Cricket

Virat Kohli and Mohammed Shami, two contrasting personalities, share an unwavering mental fortitude that has propelled Team India to remarkable success.Kohli, the aggressive batsman, and Shami, the composed bowler, topped the batting and bowling charts at the 2019 ODI World Cup, leading India to a runner-up finish. Their mental strength, according to bowling coach Paras Mhambrey, is a key factor in their achievements."Both are different personalities altogether, but in terms of mental strength, both are up there," Mhambrey said. "Virat is purely aggressive, on the face all the time. Shami is complete in contrast, never on his own."Despite their contrasting approaches, Kohli and Shami share a deep understanding of their roles and a relentless work ethic."Virat is one of the best in chasing," Mhambrey said. "He's the prime reason why India have chased mammoth scores."Shami, on the other hand, is a master of his craft. "He knows what's expected of him," Mhambrey said. "He's completely different in terms of training and he will do something that suits him."Kohli's dedication has inspired the younger players in the Indian team. "To be able to see the work put in by Virat day in and day out is an eye opener," Mhambrey said. "You see youngsters talking to him and trying to learn from him."Mhambrey believes that becoming a GOAT (Greatest of All Time) requires a combination of innate talent, hard work, and a relentless pursuit of excellence."I think you're born with certain skills," he said. "Skills that Shami has cannot be replicated unless you have it... Same with (Jasprit) Bumrah. These are guys who are born with that skill.""You become GOAT with the attitude that you have, the work that you put in, the vision that you had about yourself, the inspiration that you want to be. These combinations with other factors will make you a GOAT."

Hardik Pandya Silences Boos with Six-Hitting Display as Mumbai Indians Crush Royal Challengers BangaloreDespite previous incidents of unruly behavior towards Hardik Pandya, the Mumbai Indians skipper once again faced backlash from fans during their clash against Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Wankhede Stadium. However, this time, Pandya's teammates and even opposition captain Virat Kohli came to his defense, urging the crowd to show him respect.As Pandya walked out to bat amidst the boos, a section of the crowd began chanting his name, with Kohli promptly encouraging fans to support the Indian all-rounder. Pandya responded with a blistering knock, smashing three sixes in his quickfire 21 not out off just 6 balls, silencing the detractors.The match itself was a dominant performance by Mumbai Indians, with Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan providing the fireworks with the bat after Jasprit Bumrah's magical five-wicket haul. Kishan went ballistic to make 69 off just 34 balls, while Suryakumar dazzled with a 19-ball 52, as Mumbai overhauled RCB's 197-run target in just 15.3 overs.Pandya's performance was particularly impressive given the hostile atmosphere he faced. His ability to rise above the adversity and deliver a match-winning contribution highlights his mental toughness and determination.The incident also raises questions about the role of fans in sports. While passion and support are essential, it is important to remember that players deserve respect, regardless of their performance or past actions. The booing of Pandya was unsportsmanlike and disrespectful, and it is encouraging to see that his teammates and even opposition players stood up for him.

The Professional Cricketers Association (PCA) has urged counties to fulfill their commitments to women's cricket after the ECB announced the allocation of 'Tier 1' teams in England's revamped domestic structure.Counties, excluding Derbyshire and Worcestershire, will soon learn if their bids to host Tier 1 teams have been successful. However, players have expressed concerns that counties may not deliver on their promises.Daryl Mitchell, PCA's chief operating officer, emphasized the importance of holding counties accountable. "We'll lobby the ECB to ensure successful bidders keep their word," he said. "The ECB's auditing and policing will be crucial, and we can play our part."The PCA and ECB have agreed on a minimum squad size of 15 for Tier 1 teams and equalizing the minimum wage for female and male cricketers. These commitments will be formalized in the updated County Partnership Agreement (CPA)."Some female players currently work two jobs to make ends meet," Mitchell said. "We need to ensure minimum salaries are appropriate and equal to men's salaries. This is crucial for players to become professional."Players are excited about the new system, which will provide equal access to facilities and coaches. "Players want the 'one club, two team' mentality seen in the Hundred," Mitchell said. "There will be teething problems, but overall, it's positive for the game."Despite the challenges, Mitchell encouraged unsuccessful counties to continue investing in women's cricket. "The tender process has made counties consider how to incorporate women's cricket into their structures," he said. "Hopefully, those eight that are unsuccessful become Tier 2 teams and build foundations."The Hundred's potential ownership changes have also been discussed by the PCA. "There's a lot of talk about the women's game behind the scenes," Mitchell said. "We'll ensure that investors are fully committed to both the men's and women's Hundred."The final season of the women's regional structure begins next Saturday, with several teams signing Australian overseas players.

Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) unbeaten streak in the IPL 2024 was shattered by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in a comprehensive seven-wicket defeat on Monday. The KKR batters, known for their aggressive approach, failed to deliver on the Chennai pitch, managing only 137/9 in 20 overs.Ravindra Jadeja and Tushar Deshpande led the CSK bowling attack, taking two wickets each to restrict KKR's scoring. After the match, a fan questioned KKR's strategy, suggesting that a more "selfish" approach with a player prioritizing personal milestones could have resulted in a higher score.However, former New Zealand fast bowler Mitchell McClenaghan disagreed, urging KKR to stick to their fearless approach. "Sometimes you shoot for the stars and land on the moon. No biggie - their formula has worked so far no need to become selfish," McClenaghan tweeted.KKR skipper Shreyas Iyer acknowledged the team's shortcomings in assessing the wicket. "We were phenomenal in the powerplay but after that, we couldn't capitalize, we lost consecutive wickets. We weren't able to assess the conditions as quickly as possible," Iyer said.The defeat marked KKR's first loss of the season, while CSK secured their second win. The match highlighted the importance of adapting to different pitch conditions and the challenges of maintaining an unbeaten run in the competitive IPL.

Reece Topley's Sensational Fielding Stuns Rohit Sharma in IPL ClashIn a thrilling Indian Premier League (IPL) encounter at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Reece Topley showcased an extraordinary fielding effort to dismiss Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma.The incident occurred during the second ball of the 12th over, as off-spinner Will Jacks delivered a fuller delivery on middle and leg. Rohit attempted a sweep shot, dragging the ball behind square. However, Topley, positioned at short fine leg, displayed remarkable agility and reflexes.With lightning-fast reactions, Topley dived to his left and extended his fingers to pluck a stunning one-handed catch. The ball appeared to be destined for the boundary, but Topley's incredible athleticism prevented it from reaching the ropes.Rohit's dismissal was a crucial moment in the match, as he had played a pivotal role in Mumbai Indians' chase of 197. The Indian opener had scored 38 runs off 24 balls, including three fours and as many sixes, providing a solid foundation for his team.The catch also marked a significant milestone for Rohit, as it was the first time he had been involved in a 100+ opening partnership in his 93rd IPL innings as an opener. He had previously shared a 99-run stand with Ishan Kishan in 2019.Topley's fielding brilliance was a testament to his exceptional skills and dedication. The English left-arm pacer has consistently impressed with his athleticism and ability to make game-changing plays in the field.

Rohit Sharma's stump-mic chatter has become a regular feature in recent cricket matches, and the former Mumbai Indians captain was at it again during the IPL 2024 match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.As Dinesh Karthik unleashed a flurry of boundaries against MI bowlers in the death overs, Rohit couldn't resist a playful dig at the RCB batter. "Shabash DK, World Cup khelna hain abhi," Rohit was heard saying, referring to the upcoming T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies.Karthik's blistering knock of 53 not out off 23 balls propelled RCB to a competitive 196/8 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The wicketkeeper-batter finished the innings in style, hitting Akash Madhwal for two sixes and a four in successive balls to garner 19 runs from the final over.Karthik's half-century came off just 22 balls, showcasing his exceptional finishing abilities. He struck five boundaries and four sixes, guiding RCB close to the 200-run mark.Rohit later clarified that his stump-mic banter is not intentional. As the captain of the Indian team, he positions himself in the slip cordon to assess DRS decisions and communicate with fielders. These conversations often get picked up by the microphone."I don't have any favorite line as such and I don't even do it deliberately," Rohit said. "Now I am the captain so I stand in the slips, because the angle from there helps me get a better look at the fielders and take stock of DRS. So I keep talking to the fielders and it gets recorded."

