Virat Kohli as batsman and captain is similar to Imran Khan: Abdul Qadir

“I wouldn’t compare the two (Kohli, Khan) but, if I look at Kohli, he also has this ability of leading from the front,” he added

Former Pakistan leg-spinner Abdul Qadir has said that he sees lot of similarities between Indian skipper Virat Kohli and former Pakistan captain and the country’s prime minister, Imran Khan. “If I look at Virat Kohli as a batsman and captain… I can say he is similar to Imran in the manner that he, like Imran, sets an example by doing something himself and then expects his team to do the same,” Qadir said on a TV show on Tuesday night.

“I wouldn’t compare the two (Kohli, Khan) but, if I look at Kohli, he also has this ability of leading from the front,” he added. “Kohli also (like Khan) takes responsibility and performs and forces the other players to perform,”|Sports News

Qadir said further.The spinner who played 67 tests and 104 One-day Internationals for Pakistan, many of them under the captaincy of Khan, was reacting to Indian head coach Ravi Shastri’s comparing Kohli to cult cricketing figures like Sir Vivian Richards and the iconic former Pakistan captain.

“If I talk about Imran, the sort of personality he had and his ability to get performance out of his players… I don’t think Virat Kohli is there as yet. But no doubt the Indian captain also leads by example,” he said. Considered by many as the best batsman of the modern era, Kohli recently led India to their first ever test series win in Australia and the Indian team under his leadership thrashed New Zealand in the recently concluded one-day series.

Virat Kohli 83rd in highest-paid athletes list, no women in top 100: Forbes

The 'World's Highest-Paid Athletes 2018' list is topped by 41-year-old Mayweather, with $285 million earnings

India cricket captain Virat Kohli is among the world's highest-paid athletes, according to a Forbes' compilation topped by American boxing champion Floyd Mayweather.

Kohli, the only sportsperson from India to be featured in the list, is ranked 83rd with earnings of $24 million.

Surprisingly, the 'World's Highest-Paid Athletes 2018' compilation is an all-male affair with no women being featured in the list.

Kohli, 29, is not just cricket-crazy India's biggest name but is also one of the most popular athletes in the world, "boasting more Twitter followers (25 million-plus) than all but three active sports stars", Forbes said.

The 'World's Highest-Paid Athletes 2018' list is topped by 41-year-old Mayweather, with $285 million earnings.

This year the Indian national cricket board 'The Board of Control for Cricket in India' named Kohli as one of just five players to receive the newly-created A+ contracts, which guarantee an annual retainer of more than $1 million, it said.

"Yet like the Indian cricket mega-stars who have come before him, Virat Kohli's big payday comes off the pitch" where he's partnered with top brands such as Puma, Pepsi, Audi and Oakley, Forbes said.

There are no women on the list.

Forbes said tennis' female sportspersons Li Na, Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams were list regulars but Li retired in 2014 and Sharapova is still dealing with the aftermath of a 15-month suspension for using a banned substance.

Williams was the only woman to feature in the top 100 last year, but her prize money dropped from $8 million to $62,000 this year after she gave birth to her daughter, Alexis, in September.

This year 40 NBA players made the cut in Forbes' annual look at the world's 100 highest-paid athletes, breaking the record of 32 set last year by hoopsters.

Mayweather heads the world's highest-paid athletes for the fourth time in seven years, thanks to a $275 million payday for his August boxing match against UFC star Conor McGregor.

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Commonwealth Games 2018: Jitu Rai wins gold, Mehuli Ghosh silver; updates

Commonwealth Games 2018 Day 5: Jitu Rai won gold and Om bronze in 10m Air Pistol final. Pardeep Singh bagged silver in men's 105kg weightlifting. India's medal tally in CWG 2018 currently stands at 15

It was a brilliant day for India at Gold Coast on Monday as the country’s medal tally doubled from the previous day in Commonwealth Games 2018. The weightlifting winning streak continued, with Pardeep Singh bagging a silver in the men's 105kg category. Shooter Jitu Rai won gold after defeating Australia's Kerry Bell, while Om Mitharwal bagged bronze medal for India in men's 10m air pistol event. India's overall medal tally stands at 15th at the CWG 2018.

