Cricket

Virat Kohli's inclusion in India's T20 World Cup squad has sparked debates about his role in the team. While some believe he should open the batting, others suggest he should play as an anchor. However, former Australia all-rounder Tom Moody believes there is no such thing as an anchor in T20s.Kohli has been in impressive form for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL, scoring 500 runs at a strike rate of 147.49. This has led to suggestions that he could open the batting for India at the T20 World Cup, alongside Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal.However, Moody believes that Kohli should not be pigeonholed into a specific role. "He's got many gears. He needs to work through those. He's smart enough and experienced enough to adjust to 11-an-over or 9-an-over required rate," said Moody.Kohli has a proven track record in T20 internationals, having played some sublime knocks for India. His 82 against Australia in Mohali during the 2016 T20 World Cup and his 82 not out against Pakistan in Melbourne during the 2022 T20 World Cup are just two examples.Former India pacer Irfan Pathan believes that Kohli will have a major impact on the upcoming T20 World Cup. "Jab waqt aata hai, yehi player akela khada hota hai, Virat Kohli (when it's required, he is the player who stands alone)," said Pathan.India will open their T20 World Cup campaign against Ireland on June 5 in New York, followed by the big game against Pakistan on June 9 at the same venue.

Virat Kohli's consistent performance in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) and his inclusion in India's T20 World Cup squad underscore his enduring value to the team. Despite concerns about his strike rate, cricket experts unanimously included him in their 15-member line-ups.Former India pacer Irfan Pathan believes Kohli will be the key player in crucial chases during the T20 World Cup. "When it's required, he is the player who stands alone," said Pathan. "There will be a point during the T20 World Cup when there will be need, and the guy you will find chasing it till the end will be him, Virat Kohli."Kohli's impressive IPL record, with over 500 runs including a century and four fifties at a strike rate of 147.49, further supports his inclusion. Pathan highlighted Kohli's proven track record in chases, earning him the nickname 'chase master.' He cited the India vs Pakistan match in Melbourne during the T20 World Cup where Kohli's 53-ball 82 not out led India to a famous four-wicket win."Pick all the big matches, especially when chasing, you won't find a bigger player than him in T20 cricket," said Pathan. "He has a calculative mind. He keeps talking about chasing runs and the target."Kohli's experience and big-match temperament make him a crucial asset for India in the upcoming T20 World Cup. The tournament runs from June 2 to 29 and will be jointly hosted by the West Indies and USA. India play their opening group match against Ireland on June 5 in New York, followed by the highly anticipated clash against Pakistan at the same venue on June 9.

Former South African cricketer AB de Villiers has come to the defense of Indian batter Virat Kohli, criticizing "data-driven pundits" who have been criticizing Kohli's strike rate in the Indian Premier League (IPL).De Villiers, who played alongside Kohli for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), praised Kohli as one of the greatest players to ever play the game. He said that Kohli's role in the RCB team is to play a certain way, and that he has been "incredible" in that role."Virat Kohli, catching criticism about his strike rate. It's been going on for way too long and I am sort of fed up with that now. I'm frustrated to say the least. This guy is one of the best players to ever play the game of cricket. He's incredible in the IPL, he plays a certain role for RCB, and I've pretty much had enough of data-driven pundits who keep criticizing this man. When you don't really have knowledge of the game. How many games of cricket have you played, how many IPL hundreds have you scored?," De Villiers said on his official YouTube channel.Kohli has been in good form in the IPL this season, scoring 500 runs at a strike rate of 147.49 in 10 matches. He has hit 46 fours and 20 sixes.In RCB's previous match against Gujarat Titans, Kohli scored a quick-fire 70* to help his team to victory. He also achieved a landmark feat during the match, becoming the second player to score 24 half-centuries while chasing a target in the IPL.De Villiers' comments come after Kohli has been criticized by some for his relatively low strike rate in the IPL. However, De Villiers believes that Kohli's strike rate is not a fair measure of his contribution to the team."I think it's important to look at the context of the game. What is the team's strategy? What is the player's role in the team? And what is the player's strengths and weaknesses?," De Villiers said."In Virat's case, he is a player who is very good at playing the anchor role. He can come in and stabilize the innings, and he can also accelerate when needed. He is also a very good fielder and a great leader. So, I think it's important to look at all of these factors when evaluating a player's performance," De Villiers added.

