy, pointing out that he had previously criticized Kohli's captaincy and form.The controversy surrounding Manjrekar's post has overshadowed the team's historic victory. India ended a 13-year wait to win an ICC title, and the players deserve to be celebrated for their achievement. However, the omission of Kohli from Manjrekar's post has cast a shadow over the celebrations and raised questions about the commentator's motives.

The Indian cricket team's triumph in the T20 World Cup 2024 was a bittersweet moment, marked by the emotional farewell of two legendary players, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. The victory, which came after a heartbreaking loss in the ODI World Cup final, brought tears of joy to the faces of the experienced duo.However, the celebrations were tempered by the announcement that both Kohli and Rohit had played their final T20I matches for India. The news sent shockwaves through the cricketing world, signaling a significant shift in the landscape of Indian cricket.Rohit, the team's captain, broke down in tears on the ground after the victory, while Kohli's fist bumps and aggressive celebration showcased his competitive spirit. The retirement of these two stalwarts leaves a void in the Indian team, as they were the most experienced members and provided stability and leadership.The departure of Rohit means India will need a new captain in the T20 format. Hardik Pandya is the frontrunner, having led the side in multiple series and served as Rohit's deputy in the World Cup. However, other options have emerged, such as Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill.Rohit's absence also creates a vacancy in the opening partnership. He and Kohli opened the batting in every game of the T20 World Cup, and the team will now need to find new talents to fill their shoes. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad are potential candidates.Kohli's retirement poses an even greater challenge. He has been the backbone of the Indian batting lineup for over a decade, providing stability and leadership. The team will need to find a replacement who can fill his shoes at the crucial No. 3 batting spot.Apart from Kohli and Rohit, the T20 World Cup final also marked the end of Rahul Dravid's tenure as head coach. His contract expired after the tournament, and he has decided not to renew it. The search for his successor is underway, with Gautam Gambhir being the current frontrunner.The retirement of Kohli, Rohit, and Dravid marks the end of an era for Indian cricket. The team will now enter a new phase, with a younger and less experienced squad. The future is uncertain, but the T20 World Cup victory provides a glimmer of hope for the years to come.

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, two of the most iconic cricketers of the modern era, have announced their retirement from T20 International cricket. Their contrasting personalities and playing styles have complemented each other perfectly, making them a formidable force in the Indian team for over a decade.Kohli, known for his aggressive and intense approach, has been a pillar of consistency for India. His relentless pursuit of excellence has earned him the respect of fans and opponents alike. Rohit, on the other hand, exudes calmness and composure, even in the most challenging situations. His elegant strokeplay and ability to adapt to any situation have made him one of the most successful batsmen in the world.Despite their differences, Kohli and Rohit share a deep respect for each other's abilities. They have always put the team's success ahead of their individual ambitions. This mutual respect has allowed them to coexist harmoniously, despite the intense competition and scrutiny that comes with being two of the biggest stars in the game.Their contrasting personalities were evident in their reactions to India's T20 World Cup triumph. Rohit, overcome with emotion, shed tears of joy. Kohli, on the other hand, remained composed, trying to soak in the moment while also acknowledging the contributions of his teammates.However, their shared respect for each other's achievements was evident in their post-match comments. Kohli praised Rohit's leadership and his role in India's victory. Rohit, in turn, acknowledged Kohli's immense contribution to Indian cricket.The retirement of Kohli and Rohit marks the end of an era for Indian cricket. They have been instrumental in India's rise to the top of the world rankings and have inspired a generation of young cricketers. Their legacy will continue to inspire and motivate future generations of Indian cricketers.