A day before, women formed the core of India's stupendous day at the 21st Commonwealth Games in Golad Coast, Australia, where a 16-year-old Manu Bhaker delivered a record-shattering shooting gold medal. The table tennis team, meanwhile, stunned the fancied defending champions Singapore to clinch the top honours for the first time at the event. M C Mary Kom advanced to the medal rounds in her first and probably last appearance at the Games. India held on to their fourth position in the medals tally, having claimed seven gold, two silver and three bronze medals so far. A distant silver-medallist in the event also happened to be a woman — Heena Sidhu for shooting. In weightlifting, again, Punam Yadav (69kg) pulled off a personal best of 222kg to improve the bronze she had won in the 2014 edition, in the process adding another gold to India's haul. In hockey, Indian eves stunned Olympic champions England in its third pool match for a 2-1 victory, which took them closer to a semifinal berth.

Also Read:  Commonwealth Games 2018: Punam, Manu And Manika Lead India's Golden Charge

India's basketball teams, however, suffered their third consecutive group-stage match loss to exit the 21st commonwealth Games without a win on Sunday. The Indian men lost to Scotland 81-96 while the women lost their third group-stage match to New Zealand 55-90 at the Cairns Convention Centre. The women's table tennis team of Manika Batra, Madhurika Patkar and Mouma Das beat Singapore 3-1 for a historic maiden gold. In badminton, Saina Nehwal remained in good form and guided India to a 3-1 triumph over Singapore in the mixed team event.

In track-and-field events, shot-putter Tejinder Singh made it to the finals, while Mohammed Anas Yahiya topped his 400m heat to book a slot in the semifinals.

Here are the top 10 developments around Commonwealth Games 2018, India's performance, and schedule for the CWG events:

1. Weightlifting: Pardeep Singh bagged silver in men's 105kg weightlifting. This is India's 13th medal overall at the Games.

2. Shooting: Mehuli Ghosh won silver medal for the Women's 10m Air Rifle Final. Compatriot Apurvi Chandela bagged bronze. The 25-year-old broke her own Games qualification record of 415.6 she set in Glasgow in 2014.

3. Athletics: Tejaswin Shankar clears 2.21m in his second attempt in Men's High Jump Qualifying Round (Group A)

4. Jitu Rai, Om bag gold and bronze respectively in 10m Air Pistol final: Jitu Rai bagged Gold for India and shooter Om Mitharval equalled the Commonwealth Games (CWG) record on his way to qualifying for the final of the men's 10m Air Pistol event on Monday. Om shot 584 in the qualifying round to equal the meet record set by fellow Indian Samaresh Jung at the 2006 CWG in Melbourne.

5. Gold Coast CWG medal tally after Day 4 competitions: Top-10 positions in the medal tally after Day 4 of the 21st edition of the Commonwealth Games (CWG) on Sunday. The list is in the order of rank, nation, gold medal, silver medal, bronze medal and total medals.

6. SV Sunil shines as Indian men's hockey team beat Wales: SV Sunil ensured India's victory in the 59th minute and beat Wales 4-3 in a dramatic encounter at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games on Sunday. It was a must-win game for India, having drawn 1-1 to Pakistan and losing 0-3 to Malaysia in the previous two Pool B matches.

Dilpreet Singh (16), Mandeep Singh (28'), Harmanpreet Singh (57') were the other goal scorers for India. For Wales, Gareth Furlong scored a hat-trick to snatch India's lead on three occasions (17', 45' and 58'), converting three out of the four penalty corners for Wales. India will take on Malaysia in their next Pool B match.

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Kohli snatches ICC top spot from A B de Villiers, surpasses Sachin's points

Kohli scored 263 runs in the series and has reached 889 points, which is the best ever by an India batsman

 

Indian captain Virat Kohli on Monday returned to the top of the ICC ODI rankings for batsmen after logging career-high rating points, going past the iconic Sachin Tendulkar in the process.

Kohli has moved back to the top within 10 days of losing it to South Africa batsman AB de Villiers after the rankings were updated following India's 2-1 home series win over against New Zealand.

The 28-year-old Delhi batsman, who scored 263 runs in the series, has reached 889 points, which is the best ever by an India batsman.

"The previous highest points tally of 887 was managed by Sachin Tendulkar in 1998 and by Kohli earlier this year," the ICC said in a statement.

India opener Rohit Sharma's 174 runs in the series has seen him reach a career-high rating of 799 points, even though he remains in seventh position.

Former captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has risen one place to 11th in the latest rankings.

The list for bowlers continues to be led by Pakistan pace bowler Hasan Ali while India fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah has reached a career-best third after finishing with six wickets in the series against New Zealand.

Other bowlers to move northwards include left-arm spinners Mitchell Santner of New Zealand (up two places to 14th) and Pakistan's Imad Wasim (up 14 places to 27th). Adam Milne has also made significant movement, gaining 11 slots to reach 42nd position.

India's 2-1 win over New Zealand was not enough for them to overtake South Africa, who hold the top ranking in the at 121 points, ahead of India by two points.

