Cricket

Virat Kohli's Direct-Hit Brilliance Stuns Gujarat Titans, Underscores His Invaluable Contribution to RCBIn a moment of fielding brilliance, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) star Virat Kohli showcased his exceptional skills on the field, dismissing dangerous Gujarat Titans (GT) batter Shahrukh Khan with a direct-hit during the IPL 2024 match in Bengaluru.Kohli's precision and athleticism were on full display as he executed a direct-hit to dismiss Shahrukh, who was attempting a quick run. The crowd erupted in cheers, recognizing Kohli's invaluable contribution to his team's success.Teammate Cameron Green's awe-filled reaction to witnessing Kohli's exceptional fielding skills up close added an extra layer of appreciation to the moment. As Kohli executed the direct-hit to dismiss Shahrukh, Green's astonishment was palpable, reflecting the admiration shared by teammates and fans alike for Kohli's brilliance on the field.The incident occurred in the 13th over of the game, when GT batter Rahul Tewatia played RCB pacer Vijaykumar Vyshak's delivery with soft hands towards the off-side. Shahrukh got off the blocks to go for a quick run, and Tewatia sent him back, but it was too late by then, as an alert Kohli wasted no time and nailed a direct-hit in one motion at the bowler's end to rattle the stumps.GT innings were in tatters as they were five down after the departure of Shahrukh, who made 24-ball 37 with the help of five fours and a six, at the score of 87.Kohli's direct-hit dismissal of Shahrukh was a testament to his exceptional fielding skills and his unwavering commitment to his team. It was a moment that underscored his invaluable contribution to RCB's success and further cemented his status as one of the best fielders in the game.

Virat Kohli's Post-Match Dietary Indulgences: A Tale of Batters vs. BowlersIndian cricket superstar Virat Kohli recently shared his witty take on post-match dietary indulgences during a promotional event for his team, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). When asked about his favorite guilty pleasure snack after a match, Kohli humorously declared that there is no guilt involved, and one can eat freely.Kohli's remarks shed light on the contrasting experiences of batters and bowlers in cricket. While bowlers need to maintain their stamina and endurance throughout the match, batters face the possibility of a shorter stint on the field, potentially allowing them more flexibility in their post-match dietary choices."There is no guilt after the match, you can eat freely," Kohli quipped. "This is a fast bowler's topic because he has to bowl four overs. Hamara match toh 1 ball mein bhi khatam ho sakta hai (My match could even end in one ball). So we would have to see whether to eat that or not. For bowlers, it is easier. They know that they would have to sprint for 24 balls."Kohli's humorous response highlights the different physical demands faced by batters and bowlers during a match. Bowlers have to bowl a certain number of overs, which imposes restrictions on their dietary choices. Batters, on the other hand, might have more leeway in indulging in their favorite treats after a match, as their match could potentially end in just one ball.Kohli's candid remarks provide an entertaining and insightful glimpse into the mindset of a professional cricketer. They underscore the contrasting challenges faced by batters and bowlers while also injecting a dose of wit and humor into the discussion.

