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Tag: Virat Kohli

  • ‘Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli should be considered our friend’: Fans engage in fun banter with Shaheen Afridi ahead of India vs Pakistan clash | Cricket News

    The Indian fans have sent a fun message to Pakistan pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi ahead of the high-voltage clash between both sides in the ongoing T20 World Cup in New York on Sunday. Nerves are a constant factor when two of the oldest cricket rivals appear on the same field. Emotions run high, adrenalin rush kicks in, and tension starts to escalate through the roof are some of the things that are easily visible during the India-Pakistan clash.

    Fans usually spend time debating about the better side and better players. But in a video that recently went viral on social media, India fans had a fun banter with Pakistan ace Shaheen. They joked that Shaheen should consider India’s stalwart duo of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma as his friends.

    “Consider Rohit and Virat as your good friends,” a fan was heard saying. (Big Boost For Babar Azam’s Pakistan Ahead Of T20 World Cup 2024 Game Against Team India, THIS All-Rounder Set To Make Comeback)

    Check out the video here…

    Indian fans to Shaheen Afridi :

    “I don’t want to bowl well tomorrow”

    “Consider Rohit and Virat as your good friends”

    pic.twitter.com/20jG1zL3ip

    aaraynsh (@aaraynsh) June 8, 2024

    In the past, Shaheen has caused trouble for India batters with his left-arm inswinging deliveries. A fan wanted Shaheen to bowl below his standards and jokingly said, “Kal acchi bowling nahi karni hai.”

    India and Pakistan will step into New York’s Nassau County International Cricket Stadium to add a new chapter to their historic rivalry. In the previous edition of the tournament, India needed magic from Kohli’s bat to seal a thrilling win at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground in 2022. This time Pakistan will look to take revenge for their slump and clinch their first win of the tournament.

    The video looks the day before the India vs Pakistan match is scheduled to play as fan is heard telling to not bowl well tomorrow in the game. Afridi is a key player for his team just like Kohli and Rohit, he will surely look to trouble the Indian duo this time as well.

    India T20 WC squad: Rohit Sharma (c), Hardik Pandya, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj. (With ANI inputs)

  • Babar Azam furious after Haris Rauf concedes last ball boundary against USA in T20 World Cup 2024- WATCH | Cricket News

    Pakistan suffered a shocking defeat to the USA in their opening match of the T20 World Cup 2024 at the Grand Prairie Stadium, Dallas. This loss has put Pakistan’s campaign in jeopardy, significantly reducing their chances of reaching the Super 8s. Babar Azam was visibly upset with fast bowler Haris Rauf after he gave up 11 runs in the last three balls, forcing a Super Over in Dallas. Despite starting well, Rauf failed to defend 14 runs in the final over of the second innings. Babar Azam stormed off the field, expressing his frustration verbally, as Pakistan failed to defend 159 runs against the USA, who are playing their first T20 World Cup.

    Ka karo may be in full angry mood #babarazam pic.twitter.com/h6s5RXB0fK

    — Babariology (@bismajahangir4) June 6, 2024

    The Pakistan team struggled in the first 10 overs with the ball, putting pressure on themselves. However, the fast bowlers made a strong comeback in the second half, with wickets from Haris Rauf and Mohammed Amir keeping Pakistan in the game. Rauf, who had been bowling well, came to defend 15 runs in the final over but ended up giving away 14 runs, leading to the Super Over at the Grand Prairie Stadium.

    Babar Azam’s frustration continued in the Super Over as Mohammed Amir gave up 18 runs against relatively unknown batters. Amir bowled multiple wide balls and overthrows, adding easy runs to the USA’s total. In the end, Pakistan failed to chase down the 19-run target in the Super Over, leading to one of the biggest upsets in T20 World Cup history.

    Pakistan’s Big Game Against India

    Pakistan is in trouble after losing to the USA. Their next game against India will be almost like a knockout match. It will take place at Nassau County Stadium in New York on Sunday, June 9. Historically, Pakistan has struggled against India in T20 World Cups, losing six out of seven matches. However, Pakistan’s captain, Babar Azam, remains optimistic, saying the outcome will depend on which team stays composed.

