Sports

When discussing India’s legendary cricket captains, names like Kapil Dev, MS Dhoni, and Nawab Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi inevitably come to mind. Yet, leaving Virat Kohli out of this list would be incomplete. By the numbers alone, Kohli stands as one of the most successful Indian captains in history. However, despite his record, some prominent figures—including former teammate Harbhajan Singh, former Australian cricketer and IPL-winning coach Tom Moody, and Aaron Finch, the 2021 T20 World Cup-winning captain for Australia—have described Kohli’s captaincy as “disappointing.” This judgment was shared during a panel discussion on JioHotstar’s Rise of Champions. But is this assessment entirely fair? Why Some Call It “Disappointing”Harbhajan Singh argues that with the team Kohli had, India ...

As 2025 comes to a close, cricket fans have much to celebrate. This year saw several teams break long-standing trophy droughts, bringing glory back to their fans and boosting the sport’s excitement across formats. Here’s a look at five teams that made 2025 memorable. 1. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB)After 18 long years, RCB finally clinched their first IPL title in 2025. They triumphed over Punjab Kings in a thrilling final, ending years of heartbreak and near-misses for their passionate fanbase. 2. Indian Women’s Cricket Team2025 was a historic year for Indian women’s cricket. The team lifted their first Women’s ODI World Cup, defeating South Africa in a nail-biting final, marking a milestone in India’s cricketing history. 3. Hobart Hurricanes (Women)The Hobart Hurricanes wome...

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have made an explosive return to domestic cricket, leaving fans and experts impressed. Their performance in the Vijay Hazare Trophy has sparked debates about whether the BCCI should rethink its current rules regarding international stars playing in domestic tournaments. Rohit and Virat’s Spectacular ComebackRohit Sharma and Virat Kohli registered centuries in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, reminding everyone of their enduring class. Rohit scored a scintillating century off just 62 balls against Sikkim, while Kohli reached his hundred in 84 balls against Andhra Pradesh. Their performances underscore that, even after time away, these stalwarts remain at the top of their game. The match also witnessed history being made by 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who beca...

Jaipur & Bengaluru: Indian cricket fans were treated to a spectacular display of batting as Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma both scored centuries in the Vijay Hazare Trophy on the same day. Playing for their respective teams after long absences from domestic cricket, Kohli for Delhi and Rohit for Mumbai, the two stalwarts left a mark with their explosive performances. Virat Kohli’s Masterclass Former India captain Virat Kohli showcased why he is considered one of the best batsmen in the world. Against Andhra Pradesh, Kohli played a commanding century, displaying flawless technique and aggressive strokeplay that left the opposition completely unsettled. With a strike rate of 125, Kohli struck 12 boundaries and 3 sixes, leading Delhi to a formidable position in the match. His innings ...

New Delhi: Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma is poised to make cricket history in the ongoing T20I series against Sri Lanka. The star player, who played a key role in India’s Women’s World Cup 2025 triumph, needs just two more wickets to reach 150 T20 International wickets. Achieving this milestone will make Deepti the first cricketer—male or female—to claim 150 T20I wickets and score over 1,000 runs in the format. An Unmatched All-Round Feat Deepti has already taken 148 wickets in 81 T20I innings while amassing more than 1,100 runs. Her remarkable performance in the World Cup final, where she scored a fifty and took five wickets, underlines her immense value to the Indian team. In comparison, Bangladesh’s former captain Shakib Al Hasan came close in men’s cricket, scoring 2,551 runs ...

Jaipur & Bengaluru: The Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 kicked off today with a spectacular display of batting from two of India’s cricketing stalwarts, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Fans witnessed a thrilling start to India’s premier List-A tournament, which will run until 18 January 2026 with 38 teams participating. Rohit Sharma’s Explosive Return After seven years away from domestic cricket, Rohit Sharma made an unforgettable comeback for Mumbai in their Elite Group-C clash against Sikkim at Jaipur’s Sawai Mansingh Stadium. Opening the innings, Rohit smashed a magnificent 155 off 94 balls, including 18 fours and 9 sixes, taking Mumbai to a dominant 237 for 2 in just 30.3 overs, chasing Sikkim’s 236. His innings was marked by a rapid 50 in 27 balls and a century in 62 balls, thrill...

New Delhi: Former India captain Virat Kohli made a sensational return to the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025-26 after 15 years, showcasing his class in Delhi’s opening match against Andhra Pradesh. Kohli last played in the tournament in 2010, but he immediately reminded everyone why he is one of cricket’s modern greats. Explosive Batting Display Coming in at number three, Kohli faced just 40 balls to reach a quick fifty, finishing unbeaten on 59 runs from 53 deliveries with 7 fours and a six. His explosive innings not only set the tone for Delhi but also helped him surpass 16,000 runs in List-A cricket, further cementing his legendary status. Form Hot After South Africa Series Kohli has carried his incredible form from India’s recent three-match ODI series against South Africa, where ...

Jaipur: Former Indian captain Rohit Sharma made a stunning comeback to the Vijay Hazare Trophy after seven years, smashing a brilliant century off just 62 balls for Mumbai against Sikkim in the Elite Group-C match at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur. The stadium, with a seating capacity of 3,000, witnessed a record crowd of over 10,000 fans eager to witness Rohit’s masterclass. His fireworks on the field thrilled every corner of the venue, delighting cricket enthusiasts. The excitement reached its peak as fans, chanting Rohit’s name, also took a jibe at Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir. Supporters in the stands yelled, “Gambhir, are you watching Rohit’s magic?”, reflecting the ongoing tension between the former captain and the head coach. Rohit’s Return and Record-Breaking Performa...

Former India captain Rohit Sharma wasted no time in making his presence felt in the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025–26, delivering a commanding performance for Mumbai in their opening match against Sikkim. On the very first day of the tournament, the veteran batter showcased his trademark class, tearing apart the Sikkim bowling attack with an emphatic century. Opening the innings for Mumbai, Rohit looked in sublime touch from the outset. He brought up his half-century in just 27 balls, reaching the milestone with a towering six. Carrying forward his rich vein of form from the recent ODI series against South Africa, the ‘Hitman’ showed no signs of slowing down. 61-Ball Century, Vintage Rohit on Display Rohit accelerated effortlessly after his fifty and went on to complete his century in j...

Indian domestic cricket witnessed a historic moment on the very first day of the Vijay Hazare Trophy 2025–26, as Bihar rewrote the record books by registering the highest team total in the history of List-A cricket. Batting first against Arunachal Pradesh at the JSCA Oval Ground in Ranchi, Bihar piled up a staggering 574 runs for 6 wickets in 50 overs, a feat never achieved before in the format. The tournament, which features several Indian stars including Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, was instantly overshadowed by Bihar’s extraordinary batting display that stunned the cricketing fraternity. A Batting Carnage Like Never Before Winning the toss, Bihar opted to bat—and what followed was a relentless onslaught from start to finish. The spotlight was firmly on 14-year-old prodigy V...