Cricket

Amidst the ongoing speculation surrounding Virat Kohli's potential exclusion from India's T20 World Cup squad, former Pakistan cricketer Danish Kaneria has expressed his unwavering belief that the star batter will retain his place in the team.Kaneria dismissed the rumors circulating on social media, emphasizing that such platforms should not be taken seriously. He firmly stated that Kohli's inclusion is imperative, given his consistent run-scoring and invaluable experience."How can you ignore him (Virat)? He should be in India's squad. He has been scoring runs, it is not a time to look beyond Kohli, it is a time to have Kohli in your squad, who can also groom youngsters," Kaneria told IANS.Kohli's last T20I appearance was in January against Afghanistan, where he scored 29 and 0 in two matches. However, Kaneria believes that these performances should not overshadow his overall contributions.In addition to Kohli, Kaneria also lauded the resurgence of chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav. He noted Yadav's regained confidence and improved performance, encouraging him to continue building on his momentum.Looking ahead to the upcoming IPL season, Kaneria urged the BCCI and franchises to prioritize the workload management of key players, especially to prevent injuries to the likes of Jasprit Bumrah. He also highlighted the importance of nurturing emerging talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal.Expressing his desire to contribute to the game, Kaneria expressed his willingness to return to the field as a coach. He welcomed the opportunity to work with any IPL team, particularly to mentor young spinners and contribute to the development of the next generation of cricketers.

Virat Kohli's unwavering consistency and infectious aggression have left an indelible mark on the cricketing world, according to former India captain Anil Kumble. Kohli's relentless pursuit of excellence has not only elevated his own game but also the intensity of every T20 team he represents.Kumble, who witnessed Kohli's rise from a U-19 World Cup winner to a global superstar, believes that consistency is Kohli's most significant legacy. As the only player to have played 16 seasons for a single IPL franchise, Kohli has consistently delivered match-winning performances for Royal Challengers Bangalore."His aggression and attitude on the field help the team gain intensity," Kumble said. "The kind of inspiration and intensity that he brings lifts everybody within the group."England's World Cup-winning captain Eoin Morgan echoed Kumble's sentiments, describing Kohli as one of the greatest cricketers of the modern era. "When you have a player of that calibre in your side, it's crucial that you're constantly asking him to get the best out of himself," Morgan said.Mike Hesson, who coached Kohli at RCB, provided a different perspective, highlighting Kohli's calm demeanor off the field. "He's very calm off the field," Hesson said. "When youngsters come into the team or overseas players, he'd spend time getting to know them."Robin Uthappa, who has played alongside and against Kohli, described the experience of facing him as "annoying." "As an opposition, he could be grating, in your face," Uthappa said. "You'd always feel like there's a battle happening with a bowler."Kohli's combative instincts extend beyond his batting, according to Uthappa. "There's an extra battle happening with an extra-cover fielder because he's coming at you all the time," he added.As Royal Challengers Bangalore prepare for the upcoming IPL season, Kohli's leadership and unwavering determination will once again be crucial to their success. His ability to inspire and elevate his teammates makes him an invaluable asset to any team he represents.

With the Men's T20 World Cup fast approaching, the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season will serve as a crucial platform for teams worldwide to finalize their squads. However, for Team India, a bombshell report suggests that the BCCI selectors are contemplating the bold move of excluding Virat Kohli from the squad for the prestigious tournament.The T20 World Cup, co-hosted by the West Indies and the USA, will take place from June 2 to 29. Rohit Sharma will lead the Indian team, as confirmed by BCCI secretary Jay Shah. However, Kohli's inclusion remains uncertain, according to a report in 'The Telegraph'.India's inability to secure an ICC trophy since the 2013 Champions Trophy has prompted the selectors to consider drastic measures, including the potential omission of former captain Kohli. The report indicates that the selectors have concerns about Kohli's recent performances in the T20 format.However, Kohli's performance in the upcoming IPL season could influence the selectors' decision. The batting icon recently took a break from the five-Test series against England to welcome the arrival of his second child.The report quotes a source stating that "it remains a very delicate matter and not many (in the BCCI) are willing to get involved," leaving the final decision to the board's selection committee led by former India pacer Ajit Agarkar.Agarkar has reportedly had discussions with Kohli, emphasizing the need for him to adapt his game to meet the demands of the team and the T20 format.

