Cricket

Indian cricket star Virat Kohli celebrated his wife Anushka Sharma's 36th birthday with a heartfelt social media post. Kohli shared a photo of Anushka on Instagram, expressing his love and gratitude. "I would have been completely lost if I didn't find you. Happy birthday my love. You are the light to our world world. We love you so much," he wrote.Kohli's birthday wish has garnered immense attention on social media, reflecting the couple's popularity and the bond they share. Anushka, a renowned actress and film producer, has been a constant source of support for Kohli throughout his cricketing journey.Despite his impressive run of form in the ongoing IPL 2024, Kohli has faced criticism over his strike rate. Some fans and experts have argued that his slow scoring has hindered Royal Challengers Bengaluru's performance. However, Kohli has defended his approach, emphasizing his focus on winning games for his team."Not really, all the people who talk about strike-rates and me not playing spin well are the ones talking about this stuff. 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 after his side's victory over Gujarat Titans.Kohli's comments highlight the importance of experience and understanding the nuances of the game. He believes that his long-standing success in international cricket gives him the necessary perspective to navigate the challenges of the IPL.Despite the criticism, Kohli remains a vital cog in the Indian cricket team and Royal Challengers Bengaluru. His ability to anchor the innings and score consistently makes him a valuable asset to any side. As the IPL 2024 progresses, Kohli will be eager to prove his critics wrong and lead his team to success.

Virat Kohli's inclusion in India's T20 World Cup 2024 squad has sparked debate, with former Australian opener Matthew Hayden questioning whether the veteran batter is the right choice. Despite Kohli's impressive form in the ongoing IPL season, Hayden believes that the BCCI should prioritize performance over reputation.Kohli has been in scintillating form for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), amassing 500 runs in just 10 matches, including four half-centuries and a century. His crucial knock of 70 off 44 balls against Gujarat Titans on Sunday further cemented his status as a key player for RCB.However, Hayden argues that Kohli's slow strike rate and lack of impact in the middle overs could be a liability for India in the T20 World Cup. He suggests that the BCCI should consider younger players who are more suited to the demands of modern T20 cricket."From an Australian cricket point of view, our philosophy is pretty simple. We pick not the names or the icons but select those who are going to win you the World Cup," Hayden said. "We've got our own debates on our front. David Warner... should he go? We've had our challenges and I think we have been very good over the last 20 or even 30 years to actually think what is the side that is going to win."Hayden acknowledges Kohli's impressive statistics but questions whether he is the best option for India in the T20 World Cup. "This Virat Kohli discussion is probably the primary discussion here. Is he the individual who is going to win you the World Cup? I mean, his last ODI World Cup was a fantastic campaign. He has got nothing wrong with his statistics, historically no matter what tournament he plays.""So the challenge from mine is his experience vs the young impetus that is required to play great World Cup cricket."Despite the concerns raised by Hayden, the BCCI has shown faith in Kohli by including him in the 15-man squad for the T20 World Cup. It remains to be seen whether Kohli can justify his selection and lead India to victory in the tournament.

Virat Kohli's recent performance in the IPL 2024 has sparked discussions about his strike rate. However, renowned commentator and former national team coach Ravi Shastri has come out in support of Kohli, emphasizing the importance of performance within the broader team context.Shastri highlighted that Kohli's strike rate may drop when wickets fall around him, as was the case in his match-winning knock against Gujarat Titans. Kohli's gritty 70 off 44 balls, coupled with a stellar century from Will Jacks, steered RCB to a commanding nine-wicket triumph.Shastri also acknowledged RCB's mixed fortunes, noting that there are only 1 or 2 consistent performers. Despite this, Kohli's statistical prowess in IPL 2024 further accentuates his cricketing legacy. With over 7,700 runs, Kohli stands tall as the all-time leading run-getter in IPL history. His ability to consistently deliver, evident in achieving the 500-run milestone for the seventh time, places him in elite company alongside David Warner.Kohli's unwavering focus amidst criticism and Shastri's astute observations underscore the nuanced interplay between individual performance and team dynamics in cricket. Kohli's ability to adapt to different situations and contribute to team success, even when his strike rate may not be as high as some would like, highlights his value as a player.

