Cricket

Former Indian cricketer Anil Kumble and ex-Australian all-rounder Shane Watson have heaped praise on Virat Kohli for his exceptional performances in the ongoing IPL 2024 season. They expressed confidence in his ability to maintain his prime form during the upcoming T20 World Cup.Kohli's scintillating knock of 92 off 47 balls, coupled with a collective bowling effort, propelled Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a resounding 60-run victory over Punjab Kings. Kumble commended Kohli's relentless pursuit of excellence, highlighting his remarkable contribution of 634 runs in the tournament."He's been in outstanding form. He had a break coming into this IPL, and since then, he's been relentless in his pursuit of excellence," Kumble remarked. He emphasized the importance of Kohli's performance in the T20 World Cup, saying, "For India's sake, you'd want his form to continue in the World Cup as well."Watson lauded Kohli's all-round impact and his ability to elevate the performance of his teammates. He acknowledged the significance of the opportunities presented to Kohli early on, allowing him to capitalize and showcase his batting prowess effectively."They got some opportunities early as Virat Kohli was dropped twice. This allowed him to get going in his innings and he batted so beautifully once he capitalized on those chances," Watson remarked.Furthermore, Watson highlighted Kohli's contribution in the field, particularly his electrifying run-out to dismiss Shahshank Singh. "In the field, they made a couple of little errors, but you could see the intensity crank up in the field when they needed it to. Some great catches and a great run-out from Virat Kohli to get Shashank out," Watson concluded.Kohli's exceptional performances have not only boosted RCB's chances of success but have also raised expectations for Team India in the upcoming T20 World Cup. His ability to maintain his prime form and lead his team to victory will be crucial for India's hopes of lifting the coveted trophy.

Virat Kohli's unwavering dedication to training has enabled him to overcome his limitations and maintain his status as one of the world's top batters, according to former Australian all-rounder Tom Moody.Despite being 35 years old, Kohli has showcased remarkable agility and fitness, as evidenced by his brilliant direct hit run-out against Punjab Kings. Moody praised Kohli's ability to execute such a challenging play, highlighting his exceptional focus and determination.Kohli's season total now stands at 634 runs at an average of 70.44, placing him among the leading run-scorers in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Moody attributed Kohli's success to his continued commitment to improving his skills, even if he may not train as intensely as he once did.Kohli's mastery of the slog-sweep has proven to be a potent weapon against spinners in the middle overs. Moody believes that Kohli's ability to adapt and innovate has been crucial to his success.With Kohli in top form, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have turned their season around, winning four consecutive games after a dismal start. Moody believes that RCB still have a chance of making the playoffs if they continue to play with the same intensity and determination.Kohli's exceptional performance has been a delight for fans, and Moody believes that his presence on the field is worth every penny. RCB will play their final two league games at home, and Kohli's continued brilliance will be key to their playoff hopes.

Virat Kohli's childhood coach, Rajkumar Sharma, has come to the defense of the star batter amidst ongoing scrutiny surrounding his performance and strike rate in T20 cricket. Sharma praised Kohli's resilience and match-winning prowess, highlighting his contributions to Indian cricket.Despite criticism from former cricketers and pundits questioning Kohli's suitability for the upcoming T20 World Cup, the batter has responded with stellar performances in the IPL 2024 season. With 634 runs in 12 games, including one century and five fifties, Kohli has silenced his critics with an average of 70.44 and a strike rate of 153.51.In a post-match interaction after his match-winning 92 against Punjab Kings, Kohli emphasized the importance of quality over quantity. He explained that his understanding of the game allows him to practice less and focus on replicating his past successes.Kohli also showcased his commitment to expanding his skillset, demonstrating his ability to adapt to different situations. He highlighted his use of the slog sweep against spinners, a shot he hadn't practiced but had executed successfully in the past.Sharma's unwavering support for Kohli underscores the batter's enduring legacy in Indian cricket. Despite facing criticism, Kohli has consistently delivered match-winning performances, proving his value to the team. His ability to adapt and evolve his game is a testament to his dedication and commitment to excellence.

