Cricket

Virat Kohli's scintillating knock of 77 propelled Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) to a thrilling four-wicket victory over Punjab Kings at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Monday. This triumph marked RCB's first win in the ongoing IPL 2024 season, following their defeat in the opener against Chennai Super Kings.Kohli, the former Indian captain, played a pivotal role in RCB's successful chase. His 49-ball innings was studded with 11 boundaries and two towering sixes. He single-handedly led the charge, anchoring the chase before Dinesh Karthik and Mahipal Lomror sealed the deal with an unbeaten 48-run partnership. RCB reached the target of 178 with four balls to spare.Kohli's exceptional performance earned him the Player of the Match award and the Orange Cap for being the leading run-scorer in the tournament so far. In the post-match presentation, he expressed his gratitude for the recognition but emphasized the importance of team success over individual achievements."It's just two games, so let's not get overexcited," Kohli said. "I understand the significance of the Orange Cap, but at the end of the day, it's the memories that matter. As Rahul Dravid always says, it's the friendships, love, and support that we'll cherish."Kohli acknowledged the challenges he faced during the chase, particularly after RCB lost quick wickets. He stressed the need to adapt to the situation and expressed disappointment at not finishing the match himself."In T20 cricket, I'm opening the batting and trying to give a blazing start," Kohli explained. "But when wickets start falling, you have to play according to the situation. The wicket wasn't as flat as usual, so I couldn't hit the ball across the line. I'm disappointed not to have finished it off, but it's not a bad start considering we lost early wickets."Despite the setback, Kohli remains confident in his abilities in the T20 format. "I know my name is often used to promote T20 cricket worldwide, but I still believe I have the skills to excel in this format," he asserted.

Dinesh Karthik's Late Heroics Guide RCB to Thrilling Victory Over Punjab KingsRoyal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) pulled off a remarkable four-wicket victory against Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Monday, thanks to a scintillating knock from Dinesh Karthik.Chasing a challenging target of 177, RCB found themselves in a precarious position when Karthik came to the crease. However, the veteran wicketkeeper-batter displayed his trademark power-hitting prowess, smashing an unbeaten 28 off just 10 deliveries, including three fours and two sixes.Karthik's blistering innings, coupled with Virat Kohli's solid 77 (49 balls), propelled RCB to victory with four balls to spare. The win was a crucial one for RCB, who had lost their previous two matches.Speaking after the match, Karthik admitted to feeling some rustiness but expressed satisfaction with his performance. He praised the contributions of his teammates, particularly Mahipal Lomror, who played a crucial role in the chase."Little bit (dusting off the rustiness). I wasn't completely in control, but getting there. We needed that (knock from Lomror), Anuj batted well last time, but when Mahipal walked out.. he took the pressure off me," Karthik said.Karthik also lauded the bowling of Harshal Patel, who picked up three wickets for RCB. He acknowledged Patel's skill and the challenges he poses to batsmen."He (Harshal) is a wily customer, he has the dipping slower one and if you missed that you are a goner, I had to wait to play the scoop. I didn't say anything, he (Lomror) was calm and when he hit that six, I just told him to keep a still head. If I start bowling then you can know what the situation would be for RCB," Karthik added.RCB's victory was a testament to their resilience and the impact of their experienced players. Karthik's late heroics and Kohli's consistent performances have been instrumental in RCB's resurgence this season.

Bangladesh's Khaled Ahmed's botched attempt to run out Sri Lanka's Kamindu Mendis at the non-striker's end has become a viral sensation on social media. The incident occurred on Day 3 of the ongoing first Test between the two teams in Sylhet on Sunday.In the 63rd over of Sri Lanka's innings, Ahmed attempted to catch Mendis off guard by attempting a run out at the non-striker's end. However, his throw missed the stumps by a whisker, leaving Mendis unscathed.The video of the incident has gone viral on social media, with many fans expressing amusement and disbelief at Ahmed's failed attempt.On Day 3, Mendis and Dhananjaya de Silva became the third pair in Test history to score a century in both innings, as Sri Lanka set up a daunting 511-run target for Bangladesh.The visitors were all out for 418 in their second innings at Sylhet, with Mendis making 164 runs to go with his 102 in the first innings and De Silva, who also scored 102 runs in the first innings, adding 108.The Chappell brothers, Greg and Ian, of Australia achieved the feat against New Zealand in March 1974, before Misbah-ul-Haq and Azhar Ali emulated it against Australia in Abu Dhabi in 2014.The pair, who shared 202 runs in Sri Lanka's first innings total of 280 runs, put on 173 runs together this time -- on their way to becoming the third and fourth Sri Lankans to score centuries in both innings against Bangladesh.Mehidy Hasan Miraz broke their partnership, before finishing with 4-74 for Bangladesh.Resuming on 119-5, the visitors lost nightwatchman Vishwa Fernando (four) early to Khaled Ahmed, before de Silva and Mendis took control.De Silva brought his century into the game with a single off Mehidy, before he gave Bangladesh their first chance as Nahid Rana dropped him off Shoriful Islam on 101.Mehidy ensured the drop did not hurt the team more, soon ending de Silva's innings, with Zakir Hasan taking the catch at short midwicket.Mendis put away a full toss of Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto to bring his own hundred off 171 balls just before the tea, when Prabath Jayasuriya was batting with him for 13.Mehidy removed Prabath Jayasuriya, who made 25, and Lahiru Kumara off successive deliveries to give Bangladesh some relief.Mehidy could have grabbed his fifth wicket if Liton Das did not drop Mendis on 133.Mendis protected last man Kasun Rajitha to add 52 runs in the final wicket pair, piling misery on Bangladesh.Mendis hit Taijul Islam for three sixes in an over to reach his 150 and help the lead exceed 500 runs. Taijul dismissed Mendis finally to wrap-up Sri Lanka's innings.Sri Lanka have never lost a Test series to Bangladesh.The second and final match of the series will be played in Chittagong from March 30.

