Tag: virat kohli

21Nov

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Jasprit Bumrah praises Nitish Kumar Reddy’s all-round potential | Cricket News – Times of India

Nitish Kumar Reddy. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images) NEW DELHI: Jasprit Bumrah, while keeping his cards close to his chest regarding the final playing eleven for the first Test against Australia, hinted at the team management's strong belief in Nitish Kumar Reddy's all-round capabilities. Bumrah acknowledged that Reddy's skills could be instrumental in achieving the desired balance for the Indian team.As captain, Bumrah has been impressed by the clarity and composure displayed by the young players, particularly in the context of their debut Test series in Australia. The squad features several newcomers on their maiden Test tour to Australia, including Reddy, fast bowler Harshit Rana, Devdutt Padikkal, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Prasidh Krishna, and Dhruv Jurel. "Reddy is quite talented and we are ...

21Nov

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Border-Gavaskar Trophy: When Adam Gilchrist’s son chose Virat Kohli’s bat over his own father’s | Cricket News – Times of India

Virat Kohli and Adam Gilchrist NEW DELHI: There's no denying Virat Kohli's status as a global icon in cricket. His unmatched skill, relentless determination, and charismatic leadership have earned him legions of fans worldwide, including some unexpected admirers. One such fan is Archie, the son of Australian legend Adam Gilchrist, who once made a surprising choice that delighted Kohli's followers. During the 2018-19 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Gilchrist revealed an amusing anecdote about his then 11-year-old son Archie, who opted for a Virat Kohli-endorsed MRF bat over the Puma bat that Gilchrist himself had famously used during his illustrious career. Border-Gavaskar TrophyOn-air during the second Test in Perth, Gilchrist shared the story as Kohli was crafting a sublime century alongside Hanu...

21Nov

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‘They’ve got plenty of…’: Ricky Ponting’s advice for Virat Kohli and Steve Smith | Cricket News – Times of India

Virat Kohli and Steve Smith. (Photo by Philip Brown/Popperfoto via Getty Images) NEW DELHI: Both Virat Kohli and Steve Smith are going through a lean patch. Both former captains of their respective teams and both batting greats.Ahead of the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, which begins in Perth from Friday, former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has some advice for both Kohli and Smith.Border-Gavaskar TrophyHaving scored six hundreds from 13 Test matches and averaging 54.08, Kohli has historically dominated red-ball cricket in Australia but he has only averaged 22.72 in his six Test matches this season.After scoring just 91 runs in India's shocking 0-3 series loss to New Zealand at home earlier this month, Kohli enters his seventh tour to Australia.The 36-year-old Kohli has scored...

21Nov

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‘When Rohit Sharma returns…’: Ricky Ponting reveals ‘potential disruption’ | Cricket News – Times of India

Rohit Sharma. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images) NEW DELHI: The legendary Ricky Ponting, who on Thursday maintained his prediction of a 3-1 series victory for Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, believed that captain Rohit Sharma joining the Indian team in the second Test at Adelaide could be a "potential disruption" for the visitors. On Friday, the highly anticipated five-match Test series begins in Perth. Rohit will miss the series opener since he is on a paternity leave. In his place, the Indian squad is being captained by pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah.Border-Gavaskar Trophy"I just think there's potential for more disruption through their campaign with Sharma coming back and whatever else. So I'll stick with it (3-1 verdict in favour of Australia)," Ponting said on ICC Review."(...

21Nov

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‘Virat Kohli has said to me that … ‘: Yashasvi Jaiswal reveals tough talk ahead of India’s 1st Test against Australia | Cricket News – Times of India

Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli (Photo Credits: Getty Images) NEW DELHI: Team India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal has expressed his admiration for the veteran Indian batter Virat Kohli, acknowledging his consistency and discipline both on and off the field.Jaiswal, 22, has been in touch with Kohli since he started playing for India, seeking guidance on how to manage himself and maintain discipline in his daily routines to sustain a prolonged career."When I started playing like senior cricket, I did speak to Virat Paji that how he managed himself. Paji has said to me that if I want to play all that cricket, then I have to be disciplined in my daily routines and follow the process," Jaiswal told BCCI. "So I have seen him doing the stuff consistently day by day. Actually seeing him, it motivates m...

