Cricket

Rishabh Pant's return to cricket has been marked by a meticulous approach to fitness and recovery, including a tailored nutrition plan managed by a private chef, Akshay Arora. Arora, the founder of Neat Meals, travels with Pant to ensure he adheres to a strict dietary regimen.In collaboration with nutritionist Shweta Shah, Arora carefully monitors Pant's dietary needs, emphasizing anti-inflammatory foods and hydration to enhance recovery between games. Arora's culinary skills ensure that Pant's meals are both nutritious and enjoyable, preventing monotony and maintaining his interest in eating healthy.Arora explains that energy, in terms of nutrition, refers to nutrients that Pant may not have received sufficient supply of. By understanding Pant's specific requirements, Arora adjusts the macronutrient composition of his meals to optimize his performance.Arora recalls two particularly fulfilling moments: Pant's return to cricket in the IPL 2024 and his Test century against Bangladesh in Chennai. These milestones were not only significant for Pant but also for Arora, who witnessed the culmination of their collaborative efforts.Arora believes that the trend of private chefs will gain popularity among Indian cricketers, as it contributes to longevity in their playing careers. Players are increasingly recognizing the importance of clean eating and proper nutrition for on-field performance.

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) has retained star batter Virat Kohli ahead of the upcoming IPL 2025 auction, signaling their unwavering commitment to the talismanic player. In a heartfelt video message posted on social media, Kohli expressed his gratitude for the unwavering support from RCB fans and vowed to strive for the elusive IPL title during the next three-year cycle."I'm very excited about the chance to create a squad at this auction," Kohli said. "As a franchise, as a team, we're looking ahead in this cycle. In the next three years, one of the goals obviously is to win the IPL title at least once. We're going to give our best shot as always, and I'll try to make everyone proud with the way we play our cricket."Kohli's retention as the top pick, commanding a salary of INR 21 crore, was an expected move given his long-standing association with the team since the IPL's inception in 2008. In his video message, Kohli reflected on his journey with RCB, noting that by the end of this new three-year cycle, he will have completed 20 years with the franchise. He described this milestone as a matter of immense pride and a testament to his enduring commitment to the team.Despite RCB's lack of an IPL title, Kohli acknowledged the incredible support from the fans, which remains unwavering and is largely attributed to his dedication and performances over the years. Kohli also shared his excitement about the upcoming mega auction, expressing confidence in the RCB management's ability to make strategic decisions that will bolster the team. He assured fans that the primary goal remains to win the IPL trophy, a dream that has eluded the franchise thus far.RCB's decision to retain Kohli, Patidar, and Dayal while releasing key players like Mohammed Siraj and Glenn Maxwell signifies a strategic shift aimed at restructuring the squad. With a substantial auction purse of INR 84 crore and three Right to Match (RTM) cards at their disposal, RCB are well-positioned to make impactful additions to their roster.Kohli's video message resonated with fans, reinforcing their hope and anticipation for a successful IPL 2025 season. As RCB heads into the mega auction, the focus will be on assembling a balanced and formidable squad capable of finally clinching the IPL title.

Neil D'Costa, a renowned Australian batting coach, has cautioned against rushing 19-year-old sensation Sam Konstas into Test cricket for the upcoming series against India. D'Costa believes Konstas is not yet ready for the rigors of the five-day format, citing the cautionary example of Prithvi Shaw's decline in international cricket.D'Costa, who has coached the likes of Michael Clarke and Mitchell Starc, emphasizes the importance of allowing Konstas to develop his game in the Sheffield Shield. He believes that Konstas needs to gain experience and understanding of the game's nuances before being thrust into the international arena."He could be a good player for 100 Tests. If they put him in now, he might only play 10 Tests," D'Costa said. "Let him play two years of Sheffield Shield. Let him understand the grounds, the flows of the game, understand himself and understand the game."D'Costa's concerns stem from Konstas' recent performances for Australia A against India A, where he scored 2 and 43 in the first match and a duck and 16 in the second. While Konstas has shown great potential, D'Costa believes he needs more time to mature and develop his game.Other contenders for the opening spot alongside Usman Khawaja include Marcus Harris and Cameron Bancroft. However, D'Costa believes that Konstas should not be rushed into the team at the expense of more experienced players."It's just ridiculous (talk of rushing him in). How's Prithvi Shaw going? I could see his weaknesses before he went in," D'Costa said.D'Costa's advice is based on his extensive experience in coaching young players. He believes that Konstas has the potential to become a great player, but that he needs to be given the time and space to develop his game properly.