The Indian cricket team has announced its 15-member squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, with several players earning their selection based on their impressive performances in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL).Rohit Sharma: The Mumbai Indians captain has been in scintillating form, scoring 311 runs in 9 matches at a strike rate of 160.30. His century against Chennai Super Kings was a standout performance.Hardik Pandya: Despite a disappointing IPL campaign, Pandya's all-round abilities have earned him a spot in the squad. He has scored 197 runs and taken 4 wickets in 9 matches.Yashasvi Jaiswal: The Rajasthan Royals opener has been in excellent touch, with a century against Mumbai Indians being the highlight.Virat Kohli: The former India captain has silenced his critics with a remarkable IPL season, amassing 500 runs at a strike rate of nearly 150.Suryakumar Yadav: The Mumbai Indians batter has been one of the most consistent performers in the IPL, with a belligerent 78-run knock against Punjab Kings being a standout.Rishabh Pant: The Delhi Capitals captain has returned to form after recovering from injuries, scoring 371 runs in 10 matches at a strike rate of 160.60.Sanju Samson: The Rajasthan Royals captain has been in excellent form, scoring 385 runs at a strike rate of 161.08.Shivam Dube: The Chennai Super Kings all-rounder has been a revelation, scoring 350 runs at a strike rate of 172.41.Ravindra Jadeja: The Chennai Super Kings all-rounder has contributed with both bat and ball, scoring 157 runs and taking 5 wickets.Axar Patel: The Delhi Capitals spinner has impressed with his all-round abilities, scoring close to 150 runs and taking 9 wickets.Kuldeep Yadav: The Delhi Capitals spinner has been in excellent form, taking 12 wickets in 9 matches.Yuzvendra Chahal: The Rajasthan Royals leg-spinner has been a standout performer, taking 13 wickets in 9 matches and becoming the first bowler to claim 200 wickets in the IPL.Arshdeep Singh: The Punjab Kings left-arm seamer has picked up 12 wickets in 9 games.Jasprit Bumrah: The Mumbai Indians pace ace has been in fabulous form, leading the wicket-takers' column with 14 scalps in 9 games.Mohammed Siraj: The Royal Challengers Bangalore pacer has been off-colour, taking only 6 wickets in 9 matches.

Ahead of the highly anticipated selection of the Indian squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, the Board of Control for Cricket India (BCCI) is reportedly engaged in discussions regarding the inclusion of star all-rounder Hardik Pandya. Sources within the BCCI have indicated that Pandya's current form in the Indian Premier League (IPL) is a subject of debate.As captain of the Mumbai Indians (MI) in IPL 2024, Pandya has overseen a disappointing campaign for his team. MI currently languishes in the bottom half of the table, with only three wins in nine matches. Pandya's individual performances have also been underwhelming, with the all-rounder scoring just 197 runs in nine games at an average of 24.62 and a strike rate of over 151. His highest score is 46.In addition to his batting struggles, Pandya has also been limited in his bowling output. He has bowled only 19 overs in the tournament, taking four wickets at an average of 56.75 and an economy rate of 11.94.The BCCI sources have also hinted that the upcoming T20 World Cup could potentially mark the final international T20I appearances for veteran players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Both players returned to the T20I set-up in January this year against Afghanistan, but their previous outing was the 10-wicket loss to England in the semifinals of the 2022 T20 WC in Australia.Following that disappointing result, Team India has experimented with younger players such as Ruturaj Gaikwad, Tilak Varma, Rahul Tripathi, Shubman Gill, and Yashasvi Jaiswal at the top of the order in the shorter format.Rohit and Kohli are two of India's most accomplished T20I batters. Kohli is the highest run-getter in T20I cricket, with 4,037 runs in 117 matches at an average of 51.75 and a strike rate of over 138. Rohit is the second-highest run-scorer in the format, with 3,974 runs at an average of over 31 and a strike rate of almost 140.The presence of both Rohit and Kohli in the team could potentially limit opportunities for promising young stars, who may find themselves in reserve roles rather than the playing eleven.

Virat Kohli's T20 form has been a subject of intense debate, with his strike rate and approach under scrutiny. However, a closer examination of his numbers reveals a more nuanced picture.In the ongoing IPL 2024, Kohli is leading the run charts with 500 runs at an average of 71.42 and a strike rate of 147. His middle-overs strike rate (137.17) is his highest since 2016, when he scored 973 runs. Against spin in the middle overs, he has struck at 138.4, his best in years.Kohli's power-play strike rate (154.43) is also at an all-time high. He has scored 244 runs in this phase, with 29 fours and 10 sixes. His death overs strike rate (168.00) is decent, though he has not had many opportunities to play in this phase.Overall, Kohli's strike rate against pace (157.69) is his highest since 2023. Against spin, his strike rate (135.66) is lower than in previous seasons, but still respectable.Despite the mixed debates, Kohli's numbers suggest that he remains a formidable T20 batter. His ability to anchor innings, accelerate when needed, and perform under pressure make him a valuable asset to any team.

