No cricket fanatic in the world can claim to be unaware of the current India captain's name. Born and brought up in the Indian capital city of New Delhi, Kohli emerged on the international radar after leading India to the title win at the ICC U19 World Cup in 2008. However, Kohli didn't exactly announce himself at the highest level till 2012 - four years after his debut - when in Australia he hit his maiden Test century (116) in Adelaide. By the end of that tour Kohli had also shown the world just how good a batsman he could become when his 86-ball-133 helped India chase down a mammoth 330 in less than 40 overs against Sri Lanka in the triangular series. Since then he hasn't looked back and has grown from strength to strength by proving his prowess all over the world. Having hit centuries on tough away tours Kohli improved his shorter format game several notches especially with the help of the IPL, where in 2016 he smacked a record 973 runs! A established chaser of totals, he has hundreds in all Test playing nations - except Bangladesh and Zimbabwe - where he has played just a single match. He is also a World Cup winner(2011) and was adjuged the Player of the Tournament at the 2014 ICC World T20. Being counted amongst the four great batsmen of the modern age along with Steven Smith, Kane Williamson and Joe Root, Kohli's meteoric rise over the past couple of years has seen him rise above everyone else in the art of batting. He is the only batsman yet to average more than 48 in all formats of the game and after his exploits in England in the summer of 2018, he has proved that he is the best batsman across the globe under any given conditions. For his exploits on the field he has also been awarded the country's highest sports honour - Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award in 2018. But with the accolades there also have been questions regarding team selection and his aggressive mindset resulting in failures to win tough series overseas. The fact remains though that just like his runs, there are many more Indian victories to come under his leadership and only time will tell how great a legacy Captain Kohli will leave behind. But regarding his batting skills, it's safe to assume that the debate has been settled for now. There is only one Kohli and he sits right at the top.
Read More
'Virat's second child is on the way. It's family time and things are important to him. If you are not true and genuine to yourself, you lose track of what you are here for. I think most people's priority is family. You can't judge Virat for that," de Villiers said.
India's second Test against England will be played at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam. The Men in Blue will be missing key players Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja and KL Rahul in the Test match.
Former England skipper Michael Vaughan suggested that India missed Virat Kohli the captain the most in the first Test in Hyderabad. India despite taking a 190-run lead in the first innings, lost the series opener against England by 28 runs.
Indian cricketer Virat Kohli's brother Vikas on Wednesday, January 31 issued a clarification regarding the fake news going around their mother's health. Kohli is unavailable for his side's first two matches against England and a viral post suggested that the reason could be his mother's health.
Former South Africa captain Dean Elgar recalled his first meeting with Virat Kohli and alleged that the India star spat on him. Elgar retired from international cricket after the two-match Test series against India where he captained South Africa in his farewell game in Cape Town.
England made a sensational comeback to defeat India in the opening Test match in Hyderabad by 28 runs on Sunday. India's defeat came as a big shock to fans who blamed the management for not winning the game despite taking a mammoth 190-run lead in the first innings.
India's star batter Virat Kohli competed with Australian captain Pat Cummins and World Cup 2023 final hero Travis Head for the biggest ICC award. Kohli was India's leading run-getter in Tests in 2023 and also won the Player of the Tournament award at the World Cup 2023.
India's premier batter Virat Kohli scored 2048 runs in just 36 international innings in 2023 and also bagged the Player of the Tournament award at the ICC ODI World Cup 2023. Kohli was India's leading run-getter in Tests in 2023 with 671 runs in eight matches.
Indian captain Rohit Sharma was surprised by a fan running all the way to the pitch to meet him and touch his feet as the hosts came in to bat in their first innings of the opening Test against England in Hyderabad. England were all out for 246 in the first innings after choosing to bat first.
Team India lost the toss and were asked to bowl first. India are going in with three spinners in the form of Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin.
IND vs ENG 1st Test: Virat Kohli's absence from the first two Tests against England opened the doors for Rajat Patidar to earn his maiden Test call-up. India captain Rohit Sharma opened up on the thinking process behind picking Kohli's replacement.
Team India had to make a last-minute change in the Test squad for the England series with Virat Kohli having to attend to family matter a few days before the opening game in Hyderabad starting on January 25. Apart from him, there are a few more changes from the last Test tour, take a look-
Sarfaraz Khan's wait for an India Test call-up continued as the 30-year-old Rajat Patidar was added to the squad for the first two Test matches against England. Patidar replaced Kohli in the squad who has pulled out due to personal reasons.
With Virat Kohli pulling out of the first two Tests against England due to personal reasons, the Indian team will be without either of the trio of former captain, ex-vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane or Cheteshwar Pujara in a red-ball game for the country for the first time in 12 years.
It was a memorable year for Australia in Test cricket too as Pat Cummins led them to the World Test Championship beating India in the final. As many as five Australian players have made it to the ICC Test team of the year 2023.
The former India captain Virat Kohli was invited to the Pran Pratistha ceremony but he could not attend the same on Monday (January 22) in Ayodhya.
India are second on the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 points table with two wins in four games and a PCT (Points Percentage System) of 54.16. Australia are on the top.
Virat Kohli's withdrawal from the Test squad for the first two games against England has thrown a spanner in the works for the Indian team as the former captain was the best batter for the side in South Africa series. The BCCI is going to name a replacement soon as Kohli tends to his family.
The five-match Test series between India and England is set to commence on January 25 at the Rajiv Gandhi stadium in Hyderabad. Kohli pulling out of the first two Test matches of the series is a huge blow for team India.
Team India will be taking on England in a five-match Test series starting January 25 in Hyderabad and the anticipation for everyone is to see how the visitors' new approach 'Bazball' will turn out on slow and turning Indian tracks against the Indian spinners.
Top News
Trending News
Latest News
