Cricket

Virat Kohli, the batting maestro, has returned from a break with a vengeance, surpassing Chris Gayle to become the player with the most sixes for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Kohli's remarkable achievement is a testament to his exceptional talent and unwavering loyalty to his franchise.Kohli's tally of 241 sixes for RCB is a testament to his dominance in the shortest format of the game. He has been a cornerstone of the RCB batting lineup since the inception of the IPL in 2008, and his ability to clear the boundary with ease has been a key factor in the team's success.The Indian star's six-hitting prowess is not limited to the IPL. He also holds the record for the most sixes in international cricket, with 113 to his name. His ability to hit the ball with power and precision makes him one of the most feared batsmen in the world.Kohli's recent form has been particularly impressive. In his first match back from a break, he smashed an unbeaten 83 against the Kolkata Knight Riders, including four sixes. This performance propelled him to the top of the Orange Cap standings, with 181 runs in the tournament.Kohli's resurgence is a welcome sight for RCB fans, who have been eagerly awaiting his return to form. With his experience, leadership, and ability to score runs at a rapid pace, Kohli is a vital cog in the RCB machine.As the IPL progresses, Kohli will be looking to continue his impressive run and help RCB challenge for the title. His six-hitting prowess will undoubtedly be a key factor in the team's success.

Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir's Heartwarming Embrace at IPL 2024 Sparks Fairplay ApplauseIn a heartwarming display of sportsmanship, former rivals Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir shared a warm embrace during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) vs Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) match at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Friday. The moment, captured by the official broadcasters, drew widespread praise from cricket legends Sunil Gavaskar and Ravi Shastri.Gavaskar, commentating alongside Shastri, remarked that the embrace deserved a fairplay award, while Shastri quipped that it warranted an Oscar. The gesture marked a significant departure from the heated exchanges between the duo on the field in the past.During the IPL 2023 season, Gambhir, then serving as mentor for the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), engaged in a verbal altercation with Kohli following a heated exchange between Kohli and LSG pacer Naveen Ul Haq. However, at IPL 2024, the hatchet seemed to have been buried as Kohli and Gambhir shook hands and shared a smile during the strategic timeout.The embrace between the two former India captains was widely shared on social media, with fans and experts alike applauding their display of sportsmanship. It served as a reminder that even in the heat of competition, fairplay and respect should prevail.The moment also highlighted the transformative power of time and the ability of individuals to move beyond past differences. Kohli and Gambhir's embrace symbolized the spirit of reconciliation and the importance of putting aside grudges for the greater good of the game.

Virat Kohli's scintillating half-century propelled Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to a thrilling four-wicket victory over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in an Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 encounter at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Friday.Kohli, continuing his impressive form in the tournament, crafted a masterful innings amidst a flurry of wickets at the other end. His exquisite flick off KKR's star acquisition Mitchell Starc in the third over, resulting in a towering six, left commentators Sunil Gavaskar and Ravi Kishan in awe."What a shot. Look at that bottom hand," exclaimed Gavaskar.RCB skipper Faf du Plessis opted to bat first after winning the toss, recognizing the fresh wicket's potential. However, KKR's bowlers made early inroads, dismissing Cameron Green and Rajat Patidar cheaply.Undeterred, Kohli anchored the innings with his trademark composure, finding boundaries and rotating the strike with ease. He received support from Glenn Maxwell, who contributed a valuable 32, and Anuj Rawat, who chipped in with 24.KKR's bowling attack, led by Starc and Varun Chakaravarthy, kept RCB in check, but Kohli's resilience proved too much to handle. He reached his half-century off 38 deliveries, setting the stage for a thrilling finish.With RCB needing 15 runs off the final over, Dinesh Karthik stepped up to the plate. The veteran wicketkeeper-batter smashed two boundaries off Harshit Rana to seal the victory with two balls to spare.KKR skipper Shreyas Iyer, who won the toss and elected to bowl first, admitted that the wicket offered assistance to spinners. He praised his team's bowling performance but acknowledged the need to capitalize on starts."It is important to stay in the present. We have to see to it that we capitalize on the start," said Iyer.RCB's victory marked their second consecutive win of the season, while KKR suffered their first defeat. Both teams will be eager to maintain their momentum in the upcoming matches.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 is set to witness a potential clash of titans as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) face off against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Friday. The match will be played at the M Chinnaswamy stadium, where the last encounter between Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli resulted in an intense on-field battle.Former KKR and RCB star Varun Aaron anticipates that Gambhir's presence in the Knight Riders dugout will ignite Kohli's competitive spirit. "I'm eagerly looking forward to the match-up outside the boundary line," Aaron said. "Gautam Gambhir is going to be right beside the Bengaluru dug-out, and I don't know what's going to happen there. We know Virat likes to have fire in his belly, and if he just looks at the Kolkata dug-out, he's going to get fired up."The rivalry between Gambhir and Kohli reached a boiling point during an RCB vs Lucknow Super Giants match in IPL 2023. Kohli initially clashed with LSG's Naveen-ul-Haq, prompting Gambhir to intervene and engage in a verbal altercation with the former.Gambhir later defended his actions, stating, "It is not about Naveen-ul-Haq. I would have defended any player, that is my job, that is how I am. Why should I not defend my players just because someone has a broadcaster working for him, left right and centre, someone who has more social media presence doesn't have any right to walk over someone."While Kohli and Naveen have since reconciled, the equation between Gambhir and the RCB star remains uncertain. The Friday night match will provide an opportunity to gauge the current dynamics between the two players.

