Cricket

Pakistan's Babar Azam has etched his name in the annals of cricket history by surpassing Virat Kohli as the leading run-scorer in T20 Internationals. This remarkable feat was achieved during Pakistan's T20 World Cup encounter against USA in Dallas.Before this match, Kohli held the record with 4038 runs from 118 matches. However, Babar's steady 44-run knock off 43 balls pushed his total beyond Kohli's, marking a significant milestone in his illustrious career. With this, the Pakistan captain now has 4067 runs to his name.Babar's journey to the top was marked by key moments in his innings. Despite Pakistan's challenging start, losing early wickets, Babar navigated through a tricky pitch and a determined USA bowling attack. His innings included three boundaries and two sixes, each stroke exemplifying his class and determination.Babar's ability to anchor the innings while accelerating at the right moments was on full display. His performance was a masterclass in balancing aggression with caution, a hallmark of his batting style.Rohit Sharma joined the elite club of 4000 T20I runs with his recent performance against Ireland. Meanwhile, Kohli, unfamiliar with New York's playing conditions, fell early for just one run against Ireland, missing the chance to extend his lead.India are set to face Pakistan for their second match of the T20 World Cup in New York on Sunday.

Virat Kohli's uncharacteristic failure against Ireland in India's T20 World Cup 2024 opener has sparked a challenge from legendary Indian batter Sunil Gavaskar. Despite India's eight-wicket victory, Kohli's rare poor show, scoring only 1 run from 5 balls, has raised concerns.Gavaskar, however, remains confident in Kohli's ability to bounce back, stating that great players like him tend to make up for lost opportunities in subsequent matches. "They want to score double the runs," Gavaskar said. "And who better to score double the runs than against Pakistan?"India's victory against Ireland marked their most successive wins against a single opponent in T20 cricket. Skipper Rohit Sharma's half-century, Rishabh Pant's finishing touches, and Hardik Pandya and Jasprit Bumrah's impressive spells were instrumental in the win.Pant's winning shot in the 13th over sealed the victory, giving India their eighth win against Ireland in T20Is. This victory also extended India's winning streak against Ireland to eight, equaling their record against Bangladesh from 2009 to 2018.India's dominance in T20 cricket is further evident in their seven wins each against Australia, Sri Lanka, and West Indies. The Rohit Sharma-led side has established itself as a formidable force in the shortest format of the game.

India-Pakistan Rivalry: Hafeez Praises Kohli's Fitness and LegacyDespite the intense rivalry between India and Pakistan on the cricket field, players from both sides have consistently displayed mutual respect off the field. From Imran Khan's admiration for Sunil Gavaskar to Inzamam-ul-Haq's introduction of his son to Sachin Tendulkar, countless stories attest to the camaraderie between the cricketers of these two nations.Ahead of the highly anticipated clash between the archrivals on Sunday, former Pakistan captain Mohammad Hafeez has heaped praise on former India captain Virat Kohli, not only for his exceptional batting but also for his unwavering fitness.In a video shared on his social media handle, Hafeez stated, "Virat has not just set his standards in batting, but also in fitness. His transformation looks easy to us because he is so fit. No matter how much pressure is put on him, he absorbs it."Hafeez emphasized Kohli's unparalleled fitness, highlighting that he is not only the fittest player in India but also globally. "He has transformed himself and understands the importance of maintaining his standards. He could easily say that he has been playing for 15 years and it doesn't matter if his YoYo test score drops or his fat level increases, but he doesn't think that way," Hafeez said."He believes in playing as one of the best athletes and leaving a legacy that no one has left. This is why Virat Kohli is considered an icon in international cricket and the whole world," Hafeez concluded.Kohli's fitness and dedication have been instrumental in his success as a cricketer. With 4038 runs, he is the highest run-scorer in T20I cricket. In 10 T20Is against Pakistan, Kohli has amassed 488 runs at an impressive strike rate of 123.85 and an average of 81.33. His highest score against Pakistan is an unbeaten 82, which he scored in the last edition of the T20 World Cup at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), leading India to a memorable victory.