21Nov

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‘One series can go up and down, but Virat Kohli…’: Jasprit Bumrah ahead of 1st Test against Australia | Cricket News – Times of India

Jasprit Bumrah speaks during a press conference at Optus Stadium in Perth on November 21, 2024. (Photo by Saeed Khan/AFP via Getty Images) NEW DELHI: India pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah is set to lead India in the first Test of this edition of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia starting in Perth from Friday.Addressing a press conference at the Optus Stadium on Thursday, Bumrah exuded confidence ahead of the series, saying that the team is prepared for the tough challenge of the five-match Test series.Border-Gavaskar TrophyBumrah said, "We are prepared. We came in early and trained at the WACA. When we came here for the first time, we did well so the onus is on the youngsters to take up the responsibility as well."Throwing his weight behind former Indian captain Virat Kohli, who i...

21Nov

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‘Champions Trophy in the house’: Shoaib Akhtar overjoyed with ‘beauty’ amid India-Pakistan standoff | Cricket News – Times of India

Shoaib Akhtar (Photo Credits: @shoaib100mph on X) NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar recently took centre stage as he joined the Champions Trophy tour in Pakistan, displaying his excitement for the prestigious ICC tournament set to take place in 2025. Sharing a moment of pride on social media, Akhtar posted a photo on platform X (formerly Twitter), captioned: “Landed back in Pakistan to this beauty. Champions Trophy in the house!!”Despite the celebratory mood, the road to hosting the Champions Trophy remains steeped in uncertainty. Tensions persist over whether the tournament will occur in Pakistan, feature a hybrid model, or be shifted entirely. The debate gained momentum when the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) informed the International Cricket Council (ICC) th...

20Nov

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‘It’s up to the BJP government, not BCCI’: Shoaib Akhtar on India’s travel to Pakistan for Champions Trophy – WATCH | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Will the Champions Trophy be held in Pakistan? Will it be played under a hybrid model? Or will the tournament be entirely shifted out of Pakistan? The uncertainty surrounding the host venue for the 2025 Champions Trophy continues to dominate discussions in world cricket.The controversy began when the BCCI informed the International Cricket Council (ICC) that the Indian cricket team would not travel to Pakistan, the designated host for the tournament.In response, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) took a firm stance, rejecting the idea of a hybrid model.ICC cancels key event for Champions Trophy amid scheduling dispute over India matchesNow, former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has weighed in on the issue, sharing his perspective in a recent interview."It's really up to the go...

20Nov

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Chief selector Ajit Agarkar, coach Gautam Gambhir to work on roadmap – Times of India

Gautam Gambhir and Ajit Agarkar during a press conference in Mumbai. (PTI Photo) NEW DELHI: While all eyes are trained on how the Indian team will fare in the five Tests in Australia from Friday, coach Gautam Gambhir and chief selector Ajit Agarkar will also be working on a roadmap for the future of the white-ball teams, apart from the Test squad.TOI understands that Agarkar has been asked to stay in Australia for the entire length of the tour to work closely with Gambhir and get an understanding of how each player is placed in his career. Following the 0-3 debacle at home against New Zealand, talk of transition has gathered steam.According to BCCI sources, the idea is to ensure that both Agarkar and Gambhir are on the same page on the matter. There has been speculation that there is a lac...

20Nov

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Virat Kohli opens up on favourite knock in Australia ahead of Border-Gavaskar trophy series

Critics are questioning Virat Kohli’s place in the side, but Australia has often been a stage for his redemption. File | Photo Credit: Reuters Ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, India's star batter Virat Kohli reflected on his best knock in Australia, identifying his century during the 2018/19 series as his favourite.Virat Kohli is a player often celebrated on Australian soil.While his past performances have matched the hype, this series presents a make-or-break scenario for the superstar. He faces the dual challenge of regaining form and overcoming technical struggles while holding on to his spot in the Test side amid pressure from emerging talent poised to step into the playing eleven.“My best knock...