Hobart Hurricanes' record-breaking chase of 174 against Brisbane Heat on Saturday marked a significant moment in the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL). England batter Danni Wyatt-Hodge played a pivotal role in the victory, smashing 62 runs off just 35 deliveries.Heat's innings was anchored by Grace Harris' 75, who opened the batting for Australia in the recent World Cup. However, Hurricanes' bowlers managed to restrict Heat to a total of 173 for 5.Wyatt-Hodge and fellow opener Lizelle Lee set the tone for Hurricanes' chase with a blistering 55-run partnership in the opening six overs. Wyatt-Hodge continued to dominate the innings, hitting six fours and three sixes.Despite losing Lee for 38, Wyatt-Hodge remained unfazed and rallied her team. She was eventually dismissed by legspinner Grace Parsons, but not before leaving Hurricanes with a manageable target of 33 runs from the final three overs.Elyse Villani's reverse-swept boundary in the final over sealed the victory for Hurricanes, who secured a seven-wicket win with two balls remaining.Wyatt-Hodge's performance earned her the player-of-the-match award, while Parsons' economical spell of 1 for 15 kept Heat in the contest.The victory ended Heat's undefeated start to the WBBL season and marked a record-breaking day for Hurricanes. Their previous best WBBL chase came in October 2021, when they hauled in a target of 145 against Melbourne Stars.

Pakistan's spin duo of Noman Ali and Sajid Khan wreaked havoc on England's batting lineup, leading Pakistan to a resounding nine-wicket victory in the third and decisive Test in Karachi. The triumph secured a memorable 2-1 series win for the hosts.Pakistan seized the initiative early on, establishing a crucial 77-run first-innings lead on a pitch that favored spinners from both sides. Noman and Sajid then turned the screws in England's second innings, bowling them out for a paltry 112.Noman claimed six wickets for 42 runs, while Sajid chipped in with four for 69. The duo accounted for 19 of England's 20 wickets in the match, with Pakistan's lone seamer, Aamer Jamal, remaining unused.Since being drafted into the team mid-series, Noman and Sajid have taken 39 of England's 40 wickets in the last two Tests. Their dominance has highlighted the spin-friendly conditions in Pakistan and exposed England's vulnerability against turning tracks."If you give England players even a slightly spinning track, they get nervous," Sajid remarked in a viral video. "Because the conditions they usually dominate make us nervous, but here it's they who get nervous."Pakistan's victory in the Test series is a significant boost ahead of their upcoming tour of Australia, where they will play three ODIs and three T20Is. The limited-overs series begins on Monday in Melbourne.

Indian cricket star Virat Kohli showcased his playful side during the third Test match against New Zealand in Mumbai on Friday. As fans erupted in song with the Bollywood hit "My Name is Lakhan," Kohli couldn't resist joining in, performing the hook step on the field. This lighthearted moment captured on camera highlights Kohli's infectious energy and love for the game.Meanwhile, India's bowlers dominated the opening day, with Ravindra Jadeja claiming his 14th five-wicket haul and Washington Sundar bagging four wickets. The duo exploited the turning Wankhede Stadium pitch to their advantage, bowling out New Zealand for 235.Will Young and Daryl Mitchell provided some resistance for the visitors, sharing an 89-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Young scored a patient 71, while Mitchell top-scored with 82, hitting three fours and three sixes. However, the Indian bowlers maintained their grip, with only four New Zealand batters reaching double figures.India's Playing XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wk), Sarfaraz Khan, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Ravichandran Ashwin, Akash Deep, Mohammed SirajNew Zealand's Playing XI: Tom Latham (c), Devon Conway, Will Young, Rachin Ravindra, Daryl Mitchell, Tom Blundell (wk), Glenn Phillips, Ish Sodhi, Matt Henry, Ajaz Patel, William O'Rourke

