Cricket

India, the tournament favorites, will face Afghanistan in their opening Super 8 match of the T20 World Cup on Thursday. Virat Kohli, eager to return to form, and Kuldeep Yadav, hoping for an opportunity, will be in focus for India.The main talking point ahead of the game is the composition of the Indian team. India must decide whether to stick with the same line-up that succeeded in the group stage or include Kuldeep Yadav, their top spinner from the past year, possibly at the expense of a fast bowler.Captain Rohit Sharma has expressed interest in playing all four all-rounders—Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, and Ravindra Jadeja. This approach has worked in the bowler-friendly conditions in New York, and Rohit is likely to stick with the team that extends their batting until number 8.To accommodate Kuldeep, India would need to drop either Mohammed Siraj or Arshdeep Singh, with Siraj being the more likely candidate to be benched. Recent practice sessions suggest the pitch may favor spinners, strengthening Kuldeep's case. Additionally, a gentle breeze at Kensington Oval could assist pacers in swinging the ball during the powerplay.All eyes will be on Kohli, who has yet to score double digits in the tournament. His aggressive approach did not pay off in New York, but he is expected to excel on the better wickets in the Caribbean. At 35, Kohli is known for his high intensity and dedication, as demonstrated during training sessions.Afghanistan arrived at the Super 8s following a heavy defeat to the West Indies in St Lucia. Their previously dominant bowling attack was dismantled by the powerful West Indies batting lineup. Captain Rashid Khan dismissed the loss as a minor setback, maintaining that Afghanistan still has a strong chance of reaching the semifinals.Rashid will rely heavily on left-arm pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi, who has been prolific in the powerplay and is the tournament's leading wicket-taker with 12 wickets. Farooqi's ability to swing the ball back in will be a significant challenge for Rohit and Kohli.Rashid himself will aim to take wickets while maintaining a low economy rate during the middle overs.

Wesley Hall Gifts Book to Virat Kohli, Praises Indian CricketersAhead of India's Super 8 clash against Afghanistan in the ongoing T20 World Cup, legendary West Indian fast bowler Wesley Hall met with Indian batting star Virat Kohli and presented him with a copy of his book, "Answering to the Call."Hall, known for his blistering pace during his playing days, expressed his admiration for Kohli, calling him a "great player" and wishing him continued success with the Indian team. The book, published in November 2022, chronicles Hall's illustrious cricketing career and his journey to becoming one of the most feared pacers in the game's history.In addition to Kohli, Hall also gifted copies of his book to Indian head coach Rahul Dravid and captain Rohit Sharma. "I gave three books today. I gave a book to the captain, another one to the coach, and Virat Kohli. All three of them are great players. It's good to see people getting rewarded. Sometimes, you are a good player, and you haven't made it. I think they have done very well for India," Hall told ANI.Hall, now 86 years old, revealed that he closely follows Kohli's statistics and expressed his hope that the Indian batter would reach the milestone of 100 international centuries. "I follow your stats, so I know you're on some 80 centuries. Get 100 centuries," Hall said to Kohli.India, who won the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007, will be eager to improve upon their performance in the previous edition, where they failed to reach the final. The team has been in impressive form in the group stage of the ongoing tournament and will look to maintain their unbeaten record as the competition intensifies.

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, two of India's most prolific batters, are on the cusp of a significant milestone as the T20 World Cup enters the 'Super 8s' stage. Both players are just 104 runs away from surpassing Pakistan captain Babar Azam as the leading run-scorer in T20 internationals.Kohli, who has played 120 T20Is, has amassed 4042 runs in 112 innings. Sharma, on the other hand, has scored the same number of runs in 146 innings across 154 matches.India will resume their campaign with their opening 'Super 8s' game against Afghanistan in Barbados on Thursday. This will be their first match in the Caribbean after playing three group-stage matches in New York.The 'Men in Blue' qualified for the 'Super 8s' as Group A toppers, defeating Ireland, Pakistan, and USA. They will face Afghanistan on June 20, Bangladesh on June 22, and Australia on June 24 in the 'Super 8s'.Kohli and Sharma's pursuit of the T20I run-scoring record adds an extra layer of intrigue to India's quest for their second T20 World Cup title. The team last lifted an ICC trophy in 2013 when MS Dhoni's side won the Champions Trophy.India came close to ending their ICC trophy drought last year, reaching the final of both the World Test Championship and the ODI World Cup. However, they fell short on both occasions.With Kohli and Sharma in prime form, India will be hoping to break their 11-year wait for another ICC trophy. The 'Super 8s' stage provides them with a perfect opportunity to showcase their skills and make a statement on the global stage.