Virat Kohli, the Indian cricket legend, has been facing relentless criticism for his batting approach and strike rate in the ongoing IPL 2024. Despite being one of the tournament's leading run-scorers, Kohli has been questioned about his inclusion in India's squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup.Following Royal Challengers Bangalore's victory over Gujarat Titans, Kohli addressed the criticism, stating that he is unfazed by the chatter. However, former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull believes Kohli should not be paying attention to social media."Why is he bothering? I mean, seriously, the bloke is such a good player. Why is he bothering reading the rubbish that some people write or why are people reading it and telling him? I don't understand that," Doull said on Cricbuzz.Doull questioned why Kohli would engage with social media and use it to justify his actions in post-match interviews. He suggested that Kohli may be reading social media or having someone else read it for him.Kohli, in his response, emphasized that his priority is winning games for his team, not maintaining a specific strike rate. "For me, it's about winning the games for the team and there's a reason why you've done it for 15 years, you've done this day in and day out, you've won games for your teams," Kohli said.Doull acknowledged Kohli's experience but argued that those who have not played at the highest level may not fully understand the challenges involved. He suggested that Kohli should focus on his own game and not be distracted by external noise."People can talk about their assumptions day in and day out, but those who have done day in and day out, they know what's happening and it's a kind of muscle memory for me now," Kohli said.

Former South African cricketer AB de Villiers has come to the defense of Indian batsman Virat Kohli, calling him one of the greatest players in history and criticizing "data-driven pundits" for their criticism of Kohli's strike rate.In a video posted on his official YouTube channel, de Villiers expressed his frustration with the ongoing criticism of Kohli's strike rate, particularly in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He argued that Kohli's role in the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) team is to play a stabilizing role and that his strike rate should not be the sole measure of his performance."Virat Kohli, catching criticism about his strike rate. It's been going on for way too long and I am sort of fed up with that now. I'm frustrated to say the least. This guy is one of the best players to ever play the game of cricket. He's incredible in the IPL, he plays a certain role for RCB, and I've pretty much had enough of data-driven pundits who keep criticizing this man. When you don't really have knowledge of the game. How many games of cricket have you played, how many IPL hundreds have you scored?," de Villiers said.Kohli's recent performances in the IPL have silenced some of his critics. In the last game between RCB and Gujarat Titans (GT), Kohli made an impression with his blistering 70*. He was a major factor in Bengaluru's victory and dismissed the recent discussion regarding his strike rate.During the game, Kohli achieved a landmark feat during RCB's clash against GT. He now stands second in the list of players with the most half-centuries while chasing a target, with 24 scores of fifty or above. He is only behind David Warner, who has 35 half-centuries while chasing.The 35-year-old also tied Warner's record for the most IPL seasons with 500 or more runs. In an IPL season, Warner and Kohli have both scored 500 runs or more seven times.Kohli's performances in the IPL have been a reminder of his class and ability. Despite the criticism he has faced, he remains one of the most respected and feared batsmen in the world.

Virat Kohli, the batting maestro and icon of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), recently showcased his remarkable cricketing knowledge in a fun video shared by the team on social media. The challenge was to name cricketers starting from the letter A to Z in one go.Kohli, known for his prolific run-scoring, passed the test with ease, demonstrating his deep understanding of the game. The video, captioned "Could Virat Kohli guess the names of cricketers starting from A all the way to Z in one go?", has garnered immense attention on social media.Despite losing his top spot and the Orange Cap to Chennai Super Kings captain Ruturaj Gaikwad in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) edition, Kohli remains a formidable force. With 500 runs to his name so far, he still has a chance to reclaim the Orange Cap in the remaining four matches.However, RCB's playoff hopes are virtually over, as they languish at the bottom of the 10-team table with only three wins in 10 matches. Despite their disappointing performance, Kohli's individual brilliance continues to shine through.The video highlights Kohli's exceptional cricketing acumen and his ability to recall names and details with remarkable accuracy. It also serves as a reminder of his unwavering passion for the sport and his dedication to the game.