  • Pakistan’s T20 Campaign Derailed After Loss to USA: Here’s How PAK Can Still Qualify for Super 8 – All Scenarios Explained | Cricket News

    Pakistan suffered a shocking defeat to the USA in their opening match of the T20 World Cup 2024 at the Grand Prairie Stadium, Dallas. This loss has put Pakistan’s campaign in jeopardy, significantly reducing their chances of reaching the Super 8s. Coming into the World Cup with a shaky form—having lost two games to a second-string New Zealand, one T20I to Ireland, and a T20I series to England—Pakistan was expected to perform well in conditions favorable to fast bowlers. However, the USA displayed grit and determination, outplaying Pakistan in all departments to stun the 2022 runners-up.

    Pakistan’s Road To Qualification

    To keep their hopes alive, Pakistan must win their next three matches. A crucial game against India is scheduled for June 9, and a victory is essential for Pakistan to have a realistic chance of advancing. Additionally, Pakistan needs to defeat both Canada and Ireland to bolster their qualification prospects.

    If Pakistan loses to India, their chances become slim, even with wins against Canada and Ireland. This scenario arises because the USA could potentially accumulate more points than Pakistan. Even if the USA loses to Ireland and India, their superior run rate might give them an edge over Pakistan if Pakistan falls to India.

    Pakistan Qualification Scenarios Explained

    Pakistan needs a minimum of six points from the four matches in the group stage. After the unexpected loss to the USA, the road ahead is challenging for the Asian giants.

    Best Qualification Scenerio Result Pakistan vs India Pak Win Pakistan vs Ireland Pak Win Pakistan vs Canada Pak Win

    Points so far: 0 Total points needed: 6 Wins needed: 3 Matches remaining: 3

    If Pakistan win there all remaining matches and USA lose to India and Ireland Pakistan will directly qualify for the super 8 stage

    Tough Qualification Scenario Result Pak vs Ind Ind Win Pak vs Ire Pak Win Pak vs Can Pak Win


    In this case, Pakistan will have to hope that the USA loses to both India and Ireland, and that too by a large margin, so Pakistan can qualify based on net run rate. These are the only scenarios in which Pakistan can qualify for the Super 8 stage.

    The Gary Kirsten-coached side must secure victories in all their remaining group-stage matches. Another loss would force Pakistan to rely on the results of other Group A matches to keep their Super 8 hopes alive.

  • T20 World Cup 2024: 85% anticipate Virat Kohli to have major impact during the T20 tournament, reveals Wise’s survey | Cricket News

    Mumbai, June 06, 2024: A new survey by Wise, the global technology company building the best way to move and manage the world’s money, reveals cricket’s growing significance in fostering connection, cultural engagement, and financial activity amongst Indians worldwide.

    The research, which polled over 1,000 people based in India, found that cricket-related activities such as watching and discussing matches (39%) rank among the top three activities that help Indian respondents stay connected with their family and friends overseas. Other top activities include engaging in food-related topics such as sharing new recipes (42%), sending money for special occasions (40%), and sharing music recommendations (39%).

    Key Findings

    – 85% of respondents anticipate Virat Kohli to have a major impact during the T20 tournament. – 44% of respondents in India are keen to travel to catch the upcoming T20 World Cup matches live. – 72% believe the T20 World Cup will provide more bonding opportunities with family and friends based in the US – Over 60% noted having at least 3 loved ones establishing roots overseas, suggesting a more globalized Indian community. – Top ways Indians stay connected with loved ones overseas include food-related topics (42%), sending money for special occasions (40%), cricket-related activities (39%), and sharing music recommendations (39%).

    This finding highlights the importance of shared experiences, especially as the number of Indians with family and friends abroad continues to rise. Indeed, 77% of respondents have family living overseas, and 61% observed at least 3 to 4 loved ones relocating internationally in the past 5 years.

    Financial Ties that Bind

    The survey also reveals the vital role financial transactions play in strengthening family and cultural bonds with loved ones who live internationally. About 55% of respondents send money abroad at least once a month, with top reasons being gifts for special occasions like birthdays (49%), education endeavors (17%), and daily life expenses (10%).

    T20 World Cup: A Unifying Force

    The survey found the upcoming T20 World Cup as a significant factor in strengthening connections across borders. 44% of respondents would go the extra mile and travel internationally to attend matches, and 72% of respondents believe the tournament provides more bonding opportunities with their loved ones based in the US.

