Virat Kohli Archives - Page 2 of 4 - Lokmarg

I Liked Rohit’s Wicket Better: Afridi In Asia Cup 2023

By LokMarg 2nd September 2023

After dismantling India’s top batting order in the Asia Cup clash, Pakistan’s star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi believes that India captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s wickets were crucial for them but he liked Men in Blue skipper’s wicket.

Afridi was the wrecker-in-chief as he dismantled India’s top order and took the wickets of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya and Ravindra Jadeja.

“That was our plan with the new ball. I think both (Virat and Rohit) were crucial wickets, every batter is the same for me. But I think I liked Rohit’s wicket better. The plans by our fast bowlers worked. Naseem is bowling at 150 kph, really happy with that, he’s really fast. The new ball might swing and seam, but nothing much after that. It will be easier to score runs once the ball gets old (in the run chase),” Shaheen Shah Afridi said during a post-innings presentation.

Coming to the high-octave match, Ishan Kishan’s unbridled 82 and Hardik Pandya’s blinding batting display at Pallekele helped India post 266 after Pakistan’s pacer attack dismantled Men in Blue’s top order in their Asia Cup 2023 campaign opener here at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

Kishan and Pandya’s stand of 138 off 140 balls laid the foundation for India’s total of 266. Pakistan’s pacer attack was too good for the Indian batter as they bundled out Men in Blue for 266 in 48.5 overs.

For Pakistan, Shaheen Shah Afridi was the wrecker-in-chief as he dismantled India’s top order and took the wickets of Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Hardik Pandya, and Ravindra Jadeja. Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah bagged three-wicket hauls each. (ANI)

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India’s Troubles Against Left-Arm Pacers Continue; Rohit, Kohli Succum To Afridi

By LokMarg 2nd September 2023

India’s struggles against left-arm pacers continued in their high-octane clash against Pakistan during the Asia Cup 2023 at Kandy, with its stalwarts once again being at the receiving end of an onslaught by left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Left-arm bowlers have been troubling Indian batters, notably at the ICC events for a decade or so. Be it Mitchell Starc and Mitchell Johnson of Australia during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 semifinals, Mohammed Amir of Pakistan during the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 final, Trent Boult of New Zealand in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 semifinals or Shaheen Afridi of Pakistan in group stage match of T20 World Cup 2021, Indian batters have given away wickets to these bowlers without much resistance, especially in the powerplay stage of the innings.

This same story continued during the Asia Cup clash, with Pakistan once again rocking India with some early wickets.

The first one to go was the skipper Rohit Sharma, cleaned up as he made his move against the quick ball aimed at the stumps. The skipper was out for 11. India were 15/1 in five overs.

Next up was Virat, who started off with some promise with his signature cover drive. He got a heavy inside edge as the ball hit the stumps with Shaheen maintaining his relentless pace. Virat could score runs. India were 27/2 in 6.3 overs.

The next one to go was Shreyas Iyer. Iyer. He returned to the game after an injury, made a promising start with two solid boundaries but a short delivery turned out to be his nightmare as Haris Rauf took his wicket with Fakhar Zaman taking a solid catch at deep mid-wicket. India were left reeling at 48 for 3 in 9.5 overs.

India faced another new ball collapse and Rohit and Kohli’s performance against the left-arm pacers with the new ball has come under scanner.

Since 2021, Kohli has been dismissed four times against left-arm pacers. Against them, he has managed 87 runs in 98 balls at an average of 21.75 and a strike rate of 88.77.

On the other hand, since 2021, skipper Rohit has been dismissed by left-arm pacers a total of six times. He has scored 138 runs against them in 147 balls at an average of 23, with a strike rate of 93.87 in this time period.

In total, four of these dismissals have come within the first five overs. These statistics show that India’s concerns against the moving ball, especially by the left-arm pacers, have not disappeared completely and resurface often during big matches.

India won the toss in their opening game of the Asia Cup 2023 and opted to bat in the match being played at Pallekele Stadium in Kandy in Sri Lanka.

India’s Playing XI: Rohit Sharma (C), Shubman Gill, Ishan Kishan, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shardul Thakur, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj.