In a thrilling climax to the Inter-zonal Multi-Day Trophy, East Zone snatched a dramatic one-wicket victory over South Zone at the Maharashtra Cricket Stadium. With just six runs needed for victory, East Zone found themselves on the brink of defeat as South Zone's Minnu Mani bowled with precision, exploiting the cracks in the surface.Titas Sadhu and Annapurna Das, the last two East Zone batters, faced an anxious wait as Mani's deliveries tested their resolve. After 12 tense balls, Sadhu managed to find the boundary, securing the winning runs and sparking jubilation among the East Zone camp.The match had been a closely fought affair throughout, with both teams displaying resilience and determination. South Zone had posted a modest 133 in their first innings, but their bowlers kept them in the game by restricting East Zone to 129. In the second innings, South Zone improved their batting performance, scoring 179, setting East Zone a target of 184.East Zone's chase got off to a shaky start, but Deepti Sharma's 46 and Richa Ghosh's 33 provided some stability. However, South Zone's bowlers fought back, reducing East Zone to 178/9. With just one wicket remaining, the pendulum swung in East Zone's favor as Sadhu and Das held their nerve to secure the victory.Former India captain Shubhangi Kulkarni was present to felicitate the winners, with East Zone receiving a cheque for ₹50 lakh, while South Zone received ₹20 lakh. Minnu Mani was named Player of the Match for her impressive bowling performance, while Deepti Sharma was awarded Player of the Tournament.The victory marked a significant achievement for East Zone, who had not won the Inter-zonal Multi-Day Trophy since 2016. The tournament showcased the depth of talent in Indian women's cricket, with several players putting in standout performances.

Jason Roy, the explosive English opener, has opted out of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to prioritize his mental and physical well-being. Roy, who joined KKR in 2023 as an injury replacement, had a successful stint with the franchise, scoring 285 runs at an average of 35.62 and a strike rate of 151.59. However, he withdrew from this season's IPL at the start of March, citing personal reasons.Roy's decision to sit out the IPL stems from a challenging 18 months. After missing out on selection for England's T20 World Cup squad in 2022 and the 50-over World Cup squad in 2023, he went undrafted for this year's Hundred. Last May, he terminated his ECB incremental contract to play in the inaugural season of Major League Cricket (MLC).The taxing schedule of the past few months, coupled with a desire to spend quality time with his family, led Roy to make the difficult decision to withdraw from the IPL. "Missing this year's IPL was a huge decision," Roy said. "I felt like I owed KKR a huge amount, but I had to put myself first, you know, just mindset and body."Roy's withdrawal is also informed by a period two years ago when he found himself "in a dark place," which resulted in him taking an indefinite break from the game and missing IPL 2022 with Gujarat Titans. "I went through an extremely bad patch with my mindset," he said. "I was in a shocking headspace, and I ended up shooting myself in the foot."Since then, Roy has prioritized his mental health and has learned to listen to his body and mind. "It's nothing to do with anyone else," he said. "I've got a young family, I'm a grown man, and I've made the decision off the back of a lot of thoughts."Roy's decision to prioritize his well-being is a reminder of the importance of mental health in sports. It is a courageous step that will hopefully inspire others to seek help when they need it.

Virat Kohli's Rare Failure Against Jasprit Bumrah in IPL 2024Royal Challengers Bengaluru's star batter Virat Kohli faced a rare setback in the IPL 2024 when he was dismissed for just 3 runs by Mumbai Indians' pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah. The incident occurred during an away game at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday.Despite the crowd's enthusiastic chants of his name, Kohli's innings was cut short after facing only 9 balls. Bumrah's delivery found the edge of Kohli's bat and was caught behind by wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan.This dismissal marked a rare failure for Kohli in the ongoing IPL season. Prior to this match, he had been in exceptional form, leading the tournament in runs scored. In six matches, he had amassed 319 runs at an average of 106.33 and a strike rate of over 143.69.However, Bumrah has a history of dismissing Kohli in the IPL. Out of the 15 times they have faced each other, Bumrah has dismissed Kohli four times. Despite this, Kohli holds the upper hand in their overall head-to-head record. In 92 balls faced against Bumrah, Kohli has scored 140 runs at an average of 35.00 and a strike rate of 152.17.Kohli's dismissal against Bumrah highlights the competitive nature of the IPL and the challenges faced by even the most experienced batters. Despite his rare failure, Kohli remains one of the most prolific run-scorers in the tournament's history.