ganguly: Virat Kohli is more skillful than me: Sourav Ganguly

Back in form with a scintillating century in the Asia Cup, Virat Kohli earned praise from BCCI president Sourav Ganguly, who said the star Indian batsman is “more skilled” than him as a player.

Both played an aggressive brand of cricket as captains, but Ganguly said Kohli was ahead of them in terms of skill.

Ganguly said about Kohli in ‘Ranveer Show’, “I don’t think (captain) should be compared… Comparison should be in terms of skill as a player. I think he is more skilled than me. ” ‘ on Youtube.

Returning after a month-long break, Kohli recently registered his first international century in 1020 days as he smashed an unbeaten 61-ball 122 during India’s final Super 4 clash against Afghanistan in Dubai on Thursday. Played innings.

Praising Kohli, Ganguly added: “We played in different generations, and we played a lot of cricket. I played in my generation, and he will continue to play, maybe play more games than me.

“Currently, I have played more than what he has but he will go beyond that. He is tremendous.”

“Cricket has gotten a little more hectic, hectic. COVID has made it even harder for the last two seasons because of the quarantine and whatever was going on. But the rewards are good.”

Asked if he gave any advice to Kohli while battling for form, Ganguly said: “I don’t get to see him. Poor people travel a lot.”

“Everyone has been under media scrutiny. Names just keep changing over time. I won’t know half of it because I haven’t read that much. I’d enter a hotel and the first thing I’d say at the reception is, ‘Boss’ ‘Don’t put the newspaper under my door in the morning’.

“But now, obviously, it’s too much; social media is on your computer and phone. But I think cricketers find a way to shut it down,” Ganguly said.

Kohli reached the elusive three-figure mark after almost three years, albeit in the “least expected” format.

His 71st international century put him in the list of most centuries along with the great Ricky Ponting. Sachin Tendulkar is way ahead with 100 tons.

During his playing days, Ganguly also went through many ups and downs, especially after his performance with the then Indian coach Greg Chappell.

Ganguly said that cricketers should take failures positively.

“I didn’t go through any trauma. I just had good days and bad days. I had less pressure, a little more pressure and a lot more pressure… I don’t consider it as trauma.

“Young people should also look at it that way. I can say it now because I am a little more experienced. But the youth should see it as an opportunity and move on.”

On today’s fast-paced game, Ganguly said: “The game is different. It’s quicker, shorter, more sixes, more fours, and not too many deliveries left outside the off-stump. The game has changed.”

Originally published at Pen 18

US Open 2022: World No. 1 Iga Swiatek takes on Ons Jabeur in women's singles title

Originally published at Pen 18

Australia captain Aaron Finch to retire from ODI cricket

Australia captain Aaron Finch says he is retiring from One Day International cricket with effect from Sunday when the team takes on New Zealand in the third and final ODI.

In poor form recently, the 35-year-old Finch has averaged just 3.7 runs, including three ducks, since scoring 62 runs in an ODI against Sri Lanka in June.

Cricket Australia said in a statement on Saturday that Finch will continue to captain Australia’s Twenty20 team and lead it in defense of their world title when the T20 World Cup is played in Australia in October and November.

“It has been a wonderful ride with some incredible memories,” said Finch, who played 145 ODIs as captain. “I have been extremely fortunate to be part of some wonderful one-day teams.

“The time has come to give a new leader the best opportunity to prepare for and win the next World Cup. I thank everyone who has helped and supported me in my journey to this point.”

One of the most damaging openers in the world, when at his best, Finch has scored 5,401 runs in the ODI format and averages close to 40, including 17 centuries. But he failed to cross 20 in his last seven innings and his continued place in the team was in doubt.

Finch’s decision left Australia looking for a new one-day captain ahead of next year’s World Cup in India. Australia’s Test captain Pat Cummins had earlier indicated that he does not want to captain the ODI side.

Australia have already won the three-match ODI series against New Zealand in Cairns, North Queensland state by winning the first two matches.

Originally published at Pen 18

sri lanka: Asia Cup 2022: Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by five wickets

Sri Lanka beat Pakistan by five wickets in the ongoing Asia Cup 2022 Super Four match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Friday with a brilliant all-round performance.

Impressive bowling performances from spinners Wanindu Hasaranga (3/21) and Mahesh Thekshana (2/21) helped Sri Lanka bowl out Pakistan for 121 runs in 19.1 overs. Apart from Hasaranga and Thekshana, Pramod Madushan (2/21), Chamika Karunaratne (1/4) and Dhananjaya de Silva (1/18) also bowled with discipline and did a good job for Sri Lanka.

On the other hand, Babar Azam (30 off 29) and Mohammad Nawaz (26 off 18) were the top scorers for Pakistan.

Chasing a small target, opener Pathum Nisanka scored an unbeaten half-century (55 not out in 48) to help Sri Lanka win. Apart from Nisanka, Bhanuka Rajapakse (24 off 19) and Dasun Shanaka (21 off 16) also played crucial innings as Sri Lanka chased down the target with five wickets in 17 overs.