Virat Kohli's performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 has sparked a heated debate over his strike rate and perceived lack of aggression. Critics have questioned whether he deserves a place in India's T20 World Cup team based on his recent performances.However, former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has vehemently defended Kohli, calling the question of his World Cup selection "disappointing." Pathan emphasized the importance of experienced players like Kohli and Rohit Sharma in the team, especially on slow and two-paced pitches."This question that is being raised is very disappointing. How can the question be raised whether or not Virat Kohli will get a place in the World Cup?" Pathan said on Star Sports. "We are talking about the Indian selection here, not the strike rate of IPL."Pathan acknowledged Kohli's struggles to accelerate in the middle overs but praised his ability to adapt to the situation and win games for his team. He pointed to Kohli's recent innings against the Gujarat Titans, where he scored a 44-ball 70 and helped RCB secure a victory."He wants his team to win, and that's why sometimes he's going to play slow, but he always wants to play according to the situation," Pathan said. "It's good news for Virat Kohli, good news for RCB, but in long-term, great news for Team India."Pathan expressed his disappointment with the focus on Kohli's strike rate, arguing that it overlooks his overall contributions to the team. "I've been actually talking about it from day one. Don't question that because he's a big-match player. He always wins you games," Pathan said.

Virat Kohli's inclusion in India's T20 World Cup squad is a foregone conclusion, but the selection committee faces a dilemma: experience versus youth. Former Australian batsman Matthew Hayden believes the committee must weigh Kohli's proven track record against the potential of younger players.Kohli's recent IPL performances have silenced critics who questioned his place in the squad. With 500 runs in 10 matches, including one century and four half-centuries, he has demonstrated his enduring class. However, Hayden raises concerns about Kohli's ability to adapt to the slow and low wickets expected in the United States and West Indies.Hayden suggests that India's young T20 squad, which recently defeated Australia 4-1, could provide a more dynamic option. Players like Ruturaj Gaikwad and Yashasvi Jaiswal have shown exceptional talent and could bring a fresh impetus to the team.Hayden emphasizes that Australia's selection philosophy prioritizes players who can win the World Cup, regardless of reputation. He believes India should adopt a similar approach, focusing on players who can perform under pressure and deliver results.The selection committee must carefully consider the balance between experience and youth, weighing Kohli's proven ability against the potential of emerging stars. The decision will ultimately shape India's chances of success in the upcoming T20 World Cup.

Virat Kohli's strike rate has been a topic of debate throughout IPL 2024, despite the fact that he is the tournament's leading run-scorer. While Kohli has consistently delivered for Royal Challengers Bangalore, his approach and run-scoring pace after the powerplay have drawn criticism from fans and experts alike.Following another half-century in RCB's victory over Gujarat Titans, Kohli launched a fiery defense of his strike rate. Former India cricketer Irfan Pathan expressed disappointment over the ongoing discussion, emphasizing Kohli's status as a "big-match player" who consistently wins games."I don't understand where all the talks of strike rate come in. It actually disappoints me," Pathan said. "He's a big-match player. He always wins you games. And today look what he did. Look, it was a slow start. He played down the ground really well. He played the slog sweep really well as well. And this shot sweep shot. He doesn't play that much, but he played all around today, and that is why he's able to get that success."Pathan also highlighted Kohli's impressive form as a positive sign for India ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024. He urged critics to consider Kohli's average in addition to his strike rate."It's good news for Virat Kohli, good news for RCB, but in long term, great news for Team India because you know a lot of chatter has been there around for Virat Kohli's strike rate and his form. You have to just make it strike-rate plus average. He's got an orange cap on his hand, 500 runs, outstanding," Pathan added.Kohli's performance in IPL 2024 has silenced some of his critics, but the debate over his strike rate is likely to continue. However, Pathan's comments serve as a reminder of Kohli's match-winning abilities and the importance of considering his overall contribution to the team.