Virat Kohli vs Mitchell Starc: A T20 Duel for the AgesWhen Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) face Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) on Friday night, the spotlight will inevitably fall on the tantalizing prospect of Virat Kohli facing off against Mitchell Starc. This highly anticipated encounter marks the first time these two cricketing giants will cross paths in the Indian Premier League (IPL).Starc, who is making his IPL return after a seven-year hiatus, was once a teammate of Kohli at RCB in 2015. Despite their shared history, they have never faced each other in the tournament. However, experts believe that Starc's left-arm swing bowling could pose a significant threat to Kohli's formidable batting prowess."I quite like [Starc's] match-up to Virat, the ability to swing the ball back down the line as a lefty," said Steven Smith, a former Australian captain and current ESPNcricinfo expert. "We have seen him [Kohli] get out on a few occasions to Shaheen Afridi, Trent Boult, Mohammad Amir."Smith believes that Starc will likely attempt to exploit Kohli's tendency to drive away from his body, similar to the strategy employed by Sam Curran in RCB's opening match against Punjab Kings. "Starcy's going to swing the ball back down the line early on, I'd imagine, and then use the wobble seam to go across him [Kohli], and potentially try and nick him off," Smith explained.Despite Starc's reputation as a world-class bowler, Kohli has a solid record against left-arm pace in T20 cricket. In 28 deliveries faced against Starc, Kohli has scored 47 runs without being dismissed. However, Smith believes that Kohli has likely studied Starc's bowling patterns and will be prepared for the challenge."You obviously learn as you go along, and you understand what players are trying to do to try and get you out," Smith said of Kohli. "I'm sure he would have seen that [data], and tried to improve on that throughout. So it's going to be a nice match-up."The Kohli-Starc duel is just one of the many intriguing storylines that will unfold in this highly anticipated IPL encounter. With both teams boasting a wealth of talent, the stage is set for a thrilling spectacle that will keep cricket fans on the edge of their seats.

Aaron Finch, the former Australian captain, has vehemently defended Virat Kohli's place in India's T20I setup, dismissing criticism of the star batter as "the biggest rubbish I have ever heard."As the ICC T20 World Cup approaches, debates have intensified over Kohli's suitability for modern T20 cricket. Some have questioned his conservative approach, arguing that it does not align with the aggressive style prevalent in the format.However, Finch believes that Kohli's experience and proven track record make him an indispensable asset to the Indian team. "He is the greatest white ball player I have ever seen," Finch declared. "It does not matter if he strikes at 140 and other guys strike at 160. When you pick up a team, you pick up a guy who gets the job done day in and day out for his team during big games."Kohli's recent performances have silenced his critics. In his previous IPL game against Punjab Kings, he smashed a majestic 77 off 49 balls, striking at over 157. He also took on bowlers aggressively during the middle overs, showcasing his adaptability to different situations.Kohli's impressive T20I resume further supports Finch's argument. He is the highest run-getter in the format, with 4,037 runs in 117 matches at an average of 51.75 and a strike rate of 138. He is also the leading run-scorer in IPL history, with 7,361 runs in 239 matches.In the ICC T20 World Cup, Kohli is the most decorated batter and its leading run-scorer. He has scored 1,141 runs in 27 matches at an average of 81.50 and a strike rate of 131.30. He was the 'Player of the Tournament' in 2014 and 2016, when India finished as runners-up and semifinalists, respectively.Kohli's ability to perform under pressure and his consistent contributions to the team make him a valuable asset for India. As Finch rightly pointed out, his experience and proven track record should outweigh any concerns about his strike rate.