Pakistan's T20I captain Babar Azam is gearing up for the team's upcoming tours of Ireland and England, which will serve as preparation for the 2024 T20 World Cup. Pakistan has been placed in a group alongside India, USA, Ireland, and Canada for the marquee event.Azam was reinstated as captain after Pakistan's disappointing performance at the 2023 ODI World Cup. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has placed its faith in Azam to lead the team to glory at the T20 World Cup.However, former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has issued a peculiar challenge to Azam. Ali, likely referring to Azam's low strike rate in T20Is (129.41), stated that if Azam hits three consecutive sixes against top teams (excluding USA and Thailand), he will shut down his YouTube channel. Ali also suggested that if Azam cannot accept this challenge, he should not open the batting at the T20 World Cup.Azam has recently expressed that the team will be devising specific tactics to counter India's star batter Virat Kohli in their high-profile clash at the T20 World Cup. During their previous T20 Cup encounter in 2022, Kohli played a pivotal role in India's victory, scoring an iconic 82* off 53 balls.Speaking at a media conference, Azam acknowledged that while the team does not plan specifically against individual players, they will be preparing for Kohli, whom he described as "one of the best players.""We do not plan anything against one player. We plan for all 11 players. We do not know much about the conditions in New York and we will plan accordingly. He [Virat Kohli] is one of the best players and we will plan against him as well," Azam said.

Virat Kohli, the talismanic batter of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), once again showcased his brilliance on the cricket field in their emphatic victory over Punjab Kings at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala.Kohli, batting at his customary opening position, unleashed a scintillating innings, amassing 92 runs off just 47 deliveries. His knock was studded with six towering sixes and seven boundaries, propelling RCB to a formidable total of 241 for 7. Rajat Patidar (55 off 23 balls) and Cameron Green (46 off 27 balls) provided valuable contributions, maintaining the momentum in the middle and late overs.Kohli's exceptional batting performance earned him the Orange Cap, becoming only the second batsman after KL Rahul to score 600-plus runs in four IPL seasons. He now boasts an impressive tally of 634 runs in 12 innings.On the bowling front, Harshal Patel emerged as the standout performer for RCB, claiming three wickets for 38 runs. His impressive spell earned him the Purple Cap, with his wicket tally now standing at 20 in 12 innings.Punjab's chase faltered in the 17th over, with the team dismissed for 181. Despite Rilee Rossouw's valiant knock of 61 off 27 balls, the Kings were unable to match RCB's imposing total.Kohli's brilliance extended beyond his batting, as he produced a stunning moment of fielding brilliance. In the 14th over, after a collision between Shashank Singh and RCB skipper Faf du Plessis, Kohli ran in from deep mid-wicket and executed a direct hit to run out Singh, who had scored a quickfire 37 off 19 balls.The third umpire confirmed Singh's dismissal, with replays showing his bat short of the popping crease. Kohli's exceptional fielding effort highlighted his all-around abilities and contributed to RCB's fourth consecutive victory.With this win, RCB moved to 10 points, keeping their playoff hopes alive. Kohli's match-winning performance once again underlined his status as one of the greatest players in the history of the Indian Premier League.

Virat Kohli's mastery of the sweep shot has emerged as a crucial scoring weapon for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL). After successfully countering the spin trio of Gujarat Titans with the sweep earlier this season, Kohli once again relied on this shot to dominate the bowling of Punjab Kings (PBKS).In RCB's recent victory over PBKS, Kohli's slog-sweep and slog accounted for 26 of his 92 runs off 47 balls. This shot opened up other scoring options for him, allowing him to maintain a strike rate of 195.74. Despite being dropped twice, Kohli remained aggressive and led RCB to a formidable total of 241 for 7."I've brought out the slog-sweep to the spinners," Kohli said after receiving the Player-of-the-Match award. "I just mentally put myself in that situation and I didn't practice it at all. I know I can hit it because I've hit it a lot in the past."Kohli's ability to execute the sweep shot has been a significant factor in RCB's recent success. It has allowed him to score runs against spinners and expose the off-side field."For me, that has been a massive factor in this IPL," Kohli added. "I think it just takes a bit more conviction and taking out that thought that props up: 'what if you get out'. I've been managing to stay ahead of that thought in this IPL and that's really helped me in the middle overs."Kohli's knock helped RCB secure their fourth consecutive win, keeping them in contention for the playoffs. The team had previously endured a six-game losing streak after their victory over PBKS in their second match of the season.RCB has since found a winning formula, both at home and away. Kohli believes that the one-run defeat to Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens was a turning point in their campaign."The only way to go through a long tournament is to be absolutely honest with yourself," Kohli said. "We were just not good enough in the first half of the tournament. We had an honest chat in the change room. That's not good enough. Playing at this level, we need to pull up our socks and be a bit more brave with the ball and bat."RCB captain Faf du Plessis echoed Kohli's comments, praising the team's batters and bowlers for adapting to the demands of the IPL."I think we've scored 200-plus in the last five-six games," du Plessis said. "Really the method and aggression has been good to see. We had some really good conversations halfway through the season where we felt like we were making the same mistakes over and over again. We changed a bit of the method in the way we approach the game and aggression with the bat was certainly one of them."

