Cricket

Former England captain Michael Vaughan has predicted that Virat Kohli will emerge as the leading run-scorer in the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), which commences on March 22. Vaughan's prediction stems from Kohli's exceptional track record in the tournament, where he holds the distinction of being the all-time leading run-getter.Kohli's return to the cricket field after a brief hiatus has generated immense excitement among fans. The star batter opted to skip the England Test series to be with his wife, Anushka Sharma, during the birth of their second child.Vaughan believes that Kohli's absence from competitive cricket will not hinder his performance in the IPL. "Virat Kohli will be the leading run-scorer," Vaughan asserted on the Club Prairie Fire podcast. "Rohit Sharma will have the best strike rate in IPL 2024, but Virat Kohli will be the leading run-scorer."However, former Australia wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist expressed a different opinion, backing Rajasthan Royals' Yashasvi Jaiswal to claim the top honors among batters.Kohli's last competitive outing was in January during the two T20I matches of the three-match series against Afghanistan. Since then, he has been eagerly awaiting his return to the field, where he will don the red and gold colors of the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).Kohli's IPL statistics are nothing short of remarkable. In 237 matches and 229 innings, he has amassed 7,263 runs at an average of 37.24 and a strike rate of 130.02. His highest score is 113, and he has scored seven centuries and 50 fifties in his IPL career.Last season, Kohli was the fourth-highest run-getter, piling up 639 runs at an average of 53.25 and a strike rate of 139.82. His best score was 101*. The 35-year-old scored two centuries and six fifties but could not guide his side to the playoffs.RCB will kick off their IPL campaign on Friday against the Chennai Super Kings in an away match. Kohli's presence in the lineup is expected to boost RCB's chances of success in the tournament.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) are poised to kick off their Indian Premier League (IPL) campaign on Friday, and star batter Virat Kohli is in prime form, according to the team's Director of Cricket, Mo Bobat.Bobat, who has been closely observing Kohli during training, praised the batter's exceptional form. "Virat's in a good place. He's an absolute champion cricketer, and he's at a stage in his career where most of what he does is hardwired into him. He's coming in fresh, which is what we're excited about," Bobat said at a pre-match press conference.Kohli has had a break from cricket and is eager to get involved, Bobat added. "He's had a good bit of time off, he's in a great frame of mind, and he's hitting the ball brilliantly."Bobat, who joined RCB this season along with new head coach Andy Flower, expressed excitement about the team's balanced squad. "We've got a fantastic group of players, we're in good shape, and we're fully fit. We're going to pay most of our attention to how we want to play our cricket," he said.Bobat highlighted the team's strong bowling attack, which includes international and IPL-winning experience. "We've got a lot of international experience and IPL-winning experience. In our Indian quicks, we've got some high-quality players as well, with international and 'A' team experience," he said.The spin department also boasts potential and experience, with players like Himanshu Sharma, Mayank Dagar, and Karn Sharma. "We feel like we've got a really good balanced side. We've got some good all-rounders as well that will contribute. Glenn Maxwell, Cameron Green. We're very confident with our bowling attack," Bobat concluded.

Virat Kohli, the legendary Indian batter, is poised to make a grand return to the cricket field in the season opener of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. The match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Friday holds the potential for Kohli to etch his name in the history books.Kohli's last appearance on the international stage was in January 2024, during the third T20I match between India and Afghanistan. Since then, he has been on a break, missing the recently concluded Test series against England.However, his return to the IPL has sparked excitement among fans and pundits alike. If Kohli scores just six runs against CSK, he will become the first Indian batter to reach the milestone of 12,000 runs in T20 cricket. Currently, he stands at 11,994 runs from 376 T20 matches.Kohli is also on the cusp of becoming the first Indian batter to score 100 half-centuries in T20s. He currently has 99 fifties to his name, trailing only Chris Gayle (110) and David Warner (109) on the all-time list.Furthermore, Kohli has the opportunity to become the second batter to score 1000 runs against CSK in the IPL. With 985 runs in 31 matches against the Chennai-based franchise, he needs just 15 more runs to achieve this remarkable feat.Kohli's return to the IPL is particularly significant given his status as the tournament's all-time leading run-scorer. In 237 matches and 229 innings, he has amassed 7263 runs at an average of 37.24 and a strike rate of 130.02. His best score is 113, and he has scored seven centuries and 50 fifties in his IPL career.Last season, Kohli was the fourth-highest run-getter in the IPL, scoring 639 runs at an average of 53.25 and a strike rate of 139.82. His best score was 101*, and he scored two centuries and six fifties. However, he was unable to lead RCB to the playoffs.The 17th season of the IPL promises to be an exciting one, and Kohli's return is sure to add to the spectacle. The Southern derby between CSK and RCB on Friday will be a fitting stage for the Indian batting maestro to make history.