Royal Challengers Bangalore's (RCB) star batter Virat Kohli has been a consistent run-scorer in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season, despite facing criticism over his strike rate. Kohli currently sits second in the scoring charts with 500 runs in 10 matches, just nine runs behind Orange Cap holder Ruturaj Gaikwad. However, his innings have often been overshadowed by his debatable strike rate.Amidst the criticism, Kohli has found support from former India cricketers Irfan Pathan and Mohammad Kaif. They have slammed his critics for double standards, citing the example of SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) batter Travis Head.Head has been in impressive form in the IPL, scoring 396 runs in nine matches at a strike rate of over 194. However, during SRH's match against Rajasthan Royals (RR), Head struggled to time the ball, scoring 58 off 44 balls with a strike rate of 131.8.Irfan and Kaif argued that if Kohli had played a similar knock, his strike rate would have been heavily criticized. "According to his ability, you have never seen him play like this. No matter what you say that there was good bowling and everything, but every cricketer should be treated equally," said Irfan.Kaif echoed his sentiments, adding, "If this was Virat Kohli, I can guarantee that people would have said only 58 runs in 44 balls? What is this? They would say it is low and there would have debates about his strike rate. But I believe that this was a good innings by Head."Irfan further highlighted Kohli's importance to RCB, especially considering the team's struggles in the tournament. "But if there was Virat Kohli instead, people would have stuck to the strike rate but here we are talking about taking responsibility for team's victory, so please treat everyone equally," he added.Kohli himself has addressed the debate surrounding his strike rate, taking a swipe at his critics after the match against Gujarat Titans. "All the people who talk about [my] strike rate and me not playing spin well are the ones who love to talk about these things. But for me, it is just about winning the game. There's a reason why you do it for 15 years. Because you do this day in and day out and won games for your team," said Kohli.Kohli will have the opportunity to reclaim the Orange Cap when RCB face Gujarat Titans on Saturday.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Gujarat Titans (GT) are set to face off in a crucial Indian Premier League (IPL) match at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday. Ahead of the highly anticipated encounter, GT skipper Shubman Gill paid a surprise visit to the RCB dressing room, where he was greeted by former RCB captain Virat Kohli.In a lighthearted moment captured on video, Kohli playfully teased Gill, saying, "Badi jaldi aaya practice pe (you came very soon for practice)." The duo exchanged a few more words before Gill departed.Both GT and RCB have endured disappointing seasons thus far. RCB languishes at the bottom of the 10-team table with just three wins in 10 matches, while Gujarat has fared slightly better at No. 8 with four wins in 10 matches.Gujarat, who won the IPL title in their debut season in 2022 and finished runners-up in 2023 under the captaincy of Hardik Pandya, have struggled to replicate their success this season. RCB, on the other hand, has never won the IPL despite boasting a star-studded lineup.Kohli, who stepped down as RCB captain after the 2021 season, has been in impressive form this season. He is currently No. 2 in the list of run-getters with 500 runs in 10 matches, behind Chennai Super Kings captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, who has scored 509 runs in 10 matches.The match between RCB and GT promises to be a thrilling contest, with both teams desperate for a victory to revive their playoff hopes. Kohli's form and Gill's leadership will be key factors to watch in this crucial encounter.

The scorching heat in Karnataka has brought immense relief to Bengaluru with Friday afternoon's rain. However, the conditions have raised concerns for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) as they languish at the bottom of the IPL points table with only three wins from 10 matches.RCB's hopes of making the playoffs are hanging by a thread, and a rain-affected match against Gujarat Titans at the M Chinnaswamy stadium could extinguish their chances. Despite back-to-back wins, RCB has struggled to find consistency this season.Gujarat Titans, with two points more than RCB, are also in a precarious position in the race to the playoffs. After losing to RCB on their home turf last week, Shubman Gill and his team will be looking to capitalize on RCB's poor home form, having won only one of their five outings.Virat Kohli, the second-highest run-getter of the season, will be crucial for RCB. However, the spotlight will be on English all-rounder Will Jacks, who made a stunning IPL debut with an unbeaten 41-ball 100 against Mumbai Indians.RCB's batting lineup has been inconsistent, and they will need to improve their performance. Gujarat, too, will hope for their batters to deliver, especially in the Powerplay, which has been a weakness for them.In bowling, Gujarat has a significant advantage with spin ace Rashid Khan, while RCB lacks a tweaker of similar pedigree. Pacers on both sides have been unimpressive, and they will face a stern test at the big-hitting M Chinnaswamy stadium.

Former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly has expressed confidence in the Indian team's chances at the upcoming T20 World Cup, scheduled to be held in the USA and West Indies from June 2 to 29.Assessing the 15-member Indian squad, Ganguly praised the team's depth and match-winning capabilities. "They are a very strong team. All the 15 were good enough to be selected," he said.Ganguly highlighted the presence of star players such as Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, and Sanju Samson, emphasizing their ability to turn matches in India's favor. He also commended the inclusion of Shivam Dubey, a promising all-rounder.The former captain acknowledged the importance of spinners in the West Indies, where the pitches are typically slow and low. "They are playing in the West Indies, where the pitches will spin and will be slow and (will keep) low and big grounds. Spinners will be important," he said.Ganguly explained the decision to select an additional spinner over finisher Rinku Singh, stating that the team wanted to prioritize spin bowling. "They wanted to go with another spinner. He has not got a place, but it's just the beginning for Rinku."Regarding the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL), Ganguly, who is the team director of Delhi Capitals, acknowledged the intense competition among teams for playoff berths. "Everybody is on the same boat," he said.

