Saturday, July 04
South Africa legend AB de Villiers revealed a temporary fallout with Virat Kohli after prematurely disclosing information about Kohli's personal life in early 2024. De Villiers shared that Kohli ceased communication for months following the blunder, which involved publicly announcing Anushka Sharma's pregnancy. He expressed relief when Kohli eventually resumed contact.
Gary Kirsten attributed his sudden departure as Pakistan's white-ball coach to internal power struggles and a lack of authority, just six months into the role. He revealed his limited influence within the setup, particularly after being excluded from team selections. Kirsten expressed willingness to return under improved conditions, emphasising the need for cricket leadership and player focus.
Anushka Sharma celebrated Father's Day with heartfelt posts. She shared a sweet card from daughter Vamika to Virat Kohli. Vamika's adorable note charmed many fans online. Anushka also posted a photo of her father, Ajay Sharma. The Kohli family recently welcomed their son, Akaay. Virat retired from Test cricket in May 2025. The couple continues to protect their children's privacy.
AB de Villiers described his Delhi Daredevils stint as "bittersweet," highlighting internal chaos and "poisonous characters" despite playing alongside legends like Glenn McGrath and Daniel Vettori. De Villiers felt valued initially but was surprisingly released into the auction after a diminished role in 2010.
Shubman Gill, the rising star, is poised to captain the Indian Test team in the upcoming England series, a role he never envisioned. The 25-year-old expressed his surprise and shared an emotional conversation with his father upon receiving the news. Succeeding Rohit Sharma, Gill has scored 1,893 runs in 32 Tests.
Aakash Chopra cautions India against prioritising batting depth over bowling strength for the first Test against England at Headingley. He advises captain Shubman Gill to learn from past mistakes and field at least three specialist fast bowlers. Chopra suggests options like Shardul Thakur or a four-pronged pace attack alongside a specialist batter to bolster the team's composition.
Sakshi Malik, India's pioneering female Olympic wrestler, inaugurates the 'Game On' podcast, sharing her candid experiences as an athlete, mother, and wife. She reveals her postpartum struggles after her daughter Yoshiidaa's birth and acknowledges her husband's unwavering support. Sakshi also recounts her journey to Olympic success, fueled by visualisation techniques and Satyawart's encouragement, highlighting the importance of family and dreams.
Australia's head coach, Andrew McDonald, has voiced his support for Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne despite their recent struggles, particularly after the WTC final loss. McDonald emphasized Labuschagne's potential and Khawaja's stability at the top, highlighting their importance to the team's future. He believes both players have the capacity to return to form and contribute significantly.
Jannik Sinner admits struggling with sleepless nights following his French Open final loss to Carlos Alcaraz, a grueling five-set match where he held championship points. He emphasizes the importance of family and friends in coping with the defeat and finds solace in simple activities like playing table tennis.
The BCCI has unveiled the domestic cricket schedule for 2025-26, starting with the Duleep Trophy on August 28. Zonal selections return for key tournaments, and a Plate Group is introduced for lower-ranked teams to boost competitiveness. Promotion and relegation rules are adjusted, while the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy will feature a Super League stage.