Viral Video Sparks Outrage: Security Staff Allegedly Assaults Fan After Virat Kohli IncidentA disturbing video has emerged on social media, allegedly showing a fan being brutally beaten by security staff at a cricket stadium. The incident has sparked outrage and raised questions about the excessive use of force by security personnel.The video, which has gone viral, shows a group of security guards repeatedly hitting a fan with batons. The fan, who is seen lying on the ground, is unable to defend himself as the guards continue to assault him.Social media users have claimed that the fan in the video is the same person who breached security to meet Virat Kohli on the pitch during a recent Indian Premier League (IPL) match. The fan had touched Kohli's feet and hugged him, leading to his removal from the ground.However, it has not been confirmed whether the fan in the video is the same individual who met Kohli. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of fans at sporting events and the need for proper crowd management.The video has drawn widespread condemnation, with many calling for an investigation into the incident. Some have accused the security staff of using excessive force and violating the fan's rights."This is absolutely unacceptable behavior," said one Twitter user. "Security guards have no right to assault fans. They should be held accountable for their actions."Another user wrote: "This is a disgrace. The fan may have breached security, but that does not justify this level of violence. The authorities need to take action."The incident has also raised questions about the role of security personnel at sporting events. Some have argued that security guards should be trained to handle crowd situations in a more professional and humane manner."Security guards need to be trained to de-escalate situations and use force only as a last resort," said one expert. "They should not be allowed to use excessive force or violate the rights of fans."The authorities have not yet commented on the incident. However, it is expected that an investigation will be launched to determine the circumstances surrounding the assault.

Former Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) skipper Virat Kohli's childhood coach, Rajkumar Sharma, hailed the batter's match-winning performance against the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Monday. Kohli's batting masterclass, combined with finishing touches from Dinesh Karthik and Mahipal Lomror, sealed a four-wicket win for RCB at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.Kohli's 77-run innings was a testament to his class and experience. He registered a unique record during the match, becoming the first Indian and overall only third player to score 100 T20 fifty-plus scores. The 35-year-old was back at his vintage best, scoring 77 runs in 49 balls, with 11 fours and two sixes. He scored his runs at a strike rate of over 157.In 378 appearances, Kohli has scored 12,092 runs at an average of 41.26, with eight centuries and 92 fifties. His best score is 122*. Virat is India's leading T20 run getter and overall sixth.In terms of most fifty-plus scores, above Kohli are West Indies batting great Chris Gayle (110 fifty-plus scores including 22 centuries) and Australian great David Warner (109 fifty-plus scores including eight centuries).Coming to the match, Punjab Kings (PBKS) saw their batters getting starts but none of them could convert it into something big. Skipper Shikhar Dhawan (45 in 37 balls with five fours and a six), Jitesh Sharma (27 in 20 balls with a four and two sixes), and Sam Curran (23 in 17 balls) played decent knocks, but on a batting-friendly Chinnaswammy track, PBKS could muster only 176/6 in 20 overs.Mohammed Siraj (2/26) and Glenn Maxwell (2/29) took two scalps each. Yash Dayal and Alzarri Joseph took a wicket each.In the chase of 177, RCB continued to lose wickets at regular intervals, but Kohli (77 in 49 balls, with 11 fours and two sixes) held the ship steady at the other end. After his dismissal, things got tricky for RCB, but finishing from Dinesh Karthik (28* in 10 balls, with three fours and two sixes) and Mahipal Lomror (17* in eight balls, with two fours and a six) guided the team to a four-wicket win with four balls left.Harpreet Brar (2/13) and Kagiso Rabada (2/23) were the pick of the bowlers for PBKS.Kohli was awarded the Player of the Match for his marvelous innings.

Punjab Kings skipper Shikhar Dhawan expressed his disappointment after his team's four-wicket defeat against Royal Challengers Bangalore, attributing it to a slow start and a crucial dropped catch.Batting first, PBKS struggled to gain momentum, scoring only 40 runs in the powerplay. Dhawan admitted to playing slowly in the initial overs, costing his team valuable runs. The dismissal of Jonny Bairstow further hindered their progress.In the second innings, Virat Kohli's dropped catch proved costly as the RCB batter went on to score a match-winning 77. Dhawan lamented the missed opportunity, believing it could have shifted the momentum in PBKS's favor.Despite the loss, Dhawan praised Harpreet Brar's performance, who emerged as a game-changer with his economical bowling and crucial wickets.