    Influential Players: Kohli, Sharma, and Bumrah Lead Expectations

    The charisma and performance of players like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah fuel the excitement surrounding the T20 World Cup. Virat Kohli is anticipated by 85% of respondents to have a major impact during the tournament, followed by Rohit Sharma (67%) and Jasprit Bumrah (38%). Fans also have high hopes for India, with 54% of respondents believing India will win the T20 World Cup.

    A Call for Transparency in Financial Services

    Despite frequent interactions with financial services, Indians still struggle to understand the true cost of sending money abroad. Traditional methods of sending money abroad often involve high charges and hidden costs, and a lack of transparency in fee structures and exchange rates makes it hard for people to know the actual cost. Indeed, 88% of respondents were not aware that there could be a markup on the exchange rate, an often unknown fee which costs people extra when they send money abroad. This underscores an urgent need for transparency in the cross-border payments space so consumers can make informed decisions.

    “This survey unveils the power of cricket in uniting Indians and their loved ones abroad. Beyond being a sport, cricket fosters cultural connections, strengthens family bonds, and even influences financial activities, as seen by increased travel intent during key tournaments,” says Shrawan Saraogi, APAC Head of Expansion, Wise.

    “At Wise, we understand the importance of shared experiences in staying connected to loved ones abroad. So, whether you’re traveling or sending money for daily expenses, education, or for special occasions, it’s important to consider the exchange rate you’re getting, whether there are hidden fees, and the speed of these transactions. Use Wise to ensure your money arrives with your loved ones on time and without hidden fees,” he added.

    Wise x The Grade Cricketer

    In celebration of the T20 World Cup, Wise has collaborated with the good folks at The Grade Cricketer. The duo will embark on a classic road trip across America, utilizing their Wise account and cards to illustrate the ease of managing finances internationally while showcasing how cricket connects people across borders. Keep a look out for the video series, with the first one dropping in the first week of June.

    About the Survey [Playing on a Global Stage: Cricket, Community, and Money Habits]

    Wise conducted a survey to examine the impact of cricket in connecting Indians and their global communities, as well as sentiments around the upcoming T20 World Cup. The survey was carried out on an online platform in April 2024, polling over 1,000 participants based in India.

    The methodology involved targeted questions to assess the viewership habits, emotional connections, and financial activities related to cricket. It also explored respondents’ family and friend network, including whether they have loved ones residing abroad, along with their international money transfer habits.

  • Yashasvi Jaiswal or Virat Kohli who will open for India in T20 World Cup 2024? Sunil Gavaskar Picks This Opener | Cricket News

    India’s superstar batsman, Virat Kohli, has been in the form of his life during the recently concluded Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season, scoring over 700 runs. Despite facing consistent criticism from former India opener Sunil Gavaskar regarding his strike rate, Kohli’s stellar performance has earned him praise and a potential new role in the Indian lineup. Gavaskar, previously skeptical of Kohli’s strike rate, has now endorsed him to open alongside Rohit Sharma for India, citing his recent IPL form. Notably, Gavaskar expressed doubts about left-hander Yashasvi Jaiswal’s form, suggesting he may not be the ideal candidate to partner Sharma at the top of the order for the Men in Blue.

    India’s WC T20 2024 Warm-Up Match: Different Opening Combination

    India’s warm-up game against Bangladesh hinted at a different opening combination, with Sanju Samson partnering Sharma due to Kohli’s late arrival from the United States. While Rohit Sharma clarified that the team composition is not finalized, the absence of Jaiswal from the opening slot indicates he might not be the preferred choice for the T20 World Cup 2024. Gavaskar emphasized Kohli’s exceptional form and suggested that his place as an opener alongside Sharma is justified, considering his recent performances. Regarding Jaiswal, Gavaskar noted a decline in his form compared to previous outings.

    “The kind of form Virat Kohli has been in, especially in the second half of the season, he should open with Rohit Sharma. Good players are good players, the kind of form Kohli has shown in the IPL, he has to open the batting . It’s good to talk about the left-hand, right-hand combination on television, but good players are good players no matter where they bat,” Gavaskar said in an interview after the T20 World Cup opener between USA and Canada. “Yashasvi Jaiswal hasn’t been in the sort of form we saw him in during the Test series,” the India legend said of the left-hander who will compete with Virat for the second opener’s spot.

