Cricket

India's bowling coach, Paras Mhambrey, has lauded the exceptional mental strength of Virat Kohli and Mohammed Shami, attributing it to Team India's success.Kohli's aggressive batting style and Shami's calm and composed bowling approach may differ, but their shared mental resilience has been instrumental in India's achievements. During the 2019 ODI World Cup, Kohli topped the batting charts with 765 runs, while Shami led the bowling charts with 24 wickets.Mhambrey highlights Kohli's ability to chase down mammoth scores, a skill that has significantly improved India's performance in shorter formats. He also praises Shami's deep understanding of his game and his ability to adapt his training to suit his needs.Despite their contrasting personalities, Kohli and Shami share a common understanding of their roles within the team. Their mental strength allows them to absorb pressure and deliver consistent results.Mhambrey believes that Kohli's work ethic has inspired younger players in the Indian team. He observes that youngsters seek guidance from Kohli, eager to learn from his wisdom and preparation techniques.Mhambrey emphasizes that becoming a GOAT (greatest of all time) requires a combination of innate skills, hard work, vision, and inspiration. He believes that Shami and Bumrah possess exceptional skills that cannot be replicated, but their greatness is also attributed to their attitude and dedication.

Virat Kohli's unwavering commitment to fitness has revolutionized the Indian cricket ecosystem, according to Ajit Agarkar, chairman of selectors. Agarkar hailed Kohli's dedication, noting that despite being 35 years old, he remains a benchmark for fitness."Virat sets the standard," said Agarkar. "He's only gotten fitter over the years, and it shows in his performance. When someone like him sets an example, it filters down through the entire system."Agarkar emphasized the significant improvement in fitness levels among younger players over the past two decades. He attributed this progress to the influence of players like Kohli, who have raised the bar for physical conditioning.Kohli's exceptional form in the ongoing IPL, where he has scored a record-extending eighth century, further underscores his fitness and dedication.In contrast to Kohli's meticulous approach, Agarkar described MS Dhoni as a "pure instinct man." Dhoni's intuitive captaincy has led Chennai Super Kings to five IPL titles, and his presence on the field continues to inspire confidence.Agarkar believes that artificial intelligence cannot replace the instincts of a captain like Dhoni. "Data is invaluable, but it's not a substitute for human judgment," he said. "You need a captain on the ground who can adapt to changing circumstances."Agarkar highlighted the IPL as a platform for identifying talented players. However, he stressed the importance of temperament in distinguishing exceptional players."The IPL showcases players who can perform under pressure," said Agarkar. "Temperament is crucial for consistency, and it's what separates the best from the rest."Agarkar emphasized the value of team unity. "A close-knit group is often a winning group," he said. "Players should support each other's successes, as it creates a positive and supportive environment."

Yuzvendra Chahal, the veteran leg-spinner, reached a significant milestone in his illustrious IPL career as he played his 150th match in the tournament. The match between Rajasthan Royals and Gujarat Titans in Jaipur on Wednesday marked this special occasion for Chahal.Chahal, who has been a key player for Rajasthan Royals since joining the team in 2022, received a heartfelt message from his wife, Dhanashree Verma, ahead of his 150th IPL game. Verma expressed her pride in Chahal's achievements and praised his contributions to both his previous team, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Rajasthan Royals.In the match, Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill opted to field first after winning the toss. Rajasthan Royals, who have been in impressive form this season, are currently at the top of the IPL points table with four wins from four matches. Gujarat Titans, on the other hand, have won two and lost three of their five matches so far.The Royals made two changes to their playing XI, bringing in Matthew Wade and Abhinav Manohar in place of Kane Williamson and BR Sharath. Speaking at the toss, Gill explained that they wanted to bowl first due to the possibility of rain and the need to chase down a target in such conditions.Rajasthan Royals skipper Sanju Samson also expressed his preference for bowling first. He acknowledged the challenges of leading a team but expressed gratitude for the support he has received from the team management.The match between Rajasthan Royals and Gujarat Titans promises to be an exciting contest between two evenly matched teams. Chahal's experience and skill will be crucial for the Royals as they aim to maintain their winning streak.