Kohli was asked about Kumble's approach while coaching and he stoically maintained his stancz



Opening up for the first time, Virat Kohli on Thursday said that he will never reveal dressing-room details, in an apparent reference to the now retired coach Anil Kumble's statement that their partnership had become "untenable".

Kumble stepped down a couple of days back due to differences with the India captain.

Kohli said "he respects" Kumble's decision to quit and that there is highest regard for him as a player.
"Obviously Anil bhai has expressed his views and he has taken a decision to step out and we will respect that decision. It's something that has happened right after the tournament," Kohli said on the eve of the first ODI against the West Indies.

While he felt that Kumble is entitled to his opinion, in a roundabout manner, the skipper spoke about how dressing room details are sacred to him, which, at any cost, can't be shared with the public.
"One thing for sure is that I have had 11 press conferences that have happened during the Champions Trophy. We have created a culture over the last 3-4 years that whatever happens in the change room, we have tried to maintain the sanctity of the change room throughout. That is what the whole team believes in. For us that is paramount," Kohli stated.

The skipper said that he and his players respect Kumble's achievements as a player.

"I have total respect for him as a cricketer and what he has achieved for the nation. All the years that he has played. There's no taking away that aspect of him at all. And we all respect him totally," Kohli very consciously made it clear that he won't talk about coach Kumble's role.

(Read More…)

Full text of Kumble's resignation letter as he quits as India head coach Edit

Kumble stayed back in England instead of travelling with the team for their next assignment

Legendary leg-spinner Anil Kumble has decided against continuing as the head coach of the Indian cricket team, it was announced on Tuesday.

According to reports, Kumble, whose one-year tenure was scheduled to end at the conclusion of the ICC Champions Trophy in England and Wales, stayed back in England instead of travelling with the team for their next assignment in the West Indies.


Here is the full text of his resignation letter:
I am honoured by the confidence reposed in me by the CAC, in asking me to continue as Head Coach. The credit for the achievements of the last one year goes to the Captain, the entire team, coaching and support staff.

Post this intimation, I was informed for the first time yesterday by the BCCI that the Captain had reservations with my ‘style’ and about my continuing as the Head Coach. I was surprised since I had always respected the the role boundaries between Captain and Coach. Though the BCCI attempted to resolve the misunderstandings between the Captain and me, it was apparent that the partnership was untenable, and I therefore believe it is best for me to move on.

Professionalism, discipline, commitment, honesty, complementary skills and diverse views are the key traits I bring to the table. These need to be valued for the partnership to be effective. I see the Coach’s role akin to ‘holding a mirror’ to drive self-improvement in the team’s interest.
In light of these ‘reservations’, I believe it is best I hand over this responsibility to whomever the CAC and BCCI deem fit.

ICC Champions Trophy: Top 8 memorable India vs Pakistan matches

Ahead of the Champions Trophy clash, we look at India-Pakistan ODI matches in ICC tournaments

The most awaited contest in the ICC Champions Trophy, 2017, will be the one between arch-rivals India and Pakistan — on Sunday, June 4, at Edgbaston, Birmingham. The match is sure to refresh the age-old rivalry followed closely over decades, and it promises to be one of the highlights of the tournament.

While India VS Pakistan Cricket matches had been more common in earlier years of this decade, things have changed in the past few years, and India-Pak clashes on cricket field have become few and far in between. Matches in marquee ICC tournaments have an added significance, given the prize that any team wins is much bigger. While India has never lost a match to Pakistan in World Cup tournaments, it has been beated in two of the three times the two teams have met in Champions Trophy tournaments.

India-Pakistan Cricket has been known to stop traffic, give people racing heartbeats and force students to skip studies even during exams. Fans expect Sunday’s match to be nothing short of great, despite Indian captain Virat Kohli playing down the importance of this clash and branding it as ‘any other match’. Even as we wonder if India will begin its defence of the Champions Trophy title on a successful note, let’s take a look at earlier memorable India-Pakistan matches in World Cup and Champions Trophy tournaments.

1. 1992 World Cup

2. 1996 World Cup

3. 2003 World Cup

4. 2004 Champions Trophy

5. 2009 Champions Trophy

6. 2011 World Cup

7. 2013 Champions Trophy

8. 2015 World Cup

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India vs Pakistan: Felt like a club batter in front of Yuvraj, says Kohli

Gap between India, Pakistan teams bigger than ever, says Shahid Afridi

ICC Champions Trophy 2017: India thrash Pakistan by 124 runs

IPL final 2017: Mumbai Indians beat Rising Pune Supergiant; Dhoni defeated

For Mahendra Singh Dhoni, it was yet another final that ended in a defeat

LATEST| Magnificent death bowling saw Mumbai Indians snatch an incredible one-run victory from the jaws of defeat against Rising Pune Supergiant in a thrilling grand finale of the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Monday.