Virat Kohli's return to action in the Indian Premier League (IPL) opener against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) has sparked anticipation and analysis. Former Australian opener Matthew Hayden believes that Kohli's ability to bat long on the tricky Chepauk pitch could pose a significant threat to CSK.Hayden highlighted Kohli's average of 30 and strike rate of 111 at the Chepauk Stadium, suggesting that the venue has historically presented challenges for the Indian batsman. However, he emphasized that Kohli's danger lies in his ability to adapt and become more dangerous as he spends more time at the crease."It's really tricky, so they're going to need Virat Kohli out early inside the powerplay," Hayden said. "They've done so thrice over the last 5 innings, and they'll need to do so for the 4th time."Hayden also noted that Kohli's recent form has been exceptional, with the batsman scoring 765 runs in the ODI World Cup last November. Former India batter Mohammed Kaif echoed Hayden's sentiments, praising Kohli's hunger and desire to score runs."We already know he's a great player, but every innings, he wants to play a match-winning innings, make the team win whether it's for India or RCB," Kaif said. "This hunger has been self-made and now that he's come back from a break, he'll be fresh for the IPL."Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh believes that the onus will be on RCB's batters to win games, given the team's perceived bowling weaknesses. He suggested that RCB should aim for scores of 230 or more to give their bowlers a cushion."The best thing you can do this season, if they are batting first, doesn't matter, look to get 230, 240... they must target at least 220 or 230, because a 20-run margin can probably win them more number of games," Harbhajan said.

Virat Kohli's Form Crucial for Royal Challengers Bangalore's IPL Playoff HopesFormer Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif has highlighted the pivotal role of Virat Kohli's form in determining Royal Challengers Bangalore's (RCB) journey to the Indian Premier League (IPL) playoffs this season.Kohli, who has been absent from international cricket since January, is expected to return to the IPL fold ahead of RCB's season opener against the Chennai Super Kings on March 22. Kaif believes that Kohli's exceptional form over the past couple of years makes him a key player for RCB."Virat Kohli has been playing amazing cricket for the last 1-2 years; he has been in good form... He has been in amazing form since then, and when a player like Virat Kohli is in form, he knows how to make runs in every match," Kaif said on the Star Sports show "Game Plan."Kohli has a stellar IPL record, having scored 639 runs at an average of 53.25 in the 2023 season. Kaif pointed out that Kohli consistently performs well in the tournament, especially after returning from a break."One special thing about Virat Kohli is that every time he comes back from a break, he plays really well... Virat Kohli's form will decide RCB's place in the playoffs," Kaif stressed.While acknowledging the presence of other key players like Cameron Green and Glenn Maxwell in the RCB lineup, Kaif emphasized that Kohli's form is indispensable for the team's playoff hopes."It's important that Virat Kohli is in form with Maxwell and Green for RCB to qualify for the playoffs," Kaif added.Kohli's return to the IPL is highly anticipated, and his form will be closely watched as RCB aims to secure a spot in the playoffs.

Former Pakistan pacer Mohammad Irfan has vehemently defended Virat Kohli's place in the Indian team for the upcoming T20 World Cup, dismissing suggestions that the star batter could be dropped from the squad.Irfan's comments come in response to a report in the Telegraph claiming that the Indian selectors are considering omitting Kohli from the team for the marquee event in the West Indies and the USA. Kohli has been out of the T20 setup for over 14 months, having last played in the format against Afghanistan earlier this year.However, Irfan strongly believes that Kohli's absence from the squad would be a grave mistake. "He won the matches in recent times, it's not fair to raise questions on his place. Those questioning Virat Kohli's place in the T20 World Cup belong in gully cricket," Irfan told News24.Irfan emphasized Kohli's match-winning abilities, particularly during the ODI World Cup last year. "We all saw what he did in the ODI World Cup last year, Virat Kohli won 3-4 matches in the World Cup for India on his own. If Kohli didn't step up on that occasion, India would have lost 3-4 matches including group-stage matches against Australia and New Zealand where India lost early wickets. He finished the match on his own," he added.Kohli finished the World Cup as the leading run-scorer with 765 runs at an average of 95.62. He also topped the charts during the T20 World Cup in Australia in 2022.Irfan's comments highlight the importance of Kohli's experience and leadership in the Indian team. Despite missing the entire England Test series due to the birth of his son, Kohli is expected to return to action during the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Royal Challengers Bangalore Kick Off Pre-Tournament Camp with Andy Flower at the HelmRoyal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have commenced their pre-season preparations for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) with a training camp in New Delhi. The camp, led by new head coach Andy Flower and Director of Cricket Mo Bobat, has seen the participation of domestic players, including skipper Faf du Plessis and West Indies fast bowler Alzarri Joseph.Despite the absence of star player Virat Kohli, who is expected to join the squad soon, the camp has been buzzing with excitement. Du Plessis expressed his admiration for Flower, describing him as an "incredible coach" and a "kind and big-hearted man."Flower, in turn, shared his enthusiasm for the new chapter with RCB, emphasizing the privilege and excitement of being part of the franchise. "New chapter to write in RCB story, we have been given the chance to write and it is a privilege, something to be very excited about," he stated.The camp has focused on intense training sessions, with the players working on their skills and fitness under the watchful eyes of the coaching staff. The team is gearing up for their IPL campaign opener against reigning champions Chennai Super Kings on March 22.With Kohli's return eagerly anticipated, RCB fans are optimistic about a successful season under the guidance of their new coaching setup. The team boasts a strong squad, including the likes of Glenn Maxwell, Dinesh Karthik, and Wanindu Hasaranga, and will be aiming to make a deep run in the tournament.

