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In the first ODI against New Zealand at Vadodara, Virat Kohli came to bat at number three after India’s first wicket fell. What followed in the stands was unusual—fans, instead of showing concern, celebrated the wicket with cheers and applause. While this kind of energy is common in cricket stadiums, Kohli is not particularly fond of fans celebrating when an Indian wicket falls. Fans Celebrate, Kohli DisapprovesAs Rohit Sharma was dismissed early in the innings, the crowd erupted in joy. Similar celebrations have been witnessed in the IPL, especially when legendary players like Mahendra Singh Dhoni are batting. However, Kohli believes that such reactions are not ideal for the player walking back to the pavilion. After winning the Player of the Match award against New Zealand, Kohli c...

Cricket is a game of records—some are broken frequently, while others seem untouchable. One such remarkable record was set on 12 January 1964 by India’s left-arm spinner Bapu Nadkarni, whose miserly bowling remains legendary. 21 Consecutive Maiden Overs Against EnglandDuring India’s home series against England in 1964, the first Test was held in Chennai. On the third day, Nadkarni put the English batsmen under an iron grip. The left-arm spinner bowled 21 consecutive maiden overs, delivering 131 balls without conceding a single run. In total, he bowled 32 overs, 27 of which were maidens, conceding just 5 runs in the remaining five overs. Remarkably, he did this without taking a wicket, posting an extraordinary economy rate of 0.15, the best ever in a single innings in Test cricket histor...

India clinched a thrilling four-wicket victory over New Zealand in the first ODI of the 2026 series at Vadodara’s Kotambi Stadium, chasing a challenging target of 301 runs. At one stage, the match seemed to be slipping away from India, but a collective effort from key players helped the team recover and secure a crucial win, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. Here’s a look at the five standout performers who turned the game in India’s favor. Virat Kohli (93 Runs)The match’s biggest hero, King Kohli, delivered a match-winning innings of 93 runs off 91 balls, including 8 fours and a six. Although he narrowly missed out on a century, Kohli crossed 28,000 international runs, becoming the fastest batsman to reach this milestone, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar. His brilliant knock earn...

In a spectacular performance against New Zealand, Virat Kohli played a brilliant knock of 93 runs to guide India to a four-wicket victory in the first match of the three-match ODI series. His stellar innings earned him the Player of the Match award, but it was his heartfelt words off the field that truly captured attention. Kohli Sends Awards to His MotherSpeaking about his journey and achievements, Kohli expressed deep humility. He revealed that he does not keep track of his awards and accolades himself, but instead sends them to his mother in Gurgaon, who cherishes and preserves these accomplishments. Reflecting on his cricketing journey, Kohli appeared emotional and described his career as a “dream come true.” He said, “I have always believed in my abilities and have worked very hard...

New Delhi: Indian cricket captain Shubman Gill, who leads the national team in ODIs and Tests, has broken his silence for the first time after being dropped from the T20 World Cup 2026 squad. Speaking ahead of India’s first ODI against New Zealand on Sunday, Gill expressed his respect for the selectors’ decision and extended his best wishes to the team. Dropped from the T20 SquadGill’s recent performances in the T20 format had been below expectations, prompting the team management to exclude him from the squad. All-rounder Axar Patel has been appointed as the deputy to T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav in his place. Addressing the media, Gill said, “I respect the selectors’ decision and wish the team all the best for the T20 World Cup. I am exactly where I am supposed to be, and no one ca...

New Delhi: India’s young batting sensation Tilak Varma has suffered a setback ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026. The star batter recently underwent surgery for an abdominal injury and will miss the first three matches of India’s five-match T20 series against New Zealand. With his participation in the World Cup now uncertain, speculation is growing over who could replace him in the squad if he is not fit in time. Akash Chopra Suggests a Middle-Order Replacement Former Indian cricketer and commentator Akash Chopra shared his views in a video post on X, stating that India needs a middle-order batter rather than an opener to fill Tilak’s spot. Chopra said:"You need a player who can bat at number 3 or 4. If he can bowl, even better. But you don’t want an opener. Shubman Gill or Yashasvi...

The Bangladesh cricket team is currently engulfed in controversy as the board’s reluctance to send players to India has created uncertainty and affected the players’ mental well-being. Test captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has openly expressed his concerns about the situation, while also defending former captain Tamim Iqbal against criticism. Mental Health of Players Under StrainSpeaking to reporters in Dhaka, Shanto highlighted that the ongoing uncertainty over Bangladesh’s participation in next month’s T20 World Cup in India is taking a toll on players’ mental health. “The team is managing the situation as if everything is fine,” he said. “But this has definitely affected the players behind the scenes.” Shanto also criticized BCB director Najmul Islam for calling Tamim Iqbal an “agent...

Tensions between India and Bangladesh have now begun to impact cricket off the field as well. Reports indicate that a well-known Merut-based cricket equipment company may terminate its sponsorship deals with Bangladeshi players. BackgroundRelations between the two nations have been strained recently, with political and social issues escalating tensions. In cricket, this friction became evident when BCCI intervened to release Bangladeshi player Mustafizur Rahman, who had been bought by Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL. Following this, Bangladesh refused to travel to India for the T20 World Cup 2026, citing security concerns, despite ICC’s insistence that the matches be held in India. The Bangladesh Cricket Board also banned the IPL within the country. Sponsorship ImpactNow, according ...

The Indian cricket team is all set to begin its first series of 2026 when New Zealand tours India for a three-match ODI and five-match T20 series. The ODI series kicks off on Sunday at the Baroda Cricket Stadium, where Team India will look to start with a win under the leadership of Shubman Gill, while Michael Bracewell will captain the visitors. India vs New Zealand: ODI Head-to-HeadIndia and New Zealand have faced each other 120 times in One Day Internationals so far. India has the edge, winning 62 matches, while New Zealand has won 50 games. One match ended in a tie, and seven matches produced no result. India has also won the last six ODI encounters between the two sides. On home soil, India has dominated New Zealand, winning 31 out of 40 matches. Last year, India defeated New Ze...

Australian all-rounder Ellyse Perry, who was retained by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026, has withdrawn from the tournament citing personal reasons. Perry, who was set to earn ₹2 crore from the franchise, informed RCB of her decision before the league commenced. The team confirmed her withdrawal through an official social media post and has signed Saiyli Satghare as her replacement. Playing in New Zealand’s Super SmashPerry is currently featuring in New Zealand’s domestic T20 competition, the Super Smash, representing the Wellington Women’s team. The 35-year-old star has played four matches so far, scoring 39, 19, 14, and 31 runs, while also claiming 6 wickets. On January 9, the day RCB played their WPL opener against Mumbai Indians, Perry was...