    Despite Kohli’s absence from the warm-up game, he remains hopeful of featuring in India’s playing XI as they kick off their T20 World Cup campaign against Ireland on June 5. However, Jaiswal might have to wait for his opportunity, given the indispensability of Kohli and Sharma to the team’s top order.

    India’s World Cup campaign to begin soon

    India’s T20 World Cup journey includes matches against Ireland, Pakistan, USA, and Canada, with expectations high for Kohli’s potential role at the top alongside Sharma.

  • Virat Kohli on Babar Azam’s mind as Pakistan captain recalls MCG clash ahead of T20 World Cup 2024 | Cricket News

    The stage is set. The buzz is palpable. As cricketing titans India and Pakistan gear up for their much-anticipated clash at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York on July 9, the atmosphere is electric. With both teams placed in Group A of the T20 World Cup 2024, the stakes are higher than ever. This rivalry, steeped in history and passion, is more than just a game—it’s a battle of pride and prestige.

    ICC rates Virat Kohli’s 18.5 as “SHOT OF THE CENTURY” __ pic.twitter.com/gB9AP3cZBW

    — Keval 18 (@kevalVK18) November 7, 2023

    Also Read: French Open 2024: Meet Stefanos Tsitsipas’ Girlfriend Paula Badosa – In pics

    The MCG Clash: A Haunting Memory

    Pakistan captain Babar Azam recently opened up about the indelible mark left by their last encounter with India at the 2022 T20 World Cup. It was a match that showcased Virat Kohli’s brilliance, as he played an unforgettable innings that snatched victory from Pakistan’s grasp. In a nail-biting finish at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Kohli’s unbeaten 82 off 53 balls orchestrated a dramatic four-wicket win for India.

    Babar reminisced about that fateful match, admitting that Pakistan should have clinched the victory. “For me, in 2022 [World Cup]we could and should have won the India game, but they took it away,” he said. Kohli’s extraordinary six off Haris Rauf became the stuff of legends, and commentator Gerard Whateley’s phrase “shot of an emperor” aptly captured the moment’s grandeur.

    Handling Pressure: Barbar’s Approach

    As the Pakistan team prepares for their World Cup opener, Babar emphasizes the significance of managing the immense pressure that comes with an India-Pakistan clash. “The expectations and hype around the match cause some nervousness,” he noted on the PCB podcast. However, Babar believes that focusing on the basics and maintaining composure can help players navigate the pressure cooker atmosphere.

    “It’s a game of immense pressure, and if you keep your cool, stay calm, and trust your hard work and skills, things will be easier,” he advised. This approach will be crucial as Pakistan aims to improve on their recent form, having failed to make it past the group stages in the last World Cup.

    India’s unpredictability and Pakistan’s consistency

    Both India and Pakistan have experienced fluctuating fortunes in recent T20 World Cup editions. India, despite their immense talent, has often faltered at critical junctures since their inaugural T20 World Cup win under MS Dhoni. The current squad, under the guidance of coach Rahul Dravid, seeks redemption and aims to draw inspiration from their past successes in the 50-over format.

    On the other hand, Pakistan’s T20 World Cup record is a study in contrasts. Known for their unpredictability, Pakistan has reached the semi-finals or better in six of the eight editions, marking them as one of the most consistent teams in the tournament’s history. Despite internal strife and volatile performances, Pakistan remains a formidable force on paper.

    Virat Kohli: The Game Changer

    For Babar, the specter of Virat Kohli looms large. Kohli’s performance in their last World Cup encounter was a masterclass in handling pressure and executing under duress. His ability to anchor the innings and finish with a flourish is something that Pakistan will be wary of. Kohli’s presence adds an extra layer of challenge for Pakistan, who must strategize meticulously to contain his impact.

    The Road Ahead

    As the T20 World Cup 2024 unfolds in the West Indies and the USA, all eyes will be on the July 9 showdown. For fans and players alike, an India-Pakistan match is a spectacle that transcends cricket. It’s a contest that brings out the best and worst, showcasing raw emotion and unyielding determination.

