Cricket

Virat Kohli, the star Indian batter, celebrated his 36th birthday on Tuesday with his wife Anushka Sharma and two children. Despite a disappointing performance in the recent Test series against New Zealand, Kohli is eagerly anticipating the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, which begins on November 22.Ahead of the series, Kohli was spotted in Mumbai with his wife, where he was approached by an enthusiastic fan. In a heartwarming gesture, Kohli obliged the fan's request for a selfie, demonstrating his humility and accessibility.Earlier, Kohli attended an event hosted by HSBC, where he was surprised by fans singing "Happy Birthday." The crowd's affectionate gesture left Kohli smiling and appreciative.Kohli's birthday celebrations come amidst preparations for the IPL 2025 auction, where he will be the top-retention pick for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The auction will be held on November 24 and 25 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with over 1,500 players registered to participate.Kohli's recent performances have been below his usual standards, but he remains a key figure in Indian cricket. His experience and leadership will be crucial for India's success in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy and the IPL 2025 season.

India's T20I Dominance vs. South Africa's Struggles: A Tale of Two TeamsSince the thrilling T20 World Cup 2024 final, the fortunes of India and South Africa have diverged significantly in the shortest format.India's Seamless TransitionDespite losing key players from the World Cup-winning XI, India has transitioned seamlessly. Suryakumar Yadav has emerged as a batting force, while youngsters have slotted in effortlessly. They are currently on an 11-match winning streak, including series victories over Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.South Africa's Post-World Cup SlumpIn contrast, South Africa has struggled since their World Cup defeat. They lost 3-0 to West Indies and drew 1-1 with Ireland. Their loss in Durban against India has further dented their confidence.Key Factors in the ContrastSouth Africa's struggles stem from a lack of cohesion and the absence of key players. India, on the other hand, has maintained a high level of consistency and has been able to win without their first-choice T20I players.Players to WatchGerald Coetzee, with his fiery bowling, and Arshdeep Singh, with his impressive wicket-taking ability, are players to watch in the second T20I.Team NewsIndia may consider debuting Ramandeep Singh as a finisher, while South Africa could replace Nqabayomzi Peter with Ottneil Baartman.Pitch and ConditionsThe Gqeberha pitch is expected to favor fast bowlers with good bounce and carry. Rain is unlikely to affect the match.Stats and Trivia* Hardik Pandya could move to second on India's all-time T20I wicket-takers list.* Sanju Samson has the highest strike rate among Full Member batters in 2024.* India has a strong T20I record against South Africa in South Africa.Quotes"We have to respect South Africa, but we have to play like world champions," said Sanju Samson."We need new blood and experience," said Gerald Coetzee about South Africa's rebuilding process.

Sanju Samson's wife, Charulatha Remesh, expressed her admiration for her husband's remarkable performance in the 1st T20I against South Africa in Durban. Samson's century played a pivotal role in India's victory, marking his second consecutive century in T20Is.Samson's aggressive approach in T20Is has been a key factor in his success. He believes in trusting his shot-making abilities and attacking each ball. This mindset has led to both success and failure, but Samson remains focused on maximizing runs in the first innings.In preparation for the South Africa series, Samson made a conscious switch from playing Duleep Trophy and Ranji Trophy matches. He believes this adjustment has given him an advantage in understanding the South African conditions and replicating scenarios.Samson's preparation involves practicing on different pitches with various balls to simulate match conditions. He emphasizes the importance of being ready to perform at the international level, which requires hard work and mental effort.Samson's journey to the Indian team has been marked by dedication and perseverance. He is grateful for the opportunity to showcase his talent on the international stage and contribute to India's success.

India's upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia has taken on heightened significance following their 3-0 loss to New Zealand. To qualify for the World Test Championship final without relying on other teams, India must defeat Australia in at least four of the five Tests.Amidst this crucial series, reports emerged that skipper Rohit Sharma might miss the first Test due to personal reasons. Former Indian captain Sunil Gavaskar suggested that if Sharma is unavailable for the first two Tests, the team should appoint a new captain for the entire series.However, former Australian captain Aaron Finch disagreed with Gavaskar's opinion. Finch emphasized the importance of supporting Sharma during a significant personal moment, stating that he should take all the time he needs.Sharma's wife, Ritika Sajdeh, expressed her appreciation for Finch's stance. She reacted with a 'salute' emoji on an Instagram post highlighting both Gavaskar and Finch's comments.The debate over Sharma's potential absence has sparked discussions about the importance of leadership and team unity. Gavaskar believes that a captain is essential to guide the team, especially after a disappointing series loss. Finch, on the other hand, prioritizes personal well-being and believes that Sharma should not be penalized for attending to family matters.As the Border-Gavaskar Trophy approaches, the Indian team faces a crucial decision regarding Sharma's availability. The outcome of the series will have a significant impact on their chances of reaching the World Test Championship final.

Anvay Dravid, the son of legendary Indian cricketer Rahul Dravid, has been included in the Karnataka probable list for the under-16 Vijay Merchant Trophy, scheduled to commence on December 6. The wicketkeeper-batter is one of three wicketkeepers named in the 35-member list, alongside Aditya Jha and Joy James.Anvay's selection is a testament to his impressive performances at the youth level. Last year, he captained the state under-14 side in the inter-zone meet and recently scored an unbeaten 200 for Bangalore Zone against Tumkur Zone in the KSCA Under-16 Inter Zonal tournament. His elder brother, Samit, is currently representing Karnataka in the Cooch Behar Trophy against Baroda.The under-16 team will be coached by former state players Kunal Kapoor (head coach) and Adithya B Sagar (bowling coach).Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals head coach Rahul Dravid has revealed that captain Sanju Samson played a key role in the franchise's retention strategy for the IPL 2025. Samson, who is the team's wicketkeeper-batter and captain, was the first pick along with Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, and Sandeep Sharma."We have decided that we will do six out of six retentions. We will retain Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, and Sandeep Sharma. We came to this decision because we trust our talent. We also trust that we want to maintain and build with that core," Dravid said.

