Category: Sports

It’s no longer India Vs West Indies, for Virat Kohli and Kesrick Williams’ on-field “rivalry” has been a sight to behold for cricket fans in the on-going saga between the two in the underway T20I series in India.

On Friday, Indian skipper Kohli looked every bit in his element and propelled India to victory in a stunning run chase with an unbeaten knock of 94 that included six maximums.

But perhaps the most memorable shot of the day came when he sent Windies bowler Kesrick Williams out of the park in the 16th over.

Impressed by his own shot, a dramatic Kohli mimicked Williams’ signature celebration when he took out his “notebook” and ticked off Williams from his list. This, of course, was in response to Williams celebrating Kohli’s wicket in a one-off T20I match back in 2017.

Come second T20I on Sunday, bowling first, Williams returned the favour by halting Kohli from shifting gears, when the latter cut one of the deliveries to backward point. Kohli was undone for 19.

Not carrying his “notebook” to Thiruvananthapuram’s Greenfield International Stadium this time around, Williams had a rather subdued celebration – one that reminded the fans of Kohli’s famous “silent treatment” from the past. Many others felt Williams’ “shhhing” gesture was simply out of respect for the run machine.

Nonetheless, with a finger on his lips, Williams not only “silenced” Kohli but a packed stadium went really quiet as the dangerous batsman walked back to the dugout.

Of course, the watchers, even those from India, appreciated the light-hearted banter and continuing drama between Kohli and Williams.

Legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan on Friday took to twitter to congratulate Virat Kohli for his epic knock against West Indies in the first T20I in Hyderabad.

India rode on Kohli’s career-best score of 94 not out off 50 balls to help his team chase down 208 with 6 wickets and 8 balls to spare. Kohli produced another batting masterclass, smashing 6 fours and six sixes during his stroke-filled knock.

Amitabh Bachchan was one of the first ones to congratulate Kohli for his innings and quoted a famous dialogue from his hit film, Amar Akbar Anthony.

“Yaar, how many times I have told you this, don’t tease Virat, but you did not listen to me, now see he gave you a perfect response, look at West Indies’ face, how much he rattled them (with due respects to Anthony Bhai),” Bachchan tweeted in Hindi.

After being awarded the Man of the Match in the post-match presentation ceremony, Kohli advised the young cricketers to not follow his first-half of the innings.

“To young batsmen watching, don’t follow the first half of my innings. I was batting poorly at that time. I didn’t want to put KL under pressure but I couldn’t get going. Luckily got that one over from Holder, and then I began to analyze why I’m going wrong. Realized I’m not a slogger but a timer instead, and then changed my playing style,” Kohli said.

BCCI President Sourav Ganguly on Friday rubbished, as pure speculation, allegations that he would be vindictive towards chief coach Ravi Shastri, saying that performance alone will be the parameter of judging individuals during his tenure. Shastri and Ganguly had a public fallout in 2016 when the former reapplied for coach’s job and the latter was a part of the Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), which selected Anil Kumble for the position. In 2017, Shastri got back the job after Kumble resigned following his much-publicised difference of opinion with skipper Virat Kohli. During ‘India Today Conclave (East)’ on Friday, Ganguly was asked about conjecture that he has an axe to grind with Shastri because of past differences.

“That’s why these are called speculations. I don’t have an answer to these questions,” said Ganguly, dismissing the supposition. For Ganguly, it all boils down to performance on the field. “You perform and you continue, you don’t, someone else takes over. That was also the case when I played,” he asserted.

“There will be talks, leaks, rumours but concentration should be on what happens on 22 yards,” he said. He then cited examples of Virat Kohli, who has 70 international hundreds and Sachin Tendulkar (100 tons) to make his point.

“Life is about performance and nothing can substitute that,” he said. As he stated during his first press interaction after taking over, Ganguly reiterated that, “Kohli remains the most important man in Indian cricket as he leads the team on the field.” “Virat is a fantastic role model as to how he conducts himself on and off the field. He (Kohli) will get all the support required to succeed. Virat, Ravi everyone will get everything required. But at the end of the day, we will demand performance,” he said.

Rishabh Pant was touted as the possible successor for MS Dhoni’s place in the Indian cricket team but the youngster has been less than impressive in the last couple of limited over series. Pant was unable to impress with the bat and the inclusion of Sanju Samson in the squad means extra pressure for the wicket-keeper batsman. However, the team has showed an immense amount of faith when it comes to him and during the first T20I encounter against West Indies on Friday, he will have a chance to break Dhoni’s record against the Windies.