Virat Kohli, the prolific run-scorer in the Indian Premier League (IPL), has yet to conquer the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai while representing the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Despite amassing 7263 runs in 237 IPL matches, Kohli's average at the Chepauk is a modest 30, with a strike rate of 111.10.Former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh believes Kohli needs to step up his performance at the Chepauk, especially against the defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL opener on March 22. "The greatness of Virat has been reduced in terms of his overall performance at that venue," Harbhajan said. "It's a tricky venue to bat, especially as an opening batsman against a sort of weird tennis ball type bounce."Kohli has been dismissed in the Powerplays three times in his last five innings against CSK, and Harbhajan emphasized the importance of extending his time at the crease. "If he's actually prepared to bat about 20 overs, then he can put together a match-winning performance," he said.Kohli has yet to score an IPL century at Chepauk, and his record against CSK is also underwhelming. In 30 matches against CSK, he has scored 985 runs, with a highest score of 90. Harbhajan believes Kohli needs to rediscover his 2016 form for RCB to challenge for the IPL title. "It's important for him to have a season like 2016, because if Virat goes on to score runs, the team will go forward," he said.In 2016, Kohli had an exceptional IPL season, amassing 973 runs from 16 matches, featuring four centuries and seven fifties. This remarkable performance still stands as the highest run-aggregate in a single IPL season.

Virat Kohli, the legendary Indian batsman, has expressed his deep affection for the Indian Premier League (IPL), attributing its success to the strong bond between players and fans. Kohli, who is currently on a break from the ongoing Test series against England due to personal reasons, is expected to return for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in their IPL opener against Chennai Super Kings on March 22.Kohli emphasized the unique camaraderie that develops among players in the IPL, which sets it apart from other cricket tournaments. "I absolutely love IPL, also because of the camaraderie you share, so many new players you play with, so many players that you've known for a long time who are not from your own country, whom you don't see often," he said.He further explained that in other cricket tournaments, players from different teams have limited interactions. "You do play all your tournaments which is one team versus another. ICC tournaments come every now and then, but even in ICC tournaments, you don't interact with other players or see the other team, so often," he said.In contrast, the IPL provides a platform for players to connect with each other frequently. "But in IPL, you're probably meeting every team just every second or third day, and that's the beauty of IPL. You are playing in different conditions in a different city with a different team. Everybody has a different kind of determination at various stages of the tournament and such magical moments are being created," he added.Kohli's comments highlight the IPL's ability to foster a sense of community and camaraderie among players, which contributes to its immense popularity among fans. The tournament provides a unique opportunity for players from different backgrounds and nationalities to come together and showcase their skills, creating unforgettable moments that resonate with audiences worldwide.

