italiannetwork.co.uk – Trending Affairs & Reports

Joe Burns recalls his debut Boxing Day Test in 2014 against India, where a brief attempt to sledge Virat Kohli backfired spectacularly. Kohli, then emerging as India's Test captain, silenced Burns with a sharp retort and a boundary. Burns learned a valuable lesson about engaging with the fierce competitor, whose leadership shaped India's aggressive cricketing identity.

Former Australia batter Joe Burns revealed how sledging Virat Kohli in 2014 backfired for his team during the Melbourne Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2014-15.

Sadagoppan Ramesh has ignited controversy by alleging that Gautam Gambhir didn't support Shreyas Iyer's Asia Cup inclusion, despite Iyer's stellar form, including a strong IPL and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy performance. Ramesh also questioned the praise surrounding India's drawn Test series in England and highlighted Iyer's pivotal role in the Champions Trophy victory, where he was India's top scorer.

Astrologer Greenstone Lobo predicts Shubman Gill will be a prolific run-scorer for India, possessing a "phenomenal horoscope." While Gill's leadership has shown promise, Lobo suggests his captaincy might not immediately translate to major ICC trophy wins.

A technical error briefly removed Indian cricket stars Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from the ICC ODI batting rankings, causing confusion as both remain active in the format. Sharma, recently ranked No. 2, and Kohli, at fourth, disappeared from the top 100 before being swiftly reinstated by the ICC after investigation.

Keshav Maharaj has regained the top spot in the ICC ODI bowling rankings, surpassing Kuldeep Yadav, who now ranks third. Namibia's Bernard Scholtz made a significant leap to fourth, marking a milestone for Associate cricket. Shubman Gill remains the top ODI batter, while India's Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma lead the T20I batting rankings, showcasing India's dominance in both formats.

Rishabh Pant aims to surpass Virat Kohli's record of Test centuries against England in the upcoming Edgbaston Test. Following his impressive performance in the first Test, Pant needs one more century to overtake Kohli and equal Mohammed Azharuddin's record.

Following India's defeat to England, Sanjay Manjrekar critiqued Shubman Gill's captaincy, suggesting he was overly defensive despite favourable conditions. Manjrekar contrasted Gill's approach with Virat Kohli's aggressive style. He lauded Rishabh Pant's form but cautioned KL Rahul against inconsistency. India, trailing 0-1, faces England in the second Test at Edgbaston.

Reflecting on India's T20 World Cup victory, Rohit Sharma highlighted Virat Kohli's pivotal 76-run innings and his crucial partnership with Axar Patel against South Africa. Sharma emphasized Kohli's experience and composure under pressure, which anchored the innings after early wickets fell.

Riyan Parag, the emerging Indian all-rounder, considers Virat Kohli his cricketing inspiration, fondly calling him "The king who gave me my India cap." Kohli presented Parag with his ODI cap in August 2024, acknowledging his potential as a match-winner. Despite a modest debut, Parag's IPL performances and Kohli's encouragement have fueled his international aspirations.

In 2024, Team India secured a memorable T20 World Cup victory, ending a decade-long drought in ICC knockouts. They remained unbeaten, defeating strong teams like Australia, Pakistan, and England. The final against South Africa saw India defend a total of 176, winning by seven runs.

Rohit Sharma reflects on India's thrilling seven-run victory over South Africa in Barbados, securing the ICC T20 World Cup after a 13-year wait. He recalls the sleepless night before the final, filled with nerves and anticipation. The tournament marked a significant farewell for legends Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from T20s, with Rohit shining as the second-highest run-scorer.

Allan Lamb, the former England cricketer, declared Sachin Tendulkar as the best Indian batter, even placing him above Sunil Gavaskar and Virat Kohli. Lamb humorously recalls dropping Tendulkar early in his career, jokingly claiming responsibility for his success.

Wimbledon is targeting India to grow its brand, tapping into cricket’s popularity and engaging young audiences through collaborations, influencers, and technology. Indian cricketers like Virat Kohli, Sachin Tendulkar, and Rohit Sharma have become key figures in this strategy. With key partnerships, Wimbledon aims to blend tradition with innovation for global appeal.