Former Indian cricketers Irfan Pathan and Mohammad Kaif have strongly advocated for Yashasvi Jaiswal to partner Rohit Sharma as India's opening batsman in the upcoming Men's T20 World Cup. They believe Jaiswal's left-handedness would neutralize the threat of left-arm fast bowlers and spinners, a common strategy employed by opposing teams.Pathan emphasized that Jaiswal's aggressive approach and ability to counter left-arm spinners would be crucial in the tournament. He argued that the Rohit-Jaiswal combination would allow Virat Kohli to bat at number three, where he has excelled in ICC events.Kaif echoed Pathan's views, stating that Jaiswal's attacking style and Rohit Sharma's power-play dominance would create a formidable opening partnership. He also highlighted the importance of Kohli's experience and ability to bat through the innings at number three.However, both Pathan and Kaif expressed disappointment over the exclusion of Rinku Singh and Ravi Bishnoi from the 15-member squad. Pathan praised Singh's finishing abilities and high strike rate, while Kaif acknowledged Bishnoi's fielding skills and potential as a spinner.They emphasized that India must play with aggression and determination to break their World Cup drought. Pathan stressed the need for fearless cricket in knockout matches, while Kaif pointed out the importance of winning big matches to lift the trophy.India will kick off their Men's T20 World Cup campaign on June 5 against Ireland. They are placed in Group A alongside Pakistan, Canada, and tournament co-hosts USA.

Chennai Super Kings' Ruturaj Gaikwad has emerged as the leading run-scorer in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, surpassing Royal Challengers Bangalore's Virat Kohli. Gaikwad's exceptional batting performances have propelled him to the top of the run-scoring charts, with an impressive tally of 509 runs in just 10 matches.Gaikwad's remarkable consistency has been a key factor in his success. He has scored a century and four fifties so far, maintaining a remarkable strike rate of 146.69. His ability to score runs at a brisk pace while maintaining a high strike rate has made him a valuable asset to the Chennai Super Kings.In the recent match against Punjab Kings, Gaikwad once again showcased his batting prowess, scoring a well-timed six off Sam Curran to bring up his third consecutive fifty in the tournament. His 48-ball 62 played a crucial role in CSK's modest total of 162 for seven.Gaikwad's consistent performances have been instrumental in CSK's success this season. His ability to provide a solid foundation at the top of the order has allowed the team to build strong totals and put pressure on the opposition.While Virat Kohli is just nine runs behind Gaikwad in the run-scoring charts, it is expected that Gaikwad will retain the Orange Cap in the upcoming matches. His impressive form and consistency make him a strong contender to finish as the leading run-scorer in IPL 2024.

Legendary South African cricketer AB De Villiers, a cornerstone of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) franchise from 2011 to 2021, remains deeply connected to the team. Despite being on vacation in Mauritius, De Villiers recently showcased his unwavering support for RCB.In a heartwarming family vlog posted on social media, De Villiers captured the breathtaking scenery of Mauritius while on a high-speed boat ride. Amidst the excitement, he couldn't resist belting out RCB's iconic chant, "Ee sala cup namde," which translates to "This year, the cup will be ours."De Villiers' unwavering loyalty to RCB extends beyond his on-field contributions. He has consistently defended his former teammate Virat Kohli, who has faced criticism for his approach and strike rate. In a recent YouTube video, De Villiers expressed his frustration with the constant scrutiny, reminding everyone that Kohli is the highest run-scorer in IPL 2024."I am fed up and frustrated with the criticism about Virat's strike rate," De Villiers said. "He's one of the best to ever play the game, and he's been incredible in the IPL. He plays a specific role for RCB, and I've had enough of these data-driven pundits who criticize him without understanding the game."De Villiers emphasized that Kohli's strike rate this season has been even better than his record-breaking 2016 campaign. He urged Kohli to continue playing his natural game, stating, "Virat, keep playing like you are."De Villiers' unwavering support for RCB and his defense of Kohli highlight the enduring bonds he has forged during his time with the franchise. His passion for the team and his belief in his former teammates continue to inspire fans and demonstrate the enduring legacy he has left on the IPL.