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) skipper Faf du Plessis has expressed concerns despite his team's fourth consecutive win in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022. While acknowledging the team's recent success, du Plessis emphasized the need for improvement and learning from recurring mistakes.RCB's latest victory came against Punjab Kings at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala on Thursday. Virat Kohli's spectacular 92 off 47 deliveries, combined with a united bowling performance, propelled RCB to a commanding 60-run victory. This crucial win keeps RCB's playoff aspirations alive, marking their fourth successive triumph.However, du Plessis is not satisfied with the team's performance and believes there is room for improvement. "We have scored 200-plus in the last 5-6 games, but we have been making the same mistakes over and over again," he said after the match. "We need more aggression with the bat and we need to take more wickets."Du Plessis highlighted the importance of addressing these concerns promptly. "We have 6-7 options in the bowling department, and we need some form in our side," he said. "We also need a bit of luck, but the boys have shown character to turn it around."The RCB captain is confident that the team can overcome its challenges and perform well in the remaining matches. "We want to stick to the style of play that we want to do," he said. "If we do that, it'll prove that we are a really good team."

Virat Kohli's unwavering commitment to excellence was once again evident as he led Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) to a resounding 60-run victory over Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) match in Dharamsala. His emphatic statement, "For me, it's still quality over quantity," served as a resounding response to his critics.Kohli's performance was instrumental in RCB's triumph, showcasing his unwavering focus on delivering results when it matters most. His 92 runs off just 47 deliveries formed the backbone of RCB's innings, featuring crucial partnerships with Rajat Patidar (55 off 23 balls) and Cameron Green (46 off 27 balls).Kohli's response reflects his unwavering confidence and dedication to his team, underscoring his reputation as a player who prioritizes the success of his team over personal milestones. "For me, it's still quality over quantity. For me, it works really well. Also, the understanding of the game allows you to practice less, just try to replicate what I have done in the past. Still aiming to improve aspects of the game that you want to get better at. It's an evolving process," Kohli said at the post-match presentation.Kohli's commitment to improving his game was evident in his execution of the slogsweep against the spinners. "I didn't practice it, I know I have hit it in the past. Always looking to expose that side of the field against spin. I know I need to take risks, it needs a bit of conviction. I have been managing to stay ahead of that thought," he added.Kohli's determination to maintain a high strike rate for himself and his team was also evident. "I am trying to keep up with the strike rate for me and the team. The only way to go through a tournament is to be honest with ourselves. We had those losses on the trot, we just had an honest conversation. We needed to pull up our socks. That game against KKR went down to the wire. We wanted to play for our self-respect. We just can't go out there and play in such a way and disappoint our fans. The confidence is back, and we are on a roll. We wouldn't have to depend on several other aspects (had we played better earlier in the tournament)," Kohli said.This victory marks RCB's fourth consecutive win, elevating them to 10 points in the standings. On the other hand, Punjab Kings' hopes for a playoff berth were dashed, as they are now eliminated from contention, unable to surpass a maximum of 12 points from their remaining two fixtures.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) secured a crucial 60-run victory over Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Thursday, keeping their playoff hopes alive.Virat Kohli was the star of the show for RCB, smashing a blistering 92 off 47 deliveries. He formed a formidable partnership with Rajat Patidar, who contributed a quickfire 55 off 23 balls. Cameron Green also chipped in with a valuable 46 off 27 balls, helping RCB post a formidable total of 241/7.In response, PBKS got off to a flying start thanks to Rilee Rossouw's explosive 61 off 27 balls. However, Karn Sharma's twin breakthroughs triggered a collapse, and PBKS were eventually bowled out for 181 in 17 overs.Swapnil Singh, Karn, and Lockie Ferguson claimed two wickets each for RCB, while Mohammed Siraj picked up three.Kohli's innings was a masterclass in batting. He timed the ball to perfection, using his feet and wrists to find the boundaries with ease. He reached his fifty in just 32 balls and continued to accelerate, hitting seven fours and six maximums.Patidar provided the early momentum for RCB, smashing six maximums and three fours during his 23-ball 55. After Patidar's dismissal, Kohli and Green continued the onslaught, taking RCB past the 200-mark.PBKS's chase started brightly, with Rossouw looking unstoppable. However, Karn's breakthroughs turned the tide in RCB's favor. Jitesh Sharma, Liam Livingstone, and Shashank Singh all fell in quick succession, leaving PBKS reeling at 126/5.Sam Curran and Ashutosh Sharma offered some resistance, but it was too little too late. RCB's bowlers maintained their discipline, ensuring that PBKS never got back into the game.With this victory, RCB moved to 10 points, while PBKS were eliminated from the playoff race. RCB will now face Delhi Capitals in their next match, while PBKS will take on Sunrisers Hyderabad.