Virat Kohli's Unquenchable Thirst for World Cup GloryFormer Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh believes that star batsman Virat Kohli remains driven by an unyielding desire to secure another World Cup triumph. Despite missing out on the prestigious title on three previous occasions, Kohli's hunger for victory remains undiminished.Kohli made his World Cup debut in 2011, where he played a pivotal role in India's historic victory, ending the country's 28-year wait for the coveted prize. Since then, he has participated in eight World Cups, shattering numerous records along the way. He surpassed batting legend Sachin Tendulkar's record for the most centuries in ODIs and secured the highest run tally in a single edition of a World Cup.However, despite these achievements, Kohli's desire for the elusive World Cup title remains unfulfilled. Harbhajan Singh believes that this burning desire will continue to fuel Kohli's performances until he finally gets his hands on the trophy."Virat Kohli didn't appear on the ground. He needed a well-deserving rest and he got it. In 2011 he won a World Cup, he got into the team and he won the World Cup for the first time, we had already played three or four World Cups and he won it for the first time. It was luck and after that, Virat turned into a big player he played in 2015, 2019, and 2023, and even after that he couldn't get his hands on the trophy," Harbhajan said on his YouTube channel."So that feeling stays in the mind of the player. I think he won't be satisfied until he gets his hand on the trophy. He has broken a lot of records and scored a lot of runs. His hunger will be satisfied when he gets his hands on the World Cup trophy," he added.Kohli will return to the field in the IPL 2024, where he will lead Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in their quest for their maiden IPL title. RCB will kick off their IPL 2024 campaign against defending champions Chennai Super Kings in the season opener at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Bengaluru.

Amidst the ongoing speculation surrounding Virat Kohli's inclusion in India's T20 World Cup squad, fans have rallied behind the cricketing icon, reminiscing about his unforgettable performance in the previous edition of the tournament in Australia.Kohli's iconic shot against Pakistan's Haris Rauf during the 2022 T20 World Cup has become a symbol of his unparalleled skill and nerve under pressure. The momentous six, hailed as the 'shot of the century,' captivated cricket enthusiasts worldwide and showcased Kohli's ability to deliver in high-stakes situations.Social media platforms have been flooded with videos of Kohli's memorable shot, with fans expressing their unwavering support for his inclusion in the Indian squad. Former Pakistan cricketers Danish Kaneria and Mohammad Irfan have also voiced their support, echoing the sentiments of countless fans who believe in Kohli's prowess on the cricket field.England legend Stuart Broad took to social media to question the authenticity of the news surrounding Kohli's potential exclusion, further fueling the debate about his place in the team.Kohli's memorable encounter with Rauf occurred on October 23, 2022, during a high-stakes match at the T20 World Cup in Melbourne. With India facing a challenging chase against Pakistan, Kohli's steely resolve and masterful stroke play came to the fore as he smashed Rauf for two crucial sixes, igniting a roar of approval from the packed crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).The electrifying display of skill and composure by Kohli during that pivotal moment serves as a reminder of his ability to thrive under pressure and deliver when it matters most. As fans eagerly await the final squad announcement for the T20 World Cup, their unwavering support for Kohli remains steadfast, underscoring his status as a cricketing icon and a source of inspiration for millions around the globe.