This was Mumbai Indians third IPL trophy in 10 editions and more special for their skipper Rohit Sharma, who is the only captain to win a hat-trick of titles. Rohit has in fact ow won four IPL titles (one for Deccan Chargers in 2009).

For Mahendra Singh Dhoni, it was yet another final that ended in a defeat -- fifth in seven summit clashes.

In one of the closest finals during the 10 editions, the trio of Jasprit Bumrah (2/26 in 4 overs), Mitchell Johnson (3/26 in 4 overs) and Lasith Malinga (0/21 in 4 overs) were brilliant at the death defending a lowly total of 129/8 as Supergiant were restricted to 128 for 6 at the end.

It was Johnson, who kept his nerve during the final over where 11 runs were needed. Manoj Tiwary smacked the first one to mid-wicket boundary bringing the eqaution down to 7 from 5 balls.

However the next two deliveries turned out to be disaster with both Tiwary and skipper Steve Smith (51, 50 balls) were caught in the deep.

With four required off final ball and 3 for a Super Over, Dan Christian went for an impossible 3rd run only to be run out as Mumbai players celebrated like never before.

Credit should also be given to Bumrah and Malinga for giving away only 10 runs between them in the 17th and 18th over which suddenly increased the pressure.

While the target was an easy one, it turned out to be tricky with 47 needed off the last five overs.

With Mahendra Singh Dhoni (10) at the crease in company of Smith, the Krunal Pandya over yielded 14 runs. Dhoni square cut Krunal and then Smith played a reverse pull for a six to get 14 runs off the over.

But death overs specialist Jasprit Bumrah bowled a fuller delivery inducing a thickish edge from Dhoni to bring some cheer back in the MI camp.| READ MORE....

IPL 2017 auction LIVE: English bowler Tyman Mills goes for Rs 12 cr to RCB

Tyman Mills was in demand as four teams bid for him

11: 00 am Tyman Mills was in demand as four teams bid for him, ultimately going to RCB for Rs 12 crore. A total of Rs 6.9 crore was spent in acquiring fast bowlers while wicketkeepers seemed out of favour as only one out of the batch of six found a buyer, that too at base price

KKR entered the bidding for the first time this season with Trent Boult. The Knightriders have just four overseas players in the squad currently and need more players from abroad. They were joined in the bid battle by Mumbai Indians IPL Auction who bowed out at KKR’s bid of Rs 5 crore. Boult played for the Hyderabad team in 2016 and this year, will don the KKR jersey.

English bowler Tyman Mills saw some aggressive bidding as well as Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab held their ground against each other. Both the teams did not shy from upping the stakes till Mumbai bowed out at Punjab’s bid of Rs 7 crore. At this point, the bid war between KKR and RCB started. RCB came out winner with a bid of Rs 12 crore.

Australian Patrick Cummins was fought over by Sunrisers Hyderabad and Delhi Daredevil, the former opening the bid at the reserve price of Rs 2 crore. They however bowed out at Rs 4.5 crore, thus giving Delhi the winning bid and Cummins’ services for the 2017 edition. Fellow autralian Mitchell Johnson was up next (base price Rs 2 crore). Mumbai Indians opened the bid for the fast bowler and snapped him up at reserve price.

South African fast bowler Kyle Abbott (reserve price Rs 1.5 crore) went unsold. Indian fast bowler Ishant Sharma (Rs 2 crore base price) shared the same fate, as he surprisingly remained unsold in the first round of bidding.

After three unsold players in the wicketkeeper category, the Mumbai Indians picked up Nicholas Pooran of West Indies at base price (Rs 30 lakh). The two wicketkeeprs to follow – West Inidan Johnson Charles and Sri Lankan Dinesh Chandimal too remained unsold.

10:30 Ben Stokes goes to Pune for Rs 14.5 crAM England all-rounder Ben Stokes was the costliest buy after the first round of IPL players' auction today, going to Rising Pune Supergiants for a whopping Rs 14.50 crore (USD 2.16 million) after an intense bidding war. Pune Supergiants, who removed Mahendra Singh Dhoni from captaincy, entered late into the bidding at Rs 13 crore and clinched the deal at Rs 14.50 crore defeating bids from Mumbai Indians, Delhi Daredevils, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Sunrisers Hyderabad. Read More