Punjab Kings' captain Shikhar Dhawan led the charge with a gritty 45 off 37 deliveries, laying the foundation for their competitive total of 176 for six against Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. The pitch provided ample bounce, aiding the RCB bowlers initially.Dhawan's innings was characterized by his ability to capitalize on loose deliveries, including a lofted six over long-on off Mayank Dagar. He formed a crucial partnership with Prabhsimran Singh (25 off 17), who showcased his aggressive instincts with a flicked six over mid-wicket off Cameron Green.However, the RCB bowlers, particularly Yash Dayal (1/23), kept the Punjab batsmen in check with accurate deliveries. Prabhsimran's dismissal, caught by Anuj Rawat off Glenn Maxwell, and Dhawan's subsequent departure, caught by Virat Kohli off Maxwell, left Punjab at 98 for four in the 12th over.Jitesh Sharma (27 off 20) provided a much-needed boost with two sixes off Dagar, while Sam Curran (34 off 23) added valuable runs in a 52-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Shashank Singh's late cameo, including a 20-run over off Alzarri Joseph, helped Punjab reach a respectable total.Despite the solid batting performance, Punjab would have preferred a higher score to challenge the formidable RCB batting lineup.

The Indian Premier League (IPL), under the stewardship of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), has witnessed remarkable growth and success, according to former IPL commissioner Lalit Modi. Modi lauded the BCCI's efforts in expanding the league's reach to new cities and markets, effectively opening up the tournament to the entire country."The IPL has become the world's best sports league, with a valuation second to none," Modi said. "The BCCI has done a fantastic job in taking the games to newer cities and markets, bringing the IPL to the entire country."Modi emphasized the importance of innovation, particularly from team owners, in areas such as merchandising and ticketing. He suggested the creation of a centralized IPL store and collective efforts by team owners to enhance the fan experience."For the BCCI, they should consider a secondary league in tier two or tier three cities," Modi added. "This would cater to the growing appetite for cricket in these areas and could potentially promote the winner to the IPL for the next season."Modi attributed the IPL's success to its ability to nurture Indian players and inspire them to achieve their aspirations. He highlighted the performances of Anuj Rawat and Harshit Rana, who made significant contributions to their respective teams despite the presence of international stars."The tournament is no longer reliant on foreign stars," Modi said. "It is the Indian core that drives it. The success of the South African League (SA20) and the Caribbean League (CPL) is also due to the involvement of local stars."Regarding the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup in the West Indies/US and cricket's inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Modi expressed skepticism. He believes that the T20 World Cup in New York will be driven by expats and that cricket's inclusion in the Olympics would have been more impactful if it had occurred in countries with a strong cricket culture.

RCB's Anuj Rawat Stuns with One-Handed Catch to Dismiss Sam CurranRoyal Challengers Bangalore's (RCB) young wicket-keeper Anuj Rawat showcased his exceptional fielding skills during the IPL match against Punjab Kings in Bengaluru on Monday. In a moment of brilliance, Rawat grabbed a stunning one-handed catch to dismiss dangerous all-rounder Sam Curran.The incident occurred during the penultimate delivery of the 18th over. Pacer Yash Dayal's well-directed bouncer caught Curran off guard, forcing him to attempt a hook shot. However, Rawat's agility and quick reflexes proved too much for Curran.With a graceful leap, Rawat extended his right hand backwards in the air, plucking the ball out of thin air. The catch was a testament to Rawat's exceptional hand-eye coordination and athleticism.Curran, who was looking to accelerate the innings, had scored 23 runs off 17 balls, including three boundaries. Rawat's dismissal proved crucial in restricting Punjab Kings' late surge.In addition to his stunning catch, Rawat also contributed with the bat, scoring a brisk 25-ball 48 in the tournament opener against the Chennai Super Kings. His versatility as a wicketkeeper-batsman has made him a valuable asset for RCB."The communication has been very clear to me, as in batting down the order. As someone keeping wickets, you have to bat in the middle-order a lot," Rawat said in a pre-match presser.The Delhi cricketer, who has kept wickets for RCB in the last couple of matches, expressed his growing confidence in the role."Last season also, I kept wickets in a few games, and it gave me more confidence, and as this season goes on, I am looking forward to contributing more as a wicketkeeper batsman," Rawat added.Rawat's impressive performance against Punjab Kings highlights his potential as a rising star in the IPL. His ability to combine exceptional fielding with solid batting skills makes him a valuable asset for RCB and a player to watch in the upcoming matches.