Haris Rauf (2/19), Mohammad Hasnain (2/21), Usman Qadir (1/34) were the wicket-takers for Pakistan.

Brief Scores: Pakistan 121 all out in 19.1 overs (Babar Azam 30, Mohammad Nawaz 26; Vanindu Hasaranga 3/21, Mahesh Thekshana 2/21) lost to Sri Lanka 124-5 in 17 overs (Pathum Nisanka 55 not out, Bhanuka Rajapaksa) 24; Haris Rauf 2/19) by five wickets

Originally published at Pen 18

national games 2022: Neeraj Chopra likely to skip National Games 2022 over groin issue

Despite a directive from the Indian Olympic Association, champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra’s participation in the upcoming National Games looks doubtful, as he comes out of a back injury and severe weather. Olympic gold medalist Chopra achieved another historic feat on Thursday when he became the first Indian to clinch the coveted Diamond League Final title in Zurich, signing off on an encouraging note in the international season.

A day later, he was asked about his participation in the National Games, which will be held in cities across Gujarat from September 29 to October 12.

Chopra told reporters, “The National Games are approaching. I am coming back from a back injury right now, and I will not be able to train for a week or two. So I am mainly focusing on next year. ”

The IOA has made it mandatory for the country’s top athletes to participate in the Games, which may require many players to revise their training schedules.

The IOA’s directive comes after Home Minister Amit Shah launched the Games’ mascot and anthem, which Sports Minister Anurag Thakur said would be the biggest and grandest ever.

The National Games are being organized after a gap of seven years.

Groin issues forced Chopra to pull out of the Commonwealth Games in July–August, just after the World Championships in the United States, where she claimed the silver medal.

But Chopra made an impressive comeback from a month-long injury by winning the Lausanne leg of the Diamond League series on August 26 and qualifying for the final here.

He became the first Indian to win the Diamond League Meet title in Lausanne with his third career-best throw of 89.08m.

In Zurich, Chopra started with a foul but climbed to the top spot with a throw of 88.44m – the fourth best of his career – in his second attempt, and it turned out to be his winning effort.

He did 88.00m, 86.11m, 87.00m and 83.60m in his next four throws.

Czech Olympic silver medalist Jakob Vadlage finished second with a best throw of 86.94m, which he recorded in his fourth attempt. Germany’s Julian Weber finished third with 83.73m.

Originally published at Pen 18

Virat Kohli gets candid with Rohit Sharma after his 71st century, opens up on his comeback

Originally published at Pen 18

kohli: ‘Do you want me to sit out?’: KL Rahul’s counter-query when asked if Virat Kohli should open in T20Is

KL Rahul when asked whether Virat Kohli, who scored his maiden T20I century during the Asia Cup match against Afghanistan, should continue to bat as an opener in the World Cup along with Rohit Sharma.

With Rohit Shama ruled out of the inevitable match against Afghanistan, Kohli opened the batting with Rahul.

The question was full because if Kohli opens the batting, it would mean that Rahul, whose T20 batting approach is already in question, will have to sit out.

“So am I myself sitting? (So should I sit outside?),” a puzzled Rahul, apparently not in the slightest, retorted.

The Indian vice-captain firmly believes that Kohli is not dependent on the opening slot to score big scores.

“If you play 2-3 innings you get confidence, really happy that he can play like this. You all know Virat Kohli, you’ve been watching him for so many years, it’s not like he Will score a century only if he opens batting, if he bats at No. 3, he can also score a century. It is all about the roles and what is the role of a certain player.”

But no one can deny how a team gets a boost when their best batsman scores runs.

“Obviously, Virat getting runs is a huge bonus for the team, and the way he played against Afghanistan, I know he is very happy.

The stand-in captain said, “He has been working on his game and he has worked beautifully today. As a team, it is important for every player to find time in between.”

For Rahul, even during the period of lethargy in the last three years, there was no change in Kohli’s work ethic or mindset.

“Obviously, the celebration by Virat was more of a relief. There has been no change in his mindset, approach and work ethic in the last 2-3 years. There has been no difference in the way he prepares for the game. .

He said, “He (Kohli) has always had this desire, I think we are also very obsessed with numbers, obsessed with those three digits and we think, if someone is scoring a century, then only he He is in form. His contribution has been phenomenal. Last 2-3 years,” said Rahul.

Rahul feels that the hallmark of Kohli has always been striving for perfection in the pursuit of excellence.

“As a player, whether you always want to be perfect or you want to challenge yourself to excel, he has always been that player. Even during this phase, he remains in the moment and has put on his game. Has worked. Learning for our entire group,” said Rahul.

While Kohli himself was pleasantly surprised that his much-awaited 71st century came in the shortest format, Rahul was not surprised at all.

“In that dressing room, none of us are surprised to see what he has done today. I am sure it will give him even more confidence, he will definitely cherish this century and it will create a huge confidence in the group as well. Will happen.” He added.

Originally published at Pen 18