Pakistan’s Playing XI: Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam(c), Mohammad Rizwan(w), Agha Salman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf. (ANI)

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Dravid Reminisces On Virat’s First Tour To WI In 2011

By LokMarg 12th July 2023

Ahead of the first Test against West Indies in Dominica, star India batter Virat Kohli and head coach Rahul Dravid, who were part of the Test team that toured Windies in 2011 and played in Dominica, reflected on their journey in long format which has saw Virat coming back to Windies with experience of 100-plus Tests, with Dravid in a different capacity as a coach.

Virat said that when the team came into the dressing room and for the practice session, he thought about his first series as a Test player in 2011 which came in West Indies.
“When we went to the dressing room and practice session in Dominica and I can remember my first series here as a Test player. This is the country where it all started. And coming here to play after 12 years, having played 100-plus Test matches. This is just amazing. I had never imagined anything like this,” said Kohli in a video posted by BCCI.

“We all looked up Rahul bhai, we are blessed, only two members from 2011, life has come full circle & it has been amazing,” he added.

Virat’s first tour in Test cricket was disappointing despite the enormous success he had achieved in ODIs by then at such a young age. He could score only 76 runs in three matches, five innings at an average of 15.20, with best score of 30. Dravid on the other hand, topped the batting charts in the series with 251 runs in six innings at an average of 50.20, with one century and a fifty.

Dravid also said that it is special to comeback to the venue as a coach 12 years later with Virat, the only player active from that 2011 series. He also talked about how Virat was still finding his feet back then in Tests, but he could see that there was something special about Virat.

“To comeback as a coach and bring a team here after 2011 is special. Virat was the only player on that tour who is still active. I am sure Virat Kohli is proud of his journey from 2011 to now. It has been amazing and very nice to see his journey, going from a young player to grow into a senior player of the team,” said Dravid.

“The first time back in 2011, he was a young kid, he had done well in ODIs and was finding his feet in Tests. But you could see that there was something special about him and he will stick around. I never thought I would coach him. Now, I am a young coach, having just started and he has played more than 100 Tests the tables have turned,” added Dravid.

Since that series, Virat has established himself as one of the best players in modern Test cricket. In 109 Tests, he has scored 8.479 runs at an average of 48.72. He has 28 centuries and fifties each in the format, with the best score of 254.

In West Indies, Virat has struggled in Test cricket. In 9 Tests he has played there, he has scored 435 runs in 13 innings at an average of 35.61, with one century and two half-centuries. His best score is 200.

Overall against the Windies, Virat has played 14 Tests and has scored 822 runs at an average of 43.26. He has scored two centuries and five half-centuries, with the best score of 200.

Overall in West Indies, Virat has played 30 international matches, scoring 1,400 runs at an average of 46.66. He has scored five centuries and six half-centuries in 33 innings, with the best score of 200.

He has played a total of 70 international matches against the West Indies, scoring 3,653 runs at an average of 57.98. He has scored 11 centuries and 22 fifties against the side, with the best score of 200. (ANI)

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Opening Not Easy: Kohli Lauds Rohit Ahead Of WTC Final

By LokMarg 7th June 2023

Indian star batter Virat Kohli has lauded Rohit Sharma ahead of World Test Championship final saying the Indian team skipper has “got more time than anyone else” to strike a ball and the way he has performed in Tests over the last three-four years is a testimony to his temperament.

Virat said in the video posted by ICC that Rohit Sharma is a special player.
“I have always said that Rohit has got more time than anyone else and that is the special ability that he had from day one. When I saw him play the first time, I understood what the hype was all about and why he was rated so highly. What he has done for India in white ball cricket over a long period of time we all knew…the way he has performed in test cricket over the last three-four years is a testimony to his temperament of playing test cricket,” Virat added.

Virat hoped that Rohit Sharma will continue his form and noted that opening innings is not an easy job.

“Opening is not an easy job and he has done a wonderful job, opening the innings for us. He has performed well in all formats, enjoy watching him, especially from the other end, and hopefully, he can repeat his performance of what he did in Oval last time,” Virat said.

Rohit played four Tests this year and scored 242 runs with an average of 40.33. He hit one century this year.