19Nov

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Not Virat Kohli Or Rohit Sharma! Travis Head Names Team India’s ‘X-Factor’ Across Formats

As IND vs AUS Border-Gavaskar Trophy approaches, two Indian players are at the center of discussions: former India skipper Virat Kohli and premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah. Veteran Kohli is expected to make a big impact, with fans hoping he will shine in Australia with his batting. Fans are eager to see Jasprit Bumrah challenge Australian batters with his exceptional skills and intimidating presence. Australian media has compared Jasprit Bumrah's dominance to the legendary West Indies bowlers of 1970s, highlighting him as the first touring bowler in years to instill such fear among Australian batters. Also on ABP Live | When Will ICC Champions Trophy 2025 Schedule Be Announced? Check Latest Update In a recent podcast, Australian batter Travis Head spoke about the challenge of facing Bumrah, de...

19Nov

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Border-Gavaskar trophy: Avoid getting into confrontations with Virat Kohli as it brings best out of him, says Shane Watson

Former all-rounder Shane Watson has advised the Australian team to avoid getting into confrontations with Virat Kohli in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy as he feels the intensity the celebrated Indian batter derives from provocations brings the best out of him. File | Photo Credit: Getty Images Former all-rounder Shane Watson has advised the Australian team to avoid getting into confrontations with Virat Kohli in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy as he feels the intensity the celebrated Indian batter derives from provocations brings the best out of him. Going through a lean run of form, Kohli has enjoyed great success in Australia in the past and will look to regain his touch in the five-match Test series, which gets under...

19Nov

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When Virat Kohli’s ‘Federer’ comment left Nathan Lyon bemused | Cricket News – Times of India

Nathan Lyon and Virat Kohli. (AFP Photo by Brenton Edwards/via Getty Images) NEW DELHI: Sledging and mind games have been an integral part of Australian cricket folklore almost ever since they started playing the game.And it's also a known fact that the Aussies tend to leave great players alone and try not to sledge as that makes great cricketers only more determined to score big against them.Border-Gavaskar TrophyVirat Kohli is one of those players and over the years he has made sure to score big against the Aussies whenever he has been sledged.Ahead of the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, which begins in Perth on November 22, Australian spinner Nathan Lyon recalled a similar battle with Virat during the 2014Test at the Adelaide Oval.In a video shared by Cricket Australia on thei...

19Nov

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‘Should hope that Virat Kohli doesn’t bring that intensity’: Former Aussie all-rounder issues big warning to Australia | Cricket News – Times of India

Virat Kohli. (Pic Credit - X) NEW DELHI: Former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson has issued a warning to the Australian cricket team ahead of their opening Test against India in Perth starting on Friday.Watson highlighted the intensity and competitive spirit that Virat Kohli brings to the field, cautioning Australia to be prepared for his trademark aggression.The Aussies are set to face India in a highly-anticipated five-Test series for Border-Gavaskar trophy, and Kohli’s form and leadership are likely to play a decisive role. Watson emphasized Australia's need to maintain composure against Kohli's fierce approach.Kohli's performance in Test cricket has been declining over recent years, with his struggles becoming increasingly apparent since 2020. The former Indian captain has been work...

19Nov

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Ravi Shastri confident Yashasvi Jaiswal will improve on Australian tour, backs Virat Kohli to excel.

Former India head coach Ravi Shastri is confident that the “already world class” Yashasvi Jaiswal will return from the Australian tour a significantly improved batter, no matter the challenges he encounters along the way. File | Photo Credit: Getty Images Former India head coach Ravi Shastri is confident that the "already world class" Yashasvi Jaiswal will return from the Australian tour a significantly improved batter, no matter the challenges he encounters along the way. Shastri said if Jaiswal can adapt to the challenging Perth pitch, known for its lively bounce, the young opener will play with freedom later on in the series. "I think he’ll be a better player when he leaves Australian shores. Already he’s wo...

19Nov

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Marnus Labuschagne: Home loss to New Zealand ‘damaging’ to India’s confidence but… | Cricket News – Times of India

Jasprit Bumrah, Rohit Sharma and R Ashwin (Getty Images) NEW DELHI: Reeling under the unprecedented 3-0 Test series defeat at home against New Zealand, the Indian team now has their toughest challenge of the year coming up as they take on Australia in the blockbuster Border-Gavaskar Trophy, starting November 22. After the Kiwis blanked India, the wounded Indian side hasn't had much of time to recover from the setback. Last week, the players arrived in Australia and since then have been rigorously training and prepping for the clash against giants Australia. The Indian team might have the Kiwi shocker in the back of their minds but Marnus Labuschagne knows that their opposition -- one of the best teams in the world -- knows how to bounce back. Labuschagne acknowledged the fact that the New ...

