Saturday, May 09
KL Rahul expressed admiration and nerves after Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma's stellar performances secured India's 17-run victory over South Africa in the opening ODI. Kohli's 135 and Rohit's 57 anchored India's 349/8, with bowlers Harshit Rana and Kuldeep Yadav also playing crucial roles in the tense win.
Shubman Gill is set to begin his rehabilitation at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru from December 1. The 26-year-old, who missed the Test and ODI series against South Africa due to a neck injury, is recovering well and will start training soon. His participation in the upcoming T20I series depends on his full recovery and readiness.
Virat Kohli's match-winning century in the first ODI against South Africa sparked speculation about a potential Test comeback. However, the star batter firmly stated his commitment to playing only one format of the game. Kohli emphasised his mental approach to cricket and the importance of enjoyment in his continued success.
Harendra Singh has resigned as the Indian women's hockey team's chief coach due to personal reasons. This development comes after a challenging period for the team, which failed to qualify for the next FIH Pro League season. Speculation is rife about former coach Sjoerd Marijne potentially returning to helm the squad.
Usman Khawaja is progressing towards availability for the Gabba Ashes Test, though his back spasms are still being assessed for a full five-day match. He returned to nets for a cautious session, showing some discomfort but appearing more at ease. Meanwhile, Travis Head is open to batting anywhere, and Marnus Labuschagne backed Khawaja's importance to the team.
Former cricketer Mohammad Kaif expressed surprise at Mohammed Shami's exclusion from the South Africa ODI series. Despite strong domestic performances and being India's joint-highest wicket-taker in the last Champions Trophy, the veteran pacer was overlooked. Kaif highlighted Shami's wicket-taking ability and the valuable experience he could offer the young Indian pace attack, especially with Bumrah and Siraj rested.
The Odisha Cricket Association has offered the first ticket for the India-South Africa T20 match to Lord Jagannath. This gesture seeks divine blessings for the event's smooth organization. The match is scheduled for December 9. Earlier, India won the first ODI against South Africa. Virat Kohli scored a century in that match. The ODI series concludes on December 6.
Legendary cricketer Geoffrey Boycott urges England to adopt a more strategic approach for the second Ashes Test at Brisbane. Following a crushing defeat in Perth, Boycott advises against reckless aggression, emphasising the need for batsmen to assess match situations. He also criticised captain Ben Stokes's 'has-beens' comment, highlighting the lack of Ashes success for the current squad in Australia.
Virat Kohli's 52nd ODI century, a remarkable 135 runs against South Africa, saw him surpass Sachin Tendulkar's record for most centuries in a single international format. His stellar performance, coupled with contributions from Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul, propelled India to a 349/8 total. India ultimately secured a 17-run victory in the first ODI.
Yuzvendra Chahal celebrated Virat Kohli's record 52nd ODI century with enthusiastic social media posts. Kohli's masterful 135 guided India to a commanding total against South Africa. Chahal's playful messages highlighted Kohli's potential pursuit of Sachin Tendulkar's milestone, showcasing their close bond and the spinner's unfiltered joy in celebrating his "Virat bhaiya's" achievements.