Suryakumar Yadav's arduous rehabilitation journey over the past three months has not only mended his physical ailments but has also transformed him into a more resilient and focused athlete. Undergoing treatment for a sports hernia, ankle injury, and right knee pain at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru, Suryakumar has dedicated himself to a rigorous rehab regimen that has rewired his body and mind."It's been a challenging three months, but it's also been a period of immense growth for me," Suryakumar said. "I've had to focus on the smallest details, from my diet to my sleep patterns, to ensure a speedy recovery."During his rehab, Suryakumar has embraced new habits, such as reading books and adhering to a strict sleep schedule. These seemingly minor changes have played a significant role in his recovery process."I've realized that it's the little things that make a big difference," Suryakumar explained. "By taking care of my body and mind, I've been able to recover faster and come back stronger."Suryakumar's return to the field has been eagerly anticipated by Mumbai Indians fans. After missing the team's first three matches due to injury, he made his comeback against Delhi Capitals but was dismissed for a two-ball duck.Despite the disappointing start, Suryakumar remains optimistic and determined to make a significant contribution to his team."It's always tough to watch your team play from the sidelines," he said. "But I've used that time to motivate myself and work even harder on my recovery."Suryakumar's dedication and resilience have impressed the Mumbai Indians coaching staff. Head coach Mahela Jayawardene believes that the all-rounder has returned as a more complete player."Suryakumar has shown great character and determination during his rehab," Jayawardene said. "He's come back stronger and more focused than ever before. We're excited to have him back in the team."As Mumbai Indians prepare for their upcoming matches, Suryakumar is eager to prove his worth and help his team achieve success."I'm ready to hit the ground running," he said. "I've worked hard to get back to full fitness, and I'm confident that I can make a positive impact on the team."

In a recent Indian Premier League (IPL) match between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), fans witnessed an uncharacteristic moment involving the legendary Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Despite CSK ultimately securing victory by 7 wickets, the spotlight was on Dhoni for dropping an easy catch of West Indian marauder Andre Russell.The incident occurred in the eighth ball of the 18th over, when Mustafizur Rahman executed a deceptive slower delivery aimed at Russell, managing to elicit an edge from the KKR all-rounder. Despite the skillful execution, Dhoni, positioned behind the stumps, failed to secure the catch, attempting it with just one hand.The incident left the jam-packed crowd at Chepauk in disbelief, with both Mustafizur and CSK skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, who was fielding near the boundary line, momentarily stunned by the missed opportunity. However, despite the lifeline provided by the dropped catch, Russell couldn't capitalize on the reprieve and was dismissed soon after for just 10 runs.Former England skipper Michael Vaughan and ex-New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull engaged in a discussion about Dhoni's dropped catch on Cricbuzz. "MS Dhoni dropped quite a simple catch with the one hand and the cameras went straight on to most of the CSK team. Because it was MS Dhoni, most of them were like - "That's fine," Vaughan said.Doull added, "Nobody said a word. I would love to see the bowler give a reaction (makes animated gestures)."Vaughan: "You could see that he wanted to. He went for it and then he thought - Oh, it is MS Dhoni."Despite the initial setback, CSK's disciplined bowling effort restricted KKR to a total of 137/9 in their allotted 20 overs. While the missed catch generated a wave of surprise and anticipation among fans, it ultimately did not significantly alter the outcome of the match, as CSK emerged victorious in the end.Chennai chased down the target quite comfortably in 17.4 over riding on a fine half-century from skipper Gaikwad. Following the high-profile clash, CSK's stronghold at their home ground continued to be evident as they comfortably secured victory without facing significant challenges, effectively ending KKR's unbeaten streak in this season of the IPL.