Royal Challengers Bangalore's (RCB) rising star Will Jacks experienced an unforgettable moment when batting legend Virat Kohli celebrated his match-winning century against the Gujarat Titans. Jacks' blistering knock of 100 off just 41 deliveries propelled RCB to the fastest successful chase of a 200-plus target in IPL history.Jacks' innings was a masterclass in power-hitting, with six sixes and two fours coming off the last ten deliveries he faced. His unbeaten 166-run partnership with Kohli solidified RCB's position in the playoffs race."It was quite surreal for me," Jacks said. "Having seen him do as many things as he has and to him have been celebrating for me. It was quite an amazing feeling."Kohli, who scored 70 off 44, was equally impressed with Jacks' performance. "You got your next 50 in 10 balls, 31 (ball) 50, 41 (ball) 100. Second half was your day at the golf course," Kohli said.Jacks revealed that Kohli provided valuable guidance during the initial phase of his innings. "Virat kind of helped me through my first 15 balls where I was struggling and he showed good intent which is what we had spoken about," Jacks said.Jacks' century was a testament to his exceptional talent and the growing confidence he has gained in the IPL. His partnership with Kohli showcased the depth and firepower of RCB's batting lineup, making them a formidable contender for the title.

India's T20 World Cup Squad Selection: Rohit Sharma and Ajit Agarkar Address MediaOn Thursday, India captain Rohit Sharma and chief selector Ajit Agarkar held a press conference to discuss the recently announced T20 World Cup 2024 squad. The duo addressed various questions regarding the selection process, including the omission of Rinku Singh and Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli's strike rate, and the wicket-keeping choices.Rinku Singh and Shubman Gill SnubAgarkar acknowledged that leaving out Rinku Singh and Shubman Gill was a difficult decision. He emphasized that both players had performed well, but the selection was based on team combinations.Virat Kohli's Strike RateAgarkar and Rohit dismissed concerns about Virat Kohli's strike rate, stating that it was not a factor in his selection. They highlighted his experience and ability to perform at the highest level.Wicket-Keeping ChoicesSanju Samson and Rishabh Pant were selected as wicket-keepers, while KL Rahul was omitted. Agarkar explained that Rahul's role as an opener for his IPL franchise influenced the decision.Shivam Dube's SelectionDespite not bowling regularly in the IPL, Shivam Dube was included in the squad. Rohit attributed this to his all-round abilities and his previous performances for India.Hardik Pandya's Form and Vice-CaptaincyAgarkar and Rohit expressed satisfaction with Hardik Pandya's fitness and form. They hoped he would continue to improve in the remaining IPL matches. They also stated that there had been no discussions regarding his vice-captaincy.ConclusionThe press conference provided insights into the selection process for India's T20 World Cup squad. The selectors emphasized the importance of team combinations, experience, and versatility in their decision-making.

India's T20 World Cup Strategy: Jadeja Advocates Kohli as Opener, Rohit at Number ThreeFormer Indian all-rounder Ajay Jadeja has proposed a tactical shift for Team India in the upcoming T20 World Cup in the Americas. Jadeja believes that captain Rohit Sharma should move down to the number three position, allowing Virat Kohli to open the innings.Jadeja argues that Kohli's consistency and ability to anchor the innings make him the ideal candidate for the opening slot. "If you have Virat in your side, you know consistency is the one thing you will get, so, might as well use him," he said. "He's best at the top and the powerplay allows him to settle in."By moving Rohit down to number three, Jadeja believes he will have more time to assess the game and make informed decisions as captain. "He gets a little cushion and gets to understand the game, he has so much going on, in his mind as a captain," Jadeja explained.Jadeja also defended the inclusion of Hardik Pandya in the squad, despite his recent struggles in the IPL. "He's a special player, a rare commodity you find in our country where somebody bowls seam-up and can make it to the side with his batting," Jadeja said.However, Jadeja acknowledged that Pandya's selection was not based on current form. "The selection has not been on form, there's no doubt about it," he said. "It depends on how you want to play. It's one of the things I look at this team and think they don't have many options."Jadeja emphasized that the team's strategy will ultimately depend on Rohit's vision. "It will all depend on what Rohit thinks," he said.