Despite his recent struggles with the bat, Virat Kohli's charisma remains undiminished. Kohli was greeted by adoring fans at Bhubaneswar airport after the second ODI against England in Cuttack. A viral video shows Kohli hugging a female fan amid tight security, highlighting his immense popularity.
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India pacer Arshdeep Singh took five wickets and Prabhsimran Singh scored an unbeaten 150 as Punjab beat Mumbai by eight wickets in a Vijay Hazare Trophy match. Prabhsimran and Abhishek Sharma's opening partnership set the tone for chasing down 249 in just 29 overs. Earlier, Mumbai managed 248 with Atharva Ankolekar's 66 being a highlight.
Ricky Ponting considers Australia and India the top favorites for the ICC Champions Trophy due to their player quality and consistent performance in major events. He also acknowledges Pakistan, the current champions, as a strong contender, noting their recent outstanding form in ODI cricket.
Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi clarified the division of responsibilities within team management following Jason Gillespie's resignation as Test coach. Gillespie cited frustration over poor communication and a diminished role after being removed from the selection panel. His departure follows a series of coaching changes, raising concerns about stability within Pakistan's cricket team.
Sunil Gavaskar's dance moves went viral after India won the Champions Trophy against New Zealand. The Rohit Sharma-led team, undefeated, claimed their second consecutive ICC title. Gavaskar's joyous celebration captivated social media, capturing the emotional victory. Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul were key in India's thrilling win, showcasing their dominance in white-ball cricket.
Desert Vipers secured a 53-run victory over Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in the ILT20 at Dubai International Stadium. Alex Hales, Nathan Sowter, and Luke Wood were key contributors. The Knight Riders had a promising start, but a middle-order collapse ended their chase. The Vipers remain unbeaten with four consecutive wins.
England captain Jos Buttler has indicated that all possibilities are open regarding his captaincy after England's early exit from the Champions Trophy following a defeat to Afghanistan. Despite Joe Root's century, England lost by eight runs, highlighting another disappointing ICC tournament for Buttler's leadership.
Australia closed the first day of the fourth Test against India at 311/6. Debutant Sam Konstas scored 60, engaging in confrontations, including one with Virat Kohli. Jasprit Bumrah's effective bowling helped maintain equilibrium. Steve Smith remained unbeaten on 68, accompanied by skipper Pat Cummins. Anticipation is high for Day 2's ideal cricket conditions.
Asked whether it was difficult to make Dhoni take up the captaincy again, Fleming said, “No, he understood the situation. Ruturaj didn’t want to go but it’s an unfortunate situation.” CSK host Kolkata Knight Riders in Chennai on Friday.
MI Emirates defeated Sharjah Warriorz by nine wickets in the ILT20 2025, with Tom Banton scoring an unbeaten century. Sharjah posted 176/9, with Johnson Charles top-scoring with 59. MI Emirates' bowlers performed well, led by Fazalhaq Farooqi's 4/24. Banton and Kusal Perera's partnership ensured a swift chase, placing MI Emirates second on the points table.
Rahmat Shah's remarkable 139-run performance significantly bolstered Afghanistan's position in the second Test against Zimbabwe, finishing the third day at 291 for 7 with a lead of 205 runs. Ismat Alam supported with a solid 64. Despite early setbacks, Shah's resilience helped Afghanistan recover. Blessing Muzarabani was Zimbabwe's top bowler, taking 4 wickets for 71 runs.