19Nov

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How to target Virat Kohli: Former Australian cricketer wants pacers to use this tactic | Cricket News – Times of India

Virat Kohli at Optus Stadium on November 19, 2024 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images) NEW DELHI: Former Australian wicketkeeper Ian Healy has urged the pace trio Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc to take advantage of Virat Kohli's recent slump in form and should try to give the right-hander a "body bash" during the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, which begins in Perth on November 22.Having scored six hundreds from 13 Test matches and averaging 54.08, Kohli has historically dominated red-ball cricket in Australia. Border-Gavaskar TrophyHealy believes that the speed trio could put the forward defense of the former Indian captain to the test with straighter impact balls that are intended to trap him in front of LBW, since he has only averaged 22.72 i...

19Nov

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EXCLUSIVE | Dealing with tragedy: Mohammed Siraj’s 2020 heartbreak and the importance of mental conditioning for cricketers | Cricket News – Times of India

Mohammed Siraj (Reuters Photo) NEW DELHI: India pacer Mohammed Siraj was practicing in Australia during the 2020-21 tour when he received the devastating news of his father's death. The heartbreaking message was conveyed to him by Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri. Overwhelmed with grief, Siraj rushed to his hotel room and broke down.Siraj had the option to return home to be with his family during this difficult time. However, he ultimately chose to stay with the team, a decision largely influenced by the unwavering support he received from Kohli, Shastri, and other senior members of the squad, who provided him with the emotional strength to endure the ordeal.Putting the personal tragedy aside, Siraj opted to serve his nation. In the Melbourne Test, he claimed five wickets, playing a crucial ro...

19Nov

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Ravi Shastri’s big prediction for ‘world class’ Yashsavi Jaiswal | Cricket News – Times of India

Yashsavi Jaiswal (Getty Images) NEW DELHI: With three daddy hundreds in just 14 Tests, opener Yashsavi Jaiswal has had a sparkling start to his Test career.Two double hundreds against England at home, a 171 on debut in the West Indian and a brilliant average of over 56.28 have made Jaiswal the most talked-about Indian batters in recent times. But the 22-year-old now has his biggest challenge in front of him as India take on Australia in the blockbuster Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT). In the challenging conditions Down Under, Jaiswal's grit, determination and mental toughness will be tested to the limits; and former head coach Ravi Shastri believes that the opener will bring his A game to the table in Australia and will be an even better player after the tour comes to an end. "I think he'll b...

19Nov

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David Warner backs Border-Gavaskar Trophy debutant to go big with the bat | Cricket News – Times of India

David Warner (Photo credit: X) NEW DELHI: Nathan McSweeney has been tasked to open on his Australia debut despite not being a specialist in that position but David Warner believes the young batter has got the technique and expects him to score big. The first Test of the blockbuster Border-Gavaskar Trophy begins on November 22 in Perth and debutant McSweeney is all set to share the opening responsibilities alongside Usman Khawaja.Up against the likes of pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, McSweeney has his task cut out in the debut Test series but Warner believes that it is a great time for the 25-year-old to test himself at the highest level. “Nathan McSweeney’s got a good technique (and) we know he can bat for long periods of time,” Warner told Fox Sports.“And then (there’s)...

19Nov

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Ravi Shastri: ‘In the face, that’s Virat’ Shastri wants to see a fired-up Kohli in Australia | Cricket News – Times of India

Virat Kohli (Getty Images) Former India coach Ravi Shastri, who guided India to historic Test series wins on their last two tours, wants Virat Kohli to fire himself up like he has done on the previous tours Down Under and rediscover his lost touch during the coming Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT).Holders India will defend the BGT in a five-Test series, beginning with the tour opener in Perth on November 22.Talking about how Kohli, who has been the subdued version of himself over the past few years, Shastri said Kohli "needs to" bring his aggression to the fore once again.How long will Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja play? "You mellow with age, don't you? But I think at the start of the Test series, you might just see (Kohli) firing again. He needs to be, I'd like to se...