    Both teams have much to prove. For India, it’s about reclaiming their status as T20 giants, while Pakistan seeks to shed the ‘unpredictable’ tag and affirm their consistency. As Babar Azam and his men take to the field, they will carry the lessons of the past, the weight of expectations, and the hopes of a nation eager for victory.

  • Will Rishabh Pant bat at number 3 for India in T20 World Cup 2024? Here’s what Rohit Sharma says | Cricket News

    During the build-up to India’s T20 World Cup squad announcement in late April, there was much debate over the best top-order combination, particularly whether Virat Kohli should open alongside captain Rohit Sharma. However, Rishabh Pant’s promotion to No. 3 has surprised many. After India’s 60-run win against Bangladesh in the T20 World Cup warm-up match in New York on Saturday, discussions emerged about Pant’s potential role in the top order following his explosive fifty.

    On June 1, India tried a new opening combination against Bangladesh, with Sanju Samson and captain Rohit Sharma opening the batting. Unfortunately, Samson struggled and was out for 1 of 6 balls. Pant then came in at No. 3 and shone with a powerful performance, hitting four sixes and four boundaries in just 32 balls. He scored an impressive 53 runs before retiring hurt, helping India reach a total of 182 for five. This performance sparked conversations about his possible role in the World Cup.

    After the match, Rohit Sharma addressed the speculation about India’s batting line-up for the World Cup. He explained that Pant was sent to bat at No. 3 to give him a chance, and the team has not yet finalized their batting order. Rohit said, “We wanted to give him an opportunity. “We haven’t nailed the batting line-up yet; we wanted most guys to get a hit in the middle,” he added.

    T20 World Cup 2024: India’s all-round performance in warm-up match

    India’s Performance in the Warm-Up Game India showcased an impressive performance in their only warm-up game before starting their T20 World Cup campaign, defeating Bangladesh by 60 runs at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium. Rishabh Pant and Hardik Pandya led with aggressive batting, helping India post a total of 182 for five. The bowlers then delivered a clinical performance, restricting Bangladesh to just 122 for nine in 20 overs.

  • T20 World Cup: Team India’s journey from clinching maiden trophy to repeated heartbreaks | Cricket News

    New Delhi: Six months after the bittersweet ODI World Cup campaign, Indian cricket fans embrace and turn their attention to the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 in the hope that Rohit and Co can finally end the 11-year ICC trophy drought that the country is suffering.

    From the inaugural edition of the tournament in 2007 in South Africa to the ninth edition of the tournament set to take place in the United States of America and the Caribbean, here is a look at India’s journey across 17 years:

    2007 World Cup:

    India made history by becoming the first-ever winner of the T20 World Cup. The tournament was full of memorable moments like the iconic India-Pakistan bowl-off and Gautam Gambhir’s heroics in the final.

    Gambhir’s 75 in the final helped a struggling side put up a defendable total. Alongside Gambhir, Rohit Sharma was also responsible for a quickfire 30 runs in the final which propelled India’s score to 157 against Pakistan.

    Wickets at regular intervals saw the Pakistan side struggle until Yasir Arafat and Sohail Tanvir’s crucial cameos with Misbah-ul-haq saw the game tilt in the Men in Green’s favour. India needed to defend 12 runs in the final five deliveries with only one wicket remaining.

    The second ball of the over bowled by Joginder Sharma was slammed by Misbah for six over long-on and it seemed the game was over. An attempt to scoop the ball over fine leg on the next delivery saw Sreesanth take a comfortable catch and secure victory for India.

    Struggle To Reach Knockouts:

    In eight editions of the tournament played so far, Team India have failed to make the knockouts in four.

    2009-

    Defending champions India entered the 2009 tournament with high expectations. After topping their group they faced tough opposition in England, South Africa, and the West Indies. The Men in Blue finished at the bottom of their group after failing to win a single game. South Africa went on to lose to eventual winners Pakistan in the semifinal.

    2010-

    The very next year saw India’s struggles continue as they faced hosts West Indies, Australia, and Sri Lanka in the Super Eight and once again failed to register a win, making it two Super Eight eliminations in a row.

    2012-

    The 2012 T20 World Cup was a strange one for India, playing in the sub-continent with Sri Lanka as the host, India faced Australia, South Africa, and Pakistan in the Super 8. The Men in Blue registered two wins against SA and Pak , respectively. But a devastating nine-wicket loss against Australia saw them miss out on a spot in the semifinals, making it the third consecutive early exit for the country.