Pakistan cricket legend Rashid Latif has strongly condemned reports that India may refuse to play in Pakistan for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. Latif emphasized that ICC tournament commitments are binding and questioned the validity of security concerns, citing the recent successful tours of Australia, New Zealand, England, and South Africa to Pakistan.Latif argued that a refusal to participate would require a "solid reason" under ICC regulations, similar to the specific threats that prompted West Indies and Australia to skip matches in Sri Lanka during the 1996 World Cup. He warned that if Pakistan were to reciprocate India's stance by opting out of ICC events, it would severely impact the ICC's relevance and viewership.PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi echoed Latif's sentiments, expressing disappointment over India's reported stance and emphasizing the tournament's potential to strengthen regional cricket ties. Naqvi stated that the PCB would only accept India's absence if it was provided in writing with clear reasons.Meanwhile, TimesofIndia.com reported that the BCCI has requested matches be played at a neutral venue, with Dubai being the leading option. Sources indicate that the BCCI has already conveyed its concerns to the PCB and other ICC stakeholders.Latif's comments highlight the importance of adhering to ICC commitments and the potential consequences of political interference in cricket. The PCB's stance underscores its determination to host the Champions Trophy successfully and its belief that politics should not overshadow the sport. The BCCI's request for a neutral venue raises questions about the future of ICC events in Pakistan and the impact it could have on the development of cricket in the region.

New Zealand, led by Mitchell Santner, have opted to bat first in the opening T20I against Sri Lanka in Kandy. Santner expressed confidence in the pitch, describing it as "a good surface, maybe a touch on the slower side." With no rain expected, he felt comfortable batting first. Sri Lanka's captain, Charith Asalanka, also indicated that he would have chosen to bat first.Sri Lanka have retained the same XI that defeated West Indies in their previous T20I. Their bowling attack features fast bowlers Matheesha Pathirana and Nuwan Thushara, along with spinners Maheesh Theekshana, Wanindu Hasaranga, and Dunith Wellalage.New Zealand, on the other hand, are fielding a depleted team due to the ongoing South Asian tour. Wicketkeeper-batter Mitch Hay is set to make his debut, while other lesser-known players include seamers Zakary Foulkes and Jacob Duffy, and allrounder Josh Clarkson.

Haryana's Yashvardhan Dalal etched his name into the record books with an extraordinary batting performance in the Col. CK Nayudu Trophy encounter against Mumbai. The 22-year-old opener smashed an unbeaten quadruple century, amassing a staggering 426 runs, to establish a new tournament record.Dalal's marathon innings, which included 46 fours and 12 sixes, propelled Haryana to a commanding position in the match. Batting first after Mumbai's decision to field, Dalal and Arsh Ranga forged a formidable opening partnership of 410 runs. Ranga contributed 151 before being dismissed by Atharva Bhosale, but Dalal continued his relentless assault on the Mumbai bowlers.The right-handed batsman displayed exceptional strokeplay, punishing loose deliveries with boundaries and clearing the ropes with ease. His aggressive approach kept the Mumbai bowlers on the back foot throughout the second day's play.Dalal's record-breaking knock surpassed the previous highest individual score in the tournament, which was held by Uttar Pradesh's Sameer Rizvi (312). The Haryana opener's monumental innings helped his team reach an imposing total of 732 for eight wickets at the close of play on Day 2.Mumbai's bowlers struggled to contain Dalal's onslaught, with only Bhosale managing to break through the Haryana batsman's defenses. The Mumbai team now faces an uphill task in the remaining days of the match, as they trail Haryana by a significant margin.Dalal's remarkable achievement is a testament to his exceptional talent and determination. The young batsman has been in impressive form this season, and his quadruple century is a fitting reward for his hard work and dedication.

Star Indian batter Yashasvi Jaiswal has lauded his elder brother Tejasvi Jaiswal for his maiden First-Class half-century in the ongoing Ranji Trophy. Tejasvi, a left-handed batsman and right-arm medium pacer, scored 82 runs in his only innings and claimed a wicket for Tripura against Baroda at Agartala.Tejasvi's knock helped Tripura establish a substantial lead of 252 runs in the first innings, although the match ultimately ended in a draw. Baroda posted 235 before Tripura declared at 482/7. Baroda resumed their innings and were 241/4 when the match concluded.Yashasvi took to Instagram to express his pride in his brother's achievement.Meanwhile, Yashasvi Jaiswal has received a significant salary increase with Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He has been retained for a whopping Rs 18 crore, a substantial jump from his previous salary of Rs 4 crore.Rajasthan Royals' head coach Rahul Dravid attributed the decision to retain six players to the team's belief in their talent and desire for continuity and stability. Skipper Sanju Samson's guidance also played a role."We have decided that we will do six out of six retentions. We will retain Sanju Samson, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel, Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, and Sandeep Sharma. We came to this decision because we trust our talent. We also trust that we want to maintain and build with that core," Dravid stated.Sandeep Sharma was retained under the revived 'uncapped' player rule. Teams are permitted to retain a maximum of six players with an overall budget of Rs 120 crore for retention and the mega auction.