19Nov

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‘India paid the price … ‘: Ravi Shastri’s stern message to Rohit Sharma’ men ahead of Border-Gavaskar Trophy | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Former India head coach Ravi Shastri has advised Team India to move past their 0-3 defeat to New Zealand and concentrate on upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. The unprecedented whitewash under Rohit Sharma's leadership marked India's first home Test series defeat in 12 years, significantly impacting their ICC World Test Championship standings position.Shastri maintains a positive outlook regarding India's prospects of qualifying for the World Test Championship Final at Lord's next year, encouraging the team to maintain an optimistic approach."India will be smarting from that defeat in the series against New Zealand because they were caught unawares. They were a little complacent and paid the price for it. That said, this Indian team is a very proud one," Shastri ...

19Nov

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Virat Kohli will have his moments, hopefully not too many: Australia’s Travis Head

Virat Kohli of India bats during the internal practice match between India and India A at the WACA on November 15, 2024, in Perth, Australia. | Photo Credit: Getty Images Australian batter Travis Head on Monday (November 18, 2024) backed Virat Kohli to “have his moments in the series” as the Indian superstar continued to dominate talks in the run-up to the five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy, starting in Perth on Friday (November 22, 2024).Kohli's ordinary returns with the bat this year in Test cricket notwithstanding, the 36-year-old has been the cynosure of all eyes since the Indian team landed in Australia last week.Head threw his support behind the Indian batting mainstay, who managed a mere 93 runs across th...

18Nov

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Babar Azam surpasses Virat Kohli as second highest run getter in T20 Internationals – Times of India

Babar Azam (X Photo - PCB) Despite Pakistan's recent ODI series victory, Australia dominated the T20I series, resulting in a whitewash for Pakistan. However, Pakistani fans found a reason to celebrate as Babar Azam, during the final T20I, achieved a significant personal milestone.Babar Azam surpassed Virat Kohli to secure the second position on the all-time highest run-scorers list in T20 Internationals.In the final match, Babar Azam anchored the Pakistan innings with a well-constructed 41 runs off 28 balls, studded with four boundaries.Despite Babar Azam's efforts, Pakistan's batting faltered, with other batsmen struggling to make substantial contributions. Pakistan was eventually bowled out for a paltry 117 runs in 18.1 overs.Babar Azam's 41-run knock propelled his total runs in T20 Inte...

18Nov

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Watch: Sarfaraz Khan, Mohammed Siraj sum up Virat Kohli in one word during Border-Gavaskar Trophy photoshoot | Cricket News – Times of India

Sarfaraz Khan, Mohammed Siraj sum up Virat Kohli in one word (Screengrabs) NEW DELHI: Ahead of the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the Indian cricket team engaged in a light-hearted and memorable photoshoot, providing fans with a glimpse into their camaraderie. Among the participants were Sarfaraz Khan, Mohammed Siraj, and the ever-charismatic Virat Kohli. ALSO SEE: Border-Gavaskar TrophyDuring a moment captured by the BCCI’s social media team, Sarfaraz and Siraj were heard calling Kohli a "legend" as he wrapped up his segment.Watch: Despite his ongoing struggles with consistency in all formats of the game, Kohli’s stature as a global cricket icon continues to inspire those around him. In another playful interaction, KL Rahul was asked to name the most famous contact on his pho...

18Nov

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Watch: KL Rahul calls this Indian legend the ‘most famous’ in his contact list | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the BCCI conducted Q&A session in which Indian batter KL Rahul was asked a light-hearted question: "Who is the most famous person in your contact list?" Without missing a beat, Rahul answered, "Virat Kohli," much to the amusement of fans and fellow cricketers alike.The response came as no surprise to many, given the long-standing friendship between the two cricketing stars. Kohli, widely regarded as one of the greatest modern-day cricketers, has been a prominent figure not only in Indian cricket but globally, and his influence extends far beyond the sport.Rahul's answer highlighted the close bond they share, with the two having played together in numerous international matches and even sharing success on and off the field.Rahul's simple y...