The debate surrounding strike rates in T20 cricket continues to rage, with former Pakistan opener Salman Butt taking aim at critics who lack experience in international cricket. Butt's comments come in the wake of criticism directed at Virat Kohli and Pakistan captain Babar Azam for their perceived slow strike rates.Butt argues that strike rate is a result of a process, and that batters develop a muscle memory for responding to different deliveries over time. He criticizes those who have not achieved significant success in international cricket for commenting on strike rates, saying that they lack the necessary experience to make informed judgments.Butt also highlights the importance of adapting to different situations in T20 cricket. He notes that Babar Azam and Kohli are both capable of scoring quickly when necessary, but that they also recognize the value of building an innings and playing according to the conditions.Butt's comments echo those of Babar Azam, who recently stated that he cannot bat like younger players such as Saim Ayub, and that Ayub cannot bat like him. Azam emphasizes that each batter has their own strengths and weaknesses, and that it is important to play to their own abilities.Pakistan's consistent performance in T20 international cricket is a testament to their ability to adapt to different conditions and play to their strengths. They have reached the semi-finals of six out of eight T20 World Cups, and were runners-up in 2007 and 2022.Despite their success, Pakistan has faced setbacks in recent tournaments. In the 2022 T20 World Cup final, they lost to England after an injury to Shaheen Afridi forced them to use a spinner in a crucial over.Babar Azam acknowledges the mistakes that have cost Pakistan in recent tournaments, and says that the team is working to overcome them. He believes that Pakistan has the potential to win the T20 World Cup, and that they will be looking to make a strong showing in the upcoming edition of the tournament.

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma: A Dynamic Opening Duo for India's T20 World Cup CampaignAs India gears up for its T20 World Cup opener against Ireland, former New Zealand pacer Simon Doull has proposed a bold strategy: pairing Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma as the team's opening batsmen. This move would capitalize on the exceptional form of both players and provide India with a formidable start to their innings.Kohli, despite limited experience as an opener in T20Is, has proven his prowess at the top of the order for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL. In the recently concluded IPL 2024, he emerged as the leading run-scorer with an impressive tally of 741 runs in 15 matches. His ability to anchor the innings and accelerate the scoring rate makes him an ideal candidate for the opening role.Sharma, on the other hand, is a seasoned opener with a wealth of experience in the format. His aggressive style and ability to hit boundaries from the outset would complement Kohli's more measured approach. Together, they form a formidable duo that could set the tone for India's batting performance.Doull's suggestion also addresses the need for a left-handed batsman in the top order. Rishabh Pant, who has been in impressive form, could slot in at No. 3, providing a point of difference and disrupting the opposition's bowling plans.The inclusion of Yashasvi Jaiswal as an opener is another possibility that has been discussed. Jaiswal has a solid track record as an opener for India in T20Is, but his inconsistency in the IPL 2024 raises some concerns. Doull believes that if Jaiswal is selected, it would likely come at the expense of Shivam Dube, which would be a surprising move.Doull's proposed batting order, with Kohli and Sharma opening, Pant at No. 3, Suryakumar Yadav at No. 4, Dube at No. 5, Hardik Pandya at No. 6, and Ravindra Jadeja at No. 7, offers a balanced combination of experience, power, and versatility.As India prepares for their first match of the T20 World Cup, the potential opening combination and batting order remain a focal point. Doull's suggestion of Kohli and Sharma as openers is a bold but intriguing move that could give India a significant advantage in their quest for the title.

Former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull has sparked speculation about a potential change in India's opening combination for the T20 World Cup 2024. Doull, who is currently working as a commentator for the tournament, revealed that he has heard rumors suggesting that Yashasvi Jaiswal could be set to open alongside Rohit Sharma in India's opening match against Ireland.This would be a significant departure from the expected opening partnership of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. However, Doull believes that Jaiswal's recent form and his ability to provide a left-handed option at the top of the order could make him a valuable asset to the team."I've heard rumors today that Jaiswal was the first into the nets," Doull said on Cricbuzz. "They've given him plenty of opportunity. That would surprise me if they bring him in. Who do they leave out? Shivam Dube? That would surprise me a touch."Doull also expressed his preference for Rishabh Pant to continue batting at No. 3, a role he filled in India's warm-up game against Bangladesh."It was just a way of getting him into that side and splitting up that middle-order combination of left-left-left," Doull said. "I didn't know about Hardik Pandya at the start, so for me, it was where do I fit Rishabh Pant? Take away, let's say, him, Dube and Jadeja... all batting at 5, 6 and 7. And just giving the top order a little point of difference. I'm pleased they gave it a chance against Bangladesh. It worked well. Will they go with it again? I think they should."If Jaiswal does indeed open with Rohit Sharma, it would be a bold move by India. However, it could also pay off, as Jaiswal is a talented young batsman who has shown great promise in recent months.