Pakistan's Test captain Shan Masood believes that Babar Azam's temporary absence from the Test squad will ultimately benefit the star batsman. Babar was omitted from the Pakistan squad for the last two Tests against England, which Pakistan won to claim the series 2-1, after a prolonged lean patch.Masood, in an interview with BBC Stumped, expressed his confidence in Babar's abilities, stating that he is "one of the best batsmen in the world" and has the potential to be "one of the greatest batsmen in Test cricket." He emphasized that sometimes players need a break to regain their form.Pakistan has indicated that Babar's absence from the Test side is temporary, as he has been called up for the upcoming white-ball series against Australia. Masood expects Babar to "come back a stronger player" after his break.Masood also discussed his role as captain and the changes in the selection process. He emphasized the importance of collective decision-making and praised the new selectors for their collaboration. He stated that the team's focus is on taking 20 wickets and that they believe playing on used pitches with three spinners will benefit them.Regarding the controversial post-match interview with commentator Ramiz Raja, Masood expressed no hard feelings. He stated that he is open to constructive criticism and is focused on reflecting his character in a positive way.

Former BCCI and Team India selector MSK Prasad has raised concerns over the selection of Nitish Kumar Reddy in the Indian squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Reddy, who has played only 21 first-class matches, has been fast-tracked into the Test squad after impressing in IPL 2024 and in T20Is for India.Prasad believes that Reddy should not be expected to perform like Hardik Pandya, who is a more experienced all-rounder. "He is not Hardik, who bowls at 140. He just bowls at 125 to 130kmph," Prasad said.Prasad also expressed concern over Reddy's lack of experience in red-ball cricket. "I'm concerned because of the kind of role we gave to Hardik back then after whatever Test cricket he had played," Prasad added.Hardik's Test career lasted only 11 Tests, and he hasn't played a red-ball game in over six years. He has often been bogged down by injury and needed workload management.Prasad has similar worries about Reddy, who has only 708 runs and a solitary century in first-class cricket. "His batting numbers are far from brilliant," Prasad said.Despite his concerns, Prasad acknowledged that Reddy has taken 55 first-class wickets at a good average of 26.01. However, he believes that Reddy's selection is a gamble."It's a gamble. He's a talented player, but he's not ready for Test cricket yet," Prasad said. "I hope he proves me wrong, but I'm not convinced."

KKR CEO Reveals Reasons Behind Shreyas Iyer's Non-RetentionFollowing Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) dominant IPL 2024 title win under Shreyas Iyer's captaincy, the franchise's decision to not retain him ahead of the mega auction raised eyebrows. KKR CEO Venky Mysore has now shed light on the thought process behind this move.Mysore emphasized that Iyer was KKR's top retention priority, but the decision ultimately rested with the player. He hinted that Iyer's desire to test his market value in the auction played a role in his non-retention."He was No. 1 on our list (for retention). He's captain and we have to build everything around the leadership. We picked him for this specific reason in 2022," Mysore said.Mysore clarified that the retention process requires mutual agreement between the franchise and the player. In Iyer's case, this agreement could not be reached."What is fundamental to a retention is that it's a matter of mutually agreeing. It's not a one-sided right that the franchise has, the player has to consider various factors and agree," Mysore explained."Somewhere along the line, if that agreement doesn't happen because of factors like money or someone wants to test their value, then the decision is influenced," he added.Mysore expressed his support for Iyer's decision to explore his commercial value in the auction. He acknowledged that players have the right to prioritize their financial interests."In this case, it so happened that he felt it was best, and we're always supportive of the players when it comes to going to the auction and testing their value," Mysore said.With several teams in need of captains, including Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Iyer is expected to be a highly sought-after player in the IPL 2025 mega auction.