Virat Kohli, the Indian cricket superstar, has regained his position as the country's most valuable celebrity, according to the 2023 Celebrity Brand Valuation Report by Kroll. With a brand value of USD 227.9 million, Kohli has witnessed a significant 29% increase from 2022, when his valuation stood at USD 176.9 million.Kohli's resurgence has pushed actor Ranveer Singh to the second spot, with a brand value of USD 203.1 million. Shah Rukh Khan, buoyed by the success of his recent films, has climbed to the third position with a valuation of USD 120.7 million.The report highlights that while Kohli's brand has grown, it has not yet reached the peak of USD 237.7 million achieved in 2020. Aviral Jain, managing director for valuation advisory services at Kroll, attributed Shah Rukh's remarkable return to the top five to his successful film releases.The rankings have also seen adjustments due to Shah Rukh's rise. Akshay Kumar now holds the fourth position with a brand value of USD 111.7 million, followed by Alia Bhatt in fifth place with USD 101.1 million. Deepika Padukone has slipped to sixth place with a valuation of USD 96 million.Former India captain MS Dhoni has moved up one spot to eighth place with a brand value of USD 95.8 million, while legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar maintains his eighth position with a valuation of USD 91.3 million. Salman Khan has climbed one spot to become the tenth most valuable celebrity brand in 2023, with a value of USD 81.7 million.The combined valuation of the top 25 celebrity brands has reached USD 1.9 billion in 2023, marking a 15.5% increase from the previous year. Among the rising stars, actor Kiara Advani has experienced a meteoric rise to rank 12, while Katrina Kaif has debuted on the list at rank 25.Kroll's assessment is based on the brand value of celebrities derived purely from their earning potential through product brand endorsements. This includes full-fledged endorsements, digital campaigns, one-time campaigns, and website appearances. Merchandising earnings were not considered in the analysis due to the dominant contribution of brand endorsements to a celebrity's brand value.

Kolkata Knight Riders' young pacer Harshit Rana has been making headlines for his on-field antics, particularly his controversial flying-kiss send-off. However, Rana has made it clear that he would never direct such a gesture towards Virat Kohli, the legendary Indian batter.Rana's flying-kiss celebration, initially aimed at Mayank Agarwal during an IPL match, resulted in a breach of the IPL Code of Conduct, leading to financial penalties and a match suspension. Reflecting on the incident, Rana clarified that it was not premeditated and was not intended for a player of Kohli's stature."I didn't plan to do that (flying-kiss send-off) in the first match, nor in the second match. Then people started saying, 'Show us if you could do that in the RCB match,'" Rana explained.When asked about the possibility of performing such a celebration against Kohli, known for his aggressive demeanor on the field, Rana expressed utmost respect. "That's why I didn't provoke him. I have respect for him (Kohli), respect for all players, but I can't do that in front of him," Rana emphasized.Rana's disciplinary issues did not end with the flying-kiss incident. His exuberant antics on the field, though entertaining to some, crossed the line of acceptable conduct in professional cricket. The IPL disciplinary committee sanctioned Rana with a one-match suspension and fined him his entire match fee for his second breach of conduct during the season.This marked Rana as the first player in IPL 2024 to face such penalties. Despite the controversy, Rana, who racked up 25 wickets in 21 games for the IPL 2024 champions, remained a key figure for KKR, known for his pace and aggression, albeit now tempered with a lesson in the importance of respectful competition in cricket's premier tournament.

Virat Kohli, India's star batter, is determined to improve his performance after a disappointing US leg of the T20 World Cup. During a practice session at the Kensington Oval in Barbados, Kohli faced off against Jasprit Bumrah, one of the world's best bowlers. Despite not scoring runs in the US, Kohli displayed a hunger to turn things around and make this World Cup his own.Kohli's batting coach, Vikram Rathour, expressed confidence in his ability, stating that he has been batting beautifully in the nets. Kohli's practice session included facing short balls aimed at his rib-cage, which he pulled ferociously, and driving pitched-up deliveries with precision.Another key player for India, Ravindra Jadeja, is also seeking batting form. He was one of the first to join Kohli in the batting nets and showed signs of improvement. The team management is confident in Jadeja's ability as a big-game player and wants him to be ready for the final leg of the tournament.In addition to batting practice, the Indian fielders also engaged in drills at the Kensington Oval. The green expanse provided an opportunity for them to hone their skills, which they missed out on due to damp conditions in the US.As India prepares for their first Super 8 game against Afghanistan on Thursday, Kohli and Jadeja are determined to make a significant impact. The team is confident in their abilities and is eager to prove themselves on the field.