Yashasvi Jaiswal Surpasses Virat Kohli, Sets New Record for Most Runs Against England in a Test SeriesYoung Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal has etched his name in the history books by surpassing batting legend Virat Kohli and other Indian greats to become the highest run-scorer against England in a Test series. Jaiswal achieved this remarkable feat on the opening day of the fifth and final Test against England in Dharamsala.In the final session of the day, Jaiswal surpassed Kohli's previous record of 655 runs, set in the 2016 Test series at home. Before being dismissed for 57 late in the day, Jaiswal also breached the 700-run mark in the ongoing series.Jaiswal's exceptional performance has not only earned him the distinction of being the highest run-scorer against England but has also made him the second fastest Indian to reach 1000 Test runs. The 22-year-old reached the milestone in just 16 innings, behind only Vinod Kambli, who achieved it in 14 innings.Current India coach Rahul Dravid is third on the list of highest run-scorers against England in a Test series, with 602 runs during the 2002 India tour of England. Kohli, with 593 runs in the 2018 tour of England, is also featured on the list.Batting great Sunil Gavaskar amassed 542 runs during the 1979 tour, while Vijay Manjrekar has 586 runs to his name in a single Test series against England.Jaiswal's record-breaking performance is a testament to his exceptional talent and hard work. He has emerged as a key player for India in the Test format and is expected to continue to play a significant role in the team's future success.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 is set to kick off in less than 20 days, with the opening match featuring MS Dhoni's Chennai Super Kings taking on Royal Challengers Bangalore, led by Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis, on March 22 in Chennai.Amidst the ongoing Test series against England, where Kohli has opted out due to personal reasons, legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar raised concerns about his participation in the upcoming IPL. However, RCB great AB de Villiers has hinted at Kohli's potential presence in the tournament."Nothing confirmed yet. Virat Kohli has hinted that he might want me to come over just to spend a bit of time with him and some of the batters perhaps. Nothing confirmed yet. I think the call has got to come from Andy Flower, Faf, and the team," de Villiers said on his YouTube channel.Gavaskar, while acknowledging India's impressive performance against England despite the absence of key players, emphasized the importance of team spirit and the contributions of young players."Three years back, India missed a lot of big names in Australia but they still managed to pull off a fantastic win not just in Gabba. After getting all out in Adelaide for 36, they won in Melbourne and drew in Sydney. They battled hard to save the Sydney Test match. If Rishabh Pant stayed on the crease for half an hour, then India could have won that match as well," Gavaskar said."That's why I always say, you don't need big names... If any big name thinks that India won't win without him, these two series have shown that whether you are there or not... Cricket is a team sport. It doesn't depend on one individual."The success of the Indian team under captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Rahul Dravid has highlighted the importance of nurturing young talent and fostering a positive team environment."Credit must go to the way captain Rohit Sharma and head coach Rahul Dravid have managed the team. They gave chances to the young players, molded them, and encouraged them to play their natural game. This shows that whether we have big names or not, if we have players with big hearts, then we can win," Gavaskar added.

The IPL 2023 match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Lucknow Super Giants witnessed a heated on-field spat between Virat Kohli, Naveen-ul-Haq, and Gautam Gambhir. The incident, which became a major talking point, has been the subject of much discussion and speculation.According to Naveen, the altercation began in Bengaluru during the away match between the two teams. After Avesh Khan's winning runs, Naveen claims that Kohli expressed displeasure with the helmet throw. In the return match in Lucknow, Naveen was sledged by Kohli and Mohammed Siraj despite the game being virtually lost.The spat escalated after the match during the handshake, with Gambhir intervening in support of Naveen. Naveen believes that Gambhir's involvement stemmed from an incident in the previous game where a KKR bowler attempted to run out the non-striker in the final over.Kohli and Gambhir have a history of heated moments in the IPL, including a previous altercation in 2013. Naveen suggests that Gambhir's "shush" gesture was a response to the crowd's reaction to the run-out attempt.Despite the on-field tension, Kohli and Naveen later resolved their differences during the ODI World Cup in October, embracing each other in a show of reconciliation.

Former BCCI President Sourav Ganguly has shed light on his decision to appoint Rohit Sharma as the captain of the Indian men's cricket team, replacing Virat Kohli. Ganguly, who was the BCCI chief at the time, revealed that he saw immense potential in Rohit, particularly considering his impressive record in the Indian Premier League (IPL).Ganguly praised Rohit's leadership skills, highlighting his ability to guide India to the final of the 2022 T20 World Cup on home soil. Despite losing to Australia in the final, Ganguly believes India was the strongest team in the tournament. He expressed his admiration for Rohit's calm and composed demeanor during the high-pressure event."I am not surprised by the way he led," Ganguly said. "He became the captain when I was the BCCI president, and I am not surprised by the way he has led the team. I made him the Indian captain because I saw the talent in him, and I am not surprised by what he has done."Rohit's recent achievements include leading India to a 17th consecutive Test series win on home soil. After losing the opening match against England in Hyderabad, India has bounced back to take a 3-1 lead in the series.Meanwhile, Rohit has relinquished his captaincy at Mumbai Indians to Hardik Pandya. Hardik, who led Gujarat Titans to the IPL title in 2022, will now take charge of the five-time champions.