Currently, Dhoni has five dismissals (three catches and two stumpings) against West Indies – the most by any wicket-keeper in India-West Indies T20Is. Pant, who has three till now, is fifth in the list but with three matches coming up in the series, he will have a great chance to take the lead in the list.

MS Dhoni (IND): 5 in 7 matches (Catches – 3, Stumpings – 2)

Dinesh Ramdin (WI): 5 in 7 matches (Catches – 5, Stumpings – 0)

Andre Fletcher (WI): 3 in 4 matches (Catches – 3, Stumpings – 0)

Dinesh Karthik (IND): 3 in 4 matches (Catches – 3, Stumpings – 0)

Rishabh Pant (IND): 3 in 7 matches (Catches – 3, Stumpings – 0)

India would be looking to put the rare blemishes in T20Is behind them when they take on the West Indies.

India had whitewashed Windies in all the three formats when they visited the Caribbean Islands earlier in August.

However, in the T20I series against Bangladesh played last month, the Men in Blue – under Rohit Sharma — weren’t at their absolute best as they conceded their first-ever defeat to their Asian neighbours in the format.

The hosts will be buoyed by the return of regular Virat Kohli, who has provided the much-needed stability at the top of the order. Breaching the Indian top four — Rohit, KL Rahul, Kohli and Shreyas Iyer – would be a tough nut to crack for any bowling attack and considering that the Windies lack experience on that front, it would be an uphill task for the visitors to crack the Indian juggernaut

Virat Kohli’s century against Bangladesh at the Eden Gardens closed the gap between him and Steve Smith, and the Aussie required a great series against Pakistan to race ahead in the rankings race. However, with two scores of 4 and 37, Smith is now in the second position. But things can change for better if the Australian can correct the wrongs in the New Zealand home series that starts later this month.

However, David Warner has jumped 12 places to enter the top-five in the rankings after his incredible triple-hundred in the second Test against Pakistan in Adelaide. The Sydneysider remained not out on 335 in the innings, helping Australia to an easy innings victory. Joe Root, who had been dropped out of the top 10, has also made significant gains after a double century against New Zealand, climbing up four places to enter the top-10.

While Kohli, Rahane, and Pujara managed to be within the top-10, Rohit Sharma, who entered the chart thanks to his stunning South Africa takedown, has been dropped out of it after a poor Bangladesh series. Mayank Agarwal is at the 12th position whereas his opening partner Rohit occupies 16th position on the table.

Former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting is in awe of India’s “fantastic” pace attack but feels their spinners tend to struggle Down Under, making his country’s bowling unit a stronger force.

Helped by an impressive battery of fast bowlers, led by Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Ishant Sharma, India have risen to the pinnacle of Test rankings. The trio also played an instrumental role in the breakthrough series win in Australia last summer.

Ponting said even though India currently boast of a strong bowling attack, their spinners tend to struggle when it comes to playing in Australian conditions.

“I’m taking ours every day of the week. India’s is fantastic; Bumrah and Shami have been amazing for the last couple of years and then you put Umesh Yadav into the equation with Ishant Sharma, they’ve got some very, very good fast bowlers,” Ponting was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.

“And when you put (spinners Ravichandran) Ashwin and (Ravindra) Jadeja in there, their attack is very good. But their spinners struggle more in Australia, Nathan Lyon has a much better record in Australia than the Indian spinners have,” he added.

Australia recently defeated Pakistan 2-0 in the two-match Test series to move to the second position in the World Test Championship rankings behind India.

Pointing said Australia have variation in their attack, which gives them an edge over other teams.

“And I love the variation we have with Mitchell Starc in the line-up; that left-armer just provides a little bit of something different,” he said.

Australia batsman Steve Smith on Saturday added yet another feather to his already illustrious cap when he scored his 23rd run vs Pakistan on the 2nd day of the 2nd Test in Adelaide. Smith completed the milestone of 7000 Test runs in only his 70th Test and 126th innings, becoming the fastest ever to the landmark.

In terms of innings he beat England legend Wally Hammond, who scored his 7000th run in his 131st innings while Virender Sehwag had done it in the 134th. In terms of matches, Smith is head and shoulders above all with Gary Sobers and Sehwag being the next fastest to the landmark in 79 matches.

During his innings, Smith also crossed Don Bradman (6996) on the list of most Test runs for his country. Earlier, his teammate David Warner scored a magnificent double hundred to continue Australia’s dominance in the Day-night Test.