India Intensifies Preparations for T20 World Cup Super 8s in CaribbeanThe Indian cricket team has arrived in the Caribbean for the Super 8s stage of the T20 World Cup, determined to make a strong impact after a mixed performance in the group stage. The team held an intense practice session in New Delhi, with key players Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, and Kuldeep Yadav putting in extra effort to prepare for the crucial matches ahead.Kohli, who struggled for form in New York, scoring only 1, 4, and 0 in the group stage, was seen working on his batting technique in the nets. He focused on lofted drives and pull shots, aiming to regain his rhythm and make a significant contribution in the Super 8s.Jadeja, who has yet to make a notable impact with either bat or ball, also participated in the practice session. The all-rounder was only required to bat once and was not heavily relied upon for his bowling in New York, but he is expected to play a more prominent role in the Caribbean conditions, which favor spinners.Kuldeep, who has not featured in the playing eleven thus far, is also likely to be included in the team for the Super 8s. The left-arm spinner is expected to be a key weapon for India in the Caribbean, where pitches have traditionally favored spinners.The entire Indian squad participated in the practice session, eager to make the most of the opportunity after not having played since completing the New York leg on June 12. Poor weather conditions in Fort Lauderdale prevented any training or play, making this session all the more important.The pitches in New York were heavily criticized for being slow and unresponsive, but the surfaces in the Caribbean are expected to be more conducive to high-scoring matches. In the tournament so far, a score of 200, considered par in the IPL, has only been surpassed twice, both times in the Caribbean. Even a total of 150 has often proven to be competitive.Indian captain Rohit Sharma was seen inquiring about the condition of the training pitches, given the importance of adapting to the local conditions. Kohli and Jadeja spent a significant amount of time in the nets, working on their batting techniques. Rishabh Pant, India's most impressive batter in the tournament so far, also faced deliveries from Bumrah, Hardik, Kuldeep, and Axar Patel in the nets.With the breeze blowing across the facility, Mohammed Siraj and Arshdeep Singh managed to generate significant swing with the ball, indicating that the conditions in the Caribbean could be favorable for swing bowlers as well.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has urged India to make a bold move and open the batting with young sensation Yashasvi Jaiswal in the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup. Vaughan believes that Jaiswal's exceptional batting skills and left-handedness would provide India with a much-needed advantage.During India's group stage matches, star batter Virat Kohli was promoted to open with captain Rohit Sharma. However, Kohli has struggled to find form, scoring only 1, 4, and 0 in the three games. Vaughan suggests that Kohli should return to his preferred position at number 3, allowing Jaiswal to take on the opening role.Vaughan also advocates for Rishabh Pant to bat at number 5 in the Super 8 matches, which will be played in the Caribbean. Pant has been batting ahead of Suryakumar Yadav in the group stage, but Vaughan believes that his aggressive style would be more effective in the middle order."I love Yashasvi Jaiswal, I'd want him to be opening the batting. Virat or Rohit at No.3, I'm not too bothered by which right-hander goes to No.3. Shivam Dube is at No.5 but in the Caribbean I'd have Rishabh Pant in there. Yashasvi is an incredible player. He is such a good batter, I would want him in," Vaughan said on Cricbuzz.Vaughan emphasizes the importance of having left-handed batters in the team, a mistake he believes India has made in the past. Jaiswal's left-handedness would provide a different dimension to India's batting lineup and make it more difficult for opposing bowlers to contain.India's final group match against Canada was washed out, but they still finished top of Group A with 7 points and a Net Run Rate (NRR) of +1.137. They will now face the second-placed team from Group B in the Super 8 stage.

Former Indian cricketer Wasim Jaffer has urged the team management to retain the opening batting combination of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma for the Super Eight phase of the ongoing T20 World Cup. Despite their underwhelming performances in the tournament so far, Jaffer believes the experienced duo will bounce back and find their rhythm in the crucial matches ahead.Kohli, who entered the World Cup in impressive form after a stellar IPL 2024, has struggled to make an impact, scoring only five runs in three innings. Rohit, too, has been inconsistent, accumulating 68 runs in three matches with a solitary half-century against Ireland.However, Jaffer emphasized the importance of sticking with the experienced pair, even though they have encountered difficulties in their recent performances. He explained that altering the batting lineup could create additional issues and hinder the effectiveness of crucial players such as Rishabh Pant and Suryakumar Yadav."Now that you are stuck with both of them, I don't think it's gonna make sense because you're gonna split both of them up," Jaffer said. "You might probably think of playing Yashasvi Jaiswal. That's probably what you're thinking, and then Rishabh Pant, who has done so well at number three, he has to bat even lower down the order, probably at number four. Then where does Suryakumar Yadav bat? So it's going to mess up the whole batting order, so I think they'll probably stick with that."Jaffer stressed that Pant has excelled at the number three position, while Yadav performs best when batting higher in the order. He believes that altering the batting lineup could disrupt the team's rhythm and hinder the performance of key players."Rishabh has done well at number three. Suryakumar, you don't want to bat him any lower than that, so I think they'll stick with that. But yeah, they have to go really hard in the powerplay. We've seen when Australia have done that against England, they were so ahead in the powerplay, getting that 74 runs. That's where you can make a mark. So Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, the way they are batting, you could see that happen in the powerplay in West Indies."India secured their spot in the Super Eight with a resounding seven-wicket victory against co-hosts USA. As they gear up for their Caribbean clash with a formidable Afghanistan side, the Men in Blue will heavily rely on the resilience and skill of Kohli and Rohit to regain their form and lead the team to success.