    2021-

    The 2021 T20 World Cup was perhaps the worst display by India in the World Cup. Not only did the team lose its first-ever World Cup match against Pakistan, it lost to New Zealand as well in the group stages which resulted in the team being knocked out in the preliminary round itself.

    Heartbreak Knockout:

    2014-

    The tournament was Virat Kohli’s first ICC tournament in which he displayed his full capabilities, scoring 319 runs including 77 runs in the final against Sri Lanka. But his performances went in vain as India could only put up a score of 130 runs in the game, a target which was chased in 18 overs by Sri Lanka.

    Kohli’s 319 runs in six innings still stands as the most by a player in a single edition.

    2016-

    India’s performance in the 2016 World Cup was a bittersweet one. Despite losing their first game of the Super 10’s stage against New Zealand, hosts India went on to win against Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Australia in their next three games to secure a well-deserved semifinal berth. The semifinal at Wankhede was won by West Indies, who went on to beat England in the final.

    2022-

    India and England faced off in Adelaide in the semifinals of the tournament. Virat Kohli’s fifty runs and Hardik Pandya’s blistering 63 off 33 took the side to 168 runs in the first innings. Unfortunately for India, Jos Buttler and Alex Hales were two men in form on the night as the opening partners remained undefeated helping England romp to an easy 10-wicket victory for England.

    Virat Kohli’s Dominance

    Virat Kohli made his T20 World Cup debut in the 2012 edition of the tournament and what has followed since has been nothing short of historic. Throughout the five editions he has played in, he has scored 1141 runs in 25 innings across five editions at an average of 81.5 and a strike rate of 131.3. He has scored 14 half-centuries, the most in the tournament’s history, and is also the only player to win the Player of the Tournament award twice.

    Spinners Lead The Way

    Ravichandran Ashwin is India’s most successful bowler in the history of the tournament. The 37-year-old played his first T20 World Cup in 2012 and has taken 32 wickets in the five editions of the tournament. He is followed by Ravindra Jadeja who has 21 to his name. Irfan Pathan is India’s highest wicket-taking pacer with 16 to his name.

    Rohit Sharma is one of the only two players (Shakib Al Hasan is the other) to play in every edition of the tournament. The Hitman has scored 963 runs in 39 matches at an average of 34.39 and a strike rate of 127.88 across eight editions.

  • As RCB crash out of IPL 2024, Virat Kohli’s tendency to fail in knockouts is huge worry for India in T20 World Cup 2024 | Cricket News

    It has happened again. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have crashed out of IPL 2024. If you are an RCB fan, you must be very upset or agitated right now. You have seen it before and you are seeing it now. You have every right to feel rejected. While the players must not get trolled and hated online, the correct questions should be asked. First and foremost to Virat Kohli, who is the oldest face in this franchise, playing for them since 2008. RCB just doesn’t seem to have the stomach for fight in the playoffs. They cannot cross the last few milestones.

    Virat had a great season for them. He was one of the main reasons why RCB bounced back after winning six games on the trot. He says he does not listen to his criticism of batting strike rate but one saw how he employed sweep shots to good use to ensure runs came at good a pace. His strike rate in most of the matches at the latter stage of the tournament was over 200 which is a good sign for India as well. Having said that, Virat’s habit of not scoring enough runs in the knockouts of the big tournaments is still a big issue, both for RCB and India.

    India have lost several semifinals and finals since 2013. RCB have made it to the playoffs and finals as well under his captaincy or when he played but Virat has been a poor performer in these crucial matches. What happens to him in playoffs is still an unsolved mystery.

    Virat scored 33 off 24 balls but was done in Yuzvendra Chahal. On a track that required him to bat longer and deep, he lost his wicket in just the 8th over of the innings. RCB have now lost 10 matches in IPL playoffs, which is most by any team. That sort of concludes RCB and also Virat’s struggles.

    RCB’s top-order required to bat well on a track that was not so poor to bat on as the Bengaluru team made it look like. Faf du Plessis, Virat, Cameron Green and Rajat Patidar, who comprise the top four, failed to get starts or convert the starts into something substantial.