Overall, Rohit has featured in 49 matches in which he has smashed 3379 runs at an average of 45.66. He has scored nine centuries and 14 fifties.

India’s squad for WTC final: Rohit Sharma (Captain), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, KS Bharat (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Mohd. Shami, Mohd. Siraj, Umesh Yadav, Jaydev Unadkat, Ishan Kishan (wk).

Suryakumar Yadav, Mukesh Kumar and Yashasvi Jaiswal have been named as stand-by players for the high-stakes match.

Australia squad for WTC final: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey (wk), Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Todd Murphy, Michael Neser, Steve Smith (vc), Mitchell Starc, David Warner

Standby players: Mitch Marsh, and Matthew Renshaw. (ANI)

Superstar Of The Game: Australian Players Describe Kohli Ahead Of WTC Final

By LokMarg 3rd June 2023

Ahead of the ICC World Test Championship between Australia and India at The Oval, Australian stars were given a task of describing Star India batter Virat Kohli in a few words.

India and Australia will take on each other in the WTC final at The Oval from June 7 onwards. This will be India’s second straight successive final in the tournament after 2021.
“What the Aussies think of Virat Kohli #WTC23 #cricket #cricketreels,” said an Instagram post from ICC.

Australian skipper Pat Cummins described Virat as “Good player. Always up for a fight.”

Star batter Steve Smith, who is also part of the ‘Fab Four’ batting stars of the modern era along with Virat, Kane Williamson and Joe Root, described the batter as “Superstar”.

He loves playing against us. He always scores runs against us, hope we can keep him quiet this week,” added Smith.

Opener David Warner described Virat as a player who plays an “Unbelievable cover drive”.

Marnus Labuschagne, one of the exciting up-and-coming batters in the game is also a big admirer of Virat.

“One of the all-time greats. An all-format great. Hopefully not this week (laughs),” he added.

All-rounder Cameron Green said that Virat is the ‘Man of India’.

Pacer Mitchell Starc termed Virat as “skillful backbone of Indian middle-order.”

Virat indeed loves playing against Australia. In 24 Tests against Australia, he has scored 1,979 runs at an average of 48.26, with eight tons and five fifties. His best score is 186. Across all formats against Australia, Virat has played 92 matches, in which he has scored 4,945 runs at an average of 50.97. His best score is 186. He has scored 16 centuries and 24 fifties against Aussies.

Given the form he is in, he will no doubt be a key player in the WTC final for India.

After 2021 and the first half of 2022 which went against Virat’s gigantic standards, the star batter started his redemption arc from Asia Cup 2022. Virat took a break of more than a month from the sport before the tournament. He scored his much-anticipated 71st century in the tournament after over three years.

He finished the tournament as the second-highest run-scorer. He scored 276 runs in five matches at an average of 92.00 in five games, with a century and two fifties.

In the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 later that year, Virat pulled off an innings of a lifetime, scoring 82* against Pakistan in a tense run chase at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. He ended the tournament as the leading run-scorer, scoring 296 runs in six matches at an average of 98.67 and a strike rate of 136.41.

He scored four fifties, with best score of 82*. Kohli started off the year 2023 with an ODI century against Sri Lanka. He continued his brilliant performances in big events, being the second-highest run-scorer, and highest-run scorer for India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. In four matches, he scored 297 runs at an average of 49.50, with best score of 186.

Virat had a great IPL 2023 season, in 14 matches of IPL 2023, he has scored 639 runs at an average of 53.25 and a strike rate above 139. He has scored two centuries and six fifties this season, with best score of 101*. He is the third-highest run-scorer in the league so far.

In international cricket in 2022, he has scored 724 runs so far in 13 matches, 15 innings at an average of 51.71. He has scored three centuries and a half-century, with the best score of 186.

Since his return to the sport at Asia Cup 2022, Virat has scored 1,596 runs in 38 innings, with five centuries and eight fifties. His runs have come at an average of 53.20.

Ruturaj Gaikwad, Mukesh Kumar and Suryakumar Yadav have been named as stand-by players for the high-stakes match.

Australia squad: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey (wk), Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Todd Murphy, Matthew Renshaw, Steve Smith (vc), Mitchell Starc, David Warner. (ANI)

Anushka Virat Relishes South Indian Food With Parents

By LokMarg 22nd April 2023

Anushka Sharma is back in her hometown Bengaluru and she spent some quality time savouring delicious South-Indian food on Saturday. She was accompanied by her husband Virat Kohli, her parents and other family friends.

Anushka took to Instagram stories to share the updates with her fans. In the first frame, she shared a picture of the famous food joint in Bengaluru where she had lunch with her family.

Then she posted pictures of dosa, halwa, Vada and some yummy ice cream too from the popular ice cream parlour of Bengaluru.

There’s a full-house frame for the fans too, where Anushka was joined by her parents, Virat and other friends.

The official Instagram handle of the food joint shared a gratitude note saying, “It was lovely hosting you @virat.kohli and your family! Looking forward to your next visit.”

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) will take on Rajasthan Royals on Sunday in Bangalore.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Anushka will be seen essaying the role of the iconic Indian pace bowler Jhulan Goswami in the much-talked-about film ‘Chakda Xpress’. The final release date of the film is still awaited. (ANI)

Kohli Shares Post Workout Selfie

By LokMarg 22nd April 2023

Virat Kohli is one of the fittest athletes in the world. He hardly skips a visit to the gym.

Despite a hectic IPL schedule, he manages to work out.
On Friday, Kohli took to Instagram Story and shared a post-workout selfie.

The sweat on his face clearly indicated how much he loves exercising.

“No days off (flexed biceps emoji),” he simply captioned the post.

Kohli is currently busy playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the 16th edition of IPL. He has scored the most IPL runs. In 228 matches, he has scored 6844 runs at an average of 36.60. He has 47 fifties and five centuries under his belt. His strike rate is 129.67 and his highest score in IPL is 113. The best season of IPL for Virat came in 2016 when he achieved a record of making the most runs by any individual in a season.

He scored 973 runs at an average of 81.08 and a strike rate of 152.03, which consisted of four tons and seven fifties.

Now it’s to see whether Kohli and his team will be able to lift IPL trophy or not. (ANI)

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SRK Teaches Kohli ‘Jhoome Jo Pathaan’ Hook Step

By LokMarg 7th April 2023

Bollywood and cricket make the perfect match. The IPL 2023 match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Thursday saw superstar Shah Rukh Khan casting a spell over cricketers and spectators at the stadium.

After KKR registered a remarkable win against the RCB, the team’s co-owner SRK entered the ground and met all the players. He also interacted with former RCB skipper Virat Kohli.
Several images and videos from the Thursday’s evening fixture went viral. In one of the clips, SRK is seen getting excited at spotting Kohli. He went over to him and gave him a tight hug.

SRK also convinced Kohli to try the viral steps from the Jhoome Jo Pathaan song from his blockbuster ‘Pathaan’.

SRK and Kohli’s brief meeting left fans excited.

Reacting to the duo’s images and videos, a social media user commented, “This made my day.”

“King of Bollywood meeting King of Cricket,” another one wrote.

Shah came to the venue with his daughter Suhana Khan and Sanjay Kapoor’s daughter Shanaya Kapooir. The team’s co-owner and actor Juhi Chawla also cheered the boys in purple and gold on during their big win over the RCB.

Speaking to ANI, Juhi expressed happiness over the win.

“I’m very happy with our team’s performance. I just hope and pray that all our matches end like this. Every seat at Eden Gardens was occupied. Let’s make the finals this year, let’s be champions,” she added.

KKR ended their innings at 204/7 in 20 overs, with Umesh Yadav (6) and Sunil Narine (0) unbeaten. RCB’s death bowling was a culprit as the side gave away 57 runs in the final four overs. RCB failed to chase the target. RCB were bundled out for 123. (ANI)

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Anushka Is Missing Mountains

By LokMarg 3rd March 2023

It’s a well-known fact that actress Anushka Sharma and her husband Virat Kohli are mountain lovers.

Days after spending quality time in Uttarakhand, Anushka dropped a post flaunting her love for mountains.
Taking to Instagram, the ‘Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi’ star shared a throwback picture in which she is seen sitting against a backdrop of lush greenery.

“I miss the mountains and I hope they miss me too,” she captioned the post.

Anushka visited the mountainous area with Virat and their daughter Vamika in last February. She had shared calming and adventurous pictures from her trip back then.

In one of the images, Virat could be seen trekking with his one-year-old on his back in a baby carrier.

Alongside the pictures, she wrote, “There’s a mountain in the mountains and there is no one at the top.”

Meanwhile, on the work front, Anushka will be seen essaying the role of the iconic Indian pace bowler Jhulan Goswami in the much-talked-about film ‘Chakda Xpress’.The final release date of the film is still awaited.

The ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’ actor will be portraying the role of a cricketer for the first time in her career. Anushka’s brother Karnesh Sharma will be producing ‘Chakda Xpress’ with his home production company Clean Slate Filmz. (ANI)

Kohli Completes 25,000 Runs In International Cricket

By LokMarg 19th February 2023

Star India batter Virat Kohli completed 25,000 runs in international cricket on Sunday, becoming only the sixth batter to touch the landmark and the fastest player to do so.

Virat reached this landmark during the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia in front of his home crowd at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi.
In the 12th over of India’s second innings in a chase of 115 runs, Kohli drove the first ball bowled by spinner Nathan Lyon for a boundary in the long-on region, exhibiting some great footwork.

In the first innings, he had played a composed knock of 44 runs in 84 balls.

Now, in 492 matches and 549 innings, he has scored 25,012 runs at an average of 53.55. Virat has scored 74 centuries and 129 half-centuries in international cricket, with the best score of 254*.

Virat has played 106 Tests so far, in which he has 8,195 runs at an average of 48.77 with 27 tons and 28 fifties. His best score in the format is 254*.

In ODIs, Virat has smashed 12,809 in 271 matches at an average of 57.69. He has 46 tons and 64 half-centuries in the format with the best score of 183.

The batter has also scored 4,008 T20I runs at an average of 52.73. He has a century and 37 fifties in the format.

This makes him the fastest batter to have accomplished the landmark. He surpassed compatriot and legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, who reached the 25,000-run mark in 577 innings.

He is currently the sixth-highest run-scorer in the history of international cricket.

The top-five runs in the history of the sport are India’s Sachin Tendulkar (34,357), Sri Lankan great Kumar Sangakkara (28,016), Australian batting legend Ricky Ponting (27,483), SL’s Mahela Jayawardene (25,957) and South African all-round great Jacques Kallis (25,534).

He is also India’s second-highest run-scorer next to Tendulkar.

Coming to the match, India has set a target of 115 runs to take a series lead of 2-0.

A scintillating show by spin twins Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, including a seven-for by the latter, saw Australia being skittled out for 113 in their second innings of the ongoing second test at Delhi’s Ferozshah Kotla on Sunday, setting the hosts a target of 115 runs to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series for the Border-Gavaskar trophy.

At lunch, India’s score read 14/1, with skipper Rohit Sharma (12) and Cheteshwar Pujara (1) at the crease.

Australia resumed their innings at 61/1, with Travis Head 39, Marnus Labuschagne 16 seeking to build on the visitors’ lead.

Ashwin struck for the hosts early in the session, dismissing a dangerous Head for 43 off 46 balls and reducing Australia to 65/2.

The duo of Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne then took the innings forward, adding 20 more runs before Ashwin sent back Smith for just 9. Australia was 85/3 in 19 overs.

Following this, Jadeja-Ashwin ripped apart the rest of the Aussie batting attack, with the ball keeping low and shooting off the surface.

The Aussies were eventually bundled out for 113 runs in just 31.1 overs. Only Head and Labuschagne could reach double digits.

Jadeja got the lion’s share of Aussie wickets, finishing with his career-best figures in the Test of 7/42 in 12.1 overs. Ashwin scalped 3/59 in 16 overs.

Chasing 115, India lost KL Rahul for just 1, extending his lean patch in the red-ball format. Nathan Lyon had him caught behind by wicketkeeper Alex Carey. The Indian score read 6/1 in 1.1 overs.

Rohit and Pujara then took India through to lunch without any further damage. (ANI)