Sunrisers Hyderabad's Abdul Samad has lauded Nitish Kumar Reddy's remarkable transformation in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season. Reddy's batting has evolved significantly, showcasing a more aggressive and unconventional approach compared to last year.In Sunrisers' two-run victory over Punjab Kings, Reddy played a pivotal role with a maiden IPL fifty (64 off 37 balls), featuring four boundaries and five sixes. Samad attributed Reddy's success to his improved practice performances and the team's confidence in his abilities."Last year, Nitish was not batting like this. He used to play conventional shots. This time, he has become completely different," Samad said at the post-match press conference. "I think he has practiced very well. And he had a very good impact in our practice matches as well. So, everyone was very impressed with him. That's why we are backing him."Samad also highlighted the importance of Reddy's promotion to the No. 4 batting position, which allowed him to carry the momentum from his previous match against Chennai Super Kings."I think he has been promoted (from No. 6 to No. 4) today (on Tuesday) to carry the confidence of the last game (vs. Chennai Super Kings). And everyone had confidence in him that he will deliver today."Despite the close finish, Samad believes that Sunrisers could have won more comfortably had they held onto two crucial catches in the final over."We thought the match was a bit close because we missed two catches. Otherwise, we would have won the match by 15 runs or so."Samad also acknowledged the contributions of openers Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma, who have consistently provided Sunrisers with solid starts."When you get a start of 70-80 runs in the PowerPlay, then it becomes easy for you. So, that is helping us a lot in winning the match."

Rajasthan Royals Host Gujarat Titans in Top-of-the-Table ClashIn a highly anticipated match-up, table-toppers Rajasthan Royals will face off against Gujarat Titans at their home ground. Both teams have been in impressive form this season, with the Royals boasting a perfect 4-0 record and the Titans sitting just behind with three wins and one loss.The Royals have been led by the brilliance of Jos Buttler, who has scored 278 runs in four innings, including two centuries. Sanju Samson has also been in fine touch, contributing 189 runs. The bowling attack has been equally impressive, with Yuzvendra Chahal and Trent Boult leading the way with 10 and 9 wickets respectively.The Titans, on the other hand, have relied on a more balanced approach. Shubman Gill has been their leading run-scorer with 228 runs, while Hardik Pandya has chipped in with 196 runs and 6 wickets. The bowling attack has been led by Mohammed Shami, who has taken 8 wickets in four matches.The match promises to be a close and exciting contest, with both teams eager to maintain their winning ways. The Royals will be looking to extend their unbeaten streak, while the Titans will be determined to close the gap at the top of the table.

Rachin Ravindra, the New Zealand all-rounder, has emerged as a key player for the Chennai Super Kings in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL). Despite being an unexpected addition to the starting XI due to an injury to Devon Conway, Ravindra has quickly made an impact as an opener.In the first two matches, Ravindra set the innings up with a brisk strike rate of over 200, showcasing his eye-catching strokeplay. "I guess the whole thing about being an opener is that you try to put a bit of pressure on the bowler in the PowerPlay when it stops swinging, and I have been able to do that for two games," said Ravindra.Ravindra's impressive performance is particularly noteworthy considering he came into the IPL after playing Tests against Australia back home. However, he has quickly adapted to the shorter format. "It was just about trying to do what I do well in terms of training and being specific about it," said Ravindra about his preparations.While Ravindra started his career as a lower-order bat, his graph rose during the ODI World Cup last year, where he scored 578 runs when promoted up the order. When asked if being an opener has unlocked his potential, Ravindra said, "Yes and no. I think it's just a lot more comfortable being at the top. But I guess during the World Cup, you get an opportunity where you play your shots, and you are like, this is maybe a part of my game."Ravindra's confidence has grown from his experience in the World Cup, and he is now able to execute shots that he had been training but hadn't used in a game before. "I took a lot of confidence from that and was able to execute some shots that I had been training but hadn't used in a game before. So yeah, I guess, a bit of that, but I think it's more about getting time in the middle and the confidence to do that on the big stages."

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.