    IPL is a thing of past now for Kohli. He shifts focus on the T20 World Cup 2024. The good thing is that he is looking to score with a better strike rate. He may or may not open for India at the mega event in USA and West Indies. But he is surely batting in the top 3. The Indian team would have taken a huge dose of confidence if Virat had led the team to an IPL victory with his brilliant performances in the playoffs and the final. It could have ended his series of failures in the knockouts. But sadly, that trend has not been broken.

    India will be hoping that even if Virat does not have a solid T20 World Cup, his game peaks during the knockouts if Men in Blue qualify. India need match-winners in the knockouts. Yuvrajs, Gambhirs, Dhonis, Raina have all done the same in the past and that is why we have ICC trophies to show. It is about time a huge match-winner like Kohli delivers the goods in the knockouts.

  • ‘Classless Players, Apni Aukaat Mat Bhulo’: CSK, RCB Fans Begin Social Media War After Faf du Plessis And Co ‘Neglect’ MS Dhoni | cricket news

    After the IPL 2024 clash between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), a controversy took place and interestingly it involved the former Chennai captain MS Dhoni, who has possibly played his last IPL. Dhoni has not yet announced his IPL retirement but with the way he thanked the Chennai crowd after their last match at home, it appears ‘Thala’ wants to bid goodbye to the only cricket tournament he plays after international retirement. Dhoni would have liked to end on a good note, with the record-making sixth IPL trophy. Alas, it was not to be.

    Also Read | WATCH: Ambati Rayudu In Tears As RCB Knock CSK Out Of IPL 2024

    CSK had themselves to be blamed as after starting well, their campaignd derailed and this season they lost more games at home than expected. In the end, they needed a simple win to qualify for the playoffs. But they batted poorly in the chase and could not achieve the cut-off score even to qualify.

    RCB, on the other hand, won 6 matches on the trot to qualify. They won some of these matches by good margin also which boosted their Net Run rate (NRR). They were on the cusp on being knocked out early but they picked up their game in the last 3 weeks and will now play the Eliminator vs Rajasthan Royals.

    RCB fought hard and had every right to celebrate the win over CSK in their lowest group match. The celebrations were extended on the ground. An upset MS Dhoni lined up in a queue to shake hands with the RCB players. Upon seeing their celebration, he left the ground after shaking hands with the support staff of the opposition camp.

    One cannot say whether Dhoni got angered by RCB’s extended celebrations over playoffs qualification on the field but cameras have recorded him leaving the ground.

    On social media, a sort of war has erupted since then. RCB fans are targeting Dhoni for not waiting to shake hands with opposition players. On the other hand, CSK fans are also alleging that RCB players did not show respect to a senior player like MSD by ignoring him.

    One Twitter user, who happens to be a CSK fan, wrote that RCB players are classless and the should not forget that Dhoni won 5 IPL titles for CSK and should have been respected. The RCB fans also gave fitting replies to the CSK fan, saying that all MSD had to was walk 50 meters or less to shake hands.

    Check out RCB and CSK fans at loggerheads below:

    The classless RCB players who took turns to do cartwheels on the field like they had won the IPL trophy making the 5 times champions CSK team wait forever. Cricbuzz rightly criticized the RCB players for not shaking hands with #Dhoni. No class.

    Apni Aukaat mat bhulo#RCBvsCSK pic.twitter.com/iDpiu4Xe1k — Riya Sharma (@RiyaSharma9724) May 19, 2024

    Its Matter Of just 30 Seconds

    Ms Dhoni Couldn’t Walk 50meters For 30 Seconds To Shake Hands? pic.twitter.com/PY78qEu7gA

    — kanuga (@kanuga1431) May 19, 2024

    This man could walk to the pitch when he was already out just to argue with umpires on a no-ball but can’t walk 50m to shake hands with opposition?? What happened to spirit of cricket??https://t.co/LKa7TPIOIU — Akshay (@aksh__96) May 19, 2024

    The mystery continues over Dhoni’s future at CSK. Is he going to come back to win another title for Chennai next season as a player. Experts say that if BCCI keeps the Impact Player rule, in which 12 players can take part in an IPL game across the two innings, there are more chances for aging Dhoni playing next season again. The rule gives him the cushion to play purely as a batter lower down the order.