Faf du Plessis: The Unexpected Leg-Spin WizardAhead of their first home match of the IPL season, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) players were stumped by a trivia question: who was the first current RCB player to take two consecutive 5-wicket hauls in T20s?To everyone's surprise, the answer was none other than their captain, Faf du Plessis. Back in 2011 and 2012, du Plessis achieved this feat in the South African domestic circuit with his leg-spin skills.His second five-wicket haul was particularly impressive, as it included wickets of Quinton de Kock, Neil McKenzie, Dwaine Pretorius, Chris Morris, and Thami Tsolekile, all of whom represented South Africa.Du Plessis' bowling prowess extends beyond T20s. He has also picked up 2 ODI wickets and has a respectable bowling record across first-class, List A, and T20 cricket. In T20s, he has claimed 50 wickets at an average of 18.34 and an economy rate of 6.96.Despite his bowling abilities, du Plessis has opted to focus on his batting in recent years. However, his teammates were quick to express their surprise and admiration for his leg-spin skills."Who bowls leg-spin? Faf? What!" exclaimed Virat Kohli. "Faf, I never expected you to do that!" added Dinesh Karthik.As RCB prepares to take on Punjab in their first home game of the season, it remains to be seen whether du Plessis will showcase his bowling talents once again.

Virat Kohli, the Indian batting maestro, has etched his name in the record books once again, this time as the Indian fielder with the most catches in T20 cricket. During the Royal Challengers Bangalore's (RCB) IPL 2024 match against Punjab Kings, Kohli surpassed Suresh Raina's previous record of 172 catches.Kohli's remarkable catch at covers to dismiss Jonny Bairstow marked his 173rd catch in T20s, solidifying his position as the most prolific Indian fielder in the format. The former India and RCB skipper has consistently showcased his exceptional fielding abilities, often making spectacular catches look routine.Kohli's achievement is a testament to his unwavering commitment to excellence both on and off the field. His agility, anticipation, and quick reflexes have made him a formidable presence in the outfield.Indian skipper Rohit Sharma follows Kohli on the list with 167 catches, while Manish Pandey (146) and Suryakumar Yadav (136) round out the top five.In the same match, Kohli also became the first Indian batter to complete 12,000 runs in T20 cricket. The milestone came during RCB's opening match of the season against Chennai Super Kings. Kohli has amassed these runs in 377 T20 matches and 360 innings, including 8 centuries and 91 fifties.Kohli's recent achievements underscore his status as one of the greatest cricketers of all time. His ability to consistently perform at the highest level, both with the bat and in the field, makes him an invaluable asset to any team.

Holi, the vibrant festival of colors, love, and friendship, painted the Indian Premier League (IPL) in its hues as cricket stars celebrated the occasion amidst their rigorous schedule. Mumbai Indians, led by Rohit Sharma, kicked off the festivities before their upcoming match against SunRisers Hyderabad.The festival brought together cricketers from diverse backgrounds, transcending nationalities and communities. Mumbai Indians' players, including Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, and Ritika Sajdeh, immersed themselves in the revelry.Delhi Capitals' star wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, back on the field after a life-threatening accident, enjoyed the festival with his teammates. Australian opener David Warner and head coach Ricky Ponting also joined in the celebrations.Kolkata Knight Riders' skipper Shreyas Iyer found himself drenched in water and color within seconds of meeting his teammates. Mentor Gautam Gambhir and players Suyash Sharma, Harshit Rana, and Chetan Sakariya were among those who participated in the festivities.Rajasthan Royals' spinner Yuzvendra Chahal celebrated with teammates Dhruv Jurel and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Steve Smith and Stuart Broad, former rivals in the Ashes series, shared the joy of Holi as part of the IPL's broadcasting team.The festival of colors not only brought joy to the cricketers but also symbolized the inclusivity and unity that the IPL represents. As the tournament progresses, the spirit of Holi will continue to inspire the players and fans alike, creating a vibrant and unforgettable spectacle.