Representing one's nation on the international stage is an unparalleled honor for any athlete. The experience of standing before a packed stadium, united in song during the National Anthem, is an indescribable sensation.Ahead of India's opening match in the T20 World Cup against Ireland, former captain Virat Kohli shared his profound experience of singing the National Anthem in a packed stadium.Kohli's first encounter with the National Anthem being sung in a stadium was during the 2011 ODI World Cup. He recalls the overwhelming sense of unity and energy that permeated the atmosphere. "The force of it was something I have never experienced in my life," he said. "It gave me goosebumps all over because everyone is singing and everyone is just focused on one goal that India has to win."Kohli has witnessed the power of the National Anthem on numerous occasions, including the 2016 T20 World Cup in India and the 2011 ODI World Cup, where India reached the final. "There is no other thought in anyone's mind at that stage," he said. "And that energy is so powerful that if you are tuned to it, if you are involved in it, you can feel the energy of the crowd."Kohli believes that the energy of the crowd can be a driving force for athletes. "It's a very special thing when you feel the force of so many people behind you, pushing you towards winning the game for your team," he said.In the upcoming T20 World Cup, India will face Ireland, Pakistan, United States, and Canada in the group phase. Kohli's experience and leadership will be crucial as India aims to reclaim the World Cup title.

Pat Cummins Recalls Virat Kohli's Fanatical Fanbase in IndiaAustralian captain Pat Cummins has shared his experiences with Virat Kohli's passionate and aggressive fanbase in India. In a resurfaced video from 2020, Cummins spoke about the relentless attention he received from Indian media and fans after tweeting about Kohli.Cummins recalled an incident where he tweeted hoping Kohli wouldn't score a century. However, when Kohli scored a century against Australia six months later, Cummins' phone "blew up" with replies from Kohli's fans."Indian media... if you live on social media at all, you get absolutely hounded," Cummins joked. "Say anything about Virat Kohli, and look out for the next years."Cummins emphasized that he had intended his tweet as a compliment to Kohli, but it was misinterpreted by his fans."I thought it was a bit of a compliment, 'He's a great player, hope he doesn't score a hundred because he's a gun player,'" Cummins said.Despite the initial backlash, Cummins has had the last laugh in recent encounters with Kohli. In the 2023 World Cup Final, Cummins dismissed Kohli to disrupt India's innings. He also reached the IPL 2024 Final with Sunrisers Hyderabad.With India and Australia both considered favorites for the 2024 T20 World Cup, the possibility of more Kohli-Cummins encounters looms large.

Virat Kohli Should Open with Rohit Sharma in T20 World Cup, Says Sunil GavaskarLegendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has suggested that Virat Kohli should open the batting alongside skipper Rohit Sharma in India's T20 World Cup match against Ireland on Wednesday. Gavaskar believes that this move would allow Kohli to utilize his aggressive style of play and provide a solid foundation for the team's innings.Kohli has been India's designated number three batter in the white-ball format for a long time. However, he has been in excellent form lately, scoring 741 runs in 15 matches for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the recent IPL season. Gavaskar believes that Kohli's current form warrants a promotion to the opening slot."Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to open the batting along with Yashasvi Jaiswal at three," Gavaskar said on 'Star Sports' while giving his preferred line-up for the game.Gavaskar also picked Rishabh Pant ahead of Sanju Samson for wicketkeeping duties and Mohammed Siraj ahead of left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh. He believes that Pant's aggressive batting style and Siraj's ability to swing the ball both ways make them better options for the team."Suryakumar Yadav at four, Rishabh Pant at five. At number six, I would have Hardik Pandya, number seven would be Ravindra Jadeja, number eight, not necessarily in that batting order, Shivam Dube. Number nine Kuldeep Yadav, number 10 Jasprit Bumrah and number 11 will be Siraj," he said.India will face Ireland in their opening match of the T20 World Cup on Wednesday. They will then take on arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday.