Tag: Virat Kohli

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Kohli, Surya Power India’s Win Over Australia In Series Decider

By LokMarg

Blistering knocks by Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav and a late cameo of 25* run off 16 balls by Hardik Pandya took India to a six-wicket win against Australia in the third and final game to seal the three-match T20I series 2-1 here at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Sunday.

Suryakumar smashed 69 off 66 balls while Kohli scored 63 off 48 balls to guide Men in Blue to a thrilling run chase victory.
Chasing 187, India got off to the worst start as they lost their opener, KL Rahul, on Daniel Sams’ delivery. Virat Kohli then came out to bat and handled the charge of the Indian team with skipper Rohit Sharma.

Rohit then tried to ease some pressure and smashed one four and six in the Josh Hazlewood’s over. In the fourth over of the innings, Pat Cummins gave India a big blow as he dismissed skipper Rohit who smashed 17 runs in 14 balls. Rohit tried to play the pull shot but handed an easy catch to Daniel Sams on the straight down deep backward square leg. With the skipper’s wicket, both India openers went back to the pavilion in under four overs.

Suryakumar Yadav then came out to bat. Cameron Green was then brought into the attack but the pacer could not do much as Virat Kohli smashed a classy four on the very first ball of the spell.

In the 6th over of the innings, Kohli slammed one six and four in Hazlewood’s spell. Suryakumar then joined hands with Kohli to smash Australian bowlers all around the ground while stealing singles.

With a massive back-to-back two sixes in Adam Zampa’s spell, Suryakumar brought up his half-century. The duo of Kohli and Suryakumar brought up their 100-run partnership stand in 59 deliveries as they continued their carnage on Australian bowlers.

Suryakumar looked in great touch smashing Hazlewood for one six and four, however, his stint was cut short as he tried to play a shot on straight to long-off but handed an easy catch to Aaron Finch for 69 runs in 36 deliveries in the 14th over of the match.

Hardik Pandya then came to bat on the crease. In the 16th over of the innings, Kohli also brought up his half-century in 37 deliveries. This was Kohli’s 33rd T20I fifty.

India needed 32 runs in 18 balls and Pandya and Kohli’s duo smashed Cummins for 11 runs in the 18th over. In the second last over Pandya showed his great skills he slammed a six on the very first delivery of Hazlewood’s spell.

With 11 runs left to win in the last over, Kohli sent the very first delivery of Sams for a six but was sent back to the pavilion after scoring 63 runs in 48 balls. With 5 runs left to win in 4 balls, Dinesh Karthik came out to bat. Sams delivered a wide yorker but Hardik cleverly opened the face of the bat and sliced this fine with one hand to get it to the boundary. With a clever boundary, Hardik guided his team home to clinch the three-match T20I series against Australia.

Earlier, Cameron Green smashed 52 off 21 and a late blitz of 54 runs by Tim David guided Australia to post a competitive total of 186/7

For Australia, Cameron Green smash 52 off 21 while a blistering knock of 54 runs by Tim David powered Men in Yellow to a decent total. For India Axar Patel scalped three-wicket while Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Harshal Patel bagged one wicket each.

Put to bat first, Australia got off to a flying start as opener Cameron Green smashed Indian bowlers all around the ground, Green smashed Bhuvneshwar Kumar for a massive six on the second delivery of the game, but it was not enough for the Australia opener as he slammed a stunning four and gathered 12 runs in the first over of the innings.

Green in red-hot form continued his carnage in the second over to smashing two fours piling 11 runs in an over. The third over of the innings saw Green hammer a four before slamming two huge sixes on the delivery of Jasprit Bumrah.

Axar Patel was brought into the attack he gave his team a big breakthrough, dismissing Aaron Finch for 7 runs. However, the skipper’s wicket did not stop Green’s carnage as he slammed back-to-back three fours and brought up his 19-ball half-century in the fifth over of the game.

Bhuvneshwar was brought back into the attack and the pacers gave his team a huge breakthrough as he dismissed Green. Green departed after playing a fantastic knock of 52 in just 21 balls.

Green’s dismissal brought all-rounder Glenn Maxwell to the crease. Maxwell then joined hands with Steven Smith to keep the scoreboard running for the team.

In the 8th over, with a brilliant and fast fielding by Axar Patel helped wicket-keeper Dinesh Karthik stump run out Maxwell for 6 runs.

After Cameron Green’s blitz India Pulled things back in their favour as Australia’s score read 75 for three. Josh Inglis then came out to bat on the crease.

Smith’s stint on the crease was cut short as he was stumped by Karthik on the delivery of Yuzvendra Chahal after scoring 9 runs in 10 deliveries.

Smith’s wicket invited right-handed batter Tim David to bat on the crease. After 10 overs, Australia’s score read 86 for 4. With four wickets down Australia looked in trouble as the duo of Tim David and Inglis struggled a little to get runs.

However, the struggle did not last long as the batters steal quick boundaries and took their team’s score beyond the 100-run mark in the 12th over.

Axar Patel struck twice in the 14th over, dismissing Inglis who smashed 24 runs in 22 deliveries and new batter Matthew Wade who was caught and bowled by him. Axar totally broke the back of the visitors’ middle order in the 14th over, getting rid of Josh Inglis and Matthew Wade.

Daniel Sams ended 16th over of the innings with a huge six and four on Hardik Pandya’s spell. In the second last overs, Tim David held the fort from the front and smashed Bhuvneshwar for back-to-back two sixes and one four while gathering 21 runs.

David smashed a massive six in the 19th over of the innings and brought up a 25-ball fifty and his maiden in T20Is. Harshal Patel then stopped the blistering stint of Tim David as he dismissed him for 54 and restricted Australia to 186 for 7 in the 20-over match. David’s knock was decorated with four sixes and two fours.

Brief score: Australia 186/7 (Cameron Green 52, Tim David 54; Axar Patel 3-33) vs India 187/4 (Suryakumar Yadav 69, Virat Kohli 63; Daniel Sams 2-33). (ANI)

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Kohli Can Surpass Tendulkar In Hundreds Scored: Ponting

By LokMarg

Australia legend Ricky Ponting shared his reaction to Virat Kohli equalling his tally of 71 international hundreds before looking at if India’s star batter can now surpass Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 100 centuries.

The wait for Kohli’s 71st century finally came to an end during the Asia Cup after 1,020 days. He smashed a stunning 122* off 61 balls against Afghanistan, and in doing so equalled Ponting’s record of 71 international tons.
Having equalled Ponting, there is only one name on the list of most tons above Kohli now – Sachin Tendulkar with 100 centuries.

“If you would have asked me three years ago, I’d have said yes,” said Ponting in ICC Review when asked if he could reach Tendulkar’s tally.

“But the fact that it has slowed down as much as it did… yeah, I still think that it is possible for him, there’s no doubt. I still think he has got a number of years ahead of him, but I guess to still be 30 international hundreds behind, that’s a lot. That’s five or six Test hundreds a year maybe for the next three or four years. If you throw a couple of one-day ones, maybe the odd T20 ones on top of it. Look, I’ll never say never with Virat because you know once he gets on a bit of a roll, you know how hungry he is and how keen for the success he is. I’ll never say never that’s for sure,” he added.

The T20 World Cup starts in less than a month, but India still have plenty of cricket to play before the tournament.

India have two white-ball assignments – they will take on South Africa in three ODIs and T20Is and Australia in a three-match T20I series at home – before flying to Australia for the World Cup.

Even though Kohli has been selected for both T20I series, Ponting thinks he still needs to decide whether he needs another break before the World Cup.

“Yes, that’s a really good question and that’s probably a question only he could answer. It’s just going to depend on how he is feeling mentally again,” Ponting said.

“When you’re playing, you don’t even realise how tired you are till you do take a step back because you’re always bluffing yourself and convincing yourself that you are 100 per cent right physically and mentally,” he added.

“Sometimes you’re nowhere near that. And I think Virat has actually come out and said that as well that, he just didn’t realise sort of how bad a space he was in until he got that extended break. If he keeps scoring runs now, I’m sure he’ll play the next series. If he plays that and plays well and starts getting on a bit of a role, I think he’ll want to keep playing. He’d want to keep that momentum going,” the Australia legend said.

“But if he does have a bit of a lean patch again, it’ll probably be in his interest and India’s interest to try and freshen him up mentally as much as they can going into the World Cup,” said Ponting. (ANI)

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Anushka Unveils New Still From Sports Biopic Chakda Xpress

By LokMarg

Actor Anushka Sharma dropped a new still from her upcoming movie ‘Chakda Xpress’ on social media.

On Tuesday, she took to her Instagram handle and treated fans with a new picture from the movie.
Sharing the picture, she wrote, “Getting into her shoes and recreating the journey! #ChakdaXpressOnNetflix #ComingSoon.”

In the picture, Anushka could be seen sitting on the bed with a serious expression while talking on the phone and fixing her shoes.

The picture also gives a glimpse of her room with peeled walls, clothes hanging on the rack and a woman in the background.

Actor Anushka who is currently in the UK for a film shoot and recently, shared pictures of her coffee date with husband Virat Kohli on social media.

‘Chakda Xpress’ marks the comeback of the ‘Dil Dhadakane Do’ actor after her last release ‘Zero’ in 2018 with Shah Rukh Khan and Katrina Kaif.

Directed by Prosit Roy, ‘Chakda Xpress’ is a sports biopic film based on the life of former Indian cricketer Jhulan Goswami, which will stream exclusively on Netflix. The final release date of the film is still awaited.

The ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’ will be portraying the role of a cricketer for the first time in her career and she announced her comeback film with a special announcement video at the beginning of 2022.

Jhulan is a role model for aspiring cricketers in the country. In 2018, an Indian postage stamp was issued in her honour. Jhulan holds the world record for the highest number of wickets taken by a woman in an international career.

Anushka took a long break from her professional life after she welcomed her first child, her daughter Vamika, as she wanted to spend time with her and after a long wait, the ‘Jab Harry Met Sejal’ actor is all set for her comeback.

Anushka’s brother Karnesh Sharma will be producing ‘Chakda Xpress’ with his home production company Clean Slate Filmz. (ANI)

Asia Cup: Kohli Hits Highest Score By An Indian In T20I

By LokMarg

Virat Kohli on Thursday scored the highest individual score by an Indian player in T20 international cricket.

The star Indian batter accomplished this landmark during the Super Four clash against Afghanistan at the ongoing Asia Cup 2022.

Virat finally completed his much-anticipated 71st century. He smashed an unbeaten 122 in just 61 balls with 12 balls and six sixes.

He has overtaken the score of 118 posted by Rohit Sharma against Sri Lanka in 2017. It is followed by 117 by Suryakumar Yadav against England in 2022, Rohit Sharma’s 111 not out against West Indies in 2018 and an unbeaten 110 by KL Rahul against West Indies in 2016.

Coming to the match, Star Indian batter Virat Kohli completed his much-anticipated 71st international century and powered India to a massive 212/2 in their 20 overs during their last Super Four clash against Afghanistan at the ongoing Asia Cup 2022 on Thursday.

Put to bat first by Afghanistan, openers KL Rahul and Virat Kohli got Team India off to a great start. The running between the wickets by the duo was good as usual. Openers really started to open their arms in the third over, with Virat smashing pacers Fazalhaq Farooqi for two fours.

From that point on, KL and Virat feasted on Afghan bowlers. Virat Kohli looked in really good touch and hit spinner Mujeeb ur Rahman for two fours and a six in the sixth over. At the end of six overs and the powerplay, India stood at 52/0, with Virat (25) and Rahul (26) unbeaten.

Virat and KL continued their domination over Afghanistan, even after the powerplay. The duo kept the scoreboard running at a good speed. At the end of 10 overs, India stood at 87/0, with Rahul (42) and Virat (44).

Virat brought up his 33rd half-century in the format with a single. KL Rahul helped the team cross 100-run mark with a four in 11.2 overs and scored another four on the next ball to bring up his fifty.

Medium-pacer Fareed Malik ended the 119-run stand between the duo in the 13th over, dismissing Rahul for 62 off 41 balls after the batter was caught by Najibullah Zadran at long-on.

Suryakumar Yadav was next and he started his innings with a six on the very first ball, but Fareed got his wicket on the very next ball.

Rishabh Pant was up on the crease. He continued to tick the scoreboard with Virat and took India into the final five without further damage. At the end of 15 overs, India was at 134/2, with Pant (6) and Virat (59).

Pant and Virat continued their assault on Afghanistan bowlers. Virat was the aggressor and mercilessly hit boundaries.

With two overs to go, Pant-Virat brought up their 50-run stand. Virat also entered into the 90s. Finally, he completed his much-anticipated 71st international century and his first in T20Is.

India finished its innings at 212/2, with Virat Kohli (122) and Rishabh Pant (20). Fareed Malik took 2/57 for Afghanistan. Virat finally completed his much-anticipated 71st century. He smashed an unbeaten 122 in just 61 balls with 12 balls and six sixes. (ANI)

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Asia Cup 2022: Virat Has Highest 50 Plus Scores In T20I

By LokMarg

Virat Kohli now has the most fifty-plus scores in the history of T20I cricket.

The star Indian batter accomplished this feat during his side’s high-octane Super Four clash against Pakistan on Sunday.
Kohli struck a delightful 60 runs off 44 balls. His knock was decorated with four boundaries and a six. This was his 32nd half-century in T20Is. But he was run out on the fourth ball of the final over.

Compatriot Rohit Sharma has been knocked down to second number after this superb innings by Virat, as he has 31 fifty-plus scores, including four centuries.

He is followed by Babar Azam of Pakistan (27 fifty plus scores including a century), Veteran Australian opener David Warner (23), New Zealand’s Martin Guptill (22) and Ireland opener Paul Stirling (21).

Now in 102 matches, Kohli has scored 3,462 runs at an average of 50.91. He has scored 32 half-centuries in the format, with 94* being his best score. His strike rate in this format is 137.10.

Coming to the match, Pakistan opted to field first after winning the toss.

Virat Kohli’s blistering 60 and 54-run opening stand between Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul guided India to 181/7 against arch rivals Pakistan in the second match of the Super Four stage of the ongoing Asia Cup 2022 here at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday.

Virat Kohli was in his best form as he smashed 60 runs in 44 deliveries, while Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul scored 28 runs each setting a solid foundation for the Indian team. For Pakistan Shadab Khan bagged two wickets while Mohammad Nawaz, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah scalped one wicket each. (ANI)

Paternity Over Fraternity

By S Kannan

Virat Kohli’s decision to return to India on paternity leave at a time when the team needs him most during the Test series in Australia, has come in for intense scrutiny.

As the strong Aussies host the Ajinkya Rahane-led side in the second Test at the MCG (Melbourne Cricket Ground) from Saturday, there are sharp comments. Sunil Gavaskar, India’s greatest opening Test batsmen of all times and the former India captain has taken more than a pot-shot at Kohli for returning home on paternity leave.

Writing a column for a well-known sports magazine, Gavaskar pointed out how there are different yardsticks for different players of Team India. It is well known that T Natarajan, the sensational left-arm fast bowler who created waves during the IPL in UAE and also the T20 and ODI series with his yorkers has still not seen his newborn child, born in October.

Mind you, Natarajan is now just a nets bowler but has not been spared by the Indian cricket board (BCCI). It is also on this premise, Gavaskar has slammed Kohli for getting special treatment.

To be sure, this is not the first time Gavaskar has criticized Kohli. The last time when Kohli and Anushka Sharma broke the big news on social media, they were expecting a third member in their family, Gavaskar made a very spicy comment. He had talked of what Kohli had been doing during the lockdown. His comments drew huge flak from fans of Bollywood celebrity Anushka.

There is a difference between what Gavaskar said then and now. The Indian team was battered in the first Test in Adelaide and call of duty demanded Kohli stayed back with the team. However, as Kohli had already applied for paternity leave in October, before the team was selected for the tour to Australia, the “yes men” in the BCCI granted him leave.

It is well known, leave of any nature in any professional organisation is subject to approval and can be cancelled at the last minute. What is surprising is that not only has the BCCI granted him leave, they are not even talking about a possible revision.

The concern of the BCCI is IPL alone, and the latest decision to include 10 teams from 2022 shows they do not care for what happens in national interest – playing for India.

ALSO READ: IPL Organisers Are Shameless

Gavaskar is not alone to question Kohli. There are a few more like former left-arm spinner Dilip Doshi and AN Sharma, coach of Virender Sehwag, who have also expressed surprise at Kohli neglecting national duty.

Modern day sport is all about being professional. Kohli is not an amateur cricketer. When he leads IPL team Royal Challengers Bangalore, he is a pro who is paid big bucks and makes billions more through endorsements. When Kohli plays for India, he is again a professional who gets paid on an annual contract basis.

It is not as if deducting Kohli’s match fees for the three Test matches which he will be missing will suffice. A leader like Kohli, already under flak for being captain in all three formats, should not have proceeded on leave.

The job of the Indian cricket captain is a very prestigious one. The world wishes he and Anushka are blessed with a healthy baby but as a professional he has got his priority wrong this time. Those who advocate a man being by the side of his wife during delivery are all praise for Kohli’s decision.

But above all this comes the pride and feeling of leading Team India. It is very much akin to a fauji doing national duty on the battle front where he has to forget personal life. Life and death, near and dear ones being ill, for the soldiers and officers of Indian Armed Forces, serving the nation comes first.

That is why what Gavaskar is saying has huge traction. Just imagine, Kings XI Punjab player Mandeep Singh lost his father during the IPL in October. He stayed back, wiped, his own tears, and continued to play. This was just club cricket, but Mandeep showed that being a professional meant his loyalty was first towards work.

ALSO READ: Has BCCI Lost Its Thinking Cap?

There are many more instances as well. In fact, a few years ago, even during a Ranji Trophy game, Wasim Jaffer, former India Test captain, stayed back and played despite being informed that he had lost his mother. Jaffer won the match for Mumbai then and the bonus points, making him a big hero.

In women’s hockey, in January 2019, Lalremsiami from Mizoram played on the FIH series semi-finals after her father’s death. She was then given the option by the team management to fly back home from Hiroshima but chose to stay back.

The job of any athlete representing the country is a very prestigious one. Indian athletes are known to play with passion and from their hearts. The josh and dil se attitude quite often makes the difference in a team sport.

This is the time Team India needs Captain Virat Kohli in Australia. His batting form is good and he is now accepted as a strong leader. In the absence of a few key players like Rohit Sharma, Mohd Shami and Ishant Sharma, Kohli should have led like a true General from the front.

Should India lose the series badly, brickbats will be hurled at stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane and other players. Had Kohli changed his mind and played on, he could have become a bigger hero.

Sadly, at this point of time in Indian cricket administration, such is the power equation, Kohli is treated as someone who can do no wrong. If Kohli is to be blamed by so many people, then the incompetent BCCI is also to be blamed. BCCI president Sourav Ganguly has led Team India and knows what it is to play with josh.

He is the same man who dared to take off his shirt in the Lord’s balcony. How come Ganguly did not speak to Kohli and guide him on National Interest, playing for the country. If the Commander is making a wrong move, should not the General have stepped in?

The coming few weeks will see more news on Kohli returning home prematurely. One wonders how he can go to sleep at night without any guilt.