Fastest to 7000 Test runs (innings):
126* – Steve Smith (AUS)
131 – Walter Hammond (ENG)
134 – Virender Sehwag (IND)
136 – Sachin Tendulkar (IND)
138 – Garry Sobers (WI)/Kumar Sangakkara (SL)/Virat Kohli (IND)

Warner’s 200 runs came off 260 balls and he was still batting on 236, having survived being caught off the bowling of Muhammad Musa which was called a no-ball for overstepping. Earlier, Warner’s batting partner Marnus Labuschagne became the leading run-scorer in Tests in 2019.

Before being bowled by Afridi for 162, Labuschagne boosted his 2019 runs tally to 829 runs. The pair had added a record 361 runs for the 2nd wicket, which is the 2nd highest partnership for any wicket at the Adelaide Oval.

Virat Kohli, in a bid to motivate KS Bharat, handed over the trophy to the wicketkeeper-batsman after India’s Test series triumph over Bangladesh. The small gesture from the India captain left KS Bharat elated and he was very happy about the treatment. Additionally, KS Bharat said, senior India batsman Rohit Sharma, who was standing next to him during the trophy presentation, asked him to enjoy the moment. “Virat bhaiya told me it’s a small gesture of welcoming you in the team.

Then came Rohit bhaiya who was standing next to me. He told me to enjoy the moment. He said it is your time to enjoy and feel it. I was very nervous but was very happy the way they treated me”, the 26-year-old added.

KS Bharat was included in the Test squad for the Bangladesh series as a cover for Wriddhiman Saha after the Indian selection committee had decided to release Rishabh Pant to get some match time in domestic cricket ahead of the limited overs series against the West Indies.

Bharat, who has been a regular for India A, has scored 3,909 runs in 69 first class games with eight hundreds and 20 half centuries which includes a triple hundred.

Bharat, however, is yet to make his debut in Test cricket. The Andhra Pradesh cricketer has also not featured in a single One-day International (ODI) or Twenty20 International (T20I).

Former Indian captain MS Dhoni is quite famous for his quirky responses and well, even when he is away from action, he continues to hog the headlines. Speaking at an event in Chennai, the stumper left the audience in splits with his comments on marriage. The Ranchi lad said: “All men are like lions before marriage. The real essence of marriage is once you cross the age of 55. I let my wife do everything she wants because if my wife is happy then I am happy.”

The former captain has been on a sabbatical since India’s semi-final exit from the ODI World Cup in England in July. He has already missed the tour of the West Indies and the home series against South Africa and Bangladesh. National selection committee chairman MSK Prasad has already made it clear that the panel has “moved on” and Dhoni is aware of its intent to blood youngsters such as Rishabh Pant keeping in mind next year’s T20 World Cup in Australia.

As per a latest report, he could make a return to cricket before IPL 2020. Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has asked permission from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to allow seven of its top cricketers to be part of the Asia XI team, which is scheduled to play two T20 Internationals against the Rest of the World.

“Yes, Bangladesh is scheduled to host two T20 Internationals between Asia XI and Rest of the World. We are in touch with BCCI and other cricket boards of the Asian region to allow their players to be part of these two games,” BCB chief executive Nizamuddin Chowdhury told India Today.

“Let me say this: MS Dhoni has earned the right to retire when he wants to. And let this debate end once and for all,” Team India head coach Ravi Shastri has already weighed in on the issue.

Team India head coach Ravi Shastri does not want to jump the gun on Rishabh Pant and instead, wants the people around to calm down and give the young wicket-keeper batsman a chance to settle down and find his bearings. “Nothing. Just tell him that you are young and nobody expects you to learn everything in one day. You are bound to make mistakes, but as long as you sit down and thing about ways to rectify those mistakes, you know that is what this game will teach you. You are not going to be a superstar in one day. You will have your ups and your downs. That is life, but the more you work harder, the more the sacrifices you make, the better you will become,” Shastri told IANS in an interview.

Shastri also spoke about his days when he was a broadcaster and said that by covering a lot of cricket he understood the different permutations and combinations of the game and this also helped him understand how to deal with different personalities in the side.

“I think that was a big help because I watched so much of cricket. To be honest, I haven’t missed a beat in 40 years. It started with playing for Mumbai in 1980 and since then I have not missed a single season as a player, broadcaster and now as a coach. Having watched the game so much and then adding the facets like being a player and then broadcaster, it has helped a lot. Covered cricket in all parts of the world and that is a huge advantage,” he further added.

In the just-concluded Test series against South Africa and Bangladesh, the Indian management played Wriddhiman Saha ahead of Rishabh Pant. As per skipper Virat Kohli, this call was made purely because Saha was a better keeper in Indian conditions. This belief was vindicated by the Bengal wicket-keeper who was brilliant right through the season and drew plenty of accolades.